Alumni News
Backs Against the Wall directed by Martin Doblmeier (COM ’80) and featuring Dr. Walter Fluker (STH ’88) Wins Emmy Award
Saturday night, Backs Against the Wall: The Howard Thurman Story won the regional EMMY Award for best Historical Documentary film. The film, currently airing on Public Television, tells the dramatic story of the great African American theologian Howard Thurman who was a spiritual mentor to Martin Luther King, Jr and the entire Civil Rights Movement.
COM alum Martin Doblmeier ('80) directed the film and STH alum and Martin Luther King, Jr. Professor Ethical Leadership Dr. Walter Fluker ('88) is featured as an interviewee.
"Thurman was one of the great unsung religious and spiritual heroes of the past century whose influence can be felt not only in the world of religion but throughout our American history," said filmmaker Martin Doblmeier. "The Emmy® will help bring well deserved attention to how Thurman's prophetic voice and his call to create "common ground" in our deeply divided culture continue to resonate today."
To learn more about the film, visit the Journey Films Website here.
Reverend Jan Selby (STH ’58 & STH ’63)
Jan F. Selby
1933-2019
A Gentle Soul Who Helped Thousands
The eldest of twelve children and born during the Great Depression in Lima, Ohio, Jan’s first job was delivering newspapers before and after grade school. His pay went largely to helping his parents make ends meet. He was able to go to college only because the minister of the local Methodist church saw promise in Jan and arranged for him to get a paying position preaching to small rural churches on the weekends. After receiving a bachelor’s degree from Ohio Wesleyan University and a master’s degree in sacred theology from Boston University in 1963, he served as the full-time minister of churches in West Brookfield, Massachusetts and later in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Because some in the Worcester congregation objected to his making trips to the South to support the civil rights struggle of the 1960s, he left that church and came to New York City where he got a job in the welfare department and sometimes preached at a church in Greenwich village. Meanwhile, he earned a master’s degree in social work from Columbia University and later a certificate in psychotherapy from Washington Square Institute. He then worked as a psychotherapist for various agencies and began to build a private practice which continued until just weeks before his death. His patients loved him.
Jan is survived by his siblings Jill L. Nichols, Dorothy Osman, Linda Gilles, Lawrence Selby, Jacquelyn Lehman, Terry Selby, Rebecca Selby, Denise Gayhart, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents George and Donna Selby and brothers George, Gary, and Jerry Selby.
Jan is also survived by his domestic partner and love of 45 years, David Schoenbrod. Jan and David shared a loft in the Soho neighborhood of New York City and a house in a large forest in upstate New York. They traveled widely, including four trips to India and surrounding countries.
Jan died of cancer at home in the loft on June 12, 2019. Plans are in the process of being made for memorial gatherings in New York City, Lima, Ohio, and Granville, New York.
2019 BU School of Theology Distinguished Alums Announced
We are delighted to announce the 2019 Boston University School of Theology Distinguished Alums:
Reverend Dr. William Alberts (GRS 1961; STH 1961, Ph.D.)
Bishop Ian Douglas, Ph.D. (STH 1993, GRS 1993, Ph.D.)
Reverend Patricia Thompson (STH 1986, M.Div.)
In the category of Emerging Leader:
Dr. Patrick Reyes (STH 2011, M.Div.) present by video presentation due to an unexpected conflict
Please join us September 18th to celebrate and honor these distinguished individuals. Register to attend.
Reverend Dr. William Alberts (GRS 1961; STH 1961, Ph.D.)
Rev. William Alberts began his ministry in 1949 as a Methodist: graduating from Lycoming College in 1951, Westminster Theological Seminary (now called Wesley) in 1954, and in 1961 receiving his Ph.D. from Boston University in the School of Theology’s department of psychology and pastoral counseling. Beginning in 1965, Dr. Alberts served as co-minister of Boston’s Old West Church and provided pastoral counseling for persons within and beyond the Conference. In 1971, Dr. Alberts facilitated a Conference-wide group of ministers and lay persons who joined with the Conference’s Black Methodists for Church Renewal in bringing about a denominational investigation of racism in the Bishop’s Cabinet’s appointment of a white instead of a black minister to Boston’s racially mixed Church of All Nations Nations.
