Alumni News
Rev. Dr. J. Roger Skelley-Watts (STH ’90) Honored at Retirement for Ministry to Huron, Ohio Community
Rev. Dr. J. Roger Skelley-Watts (STH '90) was honored in the City of Huron, Ohio at the time of his retirement for his service to Huron United Methodist Church. Rev. Dr. Skelley-Watts writes, "After 46 years of ordained United Methodist Ministry, I have retired. I was ordained a Deacon in the Tennessee Conference, 1972; and Elder with the East Ohio Conference, 1977." The Mayor Of Huron, Ohio made a formal proclamation (as pictured below) recognizing Rev. Dr. Skelley-Watts' service to the community.
Hon. Martha Bellinger (STH ’75) Teaches Law for her 30th year
Hon. Martha E. Bellinger, Judge Retired, (STH ‘75) is teaching Religion and The Law again, in her 30th year as an adjunct professor of law at La Verne University School of Law. Judge Bellinger created this course for the law school in 1992, and has been teaching this course about the intersection of American religious values and our Constitution’s First Amendment.
Dr. Chuck Grose (STM ’56) Publishes “Dealing with Differences”
Dealing with Differences is the title of Dr. Chuck Grose's (STH '56) new book that addresses one of the top pervasive issues of our time! The reader is inductively drawn into each chapter as her/his/their every-day-experiences are framed through the lens of active empathy. In every chapter the reader tells their/his/her own stories when confronting privilege, gender, race, violence, and social change. Multifaceted problem-solving is essential in each chapter as the reader is guided toward bending the arc of justice. Learn more or order the book here.
In Memoriam: Dr. Julius Samuel Scott, Jr. (STH ’68)
Dr. Julius Samuel Scott, Jr., (STH '68) transitioned on Thursday, August 1, 2019, at his residence in Hilton Head Island, SC. Born in Houston, TX, he was a son of the late Julius S. Scott, Sr., and Bertha Bell Scott. Dr. Scott earned degrees in sociology and religion from Wiley College (with distinction), Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, and Brown University before earning a doctoral degree in Social Ethics at Boston University. His interest in non-violent peaceful protest led him to India to study the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, and after leaving the seminary, he served three years as a teacher and missionary in Hyderabad, India.
As a professor of sociology at Wiley College, Boston University, Atlanta University, and Spelman College, Dr. Scott lived his passion for education, bringing out the best in his students by demanding excellence. He interspersed his teaching duties with acting as Director of the Wesley Foundation at Texas Southern University, and chaplaincies at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Brown University, where he honed an aptitude for institutional administration.
After serving as a leader in a number of educational and social justice institutions in Atlanta, GA, he later moved to Augusta, GA, where he began his first term as president of Paine College (1975-1982). In August 1988, he returned to Paine College as its twelfth president, holding an unusual second term at the same institution until his retirement in 1994. He also served as Interim President at: Albany State University (GA); Wiley College (TX); Philanders Smith University (AR); Savannah State University (GA); and the Medical College of Georgia (now Georgia Health Sciences University).
Memorial services for Dr. Julius Samuel Scott, Jr., were held on Saturday, August 17, 2019, at St. Andrew by-the-Sea United Methodist Church in Hilton Head Island, SC. Read Dr. Scott's full obituary on the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry Site here.
Two New Certificate Programs Available Fall 2019
The School of Theology is pleased to announce two new certificate programs that will be available for student enrollment starting this fall semester. These certificates may be earned as part of and simultaneously with other School of Theology (STH) degree programs. According to Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Bryan Stone, “These new certificates are timely and build on faculty expertise while contributing creatively to the richness of the academic offerings at the School of Theology.”
The certificate in Theology and Latinx Studies signifies a student’s concentrated development of research and/or practical competencies in Latinx history, theology, and religious culture. The goal of the certificate program is to both prepare students for meaningful and effective work in Latinx communities of faith, and to explore the rich depth of Latinx religious traditions. This program offers academic training in methods of contextual analysis through the following means:
- Urban ministry courses and travel seminars,
- Courses in biblical and historical studies, which introduce students to the traditions of biblical interpretation as well as the spiritual practices and religious, political, and social influences that have shaped Latinx Christianity, and
- The study of the history and sociology of migration from Latin American countries.
