Alumni News
Director of Traditional Music and Liturgy, Full-Time, UMC: Indianapolis, IN
St. Luke’s UMC is seeking a faith-filled, creative, adaptable, and energetic Director of Traditional Music and Liturgy to help cultivate the traditional worship experience through diverse and dynamic music, partnership with clergy and musicians, and creative congregational participation in liturgy and music. St. Luke’s is a progressive, inclusive congregation growing in diversity with a rich history of creativity in arts and music.
To apply, send resume to Rev. Melissa Cooper, mcooper@st.lukes.org; If possible, provide video with examples of leading music groups or performing music, leading worship or liturgy, or other relevant content to show music and worship leadership skills and experience.
Reports to: Minister of Worship and Arts
Full Time, Exempt; Excellent benefits including health insurance, retirement match, generous PTO, and relocation stipend.
Job Description
This position is responsible for planning, coordinating, and leading musical worship in the Sanctuary on Sunday and within other worship gatherings, as well as partnering in the leadership, development and growth of the broader arts ministry in collaboration with the Artistic Director and Director of Children’s and Instrumental Music. This role will help cultivate the traditional worship experience, as a primary driver alongside pastors for the development of worship service order, liturgy and overall experience for this service and possible new service opportunities. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership, teaching and team building skills, with a proven track record of creating passion and building momentum within an organization. This person should embody an innovative spirit and be someone who enjoys shaping culture, creating beauty, capturing imaginations, and deepening discipleship through worship and music.
Musical Worship at St. Luke’s A foundational belief at St. Luke’s is that liturgy is the work of the people. Each week we are offered the opportunity to participate in the liturgy and respond as a congregation to God’s work with a diversity of musical expressions. St. Luke’s seeks to further cultivate a musical worship that is intentional, cohesive and vibrant, drawing on music that offers theological richness, deep and diverse spirituality, and singable tunes. The community of St. Luke’s has many gifted musicians. This position will further cultivate their gifts individually and as groups, recruit and nurture new musicians within the congregation and from the surrounding community, as well as draw out the broader participation of our congregation in worship and arts.
Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree in music or equivalent with advanced degree preferred
At least 3 years experience of leading music in a worship setting preferred
Proficiency in directing choral groups, basic keyboard skills (accomplished pianist preferred), and broad experience with a wide range of liturgical musical styles from ancient to modern, as well as multicultural musical styles and expressions
Qualifications:
A vibrant and growing faith with a desire to model this life of faith and learn from others.
Excellent skills with people, especially around sharing vision and motivating volunteers and leaders
Passion and skills to develop and work with teams (staff and volunteer)
Passion for facilitating the growth of music ministry at St. Luke’s, both broadly and deeply, into the life of the congregation and beyond
Organized with ability to prioritize time and attention, as well as to delegate tasks and share leadership as appropriate
Responsibilities:
Worship Planning & Creative Visioning (25%)
• Collaborate with pastors, staff and lay leaders to envision, plan, and evaluate worship services appropriate to the liturgical season
• In collaboration with Director of Instrumental and Children’s Music, select music that contributes to the liturgy, appropriate for the church season or worship series
• Develop full and active liturgical participation of the congregation within worship and beyond
• Work out of a variety of hymnals and music resources, incorporating traditional, modern, ancient and global music
• Recruit, equip and motivate servant ministers to use musical abilities to lead in music and worship ministry
Leading and Teaching Music (50%)
• Directing and/or accompanying weekly worship and special services (including multiple services on Sunday)
• Leading the Sanctuary Choir, including leading weekly rehearsal and fostering a community of love, support, discipleship, and joy. Within rehearsal and beyond, communicating how the music is connected to the particular worship service, liturgical season, etc.
• Leading adult vocal ensembles and soloists as needed for rehearsals, church services and other special events
• Collaborate with other directors to advocate for the inclusion and leadership of children and youth in worship and music ministries, seeking ways to nurture their musical gifts and incorporating them into worshiping life of the church
• Leading the Sanctuary Choir, ensembles, and congregation into missional opportunities within our community
• Recruits, develops and coaches vocalists for soloist opportunities and ensemble participation in worship and growing pool of talent for both, offering vocal coaching as needed for individuals or groups
• Provides coaching for choir and ensemble members on specific vocal and choral techniques
• Seeking creative ways to establish, nurture and share music as an act of discipleship or evangelism, including for example, through social media or sharing music at other church events
• Partners with Artistic Director and Director of Instrumental and Children’s Music to develop weekly services and special events, like concerts, musicals, and other special events and arts experiences.
