Danielle Cox (current House Scholar) has been selected as one of two DOM/Global Ministries summer interns. The internship provides opportunities for Disciples seminarians to engage with a variety of programs within Global Ministries, especially Africa and Latin America partnerships and mission personnel and communications. This program is designed to help nurture and develop leaders who have a commitment to God's mission in the world and a passion for justice. The experience includes a pilgrimage to visit one of Global Ministries' overseas partners. Danielle has just completed a nine-month internship in campus ministry and church relations at Chapman University.

Kathryn Ray, House resident and soon-to-be MDiv/MA in SSA graduate of the University of Chicago, was ordained May 31 in Chicago by the Alliance of Baptists and the Ellis Avenue Church. Fellow House compatriots Allie Lundblad and Kiva Nice-Webb were among the participants. Divinity School graduate and Ellis Avenue pastor Jonathan Friesen preached the ordination sermon.

Julian DeShazier (Trustee), Senior Minister of University Church, is among Chicago leaders featured in an excellent documentary about youth violence in Chicago and how communities of faith are responding. "Violence in Chicago: Responding with Faith" was broadcast May 28 on WTTW (PBS). The documentary builds on the human facts of the effects of violence to offer ways of thinking about violence theologically and of responding morally, practically, and constructively. Julian and other leaders speak eloquently and movingly. It can be viewed in its entirety on youtube.

Irami and Bonnie Osei-Frimpong (2005) are moving to Corvallis, Oregon, where they will live in and manage an intentional community. They are pictured here at daughter Graham's infant dedication at University Church Chicago on May 25, with big sister Carenen looking on. Bonnie continues as the director of the National Benevolent Association's Xplor program.

William Wright (1995) is the author of a new book, Calvin's Salvation in Writing: A Confessional Academic Theology, just published by E.J. Brill (2015). The book "is the philosophically boldest employment of Calvin to date. Through innovatively mining Calvin’s theology, William Wright designs a new method of theology, 'theography,' that will enliven the field." Bill Wright, who is Associate Professor of Religion at Eureka College, and spouse Jessica Barr, who is Associate Professor of English at Eureka, and Silas will be moving to Amherst, Massachusetts, later this summer, where Jessica has a new position in comparative literature. Two current House Scholars, Judith Guy and Doug Collins, and one entering House Scholar, Colton Lott, claim Prof. Wright as their mentor.

Garry Sparks (2001) has had two articles published recently: "Primeros folios, folios primeros: Una breve aclaración acerca de la Theologia Indorum y su relación intertexual con el Popol Wuj." Voces: Revista semestral del Instituto de Lingüística e Interculturalidad 9, no. 2 (July-December 2014), 91-142, and "The Use of Mayan Scripture in the Americas' First Christian Theology." Numen (International Review for the History of Religions) 61, no. 4 (August 2014), 396-429. He and spouse April Lewton (2004; trustee) now live in Alexandria, Virginia. He is finishing his first year at George Mason University as Assistant Professor of Latin American Religion and she continues as Vice President of Development and Marketing, National Benevolent Association.

As of April 2015, Bruce Gumm has been a part of the DDH staff for twenty years. The House community celebrated his work on May 5 with a surprise pizza party. On May 21, he became a grandfather when his daughter Bashan gave birth to Zahir Gabriel Taylor Gumm. Thank you and congratulations, Bruce.

We are saddened to note the death of Divinity School Professor Anthony C. Yu, who died on May 12, 2015, after a brief illness. He was 76. The Carl Darling Buck Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus in the Humanities and the Divinity School, Mr. Yu was a scholar of religion and literature best known for his landmark translation of the Chinese epic The Journey to the West. A PhD alumnus of the Divinity School, he introduced a comparative approach to the study of religion and literature that drew on both Eastern and Western traditions. A University memorial service will be held on Sunday, June 14 at 3 p.m. in Bond Chapel. Read the full obituary on the University of Chicago website.

Sandhya Jha (2001) preached for Interfaith Sunday, April 26, at Rockefeller Memorial Chapel. Rockefeller artists in residence sang music of world traditions. She is the Director of the Oakland Peace Center and of Interfaith Programs at East Bay Housing Organization in Oakland, California.

Constance Battle (trustee) traveled to Chicago for the 100th anniversary celebration of the American Medical Women's Association (AMWA) in late April, as well as for the DDH Board meeting. Past Presidents of the AMWA were recognized as part of the celebration; her presidency was 1985-86.