Alumni News
Bishop John Hurst Adams (’50, ’56)
From "The State," a Columbia, SC newspaper:
The Rev. John Hurst Adams, a nationwide religious and civil rights leader, a contemporary of Martin Luther King Jr., a Columbia native and one of the strongest voices for removing the Confederate flag from the S.C. State House dome, died Wednesday.
Adams stood out in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and among activists in the nation’s fight for racial justice, bringing the two platforms together for a time in South Carolina.
More can be read about the life of Bishop John Hurst Adams here.
You can view his funeral book here: Rev John Hurst Adams Funeral Book
Rev. Gilbert Caldwell (STH ’58) Contributes to New Publication Promoting LGBTQA+ Inclusion
Reverend Gilbert Caldwell, in collaboration with Rev. Dr. Pamela Lightsey and Bishop Melvin Talbert, has released a new publication promoting the inclusion of LBGTQA+ persons in the life of the church entitled Faith at the Intersection: A Collection of Writings for Black and LGBTQ Communities In and Beyond the United Methodist Church. Drawing upon the works of black LGBTQA+ writers, Caldwell, Lightsey, and Talbert bring a new hope to the struggle for liberation.
More details on the work and purchasing options can be found on the Reconciling Ministries Network website.
Associate Dean Pamela Lightsey Takes New Position at Meadville Lombard Theological School
January 16, 2018 - Associate Dean for Community Life and Lifelong Learning Pamela Lightsey has been invited to an exciting new position as Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs at Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago, Illinois. Dean Lightsey began her new position on January 1, 2018.
"This is very sad news for us because Dean Lightsey is a treasured member of the BU School of Theology Community. She has given bountifully of her gifts for the past 6½ years, serving with distinction as a wise guide for community life, an innovator in lifelong learning, and a public witness for justice. We are going to miss her greatly," said Dean Mary Elizabeth Moore.
Assistant Professor of Black Church Studies Theodore Hickman-Maynard will be the Acting Associate Dean for Community Life and Lifelong Learning for spring semester 2018. An official search for the Associate Dean for Community Life and Lifelong Learning position will commence in the Spring 2018 semester. Please watch the space at https://www.bu.edu/sth/resources/job-openings-at-sth/ for the job posting.
BU, City of Boston to Celebrate MLK on Monday
Commemorations to include readings, musical performances
Boston University’s annual commemoration of the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. (GRS’55, Hon.’59) will be shaped this year by growing concerns about the Trump administration’s commitment to civil rights. “In a time when educational bastions are under direct threat from an administration that fears visionary ideas, celebrations that champion King’s scholarship and diverse voices—that remind us of our best possibilities, rooted in freedom—are even more precious,” says award-winning poet Kamilah Aisha Moon, who will speak at the celebration, beginning at 2 pm Monday, January 15, at the George Sherman Union.
Moon, an Agnes Scott College assistant professor of poetry and creative writing, will be among several speakers reflecting “on the depth, power, and ever-increasing relevance” of King’s words beyond the famous “I Have a Dream” speech, says Kenneth Elmore (SED’87), associate provost and dean of students, who is overseeing this year’s program, titled Words Beyond the Dream.
Monday’s event will also include remarks by BU President Robert A. Brown, as well as by Katherine Kennedy, director of the Howard Thurman Center for Common Ground, Jean Morrison, University provost and chief academic officer, poet Danez Smith, Babatunde Alford (CAS’18), and BU trustee Carol Fulp, president and CEO of the nonprofit Partnership, Inc., which supports a multicultural workforce. Music will be performed by the School of Theology Seminary Singers, the Inner Strength Gospel Choir, the BU Academy Jazz Band, and the Medical Campus Blues Band.
“We will create a chorus of voices that elevate and illuminate Dr. King’s profound thinking and action related to the issues of community, justice, peace, and love,” says Elmore.
Please read the full story at: http://www.bu.edu/today/2018/martin-luther-king-jr-events-boston/
Transforming Chaplaincy Research Summer Institute to be Held At BUSTH
This summer the Transforming Chaplaincy Research Summer Institute will be hosted at the Boston University School of Theology, July 23-27. This 5-day seminary is designed for chaplains who would like to develop modest projects to advance their understanding of chaplaincy-related issues and practices. More information can be found in the attached flyer or on their website.
Dr. John Allen Broyles (STH ’59, GRS ’63)
Please keep the family of the Rev. Dr. J. Allen Broyles in your prayers. Dr. Broyles, who served parishes in Boothbay Harbor and Orono, ME, and Winchester and Lexington, MA, died Nov. 20, 2017 in Nashville, TN. He is survived by his wife of more than 50 years, Dolores, and their daughter, Marianne.