General Leadership and Administration (25%)
• Ensure proper stewardship of the music ministries budget, musician payments, and music expenses
• Oversee the purchasing, proper maintenance and distribution of all music scores to musicians
• Oversee proper communication of music selections and worship order needed for all services and events utilizing Planning Center Online
• Oversee the proper communication of all technical needs for music ministries utilizing Planning Center Online, to communicate to both tech and facilities staff
• Create and maintain a directory of musicians
• Create a communication plan for all music ministry events and worship services partnering with Marketing department
• Promote diversity not only among volunteers, but also through selecting music that reflects the diversity of the congregation, central Florida and the diversity within the denomination and the Body of Christ, as described in St. Luke’s vision for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Worship and Arts General:
• Understand, embrace and utilize St. Luke’s mission, vision and core values to guide all creative arts and worship
• Ability to articulate and guide volunteers and programming to express annual themes
• Make connections between creative arts and worship experiences to guide participants into deeper discipleship and kingdom work
• Recruitment of volunteer teams and leadership
• Organize and lead core teams to guide all planning and implementation
• Provide spiritual leadership to volunteers, technicians, performers and musicians participating in ministries
• Awareness and concern for staff, volunteer and participant safety
• Embrace and foster virtual volunteerism – objectives that include visioning/growing virtual volunteers
• Utilize Planning Center Online for worship planning, volunteer management and communication. Maintain volunteer database and train volunteers to utilize Planning Center Online as their primary resource for scheduling and determining worship service order
• Utilize Arena database for participant and volunteer tracking and communication
• Other assigned duties at the discretion of the Minister of Worship and Arts
Dean of the Chapel, Full-Time, Higher Ed: Berea, KY
Berea College achieved national distinction as the first coeducational and interracial college in the South. With an emphasis on service to the people of Appalachia and beyond, Berea enrolls 1,600-plus students from more than 40 states and 70 countries. The College has a longstanding commitment to interracial education; here, people of different races seek to learn from and about each other, while also living together. Berea is among the most racially diverse private liberal arts colleges in the United States. It admits only students whose families are unable to afford the high cost of tuition and awards each of them a four-year tuition scholarship valued at $200,000, meaning no student ever pays tuition. Ninety-eight percent of Berea’s domestic students are Pell-eligible, probably the highest percentage in the country. They excel in the College’s supportive but demanding academic environment, and many are the first in their families to graduate from college. In addition to an excellent liberal arts education, Berea is one of eight federally-recognized Work Colleges, requiring all students to participate in a work program 10-15 hours per week in a variety of positions across campus.
Berea College has always nurtured the spiritual life of its community in a variety of ways. While categorized as non-denominational, the school creates an inclusive Christian spirituality that has always promoted social justice in its many forms. During its earliest history, the College provided many opportunities for Christian education and spiritual development, requiring the participation of all students and faculty. Beginning with the founders of the College, several members of the faculty and administration, including five of the school’s nine presidents to date, also have been ordained ministers from several different Christian traditions and denominations. Through much of the College’s history, many of the ministerial members of the College’s faculty and administration led the community in worship and study of scriptures. For many decades, the president of the College even appointed a “College Preacher.” This person helped the school to fulfill its Christian commitment. Despite the important role of the Christian faith in the founding, history and present mission of the College, the College does not regard itself as a church. It considers participation in any religious community or tradition completely voluntary for its students, staff and faculty.
To learn more about Berea’s Campus Christian Center (CCC), visit the https://www.berea.edu/ccc/.
To explore more information about the CCC’s mission, visit the https://www.berea.edu/ccc/mission/.
SUMMARY OF POSITION
Reporting to the President, The Dean of the Chapel provides leadership in interpreting and applying the college’s 3rd Great Commitment through participation in formal occasions of the College, speaking to various groups on and off-campus, supervision of the Campus Christian Center, and involvement in the governance of the College. The Dean of the Chapel reports directly to and serves as an advisor to the President and the senior leadership of the College.
Senior Accountant, Full-Time, UMC: Methuen, MA
The New England Conference of The United Methodist Church is excited to announce a search for a Senior Accountant. The Senior Accountant will work under the supervision of the Controller and will be responsible for performing basic accounting duties such as analyzing accounts, records, ledgers, and reports for accuracy and validity. This role prepares or assists in the preparation of various financial reports requiring initiative and investigative skills as well as assisting with accounts payables, accounts receivables, and payroll functions.
