Julian DeShazier (Trustee) is featured in the cover article of the March 2 Chicago Reader. "Julian DeShazier has been leading a congregation at University Church in Hyde Park since 2010 and rapping as J.Kwest for even longer. He's on a quest—hence his stage name—to find a middle ground where hip-hop and gospel music can coexist." He's just released his first full-length album, Lemonade. Read the article here.

Congratulations to Administrator Marsha Peeler on the birth of her grandson, Greyson Christopher Walter Hart. Greyson is the son of Marsha's daughter, Brandy, and son-in-law, Stephen Hart. He arrived in the world on January 29 at 11:14 pm, weighing 9 lbs and 12 oz. Everyone is healthy and well, and big sister Marsha is thrilled to have a baby brother.

Congratulations to Liv Gibbons (2008) and Elijah Buck on the birth of their second daughter, Sigrid. Sigrid was born on December 3, 2015, and is nicknamed "Ziggy." Liv, Elijah, big sister Isla and Ziggy are all doing well.

William Wright (1995) and Rosemary Carbine (former resident) each have a chapter in a new book released in December 2015 and published by Fortress Press, The Gift of Theology: The Contribution of Kathryn Tanner. Kathryn Tanner is a North American theologian and former Divinity School professor, and this book "celebrates the vision and breadth of Tanner’s unique contribution." Wright's chapter is titled "On Making Christology Look Too Easy: A Dialectical 'Rejoiner' to Tanner's Lineage." Carbine, in addition to writing a chapter called "Placards, Icons, and Protests: Insights into Antiracist Activism from Feminist Public Theology," also co-wrote the book's acknowledgements and introduction.

Aaron Smith (2007) will be ordained to the Christian ministry on Sunday, November 22 at 4:00 pm. The service will be held at Light of the World Christian Church in Indianapolis, his home congregation. He is the Director of Employer Services for the Pension Fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and also leads the evangelism ministry at Light of the World.

Clark Gilpin (1970; trustee) gave a lecture entitled, "'Companionable Being': American Theologians Engage Martin Buber," at the Martin Buber: Philosopher of Dialogue conference, October 18-19. Gilpin explored how Reinhold Niebuhr, Will Herberg, and H. Richard Niebuhr engaged Buber's work in the mid-twentieth century, and what that engagement suggests about construals of the self. The conference, held at the Divinity School and the Spertus Institute, commemorated the 50th anniversary of Buber's death.

Allie Lundblad (2012) was ordained into the ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) on October 17 in Chicago. The service was held at First Baptist Church, where Allie completed her field education. She is currently a CPE intern at Northwestern Hospitals in Chicago. Dennis Lundblad, Allie's father, preached. Associate Dean Yvonne Gilmore (2001), Cynthia Lindner (1979), Dean Kris Culp (1982), Laura Jennison Reed (2009), Kathryn Ray (former resident) and current scholars Rachel Abdoler, Danielle Cox, and Andrew Packman, were among the participants in the service.

William Wright (1995) has been called as Minister and Theologian-in-Residence of the Church of Christ Congregational, UCC, in Grandby, Massachusetts. Located near Amherst, MA, the congregation was founded in 1762. Bill, spouse Jessica Barr, and their son, Silas, moved to Amherst this summer from Eureka, Illinois. Jessica is now a member of the faculty in Comparative Literature at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Alex McCauslin (2011) was installed as Minister of Journey of Faith Christian Church in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on Saturday, August 29. She is pictured here with Regional Minister Eugene James, her home church pastor Dr. Robert Cornwall, Brenda Etheridge and Shirley Martinson. On September 13, Associate Dean Yvonne Gilmore (2001) traveled to Ann Arbor to preach and to lead a workshop.

In September, Bethany Watkins Lowery (2006) became Director of Development of Disciples Church Extension and Hope Partnership of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). She is based in Indianapolis.