Panorama Pittsburgh Theological Seminary Vol. LII No. 1 Winter 2014
Partnerships in Ministry Graduation Chapel Renovations New Faculty
L E T T E R F R O M T H E PRE S ID E N T
I
t is no overstatement to assert that life is a collaborative effort. Almost without exception, one’s very survival—not only physically, but also emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually—most often depends on active support from other people. Certainly to flourish requires caring involvement from other human beings.
And so it is with Christian life and ministry. God has ordained that Christians not only are, but also that we act as a mutually supporting group—a family, in fact. Scripture is replete with examples and exhortations to such partnership in our common life. The model of partnership does not begin in the New Testament, however. We see it throughout the Old Testament in the life of the ancient Israelites, whose overarching partnership coupled the “sacred” role of priestly service by the Levites with the “profane” role of the remaining 11 tribes charged with practically supporting not only themselves but also the Levites living among them. During his itinerant ministry, Jesus sent advance teams—pairs of disciples—to prepare his way in the towns he himself would soon visit to announce the gospel. In Acts, the fledgling church met its members’ daily needs by sharing everything in common. And when the job of ensuring food for all became a challenging task, appointed supervisors assumed the job so the Twelve could fully pursue their main calling—namely, “prayer and the ministry of the word.” Later, during Paul’s evangelistic travels, the “untimely born” apostle collected money from far-flung Christian congregations to support financially the impoverished mother-church in Jerusalem. And elsewhere in Acts and the Epistles we read of elders and deacons charged with practical, administrative service to complement the teaching and preaching of the gospel by Paul and his protégés Timothy and Titus. We can add to these partnerships in evangelism, community life, and spiritual ministry the practice of prayer. James, for example, prescribes intercessory prayer over the sick by a team of church elders. And simply gathering as a group in Christ’s name—even a small group of only two or three—ushers the Lord’s presence, always accompanied by his power. At PTS we treasure our partnership with you as you continue to support our efforts for the Kingdom with your financial gifts, your volunteer activities, your encouragement, and your prayers. Sincerely,
The Rev. Dr. William J. Carl III President and Professor of Homiletics
Panorama Pittsburgh Theological Seminary Winter 2014 Volume LII No. 1 ISBN 8755-0954 Pittsburgh Theological Seminary’s Panorama addresses timely issues related to the Seminary and informs alumnae/i and friends about the school’s activities. The Alumnae/i News gives current information about graduates. Managing Editor Melissa S. Logan (mlogan@pts.edu) Associate Editor Connie Gundry Tappy (ctappy@pts.edu) Designer Lisa V. Hanington (lisa@drawsmartdesign.com)
Calendar Visit www.pts.edu/ calendar often for all the latest happenings at Pittsburgh Seminary. Many events are free and open to the public and are of general interest to the broader community. We welcome you to join us for them!
Editorial Board The Rev. Carolyn Cranston ‘99 The Rev. Byron H. Jackson, Ed.D. Thomas J. Pappalardo For changes of address call 412-924-1388 or e-mail dkeys@pts.edu. For class notes, photo submission, or notice of births and deaths call 412-924-1375 or e-mail ccranston@pts.edu.
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with great joy God’s message of good news in both word and deed. PTS is scripturally grounded, broadly Reformed, ecumenically minded, and culturally relevant. President The Rev. William J. Carl III, Ph.D. Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty The Rev. Byron H. Jackson, Ed.D. Vice President for Planning and Institutional Effectiveness James R. Downey, Ph.D. Vice President for Finance and Administration Ann L. Getkin Vice President for Student Service and Dean of Students The Rev. John C. Welch ’02 Vice President for Strategic Advancement and Marketing Thomas J. Pappalardo
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary 616 North Highland Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15206 Phone 412-362-5610 Fax 412-363-3260 www.pts.edu
Winter 2014 48
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Partnerships i n Mi nist r Y
21 Homestead Presbyterian Church Finds
40 Newest PTS Professors Emeriti
Partnership in Giving and Receiving
41 Pastor-Scholar Honors Professor-Mentors
4
Russian Sociologists Study American
22 Working Together—It Works!
42 Faculty News and Publications
Congregational Life
22 A Collaborative Labor of Love
48 Andrew Purves Installed as Jean and
5
Alums Receive Grant for Their
Collaborative Ministry
24 P T S N e ws
Theology
6
D.Min. Program Provides
24 Alumnae/i Days Recognizes
49 Celebrating the Lives and Mourning Our
Collaborative Opportunities
Loss of Professor Bob Kelley and His
8
A Practical Partnership
27 Scholarships Honor Former PTS Leaders
Wife, Ruth
9
Partnering in Degrees
28 Graduation
2 2
New Life
Distinguished Grads
Nancy Davis Professor of Historical
50 Alu m n a e / i N e ws
10 Public Theology in Action
30 Audrey Starr and Paula Cooper Named
12 Mutual Transformation through Mission
13 Camping Crestfield in Africa
31 Partnering for Church Planting
52 Marriages
14 Discovering Antiquity through
32 Welcome to the Board of Directors
53 Ordinations, Installations, and
Partnership
34 Former Board Members Remembered
16 Continuing Education
35 Honoring Bob Harper Posthumously
for Vocational Living
18 Seminary Partners with Local
Calian Prize Winners
with the Anderson Award
36 Chapel Renovations
Organizations to Make a Difference
19 Committed Co-pastoring 20 Complementary Gifts for Shared Ministry
50 Births and Adoptions
Appointments 56 Retirements 57 Class Notes 64 In Memory 66 McMillan Society Feature: The Rev. Drs.
38 P T S F a c u lty N e ws 38 Meet Our New Faculty
Gary and Judy Angleberger
67 Investing for Silken Communities
partnerships in ministry
Partnership in Giving and Receiving (Phil. 4:15)
T
he 20th and 21st centuries have seen much theological
describe what, by God’s grace, we share with Christ and therefore with
discussion and some ecclesial institutional alignments in the
each other (Phil. 1:5; 4:15, and various verses in the fourth Gospel and
hope of strengthening ecumenical relations. Most Christians
Hebrews). Though in the 21st century healing is required so that we may
take seriously Jesus’ prayer that we would be one, and they
become entirely of one mind, thus removing some of the impediments
consider the current fractured state of Christian communities to be a
to full unity, we still share together significantly. Indeed, as those of
tragedy. One thing we don’t agree on is how to solve this problem.
us who are identified with a particular church body look sideways at
There is a wise and often-quoted dictum: “In essentials, unity; in non-
other groups, we may well see strengths and charisms that complement
essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.” (The maxim is often attributed
our own particular characteristics. Some fellowships exhibit a deep
to Augustine, but it is actually from the pen of 17th-century Lutheran
understanding of worship, others evangelistic imagination and drive,
Rupertus Meldenius and was made famous by his near-contemporary,
others a deep appreciation of learning, others a care for the poor, and
the Puritan Richard Baxter.) However helpful the saying, there remains
so on. Ideally these should all be present together—but there is also
a difficulty: our inability to agree entirely on which things are essential
much that we can learn from each other. Could it be that working
or central, over against those things that are “adiaphora,” that is,
alongside each other wherever we can, and learning from each other’s
not essential or centrally characteristic of the Church. What is the
strengths, is a more effective and truthful expression of unity than
non-negotiable basis of our unity as Christians, and where are the
working toward structural or “institutional” alliances?
“boundaries” of our identity? This dilemma has been expressed, until about the beginning of the 20th century, by a “hedged table” in many
Pittsburgh Seminary has experienced both kinds of ecumenical
denominations—that is, on the premise that communion implies
movements. Itself a merger between two Presbyterian seminaries
doctrinal agreement, Christians did not normally receive communion
serving different denominations, it has gone on to incorporate staff,
or partake of the Lord’s Supper when visiting in ecclesial communities
faculty, and students of various backgrounds. Our faculty includes
beyond their very own. Today, many Protestant churches have left such
members not only of the PCUSA, but also of Dutch Reformed,
scruples behind, but they remain in place for some Christian bodies—a
Episcopal, United Church of Christ, United Methodist, Eastern
regrettable commentary on our theological and practical differences.
Orthodox, Baptist, and Moravian traditions. We maintain partnerships of various kinds abroad, as this issue of Panorama illustrates. The
Whatever one thinks of “closed” and “open” communion, it is clear
student body is even more varied, as it represents more than 30
that there are some projects and endeavors in which all Trinitarian and
Christian affiliations. Such a mix is both enriching and complicating!
Christ-centered Christians can participate authentically. We can pray
Lively discussion and probing conversation accompany our study, and
together; we can learn together (though there may well be debate!);
decision-making occurs in the context of various, sometimes colliding
we can work together and serve those who are in need around us and
perspectives. In our endeavors beyond the Seminary’s walls, or as we
among us. The New Testament uses two favorite words for partnership
host groups from off campus, this dynamic is even more apparent.
and communion—metoché (“participation, sharing in”), and the
Working together across various bodies is not a task for the simple-
better-known koinŌnia (what is held “in common”). These words are
minded or the faint of heart—but it can be very rewarding!
sometimes used negatively to warn that Christians ought not enter into common life with that which is foreign to their nature—light cannot
As a member of the Orthodox Church, and a faculty member at PTS,
cohabit with darkness (2 Cor. 6:14), for example. More commonly they
I experienced this gift first-hand on my whirlwind tour to Moscow
2
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partnerships in ministry
in October 2012. There I had the opportunity to address graduate
body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith
students and faculty of theology at St. Tikhon’s University, teach two
and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to
classes at its undergraduate satellite campus in the suburbs, and
the measure of the full stature of Christ. We must no longer
visit various churches and monasteries. For them, I illustrated the
be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every
“American-lively-style” of lecturing, and my audiences thought it
wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in
invigorating; I found their sobriety and diligence encouraging. We
deceitful scheming. But speaking the truth in love, we must
met together as members of the same Orthodox church, but my
grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,
habits learned in the Antiochian jurisdiction and the American context
from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by
differed in some respects from their Russian and old-world conventions.
every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is
The undergraduates were both intense and shy—characteristics very
working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building
different from the breezy attitudes found on U.S. campuses. A few
itself up in love. (Eph. 4:11-16)
students were bold enough to question me about the Reformed tenets of predestination—they had assumed that all our teaching
Notice that this passage does not depict a naively idyllic picture of unity;
was governed by and centered on that denominational distinctive,
rather, it recognizes that we must grow into maturity, that there is the
and they were surprised to discover that other matters preoccupy the
danger of confusion and deception (“being blown to and fro”), and
North American Christian community. The graduate students showed
that love must be joined by truth. My experience at PTS, and with the
greater savvy—they asked questions about our political scene, and they
partnerships into which our Seminary has entered, has been that as we
wondered how Christians would decide between a U.S. president who
hold together these things, speak honestly with each other, and seek to
seemed secular and one who was clearly sectarian! Prior to my trip,
grow into everything God intends us to be, we can be helped even at
some people at PTS had wondered how a Russian university aligned
those places where we strongly differ. At the very least, learning how to
with a traditional and old-world church that did not ordain women to
articulate our differences sharpens us and gives us more integrity. At the
the priesthood would receive me, a married woman and professional
most, our work together may deepen us and promote the building up
teacher of theology. So I was delighted that my lunchtime discussion
of God’s people—for our worship in the Holy Spirit and in truth, for our
with the St. Tikhon’s faculty, many of them ordained, was entirely
service to the world into which Christ came, and for our life together.
unforced and cordial, as between academic equals. Our horizons were mutually expanded. Nor has the partnership ceased: through SkypeTM, we have done a graduate seminar together and are exploring the possibility of translating my most recent book through their press. The author to the Ephesians reminds us of how the body of Christ is built together:
Dr. Edith M. Humphrey is the William F. Orr Professor of New Testament.
The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the
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partnerships in ministry
Russian Sociologists Study North American Congregational Life “What does your congregation mean to you? Why do you come to church, and what activities are you involved in? Are the values of your congregation different from those of society?”
F
rom Sept. 1829, 2013, four sociologists of religion posed
questions to Seminary faculty and students and Pittsburgh pastors and church leaders. These interviewers were not conducting a Gallup poll; rather, they were representing St. Tikhon’s Orthodox University in Moscow, Russia. Three of the four professors had never before visited the United States, and all were learning for the first time about North American congregational life. During 75 years of communism, the Russian Orthodox Church was prohibited from organizing Sunday schools or youth groups, prayer circles or social ministries. Outer forms of worship continued to exist, but the congregation as a community of mutual caring and edification was lost. Since the fall of communism in 1991, the church in Russia has reestablished thousands of parishes. But rebuilding congregational life takes longer than rebuilding a parish. Our guests were seeking insight from North American Christians. While discovering just how diverse our congregations are, the Russian scholars focused on Eastminster Presbyterian Church in East Liberty (which co-sponsored their visit) and St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in McKees Rocks. The results of their research will eventually issue in a book, which I will help edit. The Rev. Dr. John Burgess is the James Henry Snowden Professor of Systematic Theology.
John Burgess’s personal encounters with Russian Orthodoxy began in 2004, when he spent a sabbatical year based in St. Petersburg. Regularly returning to Russia (and leading a group of PTS students there in 2007), he lived in Moscow for the 2011-2012 academic year as a Fulbright Scholar and Luce Theological Fellow. His research focused on how the Orthodox Church is reshaping Russian society, and he lectured at St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Humanitarian University, which helped sponsor his stay. (Pittsburgh Theological Seminary has had a formal partnership with St. Tikhon’s since 2010.) In his most recent book, Encounters with Orthodoxy (see page 42), John reflects on his experiences in Russia over the past decade. Now a recognized expert on the Russian Orthodox Church, John speaks on the topic several times a year at the Foreign Service Institute in Washington, D.C., as part of the State Department’s training program for Foreign Service personnel. And as a regular speaker in North American churches across the U.S., John offers Christian leaders and laypeople new ways of refreshing their faith from the ancient traditions of Orthodoxy.
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partnerships in ministry
Alums Receive Grant for their Collaborative Ministry
T
hree Pittsburgh Seminary alums and two then-students-
“This grant has allowed us more time and resources to engage in
now-graduates have been honored for their collaborative
theological reflection on what collaborative ministry means,” says Deb.
ministry efforts. A grant through the Presbyterian Church
“We’re readjusting the model because the days are gone when many
(U.S.A.) Communities of Theological Reflection/Communities
seminarians could work on a large staff to learn ministry. So we’re
of Theological Friendship will encourage the continuation of their work
trying to help students learn ministry by working with more than one
into the future.
pastor.”
The awardees included the Rev. Dr.
While in Seminary, Deb completed
Daniel Corll ’80/’01 (Mt. Pleasant
her field education requirement
United Presbyterian Church),
under Dan’s leadership. Then, when
the Rev. Dr. Beverly James ’81
Dan was on sabbatical, Beverly
(Riverview United Presbyterian
preached at his church. Realizing
Church), and the Rev. Deborah
the strengths of combining their
Warren ’05 (Second United
resources, time, and talents, the
Presbyterian Church), along with
group decided to approach future
Elaine Loggi ’13 and Melissa Morris
field education placements in a
’12, who were both students at
similar manner.
the time of receiving the honor. The group used the grant to
“Working in two churches and with
provide time and resources for
two field education supervisors was
biblical and theological reflection
a very positive experience for me. It
on the practical aspects of their collaborative team ministry.
not only allowed me to see ministry
From left to right: Beverly James, Deborah Warren, Elaine Loggi, Daniel Corll, Melissa Morris
Since 2005 the ministry team
in two different contexts, but it also showed me how churches and ministry leaders can accomplish
has worked together to cultivate
so much more when they work
communities. While each congregation maintains its own identity, the
together,” says Elaine. “Seeing the ways in which these churches
joint effort provides the resources of a larger church. The pastors fill
have worked together to overcome limitations has been an invaluable
in for each other during one’s time away from the pulpit. They also
learning experience and has given me many ideas and tools for my own
collaborate on mission projects and pastoral care. Seminary students
future.”
completing their required field education experience with any one of the trio’s churches also split their time between the congregations.
Panorama
5
partnerships in ministry
D.Min. Program Provides Collaborative Opportunities Reformed Focus A unique arrangement with universities in Scotland Eastern Christian Focus A partnership with the Antiochian House of Studies, Bolivar, Pa. Science & Theology Focus An interdisciplinary focus between scientists and theologians Reformed Christian Spirituality Focus A hybrid learning structure Parish Focus Contextual, missional, practical
I
“
hadn’t thought of that,” is often a
collaborating, students can achieve true
rejoinder in a new cohort group. Therein
partnerships, which require both listening and
lies the inherent value of partnerships
an awareness of their own reactions—and at
within the Doctor of Ministry Program at
times subconscious motives.
Pittsburgh Seminary. By pooling resources and
6 4
Panorama
sharing tasks—through discerning who does
Our Partnerships
what best—the D.Min. structure provides
A D.Min. program such as the Reformed Focus
fertilizer and water to assure deeply-rooted
(a unique arrangement between Pittsburgh
“plants” and deeply-rooted programs. By
Theological Seminary and universities in
partnerships in ministry
Scotland) models this kind of authentic
to hone skills in ministry. As we test the
What better environment for dialogue and the
partnership. Through the years, Pittsburgh
world of digital learning and access what it
creative movement of the Spirit, for reflection
Seminary has been privileged to participate
means to reboot graduate education, the
on themes of mission and purpose? Not only
with Scottish institutions. We have been
hybrid program will bring advanced seminary
does this model lead to discovery and renewal,
mutually energized through creative and
education together in dialogue with social
but also cohorts become partners in ministry,
ongoing dialogue, and discernment of
science methodology.
along with seminary faculty. Such partnership
purpose and goals. Students and faculty
is critical in this opportune moment for
travel between Scotland and Pittsburgh to
Why Partnerships?
change, in which fear and anxiety can override
experience different settings and cultures.
Contemporary ministry, including in the
hope for a future reality of and for the church.
highly important world of spiritual formation Likewise, the unique Eastern Christian Focus
and practice, requires robust and repeated
In the D.Min. program, the source of
(an agreement with the Antiochian House
retooling. Interestingly, William Pannapacker
partnering includes a shared desire to learn,
of Studies) combines the strengths of our
writes on the theme of cultivating partnerships
and also a shared yearning for belonging
faculty with those in the Eastern Orthodox
in what is now termed the “digital
and for solutions to problems. Partnerships
tradition. A variation of the Parish Focus
humanities.” He suggests graduate education
last because of collaborative strategies that
designed for clergy serving Orthodox and
will need to demonstrate technological
take into account different strengths, diverse
Eastern Rite congregations and agencies, this
competence and entrepreneurial ability.1
views, and attention to context—that value
program fosters dialogue between Protestant
Communication in the 21st century requires
difference. Too much of the time, we write or
denominations and Eastern Christian
such competencies. At the same time, the
preach or base our thinking on ideologies, as
traditions. And the off-site programs within
wider culture continues to reflect a yearning
though flesh-and-blood human beings were
the Parish Focus itself require careful attention
for community and connections through the
not involved. But partnering requires human
of shared resources between the Seminary and
lens of spirituality. How will those in ministry
engagement. And the Doctor of Ministry
our D.Min. campus partners: Eckerd College
lead the way? The responsibility rests with
Program continues to build on the strong
in St. Petersburg, Fla.; the Presbytery offices
us to “partner” technology with community
relationships we have established, while also
in Charleston, S.C.; and Pinnacle Presbyterian
and spirituality, so that we guide and shape
developing new ones. Join us!
Church in Scottsdale, Ariz.
learning rather than the other way around.
A leading indicator of both depth and focus
Adopting new forms of learning fosters
within a graduate degree program is the ability
transformation by directing our energies
to collaborate across disciplines, to establish
toward positive change. Theological precedent
ongoing functional and dynamic relationships.
guides us: “. . . creation is not just about what
A cogent example of this ability exists in the
happened once upon a time; it includes the
D.Min. Science & Theology Focus, a subject-
many dimensions of how God continues to
oriented partnership involving scientists and
interact with what God has made.”2 We are
theologians modeling a particular form of
made in the image of God to work together—
collaboration. As time and distance become
to partner—on many levels.
The Rev. Dr. Susan Kendall is the director of the Doctor of Ministry Program.
increasingly compressed, digitized, and virtual, creating intentional space for learning across
The D.Min. program is shaped by such
disciplines becomes increasingly important.
theological thinking. The seminar-style environment of the courses nurtures ongoing
Our newest D.Min. endeavor consists in a
collaborative dialogue by bringing together
hybrid program within the Reformed Christian
leaders with significant ministerial experience
Spirituality Focus. The new program, which
beyond seminary. Drawing on this experience,
will incorporate online education, is scheduled
they are able to discuss issues of concern,
to begin in June 2014. As institutions seek to
important experiential learning, and new
redefine their use of resources, collaboration
ideas.
can be key in coping with the changes. Together, time and resources set the stage for new forms of learning and new opportunities 1 See Pannapacker, May 13, 2013, “Cultivating Partnerships in the Digital Humanities.” 2 McFarland, Creation and Theology: The Sources of Christian Theology, 2009, xiii
Panorama
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partnerships in ministry
A practical partnership
F
or the last two centuries,
The Rev. Dr. David Morse, lecturer
a large number of United
in Methodist studies, notes that
Methodist students have pursued their theological
education at a historically Presbyterian seminary—PTS (and our predecessor schools). Why? Well, for one thing, Pittsburgh Seminary has long been known for academic and programmatic excellence. For another, we are the only accredited seminary within the boundaries of the UMC’s Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference. So we have a long tradition and high numbers of UMC graduates. But perhaps the more interesting question to answer these days is, “How?” How is it that a graduate of a PCUSA seminary can become a United Methodist pastor? The answer lies in the formal covenant relationship PTS now maintains
“In the Wesleyan tradition we emphasize connectionalism. We believe the Church is much larger than just one local congregation or community. Thus we support one another through itinerancy Scott Lawrence, and mutual church senior M.Div. student connection. PTS’s ministering in The partnership with Wesley United Methodist Church Theological Seminary allows us as United Methodist students to maintain this Wesleyan connection while studying at a historically Presbyterian school. Most importantly for me, it also means we can continue to study here in Pittsburgh.”
with Wesley Theological Seminary
“the partnership also allows PTS students to take courses on site at Wesley, as well as online through Wesley. But the 270mile distance from PTS often makes taking Wesley’s on-site courses impractical, and most UMC students prefer the personal interaction of a campus class to taking courses online.” Since many of our UMC students are also filling pastorates in the Pittsburgh area as licensed local clergy, it is “almost impossible for them to be full-time students at PTS and take the required UMC courses in D.C. at Wesley.” UMC students who enjoy taking classes on campus, rather than online, also appreciate the opportunities at PTS to be in the “denominational majority” while studying UMC history, doctrine,
in Washington, D.C. PTS is, in
and polity. They register for their
fact, one of only three non-UMC seminaries to enjoy this “Education
specifically UMC requirements through Wesley, even if they are taking
Covenant for Partnership” with Wesley—as well as the geographically
them at PTS—and Wesley students may join them here in those classes!
farthest of those three from D.C. So for both reasons—geographical convenience and personal What does all this mean, in practical terms, for PTS students headed for
interaction—the covenant partnership is a “practically perfect” solution
ministry in the United Methodist Church? Simply put, the partnership
to UMC students’ educational needs, personal circumstances, and
allows United Methodists to receive their preparation for ministry at
ministerial goals at PTS. “The chief benefits of the partnership,” notes
PTS, since ordination-seeking UMC students getting their degrees
Dr. Morse, “are very practical.”
from non-UMC schools may only do so at a UMC-partner seminary. The master of divinity curriculum at PTS overlaps significantly with
By remaining on the list of certified UMC schools, PTS enables full-time
that required by the United Methodist Church in areas such as biblical
students and practicing pastors not to have to drive long distances,
studies, languages, and evangelism, for example. Because we also
move, or give up jobs. They can “stay put,” get an excellent theological
maintain United Methodist professors on our faculty and offer courses
education, and still meet the requirements for conference membership
in UMC history, doctrine, and polity, UMC students are able to fulfill all
and ordination in The United Methodist Church. Now what could be
their denominational requirements as students at PTS.
better than that?
