News from Alumni/ae and Friends
News items are listed in roughly reverse chronological order. (The date in parentheses represents the year of entrance as a Disciples Divinity House Scholar.) Please click here to share your news. We want to keep up with the significant life events and accomplishments of alumni/ae, trustees, and former residents.
Congratulations to House Scholar Patricia Duncan who passed her PhD examinations on November 5. She studies the New Testament and has received a a P.E.O. Scholar Award for her research on a fourth-century Christian “romance novel” that suggests an alternative view of Jewish-Christian relations.
Deepest sympathy to Frank Burch Brown (1974) on the sudden and unexpected death of his wife, Mary Mitchell, on November 4 after a short illness. They had just married on August 9.
Jennifer Kottler (1999) is now Director of Policy and Advocacy for Sojourners. Read her recent meditation, Neighbors We May Rarely See.
Barbara and Marshall Dunn (1965) ended the month of October with two very happy events: their third granddaughter, Phoebe, was born October 25; three days later, their son Eric (who is Phoebe's new dad) was honored with a Milken Educator Award, a prize of $25,000 given to outstanding teachers.
Congratulations to April Lewton (2004) and Garry Sparks (House Scholar) on their marriage, October 17, at University Church in Chicago. Their clebration included a reception in the Common Room at DDH. April continues her work as Director of Annual Giving and Community Development at Chicago Theological Seminary; Garry is a PhD candidate in Theology.
In October, Kent Dorsey (1982) became the Senior Minister of Riverside Christian Church in Jacksonville, Florida. Kent and Jan move there from Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Don Browning (1956) gave the 2009 James Luther Adams lecture on "Religion and Civil Society" at the Divinity School on October 15.
House Scholars Santiago Piñón and Garry Sparks are two of ten Divinity School students who were selected as Marty Center Dissertation Fellows this year; Garry works on the earliest Mayan-Christian theological dialogue, while Santiago is writing on “the law of the nations” in the sixteenth-century Dominican Francisco Vitoria. David Hall (1989), who is an associate professor at Centre College, is a Senior Fellow in the Marty Center this year.
Matt Rosen (2003) now works at So Others Might Eat (SOME), an interfaith, community-based organization that offers a comprehensive, holistic approach to caring for the homeless and extremely poor citizens of the District of Columbia.
Congratulations to Bill Wright (1995) and Jessica Barr who were married on August 15th in Sugerties, New York. Both are members of the faculty at Eureka College.
Ayanna M. Johnson (2000) has been named the new Director of Community Life at Chicago Theological Seminary, beginning in late August. She moves from Family of Hope Christian Church in Blue Island, Illinois, and after concluding three years of service as Minister in Residence at the Disciples Divinity House. At this summer’s General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), she completed service as the as First Vice Moderator of the denomination.
In early August, House Scholar Garry Sparks was in La Paz, Bolivia, to participate in the symposium on “Social Movements and Liberation Theology in Latin American” at the Ecumenical Andean Superior Institute of Theology (ISEAT). He presented a paper on indigenous cultures and spirituality and was a member of a panel “Liberation Theology in the 21st Century." The event drew scholars and church activists from across Latin America and the world.
Rob Wilson-Black (1991) will become the Chief Development Officer of Sojourners, working with Jim Wallis. He concluded his work as Vice President for Seminary Relations at Louisville Presbyterian Seminary in July. Rob, Juli, and their three children are taking two months to travel (Dubai, Egypt, and England) and to relocate. They look forward to living in Virginia, which is home for Juli and means four grandparents nearby.
Our sympathy to Patty and Bill Crowl (1962) on two losses in their family in a short span of days. Their youngest grandson, five-month old Nathan Gray Rode, died in his sleep on July 23. Patty's mother, Mrs. Vivienne Hammell, died July 26 at the age of 93.
