The Patricia Kropf Miller and Earl David Miller Scholarship Fund

John W. Kropf and Judy Johnson Kropf, in appreciation of and wishing to honor his sister, Patricia Kropf Miller and their brother-in-law, the Rev. Dr. Earl David Miller, hereby acknowledge with Eden Theological Seminary, the establishment of the Patricia Kropf Miller and Earl David Miller Scholarship Fund.  Scholarship to be awarded to Eden student(s) with membership in a congregation of the United Church of Christ, with preference given to a student or students identifying as LGBTQIA+.

The Millers are both lifelong members of the United Church of Christ, active in seven congregations of the denomination.

Pat began her professional work in the church as the Associate for Communication and Resource Development for the UCC Coordinating Center for Women.  Following that she served as the Executive Associate to the Conference Minister of the Ohio Conference.  For ten years she served as president of the Hope Homes Board of Directors with ministries in Ohio for adults with developmental disabilities, and as a board member of the Blanchard Means Foundation, a related ministry in Massachusetts.  Pat also served for eleven years as a member of the Board of Trustees of Eden Seminary and as co-chair of the successful 2006 financial campaign for the seminary.

Following graduation from Eden Seminary, Earl was a local church pastor in Ohio for four years. He served as an interim pastor for five Pennsylvania churches while in graduate school and then joined the staff of the Stewardship Council of the UCC.  Following that, he became the minister for stewardship and evangelism of the Ohio Conference. He then joined the stewardship ministry again as the Executive Director of the Stewardship Council. Earl also served on the Hope Homes Board of Directors as well as the Brooklawn Board of Directors, serving youth in Louisville, KY.

Pat has demonstrated a deep passion for the vital role of women in church and society, with a special emphasis on justice issues.  Earl’s passion has focused on generosity and inclusion throughout the church.  Both have been heavily engaged in resource production for the whole UCC.  Recently, they are growing a vital passion for hope in these times. 

In their retirement, Pat and Earl continue to volunteer, serving the local church in a variety of ways.  They have gifted their family and many others whom they have touched throughout their lives with a deep appreciation for a faith in God, with profound appreciation for the values of the progressive church and for God’s continuing creative work in the world. It is in recognition of their passion for the church, and with deep appreciation and love, that this scholarship has been established in their names.  The Patricia Kropf Miller and Earl David Miller Scholarship Fund shall serve others as they faithfully prepare for their own ministries of hope for the world, hope for all people and conditions, hope for the church and for themselves.