Alumni News
WBUR’s Remembrance Project Honors Dr. Cecile Rice (GRS ’71)
The life and work of Dr. Cecil Rice (GRS '71), co-founder of the Boston Institute for Psychotherapy, is honored in a recent edition of WBUR's Remembrance Project. Dr. Scott Rutan (GRS '71) is interviewed and remembers Dr. Rice's dedication to ushering in hope in the midst of trauma.
You can listen to the full interview here.
Reverend Kelvin “Kel” B. Groseclose (STH ’67)
Pastor Kelvin “Kel” B. Groseclose
1940 - 2017
Wenatchee, WA
Back in 1990, I composed my own obituary and shared it with this paper’s
(Wenatchee World) readership. Nearly twenty years later, I feel a need to
update it, because I’ve matured significantly and made a few changes in my
life. It’s not that I don’t trust my family and friends to write an excellent
remembrance of my life and accomplishments. My plan, of course, is to outlive
them all. Anyway, who knows me better than the one who’s lived inside this
body for nearly 77 years? When that moment arrives, as it does for all Homo
sapiens who walked on this earth, I want to go with style and a smile on my
wrinkled face.
So first of all, you can skip the details such as where and when I was born.
Google my name if you must. Who really cares what schools of higher education
I attended? What counts are the people I helped, the values I espoused, the
hope I shared, and the way I loved my family and friends. I’d like to be
remembered in these following ways:
Kel Groseclose cared about this earth, its inhabitants, and all living
creatures. Okay, he didn’t appreciate tomato worms in his garden and pesky
ants on their kitchen counters. He sometimes worried too much, instead of
taking action. He, for certain, watched too many ballgames on television. He
tried to improve the soil around their home, recycle everything he could, and
live in peace with his neighbors. When he messed up, he usually asked for
forgiveness and for another chance.
Kel enjoyed swishing through piles of autumn leaves, kicking rocks down the
street, looking through kaleidoscopes, flying kites, and blowing soap bubbles
into a gentle breeze. Next to his love affair with family, especially those 15
gifted and beautiful grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, he had a
passion for his small garden, their various family pets, and the magnificent
maple tree in their front yard. He talked to birds and butterflies, and often
gave them names. Music was an integral part of his daily life, from old-time
fiddle tunes to the pipe organ, from percussion to string quartets. He enjoyed
cooking, and made a tasty apple crisp using his mother’s well-worn recipe.
He would have lived in a tree house had it been an option. He pressed flower
petals in his journals, all 45 of them (to date). Watching the sky on a clear
winter night took his breath away. Kel had his share of faults. He probably
played over a million games of solitaire; blew seeds off dried dandelions and
into his neighbors’ yards; and sneaked chocolate chip cookies when he thought
no one was watching. He could hit a telephone pole at 50 feet with a snowball,
and was skilled at skipping flat rocks on smooth ponds.
Kel finally learned to cry when he was 41-years-old, and considered it one of
his most important accomplishments. He talked too much, listened too little,
and hugged too infrequently. He chewed his fingernails when he got nervous,
had dandruff in his beard, slurped hot coffee, and couldn’t keep a secret
worth beans. He never claimed to be perfect, always admitting that he was a
perpetual work in progress.
He hopes that family and friends will gather where there’s lots of food,
noise, laughter, and maybe a few tears; and swap stories about that old guy
who did the best he could, considering what he had to work with. Somebody
better bring a fiddle and get folks dancing; or at least tapping their toes to
a lively beat. Otherwise, he may have to come back and do it himself.
Please join Kel’s wife, Ellen; children: John (Heather) Groseclose, Steve
(Kimberly) Groseclose, Aimee (Michael) Wilson, Mike (Kristen) Groseclose, Sara
(Bryce) Milton and David (Cheryl) Groseclose; sister, Anna (Jerry) Nichols;
his 15 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren for a Celebration of Life
on Sunday, July 16, 2017, at 2:00 p.m., at the First United Methodist church
in Wenatchee, WA. You are invited to view his online guestbook at
www.HeritageMemorialChapel.com. Arrangements are in the care of Heritage
Memorial Chapel, East Wenatchee, WA.
School of Theology Announces Two New Denominational Learning Communities
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Kimberly Macdonald
Marketing & Communications Manager, School of Theology
617-358-1858
kmacd@bu.edu
BOSTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY ANNOUNCES
TWO NEW DENOMINATIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES
BOSTON, MA | November 9, 2017 – Boston University School of Theology (BUSTH) is pleased to announce that it has formed two new denominational learning communities, in collaboration with the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ (UCC). The mission of each learning community is to form a community of students, faculty, and staff dedicated to nurturing and preparing Episcopal and UCC students for future leadership and service in and through the church. The Anglican Episcopal Community of Learning (AECL) and the United Church of Christ Community of Learning (UCCCL) are specialized programs that aim to provide the best possible education in an ecumenical community that values the unique gifts, histories, and ministerial legacies of these denominations.