In July, Westminster John Knox Press published Doing Justice in Our Cities: Lessons in Public Policy from America’s Heartland by Warren Copeland (1968). Copeland, who is Professor of Religion and Director of the Center for Civic and Urban Engagement at Wittenberg University, has also served in city government for two decades, including 15 years as mayor of Springfield, Ohio. He argues that "the nature of American cities is itself an ethical problem." He asks, how do we create mixed income communities again?
On July 18, Adam Frieberg (2006) was ordained at the Norwalk (Iowa) Christian Church. Rev. Michael Davison preached; Dean Kris Culp was among the participants. Adam is pursuing opportunities in the greater Chicago area; his spouse, Heidi Havercamp, is vicar of the Church of St. Benedict in Bolingbrook.
Bonnie Carenen (2005) was ordained on July 11 in the Greater Kansas City region. Her home congregation is Budd Park Christian Church in Kansas City, Missouri. She will begin work in Indonesia with Church World Service in September.
Congratulations to Shane Isaac and Tabitha Knerr (2005) who were married on June 26 in Chicago. They also joined their names to become the Isners.
Tabitha Knerr (2005) was ordained June 14 at Iglesia del Pueblo/Hope Center in Hammond, Indiana. She graduated with the M.Div. and Master of Public Policy degrees two days before. Former trustee Juan Rodriguez, who is senior minister of Iglesia del Pueblo, preached; his sermon, "Baptination or Ordinaptism?," called all Christians to the service implied in their baptisms and affirmed in ordination.
Jordan Berry (2005) graduated from the Urban Teacher Program (UTEP) at the University of Chicago in June. Next year she’ll teach kindergarten at the Legacy Charter School in Chicago.
On June 11, a group of 33 religious leaders, including Ken Brooker Langston (1985) and Michael Kinnamon (1973), met with officials of the Obama administration to urge the establishment of an independent, non-partisan "Commission of Inquiry on Torture." For more and to read the letter they presented, click here.
In the June 2 issue of the Christian Century, Stephanie Paulsell (1985; Trustee) reflects on the importance of "thinking things through" in "Torturous Times." She suggests the relevance of Rabbi Gamaliel's counsel against torture in Acts 5. "The apostles' lives were saved because one learned man was willing to make his argument another way: through language, through history, through reason."
April Lewton (2004) has been appointed Director of Annual Giving and Community Engagement at Chicago Theological Seminary, effective June 1. Previously she served as a community organizer with the Asian American Institute. In May, she was featured in an ABC7 Chicago special, Asian Influences: Dream America, about Asian immigrants to the U.S. and work by Lewton and others for immigration reform. Also, read Lewton's essay on Asians and the immigration debate from the Chicago Tribune online.
In June, Ray Greenfield (2000) began the D.Min. program in pastoral and spiritual care at McCormick Theological Seminary---and stayed at the House. He reports that it feels great to be back in the classroom. He continues as the pastor of the Lewistown and Ipava Christian Churches.
Chalice Press has just published an essential new resource for Disciples history, Room at the Table: Struggle for Unity and Equality in Disciples History, by Sandhya Jha (2001). Based on extensive research and interviews, the book recounts 200 years of multicultural Disciples history and the journey toward full recognition of and participation by racial ethnic groups within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
Congratulations to Ronald Hopkins (1999), who received the Doctor in Ministry degree on May 30, 2009, from Union Theological Seminary-Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, Virginia. He is the minister of the First Christian Church, Petersburg, Virginia.
Congratulations to Greta Davidson Hicks Gilbert and George Ryan Gilbert (2004) on the arrival of Amelia Davidson Gilbert on May 21 at 3:27 p.m. She weighed 7 lbs., 7 oz. and measured 19 inches long.
Kent Dorsey (1982) is now the interim minister of First Christian Church of North Kansas City, Missouri.
Michael Kinnamon (1973), General Secretary of the National Council of Churches, has urged the passage of a resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives that calls upon the U.S. government to acknowledge "the verdict of history" by classifying the 1915 massacre of 1.5 million Armenians as a "genocide." Read the NCC press release here.
