Alumni News
STH Alums and Faculty Attend Unity Day at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Philadelphia
March 24-25, 2019 - The Mount Zion Baptist Church in Philadelphia, PA, hosted School of Theology faculty, alums, and community members for an event titled "Living and Building the Howard Thurman Legacy." Senior Pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church, Rev. Cedric Jones (STH'92) presided over the two-day event, which built on the legacy of Howard Thurman, Boston University's former Marsh Chapel Dean (1953-1965). The events were scheduled in congruence with Mt. Zion's 20th Annual Unity Day.
The events on Sunday included a study session, church services, lunch and community walking tour. The 9am study session was led by Sharon Watson Fluker, Center for Public Leadership, Harvard Kennedy School of Government. The 10:30am worship service featured guest preacher STH Martin Luther King, Jr. Professor of Ethical Leadership Walter E. Fluker (GRS'88, STH'88) with upwards of 200 people in attendance.
On Monday, about 80 congregants and church and community leaders in Philadelphia attended brunch and the screening and discussion of the PBS documentary, “Backs Against the Wall: The Howard Thurman Story” by filmmaker Martin Doblmeier (COM’80). Preeminent Thurman expert Rev. Dr. Walter Fluker is a featured interviewee in the documentary and he attended both the showing and discussion, which included a mention of the Howard Thurman Fellowships at the Boston University School of Theology.
"Cedric Jones and his congregation led a beautiful Unity Day with Walter and Sharon Fluker, enacting a collaborative ministry between Mount Zion Baptist Church and the BU School of Theology," says Dean Mary Elizabeth Moore. "Cedric Jones had galvanized a gathering that one person named as 'game-changing.'"
Dr. Robert and STH Alums Gather at the Methodist Mission Bicentennial
Dr. Dana Robert and Several Boston University School of Theology Alumni gathered at the Methodist Mission Bicentennial Conference in Atlanta, Georgia last week.
Pictured from Left to Right: David Scott ('07), Michele Sigg ('18), Dr. Dana Robert, Rich Darr ('05), Doug Tzan ('13), Lisa Beth White ('08), Ben Hartley ('00 & '05), Jack Amick ('06), & Mikio Miyagi ('10)
Pictured above: Dr. Dana Robert and Casely Essamuah (STH '03)
Dr. Susan Scully Troy (STH ’13) Passed
Dr. Claire Wolfteich writes, "Susan graduated from STH in 2013 with the Doctor of Ministry degree and previously completed her Master of Divinity degree at Weston Jesuit School of Theology. Susan brought a deep commitment to her faith, a joyful spirit, and a love of people to all she did. A founding member of the group Voice of the Faithful, Susan dedicated her work to enhancing lay leadership in spiritual formation and renewal at the parish level. Drawing upon extensive research and her long experience in supporting lay Catholic ministry and church reform, her thesis was entitled 'Contemporary Catholic Spirituality: The Case for Parish-Based Lay Spiritual Ministries.' She also developed a ministry in spiritual direction over two decades. Susan truly will be missed. I served as her DMin advisor and was blessed by her lively spirit, the energy and authenticity brought to class, her great openness to people of all religious experience, and the commitment of this fellow lay Catholic woman making her way and her mark in the Church."
Read Dr. Susan's full obituary from the Boston Globe here.
Dean Moore Honored at Morehouse College
April 4, 2019 - Last week Dean Mary Elizabeth Moore was inducted into the Martin Luther King Jr. Collegium of Scholars at Morehouse College, part of the 34th Martin Luther King Jr. College of Ministers and Laity. Founded in 1985 by Founding Dean of the Morehouse College Martin Luther King, Jr. International Chapel Dr. Lawrence Edward Carter Sr. (STH'68, '70, '79), and Dr. Hugh Gloster, this program honors individuals who life and work exemplify the ethical ideals promoted by the College's most prominent alumnus, Martin Luther King, Jr. For 33 years, this program has attracted some of the brightest minds across an array of disciplines to engage in cosmopolitan dialogue, learning, growing and revealing.
Dean Moore was one among a class of 17 individuals inducted into the Collegium of Scholars, which is comprised of academics and scholars who are committed to research, writing, mentoring, and teaching in a "wide variety of disciplines and context that promote and give support to the work of peace through moral social responsibility."