8
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partnerships in ministry
Partnering in Degrees
I
n the not-too-distant future of 2016, the Summer Olympics will
In 1964, Pittsburgh Seminary’s Dean Gordon Jackson was serving also
be hosted in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and NASA’s Juno spacecraft
in the classroom as a professor focusing primarily on pastoral ministry.
is expected to arrive at Jupiter. During this last year of President
He had a keen interest in developing up-to-date techniques that could
Obama’s second term, a company called Orbital Technologies
build up the ministerial skills of pastors and lay people. So he knew that
plans to launch a space hotel for the wealthy. At least one prediction
group work was becoming the national standard in counseling and
estimates that 40 percent of the world’s current population will be
interpersonal practices. To Jackson it made sense for that technique
Internet users. And according to a woman in the movie Ghostbusters II,
also to be incorporated into the realm of pastoral care. And knowing of
the world will end on Feb. 14.
Erma Meyerson’s national reputation in group work, he invited her to share her
That same year, however, will also
expertise at PTS. Accepting the invitation,
mark the 50th anniversary of the
Meyerson began collaborating with
establishment of the M.Div./M.S.W.
Jackson and other faculty to stimulate an
joint degree program between
interdisciplinary learning environment.
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and the University of Pittsburgh. It’s one
Jointly thinking through these theories
of the longest running joint degree
and applying them in both the classroom
programs in the nation. But where
and students’ field education work,
did it all begin?
Jackson and Meyerson began developing other collaborative means for enhancing
Let’s venture back in time . . . to the year 1964. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The University of Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning
students’ application of the two disciplines. Observing a handful of other
would receive the Nobel Peace Prize, and the Beatles would make their
schools experimenting with joint degree programs (most of which no
first appearance on the Ed Sullivan show. Designer Mary Quant would
longer exist), they became energized by the possibilities for a joint
introduce miniskirts as a wardrobe essential for every stylish young
degree in theology and social work, so that students entering ministry
woman in the Western world, and an attack on U.S. ships by the North
could acquire not only a second degree but also, and most importantly,
Vietnamese would propel the country into the Vietnam War. Lyndon B.
the full range of social work skills often so pertinent to pastoral work.
Johnson would defeat Barry Goldwater in the United States presidential
Thus in 1966, the Pittsburgh Seminary/University of Pittsburgh joint
election, and in his first State of the Union Address Johnson would
M.Div./M.S.W. degree program was born.
declare a “War on Poverty.” A gallon of gas cost about 30 cents. Through the years the program has been honed in a way that The year 1964 also saw an intelligent Jewish woman named Erma
demonstrates and highlights the benefits of partnering—for the
Meyerson step onto the campus of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary as a
betterment not only of individuals and groups, of social workers and
guest professor in the area of advanced pastoral studies. A member of
pastors, but also of ministry at large, both within and outside the walls
the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Social Work, Meyerson
of the church.
was a national figure in the theory and practice of group work. Originating in the 1930s, group work aimed at helping individuals by involving them in group life. Recognizing human beings as both individuals and products of their social environments, the therapeutic
Rebecca Dix is a middler M.Div. student.
technique facilitated self-fulfillment as well as group development. Social workers trained in this approach made use of interviewing and interpersonal skills as they interacted with the individuals and families they sought to help. By elevating the social functioning of individuals within a group, group work sought to foster greater maturity in the group as a whole, and eventually the betterment of its wider social environment. Panorama
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partnerships in ministry
Public Theology in Action
T
he essentiality of partnership for holistic human growth and thriving is grounded in creation and exemplified in Christ. No wonder our journey through life is necessarily relational.
Recently I had the opportunity to be involved with a major partnership between Pittsburgh Theological Seminary/Metro-Urban Institute, the Seminary Consortium for Urban Pastoral Education (SCUPE), and Rodman Street Missionary Baptist Church. The collaboration created opportunities that none of these groups could have enacted alone. The Metro-Urban Institute recognized the value of partnering with SCUPE to offer a course in Public Theology for students pursuing the certificate program in Urban Ministry at Pittsburgh Seminary. Once the Seminary approved the course, the Rodman Street church recognized the value of educating its members on the subject, too, and thus opened its doors to host the class. that public theology is key to being the church in the community. In part taught by PTS board member the Rev. Dr. Darryl Canady, senior
Viewing the world as our classroom, we students partnered to
pastor of Rodman Street Missionary Baptist, the course demonstrated
formulate group projects and discover ways to engage the community
Photos by Mark Hannan
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partnerships in ministry
in obtaining the information and materials needed to complete them.
Working together as partners proved key in implementing the rally and
Our methods included door-to-door interactions, meet-and-greets in
also in producing a complete and comprehensive written articulation of
the community, and telephone calls on the topic of gun violence. The
our research. Each person’s contribution filled an important place in our
stories and information we gathered from these engagements with the
paper, and each person’s voice filled an important space in our thesis.
community issued in a final group paper, with each section written by
Personality differences and the dynamics of group work made the
an individual member of our group.
projects challenging, but in the end we all came together to accomplish a goal greater than our individual selves. Every aspect of the course taught us something—not only about the subject of Public Theology and the process of producing a group project (group dynamics, timelines, and event planning), but also about ourselves—about being a prophetic voice in everything we do. The practical application of our classroom and book learning as part of the Public Theology course not only gave “legs” to our newly acquired knowledge as we interacted with people in the community, but actually furthered our knowledge. The approach aptly illustrates the essential partnership between theoretical learning in the classroom and contextualized ministry in the world. And by bringing together as partners people of different backgrounds and ideas, the collaboration of PTS/MUI, SCUPE, and Rodman Street Missionary Baptist Church allowed public theology to make a positive impact right here in Pittsburgh.
But we also put our learning to the test by organizing an event of our choice—in the case of my group, a rally against gun violence. To carry out the event, we partnered not only with the sponsoring institutions and organizations (MUI, SCUPE, and Rodman Church), but also with the community, and on a topic that speaks to every neighborhood in every city of the world. The event gave the community an opportunity
April Roebuck is a senior M.Div. student.
to be heard, and in return the community gained a sense of hope from knowing that people are both listening to their concerns and trying to address them constructively.
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partnerships in ministry
Mutual Transformation through Mission
I
sat quietly and intently listening to our language interpreter as several women from the hill tribes of Southeast Asia shared the stories of how they came to faith in Jesus. One after another, they recounted the details of who brought the Good News to their
Over the past decade, the World Mission Initiative has partnered with a
families, how they or family members were healed of physical ailments
small church-planting movement in a country in Southeast Asia, where
through prayer in Jesus’ name, and how the gospel had brought life
people are winsomely and joyfully sharing the new life they have found
and hope to their families by bringing an end to alcohol abuse or
in Jesus and God’s kingdom. The church has grown from very small
domestic violence. With great joy on their faces they told their stories,
gatherings that were often disrupted by local authorities, to more than
all of which ended something like this:
100 house churches which meet regularly.
“Then, we were not able to get work in the village because we had
But WMI cannot take credit for any of this growth! All of it has been
become Christians. Then, my husband/father was taken to prison for
accomplished by God’s Spirit at work among these courageous people.
sharing the Good News with other families in the village. Then, we had
We’ve enjoyed the privilege, however, of offering encouragement and
to move from our village to escape the persecution.”
support through small gifts, regular visits, and intercessory prayer in gatherings that meet weekly at Pittsburgh Seminary.
Yet the whole time, the joy never disappeared
In 10 years of building our relationship with these Christian brothers
from their faces. After
and sisters in Southeast Asia, 75 students and others have traveled with
hearing nearly a half
WMI to participate in this missional partnership. Each participant could
dozen of these stories,
give witness to stories of transformation happening in the midst of our
I finally broke in and
partner church, as well as in his or her own life of faith. And this mutual
asked, “How is it that you
transformation in Christ is what partnership in mission is all about.
share the stories of your suffering with such joy?”
As Paul writes in his letter to the Romans, “ I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that
I will never forget the
you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith” (Rom.
answer. The woman I had interrupted looked straight into my eyes and
1:11-12). In our missional “going,” we may presume to offer some
spoke. Finally, the translation came: “Because Jesus is so much greater
gift of encouragement or support. But ultimately the Holy Spirit does
than all we had before. It is worth losing everything.”
a work of transformation in the “goers” as well as those to whom they minister. In the relationships that develop through our mission
That moment will always remain fresh in my mind, as will many more
partnerships—not only in Southeast Asia but also in 11 other countries
memorable moments since that first trip. My brothers and sisters in
of the world—the Church on both sides of the mission equation
Southeast Asia have helped to sharpen and focus my faith in Jesus in
becomes better equipped to continue sharing the life-giving gospel
a way I never would have imagined. Thankfully, the lessening of their
hope that comes only through Jesus Christ.
persecution over the years has given our Christian partners greater freedom to gather for worship, prayer, and fellowship. On the other
The Rev. Jen Haddox
hand, the elected leader of this movement recently said, “Please
’06 is associate
pray for us. With less persecution we become lazy, and we need the
director of the
persecution to drive us to our knees.” How many of us North American
World Mission
Christians have the courage and faith to pray this prayer for ourselves?
Initiative.
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partnerships in ministry
Camping Crestfield in Africa
F
or the past nine years, the Rev. Betty Angelini ’09 has been
20 enjoyed daily worship together as well as Bible studies and time for
leading Crestfield Camp and Conference Center, a Christian
fun.
ministry facility of the Pittsburgh Presbytery located in Slippery Rock, Pa. Not only does Betty welcome campers to traditional
The week culminated in a worship service led by the children and youth.
on-site programs, but Crestfield also joins with local Presbyterian
“The kids took high ownership of this service,” said Betty. “If you’ve
churches to assist with summer day camps. Additionally, Mission
ever worked with youth ministry you know that the Holy Spirit truly has
Possible camps bring young people to the facility and then provide
to be present. They did a beautiful job!” The younger children played
opportunities for mission work in the local field.
“Jesus Loves Me” on the hand bells and acted out Scripture while the older ones led the Call to Worship through the energizer, “Revolution,”
Recently Betty’s work covered more of the map. For the first time, she
and Bible study. “It was truly an amazing thing!”
and others from Crestfield traveled around the globe to provide a camp experience for children in Africa. At the invitation of the Rev. Ken White
Often children of mission workers, “third-culture kids” as they are often
’76, associate pastor at Southminster Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh,
referred to, struggle to find their place in these settings. While their
and the PCUSA Mission Agency, members of Crestfield worked with
parents are working hard, the children are worshipping in a foreign land
the children of mission co-workers in Africa. For a week in April 2013,
in a native language. They may not have the chance to ask questions
Betty joined Ken, who was serving as spiritual director to the mission
related to their special circumstances. “The parents were so appreciative
co-workers; Aimee Spicuzza, M.Div. student at PTS and employee
of us being there to be present with their children,” says Betty.
at Crestfield; and two others from Crestfield, Becky Little, program director, and Mike Hilf, assistant program director.
Next time Betty hopes to be able to do a similar camp program in Latin America. “We live in a day and age when in ministry we are working
While the mission co-workers and mission staff from Louisville met for
to be missional. We have to go out into the world,” says Betty. “This
a week-long conference, Betty and the others from Crestfield provided
is the beginning of a wonderful partnership between the campus and
a camp experience for the attendees’ children. The group of more than
conference ministry and the mission ministry of the PCUSA.” Panorama
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partnerships in ministry
“The Trench” at The Zeitah Excavations (Tel Zayit, Israel) reveals historical periods from 1,600-1,200 BCE (the Middle and Late Bronze Ages).
Discovering
D
evelopments in the terminology used by modern archaeologists recently led the Seminary to update the name of the James L. Kelso Bible Lands Museum, now the Kelso Museum of Near Eastern Archaeology. But the new
identification continues to pay tribute to James L. Kelso, professor of Old Testament and Hebrew, first at one of Pittsburgh Seminary’s parent institutions (Xenia Seminary) in the 1920s and continuing for 42 years through its move to Pittsburgh and eventual merger with Western Theological Seminary. A 1919/1921 alumnus of Xenia, Kelso assisted William Foxwell Albright, of Johns Hopkins University, in excavating the Palestinian site of Tell Beit Mirsim from 1926-1932. In 1934, the two scholars collaborated on field work at the biblical site of Bethel. But the Seminary’s leadership in archaeological research had, in fact, begun much earlier, for in 1908 Kelso’s professor and mentor, Melvin Grove Kyle, had accepted the first position in biblical archaeology at a Protestant seminary—Xenia. Already by 1924 Kyle was partnering with Albright on an archaeological survey of the Dead Sea Plain. From the beginning of our involvement in this discipline, both Kyle and Kelso set a high standard for ecumenical collaboration with numerous researchers and academic institutions at home and abroad. Over the course of his career, Kelso worked with colleagues from the University of Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon University, The American Schools of Oriental Research in Jerusalem (ASOR), the Palestine Exploration Fund in London, and the Israel and Jordanian antiquities authorities, among other entities. The Seminary’s support of field work in Israel/ Palestine and Jordan also included excavations at Herodian Jericho, Tel el-Ful/Gibeah, Ashdod, Tell er-Rumeith/Ramoth-Gilead, and Bab edh-Dhra. And in 1950 Kelso even became president of two important bodies in Jerusalem: ASOR and the Board of Trustees of the Palestine Archaeological Museum (today the Rockefeller Museum). When Paul Lapp came to Pittsburgh Seminary in 1968, he quickly helped launch collaborative work in Egypt with Claremont University, the American Research Center in Egypt, and the Smithsonian Institution. Military restrictions cut this work short in 1969, so Lapp partnered with the State University of New York at Albany on work at Idalion (Cyprus). From 1975-1990, Nancy Lapp and Pittsburgh Seminary students participated with excavators from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Valparaiso University in multiple seasons of excavations, again at sites
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partnerships in ministry
Antiquity through Partnership its collections and programming under now Curator Emerita Nancy Lapp. Most recently, its expansion has included the acquisition of some 6,000 sherds (including 60 display-quality pieces) from the Smithsonian Institution under Curator Dr. Karen Bowden Cooper. Researchers from around the world visit Pittsburgh to examine the Kelso’s collections or to give scholarly presentations in our 40-year-old lecture series, endowed by the Jamieson Trotter Fund. This generous financial partnership, established in 1989, allows the Museum to maintain its facilities and collections, help Pittsburgh Seminary students gain hands-on archaeological field experience, and host international scholars giving open lectures on archaeology, biblical backgrounds, and related topics. Since 2000, scholars from 25 world-class institutions have given lectures in the Museum’s series, regularly attended by students and faculty from Pittsburgh-area universities, churches, and
From left to right: Ron E. Tappy, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary; P. Kyle McCarter, Johns Hopkins University; Marilyn J. Lundberg, West Semitic Research Project; Bruce Zuckerman, University of Southern California in the Dead Sea Plain. And from 1997 to the present, I have sought to build on this deep history of archaeological research through my work at Tel Zayit in the foothills of biblical Judah—a project affiliated with ASOR (now headquartered at Boston University) and with the Albright Institute of Archaeological Research (the oldest American center in the Middle East for research on the ancient Near East). My field project at Tel Zayit—The Zeitah Excavations—has incorporated hundreds of student-volunteer partners from dozens of institutions around the globe to expand our collective knowledge of the biblical world. And the volunteers’ experience greatly informs their individual study of the biblical texts by firsthand exploration of ancient sites
synagogues, as well as members of the Biblical Archaeology Society of Pittsburgh. PTS is proud to have an endowed chair of Bible and archaeology, a fully functional archaeological museum and lab area (visited by some 3,000 people each year), and a recognized field project of archaeological exploration. These wonderful assets truly help to distinguish the Seminary among all others and even among the majority of large universities in the nation. And these resources—founded on and sustained by vital partnerships—will certainly constitute major features of the Seminary’s recruitment and curricular programs as we prepare students for their various roles in education and the ministry of the church. To see a list of upcoming archaeology lectures or to plan your visit to the Museum, visit www.pts.edu/Museum or follow the QR code.
throughout the biblical lands. Dr. Ron E. Tappy is the G. Albert Shoemaker Across more than a century, then, Pittsburgh Seminary has pursued an
Professor of Bible and Archaeology,
ecumenical approach to studying the world of the Bible by partnering
director of the Kelso Museum of Near
with some of the leading scholars and institutions in the field. And
Eastern Archaeology, and project director
many of the participants in these collaborative projects went on to
and principal investigator of The Zeitah
become well known archaeologists and biblical scholars in their own
Excavations.
right—Nelson Gleuck, George Ernest Wright, John Bright, James Muilenburg, William Brownlee, and others. The Kelso Museum houses many artifacts recovered in these early excavations, which occurred before laws prohibited removing objects from their country of origin. From 1970-2000, the Museum enhanced
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partnerships in ministry
Continuing Education
V
ocation. As Inigo Montoya said, “You keep using that
It helps to remember that a vocation is just that—a call, a summons
word. I do not think it means what you think it means.”
from God to leverage who we are and what we have for the sake of
Growing up Catholic, I was taught early on that “vocation”
a world that desperately needs those gifts. A “call” means that we are not expected to “figure it out” on our own. God pulls, the world
was the realm of the select. Only those lucky folks who sensed a call
around us teaches us what it needs and benefits from our investment,
to ordination or vowed religious life had “vocations.” It was either that
and we live in response to that three-way partnership. As Frederick
or—at the other end of the spectrum—what aspiring plumbers and
Buechner writes, “Neither the hair shirt nor the soft berth will do. The
beauticians learned to do in “vo-tech” school. Either way, it was clear
place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the
that I didn’t have one. A vocation, that is. And so, I thought, I was left
world’s deep hunger meet.”
to my own devices to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up. At its heart, then, vocation is an act of integrity and a way of leaning As I got older, I came to discover that vocation had just as much
into life that weaves together who we are, what the world needs from
baggage attached to it in other ecclesial traditions. Those communities
us, and how we live in response to that. It is always personal—your call
might cast the net a little wider when affirming religious leadership, but
is particular to you and who you are—but it is never private, since it is
vocation was still just that—something exercised primarily within the
always enacted in the commons.
four walls of a church. What, then, is the relationship between your vocation and what you But then my world got rocked. While I was in graduate school, a wise
do for a living? Ideally, they should align. If the presence of a vibrant
elder pronounced to us the following: “I believe that 100 percent of us
vocation is marked by integrity, then your work should feed into and
have been called to do God’s work in the world. And 100 percent of
be fed by your sense of call. When that integrity breaks down, as it
us have been gifted to do that work.” It created a seismic shift in my
inevitably will for most of us, the crisis isn’t a “loss of vocation”; rather,
landscape. For the first time, it was conceivable that I—along with the
it’s an indication that the way you live out your vocation needs to be
rest of humanity—had a vocation, too. The world opened up . . . and
renegotiated. The call is still there—it’s the venue that falls short. And
simultaneously got a lot more complicated.
if you’re under 80, it’s likely that you will have (or have had!) multiple “vocational incarnations” along the way.
The challenge of discerning what God calls us to do in the world is perhaps more knotty than ever before. Everything seems to be in
This is, perhaps, as it should be. As time unfolds, you change. The
flux; the church, the world, and what constitutes “ministry” are all
world and what it needs from you changes. Living out a vocation
undergoing quantum changes. Recent studies by the Pew Forum and
requires nimbleness, especially in a shifting landscape. It requires regular
Robert Putnam show the increase in people who identify themselves
and ongoing opportunities to reflect, pray, and connect meaningfully
as “spiritual but not religious,” while at the same time attendance at
with the other partners in the equation. Vocational living is the journey
mainline Protestant churches is declining, denominational lines are
of—and through—a lifetime, and along the way you’re likely to make
shifting as churches split and regroup, patterns of relationship and
multiple changes of costume.
knowing are reconstituted by “digital natives,” and so on. Interestingly, the researchers who investigated exemplary ministry According to data from the Association of Theological Schools, fewer
education in the study Educating Clergy observed the same
than 45 percent of M.Div. grads intend to pursue congregational
phenomenon. The ability to sustain a lively and relevant pastoral
ministry. For PCUSA students feeling led in that direction, it’s a
imagination over time depends on a person’s capacity to take a step
competitive prospect. If 100 percent of us are called and gifted to do
back and reflect on his or her commitments. When do you carve out
God’s work in the world, how is a person supposed to figure out what
intentional, sacred time to do that? Where are the spaces in your
that means and what it looks like?
life for reconnecting with the God who called you? The world that draws on your gifts? The experiences and tradition that inform those commitments?
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partnerships in ministry
for Vocational Living I’ve come to see that asking what I wanted to be when I “grew up” was the wrong question, and a vocation isn’t something that you discover and then live in perpetuity. The questions should have been, “What am I called to grow into? Where am I called to do it? And who is doing the calling?” Do yourself a favor. Listen to those partners you have on this most important journey—your life, your community, the sacred stories, God. And give yourself the chance to hear what they have to say. I’ll give the poet Marge Piercy the last word. The last stanza of her poem “To Be of Use” resonates well here: The work of the world is common as mud. Botched, it smears the hands, crumbles to dust. But the thing worth doing well done has a shape that satisfies, clean and evident. Greek amphoras for wine or oil, Hopi vases that held corn, are put in museums but you know they were made to be used. The pitcher cries for water to carry and a person for work that is real.
Dr. Helen Blier is the new director of Continuing Education. Helen is a graduate of Emory University (Ph.D.) and Boston College (M.Ed. and A.B., theology). Most recently, she served as director of student information and organizational evaluation at the Association for Theological Schools. There she oversaw the administration and use of data-gathering instruments used by the member seminaries as well as consulted with schools to construct assessment protocols for institutional effectiveness, student learning, and degreeprogram outcomes.
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partnerships in ministry
Seminary Partners with Local Organizations to Make a Difference
T
he list of needs in the Pittsburgh and surrounding area is
Mike founded Open Hand Ministries to provide affordable housing for
lengthy. While we certainly cannot solve all the problems, the
disadvantaged families in Garfield and East Liberty. In return, as mentors
Seminary’s employees, students, and alums are partnering
for the SYI youth, John and Mike speak at the Institute every year.
with local organizations to do our part. In addition to food
Each January they also update SYI reunion classes on the Farm and on
and clothing drives, special collections, and periodic volunteer days,
housing projects.
the Seminary enacts God’s love in a variety of ways, including the following.
“The SYI participants give a great boost to our productiveness during the weeks they work with us on these projects,”
Treasures for Children
says John. “Our ability to help
Every Christmas many children in Western
people in need relies heavily
Pennsylvania do not receive gifts because
on the partnership of the
their family is struggling and can’t afford
youth, student, and community
the expense. So each year the community
volunteers who do the hands-on
at Pittsburgh Seminary partners with the
work.”
Salvation Army in providing presents for Praying for the Peace of East
these children.
Liberty Before the holidays, donors take from
A year ago a neighborhood tragedy
our Christmas tree a tag inscribed with a
launched a collaborative prayer
particular child’s name and age. The donors
group spearheaded by Pittsburgh
then purchase toys and clothing and put the
Seminary student April Roebuck.
gifts under our community tree in Long Hall.
Now, at local sites where violence
The Salvation Army facilitates the delivery of
has taken place, leaders from five
the gifts by Christmas.
churches, lay people from those same churches and others, neighborhood
“Over the six years we’ve teamed up with the
residents, and Pittsburgh Seminary
Treasures for Children program, we’ve helped
students gather every Friday evening
about 250 children and their families in this
to pray for peace in East Liberty.
way,” says Nancy Hammond (advancement
Called Prayer for Peace, the group
office), who helped organize the Seminary’s
serves as a visible, active presence in the community by coming out
effort last year. “Through the partnership, we’ve been able to touch the
from the gates of the Seminary and the walls of area churches—and
lives of people we didn’t even know needed our help—what a great
hitting the streets.
opportunity to share the love of Christ!” comments participant Cheryl De Paolis (financial aid director).
Prayer for Peace participant KJ Norris-Wilke, a PTS student, reflected on one evening of the group’s activity last spring: “I am standing on
Hands-on Ministry
pavement covered in graffiti, with letters from friends and loved ones
For the past four years, Miller Summer Youth Institute scholars have
spray-painted onto the blacktop—letters saying goodbye to a 17-year-
teamed up with Seminary alums John Creasy ’06, BJ Woodworth ’07,
old community member shot on this spot on a Sunday night. It is Good
and Mike Stanton ’06 to work the gardens at Garfield Community Farm
Friday, and a pastor from our group calls out, ‘Where, O death, is your
and “rehabilitate” homes in urban neighborhoods of Pittsburgh. “It is
victory? Where, O death, is your sting?’ We feel it here among us….
wonderful to have our groups help with these very practical ministries
We came to mourn a young man none of us knew. We came to mourn
started by our Pittsburgh Seminary classmates,” comment Erin ’05 and
our community.”
