An Investment in the Larger Church

For Rev. Monica Guepet L’28, pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree is about more than advancing her own education. As an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church and lead pastor of Stroudsburg United Methodist Church, she is preparing to better equip and empower lay pastors to serve alongside clergy.

Scholarship support has made that work possible. “Because of scholarship donation, I’ve been able to take two courses each semester,” Monica explains. Her congregation also provides support, she says, “but without the scholarship donation, I would not be able to provide such focus to the studies.”

Her particular area of interest is responding to questions facing the church today about the role of laity. Through her studies, she hopes to help lay pastors “read their context and serve the church alongside clergy.” The impact, she says, can extend far beyond her own denomination and region, helping “not only United Methodists and the Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conference but the global church as well.”

Monica is deeply grateful for those who support students through scholarships, particularly supporters of the Marlin T. Schaeffer Memorial Scholarship Fund and First United Church of Christ, Bridgeport, Connecticut Scholarship Fund, which funded her own journey. “This generosity is an investment not just in me as an individual but in our larger church,” she says.  “Thank you for privileging this and giving generously.”

Learn more about Monica’s experience and your impact in this video.