Alumni News
Reverend Dr. Ronald Johnson, Sr. (’06) reflects on Juneteenth’s significance and Confederate symbols
Rev. Dr. Johnson also authored an op-ed addressing the meaning of Confederate street names and the school mascot in his town. Read more here.
A Day of Collective Engagement: Racism and Antiracism, Our Realities and Our Roles
Tomorrow, Wednesday, June 24, Boston University will pause for the Day of Collective Engagement: Racism, Antiracism, Our Realities and Our Roles. The day gives an opportunity to listen, learn, and discuss with one another and with leaders across BU. The day begins with a panel moderated by Ibram X. Kendi, Founder of the new BU Center for Antiracist Research. STH Professor Rady Roldán-Figueroa participates in two concurrent sessions with clergy from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds. These are listed below and occur at 10:30am ET and 12:45pm ET respectively.
The full day's schedule is posted on the Diversity & Inclusion Office website, and the links to access the sessions will be posted on that website tomorrow. Current BU students, staff, and faculty do not need to register. Registration for alumni/ae can be found here.
A Clergy Conversation on Strategies for Change in Race Relations
10:30am
We hope to garner the wisdom of faith traditions and clergy who are interested in addressing the violence of racism in American society. Participants will share their views as religious practitioners from the perspective of their faith traditions. Closed captions will be available.
- Rady Roldán-Figueroa, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Associate Professor of the History of Christianity, School of Theology
- Rev. Milagro Grullon, pastor of Community Christian Fellowship-Lawrence and secretary of the board of AMEDAL (Associación Ministerial Evangelica del Area de Lawrence)
- Rev. Jordan Harris (STH'17), pastor of Connexion, United Methodist Church
- Imam Dr. Asif Hirani, Resident Scholar of Worcester Islamic Center in Massachusetts
- Rabbi Elie Lehmann, Jewish Chaplain at Boston University and Campus Rabbi for BU Hillel
- Rev. Daryl Paul Lobban, Director of Justice and Advocacy for the Episcopal Diocese of Washington; Senior Fellow for The Dietrich Bonhoeffer Institute; and on the pastoral staff of the Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Arlington, VA
A Conversation with Diversity & Inclusion Practitioners
12:45pm
There are multiple individuals at BU who are formally charged with overseeing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. This conversation will focus on their work and strategies, the opportunities they see as being possible at BU, common challenges, and the ways in which faculty, staff, and students can be effective partners. Closed captions will be available.
- Crystal Williams (Moderator), Associate Provost for Diversity and Inclusion; Professor of English, College of Arts and Sciences.
- Tiffany Enos, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, BU Questrom School of Business
- Rady Roldán-Figueroa, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Associate Professor of the History of Christianity, School of Theology
Alumnus Stephen Finlan (STH ’13) Authors “Salvation Not Purchased: Overcoming the Ransom Idea to Rediscover the Original Gospel Teaching”
Alumnus Stephen Finlan has authored the book Salvation Not Purchased: Overcoming the Ransom Idea to Rediscover the Original Gospel Teaching, which was released by Cascade Books in June, 2020.
Dr. Finlan notes his book "takes on the common idea that salvation was 'purchased by the blood.' Previous to this work, while teaching at Fordham University and elsewhere, I published a number of widely acclaimed academic books on the atonement doctrine, most notably Problems with Atonement and Sacrifice and Atonement. In this short and more accessible volume, I summarize my findings for pastors and intelligent lay readers. I show how the blood-purchase idea is inconsistent with Jesus’ own teaching that God reaches the pure in heart without any sacrificial payment and without any retribution. The ransom idea has led to many distortions that cry out for correction.
I seek to make this troubling subject less difficult to discuss. I put the emphasis on Jesus’ message about God as a loving Father, not an angry Judge or king. I explore the metaphors used by the Apostle Paul and show how later writers took them too literally and created an erroneous doctrine about God being paid off.
In its place I seek to offer the original Christology preached by the apostles, which portrays Christ as Creator and life-giver. I argue that Christ’s saving power is the same thing as his Creator power. Christology needs to be founded on who Jesus is as our divine Creator and what he actually taught, rather than on what was done to him.
After the Introduction, the chapters are:
- Assumptions about God
- Why Was Jesus Killed?
- Sacrificial Thinking
- Christian Theology of Ransom-Sacrifice
- Psychological Problems with Atonement
- What of Christology?
On YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5i8dbqnQyQk, you may view a short introductory video.
I have also created a website with a blog where people can dialogue with me about this subject: salvationnotpurchased.com.
