Sandhya Jha's (2001; trustee)  book Rebels, Despots, and Saints: The Ancestors Who Free Us and The Ancestors We Need to Free has been published by Chalice Press. The book looks to the wisdom and folly, the suffering and overcoming, and the spiritual practices and acts of resistance our ancestors, in many senses of the word, navigated - and sometimes created.

The book includes case studies of activists and spiritual leaders, writing and suggestion prompts, and reflections designed to help readers connect with their ancestors and connect to the work of dismantling white supremacy as a spiritual practice.

Yvonne Gilmore (2001) is teaching "An Introduction to Faith Based Anti-Racism" at Lexington Theological Seminary beginning in February 2023. The course will provide an introductory survey of faith-rooted approaches to anti-racism and anti-racist community practices. Race, justice, identity formation, power, and intersectionality will be considered alongside tools to address racism and other forms of oppression to increase equity and meaningful social change.

Current PhD student Luke Soderstrom and his wife Stephanie welcomed Asa Michael Soderstrom into the world on December 7, 2022. Baby Asa arrived at a healthy 8.7 lbs and 22 inches long. All are doing well. Asa's older brothers are excited to welcome him home.

Beau Underwood (2006) and Casey Osterkamp are moving to Indianapolis, where Beau has been called as the next Senior Minister of Allisonville Christian Church, and Casey will become Vice President of Operations for Herron Classical Schools, a public charter school network. Casey will wrap up her work overseeing personnel for the State of Missouri in January. They report that son Jesse is looking forward to a big kid bed with a Spidey comforter! Beau will continue to write for the publication, Word & Way, on a limited basis as a contributing editor. After passing his comprehensive exams in public affairs at the University of Missouri-Columbia this fall, he will take a leave of absence, with the intention of resuming his dissertation research and writing as a part-time student in 2024. Beau's installation service is planned for February 12.

Sarah Zuniga (2018) has been promoted to the position of National Facilitator and Organizer at Crossroads Antiracism Training. They had been serving as Digital Content Editor.

Beau Underwood (2006), with co-authors Brian Kaylor and Angela Parker, wrote a Lenten devotional titled Unsettling Lent. The devotional "invites Christians to make Lent a season of solidarity and justice-seeking" by "connecting the biblical story to present-day realities." The book is available through Chalice Press.

Joy Omslaer (1997), a social worker for brain injury survivors at the Outpatient Rehabilitation Department of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, is collaborating with David Hibler, a doctoral student and Army veteran, to lead a national study on mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) in the veterans community. “We’re looking to understand how mild traumatic brain injury has impacted veterans as they return to civilian life,” Omslaer says. “But we’re also trying to get more information about how veterans want to be approached for research so they can participate in studies to improve their health care.” Their Mind Over Matter (M.O.M.) project was featured on The Ohio State's homepage for the research in November.

The Faith & Politics Institute (FPI) Board of Directors announced that it has named Robert Wilson-Black (1991) as its new President & CEO effective November 17, 2022. Rob, being an energetic non-profit business leader, brings a wealth of leadership experience and a passion for positive change within the constituents we serve.Rob comes to FPI from his role as the former CEO of Sojourners.

In accepting the position he notes,“I have long admired the inspiring work and mission of the Faith and Politics Institute, and look forward to serving its outstanding staff and constituents in building courage, conscience and compassion among our nation’s leaders.”

2022 graduate Ross Allen (2019) has been called as the accepted term minister of South Acton Congregational Church in Massachusetts.

Ellie Leech (2019) and Burton Guion (2016) got engaged in Seattle on a rainy day in November. Congratulations!