Academic Year 2020-2021 - Lapp Learning Commons
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Academic Year 2020-2021
THE
NEXT
IS
NOW
1
Contents
ACADEMIC YEAR 2020 – 2021
CTS Challenge & Response is published
annually by the Office of Communications
Chicago Theological Seminary
1407 East 60th Street, Chicago, IL 60637
Phone: 773.896.2400 Fax: 773.643.1284
ctschicago.edu
President
Stephen G. Ray Jr.
Vice President for Academic Affairs
& Academic Dean
3 PRESIDENT’S WELCOME
Stephen G. Ray Jr.
Stephanie Buckhanon Crowder
Dean of Students & VP of Student Services
4 COMMITMENTS
Statement of Mission & Commitments.
Jason Frey
Chief Communications Officer
6 THE URGENCY OF NOW & THE UNCERTAINTY OF NEXT Steve McFarland
Christophe Ringer Vice President for Advancement
9
Lisa Notter
JUNETEENTH SYMPOSIUM RECAP
Rev. Jesse Jackson and Dr. Obery Hendricks on the Theological Response to Evil Vice President of Finance & Administration
Karen Walker
10 STRENGTHENING OUR LEADERS INITIATIVE
Supporting our aid to faith-based leaders in communities hit hardest by the pandemic Chief Strategic Officer
Lisa Zook
13 DIVERSITY BRINGS INNOVATION
A reflection from alumnus Harold Marrero Assistant to the President
Kim M. Johnson
14 NEW FACULTY AND STAFF
An array of voices join CTS
Challenge & Response Contributors
Joey Carrillo
16
Jacqueline Hochstin
ENROLLMENT BY THE NUMBERS Harold Marrero
Incoming Class of 2020 Zachary Moon
Christophe Ringer
18 THE INTERRELIGIOUS INSTITUTE
Creating and launching several new artistic projects
Kim Schultz
Chad Schwickerath
Zaynab Shahar
20 IN MEMORIAM Brian Smith
Tyler Tully
Obituaries & Tributes
22
Graphic Design
A PLACE FOR FAITH Angelle Juneau
FLOURISHING NUMBER OF MUSLIM STUDENTS AT CTS Crystal Yang
24 DONOR ROLL
2019- 2020 Contributions
Photographers
Lauren McCadney
Donnell McLachlan
30 RESILIENCE IN LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE
CTS Hosts First Ever Annual Gathering Retreat
Adia Robinson Butler
33 MY PATH TO CTS
An alumnus finds meaning in his journey
Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited
without written permission.© 2020
Chicago Theological Seminary
34 FACULTY PUBLICATIONS
New Publications by CTS Faculty
To contact the editor,
email: editor@ctschicago.edu,
35
or write to:
PLANNED GIVING Editor, Challenge & Response,
Making a difference for CTS Chicago Theological Seminary,
1407 E. 60th St., Chicago, IL 60637
Support Leaders for the Next at: ctschicago.edu/give
2
President’s
Welcome Stephen G. Ray Jr., President
THE NEXT IS NOW
I offer you greetings from the decidedly hushed halls of CTS in imagination. Not just any imagination but, rather one overflowing
the midst of an uncharacteristic quiet that has settled on much of with compassion for the shattered hopes, dreams, and material
Chicago. I write to you in a time that we as a species are passing communities of those harmed by the forces which led us into this
through a valley the end of which is not yet in sight. My use of the valley. This time needs leaders who are filled with a passion for
metaphor of a valley is not to conjure an image of the lush rolling the survival of this world and its remaking into a place of hope
hills of the Sound of Music. No, I want to conjure the valley of for us all.
David’s journey in the 23rd Psalm or of Mad Max on Fury Road.
A place of uncertainty and the fear of death, yet a place that This is why I am so excited about where CTS stands in this
once traversed leads us the space of newness. As a species, the unexpected moment of turning. In this time of the seeming
question is how many of us will be lost and what will human society dissolution of what we have known, CTS has the largest class of
be at the end of this journey? As a nation, the question is whether incoming students in the history of our school. 142 new students.
we will live into the full possibility of our democracy or instead We also have the most religiously diverse incoming class in our
retreat to the dark shadows of an America where for too many history with fully 27% being from non-Christian traditions, largely
this nation is a democracy in name only? As these questions find a consequence of our relationship with Bayan. I take this as a sign
answers in the days and months to come, of one thing we can be that the work that God has for us in the building of whatever this
certain: the world into which we journey will be unlike the one we new world, new nation, will be, is in creating new imaginations
have known in our lifetimes. loosed from the grip of histories of malice and exclusion so much
a part of our current world. In that regard, CTS is not only called
For some time now, the motto of CTS has been that we are but, uniquely equipped to help this generation of leaders enliven
preparing, “Leaders for the Next”. Quite intentionally, the Next a spectrum of religious communities that will build a new public
implied an ellipse which stretched into the unknown future. square and world. It is given to us to make it so.
Saying, in essence that we are equipping those who will meet
the challenges of the coming day. As we stand at what will be As always, the support and care of our alumnae, donors, and
remembered as a great turning in human history, it seems friends is not only appreciated--it is critical to the work to which we
The Next is Now. are called in this time. History is turning and I believe that Chicago
Theological Seminary, as in times past, is called to play a role in
Whether we contemplate the radical restructuring in religious ensuring that it is a turn to a world of more justice and mercy. I am
life, ponder the massive restructuring of our global economy, not one that believes that the world, left to its own devices, will get
consider the waves of unprocessed sorrow that will ripple through there unaided. It will require the dedication, work, and sacrifice of
many communities for decades to come, or simply think about a people of goodwill to get there. In a word, us.
planet--which daily demonstrates that it may well come to an end
during the lifetime of our descendants--we must recognize that this The Next is Now and I solicit your help and continuing support
journey is one from which there is no return. Either we reorganize so that when generations yet unborn look back on our time, they
the very terms of our existence or there may well be no future can say with gratitude that CTS was a part of building a future
worth having for us as a species or as a nation. worth having.
So, the Next which is Now, is a world seemingly undone which
cannot simply be tidied up. It is a world which requires leaders with
3
Commitments
Our mission is to help develop individuals
for the next generation of religious
leadership – whatever that may be. We are
committed to transforming society toward
greater justice and mercy.
To this end, we have several theological
commitments that guide us here at CTS. At the
front of this list are our commitments to racial
and social justice, to gender issues, to LGBTQ
rights, and to interreligious understanding.