The mission of these two Communities of Learning is to form a community of students, faculty, and staff dedicated to nurturing and preparing global Anglican, Episcopal, and United Church of Christ students for future leadership and service in and through their distinctive traditions. Communities of Learning seek to nurture the next generation of leaders for ministries in the churches and in service to the larger world. The intention is to equip students in their own distinctive denominational traditions and in ecumenical traditions of Christianity, providing them with curricular and co-curricular opportunities to ground their academic, spiritual, ecclesial, professional, and social-global growth. At the same time, BUSTH seeks to enrich the ecumenical and global life for all students at the School.
The two Communities of Learning share common features that respond to unique denominational traditions and needs, such as courses, co-curricular opportunities, contextual education, spiritual life offerings, mentors and consultants, and opportunities to connect with programs and projects of the denominations and the School of Theology. These projects may focus on theological traditions, social justice, worship, sacred music, mission, and other important concerns. The rich collaborations and shared courses with other schools of the Boston Theological Institute will also be a part of the BUSTH Communities of Learning experience. Students in these two denominations will be eligible, as all of our students are, for generous scholarships to further their studies. More details are available at https://www.bu.edu/sth/community/ecl/ and https://www.bu.edu/sth/community/ucccl/.
“We have long had a significant number of global Anglican, Episcopal, and United Church of Christ students,” says Dean Mary Elizabeth Moore, who expresses enthusiasm for these Communities of Learning. “We value what these students and their churches have contributed to an STH education for at least five decades. Now we are able to offer more comprehensive support of the Episcopal and UCC students and to enhance ecumenical learning and global-ecumenical community for the entire community. This is the beginning of a new era in theological education at Boston University.”
BUSTH is grateful for the wise and generous leaders of the Episcopal and UCC churches, as well as its alumni/ae and students. Many have offered direction and ideas for the Communities of Learning. These collaborations will be ongoing and will not be limited geographically, though the consultations to date have been largely within the ecclesial bodies of Massachusetts and New England. These established Communities of Learning will continue to grow and change over time, with the addition of certificates and adaptations that are required by an ever-changing church.
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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 bu.edu/sth.
Robert Dean McNeil (STH ’58) Publishes Memoir
Robert Dean McNeil has published a spiritual memoir entitled Big Guy and Mr. God: Questions to Ponder. A lifetime of memories is framed as an imaginary conversation with God, not unlike those that Job had with God. The book can be used by individuals as devotional reading, or in a church school class setting. It is hoped the reader will follow the lead of the author in considering questions such as war, race, sexuality, why good people suffer and other questions.
You can read reviews and purchase the book here.
Reverend James. H. Nason (STH ’72)
SANFORD - Rev. James H. Nason (STH '72) a longtime resident of Sanford, died peacefully with his family by his side on Nov. 2, 2017, at the Newton Center in Sanford.
James was born on Jan. 25, 1945, in Sanford, the son of Howard and Rena (Gerrish) Nason.
A young man, James knew he would help people through ministry and began his education in Springvale, graduating from Nasson College with a degree in history; and then graduated from Boston University School of Theology, Boston, Mass. From the early 1970s, Rev. Nason has served in the United Methodist faith beginning with his first church in Bethel; serving many congregations, including Portland, Kezar Falls, and Limestone.
James will be dearly missed by his beloved wife, Barbara Nason; his stepchildren, Christine Swain, Joan Greenleaf, and Bruce Greenleaf; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He was predeceased by his parents; and by his brother, Daniel Nason.
A memorial service will be held Friday, Nov. 10, 2017, at 2 p.m. at the Goodwin Mills United Methodist Church, 55 Church St., in Lyman. Rev. Edward Bove will officiate and immediately following the service, you may visit with the family in the parish hall.
To leave a message of condolence and to read a complete obituary, please visit www.autumngreenfuneralhome.com
The Autumn Green Funeral Home is respectfully handling arrangements.
Mary Lou Shea (STH ’97, ’05, ’06) Publishes Biography of Hiram F. Reynolds
Mary Lou Shea (STH '97, '05, '06) works In Need of Your Prayers and Patience: The Life and Ministry of Hiram F. Reynolds and the Founding of the Church of The Nazarene is a new biographical encounter with of the life of a mostly hidden figure of the Church of the Nazarene: Hiram F. Reynolds. Reynolds shaped the role of the General Superintendency, clarified and expanding the church’s Manual to meet the needs of the growing denomination, and established mission policies and practices that took it from a US church to a global presence. Shea's work is an important addition to the expanding literature on Christian denominational history and evangelism.
