Aware Magazine | Winter 2020

Aware A Quarterly Publication of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary

Aware WINTER 2020 3 | Presidential Perspective

4 | Rise to the Challenge: Meet the Entering Class of 2019

10 | Rev. Dr. E. Byron (Ron)

Anderson Named

Associate Dean of

Institutional and

Educational Assessment 11 | Cutting Edges: Institutional

and Educational Assessment

12 | Lieutenant Commander

Jennifer Hill Anderson Endows Scholarship at Garrett-Evangelical

14 | The Installation of Rev. Dr.

Mai-Anh Le Tran as

Academic Dean 15 | Stein Day Established

at Seminary 15 | 19 Alumnae Contribute

to New Book

Aware magazine is published

quarterly by the offices of development and marketing and communications for alums and friends of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, a graduate school of theology related to The United Methodist Church with an ecumenical outreach.

Dear Alumni and Friends of Garrett-Evangelical: Just as we were finalizing the articles for the winter issue of Aware, we received word that Dr. Lallene J. Rector will be transitioning out of the presidency at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, effective August 1, 2020. The magnitude of this announcement made us discuss whether we should change the focus of this issue. After much discussion, we decided to stay the course, and here’s why.

The winter issue of Aware remains a favorite, both for us, as the editorial board, and for our readers, because we feature some of our newest seminarians. Their courage to say “yes” to God’s call is to be commended, and we love to tell their stories. The student feature embodies our mission at Garrett-Evangelical. It’s a mission that has sustained our work throughout 28 presidencies and principals, beginning with President John Dempster in 1853.

For those of you who receive our emails and for those who were able to listen to the 2020 Town Hall, you have heard the news and are aware of President Rector’s need to transition out of this role to care for loved ones with serious health matters. For those who are reading this news for the first time, we want you to know of this transition now and would encourage you to read the news release on the seminary’s website, Garrett.edu.

The time to celebrate all that has been accomplished under the presidency of Rector will come. For now, we at the seminary remain committed to the work ahead — preparing skilled, bold, and articulate leaders for a world in desperate need of the transforming love of Jesus Christ. We hope you enjoy getting to know nine of our newest seminarians in this issue. They, along with the entire student body, remain our greatest hope.

The Aware Magazine Editorial Board Mary Bowmann Arents Katharine Duke Joseph R. Emmick Krista J. McNeil Shane A. Nichols Tasha N. Sargent Maudette Watley

To listen to the 2020 Town Hall featuring President Lallene J. Rector, go to Garrett.edu/2020TownHall.

PRESIDENTIAL PERSPECTIVE DR. LALLENE J. RECTOR A few weeks ago, my Sunday school class read a little piece by John O’Donohue entitled, “Thresholds.” I have read it numerous times, written a few notes, and continue to feel compelled by the imagery of approaching a doorway, an entrance, or standing on the brink. It is a moment that invites us into a new frontier, a moment when we have to decide to step over — or even more dramatically, when life pushes us! O’Donohue observes that change is always happening even if we are not aware of it. We do not always see it coming, and much like the winter season, when unseen preparations for spring are active below the surface, it seems all of a sudden something new emerges.

Spring is here.

Threshold crossings can be sought out, planned for, and anticipated. Or, they may come to us unexpectedly and unbidden. We are forced to cross into frontiers that are not chosen, frontiers that may bring permanent, painful, and unwelcome changes.

Whether chosen or not, threshold crossings do present themselves to us and are a reality in our lives. They can be faced with a sense of adventure and courage and also with trust that God is at work in our lives, even as this work of God may seem entirely unclear at any given moment.

When we announced the successful completion of our $100M capital campaign two years ago, we pivoted from an amazing accomplishment to questions about what would come next. I am confident the Holy Spirit was at work when we then turned to the words in Isaiah, “Behold, I am doing a new thing, now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” And, “Look ahead with joy, anticipate what I’m creating” (Is. 43:19, NRSV; Is. 65:18, MSG).

The United Methodist Church and its various constituencies will be crossing thresholds at the 2020 General Conference in Minneapolis. As a result, Garrett Evangelical will also face new thresholds in discerning how best to respond to the decisions made there. Whatever happens in

Minneapolis, we believe that God is still doing a new thing. We see it in our millennial and Gen Z students, in the creative and new ministries they are engaging in, and in the challenges they bring to old ways of doing things.

We also believe that God is still doing a new thing at Garrett-Evangelical. Our Leadership Team and community have just begun work identifying new strategic priorities that will undergird a long sought cultural shift in our life together. The marginalized will move more to the center of what we are doing.