In 1973, Dr. Alberts performed the same-sex wedding of two male members of Old West Church, who met while they were BUST students. Two days later, his Bishop and District Superintendent met secretly with his psychiatrist and then presented “eight reasons” why Dr. Alberts was being forcibly retired. His effort to receive a church trial was ruled out of order. In 1985, the Massachusetts Supreme Court rule in Dr. Alberts favor, and used the lawsuit to create a new case law called Alberts v. Devine, et al. The new law holds liable not only a physician who violates a patient’s confidence, but anyone who induces a physician to violate that confidence. The law has been used over the years to protect clergy and others from ill-intentioned Bishops and employers.
In 1978, Dr. Alberts became minister of the non-sectarian, Unitarian Universalist-affiliated Community Church of Boston, and in 1982 was fellowshipped as a Unitarian Universalist minister. From 1983 to 1985, Community Church provided sanctuary for a Guatemalan refugee, who was on the Army’s death list, becoming the first congregation in Massachusetts, during the 1980s Sanctuary Movement, to open its doors to Central American refugees fleeing persecution.
In 1992, Dr. Alberts became hospital chaplain at Boston Medical Center, and continued in that position until his retirement in 2011. His book, A Hospital Chaplain at the Crossroads of Humanity, based on his work, is used as a resource in the clinical pastoral education programs in a number of hospitals. He is a Diplomate in the College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy.
Since his Old West Church days, Dr. Alberts has utilized the media to publicize universal human values. A number of his articles on Old West Church’s involvements appeared in The Boston Sunday Globe Magazine. He wrote three research reports on local and national racial justice issues for the William Monroe Trotter Institute. Beginning in 2004, his articles on the response of people of faith to racism, economic inequality, U.S. imperialism, and the liberation struggles of LGBTQ persons have appeared regularly in the progressive website, Counterpunch. In 2012, a number of his Counterpunch articles were compiled as a book called The Counterpunching Minister (who couldn’t be ‘preyed’ away). Dr. Alberts has five children, seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren. He and his wife, Eva, live in Canton, MA.
Bishop Ian Douglas, Ph.D. (STH 1993, GRS 1993, Ph.D.)
The Rt. Rev. Ian T. Douglas, Ph.D. is the 15th Bishop Diocesan of The Episcopal Church in Connecticut, the oldest diocese in The Episcopal Church. The Episcopal Church in Connecticut is made up of over 165 parishes and faith communities in the state of Connecticut with over 400 active and retired clergy. As Bishop Diocesan, Douglas is committed to helping Episcopalians participate more faithfully in God’s mission of restoration and reconciliation in an increasingly post-Christendom context.
From 1989 to 2010 Douglas was a faculty member at Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts in the Angus Dun Chair of Mission and World Christianity. Douglas also served as Priest Associate at St. James’s Episcopal Church in Cambridge, Massachusetts from 1989-2010.
Douglas was elected a member of the Standing Committee of the Anglican Communion by the 14th meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) in 2009. He has served on the Design Group for the 2008 Lambeth Conference of Anglican Bishops, a member of the Inter-Anglican Standing Commission on Mission and Evangelism, and a Consultant for Theological Education in the Anglican Communion (TEAC).
Douglas has worked as a Volunteer for Mission in the Episcopal Church of Haiti and as Associate for Overseas Leadership Development at The Episcopal Church Center in New York. He has been a member of the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church, and Chair of the Standing Commission on World Mission. Douglas is past Convener of the Episcopal Seminary Consultation on Mission and a founder of Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation.
A sought-after speaker nationally and internationally, Douglas is the author/editor of four books and numerous academic and popular articles on the topics of mission, the missional Church, contemporary Anglicanism, and world Christianity. Douglas has studied at Middlebury College (B.A.), the Harvard University Graduate School of Education (Ed.M.), and Harvard Divinity School (M.Div.). He holds a Ph.D. in missiology from Boston University.