Successful completion of the program consists of passing four approved courses in these subject areas.
The certificate in Faith and Ecological Justice indicates a student’s concentrated development of research and/or practical competencies in ecotheology, environmental ethics, and ecologically-informed spirituality and practices. The goal of the certificate program is to prepare students for meaningful and effective work in faith-based environmental initiatives, and to explore the rich depth of religious resources for such work. This certificate will be completed through the following:
- Theology and ethics courses will introduce students to the ways that religious traditions have portrayed human relations to the natural world as well as how they have responded to environmental challenges, and
- Travel seminars and colloquia offer students training in ecologically-informed spiritual practices and activism.
Successful completion of the program consists of passing three approved courses in the subject area and completing three one-credit colloquia.
“These two certificates mark the commitment of the School of Theology to prepare students with depth in Latinx Studies and Ecological Justice,” says Dean Mary Elizabeth Moore. “With excellent faculty and resources, and with students who are passionate about this specialized work, we could not be more excited.”
Information about these certificates are posted on the Certificates page. Questions about these certificates can be directed to the Registrar’s office at sthregfa@bu.edu.
In Memoriam of Bishop C. Dale White (STH ’51 & GRS ’63)
Bishop C. Dale White (STH '51 & GRS '63) died on March 29, 2019 in Concord, Massachusetts at the age of 94. Bishop White served as Bishop of the United Methodist Church from 1976-1984 in New Jersey and from 1984 until his retirement in New York.
White is survived by his children: Hazel (Leland) Lescalleet of Newark, Ohio; Rebecca (John) Blair of Hebron, New Hampshire, and Tura Beach, Australia; David (Beth) White of Gouldsboro, Maine; Teresa (Daniel) Kuczynski of Salisbury, Vermont; and Lisa (Robert) Greer of Jacksonville, Texas.
He also is survived by seven grandchildren, John Tracy, Chris Tracy, Matt Blair, Kate White, Eve White, Sean Pendl, and Karina Lucia; 12 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
Bishop White's Memorial Service can be viewed here. Condolences can be sent to the family in care of his daughter, Teresa Kuczynski, at P.O. Box 153, Salisbury, VT 05769.
Read more about Bishop White's life and contributions to the life of the United Methodist Church here.
Article on Rev. Dr. Herman O. Kelly (STH ’83) Published on LSU Website
Read the article, "Teaching Others: From the Classroom to the Swimming Pool," here.
In Memoriam of Rev. Dr. F. Thomas Trotter (STH ’53 & GRS ’58)
Rev. Dr. F. Thomas Trotter (STH '53 & GRS '58) died late Friday evening, July 26 at the age of 93.
Dr. Trotter dedicated his life to God and humanity in service of The United Methodist Church, and also, in so many ways, to Claremont School of Theology. Raised in Los Angeles, Dr. Trotter earned his BA (1950) from Occidental College and his STB (1953) and PhD (1958) from Boston University. He also holds honorary degrees from ten colleges and universities. His academic interests included religion and the arts, and religion in higher education.
He served the church as a pastor, and as chair to many organizations including the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation. He also served as the General Secretary of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of The United Methodist Church for fourteen years, where he launched the United Methodist Africa University in Zimbabwe and contributed to the revitalization of academic standards of the University Senate.
STH Dean's Advisory Board Member, Rev. Dr. Donald Messer, writes,
"Another great leader of our church and higher education has passed. What a major contribution he made is his leadership, scholarship and publications. For over 30 years he mentored me: first as the young president of Dakota Wesleyan in the 1970's, then as Iliff's president. We traveled to China together and collaborated on a confidential project with Bishop K. H. Ting. I headed the University Senate visit to Alaska Pacific, when he was President there. His vision of a university in Africa and his concern for the Pacific Rim kept him always thinking on the cutting edge. His book, Loving God With One's Mind, epitomizes his perspective. How blessed I was to know him."
