Alumni News
Rev. Mark Dove (’57)
This obituary was originally posted by Dignity Memorial and can be found here.
Mark transitioned from life to death on September 21, 2024. He was 91 years of age. He was born on October 4, 1932, to Walter and Lucile Dove (Truman) at Mt. Carmel Hospital, Columbus, Ohio. He was raised mostly in Bellefontaine, Ohio along with his brother, Bob. Bellefontaine High School was the place of his graduation in 1950.
It was during his later high school years 
that he decided to become a Methodist minister. He was very active in the Methodist youth fellowship and became president of the District Youth Fellowship.
After High School, Mark enrolled in The Ohio State University with a major in Psychology. While attending OSU he was a member of Alpha Sigma Chi Fraternity. Four years later he traveled to Boston University as a Pre-Ministerial student at the Boston University School of Theology.
On June 18, 1955, he married Jenelle Rochelle and together finished his studies in Boston. Two years later he was ordained an elder in the Methodist Church.
His first assignment in 1957 included three rural churches in Southern Ohio- Maineville, Cozzadale, and Zoar. For his second assignment, he became an associate minister to Westwood Methodist, Cincinnati in 1962. From Westwood he stayed in Cincinnati by serving Friendship Methodist Church in Wyoming, Ohio starting in 1965. Washington Court House was his next assignment serving Grace Church starting in 1973. He then returned to Columbus and became Linworth UMC’s new minister in 1978. In 1981 it was during this assignment that Mark was called to the Franklin Uniting Church of Australia. After six months as an interim minister, he returned and finished his work at Epworth. In 1987 he was called to service as a District Superintendent of Springfield District, Springfield Ohio. His final work was at Linworth UMC in Worthington, Ohio starting in 1992 and retiring in 1998 after spearheading the building of the new Linworth UMC on Bent Tree Blvd in Columbus.
It was during his time as a district superintendent that he received his doctorate from United Theological Seminary in Dayton Ohio. In addition to church work, Mark was able to occasionally teach weekday classes in religious studies for the Ecumenical Institute in Chicago. They wanted him to join their staff full time, but he chose to remain a local church pastor.
Later in his retirement, he did accept a position as an adjunct professor for field education at the Methodist Theological School of Ohio.
When outside activities were on the calendar, Mark enjoyed the summer months fishing and sailing on our island in Northern Canada and golfing in the winter at our home in Hilton Head. Any kind of music was also important to him. He sang with the OSU Men’s Glee Club and led many parishioners through Israel, Greece, and Egypt. For fun it was the coastline of South America and the Caribbean. Of course, six months in Australia was a meaningful time.
Along the way he helped raise three children, Tim, Shelley, and Todd. Father, Mother, and Brother are all gone plus daughter, Shelley who died at age 24 of Leukemia but both sons survived him along with his loving wife, Jenelle, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held at Friendship Village of Dublin October 11th, 2024 at 3:00pm. Love gifts may be sent to Friendship Village, 6000 Riverside Drive Dublin Ohio 43017. Please mark for the Benevolent Fund.
Paul L. Hartman (’70)
This obituary was originally published by Lansing State Journal and can be found here.
Paul L. Hartman, husband, father, brother, grandfather and friend, of Okemos, Michigan, died at home on Friday, October 18,2024, at the age of 80. Paul was born on February 15, 1944, in Evanston, IL., to Fred and Martha (Gardiner) Hartman. He was a graduate of Evanston Township High School, Albion College, and Boston University School of Theology. He was an ordained pastor in the United Methodist Church, serving churches in Alden, Lansing, Litchfield and Kalamazoo, concluding his professional life as the Director of Education and Youth at Okemos Community Church. Throughout his life, Paul lived out a deep commitment to helping young people understand the meaning of Christian faith and service. He spent many years as a leader of United Methodist Senior High summer camps and he helped countless young people experience life-impacting mission projects in various parts of Appalachia. Paul loved golf, and some of his proudest moments took place when he was able to "bring home the trophy". His parents predeceased him. He is survived by his wife, Jeanne, his daughters, Beth Magennis (Collin), Andrea Hartman (Tawnie Grider), and Angela Young (Jason) and step-son David Randels (Sara), grandchildren Erin, Kyle, Emma, Anna, Auden and Oliver and by his brothers David Hartman (Kitty), Richard Hartman (Celo), Donald Hartman (Debi), and sister, Marsie Hartman, as well as nieces and nephews and many, many friends. His family offers special thanks to the "breakfast boys": Peter, Bob and Gary. Your friendship offered a gift the meaning of which cannot be measured. Paul's memorial service will be Thursday, October 24, at 11:00, at Grace United Methodist Church, 1900 Boston Blvd. Lansing, Michigan. The family will greet guests one hour prior. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to the Okemos Food Pantry located at Okemos Community Church, or Sunset Gap Community Center, 1300 Sunset Gap Rd. Cosby, TN. 37722.
