Alumni News
“Faith at the Intersections: A Collection of Writings for Black and LGBTQ Communities in and beyond the United Methodist Church”
Rev. Gil Caldwell (STH '58), Rev. Dr. Pamela Lightsey (Former STH Dean of Community Life), and Bishop Melvin Talbert published "Faith at the Intersections: A Collection of Writings for Black and LGBTQ Communities in and beyond the United Methodist Church" in 2017 and we share it with you now as a resource after the recent vote.
From the Introduction:
“Through his writings, Rev. Gil Caldwell civil rights activist and foot soldier who walked with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., has frequently identified black, same-gender loving persons as important to the work of liberation. Bishop Melvin Talbert, another civil rights activist has been the leading episcopal voice reminding us that biblical obedience means full inclusion of LGBTQI persons in the worship and ministry of our denomination. Rev. Dr. Pamela R. Lightsey, a queer lesbian ordained elder and scholar works within the academy, the church and as an activist on urban streets protesting racism and homophobia. Each of us, in our work and writings have consistently argued that our ministries are made better by the teachings and examples of such Black LGBTQI persons as James Baldwin, Bayard Rustin, and Audre Lorde. We have seen no conflict in our racial justice activism and our activism in challenging the discrimination LGBTQI persons, same gender loving persons and couples face in church and society.
We share these writings with the hope that the unfinished justice journeys of persons of African descent in the America’s, Africa and the rest of the world, will be linked to the justice journeys of LGBTQI persons, same sex couples, women, the poor, and all people who are yet to experience complete freedom, justice and equality.”
For a further preview or to order a copy, please visit the Reconciling Ministries Network Website.
Rev. Dr. Shively T. J. Smith to Appear in History Channel Special
Rev. Dr. Shively T. J. Smith, Assistant Professor of New Testament, will appear as an expert on the History Channel series "Jesus: His Life". The showings begin on Monday, March 25 at 8pm EDT, and with two back-to-back episodes weekly leading to Easter (March 25, April 1, April 8, and April 15).
The story is told through the eyes of those who knew Jesus. The series interviewed or consulted with more than 25 of the most prominent theologians, historians, biblical scholars and faith leaders from across the ideological spectrum to create a complete portrait of Jesus and the times in which he lived, combining a narrative retelling of Jesus that follows the Gospel accounts with attention to the cultural and historical context. The order of the episodes are:
• Joseph – The Nativity
• John The Baptist – The Mission
• Mary Mother – The First Miracles
• Caiaphas – The Rising of Lazarus
• Judas – The Betrayal
• Pilate – The Trial
• Mary Magdalene – The Crucifixion
• Peter – The Resurrection
For more information and to find showtimes in your area, please visit https://www.aenetworks.com/article/history-to-premiere-eight-part-event-jesus-his-life-on-monday-march-25.
Cry Against Terror: A Message from Dean Moore about the New Zealand Shooting
March 15, 2019
Dear Beloved Community,
Our neighbors, half-way across the world, have been terrorized, and we grieve and cry out with them. While people prayed in the Al Noor and Linwood Mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, a horrifying attack took 49 lives and injured many more, including children and families. We grieve for those who were killed, those who have been left behind, and those whose lives have been traumatized. The attacks ripped at the security and wellbeing of Muslims worldwide, and the dignity and decency of the human family. I hope we can join together to decry bigotry and hatred wherever it festers in the human family, and to mourn all forces that dehumanize and demonize anyone or any community. People of Christchurch, and people of Islam, we link our hearts with yours.
Tomorrow and the next day and the next, we in the Boston University School of Theology will be standing with our Muslim neighbors. I pray that we will find ways to offer compassion and concern, and commit ourselves to reshape human culture into one of love and dignity.
The Islamic Society of Boston University is planning a vigil to take place Monday, March 18, 7:00-8:00 pm on the Marsh Plaza. You are invited to participate.
Salam/Shalom/Peace,
Mary Elizabeth Moore
New England and Northeast Responses to United Methodist General Conference
In response to the recent ruling at the February United Methodist Church General Conference meeting in St. Louis, the following statements have been issued by the New England Board of Ordained Ministry, New England Conference Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar, and the New England Jurisdictional Committee on Ministry. Please see those statements below.
Message from Co-Chairs of the New England Board of Ministry
Message from Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar and New England Conference Cabinet
School of Theology Welcomes New Assistant Professor of Theology
Boston, MA – March 13, 2019 – Boston University School of Theology is pleased to announce the new appointment of new full-time faculty member Filipe Maia, who will begin on July 1, 2019, for the 2019-2020 academic year. Professor Maia will join the faculty as Assistant Professor of Theology.
Professor Maia focuses his work in postmodern theology and philosophy, Latin American and Latino/a liberation theologies and philosophy, economic justice, eschatology, postcolonial and decolonial theologies, and Wesleyan studies. Professor Maia completed his ThD at Harvard University in 2017, and has been on the faculty at the Pacific School of Religion. In his dissertation, “Trading Futures: Future-Talk, Finance, and Christian Eschatology,” he interwove theological and philosophical themes of future and hope with economic analysis and liberation. Prof. Maia currently works closely with the United Methodist and global Methodist Churches, with local Latinx communities, and with students in the Portuguese Course of Study (UMC). In addition to his five articles and book chapters and his book underway, he overflows with a creative vision for the future of his teaching and research.
Dean Mary Elizabeth Moore says "He will be a wise, warm, and vital member of the STH community, and we welcome him with great enthusiasm."