4
Statement of Mission & Commitments
Approved by the CTS Board of Trustees, October, 2017. ctschicago.edu
Chicago Theological Seminary, a seminary affiliated with the United Church of Christ, serves God, Christ’s Church,
multiple faith communities, and the larger world by educating persons theologically and cultivating the intellectual,
pastoral, and spiritual capacities of lay and ordained religious leaders, scholars, and activists who contribute to the
increase of justice and mercy.
Inspired by the ministry of Jesus, guided by the Spirit of the Divine, and nurtured by faith and culture, we strive to create
a sacred learning community that educates for public ministry, based upon the following interwoven commitments:
• We are committed to a life of mutual teaching and • We are committed, in a world governed by the
learning, to academic excellence, to open inquiry, and to presumption of heterosexual expression, to challenge
critical engagement of texts, contexts, and practices in homophobia, to celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual,
all of our educational programs; transgender, and other individuals within the spectrum
of human sex and sexuality, and to develop leadership
• We are committed, in a world suffering from to encourage faith communities to become more open
spiritual impoverishment, which is characterized by and affirming;
meaninglessness, lovelessness, and hopelessness,
to proclaim a message of divine purpose, compassion, • We are committed, in a world stratified by economic
and promise; and social class, to challenge the structures that sustain
poverty and economic disenfranchisement, and to join
• We are committed, in a society structured by white the struggle, as companions with the poor, for liberation
supremacy and racism, to challenge white privilege, of all from want, homelessness, hunger, and disease;
to combat the forces of racial division and domination,
and to equip leaders who embrace and celebrate racial, • We are committed, on a fragile planet threatened
ethnic, and cultural diversity; by pollution and exploitation, to interrogate ecological
policies, theologies, and practices, and to challenge
• We are committed, in a global context of religious materialism and the devaluation of creation; and,
conflicts and a society structured by Christian privilege,
to joyous embrace of religious diversity, expanding • We are committed, in recognition that social
our ground-breaking work in Jewish, Christian, divisions are local, national, and global, to international
and Islamic Studies to advance understanding and collaboration among individuals and institutions with
collaboration among the rich multiplicity of spiritual similar commitments to our own.
traditions and lifestances;
• We are committed, in a world governed by sex and
gender binaries, to advocate gender justice, to nurture
movements for women’s equality, and to liberate
humanity from restrictive gender norms;
In all these ways, we embrace not only the rhetoric but the reality of diversity,
and recognize the vital intersectionality of our commitments, working together to
do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God. We invite others to join us.
5
Christophe Ringer, Assistant Professor
of Theological Ethics & Society
THE URGENCY
OF NOW &
THE UNCERTAINTY
OF NEXT
6
of the pandemic is matched only by the
intensity of protests against persistent
police violence. Religious traditions
are retooling digitally to reimagine the
meaning of community while discerning
the when and how to gather again. The
painstaking labor of activists motivated by
freedom dreams has created a national
conversation with tangible changes once
thought unrealistic. Citizens are beginning
to abandon the brazen malevolence and
incompetence of Trump’s regime. Every
day more people find the strength to say
the word ‘fascism’ or ‘evil.’
Freedom summer is
more than a slogan,
it is a demand.
T The very possibility
he next is now. These are powerful
and appropriate words for these
times we’re living in. We find of continuing this
ourselves in a moment where uncertainty democratic experiment
is our daily bread and unease is in the
air we breathe. The coronavirus has is uncertain and in
imbued our most mundane decisions danger. Unarmed Black
with deep fear and anxiety. We redefine
care and concern through distance
men continue to be
instead of closeness to keep ourselves shot by those sworn
safe. With each season, some aspect
of our common life presents us with
to protect them, while
excruciating moral questions for which others self-deputize
we find little agreement and even less
in order to murder.
moral will to execute. The incarcerated
languishing in jails and prisons that And as our attention
have become Petri dishes. Our seniors is fixed on violence in
in nursing homes are facing unique
vulnerabilities and painful isolation. the streets, domestic
Healthcare and service industry workers violence continues to
continue to operate as the nation’s
backbone while their experiences and
rise rendering the term
wisdom go unrecognized and unheard by “shelter in place” a cruel
those wielding the powers of government.
Parents, children, and educators
irony. Our collective
wade through what it means to be an mental health is fragile.
educational community in this moment.
This is the uncertainty of now that
And so many have died. The numbers marks the next.
keep climbing. Grief on top of grief
This is not all that is present. There is
with so many having been denied the
a powerful resurgence in mutual aid
presence of loved ones. During the
to address our daily cares. Everyday
pandemic our collective experience
miracles are occurring as community
of death is like a rolling fog leaving us
organizations meet increasing needs
anxious and unsure about who we will (or
with even fewer resources. The intensity
won’t) see again once it passes.
7
This is the urgency of the now that vision of the future, while drawing on the
marks the next. ancestral wisdom of the past.
Amidst the turmoil and slow boil of this Many years ago, my stepfather who is no
moment it is tempting to overlook that longer here said to me, “I’ve lived long
we are living in an apocalyptic time. enough to see the world end more than
Apocalyptic in the religious sense of a once.” I understand those words better
‘disclosure’ or an ‘unveiling’—or dare I now. While no longer in this world, his
say, an unmasking? Theologian Catherine words reveal something about the world
Now is the time to forge the next
by living into a radical vision of
the future, while drawing on the
ancestral wisdom of the past.
Keller reminds us of the relationship that is true. There are times in history staff, faculty, board and friends, let us do
between the word ‘pandemic’ and when the world as we know it genuinely everything in our power to survive and
‘pandemonium.’ One of the meanings ends. I believe we are living through such create a society where the splendor of all
of the word pandemic is pan-demos or a time. As a community of students, of God’s creation can thrive.
all the people, a political community.
Pandemonium is related to pan-daemon
or all the demons. In this apocalyptic
moment all of the demonic powers
that harm, oppress, and threaten the
fabric of our spiritual and social lives
are running rampant. The commitments
that guide CTS are devoted to creating
a world not governed by such powers.
These commitments are not just words
on a page. We know these demons by
name. We struggle against them in our
classrooms, congregations, communities,
and within ourselves. I believe CTS has
a unique contribution in this moment of
urgency and uncertainly. Now is the time
to forge the next by living into a radical
8
JUNETEENTH Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr.
SYMPOSIUM
RECAP
Juneteenth is a commemorative day for African Americans, celebrating the date
that enslaved people in Texas received news of the Emancipation Proclamation
some two and a half years after the enslaved were declared legally free.
Chicago Theological Seminary celebrated by hosting the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr.
Juneteenth Mini-Symposium.
During the online conference, CTS explored the history of Juneteenth with a
distinguished panel of activists and civil rights icons, including Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr.,
Rev. David Wallace, Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III, Rev. Dr. Janette Wilson and our own Rev. Dr.
