Each month, the CTS community gathers for Chapel—a time to pause, pray, and lift our hearts together in worship. It is a rhythm that roots us in God’s presence and reminds us that our life together is centered in Christ. This year, we are celebrating stories of salvation with a special symbolic focus on water. From the waters of creation to the waters of baptism, Scripture brims with images of God’s saving presence flowing like streams through the desert. 

On Thursday, October 16 at 11:00 am Eastern, we invite you to join us for Chapel in Sweeney Chapel or via livestream on CTS’s YouTube channel. Our preacher will be Rev. Sarah Zuniga.

The theme for the day comes from Ezekiel 47:1–12, a striking vision of water flowing from the temple. This passage offers a picture of healing, abundance, and life made possible through God’s presence. As the water deepens and spreads, it transforms barren landscapes into flourishing places filled with trees, fruit, and renewal. 

The Year of Water: Stories of Salvation 

For the 2025-2026 academic year, CTS Chapel is turning to stories of salvation in Scripture, focusing particularly on the imagery of water. Water is one of the most enduring biblical symbols of God’s grace and power. It carries us through danger, as with the Israelites crossing the sea. It washes us clean, as in the waters of baptism. It sustains us in wilderness places, as living water springing up from the rock. 

By reflecting on water, we reflect on the many ways God brings renewal and life when all seems dry or broken. Each month, our Chapel preachers are helping us to draw connections between these rich scriptural images and the work of ministry, justice, and discipleship in our own time. 

Rev. Zuniga’s text from Ezekiel points us to a vision of restoration that begins in the house of God but flows outward, far beyond the temple walls. It is a reminder that the Spirit’s work is never contained or limited but is always moving, always transforming, always bringing life where it is needed most. 

Meet Rev. Sarah Zuniga 

We are delighted to welcome Rev. Sarah Zuniga (they/she) as our preacher for this Chapel service. Sarah serves as Associate Minister of Outreach & Growth at Allisonville Christian Church in Indianapolis, where they bring a heart for building community and a deep commitment to justice. 

Originally from northwest Illinois, Sarah is at home in the Midwest. They hold a BS from Eureka College and an MDiv from the University of Chicago. “I found the Disciples of Christ in college and resisted until I could no longer ignore a call to ministry. I’ve been at ACC for almost two years,” Zuniga shares.

Before joining Allisonville Christian Church, Sarah worked with Crossroads Antiracism Organizing & Training, beginning as an intern in 2019. In that role, they gained experience consulting and facilitating with religious institutions, nonprofits, and higher education communities, always with an eye toward justice, equity, and inclusion. She shares, “I worked with congregations and middle judicatories as an antiracism consultant and facilitator.”

Sarah is also deeply engaged in the wider church, having served as Co-Moderator of Disciples Peace Fellowship’s Executive Committee and as a former member of the Fellowship of Reconciliation’s National Council. Their leadership reflects a consistent theme: building bridges of peace, justice, and faithful community. “Being a Disciples Peace Intern was the final push I needed to stop ignoring a call to ministry. It’s a paid summer experience for folks 21 years and older to spend the summer at various Disciples of Christ church camps, congregations, and general ministries leading sessions rooted in peace and justice topics of their choosing. DPF helps prepare you with the tools to lead well. Currently, I serve as DPF interns’ chaplain along the way.”

When asked about their passions and what is most important to her in ministry, Sarah says, “Justice, peace, liberation and servant leadership are a few important values in my ministry. Artistic expression and freedom to create is a crucial spiritual practice for me.” She has previously been a studio member at Yellow Door Ceramics Studio in Indianapolis, and their master’s thesis focused on theological anthropology and tattooing. Their artistry and ministry often overlap, drawing from the same well of creativity, embodiment, and expression. Recently, Sarah contributed to sacred incantations: rituals of trans wisdom for every season, a collaborative publication through enfleshed. 

Rev. Zuniga first connected with CTS when they met President David Mellott in 2023. She recalls, “I was impressed with how CTS is visioning itself as a convening institution for lifelong learning, not just for seminarians, but for the greater Indianapolis community. Less than two years later, this feels more imperative than ever.” She is a regular participant in CTS Chapel services and has become part of the CTS community. She encourages students to be their authentic selves and “bring some whimsy to this world. We are in a severe shortage of whimsy right now.”

With this rich blend of pastoral ministry, justice advocacy, creative expression, and relational connectedness, Sarah brings a unique voice to the pulpit—one that speaks with both conviction and imagination. 

Ezekiel’s Vision: Water as Renewal 

In Ezekiel 47, the prophet is led on a visionary journey outside the temple. What begins as a small trickle of water becomes a mighty river, flowing outward to bring healing and renewal wherever it goes. Trees grow along its banks, bearing fruit every month, and their leaves provide healing for the nations. Even saltwater seas are made fresh by the temple’s living waters. 