Download full job description here: Updated - New England- Senior Accountant Job Posting2
The New England Conference of the United Methodist Church is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively seeks and encourages applications from minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities. All offers of employment are subject to the applicant successfully completing background, reference, and other applicable checks.
Email resume and cover letter to jobs@gcfa.org
Closing Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2022
Words For New Weddings by Reverend Dr. David L. Glusker (STH ’68)
Words For New Weddings makes it easy for anyone to create a wedding service or ceremony that is just what they want! You don't have to be a judge, or a clergy, or a justice of the peace to plan the wedding that is perfect for you. This book makes it easy, one step at a time, to choose the words that you want spoken at your wedding. They can be deeply spiritual words or simple loving statements. They can celebrate your history and/or anticipate your future. They can include others or be very personal. You get to choose!
Twenty-first century couples need twenty-first century options for planning weddings and services of commitment. This book offers step-by-step choices from "traditional" to "contemporary", enabling weddings to be custom-crafted with thousands of possible ceremonies. With little to no other resources out there like Words For New Weddings, we, the authors, are thrilled by the idea of couples using this book to “mix things up" and edit the choices that we have presented to you to craft your perfect wedding.
Not getting married? No problem! This book is an excellent resource for all kinds of services, not just weddings. For example, we have provided you with options for couples simply wishing to renew their vows, express their commitment to each other, and more. Anyone and everyone can create a ceremony that will bring joy to all who attend!
“Words for New Weddings is an excellent resource for those preparing to officiate at weddings. It provides fresh new language for everyone, with many options from which to select the right words for any wedding ceremony and for ALL couples. Thank you, David and Tom, for providing this rich, valuable and most inclusive resource.
- Cliff Ives (STH '63,'83), Bishop of the United Methodist Church, Retired, Portland, Maine”
The Reverend Dr. David Glusker is a retired United Methodist clergy who served as the pastor of local churches in Maine and Massachusetts for twenty-six years, and as an ecumenical media minister, reaching people in northern New England, Canada, and part of the Mid-West for fourteen years. He is a graduate of Eastern Nazarene College (BA), Boston University School of Theology (M Div), and New York Theological Seminary (STM and D Min). He is married and has three surviving children, three step-children, and fourteen grandchildren. He and his wife, Nancy, live in Maine and worship at the Pleasant Street United Methodist Church in Waterville, Maine, where the Reverend Dr. Thom Blackstone has served as the pastor.
In 1983, Rev. Glusker invited his good friend, the Rev. Dr. Peter Misner, to join him in creating a book that would help couples play a larger role in creating their own wedding ceremonies. Words for Your Wedding was published and proved to be a helpful tool for thousands of couples and officiants planning weddings. In 2019, he invited his pastor and friend, the Rev. Dr. Thom Blackstone, to join him in a similar project that would address the ever-changing and more inclusive world of the 21st century. Their goal is to help the human family be more loving and inclusive, to encourage acceptance of differences, and to serve the God of Love during their remaining years.
Get your copy of Words For New Weddings on Amazon.
Spring 2022 COVID-19 Procedures for BUSTH and BU Charles River Campus
January 2022 – On Wednesday, January 5th, Boston University announced new COVID-19 adaptations as the Omicron wave of the COVID-19 virus continues. Classes will resume as scheduled on January 20, but with temporary modifications. Please read the announcement to be sure all protocols are followed before the start of the semester.
Jan. 5 COVID-19 Update from BU Administration
Additional information for School of Theology students are as follows:
- Back2BU: Boston University’s dedicated website for campus guidelines for all University audiences
- Healthway: BU’s website dedicated to COVID-19 prevention and testing for our community. It includes the daily testing dashboard which displays all the latest results from our on-campus COVID-19 testing
- STH Library COVID-19 information
- BU Today: Subscribe to the daily email newsletter for breaking news on campus
Prof. Jonathan Calvillo Named HTI 2021 Book Prize Winner
Hispanic Theological Initiative announced its 2021 Book Award Winners at the beginning of January. Assistant Professor of Sociology of Religion Jonathan Calvillo was one of three awardees for his publication The Saints of Santa Ana: Faith and Ethnicity in a Mexican Majority City.