Joanne Terrell, Associate Professor of Theology, Ethics & the Arts.
The session was led and moderated by distinguished Columbia University professor
Rev. Dr. Obery Hendricks, who is the author of “The Politics of Jesus.” The panelists
spoke on a number of issues including the emergence of the Chicago Civil Rights
movement and the founding of the Chicago branch of Operation Breadbasket,
a Southern Christian Leadership Conference sponsored venture to address
economic inequality.
Jackson and Wallace, both CTS alumni, reflected upon the unique role that the Chicago
Theological Seminary held as an incubator for the movement. Drs. Wilson and Terrell
spoke about the powerful women who led during the movement, including the late
Willie Barrow and Addie Wyatt. Rev. Dr. Otis Moss provided a contextual reflection on
the history of the Civil Rights movement, as he pointed out both the risks and realities
of the saving power of non-violent protesting. Dr. Hendricks was able to contextualize
the entire movement and its growth into a global phenomenon of ministry.
The Juneteenth Mini-Symposium proved to be a powerful and inspiring session, leaving
the audience with a renewed hunger to engage in global activism in the public square.
Doing Theology in Pandemics:
Facing Viruses, Violence, and Vitriol
Public Lectures Launched to Empower Leaders
CTS has engaged 12 leading theologians “During times of pandemics, clergy must “Without purposeful self-care and self-
and religion scholars to present online courageously remind folks that faith and love, the work for justice and equality
lectures called “Doing Theology in fear can coexist; otherwise, bad theology can lead to self-deprivation and self-
Pandemics.” The series explores how to about a virus has the potential to kill more destruction.”
make meaning, care for others, and cope than the virus itself.” - Rev. Dr. Danjuma Gibson
in a time of massive communal trauma. - Rev. Dr. Danielle J. Buhuro
CTS received generous funding from Watch all the lectures online at
The Henry Luce Foundation to make this “Life as we’ve known it is coming to an doingtheologyinpandemics.org.
initiative possible, as part of a larger grant end. With all there is to think about and
all we’re called upon to do, we must The Project Director is Rev. Zachary
focusing on responding to urgent needs
also learn to feel our way through this Moon Ph.D., Associate Professor of
in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
apocalypse.” Theology and Psychology.
Here are just a few of the insights offered
by our speakers: - Rev. Dr. Cody J. Sanders
9
STRENGTHENING
OUR LEADERS
INITIATIVE
Chicago Theological Seminary (CTS) received a $150,000
grant this spring to support faith-based leaders in
communities hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic.
10leaders…and there were solutions offered
“We offered people an opportunity to convene outside of to help deal with these problems.”
their denominations and normal social groups and we LESSONS EXTENDED
BEYOND TECHNOLOGY
informed them that they were not alone,” said Rev. Smith.
“We’re hoping to build a connection with these Reverend Dr. Janette Wilson, Senior
Pastor of Maple Park United Methodist
different religious communities and institutions Church, said Strengthening Our Leaders
has empowered religious leaders with up-
that will last past our tenure as leaders.” to-date legal information regularly.
“There are specific nuances of the law
As the public health crisis changed the Reverend Dr. Carmin Frederick-James, that impact churches and pastors. So I
way people worshipped—in Illinois, public Associate Pastor to Youth at Covenant teach pastors that they live in their faith,
health guidelines prohibited gatherings United Church of Christ, agreed that but under the law,” said Rev. Wilson. “In
of more than 50 people through the the focus on the use of technology terms of church bylaws, how churches
spring—faith leaders’ accessibility to their was helpful with bridging the divide respond to crises, they have to follow
congregations also changed, leading between congregations and faith leaders, the dictates of the city, the state, and the
most to tread into what some called providing alternatives to those who aren’t federal (government)..”
“unprecedented waters.” as active or well-versed in social media.
Pastor Ellis, a recent seminary school
“We were given some options as to how
The Henry Luce Foundation provided a graduate, said the experience was vital
we might use technology more effectively
grant that has enabled CTS to address for approaching her new congregation’s
in this current day and age. That was very
the different needs of religious leaders needs. “Many people believe that
helpful for my ministry to use,” she said.
throughout Chicago. The Strengthening because we are not in the church building
Our Leaders initiative kicked off in As the COVID-19 health crisis forced that we are not having church. But...
June, and has brought more than 40 faith leaders to lean into digital the church is you and not the church
faith-based leaders together in virtual communications, Imam Tariq El-Amin, building,” said Pastor Ellis.
meetings. The goal: sharing wisdom and resident Imam at Masjid Al- Taqwa, said
Rev. Frederick-James also felt that the
resources to help congregations’ meet that he was glad to know his religious
absence of a physical place of worship
technological and mental health needs. community wasn’t alone dealing with
has allowed religious leaders to better
these issues. “It was a reassuring
With the Luce Foundation funding, CTS understand the church’s purpose. “By
experience for me to see that a lot of the
also hosted workshops and provided strengthening us, we are finding a way
issues that I have dealt with and thought
microgrants to 22 faith groups, enabling to remember what church (is) really
about personally since the pandemic
them to upgrade their capacity for supposed to be about,” she said.
began were shared by other community
virtual worship. Grant recipients were
able to purchase hardware, build online
networks, and subscribe to digital
services. Additionally, CTS contracted
with pastoral care experts Nicholas Grier
and Trina Armstrong to build individual
and group counseling services for
faith leaders.
For Pastor La Tonja Ellis of Turner
Memorial African Methodist Episcopal
Church, the Strengthening Our Leaders
technology discussions were pivotal as
religious organizations like hers were
transitioning to digital workshops and
communications. “We’ve had to shift
to online streaming, which for a lot of
us, specifically in the African Methodist
Episcopal church, was really difficult,” she
said, adding that her church did not have
a digital presence prior to the onset of the
COVID-19 pandemic. Rev. Frederick-James was leading a food drive at her church.
11INTERFAITH RELATIONSHIPS
STRENGTHENED
“There’s so much uncertainty, but theological
Rev. Brian Smith, CTS’s director of the dialogue and interfaith discussions help because
Strengthening Our Leaders Initiative,
identified the leaders who took part we can find common ground,” said Rev. Ozzie Smith.
in the discussions and felt it was
necessary to be as inclusive as possible.
that people get the opportunity to look at
“I was very conscious of the fact that we
the African American Jewish community
have some religious communities that
through various lenses,” he said. “People
are more visible than others,” said Rev.
aren’t asking ‘If you’re African American,
Smith. “So we were sure we included
are you Jewish? Are you Christian? Or
women, Jewish leaders and Muslim
are you Muslim?’ They’re simply reacting
leaders and a variety of denominations of
in a negative way toward people of color
Christianity.”
period,” said Rabbi Funnye.
