Seeking God’s Design, edited by Richard Lowery with Lawrence Burnley, Duane Cummins, and Peter Morgan, has been published by Chalice Press to mark the fiftieth anniversary of The Design of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). It provides historical context and offers a series of reflections from key Disciples leaders today. It includes essays by Chuck Blaisdell (1976), Kris Culp (dean; 1982), and Sandhya Jha (2001), with a foreward by Teresa Hord Owens (1999).

Congratulations to PhD student Luke and Stephanie Soderstrom on the birth of Roark Walker Soderstrom on May 31. 

Dale Miller (1949) died on May 21, 2019, at the age of 96. He was a professor, minister, and political activist. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Betty, their six children, and many grandchildren. He lived a life of generous service and love. Gifts in his name may be sent to Saint Andrew Christian Church, Olathe, Kansas, Raymore (Missouri) Christian Church, or the Fellowship of John at Foxwood Springs Living Center in Raymore, Missouri. A memorial service was held at on June 15 at Foxwood Springs.

Garry Sparks (2001) has just been promoted to Associate Professor of Religious Studies with tenure at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. Congratulations!

House Scholar Mark Lambert has been awarded an Alma Wilson Teaching Fellowship for next year. His course for the College, "Religion, Medicine, and Illness," will investigate how religious traditions furnish an explanatory reservoir vis-à-vis the experience.

Graduating House Scholar Jack Veatch has received funding through the Disciples’ Council on Christian Unity to study at the Ecumenical Institute of the World Council of Churches in Bossey, Switzerland next year. He reflects, "The issues communities face are rarely ever siloed by denominational belonging. Hunger, homelessness, abuse, addiction: these problems require a diversity of answers rooted in rich understandings of God and humanity. Without ecumenism, I believe our answers to the trials and tribulations of human life will be lacking."
 

The Constructive Theologies Project at DDH brings together emerging Disciples leaders to think about theology and race. They convened February 28 - March 2 at the Oakland Peace Center (OPC) around the theme "Justice and Safety." Alumna Sandhya Jha, JoAnne Kagiwada, and Professor Yolanda Norton, San Francisco Theological Seminary/Disciples Seminary Foundation, shared reflections. Associate Dean Yvonne Gilmore is the project director. 

Sympathy to Robert Bates (1950) on the death of his wife, Margaret Sue Bates, in Indianapolis on March 26. She attended Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, graduating with a BFA in 1953, and also took courses at the University of Michigan and later completed the teacher certification at the University of Chicago. She worked as the associate director of the student center of the Congregational and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) campus ministry at the University of Michigan. In 1957 she married Robert S. Bates. Beginning in 1957, the Bates served in India as Mission Co-workers, appointed by the United Christian Missionary Society, the predecessor body to what is today Global Ministries. The Bates returned to the United States in August of 1970. Once the Bates returned to the United States, Sue worked as a counselor and office administrator for Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in St. Meinrad, Indiana. She also worked as an English as a second language teacher, and taught writing at Christian Theological Seminary. Sue was passionate about working through the church with refugees and often became an “honorary grandma” for many families. A memorial service was held at Allisonville Christian Church on May 4, 2019. More here. 

Lee Hull Moses (2001) will speak at the Generosity Transformed Conference taking place April 30-May 2, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson (2009) was installed as minister at the Loveland (Colorado) United Church of Christ on February 23. Cynthia Lindner preached and Joan Bell-Haynes participated.