“I am grateful to the many people who moved this project forward,” Prof. Calvillo writes in his publication’s acknowledgements. “Boston University School of Theology was exceedingly supportive of my research and writing.”
The synopsis of the book includes, “Catholicism has long been the dominant religion among ethnic Mexicans in the U.S. Recent shifts, however, have challenged the traditional association between Mexican ethnicity and Catholicism. Evangelical Protestantism has emerged as a notable alternative of ethnic identity expression for ethnic Mexicans. How does faith shape these immigrants’ sense of ethnic identity? To answer this question, The Saints of Santa Ana compares the experiences of Catholic and Evangelical Mexican immigrants-the two largest religious groupings in the city. Drawing on five years of participant observation and in-depth interviews, this book argues that religious affiliations set Catholics and Evangelicals along diverging trajectories with regard to ethnic identity.”
“I am extremely honored to receive this recognition,” says Prof. Calvillo.
An Advent Meditation from Dean Pak
Wide is the embrace of God, who says tenderly,
“Comfort, O Comfort my people.”
Wide is the embrace of God, who whispers, “Say to
those who are fearful in heart—Do not fear!”
Wide is the embrace of God, who comes in
vulnerability to reveal true strength.
Embracing God’s expansiveness, may we be a beacon
of comfort today.
Held within God’s embrace, may we honor the
dignity and beauty of all living things.
Extending God’s embrace, may we be
ambassadors of justice, peace, hope, and joy this very day.
~ An Advent meditation on Isaiah from Dean G. Sujin Pak
“Natus Est Vobis”, 2018, watercolor, ink, and digital typography, by Br. Blair Nuyda, A.A. (Doctor of Ministry Candidate)
Prof. Courtney Goto Explores How to “Find Faith in a Deadly World”
December 2021 – During the fall 2021 semester, Associate Professor of Religious Education and 2020 Metcalf Award Winner Courtney Goto approached her Creative Pedagogy course in a unique way. While the world is still living with the COVID-19 pandemic, she took the opportunity to incorporate the pandemic into her lessons. Before the first day of classes, she built a “coronavirus piñata,” and themed this semester’s course “Finding Faith in a Deadly World,” inspired by the work of Mai-Anh Le Tran.
The class explored an important question for students: How do faith/spiritual leaders help community members creatively vent their rage during a pandemic? As Goto describes, students in her class were “inspired by the medieval practice of holy foolery, which is a prophetic tradition. Saints in Orthodox and Roman Catholic traditions feigned madness in order to critique society.”
Watch Prof. Goto’s video below on how the experiment unfolded, and how her students learned pedagogically in the midst of this deadly pandemic.
“Students couldn’t wait to smash the coronavirus piñata on the last day of class, which we did in the law school courtyard,” said Goto. “Even a stranger couldn’t resist the invitation to join the fun. I think many of us found it cathartic!”
Reverend Terence Curley, D.Min. (STH ’90)
This obituary was originally published by The Solimine Funeral Homes and can be found here.
Reverend Terence P. Curley, D.Min, Aug.8, 1944-Aug 26, 2016 was born in Lynn, MA, the third of seven children of Edmund F. Curley and Eileen C. Koen. He grew up in Swampscott attending St. John's The Evangelist School and St Mary's High School in Lynn, Ma. He attended Cardinal O'Connell Seminary and St John's Graduate School of Theology in Boston before being ordained by Cardinal Medeiros in 1972.
Fr. Curley served as either an assistant or an associate at St. Zepherin Parish, Wayland, Sacred Heart Parish, Lynn and Most Holy Redeemer Parish, East Boston. He was then named associate at St. John the Evangelist (French) parish in Newton. In 1982 he was named associate at St. Mary Star of the Sea, East Boston and in 1983 to a similar position at Incarnation of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Parish, Melrose. Between 1987 and 1993 he was an associate at Immaculate Conception Parish, Salem and Our Lady of Grace Parish, Chelsea. He was named pastor of Saint Susanna Parish in Dedham in 1993 where he served until 2001 when he was named pastor at Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish in Nahant Ma where he remained until his semi-retirement in 2010 due to health concerns. While serving at a number of parishes in the Boston Archdiocese he earned a Doctorate in Ministry at Boston University. During his doctrinal studies he became very involved in the Ministry of Bereavement and shared his expertise in parishes and dioceses across the country. In addition to his parish work he taught graduate courses at Lesley College Graduate School for Counseling Psychology and Expressive Therapy, Cambridge MA, and at Emmanuel College in Boston, MA. He was also an adjunct staff member of the Family Life Office of the Archdiocese of Boston. In recent years, up to the present time, he has been teaching in the Master of Arts in Ministry program at The Theological Institute of St. John's Seminary, Brighton, MA. Fr. Curley served as both an elected board member and President to the National Catholic Ministry to the Bereaved. He was also a current board member of the Catholic Cemetery Association. He has written some fourteen books on ministry to the bereaved as well as a dozen video productions that were often run on BCTV and across the country.
