For the first "outing" of the fall quarter, the DDH community took to the trails of Matthiessen State Park for a day of hiking. The group had a fun time traversing the trails, trudging through creek-beds and under waterfalls, and watching the magic of fall leaves literally "falling" to the ground all around them. DDH residents and scholars are so grateful for the ways the Board of Trustees and Administration is willing to support the creation of community in the House.

For our first forum of the Autumn Quarter, Divinity School Assistant Professor of Religion in America Dr. William Schultz came to DDH and presented to us about a new research project of his titled Old Docs Never Die: The Inglorious Pursuit of William Estep. A lively conversation ensued after his presentation focused on themes of the often murky lines between legitimate and fraudulent, contemporary examples of "quacks" and phoney medicine, and more. Check out our Calendar of Events to see other forums and chapel services we have planned this Autumn Quarter!

The DDH community elected members of the 2026-2027 House Council! House Council consists of co-presidents, a treasurer, and 4 committees: the service and justice committee, the house beautifcation committee, the family dinner committee, and the party planning committee. It's members are repsonisble for planning events to foster House community - including innings and outings, organizing efforts to keep the House clean and lively, and acting as a student governing body for the community. The co-presidents of this year's House Council are third year MDiv and House Scholar MariaIsabelle Garcia and second year MDiv and House Scholar Ella Johnson. To see the names of all students elected to House Council, please see the House Council section of the Officers and Staff website page.

DDH welcomed in the new academic year with an opening chapel service and the first Monday Night Dinner of the autumn quarter on Monday, September 28th. The DDH community heard words of wisdom, spirit, and vulnerability from our chapel preacher Rev. Joan Bell-Haynes. She preached on the story of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane from Mark's gospel, reminding us to build community, pay attention, and be compassionate and courageous. Constant chatter, laughter, and conversation could be heard as House scholars, residents, alums, and friends sat down for dinner in the basement. If this past Monday was any indication, this is going to be a wonderful year for the House.

On Sunday, September 27th, DDH hosted a celebration to commemorate the full funding of the Amy Ann Northcutt scholarship. Amy's husband, daughter, sister, and friends were able to attend to celebrate the life and legacy Amy left and will continue to leave through this scholarship fund. Numerous works by Chicago artist Gwen Yen Chiu were on display, and we got to hear from Gwen about her personal story and where she finds her own identity and history in her art. We also heard from Larry Bouchard, about spirit: how spirit blows on everything, interacts with everything, gives everything magnitude and mutuality; gives us things to do, to imagine and hope for, to revise and confess. The first named Amy Ann Northcutt scholar - first year M.A. student Lauren Blakemore - was honored at the celebration. Thank you to all of the friends of Amy, friends of the House, alums, and students who showed up to celebrate this occasion.

On September 21st, Delaney Beh spoke at the United Church of Christ's Future of Faith: The Courage to Be Church webinar. Delaney's M.Div. thesis, titled "The Courage to Be Church: Renewing Liberal Protestant Discipleship in an Age of Uncertainty," explored what the future of the church could be by inviting congregations to confront their precarity with hope rather than fear and consider the power of faithful discipleship amid an uncertain future. The webinar reinvigorated congregations through a reclamation of the rich theological and practical tools found within our progressive Protestant history through a contemporary lens

The 2026-2027 school year is set to begin next week at the Divinity School, and so with it comes a return of weekly Monday Night programming at the Disciples Divinity House. The first Monday Night program of the year will be a chapel service, where we will have the honor of hearing DDH alumna Joan Bell-Haynes preach. Our new and returning House Scholars and ecumenical residents are excited to get back into the Monday Night routine and are looking forward to hearing from and talking with Rev. Bell-Haynes.

Invoking the spirit of Monday dinners and forums, the Alumni/ae Council kicked off the first in a series of virtual gatherings on September 14 (a Monday, of course). We started the evening enjoying a Carménère wine and paired cheeses together while hearing Gary Sparks talk about the history, significance, and story of that particular wine. After, Sandhya Jha led a presentation and lively discussion about the history of religious politcal power in the USA and the potential for a resurgence of political institutional power of the religious left. 

The series will continue with 3 more instances throughout the year, featuring alums as presenters with eclectic programs and also as “sommeliers” who will recommend selections of convivial refreshments and tasting notes. 

This summer, due in part to the renovations and new AC in the House, a large number of Scholars and Ecumenical Residents stayed in Chicago and in the House. Thus, House Council was able to plan a summer "outing" for the House community staying in Chicago over the summer. They decided to go to a Chicago White Sox game, and were able to cheer on the South Side team while sporting the Barbie-themed jerseys that came complimentary with the tickets. It was an evening of good friends and food, even though the Sox lost!

On Sunday, September 27, DDH will host an afternoon of art and conversation to celebrate the full funding of the Amy Ann Northcutt Scholarship and the naming of its first recipient, entering DDH Scholar and MA student Lauren Blakemore.

After a light lunch, prize-winning Chicago sculptor Gwen Yen Chiu will give an artist talk about pieces that will be on display. Her work explores home, belonging, and identity in the Asian diaspora. Her metal sculptures are influenced by her upbringing in Chinese calligraphy and painting.

Larry Bouchard, a leading scholar of Religion and Literature and Emeritus Professor at the University of Virginia, will join the conversation by video. His talk is entitled, Windblown, or, Spirit on Writing and Art. A DDH alumnus and former President of the Board of Trustees, he knew Amy well.

The event will conclude in the late afternoon with a reception. Come celebrate Amy’s legacy, the connections that have built the scholarship, and the promise that Amy Ann Northcutt Scholars will bring.