To be sure, we do not want to be dragged across this threshold, but rather to seek it, to plan for it, and to anticipate it.

Our mission remains to educate persons for ministry, ordained and lay, who will serve many contexts. We experience God calling a great diversity of young adults to a variety of ministries.

Their deepest desires are to attend to the least of these, to seek justice, and to care for creation and its regeneration. In short, they want to be part of changing the world for the good and are motivated by a commitment to follow the ways and the love of Jesus. They are not only showing courage in crossing their own vocational thresholds into new frontiers, but also, at the same time, encouraging us, even demanding at times, that we come along and support them in the preparation and education they need for these times. And, so we shall!

Blessings in this season of new discovery and insight.

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RISE TO THE CHALLENGE MEET THE ENTERING CLASS OF 2019 This past September, we welcomed our newest students to the seminary. They demonstrate a wide range of past experiences and future plans, and the seminary is extremely proud of their commitment to follow their call to serve God, the church, and their communities.

As they prepare for a life of ministry, these students desire to be stretched theologically, to be culturally competent and aware of their social location, and to be mentored and empowered in their practice of ministry. They seek to renew and redefine what it means to be a minister, a Christian community organizer, a chaplain, a faith-based non-profit leader, and more. The demands and commitments of those actively pursing their vocational calling may be great, but we are confident they will rise to the challenge.

On the following pages are the stories of nine promising students who are beginning their studies at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.

D’ana Downing Master of Divinity Bowie, Maryland Personal Information – I was raised in the Washington, D.C. area and am a proud alum of the University of the District of Columbia (BA English, ‘05), and Trinity University (MSA organizational development/nonprofit management). I enjoy traveling and curating travel experiences for friends and keeping the party going as DJ Dhyana.

Why did you decide to attend seminary and Garrett-Evangelical in particular? – I am in the ordination process in the African Methodist Episcopal Church in the Indiana Annual Conference. I decided to attend GarrettEvangelical because it felt like this was the place where God was calling me to be. I was also excited to learn from Rev. Dr. Reginald Blount, whose article, “In Search of Living Waters: The Seven Spiritual Yearnings of Youth,” spoke to my heart’s song and desire to minister to young adults. I also know several Garrett-Evangelical alumni (Revs.

Christal Bell, Arionne Williams, Jeremiah Gibbs) who encouraged me to consider applying.

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What are you enjoying most about your seminary experience so far? – My cohort is amazing. The strong community that we have developed in our first semester is aweinspiring. We all know that God has brought us together for a reason, and we need each other in our respective ministry journeys.

How has your faith been strengthened since attending Garrett-Evangelical? – I know that God is truly doing a new thing in me and in the lives of my classmates. This experience will provide me with the foundation I need to lead and serve with a bold confidence to facilitate courageous conversations leading to transformational change in the Church.

Where do you see Christ leading you after seminary? – Prior to coming to seminary, I spent two years as a career advisor at the University of Indianapolis, helping students discover their unique passion, purpose, and what makes them shine, and I now currently serve as a graduate assistant, working with the Black/African American student population in the office of Multicultural Student Affairs at Northwestern University. I see myself in higher education in a role that helps to create community for students from marginalized identities as they navigate the university experience.

Thomas Hankins

Kaitlyn Bowie

Master of Divinity

Master of Pastoral Care and Counseling - Clinical Track

Houston, Texas Personal Information – I grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, and lived in Houston in my high school years. I attended the University of Tennessee and have my MBA from there as well. These days, I love consuming all sorts of pop culture and art, ranging from novels and film to video games and comic books.

Finding God in popular culture is one of my great passions!

Why did you decide to attend seminary and GarrettEvangelical in particular? – The opportunity to grow deeper in faith and knowledge of God at a place like Garrett-Evangelical was too great to pass up. GarrettEvangelical occupies a unique place in the world of theological education where it is both participating in the wider culture effectively and is distinctly Christian.

That balance and tension is something I want to learn from and apply to my own life and ministry.

What are you enjoying most about your seminary experience so far? – I have been amazed and overwhelmed by the close relationships I am forming with my peers here at seminary. The community of God is on display here at Garrett-Evangelical. It is a beautiful thing to be a part of.

How has your faith been strengthened since attending Garrett-Evangelical? – In my first semester, my faith has grown through and because of the community I am a part of. I have learned to embody my theological beliefs in community, in response to the communal nature of the Triune God. As a theologian, the awareness of God’s relationship to God’s self and creation has deepened my faith and my relationship with God and creation.