Confronting Challenges and Cultivating Hope: Recap of the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Panel
After the bestowing of honorifics during matriculation chapel last month, this year’s Distinguished Alumni addressed the STH community over a shared meal to offer insight into the key challenges facing their communities in the coming decade and bear witness to the signs of hope still emerging. Their wisdom and transparency offered listeners means of confronting such challenges in their own contexts as engaged actors in the ongoing movement towards justice.
When asked to name the primary issues 
faced in their work, the realities of the climate crisis and threats to the development of socio-economic and racial justice permeated the responses of each panelist. Dr. Emma A. Escobar noted historical familiarity with such problems, voicing, “As I reflect on the challenges we face in the upcoming decade, I see that many of them are the same struggles our ancestors confronted. We continue to stand against the giant empire of capitalism, which creates a widening gap for the poor, the vulnerable, and people of color.” Forced migration and inaccessibility of housing were named among the effects of unaddressed environmental issues that disproportionately affect marginalized communities. Multiple panelists also illuminated the compounding repercussions of individualism on vulnerable populations in need of communal care. In light of election season and the tendency to construct ideological divides, Rev. Dr. Dianne Reistroffer spoke of the need to “continue to lift up the vision of the beloved community and inclusion, as well as broad coalition building where mutuality and interdependence are nurtured and promoted.” Her concerns also touched on the need for trained theologians operating within faith communities to responsibly interpret and apply scriptures in our times. Dr. Rodolfo Ramos Nolasco Jr. integrated the increase of artificial intelligence into the conversation, bringing forth the evolving relationship between such technology and theological education, which sits as the focus of his developing manuscript, Holy Hacking: Navigating the Intersection of Narrow AI and Pastoral Care. The challenges of hope and action themselves were addressed by Mr. Matthew L. Greer, who testified to 
“the very real threat to what so many of us regarded as the inevitable and irrecoverable forward movement toward socio-economic, gender equality and racial justice, including but not limited reproductive rights and gender and sexual orientation.” From fighting the rise of White Christian Nationalism to economic inequality to the accessibility of holistic theological training, the answers of the Distinguished Alumni made clear the intersectional nature of each of their identified challenges.
The matriculation service earlier that day served as a launching point for the panelists to consider the sites of hope and encouragement in the midst of such grievous challenges. Reflecting on his role as Director of Music and Worship Arts and experiences in communal worship, Mr. Greer noted the healing power of collective singing. Physical presence and fellowship with one another were identified as invaluable, as he commented, “I think our major source of hope, our secret sauce, is that we are in the business of getting people to show up, and creating community.” Rev. Dr. Reistroffer called attention to the number of matriculating students across degree programs that day, interpreting it as a sign that folks were still responding to their purpose and intentionally pursuing spiritual training to address cultural challenges. She also pointed to the recent welcome of LGBTQIA+ lay and clergy people into the United Methodist Church as a means of encouragement. Community was once again emphasized as Dr. Escobar identified The Beloved Community Incubator as an organization that has centered necessary immigration work. Challenges were discussed as opportunities to expand to serve intertwining issues and engage in policy work to confront injustice in a lasting manner. 
For queer individuals, Dr. Nolasco finds signs of hope first by turning inwards, saying, “the seed of the divine is deeply alive and implanted in us. We are, after all, the beloved queers of God, created in the image of the Queer God.” Emerging out of such assurance, Dr. Nolasco offered a call to listeners to again turn outward: “My dear queer siblings, we cannot be a one-issue social movement. Our queerness demands that we form a human chain with other individuals and communities who, like us, have been fighting and dismantling structures and systems of oppression.”