Chalice Press has published Disciples: Reclaiming our Identity, Reforming our Practice by Michael Kinnamon (1973) and Jan Linn. The authors lead congregations to reflect on who the Disciples have become and to examine reforms needed to move into the future, thereby undergirding the mission of peacemaking and compassionate service.
Congratulations to Joe Pettit (former resident), who has received tenure and been promoted to Associate Professor at Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland.
Vivi and John Weaver (1996) celebrate the birth of their son, Eben, on April 30; Eben has three sisters, Josephine (6), Adela (4), and Thessaly (2). Also, John has been named by Columbia University as the new director of The Burke Library at Union Theological Seminary, effective August 1. He has been the Head of Public Services at Pitts Theological Library, Emory University, since 2005. Double congratulations!
At the end of April, Don Browning (1956; Trustee) received very good news in his treatment for cancer of the duodenum. After undergoing surgery for the cancer last June, doctors found signs that the cancer had metastasized in his liver. They've now pronounced his liver "all clear"---a recuperation that defies the odds. He'll continue with milder chemotherapy to address remaining traces. He's feeling well, if a little weary of having constraints on his schedule.
Bethany Lowery, Michael Swartzentruber, Michael LeChevalier, and Benedict Varnum (current scholars and residents) were members of the planning team for the fifth annual Divinity School Ministry Conference, held May 1-2. The theme was "From the Ends of the Earth: Christianity in the 21st Century." Alumni Ryan Gilbert (2005) and Vy Nguyen (2004) returned for the event.
Pamela James Jones (former resident) has been appointed to the religion faculty at Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, effective July 1. She is now finishing her dissertation in the History of Christianity.
House Scholar Joseph Blosser has been named Visiting Assistant Professor of Religion at DePaul University in Chicago for the 2009-10 academic year. He has been teaching as an adjunct at DePaul while writing his dissertation on Ernst Troeltsch and Adam Smith.
Lynchburg College has announced that Stephanie McLemore (1992) will become its new Chaplain and Director of Church Relations. She has served as the Associate Regional Minister of the Christian Church in Virginia for the past seven years.
House Scholar Tish Duncan has received a PEO Scholar Award to support work on her dissertation next year. Her dissertation will explore the single surviving instance of an early Christian “romance novel” and how it opens an alternative view of early Jewish-Christian relations in the Mediterranean world.
Sympathy to Joe Bessler (former resident) and Kay Northcutt (1985) on the death of Joe's mother, Roberta "Bobbie" Bessler, on April 8 in Cincinnati, Ohio. She was 93.
David Vargas (1971; Trustee) has published a new edition of a 1988 book by his father, Reverend Joanuin Vargas, titled Los Discipulos de Cristo en Puerto Rico: albores, crecimiento y madurez de un peregrinar de fe, constancia y esperanza 1899-1987. The book traces the journey of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Puerto Rico. It now includes additional photos, an appendix, introductory pieces, and a study by Carmelo Alvarez Santos.
Ryan Singleton (2008) works with Lutheran Social Services’ Connections Program in Chicago, which provides services to incarcerated parents and their families. He is also a contributing writer for DisciplesWorld magazine. Read one of his recent articles.
Kris Culp (1982) concluded three years of service as chair of the board of DisciplesWorld, Inc., on March 27. April Lewton (2004) continues as secretary of the corporation. Katherine Kinnamon (1977) has been elected to the DisciplesWorld, Inc., board beginning January 1, 2010.
"Dancing backwards in high heels: Reflections on being a woman in ministry," by Amy Lignitz Harken (2000) was published in the winter 2009 inaugural issue of Just Women, a quarterly magazine developed by the International Disciples Women's Ministries. Also in the magazine: an exchange of letters between Cynthia McCrae and granddaughter Kiah McCrae Shepley. Kiah's grandfather and Cynthia's spouse is Ian McCrae (1947).
