Vantage, Summer 2021, Columbia Theological Seminary

In this issue Features Ludwig Dewitz: Moving Faith

by Brian D. Hecker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Learning From a Distance: Theo Nenjerama . . . . . . . . . 10 The Edge of Prudence: Dr. Brennan Breed’s Interview with Dr. Walter Brueggemann . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

ABOUT THIS ISSUE EDITORS Jennifer Cuthbertson Corie Cox

Teaching During the Pandemic and the Inanity of Evil

by Dr. Mark Douglas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

DESIGN AND ILLUSTRATION Corie Cox

The Wilderness of Disruption and Formation

by Dr. William Brown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

PHOTOGRAPHY Corie Cox

ReKindle Grant Recipient Projects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

CONTRIBUTORS Jennifer Cuthbertson Chassidy Goggins ’23 Julie Bailey ’09 Valrie Thompson Brian D. Hecker Love Sechrest Theo Nenjerama ’24 William Brown Mark Douglas Leanne Van Dyk

Graduating Class Photos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 2021 Fellowships, Awards & Prizes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

In every issue Letter from the President. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 A Prayer for These Times . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Community Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Center for Lifelong Learning Calendar of Events . . . . . . 22 Seminary News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Alumni Updates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 2021 Alumni Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Remembering Dr. Dobbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Our Faculty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Final Word with Dr. Love Sechrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

This issue of Vantage is available online. Visit www.CTSnet.edu

Meanwhile...on campus Hat tip to the staff and faculty who have shown up to campus as essential on-site employees. While the campus was never completely empty, most of the community has been anxious to once again be together. We’ve taken what opportunities we could, to safely celebrate, worship, and just be together. Throughout this issue, we’ll share some photos of our precious time together.

Video taping has played an integral part of communications in recent times. Dr. Mitzi Smith delivers her message to 2021 graduates (left), while Dr. Love Sechest delivers an update on plans for gathering on campus.

Chapel Services have always been at the core of Columbia Seminary’s community life, and we have found ways to safely worship together.

The beautiful outdoor spaces on campus have been utilized for celebratory gatherings! Advancement hosted the Miller and Torrey families for a picnic luncheon (left, see more on pg. 31), and also honored Dr. Phil Noble on his 100th birthday Sum m eon r pg.

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We Dare to Claim Hope A Letter from President Van Dyk In almost every conversation in recent weeks, I have either voiced the astonishment or heard the astonishment that we are still in the COVID-19 crisis.

brought help and hope, but the slope of new coronavirus infections and deaths has tipped back up, dramatically up. And we feel the deep, almost bottomless sense of exhaustion.

We are as communities; our hospitals are overrun and the ties that bind us together are frayed.

Because Columbia Seminary educates and forms pastoral leaders, we are particularly concerned about the pastors and their congregations, the chaplains, and those in other ministries in this extended season of crisis. We hear stories of pastors who are burned out and we worry about them and their families and those they serve. There are no special words to heal those layers of weariness, anger, and despair. At such times as these, prayer is one oasis of hope. We are confident that God inexhaustibly cares for us in all our woundedness and weariness and is ready to hear our prayers of lament and praise and petition.

We are as a nation; the political differences that separate us have grown to ugly chasms.

I offer the prayer on the next page to you as one expression of our longings and our hopes.

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e are as families; our children’s education is disrupted once again or our employment is at risk.

We are as pastors and congregations; safety protocols must still be planned and ministries adjusted.

We are as a world; whole continents are still awaiting the vaccine and the death count rises.

Blessings,

It was not supposed to be like this! Earlier this summer, we had so hoped for a return to a “new normal” that would include choirs and cafes and concerts and community. Vaccines and therapies

Leanne Van Dyk President

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A Prayer for These Times Prayer God, we know that you are our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth should change. And we see, Creator God, that all around us the earth is changing. The earth is changing with storm and fire and flood and drought. The earth is changing with war and rumors of war. How it must grieve your heart of love that the earth groans under the heavy weight of human folly and arrogance. We pray that you will give us wisdom and skill to tend and protect your good work of creation.

Help us to find ways to guard these gifts of air and water and soil and creatures so that our children and grandchildren will flourish.

We will not fear, though the earth should change, under the grip of COVID-19. We pray that we will follow Jesus in healing ministries and acts of service. Give us strength and patience to be present now to people who need comfort and care. May they feel your tender love through the care of doctors and nurses and chaplains and ambulance drivers and medical researchers. Take away the fear, anxiety, and loneliness from people who are isolated with this dreadful disease. Give us all a communal commitment to protect all persons from exposure to the disease.

We will not fear, though the earth should change, under stresses and strains on family life and congregational life. Holy Spirit, as many families adjust to everyone being home once again, as businesses once again face disruption, as congregations once again scramble for the best way forward, we ask that you give spouses grace for each other and prompt wornout parents to speak words of kindness and encouragement to their children and congregations to love each other.

We will not fear, though the earth should change, in the strong undertow of global conflict, war, and oppression. We pray that people everywhere, from our own neighborhoods to neighborhoods around the world, will be safe and fed and loved. We mourn that this is not so in too many places, too many for our broken hearts to bear and too many for your tenacious love to bear. And so, we pray, God of justice and healing and mercy, that you will pour out your Spirit into hard hearts and broken systems. And we also pray that you will call us and equip us to be effective agents of your work of shalom. Give us the eyes to see, the ears to hear, and the strength to respond where you call.

We dare to claim the hope that there is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair. Nourish our hope every day, we pray, so that we will be faithful in our callings to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the world. It is in his name that we pray, AMEN. Summer 2021

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Ludwig Dewitz: Moving Faith

BY BRIAN D. HECKER, PUBLIC SERVICES ARCHIVIST

Ludwig Richard Max Dewitz (1916-2000) was professor of Old Testament at Columbia Theological Seminary from 1959-1983.

He was well known as a humorous and often demanding polyglot with a penchant to throw chalk and erasers at the unruly. Students would come to appreciate his kindness and song-based approach to teaching Hebrew, and his love of classical music, which was often shared with cake and tea.

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ewitz completed his ministerial degree at King’s College, University of London, in 1943, was ordained in the Waldensian Church in Italy in 1949, and completed his Ph.D. in Semitic Languages and Culture at John’s Hopkins University in 1960. What Dewitz brought with him to CTS was well beyond what these credentials communicate. Much of his life prior to his appointment was marked with personal fragility and received generosity in the midst of unrelenting ambiguity and tragedy.

Many of the details of his life shared here are drawn primarily from his unpublished memoirs.

Early Life

Dewitz was born on April 29, 1916, in the Prussian city of Danzig (now Gdańsk, Poland) and was raised by his mother Maria (née Goebel) (1887-1963) and stepfather Erich Dewitz (1879-1940) in Berlin, Germany, during post-War Weimar Republic (1918-1933). His twin lifelong passions for classical music and languages were instilled in him during these early

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years, as he sang in the children’s choir of the Berlin State Opera and studied Latin, Greek, English, and French for the better part of a decade at the rigorous Askanische Gymnasium from 1926-1934.

He was baptized as an infant at Auenkirche (Evangelische Kirche an der Wilhelmsaue) in the Berlin district of Wilmersdorf and was later confirmed in 1930, but frequent church attendance was not particularly a part of the rhythm of his early youth. He attributed his own growth in the Christian faith to his time within the Bund Deutscher Bibelkreise (Federation of German Biblical Circles, or BK). At the age of twelve in 1924, he began regularly accompanying a friend to weekly gatherings at the Wilhelmstraße 34 YMCA hosted by the BK and Gustav Adolf Gedat (1903-1971). Male youths would convene to play games, eat treats, listen to adventure stories, and participate in “collateral” devotionals. It was after a message on John 8:36 at a July 1932 BK retreat in the Schwarzwald (Black Forest) of Germany when Dewitz came to believe that God desired to reach him and humanity through Jesus Christ.

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Months later in Dewitz’s home city, Adolf Hitler was sworn in as the Chancellor of Germany (January 30, 1933), celebrated by legions with a torchlight parade down Wilhelmstraße.

By April, Hitler began legally mobilizing the antisemitic rhetoric that had so long permeated his vitriolic speeches, passing measures almost weekly geared towards the systematic erasure and expulsion of Jewish people from the public life of Germany. All these events unfolded with numerous riots, thousands of arrests of dissenting German citizens, wide scale book burnings, and the organization of multiple concentration camps. Many began scouring genealogical sources to prove their “Aryan” ancestry, and an Ariernachweis (“Aryan certificate”) was distributed to civil employees as well as other professionals and students to prove the viability of their “natural” credentials.

Danger and Decisions

Around Dewitz’s 17th birthday, students nearing graduation at the Gymnasium were provided an Ariernachweis for their parents to complete and return. His family was already in a precarious situation because Erich was ethnically Jewish, and after several weeks of waiting for his mother to complete his document, the young Dewitz was becoming even more anxious. His mother calmly asked him to sit down and shared some surprising news: she had adopted him as an infant and both of his biological parents were fully Jewish.

So, in the span of less than a year, the young Dewitz found himself within a new spiritual embrace and facing new political and public exclusions. Over the course of his last two years at the Gymnasium, he developed a desire to enter the ministry. This was in the midst of witnessing his longtime classmates and

Dewitz’s journal from his internment on Isle of Man. The circles at the bottom of the left side page are impressions of coins specially minted for the imprisoned. From C. Benton Kline Special Collections and Archives at the John Bulow Campbell Library.

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teachers regularly greeting one another with the “Hitler salute” and upon graduation in 1934, he was not permitted to study theology at any state university in Berlin. He also saw the rise of the German Christian movement, which fervently embraced the Nazi regime, and heard sermons likening Hitler’s attempt to purge the Jews as Christ cleansing the temple.

He became involved with the newly formed Bekennende Kirche (Confessing Church) which had arisen largely in opposition to Nazi attempts to control church affairs (though it did not consistently oppose antisemitism). He witnessed the closure of St.-Annen-Kirche in Dahlem, Berlin where Martin Niemöller (1892-1984) was pastor and also encountered moments of vulnerable solidarity – friendship or even assistance to Jews could jeopardize the livelihood of non-Jews. Kurt Gerstein (1905-1945), also a member of the Confessing Church and former BK member, provided monies for Dewitz to audit lectures at the Theologische Schule Bethel in Fall 1934. Dewitz departed shortly after, in early 1935, when he was informed that some students would be celebrating the second anniversary of Hitler’s induction as Chancellor. The school would eventually lean further into the Confessing Church and was closed by Gestapo in 1939. Years later, Gerstein would join the Waffen-SS as a self-appointed spy and went on to become one of the first to inform the international community of the atrocities of the Final Solution after witnessing the execution of thousands at the Belzec concentration camp.

Subversive Spirituality

In August 1935, Dewitz was approved by Karl Koch (1876-1951) to attend lectures at the Kirchliche Hochschule in Berlin, founded by the Confessing Church. It had become primarily an underground operation, as he and other students met clandestinely at different locations each week (known only through distributed slips of paper) with faculty members such as Franz 6

Hildebrandt (1909-1985), Hans Asmussen (18981968), Martin Albertz (1883-1956), and Joseph Chambon (1884-1965). After two semesters, a session was spotted by the Gestapo and the attendees were let off with a warning. Dewitz ceased participation not wanting to risk further attention and arrest.