You can view more information, read reviews, and purchase Shea's work here.
Rev. Soon-Young Kwon (STH’95) to Lead Course on Coursera
Yonsei University has opened Rev. Soon-Young Kwon's course "Re-imagining God in Korean Context" in a massive open online course (MOOC) called Coursera. This course will be an overview of a development of the theological methods in relation to Korea’s cultural context and will equip the students to understand cultural influences on the dynamic development of Korean churches and indigenous theology. Students in over 35 countries have already enrolled in the course since its opening last month.
For more information and to participate in the MOOC, please visit the course website.
Michelle Walsh (SSW’93, STH’06, STH’14) Releases New Publication: “Violent Trauma, Culture, and Power”
Michelle Walsh (SSW'93, STH'06, STH'14) has released her new work entitled Violent Trauma, Culture, and Power: An Interdisciplinary Exploration in Lived Religion. Her work explores the intertwining impact of violent trauma, culture, and power through case studies of two ministries serving in different demographic contexts within the U.S. Walsh shows how all forms of violent trauma impact more than individuals but also communities, religious practices, and culture.
More information, reviews, and purchasing options for Walsh's work can be viewed here.
School of Theology Awards Garner Prize for Preaching 2017
This year's Garner Prize for Preaching took place in Marsh Chapel on Saturday, October 28. The Rev. Dr. S. Chapin Garner (STH’97), Senior Minister at the Congregational Church of New Canaan in CT, with his wife Tammie Garner, Esq. (LAW’97) along with their church in Connecticut, provide the funding for the Garner Prize for Preaching every year. We thank them for being so steadfast in their support.
We are pleased to announce this year's Garner Prize for Preaching winners are:
1st: Nikki Young
2nd: Alicia Vélez Stewart
3rd: Danyal Mohammadzadeh
Honorable Mentions: Emelia Attridge and Roger Gordon
Be sure to congratulate them all the next time you see them! To view all of Saturday's preachers in action, please view the online album here.
School of Theology Named as a Seminary that Changes the World for 2017-18 Academic Year
BOSTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY RECOGNIZED BY SEMINARIES THAT CHANGE THE WORLD FOR 2017-18 ACADEMIC YEAR
November 1, 2017 – Boston University School of Theology (BUSTH) is pleased to announce it has been recognized as a Seminary that Changes the World, Class of 2017-18 by The Center for Faith and Service, based at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, IL. Each year, Seminaries that Change the World identifies a select group of seminaries and divinity schools offering innovative courses, programs, and opportunities for students seeking to engage in social justice and service work while in seminary. Boston University School of Theology’s recognition as a Seminary that Changes the World reflects the ongoing work BUSTH is doing to seek a more just, sustainable and peaceful world.
According to Dean Mary Elizabeth Moore, “we are grateful and humbled by this honor by Seminaries that Change the World. The work of social healing and social transformation toward justice is communal work. We are highly motivated to deepen our spiritual centers as we study and act and reflect honestly for the sake of healing justice in our terribly broken world.”
At BUSTH, students, faculty, and administration alike are responsible for the social justice and service learning work that is evidenced each day. Students raise tough issues and initiate significant conversations regarding race and racism, immigration, poverty and homelessness, ecological justice, and mental health. Faculty lead actions in curriculum development, community responses to violence and discrimination, and research initiatives that will better inform faithful action toward justice. Administrators and staff work with others to envision and enact the future, creating supports through such actions as recruitment efforts for diverse and passionate students, sustainability improvements in renovations and community habits, and meaningful community activities.
“Seminaries and Divinity Schools are uniquely positioned to provide the most relevant, fast-paced, and innovative degrees in all of higher ed. The schools named in this year’s Seminaries that Change the World are helping to redefine what ministry looks like,” remarked Wayne Meisel, executive director of The Center for Faith and Service and founder of Seminaries that Change the World. “Their alums are involved in some of the most innovative and engaging work going on in our churches, communities, and world.”
The list of Seminaries that Change the World is published by The Center for Faith and Service, an organization that works to help seminaries, service programs, denominations and local congregations connect faith with service and social justice work.
For more information about Seminaries that Change the World, or to see the complete list of schools accepted to this year’s cohort, visit www.STCTW.org. The BUSTH page can also be found at http://www.stctw.org/boston.html.
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The Center for Faith and Service at McCormick Seminary works to help the church to be present and relevant in the lives of young adults. Through a variety of initiatives, including Seminaries that Change the World, The Center partners with seminaries, summer camps, colleges, youth corps, denominations and local congregations to create programs and resources that help young people connect their passions for service and justice with their faith. For more information about The Center for Faith and Service, visit www.FaithandService.org.