On August 9, Tod and Ana Gobledale (1975) wrote as rioting continues in London, where they serve, and elsewhere in England. They invite others to join them in prayer "for our community—Brockley & Lewisham, our city—London, and our country—Great Britain. May our churches and all faith communities across the city be beacons of light in the darkness, and speak words of faith and hope." More here.

Beau Underwood (2006) preached at National City Christian Church in Washington, DC, Sunday, August 7, on The Existential Question, based on Matthew 16:21-28. Beau is the Partnership and Outreach Coordinator at Faith in Public Life, a strategy center advancing faith in the public square as a positive and unifying force for justice, compassion, and the common good.

Congratulations to former trustee Juan Rodriguez who has been named the next Regional Minister of Florida. His term begins January 8, 2012. He was the organizing pastor of Iglesia del Pueblo-Hope Center in Hammond, Indiana, and just completed service as the First Vice Moderator of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Juan and Sonia will be moving to Orlando, Florida.

Congratulations to Brandon Cline and Tish Duncan (current House Scholars) on the birth of Vivian Margaret Cline on August 4. She weighed 8 lbs and 6 oz., and all are doing well. Edy has been waiting ages for "her" baby, and she is proving to be an adoring and tender big sister.

On August 1, former Associate Dean Brittany Barber (1995) began serving as Interim Minister of University Place Christian Church in Champaign, Illinois.

John Weaver (1996) was recently appointed Dean of Library Services and Educational Technology at Abilene Christian University. He previously served as Director of The Burke Theological Library at Columbia University and Union Theological Seminary in New York City. Also, he was elected as President of the American Theological Library Association (ATLA) this year.

June MDiv graduate Anna Liv Gibbons (2008) was ordained Sunday, July 17, at her home church in Eugene, Oregon: First Christian Church. Liv and her husband, Elijah Buck, are moving to Kentucky, where she will serve as the Minister in Residence at Central Christian Church in Lexington.

We were saddened by the death of John Sturman (1978) on August 1 after a battle with liver cancer.  His life was celebrated on August 6 at University Church in Chicago.  Our prayers are with his family, wife Maureen and daughters Alice and Emilia.

The ministry of David Vargas (1971; trustee) was celebrated on July 11 at the General Assembly of the Christian Church, meeting in Nashville. Since 2003, he has been the President of the Division of Overseas Ministries and Co-Executive of Global Ministries. He is retiring after 28 years of service with DOM. Bishop Medardo Gomez of the Lutheran Church of El Salvador made a surprise appearance to honor him.

Yvonne Gilmore (2001) preached at the Downtown Presbyterian Church in Nashville during the General Assembly and performed a spoken word piece during the HIV/Aids healing service. She is the founding pastor of New Song Community Church, Columbus, Ohio. Read the sermon she preached in March in the Chapel of the Holy Grail here.