Discouraging silent months passed and seemingly without a possible future, Dewitz was surprised by a request for an interview with Samuel Hinds Wilkinson (1863-1939), director of Mildmay Mission to the Jews in London, at the Hospiz St. Michael, located within the Wilhelmstraße 34 (now sandwiched between multiple Nazi headquarter buildings crawling with swastika flags and hateful antisemitic ephemera). The interview was very brief but turned out to be extremely significant: Dewitz was asked of his age, whether he was a Jew and Christian, and whether he would like to become a missionary and train in England. He quickly acquiesced upon consideration and left with a newfound hope and joy, though never learning how Wilkinson knew to contact him.

To England and Italy

Dewitz submitted a supplied application to the Missionary Training Colony located in Upper Norwood, London, and spent the fall of 1936 through February 1937 in Mussolini’s tension ridden Italy on account of a tutoring position through the Confessing Church. While abroad he received the news of his acceptance and that he needed to be in England by March 1. His temporary passport had not yet expired, but he found it was not possible for him to pay the £15 entry fee. In a fortuitus turn of events, Geraldine Alice Grimwood (1870-1955) had read a short piece about “L.D.” in Trusting and Toiling on Israel’s Behalf, a magazine of Mildmay Mission to the Jews, and sent Wilkinson £200 on behalf of “L.D.” not knowing his need.

Dewitz spent the next two years at the Missionary Training Colony (MTC), where he and other students such as Stephen Frederick Olford VA N T A G E

(1918-2004) would spend several weeks at a time open-air preaching and evangelizing throughout England, Scotland, and Wales, traveling by foot and often sleeping in wooden barracks. He also joined the staff of Mildmay Mission to the Jews in 1939, attending to several Jewish refugees seeking shelter in Great Britain from ongoing Nazi persecution.

from several hundred arsoned synagogues filled the air, and 20,000-30,000 male Jews were taken to concentration camps (12,000 alone from Berlin).

Neither lost their life those fateful days, but Dewitz worried greatly for his mother and especially feared for the whereabouts of his stepfather when he heard news reports.

Inasmuch as the Nazi state desired the expulsion of Jewish people, the regime ensured that emigration Worry for his Parents His mother Maria and stepfather Erich remained would be a difficult and impoverishing process, but after contacts were made through MTC, Maria and in Berlin through this time and increasingly felt the growing constrictions, as intermarried couples Erich secured sponsored passage less than a year were often encouraged and even bribed to divorce. later and arrived in England on July 28, 1939, just By early fall 1938, both had been forcibly removed over a month before the outbreak of World War from their Kreuzberg residence in west Berlin and II when emigration from Germany became nearly only Maria could work. Both were in Berlin during impossible. the wretched pogrom of November 9 -10, 1938, infamously known as “Kristallnacht” (the night of Dewitz Interned broken glass), and prolepsis of the Final Solution. Difficulties and pain of separation were far from The decayed Nazi imagination coalesced for an over. Erich was quickly diagnosed with angina and organized frenzy of violence and terror, as window passed away in February 1940 and in the following shards from over 7,000 Jewish owned storefronts July, the widowed Maria and her son were again littered the streets, billowing flames and smoke separated, as he was among the several thousand

Dewitz delivering his inaugural sermon after joining Columbia Seminary faculty. March 18, 1964, Columbia Presbyterian Church. From the C. Benton Kline Special Collections and Archives at JBCL. Summer 2021

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immigrants (many also Jewish) deemed as a potential “enemy alien” infiltrator by the British authorities and interned within barbed wired on the Isle of Man. Dewitz was taken into custody July 8 and sent to Kempton Park, a bayonet guarded temporary holding camp, before joining 1,200 internees in Onchan Camp, located on the north end of the Douglas Bay. Dewitz regularly hosted Bible studies with interned clergy and John Duffield (b. 1889), the local visiting Vicar of St. Peter’s Church in Onchan. Dewitz held numerous conversations with interned renowned musicians and art historians, and attended lectures and concert events at the “Popular University” organized within the camp by the expressive artist Jack Bilbo (born Hugo Baruch, 1907-1967). He also kept correspondence with those outside, including Geraldine Grimwood and his mother. The two remained concerned for the safety of each other, as he was behind barbed wire, and his mother was in London during the German Blitz aerial bombing campaign that began in September 1940.

bloodshed would continue to shape his empathetic witness to Jewish people. Many bore the continued trauma of the unconscionable genocide and had no reason to distinguish the cross from the swastika or Christian service from persecution.

Dewitz continued to minister to Jews in Baltimore, Maryland as director of the Emmanuel Center from 1950-1959 before joining the faculty of CTS. Maria and her son remained close over the decades after the death of Erich and were often reliant on the kindness of strangers. She accompanied him to CTS and lived in his faculty house across the street from the seminary. She regularly attended Columbia Presbyterian Church and died on April 17, 1963. President J. McDowell Richards and Rev. Lee Willingham officiated the ceremony and she was buried in Decatur Cemetery. After Dewitz retired in 1983 he continued to teach and preach in multiple settings and married his longtime friend Mariam Brodsky. He died on November 1, 2000 and was buried near his mother in the Decatur Cemetery.

The C. Benton Kline, Jr. Special Collections and Dewitz was finally released in November 1940, Archives is honored to house the papers of Ludwig after an emergency appeal was made by Mildmay, Dewitz, which includes diaries covering his early as it had been overwhelmed by the number of years as a missionary to Jews and time of internment people seeking shelter from the bombings. as well his several years traveling abroad while as a faculty and emeritus faculty member of CTS, various unpublished memoirs, faculty papers, and photographs.

Coming to Columbia The archives also holds multiple audio CTS chapel He remained on the staff of Mildmay through recordings and lectures presented by Dewitz. For 1950 and spent his final two years in Milan, access or questions, please contact the archivist by Italy, where he was responsible for distributing phone at (404) 687-4628 or by email at archivist@ donations to displaced Jews awaiting emigration ctsnet.edu. to Israel. His encounters in the aftermath of the Holocaust and learning of Christendom’s past Complete secondary sources can be found online at https://www.ctsnet.edu/ ludwig-dewitz-moving-faith/

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Ludwig Dewitz, far right, with (from left) Charlie Cousar, Robert Ramey, Erskine Clarke, and James Galen.

From C. Benton Kline Special Collections and Archives at the John Bulow Campbell Library.

EXPLORE THE ARCHIVES! Scan here to listen to a recording of Dewitz’s inaugural sermon and other media in the archives!

Point your phone’s camera at the QR code below and follow the on-screen prompts, or visit www.ctsnet.edu/ ludwig-dewitz-moving-faith/ Dewitz (right) with J. Davison Philips. From C. Benton Kline Special Collections and Archives at the John Bulow Campbell Library.

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Learning from a Distance How our students are connecting with Columbia Seminary Columbia Theological Seminary welcomes students from around the globe as part of our commitment to preparing students for a global ministry. In this pandemic-shaped year, that welcome has looked very different. Instead of joining their fellow students in Decatur, our international students initially connected on computer screens via Zoom. We checked in with Theo Nenjerama, a first-year Dual Degree student who began his studies from Harare, Zimbabwe. He is now living on the Decatur campus.

Describe your school year so far? What have been some high points? Some low points?

As with everyone else, I started the program during the coronavirus pandemic. This unprecedented reality presented a great deal of challenge in the beginning of my studies. This is particularly due to having to balance work and school, as well as ensuring that I look after myself mentally.

The year has been a great joy. It has introduced me to different methods of studying the bible as well as engaging it within the dynamics of social life. This has also assisted me in my learning and challenging of theological beliefs which have been presented as the norm within society.

What called you to Columbia Seminary?

The idea that the seminary is multicultural and multiracial was of great interest to me. I believe that diversity offers more room to learn from other people. The ability to offer a dual program in Divinity and Practical Theology as both areas are Some low points of the year include the need to constantly ensure that I practice self-care of great interest to me. constantly as the coronavirus pandemic has stripped 10

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away most of the things I had been used to, including social interaction. However, the seminary has provided a space wherein I am free to easily engage with others remotely.

How did being at a distance from your professors and classmates shape your learning journey?

It helped me realize that learning does not only occur in a physical space but can also be conducted remotely with great benefits, which include self-management.

While classroom-based learning is my preference, remote learning has also enabled me to use my skills to meet up with challenges and to be creative and inventive in finding helpful ways to engage with the self and others.

What have been some unexpected joys?

I had always thought that the bible was difficult to understand and contextualize within social life but to my surprise I have been guided well thus far in learning how to interpret and analyze it.

What are your hopes for the Fall 2021 semester and beyond?

To continue to learn more eye-opening methods of engaging the bible and social life.

What else should we know about your journey so far?

The journey has been a start to answering a call centralized on the need to serve both the church and society at large on issues that affect human existence. I endeavor to utilize it in engaging more with professors and colleagues.

I have also been introduced to CAL (Center for Academic Literacy) which has been helpful in my research. I am an upcoming researcher and hence the facility has helped me curate and cement arguments in my academic work. This is a facility which I hope to continue getting assistance from.

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The Edge of Prudence Colloquium ‘21 looked different from past reunions. Although we mourned the loss of in-person fellowship, some fabulous conversations were had over Zoom, conversations we may not have had otherwise. Here is a partial transcript of Brennan Breed’s interview with Walter Brueggemann.

Brennan Breed: What does the Bible give us as resources to understand this pandemic that science alone can’t?

Walter Brueggemann: I don’t I think there is a straight-line answer to that, but we can walk around it.

Obviously, the Bible thinks we ought to practice prudence about the things that we can gain from science. We ought to use the knowledge we have, but I think that the Bible, overall, believes that the sovereignty of God out runs all of our prudence and all of our knowledge and that we can trust that at the bottom of reality is the faithful sovereignty of God. In the Bible all of the ways of thinking about the plague or the pandemic, that I could identify, all assume that they are subject to the rule of God. If we have the sense that a pandemic cannot run the rule of God, then, I suppose, what we have to say is that our God is too small. If you look at the great Doxologies in Job, for example. There is nothing small about that God, so it seems to me that what the Church can do is to be grateful for all the prudence we can muster. But then also to invite people into the doxological wonder in which we can rest our lives when we reach the edge of our prudence.

I think it is a kind of a both/and, and I think that’s the kind of wisdom our church tradition has always championed.

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As you write in your book, Prophetic Imagination, what is required of us now is moral imagination to express historical possibility that is congruent with God’s hope for neighborliness as we re-emerge from the pandemic. How do we use this opportunity of unveiling to guide others into a community focused on the common good?

I suspect there are new opportunities, about which I don’t know anything. A long time ago Will Willimon, when he was a bishop, wrote that he was visiting a church where there was a cheery guy washing dishes in the kitchen that served food for the homeless.