The book can be purchased at wipfandstock.com ($13.60) or at Amazon.com ($17, or $9.99 for Kindle)."
BUSTH Publishes 2020 FOCUS Magazine
The Boston University School of Theology is pleased to announce the publication of its annual scholarly publication, focus magazine. The 2020 issue features an interview with Dean Mary Elizabeth Moore as she prepares for her retirement, and articles and alum interviews on the topics of the future of the United Methodist Church, humility, colonialism, racism, and love. Dean Moore closes the issue with her message "Do Justice, Love Kindness, Walk Humbly." We hope you enjoy the issue!
BU School of Theology Receives Student Funding through New England Education Society
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Kimberly Macdonald
Director, Office of Communications
617-358-1858
kmacd@bu.edu
Boston, MA – June 18, 2020 – Boston University School of Theology (BUSTH) is pleased to announce the establishment of a generous endowment of $910.7K to support students, given by the New England Education Society (NEES). The New England Education Society Endowment Fund (“the Fund”) will provide much-needed student support in perpetuity.
The income of the Fund will provide financial support to one or more current students enrolled in a degree program at the School of Theology in the form of emergency aid including, but not limited to, housing, tuition assistance, personal expense, transportation and other expenses that permit students to continue to pursue their education at BUSTH.
“Every semester there are students at STH who endure sudden financial hardship due to a family crisis or other unforeseen circumstance. Often these students have nowhere else to turn for financial help, and NEES has provided the respite necessary to allow them to address their need quickly,” said Rev. Dr. Anastasia Kidd, BUSTH Director of Enrollment (STH'04,'18). “The speed and generosity of NEES has often made the difference as to whether a student could take care of their issue and remain enrolled in the program.”
Rev. Earl R. Beane, STH’67, CAS’63, former BUSTH Director of Admissions and former president of NEES, played an instrumental role in securing these funds. “Hundreds of School of Theology students have received financial help from the New England Education Society Fund at times of significant personal need during their degree programs,” said Rev. Beane. “I am confident that all who have been part of this tradition will be pleased to know that the Fund will continue, both with its historic name and with its resources to assist current and future School of Theology students. Thanks be to God and to all who have contributed to this Fund over many years!”
The Fund can continue to receive contributions, as student need doesn’t end once the Fund is endowed. “Our current and future students will be forever blessed by the generosity of the many donors to NEES and the extra efforts of Rev. Earl Beane and David Fitts, Esq. LAW’67,” said Ray Joyce, BUSTH Assistant Dean of Development and Alumni Relations. “The New England Education Society’s nearly 150-year tradition will now live on for all future generations of STH students. For those STH alumni/ae whose NEES loans have been forgiven, if you haven’t already, we hope you will consider “repaying” your loan through future donations to increase the proceeds from this transformative gift.” Added David Fitts, Esq., “I am most pleased that [BUSTH] has agreed to accept the funds of NEES with an understanding that the purposes of NEES will be continued in perpetuity with the guidance and administrative support from the School of Theology.”
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Since 1839, Boston University School of Theology has been preparing leaders to do good. A seminary of the United Methodist Church, Boston University School of Theology is a robustly ecumenical institution that welcomes students from diverse faith traditions who are pursuing a wide range of vocations – parish ministry, conflict transformation, chaplaincy, campus ministry, administration, non-profit management, social work, teaching, justice advocacy, peacemaking, interfaith dialogue, and more. Our world-renowned faculty and strong heritage help students nurture their academic goals and realize any ministry imaginable. For more information, please visit www.bu.edu/sth.
Associate Dean Hickman-Maynard (’15) shares Thoughts on Juneteenth
As Boston University officially observes the Juneteenth holiday this year, we invite our community to meditate on the words that STH Associate Dean Teddy Hickman-Maynard shared with us on Juneteenth, 2020.
“As a 1st generation US citizen – the son of immigrants from Panama and Barbados – I have been grafted into the Black American story. While all descendants of enslaved Africans across the Americas share certain communal memories, Juneteenth is a uniquely African-American legacy. Its commemoration testifies to the wide expanse between the promise of freedom and its manifestation in lived experience. It is an expanse that typifies not only the distance that the Union army traversed to carry Lincoln’s proclamation to Galveston, TX; it also reflects the all-too-deep chasm between America’s proclamation of equality and the lived experience of Black people in the US to this day. And yet, Juneteenth is a “celebration” because it also testifies to the collective hope and power of African-Americans who, despite the persistence of savage racial inequalities, continue to work to make this country as good as its promise.”