For his work on the Design Group for the 2008 Lambeth Conference, former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams awarded Douglas the Cross of St. Augustine, the highest honor in the Anglican Communion. He has received honorary doctorates from the Episcopal Divinity School and Berkeley Divinity School at Yale.
Douglas resides in Essex, Connecticut with his wife, Kristin Harris. They are the parents of three young adults. Ian and Kristin enjoy CrossFit fitness training and outdoor activities including sailing, kayaking, skiing, and walking their dog, Abby.
Reverend Patricia Thompson (STH 1986, M.Div.)
The Rev. Patricia J. Thompson grew up in Morrisville, VT, and graduated from Peoples Academy, Morrisville, in 1963. In 1967 she graduated from the University of Vermont with a B. S. in Home Economics, with a concentration in Social Work. In 1986 she graduated from Boston University School of Theology with an M.Div. degree.
She was ordained deacon in the former Maine Annual Conference in 1985 and elder in 1988. She served United Methodist churches in Limestone, Caswell, and Presque Isle, Maine and in Morrisville and Wolcott, Vermont (as well as the United Church of Johnson, a community church in Johnson, VT), before retiring in 2008.
After beginning her journey toward ordained ministry, researching and writing United Methodist history became her passion, particularly recovering the history of women and people of color in the New England and former Troy Annual Conferences. She has served on the New England Conference Commission on Archives and History (NECCAH) as Chairperson and currently as Historian for the annual conference, currently editing a quarterly newsletter entitled, The New England United Methodist Messenger.
She served on the executive committee of the Northeastern Jurisdiction Commission on Archives and History (NEJCAH), serving as President from 1996-2000. In that capacity, she served on the General Commission on Archives and History (GCAH) with an additional four years (2000-2004.)
She has served on the Board of the Historical Society of the United Methodist Church (HSUMC) in a variety of capacities (including President from 2001-2008) since its organization in 1989, with the exception of the four years from 1997 – 2000. She has edited the Society’s newsletter, Historian’s Digest since 2009.
She is currently retired and living in her hometown of Morrisville, VT, with her husband, Vernon of 31 years, serving ¼ time as co-pastor (in charge of administration) and local church historian for the Wolcott United Methodist Church in Wolcott, VT. She has spent the last 12 years recovering the history of the Rev. George S. Brown, the first African American pastor in the former Troy Annual Conference and the organizing pastor of the Wolcott UMC. As far as is currently known, the Wolcott UMC is the only predominantly white UMC in the United States organized by an African American, who also oversaw the construction of the church building.
She wrote The History of Maine Methodism Through the Women’s Sphere, published by the Maine Annual Conference Commission on the Status and Role of Women (MCSRW) of the United Methodist Church in 1984, Roots and Wings 200 Years of Methodism in Maine 1793-1993, published by the Maine Annual Conference Commission on Archives and History (MCCAH) in 1993 and Courageous Past Bold Future The Journey Toward Full Clergy Rights for Women in the United Methodist Church, published by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM)of the United Methodist Church in 2006. She has also written several local church histories and had two articles published in Methodist History, the official historical journal of the United Methodist Church.
She was the 2002 recipient of the New England Conference Commission on the Status and Role of Women’s annual award, and the 2006 recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from the General Commission on Archives and History.
Dr. Patrick Reyes (STH 2011, M.Div.)
Dr. Patrick B. Reyes is a Latinx practical theologian, educator, administrator, and institutional strategist. He is the author of the book, Nobody Cries When We Die: God, Community, and Surviving to Adulthood (Chalice Press, 2016). The work explores the role of stories and violence in vocational discernment. He is the Director of Strategic Partnerships for Doctoral Initiatives at the Forum for Theological Exploration, formerly the Fund for Theological Education (fteleaders.org). He is the first Latinx director of the doctoral initiatives, which celebrated 50 years of supporting scholars of color through fellowships in 2018. His portfolio includes oversight of annual grant funding to create conditions for scholars and students of color to thrive in theological education through fellowships, partnerships, and grants to theological institutions. He collaborates and works with leaders of institutions, foundations, and other para-academic organizations in theological and higher education to build their capacity and transform theological schools and programs for the 21st century. In 2017 and 2018, he was recognized as a "Great Teacher and Preacher," by Children's Defense Fund, alongside civil rights leaders Rev. James Lawson; Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the UFW and Presidential Medal of Freedom award winner; and, Taylor Branch, MacArthur Genius Grant and Pulitzer Prize-winning author. He received a doctorate and master's from Claremont School of Theology, and a Master of Divinity from Boston University, School of Theology. You can connect with Patrick at patrickbreyes.com.