That strategy was well received. “Rather
Inclusivity was a major takeaway from
than building walls, bridges were built,”
Strengthening Our Leaders, from Imam
said Rev. Dr. Ozzie Smith Jr., Pastor
El-Amin’s perspective, who felt that
Emeritus at Covenant United Church of
inclusion in discussion doesn’t always
Christ. “There’s so much uncertainty,
happen for members of the Muslim faith.
but theological dialogue and interfaith
discussions help because we can find “Simple things like switching up who
common ground,” said Rev. Ozzie Smith. would open up with prayer and close. Funnye is a Rabbi, preparing a Derasha
I hope it fostered a greater sense of
Rabbi Capers Funnye, leader of the Beth
comfort for some who might not have had
Shalom B’nai Zaken Ethiopian Hebrew leaders’ mental health as they serve
an opportunity to go outside of their own
Congregation of Chicago, agrees. “If congregations during a pandemic.
faith traditions,” Imam El-Amin said.
we cannot find commonality amongst
ourselves, then how are we going to “Who counsels the minister?
“COUNSELING THE COUNSELORS”
address the critical issues that are Who counsels the rabbi? Sometimes
dividing this country today?” Rev. Brian Smith felt it was important for things weigh heavily on you, and
CTS to be a catalyst for religious leaders you can turn and get some counseling,
As the nation confronts systemic racism coming together to learn best practices some assistance in that area,” said
and police brutality, Rabbi Funnye says for helping their congregations during Rabbi Funnye.
it’s important that the African American the pandemic. “We offered people an
Jewish community participates in Imam El-Amin felt that the conversations
opportunity to convene outside of their
interfaith discussions. “It is not very often and discourse from the virtual meetings
denominations and normal social groups.
were a great sign of “proactive and
That showed decisively that none of us
appropriate leadership” in the response
are alone,” he said. “We are hoping to
to the situation that religious leaders now
build a connection with these different
find themselves in.
religious communities and institutions
that will last past our tenure as leaders.” “CTS is well positioned to continue this
type of convening and I hope that it
That approach builds on a CTS legacy,
continues to do so,” said El-Amin.
according to Rev. Ozzie Smith. He has
worked with CTS over many years and
knows about the seminary’s history of
interfaith dialogues that focus on faith
leaders’ common ground. “CTS has
always been on the cutting edge of
pushing the boundaries of community
rather than ‘them’ versus ‘us’,” said Rev.
Ozzie Smith. “I felt excited that CTS was
yet again doing something else like that.”
Rabbi Funnye felt thankful and blessed
Imam El-Amin at his day job. for opportunities to discuss faith
12Diversity
Harold Marrero is a graduate of the CTS
Master of Arts program and is currently
in the Doctor of Ministry in Christian
Brings
Leadership program at Duke Divinity
School. He was born in Cuba in 1987
and came to the United States in 1994.
Harold currently serves as the Pastor for
the No Reservations Group in Miami,
FL, an interdenominational progressive
Innovation
Christian ministry focusing on the
spiritual needs of the growing religious
"nones" and those who have fallen
away from the traditional church model.
“E Pluribus Unum In many ways, the social and geopolitical realities of the 1950s, the horrors of the
second world war, and the national conversation on race must have led many to look
(Out of Many One),” outside of their collective selves for answers. Thus, they clung to a notion of looking
was the original motto upward for salvation, instead of an opportunity for inward transformation.
of our great nation I was born in Pinar Del Rio, Cuba, and grew up during the “special period,” which
before fear and saw Cuba fall into an economic depression due to the collapse of Soviet influence. In
1994, my parents decided, alongside three other families, to escape the oppressive
religiopolitical pressure Cuban government on a small fishing vessel during the height of the Cuban Rafter
moved congress to Crisis. At that time, I was seven years old, and I remember that the promise of coming
to the United States—a land flowing with Legos and cartoons—overcame my fears
adopt “In God We Trust” of perishing at sea. We were fortunate to have been picked up by a cruise ship in the
during the turbulent middle of the Florida Straits, as we were lost and only had a couple of days’ worth of
food and water.
times of the 1950s.
Once in the United States, I truly knew what it was like to live in a place that was
free and flowing with abundance. Even as a young boy, I recognized that there was
something special about this nation, one not bound solely on economics or social
advancements, but in the diversity that existed, and still exists, in Miami-Dade, Florida.
Miami-Dade, like many other parts of the United States, is a place of almost infinite
diversity, as all parts of the world converge throughout the multiple cities and
neighborhoods that exist throughout the county. And as I learned American history
in school, it became clear that our great nation’s power is not in its military might
or influence. Instead, it lies in the hearts and dreams of those who have come to its
shores seeking a better life for them and their families—introducing a diversity of
people, who have meshed the best parts of themselves and their culture, into the
living fabric of the American Dream.
Today, we once again face difficult conversations on race, on top of a global pandemic
and deep political divisions. Yet, for someone who has been adopted by and
entangled into the grand experiment that is the United States of America, in the face of
what is happening today in 2020, I embrace this nation’s original motto as a reminder
and a promise. A motto that calls us to look inward, by embracing the diversity of this
great nation so that we can bring about an internal collective transformation. Taking us
from an “us vs. them” mentality to one that brings about innovative solutions from our
intersectional connections with one another.
Peace,
Harold Marrero (M.A.R. ’20)
13New Staff
DR. ALEX JEAN-CHARLES CTS Faculty Involved in Grant
Director of Online Learning Funded Research
TINA SHELTON RACHEL MIKVA—Educating Religious Leaders for
Registrar our Multifaith Context; funded by The Wabash Center
for Teaching and Learning; InterAct: Engaging Diverse
Communities in Anti-Racist Work, funded by PACE
ISABEL AGUILAR
CHRISTOPHE RINGER & JOANNE M. TERRELL—
Accounting Specialist Of Darwin, Data, and DNA: A Science of Ethics and
Theology; Science for Seminaries Grant; funded by the
REV. AMY ASCHLIMAN (CTS MDIV ’14) American Association for the Advancement of Science
Assistant Director of Student Formation & KEN STONE—Nurturing Queer Education: exploring the
Community Engagement embodiment of queer life in theologically diverse settings;
funded by The Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning
STEVE MCFARLAND NAJEEBA SYEED—Rothko Chapel Spirituality and Social
Chief Communications Officer Justice Cohort; funded by The Henry Luce Foundation
EMILY VOGT—PhD Program funded by Forum for
KAREN WALKER Theological Education
Vice President of Finance and Adminstration
Thank you, Professor Lee Butler.