Congratulations to April Lewton (2004) and House Scholar Garry Sparks, who have announced plans for an October 17 wedding.
Russell Fuller (1948) had surgery to remove his gall bladder in mid-March. He is now home after a twelve day hospital stay and is recovering slowly but steadily.
Amy Ziettlow and Michael Karunas (1995) announce the birth of Luke Michael Karunas on March 17 at 3:51 p.m. He was 21" long and 8 lbs, 0.3 oz. They report that “Thomas and Isabella are delighted that they both have a baby brother, though Bella can't understand why ‘her’ baby won't play with her yet.”
Lowell Handy (1979) has edited and introduced Psalm 29 through Time and Tradition in the Princeton Theological Monograph Series (Pickwick, 2009). His chapter, "Luther and Calvin on Psalm 29," explores Luther's supersessionalist reading versus Calvin's corrective reading based on close attention to the Hebrew text. The DDH library is grateful for his donation of a copy of the book; as a former DDH librarian, Lowell encourages fellow alumni/ae to consider doing the same.
House Scholar Santiago Piñón, Jr., and spouse Lizy are the proud foster parents of Gabriel, age 4. Gabe is enjoying Monday dinners at the Disciples Divinity House.
In March, Marshall Dunn (1965) began a half-time interim ministry as the Minister of Transition at First Christian Church, Falls Church, Virginia.
Frank Burch Brown (1970) has published Inclusive Yet Discerning: Navigating Worship Artfully (Eerdmans, 2009). In addressing a situation in which worshiping communities today have access to more arts and styles from more times and places than ever before, he offers a practical theological aesthetic "with teeth but no fangs."
Lee Hull Moses (2001; Trustee) was installed as the Senior Minister of First Christian Church, Greensboro, North Carolina, on February 22, 2009. Previously she served as Minister of Faith and Family at First Christian Church, Falls Church, Virginia.
Holly McKissick (Trustee) gave the Wells Sermons on February 9-11 as part of Minister's Week at Brite Divinity School. She delivered three sermons on the topic, "For the Healing of the Nation: Using Scripture and Story to Make Our Way Forward."
Daisy Machado (1989) was inaugurated as Professor of the History of Christianity at Union Theological Seminary on Wednesday, February 4. Her inaugural address was titled, "Expanding the Borders of the Historical Enterprise: Religious History for the 21st Century."
As of February 1, Vy Nguyen (2004) is the Assistant Director of Church World Service, Northern California Region. An article in DisciplesWorld announces his new position and explores the background he brings to it.
Angie Kaufman (1995) and husband Jack Poehlman welcomed Connor Reece Poehlman-Kaufman on January 29. Connor weighed in at nine pounds, three ounces, and was 21 inches long. He was born on his mother's birthday! Connor plans to attend his first Alumni/ae Council meeting in April.
Stan Van Etten (1956) is the publisher of Hunting & Fishing Collectibles Magazine which was founded eight years ago. He says the publication's #1 goal is to preserve history. Previous to his work as publisher, Stan served churches in Florida and Alabama, taught at Auburn University and Florida State Community College, and worked for McGraw-Hill College Division as a Field Editor and Sales Representative.
House Scholar Joe Blosser traveled to Edinburgh in January to participate in the John Templeton Foundation Advanced Research Symposium on Adam Smith as Theologian. He presented a paper entitled, "Christian Freedom in Political Economy: The Legacy of John Calvin in the Thought of Adam Smith."
We are saddened to learn of the death of Robert Sulanke (1935) on January 15 in Muncie, Indiana. He was 95.
Jordan Berry (2005) is now in her second year of the Urban Teacher Program (UTEP) at the University of Chicago. She is interning at Ruggles Middle School in a 7th grade classroom.
The Christian Church in Northern California and Nevada named Esther and Carl Robinson (1944) the third recipients of the region's Martin Luther King Jr Award on January 11 in recognition of lifelong work for justice and reconciliation.
