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Recently, the Congregational United Church of Christ (CUCC), Newton, awarded a $2,000 seminary scholarship to Rev. Jessica Margrave Schirm of United Church of Christ – Congregational, Grinnell. Schirm is completing her Doctor of Ministry as a student at Chicago Theological Seminary through the ecumenical ACTS Doctor of Ministry in Preaching Program. Schirm completed her undergraduate degree with a Bachelor of Arts in Religion at Cumberland College and her Master of Divinity at Wake Forest University where she discovered her love of pastoral care and preaching. Rev. Schirm is currently serving as senior pastor of the United Church of Christ – Congregational, Grinnell.
Started in 1980 with seed money provided by members Dwight and Opal Smith, Congregational United Church of Christ, Newton has administered the Seminary Scholarship Fund since its inception awarding more than $20,000 in scholarships. Rev. Schirm marks the 28th scholarship recipient.
The Seminary Scholarship program seeks to award a scholarship each year. If Newton Congregational UCC has anyone preparing for full-time ministry, he or she would receive the scholarship when enrolled. If none are identified, a seminary student from the Central Association, the Iowa Conference or a student at a United Church of Christ Seminary could receive the scholarship.