Derek ’05 Davenport, who co-direct the summer program. They also came—and still come—to pray for peace. Committed to each Together John and BJ launched The Open Door in 2008. John takes
other and the community, the Prayer for Peace collaborative holds on
leadership of the church’s Garfield farm, while BJ serves as lead pastor.
to God’s promise that “where two or three are gathered in my name,
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there [Christ is] among them” to bring peace to East Liberty. Occum et
partnerships in ministry
Committed Co-pastoring An interview with husband-and-wife co-pastors Tim and Jan Devine
So how do you balance the work/life relationship when your work literally comes home with you?
How did your commitment to co-pastoring come about?
The balance is most challenging during those seasons in our lives when
We met playing volleyball in the courtyard outside the Pittsburgh
we have unequal levels of energy to invest in our professional lives and
Seminary library. Neither of us came to seminary thinking we would be
ministry. We haven’t by any stretch mastered this balance, but we try to
co-pastors. Jan was initially enrolled in the Christian Education track;
find things we can do together outside of work. We particularly enjoy
Tim assumed he would be a solo pastor. Co-pastors were relatively
travel, tennis, and a new sport called pickleball. It’s fast and competitive
rare at the time we were students at PTS, but as our relationship and
enough that we can’t think about work at the same time! Sharing other
commitment grew, we sensed a call to share pastoral ministry together.
interests, and having two young adults currently living in our home,
When we had children, we made a conscious decision to continue to
usually means that dinner-table conversation doesn’t center on work.
serve in one church and one position. We knew we wanted to be our children’s primary caregivers, and we wanted our family to experience
How does your co-pastoral position better your personal
life in one community of faith together. Sharing one position allowed
relationship with one another?
both of us the flexibility to be actively involved in parenting and
Our pastoral partnership teaches us servanthood and submission to one
nurturing our children on a daily basis, be involved in the community
another as we deal with differences and conflict. Whereas sometimes
around us (for example, Tim now coaches high school varsity tennis),
couples drift apart because they follow different paths and interests, we
and live more simply.
are very aware of our relationship with each other because our lives are interwoven personally and professionally. Working together necessitates
How did you find a co-pastoral position?
that we persist in communicating with each other. Even with the unique
The three churches we have served were all originally looking for a
challenges of being co-pastors, this has been the right ministry path for
solo pastor or head of staff. We sent our PIFs to these churches and
us.
encouraged them to consider the benefits of having two people, two sets of gifts, and two perspectives (male and female) in pastoral
How does your partnership as leaders benefit the church?
leadership. It was very interesting to watch PNCs, and then the
First of all, we offer two sets of complementary strengths, gifts, and
congregations, process the possibility and make the shift from their
passions in our ministry. We are intentional in modeling partnership in
assumed form of leadership to this new concept of co-pastors.
marriage, and that partnering relationship carries over to our work. God made us not only male and female, but also with distinct personalities
What are the greatest joys of working together in this shared
and different perspectives. If someone can’t connect with one of us,
role?
there’s always another option! And because we have had a united
We have committed to life, ministry, and parenting together, with Christ
focus and a hands-on approach to ministry, perhaps congregations
as the foundation of each. The God we worship and serve exists in
have been more willing to walk with us as we work together toward
community, and God created us for community. Authentic community
becoming more Christ-centered, missional, and committed to authentic
is even more important in a profession that can be lonely and stressful.
community.
We rely on each other for wisdom, support, and balance in our ministry as well as our personal lives. We are able to be honest with each other in a way that often doesn’t happen in staff relationships. What are the greatest challenges of working with your spouse? Our greatest ongoing challenge consists in setting boundaries between work and personal time. We constantly have to over-communicate
Currently, the Rev. Dr. Tim ’82/’96 and the Rev. Jan Devine ’83 serve as co-pastors of First Presbyterian Church of Endicott (N.Y.)—their third co-pastoral position.
with each other, because people assume that one person knows what they tell the other. And we need to be careful about putting unfair expectations on each other out of concern that what one of us says or does reflects on the other person.
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partnerships in ministry
Complementary Gifts for Shared Ministry
W
hen Steve Franklin ’09
would handle not only the
accepted a call to Meridian
youth programs but also
United Presbyterian Church
discipleship for all ages. In a
not long after getting his
casual conversation with World
M.Div., little did he know what a big job
Mission Initiative Director
would develop there. The church had gone
Don Dawson and WMI Associate Director
through a long period of decline. With eight
Jen Haddox ’06, Steve mentioned his need
other Presbyterian churches in a three-mile
and asked for suggestions. Jen said her just-
radius of Meridian UPC, it was no wonder
graduated husband—Mike Haddox ’12—was
that the Sunday morning worship crowd had
seeking a call. His interest was youth and
dwindled to 70 or so—on a good day.
family ministries. Bingo.
But 70 seemed a manageable group for a
For the past year, Mike has served as director
first-time, solo pastor. Never mind that by
of family ministries and discipleship. He directs
the end of his first year at Meridian Steve
the MUPC youth group and Sunday School
had preached 50 out of 52 Sundays. During
programs for all ages, preaches 10 times per
that first year, Steve decided to take another
year, and recently completed the church’s first
momentous step: getting married. The heavy
confirmation class in four years. This summer,
work load, however, was making him realize
he partnered with three other churches
that his job as a pastor would leave too little
to sponsor Summer’s Best Two Weeks at
time for a healthy family life.
each church. “Mike’s preaching lets the congregation hear another pastoral voice,”
In the meantime, Steve became a victim of
Steve notes. “Our respective areas of strength
his own good pastoring. Under his leadership
complement each other, and his work allows
MUPC started growing, and quickly. Today
me to do more home visitation, serve the
services are packed with 160 worshippers—
congregation better, and have a family life.”
more than double the congregation since Steve took the call three short years ago. He
Mike’s pastoral work has also allowed Steve
remembers, “With all that growth, the job
the necessary time to develop and implement
became overwhelming for just one pastor. I
a much-needed capital improvements plan.
was working 70-80 hours every week.”
“The church has been debt-free since 1982,” he comments, “but until now no facilities
“Meridian is a community church located in
improvements had been made since the
the middle of a neighborhood,” he notes,
1970s.” The church is now in the process of
“so we get lots of visitors. We’ve experienced
completing a special-needs-entrance, replacing
a huge retention of visitors, so now we’re
energy inefficient windows, and installing air
having to consider adding a second Sunday
conditioning in the sanctuary.
morning service.” Steve had already added a children’s Sunday School program and
According to Mike, the pastoral partnership
developed a new vision and strategic plan.
works because of Steve’s willingness to share authority. “He’s not threatened by releasing his
He’d also started developing a youth group
staff to use their ministry gifts to the fullest.
program. At that point, Steve knew he’d
He sees staff members not as his employees
have to get help—and that’s what he told
but as his partners,” Mike continues. “In fact,
his session. Steve needed an associate who 20
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he set partnership as the groundwork for this job even before talking to me about taking it.” That approach is vital especially for youth and family ministers, notes Mike. “Often there’s a stigma attached to the job of youth pastor, especially for a recent seminary graduate. Many people appear shocked when you tell them you want to center your ministry on youth. And in too many churches that devaluation translates into minimal amounts of pastoral authority and programmatic budgeting.” Fortunately, that’s not the case at Meridian. “Steve backs up his words,” Mike says. “Youth and family ministries don’t just get the budgetary leftovers. That’s part of the proof that at Meridian the leadership doesn’t give just lip-service to the importance of youth work.” He appreciates the freedom, flexibility, and authority his pastoral partnership with Steve allows—especially since the research shows that religious patterns are usually set by adolescence, or today by about age 10 or 11. “Mike doesn’t work for me,” Steve insists. “He works with me. Mike is free to envision his own role at MUPC. We coordinate our visions, but we each have the freedom to use our strengths. Mike is great at relating, at connecting with people. He’s always moving. I’m drawn to preaching and good at administration. While each of us can do all these things, as partners in ministry we can serve our congregation best.” Steve and Mike are “in it together”—for the kingdom of God, not for themselves. “There are so many roles expected of a pastor,” says Steve. “You just have to have help.”
partnerships in ministry
Homestead Presbyterian church finds new life Excerpted from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Last year, the dwindling congregation at Homestead United Presbyterian Church was bitterly divided over worship styles and how to face the fact that it could no longer afford both its beautiful building and a full-time pastor. “Now we have so many young people. I’m so excited about what is happening in our church,” said Mary Solomon, 83, a member since 1959.
They ranged in age from their 20s to their 60s. Keith would lead worship while Edwin provided pastoral care and Josh focused on teaching and youth outreach. “We were so blessed to get this trio of pastors,” said Frank Pietryga, whose family commutes to church from Plum. “We had been trying for years to find ways to minister to the local community, and Keith has those ties.”
Homestead is among several Presbyterian Church (USA) congregations in struggling communities that have found new life through ministries ranging from senior citizen luncheons to teaching business skills to teens, said the Rev. Sheldon
Keith was impressed with the congregation’s willingness to change. “So often we get formed in the way that we think church should be. Then, when the situation or the community changes and people don’t fit into that mold anymore, many
Sorge, general minister to
congregations would rather die
Pittsburgh Presbytery. “All
than implement change,” he
have this central feature:
said.
They are committed to doing new things in order to reach
The congregation reluctantly
effectively and meaningfully
moved to a single service that
into communities that
uses both organ and praise
have gone through a lot of
band. Mrs. Solomon said that
difficult changes,” he said.
some who are the most irritated by drums stopped complaining
“When [Homestead’s] pastor
because they’re happy to see
moved last year to another
children. “Our young people are
call, the congregation
staying now,” she said.
chose to follow a bold new ministry model built around
The blended service works
an ecumenical team of
“because they’re not coming
leaders who have already demonstrated a deep commitment to addressing their
Pastoral Team of Homestead UPC Erwin Kerr ’79, PTS senior Joshua Fisher, and Keith Kaufold ’07/’12
community’s needs.” A search committee approached [2007/2012 Pittsburgh Seminary graduate] the Rev. Keith Kaufold, who ran a nearby Christian coffeehouse, even though he wasn’t Presbyterian but United Methodist.
here for music, they’re coming here to do God’s mission. It’s become a lot more missionminded and less method-
minded,” Brad Pietryga said. “That’s what the younger contingent wanted. The people who wanted to leave this building but who stayed here after the vote are now seeing the fruit of their ideas.”
His Eighth Avenue Place sometimes used the facilities of Homestead
It often takes a crisis to force mainline Protestant congregations to
United Presbyterian for larger social events. “No way,” Keith thought at
grapple with what God calls them to do, Keith said, but Homestead’s
first. “But the more I pondered and prayed about it, the more I felt God
response was exceptional. Typically, the building closes and is either
leading me that way.”
sold to an independent congregation or is redeveloped by a wealthy
After consulting [1979 grad] the Rev. Dr. Erwin Kerr, a retired United
suburban church that wants to sponsor inner city ministry.
Methodist pastor who knew Homestead well, and Josh Fisher, a
“I hope that we will experience revitalization from the existing people,”
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary [PCUSA] student who had volunteered
he said. “The mantra in the Steel Valley is ‘We just want it to be the
at Eighth Avenue Place, he made a counter-offer. All three would share
way it was.’ But I’m hearing less discussion in the congregation about
the part-time salary that had been offered to Keith alone.
making it the way it used to be. Now people are talking about the way that it could be.”
Copyright ©, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 2013, all rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.
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21
partnerships in ministry
working together
H
“
ow does that work? I could never work with my husband.”
a journey that has surprised us greatly thus far and that we hope has
I am in the midst of another conversation explaining how
many, many more surprises ahead.
I co-direct the Miller Summer Youth Institute with my husband, Derek. “We would drive each other crazy,” the
After Derek and I graduated from college, I headed to the University
conversation continues. As I politely nod, I’m wondering how anyone
of Pittsburgh to work on a master’s in social work. Derek came to PTS
does not work with his or her spouse.
to pursue a master of divinity. Over the course of the next few years I also came to PTS and completed the joint M.Div./M.S.W. program. We
Derek and I met working together in youth ministry 13 years ago. We
graduated from seminary together in 2005—and SYI was a vital part of
were college students helping out with a local youth group. As we
our experience here. Derek had been an SYI scholar in 1997, and three
collaborated, we discovered that we were outstanding partners. We
of his fellow participants from that year were our classmates at PTS.
have different strengths and weaknesses. We see things just differently
While we were seminary students, Derek and I served as counselors on
enough from each other to cover almost every angle of a problem,
the SYI staff every summer. These years of education and partnership
issue, or plan. Suddenly, planning a youth group lesson took many
in ministry were rich and exciting. In 2005, we married and moved
more meetings than were necessary, just so we could spend extra time
to Florida to begin our first ordained calls as Minsters of Word and
together! We remember these times so fondly as we recall hours spent
Sacrament in the PCUSA.
working through Scripture and learning about our faith together. Those calls marked the first time in our relationship that we were not In the midst of our first summer of collaboration, Derek left for two
officially working together. I say “officially” because we still brought our
weeks. He went to a place named Pittsburgh Theological Seminary to
work home and talked about it most of the night. I served as a chaplain
intern for a program called the Summer Youth Institute. I had no idea
of Westminster Towers Orlando, and Derek was an associate pastor at
what SYI was all about, but I could tell—even at that immature state of
Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church. We loved our time in Florida, but
our friendship—that the program was very important to him. And over
we constantly yearned to be partners in our work. We spoke often of
the years it has become equally important to me.
that desire and shared the hope that at some future time we would again find official work together. In the meantime, we made up for the
That first year of our relationship—the working together, talking with
lack by being as present as possible in each other’s ministries.
each other, and beginning to share our life together—set the stage for
A Collaborative Labor of Love
O
ne quick glance at the table of contents in the latest issue of the Pittsburgh Theological Journal says a lot about the collaborative scholarship going on at the Seminary. Contributors include men and women, students, faculty, and staff; Presbyterians, Methodists, and Baptists; Caucasians, Latinos, and African-Americans; pastors, administrators, and poets;
M.Div.s, M.A.s, and alums—to say nothing of the variety of contributions themselves: research articles, reflections on pastoral ministry, creative expressions, sermons. Editor-in-chief Anthony Hita, who graduated with an M.Div. in June, undertook the Herculean effort late in the academic year. “In March,” he reflects in his introductory letter to Vol. 4 No. 1, “I approached the Journal with a submission but found that there was no Journal! You see, the Journal is a student-run activity, and no one had picked up the torch from the previous year. Could I complete this task in only two months before I graduated? I did not know, but I felt it was important enough that I had to try and knew I could not do it alone.” He further explains, “The Journal is a labor of love—the labor of the authors, editors, designers, and advisors who made it possible, volunteers all, from a variety of denominations, traditions, viewpoints, cultures, and backgrounds.”
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partnerships in ministry
— IT works! During our five years in Florida we stayed as connected as possible
their ministry as an outpouring of the love they nurtured for one
with SYI. We came home to PTS for SYI X, the 10-year anniversary
another and their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
celebration of the program. Derek preached during the event, and we were encouraged that SYI was continuing to flourish.
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and the Miller Summer Youth Institute are greatly honored to continue the legacy begun in 1920 with Roy and
Then the phone call came. We were asked to return to PTS as interim
Flo’s marriage and first ordained pastoral call. Derek and I are immensely
co-directors of the Summer Youth Institute. We leapt at the opportunity.
thankful for the opportunity to share in the Millers’ legacy. Our hope
And the rest is history. We have been back at PTS directing the Miller
in ministry is that we might reflect the partnership they began 94 years
Summer Youth Institute together since 2010.
ago, that their legacy might in some way continue through us and the Miller Summer Youth Institute.
During the past three years, it has been one of our great joys to learn about a couple who also had a vision for partnership in ministry and
Admittedly, sometimes Derek and I drive each other crazy—but our
a passion for working with youth and young adults. The program we
joint venture in life makes those times completely worthwhile! Like the
direct happens to bear their names: The Rev. Dr. Roy F. Miller, Ph.D.,
Millers, our partnership encompasses not only marriage and family, but
and Mrs. Florence Lantz Miller. Roy and Flo’s 39-year, full-time pastoral
also ministry and work—all the parts of our journey together.
ministry inspires Derek and me. We have learned much by reading their autobiography, From the Two of Us With Love. (The memoir is available for purchase at www.pts.edu/syi.) In the last years of his life,
The Rev. Erin
Roy wrote this personal history for his children and grandchildren. His
Davenport ’05 is
memoirs share the passion and love he experienced in his life through
the director of the
family, church, and the Lord. The book is a story of perseverance,
Miller Summer Youth
of keeping at it, of love. Roy and Flo understood their ministry as a
Institute.
partnership. Though Roy held the degrees and official post, Flo was not only present, but also active and involved in all aspects of church life. It is wonderful to read about a successful marriage in which husband and wife participated together through all of life. It is inspiring to consider
In that same letter, Anthony elaborates his perspective on his
church history, ancient texts, and personal and pastoral experiences
theological education at PTS. “Seminary is a journey undertaken by
to share insights for deepening knowledge, spiritual insight, and
students, staff, faculty, families, and individuals of all types. We all
ministry—a collaboration with high aims and edifying results.
have come from somewhere, and we’re all going somewhere, even
From the time we are born, learning and growth happen optimally—
if the ultimate destination remains unclear. Like all journeys, the
sometimes only—in relationship and partnership with others. Thanks
seminary experience happens in a particular context and brings with
to the collaborative efforts of all who worked together to produce the
it experiences coming out of and going into individual contexts. The
Pittsburgh Theological Journal Vol. 4 No. 1, the rest of us can share in
pieces you find in Volume 4 of the Pittsburgh Theological Journal are
their growth “in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus
frozen moments of the human experience and struggle with the Divine,
Christ.”
placed into words and pictures . . . . They speak out of their diverse contexts, and into yours, inviting you to share for a time a moment of
To read the journal, visit www.pts.edu/
that journey undertaken by the authors.”
Pittsburgh_Theological_Journal or follow the QR code. Hard copies of this issue are
Those journeys led the writers to address a wide range of topics. Grace,
available in the Seminary’s Barbour Library.
judgment, ethics, exile, violence, and loss and grief comprise just some of the themes touched on in the articles. They delve into Scripture, Panorama
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PTS news pts
Alumnae/i Days Recognizes Distinguished Grads
The Rev. Dr. William V. Davis ’65
Robert Benedetto ’77
The Rev. Dr. Edward B. Newberry ’71
Distinguished Alumnus in Academia 2012
Distinguished Alumnus in Academia 2013
Distinguished Alumnus in Pastoral
For nearly 50 years the Rev. Dr. William
Robert Benedetto ’77, distinguished alumnus
(Bill) V. Davis ’65, distinguished alumnus in
in academia, has devoted his career in
For the last three decades the Rev. Dr. Edward
academia, has been teaching English and
academia to serving as a librarian and archivist
(Ed) Newberry ’71, distinguished alumnus
literature. More than 30 of those years have
in both secular and church settings. He
in pastoral ministry, has served as pastor of
been spent at Baylor University, where he
received his M.A. from Pittsburgh Seminary
Memorial Presbyterian Church in Charlotte,
serves as professor of English and writer-in-
and M.L.S. from the University of Hawaii.
N.C. Prior to working there, Ed pastored
Ministry 2012
residence.
Chatham-Bethlehem United Presbyterian Robert served as archivist for the Presbyterian
Church in Chicago for seven years.
Bill earned his degrees from Ohio University
Church in the United States (the Southern
(A.B., M.A., Ph.D.) and Pittsburgh Seminary
Presbyterian Church) and was appointed
His contributions to the PCUSA are extensive.
(M.Div.). Since then he has taught nationally
deputy director of the Presbyterian Historical
Ed’s service to the General Assembly includes
and internationally at 10 universities, three
Society. Additionally, he worked as a librarian
Vocation Agency Task Force: Improving
times as a senior Fulbright Scholar in Austria
at Union Theological Seminary in Richmond,
Minority Prospects for Ministry, Council on
and Denmark.
Va., Princeton Theological Seminary, and
Administrative Services, Vocation Agency
the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley,
Task Force on Guidelines for Committees
In addition to his extensive teaching, Bill
Calif. He helped to design and build libraries
on Ministry, Special Committee on a Brief
has also written broadly. The latest of his 11
at these locations in addition to obtaining
Statement of Reformed Faith, and serving
books is Landscape and Journey, winner of
important research collections.
three terms as commissioner. Within the
the 2009 New Criterion Poetry Prize and the
Catawba Presbytery, Ed has served on the
2010 Helen C. Smith Memorial Award for
Robert has edited Interpreting John Calvin,
Committee on Ministry, and on the Catawba
Poetry. He has also published more than 100
a series of essays by Pittsburgh Seminary
and Mecklenburg Presbyteries Task Force on
critical articles, 1,200 poems, a dozen short
professor Ford Lewis Battles (d. 1979). With
Metro Urban Ministry. In addition to serving
stories, and 50 reviews. Bill has been active
PTS classmate Donald McKim ‘74 he also
on the Leadership Development Committee
across the States and around the globe
wrote Historical Dictionary of the Reformed
for the Charlotte Presbytery, Ed served as co-
presenting poetry readings and lectures.
Churches. His book Presbyterian Reformers in
moderator, co-chair of Mission Design Task
Central Africa was selected as one of “Fifteen
Force, and co-moderator of the Committee on
Bill is a member of the Academy of
Outstanding Books of 1997 for Mission
Preparation for Ministry.
American Poets, Poetry Society of America,
Studies” by the International Bulletin of
International Association of University
Missionary Research.
A graduate of Knoxville College, Ed received
Professors of English, and Texas Institute of
his M.Div. from Pittsburgh Seminary before
Letters (former president), among others.
earning his D.Min. from McCormick Theological Seminary.
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pts news
Each year the Seminary names distinguished alums in the areas of academia, pastoral ministry, specialized ministry, and mission. Meet the grads who were recognized in 2012 and 2013. Alumnae/i Days 2014 will be held April 30-May 2. Join us!
The Rev. Paul D. Wierman ’61
The Rev. Theron D. Provance ’87
The Rev. Sherry Sparks ’95
Distinguished Alumnus in Pastoral
Distinguished Alumnus in Specialized
Distinguished Alumna in Specialized
Ministry 2013
Ministry 2012
Ministry 2013
The Rev. Paul D. Wierman ’61, distinguished
The Rev. Theron (Terry) Provance ’87,
In her role as associate dean of admissions
alumnus in pastoral ministry, has served the
distinguished alumnus in specialized ministry,
and vocations at Pittsburgh Seminary, the
PCUSA for more than 50 years. A graduate of
has spent the last dozen years helping the
Rev. Sherry Sparks ’95, distinguished alumna
Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pa.,
poor in Asia, Africa, and Latin America to
in specialized ministry, was able to combine
he served in the United States Air Force before
secure low-interest microcredit loans through
her two loves: students and the church. In
attending Pittsburgh Seminary.
Oikocredit. Terry serves as executive director
her work at PTS, Sherry assisted some 2,000
of this worldwide, nonprofit organization
students in discerning their calls to ministry.
Paul has been a pastor in four presbyteries and
founded by the World Council of Churches.
Her previous professional experience provided
led Park Presbyterian Church in Beaver, Pa., for
Oikocredit provides credit and equity to
the perfect mix of skills to be able to follow
17 years, until his retirement. During his time
individuals and small businesses through
her own calling to this specialized ministry,
at Park PC, Paul became founding president of
microfinance institutions across the developing
from which she is honorably retired.
the board of the Samaritan Counseling Center.
world and directly to trade cooperatives, fair
Additionally, Paul has exchanged pulpits
trade organizations, and small-to-medium
Sherry is a graduate of Carlow University
sized enterprises.
(B.A.) and Duquesne University (M.M.Ed.).
with Scottish pastors on three occasions. In
For nearly 40 years she worked in education.
1995 he was invited by the moderator of the
An ordained minister in the United Church
First she was in the private school system
Church of Scotland to serve for one month at
of Christ, Terry served a congregation
as a vice principal and music teacher; then
the Dornoch Cathedral.
in Pittsburgh before administering an
on the college level in admissions, student
international program in the UCC national
development, and pastoral care; and finally at
Paul also served the Synod of the Trinity as a
office. He has also worked for the National
the seminary level, again in admissions.
committee chairperson, vice moderator of the
Council of Churches and the American
Synod in 1981, and then moderator in 1992-
Friends Service Committee (Quakers). Terry
Concurrent to her involvement in education
1993.
has traveled extensively throughout the world
was her service to the church. Ordained in
visiting more than 100 countries for peace,
1995, three years later Sherry began serving
Remaining active in his retirement, Paul has
economic justice, disarmament, and racial
Beechview United Presbyterian Church as
served as interim pastor of five churches and
equality.
stated supply, a position she retains today.