Jackson Cobb, age 10, son of Katy McFall (1988) and David Cobb (1987) had the lead role in the Lynchburg College production of Amahl and the Night Visitors this December. Besides being stage parents and active in other community and church involvements, Katy works at Presbyterian Homes and Family Services of Virginia and David serves as senior minister of First Christian Church, Lynchburg.
Leverne Pfile (1961; former trustee) and Rolland Pfile (1960) report that 2008 was "an eventful year" in the Pfile household. Rolland underwent a long series of tests which resulted eventually in a diagnosis of serious sleep apnea and Leverne has been rebuilding her private practice after concluding work in the business sector. Rolland is now feeling much better and Leverne is grateful for the time that the shift in her work allowed her to devote to family needs.
Peiying Peng (1995) writes that she became a U.S. citizen two years ago and took special pride in being able to vote in her first presidential election in November 2008. She is an art therapist in California.
Paul and Kristin (Johnson) Dow (1992) welcomed the birth of Theodore Daniel on December 17. His sisters, Annie and Eleanor, were waiting his arrival. Kristin is one of the pastors of New Song Church, a Disciples of Christ Faith Community in Kansas City, Missouri.
Congratulations to Jaime Polson (1998) and Zack Flanagin, who became the proud parents of Isabella Claire Polson Flanagin on December 10 at 2:14 pm. She weighed 8 lbs and 2 ounces. Mother and daughter are doing fine.
Chris Dorsey (2001) has been appointed Vice President for Development and Marketing at Chicago Theological Seminary.
Kindling Desire for God: Preaching as Spiritual Direction by Kay Northcutt (1985) was published by Fortress Press on January 1.
Marshall Dunn (1965) served as Acting Regional Minister in the Capital Area and as interim preacher for a Presbyterian congregation this past year, but notes, "I still most delight in my other job, watching 28 month-old Mia [granddaughter] one day a week. It is SO wonderful being such a big part of her life." Mia is the daughter of Kristen Dunn (1995) and Jon Thomason.
In his 2008 holiday letter, Marvin Smith (1939; Life Trustee) cites the Chalice Introduction to Disciples Theology and Michael Kinnamon’s ecumenical leadership and theological vision as strong signs of hope for the Disciples of Christ. We extend sympathy to Marvin and his daughter with the loss of Emily’s husband, Herb Schwartz, to ALS this past April.
Mark Toulouse (1977) has been named the twelfth principal of Emmanuel College, effective January 1, 2009. Emmanuel, which is one of seven federated theological colleges within the Toronto School of Theology, is Canada's largest United Church Theological school. He leaves Brite Divinity School, where he has taught American religious history for 22 years and also once served as academic dean.
We are saddened to learn of the death of Robert Shaw (1965) in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on December 2.
On November 15, Hubert Locke (Trustee) received the 2008 William O. Douglas Award from the ACLU of Washington state, the organization's highest honor. He was honored for his decades of committed leadership, scholarship, and public service in defense of civil rights and human rights.
Royce Paul Gray (2005) has been accepted to medical school at Texas A & M. He writes that although his time at the House was short, “it was a very formative experience.”
Don Browning (1956; Trustee) delivered a series of six lectures, funded by the Templeton Foundation, at Boston University this fall.
On November 30, Ryan Gilbert (2005) was installed as Associate Pastor for Youth at the First Presbyterian Church of Prestonsburg, Kentucky. He is also serving as Vice President of the Kentucky Council of Churches and working with hospice.
On November 24, Jake Bitner (2006) became engaged to be married to Kathryn Fallon.
Katherine Kinnamon (1977) is now Minister to Visitors and New Members at Park Avenue Christian Church in New York City.
Tom Stockdale (1956) continues his involvement in the Interfaith Sidebar of the St. Louis Film Festival, held in November. This year’s recipients of the juried Interfaith Awards were “Days and Clouds” for best feature and “Pray the Devil Back to Hell” for best documentary.
