Congratulations to DDH Scholar Patricia Duncan and to DDH community member Mandy Burton, who received their PhDs from the Divinity School at the University of Chicago Summer Convocation, Friday, August 29, for work in Bible and in Religion and Literature, respectively. We celebrate their scholarship, their promise, and their contributions to the DDH.

We are saddened to learn of the death of Barbara S. Fuller (1948) and extend sympathy to her spouse, Russell Fuller (1948). She died at home in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on July 29. She was 88. An ordained minister, she served local and national justice ministries from her base in Ann Arbor and at Memorial Christian Church (now Journey of Faith Christian Church). She is remembered as "an inveterate peacenik who was driven by her love for all people and an incorrigible sense of justice." Born in 1925 to Robert and Irene Angel Stauffer in North Manchester, Indiana, she graduated from the University of Michigan, as did her future husband, Russell M. Fuller. They married on January 6, 1948; that fall both began graduate studies at the Divinity School of the University of Chicago, where she would earn a Masters degree in Christian Ethics and he, his BD degree. Although her husband was a DDH Scholar, in those years, the Divinity House did not grant funding to Barbara---or to any other women. In later years, Barbara claimed her rightful place as an alumna, and participated in Alumni/ae Council meetings and other DDH events. In 1955, the Fullers returned to Ann Arbor. In 1965, Barbara became the principal founder of the Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice in Ann Arbor, for which she served as a staff member for many years. She was concerned especially about the healing of relations between the people of the United States and Vietnam, abolishing nuclear weapons, and ending the Cold War. From 1980 to 1996, she directed a program for Reconciliation with Vietnam for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), leading 13 delegations to visit Vietnam building bridges of mutual concern and assistance. She is survived by her husband and three children, Barbara (Kelvin Seifert), Rusty (Jamie Saville), and Katherine "Kit", and four grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son, Robert Roy, and a sister.

Congratulations and best wishes to House Scholar Andrew Langford and Rachel Brocker, who were married on August 2 in the chapel at the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago. Andrew is a PhD candidate in New Testament and Early Christian Literature; Rachel is Associate Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at the Lutheran School of Theology. They met last summer while attending the wedding of mutual friends Andrew Packman (House Scholar) and Sarah Rohde.

Sympathy to Joan Bell-Haynes (1995) on the death of her beloved spouse, Oscar Haynes, August 1, 2014. He was 98. Mr. Haynes had retired from a long business career, including as state and regional manager for Fromm & Sichel/Christian Brothers Wines & Brandy, in Washington DC. He was at least as well known for his long service to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), including as Second Vice Moderator of the General Assembly 1979-81, Moderator of the Capital Area Region 1978-1980, President of the National Convocation, and service on the boards of the Christian Church Foundation, Disciples Home Missions, Greenwood Cemeteries, Lexington Theological Seminary, National Council of Churches, National City Christian Church Foundation and Disciples of Christ Historical Society. He was the editor emeritus of the Oldtimers Grapevine, an independent publication devoted to keeping church people informed about church happenings. This spring, the Christian Church Foundation presented Oscar Haynes with the Harry T. Ice Lifetime Service Award. He was a member of United Christian Parish in Reston, Virginia, where Joan is the Senior Minister. Funeral Services were held at United Christian Parish on August 9.

Associate Dean Yvonne Gilmore (2001) spoke at the pre-event for the 23rd Biennial Session of the National Convocation of the Christian Church, meeting in Columbus, Ohio, on July 23. Trustee Julian DeShazier was the featured Friday evening speaker (and was introduced by Associate Dean Gilmore!).

The Board of Directors of Higher Education & Leadership Ministries (HELM) of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has called Bernard "Chris" Dorsey (2001) to serve as Transitional President effective August 1, 2014. He commented, "I look forward to building on HELM's success of leadership development and finding new ways to equip people with the skills and tools needed for successful ministry and service in a rapidly changing world." Fuller story here.

Elijah Donald Gilbert was born on July 7, 2014. Congratulations to his parents, G.E. Ryan Gilbert (2006) and Greta D. Hicks, and to Amelia, his proud big sister. They live in Prestonsburg, Kentucky, where Ryan is a writer and a musician.

Sixty-nine youth from Middletown Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky, and a lot of ice cream converged at DDH on July 8. Michael Swartzentruber (2007), Youth Minister at Middletown, brought the group to Chicago for a mission trip focused on poverty and justice. Associate Dean Yvonne Gilmore led them in worship in the Chapel of the Holy Grail, and, with her, current residents Kathryn Ray and Kiva Nice-Webb engaged them in reflection as well as shared ice cream.

Felipa and Ryan Singleton (2005) moved to Minneapolis at the beginning of July, where Felipa has accepted a job with the Target Corporation. Ryan looks forward to connecting with DDH alums in greater Minneapolis-St. Paul (several alums have moved to the area in recent years).

Vy Nguyen (2004) has been named the next Executive Director of Week of Compassion, effective September 1. The Disciples general ministry partners with other agencies to respond to emergency and disaster situations. He currently works with Church World Service in California. See the longer article here.