Celtic Cross
"And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love, kindness and walk humbly with your God." - Micah 6:8
Celtic Cross provides PCUSA students with a supportive community where they explore the meaning of vocation and call as Christians engaged in the journey of faith, recognizing the validity and importance of both lay and professional ministry.
About the program
Celtic Cross, created at Presbyterian College in 1995, is considered a model for church leadership development programs. Designed to challenge Presbyterian USA students to think theologically about vocation and to consider professional or lay leadership in the church for themselves, Celtic Cross is a joint ministry of First Presbyterian Church of Spartanburg, S.C., and Presbyterian College.
The scholarship program offers students opportunities to participate in a variety of leadership programs including two retreats annually and leadership teams with mentors that provide worship / program leadership opportunities throughout the year.
Participants also are encouraged to participate in summer work, conferences, academic courses suggested for non-Christian Education/Religion majors, spring break/May trips, as well as on-campus activities and international study. Additional opportunities are also available to those who volunteer to be part of special teams which provide leadership for presbytery and congregational events/retreats.
More then 95 percent of Celtic Cross Alumni are actively engaged in a local church as lay leaders, ministers, Christian educators and youth ministers, or are enrolled in a PCUSA seminary.
Contacts
The Rev. Dr. Jim Simpson
Director of Church Relations
864-833-8268
jsimpson@presby.edu
The Rev. Dr. Albert (Al) F. Masters III
Interim Chaplain
864-833-8475
afmasters@presby.edu
Lucy Strong
Coordinator of Student Volunteer Services
864-833-7000
lc_strong@presby.edu
Members
Nan Arnold '09
Sarah Cairatti '09
Becky Cremer '09
Steve Cummings '09
Brent Fordham '09
John Gartrell '09
Catherine Kunkle '09
Kyle Kyzer '09
Susan Rembert '09
Kira Stringer '09
Andrea Wood '09
Paige Anderson '10
Tiffany Atkinson '10
Erin Boland '10
Sarah Bellacicco '10
Sally Besuden '10
Lee Catoe '10
Ellison Cavedo '10
Jonathan Choi '10
Grace Escamilla '10
Micah Mallory '10
Beth Olker '10
Jennifer Rembert '10
Taylor Rigot '10
Myra Shanks '10
Will Sudderth '10
Nancy Cooper '11
Anna George '11
Whitney Farrel '11
Mentor churches
First Presbyterian Church of Clinton
Hartness-Thornwell Presbyterian Church of Clinton
First Presbyterian Church of Spartanburg
Lake Murray Presbyterian Church of Chapin
Fourth Presbyterian Church of Greenville
First Presbyterian Church of Greer
Eastminster Presbyterian Church of Simpsonville
Retreats
Celtic Cross retreats allow participants to benefit from extended contact with outstanding leaders of the PCUSA, and occasionally from other denominations, and to be introduced to important issues facing the denomination.
In addition, it's an important time for fellowship and community building for Celtic Cross.
Topics have included talks on leadership and servant hood, perspectives on evangelism, ministering to youth, diversity, and church history from outstanding church leaders from all over the country.
Two retreats are held each year, one in September and a second in January. For a complete schedule, call or e-mail the Office of the Chaplain at 864-833-8475.
Scholarships
All participants received a Celtic Cross grant of up to $250 per semester. Team leaders receive $250 per semester upon receipt of a leadership team report of activities for the semester.
Summer work supplements are available on an as-needed basis for those earning less than $2,000 for summer work in approved PCUSA program settings (i.e., camps, conference centers, mission volunteers). The maximum award is $500 each summer. Eligibility for the maximum award requires a minimum of eight weeks of work in the student's chosen program area.
Scholarship assistance is available for designated resource and skill events related to the PCUSA that augment the program experience such as ARW, SARW, etc. Students are expected to apply for any scholarships offered by the specific program in order to qualify for this assistance. Prior approval of program director is required, and only one scholarship per event per participant is allowed.
Visit campus
Call our office at 1-800-960-7583 to arrange a visit. We will be glad to set you up to visit with faculty and/or sit in on a class or stay overnight in a dorm.
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