He earned his degrees from the University of
Additionally her work has focused on peace
Salzburg, Austria (B.A.), Pittsburgh Seminary
and justice issues, including participation in
(M.Div.), and Pacific School of Religion (M.A.
peacemaking trips under the auspices of the
in Christian Social Ethics).
Middle Eastern Council of Churches.
is a past president of the Seminary’s Alumnae/i Council.
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25
PTS news pts
Alumnae/i Days Recognizes Distinguished Grads, continued Remembering Glendora Paul
The Rev. Dr. Robert J. Weingartner ’82
The Rev. Steven E. Hein ’75
Distinguished Alumnus in Mission 2012
Distinguished Alumnus in Mission 2013
The Rev. Dr. Robert (Rob) Weingartner
The Rev. Steven E. Hein ’75, distinguished
Beloved community member Dr. Glendora
’82, distinguished alumnus in mission,
alumnus in mission, has been serving the
Paul ’68 died peacefully on Oct. 23, 2012.
served in the pastorate for 20 years before
global Church for nearly three decades. Since
Glendora was a founding member and
becoming executive director of The Outreach
being ordained in the PCUSA, Steve has served
guiding spirit of the Seminary’s World
Foundation.
churches in Pennsylvania, Iowa, and North
Mission Initiative.
Carolina and currently is head of staff at St. Rob is a graduate of Oral Roberts University
Andrews-Covenant Presbyterian Church in
Born in a Christian village in North India,
(B.A.), Pittsburgh Seminary (M.Div.), and
Wilmington, N.C.
Glendora came to the United States on a
Princeton Theological Seminary (D.Min.). He
Fulbright grant and studied at Washington
has served three churches in Indiana and Ohio.
In the 1980s Steve traveled with the
University. When she returned to India
Now working with The Outreach Foundation,
Pittsburgh Presbytery to Africa. Since then
to teach in an international school, she
a validated mission support group of the
he has led numerous short-term trips both
continued to seek God’s guidance for her
PCUSA, his ministry takes him across the life of
nationally and abroad. He has guided the
life. Following her call, she came back to
the church and around the world.
St. Andrews-Covenant congregation into
the U.S. and earned her master’s degree
vital and significant mission service not only
from Pittsburgh Seminary, followed by her
Rob has served the PCUSA in numerous
within the Wilmington community but also
doctorate at the University of Pittsburgh.
ways, including as a member of the General
beyond, literally to the ends of the world.
Both Glendora and her late husband,
Assembly Council, Worldwide Ministries
Steve established two international church
Prodeep, became naturalized U.S. citizens.
Division Committee, Executive Committee,
partnerships between St. Andrews-Covenant
and GAC project team to create the Young
PC, one with the Petropolis Presbyterian
Adult Volunteer Program.
Church of Manaus, Brazil, and the other with
Before Glendora’s death Pittsburgh Seminary recognized her dedication to
Chuluchosema Church of Zomba, Africa. In
our mission by honoring her with the
His mission-focused publications include “A
2012 he led a group from his congregation
Distinguished Alumna Award and the John
Presbyterian Understanding of Evangelism” in
to Malawi, where obtaining fresh water is a
Anderson Award of Merit, the Seminary’s
Let Us Reason Together: Christians and Jews in
major challenge, and provided the resources
highest honor.
Conversation (Witherspoon Press, 2010).
for more than 16 wells. Steve is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Seminary.
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Panorama
pts news
Scholarships Honor Former PTS Leaders Alumnae/i, as well as friends, have partnered with Pittsburgh Seminary to establish three student scholarships named after several leaders who have rendered exceptional service to Pittsburgh Seminary.
The Rev. Dr. Robert L. Kelley Jr. ’51 dedicated
The Rev. Dr. Stephen L. Polley received the
The Rev. George E. Tutwiler served as
his life to the teaching and preaching of the
Seminary’s Distinguished Alumnus Award
organist/choirmaster and instructor in church
gospel of Christ Jesus. Bob served Pittsburgh
for Pastoral Service in 2002 for his long and
music and United Methodist Studies at
Theological Seminary with a joyful heart
varied service to the church. In addition to
Pittsburgh Seminary for 30 years. An ordained
throughout his more than 63-year affiliation
pastoring, Steve served on the Seminary’s
elder in The United Methodist Church, he
as an alumnus, faculty member, and leader on
Board of Directors from 1989-1991, became
served area churches as associate pastor/
the Seminary’s Board of Directors. Respected
an emeritus member in 2003, served on the
minister of music for nearly four decades,
by all, he offered biblical insight, genuine
Alumnae/i Council from 1995-2009, and
and as national director of the Committee
hope, and Christ-like encouragement to
on the advisory board of the World Mission
on Seminary and Denominational Relations.
seminary students and church congregations
Initiative. Steve died Feb. 13, 2013.
Widely known as a recitalist, conductor,
for more than six decades. Bob died Oct. 30,
clinician, and lecturer, he was dean of the
2013.
American Guild of Organists’ Pittsburgh Chapter.
Tribute gifts to the scholarships honoring Bob, Steve, and George may be made online (at www.pts.edu/donate) and/or come in the form of cash, deferred estate gifts, securities, and/or a qualified retirement plan.
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PTS news pts
Graduation 2012
Degrees of Accomplishment During the Seminary’s 216th Commencement activities, held Friday, June 1, 2012, 81 students received graduate degrees—43 Master of Divinity (including one joint Master of Divinity/Juris Doctor with Duquesne University), 11 Master of Arts, two Master of Sacred Theology, and 25 Doctor of Ministry degrees. In addition, one student completed a Ph.D. in conjunction with the University of Pittsburgh. The Rev. Dr. Robert M. Franklin, president of Morehouse College, gave the Commencement address. The Rev. Dr. Susan Kendall, director of the Doctor of Ministry Program at Pittsburgh Seminary, preached the Service of Thanksgiving on the evening prior to Commencement. 28
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pts news
Graduation 2013 The Seminary celebrated our 217th Commencement activities Friday, May 31, 2013. At that time, 84 students earned their degrees—46 Master of Divinity (including one Master of Divinity/Master of Social Work joint degree with the University of Pittsburgh and one Graduate Certificate in Urban Ministry through the Seminary’s Metro-Urban Institute), seven Master of Arts, six Master of Sacred Theology, and 25 Doctor of Ministry degrees. The Rev. Dr. Leanne Van Dyk, dean and vice president of academic affairs and professor of Reformed theology at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Mich., gave the Commencement address. Dr. Martha Robbins, now Joan Marshall Associate Professor Emerita of Pastoral Care at Pittsburgh Seminary, spoke at the Service of Thanksgiving. Photos from both graduation events (which took place at East Liberty Presbyterian Church), audio of the sermons, and the lists of graduates and awards may be viewed online at www.pts. edu/graduation_2012 and www.pts.edu/ graduation_2013.
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PTS news pts
Audrey Starr and Paula Cooper Named Calian Prize Winners
W
hether she’s washing a window, taking out the
Similarly, the Seminary honored Paula Cooper ’10/’13 with the 2013
recycling, or vacuuming the floor, Audrey Starr
Calian Prize. “Paula has overcome seemingly insurmountable odds to
is working with a smile on her face. Audrey, a
finish two degrees at Pittsburgh Seminary—a master of divinity with a
custodian at the Seminary, received the 2012 Calian
graduate certificate in urban ministry, and a master of sacred theology.
Prize for Campus Community Service. This
In addition, she has been the face of PTS
award—established by former President
welcoming strangers who have come on
Carnegie Samuel Calian—is given to an
campus at all hours of the night to check
exemplary member of the Pittsburgh
into guest housing. She has demonstrated
Seminary community who demonstrates
true biblical hospitality for our visitors with
excellence in carrying out responsibilities
a charming personality and a winning
and volunteer assignments and also
smile. She’s also a good preacher!” notes
expresses a caring spirit of good will and
President Carl.
hope so essential in our life together as a community.
A native of Philadelphia, Paula came to Pittsburgh in 2006 as a seminary student.
“Audrey lights up every room she enters. I
On campus, she worked as the evening
don’t think she has a grumpy bone in her
and weekend guest host welcoming visitors
body. Faculty, staff, and students alike all
to campus. She served in the Metro-
appreciate the ever-present glow on her
Urban Institute Office as a congregational
face. She certainly epitomizes what the
convener bringing local churches to
Calian award is all about,” says President
campus to learn more about health-related
William Carl. Tom Fulton, director of
and urban issues. She participated in the
facilities, says, “I don’t think I have ever
Alumnae/i Phonathon and other campus
heard Audrey turn down a request or put
events wherever and whenever needed.
someone off by saying she’s busy. Her response is always ‘No problem’ or ‘I’ll be
In various student leadership positions
right there.’ She is definitely very deserving
Paula ensured that all members, particularly
of this award.”
international students, felt part of the community. Through the World Mission
Students also appreciate her calming
Initiative and Metro-Urban Institute, Paula
presence. Tony Richardson ’12 would arrive
traveled to Israel, Zambia, New Orleans,
early to class to study for his Hebrew exams.
Trinidad and Tobago, and Egypt on mission
Audrey would be there cleaning. Herself an
trips.
avid reader, she would offer him encouragement, remind him to stay calm, and promise to be thinking of him later during his test.
In the city, Paula volunteered with the Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force to educate people about the disease. She also worked with Pittsburgh
“Audrey is always considerate of the individual needs of those she
Interfaith Impact Network to raise funds in support of social justice. As
serves,” says Ann Getkin, vice president for finance and administration.
a student minister, she worked with Valley View Presbyterian Church,
“We are fortunate to have her as a member of the Seminary
Children’s Hospital, Allegheny Open Arms United Church of Christ, and
community.”
the Community of Reconciliation.
Audrey is married and has one daughter and one grandson. When
“From the time I arrived, it’s been all about community for me,” says
asked about herself, Audrey often redirects the conversation to her
Paula. And she certainly lived that claim at Pittsburgh Seminary.
grandson. “I could talk about him all afternoon,” she says with a smile.
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Partnering for Church Planting Thanks to a $200,000 grant from The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, Pittsburgh Seminary is establishing the Church Planting Initiative—an expansion of our Church Planting Emphasis
PTS Merchandise Now Available Online
within the M.Div. program. The Initiative recognizes that, historically, theological education has focused on preparing students to lead already established churches. Today’s seminary graduates, however, face a world that also, and increasingly, needs entrepreneurial, mission-minded pastors who are equipped to take the gospel to people in a wide variety of non-traditional settings. As a number of our more recent, church-planter graduates have discovered, non-traditional congregations are important for the future of the Church because they provide laboratories in which to explore the effectiveness
The Seminary’s new online store offers hats, polo shirts, t-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, and shorts, as well as tote bags and travel cups. Select from different colors and have your ordered shipped right to your house.
of new models—part-time co-pastoring on a small church budget; holding worship services in nontraditional spaces, such as living rooms and storefronts; and reaching new groups of people with the gospel through different styles of music and liturgy, for example. Supporting church planters with resources and the permission to try “new things” brings life and energy
John Creasy ’10, associate pastor for the Open Door and director of Garfield Community Farm, works to create an ecologically diverse neighborhood farm and educate the church on environmental sustainability. He is one of our recent grads leading a church plant in Pittsburgh.
PTS merchandise makes a great gift for recent grads, new students, or alums looking to replace their favorite seminary sweatshirt. To buy your merchandise, go to www. fridaymarketinggroup. com/stores/PTS.
to the broader Church. The most effective way of ensuring this revitalization is to come alongside people who are passionate, committed, and inspired to establish a new church and to support their vision to launch a new ministry. A large part of that support involves providing the kind of educational preparation relevant to such ministry—the kind of preparation that will be available through the Church Planting Initiative. As a seminary, PTS is intent on observing, listening to, and responding to the movement of the Holy Spirit in forming Christ’s Church in our time. And we believe that God is calling us to provide an even greater level of leadership in the task of preparing well-educated, practically equipped Christians to plant churches—pastor-theologians who translate their academic work culturally and address contextually the contemporary issues confronting the Church. The partnering vision of The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations recognizes this need and is helping PTS to fulfill it.
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Welcome to the Robert Agbede is
The Rev. Dr.
is a lay preacher with Incarnation Anglican
president and CEO
Catherine Brall is
Church, and has served on the board of the
of Chester Engineers,
Canon Missioner
Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh. Michelle has
the largest African-
for the Episcopal
been named one of Pennsylvania’s Top 50
American-owned
Diocese of Pittsburgh.
Business Women.
environmental and
She helps parishes
engineering design
identify their potential
The Rev. Jon
firm in the United
for growth, answer
Draskovic ’12 serves
States and the largest
real needs in their
as associate pastor
water and wastewater
communities, and
at First Presbyterian
treatment plant design and management firm
train leaders who will carry forward a new
Church in Great
in Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania. A
sense of mission. She earned an M.Div. from
Falls, Mont. He
hallmark of his business approach consists in
Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry and a
was ordained as a
developing a work culture that emphasizes the
D.Min. from Fuller Theological Seminary.
Teaching Elder in the
importance of giving back.
PCUSA shortly after Eliza Smith
graduating with his
Mary Barbour,
Brown, director of
M.Div. from Pittsburgh Seminary. Jon also
a University of
communications and
holds a master’s of agriculture in international
Pittsburgh graduate, is
external relations
development from Colorado State University.
an active community
for the Association
He worked in the Katrina recovery effort as
volunteer serving on
of Theological
a floodplain manager with FEMA and has
the board of Rumsey
Schools, develops and
volunteered at the Faith Alive HIV/AIDS clinic
Hall School and
implements the ATS
in Jos, Nigeria.
the Garden Club of
communications plan,
Allegheny County’s
including print and
The Rev. Patrice L.
Garden History and
electronic publications, the website, media
Fowler-Searcy ’13
Design Committee. She is a former board
relations, and promoting use of ATS resources
is the director of
member of Sewickley Academy and past
and services by the Association’s member
mission at East Liberty
president of the Garden Club of Allegheny
schools. A lifelong resident of Pittsburgh,
Presbyterian Church in
County.
she serves on the boards of The Carnegie
Pittsburgh. As liaison
Museum of Art and The Landmarks Financial
to the East Liberty
Corporation.
community, she serves
William Bevan III is a partner at Reed Smith
on the board of East
and has been practicing
Michelle Keane
Liberty Development
law for more than 40
Domeisen ’12, a
Inc. and on the East Liberty Neighborhood
years. In addition to
retired senior vice
Improvement District Steering Committee. She
his work in the labor
president of Grubb
was accepted as one of 50 individuals from
and employment field,
& Ellis Company,
across the country to participate in the Harvard
Bill counsels employers
earned two degrees
Divinity School Summer Leadership Institute
concerning the hiring,
from the University
for Church-based Community and Economic
antidiscrimination, and verification provisions
of Pittsburgh.
Development.
of U.S. immigration law, as well as issues
Michelle co-founded
relating to undocumented workers. He is a
Pittsburgh Women
frequent presenter for the Pennsylvania Bar
in Commercial Real Estate, is an associate
Institute, for whose Labor Law Symposium he
member of the Women’s Board of Pittsburgh,
serves as a course planner.
serves on the Rebecca Residence Foundation,
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Board of directors Ken Jennings,
in New Wilmington, Pa. A graduate of West
The Rev. Dr. Robert
managing director of
Virginia University and Pittsburgh Seminary,
Weingartner ’82
ThirdRiver Partners,
Bill serves as an alumnae/i representative on
works with The
formerly co-directed
the Board.
Outreach Foundation,
the Global Leadership
a validated mission
in Healthcare Program
David Murdoch
support group of the
at the University of
works in corporate,
Presbyterian Church
Michigan Business
international,
(USA). His ministry
School and served as
commercial, and
takes him across the
a global managing
bankruptcy law as
life of the church and
partner at Accenture
an attorney for K&L
around the world.
in health care and change management. He
Gates. For his work
He was awarded the Seminary’s Distinguished
is a bestselling author, national consultant
in strengthening
Alumnus in Mission Award in 2012. (See page
for Twelve Stone Ministries, and board
German-American
26.) Additionally, Rob has served on the board
member of RxOutreach. He has worked at
relations, Dave
of directors for New Wilmington Mission
healthcare technology, pharmaceutical, and
was given The Cross of the Order of Merit,
Conference (1995-1997) and Presbyterians for
biotechnology organizations, at more than
the highest tribute the Federal Republic of
Renewal (1996-2001).
25 academic medical centers and integrated
Germany can pay to individuals. Additionally,
delivery systems, and taught at eight colleges
his selection by his peers for inclusion in the
The Rev. Kristin
and universities.
2013 edition of Best Lawyers in America
Beckstrom Widrich
places him among a distinguished group of
’04 is the alumna
attorneys to be listed for 20 or more years
representative on
Stephen Lee is president of the
the Board and is
investment firm H. L.
Attorney John G.
currently working on
Zeve Associates
Shortridge retired
her doctor of ministry
Inc. Prior to joining
from U.S. Steel
at PTS. She is the
Zeve, Steve owned
Corporation, where
acting head of staff
and operated an oil
in his last position he
of First Presbyterian
and gas exploration
served as manager of
Church of Moncks Corner, a 265-member
company in Louisiana,
governmental affairs.
congregation in South Carolina. She has been
where he managed
He is a 1962 graduate
active in both the Charleston Atlantic and
private and corporate funds and discovered and
of the PCUSA-
Pittsburgh Presbyteries, currently serving as
operated five oil fields. He has served on the
affiliated Hanover
chair of Self Development of People Local
board of Shadyside Academy and is as an elder
College (the first private liberal arts college in
Committee in Charleston Atlantic.
of Pittsburgh’s Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church.
Indiana) and a 1965 graduate of Northwestern University Law School (J.D.). He has also held
The Rev. Dr.
membership in Phi Delta Phi International, a
William McCoy
professional society upholding legal ethics and
’86/’07 pastors the
scholarship.
1,500-member First Presbyterian Church in Charleston, W.Va. Formerly he served the 400-member New Wilmington Presbyterian Church Panorama
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PTS news pts
former board members remembered William Pierson
Richard Cromie
Tousimis-Lauffer Distinguished Annual Lecture
Barker
The Rev. Dr.
Award in 2006.
The Rev. Dr.
Richard Cromie
William Pierson
’61 died Feb. 9,
Max helped found the international
Barker ’50/’79
2013, at the age
Biophysical Society. He served as member of
died July 8, 2012,
of 76. A graduate
the first National Advisory General Medical
at the age of 85.
of the University
Sciences Council of the National Institutes
Bill was awarded
of Pittsburgh,
of Health, and as consultant to the Surgeon
one of the first
he earned his
General of the U.S. (1963-1967).
Ambassadorial
doctorate at the
Fellowships
University of St.
Max was both scientist and churchman.
given by Rotary International to study at the
Andrews, Scotland, and received an honorary
His served the PCUSA as an elder of the
University of Edinburgh, Scotland. He served
doctorate from Grove City College. Richard
Presbyterian Congregation of Middletown,
on the Seminary’s Board of Directors from
served on the PTS Board from 1981-1988.
moderator of the Presbytery of Carlisle, and
1999-2001 and received the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1991.
a delegate to the World Council of Churches’ Richard founded Desert Ministries in 1982 to
Church and Society Conference in Geneva,
bring “the Living Water of Christ to people
Switzerland (1966).
An ordained Presbyterian minister, Bill founded
everywhere.” He also served pastorates in Ft.
the Bower Hill Community Church, Pittsburgh,
Lauderdale, Fla.; Mt. Lebanon, Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell cited Max
and served there until he became director of
and Allison Park, Pa.; and finally at the Royal
for his remarkable character, leadership, and
continuing education at Pittsburgh Seminary.
Poinciana Chapel in Palm Beach, Fla., from
public service.
He was head of staff at First Presbyterian
which he retired in January 2004. He also
Church in Allentown, Pa., taught at Moravian
served at Carnegie Mellon University and
Stephen Polley
Seminary, and was interim pastor at six
the University of Pittsburgh. Richard was a
The Rev. Dr.
churches.
moderator of the Pittsburgh Presbytery and a
Stephen L. Polley
published author.
’54/’59/’75 died
In Allentown, Bill co-founded Operation Rice
Feb. 13, 2013,
Bowl, an ecumenical sacrificial meal program
Max Lauffer
at 85. He served
to alleviate world hunger that is still used
Max A. Lauffer
on the Board
by Roman Catholic parishes during Lent. In
died Aug. 8,
from 1988-1991
recognition of these efforts, he was invited to
2012, at the
and became an
confer with Mother Teresa.
age of 97.
emeritus member
He joined the
in 2005.
Bill authored 13 books and was an
Board in 1965
international speaker at various NATO
and became an
Before earning his degrees, Steve served in
chaplains conferences and at the International
emeritus director
the U.S. Army. He was pastor of Mt. Jackson
Maramon Convention in India. Working with
in 1990.
United Presbyterian Church, New Castle,
his close friend Fred Rogers ’62, from 1969-
and then of Northmont United Presbyterian
2002 he served as the puppeteer and voice
His work at Rockefeller Institute for Medical
Church, in Pittsburgh’s North Hills, for 26
for Dr. Bill Platypus and Elsie Jean Platypus on
Research produced one of the first pictures of
years. During this time, Steve served as
Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.
a virus ever created. This advance toward the
moderator of the Pittsburgh Presbytery
prevention and cure of infections from viruses
(1967) and on the committees of the General
helped pave the way for the production of
Assembly Mission Council and the synod’s
flu vaccines. Working at the University of
general mission committee (1981-1984).
Pittsburgh, he played a large role in bringing
He was also a member of the Ecumenical
Jonas Salk to the University to develop the
Development Cooperative Society, now known
polio vaccine. Max received the University’s
as Oikocredit.
34
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From Steve’s retirement from Northmont in 1984 until 1996, he acted as the Beaver-Butler executive presbyter, after which he became pastor emeritus at Northmont as well as pastor for ministries of care at Cranberry United Presbyterian Church—a role he filled until
Honoring Bob Harper Posthumously with the Anderson Award
2011. In 1993, PTS recognized Steve as distinguished pastor in residence. Serving on the Seminary’s Alumnae/i Council from 1995-2009, he also chaired the World Mission Initiative’s advisory board from 1997-2000. In 2002, the Seminary honored him with the Distinguished Alumnus Award for Pastoral Service. Robert Rumer Robert “Bob” Rumer died Nov. 20, 2012, at the age of 90. A chemical engineering major, he graduated from Washington University at age 19 as a member of Phi Delta Theta and the honor societies Tau Beta Pi and Phi Kappa Theta. Bob served as a Lieutenant JG in the U.S. Navy and worked on the Manhattan Project. An industrial career eventually led Bob to Pittsburgh, where for 25 years he worked as a chemical engineer and then executive for Monsanto Company, serving as vice president and general manager of the agricultural division. He went on to work for Mobay (Bayer) Corporation for an additional 16 years. In 1985 Bob retired as executive vice president of Bayer Corporation. Bob was an active leader in the Presbyterian Church throughout his life. He served as chair of finance on Pittsburgh Seminary’s Board of Directors. In his retirement years he volunteered for FISH (community food and clothing distributor), for a time serving as its
Pittsburgh Seminary honored Robert T. Harper (1954-2012) posthumously with the John Anderson Award of Merit. Members of Bob’s family accepted the award Friday, June 1, 2012, during the Seminary’s 216th Commencement Exercises. Named for Pastor John Anderson, founding president of Pittsburgh Seminary’s antecedent school (Service Seminary, begun in 1794), the Anderson Award is bestowed by the Board of Directors on individuals who have contributed distinctive service to the Seminary and community at large. Bob served on the Seminary’s Board of Directors from 1996-2005 and spent five of those years, 2001-2006, as chairman. A shareholder with Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney in Pittsburgh, he served on the firm’s board and was vice president of administration, co-chairman of the firm’s Corporate Practice group, and chairman of the Health Law Practice group. Over the years, Bob earned a number of professional awards. He was listed in The Best Lawyers in America for Corporate Law and Health Law for 17 consecutive years. In 2010 he was named “Pittsburgh Health Care Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers, and in 2012 the publication named him “Pittsburgh Corporate Lawyer of the Year.” In 1998 he became an adjunct professor of law at the University of Pittsburgh. An active church member, Bob served the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Upper St. Clair, Pa., as legal counsel and clerk of session. He and his wife, Sue, raised two daughters, Elizabeth and Emily.
president. Panorama
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The Seminary community has been worshiping in the newly renovated chapel for more than a year now. A rededication service was held Nov. 26, 2012. We invite you to join us whenever you can! Check out additional pictures of the service and renovated space by following the QR code. Pictures are also available on Facebook.