Engaging with the Distinguished Alumni panel proved to be both an illuminating and encouraging time of the very fellowship that sustains communities. The School of Theology remains grateful to each of the Distinguished Alumni for their prophetic engagement with numerous cultural challenges and their commitment to notice, proclaim, and themselves become signs of hope along the way.
Rev. Timothy Levi Adkins-Jones (’09, ’21) Preaching Revival Services in Richmond, VA
The following is an excerpt from the Richmond Free Press publication, "Rev. Adkins-Jones returns to preach at Second Baptist Church revival," published on Oct. 17, 2024. Click here to read the full article.
The Rev. Timothy Levi Adkins-Jones, 
a Richmond native and accomplished theologian, returns to his hometown for a special revival at Second Baptist Church (West End) on Oct. 28-29.
A product of Richmond Public Schools, Adkins-Jones graduated from the Governor’s School. His academic journey led him to Amherst College for his bachelor’s in psychology, followed by master’s of divinity and doctor of philosophy degrees from Boston University’s School of Theology.
Rev. Marni Harmony (’74) featured in Oral History Account, “Equality from the Pulpit”
The following is an excerpt from the Orange County Regional History Center article “Equality from the Pulpit: The Rev. Marni Harmony” by Justine Truc, published on October 8, 2024. Click here to read the full article.
Marni Politte Harmony was born in Virginia in 1948. Growing up, she quickly developed a strong interest in religious studies, following in the footsteps of her father, who was “on a pretty deep spiritual journey all his life.” She pursued her passion at Tuft University, where she majored in religious studies and sociology and later joined the Boston University School of Theology on a scholarship. Before moving to Central Florida in the late 1980s, she traveled across the country, always eager to learn more about her faith ...
In Orlando, Rev. Harmony found herself 
involved with a church that welcomed the LGBTQ+ community. She was able to come out to her church and started helping local organizations in their work toward social justice. She noticed that “we had to go through a phase of people being afraid and not wanting to join because we’d be known as the gay church,” but she always kept the doors of her church open to organizations such as the Hope & Help Center, the Orlando Gay Chorus, and the Delta Youth Alliance (now the Orlando Youth Alliance), as they were in “sympathy with our purposes and principles.”
Rev. Charles Barry Wood (’74)
Reverend Charles Barry Wood, known to most as Barry, passed away peacefully at home on August 10, 2024 with his beloved wife of 55 years by his side. He was born on November 6, 1942 and served as a United Methodist Minister in the Southern New England Annual Conference for 39 years.
He began serving in East Douglas, MA (1969-1977) where he also served as Selectman. His appointments in MA included Milford UMC (1977-1982), Old South UMC Reading (1982-1987), and Epworth UMC Worcester (1987-2006).
Barry was a devoted son, husband, father, and grandfather. His warmth and kindness touched countless lives as well as his gift to gab. He loved to tease people but that was his way of showing how much he liked them. He was a strong leader and had the talent to encourage people to work well together. He always made it fun.
He lived his Christian values by always helping 
others and giving back to the community. A few of his accomplishments were developing a Puppet Ministry in several of the churches he served. He also led several Puppet Camps at Camp Aldersgate in RI where he was active in their committee work and getting scholarships for youth.
Barry was particularly proud of starting a Free Medical Program with Dr. Paul Hart of Epworth UMC and supporting an Economic Ministry in Salem, ME. The medical program provided essential care and prescriptions to people who had no health insurance for free, extending and comforting the lives of many. There are now about six more of these programs in Worcester. Barry’s commitment to the Economic Ministry in Salem was demonstrated through several work camps to the mission and bi-annual truck loads of clothing collected from churches in Worcester.
Barry was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Esther Wood, and his sister Barbara Cornibert.
He is survived by his loving wife Constance; three children, Christopher and his wife Livia, Craig, and Jonathan; and his cherished grandchildren, Catherine and Vivian. He is also survived by his brother, William Wood and his wife Ruth Wood.
His memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.
In lieu of flowers, you may send donations in his memory to Helen Pinkham, Director, United Methodist Economic Ministry, 1458 Salem Road, Salem Township, 04983.