Individuals are selected for this unique honor by showing commitment and selfless service to humanity in tribute to Rev. Dr. King. Once inducted, members are charged to integrate these principles with their own life and work as well as serve as exemplars for their professional peers.
Dean Carter offered the following during his welcome to attendees of the event: "The day's events center in accentuating the moral cosmopolitan commitment, a concept requiring much reflection, dialogue and dedication, especially in today's global climate of change and increasing tensions." During the induction ceremony, Dean Carter made many connections to Boston University and the School of Theology’s influence on Rev. Dr. King, and he made a point of sharing these explicit connections of BU, STH, and Dr. King’s formation and motivation.
Congratulations to our own Dean Mary Elizabeth Moore and her fellow inductees on this special occasion.
Recent Publications by Wariboko and Robert
Professor Nimi Wariboko recently published Ethics and Society in Nigeria. In this book, Prof. Wariboko studies forms of religious, political, and revolutionary identities and then assesses their usefulness for the transformation of Nigeria's identity.
"From 'Give Us Friends' to 'Other Sheep I Have': Transnational Friendship and Edinburgh 1910" was recently published by Professor Dana Robert. In the paper, she examines the World Missionary Conference at Edinburgh in 1910, considered the "symbolic beginning of the modern ecumenical movement."
Prof. Christopher Evans on Chronicle tonight
April 11, 2019 – Professor Christopher Evans was recently interviewed by WCVB-5 in Boston for inclusion on their nightly show, Chronicle. Tonight's story, "Preserving the Past Through Churches", features Prof. Evans and his expertise on church history.
Click here to see the full story, which will air for the first time at 7:30pm EDT tonight: https://www.wcvb.com/article/preserving-the-past-through-churches/27118803
Celebrating 150 Years of United Methodist Women
April 4, 2019 – Published on unitedmethodistwomen.org
On March 23, 1869, eight women gathered at Tremont Street Methodist Episcopal Church in Boston and founded the Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society. On the same date in 2019, Methodist women marked the 150th anniversary of this organization, now known as United Methodist Women, with a celebration at Boston University hosted by the New England Conference United Methodist Women.
United Methodist Women was founded less than three miles down the street, said emcee and New England Conference lay leader Rene Wilbur, speaking of the Tremont Street church, whose historical exterior has been preserved but which now houses luxury apartments.
Boston University and its theological school has historic ties to the Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society, as attendees learned throughout the day.
Dana Robert, professor and director of Boston School of Theology’s Center for Global Christianity and Mission, explained ties between the school and the women’s society during her presentation on United Methodist Women’s founders and New England Methodism.
To continue reading the full story, please click here.
Rev. Megan Stowe (STH ’04) appointed as District Superintendent of Central Massachusetts
Rev. Megan Stowe, who received her Master of Divinity from BU School of Theology in 2004 was recently appointed as District Superintendent of Central Massachusetts. Rev. Stowe will begin this appointment on July 1, 2019. To read the full announcement from Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar, click here.
Dr. Herman O. Kelly, Jr (STH ’83) will serve as the Keynote Speaker at Louisiana State University
Dr. Herman O. Kelly, Jr. (STH '83) Pastor Of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana will serve as the Keynote Speaker at Student-Athlete Support Summit at Louisiana State University on Friday April 5, 2019. He will be addressing counselors and support staff to help athletes succeed in their academic endeavors. Dr. Kelly will present the three P’s, Passion, Purpose, and Power. Attendees will be from around the state of Louisiana. Dr. Kelly serves as adjunct Faculty at Louisiana State University In The African and African American Studies Program and The School Of Education.
Dean Moore and School of Theology featured in UMNS Story about General Conference 2019
March 28, 2019 – The United Methodist News Service recently posted another recap of the General Conference 2019 decision affirming the church's ban on LGBTQ individuals serving as clergy or church officials performing same-sex marriage ceremonies.
Boston University School of Theology was featured twice in this article; firstly, using a photo taken by Director of Enrollment Rev. Dr. Anastasia E. B. Kidd (see picture below), and secondly through a moving quote offered by Dean Mary Elizabeth Moore: “I reacted to the decisions (at) General Conference with sobs, which I have not done since my daughter and I distributed my husband’s ashes in the Pacific Ocean,” said the Rev. Mary Elizabeth Moore, dean and professor of theology and education at Boston University School of Theology. “I am devastated about where our church is at the present moment, and I am also determined to be part of a new wind of change.”
Click here to read the article in its entirety.