For the CTS community, this passage resonates with the ways we long for renewal in our own lives, our churches, and our world. We know what it is to see landscapes of despair, division, and decay. We know how easy it is to feel parched in times of injustice and uncertainty. And yet, the vision of water flowing from the temple invites us to believe that God’s Spirit is already at work, transforming dry ground into flourishing places. 

In this Chapel service, Rev. Zuniga will guide us into this text, inviting us to imagine where the waters of God’s renewal are already flowing—and how we might participate in that life-giving current. 

Worship with Us 

Chapel at CTS is more than a monthly service; it is the gathering place of our community. It is where students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends convene to listen for God’s Word, to pray for the world, and to celebrate the many gifts of our community. 

Whether you join us in person in Sweeney Chapel or online via livestream, you are part of that gathered body. We believe worship connects us across distances and reminds us that the Spirit flows freely wherever we are. 

We hope you will journey with us, week by week, as we reflect on the ways God’s grace flows into our lives and into the world. And we hope you will mark your calendars for October 16 when Rev. Sarah Zuniga will preach from Ezekiel 47 and remind us that water is still flowing from the temple—bringing healing, life, and hope for all creation. 

    CTS Chapel – Water flowing from the temple

    Preacher: Rev. Sarah Zuniga
    Ezekiel 47:1–12
    Thursday, October 16, 11:00am Eastern
    Sweeney Chapel, Christian Theological Seminary
    Livestream available on the CTS YouTube Channel 

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Christian Theological Seminary’s 2025 Commencement Weekend was a joyful culmination of reflection, gratitude, and celebration—marking not only the academic achievements of our graduates but also the enduring legacy of the seminary as we continue to honor our 100th anniversary. 

The festivities began Thursday, May 15 with a meaningful gathering at our annual Graduate Dinner. Stories were shared, blessings offered, and accomplishments celebrated. This special tradition continues to nurture the strong bonds between CTS alumni and the emerging leaders formed in our classrooms. 

On Friday afternoon, the seminary community gathered for Baccalaureate, a service of worship and thanksgiving. This year’s Baccalaureate held particular significance as we introduced a newly commissioned hymn composed in honor of CTS’s centennial year by CTS honorary degree recipient Mark A. Miller. Miller is a composer, performer, and professor whose music inspires justice and healing. The lyrics reflect a powerful, ongoing vision of God’s redemptive dream—rooted in love, justice, and liberation—carried forward by faithful generations. The lyrics that follow can be heard in the video montage below. 

Our Story Started As a Dream

David Bjorlin & Mark A. Miller, 2025

Our story started as a dream you placed within your people’s heart, 
With love its everlasting theme and justice its unchanging art: 
Where you would split a sea to set the captives free; 
Surrender your own Son to see our death undone; 
And breakdown every wall to prove your grace for all. 
We give you thanks and boldly pray to live your ancient dream today. 

The dream our ancestors received and labored bravely to engage,
Is taken up and reconceived by faithful saints in every age:
Where all your children seek the welfare of the weak;
Endeavor to increase the common cause of peace;
and strive to recreate the lives destroyed by hate. 
We give you thanks and boldly pray to live your present dream today. 

And though this dream is unfulfilled and clouded by our grief and pain,
We pledge to use this time to build from blue-prints of your coming reign:
Where nations shore to shore will study war no more;
The roles of last and first will surely be reversed;
And your reviving breath will liven even death;
We give you thanks and boldly pray to live your future dream today.  

The weekend culminated on Saturday with the 2025 Commencement Ceremony, a tribute to the hard work, growth, and perseverance of our graduates. The keynote address was delivered by honorary degree recipient Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. Hale, a national leader in preaching and pastoral leadership. Also honored were two extraordinary individuals whose lives and work reflect the mission and values of CTS: Pastor Rob Fuquay, a gifted communicator and advocate for ecumenical ministry who servse as Pastor of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church here in Indianapolis, and Mark A. Miller, whose music and witness continue to inspire justice and hope. Each was awarded the degree of Doctor of Divinity. 

 CTS President David M. Mellott presented the Presidential Award of Excellence to Don Knebel, a long-serving trustee and cherished supporter of CTS, for his remarkable commitment to the seminary’s mission and students. 

 Together, these events embodied the heart of CTS: a place where scholarship meets spiritual formation, where leaders are called and equipped, and where celebration deepens our shared commitment to the Church and the world. As our graduates go forth, they carry with them the legacy of a century of theological education and the promise of faithful innovation for generations to come. 

 We invite you to enjoy this photo montage capturing the joy, gratitude, and meaningful moments of the weekend. 

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On November 21, 2024, Christian Theological Seminary (CTS) gathered to celebrate a century of faithful service in theological education and spiritual formation. The Centennial Chapel service was a time of reflection, gratitude, and renewal, as the CTS community looked back on its legacy and looked forward to continuing its mission for the next century.