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PTS faculty news
Meet Our New Faculty The Rev. Dr.
The Rev.
The Rev. Dr. R.
Leanna Fuller
Dr. L. Roger
Drew Smith—
brings a rich
Owens is our
co-convener of
background of
new associate
the Transatlantic
parish experience
professor of
Roundtable on
and superb
leadership and
Religion and
teaching skills
ministry. Roger’s
Race, Research
to her position
strong preaching
Fellow at the
as assistant
and pastoral
University of
professor of
leadership
South Africa in
pastoral care.
enhance his
Pretoria, and
Leanna’s stellar academic work (valedictorian
wealth of experience both as a professor
scholar-in-residence at the Leadership Center
and Phi Beta Kappa at Furman University
and a seminal thinker in the area of spiritual
at Morehouse College in Atlanta—serves
and Senior Graduate Teaching Fellow at the
formation. Coming to Pittsburgh Seminary
Pittsburgh Seminary as professor of urban
Vanderbilt Center for Teaching) bode well
from Duke Memorial United Methodist Church
ministry. With an M.Div. from Yale Divinity
for her future as a scholar and a mentor
in Durham, N.C., he teaches homiletics,
School and M.A. and Ph.D. in political science
to students and pastors alike. Leanna’s
pastoral arts, pastoral theology, and Christian
from Yale University, Drew has received
specialized research has focused on conflict in
spirituality.
many honors and awards for his academic leadership, including selection in 2002 as
the church, an increasingly challenging issue Roger received his doctorate in theology from
an Emerging Leaders Fellow by a Duke
Duke University and his master of divinity
University/University of Cape Town program
Leanna received her doctorate in religion,
(summa cum laude) from Duke Divinity
on Leadership and Public Values, and selection
psychology, and culture from Vanderbilt
School, where he has also taught. His honors
in 2008 for an Indiana Governor’s Black Expo
University, where she earned numerous
and awards include a Lilly Fellowship for
Leadership Award.
fellowships, awards, and honors, including
the Formation of a Learned Clergy and a
the Louisville Institute Dissertation Fellowship
John Wesley Fellowship, A Foundation for
Both a social scientist and Baptist clergyman,
in 2010-2011. Her dissertation bears the
Theological Education.
Drew has initiated and directed multiple
in our time.
projects related to religion and public life
title, “When Christ’s Body is Broken: Anxiety, An active scholar-author, Roger’s service to
and brought community leaders together
the wider church includes working on the
to discuss the Church’s public mission and
Leanna’s ministry experience includes serving
planning team for the General Board of
ministry. He has been active in international
as associate pastor of Oakland Christian
Discipleship UMC, and serving as secretary
community development and youth leadership
Church in Suffolk, Va., where she coordinated
both for the Lilly-funded Colloquium on
development, initially with Operation
youth ministry and Christian education
Excellence in Ministry and for the Core
Crossroads Africa during the 1980s. He
programming. Leanna also provided pastoral
Planning Group of the Lilly Endowment’s
served in 2005 as a Fulbright Professor at
care for patients as resident chaplain at
Religion Division.
the University of Pretoria and in 2009 as a
Identity, and Conflict in Congregations.”
Riverside Regional Medical Center in Newport
Fulbright Senior Specialist at Presbyterian
News, Va.
Theological Seminary in Cameroon. Drew has ministered in a number of parish, prison, and campus ministry contexts. He has also lectured in many international venues, including in Israel as part of the U.S. State Department’s Speakers Bureau.
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Moving On The Rev. Dr.
The Rev. Dr.
The Rev. Dr.
Johannes G. J.
Lisa Thompson
M. Craig
Swart, associate
joins our faculty
Barnes,
professor of
as assistant
former Robert
world mission
professor of
Meneilly
and evangelism,
homiletics, a
Professor of
brings a
position formerly
Leadership
remarkable
held by the
and Ministry
combination
Rev. Dr. Audrey
and pastor
of mission
Thompson (no
of Shadyside
experience, new
relation). With
Presbyterian
church development activity, and pastoral
a master’s and doctorate from Vanderbilt
Church, was recently installed as the
leadership in both large and small churches.
University and an M.Div. from Fuller
seventh president of Princeton Theological
With a doctorate in congregational mission
Theological Seminary—and having received
Seminary. He assumed the presidency and
and leadership from Luther Theological
a Lilly Faculty Fellowship from Vanderbilt
an appointment as professor of pastoral
Seminary, he has a unique ability to help
and a doctoral fellowship from the Fund for
ministry in January 2013. Before coming to
students and congregations think theologically
Theological Education—Lisa has the skills
Pittsburgh, Craig had filled pastorates at
about ministry in the 21st century.
to become the leading African-American
National Presbyterian Church (Washington,
homiletician of the future, according to many
D.C.) and in Madison, Wisc. Craig has
in her field.
written eight books, writes columns for
Most recently, Jannie served as pastor of
The Christian Century, and speaks widely
Second Presbyterian Church in Oil City, Pa. Jannie has both an evangelical heart and
In addition to her teaching at several schools—
on theological formation of pastors for
a love for social justice, which led him to
the Association of Chicago Theological
contemporary ministry.
participate actively as a young man in bringing
Schools, McCormick Theological Seminary,
about the end of apartheid in South Africa, his
and Vanderbilt University—she served as an
Dr. Dale C.
home country.
instructor-coach at the Academy of Preachers
Allison Jr.,
in 2010.
former Errett
As senior pastor of Fontainebleau Community
M. Grable
Church in Johannesburg, he led the Dutch
Lisa’s experience as a campus pastor at Asuza
Professor
Reformed mega-church during their post-
Pacific University has prepared her well for
of New
apartheid attempt to become more multi-
interacting with and modeling ministry for
Testament
cultural, multi-racial, and multi-lingual. Before
a wide variety of students. Deep pastoral
Exegesis
that, he led a new church development
wisdom and spiritual maturity mark her
and Early
among college students at an emerging
mentoring both in the classroom and the
Christianity,
technicon campus in Cape Town while serving
church, and she brings excitement to our
at Tafelberg Dutch Reformed Church.
campus in the areas of preaching and worship.
has become the Richard J. Dearborn Professor of New Testament Studies at Princeton Theological
.
Seminary. Dale served Pittsburgh Seminary for 16 years prior to accepting his new appointment this academic year. An internationally sought-after New Testament scholar, Dale has published more than 20 books, both scholarly and popular; served on six editorial boards; and is the main
Watch our new faculty members’ video profiles online at www.pts.edu/Faculty_Videos.
New Testament editor for Encyclopedia of the Bible and Its Reception (DeGruyter).
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faculty pts FACULT news Y news
newest PTS professors emeriti Alice Patton “Betty” Barbour Betty Barbour, wife of former Seminary President Clifford E. Barbour ’22, died March 15, 2013, at the age of 89. A 1945 graduate of the University of Tennessee in education, Betty earned her master’s in art from Columbia University, New York, in 1949. After teaching school for one year, she married the Rev. Dr. Barbour in 1950 and supported his presidency, first of Western Theological
Dr. Martha Robbins, now Joan Marshall
The Rev. Dr. John Wilson, now P. C. Rossin
Seminary (1951-1959) and then the
Associate Professor Emerita of Pastoral Care,
Professor Emeritus of Church History, served
consolidated Pittsburgh Theological
retired last summer after serving Pittsburgh
on the faculty of Pittsburgh Seminary for 29
Seminary (1959-1961).
Seminary for 27 years.
years before retiring last summer. In addition
Betty carried on this support as Dr.
The first woman in the Seminary’s history to
as vice president for academic affairs and dean
be installed into an endowed faculty chair,
of the faculty.
Barbour continued as president emeritus until his death in 1979. (The Seminary’s Clifford E. Barbour Library bears his
to his professorship, John served for six years
Martha co-founded the Pittsburgh Consortium on Faith and Health; the Spirituality and
During his tenure at PTS, his teaching focused
Psychology Program (an APA approved
on the modern (post-Reformation) period, but
program for granting continuing education
he taught all periods of church history. With
Bessie Burrows,
credits for psychologists and other mental
research interests in 19th-century hermeneutics
former Christian
health providers); and the Certificate Program
and religious thought, he authored books
education
in Spiritual Formation within the Continuing
in English and German and published
professor and
Education Department, all for which she
Introduction to Modern Theology: Trajectories
registrar at
remains an advisor and a frequent instructor.
in the German Tradition in 2007.
Seminary (1955-
Martha also founded the Pneuma Institute,
Before coming to Pittsburgh Seminary, John
1971), died
which provides educational and supervised
served as Privatdozent for church history at the
Sept. 1, 2013,
training in spiritual direction and leadership.
University of Basel and as a pastor in the Swiss
in Daytona Beach, Fla., at age 97. A
In her retirement, she is continuing to lead
Reformed Church. In retirement, he continues
native of Pennsylvania, Bessie graduated
Pneuma and to conduct workshops and fill
to write and publish.
from Geneva College (Beaver Falls, Pa.)
speaking engagements both nationally and
in 1937. In addition to her work at PTS,
internationally.
name.)
Pittsburgh
during her life she served as a mission teacher in Frenchburg, Ky.; Christian education director at Westminster Church, Des Moines, Iowa; and Geneva College registrar.
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Pastor-Scholar Honors Professor-Mentors
P
ittsburgh Seminary alums will often tell you that their time
“Under Dr. Battles’
here was shaped by the professors who taught and mentored
instruction, Calvin
them—professors known not only for their academic
became alive, and under
accomplishments, but also for the personal interest they
Marion, the writings of
take in their students. Dr. Walter Ellis, who received his Ph.D. in 1974
[Scottish theologian]
through the Pittsburgh Seminary/University of Pittsburgh cooperative
P. T. Forsyth,” he says.
Ph.D. program, looks back on a PTS professor-couple who exemplified
Marion Davis Battles was
that kind of mentoring relationship for him. To honor them, in April
herself a gifted woman—
2013 he established the Ford Lewis Battles and Marion Davis Battles
summa cum laude and
Endowment Fund at Pittsburgh Seminary.
Phi Beta Kappa at Tufts, followed by a master’s
Dr. Ford Battles (pictured right), a Rhodes Scholar and respected
from Fletcher School of
academic, is best known for his study and translations of writings by
Law and Diplomacy with
leaders of the Protestant Reformation—most notably, his translation
honors; a participant
of Calvin’s Institutes. But it was the Battles’ teaching and mentoring at
in the International
Pittsburgh Seminary that forever shaped Dr. Ellis’s life and ministry, as
Communities of Calvin
well as their warm welcome of then-student Ellis into their home. “Ford
Scholars and in the
and Marion Battles, with their daughters Nancy and Emily, soon became
charter meetings of the United Nations at the close of World War II,
not only my teachers, but also some of my closest friends. The doors to
where she specialized in human rights for prisoners of war; translator/
“The Battles’ unique combination of academic excellence and balanced scholarship, personal faith commitment, and care for students is rare, and their legacy and influence will endure long after writings that reflect the ‘flavor of the day’ are forgotten.”
their studies and to their
editor of a work on the primacy of the Gospels titled “The Fruit of
home were always open to
Lips”; and an accomplished pianist.
their students,” he recalls. “The Battles’ unique combination of academic excellence and balanced “In 1969, when I was
scholarship, personal faith commitment, and care for students is
seeking to pursue my
rare, and their legacy and influence will endure long after writings
interest in Reformation
that reflect the ‘flavor of the day’ are forgotten. My gratitude to the
studies and North
Battles—and to the Seminary for what, in retrospect, were the happiest
American church history,
years of my life—has never wavered. I am grateful to have had the
a professor at Vancouver
opportunity of honoring them through a scholarship that encourages
Theological Seminary
academic excellence in the areas of Reformed and North American
put me in touch with
history and theology,” Dr. Ellis notes.
Ford Battles, professor of church history and history
Seeking to “fill the Reformation model of the pastor-scholar,” Canadian
of doctrine. The ‘Hartford
citizen Dr. Walter Ellis taught occasional courses at Pacific Lutheran and
exiles’—Dr. Battles, Dr.
Trinity Western universities while also filling consecutive pastorates from
Robert Paul, and Dr. Dikran
1974-1991 at First Baptist Church, Tacoma, Wash.; Westmount Baptist
Hadidian—had all just
Church, Montreal, Quebec; and Fairview Baptist Church, Vancouver,
moved to Pittsburgh from
British Columbia.
Hartford [Seminary]. At that time Dr. Bob Doherty, an expert in collective biographical history, was teaching at the University of Pittsburgh, so the new cooperative Ph.D. program in religion, which Dr. Battles was influential in launching, was a perfect fit for my interest in Baptist history, sociology, and theology.”
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Faculty News and publications The Rev. Dr. John P. Burgess, James Henry Snowden Professor of Systematic Theology, recently conducted sabbatical research on “Orthodoxy and National Identity in Post-Communist Russia,” funded in large part by a Henry Luce III Fellowship in Theology. During his residency in Russia he gave interviews on Russian television, including one with Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev), Head of the Russian Orthodox Church’s Department of External Church Relations. John’s most recent publications include articles in English, German, and Russian: •
“Minority Report: Lutherans and Methodists in Russia,” Christian Century 130/20 (2013);
Encounters with Orthodoxy: How
•
Protestant Churches Can Reform Themselves Again (WJK, 2013)
“Curiosity about the Future: What Will Become of the Gospel in Eastern Germany?” (in German), epd-Dokumentation 14/15 (2013);
•
Review of Gerald J. Beyer’s “Recovering Solidarity: Lessons from Poland’s Unfinished Revolution,” Religious Studies Review 39/1 (2013); and
John P. Burgess, James Henry Snowden
•
Professor of Systematic Theology When John first traveled to Russia, he was
“Parish Life in the United States and Russia: Issues of Community and Belonging” (in Russian), in The Russian Orthodox Parish in Russia and Abroad (St. Tikhon’s, 2013).
In 2013 John presented many conference papers in national and international venues, including:
hoping to expand his theological horizons and explore the rebirth of the Orthodox
•
Church since the fall of Communism. But what he found changed some fundamental
“Religion and National Identity: Orthodoxy in Post-Soviet Russia” (Religious Identity and Politics conference, University of Michigan);
•
“The Orthodox Church in the New Russia: A Force for Political Democratization?”
assumptions about his own tradition of
(School of Slavonic and Eastern European Studies, University College London, and The
North American Protestantism. In this
McDonald Centre for Theology, Ethics and Public Life, Christ Church College, Oxford,
book, John asks how an encounter with Orthodoxy can help Protestants better see
England); •
both strengths and weaknesses of their own tradition. In a time in which North
Belgorod, and St. Tikhon’s University, Moscow, Russia); •
American Protestantism is in decline— with membership having fallen to below
“Belonging to the Church in Russia: An American Perspective” (Orthodox Seminary, “Church Unity, Heresy, and the Question of Eucharistic Fellowship” (Re-Forming Ministry Project Consultation, PCUSA Office of Theology and Worship, San Diego);
•
“Curiosity about the Future: What Will Become of the Gospel in Eastern Germany?”
50 percent of the population—Russian
(Conference on Protestant Churches in the GDR from the Perspective of the West,
Orthodoxy can help Protestants rethink
Theological Academy of the Thuringen Evangelische Landeskirche, Neudietendorf,
the ways in which they worship, teach, and spread the gospel. John considers Orthodox rituals, icons, saints and miracles,
Germany); and •
“Orthodoxy and National Identity in Post-Soviet Russia: Lessons from Patriarch Kirill’s Program of Votserkovlenie” (Luce Theological Scholars Consultation, Pittsburgh).
monastic life, and Eucharistic theology and practice. He then explores whether and
John also gives quarterly presentations in Washington, D.C., on the Orthodox Church in post-
how Protestants
Soviet Russia for the Russia/Ukraine Area Studies Program of the State Department’s Foreign
can use elements
Service Institute. His other professional leadership activities include giving church series and
of Orthodoxy to
serving as a project proposal evaluator for the Fulbright Program in Russia; Fellow of the Center
reform church life.
for Barth Studies at Princeton Theological Seminary; member of the Steering Committee of the
(See Page 4.)
Reformed History and Theology Group of the American Academy of Religion; and faculty mentor for the PCUSA’s Company of New Pastors program.
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The Rev. Dr. William J. Carl III, president and professor of homiletics, gave the plenary lecture on Studying Theology and Educating the Church at the Abraham Kuyper Center for Public Theology’s 2013 conference on Church and Academy (Princeton Theological Seminary). In May he gave a workshop on brain techniques at the Festival of Homiletics (Nashville, Tenn.), which he also presented at the Twentieth Century Club (Pittsburgh). Most recently he has taught and preached at St. Andrews-Covenant PC (Wilmington, N.C.); National PC (Washington, D.C.); First
Prayer in the Trinity (e-book, available
PC (Charleston, W.Va.); First PC (Athens, Ga.); Lake Erie Presbytery (Pa.); First PC (Meadville, Pa.);
for most e-readers through Amazon,
and Sewickley, Aspinwall, and Beulah Presbyterian churches (greater Pittsburgh).
Smashwords, and similar retailers)
President Carl also participated in the memorial Service for the Rev. Dr. Stephen Polley ’54/’59/’75
Ronald S. Cole-Turner, H. Parker Sharp
at Northmont PC, Pittsburgh, and preached the ordination services for the Rev. Melanie Kim ’12
Professor of Theology and Ethics
at First PC, Sarasota, Fla., and the Rev. Bob Ruefle ’07 at Hillcrest UPC, Monroeville, Pa. Most of us have trouble praying. Who are we to talk to God? How can our words The Rev. Dr. Leanna K. Fuller, assistant professor of pastoral care, presented “In All Things
mean anything to God? All the great
Charity: Toward a Theology of Intra-Christian Dialogue” to the Church & Christian Formation
theologians of prayer have recognized
study group at the Society for Pastoral Theology Annual Meeting in Atlanta, Ga., in June 2013.
this problem. But the New Testament is very clear in saying that Jesus Christ both prayed and continues to pray for us. On
Dr. Robert A. J. Gagnon, associate professor of New Testament, recently completed a three-part
the basis of his prayers, our prayers for
series on the Presbyterian Hymnal Controversy for the Presbyterian Layman online. He presented
ourselves and for each other are lifted
“Rise from the Dead or Play Dead?” (2013 Salt & Light in the Public Square Conference, Union
up and offered effectively on our behalf.
University, Jackson, Tenn.) and published “The Scriptural Case for a Male-Female Prerequisite
Likewise the Holy Spirit intercedes for us.
for Sexual Relations: A Critique of the Arguments of Two Adventist Scholars” in Homosexuality,
In the prayers of Christ and through the
Marriage, and the Church: Biblical, Counseling, and Religious Liberty Issues (Andrews University,
intercessions of the Spirit, God is already
2012). Over the past year he has given numerous interviews, including:
engaging us in what we experience as prayer. For this reason, we can see prayer
•
for the television station OKCFox;
as already going on—an activity we do
•
on the Lutheran Public Radio talk show Issues, Etc.; and
not initiate but are invited to join. Ron’s
•
on the Janet Mefferd Radio Show.
book explores at length the way the New Testament speaks of God and prayer.
A founding board member of the Restored Hope Network, Rob has been cited in national
Drawing on theologians from Origen to
publications ranging from Christianity Today to the New York Times.
Moltmann, it invites prayer grounded in a distinctly Christian view.
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Faculty News and publications, continued The Rev. Dr. Angela Dienhart Hancock, assistant professor of homiletics and worship, presented “Training for a Serious Game: Theo-Political Discourse as a Christian Practice” (symposium Theo-Politics? Conversing with Barth in Western and Asian Contexts, RuhrUniversität, Bochum, Germany). She lectured on: •
“Pulpit, Politics, and Pathos: Protestant Rhetoric and the National Socialist Revolution” (Department of Religious Studies Colloquium Series, University of Pittsburgh); and
Violence in Scripture (Interpretation:
•
(Thurber Lectures, The American Church in Paris).
Resources for the Use of Scripture in the Church; WJK, 2013) Jerome F. D. Creach, Robert C. Holland Professor of Old Testament
“How Then Shall We Read? Karl Barth and The Practice of Biblical Interpretation”
While in Paris, Angela also gave a radio interview on the program ACP Today: Faith Talk from Paris. The Calvin Institute of Christian Worship awarded Angela a worship renewal grant for the Pittsburgh Seminary chapel program 2013-2014. In 2012 she established a weekly Taizé service at PTS.
The Bible frequently depicts God as angry and violent, and also sometimes depicts human violence as positive or even as commanded by God. These depictions form one of the most vexing problems in approaching Scripture and in interpreting the Bible for preaching and
The Rev. Dr. R. Drew Smith, professor of urban ministry, published “North/West African Conflicts and Interfaith Interventionism,” Capital Commentary (2013). Internationally during the past year, he presented conference papers titled: •
(The Church’s Community Role in Times of Austerity [for which he served as co-
teaching today. In this volume, Jerome first examines the theological problems of violence and categorizes the types of violence that appear in Scripture. Then he wrestles with the most important biblical texts on violence to work through specific interpretational issues. This new volume will help pastors interpret those difficult texts by encouraging them to face violence in the Bible with honesty.
“Expanded Poverty, Church Ministry Distance, and Public Policy Evasions in the U.S.” convener], University of London); and
•
“Contemporary Responsiveness to Black Enslavement Past and Present: 150 Years After the Emancipation Proclamation” (Black Churches and 21st Century Captivities [again for which he served as co-convener], Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, Accra, Ghana).
Drew also led the workshop “Unearthing Global Power for Justice” (Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference in Dallas, Texas) and spoke on “Fostering Respect and Understanding Among Religions, Cultures, and Nations” (World Congress of Religions in Washington, D.C.). Among Drew’s other professional activities are his service as an external doctoral dissertation examiner for Antioch University’s Department of Leadership and Change and his conducting of dozens of urban ministry interviews on urban ministry innovators across the U.S. as part of a research grant from the Louisville Institute.
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Dr. Ron E. Tappy, G. Albert Shoemaker Professor of Bible and Archaeology and Director of the Kelso Museum of Near Eastern Archaeology, continues to direct The Zeitah Excavations field and study seasons at Tel Zayit, Israel, in the spring and summer of every year. He served as a juror for the 2012 National Endowment for the Humanities grants awarded through the William F. Albright Institute of Archaeological Research. Karl Barth’s Emergency Homiletic, 19321933: A Summons to Prophetic Witness
Ron’s recent publications include:
at the Dawn of the Third Reich (Eerdmans, •
“The Tabula Peutingeriana: Its Roadmap to Borderland Settlements in Iudaea-
2013)
Palestina, with Special Reference to Tel Zayit in the Late Roman Period,” Near •
Eastern Archaeology 75/1 (2012); and
Angela Dienhart Hancock, Assistant
“Israelite Samaria: Head of Ephraim and Jerusalem’s Elder Sister,” in Archaeology in
Professor of Homiletics and Worship
the ‘Land of Tells and Ruins’: A History of Excavations in the Holy Land Inspired by What does a theologian say to young
the Photographs and Accounts of Leo Boer (Oxbow Books, 2013).
preachers in the early 1930s, at the dawn Over the past year he presented conference papers in national and international venues
of the Third Reich? What Karl Barth did
including:
say, how he said it, and why he said it at that time and place are the subject of
• • • •
“The Trouble with Old Excavation Reports . . . And New Ones, Too?” (Biblical
Angela’s book. This is the story of how a
Colloquium, Baltimore);
preaching classroom became a place of
“The Archaeology and History of Tel Zayit: A Record of Liminal Life” (The 16
resistance in Germany in 1932-1933—a
World Congress of Jewish Studies, Jerusalem);
story that has not been told in its fullness.
“Liminal Life and the Story of Tel Zayit” (Tyndale Lecture in Biblical Archaeology,
In that emergency situation, Barth took
Triennial Conference, Northampton, England); and
his students back to the fundamental
“Abracadabra: A Writer’s Tenth-Century Toolkit” (Lanier Library, Houston).
questions about what preaching is and
th
what it is for, returning again and again He regularly teaches locally in churches and synagogues, most recently at Fox Chapel,
to the affirmation of the Godness of God,
Hiland, John McMillan, Third, Pleasant Hills Community, and Oakmont Presbyterian
the only ground of resistance to ideological
churches, as well as Temple Emmanuel, all in the greater Pittsburgh area.
captivity. No other text has so interpreted Barth’s “Exercises in Sermon Preparation” in relation to their theological, political, ecclesiastical, academic, and rhetorical context.