Dr. Trotter is survived by many close friends, colleagues, and family including his wife of sixty-six years, Gania Demaree Trotter; their three daughters, Ruth Trotter and her spouse Brett Watterson, Tania Trotter Batson and her spouse the Rev. Greg Batson, and Mary Trotter and her spouse Robert Kaufman; and grandchildren.
The family is planning a memorial service for Saturday, August 31, at Claremont United Methodist Church (211 W Foothill Boulevard, Claremont, CA 91711).
Read Rev. Dr. Trotter's full memorial post here on General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.
Op-Ed by Rev. Vernon Walker (STH ’16) on Safe Communities Act in CommonWealth Magazine
Rev. Vernon Walker (STH '16) who serves as the Public Policy Director of the Young Democrats of Massachusetts recently wrote an Op-Ed for CommonWealth Magazine about welcoming the stranger and passing the Safe Communities Act. The article can be read here.
The Horror of Hatred: A Message from Dean Moore
The Horror of Hatred
August 4, 2019
In 24 hours, people in the United States have witnessed two mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, with a death toll of 29 and an injury toll of more than 50. In the past week, we have witnessed two other horrific shootings in Southaven, Mississippi and Gilroy, California, bringing the death toll to 34 and injuries to 70 (both numbers subject to change). This does not even count the killings in US cities and towns, which happen with terrifying regularity. The reasons for these many shootings will take weeks to unravel, but we already see evidence of racist-extremism against Hispanic and immigrant people, extremist propaganda, and employee disgruntlement. We do not yet know what details and other motivations will surface, but the initial evidence is sadly reminiscent of motivations in other recent acts of terror.
Shootings and denigrating propaganda express the horror of hatred, but they do not stand in isolation from public statements and policies, political structures, and individual and communal actions and attitudes that promote racism. The past month has been rife with threats and actions cracking down on immigrants, resulting in the separation of children from their families, deep fear in immigrant communities, and inhumane living conditions for immigrants held in custody. These are not new practices; they have been part of US systems for decades, though they are now escalating at an alarming rate. Increasing threats and massive actions have fed a culture of hate in which people are demeaned and treated as non-human. That same hate-feeding culture has seen explosions in white nationalistic activity, castigation of persons and communities of color by private citizens and the highest leaders of the land, and silence or inaction by too many others.
The good news is that many have responded by offering care for victims and their families, and also engaging in street protests, political and legal actions, and local efforts to build up cultures based in dignity and inclusive love for all peoples. These very efforts lay foundations for cultural change, but they will have to multiply 100, 1,000, 1,000,000 times if they are to produce the profound cultural transformation that is needed. We also have to be alert to the hidden racism and denigration within our own best efforts so we can become ever more self-critical and open to transformation in our individual and collective lives.
Some of our leaders are guilty of stoking fires of racism and nationalism, and some are guilty of denial or silence. Yet we ordinary citizens are guilty as well. We are in a political season in which the temptation is to blame one person, one group of leaders, or one political party. Those are urgent conversations but they are not enough. How can we go deeper and see the deadly dynamics of white privilege, racism, sexism, homophobia, classism, and nationalism that infect our very lives? We are all implicated. The time is long past when we can attend only to the surface of social hatred. How can we begin to transform this world created by God with Divine goodness and delight? How can we honor and ensure justice and support for all human lives, each created in God’s image? My pastor Jay Williams preached this morning on living a life of prayer – one in which we become conscious that what we think, what we say, what we do, and how we live in the world makes a difference.
What would it mean if each and all of us in Christian and other theocentric traditions lived each day shaped through and through by our intimate relationship with God and God’s loving purposes? God would surely lead us toward radical change, and we would see and respond to the world differently, not through our favorite principles, rules, and prejudices, but through glimpses of the Spirit of God. Perhaps we could finally critique and transform the ways we think, speak, do, and live? If not, we are condemned to live forever in a culture of hatred.
– Mary Elizabeth Moore