Celebrations are being planned at Bethany Theological Seminary in order to both honor retiring president Gene Roop and to ring in the seminary's new logo and identity. The Bethany board officially unveiled the new logo at its recent meetings. This is the first design change since 1963, when the previous logo was created to mark the seminary’s move to its former Oak Brook (Ill.) location.
Along with remembering the highlights of Roop's career, the celebrations will also include performances by the Christian tribute band, "The Rolling Stones (away from the tomb)," along with the premiere of the independent film "The Relocation Horror Picture Show."
President Roop describes the new logo as evocative. “It has features that are clear and confessional and others less tangible, inviting imagination and wonder. It serves as an invitation to join our community, which features both of those dimensions.”
“Consistent with Bethany’s mission to educate witnesses to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the cross is prominent at the center of the logo, arising from baptismal waters and rehearsed in the practice of foot washing, both important worship practices in the Church of the Brethren,” said a release from the seminary. “The bottom perimeter of the symbol suggests lips and water. The lips represents the holy kiss. At the bottom of the waters is a fish, the symbol early Christians used to express their commitment to Jesus Christ, the son of God. Atop the waters is a form which lends itself to several symbolic possibilities. As a book, it denotes both Bethany’s biblical foundation and striving for academic excellence. As a dove, the lines lift up both the dove of divine presence at baptism and the dove of peace, representing one of the living testimonies of the Church of the Brethren.”
1 comment:
A Brethren perspective on the holy kiss is found here.
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