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Faculty News and publications, continued The Rev. Dr. Steven S. Tuell, James A. Kelso Professor of Hebrew and Old Testament, published “HWJR?” Pittsburgh Theological Journal 4/1 (2013), which he also presented as the keynote address, “HWJR: How Would Jesus Read?” at Pittsburgh Seminary’s workshop for Christian educators, Journey Inward; Journey Outward. Baker Book House has published a new edition of his commentary on Ezekiel. Steve presented several conference papers, including: Scripture and Tradition: What the Bible Really Says (Acadia Studies in Bible and Theology, 2013)
•
“The Book of Ezekiel as a Work In Progress: Indications from the Lament Over the King of Tyre (28:11-19)” (Lemadim Olam, Chicago, and, St. Andrews, Scotland, as one of 17 Ezekiel scholars invited by the International Society of Biblical Literature);
Edith M. Humphrey, William F. Orr Professor of New Testament In some of the church’s history, Scripture
•
“Between Ecclesia and Ecclesiola: Ecclesiology and The United Methodist Church” (Theology and Education Committee of Christian Associates, Pittsburgh); and
•
“Ezek 44:15-31 and Lev 21:1-22:9: Which Came First?” (Society of Biblical Literature, Biblical Law section, Baltimore).
has been pitted against tradition and vice versa. Edith Humphrey, who understands
Steve’s recent speaking engagements have included:
the issue from both Protestant and Catholic/Orthodox perspectives, revisits this perennial point of tension. She
•
of Death: Perspectives on the Afterlife,” for the Jewish and Christian Theological
demonstrates that the Bible itself reveals
Dialogue, jointly sponsored by the Agency for Jewish Learning, the Greater Pittsburgh
the importance of tradition, exploring how the Gospels, Acts, and the Epistles show Jesus and the apostles claiming the authority of tradition as God’s Word, both written and spoken. Arguing that Scripture
serving on a panel with Jewish theologian Dr. Neil Gillman on the theme, “The Death
Rabbinic Association, and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary; •
the invited lecture, “The Good Books: Diversity and Unity in Scripture” (Waynesburg University, Pa.); and
•
preaching, leading a seminar, and teaching a course in the John Templeton Foundation “Scientists in Congregations” grant program on the theme, “With All Your Heart,
and tradition are not in opposition but are
Soul, Mind and Strength: Growing an Ancient Faith in Modern Times” (Calvary PC,
necessarily and inextricably intertwined,
Indiana, Pa.).
Edith defends tradition as God’s gift to the church. She also works to dismantle rigid
In June Steve gave a WESA radio interview on “Lewis, Tolkien, and the ‘True Myths’ of Faith.”
views of sola scriptura while holding a high
He serves as United Methodist representative to the Committee on Theology and Education of
view of Scripture’s authority.
Christian Associates and as a member of the Pittsburgh District Committee on Superintendency for the UMC.
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The Rev. Dr. Edwin Chr. van Driel, associate professor of theology, published articles including: •
“Election,” in Westminster Handbook to Karl Barth (WJK, 2013);
•
“Theological Vision Statement” and “A Statement on Language,” in Glory To God: The Presbyterian Hymnal (WJK, 2013);
•
“The World is About to Turn: Retelling the Story of Jesus Eschatologically,” Call to Worship 46.4 (2013); and
•
“The New Translation of the Heidelberg Catechism: A Work of Love” (with George Hunsinger), in The Presbyterian Outlook (online ed.; Jan. 31, 2013).
Edwin’s recently presented conference papers include:
Abba, Give Me a Word: The Path of Spiritual Direction (Paraclete, 2012) L. Roger Owens, Associate Professor of Leadership and Ministry With a style and warmth of presentation that will remind readers of Henri Nouwen’s
•
• • •
“To Know Nothing Except Jesus Christ, and Him Crucified: Supralapsarian Christology
most popular work, Roger’s book
and the Cross” (The Foolishness and Wisdom of God: Reconsidering 1 Corinthians
interweaves his personal stories of struggle
1-2, University of Geneva, Switzerland);
and transformation with reflections on the
“Analytic Theology, the Academy, and the Church” (Fifth Annual Logos Workshop in
history and purpose of spiritual direction.
Philosophical Theology, Center for Philosophy of Religion, University of Notre Dame);
The result is a wise introduction to an
“‘Salvation History’ vs. ‘Apocalyptic Invasion’: A Theological Analysis” (Galatians and
ancient art and practice of “soul care”
Christian Theology Conference, University of St. Andrews, Scotland); and
directed at Christians of all backgrounds.
“How the New Interpretation Can Enrich Reformed Theology: On Justification
“This is a guide for those eager for a
and Eschatology” (Creation, Conflict, and Cosmos: A Conference on Romans 5-8,
serious yet joyful journey from isolation
Princeton Theological Seminary).
to communion. It is about companionship on the greatest journey anyone can
He has also spoken on “The Making of a Hymnal: The Theological Story of Glory to God” (PAM
undertake. It is about kindness in the
Hymn Festival and Workshop) and “The Future of the Church” (Pittsburgh Clerics) at Pittsburgh
old sense of the word,” says Alan Jones,
Theological Seminary, with the latter talk also given at a PTS reception at the General Assembly
dean emeritus of Grace Cathedral, San
of the PCUSA; and “Into his Marvelous Light: The Future of the Church,” a series of three
Francisco.
keynote lectures (California Small Church Conference, Manteca, Calif.).
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Andrew Purves Installed as Jean and Nancy Davis Professor of Historical Theology
O
n November 12, 2013, Pittsburgh Seminary was pleased to install the Rev. Dr. Andrew Purves as the first Jean and Nancy Davis Professor of Historical Theology. The inauguration of this new faculty chair, established last spring, was made possible by identical twin sisters who partnered in their bequests to
provide a substantial gift to Pittsburgh Seminary. “The inauguration of the Jean and Nancy Davis Chair of Historical Theology is an important event for the future of PTS. It emphasizes the Seminary’s continuing commitment to teaching and scholarship for the church,” said Purves. “I am honored to be the first person installed into this position and am grateful to the Seminary for recognizing my work as a theologian/teacher in the church of Jesus Christ.”
From Every Mountainside: Black Churches
A native of Edinburgh, Scotland, Andrew received a Th.M. from Duke Divinity School and
and Civil Rights Beyond the Southern
a Ph.D. from the University of Edinburgh. Ordained by the Philadelphia Presbytery in 1979,
Movement (SUNY Press, 2013)
he pastored Hebron Presbyterian Church, Clinton, Pa., until 1983, when he joined the Seminary’s faculty. Andrew has published eight books and many articles, both academic and
R. Drew Smith, ed., Professor of Urban
popular.
Ministry Jean and Nancy Davis were lifelong Pittsburghers who died within four months of each It has become popular to confine
other at age 97—Jean in October 2012, and Nancy in February 2013. Neither one ever
discussion of the American civil rights
married, and they lived their entire lives in a red-brick house built by their father on South
movement to the mid-20th-century South.
Braddock Avenue in Pittsburgh’s East End. Their modest lifestyle allowed them to steward
Drew’s book contains essays that treat
a substantial inheritance from their parents, who had held the distribution franchise for the
the subject as an enduring topic yet
laundry whitening detergent La France.
to be worked out in American politics and society. Essays point to the multiple
Both sisters attended Pittsburgh’s Winchester Thurston School. Jean graduated from Mount
directions the quest for civil rights has
Holyoke College in Massachusetts and also earned a degree in music from the University
taken, into the North and West, and into
of Michigan. She served with the USO in Germany and for a short time headed the music
policy areas left unresolved since the end
department in the Tarentum schools. Nancy graduated from the Pennsylvania College for
of the 1960s, including immigrant and
Women, now Chatham University. She served with the WAVES in the U.S. Navy and for
gay rights, health care for the uninsured,
several years worked as a secretary at Westinghouse’s Bettis facility.
and the persistent denials of black voting rights and school equality. In exploring these issues, the contributors shed light on distinctive regional dimensions of African American political and church life that bear in significant ways on both the mobilization of civil rights activism and the achievement of its goals.
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Celebrating the Lives and Mourning our Loss of Professor Bob Kelley and His Wife, Ruth The entire Seminary community is remembering with fondness the Rev.
While serving as minister of education at a local church, Bob was called
Dr. Robert L. Kelley Jr. ’51, who died Oct. 30, 2013, just four months
to the Seminary as a part-time instructor in homiletics and language
after his beloved wife and life’s partner of more than 60 years, Ruth
study. He was then elected by the Synod to be a full-time member of
Anne Jacob Kelley, died on June 28. Ruth was a graduate of Wilson
the faculty. Bob went on to earn his Th.M. from Princeton Theological
College, a Presbyterian-affiliated liberal arts college in Chambersburg,
Seminary and Ph.D. from Princeton University, and later Tarkio College
Pa.
(Missouri) honored him with a D.D.
“A remarkable teacher and
From 1955-1997 Bob taught principally
energetic, attentive pastoral
in the area of New Testament. In 1990
mentor, Bob had an astonishing
he became the first occupant of the G.
impact on his students as he
Albert Shoemaker Chair of Bible and
lived out his vocation to be
Archaeology, and upon his retirement the
our Barnabas, the encourager
Seminary granted him emeritus status.
(Acts 4:36),” noted the Rev. Dr. Andrew Purves, Jean and Nancy
In addition to his service at Pittsburgh
Davis Professor of Historical
Seminary, Bob was well known
Theology at PTS. Bob was 85 at
for his preaching and teaching in
his death.
churches—over the years, he served 20 congregations as an interim pastor.
Bob dedicated his life to teaching
After “retiring,” Bob filled an interim
and preaching the gospel of
position in the Seminary’s admissions
Jesus Christ. He served Pittsburgh
office and taught for two years in
Theological Seminary with a
the Miller Summer Youth Institute.
joyful heart throughout his more
He served six years on the Alumnae/i
than 63 years of service. With
Council and a three-year term on the
the motto, “Jesus first, Others
Board of Directors as the alumnae/i
second, Yourself last—JOY,” he
representative. In 2000, Bob received the
offered hope and encouragement
Seminary’s Distinguished Alumnus Award
to students, colleagues, and
for outstanding service in academia.
congregations alike.
Honorably retired from the PCUSA, he continued to be active in the Pittsburgh Presbytery by serving on the
People were drawn to Bob because he “learned your name—and never
Pastors Encouraging and Listening (PEAL) team.
forgot it,” said the Rev. Carolyn Cranston ’99, director of alumnae/i and church relations at PTS. “He paid attention. He listened, he affirmed,
The Rev. Phillip Germaine ’56, remembering with fondness the years Dr.
he guided, he respected, and he celebrated not only his students, but
Kelley helped him through the world of Koiné Greek, commented, “I’m
also every member of the Seminary community. Most of all, Dr. Kelley
so grateful for Bob’s patience and lively spirit throughout all the years I
prayed and continued to pray for a very long list of people.”
knew him.”
Bob earned an honor scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh
In 2012, the Seminary began raising support for The Rev. Robert L.
and completed his course work in three years. In 1948 he entered
Kelley Jr., Ph.D., Scholarship to honor Bob’s legacy. More information
Pittsburgh-Xenia Theological Seminary, where he won the Thomas
about the scholarship is available at www.pts.edu/Gifts_of_
Jamison Scholarship and graduated summa cum laude.
Memory_Honor. Panorama
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alumnae/ i news
Births and Adoptions To Lori D’Angelo ’02 and her husband, Jamie Smith, a son, Michael Xavier, born July 3, 2013. To Erica Alderdice Birkner ’04 and her husband, David, a son, Alexander Alderdice Birkner, born July 1, 2012. He joins his brother, Christian. To Barbara Hines Kennedy
To Caroline Sunquist Becker ’06 and Tim
To Rich Kinney ’07 and his wife, Christianna,
‘04 and her
Becker ’07, a daughter, Hosanna, born Sept.
a daughter, Maranatha Dawn, born June 30,
husband, Ed,
15, 2013. She joins big brothers Luke and
2013. She joins siblings Shaddai Elizabeth and
a son, Josiah
Samuel.
Richard Paul II.
July 4, 2013. He
To Matt ’06 and Alyssa Bell ’11, a daughter,
To David Koehler ’07 and his wife, Emily, a
joins big sister,
Theresa Joy, born Feb. 28, 2012.
daughter, Grace, and a son, Joshua. They join
Moore, adopted
Sonia.
siblings Ian and Sarah. To Anna Parkinson ’07 and her husband, David, a daughter, Theresa Ann (granddaughter
To Jim Keener ’05 and his wife, Jennifer, a
of John Dyke ’10), born July 7, 2012.
son, Cooper Augustine, born Dec. 12, 2012. He joins siblings Dorea Grace and Jameson Noble.
To Jonathan Ellegood ’06 and his wife, Jennifer, a daughter, Leah Karis, born Sept. 18, 2012. She joins her brother, Caleb.
To Chris Brown ’08 and his wife, Eileen, a daughter, Rebekah Catherine, born Jan. 4, 2013. To Kate Lockard Snyder ’05 and Joshua Snyder ’07, a daughter, Willow Rae, born March 19, 2013.
To Keith Kaufold ’07 and his wife, Monica, a daughter, Malea Marie, born Sept. 20, 2012. To Hyeon Gu Lee ’08 and his wife, Myung Ae Yoo, a son, San Jun (English name: Caleb), born March 19, 2013.
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To Benjamin Glaser ’09 and his wife, Brandy,
To James Estes ’10 and his wife, Lindsey, a
To Chris Dericks ’11 and his wife, Nicky,
a son, Owen Darwin (grandson of Joanne
son, Simeon Isaac, born July 28, 2013.
a daughter, Norah Christine, born Feb. 23,
Glaser ’09 and nephew of Elizabeth Glaser
2013.
Troyer ’08), born Nov. 27, 2012. To Doug Holmes ’09 and his wife, Kate, a daughter, Nathalie, born May 31, 2012.
To Kevin Starcher ’10 and his wife, Chrissy, a son, Levi David, born Aug. 31, 2012.
To Bethany Harbaugh ’11 and her husband, Matt, a son, Daniel Matthew, born Feb. 8, 2013.
To Nadia Buzzelli Mullin ’09 and her husband, Mike, a son, Caleb, born Feb. 25,
To James Salyers ’12 and his wife, Anna, a
2013.
son, Elias Edward, born May 31, 2013. James received his S.T.M. diploma in absentia so that
To Chad Bogdewic ’10 and his wife, Patricia,
he could welcome Elias at his birth.
a daughter, Eliyana Grace, born March 21, To Katie Mohr Scott ’12 and Will Scott ’12,
2012. To Peter Ahn ‘11 and his wife, Joy, a To Mike
a daughter, Elinor Jane, born Sept. 14, 2013.
daughter, Aria YaeJin, born Sept. 11, 2013.
Holohan ’10 and his wife, Marianne, a son, Finn Giovanni, born April 27, 2013. To Aimee ’11 and Charles Cotherman ’12, a
To Jane Anabe ’13 and her husband, Joaquin
daughter, Anneliese Faith.
(now a Pittsburgh Seminary student), a daughter, Irene Rose, born May 3, 2013. She joins her brother, Isaac.
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alumnae/ i news
Marriages Calvin Fahrion ’58 to Barbara R. Fleming on
Nathan Leslie ’10 to Mary Kay Joynson on
June 12, 2011.
Oct. 20, 2012.
Woody Meredith ’75 to Donna Foster on
Ryan E. Pixton ‘10 and Deborah Boersma on
June 30, 2013.
May 14, 2011.
Anita Killebrew ’98 to the Rev. Ralph R. Herbert on Feb. 18, 2012. They serve together at Great Bridge PC, Chesapeake, Va. Charlie Hamill ‘12 to Bethany on June 23, 2013.
Allen Thompson ’08 to Kelsey Martin on June 30, 2012.
Caitlin Rohrer ’10 to Steven Werth ’09 on April 27, 2013. Jeff Eddings ’08 officiated. Andrew Wirt ’10 to Katherine Marie on Aug. 10, 2013. Katie Mohr ’12 to Will Scott ’12 on June 16, Zachary Morton ’11 to Meaghan Cochrane Elizabeth (Beth) Arnold ’10 to John
2012.
on Aug. 20, 2011.
Creekpaum ’10 on March 10, 2012. Amanda Hoover ’10 to Matthew Grubbs ’13 on June 8, 2013. Pittsburgh Seminary Alumnae/i Director Carolyn Cranston ’99 officiated. The wedding party included Helen Darsie ’08, P. J. Pfeuffer ’12, and Sam Monte ’12. Alex Nelson ’12 to Kristy Leitze on July 28, Tai Brown ’12 to Sean Courtemanche on Aug. 4, 2012.
2012. Anthony Hita ’13 to Megan Schwemer on June 22, 2013.
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Ordinations, Installations, and Appointments Craig Kephart ’88 was installed as Executive
Carolyn Cranston ’99 gave the pastoral
Carl A. Hendrickson ’09 was ordained and
Presbyter of Washington Presbytery, Pa.
charge.
serves the Springdale Lutheran Church, West Sunbury, Pa.
Ralph Cotton ’89 and his wife, Lori Holstein
Rebecca Cartus ’06 was presented for
Cotton ’92, moved to Florida to begin new
ordination by The Federation of Christian
appointments. Ralph serves the Alva UMC and
Ministries. Participants included Walt
Lori the Hope UMC, Cape Coral.
Pietschmann ’90, Anne Keller ’03, Thomas Bodie ’06, and Stuart Broberg ’90.
Steve Morse ’89 was appointed pastor of Greensburg First UMC, Pa.
Arnie McFarland ’07 was appointed pastor of Calvary UMC, Somerset, Pa.
Jeffrey Vayda ’93 was installed as pastor of Bob Ruefle ’07 was ordained as a Teaching
Edwin Brinklow ’10 was ordained as a
Elder in the PCUSA. Participants included
Teaching Elder and is pastor of Dakota
Debra Rogosky ’98 was appointed to the
William Jay Geisler ’99, John Creasy
Community PC, Ill.
United for Christ Charge in the Washington
’06, Jeff Tindall ’07, Kevin Long ’07, and
District of The UMC.
President Bill Carl. Bob is pastor of Cheswick
Matthew J. Campion ’10 was ordained as
PC, Pa.
Minister of Word and Sacrament and is pastor
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Lubbock, Texas.
Cristen Decious ’99 was appointed to the Minburn UMC, Iowa.
of Emmanuel UPC, Eighty Four, Pa. Carrie Benton ’08 was ordained as a Teaching Elder in the PCUSA. She is a
Elizabeth (Beth) Arnold Creekpaum ’10
Keith McIlwain ’00 was appointed pastor of
temporary associate pastor at the Community
was installed as pastor of Sandy Lake PC, Pa.
Slippery Rock UMC, Pa.
of Reconciliation Church, Pittsburgh.
Ellen Campbell Gardner ’02 was installed
Barry Givner ’08 was installed as pastor of
Elder in the PCUSA at Hampton UPC, Pa.
as the first female pastor of Bethpage PC,
First Baptist Church, McDonald, Pa.
Participants included Ted Martin ’12 and
Julia Fenn ’10 was ordained as a Teaching
Brian Wallace ’06. Julia is an associate pastor
Kannapolis, N.C. Janice Holmes ’08 was ordained as a
at Hampton UPC.
Mark Whitsel ’04 was installed as pastor
Teaching Elder in the PCUSA. Participants
of Pleasant Hills Community PC. Participants
included Darrell Knopp ’76, Clara Brown
Nathan Leslie ’10 was ordained and is pastor
included Betty Angelini ’09 and Alumnae/i
’00, Judy Slater ’91, Maxine Jenkins ’02,
of First PC of Bessemer, Pa.
Director Carolyn Cranston ’99.
Sue Washburn ’12, and Donald Polito ’09.
Jennifer C. Young-Thompson ’04 was
Janice is pastor of the Olivet Church, West
Renee Mikell ’10 was appointed to the West
Elizabeth, Pa.
Newton First UMC and the Madison UMC. She
installed as pastor of First PC of Port St. Lucie, Fla.
is the first female and first African-American Henry A. Pearce ’08/’12 was installed as
pastor to lead the West Newton Church.
pastor of Medina PC, Ohio. Michelle Wahila ’05 was installed as an
Susan Mullin Moudry ’10 was ordained at
associate pastor of the American Church
Grant Sutphin ’08 was ordained and is
the Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference
in Paris (France). Angela Hancock, assistant
associate pastor at First PC, Statesville, N.C.
of The UMC. Serving as sponsors were Susan’s sister-in-law, Nadia Buzzelli Mullin ’09,
professor of homiletics and worship at PTS, preached.
Jill Terpstra ’08 was installed as pastor of
and Steven Tuell, James A. Kelso Professor of
St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Elgin, Ill.
Hebrew and Old Testament.
Robert Walkup ’05 was installed as pastor of
Participants included Joseph Heddon ’97
Baldwin UPC, Pittsburgh. Alumnae/i Director
and Deirdre Hainsworth, assistant professor of ethics. Panorama
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alumnae/ i news
Ordinations, Installations, and Appointments, continued Ryan E. Pixton ’10 was installed as associate
Charlie Hamill ’12 was ordained to the
Melissa Morris ’12 was ordained as Minister
pastor for children and youth at the Fox Valley
diaconate. He is assistant rector of Christ
of Word and Sacrament in the PCUSA. She
Presbyterian Church, Geneva, Ill.
Episcopal Church North Hills, Pittsburgh.
serves in a temporary pastoral relationship at
Andrew Wirt ’10 was ordained as Minister
Heidi Helsel ’12 was appointed pastor of
of Word and Sacrament in the PCUSA and
Central/Riverview UMC Charge, Western
Thomas A. Phillips ’12 was commissioned at
installed at Stewartstown PC, Pa.
Pennsylvania Conference.
the Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference
Riverview PC, Pittsburgh.
of The UMC. He is associate pastor at Trinity Nathan Carlson ’11 was ordained at the
UMC, Oil City, Pa.
Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference of Jordan Rimmer ’12 was ordained as a
The UMC and is serving McKnight UMC.
Teaching Elder and is pastor of Westminster Bethany Harbaugh ’11 was ordained as
PC, New Brighton, Pa.
Teaching Elder in the PCUSA. She is associate pastor for children’s ministries at Elfinwild PC,
Brian Sandell ’12 was appointed youth
Glenshaw, Pa.
minister of St. Paul’s UMC, Chambersburg, Pa.
Zachary Morton ’11 was ordained as Minister
Sally Henry ’12 was ordained as a Teaching
Katie Mohr Scott ’12 was ordained as
of Word and Sacrament in the PCUSA. He is
Elder in the PCUSA and installed as pastor of
Minister of Word and Sacrament. She is
associate pastor for young adults at First PC of
Sardis PC, Linden, N.C.
chaplain, congregational liaison for mission
Manhattan, Kan.
partnership, and volunteer coordinator at Westminster Neighborhood Ministries, Indianapolis, Ind. Will Scott ’12 was ordained as Minister of Word and Sacrament. He is a Lake Fellow Resident Pastor at Second PC, Indianapolis, Ind.
Donna L. Johnson ’12 was ordained as Michael Spicuzza ’11 was ordained as a
Minister of Word and Sacrament and installed
Teaching Elder in the PCUSA. He is pastor of
as pastor of Laboratory PC, Washington, Pa.
Third PC, New Castle, Pa. Melanie Kim ’12 was ordained as Minister of Laura Stone ’11 was ordained and is
Word and Sacrament and installed as associate
temporary pastor of UPC, Slatington, Pa.
pastor of First PC of Sarasota, Fla.
Jarrod Caltrider ’12 was appointed pastor of
Sam Monte ’12 was ordained as a Teaching
Kathleen Shirey ’12 was ordained as Minister
Sandyville and Independence UMC, Sandyville,
Elder in the PCUSA and is pastor of Covenant
of Word and Sacrament in the PCUSA. She is
W.Va.
PC, Wellsville, Ohio.
pastor of Community UPC, New Alexandria, Pa.
Jon Draskovic ’12 was ordained as a Teaching Elder in the PCUSA. He is associate pastor at First PC, Great Falls, Mont.