Will asked the guy, “Does this work bring you great satisfaction?” The guy said, “I hate it. This is where God put me.” Then he said to the bishop, “Where did God put you?”

This may be a time when the God question gets refocused for us around the issue, ‘Where is God putting us?’ God is putting us in new places where we had not thought to go, which of course is what Jesus always does to his followers. He puts them in new places where they had not thought to go.

We are not going to return to any old normal. I think that’s gone and beyond us, and what we must do is decide what risks must be run for the sake of a new normal that has moral credibility to it. That requires the church to do its best, most daring outside-the-box thinking.

It seems when things open back up; when we reach herd immunity with vaccines, there’s going to be a VA N T A G E

hunger for community in a way we haven’t seen That’s a refocus from much of the practice of before. There’s also going to be some psychologi- ministry that has been an endless series of minor cal needs that will emerge. What do you think? jobs. The new focus should be on what’s at the center. There are examples of this in the faithful I think pastors are going to have the tricky task of church in eastern Germany, for example, before the negotiating between those who want to restore Iron Curtain fell. Those pastors had to do the hard things the way they were, and those - particularly work on the main issues, and I think in some ways young people - who do not want to restore what that’s our new context for this. was but want to do something that matters and is concrete. That’s a negotiation that’s going to You mentioned that there are going to be a lot of have to happen in every congregation, I think, or things we have to negotiate, and that we can’t skip we will end up with old people like me who feel past the crucifixion to get to the resurrection. It comfortable in the way it used to be. To do that strikes me that in the US there’s been at least half would be an act of disobedience to the Gospel, a million people who have died and there’s been surely. very little public articulation of the grief. How would you encourage us to make space for grief at How do you think this rupture might change the a time when people are so excited to get back to role and function of the church or the role and normal? function of a pastor within communities of faith?

How is it going to change preaching?

Jews and Christians are the only ones with a text to do this. Not only do we need to lament the death I don’t I don’t really know, but I think the pastoral of over 500,000 people but we have to lament the job is going to be negotiation. It’s going to be passing of white superiority and of patriarchal teaching young people who do not really grasp or domination of American exceptionalism. These are live into the defining narrative we have. It’s going all over, and I do believe that if the church could to require preaching that is less escapist than find effective ways of helping people grieve, to remuch of our preaching is. It’s going to require us linquish, it would siphon off much of the adrenaline to focus on the meta-narrative of the crucifixion that is feeding a nostalgia for the way the world and of the resurrection and how we perform used to be. crucifixion and resurrection in the life of the Until we relinquish our hope for the way the world community. In some ways, it is really turning back used to be, we will never get out of this box. So, to the basics, after our Constantinian privilege laments are acts of hope for what God will yet do. has given us the luxury of taking the basics for They are also a relinquishment that what I have now granted. lost is gone, and it is not recoverable. I think the We can’t take the basics for granted, and not only Church is the only place in town where that can be for younger people who don’t know, but for long- talked about and sang about and processed. time members who have become accustomed We’ve learned a great deal about grief work for indiand jaded and lost the bite of what this narrative viduals in their personal losses and deaths, but we’ve is about. It’s going to be a very hard time for the only begun to understand the work of communal church and its pastors, but I think it’s going to be loss, and of course the book of Lamentations is a wonderful time because it turns out we’ve got ready and at hand for us to do this. the narrative that can be the door to the future.

The last place we’ll get to lamentation is in the It is a narrative of crucifixion and resurrection. lectionary because the lectionary committee is We have to find courage not only to tell, but to designed for a happy church; We just do not expose embody and to live out this gospel. ourselves to these passages, yet they are there.

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To do the grief work of truth-telling is not Here we are in your presence: hammering people or scolding people; it’s not We ask for bread: making people feel bad. It’s inviting people to get the bread of life, in touch with what they know in their own lives, the bread of abundance, but can’t acknowledge, which of course is what all the bread of neighborly sharing. good therapeutic work is about. And that’s a great Do not give us a stone or a crumb. opportunity for the church.

We ask for fish: the fish of a good diet, On another note, how can this moment help us the fish of your abundant waters, overcome the myth of scarcity that underpins the fish that signs the gospel. the putative necessity of capitalist production?

Do not give us a snake or the hiss of poison.

We dare to pray, not because we are at our wits end, An idea: when the church celebrates the Euchabut because you are at the center of our life. rist, which one ought to do more often than it Our hope is in no other save in thee alone! does, we shouldn’t have little pieces of bread. We So hear, heal, save, restore! should have huge loaves of bread so that all the Be the God you have promised to be. Amen. faithful can be satisfied with enough left over to take out to where it is needed in the neighborhood. This will be a dramatic sacramental gesture to issue a wake-up call that God’s world is filled Dr. Walter Brueggemann, with 12 baskets of surplus bread for all the tribes.

Professor Emeritus, was the William Marcellus McPheeters You know many people joining us are friends and Professor of Old Testament at students of yours and want to know how you are Columbia Seminary. He taught doing. It’s been a rough year. How are you? at Columbia from 1986-2003.

He is the author of numerous I’m kind of an introvert so you know… I’m about books and scholarly articles. to turn 88 and given that, I would say my health Brueggemann is a highly is pretty good. All the work I’m doing now is a sought-after speaker. Learn more about him at blog I work on fairly regularly. I also have a few www.walterbrueggemann.com/ book manuscripts in press yet. I’m writing Pivotal Texts for the Book of Exodus, Jeremiah, and Isaiah Dr. Brennan W. Breed is an where I point out single verses that would provide Associate Professor of Old keys to reading. But I’m not doing any more book Testament at Colombia manuscripts. I’m living in frozen Michigan what Seminary. His research focuses you might call the good life. on the reception history of the Bible, which traces the I’m glad to hear it. I’d like to close us with an divergent uses and excerpt from your prayer in your book, Virus as a understandings of biblical texts from their ancient Summons to Faith, “Giver of Bread and Fish.” contexts of production to the present day. His other interests include Hebrew poetry, biblical theology, textual criticism, ancient and medieval visual art, and philosophy.

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Columbia Events SAVE THE DATE

COLLOQUIUM ‘22 March 7-9, 2022 online and in-person

FAITHFULLY FORWARD DAY Columbia Seminary’s Annual Day of Giving October 26

Last day of Classes, December 10 Finals and Assesments, December 13-17 APPLICATION DUE

CERTIFICATE IN SPIRITUAL DIRECTION

JULY 1, 2022 Center for Lifelong Learning

COME SEE COLUMBIA DAY

April 21, 2022 Columbia Friendship Circle Annual Event

January Term Classes begin, January 5 & 10, 2022 Spring Term Classes begin, January 31, 2022 Learn more at www.CTSnet.edu/events

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Theological During a Teaching During the Pandemic and the Inanity of Evil

BY DR. MARK DOUGLAS, PROFESSOR OF CHRISTIAN ETHICS; DIRECTOR OF THM PROGRAM

In 1963, Hannah Arendt published Eichmann in Jerusalem: A Report on the Banality of Evil. In that book, she wrestled with the question of how Adolf Eichmann, a vacuum oil salesman with seemingly limited intelligence and imagination, and certainly limited moral depth, could end up in charge of the process of deporting millions of European Jews to the death camps in Germany. Observing his 1961 trial in Jerusalem, she was struck by the degree to which Eichmann saw himself as simply a cog in a larger system, one in which he was responsible for doing his job but not for the consequences of his actions or to challenge the Nazi ideology that powered it.

He did not come across as a monster or a fanatic so much as a low-level bureaucrat and a putz. Evil, Arendt concluded, is often not monstrous or fantastic; especially in totalitarian systems, it is more likely to be morally blinkered and banal.

I have been thinking about Arendt’s argument over these past pandemic-shaped months. And based at least on the way I have seen the United States respond to

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Education Pandemic The Wilderness of Disruption and Formation

BY DR. WILLIAM P. BROWN, WILLIAM MARCELLUS MCPHEETERS PROFESSOR OF OLD TESTAMENT

One word comes to mind that effectively sums up this past year: disruption. 2020 (plus January 2021) was a perfect storm of disruptions: environmental catastrophes (fires, hurricanes, flooding), police brutality against Black men and women, massive protests, chaotic governance, the mass spreading of lies, the siege of the US Capitol Building, and, of course, the pandemic. In varying degrees and in various ways, disruption held sway for just about everyone in 2020.

As I reflect on the year of “hindsight,” I am reminded of how so much of the Bible is itself a product of disruption. Many of the psalms, for example, were written as responses to both personal and national disruptions, from disease to exile. Ancient Israel suffered the collective traumas of Assyrian and Babylonian invasions, resulting in the displacement of many and the cessation of native kingship. Subsisting on foreign soil as captives of the Babylonian empire was nothing short of disruptive.

Just ask the psalmist of Psalm 137, well known for its despondency and resilient resolve (not to mention call for vengeance).

The trauma of invasion and exile prompted an explosion of literary production, which continued unabated far beyond the exilic period but often with a backward

continued on page 20

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“Inanity of Evil” continued

Second, recognizing the inanity of evil does not preclude the existence of other evils of the sort in which people knowingly pursue harm to others the pandemic, I wonder if what I have been and support systems that promote such harm. watching isn’t so much the banality as the inanity Indeed, the inanity of evil funds those other kinds. of evil—a commitment to incoherence and Intentionally pursuing racist actions and supporting resistance to wisdom. Refusing to wear masks, racist systems is one kind of evil—the kind that even to the point of becoming violent about Emilie Townes writes of in Womanist Ethics and the it. Spreading suspicions about vaccinations.

Cultural Production of Evil. Spreading rumors about Denying statistics about the numbers of infected, the dangers of vaccines based on previously-held hospitalized, and dead. Refusing to believe that anti-vaxxer commitments even when the impact the SARS-CoV-2 virus was more virulent and of such rumors is that they fund suspicions of and transmissible than the flu. Effectively denying diminished access to the vaccine within minoritized the full and equal humanity of those who are communities is inane evil funding racist evil. most vulnerable to the disease (notably, essential workers and minoritized communities) in order to Third, naming the reality of the inanity of evil does advocate for keeping the economy churning and not begin to describe systems—social and mass defend problematic understandings of “freedom.” media, partisan politics, the narcissistic ability to live in groupthink bubbles—that power such evil.

These behaviors aren’t so much driven by a Indeed—and as suggested in the paragraph above— commitment to bureaucratic efficiency as deep part of what makes the inanity of evil so insidious suspicions about bureaucratic systems. They is that it can be so easily manipulated for nefarious aren’t shaped by a trust in established authorities purposes by people and groups with their own foul so much as a distrust of actual experts. They purposes. aren’t framed by sinister motives to cause others harm so much as an unwillingness to recognize And, finally, the cure for inane evil isn’t being the relationship between causes and effects. smarter; it’s being wiser. A tour through Facebook They aren’t so much determined by totalitarian groups shows just how sophisticated people can sensibilities as by anarchic ones. They are, in be in creating rationalizations to support inane short, expressions of the unequally distributed conclusions. Wisdom, though, joins intellect to tacit permission to be stupid even where such emotions and empathy in a process of seeking out stupidity harms self and others. more just and coherent ways to engage the complex world around us.

