{"id":32282,"date":"2026-01-05T13:58:37","date_gmt":"2026-01-05T18:58:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pts.edu\/blog\/?p=32282"},"modified":"2026-01-05T13:58:37","modified_gmt":"2026-01-05T18:58:37","slug":"carolyn-cranston-profile","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pts.edu\/blog\/carolyn-cranston-profile\/","title":{"rendered":"A Ministry of Connection: Discovering Vocation at Pittsburgh Seminary"},"content":{"rendered":"

“As soon as I set foot on campus, I knew: \u2018This is where I\u2019m supposed to be.\u2019 I fell in love with PTS, and I\u2019ve <\/span>invested in the work here ever since.\u201d – <\/span>The Rev. Dr. Carolyn Cranston \u201999\/\u201925<\/span><\/p>\n

An Unexpected Opportunity<\/h2>\n

\"\"Carolyn Cranston has served as the Seminary\u2019s director of alumnae\/i and church relations for 25 years. Following an unexpected call to ministry, she visited the Seminary\u2019s campus and immediately felt at home. Upon graduating with her M.Div., she entered a one-year residency program in Clinical Pastoral Education at West Penn Hospital. She had planned to continue into a second year of residency, but the position of alumnae\/i director opened up at PTS, and Carolyn decided to return to invest in the mission of forming people for ministry at the place that meant so much to her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMinistry was not in my game plan,\u201d Carolyn says. \u201cMy background was home economics and retail management, and I was leaning toward pursuing a degree in social work. But a mentor saw unexplored gifts in me and encouraged me to go to seminary. Now, in turn, it is my delight to be that support and encouragement to others as they live into their own callings from the Lord. It\u2019s such important work, and I\u2019m blessed to be a part of each person\u2019s journey.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Journeying Alongside Others<\/h2>\n
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Carolyn joins others from the PTS community each year at Amen to Action, an annual food preparation event through which thousands of meals are distributed to neighbors in need.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Carolyn\u2019s role as director of alumnae\/i and church relations brings her into contact with a wide variety of people <\/span>from different geographic locations, walks of life, and denominations, and with people active in many forms of ministry. \u201cI like this role, because in it, I learn to get along with everyone\u2014to listen and to help them realize they\u2019re valuable, regardless of how their perspectives might differ from mine or from those of their peers,\u201d Carolyn says. \u201cPeople tap on my door and take time to share their joys and frustrations. I\u2019m really blessed; our alums are incredible. Fascinating people. Fun connections. It\u2019s a remarkable place to fulfill my call.\u201d Carolyn herself recently became an alum of the Seminary again when she completed her D.Min. in Creative Writing and Public Theology<\/a> in May 2025.<\/span><\/p>\n

Giving Back<\/h2>\n

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Because she has seen the profound effects of the Seminary\u2019s work in the lives of so many alums (including her own), Carolyn also gives regularly and generously to PTS. \u201cI give because I want to be a part of what God is doing here,\u201d she says. \u201cGod is already at work! I recognize the opportunities I\u2019ve been given, and I want to participate in what God is doing. I invite others to join me!\u201d Carolyn adds that she<\/span> cherishes the quality of education, the diversity of the community, and the Seminary\u2019s ability to effectively prepare people for many forms of ministry. \u201cPTS is great at empowering students across every walk of life. We send people out to do hospital work, nonprofit leadership, pastoral ministry, military chaplaincy . . . there\u2019s so much variety,” she says. “We do an exceptional job of equipping people here, and it\u2019s valuable for that to continue.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Is it time to discern your calling for the next chapter in your life?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Connect with PTS!<\/p>\n

Master of Divinity<\/strong>, Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies<\/strong>, and Master of Theological Studies<\/strong> Priority Admissions Deadline: January 15, 2026<\/span><\/p>\n

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PTS faculty and students on an intercultural learning trip<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Take the next step on your journey:<\/p>\n