CTS would like to honor the tenure and career of Professor
Lee H. Butler, Jr. who joined Phillips Theological Seminary
this past summer as Vice President of Academic Affairs and
Academic Dean and William Tabbernee Professor of the
History of Religions and Africana Pastoral Theology.
Professor Butler made a huge impact on the lives of many,
many students at CTS, especially in the Black community.
Joining the school in 1996, he was named Distinguished
Service Professor in 2016. Additionally, Butler was the
Founding Director of the Center for Black Faith and Life and
past president of the Society for the Study of Black Religion.
“I leave a legacy of having often been ‘the first’ African
American in the history of, or having organized ‘the first of
its kind event’ at, CTS,” Butler wrote to his colleagues. He
added, “After 24 years as a dedicated member of this faculty,
I will depart with important memories from my life and work
within the CTS community.”
14CTS welcomes three new faculty members:
in Philosophy and Religion from Claflin congregations as well as the practical,
University, an MDiv with a concentration in theological, and spiritual needs of
Pastoral Care and Counseling from Wesley ministers, students and congregants. In
Theological Seminary, an M.A. in Ethics this role she personally interfaces with
and Society from Vanderbilt University, over 100 campus ministry programs
and a Ph.D. in Theology and Education across the U.S. Lockhart was newly
from Boston College. She actively elected Executive Director of the Religious
advocates for the usage of the body as a Education Association, the largest
locus for doing theology through engaged association of Professors, Practitioners,
and embodied pedagogical practices. and Researchers in Religious Education.
LAKISHA LOCKHART, Assistant
Professor of Practical Theology As a consultant for the Campus Ministry Lockhart will teach courses on
Theological Exploration of Vocation Pedagogies, Pastoral Theology, and
Lockhart describes herself as a “southern Initiatives with the Forum for Theological Embodied Faith: Exploring Spirituality
lady hailing from Columbus, GA by way Exploration, Lockhart is able to learn and Meaning-Making through Play and
of Waynesville, MO.” She received a B.A. first-hand about the changing nature of Aesthetic Practices.
Professor Morales is a historical and An ordained minister with the Christian
comparative theologian who places Church (Disciples of Christ), Morales
historical voices into conversation with served as the Executive Regional Minister
historically marginalized voices, within and of the Central Rocky Mountain Region of
beyond the Christian tradition; offering the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
radical re-articulations of the affirmations from 2010-2014. Prior to this he was the
of faith for today’s realities. Morales Associate Pastor at Iglesia del Pueblo-
holds degrees from Claremont School of Hope Center (now named Hope Christian
Theology (Ph.D., Comparative Theology Church), a multicultural Disciples of
and Philosophy), McCormick Theological Christ congregation in Hammond,
JOSE MORALES, Seminary in Chicago (M.Div.), and Judson Indiana (2004-2009).
Assistant Professor of Latinx University in Elgin, IL (B.A.). His doctoral
Studies and Religion dissertation explores the experience of Morales will teach courses on the History
wonder as a starting point for constructing of Christian Thought, Latinx Studies and
a new theological anthropology. Religion, and Global Sensitivity in Ministry.
Professor Najeeba Syeed is a recognized and completed Summer Intensive Arabic
leader in peacebuilding and twice received Institutes from the University of Chicago.
the Jon Anson Ford Award for reducing Additionally, Syeed received a Juris
violence, and was named the Southern Doctorate degree from Indiana University
California Mediation Association’s School of Law, and was a recipient of
“Peacemaker of the Year” in 2007. both the Oexman and School of Law
Syeed’s area of focus include Muslim Fellowship.
peacebuilding, interfaith just peacemaking
and diplomacy, and Islamic spiritual Syeed will teach courses on Inter-spiritual
formation for peacemaking. Education and Pedagogies, Interreligious
NAJEEBA SYEED Engagement, Managing Interreligious
Associate Professor of Muslim Syeed earned a bachelor’s degree in Non-Profits, and Comparative Theologies
and Interreligious Studies Psychology, with a concentration in and Pedagogies of Restorative Justice.
Women’s Studies from Guilford College
15Enrollment Incoming
Class of 2020
The What
HOTTEST Degree?
150
Seminary
100
Students
142
50
MDIV 67
’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20
MDIV-
Mode of Study
In Fall 2020, all of our students 21
BAYAN
started the semester online.
MA-
18
BAYAN
10 STUDENT
AT LARGE/
MA 9 CERTIFICATE
STM 7
FACE TO FACE HYBRID ONLINE PHD 6
20% 28% 52% DMIN-PR 4
What states send the most students to CTS?
ILLINOIS TEXAS CALIFORNIA MICHIGAN VIRGINIA
32 15 07 06 05
16By The Numbers
Age of Students
Sexual
40s
23% 50s
Orientation
19%
30s
31 %
20s
60s
6%
70s
26 68
LGBQ
%
STRAIGHT
%
6 %
DID NOT
20 %
1% DISCLOSE
Religous Affiliation 1%
Jewish 3%
Other
3 %
29% 1%
Atheist/Humanist/ LDS
Muslim
Non-religious
1%
Buddhist 62%
Christian
Race/Ethnicity 2%MULTIPLE 3% HISPANIC
54% 8% 33%
WHITE ASIAN BLACK OR AFRICAN AMERICAN
17The InterReligious Institute at
CTS has had a busy year
creating and launching
several new artistic projects.
StoryProject Our 7 Neighbors
In 2019-20, a major initiative at the IRI was the story- We also launched a podcast! In
gathering project, StoryProject. The IRI is meeting with STORY this new, 7-episode podcast, Our 7
different faith based and social justice organizations to
listen and interview, creating a space for underrepresented
PROJECT Neighbors, we seek to lift up the voices
and experiences of people experiencing
voices. Almost 300 interviews with several key partner and combatting Islamophobia, racism,
organizations have been gathered. Equipped with a special and xenophobia. Each episode features
“story collecting ipad” sourced from the national storytelling a personal story, an interview with an
organization StoryCenter—and inspired by the stories, advocate in the field, and a thoughtful
several creative projects have and will continue to emerge. conversation from an interreligious
perspective. To listen, Our 7 Neighbors,
is available everywhere podcasts are
found, and at our7neighbors.com.
Video Campaign with
Episode 1: Road Trips & Ally-ship
Shoulder-to-Shoulder Episode 2: Acting Local
We created a video campaign with Episode 3: Immigrant Matters
our partner organization Shoulder-to-
Episode 4: Female While Muslim
Shoulder. Six videos (with discussion
guides) emerged on such topics as Episode 5: Confronting the Hate
Foods of Ramadan, Being a Better Ally, Episode 6: At the Intersections
Interfaith Reimagined and Being Muslim
Episode 7: Changing the Narrative
in America. Videos are all available on our
website iri.ctschicago.edu.