News from Bishop Devadhar and New England Conference Cabinet
The United Methodist Church New England Conference Cabinet and Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar have released an important statement in response to the February 2019 United Methodist Church General Conference decision. Please find that statement here: New England Conference Cabinet offers a response to the 2019 General Conference
Associate Dean Stone interviewed in Christian Science Monitor
March 7, 2019 - Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and E. Stanley Jones Professor of Evangelism Bryan P. Stone is featured in the Christian Science Monitor story "Pray and Wash: Finding a church in unexpected places." The article discusses how alternative churches are popping up throughout the country in direct contrast with institutionalized forms of religion.
Read the full article here, and view the video also featuring Dean Stone and his expertise on this subject below. Dean Stone appears at 2:42 and 6:55.
Rev. Yoo Cha Yi (STH ’93)
Rev. Yoo Cha Yi (STH '93), an elder in the New England Annual Conference, passed away on March 4, 2019. Rev. Yi served Maine churches in Brownville Junction, Milo, Strong and Salem; Massachusetts churches in Walpole, Athol, South Athol and East Harwich; and New Hampshire churches in Suncook, Tilton-Northfield, Colebrook and Pittsburg. Please keep her family and friends in your prayers.
Rev. Dr. Earl Kent Brown (STH ’53, GRS ’56, and STH Faculty ’64-’86)
July 26, 1925 – December 5, 2018
Rev. Dr. Earl Kent Brown received his “Heavenly Reward”, following a long and rewarding life, including as Assistant Professor of History for 7 years at Baldwin Wallace College in Berea, Ohio, and then for 33 years at Boston University as Professor of Church History until his retirement in 1986. An acclaimed guest speaker at many churches and convocations, Dr. Brown both informed and entertained his professional and student listeners. He was also a favorite teacher and lecturer at Sunday morning classes at Lakeside Chautauqua in Lakeside, Ohio, where his Sunday classes were enthusiastically received by both young and old alike.
Dr. Brown was born in Kent, Ohio, to the Rev. Earl Royal Brown and Bernice Blanche (Howard) Brown. At the age of six months, his family (including his sister Edith Ella and brother Howard Wesley) moved to Alliance, Ohio, where his father assumed the pastorate of the First Methodist Episcopal Church in Alliance. At the age of 13, his family moved to Shaker Heights, Ohio, where he would complete his high school education. He went on to obtain his Bachelor of Arts at Columbia University in 1948, followed by a Bachelor of Sacred Theology, Boston University, 1953 and Doctor of Philosophy, Boston University, 1956. But throughout his life his favorite place was always Lakeside, where he relished in the cottage his father, uncle, and brother had built.
In retirement Dr. Brown lived in Florida for 15 years and traveled extensively. His quest for new places led him through four continents and many times on cruises around the world. He enjoyed research and was a scholar extraordinaire, particularly on the role of women in Methodism. He wrote the definitive study of “Women in Mr. Wesley’s Methodism.”
He is survived by three nieces: Martha Jean Brown, Mary Lee Brown, and Carolyn Tausch Hervey, as well as their many children.
In Dr. Brown’s memory, donations may be made to:
The Anna Howard Shaw Center, Boston University School of Theology
c/o Development and Alumni Relations Office
745 Commonwealth Avenue, Suite 109
Boston, MA 02215
A memorial service will be held at the Walnut Creek United Methodist Church, 1543 Sunnyvale Ave., Walnut Creek, CA 94597 on April 4, 2019, at 1:00 PM. A committal service will be held at Lakeside on March 19th. Please send condolences to Jean Brown, 854 West I Street, Benecia CA 94510.
Rev. Dr. Robert Smith (STH ’58) Passed on February 28, 2019
Rev. Dr. Robert Smith (STH '58) passed on February 28, 2019 at the age of 85.
Rev. Robert Smith was born in Birmingham, Alabama. He did his undergraduate work at Tuskegee Institute. While at Tuskegee he discovered a young lady in the incoming freshman class. They began a loving relationship and finally married in 1956. To that union were born two children, Robert Ernest, and Carolyn Jeanette; both born in Boston, Massachusetts.
In 1959, they began serving Riverside Park Methodist Church in Indianapolis. He was the first African-American to be received into Full Connection in the Indiana Conference.
In 1966, Robert took an appointment to serve as Director of Religious Extension Service, sponsored jointly by Tuskegee Institute and the National Council of Churches of Christ. He had a few close calls with the KKK in the rural areas where he was helping to organize Black pastors and their communities.
In February 1968, after the Watts Riot, he was invited by the late Dr. Irwin Trotter to come to Watts to serve LA:St. John's. He loved a challenge and was in equal to the task.
In 1969, Rev. Mr. Smith was elected Chair of the Urban Department of the Conference Board of Missions. For eight years he gave leadership to the whole urban missional strategies for the Annual Conference. At the same time, their second daughter, Darlene Frederica, was born.
After leaving LA: Wesley and the San Diego superintendency, he served Long Beach: Los Altos as the first cross-racial senior pastor for this Church. After only one year, he was invited to go to Harlem by Bishop Roy Nichols. After serving four years in Harlem, Bishop Jack Tuell invited him to the California-Pacific Annual Conference as Council Director in 1988. One year later, he was asked to serve as District Superintendent of the Los Angeles District. He did this for six years while going through cancer surgery and radiation therapy, along with all of the side effects.
Throughout his ministry it has been said that he was dedicated to the Church and to God and has been a great influence in so many lives. He was indeed a beloved servant of God who now has been welcomed into Heaven.
Rev. Smith is survived by two sisters, Ms. Ethelyn Ming and Mrs. Jimmye Lou Hagins (Milton), three children: Robert E. Smith (Mary Ann), Carolyn J. Ortega (Tommy) and Darlene F. Goins (Vernon); eleven grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
To God be the glory.