Phil Points (1960) had a special vantage point on election night: as an overnight host for street people at a church in Lexington, Kentucky. "Before lights out at 10 p.m. we were watching returns. Ten of the fourteen men were vitally interested, and about six of those were fairly well informed, even with impressive memories of previous elections and political history."
The Board of Trustees passed a resolution at their October 25 meeting to honor Jack Reeve (1942; Honorary Trustee) on the occasion of his 90th birthday. A surprise party was held for him that same day in Indianapolis. Happy Birthday, Jack!
Liz Myer Boulton (1998) is now the Minister of Discipleship at Old South Church (UCC) in Boston.
Now in production at Northwestern University Press is Larry Bouchard’s (1974; Trustee) book, Theater and Integrity: Emptying Selves in Drama, Theater, and Religion.
Wallace Bubar (former resident) is now the minister of Overbrook Christian Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Jennifer Kottler (1999) is now with the Chicago Jobs Council, where she is leading the “Illinois Works for the Future Campaign” to promote job skills training and education opportunities for low-income workers statewide.
Cynthia Lindner (1978) has a grant from the Louisville Institute to explore how effective and satisfied ministers negotiate the complexity and challenge of pastoral work through multiple roles. She will be on leave from the Divinity School in the spring.
Several alumni/ae are contributors to The Chalice Introduction to Disciples Theology, Peter Heltzel, ed., published this fall by Chalice Press: Don Browning (1956), Kris Culp (1982), Clark Gilpin (1970), Michael Kinnamon (1973), Bonnie Miller-McLemore (1978), Mark Miller-McLemore (1975), Kay Northcutt (1985), Stephanie Paulsell (1985), Don Pittman (1976), Clark Williamson (1957), and Bill Wright (1995).
Congratulations to Carol and Don Browning (1956; Trustee), who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on September 27, 2008.
We extend sympathy to former trustee Harry Ratliff on the death of his wife Deborah on September 25, 2008.
Bill Crowl (1962) concluded an interim ministry at Cherry Log Christian Church in north Georgia in September. Patty Crowl retired in July after 8 1/2 years with the University of Chicago's real estate office.
We are sad to note the death of former trustee James Reed on September 1, 2008. He was the founding president of the Christian Church Foundation and a founder of DisciplesWorld magazine. Our condolences to Lucy Reed.
On August 30 House Scholar Adam Frieburg and Heidi Havercamp, a Divinity School alumna and Episcopal priest, were married in Chicago.
Congratulations to Crista and Chad Martin (Trustee) on the birth of Claire Elyse on August 11, 2008. She weighed 7 pounds and was 20 inches long.
Michael Karunas (1995), Senior Minister of First Christian Church, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, reports his city has been surprisingly hard hit by Hurricane Gustav. Hundreds of thousands of people are without electricity and may remain so for weeks.
Ana Gobledale (1975) and her husband, Tod, recently returned from 5 years teaching at Churches of Christ Theological College near Melbourne, Australia, are the new interim ministers at Kirkland United Church of Christ, Washington, starting August 2008. New address: 330 7th Ave., Kirkland WA 98033; email them.
Shane Isaac has been called to be the minister of Plymouth Creek Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Plymouth, Minnesota, beginning August 3, 2008. On May 28, he and House Scholar Tabitha Knerr became engaged to be married.
The Disciples of Christ Historical Society dedicated the new Oscar Haynes Exhibit Hall on July 29, 2008. Oscar and Joan Bell-Haynes (1995) were in attendance. Oscar Haynes's significant lay leadership includes service as president of the National Convocation and on the Historical Society and Christian Church Foundation boards.
Congratulations to Michael Swartzentruber (House Scholar) and Rebecca Hampu, who married on July 12, 2008, in Alliance, Ohio.
Ed Kolbe (1956) has been serving as interim minister of Richland Hills Christian Church in Fort Worth since July 2008.