18With increased violence towards marginalized groups, and the necessary
protests for justice, the public square is ever-changing. Believing in the
power of the arts, the IRI continues to build communities, partnerships,
and projects that are strongly rooted in religious pluralism, deep
intersectionality, and the quest for a more just world.
“Obstacle Course”
Additionally (prior to the Covid-19
quarantine) we partnered to present
a video play produced by Silk Road
Rising called, “Obstacle Course”. Set in
Naperville, Illinois, “Obstacle Course”
explores reactions to a proposed
Islamic Community Center on the
site of a beloved landmark. Ally-ship,
municipal politics, and Islamophobia
all intersect in this head-on collision
between not-in-my-backyard fear
mongering, well-intentioned liberalism,
and the peaceful practice of faith.
“Same God” Screening
& Panel Discussion
More than 150 people joined us for a
screening and panel discussion of the
film, “Same God”. The film, directed
by Wheaton alumna Linda Midgett and
featuring the story of Dr. Larycia Hawkins,
explores the polarization taking place
within the evangelical community over
issues of race, Islam, religious freedom...
and Donald Trump.
19In Memoriam
taught exactly what he thought and
believed about God, the Bible, and where
The Gilberto Castañeda
society was headed. He taught for his
Scholarship was established
students and was always a defender
in 1994 in loving memory
of their dignity and rights. He was
of Gilberto Castañeda, the
particularly concerned about the welfare
“adopted” son of Dr. Theodore
of international students who were often
Jennings and Rev. Ronna Case.
isolated and vulnerable living outside their
home countries. For decades he visited Gilberto first met Ronna
and lectured in many countries around the Case in California, where she
world and helped to form local movements was engaged in developing
against poverty and homophobia. mission congregations among
undocumented workers from
Ted was a man of passion. He was
Mexico. Gilberto was an “inquirer”
Professor Emeritus passionate about everything he did,
whether it was writing, teaching, running,
who “found the love of God so
Theodore Jennings or even sculpting. But for all those who
compelling that he became not
only a member but also a leader
knew him, Ted will always be remembered
Authored by Dr. Bo Myung Seo in the new congregations of
as a friend. It was his way of being in
young people” being established
Ted Jennings was a gifted theologian the world—among friends, eating and
by Rev. Case. He learned to
whose books and articles made significant drinking, telling stories, and arguing over
play the guitar and, over the next
contributions to many areas of study ideas. CTS will always be grateful for all
five years, brought his gifts of
within theology. From ritual studies to that he was.
music and ministry to Universal
Wesleyan studies, queer theology to Fellowship of Metropolitan
philosophical theology, he was always Professor Emeritus Theodore Jennings
Community Churches and
on the move theologically, discerning first served on the CTS faculty from
Methodist congregations in both
the signs of the time and searching for 1972 to 1978, and then returned in 1991
Chicago and Atlanta. In 1994,
a more adequate conception of God, as to teach for more than two decades as
at the age of 29, he died of
though the accolades that came with his Professor of Biblical and Constructive
complications due to AIDS. Of his
previous work did not matter to him. What Theology. Between those two periods, he
life, Dr. Jennings wrote, “Gilberto
mattered most to him was giving witness served on the faculties of Candler School
was one of the people it would
to God’s justice and mercy in the world of Theology, at Emory University (where
be easy to overlook…In honoring
and injustice suffered by God’s people. he previously earned his Ph.D.); and at
the memory of ‘one of the least
Even in his most academic writings, it was the Dr. Gonzalo Báez Camargo Methodist
of these,’ CTS also honors our
concern for being such a witness and a Seminary of the Methodist Church in
common Lord.”
voice for truth that guided his thinking. Mexico. An ordained United Methodist
After Thomas Altizer, his teacher in minister, and a consultant to the United The Castañeda award is given
graduate school, Ted became the radical Methodist Bishops on issues of poverty, to students who, in the estimation
theologian in the United States. But his Ted also served local United Methodist of the steering committee for the
radical theology was always one of radical congregations in California, along with CTS program in LGBTQ religious
hospitality and welcoming of others, his wife and CTS alumna Ronna Case. studies, embody in exceptional
especially those who were relegated to the At CTS, Ted served for several years as ways the vision and values of
margins of society. Director of our PhD program and, on two our program.
occasions, as Interim Academic Dean.
Ted taught at Chicago Theological He published more than a dozen singly-
Seminary for more than 30 years. For authored books and edited or co-edited
generations of CTS students, he was an several more.
inspiring and passionate teacher who
20Remembering those in the CTS
community who have passed away.
CLASSES OF 1940 - 1949
Fred Berthold (BD ’47)
Mary H. Fenner (Attended ’40, ’41, ’43)
Melvin R. Fenner (BD ’45)
Edward A. Hawley (BD ’49)
be in the same motel as Dr. King in 1968
when King was assassinated, and to his
CLASSES OF 1950 - 1959
last day was haunted by the sound of that
Howard W. Arms (Attended ’54, ’55)
fatal gunshot.
Allen F. Tinkham (BD ’54)
After graduating from CTS in 1971, Gary
returned with Betty to California, where CLASSES OF 1960 - 1969
Gary was ordained by the Disciples of JShirley W. Herman-Wilcox (BD ’69, ThM ’70)
Christ, and worked on social justice Raymond W. Lord (BD ’60)
causes for a network of churches in John F. Pamperin (BD ’63)
Edwin G. Remaly (BD ’61, MDiv ’72)
Stockton. He then became Director of
David A. Stout (BD ’67, MDiv ’72)
Programs for the American Friends Service
Committee in Pasadena. Throughout
CLASSES OF 1970 - 1979
this period, he organized activists to
Gary F. Massoni (MDiv ’71)
Gary Massoni demand justice for farmworkers and
peace between Israel and Palestine. By
Carl B. Trutter (DRel ’70)
Growing up in an Italian-American family 1985, Gary and his family had moved to
CLASSES OF 1980 - 1989
in the Napa Valley of California, Gary Corvallis, Oregon, where Gary had found
James D. Berry (MDiv ’86)
Massoni first developed an interest in a job as campus minister for Oregon State
June A. Bro (DMin ’84)
social justice when he noticed that an University. It was not long, though, before
Paul Darnell (DMin ’86)
immigrant boy he befriended did not he was pulled back into social justice work
Jeanne W. Marechal (MDiv ’81, DMin ’87)
join him at school. The boy’s family was when Rev. Jackson asked Gary to serve
Virginia J. Steinhauser (MDiv ’81, DMin ’82)
undocumented. After graduating from as Director of Scheduling for his historic
Newton L. Wesley (DMin ’82)
Stanford University, Gary married his wife presidential campaign.