Several qualifiers need to follow from the description of the inanity of evil that I have just Those qualifiers in place, I return to a focus on the provided. First, pandemic-related issues are pandemic, which has brought the inanity of evil certainly not the only context in which the inanity into high relief. Not only are we daily confronted of evil is on display. The violent but incoherent with inane behavior on display via writings and political theater of Pres. Trump’s supporters videos but, simultaneously, we are watching the invading the halls of Congress in January body count grow in ways unlike those in almost displayed the inanity of evil, as has a commitment any other country in the world. Moreover, the to trickle-down economics when the impact of pandemic is helping to unveil and sometimes to such an economic vision has been shown to be exacerbate other expressions of the inanity of deleterious even to its defenders. evil: political visions in which it is better to cause harm to others than to pursue goods for self and 18

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all; climate deniers living in coastal cities or areas at risk of burning down; rejecting the work of historians and sociologists on race in America because their work challenges myths that weren’t even held that dearly until such challenges arose; prosperity gospel churches who must not only ignore scripture but reject fundamental Christian convictions about the grace of God.

As Columbia has continued to pursue integrating attention to the natural sciences into its theological education, attention to the science of the pandemic has to follow. How we understand and respond to the pandemic is not only necessary in what and how we teach but in why and how the wider institution engages its varied constituencies, all of whom face vulnerabilities not only to the virus but also to inane evil making them more vulnerable. Understanding Why raise this concept of the inanity of evil in the the science behind the virus is vital in countering context of focusing on teaching theology during the inanities of evil on display in the pandemic. a pandemic? I do so for at least three reasons.

First, I teach ethics at Columbia Theological Finally—and as hinted at in the above paragraph— Seminary, including classes with titles like, part of a Christian response to the inanity of evil “Providence, Theodicy, and Ethics,” “Love and is to continue to develop capacities for critical Justice,” and “Christologies and Politics.” As thinking about new and complex ideas and such, my classes consistently attend to complex charitable engagement with those who do not questions like: think like we do. Developing such capacities is a foundational part of what theological education How do our theological and political commitments does. Rather than teaching students what to intersect with each other? believe, we ask, “Why believe this thing?” Rather than teaching students what to do, we ask, “How What role do the classical authorities in Christian are you to make sense of what is going on in this ethics (scripture, reason, tradition, and experience) context before acting?” Rather than simply play in shaping how we understand and respond to teaching students how to understand others, we the world around us? start with, “What do our assumptions about others reveal about our own biases and prejudices?” All How are we to make sense of suffering, tragedy, that is to say, rather than teaching students what to finitude, and sin? think, we try to help them develop their capacities to think—and to encourage them to help others These and related questions mandate giving do the same. Such critical thinking and charitable attention to how I and others think about evil on engagement will not solve the world or bring an end the way to thinking about how to respond to it. to evil. Short of God bringing about the Kingdom in all its fullness, though, it is as effective a counter to the inanity of evil as we know.

Meanwhile...on campus Dr. Mark Douglas (author of Teaching During the Pandemic and the Inanity of Evil) and student Paul King visit after chapel.

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“Wilderness” continued glance. It could be said that much of Israel’s scriptures was the result of “pain seeking understanding.” And such “understanding” was by no means uniform. The ancient scriptures feature a variety of responses to disruption, from God’s judgment against a wayward people to the people’s judgments against a negligent God (e.g., Psalms 44, 89). But regardless of the kind of response, Israel found myriad ways to break the silencing power of traumatic disruption by speaking in a loud chorus of dissonant voices. In turn, God’s words to Israel were equally wide ranging, from pronouncements of judgment to announcements of salvation to expressions of consolation and remorse. In any case, God did not give up on God’s people. Israel and God stuck it out together amid the disruptions, reflecting, on the one hand, Israel’s tenacious trust in God and, on the other, God’s “tenacious solidarity” or chesed with Israel.

One major response to national disruption on Israel’s part was to tell stories, two stories in particular with very different slants: one is explanatory and the other is hopeful. First is the Deuteronomistic history of 1 and 2 Kings, written for the purpose of understanding the reality of exile by rehearsing the accounts of Israel’s kings, assessing them as either good or bad. One stood out for being particularly bad: King Manasseh.

He overturned all the good policies that his predecessor, Hezekiah, had established and committed apostasies the likes of which had not been known in Israel (2 Kings 21:1-16). His reign was one long spasm of violence (v. 16). From God’s perspective, Manasseh’s evil reign sealed Judah’s doom (v. 11-15). Even as his successor (grandson) reversed Manasseh’s policies, good king Josiah could not avert Israel’s fate. He could not undo the damage done by Manasseh. The ancient historian laments this with one single word: “Alas, the LORD did not turn from the fierceness of his great wrath, by which his anger was kindled 20

against Judah, because of all the provocations from which Manasseh had provoked him” (2 Kgs 23:26).

That first word comes from the Hebrew ’ak, which packs a greater punch than the NRSV translation (“still”). In this context, you can distinctly hear the writer’s AAAAAAGH! behind the ’ak. It was the historian’s conclusion that one leader’s disruptive reign was the cause of an entire people’s disruption, Israel’s “death” in exile. The Deuteronomistic history, in other words, served as Israel’s “obituary.”

Thank goodness that is not the only narrative response to national disruption in the Bible. There’s also the account of Israel’s wandering in the wilderness (Exodus 16-19; Numbers 10-36), reflective of some of the later challenges of life in exile and beyond. By definition the wilderness was a place of disruption, a place that was meant for quick passage but turned out to be a forty-year sojourn filled with crises and conflicts, failures and missteps. The wilderness exposed Israel’s intransigence and denial, painful truths about God’s people. The worst of it was the people’s stubborn desire to return to Egypt, the place of their enslavement (Exodus 17:3; Numbers 11:5, 18-20; 14:2-4; 20:5), which God considered nearly unpardonable. But for all its many tragedies, the wilderness was also a place of preparation and transformation. In the wilderness, Israel became a more just community, fully prepared to settle in the land that God had promised.

America’s pandemic “wilderness” offers its own set of painful truths and opportunities for transformation.

Little did some of us know how the “knee” of white supremacy continues to crush the lives of Black men and women until now. Little did some of us know how disruptive the climate could be under the thumb of human supremacy until now. Little did some of us realize how severe inequity thrives in our economy, where the most essential workers are also deemed the most dispensable economically. Little did we know how ignorant, hate-filled rhetoric can lead to violence to the point of dismantling our democracy. This viral pandemic has exposed the multiple VA N T A G E

pandemics of racism, poverty, polarizing division, and environmental degradation, all disruptions of the highest order. The pressing question today is, as it was for the wandering Israelites: Do we try to go back to our pre-pandemic, pre-“wilderness” days of “business as usual”? Or do we move forward toward a more just and equitable future?

I, for one, don’t want to go back.

that the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness” (8:2). Such remembrance was meant to ensure that the most vulnerable be protected (Exod 22:21-23; 23:9). Such remembrance was motivation for moving forward toward embodying God’s promised vision of shalom.

May we remember, for the way is long.

Moses in Deuteronomy implored the Israelites: “Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt” (Deut 5:15). “Remember the long way

Meanwhile... on campus “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

Matthew 18:20 In May, Dr. Bill Brown (author of The Wilderness of Disruption and Formation), masked and distanced, in conversation with Dr. Martha Moore-Keish before chapel in the BLC courtyard (top). Students, faculty, and staff gather for outdoor chapel.

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From the Center for Lifelong Learning For church professionals and lay people, Columbia’s Center for Lifelong Learning provides non-degree courses and programs— opportunities to learn with and from others for faithful discipleship.

Your expertise, skills, and passion for the Church are needed more than ever in God’s ever changing world. You know you can’t do this alone. Education and support are two things every Church leader needs.

The Center for Lifelong Learning provides the continuing education and support you need to gain practical wisdom on how to navigate your unique context of ministry. Our programs will help you feel equipped and confident to fulfill your call.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at lifelonglearning@ctsnet.edu

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January 31–March 4 Inclusive Leadership in a Diverse and Changing World ONLINE

With: Youngsook Kang, PCC February 1–28 Becoming A Better Parent ONLINE

With: Vanessa Ellison February 7–9 Colloquy for Young Black Church Pastors With: James Ellis III and Lynn Brinkley February 11 Leadership in Ministry Monthly Webinar February 14–March 18 Understanding Congregations ONLINE

With: Toby Mueller March 7–April 8 The Life of Christ in Art and Poetry ONLINE

With: Debra Weir March 11 Leadership in Ministry Monthly Webinar

Summer 2021

March 14–16 Leadership in Ministry Atlanta II With: Israel Galindo, Michael Cook, James Lamkin, Skip Johnson, Dan Koger and Vanessa Ellison March 21–23 Leadership in Ministry Lynchburg With: Israel Galindo, Elaine Boomer, Andrew Archie, Carla Toennniessen, Lance King and Bill Pyle March 21–April 29 Theological Reflection in Older Adulthood

April 22 Leadership in Ministry Monthly Webinar April 26–29 Baptism and Belonging: Creating, Becoming and Being Beloved Community (Thompson Scholars) With: Lisa Weaver May 2–6 Be Still and Know: A Contemplative Retreat With: Carl McColman and Debra Weir Location: Holy Spirit Monastery, Cullman, AL

ONLINE

May 9–11 Leadership in Ministry Portland I With: Israel Galindo, Margaret Marcuson and Julie Josund

April 4–6 Leadership in Ministry Kansas City I With: Israel Galindo, Meg Hess, Keith Harder and Bill Pyle

May 16–18 Leadership in Ministry Boston I With: Israel Galindo, Margaret Marcuson, Elaine Boomer, Rebecca Maccini, and Meg Hess

ONLINE

With: Skip Johnson April 4–May 6 Prophetic Preaching With: Jake Myers

April 7–10 Creation Through a New Lens With: Jim Dant Location: Montreat Conference Center

July 1 Certificate in Spiritual Direction Applications Due

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ReKindle Grant Recipient Projects From anti-racist work, to immigration issues, to poverty issues, the initial round of reKindle grant recipients are putting their awards to great use by exploring imaginative ways to be the Church the world needs right now—and moving forward.

Columbia Theological Seminary received a grant of $969,528 from Lilly Endowment Inc. to help establish the “reKindle: Congregational Development in a Post COVID-19 Era” program through its Center for Lifelong Learning.

The reKindle Impact Grant is helping realize the goal of the Thriving Congregation initiative by helping congregations focus on an identified need and chosen priority for ministry and congregational vitality.

The following congregations were chosen to participate in the first round of grants. We are excited to share the scope of their projects here:

“We hope to be able to provide transportation where needed to these lunches. We will kick off the luncheons by holding the first one during the Jewish festival of Sukkot, erecting a sukkah to reflect the multi-culturalism of our project and making fresh fruit and vegetables available at the luncheon for guests to take home.”