The service began with a powerful call to worship, inviting the congregation to unite in praise. As attendees stood in unity, the music team, led by Reverend John Ray, played a procession medley that included beloved hymns such as “Be Thou My Vision” and “To God Be the Glory.” The music set the tone for the day, underscoring the importance of remembering God’s faithfulness throughout CTS’s history.

CTS President, Dr. David M. Mellott, welcomed the diverse group of attendees, including trustees, faculty, alumni, students, and benefactors. “This celebration is not just about CTS,” he said, “but about what God has done here.” His words resonated deeply with the community as they acknowledged the many hands and hearts that have contributed to the seminary’s enduring success.

Dr. Mellott then invited the congregation to take a moment to reflect on the past 100 years. He acknowledged the pain and fear many felt in the wake of recent election results, but reminded everyone, “We cannot, and we must not, allow any government, any president, any Congress to steal our joy or our gratitude. God has been faithful to CTS for 100 years, and God will not stop now.”

This call to joy and courage was echoed in the year-long theme for the centennial celebration: “A Year of Blessing, a Year of Joy, and a Year of Courage.” As Dr. Mellott invited the congregation to repeat the phrase, a sense of renewed purpose filled the space. “It’s okay to celebrate,” he emphasized, “even in the midst of anxieties about the future.”

Reverend Dwight Holland, a CTS graduate and mental health professional, shared a heartfelt testimonial of his time at the seminary. He described his academic journey as both rigorous and transformative, shaping his calling and preparing him for a life of service. “CTS helped me define my call,” he said, recalling how the seminary’s professors and programs nurtured his growth. Holland now leads multiple mental health agencies and serves thousands of families, a testament to the lasting impact of CTS’s mission.

Following an emotive and stirring reading by Professor Emerita Dr. Marti J. Steussy, Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins, former General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), delivered a powerful sermon that linked the seminary’s foundational values with contemporary challenges. Drawing from the pastoral epistles and Deuteronomy, she centered her message on God’s eternal presence and the call to remain faithful in a divided world. Her words were a poignant reflection on both the seminary’s legacy and the contemporary challenges that shape its mission today.

Rev. Watkins began her sermon by sharing her personal connection to CTS. “I was born to Keith and Billy Watkins while Keith was a student at Butler School of Religion, and came back here as a second grader when he was invited to the faculty,” she recalled. She recalling her childhood memories of watching the seminary grow and witnessing key events, such as the honorary doctorate awarded to Duke Ellington. She remembered fondly her own experiences of selling Girl Scout cookies in the halls as a young child, long before she became an integral part of the seminary community. “It is a personal privilege to be here to share a word with this community,” she said, acknowledging the significance of the 100th anniversary.

Rev. Watkins took the congregation back to the roots of CTS, reflecting on the seminary’s founding amidst societal upheavals, including the resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan in the 1920s. She emphasized the commitment to inclusivity that has always been embedded in the seminary’s DNA, citing the involvement of abolitionists and feminists in its early days. “We are a seminary born with the DNA of abolitionists and feminists,” she said. “Let our fine deeds ever widen the circle of inclusion and increase interreligious sharing.”

Rev. Watkins spoke directly to the seminary’s role in forming leaders who are equipped to navigate a world filled with “profane chatter and false knowledge.”  She turned to the biblical texts of Deuteronomy and First Timothy to highlight the call to remain faithful, regardless of the societal divisions around us. “God has been with us, is with us, and will be with us,” Rev. Watkins proclaimed, linking the seminary’s mission to the enduring presence of God in the world. “Will we be with God?” she challenged, echoing the words of Moses to the Israelites and the writer of First Timothy.

In her closing remarks, Rev. Watkins spoke of the need to confront contemporary issues, urging CTS to continue its leadership in advocating for justice within the seminary community and the world. “Let us work for right relationships of justice within our seminary community and in the systems of our city and our world, knowing that justice for all is an imperative of faith and life,” Rev. Watkins emphasized.

As the service concluded, the congregation joined in a powerful affirmation of God’s presence and continued work in the world. “For 100 years this God has been with us, is with us now, and will be for every imaginable tomorrow. God is with us,” Rev. Watkins declared, her words resonating deeply in the hearts of all present.

With a final prayer of thanksgiving, the CTS community committed to the next chapter of its journey. “Let us be with God,” Rev. Watkins concluded, “with all our will, all our passion, and all our power.”

The Centennial Chapel service was a profound reminder of the transformative power of faith, education, and community. It marked not just a celebration of the past but a recommitment to the ongoing mission of Christian Theological Seminary to form leaders who will serve God’s transforming work in the world for the next 100 years.

You can watch the video of the full Chapel Service here:

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