Houston, Texas Personal Information – I am a naturalized citizen of the United States, originally from Mexico. I have lived in the United States for more than 10 years. I went to college in Tijuana, Mexico, where I received a bachelor of science in psychology. I also went to seminary in Monterrey, Mexico, and received a bachelor of arts in theology. I like to watch good movies, read good books, and spend time with my family.

Why did you decide to attend seminary and GarrettEvangelical in particular? – I decided to attend Garrett-Evangelical for its great scholarship program, its academics, and its history of social justice advocacy.

What are you enjoying most about your seminary experience so far? – I have enjoyed most that this institution cares about me, my needs, my dreams, and my professional development.

How has your faith been strengthened since attending Garrett-Evangelical? – My faith has been challenged to respond adequately to the problems of the contemporary society.

Where do you see Christ leading you after seminary?

– I see Christ leading me to places where mental and spiritual health are necessary. This program will expand my ministry with clinical skills in order to help my parishioners and people from the community in a more holistic way.

Where do you see Christ leading you after seminary? – After seminary, I hope to gain experience working as a local pastor, prior to working toward my PhD and teaching theology at the seminary level.

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Kenya Tuttle Doctor of Philosophy in Pastoral Theology, Personality, and Culture Houston, Texas Personal Information – I grew up in Houston, Texas, and spent my summers in Detroit, Michigan. I graduated from Rice University, majoring in psychology and managerial studies while on basketball scholarship. I enjoy playing sports, taking nature walks with my labradoodle, and practicing alternative natural therapies.

Why did you decide to attend seminary and Garrett-Evangelical in particular? – Alum Dr. Nicholas Grier (G-ETS 2010 and 2017) did a great job of selling me on the school, one of the few with a PhD and joint counseling program, but I did not put GarrettEvangelical on my short list of contenders until after Rev. Dr. Trina Armstrong took over the department.

Grace Okerson Master of Arts in Public Ministry Miramar, Florida Personal Information – I grew up in South Florida in a city outside of Fort Lauderdale.

I attended the University of Central Florida, where I studied social science with concentrations in diversity and social inequality, women and gender studies, and journalism studies. In my free time, I enjoy baking, cooking, and painting.

Why did you decide to attend seminary and Garrett-Evangelical in particular? – I decided to attend seminary and Garrett-Evangelical in particular because of the new public ministry degree. I am extremely interested in the connection between theology and social justice, and Garrett-Evangelical is the place to seek those connections.

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What are you enjoying most about your seminary experience so far? – I am developing genuine relationships with people on campus from my peers to faculty and staff. Everyone has been extremely welcoming to help me adjust to Chicago.

My program is allowing me to wrestle with lingering questions about my community and bring together areas that I have worked in separately over the years: religion, psychology, and teaching.

How has your faith been strengthened since attending Garrett-Evangelical? – My faith has been strengthened by the work of those around me. I am inspired to flourish and help those around me in my community flourish as well.

Where do you see Christ leading you after seminary? – I plan to teach at a university and/ or practice counseling.

What are you enjoying most about your seminary experience so far? – The thing that I enjoy most about my seminary experience thus far is the community that I have managed to build here. Community is so important to my ability to thrive in a new place, and I am grateful that I have been able to find that at Garrett-Evangelical.

How has your faith been strengthened since attending Garrett-Evangelical? – Throughout my first semester at Garrett-Evangelical, my faith has been tested through the classes and curriculum. It has been through that testing and wrestling with God that my faith has been strengthened.

Where do you see Christ leading you after seminary? – I am not exactly sure where Christ is leading me after seminary. I have a passion for the homeless population, for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people, and for dismantling white supremacy. I know that Christ has been, is, and will continue to call me toward social justice. I plan on following that call wherever it may lead me.

Chanje (CJ) Woo Master of Divinity Incheon, South Korea Personal Information – I was born in Korea and had never lived outside Korea, except for traveling, until I finished my third year of college in my early 20s. Then I lived in Sydney, Australia, for about five years and graduated from college after returning to Korea. I earned a bachelor’s degree in theology. I like both listening to music and playing music, and I also like snowboarding. Since I started my career as an assistant at one of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry’s (GBHEM) Asian branches, my relationship with The United Methodist Church has formed, which become a secure link for me to start studying at Garrett-Evangelical last September.

Why did you decide to attend seminary and Garrett-Evangelical in particular?

– I worked at a conference organized by GBHEM. In the process, I was able to meet the presidents and deans of Methodist-related universities, and I realized my vocation to continue my studies and become a pastor in The United Methodist Church and build a community of love in Christ.