Vienna Baptist Church Vienna, VA “Becoming an Antiracist Church”

When Vienna Baptist Church (VBC) was planted in 1955, the Town of Vienna was a segregated community, like the rest of Fairfax County. It wasn’t until 1963 when a nearby elementary Faith Presbyterian Church school, built to educate the same white families Blue Ridge, GA VBC sought to serve, would be integrated.

While VBC has always aspired to be a welcoming “Nourishing Hope in our congregation for all people, they have remained a Beloved Community” predominantly white congregation. “We recognize This is a joint project between Faith Presbyterian the need to cultivate a church culture that does not simply aspire to values of diversity, equity, and Church and the Jewish Community of Blue inclusion, but embodies them in such a way that Ridge, GA. The project has three elements: 1) our congregation better reflects our community. delivering food to food insecure senior citizens We will use the ReKindle grant to examine how in their community, focusing on those living in Section 8 housing; 2) a “Bridges Out of Poverty” our current programs, ministries, organizational training program to develop ambassadors to those structure, policies, and history may have created and maintained a culture where systemic racism living in poverty to help them access services they need; and 3) monthly lunches offered at the thrives despite our stated commitment to inclusion. church for those who receive their food deliveries. We will seek to identify and engage consultants 24

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to provide training, identify changes, and guide our implementation so we can intentionally grow into a fully inclusive, multicultural, and antiracist church.”

New Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church Lithonia, GA “Journey of Hope” New Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church (NBC) is committed to being a “Church Beyond the Walls.” NBC views “thriving” through the lens of their Christian practice of service to others.

The Journey of Hope project will allow NBC to extend its service to the community by expanding their food insecurity support programs to include employment assistance. Mentors will work with participants to develop career goals and journey together through the job search process. There will be four 12-week cohorts with twelve Mentees enrolled in each cohort.

Fondren Presbyterian Church Jackson, MS “Chapter Next: Living Antiracism” With only four PC (USA) churches in the Jackson metro area, the churches know one another well. But at Fondren, they are keenly aware that a divide remains between the two predominantly white congregations and the two historically Black congregations. They recognize that they have failed to live up to Christ’s command to love one another deeply and work together for the common good. Fondren Presbyterian Church will reclaim their heritage as a bold congregation and re-write their story as a force for equity and reconciliation in Jackson, Mississippi, and beyond. “Our approach to achieving these goals encompasses three core areas: 1) Capacity building. We will honestly assess our identity as a congregation: are our attitudes Summer 2021

and beliefs regarding racism in keeping with who we say we are; 2) Learning. We will begin by sharing our individual stories regarding our experiences with race; 3) Worship. As we grow through selfassessment and learning, we will incorporate the spirit of love for all people into worship.”

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church New Prague, MN “Strategic Plan 2.0” Holy Trinity launched a successful Strategic Plan in 2015, and benefited from a number of its results.

With the conclusion of the vision process in 2020, they have a clarified vision statement to “Share God’s love for all people from one generation to the next.” Their mission is to 1) Welcome, 2) Worship, 3) Respond. Now that they have a unifying vision and mission, they are well-positioned to have a subsequent process that refines their goals and ministry initiatives as “Strategic Plan 2.0”. “Aligned with our recently articulated vision, we will seek to orchestrate creative, feasible, yet courageous strategies for our ministry next steps. Our aim is to develop an administrative infrastructure compatible with the vision, provide necessary systems training for the leadership teams, launch sub-teams which translate the vision into particular realms of ministry, and create and implement a plan for missional alignment and ministry mobilization.”

Iglesia Presbiteriana Nuevas Fronteras North Plainfield, NJ “Enlighten Pathways” Iglesia Presbiteriana Nuevas Fronteras is composed of families from 17 countries in Latin America and a growing second-generation population. These families know all too well the story of sacrifice.

Many of them have experienced immigration as a traumatic event. Their children often resent them for leaving. They feel abandoned and, in their search 25

for comfort and belonging, disproportionately join gangs, fall prey to those who promise “love,” and subject themselves to circumstance such as alcoholism, drug addiction, and unwanted pregnancies. “The Enlightened Pathways Initiatives will afford opportunities for families to obtain coping skills within an environment that allows them to be nurtured in a multicultural and multilingual community. This proposal will provide a systemic approach in guiding families in its multiple levels of development, the opportunity to relate with the dominant culture, while providing sustainable approaches in enhancing the fabric of family structures, the church, and society.”

Glen Allen Baptist Church Glen Allen, VA. “Regroup Small Groups”

Glen Allen Baptist Church established three priorities for 2021: (re)build fellowship, deepen discipleship, engage the community. COVID-19 has slowed the roll out of these priorities but with an anticipated greater opening in the Fall, they want to capitalize on this moment in time to embrace these three priorities. “The project will gather participants in small groups that will simultaneously address all three areas. The longterm goal is to model a small group setting as a future discipleship growth strategy. At the end of St. Matthew’s United Methodist eight weeks, the groups will reconvene to report their experiences and celebrate their growth. The Church congregation will assess if any of the community Memphis, TN engagement projects have potential for a long“Reach Back to the Community” term partnership. Following the celebration dinner, we will roll out a calendar of future small group The John Meeks Shelter at St. Matthew’s UMC opportunities designed to lead people into next aims to house 10 families, with a focus on assisting steps of discipleship growth.” homeless families. Their goal is to provide a safe, secure, and sanitary housing environment where families can foster a mindset to improve their quality of life as they stabilize and work to dismantle homelessness in their own lives. “We will provide support services About reKindle for our residents based on family needs for housing.

ReKindle is a grant initiative offered This plan is to move families by the Center for Lifelong Learning at forward to acquire permanent Columbia Theological Seminary. It is housing and connect with part of the Lilly Endowment’s Thriving Congregations project. social service support agencies in the community upon ReKindle will make Impact Grants of up to $15,000 available to entry. This program will allow support projects designed to enhance congregational vitality in a the families to succeed, post-COVID-19 context to congregations that are accepted into the participate and graduate program. within 45 days. Included are budgeting skills, psychosocial The reKindle Impact Grant will help congregations realize their goal of groups, parenting and adult being a thriving congregation by supporting their focused attention on daily life skills.” an identified need and mission priority.

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Seminary News Columbia Seminary Offers New Program to Support Clergy in Crisis Ministering to Ministers Foundation, a longstanding program offering resources for terminated clergy and other church professionals, is now a program administered by the Center for Lifelong Learning at Columbia Theological Seminary.

Founded in 1994 by Dr. Charles Chandler, the Ministry has helped ministers, their families, congregations, and people of faith during one of the most traumatic crises in ministerial life: a forced termination from a church or place of ministry. The program offers help, hope and renewal for ministers in crisis.

“What could have been a terrible ordeal for our family became something that will serve as a Summer 2021

springboard for further ministry. During the retreat we found a light at the end of a dark tunnel and a road map to wellness that has enabled us to thrive in adverse conditions,” said a former Ministry participant.

For the past three years the Center for Lifelong Learning and Ministering to Ministers have partnered to provide the Transition into Wellness Retreats for ministers and their spouses. This signature event offers clergy and their spouses an opportunity to share in a restorative experience with ministry peers. Led by trained facilitators, the retreat offers peer group conversations and support, information sessions led by experts in relevant fields, and group therapy led by a psychiatrist or psychologist.

The Center for Lifelong Learning will expand its services to church clergy through the Ministering to Ministers program, under the umbrella of its Pastoral Excellence Programs.

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Dr. Jake Myers Named the Wade P. Huie Chair of Preaching Dr. Love Sechrest, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty at Columbia Theological Seminary, announced that Dr. Jake Myers was elected by the Board of Trustees as the Wade P. Huie Associate Professor of Homiletics. The chair was established in 2004 through the generosity of then-Trustee William S. “Billy” Morris III to honor the legacy of Wade P. Huie, Jr. (’46). Dr. Huie served Columbia with distinction as professor of preaching for three decades beginning in 1957.

“Dr. Myers is an accomplished scholar and gifted teacher and is a wonderful choice for this appointment,” said Dean Sechrest. “In the Wade P. Huie Chair of Homiletics, he will play an important part in Columbia’s role of developing and nurturing faith leaders and thought leaders for Since 2015, Dr. Myers has served as the Assistant the Church and the world.”

Professor of Homiletics at Columbia. Before his arrival at Columbia, he was adjunct faculty “Being appointed to the Wade P. Huie Chair of Homiletics is an amazing honor,” said Dr. Myers. at Candler School of Theology, and Assistant “I know that he set the bar high during his tenure Supplementary Professor of Proclamation at Central Baptist Theological Seminary. Myers at Columbia, serving his students with ingenuity received his Ph.D. from Emory University, his and verve. I, like Dr. Huie, am continuously motivated by our students, who truly believe they Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a B.A., with honors, from Gardnercan change the world through their work.”

Webb University’s Department of Religious Studies and Philosophy.

Meanwhile...on campus Dr. Myers unmasks for a moment to deliver video taped well-wishes to the 2021 graduates.

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Dr. Chanequa Walker-Barnes Appointed to the Faculty of Columbia Theological Seminary Dr. Love Sechrest, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty at Columbia Theological Seminary, announced that Dr. Chanequa Walker-Barnes was appointed by the Board of Trustees as Professor of Practical Theology and Pastoral Counseling.

“As an institution that serves the church in contemporary society,” said Dean Sechrest, “we must ensure that our students are equipped to address all areas of pastoral care, especially and including, those of race and reconciliation. Dr. Walker-Barnes’ work on healing the legacies of racial and gender oppression will bring an important perspective to our students.”

In appointing Dr. Walker-Barnes, the Columbia Theological Seminary Board of Trustees recognizes that pastors must have the ability to deftly handle reconciliation issues that arise in the church and the world at large. institutions including Mercer University, McAfee School of Theology, Shaw University Divinity “Dr. Chanequa Walker-Barnes has woven together School, the University of North Carolina at Chapel the best scholarship in clinical psychology with an Hill, University of Florida, and Duke University. incarnational faith grounded in justice and faith,” She earned a B.A. in Psychology/African American said Rev. Dr. Millie Snyder, Executive Pastor, and African Studies from Emory University before Myers Park Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, NC going on to earn an M.S and Ph.D. in Clinical Child/ and Board of Trustee member, “She brings a grace Family Psychology at the University of Miami, and and wisdom to equip ministry leaders for the work her Master of Divinity degree, magna cum laude, of pastoral care and counseling. In our broken from Duke University Divinity School. and hurting world, the ministry of pastoral care becomes central to the work of the kingdom and She is the author of two books, I Bring the Voices Dr. Walker-Barnes’ gifts will be vitally necessary of My People with Me: A Womanist Vision of Racial for the seminary as we seek to be faithful to our Reconciliation (Prophetic Christianity Series, calling.”

Eerdmans, 2019) and Too Heavy a Yoke: Black Women and the Burden of Strength (Cascade Books, Dr. Walker-Barnes has over 20 years of experience 2014.) In addition, she has authored numerous in higher education, serving on the faculty at book chapters, peer-reviewed journal articles, and reviews. She currently serves on the editorial Summer 2021

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board for the Society of Pastoral Theology’s Journal of Pastoral Theology and is co-chair of their Embodiment Study Group. Dr. WalkerBarnes is a member of the American Academy of Religion, the American Psychological Association, the Association of Practical Theology, and the Georgia Psychological Association. She is a licensed therapist in Georgia.