Betty Herndon, and then the two of them CLASSES OF 1990 - 1999
Not long after the campaign ended, Gary
moved across the country so that Gary Susan E. Deutsch-Harris (STM ’91)
returned to Operation Breadbasket, now
could pursue his life’s calling at Chicago Margaret M. Knittel (DMin ’90)
Operation PUSH, to take on a variety of
Theological Seminary. Rev. Jesse Jackson
roles, including Director of Development
Sr. and his wife Jackie were the first CLASSES OF 2000 - 2009
and National Director of Information
people Betty and Gary met in Chicago. By Darcy Krause (Attended ’04, ’05)
Technology. He divided his time between
winter, at the behest of Dr. Martin Luther
Chicago and Corvallis, working intensely
King, Jr., Rev. Jackson, was organizing a CLASSES OF 2010 - 2019
until he retired.
group of students to go down to Selma, Joann S. Bell (MDiv ’11)
Alabama to support voter registration Though his career as social justice activist Deirdre Louise Jones (Certificate of
drives in the wake of the Bloody Sunday and organizer made great demands on Theological Studies, 2017)
beatings of Civil Rights marchers. Gary him, Gary was nonetheless devoted Pam Garrud (MA, 2019)
eagerly joined in the mission. to Betty, his two daughters Gina and
Dara, and their partners, and his three
Soon Gary was working for Rev. Jackson
grandchildren. He was also a great lover
at the Chicago arm of Operation
of photography and was known to pause
Breadbasket, a department of Dr. King’s
while walking down the street in order
Southern Christian Leadership Conference
to capture a photo of a single flower or
that was dedicated to improving
some other fragile reminder of nature’s
the economic conditions of African-
transcendent beauty. On November 3,
Americans. Gary excelled at organizing
2019, Gary passed away after a sudden
people and processes, putting together
month-long illness from undetected
boycotts to pressure white businesses
myeloid leukemia. His quiet compassion,
to hire black people and work with black
dedication, and skill made a difference in
vendors and contractors. He happened to
the lives of many. He will be sorely missed.
2122
Faith
A PLACE FOR
By Jason Frey, Dean of Students &
Vice President of Student Services
CTS attracts record Muslim student population
As a result of our commitments and expanding Engagement, such as Interspiritual Education and Pedagogies,
partnerships, this year, we are thrilled to Introduction to InterReligious Engagement, and Managing and
Developing Interreligious Non-Profits
welcome over 35 incoming Muslim students for
our incoming 2020 class. Most of our Muslim students attending CTS are in one of these
programs provided with Bayan. The partnership with Bayan
The growing number of Muslim students at CTS, while exciting, also dramatically expanded the number of courses available at
should not be surprising. As a learning community, CTS CTS in the areas of Islamic studies. This year’s exciting courses
commits to the “joyous embrace of religious diversity, expanding include Muslim Spiritualities Among the Religions of the World,
our ground-breaking work in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic Contemporary Islamic Thought, and Homo Islamicus: Explaining
Studies to advance understanding and collaboration among the Human History from an Islamic Perspective.
rich multiplicity of spiritual traditions and lifestances.”
With these two new concentrations, we expect enrollment for
CTS has always recognized the global context of religious these degree programs to increase as our partnership with
diversity and the importance of learning about and from other Bayan develops further and becomes even more united.
religious traditions and leaders. The importance of religious
pluralism and diversity permeates many of the courses and Commitment to interreligious studies and engagement and the
programs at the seminary. Expanding our ability to offer expansion of our ability to offer courses and concentrations in
religiously diverse curriculum and concentrations has been at Muslim studies is now an essential thread in the fabric of the
the forefront of our vision. seminary’s identity. We are excited to continue striving to form a
religiously diverse and compassionate community at CTS.
The number of Muslim students at CTS has grown significantly
over the past few years due to the seminary’s partnerships,
endeavors, and commitments. Last summer, CTS officially
partnered with Bayan Islamic Graduate School to offer an
Islamic Chaplaincy concentration within our Master of Divinity
program. That summer brought ten new students for this new
concentration. This past spring, we expanded our partnership
with Bayan to offer a concentration in Islamic Studies for our
Master of Arts program.
Additionally, the growth of Muslim students at CTS can also
be attributed to our continued commitment to hiring diverse
faculty interested in Interreligious and Muslim Studies. Hiring
faculty in Muslim and Interreligious Studies began in 2014 with
Visiting Professor Dr. Rami Nashashibi. They continued in 2018
as CTS brought on Dr. Uzma Jamil as a Visiting Fellow in Muslim
Studies for the InterReligious Institute. In 2020 CTS solidified
our commitment to Muslim Studies by hiring Dr. Najeeba Syeed
as Associate Professor of Muslim and Interreligious Studies.