Lowell K. Handy (1979) has published Jonah's World: Social Science and the Reading of Prophetic Story (London: Equinox). Thanks to the author for a gift of his book to DDH's Willett Library.
Don Browning (1956) is recuperating well---and is back at work in the library---after being diagnosed with cancer of the duodenum. He underwent surgery on June 26 and will undergo a course of chemotherapy in the coming months. [December update: Don has responded well to chemotherapy and is pursuing a full schedule of research, writing, and speaking.]
Amy and John Cheadle Rich (2002) have moved to Evansville, Indiana, to take positions as Co-Executive Directors of Patchwork Central, a small inner-city non-profit (www.patchwork.org). Amy will also be teaching art in other places around town. She has a show coming up in January at a gallery near Dayton, Ohio, and was recently named an Ohio Visiting Artist by the Ohio Arts Council. John will be attending the University of Southern Indiana in the fall to pursue a degree in nursing.
Rachel Lindner (2004) is studying Arabic in Damascus this summer. She plans to study law and journalism at Northwestern University beginning this fall.
On July 1, 2008, Kay Northcutt (1985) became the first incumbent of the new Fred B. Craddock Chair in Preaching at Phillips Theological Seminary. She was promoted to associate professor.
Ross Martinie Eiler (2002) reports that he, Andrea, and one year-old Paul have just moved to Bloomington, Indiana, where they are starting "a new ChristianRadical/Catholic Worker community."
Kara Mooneyham (2000) is working for the Obama 2008 campaign. After volunteering in Iowa in December, she was hired as a field organizer for the North Carolina primary. She is now working as a field organizer in Las Vegas.
Ryan Gilbert (2005) was ordained to the ministry on June 15, 2008, at Woodland Christian Church in Lexington, Kentucky. He plans to serve a congregation in the eastern part of the state and live with his newly-wed wife Greta in Prestonsburg.
Three current Scholars took part in international delegations in June: Rebecca Anderson and Aaron Smith were in Venezuela as part of a delegation of seminarians sponsored by the Division of Overseas Ministries; Adam Frieberg was selected to travel to Bosnia with Week of Compassion.
Congratulations to Kerry Waller (2000) and husband Ben Dueholm on the birth of their son, Soren Daniel, on June 5, 2008.
We are saddened to learn of the death of Maurice F. Knott (1940) on June 3, 2008, in southern California.
Bill Wassner (1981) became the Executive Director of the United Religious Community of St. Joseph County, Indiana, in May 2008. The 65 year-old interfaith organization is composed of over 140 faith communities in the county representing Christian, Jewish, and Muslim congregations. The URC helps those in crisis with basic needs, sponsors refugee resettlements, and builds relationships between the different faith traditions.
Robert Browning, father of Peter Browning (1978) and brother of Don Browning (1956), died on May 11, 2008, in Worthington, Ohio. Our sympathy is extended to the Browning family.
Our sympathy to the family of Laura Frances Sheafor, widow of Rolland Sheafor (1936), who died February 19 at the age of 93. Her memorial service was held in the Chapel of the Holy Grail on May 10, 2008.
George Shields (1977) presented a Monday DDH Forum on May 5, 2008, about process philosophy and theology.
We are saddened to learn of the death of Kay Ritchey Lunger, widow of Irvin Lunger (1934) and former "first lady" of Transylvania University, April 30, 2008, in Danville, Kentucky.
Kris Culp (1982) has edited and written the introduction for “The Responsibility of the Church for Society” and Other Essays by H. Richard Niebuhr, published by Westminster John Knox Press in April 2008.
Jennifer Jesse (1987) has been awarded a sabbatical for the 2008-09 academic year and a AAR Research Grant for a project entitled “There’s a Methodism to His Madness: William Blake as a Religious Moderate.”
Our sympathy to John Dungan (1987) and spouse Jennifer Jesse (1987) on the death of John’s mother, Sarah Dungan, on April 14, 2008.