What are you enjoying most about your seminary experience so far? – I love the faculty members who are continually trying to provide new perspectives and hermeneutics, friends who study with me through hard times to find our vocations, and the various dynamics that are taking place in us. In other words, I love the community called Garrett-Evangelical. It sometimes means more than a building or an institution, but rather a co-existence of diversity centered on the love of Christ. It does not try to defend the privilege one has, but it is harmoniously expressed when we share so that every voice can be heard and we do not dismiss the different voices as noise.

How has your faith been strengthened since attending Garrett-Evangelical? – For a long time, I believed the heart of Christianity was in establishing and maintaining an exclusive identity and position from other faith practices and societies. But now, after studying at Garrett-Evangelical, I have come to believe the heart of Christianity is all of the activities in the kin-dom of God, wherever we are, and with whomever, by following the teachings of Jesus, and respecting diversity as it is, and in building loving communities.

Where do you see Christ leading you after seminary? – After seminary, I see myself ministering to a local church as a pastor. Also, I imagine it would be a great pleasure for me to be a member of a UMC-affiliated organization and work for various missions. No matter which direction God leads me, I will be trained at Garrett-Evangelical to accept it as joy, and I will practice it day by day to take it as contentment and to be thankful for wherever and whatever I may be.

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Kina Youn Master of Theological Studies Seoul, South Korea Personal Information – I grew up in South Korea, and I went to Seoul Theological University and Seoul Theological Seminary for my master of divinity degree. I like playing sports and driving cars.

Why did you decide to attend seminary and Garrett-Evangelical in particular?

– I decided to come to GarrettEvangelical because my father is an alum, so I also have the experience of growing up in Evanston in my early childhood.

Brian Robert Lightner Master of Divinity Hartford, Michigan Personal Information – I grew up on a small farm in Hartford, Michigan. I like to take walks, garden, read, visit libraries, travel to Revolutionary and Civil War sites, and visit presidential homes. I attended Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, where I received a BS in political science and history and also a master in arts of teaching. I enjoy music, especially jazz and classical!

Why did you decide to attend seminary and Garrett-Evangelical in particular?

– I came to Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in order to pursue a master of divinity with the goal of serving as an elder in the Michigan Conference of The United Methodist Church. Garrett-Evangelical is the place that I believe God has placed me in order to pursue this 8 AWARE MAGAZINE | WINTER 2020

What are you enjoying most about your seminary experience so far? – I like this place because it’s filled with hospitality. Garrett-Evangelical makes sure that everyone is part of this place.

How has your faith been strengthened since attending Garrett-Evangelical? – I have become more vulnerable and respectful to the people. Also, I have been able to broaden my theological perspective.

Where do you see Christ leading you after seminary? – I hope that God will lead me to where He wants me to be, and I wish that I will follow what God has planned for me.

calling. After visiting Garrett and watching how kind everyone is, I decided that was the place I hoped to attend! I am grateful for being able to do so.

What are you enjoying most about your seminary experience so far? – I am enjoying learning how to reflect on scripture and to deeply learn about God, church, and what is in my own heart. Likewise, I am enjoying the new friends I have made and watching us all pursue our callings.

How has your faith been strengthened since attending Garrett-Evangelical?

– It has taught me that I am totally reliant on God for strength and that God gave us a church community to journey together.

Where do you see Christ leading you after seminary? – My hope is to be an elder who works in church ministry in Michigan, as well as a licensed chaplain.

Amanda Lynn Holmes Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Public Ministry Newport News, Virginia Personal Information – I was born and raised in Virginia and attended college at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia, where I majored in sociology with a concentration in structure and inequality. I am actively involved in The United Methodist Church and in my home church of Mount Olivet UMC in Arlington, Virginia. While I was raised in Newport News, I now consider the DC metro area to be home as I lived there for the past 12 years prior to moving to Evanston. While I don’t have a lot of free time as a student, I do enjoy the occasional Netflix binge, but I balance that with my passions for dance and CycleBar. Now getting to experience an actual winter, I hope to get involved in outdoor winter sports, especially ice skating. I also enjoy deep conversations over a delicious cup of coffee or tea.

Why did you decide to attend seminary and Garrett-Evangelical in particular? – After many years of denying my call and, in fact, applying to many other programs, I finally decided to apply to seminary because it was the door that still remained open and inviting. The more I learned about the programs, particularly at GarrettEvangelical, the more excited I became about the possibility of attending seminary and earning my degree. From the time I first met Rev. Katie Fahey at the 2018 Why Christian Conference to accepting my offer of admission, I always felt so cared for by the admissions staff and the community at Garrett-Evangelical. Throughout every moment of the admissions process, I felt wanted and desired, such that I knew I could be my best self at Garrett-Evangelical and also have the opportunity for an individualized program of study both through a concentration and independent study. I am so grateful to be a part of the Garrett-Evangelical community and have not ever doubted my decision to attend seminary here. I look forward to diving deeper into the community as I start my second semester.