Dr. Syeed will teach courses this fall that focus on Interreligious
23FY20 DONOR
denotes estate gift/Lawson Society member denotes alumni status
$100,000 OR MORE • D
avid A. Mook and Janet E. MacLean • G
ary T. Johnson
Kathy Stodgell • P
ark Church, Grand • D
avid W. Juday and
• C
lark Family Foundation,
Glenview, IL • Carol A. Stram Rapids, MI Suzanne Juday
• D
onald C. Clark, Jr. and • S
aint Pauls United Church Robinson G. Lapp
$5,000 - $9,999
Ellen B. Clark of Christ, Chicago, IL ob L. Leveridge and
R
• AmazonSmile
• T
he Henry Luce Foundation, • Z
ack Shah and Nadia Shannon Leveridge
New York, NY • F
irst Congregational Church Abbas Shah ilton J. Marks and
L
of Angola, Angola, IN
• T
he Waraich Family Carolyn E. Marks
$1,000 - $2,499
• F
irst United Methodist
• R
achel S. Mikva and
$50,000 - $99,999 Church of Chicago, • Y
asmine Abou-El-Kheir
Mark A. Rosenberg
Chicago. IL and Hysni Selenica
• C
ampus Consortium, ouglas E. Mitchell
D
Chicago, IL Matthew L. Garretson Thomas D. Allen
and Tedi K. Mitchell
• G
lenview Community and Joyce Allen
• C
UE Mid-America • B
rian E. Moon
Seminaries, New Brighton, Church, Glenview, IL • W
illiam B. Barnard
and Sally Barnard • M
ary W. Nelson
MN • Donald G. Hart
• L
loyd A. Bettis and Ernest B. Newsom
• S
egal Family Foundation, • G
wendolyn Hughes
Northbrook, IL McCottry Kathryn A. Bettis • L
isa Notter
• C
arole B. Segal and Gordon • Wilhelmena Hughes Sapp J ae Hyung Cho and aniel M. Patte
D
I. Segal Young Lim Cho-Choi and Aline Patte
C
arol J. LeFevre
arlyn W. Close and
M David E. Pattee
$20,000 - $49,999 • Susan M. MacLean
Esther J. Close eorge M. Pennell
G
• A
merican Association for the • S
tephen G. Ray, Jr. and
lizabeth C. Dickerson
E and Jean E. Pennell
Advancement of Science, Susan P. Ray
and Paul J. Dickerson Richard N. Peterson
Washington, DC Bob Wagstaff
• E
dwards Congregational and Wayne T. Bradley
E
state of Gene L. • A
udrey Williams-Lee UCC, Davenport, IA • P
lymouth Congregational
McCornack and Byron Lee
• W
illiam P. Evers and Patricia UCC of Grand Rapids,
$10,000 - $19,999 $2,500 - $4,999 Black-Evers Grand Rapids, MI
• A
frican Methodist Episcopal • F
irst Congregational UCC • G
reg E. Rose
avid M. Ackerman and
D
Church Fourth District, Janesville, Janesville, WI • S
aint Mark United Church of
Satoko I. Ackerman
Chicago, IL • F
irst Presbyterian Church Christ, Chicago Heights, IL
• A
merican Endowment
B
rian G. Clarke and (PCUSA), Manitowoc, WI Susan Schaefer
Foundation, Hudson, OH
Zada L. Clarke • F
irst Reformed UCC, • S
t. Peter’s United Church of
Andrea Billhardt
• H
arter Family Charitable Manitowoc. WI Christ, Elmhurst, IL
• A
ndrea Billhardt Charitable
Foundation • S
usan Greenwood • K
en A. Stone and
Fund
R
ichard M. Harter and • F
orrest E. Harris and Adolfo Santos
• F
irst Congregational Church
Gay Harter Jacqueline B. Harris • N
ancy Sutherland
of Houston, Houston, TX
Thomas M. Hughes • J ewish Community Council Nancy S. Taylor
• R
ichard M. Franklin and
• In Trust Center for of Erie, Erie, PA
Marguerite Franklin Warsaw Charitable Trust,
Theological Schools, • J ewish United Fund (Jewish Newark, DE
Walter B. Johnson
Wilmington, DE Federation), Chicago, IL
Support Leaders for the Next at: ctschicago.edu/give
24ROLL
We know that at the heart of your support is a love for CTS and a belief
in the Leaders for the Next CTS educates every year.
Donor Roll listed by cash and in-kind gifts received between July 1, 2019
and June 30, 2020. Please contact us at advancement@ctschicago.edu
or 773.896.2430 for corrections or comments.
Frederick S. West $500 - $999 ary L. Chapman and
G Keran Olm-Stoelting
• T
he Frederick S. West and Janet R. Chapman • P
ilgrim Congregational
• T
he Reverend Abraham
Cynthia Evans West Fund Kahu Akaka Ministries • L
ee Anna Clark Church, Oak Park, IL
• N
orman J. Williams and Foundation, Honolulu, HI • D
ouglas E. Criner and • S
aint Paul UCC, Chelsea, MI
Lynda Williams Jean M. Alexander Sarah M. Criner • S
aint Stephen UCC,
ark T. Winters and
M • Ames UCC, Ames, IA • L
illian F. Daniel Sandusky, OH
Jessica L. Winters haron E. Davis and
S • W
illie and Diana Fields
ee W. Carlson and
L
• W
oodside Church, Flint, MI Carolyn Carlson Edward S. Davis Charitable Fund
laine B. Eachus and
E omyung Seo and
B
Allan C. Eachus Chungmi Kim
Etta Allen Estate • S
pertus Institute for Jewish
• F
irst Congregational Church Learning and Leadership,
of LaGrange, La Grange, IL Chicago, IL
• F
irst Congregational • S
usan E. Sporte and
United Church of Christ, Bennie E. Whiten
Naperville, IL • S
aima Sufi and Amir Sufi
• F
irst Congregational United • J oAnne M. Terrell
Olivia Smarr ’21, MA Church of Christ, DeKalb, IL • T
he Table, Davenport, IA
Washington, DC • S
haron W. Fluker Robert H. Tucker
and Walter E. Fluker
Olivia Smarr is a Black Lesbian woman born and raised roy C. Underwood and
T
in Black Christian traditions. Her upbringing in the church ichard L. Heiss
R Katherine Underwood
taught her the value of faith and pushed her to pursue and Joyce Heiss
theological education. She also hoped to find a theological • U
nited Church of Chapel Hill,
• D
iane E. Herr Chapel Hill, NC
perspective that would break the barriers of the theology
and William Hall
that she learned growing up. “I didn’t agree with all of what • W
oman’s Society First
was preached, and I knew that God was bigger than the Wilbur K. Huck Congregational Church-
theological constraints I had been taught.”
J udith M. Jahnke Western Springs, Western
Olivia’s current faith practices are rooted in Black and Fred Jahnke Springs, IL
liberation, womanist, queer, and public theologies, as well Nathaniel Jarrett • P
at Yunglas
as eco-spiritualities. Olivia aspires to be a professional
artist, choreographer, and scholar who focuses on Black Gwendolyn V. Kirkland
$250 - $499
spiritualities of the past, present, and future. aul L. Kittlaus and
P
Mary L. Altenbaumer
CTS has challenged Olivia to expand her faith and Janet Vandevender
understanding of theology in a way she never imagined. • R
eza Aslan and
• A
ndre LaCocque
“At CTS we are not taught to think or believe anything Jessica Jackley
Leah F. Matthews
in particular, we are encouraged to explore faith for ruce D. Barrabee and
B
ourselves. I’ve taken interesting classes that I never avid R. McMahill
D Patricia A. Barrabee
imagined existed, and I’m learning about theological and Jane A. McMahill
ways of thinking and reimagining faith in ways that are • P
hilip L. Blackwell
enlightening.” • R
on McNeill and Sarah Blackwell
• M
ary Mikva and • H
ank Branom
“Thank you for supporting such an important and
Steven Cohen
innovative institution. Your scholarship support to CTS onald B. Brown and
R
is truly helping to create a generation of unique and ichael H. Montgomery
M Jane H. Rowe
progressive faith leaders.” and Peggy S. McClanahan
• Irving V. Clarke
• H
oward A. Nelson
25You can also read