“Bridging and bringing together diverse cultures and contexts is an important part of what we do at Columbia,” said seminary President Leanne

Van Dyk. “Dr. Walker-Barnes will help us further our mission to nurture imaginative and faithful pastoral care leaders going forward.”

“One of the great joys of being a seminary faculty member is the privilege of shaping Christian leaders who will engage the Church and the world in ministry that transforms individuals, relationships, and society,” said Dr. Walker-Barnes. “I believe this is the type of work that Columbia Theological Seminary is doing, and I look forward to being a part of it.”

Meanwhile...on campus We guess somebody forgot to tell the dogs about masks and social distancing...

In addition to being able to gather safely, outdoor chapel gives students with pets the opportunity to bring their furkids to worship. In 2019, Columbia Seminary changed its policy on pets in campus housing allowing, for the first time, pets in the student housing.

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Meanwhile...on campus

In June, the Millers presented a check on behalf of Peggy and Jim’s parents, James (Jimmy) and Marjorie Miller of Dalton, GA. The Millers were faithful Presbyterians (FPC Dalton) and served on the President’s Advisory Council in the 1980s-90s. In 1992, they established a Charitable Remainder Unitrust with four beneficiaries, including Columbia Seminary. Top photo, L to R: Val Thompson, Lindsay Miller, Kaye Miller, Jim Miller, Julie Bailey, Leanne Van Dyk, David Huffine, Margaret (Peggy) Torrey, and David Torrey ’96, ’06.

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Congratulations Class of 2021!

Master of Divinity

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Christópher Abreu Rosario

Evans Baah Mintah

Sarah Jane BarránMorrell

Raushanah Nikon Butler

Nicholas Joseph Carson

Ashley Juhee Chung

Erica Noel Fluckus

Sally Marie Foster

Donnie Leroy Graves

Nell McNeely Herring

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Jinho Ko

Patrick Fisher Lane

Rebecca Amy Leland

Thomas Lee Miller

Emily Marie Mooneyhan

Emily Sarah Morrell

Diana Rosa Ramos Garcia

Erin Nicole Rugh

Sarah McCall Ruple

Rachel Ann Sutphin

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Peter Lawrence Thornton

Jalani Akeem Traxler

Jacqueline L. Turner

Madison Nicole Vaughn

Mary Elizabeth Walker

Alice Campbell Whitson

Julianna Rebecca Chen Whitson

Natalie Gray Wolf

Joshua Bradley Woodsmith

Grant Lawton Wright

Master of Arts in Practical Theology

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Christópher Abreu Rosario

Ji Hyun Ahn

Oluwasimisola Oluwatoyosi Alonge

La Ronda D. Barnes

Rosmargretha A. Dunn

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Nell McNeely Herring

Jinho Ko

Rebecca Amy Leland

Myles Kaleikini Markham

Thomas Lee Miller

Emily Sarah Morrell

Erin Nicole Rugh

Sarah McCall Ruple

Alpha Omega Stacer III

Rachel Ann Sutphin

Jalani Akeem Traxler

Madison Nicole Vaughn

Natalie Gray Wolf

Joshua Bradley Woodsmith

Master of Arts (Theological Studies)

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David Mwirigi Manyara

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Lucas Waweru Mburu

Gloria K. Venuh

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Master of Theology

Junghoon An

Kellen Isaac Brooks

Young Min Choi

Dana Huggin Riley

Doctor of Educational Ministry

Leeanna Jackson

Summer 2021

Jiyoung Kim

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Doctor of Educational Ministry

Betty Lyn Angelini

Laura Annette Bryant

Samuel Bradley Clayton

Adrian Neil Doll

Anna Fulmer Duke

Charlene Kay Seaborn Fuino

John Lewis Jacobs III

Brian James Lays

Roy Anthony McPherson

John Lamar Odom

Arlene Lillian Robie

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William McMullen Scott

Peter Andrew Thompson

Owen Lorenzo Wilson

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2021 Fellowships, Awards & Prizes Harvard A. Anderson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lucas Waweru Mburu Columbia Graduate Fellowship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gloria K. Venuh Emma Gaillard Boyce Graduate Fellowship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . La Ronda D. Barnes Fannie Jordan Bryan Fellowship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Emily Sarah Morrell Anna Church Whitner Fellowship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Evans Baah Mintah James T. and Celeste M. Boyd Book Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nell McNeely Herring Myles Kaleikini Markham Rachel Ann Sutphin Alice Campbell Whitson The Robert Ramey, Jr. Christian Leadership Award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jacqueline L. Turner Wilds Book Prize . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary Elizabeth Walker William Dudley Fund Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sally Marie Foster and Diana Rosa Ramos Garcia Buechner Award in Writing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . La Ronda D. Barnes Abdullah Award: Moral & Spiritual Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jiyoung Kim Julia Abdullah Award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Leeanna Jackson Ludwig Richard Max Dewitz Old Testament Studies Award . . . . . . . . . . . . Christópher Abreu Rosario Paul T. Fuhrmann Book Prize in Church History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Emily Sarah Morrell The John Nelsen Award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Samuel Bradley Clayton George and Sally Telford Award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anna Fulmer Duke Harold J. Riddle Memorial Book Award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Madison Nicole Vaughn Florie S. Johnson Award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ji Hyun Ahn Indiantown Country Church Award. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *Karen Wilson Fletcher St. Andrew Presbytery Preaching Award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *Sun Young Choi William Rivers Waddey Award. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sarah McCall Ruple Dabney & Tom Dixon Creation Care Sermon Award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *Brian Eugene Cromer Buechner Award in Preaching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Christópher Abreu Rosario *Name: indicates a student who is not graduating (a returning student).

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Alumni Updates 1900s F. Harry Daniel BD ’66 moved to Inwood, WV to be near his children since the passing of his wife Betty Anne, of 51 Years on October 7, 2020.

Tom Malone MDiv ’71 celebrated his fifty-year anniversary of ordination on August 29, 2021, on the day he “retired” for the 4th and last time. Tom moved back to his native South Carolina (Fountain Inn) last December and has been working as Parish Associate for Christian Education at First Presbyterian Church in Clinton, SC. In retirement, Tom wants to finish some writing he began years ago and continue leading Christian Education workshops and church retreats on various topics in spirituality. Tom serves on the Board of Directors of Camp Fellowship and on the Alumni Council of Columbia.

Gene Lassiter MDiv ’72 is taking writing courses at University of South Carolina, Upstate.

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Nibs Stroupe MDiv ’75 and Dr. Catherine Meeks authored a book Passionate for Justice: Ida B. Wells as Prophet for Our Time which was named as one of ten books all Georgians should read in 2021 by the Georgia Center for the Book.

Cody Watson MDiv ’76 retired and received Sr. Associate Emeritus role after 27 years with Presbyterian Frontier Fellowship. Dr. Watson resides in Birmingham, AL. Sally Lodge Henderson Teel MDiv ’78 retired May 1, 2021, and moved to Durham NC. R. Shane Owens MDiv ’80 is being honorably retired as of October 31, 2021. His last Sunday in the pulpit at Union Presbyterian Church, Carthage, NC was September 19, 2021.

Mark Diehl MDiv ’80 completed Interim Head of Staff position at Grosse Pointe Memorial Church, Grosse Pointe, MI and was granted honorable retirement from Detroit Presbytery as of April 30, 2021.

Mark Jumper MDiv ’82 received the Regent University Faculty Award for Excellence (Fall 2020) for service to the University.

Sarah Diehl MDiv ’86 is a Psychoanalytic Candidate of the Washington Baltimore Psychoanalytic Institute. She is a psychotherapist in private practice in Baltimore, MD. Preston Shealy MDiv ’86 was granted Honorably Retired Status in October 2020.

Mary Beecher Mathes MDiv ’92 and her mother Jacqueline Mathes ThM ’94, moved into Presbyterian Village in Athens, GA, in August 2021.

Jacqueline, who turns 107 on Oct 1st, came to live with Mary November 2018, a year before Mary retired from Covenant Presbyterian Church in Athens, GA. Jacqueline still fondly remembers her days in SimonsLaw 1939-41 when her husband Al Mathes ’41 was at Columbia.

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Tamara Puffer MDiv ’92 was awarded a Pastoral Studies Grant at the Louisville Institute to write a book with Joyce Hollyday, of her theological reflections during her journey with traumatic brain injury. Forgetting the Former Things: Brain Injury’s Invitation to Vulnerability and Faith, was published by Cascade Books in 2019. The book has a progressive theological slant about her efforts to accept limitations and to reimagine life under radically altered circumstances.

Ann Kelly MDiv ’92 was installed as Pastor of Leland Presbyterian Church, Leland MS, on September 13, 2020.

Jeff Beebe MDiv ’94 has been called as Pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church, Palm Coast, FL. Bill Buchanan MDiv ’96 is Executive Director of Youth Mission Co, which has recently expanded programming. In addition to having Asheville Youth Mission (Asheville, NC) Raleigh Youth Mission (Raleigh, NC) and Memphis Youth Mission (Memphis, TN), YMCo has now opened Charleston Youth Mission in Charleston, SC. Bill was the recipient of the Columbia Alumni Association’s Distinguished Service Award, 2021. (See story on page 44.)

Summer 2021

2000s David “Oats” Dault MATS ’02 became president of the Society for Comparative Research of Iconic and Performative Texts (SCRIPT), an international association affiliated with the AAR/SBL in 2020. The organization was founded by scholars that included fellow CTS alum Timothy K. Beal.

David continues his work as assistant professor of Christian spirituality at Loyola University Chicago. He is a contributing editor at Commonweal Magazine.

He continues to host the longrunning radio show and podcast, Things Not Seen: Conversations about Culture and Faith, and works as a media consultant to ministries and organizations around the nation. He is still at work on his biography of Walter Brueggemann.

Dorie Griggs MDiv ’02 was commissioned and endorsed by the Federation of Christian Ministries, August 2020.

Dorie also served as Registry Chaplain at Emory St Joseph’s Hospital in addition to serving as the chaplain of the Roswell (GA) Fire Department during December 2020. As a first responder chaplain she helped teach the Cultural Awareness and Mental Health and the PTSD segments of the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training for the Georgia Public Safety Training Center.

Cindy M. Benz MDiv ’03 served as Interim Senior Minister and Head-of-Staff for 16 months at First Presbyterian Church of Gastonia, NC. Cindy retired August 2020, and returned home to Jacksonville, FL. Elizabeth Goodrich MDiv ’03 is co-owner of Thank You Books, a general interest independent bookstore in Birmingham, AL. Edward Wegele ’05 is serving as Interim Pastor at United Baptist Presbyterian Church in Mount Ayr, IA. Jaina Andersen Glaze MDiv ’05 graduated with an Educational Specialist degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Jacksonville State University in August 2021. Jaina’s application for Licensed Professional Counselor went before the Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling in September 2021.

April Love-Fordham MDiv ’06 new book titled, Dismantling Injustice, won the 2021 Readers’ Favorite Silver Medal for Christian Books.

