Curriculum Vitae

Ryan W. Roberts

EDUCATION

2005–2009: Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (PLTS), Berkeley, California
  • Master of Divinity Degree, Ordained Ministry Track with Internship
  • Areas of Focused Study: Christology, Liturgy, Sexuality & Faith
  • Other Courses of Interest: Addictions, 12-Step Programs, and the Church; Dance Meditation; Writings of Francis & Clare of Assisi; Genesis 1-11 & Evolution; Introduction to the Qu'ran; Sufi Storytelling and the Art of the Sermon

1997–2001: University of Maryland, College Park
  • Bachelor of Science Degree with Honors
  • University Honors Program
  • Computer Science Major
  • French Language & Culture Minor

OCCUPATION

October 2011–Present: St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Arbutus, Maryland
Pastor
  • Plan and lead weekly and occasional worship services
  • Assist in discernment and use of individual and community gifts
  • Develop educational opportunities for members of all ages
  • Organize activities to connect church and neighborhood in mutual service


June 2010–October 2011
Homemaker
  • Primary Childcare Provider for Daughter (born October 2009)
  • Family Bookkeeper & Financial Administrator

    November 2008–May 2010: Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
    Administrative Assistant to Admissions Director
    • Managed communications with prospective students via email, telephone, fax, and postal service
    • Coordinated overnight visits to campus for individual prospective students and planned weekend events for groups of prospectives, including lodging, meals with current students and staff, prayer and worship opportunities, class visitations, faculty presentations, and transportation to/from airports and around the city
    • Delegated tasks to and supervised student employees in accomplishing the goals of the Admissions Office

    February 2010–May 2010: Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
    Teaching Assistant for Ministry of Word & Sacrament (Introductory Liturgy Course) 
    • Led a small group of students in practicums focused on liturgical elements: holy baptism, the Eucharist, greeting, sending, confession, etc.
    • Engaged students in large classroom and small group discussions of liturgical theory and practice
    • Read, provided commentary on, and assigned grades to students' written response journals and research papers

    August 2008–June 2009: Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
    Sacristan for the Chapel of the Cross 
    • Decorated and arranged worship space for weekly Eucharistic service and daily prayer gatherings
    • Prepared Eucharistic implements and elements for weekly worship, including baking the bread
    • Maintained an inventory of chapel's assets and restocked consumable items in a timely fashion
    • Organized and cleaned storage attic of the chapel, including disposing of unusable objects via environmentally conscious means

    October 2007–August 2008: Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Saratoga, California
    Intern Pastor
    • Led and planned worship or preached weekly, alternating with supervising pastor
    • Planned and implemented a Prayers of the People project to include laity in leading worship
    • Participated in ecumenical and interfaith ministerium, including community Thanksgiving prayer service and joint Lutheran-Episcopal Easter Vigil
    • Chaperoned summer youth trips to wilderness adventure camp and service project in Mexico

    July 2005–August 2007: Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
    External Communications Specialist
    • Maintained and updated seminary website to keep content accessible, attractive, and up-to-date
    • Drafted, proofread, and sent postal and email communications to seminary students, alumni, and donors

    February 2003–May 2005: O'Brien Bus Service
    School Bus Driver
    • Safely transported students (elementary, middle, and high school) in a timely fashion to and from school and on sports team trips
    • Maintained discipline for up to fifty students while driving for safety, cleanliness, and to help avoid bullying
    • Cleaned bus interior and examined engine and safety equipment to ensure a safe and pleasant ride

    VOLUNTEERING

    May 2012–Present: Greater Arbutus Ministerial Association
    President
    • Establish agenda for monthly meetings
    • Distribute reminders of meetings and events for member leaders and affiliated faith communities
    • Preside at monthly meetings
    • Invite area faith leaders to participate in ministerium activities

    April 2012–Present: ReconcilingWorks Maryland
    Treasurer
    • Apply for 501(c)(3) status for reconstituted chapter
    • Maintain accurate and up-to-date accounts of chapter funds
    • Create reports on funds for each chapter meeting
    • Receive and disperse funds for chapter projects and charitable gifts

    March 2012–Present: Delaware-Maryland Synod of the ELCA
    Elections Committee Chair
    • Plan voting procedures for annual Synod Assembly
    • Announce and clarify voting procedures to the gathered voting members
    • Supervise tellers in counting of ballots
    • Report election results by contest for bishop to announce winners


    December 2009–April 2010: Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
    Actor, Broken Rifle (Student Performing Arts Initiative)
    • Memorized scenes and rehearsed weekly with fellow actors
    • Promoted the performances in person, in print, and in digital media

    July 2008–April 2009: Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
    Community Organizer, Reconciling in Christ Initiative
    • Collaborated with Lutherans Concerned, the chairman of the PLTS board of directors, deans, faculty, staff, students, and local congregations to develop a means of inquiry regarding the process in the seminary community
    • Served as the voice of the initiative team and represented the student body to the collective faculty and board of directors
    • Raised funds from supporting congregations to host an inclusive church / storytelling / community organizer training course during the January term
    • Organized student participants extending invitations for one-on-one conversation to key members of the seminary community

    PUBLICATIONS

    Editor, Wounded Lord: Reading John through the Eyes of Thomas; A Pastoral and Theological Commentary on the Fourth Gospel by the Rev. Dr. Robert H. Smith ©2009

    Author, "Training Event Becomes Course at PLTS" in Concord (the newsletter of Lutherans Concerned / North America) vol. 30 no. 1, Spring 2009

    Author, Secret of the Queen of Thorns, A Dungeons & Dragons Living Forgotten Realms Adventure ©2011


    COMPETENCIES & INTERESTS

    Languages: American English (expert), French (fluent but out of practice)

    Computer Skills:
    • Windows, Mac OS X, Linux
    • MS Word, MS Excel, MS Powerpoint (and iWork, OpenOffice.org, and GoogleDocs equivalents)
    • Web Development (HTML & CSS, Dreamweaver, various other software and online tools)
    • Gnucash (free financial software)
    • Photoshop (and GIMP, a free equivalent)
    • Social networking tools (Facebook, Twitter, Google Groups, etc.)
    • Physical maintenance & assembly of computer hardware

    Personal Interests: Ultimate Frisbee, Homebrewing Beer, Puzzles & Games, Road Trips, Environmental Stewardship, Full Inclusion & Increased Awareness of Marginalized People