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Scott Dennis ’13 was ordained. Participants included Andrew Purves, Jean and Nancy Davis Professor of Historical Theology; James Davidson ’02; and Carolyn Cranston ’99, alumnae/i director. Jonathan George ’13 was appointed pastor of Canal Fulton UMC, Ohio. Sharon Stewart ’12 was ordained as a
Anthony Hita ’13 was appointed to the
Janice Reed ’13 was ordained as a Teaching
Teaching Elder in the PCUSA. Participants
Stahlstown UM Charge, Pa.
Elder in the PCUSA. Participants included
included Mark Whitsel ’04, Andrew Purves,
James Legge ’67, Sharon Stewart ’12,
Jean and Nancy Davis Professor of Historical
William Jackson ’13 was ordained as a
Jordan Rimmer ’12, Sue Washburn ’12,
Theology, Betty Angelini ’09, Brenda
reverend in the Progressive National Baptist
Beverly James ’81, Alumnae/i Director
Barnes ’07, Carolyn Cranston ’99, alumnae/i
Convention. Participants included John Welch
Carolyn Cranston ’99, Marsha Parrish ’12,
director, James Davison ’69, Carol Divens-
’02 (vice president of student service and
Donna Johnson ’12, Kathleen Shirey ’12,
Roth ’85, James Kirk ’08, Jay Lewis ’96,
dean of students), De Neice Welch ’04, Eric
student Jake Horner, Board member Sheldon
Marsha Sebastian ’99, Jeff Tindall ’07, and
McIntosh ’12, William Zachery ’12, and
Sorge, and adjunct professor Peter deVries.
Board member Sheldon Sorge. Sharon serves
current Pittsburgh Seminary student Bobby
Janice serves Clarkson PC, Rogers, Ohio, and
in a temporary pastoral relationship at Crafton
James Smith.
New Waterford PC, Ohio.
UPC, Pittsburgh. Gregg Stierheim ’12 was appointed pastor of Brasher Falls UMC, Upper New York Conference. Heather Stierheim ’12 was appointed pastor of First UMC Massena, Upper New York Conference. Elaine R. Loggi ’13 was ordained as Minister Andrew Tennant ’12 was appointed pastor
of Word and Sacrament and installed as
of Benton’s Ferry UMC, Fairmont, W.Va.
pastor of First PC, Fairfax, Mo. Participants included Edwin van Driel (associate professor of theology), Laura Blank ’13, and Jane Anabe ’13. Joel Montgomery ‘13 was ordained as a Teaching Elder in the PCUSA and installed at First PC in Vandalia, Mo. His wife, Janis ‘13, and mother, Sue Sterling Montgomery ‘77, are also PTS graduates.
Dan Turis ’12 was ordained as a minister of the Reformed Church in America and serves as
Eric Oliver ’13 was appointed to the
pastor of Good Samaritan Church, Gahanna,
Evangelical, Elgin, McCray, and Wayne Valley
Ohio. Andrew Purves, Jean and Nancy Davis
UM churches, all of which are in Corry, Pa.
Professor of Historical Theology, preached. Panorama
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alumnae/ i news
Retirements Ruth Doyle ’67, honorably from the PCUSA.
F. David Throop ’71, honorably from the
Robert J. Rogers ’75, honorably from the
She remains on the pulpit supply list for the
Los Ranchos Presbytery and named pastor
Philadelphia Presbytery.
Genesee Valley Presbytery, N.Y.
emeritus of Placentia PC, Calif.
John Free ’68, as pastor of The UPC, Ingram,
Douglas J. Tracy ’71, honorably from the
Pa., following 44 years of ministry. He served
Lake Huron Presbytery. He currently serves as
churches in Beaver Falls, Erie, and Pittsburgh,
Stated Clerk for the Synod of Lincoln Trails.
Pa., and Athens, Ohio. Anthony Barta ’72, honorably from the Paul E. Anderson ’69, honorably from
Western Kentucky Presbytery and named
Oaklands PC, Laurel, Md.
pastor emeritus of First PC of Hopkinsville, Ky.
Bob Eckart ’69, honorably from the Central
John Becker ’72, honorably from Lake Huron
Presbytery. Having begun ordained ministry in
Florida Presbytery.
Presbytery.
1976, his retirement concluded more than 11
Gary B. Collins ’70, honorably from the Los
Charles Best ’72, honorably from the Carlisle
Immanuel United, and McKeesport PCs since
Ranchos Presbytery.
Presbytery. He serves in a temporary pastoral
2001. Earlier he served Emlenton-Nicklesville
relationship at Great Conewago PC, Dillsburg,
Yoked Churches (1976-1988), Apollo United
Pa.
(1989-1997), and Blairsville United (1997-
Darrell Knopp ’76, from the Pittsburgh
years of ministry in McKeesport, Pa.—Central,
Carl (Bud) Engstrom ’70, honorably from the Grand Canyon Presbytery.
2001). He considers his greatest joy the birth Ed Brown ’72, honorably from the Miami
Dale Sewall ’70, honorably from the Seattle
John H. Milne ’76, honorably from the
Presbytery. James Gordon Cramer ’72, honorably from Elizabeth Y. Anderson-Domer ’71,
of his granddaughter, Mya.
Valley Presbytery. Monmouth Presbytery.
the Ohio Valley Presbytery. R. Scott Flaherty ’79, honorably from the
honorably from the Elizabeth Presbytery. Richard Anschutz ’73, honorably from the
Geneva Presbytery.
John F. Dietz ’71, honorably from the Lake
Beaver-Butler Presbytery after serving 31 years
Erie Presbytery.
as pastor of First PC, Parker, Pa.
Byron McElroy ’80 from the pastorate.
J. Robert Gray ’71, honorably from the Scioto
Nancy J. B. Clark ’73, honorably from
Kenneth Moe ’80, honorably from Grand
Valley Presbytery.
National Capital Presbytery.
Canyon Presbytery.
David M. Kilgore ’71, honorably from the
Frank E. Heller ’73, honorably from the
Bill Hess ’84, honorably from Donegal
Geneva Presbytery.
Beaver-Butler Presbytery.
Presbytery. He is interim pastor at Central PC,
Jerry Kuyk ’71, honorably from the
David E. Jackson ’73, honorably from the
Whitewater Valley Presbytery.
Miami Valley Presbytery.
Howard A. Newman ’71, honorably from
Carol S. Brown ’75, honorably, after more
the Shenandoah Presbytery.
than 37 years of ordained ministry—eight
Robert C. Murdock ’90, honorably from
years as pastor of Garrard and Manchester
Lackawanna Presbytery.
Downingtown, Pa. Nancy Duff Chambers ’85, honorably from the Seattle Presbytery.
David G. Persons ’71, honorably from the
Presbyterian churches, Clay County, Ky., and
Western New York Presbytery.
29 years as assistant/associate pastor at First
Jan C. Olowin ’91, after a distinguished
PC, Stroudsburg, Pa.
career as a monsignor in the Erie Catholic
Ed Steinmetz ’71, honorably from the
Diocese. During his career, in addition to
Missouri River Presbytery.
serving as a parish pastor and a campus
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Panorama
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class notes 1950s
Robert E. Bell Jr. ’58 was named pastor
Holiness by Pope John Paul II and received the Director of the Bureau of Prisons Award
Donald Andrews ’53 was named pastor
Presbytery, N.J. Bob has advancing dementia.
for “outstanding pastoral care to staff and
emeritus by Trinity PC, McKinney, Texas
minister, he was named chaplain to His
emeritus by Lakehurst PC, Monmouth
Donald R. Dawson’s ’58 wife, Dottie White
inmates” from the U.S. Department of Justice Andy Carhartt ’54, dually ordained
Dawson, died March 30, 2012. They were
Presbyterian/Episcopalian, serves two
married more than 55 years. Their wedding
Meredith Patterson ’91, from her service as
congregations in Boulder, Colo.: PC of the
was conducted in Mercer by another
organist, chancel choir director, and bell choir
Apostles, and St. John’s Episcopal. Andy and
Pittsburgh-Xenia graduate, H. Walter White
director at Westminster PC, near Greensburg,
Jinny, both World War II vets, celebrated their
’54, Dottie’s brother.
Pa.
66th wedding anniversary in 2012. Their oldest
in Washington, D.C.
Aland Smith ’91, honorably from Hillside PC,
of five children, John Forrest Carhartt, died in
Elwyn L. Tedford’s ’58 wife died Dec. 23,
Maui, Hawaii, Aug. 10, 2012, at the age of 65.
2011. He and Marilyn Law Tedford were
Greenville, Pa.
married in the Seminary’s chapel in 1958. Paul Salansky’s ’54 wife, Betty Jo, died Sept.
Sherry Sparks ’95, honorably from the
20, 2012.
Pittsburgh Presbytery.
Bruce Henderson ’59 and his wife, Karen, moved to Bristol Village Retirement Community,
Kenneth Bailey’s ’55 new book, Paul
Waverly, Ohio. Recently they were in Egypt,
Thomas Topar ’96, serving in retirement as
Through Mediterranean Eyes: Cultural Studies
where Bruce taught at the Evangelical
pastor of four churches near Punxsutawney,
in 1 Corinthians (InterVarsity Academic) was
Theological Seminary in Cairo. They continue
Pa.: Marchand, Sportsburg, North Point, and
named the 2012 “Outstanding Book in the
providing scholarship aid to Sudanese students
Porter UM.
Field of New Testament” by Christianity Today.
in both Sudan and in Egypt.
Lee Clark ’97, honorably.
Charles W. Holsinger’s ’55 wife, Nancy, died.
Bill Paul ’59 received the second annual
Donna Hess ’97, honorably from Redstone
Robert Denny ’56 and his wife, Betty, have
Outstanding Mission Service and Support at a
Presbytery.
two boys and two girls, all serving their
dinner during the annual McClure Lectures.
World Mission Initiative Award for
congregations; nine grandchildren, and three Anne Bump ’99, from the Sacred Order of
great-grandchildren.
Priesthood in the Episcopal Church. John Harland ’56 is pastor of congregational Jay Hollinsworth ’02, honorably from the
1960s William Huson ’60 is pastor emeritus at Park
care at Calvin PC, Tigard, Ore.
Avenue UMC, Johnstown, Pa.
Robert G. Bolt ’57 celebrated the 55th
Randy Rice ’60 is pastor emeritus of the
anniversary of his ordination.
United Church of Lincoln, Vt., where he and
Pittsburgh Presbytery. Eleanor Williams ’07, after 30 years of teaching in the Pittsburgh Public School
his wife, Sue, have lived for nearly 25 years.
District. A special education teacher and co-
George Mehaffey ’57 is chair of the Civil
founder of Parents Against Violence, in 2012
Discourse Committee of the Columbus
John D. Sharick ’60 is spending his retirement
Eleanor was named one of 50 “Women of
Metropolitan Church Council to coordinate
years doing visioning, organizational, and
Excellence” by the New Pittsburgh Courier.
efforts with the University of Arizona, The
conflict-management consulting with
University of Akron, and Johns Hopkins
organizations around the country.
University in dealing with controversial issues. The effort, begun in Tucson in 2011, now
Bob Gruber ’61 and his wife, Charolene,
operates as the National Institute of Civil
moved from their Hot Springs, N.C., home of
Discourse.
30 years to Douglasville, Ga., to be close to family.
Panorama
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alumnae/ i news
class notes, continued 1960s,
continued
Ed Sensenbrenner ’62 has partially come out of retirement at the age of 80! He is now
William N. Jackson ’61 is interim pastor of
preaching two Sundays a month at Hoge
Westmont PC, Redstone Presbytery, Pa.
Memorial PC, Columbus, Ohio, where he also provides pastoral care and moderates the
Gordon Kunde ’61 earned a master’s in
session. Ed grew up in Hoge Memorial and
agriculture from Penn State University and
was ordained there in 1962.
served a term as a missionary in Brazil under the PCUSA, then worked for 30 years as an
John (Jack) Francisco ’63 was diagnosed
agribusiness and economic development
with lung cancer in July 2011. After
Larry Dunster ’66 and his wife, Susan,
consultant and manager, primarily in Africa
undergoing radiation and chemotherapy, he
celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary
and Latin America. Since 2007 he has been
had surgery in March 2012. He recuperated
in 2012 by taking their family to London,
a part time pastor to the First PC of Umatilla,
at home in Blowing Rock, N.C., and is now
Paris, and Dunster, England, and returning to
Fla.
“cancer free.”
America on the Queen Mary 2. Larry serves as a Sunday supply in Trinity Presbytery. He and
Charles Olsen ’61 co-authored Discerning
Bill Smith ’64, while retired, is serving as
his wife continue to lead study groups to the
God’s Will Together: A Spiritual Practice for
a volunteer chaplain with Toledo Fire and
Holy Lands and Europe in addition to group
the Church (reissued by the Alban Institute)
Rescue. He sings with Masterworks Chorale,
travel to Alaska, South America, and Russia.
with Danny Morris.
performing three concerts a year. Bill is a member of Ohio Passenger Rail, which
Dennis Haines ’66 and his wife, Donna,
Bruce E. Bryce ’62 recently published a
advocates for rail passenger and light rail
celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary
collection of pastoral essays titled “Grandpa’s
services, and also preaches occasionally.
in 2012 by visiting Rome and taking a
Code,” in which he writes a personal letter
Mediterranean cruise.
to his grandchildren that shares with them a
Charles Dickinson ’65 is retired in Boston.
lifetime of common-sense faith.
His is involved with Massachusetts Council of
Susan Becker Peterson ’67 recently visited
Churches, the Massachusetts Bible Society, The
Russian churches with the Faithful Women
Burton Froom ’62 celebrated his 50th
Boston Theological Society, and the Institute
Tour through Outreach Foundation. She noted
anniversary of ordination as a PCUSA minister
for Reformed Theology.
how much they do with smaller congregations
in July 2012. His daughter, the Rev. Rebecca
to serve the needs of children and families.
Froom, graduated from Harvard Divinity
John A. Toth ’65 and his wife, Nancy, fulfilled
School and was ordained as a Unitarian-
a bucket list dream trip in December 2011.
Universalist minister.
They took their children and grandchildren
Bill Green ’62 recently published two
Robert E. Singdahlsen’s ’67 wife, Julie, died.
back to their birth place, the Panama Canal
Bill Weckerly ’67 teaches college part time in
Zone.
Florida and recently offered courses in world
booklets: Pastoral Musings, 43 brief articles on
religions and contemporary ethics.
varied subjects, and Traversing the Labyrinth:
Bob Cassell ’66 is moderator of the
Caring for Yourself While Caring for Someone
Association of Presbyterian Interim Ministry
Donald P. Wilson ’67 was featured in an
Else, a primer for persons engaged in long-
Specialists and, as an honorably retired
Oct. 18, 2012, article of the Greene County
term caregiving.
member of Los Ranchos Presbytery, continues
Messenger. The article covered a speech Don
to provide support and consultation to
gave at Waynesburg University on the Rev.
Wesley Poorman ’62 and his wife, Janice,
congregations in southern California during
John Witherspoon, a Presbyterian minister
have lived in a Presbyterian continuing care
times of interim ministry.
who signed the Declaration of Independence.
community in Bethlehem, Pa., since summer 2011, having moved from their retirement
Bruce Mounts ’68 was featured in The Daily
haven in Saylorsburg, Pa.
News on Oct. 27, 2012, commemorating the 40th anniversary of his service to Amity PC, Dravosburg, Pa.
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Panorama
alumnae/ i news
Hannah Paik ’68 has moved to Korea with
Douglas J. Tracy ’71 received the 2012 Life
Edward Lowrey ’75 was featured in The
her husband, Dong Soo. Both have been
Achievement Award from The Association of
News-Herald May 18, 2013, as he celebrated
teaching and publishing there.
Presbyterian Church Educators. A teaching
50 years of service to the Episcopal Church,
elder and certified Christian educator in
having been ordained at his home parish,
Steven Washburn ’68 occasionally serves
the PC, Doug teaches Polity and Worship
Trinity Memorial Episcopal Church, Warren, Pa.
as supply preacher in local pulpits for the
in the PCUSA at McCormick Seminary. He
He has been vicar of The Memorial Church of
Southern Kansas Presbytery.
has served as adjunct faculty at Austin and
Our Father for more than 25 years.
Princeton seminaries and was on the faculty R. Eldon Trubee ’69, honorably retired,
of Ecumenical Theological Seminary, Detroit,
R. Michael McDowell ’75 is interim pastor at
serves as temporary supply at First PC, Dalton,
from which he retired as associate professor of
First PC, Mooresville, N.C.
Ohio. He is also a parish elder in Muskingum
Christian education in 2010. Bob Koschik ’76 is temporary supply for First
Valley Presbytery and a chaplain at Pomerene Hospital, Millersburg, Ohio.
Norman Dalton ’72 and his wife, Leah,
PC of Boston, McKeesport, Pa.
became great-grandparents in April 2012. George Ward ’69 received The Queen
At Amelia Plantation Chapel, Amelia Island,
Mark Dalbey ’78, fifth president of Covenant
Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for
Fla., Norm chairs the worship committee and
Theological Seminary, St. Louis, Mo., began
Distinguished Volunteer Community Service
preaches occasionally, and they both sing in
his service there in May 2013. He was formally
in Canada in 2012. The citation honored
the praise chorus.
installed Sept. 27, 2013.
Jud Dolphin ’72 welcomed a new grandson
Barry Dawson ’78 left this fall for Bangkok
to the world March 30, 2013—Max William
to assume regional responsibilities for the PC
1970s
Dolphin, born to Max and Renee Dolphin.
mission partnerships in nine countries.
Eduardo O. C. Chaves ’70 was recently
Kenneth H. Yount ’72, a professor of political
appointed, for a second time, coordinator of
science and history at Alderson-Broaddus
1980s
the UNESCO Chair in Education and Human
College, received the Outstanding Faculty
Russell Duncan ’80 is pastor of Christ the
Development at the Ayrton Senna Institute in
Member of the Year Award in 2012. The
King Fellowship, Spencer, N.Y.
Sao Paulo, Brazil.
award recognizes excellence in teaching and
George’s 30 years of work supporting families in grief and/or struggling with addictions.
student service. Bill N. Lawrence ’71 was named pastor
Catharine McCloskey-Turner ’80 and her husband, Mark, returned to Michigan after
emeritus by the First PC of Martins Ferry, Ohio.
Don McKim ’74 was named a 2012
spending nearly two years in Shanghai, China.
Bill served as pastor for 29 years before retiring
Distinguished Alumnus at Westminster
Their first grandchild was born in December
in 2008. Since then, he has served as stated
College, New Wilmington, Pa. He recently
2012.
supply of the Two Ridges Church, Wintersville,
published several new books: Living Into
Ohio. He and his wife, Linda, live at Atwood
Lent (Witherspoon), a guide to reflection
Byron McElroy ’80 retired but continues as
Lake, Mineral City, Ohio.
on discipleship and Christianity over the
owner/co-director of Seeds of Hope Farm in
Lenten season, and Coffee With Calvin: Daily
eastern Ohio, with his wife, Mary. They offer
Howard A. Newman ’71 and his wife,
Devotions (Westminster John Knox), a glimpse
spirituality events, clergy R & R, Christian
Marilyn, are enjoying retirement. They
into the theology of John Calvin broken into
nurture, and family ministry.
purchased a home in The Villages, Fla., and
small sections for daily reflection. Beverly James ’81 is Pittsburgh Presbytery’s
plan to spend five months there, six months in Fishersville, Va., and one month in their fifth-
Randall Frost ’75 published “Thinking
associate minister for discipleship. Read more
wheel trailer in Zelienople, Pa.
Systems in Pastoral Training,” a chapter in the
about Beverly on page 5.
book, Bringing Systems Thinking to Life. John D. Rickloff ’71 is honorably retired and serving as the interim pastor of First PC of Jeannette, Redstone Presbytery, Pa.
Panorama
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alumnae/ i news
class notes, continued 1980s,
continued
Graham Standish ’88 published “What kind
Bruce Ballantine ’94 is interim pastor of First
of gun would Jesus carry?” in the Pittsburgh
PC, Wooster, Ohio.
Robson Ramos ’81 lives in Brazil and has
Post-Gazette on March 3, 2013. The article
published O Sequestro do Rolo Sagrado (The
argued that more Christians should look to
John Dalles ’94 was commissioned to write
Kidnapping of the Sacred Scroll), a fictional
Jesus’ example when considering the issue of
a hymn for the surprise 40th anniversary-of-
book about the church. His first book,
guns and their ownership.
ordination celebration for Glenn Doak ’72,
Evangelização no Mercado Pós-Moderno
held by the congregation of The First PC of
(Evangelization in the Postmodern World), was
Gary Fuss ’89 wrote a new book, The
Athens, Ga., which he has served since 1996.
published in 2008. He is also working toward
Joshua Accounts (Xulon, 2012). Gary seeks
The hymn is titled “We Are Your People God,
a law degree.
to encourage readers in their journaling,
Who Pray.” Pittsburgh Seminary president Bill
praise, study of the Word, prayer, and belief in
Carl was the guest preacher. Another of John’s
miracles.
hymns, “Now Is the Time to Speak,” won the
Dan Hrach ’83 is pastor of Summit PC, Stafford, Va.
2012 Macalester Plymouth United Church
1990s
Hymn Contest.
Walt Pietschmann ’90 is temporary pastor at
Kenneth Osborne ’94 is interim pastor at
Bethesda UPC, Elizabeth, Pa.
Churchville PC, Baltimore Presbytery, Md.
University of Dubuque, was appointed as
Edward Bowen ’91 is pastor of Bates
Scott Wilson ’95/’12 serves as interim pastor
an ex-officio member of the Iowa Economic
Memorial PC, Huntington, W.Va.
of Mt. Hebron PC, Ellicott City, Md.
David Mayo ’83 is pastor of First PC, Marietta, Ga. Jeffrey Bullock ’85, president of the
Development Authority Board. Bill Parker ’91 was featured on March 19,
Jay Lewis ’96 is temporary pastor at Mt.
Jim Richards ’85, pastor of First PC, Cape
2012, in a Daily American article about a
Hope Community PC, Penn Hills, Pa.
May, N.J., was recently named to the board
revival Bill led in Johnstown, Pa.
of the not-for-profit equity professional East Lynne Theater Company.
Steven Satterfield ’96 is chaplain at Fort Bill Walker ’91 is pastor of Sykesville PC,
Carson Hospital, Colo.
Wrightstown, N.J., whose MANNA Ministry Lori Ruff-Schmalenberger ’85 is interim
serves more than 2,100 people from 11 food
Rob Marrow ’97 serves Cross Roads PC,
director of children’s ministries at Tustin PC,
pantries. MANNA transports food and goods
Monroeville, Pa., which recently sponsored
Calif.
gathered from businesses to those in need,
God’s Great Earth Summer Day Camps for
including victims of Hurricane Sandy.
preschool and elementary age students.
School, Duluth, Minn. He also teaches
Michael Frencher ’92 was elected bishop
Jim Yearsley ’97 is pastor of Village PC,
Introduction to Christian Theology, 21st
in the AME Zion Church at the General
Tampa, Fla.
Century Spirituality, and Religious Perspectives
Conference in Charlotte, N.C. Prior to his
on Health Care Ethics as an adjunct professor
election, Michael was pastor of Trinity AME
John Culp ’98 is pastor of Fort Square PC,
at the College of St. Scholastica.
Zion Church, Greensboro, N.C.
Quincy, Mass.
Wayne Blaser ’88 is interim pastor at
Fred Soberg ’93 is a temporary pastor for
Tom LeGrande ’98 is pastor of Augusta
Westminster PC, Bradenton, Fla.
Venice PC, Washington Presbytery, Pa.
Heights Baptist Church, Greenville, S.C. He
Cynthia I. Jackson ’88 chairs the Hunger
John Zingaro ’93 wrote Susan Nelson,
instruction at Gardner-Webb University. Tom’s
Fund Ministry of Pittsburgh Presbytery and
the Life and Influence of a Feminist
published dissertation is titled “Connecting
serves on Amos 5:24. She also serves on
Theologian. For a copy, contact John at 6309
the Dots: A Case Study Examining the Impact
the Expansion Team, North Hills Table, and
Saint Marie St., Pittsburgh, PA 15206.
of Service Learning.”
Lon Weaver ’86 is chaplain at Marshall
completed his doctorate in curriculum and
St. Brendan’s Pennsylvania Interfaith Impact Network.