To share a memory or leave a message of condolence please visit Barry‘s Book of Memories Page.
Arrangements are in the care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer Street, Kennebunk, ME 04043.
Dr. James A. Fiske (’70)
James (Jim) A. Fiske
July 23, 1936 – September 26, 2024
Born in Salem, Oregon, Jim’s youth revolved around music—band, orchestra, and choir. His first jobs included working in the fields picking strawberries and beans and, at age 16, in a local cannery. During college years, he worked in an ice-cream factory.
At Willamette University, he enrolled in the School of Music. While there, Jim and Judy met. A romantic relationship grew during band tours, and they were married before finishing college. Jim spent a fifth year at the university, because he had enrolled in the Advanced Air Force ROTC program. When he realized the reason they were training them to fly was to drop bombs on people, he left the program after a court martial. Then, because of all the courses in Military Air Science, he needed another year to complete his other requirements for graduation.
At that time, Jim and Judy heard a visiting missionary speak. They both felt “the call,” which led to their being accepted by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions and sent to Japan as “short termers.” They taught music at North Japan College, helped at the Student Center, and worked with local churches. Jim wrote, “We took one child with us and returned with two more ‘made in Japan,’ as our youngest puts it.”
After three years, they returned to the U.S., where Jim taught public school music for three years before going to Boston University School of Theology. During those four years, Jim served local churches. Although they had been Congregationalists, now they had become Methodists.
After graduation, they returned to Japan, where they spent their first two years in Language School in Tokyo. Then they moved to Kobe. At the Canadian Academy, Jim taught the band for four years. His primary assignment was to Shima no Uchi church in Osaka, where he served with Rev. Nishihara. After five years, Jim moved to Kei Mei girls school, where he taught English and Bible, and served on the Board of Trustees. On many weekends, he traveled to churches on Awaji Island in the Inland Sea.
For their last six years in Japan, Jim was pastor of Kobe Union Church, an international, inter-denominational congregation. It was during these years that Jim completed D. Min. studies at the School of Theology in Claremont, studying primarily with John Cobb. Because Judy wanted to pursue a career in Counseling Psychology, they returned to the U.S., where Jim served churches in the greater Portland, Oregon area.
In 2000, they retired and spent a year and a half as full time “RV-ers,” circling the outline of the U.S., and eventually settling in Salem. In 2005 they entered Pilgrim Place, where Jim was a master woodworker, member of the Chorale, member and, at the end, director of the Winsor Brass. Jim and Judy were active members of the Claremont UMC.
Associate Minister, Part-Time, UCC: Vernon, CT
The Associate Minister will share general pastoral responsibilities with the Senior Minister, focusing on pastoral care, teaching, and preaching, while enjoying a degree of autonomy in designated areas. The role is flexible, allowing both ministers to negotiate responsibilities based on their strengths and interests over time.
Primary Focus (70% of Time):
The Associate Minister will lead the development and implementation of faith-building and fellowship programs, selecting one or two focus areas from the following:
- Programming for adults in mid/later life
- Programming for young adults
- Programming for children, youth, and families
- Community missions, outreach, and engagement
Secondary Focus (30% of Time):
Responsibilities include:
- Collaborating with the Senior Minister to create and lead at least six worship services annually.
- Coordinating weekly worship services.
- Engaging in various pastoral duties (teaching, counseling, visitation, etc.).
- Planning intergenerational events and programs.
- Assisting with special services during significant church seasons.
- Providing support during the Senior Minister's absence.
Other Responsibilities:
- Attend monthly staff meetings.
- Uphold the FCCV Safe Church Policy.
- Engage in additional church life activities as opportunities arise.
Note: This role does not involve sabbatical coverage for the Senior Minister or management of part-time staff.
Candidate Profile:
Ideal candidates will be pursuing or hold a Master of Divinity, be ordained or in discernment, and possess qualities like goal orientation, innovation, confidence, and a good sense of humor. As part of our commitment to maintaining a safe and secure workplace, a background check will be conducted for the successful candidate.