Fr. Curley was pre-deceased by his parents; Edmund and Eileen Curley and his older brother Edmund C. Curley. He leaves behind his sisters: Anrita Talbot of Salem, MA, Eileen M. Clay of Me, Brenda M. Noyes of Me. And Maura E. Bostdorf of Nova Scotia as well as his brother Jerome M. Curley of Salem, MA. In addition he leaves several nieces, nephews and grand nephews and nieces. He will be missed by his loving family as well as the countless people he served for over four decades. He would want all to know that life is changed not ended by his death and would no doubt highlight one of his favorite prayers from the Funeral liturgy: Before we go our separate ways, let us take leave of our brother. May our farewell express our affection for him; may it ease our sadness and strengthen our hope. One day we shall joyfully greet him again when the love of Christ, which conquers all things, destroys even death itself. (Order of Christian Funerals, #198)
Fr. Curley will lie in repose on Wednesday from 3-7PM in St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 248 Nahant Rd, Nahant. His funeral mass will be celebrated on Thursday at 11AM in St. Thomas Aquinas Church. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Salem. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Those who prefer may make donations to St. Camillus Health Center, 447 Hill St., Whitinsville, MA 01588.
Ms. Billie Jean Melton (STH’96)
This obituary was originally published The Barber Memorial Home and can be found here.
Reverend Billie Jean Melton, passed away on February 13, 2015 at the home of her daughter in Binghamton, NY. During the past year while enduring an extended illness, she has been cared for by her loving family as well as hospice.
Born April 2, 1938 in Lovington, New Mexico, Billie Jean was the daughter of the late Robert Culbert, “R.C.'' and Hazel Marie Lewis. As a young woman, Billie Jean was a missionary to Japan for 5 years alongside her husband and soulmate, the late Charles Melton who died in 1966. Following the death of Charles, Billie Jean returned to the United States and obtained her teaching degree from Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, MA where she taught in the local elementary school for 17 years. From an early age Billie Jean had a deep desire to become a pastor. Upon retiring from teaching she was able to fulfill that dream, earning her Divinity Degree from Boston University, and became an ordained Elder in the West Ohio conference of the United Methodist Church. She pastored in Ohio and New York, retiring from her last pastorate in the churches of Constableville, Glenfield, Greig and Turin of the Lewis County Parish, New York, in January of 2014. It was at this time that Billie Jean began her courageous battle with cancer.
Billie Jean dearly loved her family and took great pleasure in being together. Throughout her life Billie Jean touched many lives, having a heart for children, those in need, and sharing her faith and hope in Jesus. Of Billie Jean's life we can now say: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7. Billie Jean is survived by her son, Walter Melton and wife, Nanette of Westminster, Maryland; daughters, Risa Melton of Olathe, Kansas; Michelle Easttey and husband Tom of Binghamton, New York; seven grandchildren Chrissy (C1ark) Broughton-Smith; Emily, Tom, Charles, and Chloe Easttey; Nathan (Stacy) Melton and Chris Melton. Five great-grandchildren Hunter, Dakota, Jasper, Amber and Chance; sister, Wanda Fuller and husband Tom of Oceanside, CA and niece, Karen, of CA and several extended family members.
At her request there will be a memorial service or “Celebration in Song” held on Saturday, February 28th at 11:00AM at the Boulevard United Methodist Church, 113 Grand Boulevard, Binghamton, NY 13905 with the Rev. Thomas Easttey officiating. A luncheon will follow in the church fellowship hall. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made in memory of Billie Jean to Lourdes Hospital Foundation (Hospice), 169 Riverside Dr, Suite 103, Binghamton, NY, 13905, the Haiti Mission of Waterloo Methodist Church, 21 E. Williams St., Waterloo, NY, 13165, or the Lewis County Humane Society, 6388 Pine Grove Rd, Glenfield, NY 13343, http://lewiscountyhumanesociety.org/donate