What are you enjoying most about your seminary experience so far? – I am so excited to be back

in academia and have the privilege of attending challenging classes, both academically and personally. Through these classes, I have established a great community of fellow students who I may not have had the opportunity to interact with otherwise. Like my professors, my fellow students have challenged me to reevaluate my previously held assumptions and to open myself to new ways of thinking.

How has your faith been strengthened since attending Garrett-Evangelical? – My faith has been strengthened through having to rely on and trust in God, even more than I did on my journey toward an offer of admission. Without God and the community God has provided for me, I would not have the privilege of being able to pursue graduate-level education full time. I have found that if I can take my worry out of it and fully rely on God, then the Lord will provide. Although I have yet to find a faith community outside of Garrett-Evangelical, I have been nourished through our weekly chapel service and the opportunity to participate in a cross-cultural immersion at Humboldt Park UMC, where I truly learned what Christian hospitality can be.

Where do you see Christ leading you after seminary?

– When someone asks me what my goals are for post-seminary, I generally reply that I feel called to be a “field organizer for Jesus Christ.” In using this political language, I am hoping to work as a community organizer at the intersection of faith and politics or faith and sexuality within a nonprofit. However, I am open to going wherever I am called — sometimes the best adventures happen when you don’t plan for them.

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REV. DR. E. BYRON (RON) ANDERSON NAMED ASSOCIATE DEAN OF INSTITUTIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL ASSESSMENT systematic review of all master’s degrees and master’s-level certificate programs, and the ongoing improvement of curricular policies and practices required as a result of those reviews.

Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary named Rev. Dr. E. Byron (Ron) Anderson associate dean of institutional and educational assessment beginning July 2019. In his new role, Anderson is responsible for the accreditation and assessment process and will ensure the alignment between institutional strategic planning and a comprehensive, systematic approach to educational assessment and programming.

With an eye toward aligning degree-program assessment with curricular improvement, Anderson has coordinated ways to strengthen attention to learning outcomes, learning assessment tools, and course design. He has also supported the expansion of Garrett-Evangelical’s certificate program and has worked closely with key administrators on the assessment of broadbased educational opportunities. Through shared leadership, Anderson also oversaw the recent overhaul of the master of divinity and related master’s degrees curricula.

“I am delighted that Dr. Anderson is serving in this new role,” said President Lallene J. Rector. “He has shouldered these responsibilities for some time and has already demonstrated giftedness and enthusiasm for accreditation and assessment processes. We are blessed that Dr. Anderson undertakes this critically important responsibility for the seminary and congratulate him on this promotion!”

A member of the Garrett-Evangelical faculty since 2003, Anderson is the Ernest and Bernice Styberg Professor of Worship and director of the Nellie B. Ebersole Program in Music Ministry at Garrett-Evangelical. While continuing his teaching responsibilities, as associate dean of Institutional and Educational Assessment, Anderson will support the work of Academic Affairs in aligning innovation with assessment.

Since 2016, Anderson has provided leadership for the work of accreditation and assessment in a variety of faculty capacities. As accreditation liaison officer, he has coordinated and supervised the seminary’s accreditation processes with the Association of Theological Schools, the Higher Learning Commission, and the United Methodist University Senate, ensuring institutional compliance with policies, procedures, and standards. As chair of the Master’s Degrees Committee and director of the master of divinity degree, Anderson worked with former academic dean Dr. Luis Rivera, faculty, and staff to develop and implement processes for the ongoing

Anderson is an ordained elder in full connection in the Minnesota Conference of The United Methodist Church. He has served in parish ministry as pastor, musician, and educator. He has written numerous articles, papers, book chapters, and books including Worship and Christian Identity: Practicing Ourselves (Liturgical Press/Pueblo Books, 2003) and Common Worship: Tradition, Formation, Mission (Foundery Books, 2017). Anderson is a member of several professional associations including The Hymn Society of the United States and Canada, The North American Academy of Liturgy, and Societas Liturgica.

