The Class of 2015 Master of Arts (Theological Studies) William Richard Chuch II
Teacher and Lacrosse Coach, St. Francis High School, Mountain View, California
Amy Elizabeth Litzinger
UMC; Public Policy Specialist, Texas Parent to Parent (through February 2016); Seeking certification to teach mixed-ability dance
Michael C. Matthews
Yoga Therapist, The Interdisciplinary Pain Management Clinic, Madigan Army Hospital, Joint Base Lewis McChord, Tacoma, Washington
Master of Arts in Ministry Practice Allison Anna Handal
Seventh Day Adventist CPE residency program; Texas Health Huguley Hospital, Fort Worth, Texas
Charles Michael St. John ELCA; Business Administrator, University Baptist Church, Austin
Donna Marie Neilson
United Church of Christ; Relocating to the Cumberland Plateau area of Tennessee with plans to pursue writing and teaching
Ruth Noemi Ortiz
Assemblies of God; Program Coordinator, Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, The University of Texas at Austin
Christopher Jose Reyes
UMC; Director of Small Groups, Community Outreach, and Youth Ministries, Good News United Methodist Church, Cedar Park, Texas
Doctor of Ministry Jacqueline Baker Hammett
Senior Minister, Hyde Park Christian Church, Austin Doctoral Project: “Claim the Name: Christian Church (Disciples of Christ): A Program of Religious Identity and Spiritual Renewal for Individuals and Congregations”
Rita Louise Sims
Pastor, First United Methodist Church Kosse and Reagan, Kosse, Texas Doctoral Project: “Preaching Sermons/Hearing Sermons: The Role(s) of Perspectives and Personalities”
Gerald J. Mendoza
Doctoral Project: “Employing Cognitive Behaviors Theory (CBT) in Pastoral Counseling with Parishoners in Short-term Therapy for Anxiety”
Susan Maria Schnelle
Pastor, Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Austin,Texas Doctoral Project: “The Elephant in the Pew: Menopause, Baptism & Vocation”
Joshua Stewart
Associate Pastor for Youth, First Presbyterian Church of Fort Worth, Texas Doctoral Project: “In Jesus’ Name, We Play: A Theological Playbook for Youth: Towards a Play-Full Approach to Christian Discipleship through a Theology of Vocation”
Charge Continued from page 6
long breath, and replied: “God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in His Being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness and truth.” It was the catechism! “Where did you learn that?” the magistrate asked. He stated that he had learned about God in that Sunday school. His case was promptly dismissed. Friends, I don’t tell this story to glorify what was finally paternalistic, even if well-meaning, on the part of those late-nineteenth-century devotees to the Social Gospel. I tell it instead to suggest that God is calling you into a world that could aptly be named Hell’s Bottom—cynical, rigged, dominating, frightening, frightened, and neutralizing—hellbent on either dividing us or silencing us. And in such a world, you will need to remember that your calling is to speak, to testify to the truth. It’s the truth about who God is and who we are as treasures in God’s sight. And if you remember who you are in that redemptive ecology, your words will not fall to the ground in vain. Therefore, do not be anxious about anything. v Summer | Fall 2015 | 9