Dr. Paul R. Darnell (STH ’71)
"Paul Robert Darnell June 6, 2020 Paul Robert Darnell passed away at Crouse Hospital in Syracuse, NY on Saturday, June 6 at the age of 73. Paul was born on November 29, 1946 in Kingsport, TN to Landon and Jean Darnell and raised in Newfane, NY. He graduated from Wilson Central School, class of 1964, and received a BA from Harper College (SUNY Binghamton). Paul continued on to seminary at Boston University (Th.M.), and years later, Chicago Theological Seminary (DMin). He completed his residency at the Pastoral Psychotherapy Institute. Rev. Dr. Paul served as a local pastor for the United Methodist Church in Edwards, South Edwards, Oswagatchie, and Hamilton, NY. Paul worked as a psychotherapist and pastoral counselor at the Onondaga Pastoral Counseling Center and as a chaplain at Hutchings Psychiatric Center until he retired in 2012. He became a licensed mental health counselor in NYS and set up a private practice which he continued until his death. In his free time Paul enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, birdwatching, and gardening.
Paul is survived by his wife of 52 years, Anita; his son, Nathan; his sister, Linda Baehr (Robert; his brother, Gary (Tammy); his nephew, Brandon (Tara) and their children, Mari and Claire. The family is requesting in lieu of flowers, donations be made on behalf of Paul to the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD) and the MPN Research foundation (myelofibrosis research). As per Paul's wishes, his body has been donated to Upstate Medical University. Arrangements have been made by Hollis Funeral Home and a memorial service will be held at a later date. Condolences can be offered at hollisfuneralhome.com."
This article was originally published here by Syracuse.com.
Reverend Marilyn Royal Rossier (STH ’84)
"Marilyn Royal Rossier died on May 12th, 2020 at her home at Kimball Farms in Lenox, MA. She was 84. Everyone who knew Marilyn would swear she was a life-long New Englander, but she was born to Aaron and Myrle Royal in New Jersey and grew up just outside of Philadelphia. It took Stanley Rossier, a dairy farmer's son from the North East Kingdom of Vermont, to convince her to settle at least as far north as Massachusetts.
Marilyn was a registered psychiatric nurse for much of her working life, teaching and guiding many other nursing students in the Boston area. She started taking classes at Boston University School of Theology while working full-time and raising a family, and during a heart-to-heart talk with a professor, she realized her avocation had become a calling. After nearly a decade of part-time study, she was ordained in the United Church of Christ in 1985 to become a full-time minister.
Marilyn believed in education and community, and was a tireless volunteer and organizer. She spent years feeding the needy at Bread and Roses in Lawrence, MA and helping her congregations in Medfield and Lynnfield prepare and serve meals for their communities. She and Stan lead many church youth group adventures and bible studies for those congregations. The UCC Church, recognizing her rare collection of skills and talents, asked her to serve as an interim minister leading congregations in transition through the process of finding new clergy to serve them.
It could be said, though, that Marilyn's heart truly lived in a tiny cottage called Woody Crest that her father had bought decades ago overlooking Lake Buell in the Berkshires. In their "retirement" she and Stan moved to Lee, MA to be able to spend the summers watching the lake and to throw themselves into the community surrounding the First Congregational Church there. They both served on the Boards of Construct, Inc, helping to build affordable housing, and Gould Farm residential psychiatric treatment center. Marilyn was also a regular answering phones for Volunteers in Medicine in Great Barrington and WAMC's yearly fund drives.
Marilyn leaves her surviving children: Linda and her husband Arnold, and Mark and his wife Ellen, as well as her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews and cousins. She is predeceased by her husband Stanley and their son, Jay.
A memorial will be held in the future when it can be done safely due to the pandemic. Donations can be made to Kelly Funeral Home in Lee, MA for Hospice Care in the Berkshires, and the First Congregational Church in Lee."
This article was originally published here by Kelly Funeral Home.
Reverend Dr. Robert V. Ozment (GRS ’56, STH ’56)
"Robert V. Robert V. Ozment entered this earthly pilgrimage in Rome, GA, on a beautiful spring day, May 7, 1927, the second son of Julia Nebraska McCool Ozment and Lon Vince Ozment, Sr. He passed into his heavenly home on May 27, 2020, after an extended illness.