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CUTTING EDGES: INSTITUTIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL ASSESSMENT

BY REV. DR. E. BYRON (RON) ANDERSON After two years of focused attention on institutional assessment and the successful conclusion of our reaccreditation reviews by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS), the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), and the United Methodist University Senate, you might think we are done thinking about these things — at least until we start preparing for the next round of reaccreditation reviews in eight years. But as we are learning as an institution, our accreditors are looking at the ways in which we engage in ongoing rather than occasional processes of assessment, not only measuring the success or failure of particular projects and programs but also how we use those measures for the sake of ongoing improvement — what many call developing a “culture of assessment.” In a graduate theological school committed to critical thinking and spiritual formation, such work should come naturally to us; it should, but, like most things, it requires determined attention.

Assessment, as a practice of determined attention, is not only an organizational task but also a spiritual discipline. In a book I cowrote with KarenMarie Yust, Taught by God: Teaching and Spiritual Formation (Chalice Press, 2006), we set out a conversation with the Ignatian practice of examen, or examination of conscience, as a resource for reflecting on one’s work of teaching and on oneself as a teacher (pp. 141-151). We noted how this practice of self-reflection built on and served the foundational goal of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises, which is “to desire and elect only the thing which is more conducive to the end for which I was created.” While the practice of examen had, in some contexts, become a kind of “accountkeeping” of individual misbehavior and moral failings, more recent explorations of its practice and its use in spiritual direction have focused on daily awareness of our relationship to God and discernment of our availability to both God and the needs of the world. This shift in understanding

enabled us to see that the primary purpose of the examen was not “to list or count our faults, but to strengthen our resolve, to seek improvement, and to choose rightly” (p. 145). We noted that, for the individual teacher, the practice of examen enabled one “to grow in self-awareness, to attend to the desires and assumptions that influence the choices we make as teachers, and to discern more forcefully and critically the actions we continue to take as teachers” (p. 147).

In many ways, the work of institutional and educational assessment has much the same purpose as the individual examen. Assessment helps us be more self-aware as an institution, attending more fully and honestly to the various forces at work shaping the choices we make; it invites us to test the assumptions we make about ourselves; it keeps us focused on our mission; and it enables us to desire and choose those actions best suited to that mission. We may aspire to be all things to all people, but we quickly encounter limits to our resources. From the perspective of ATS, self-assessment should therefore help us link curriculum and educational planning, institutional strategic planning, and resource allocation. HLC similarly notes that assessment is essential to continuous improvement both in student learning and educational outcomes as well as in institutional effectiveness. Assessment, HLC suggests, is the foundation for and part of the ongoing work of innovation.

Institutional and educational assessment is not, in the end, a counting of our failures — though we need to honestly review and learn from them. It is, rather, an ongoing process of asking ourselves how we best fulfill who and what we are called to be — as individuals, as congregations, and as a seminary.

It is an invitation to constant renewal and reform for the sake of God’s mission that all things be “made new.”

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LIEUTENANT COMMANDER JENNIFER HILL ANDERSON ENDOWS SCHOLARSHIP AT GARRETT-EVANGELICAL Lieutenant Commander Jennifer Hill Anderson (G-ETS 2002) said she gives to Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary for three reasons.

First, she said, tithing is important to her. After graduating from GarrettEvangelical in 2002, she purposely worked toward giving 10 percent of her pre-tax income to her church, her alma maters, and other charitable organizations.

Second, she believes in the value of a quality education. As a United Methodist chaplain in the U.S. Navy, Anderson said she has seen how her own education has helped her succeed. Prior to earning her master of divinity from Garrett-Evangelical, she earned a bachelor of science degree in marine science at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida. “I look at my own experience, and I see how I have benefited from the education I received,” she said. “I want others to have that too.”

Rev. Jennifer Hill Anderson was recently on campus to meet with her scholarship recipient, Marquise Williams. Would you like to establish a scholarship or meet with your scholarship recipient? Contact Sarah Pressley, director of stewardship, by phone at 847.866.3971 or by email at sarah.pressly@garrett.edu.

Additionally, Anderson said, she wants more United Methodists to become Navy chaplains like herself. To facilitate that, Anderson created the Jennifer H. and Steven M. Anderson Memorial Scholarship in 2018. The scholarship provides assistance to students who want to serve in a chaplaincy setting, preferably the military.

“I want more United Methodists to become ordained and become Navy chaplains, and I want them to go to quality schools,” she said. “So, I created a scholarship to help them.” Anderson said she also created the scholarship because she received scholarship assistance while at Garrett-Evangelical, and she understands firsthand how necessary scholarship support is for seminary students.

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Anderson first sensed a call to ministry at Eckerd College. Her college chaplain was the first to suggest she consider becoming a pastor. “He looked at me and said: ‘Jen, have you ever thought about full-time ministry? You have the gifts and skills for that,’” she recalled.

“That planted the seed.”

