We are saddened by the death of Maxine Mae Gambs McCaw, spouse of more than 70 years to John E. McCaw (1939). She died suddenly of pneumonia in the Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines on January 26. She was 93. In addition to her husband, she is survived by four children: Clayle, Milva Lou (Sandison Pearse), Maxhn, and Janine (Mack), and by eight grandchildren and one great grandson. A musical memorial service was held at Wakonda Christian Church in Des Moines.

The following is abridged from the obituary that was published in the Des Moines Register. Born and raised in Des Moines, Maxine began her study of piano at the very young age of five. She began teaching private lessons at the age of 13. In 1937, she enrolled in Drake University as a scholarship student and studied through her sophomore year with Paul Stoye. She was admitted to Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia with full scholarship in 1939, where she studied with Harry Kaufman. She then entered Chicago Musical College, now Roosevelt University, where she studied with Rudolph Ganz and Mollie Margolies. She graduated with honors with a Bachelors Degree in Concert Piano in 1942. She also enrolled in classes in the University College and the Divinity School of the University of Chicago. She later studied with Bomar Cramer in Indianapolis and with Hilda Somer in New York City.

She was adjunct professor of piano at Southern Illinois University from 1943-45. She returned to Des Moines with her husband in 1950, continuing private teaching and retired from teaching in 1990. In 1969, she received the Master of Arts degree in piano performance from Drake University studying under Kenneth Drake. In 1979, she attended the International Pedagogy Workshop in Salzburg, Austria led by Clara Rolland. She studied composition with Winifred Glass and Dr. Pyle at Drake University and had Master's Class with Aaron Copeland. With Mabel Niedermayer McCaw she published children's songs. She was a member of the American Federation of Music Clubs, vice president of the board of Des Moines Civic Music, president of Drake Faculty Dames, and president of Fortnightly Music Club. She was also a founding member of the Ray Society of Life Long Learning. She traveled throughout North America, Europe, Russia and China. Memorial contributions may be made to the Christian Church Foundation designated to the recently established John and Maxine McCaw Prophetic Living, Teaching and Preaching Scholarship. The McCaws have also provided for a gift to the Disciples Divinity House.

Manuel Sánchez (former resident) now serves as Deputy Governor and member of the Governing Board of the Bank of Mexico.  Mr. Sanchez was nominated by President Felipe Calderon in April 2009 and his appointment was ratified by the Standing Commission of the Mexican Congress in May of 2009.  His term will end at the end of 2016.

Kerry Waller Dueholm (2000) has concluded six years of ministry at Villa Park Christian Church and has begun studies in pastoral counseling. She and her family have moved to Wauconda, Illinois, where spouse Ben Dueholm is Associate Pastor of Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church. Ben, a former DDH chef, is also a MDiv graduate of the Divinity School.

Congratulations to Irami and Bonnie Osei-Frimpong (2005) on the birth of their daughter Carenen in Chicago on October 26. When she was 12 days old, Carenen attended her first Monday dinner with her mom. 

Hopes and Fears: Everyday Theology for New Parents and Other Tired, Anxious People by Lee Hull Moses (2001; Trustee), senior minister of First Christian Church in Greensboro, NC, and Bromleigh McCleneghan, Associate for Congregational Life, Rockefeller Chapel, was published by the Alban Institute in October. The book, which is about being not-perfect parents in a not-perfect world, is full of life, theology, and humor. Bonnie Miller-McLemore (1978) wrote the forward to the book. See more here.

Aaron Smith (2007) became Assistant Director of Employer Resources at the Pension Fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Indianapolis in April 2012.

An article in the fall 2012 issue of Just Women offers a portrait of JoAnne Kagiwada (trustee) entitled The Matriarch of NAPAD. In addition to narrating her founding and continuing role with the North American Pacific Asian Disciples (NAPAD), the article discusses her work on behalf of Japanese Americans who were incarcerated by the U.S. government during World War II---including her husband David Kagiwada (1951) and his family and members of her own extended family. "Kagiwada organized the lobbying and education work that led to the passage of the Civil Liberties Act in 1988. Congress authorized the distribution of $20,000 in individual payments for survivors of the camps."

Kristel Clayville, a PhD candidate in Religious Ethics, presented “Holmes Rolston: The Integration of Textual Thinking with an Environmental Theory of Responsibility” at the Religion and Ethics Workshop at the Divinity School on October 18.

We celebrate with Ed Kolbe (1956) his 52 years of ordained ministry. After having served nine interim ministries after "retirement," Ed reports that he has concluded his interim ministry. In May, Ed, Mary Ruth, and their dog, Taco, moved to a senior independent living community in Arlington, Texas.

Cheryl Jackson was installed as the new moderator of the Christian Church in Illinois and Wisconsin at the regional assembly on October 13.