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alumnae/ i news
Jo Ramsey ’99 is temporary associate pastor
John Welch ’02, vice president for student
Cyndi Bloise ’06 serves Center Avenue UMC,
at East Union PC, Cheswick, Pa.
service and dean of students at PTS,
Pitcairn, Pa. Her passions are the church’s
continues to be recognized in the Pittsburgh
Circles (anti-poverty) Initiative, for which
Patricia Sharbaugh ’99, assistant professor of
Post-Gazette for his work as a member of
they received an expansion grant, and New
theology at St. Vincent College, was one of 50
the Community-Police Working Group in
Beginnings (alternative worship).
Catholic theologians invited to participate in
Pittsburgh. Elizabeth Broschart ’06 is pastor of First PC
a conference on “The Intellectual Tasks of the New Evangelization.” The new evangelization
Anne Woodman-Howe ’02 published
is directed toward people who were baptized
Coming Home: The Congregational Choice
or even confirmed, but on whom the gospel
to Live in God’s Amazing Grace in 2013. The
Mary Browne ’06 is a chaplain and clinical
message has had little impact, and those who
book urges and enables congregations to
pastoral education supervisor at the South
live in historically Christian nations but have no
make Jesus the center of their congregations.
Texas VA Hospital, San Antonio.
of Boyne City, Mich.
relationship with the church. Frank Harmon ’03 is associate pastor for
Helen Kester ’06 is pastor of Highland Park
Merle Timko ’99 welcomed her new
youth, children, and their families at Pinnacle
PC, Lewistown, Pa.
grandson, Levi James Landis, born to Michelle
PC, Scottsdale, Ariz. Chad Martin ’06 published “God-as-Potter:
and Jim Landis, Aug. 31, 2012. Jim Steiner ’04 is interim pastor of Hillcrest
Creativity and a Theology of Art-Making”
2000s
UPC, Monroeville, Pa.
in the Spring 2012 issue of Conrad Grebel
Jeri-Lynne Bouterse ’00 is serving as interim
Anita Stuart-Steva ’04 and her husband,
master’s thesis at Pittsburgh Seminary. Chad
pastor at Riverdale UPC, Moon Twp., Pa.
Patrick, welcomed their new grandson, John
is associate pastor of Community Mennonite
Patrick Anderson, into the world.
Church of Lancaster, Pa.
B. De Neice Welch ’04 is involved with the
Ann M. Osborne ’06, associate minister for
Northside Christian Health Center to increase
congregational care at Highland PC, Lancaster,
Carmen Cox Harwell ’01 serves St. Mark’s
understanding of and access to hospice care
Pa., was awarded her D.Min. (in spirituality
PC, Beachwood, Ohio.
among African-Americans in the greater North
and aging in worship) from United Theological
Side community of Pittsburgh. An article in the
Seminary, Dayton, Ohio. Ann supports 750
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette highlighted her work.
retired members of the 1,500-member
Review. The article derives mainly from his
Marie Brown ’00 is now in her tenth year as pastor of the First Baptist Church, Crafton, Pa.
Jeanine Haven ’00 serves First PC of Wyoming, New York.
congregation. Eugene Blackwell ’05 was featured in the
Wendy Keys ’00 is temporary pastor of
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for his work with
Jeff Paschal ’06 is pastor of Guilford Park
Swissvale PC, Pa.
the Homewood Renaissance Association in
PC, Greensboro, N.C., and was selected
building safe space for teens.
as Town Square Columnist for the News &
Steve Russell ’01 was inducted into the
Record Newspaper of Greensboro. The first
Edinboro University Athletic Hall of Fame in
Kim Viehland ’05 was interim pastor at
of Jeff’s monthly columns focused on biblical
2013. He is regarded as one of the finest
Mifflin Avenue UMC from February to July
interpretation. He is using the venue to share
defensive backs in Edinboro’s football history
2012. She is now caregiver for her mother,
the gospel with a larger audience.
and was named to the university’s all-time
who has Alzheimer’s. Kim sings in the church
team.
choir and serves as secretary for the church
Brenda Barnes ’07 is temporary associate
council and Wilkinsburg Community Ministry.
pastor at Sewickley PC, Pa., where she works
Jay Hollinsworth ’02 is interim pastor for McKeesport PC, Pa.
with Sewickley’s pastor, Kevin Long ’07. Deborah Warren ’05 received a grant from the Louisville Institute, a Lilly Endowment-
Derek Campbell ’07 serves Living Stones
Norman (Chips) Koehler ’02 and his wife,
funded program based at Louisville Seminary.
Resources, a non-profit equipping everyday
Jan, celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary
As pastor of Second UPC, Wilkinsburg, Pa.,
disciples in Altoona, Pa. For more information
in 2013.
she studied “Intentional Team Ministry:
or to support this ministry, contact Derek at
Enjoying God Together.”See page 5.
dvpcampbell@gmail.com. Panorama
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class notes, continued 2000s,
Janice Good ’08 and her husband, Charlie,
Zak Lantz ’09 is editor of The Punxsutawney
became proud grandparents when Charles
Spirit. He began working as a sports writer at
David Koehler ’07 co-chairs a steering
Stephen Good—“Little Charlie,” son of David
the west-central Pennsylvania newspaper in
committee starting a Rwanda Partnership
and Sarah Good—arrived on Nov. 27, 2012.
2012.
continued
Mission Network. Joseph (Blake) Hudson ’08 is serving as
Don Polito ’09 is serving as temporary pastor
Catherine Craley ’07 is pastor of Round Rock
associate pastor of Eastminster PC, Marietta,
of Liberty PC, Liberty Borough, Pa.
PC, Mission Presbytery, Texas.
Ga.
Chris Davis ’07 is pastor of Grace PC, Beaver
Janice Krouskop ’08 is executive director
Connellsville PC, Pa. A member of Redstone
Dam, Wis.
of the Scenic City Women’s Network,
Presbytery’s Council, she has served on the
Chattanooga, Tenn. A former SCWN board
Finance Committee and as Moderator.
Suzanne Zampella ’09 is pastor of
Keith Kaufold ’07 is part of a team working
member, Janice has a passion for marketplace
to help revitalize the congregation of
ministry and the Network’s mission to
Homestead PC, Pa. See page 21.
encourage, equip, and energize today’s
2010s
Christian working women.
Chad Bogdewic ’10/’13 serves a three-point
April Leese ’07 is working with the staff
charge: Fairmount UMC, West Finley, Pa.;
of Stony Point Center, N.Y., mostly on the
Hyeon Gu Lee ’08 is pursuing a doctorate
Nineveh UMC, Pa.; and Union Valley UMC,
computer and hosting groups, but also in the
in intercultural studies at Asbury Theological
Graysville, Pa.
kitchen and gardens.
Seminary. The dissertation topic is building long-term partnerships through short-term
Robin Craig ’10, determined to make a
Sarina Meyer ’07 is interim director of lay
missions, and he is doing his field research in
difference and to help others after the 2008
and continuing education at The Presbyterian
Korea and Sri Lanka.
suicide of her son, Josh Williams, presented
College, Montreal. Emily Miller ’07 is associate pastor of
testimony on Nov. 14, 2012, to the Ohio Ben Libert ’08 is pastor of Highland UPC,
Senate Education Committee in support
Newport, Pa.
of legislation that would mandate suicide
The Church of the Covenant, Washington Presbytery, Pa.
prevention education for Ohio educators. She Matthew Rich ’08 is pastor of Reid Memorial
has also written “Faith-filled Responses to
PC, Augusta, Ga.
Suicide” and “Care for Suicide Survivors” for
Martha Neba-Mbandi ’07 received a
The Huffington Post. She is serving as pastor
doctorate in instructional management and
James Riggins ’08 is serving a two-year
leadership from Robert Morris University.
mission assignment in Thailand teaching
Martha began serving her first call, to Mosaic
English. He works with Christian Volunteers in
John Creekpaum ’10 is interim pastor at Cool
Community Church in 2012. In Cameroon,
Thailand. Follow James on his blog at www.
Spring PC, Mercer, Pa.
she hopes to implement the educational and
movesofgod.wordpress.com.
funding models she developed as a pilot project for other low-income nations.
of Nankin Federated Church, Nankin, Ohio.
James Estes ’10 is associate pastor of mission Andrew L. Weber ’08 is settled minister of
and outreach at First PC, Tulsa, Okla.
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Newark, James Purdie ’07 is pastor of St. Basil
Del.
the Great Mission, Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese, Poquoson, Va.
Melissa S. Goodman ’10 is temporary pastor at Dayton Glade Run PC, Dayton, Pa.
Randi Henderson ’09 is the pastor of UPC, Keokuh, Iowa.
Deborah Saxe ’07 and her husband are
Amanda Hoover Grubbs ’10 serves in a children’s ministry position at Korean UPC,
starting a Disciples of Christ church in
Doug Holmes ’09 is pastor of First PC,
Westerville, Ohio.
Albion, N.Y.
Gibsonia, Pa. Cinda Isler ’10 is pastor of Hebron PC,
Carrie Benton ’08 is designated pastor at
Jeffrey W. Jones ’09 is pastor of Harmony
Mountain Lakes PC, Seeley Lake, Mont.
UPC, Harrisville, Pa.
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Clinton, Pa.
alumnae/ i news
Eric Laverentz ’10, senior pastor of The PC
John S. Dunlop ’12 is dean and professor
Peter John Spiro (Hon. Colonel) ’12 was
of Stanley, Overland Park, Kan., wrote a new
of liturgics and theology at St. Herman
honored by local dignitaries, family, and the
book, Is Caesar Our Savior? Why Only The
Theological Seminary, Kodiak, Alaska.
community of St. Athanasios Greek Orthodox
Church Can Keep Any Nation Free (www. iscaesarsavior.com).
Church, Aurora, Ill., on June 17, 2012, at St. Wray Fanton ’12 is associate pastor of
Athanasios Church.
Sherman Community Church, N.Y. Lisa Renee Sayre ’10 serves on the leadership
Sue Washburn ’12 is pastor of Reunion
team of Shalom: A Peace Church Community
James Graham ’12 is senior pastor of Valley
of Brother Francis and Sister Clare, a
View Bible Church, Paradise Valley, Ariz.
Presbyterian Church in Mt. Pleasant, Pa. Jane Anabe ’13 is director of children’s
Mennonite church in Pittsburgh. She is also studying to become a certified registered
David Grissom ’12 is rector of St. Alban’s
and family ministry at Newlonsburg PC,
nurse.
Anglican Church, Murrysville, Pa. He and his
Murrysville, Pa.
wife, Linda, have four children. David Sutherland ’10 is moderator of the 139 General Assembly of the PC in Canada. th
Jason Clapper ’11 finished his second year
Woodrow Dixon ’13 is pastor of Jubilee Michael Haddox ’12 is director of ministries
Fellowship Christian Reformed Church, St.
at Meridian UPC, Butler, Pa., where Stephen
Catharines, Ontario, Canada.
Franklin ’09 is pastor. See page 20. Matt Fricker ’13 is director of youth ministry
at Lavonia PC, northeast Georgia, and started a doctor of ministry program at Columbia
Peter Jackson ’12 is rector of Saints Theodore
Theological Seminary.
Orthodox Church, Williamsville, N.Y.
Gabriel Crawford ’11, formerly on
Nancy Klancher ’12, assistant professor
InterVarsity staff, was confirmed in the Roman
of philosophy and religion at Bridgewater
Catholic Church on the feast day of John the
College, Va., received her Ph.D. from
Daniel Isadore ’13 is a ministry liaison
Baptist.
Pittsburgh Seminary in cooperation with the
between The Pittsburgh Experiment and the
University of Pittsburgh.
Coalition for Christian Outreach.
Wall Street Journal on May 19, 2013, about
Eric McIntosh ’12 is deacon-in-charge at St.
Chelsea Leitcher ’13 is in a two-year chaplain
embracing a second career as a clergyperson
James Episcopal Church, Pittsburgh.
CPE residency program at the San Diego VA
at First PC, San Antonio, Texas. Matthew Grubbs ’13 serves at Korean UPC, Gibsonia, Pa.
Kathy Dain ’11 was interviewed in the
after leaving a first, more lucrative career.
Hospital, Calif. Alex (Scott) Nelson ’12 works for the Tri-
Chris Dericks ’11 is associate pastor for family
Cities Chaplaincy as part of his practicum
Judith Tobias ’13 is pastor of First Hungarian
ministries at First PC of Murrysville, Redstone
for the master’s in social work degree he is
Reformed Church of Homestead, Pa.
Presbytery, Pa.
pursuing.
B. T. Gilligan ’11 serves Harrisville UMC, near
Scott Pitz ’12 is project manager for The
intern for 1001 Worshiping Communities and
Grove City College, Pa.
Kingsley Association in the Larimer area of
is now a chaplain resident at Wellspan Health/
Pittsburgh.
York Hospital, York, Pa.
Minh Towner ’13 served as a summer 2013
Christine March ’11 is ministering through Laketon Heights UMC, Pittsburgh.
Anthony Richardson ’12 is head chaplain of Highland Park Care Center, Pittsburgh.
Doug Marshall ’11 is interim pastor of John McMillan PC, Bethel Park, Pa. Charles (Charlie) Cotherman ’12 is a doctoral student at the University of Virginia.
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alumnae/ i news
In Memory J. Davis Illingworth ’42
Richard Eyster Sigler ’52
Sun City, Ariz.
Mechanicsburg, Pa.
Jan. 12, 2013
Aug. 18, 2013 Survived by Heather McLaughlin
Robert L. Caldwell ’44
Sigler ’95
Cedar Rapids, Iowa Feb. 15, 2012
Richard S. Smilie ’52 Knoxville, Tenn.
Harold J. Walker ’44
Sept. 23, 2013
Washington, Iowa July 30, 2012
M. Edgar Datesman ’53 Bedford, Pa.
Alfred Spotts The Rev. Dr. Alfred L. Spotts ’44 died April 16, 2013, at the age of 93. Retired pastor of Sterling Kansas United Presbyterian Church, he was named as pastor emeritus in 2002. Sterling College awarded him an honorary doctorate in divinity in 2000. Alfred is pictured here holding the Bible that he started using during his seminary days at Pitt-Xenia.
T. Donald Black ’45
Dec. 31, 2012
Jenkintown, Pa. Feb. 16, 2013
Marjorie C. Elgin ’53 Kent, Wash.
James W. Pollock ’45
July 11, 2012
Washington, Iowa
Survived by Vernon G. Elgin ’52
April 14, 2013 Thomas M. Hutt Jr. ’53 J. Claude Gould ’46
Menasha, Wisc.
Land O’Lakes, Fla.
April 23, 2009
May 27, 2012 Wayne L. McCoy ’53 Peter Van Lierop ’49
Dayton, Ohio
Bensenville, Ill.
Dec. 21, 2011
July 28, 2012 Don F. Pierson ’53 William P. Barker ’50/’79
DeKalb, Ill.
South Wellfleet, Maine
Sept. 11, 2010
July 8, 2012 John M. Rock ’53 Thomas M. Cummins Jr. ’51
Valparaiso, Ind.
Pittsburgh, Pa.
June 14, 2012
Sept. 17, 2013 Francis Thom ’53 Robert L. Kelley Jr. ’51
Scottsdale, Ariz.
Pittsburgh, Pa.
May 30, 2013
Oct. 30, 2013 Robert R. Cunningham ’54 Charles W. Neu ’51
Tulsa, Okla.
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Dec. 22, 2011
Aug. 16, 2010 Charles Ray Fenton ’54 Robert S. Humes ’52
Chanhassen, Minn.
Oakmont, Pa.
Aug. 1, 2012
June 17, 2012
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alumnae/ i news
John D. Mellinger ’54
Thomas J. McLaren ’57
Margaret S. Yingling ’65
Molly O’Mega Brown ’87
Germantown, Tenn.
Erie, Pa.
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Perry Township, Pa.
Nov. 26, 2012
Dec. 16, 2012
Oct. 26, 2012
Aug. 6, 2012
Stephen L. Polley ’54/’59/’75
Ernest B. Murphy ’57
Robert J. Huck ’68
Rick Dean Vesely ’87
Cranberry Township, Pa.
Navarre, Ohio
Waverly, Ohio
Traer, Iowa
Feb. 13, 2013
Sept. 27, 2011
Aug. 3, 2012
July 17, 2012
Merle E. Strohbehn ’54
William E. Johnson Sr. ’60
Jack R. Moon ’68
Kathryn Irish Filer ’88
Stillwater, Minn.
Grandview, Mo.
Cutler Bay, Fla.
Oil City, Pa.
Dec. 28, 2012
Nov. 20, 2012
April 16, 2010
March 2, 2012
Norris Lee Cook ’55
Richard S. McConnell ’60
Glendora B. Paul ’68
Henderson, Nev.
Clarence, N.Y.
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Carol Edre Lynn ’89
Oct. 30, 2012
Nov. 15, 2012
Oct. 23, 2012
Gibsonia, Pa.
John G. Evans ’55
Marion W. McCoy ’60
Harvey G. Throop ’68
Edwardsville, Ill.
Charleston, S.C.
San Diego, Ca.
Thomas Wayne Jackson ’90
Feb. 23, 2012
March 16, 2013
Sept. 19, 2012
Beverly, W.Va.
John (Jack) B. Hawes Jr. ’55
Richard M. Cromie ’61
Philip Bell Jr. ’71
Orange City, Fla.
Matthews, N.C.
Memphis, Tenn.
John Stanton (Stan) Bell ’97
Dec. 16, 2012
Feb. 9, 2013
April 9, 2013
Feranandina Beach, Fla.
Charles E. McCloskey ’55
Edwin Carl Carlson ’62
Walter Wynn Kenyon ’74
Livonia, Miss.
Butler, Pa.
Jackson, Miss.
Murphy J. Hickerson ’98
June 16, 2012
June 22, 2013
Feb. 13, 2012
Canonsburg, Pa.
Charles M. Fullinwider ’56
David L. Heyser ’63
Thomas C. LeClere ’74
Roswell, N.M.
Duluth, Minn.
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Randall V. Boyer ’08
April 6, 2012
Feb. 11, 2013
June 23, 2012
McMurray, Pa.
Philip M. Hastings Jr. ’56
Alfred C. Horn ’63
Gerald L. Fennell ’76
Bangor, Maine
Lafayette, Ala.
Youngstown, Ohio
Nuhu Siman ’09
March 5, 2012
March 26, 2013
May 22, 2013
Taraba State, Nigeria
Robert Wilson Marsh ’56
John B. McLaren ’63/’68
Susan Shira Nilsen ’77
California, Md.
Elmira, N.Y.
Bridgeville, Pa.
Dec. 4, 2012
Nov. 18, 2012
July 15, 2013
Irene Hays Turnmire ’56
David L. Barrett Sr. ’64
Charles D. Moore ’81
Spokane, Wash.
Waynesburg, Pa.
Elizabeth Township, Pa.
June 1, 2012
Dec. 29, 2012
March 31, 2013
James E. Wigley Jr. ’56
Fitz Allen John ’65
James Leo Armstrong ’87
New Wilmington, Pa.
Palm Bay, Fla.
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Feb. 29, 2012
Sept. 20, 2005
May 3, 2012
Survived by Joe Filer ’88
Sept. 28, 2011
July 14, 2011
March 29, 2012
May 9, 2012
Feb. 21, 2012
July 1, 2011
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alumnae/ i news
The Rev. Drs. Gary and Judy Angleberger, John S. McMillan Society Members Division. While serving in Brazil as a delegate to the World Council of Churches, she was elected one of 150 delegates on the WCC’s Central Committee. Also a leader in the PCUSA, prior to retiring Gary served as a pastor for 18 years (14 of those years in the First PC of Granville, Ohio), consultant with the General Assembly’s Major Mission Fund, and then as associate executive of the Synod of the Trinity for Communication and Stewardship, as well as a volunteer regional representative of the Theological Education Fund, which raises money for the denomination’s seminaries. Gary and Judy strongly affirm their Presbyterian tradition of providing well educated ministers (Teaching Elders) for the local church. And they’ve promoted the value of education among their family members and congregants. “It is, therefore, quite natural that when we arranged for the disposition of our assets in the light of our values, we included our seminaries [PTS for Judy, and Union-New York for Gary] in our planned giving.” This year with the Presbyterian Foundation, the Anglebergers are establishing the Angleberger Scholarship at Pittsburgh Seminary through a charitable remainder trust, in addition to providing funds to Union Theological Seminary, N.Y. Gary comments that Pittsburgh Seminary is special to them because Partners in ministry as well as in marriage, the Rev. Drs. Gary and
PTS prepared Judy for the ordained order of Teaching Elder. That
Judy ‘96 Angleberger recognize the principle of Christian stewardship
position has been a source of great joy over her more than 15 years
as important to the nurturing of the Church. So they’ve put a lot of
as a pastor. Judy’s ties to PTS extend beyond her status as a graduate,
thought into how best to steward their own resources.
however—for five years she served as the Seminary’s associate director for development and director of planned giving. That role made her
“In our homes of origin and in our church life, we learned to see our
all the more aware of the importance of planned gifts for ensuring the
resources of time, abilities, and money as gifts from God to be used in
Seminary’s educationally excellent preparation for ministry.
Christ’s mission to the world through his Church. As we grew older and benefitted from the estates of our parents, as well as investments of our
Gary and Judy sum up their decision to include the Seminary in their
own, we realized that the privilege of Christian stewardship extends to
estate plan by noting: “When we came to Western Pennsylvania some
our accumulated assets—that the guideline of the biblical tithe should
32 years ago, colleagues who were graduates of Pittsburgh Seminary
guide our planned giving as well as our current giving,” they note.
offered us their Christian support and friendship. They invited us to participate in PTS’s continuing education opportunities, various lecture
Pastor of Steffin Hill PC in Beaver Falls, Pa., Judy has served the church
series, and Alumnae/i Days events. Through those activities and Judy’s
in a number of additional leadership capacities. She has represented the
theological studies, Pittsburgh Seminary has played an important part
Beaver-Butler Presbytery on the General Assembly Council (now PMA)
in our Christian life—and we want the Seminary’s educational and
of the PCUSA and chaired the denomination’s World Wide Ministries
spiritual impact to continue into the future.”
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Investing for Silken Communities
A
few months ago the new Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
Today, many resources in our society are being redirected to economic
website went live at www.pts.edu. Refreshed and made
development—a very worthy cause, since people need jobs to support
easier to navigate, the site now provides new, user-friendly
their families and to prosper. But jobs are only one aspect of what
tools for our graduates, students, prospective students,
makes communities vital and whole. Many others, such as education,
and friends.
effective governance, and good housing are also necessary components of a thriving community. And as Christians we recognize that the most
One carryover feature of the site consists in our online Gift Catalog,
important strand for holding the fabric of society together consists in a
which includes student and faculty profiles; the history of endowed
community’s spiritual health, its people’s relationship with the Lord.
faculty chairs, student scholarships, and important lectureships; and links to supporting programs, such as the World Mission Initiative,
Without the ministry of the gospel of Christ, we are left with “burlap
Metro-Urban Institute, Kelso Museum of Near Eastern Archaeology,
societies” at best. But when gospel ministry is present and active
and The Zeitah Excavations. You will find the catalog at www.pts.edu/
in a community to support Christian values, families, finances, and
Gift_Catalog.
decision-making, communities of fine silk emerge. It is such “silken communities,” characterized by forgiveness and the grace of Christ,
The online Gift Catalog also illustrates the needs met by financial
that graduates of Pittsburgh Seminary help to weave.
gifts of specific amounts, so that in it you can learn how your gift to PTS makes a direct impact for Christian ministry—ministry through
So I encourage you to check out our online Gift Catalog. Why not
our students, our faculty, our graduates, and our entire Seminary
invest today in the Christian leaders of tomorrow who are preparing for
community as we partner in pursuit of our mission of preparing
Spirit-led service at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary?
Christian leaders for global ministry. These men and women are passionate about their call to share the good news of Jesus Christ—and to do so with grace undergirded by the necessary education, in and out of the classroom, for reaching an increasingly secular culture.
Thomas J. Pappalardo is the vice president for advancement and marketing.
The PTS Gift Catalog tells you about: Gifts that help Students Gifts that strengthen Academics Gifts in Honor or Memory Gifts that enhance our Mission Planned Gifts
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67
NON-PROFITORG. ORG. NON-PROFIT USPOSTAGE POSTAGE US PAID PAID PITTSBURGH,PA PA PITTSBURGH, PERMIT#1438 #1438 PERMIT
The PTS 220-Year s t r
etch
2 x $20K
220 hours starting 2/20 at 2:20 p.m. Watch for news about The PTS 220-Year Stretch —coming soon to a mailbox near you!