Kate Coffey MDiv ’07 is serving in private practice as a holistic wellness coach, spiritual director, and retreat leader.

Kate led a retreat in September on metaphysical discernment and will be joining several other alumnae in October to plan a retreat on sacred sexuality for young adults.

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October 26 is our 3rd annual

Faithfully Forward Day! On this day, supporters from near and far come together to show their commitment to Columbia Seminary’s mission to form bold, imaginative, and resilient leaders for the church and the world!

Learn more about Faithfully Forward Day (and how to get this beautiful Harrington Center ornament) at CTSnet.edu/faithfully-forward/ or scan the QR code below!

Jill Tolbert MDiv ’07 moved to Chestertown MD, where Joel is Pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Chestertown and Jill is teaching Algebra 2 and PreCalculus at North Caroline High School in Ridgely, MD. Lucy Waechter Webb MDiv ’08 is Manager of Communications and Digital Organizing, Presbyterian Peace Fellowship, Michigan. She is also engaged in rural organizing of spiritual communities, particularly 40

around racial justice, and is excited to continue to engage congregations in public witness and advocacy in these new roles.

Whitney Wilkinson Arreche MDiv ’08 is now a Doctor of Theology candidate at Duke Divinity School. She researches the entanglements of whiteness with Christianity, particularly around language of reconciliation. She has written for Presbyterian Outlook, Christian Century, and Political

Theology Network. Her life these days is equal parts dissertation writing and coffee.

Marci Auld Glass MDiv ’08 is the Pastor, Head of Staff at Calvary Presbyterian Church in San Francisco, CA, after twelve years at Southminster in Boise, ID. She is also the Chair of the Clergy Advocacy Board of Planned Parenthood Federation and Co-Moderator of the Board of Covenant Network of Presbyterians.

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Katelyn Cooke MDiv ’09 and Andrew Cooke are Copastors at Covenant Presbyterian Church, Augusta, GA, since 2018. They also welcomed their son Charles “Charlie” Andrew Cooke into the world on December 2, 2020.

Brian Coulter MDiv ’09 was installed as Pastor/Head of Staff, First Presbyterian Church of Fort Worth, TX, July 2021. He also serves as a Congregational Consultant for the Presbyterian Mission Agency. Coulter and his wife, Megan, have two daughters, Annabel and Paige.

David Rogers MDiv ’09 is now an Honorably Retired Pastor since May 1, 2021, in the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta. David retired after most recently serving for five years as Associate Pastor at Cross of Life Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Roswell, GA.

Sharon Selick MDiv ’09 earned a degree in Radiologic Technology from Gwinnett Tech in May 2021. She began her work at Emory Sports Medicine Complex - Atlanta Hawks as an X-ray Tech in June 2021.

2010s

Nancy Meehan Yao MDiv ’09 was awarded the Doctor of Ministry degree from Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, May 2021. Her dissertation title is “Incarnation as Adaptive Change.” She serves as Associate General Presbyter for Shenandoah Presbytery.

Yvonne Thurmond MDiv ’10 completed her Doctor of Ministry degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in May ’21.

Ben Beasley MDiv ’10, Pastor of Allenhurst Presbyterian Church, Allenhurst, GA, married Tammy Lynn Franks March 7, 2020.

Sydne Allen MDiv ’10 and Travis Allen MD ’11 welcomed their 4th son, Crosby Carter Allen, on June 1, 2021. Travis is the Head-of-Staff; Sydne is the Parish Associate for Education & Nurture Ministries at First Presbyterian Church, Kinston, NC. Ross Reddick MDiv ’11 is Lead Pastor and Head of Staff at Sycamore Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati, OH, with the loving support of his wife, Leah, and their two sons, Paxton (5) and Sheppard (1).

Meanwhile... on campus Welcome to the Century Club, Dr. Phil Noble!

President Van Dyk, along with members of the faculty and staff surprised Dr. Noble and his daughter Dr. Betty Noble to celebrate his 100th birthday.

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Elizabeth Toland Smith MDiv ’12 is the Interim Pastor at St. John on the Desert Presbyterian Church, Tucson, AZ, since September 1, 2021. Elizabeth is married to Bart Smith, Pastor of St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church in Tucson.

ecumenical gathering of clergy to support one another to fight Christian nationalism. Patricia is a licensed play therapist and has started her own private practice.

Jeanne Simpson MDiv ’14 began a call March 1 as Pastor of Philadelphia Presbyterian Christin Johnson Norman MDiv Church in Forest Park, ’12 began serving Presbyterian GA. Jeanne serves on the Village of Athens as Chaplain on Examinations Commission and February 1, 2021. On Sunday, as Synod Commissioner for August 29, Revs. Christin Greater Atlanta Presbytery. and Will Norman MDiv ‘13 She is also the Leadership welcomed their second son, Development Coordinator for Remmick “Remy” Campbell Presbyterian Women of the Norman.

Presbytery of Greater Atlanta.

Nick Setzer MAPT ’12 accepted a call as Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church of York, SC, in June 2020. Nick and Mia adopted Carter David Setzer after two years of fostering in May 2021.

Katherine Blankenship Johnson MDiv ’14 and her husband Garrett Johnson welcomed their first child, Arthur Clyde Johnson on April 17th, 2021.

Stephen Fearing MDiv ’14 and Patricia Garrett Fearing MAPT ’13 welcomed their first child, Hazel Grace Fearing, on June 6, 2020, and are expecting the arrival of Windsor (Winnie) Garrett Fearing, January of 2022. Stephen is Pastor of Beaumont Presbyterian Church in Lexington, KY, and the co-founder of the Clergy Emergency League, a grassroots 42

Josh Sweeney MAPT ’14 is Director of Children’s Ministries and Marketing and Communications at Southminster Presbyterian Church in Dayton, OH. He is finishing his MDiv at United Theological Seminary.

Laura Kate Morrison MDiv ’16 and Coulter Morritauk will be married on October 8th, 2021, in Troutman, NC. Kristy Ray MDiv ’16 is the Pastor of Stockbridge Presbyterian Church, Stockbridge, GA. Anna Owens-Sweeney MDiv ’16 was recently installed as the Associate Pastor for Spiritual Growth at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Dayton, OH. Josh and Anna welcomed their son, Charlie, in July.

Kate Watkins MDiv ’17 welcomed baby Clarissa Mauch May 10th, 2020.

Sarah Smith MDiv ’17 was inducted as the Minister of Stonehaven Carronside Church of Scotland on the 3rd of June, 2021, and is the first minister of the church as a union.

Robert Bannan MDiv ’17 is the Pastor at Kingston Presbyterian Church in Conway, SC. Kyungwon (Erin) Noh MDiv ’17 accepted a call as Associate Pastor, Adult Education and Membership, Alpharetta Presbyterian Church. Erin and her husband, Gene, have lived in Johns Creek since 2005 with their two daughters, Grace and Jodie. She loves spending time with her family and her dog, Angel.

Michael Sanchez MDiv ’18 is Director of Youth Ministries at First Presbyterian Church, Marietta, GA. Bethany Apelquist MDiv ’19 is Pastor of St. John’s United Church of Christ, Clear Spring, MD. Margo Richardson MDiv ’19 will be ordained on November 7, 2021, to serve as Associate Pastor for Christian Education and Formation, Youth, and Their Families at Selwyn Avenue Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, NC. VA N T A G E

Laura Nile Tuell MDiv ’19 was married on July 12, 2020, to David Nile Tuell in Seattle, WA. They now live in Dayton, OH. Alexandra Mauney MDiv ’19 began a new call December 2020 as Associate Pastor for Families, Youth & Children at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis, MN.

2020s Paige Myers Woody ’20 is Pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Manchester-Warm Springs, GA, since September 2021.

Eliza Smith MDiv ’20 is Chaplain and Co-Director of The Interfaith Studies at Converse University, in Spartanburg, SC, since August 12, 2021.

Dana Riley MDiv ’20 is at Palms Presbyterian Church, Jacksonville Beach, FL, where she is the Coordinator of Connection Ministries. Dana completed her Supervised Ministry in summer of 2019.

Julianna Whitson MDiv ’21 is now a Resident Chaplain at Saint Luke’s Hospital, Kansas City, MO, since September 2021.

Patrick Lane MDiv ’21 accepted a call September 2021, at Mitchells Presbyterian Church, Mitchells, VA.

In Memoriam Arnold Newman MDiv ’67 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . November 23, 2018 J. Julius Scott B.D. ’59 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . July 16, 2020 John Nicholson Payne MDiv ’69 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . August 26, 2020 Jerry Hills MDiv ’75 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . September 22, 2020 Robert Anderson Wilson B.D. ’64. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . January 25 ,2021 William Marvin Randolph Sr. B.D. ’61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 27, 2021 Robert Wallace Thomson Jr MDiv ’05 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . May 30, 2021 Clayton (Bud) K. Little B.D. ’60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . February 14, 2021 Richard “Dick” A. Dodds B.D. ’54. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . February 18, 2021 Wallace Gene (Buddy) Hollyfield B.D. ’62 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . July 13, 2021 Patricia Turner-Olds DEdMin ’15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . September 1, 2021 Judd Shaw MDiv ’80 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . August 4, 2021

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Congratulations 2020 Alumni Award Winners!

Dr. Bethany McKinney Fox, MDiv, 2006 2021 Pioneer in Ministry Bethany knew that if she was going to be part of a church where all people were really centered, regardless of disabilities, she’d have to start it.

The Beloved Everybody Church is not a place where people with disabilities are accepted, it’s a place where they are centered. Since her return to California from Decatur, Bethany received a doctorate in Christian Ethics, has taught at Fuller Theological Seminary and San Francisco Theological Seminary, has written a best-selling book, Disability and the Way of Jesus: Holistic Healing in the Gospels and the Church, written numerous articles, and founded a new worshipping community, Beloved Everybody Church.

Bill Buchanan, MDiv, 1996 2021 Distinguished Service Award With his imaginative insight into the changing landscape of mission and a heart for young people, Bill Buchanan is a gift to the church. Bill served as an Associate Pastor for Youth for thirteen years in Bedford Virginia, then in Asheville, North Carolina, and led music and proclaimed the gospel at numerous Montreat Youth Conferences, Presbyterian Youth Triennium gatherings, and presbytery youth retreats.

During this time, Bill and others founded the Presbyterian Youth Workers Association, and built a dynamic ministry, Youth Mission Co., which provides justice-centered, biblically-based mission and education opportunities for middle school, There is nothing we’d recognize as a “traditional high school and college students. Beginning with sermon,” at Beloved Everybody, because Beloved Asheville Youth Mission and then expanding into Everybody is a community where the value of the YMCo, with satellites in Raleigh, NC, Memphis, TN spoken word is one of many values and priorities. and now Charleston, SC, Bill continues to challenge The story of Jesus is community-centered, and has the church to move beyond acts of mercy, toward become a network where, in her words, “we don’t embracing acts of justice and solidarity with those just have gifts, we are gifts, to each other.” on the margins.

Want to learn more about our award winners—including their top three tips for ministry?