Later, a representative from the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. came to campus to talk about a young adult volunteer program, and Anderson decided to volunteer as a children and youth worker at St. Paul’s Church of England in London. That experience led her to apply to seminary. After being accepted to several schools, she chose Garrett-Evangelical. Early on, she knew she had made the right choice.

“I really appreciated the type of education and the quality of education that I received at Garrett-Evangelical. I loved the area, I loved the people, and I loved the professors,” she reflected.

“I had an overwhelmingly great experience.”

Throughout her time at GarrettEvangelical, Anderson considered becoming a chaplain, but she didn’t know in which setting. She spoke with military recruiters who visited the seminary and determined the U.S. Navy might be a good fit. In between her second and third year of seminary, she went to chaplain school to see if she was cut out for military life. “It was a fit,” she recalled. “I felt at home and comfortable. It was the final affirmation of my call to be a military chaplain.”

Not wanting to take a church appointment right after graduating in 2002, Anderson found a job working as a customer service representative for a trucking company in Minnesota.

“I wasn’t ready to take a church appointment yet, and I wanted to have that Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. job experience that most parishioners have,” she explained.

For a year, she entered data, scheduled pickups and deliveries, and took care of her customers. “I like talking to people, so I was very good on the phone with our customers, and I really got to know them,” she said. “I believe that year of customer service at the trucking company was the best pastoral care on-the-job training anyone could get.”

Her first church appointment was at Cross Winds United Methodist Church in Maple Grove, Minnesota, where she served as an associate pastor of education and programming from 2003 to 2006. There, she primarily served young families. Wanting to broaden her experience in preparation for life as a Navy chaplain, Anderson asked to serve as a hospice chaplain at the Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, Minnesota.

“I knew going into military chaplaincy, I would be exposed to death and dying, so I wanted to have that experience,” she explained.

In May 2008, Anderson began active duty and completed Officer Development School in Newport, Rhode Island. She then reported to the Surface Force Ministry Center in Norfolk, Virginia, where she and about 15 other chaplains provided chaplain care for all the sailors assigned to Cruisers and Destroyers on the waterfront.

She also completed two counter-piracy deployments aboard USS ANZIO and USS GONZALEZ. The deployments lasted about seven months each. She served with about 300 others on a vessel that was roughly 580 feet long and 60 feet wide. “It was the most isolating experience of my life,” she said. “The sea is wide, and the sky is vast.

Often we didn’t have phone lines or connectivity.”

In addition to being a working member of the ship, Anderson led two worship services on Sundays and a weekly communion service. She also provided pastoral and spiritual care to her shipmates.

In July 2011, Anderson reported to Marine Aircraft Group 29 (Mag-29) in Jacksonville, North Carolina, and in that capacity, she provided chaplain care to 4,500 marines and their families. In addition to holding services, she provided counseling and offered programs around communication, relationships, and personal care. Anderson also deployed to Afghanistan in 2013 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Anderson reported to Norfolk, Virginia, in 2014 to serve as deputy director of Chaplains Religious Enrichment Development Operation (CREDO), where she developed and led marriage enrichment retreats, family enrichment retreats, and personal growth and resilience retreats for all active duty service members in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.

In 2017, she took an appointment as director of toughness training at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes Naval Station in North Chicago, Illinois. There, she helped create and run the Warrior Toughness Initiative, a holistic program to help sailors to become better prepared mentally, physically, and spiritually.

Last month, after nearly 12 years, Anderson decided to leave active duty, move to Minnesota to be near her family, and join the Reserves, where she will serve as a reservist chaplain one weekend a month and two weeks during the year. Several years ago, shortly after giving birth to her son, Thaddeus, Anderson lost her husband, Dr. Steven Anderson, a lieutenant commander in the U.S, Navy, when he died of a heart attack. “I need some more time for myself and my child,” she said.

Although she knows there are things about active duty she will miss, she is looking forward to spending time with her family and deciding what she would like to do next. “Being on active duty is being part of a unique and special community,” she said. “So, leaving this environment for the civilian world is a big change.”

Throughout her career, Anderson continued to support Garrett-Evangelical both financially and as a volunteer. She has been a leadership donor to the annual fund for many years. She also participated in Garrett-Evangelical’s Vocational Network and has mentored the same student for the last two and a half years. Additionally, she has hosted groups of students at Great Lakes Naval Station to introduce them to military chaplaincy.

Anderson said she had always wanted to create a scholarship and is pleased that it is now fully endowed. “Most of my tuition was paid by scholarships, and I wanted to be able to offer that to another student,” she said. “Plus, I wanted to generously support the institution that fed and nurtured me academically and helped me get to where I am today.”