Rev. James W. Jim McChesney (STH ’63)
The Reverend James W. "Jim" McChesney (STH '63), 86, of Lincoln, Nebraska, formerly of Kearney, died Saturday, June 8, 2019, at the CountryHouse Residence for Memory Care in Lincoln.
Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Christ United Methodist Church in Lincoln. Read Rev. Jim's full obituary here.
Michele Perigard MacEachern (STH ’76)
Michele Perigard MacEachern, 71, of North Miami Beach, Florida, passed from this life at her home on Wednesday, May 22 after a short illness. Michele graduated STH in 1976 with a Masters focusing on Systematic Theology. In her last few weeks, she was surrounded by family, friends and hospice caregivers. She is celebrated by her community and friends and family for a lifelong and dedicated career in education and church ministry providing years of service in religious instruction, theological study, tutoring, ESOL training and church liturgical music. Click here to read the rest of Michele's obituary.
Soulen and Soulen Podcast from Alumni and Son
Richard N. Soulen (STH, '57; PhD. GRS, '64) has joined with his son, Kendall (MDiv, Candler, 1986; PhD, Yale, 1992) in hosting the podcast: Soulen and Soulen: Letters to the Inquiring Mind on Theology and Scripture at soulenandsoulen.com.
Rev. Canon Ted Karpf (STH ’74) Publishes New Book
Rev. Canon Ted Karpf (STH '74) recently published a new book entitled Acts of Forgiveness: Faith Journeys of a Gay Priest. This book has been named a Top New Release in Episcopalian Christianity and is available for pre-sale on Amazon.
In 1980s America, coming out as gay as a father and husband was a significant journey for anyone to make. Coming out as gay as a priest guaranteed immersion into controversy, contradiction, and challenge. This book tells of The Reverend Canon Ted Karpf's navigation of new social and romantic journeys, all within the context of his priestly vocation in the Episcopal Church. Covering from 1968 to 2018, Karpf recounts his vivid memories, life-changing dreams and resonant reflections on living a life of faith in a socially and politically tumultuous period of history. His narratives are crafted as poetic meditations on enduring values and meaning, which can remind any reader that we are neither abandoned nor alone, and that forgiveness is a fulfilling way of living in a world of contradictions.
David Michel (STM ’02) graduates with PhD from Chicago Seminary
David Michel, STM (2002) graduated with a PhD in Theology, Ethics, and the Human Sciences, awarded by Chicago Theological Seminary on May 17, 2019.
Rev. Dr. Herman O. Kelly, Jr. (STH ’83) is headed to National Senior Games to Compete in Swimming
Rev. Dr. Herman O. Kelly, Jr. (STH '83) recently won three Gold Medals in Swimming at the Louisiana Senior Olympics. Rev. Dr. Kelly will be representing Louisiana this June as he goes to compete in the National Senior Games in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Click here to read the full article about Rev. Dr. Kelly in the Baton Rouge Advocate.
Rev. Vernon Walker (STH ’16) new Public Policy Director of the Young Democrats of Massachusetts
Rev. Vernon Walker (STH '16) was elected as the new Public Policy Director of the Young Democrats of Massachusetts. Click here to learn more about the Young Democrats of Massachusetts and their Leadership.
Rev. Vernon Walker was also recently featured on BNN News with the President of the Boston Teacher's Union, Jessica Tang, discussing the Rally for Education Funding. Congratulations to Vernon on his work surrounding faith, policy, and social justice!