John Fiske Robson was born on January 28, 1931 in Reading, Pennsylvania. He lived in several locations before graduating in 1949 from the Wappingers Central School District.

By this time, his love of music, especially chorale singing and piano, was already evident. John attended the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, where he majored in music theory and minored in piano. He graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree in 1953 and entered the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, graduating with a Master’s of Divinity in 1956.

He then returned to Rochester and was hired as Assistant Pastor of Concordia Lutheran Church, where he served for nearly two years, a career cut short when his gay identity became known.

John bounced back.  He acquired a Master’s degree from the NYU School of Education and secured employment at the Woodmere Academy as an elementary school Music Teacher. Over the following decades he taught at schools in Yonkers and Pelham.

John joined The Riverside Church in the early 1970s and was a founding member of Maranatha. He served as Treasurer for several years and relished the role of “cash box custodian” at numerous Maranatha events. He continued as an active member until his death in 2013. John was a generous individual, specifying that his life insurance proceeds go to a number of charitable projects, one of which is the John Fiske Robson Music Scholar Award.

 

How to Apply:
Maranatha, one of the Missions and Social Justice ministries here at The Riverside Church has transitioned to an online application process. Applications can either be completed using this form, or printed out, completed, and then mailed. ALL required attachments, must be submitted at the same time your application is submitted. DO NOT send materials separately.

Your completed application, including all attachments, can be submitted electronically, or mailed. The deadline for filing is June 4, 2023. Letters of recommendation must be sent by mail and postmarked no later than June 4, 2023. Only complete applications can be considered. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

Your application will be reviewed by members of the Scholarship Committee. Selection will be based on the Eligibility Criteria listed below.

Please note, while active invlolvment in a church or other faith community is preferred, it is not a requirement for applying.

Eligibility Criteria:

• All applicants must be attending an accredited college, vocational college, or university as a fulltime student, or be planning to attend in the Fall of 2023. The student may be commencing studies or may already be attending, and may be working toward a vocational school Certificate of Completion, Associate, Baccalaureate, or Master's degree.
• Be in good academic standing in a current academic program, or in the academic or vocational program most recently completed.
• Be self-identified as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and / or Transgender.
• Have been active in one or more LGBTQ organizations, preferable in roles that demonstrate leadership.
• If you are selected to be the awarding recipient, attend the Pride Celebration (as a Maranatha guest) on Sunday, June 25, 2023.

 

Remember! Keep a copy of your application for your records.
Questions? Call Gary Richmond at 917-664-2133 or email The Riverside Church Missions and Social Justice Office at msjtrcnyc.org.
Submit your completed application and all scanned attachments by June 4, 2023. Paper applications with all attachments can be mailed directly to:

 

The Riverside Church (Maranatha)
Attn: Missions and Social Justice Office
490 Riverside Drive, 17th Floor
New York, NY 10027

 

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Completion of these essay questions are a required component for consideration of your scholarship application.

Essay Question: After reading John Fiske Robson's biography and reflecting on your own life, please describe why you believe you are a strong candidate for this award.

Essay Question: Please describe how you have reconciled being LGBTQ with your personal spiritual journey and the influence it has had regarding your life choices.

Essay Question: Please list any activities you have been involved in that constitutes service to the LGBTQ community. Describe the activities you anticipate as you continue your education and how you will strive to help create a better world. This can be through field of study, or personal commitment. 

(Please find the W9 form here.)

I hereby affirm that the information contained herein is true and correct. I hereby grant permission to The Riverside Church to verify such information for its accuracy.

I understand that receipt of this scholarship is contingent on my being self-identified as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and or Transgender and my enrollment in an accredited college, vocational college, or university as a full-time student or planning to attend in the Fall of 2023, with provided proof of enrollment. Falsification of any information or failure to meet these requirements will result in the termination of my scholarship and I will be obligated to return any grant monies already received.

I hereby grant and assign The Riverside Church the right to use my biographical information, essay response, and my image to publicize my nomination and/or receipt of this scholarship award, and to promote the goals of the scholarship, for editorial, trade, advertising or any other purpose and in any manner and medium, including website and internet promotion.

I also consent to have a copy of my application and all supporting materials retained indefinitely by The Riverside Church with the understanding that all information obtained herein will be kept confidential unless it is required to be disclosed by law or court order.