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.

Jonathan Cahill (2015) is serving as a chaplain at Hillcrest Hospital, a community hospital affiliated with the Cleveland Clinic, while completing a CPE residency at the Cleveland Clinic. He has been approved for ordination by the Christian Church in Illinois and Wisconsin, with the service planned for January 20, 2019, at University Church in Chicago.

Lee Hull Moses (2001) will join the Office of the General Minister and President (Disciples of Christ) as Chief of Staff in 2019. She and her family will move to Indianapolis from North Carolina where she has been serving as Senior Minister of the First Christian Church of Greensboro.

Vy Nguyen (2004), Executive Director of the Week of Compassion, led a group of young Disciples clergy leaders to Myanmar, November 25-December 6, 2018. Allison Lundblad (2012) traveled with the delegation. She will reflect on her experience at a DDH forum on January 14, 2019.

Ayanna Johnson Watkins (2000) has been named the first lead organizer of MICAH (Memphis Interfaith Coalition for Action and Hope), a new “coalition of faith-based and community organizations joining together to give a more powerful voice for issues of justice in Memphis.” She has been Director of the National Benevolent Association’s Incubate Initiative.

Congratulations to PhD student Andrew Packman and Sarah Rohde on the birth of Owen Pete Rohde Packman on December 9.

Tish Duncan (1999), Assistant Professor of Religion at Texas Christian University, was ordained in TCU's Robert Carr Chapel in early December 2018.