Over 300 Christian Theologians Challenge The Corruption Of US Christianity: The Boston Declaration
Boston, MA, November 20, 2017 - The Boston Declaration, condemning the abuse of the Christian faith by many conservatives today, was just written, signed and released by over 300 hundred Christian theologians attending the American Academy of Religion and the Society of Biblical Literature, an annual meeting of nearly 10,000 professionals in religion.
In a dramatic press conference at Boston’s famous Old South Church, where many dressed in sackcloth and ashes to call for repentance and change in Christianity in the United States, the presenters were clear that white American Evangelicalism is in a crisis, a crisis of its own making. It has abandoned the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
“Is Roy Moore a hill on which Evangelicals are prepared to die? As for me and my house, ‘Hell no, we won’t go,’” said Evangelical theologian Rev. Dr. Peter Heltzel, Associate Professor of Theology at New York Theological Seminary, asking the crisis question and answering it. “During difficult days in our nation, The Boston Declaration calls Christians to follow the Jesus Way, bearing prophetic witness to Christ through fight racism, sexism, poverty and all forms of oppression.”
One of the key organizers of The Boston Declaration, Rev. Dr. Pamela Lightsey, Associate Dean at Boston University School of Theology, contrasted the Gospel teachings with what is being peddled as Christianity today in some conservative circles, both religious and political. She said:
We are here because Jesus taught us to “love our neighbor as ourselves.” We are here because we take the parable of the Good Samaritan to heart. We are here because we refuse to allow Christianity to be co-opted by the likes of people who support abuse of women, the closing of our nation to the immigrant in need and the normalizing of lie after lie after lie.
Finally, we are here because we believe our nation yearns to hear from us this day and to watch for how our commitment as Christian theologians continues into the election season of next year.
For the full story by Susan Thistlethwaite, Professor of Theology and President Emerita of Chicago Theological Seminary, please click here.
‘Missio Dei’ proves challenging colloquy topic
Boston, MA, November 20, 2017 - “Any time we can bring our various worlds together in one room and reflect, I think the church of Jesus Christ benefits,” said the Rev. Mary Elizabeth Moore, dean of Boston University School of Theology.
The meeting — or colloquy, as organizers called it — occurred Nov. 12-15 in Boston under the title “Missio Dei and the United States: Toward a Faithful United Methodist Witness.”
“Missio Dei,” or the mission of God, proved a broad term, generating a wide range of topics for scholarly papers by colloquy participants and presenting a challenge as the group tried to consider how their work could help guide a denomination divided over homosexuality.
Read the full story by Sam Hodges of the United Methodist News Service here.
Dr. Xochitl Alvizo (STH ’07, ’15) Edits Major Work on Religious Feminist Movement
Dr. Xochitl Alvizo (STH '07, '15), along with Gina Messina, has edited a collection of works authored by feminist and womanist scholars and theologians. The collection invites the reader to imagine new possibilities for thought and action while tapping into a myriad of religious and social traditions.
You can read more reviews and purchase the work here.
Rev. Dr. Yap Kim Hao (STH ’54, STH ’68)
Dr. Donald Messer (STH '68), dear friend of Rev. Dr. Yap Kim Hao, wrote these words honoring his passing:
I just received this heart-breaking notice that one of the most brilliant, prophetic, and pastoral leaders Methodism has ever had in the world has been called "home" to be with God.
Singapore's Bishop Yap Kim Hao was courage magnified. He spoke truth to power, even though he struggled with a disability throughout his life because of violence he endured. He spoke inclusion to power, even though he lived amid a church and culture that denied human rights to LGBTQ persons. He dared to find ways to get medicine to HIV patients, even if it meant breaking and bending rules. He encouraged interreligious relationships, even to those who fear the religion of their neighbors.
The poor, the marginalized, the discriminated against knew Bishop Kim Hao stood in solidarity with them. Privileged and powerful exclusionary Christians branded him a heretic and often sought to condemn him. But he always prevailed, because he was a brilliant man and because he also stood steadfast in scripture, proclaiming God's inclusive love in Jesus Christ.
A graduate of Boston University School of Theology (among other places), Bishop Hao exemplified the school's heritage of being the "School of the Prophets." He was honored by the School of Theology as a Distinguished Alumnus for his leadership and dedication to ministry.
Ever on the cutting edge, he and I exchanged social media messages in the past few days. He was always looking forward, working toward a more humane and just world.
"For all the saints who from their labors rest, . . . ."
More about the life and ministry of Bishop Kim Hao can be read on the Strait Times and Ipoch ACS Alumni Association.