As a lad he joined Beech Creek Methodist Church in Floyd County, where his parents were members. He attended Coosa High School and married the late Arah Jane Lingerfelt. He attended Young Harris College in Young Harris, GA, and Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, AL, where he received his B.S. Degree. While a student, he served churches in North Carolina and Alabama. He continued his studies at Candler School of Theology of Emory University and received a B.D. Degree. While at Emory, he served churches in Hiram, Bethel, and Rex/Noah's Ark, GA. He and Arah moved to Lynn, Massachusetts, in 1951, and served Lakeside Methodist Church while he attended Boston University where he earned his Ph.D. in 1955. From Boston, Dr. and Mrs. Ozment moved to Havana, Cuba, where they served the University Methodist Church. In June of 1956, Bishop Arthur Moore appointed Dr. Ozment to Allen Memorial Methodist Church in Oxford, Georgia, where he preached and taught at Oxford College. In 1957, Dr. Ozment was appointed as the first pastor of a newly organized congregation in Atlanta called St. James Methodist. At Christmas in 1965, Bishop John Smith appointed Dr. Ozment to the historic First Methodist Church of Atlanta which he served as senior pastor until his retirement in June of 1989.
Dr. Ozment authored six books. His books enjoyed wide circulation. But God Can, his first book, was translated into the German language and released in Germany in 1967. Other titles include Happy is the Man, Putting Life Together Again, There's Always Hope, Love is the Answer, and When Sorrow Comes. Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, through his Guidepost Associates, republished and released Love is the Answer along with Dale Evans Rogers' book, The Woman at the Well, in a single volume and distributed the volumes in America as well as Europe. Dr. Ozment was a columnist for The Atlanta Constitution during the late 1960s and early 1970s. He wrote for Progressive Farmer magazine, a publication which later gave launch to Southern Living. A syndicated column by Dr. Ozment appeared in nearly 20 newspapers in the South. Dr. Ozment was among pioneers in Atlanta in having his Sunday morning church services televised live on WSB-TV. He continued this television ministry from First Methodist Church for more than twenty years. He was in demand as a speaker and spoke to audiences in forty-seven states. He frequently served as a guest professor at Emory University's Candler School of Theology. For many years, Dr. Ozment served as president of the Methodist Foundation and as a trustee of Young Harris College.
Dr. Ozment was predeceased by his wife of 56 years, Arah Jane Lingerfelt Ozment, his parents, and two brothers Buford Ozment and L.V. Ozment, Jr. He is survived by two sons, Dr. Randall R. Ozment (Laura) of Dublin, GA and Dr. Richard V. Ozment (Chandra) of Concord, NC, two grandsons, Matthew Ozment (Whitney) of Greenville, SC, and Grant Ozment (Taylor) of Kailua-Kona, HI, five granddaughters, Alison Feyereisen (Joel) of Atlanta, GA, Abby Goolsby (Ben) of Birmingham, AL, Anna McClung (Brad) of Chattanooga, TN, Ashlyn Lassiter (Daniel) of Landis, NC, and Ansley Ozment of Concord, NC. He is survived by four great-granddaughters, Arah Jane, Grady Anne, Emmaline Grace, and Charlie Mae. He is also survived by a sister, Geraldine Turner, and a brother, Floyd Ozment (Mary), of Rome, GA. He left behind a close friend Connie Conn of Rome.
A private graveside service took place on Saturday, May 30 in Rome, GA. For those wishing to make a memorial donation, the family asks that donations be sent to one of the following children's homes, *The Methodist Home for Children and Youth 304 Pierce Avenue Macon, Georgia 31204 *Wellroot Family Services (formerly the United Methodist Children's Home ) 1967 Lakeside Parkway, Suite 400 Tucker, Georgia 30084 Parnick Jennings Sr.'s Good Shepherd Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements."
This article was originally published here by Legacy.com.
Reverend Harris Wolfe (STH ’74)
"Harris L. Wolfe, 70, of Hazleton, passed away Friday evening at his residence after a brief illness. He was born in Hazleton, son of the late Carl and Adela (Berzanski) Wolfe. Harris was of the Protestant faith. A graduate of West Hazleton High School, class of 1967, he attended Bloomsburg University, Boston University and Drexel University, Philadelphia. Prior to retiring, he was employed as an electrical engineer with Rushabh Instruments, producing medical instruments for Europe.
He is preceded in death by his brother, Dale Benjamin; and sister, Jeanette Rarick.He is survived by his former wife, Debbie Wolfe, Illinois; and the following brothers and sisters, Cindy Washko and her husband, George, Sugarloaf Twp.; Bette Mae Rittochette and her husband, Ken, Shickshinny; Adele Garger, Claifornia; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Frank J. Bonin Funeral Home Inc. and are being held privately at the convenience of the family."