Application Process:
Interested candidates should send a resume and cover letter to church.secretary@firstchurchofvernon.org
To view our website, click on https://www.firstcongregationalchurchofvernon.org/? and if you want view our FaceBook page, click on https://www.facebook.com/fccv.ucc
Dr. Danielle Tumminio Hansen (’14) authors “Trauma-Informed Spiritual Care: Interventions for Safety, Meaning, Reconnection, and Justice”
Dr. Danielle Tumminio Hansen ('14) released her latest work titled Trauma-Informed Spiritual Care: Interventions for Safety, Meaning, Reconnection, and Justice.
The book description reads:
"Trauma pervades every part of human existence. From birth to death, there is no moment in which a human being is completely immune, with experts estimating that a majority of people will experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetime.
Danielle Tumminio Hansen offers a dynamic 
exploration of how trauma affects not just the physical and psychological lives of sufferers but also their spiritual well-being. Taking a feminist and intersectional approach, she considers how trauma challenges people both individually and collectively, while looking at tools spiritual caregivers can use to respond to it. Integrating theological wisdom with cutting-edge psychology, she offers targeted interventions to help trauma survivors restore their sense of safety, construct meaning, and reconnect with their communities. She also considers how restorative justice can be a tool to help trauma survivors voice their experiences and receive accountability in community.
Tummino Hansen constructs a crucial resource, at once searingly honest and hopeful, that belongs on the bookshelf of every pastor, chaplain, and faith leader."
Cover photo courtesy of danielletumminiohansen.com/
Rev. Robert L. Campbell (’54)
This obituary was originally posted by The Patriot Ledger and can be found here.
The Rev. Robert L. Campbell of South Weymouth died on September 14th at the South Shore Hospital just days before his much anticipated 100th birthday. He was born on September 23, 1924. Robert leaves his wife Barbara and his children, Nancy Moody (Jim Moody, deceased) of East Granby, CT; Dr. Judy Campbell (Jay Delaune) of Needham, MA; David Campbell of Needham; Dr. Steven Campbell (Jill Campbell) of San Antonio, TX.
His five grandchildren are Bennett Delaune (Ashtin Delaune) of Needham; Bonnie Delaune (Sam Davis) of Jamaica Plain, MA; Dr. Julia Campbell of Miami, FL; Caroline Campbell of San Antonio, TX and Anna Moody of CT. He also leaves a much loved little great-grandson, Milo Davis. Robert’s deceased siblings were his sisters Joy Voss (CA) and Eloise Henry (PA), and his brothers, Alan Campbell (CA) and Gordon Campbell (CA). A sister, Susie Allen, resides in CA.
Bob was born in Burbank, CA to Raymond and 
Ruth Campbell and grew up in Sweetgrass, MT, where his father was a customs officer on the Canadian border. When the family moved back to CA, he completed high school as class valedictorian. He graduated from the University of the Pacific with a BA degree. He then moved east and pastored a group of churches in VT for a year before enrolling in Boston University School of Theology. He served a church in R.I. while completing his Master of Divinity at B.U. in 1954, after which he served churches in Abington and Rockland, MA.
While at BU, Bob had met his future wife, Barbara Lockhart, an undergraduate at BU (CAS). They married in 1955 and lived on the South Shore of Boston for all 69 years of their marriage. Their children were born and raised in South Weymouth. Bob was a very involved parent who attended school concerts, scouting activities, sports events and dance recitals.
Bob was the minister of Porter Methodist Church in Weymouth for 9 years. For 28 years, Bob worked in the probation department of the Quincy District Court, commuting daily by bicycle for the 15-mile round-trip, rain or shine. He was also the minister of Beechwood Congregational Church in Cohasset for 20 years. His yearly Christmas pageants were a treasured holiday tradition. Bob was an occasional square dance caller at churches for adult and youth social events.
Bob was a runner, an avid reader, had a great interest in science and astronomy, and enjoyed playing chess. Family camping trips at Covered Bridge Campground in the White Mountains were a yearly summer highlight. Bob played his harmonica at evening campfires and led star-gazing. He also led family hikes to overnight shelters. Bob hiked all sixty-seven 4000 foot mountains in New England. He climbed Mt. Washington many times, alone and with family, including on his 80th birthday. Other hikes included Mt. Whitney in California, and the Matterhorn and Mt. Pollux in Switzerland with his sons. Bob and Barbara enjoyed more traveling after retirement.
The family will be gathering for a private memorial service.