Do you know a Columbia Alum you’d like to nominate for an award?

Scan here to read more about our award winners, award criteria, or to nominate someone for the 2022 Alumni Awards, or visit www.CTSnet.edu/alumni-awards

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Remembering Rev. Dr. Dodds Reverend Doctor Richard “Dick” A. Dodds (HR) passed away in the early morning hours of Thursday, February 18, 2021. He was 96 years old. He will be remembered for his ready smile, self-deprecating good humor, life of service to his community and his church family, and his love—with all his heart—for his family and his God. Richard “Dick” Allison Dodds was born in Abington, Pennsylvania on November 26, 1924.

He attended Abington High School. Following his senior year (1943) he enlisted in the Army Air Corps (Eighth Air Force) where he served as radio operator and gunner on a B-17. Returning home, he enrolled in Gettysburg College majoring in Business Administration, and held the title of “number one” on the college golf team. After graduation in 1949, he taught 5th grade at the Avondale Military Academy in Laurel, Maryland.

On September 8, 1951 he married the love of his life, Betty Klostermeier. Together they moved to Decatur, Georgia where he enrolled in Columbia Theological Seminary; graduating Magna Cum Laude in 1954.

Dick was ordained a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church in the United States in 1954. He also held a Master’s of Theology degree from Columbia Seminary. He received his Doctor of Ministry degree in 1980 from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

Pine Bluff, Arkansas. He served as Guest Professor of Evangelism, Director of Seminary Relations, and Coordinator of Planned Giving at Columbia Seminary. He was Vice President of the Texas Presbyterian Foundation from 1984 until he retired in 1990. In retirement he did consulting work for the Presbyterian Church Foundation in Jeffersonville, Indiana.

He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him. His survivors include his sister, Marjorie Hamilton of Akron, PA; his devoted wife of 69 years Betty Klostermeier Dodds; children - daughter Roberta Dodds-Ingersoll (Bill) of Grayslake, IL; son John Thomson Dodds II (Lee) of Peachtree City, GA; grandchildren - Lori Ingersoll Zabor (Bobby) and John William Ingersoll, both of Houston, TX; Anna Lee Dodds (Cameron) of Victoria, British Columbia; and two greatgrandchildren, Hannah and Austin Zabor.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Columbia Theological Seminary, 701 South Columbia Drive, Decatur, GA 30030 designated for “The Betty and Dick Dodds Scholarship Dick began his pastoral ministry at the Fund”. Contributions may also be made to First Crawfordville Presbyterian Church in Crawfordville, Presbyterian Church of Peachtree City, 206 Georgia. This was followed by pastorates in East Willowbend Road, Peachtree City, GA 30269.

Belmont Presbyterian Church in Belmont, North Carolina; Kirkwood Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, Provided by Rev Dr.Dodds’ family Georgia; St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Tucker, Georgia; and First Presbyterian Church in Summer 2021

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Our Faculty Brennan Breed

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF OLD TESTAMENT

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Teaching series on The Life of Kelly Campbell Moses, Wisdom Literature, ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR INFORMATION SERVICES; SENIOR Fall 2021 DIRECTOR OF JOHN BULOW Published four articles CAMPBELL LIBRARY for the online lectionary • Presented “Strategic journal Working Preacher: Planning: The Good, “Lamentations 3:22-23,” the Bad, and the Ugly,” “Job 38:1-11,” “Ezekiel 17:22presented with Matt 24,” “Isaiah 52:13-53:12” Ostercamp and Siong

• Gave the online keynote address for Tapestry, the Annual Leadership Training for the Presbytery of St. Andrew and Presbytery of the Mid-South Taught the online class “Prophets of the Exile” for William P. Brown First Presbyterian Church, WILLIAM MARCELLUS MCPHEETERS PROFESSOR OF OLD TESTAMENT Marietta Co-leader with Chris Holmes • Published “Dismantling Job the Supremacist,” in Word & for a Lenten series and a World 41, 3 (2021): 247-56. series on the Psalms for • Published Deep Calls to Office Hours Bible Study Deep: The Psalms in Dialogue from February to May 2021 amid Disruption (Nashville: Led a Bible study on the Abingdon, 2021). https:// book of Jonah for First www.abingdonpress.com/ Presbyterian Church in product/9781501858956 Sheridan, Wyoming Led an education hour for Central Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia focused on the Ten Commandments Preached the sermon “Bringing Their Case before the LORD” at Downtown Church in Columbia, South Carolina Presented a three-part lecture series for the “Theology Matters” show on the AIB network titled “The Book of Job,” which first aired in July 2021 Preached the sermon “The One Who will be with You” at First Presbyterian Church in Marietta, Georgia

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Ng, American Theological Librarian Association (ATLA) Annual Conference, 2021 Presented “Update on International Theological Librarian Education Taskforce (ITLET),” to the Africa Baptist Theological Education Network, 2021 Presented “Strategic Planning: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly,” presented with Matt Ostercamp and Siong Ng, Australian New Zealand Theological Library Association as a Professional Development Workshop Attended the International Federation of Library Association (IFLA) World Congress Published “Library Volunteers: Friends or Foes?” in Administration in Theological Libraries in The Theological Librarians’ Handbook Series 2021, https://doi.org/10.31046/ atlaopenpress.47

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Meanwhile... on campus Practical Theology classes are not always practical online.

Drs. Mindy McGarrah Sharp and Kathy Dawson lead an in-person, masked, socially-distanced class in one of the BLC’s spacious class rooms.

Students have not only adjusted to giving each other physical space, but have learned to give grace as voices strain to be heard above masked faces.

Anna Carter Florence Mark Douglas PETER MARSHALL PROFESSOR OF PREACHING

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Preached and lectured at the Festival of Homiletics/USA Preached and lectured for “PreachFest,” the first Festival of Homiletics/ Australia Preached at First Baptist Church, Asheville, NC Preached at Plymouth Church, Brooklyn Heights, NY Led a preaching workshop for the Synod of the Covenant

Summer 2021

PROFESSOR OF CHRISTIAN ETHICS; DIRECTOR OF THM PROGRAM

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Israel Galindo

ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR LIFELONG LEARNING

Interviewed about economic • justice and PCUSA social witness policy for a webinar on the denomination and its social witness • Preached at Timnath Presbyterian Church CO Teaching at Transfiguration • Catholic Church on environmental issues Published “Fiery Revelations” in the August edition of Sci+Tech

Completed the Postgraduate Program at the Bowen Center for the Study of the Family Leading five Leadership in Ministry Webinars in various cities Leading reKindle Cohort Gathering at Columbia

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Martha Moore-Keish J.B. GREEN PROFESSOR OF THEOLOGY

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Training and Certification in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Ombuds Skills, Kennesaw State University Conflict Management Program

Taught five-week Sunday school series for First Presbyterian Church, Charlottesville, VA on the book of James (based on Mitzi J. Smith 2019 commentary with J. DAVISON PHILIPS PROFESSOR Westminster John Knox OF NEW TESTAMENT Press) • Published Review of • Participated in webinar with Lisa Bowen’s African the World Communion American Readings of Paul: of Reformed Churches Reception, Resistance, and (WCRC) on “Justification Transformation (Grand and Justice” (following work Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, as Reformed convener of 2020) in Dialog. A Journal of the international ReformedTheology Roman Catholic dialogue on • Participated on (London) this topic 2011-2016) Zoom panel for SCM Press • Lecturer and guest preacher launch of book entitled When at First Presbyterian Church, Did We See You Naked? Jesus Auburn, AL on the topic of as a Victim of Sexual Violence, prayer eds. Jayme Reaves et al • Guest preacher in September • Paper presentation entitled at Central Presbyterian “A Tale of Two Planters?

Church, Atlanta Apollos, Paul, and Corinth as Contested Missional Space” at SNTS (Leuven via Zoom) Marcia Riggs • Speaker at Black Clergy J. ERSKINE LOVE PROFESSOR OF CHRISTIAN ETHICS AND SEMINARY Collaborative of Memphis OMBUDSPERSON speaker series lecture on • Co-leader of Workshop for biblical interpretation and Faculty of African Diaspora, social justice Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning • Publication: Essay entitled “A Womanist Reflects on Teaching as Moral Advocacy” in Ethics and Advocacy: Bridges and Boundaries

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Short lecture and Interview guest on YouTube channel, Fábrica de Mundos (“The Gestalt Factory”), with Dr. Allen Callahan and Brazilian colleague Jorge Nery, professor of philosophy at Feira de Santana State University in Bahia, Brazil.

Lecture and interview will be translated in Portuguese

Ralph Basui Watkins THE PEACHTREE PROFESSOR OF EVANGELISM AND CHURCH GROWTH

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Participant, Collegeville Institute, Breaking the Academic Mold, Liberating the Powerful, Personal Voice Inside You Panelist, PCUSA – Vital Conversations, “The Act of Intentional, Authentic Evangelism” Awarded $7,000 Grant – Honoring the Body: Radical Selfcare and True Life of the Mind of Engaged Teachers, Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning Led Wabash Workshop for Early Career Faculty

VA N T A G E

Final Word with Dr. Love Sechrest We wanted to know a little more about the nexus between theology and rocket science, so we turned to Dr. Love Sechrest to answer our lighthearted questions.

Meanwhile...on campus

Dr. Sechrest recording video messages to the Columbia Seminary community.

Dr. Love Sechrest joined Columbia Seminary in 2018 as Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dean of Faculty, Associate Professor of New Testament.

Fascinated by the ways that different ethnic groups are racialized, she studies race and ethnicity from an interdisciplinary perspective. Formerly a senior manager in the aerospace industry, her focus in theological education is on equipping a diverse church to live out the gospel in fruitful and generative multiracial coalitions for justice.

my whole life a ministry. At first, I couldn’t decide where that ministry would take me, only that it was taking me out of the aerospace industry and into work in race relations. The top two choices were (a) go to law school to be a civil rights lawyer; or (b) go to seminary and figure the rest out later. When I reasoned that race relations were so tangled that only the Spirit of God could untangle them, I headed off to study Greek instead of the constitution.

If you had to choose another job, what would your dream job be?

Astronaut—how I hope to be occupied when I get to New Jerusalem!

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

On telling a mentor at GE that my goal was to become the CEO of General Electric Aerospace, my mentor replied, “You know, Love, these days we live so long and have such good health that you have time for two or three careers.”

If you had to choose a theme song to play every time you walked into a room, what would it be?

“This Is Me!” from the original soundtrack for The Greatest Showman Can you share your “guilty pleasure?”

Um …. no.

What is your favorite scripture?

2 Cor. 5:21 – even better when the Greek word Do you have a favorite quote? for “righteousness” (as in the NRSV) is translated I have two, both from Dune by Frank Herbert. (I “justice.” can’t WAIT for the new movie!): “I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the What’s your favorite place to go in Atlanta or little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face Decatur? my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through My back porch. me. And when it has gone past, I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone, there will be When did you first hear the call to the ministry? nothing. Only I will remain.” and In 1995 I sensed that God calling me to make “If wishes were fishes, we’d all cast nets.”

Summer 2021

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