Colton Lott (2015), pastor of First Christian Church, El Reno, Oklahoma, welcomed approximately 20 children and 30 youth to the first night of "LOGOS," an educational program, this past month. He explains his new look, shown in the photo: Every night at “Family Time” (family style dinner served at tables with the same ‘table family’ each week) we have a theme. I am the Dinner Dean (the MC) so I come in costume. Our theme for last night’s dinner was our curricular theme “Journey with Jesus,” hence the tacky tourist outfit.

Emma Yeager, current Scholar, wrote for Divinity School social media pages about her internship at the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures (ISAC), creating a tour focused on religion in the ancient Near East, to launch this fall. She writes: “This experience confirmed my interest in work that bridges research with public engagement, especially in contexts where my efforts have a tangible and lasting impact.”

Noah Sveiven, resident and second-year MDiv, has spent the summer studying Urdu in Lucknow, India. He writes, "Warmest greetings from Lucknow. India is wonderful. Teachers are excellent. Students are diligent, with the inevitable exception or two. My host family is daily exceedingly generous and kind. I'm a lucky person!"

From Ana Gobledale (1975): "Thanks to Thandiwe's (Dale-Ferguson, 2009) sabbatical renewal grant from the Lily Foundation, we accompanied her and Cora and Ezra  on an amazing trip, taking us to places of 'home and belonging' in Zimbabwe and South Africa. We visited McCord Zulu Hospital in Durban where Thandiwe was born in a storage closet, because we weren't allowed on a ward, due to apartheid laws. We preached together at the rural Mfanefile United Congregational Church (UCCSA) we served 40 years ago! And again at Plumtree UCCSA in Zimbabwe, where we served 30 years ago, reconnecting with so many folks. A highlight for me was celebrating the four youth (in our day) who are now ministers! The grant enabled us to enjoy several days in game parks, sharing the space with lions, elephants, cheetahs and brilliant birds."

Judith Guy (2013) has been called as pastor of Cascade Christian Church in Grand Rapids, MI. Her first day was Monday, August 25. She was formerly pastor of Mackinaw Christian Church in Mackinaw, IL, where she had served since 2017.

This summer, DDH Scholar MariaIsabelle Garcia is learning with two alums who are part of the ministry staff at Allisonville Christian Church in Indianapolis. Sarah Zuniga (2018) is her supervising minister and Beau Underwood (2006) is the senior minister. ACC is a great fit for her aspirations in ministry and her experience in community organizing. 

Kristel Clayville (2001) gave the Northey Lecture on July 29 at the University of Divinity in Melbourne, Australia. She was invited by fellow Divinity School alum, Robyn Whitaker, Associate Professor of New Testament. Kristel's talk was entitled, "Dei Ex Machina: The Images of God in our Conceptions of AI."

June graduate Morganne Talley (2022) was ordained to the Christian Ministry on July 26 at Timberlake Christian Church in Lynchburg, Virginia. The preacher was Stephanie McLemore (1992), who was Morganne's undergraduate college chaplain. 

W. David Hall (1989) retired from Centre College at the end of the academic year and was granted emeritus status; his title is now W. George Matton Professor Emeritus. He is currently Visiting Professor of Religion and Philosophy at Augsburg University.

In a publication of the World Council of Churches (WCC), entering House Scholar Fiyori Kidane reflects on a conversation held in Memphis at the General Assembly between emerging Disciples leaders and the WCC General Secretary, Jerry Pillay. Vy Nguyen (trustee; 2004) arranged the gathering.