In his 2008 holiday letter, Marvin Smith (1939; life trustee) cites the Chalice Introduction to Disciples Theology and Michael Kinnamon’s ecumenical leadership and theological vision as strong signs of hope for the Disciples of Christ. We extend sympathy to Marvin and his daughter with the loss of Emily’s husband, Herb Schwartz, to ALS this past April.

Mark Toulouse (1977) has been named the twelfth principal of Emmanuel College, effective January 1, 2009. Emmanuel, which is one of seven federated theological colleges within the Toronto School of Theology, is Canada's largest United Church Theological school. He leaves Brite Divinity School, where he has taught American religious history for 22 years and also once served as academic dean.

Marshall Dunn (1965) served as Acting Regional Minister in the Capital Area and as interim preacher for a Presbyterian congregation this past year, but notes, "I still most delight in my other job, watching 28 month-old Mia [granddaughter] one day a week. It is SO wonderful being such a big part of her life." Mia is the daughter of Kristen Dunn (1995) and Jon Thomason.

Paul and Kristin (Johnson) Dow (1992) welcomed the birth of Theodore Daniel on December 17, 2008. His sisters, Annie and Eleanor, were waiting his arrival. Kristin is one of the pastors of New Song Church, a Disciples of Christ Faith Community in Kansas City, Missouri.

Congratulations to Jaime Polson (1998) and Zack Flanagin, who became the proud parents of Isabella Claire Polson Flanagin on December 10, 2008, at 2:14 pm. She weighed 8 lbs and 2 ounces. Mother and daughter are doing fine.

Peiying Peng (1995) writes that she became a U.S. citizen two years ago and took special pride in being able to vote in her first presidential election in November 2008. She is an art therapist in California.

We are saddened to learn of the death of Robert Shaw (1965) in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on December 2, 2009.

Royce Paul Gray (2005) has been accepted to medical school at Texas A & M. He writes that although his time at the House was short, “it was a very formative experience.”

On November 15, 2009, Hubert Locke (trustee) received the 2008 William O. Douglas Award from the ACLU of Washington state, the organization's highest honor. He was honored for his decades of committed leadership, scholarship, and public service in defense of civil rights and human rights.

Don Browning (1956; trustee) delivered a series of six lectures, funded by the Templeton Foundation, at Boston University during fall 2008.