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THE INSTALLATION OF REV. DR. MAI-ANH LE TRAN AS ACADEMIC DEAN On Wednesday, February 5, members of the seminary community gathered in the Chapel of the Unnamed Faithful for the historic installation of Rev. Dr. Mai-Anh Le Tran as academic dean and vice president of academic affairs. Tran is the first woman of color to hold the position of academic dean at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.

During the service, the academic dean was charged by students, faculty, administration, and members of the board of trustees to uphold the seminary’s commitments and to further its work to fulfill the mission of preparing faith leaders for today’s ministry. The faculty also charged her not to hold working lunches! Members of the academy, the church, and the local community offered charges for Tran to remember the wisdom of the ancestors who came before her, those living and gone.

In her installation address, Tran spoke of an expansive understanding of curriculum that affirms the curriculum of the seminary is more than what is taught in the classroom, more than syllabi, lectures, or an accumulation of credit hours. Rather, GarrettEvangelical’s curriculum is the entire course of the seminary’s life, a curriculum that cultivates religious, theological, ministerial, ecclesiastical, cultural, and political imagination.

An internationally recognized leader in theological education, Tran is an accomplished scholar and much sought out for her expertise in pedagogy. She joined the faculty of Garrett-Evangelical in 2017 as associate professor of religious education and practical theology and was named academic dean effective August 1, 2019.

To learn more about Tran, go to Garrett.edu/TranInstallation.

14 AWARE MAGAZINE | WINTER 2020

STEIN DAY DESIGNATED AT THE SEMINARY President Lallene J. Rector designated December 22, 2019, as Dr. K. Jim Stein Day (ETS 1956) in honor of his 90th birthday and in recognition of his outstanding leadership and support of the seminary. Stein is professor emeritus of church history and senior scholar in church history with more than 50 years of service as a teacher and administrator.

Stein was also a key leader in planning and implementing the merger of Garrett Theological Seminary and Evangelical Theological Seminary.

When the two seminaries merged in 1974, Stein was the first dean of the newly formed GarrettEvangelical Theological Seminary. In 2014, he was awarded the Eliza Garrett Distinguished Service Award, and in 2004, he was honored as a distinguished alum.

“It was a gratifying surprise when GarrettEvangelical acknowledged my 90th birthday,” said Stein. “The recollection of my years at the seminary and the bright and promising students I was privileged to teach is truly a blessing. I continue to praise God for the divine grace that has informed and enabled my ministry that is so deeply rooted in our beloved seminary and its mission.”

19 ALUMNAE CONTRIBUTE TO NEW BOOK Speaking Truth: Women Raising Their Voices in Prayer (Abingdon Press, 2020) features a collection of prayers, devotions, scriptures, and inspirational quotes written by women and for women. More than 90 clergywomen under the age of 40, led by a five-person editorial team, contributed prayers and devotions to Speaking Truth. Among those 90 clergywomen, 19 were alumnae of GarrettEvangelical Theological Seminary.

Every day women are confronted with racism, bigotry, sexism, heterosexism, and xenophobia. The writers of Speaking Truth sought to speak directly to these challenges knowing that the Good News of Jesus Christ is bigger than any societal ill and that God has called us to play a part in God’s work of transformation.

The 19 alumnae who contributed to the book include: Rev. Amanda L. Bennett Baker (G-ETS 2010) Rev. J. Paige Boyer (G-ETS 2015), Editor Rev. Mary R.W. Dicken (G-ETS 2014) Rev. Heather S. Dorr (G-ETS 2014) Rev. Alexa N. Eisenbarth (G-ETS 2019) Rev. Brooke E. Heerwald Steiner (G-ETS 2007) Rev. Hyewon Sophia Hyon (G-ETS 2012, 2015) Rev. Breanna Illéné (G-ETS 2013) Rev. Courtney E. McHill (G-ETS 2006) Rev. Brandee Jasmine Mimitzraiem (G-ETS 2005)

Rev. Bich Thy Nguyen (G-ETS 2007) Rev. Jessica A. Richard (G-ETS 2009) Rev. Sarai K. Riddlesworth Case (G-ETS 2010) Rev. Shazetta Thompson-Hill, (G-ETS 2011) Rev. Katharine L. Steele (G-ETS 2016) Rev. Jennifer (Jen) M. Tyler (G-ETS 2009), Editor Rev. Katherine E. Walker (G-ETS 2009) Rev. Arionne Yvette Williams (G-ETS 2008) Rev. Jenny Zeigler Medley (G-ETS 2009)

To learn more about Speaking Truth, go to abingdonpress.com.

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