“This lived theology—grounded in an ethic of care, arising from diverse faith traditions, and practiced in the public square—illuminates a way forward through heartbreak, where hearts that have been broken open respond in service to neighbors rather than breaking apart in apathy or despair.” Paul Pribbenow, a former resident and the President of Augsburg University in Minneapolis, wrote "Who Is My Neighbor? Religion and the Metro Surge" in "Sightings: Religion in Public Life," explaining how ICE operations brought fear to Augsburg but a lived theology of neighborliness endures. Pribbenow was the Divinity School's Alumnus of the Year in 2025. 

The Lake Institute for Faith and Giving at IU Lilly School of Philanthropy published an article about Avon Christian Church, in Avon, Indiana, and their senior pastor, Danielle Cox (2012), regarding an innovative collaboration with Habitat for Humanity, in a recent issue of their newsletter: Building More Than Homes: Service, Faith, and the Work of Bridgebuilding. In February, demolition work began to clear part of the church property and a construction driveway was put in so infrastructure work can begin. Last fall, the congregation met their first new neighbors, who will be the owners of houses built by Habitat on the property.

Virginia White, alumna and Teaching Fellow at the Divinity School, will explain the concept of Dinner Church as part of a meal and workshop at the Oklahoma Regional Assembly on Friday evening, March 6. Virginia served as Co-Pastor for Outreach at Root + Branch Church, a Disciples of Christ millennial-founded “dinner church” meeting in theaters, homes, and cooking schools on Chicago’s northwest side.

Seven House Scholars are amoung a group of young adult leaders helping guide the Disciples Young Adult Book Club with young adults from across the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) as part of a virtual book club on Staying at the Table with its author, General Minister and President Terri Hord Owens. 

As of March 2, Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson (2009) will be transitioning from serving as the pastor of First Congregational Church of Loveland to being a spiritual care counselor for Accent Care Hospice. While her family will miss this beloved church community, she is looking forward to regular hours (Monday-Friday 8-5).

In Becoming Neighbors, Amar D. Peterman, ecumenical resident of DDH and a first-year PhD student in Theology, explores how the common good can be cultivated through the practice of neighbor love.The book will be released on March 12 from Eerdmans. Amar works at the intersection of religion and public life and is a former assistant director at Interfaith America. He has been named a Storyteller for The Narrative Project, an initiative of The Christian Century; find his article on Christian Nationalism here. 

A warm welcome to new Board member, Raquel Collazo. She is Assistant Vice President at the Pension Fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Previously, she worked in the financial industry, including at JPMorgan Chase. She has a passion for serving others, especially those in historically under-served communities. Raquel is a fourth-generation Disciple and a member at Iglesia Cristiana (Discípulos de Cristo) Casa del Alfarero in Indianapolis, where she resides with her husband and three children.

Marshall (1960) and Barb Dunn took their first first Road Scholar trip to Costa Rica (although it was their third time to Costa Rica). Marshall writes, "We were very impressed by the quality and knowledge of our trip leaders and almost daily lectures and demonstrations (one of them on leaf cutter ants). We love this little country for its amazing biodiversity and warm February temperatures! Here's the Arenal Volcano!" 

Congratulations to Adam Frieberg (2006), who in January became Director of Data Architecture and Integration, a new role in the Office of the General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Adam has almost twenty years of professional software development experience in the agricultural GIS sector. He is based in Des Moines, IA and volunteers his clergy and technical expertise with Wakonda Christian Church. He is known among Disciples and DDH alums for his photography, including many striking photos and videos he has made for the House over the years.

Eight current House Scholars traveled to Eureka College for the Humbert Lecture on Religion and Public Life, given this year by Terri Hord Owens (1999) General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Here, they pose with Terri as well as with Regional Minister William Crowder and Michael Karunas (1995), Senior Minister of Central Christian Church in Decatur. Beau Underwood (2006), a member of Eureka's Board, was moving too fast to be captured in the photo.