Alumni News
Life Together: Social Justice Fellowship Opportunity
During their year, all Life Together fellows work for social justice in schools, non-profits, and churches, spend one day per week developing leadership skills, spiritual depth, and relationships, and live in intentional community. For more information on the structure of the program, click here. To meet the current fellows, click here.
If you have questions or would like more information about Life Together, or the application process, please contact us, or find us on Facebook and Twitter.
Link to the fellowship application: http://www.lifetogethercommunity.org/apply
Reverend David Mason (STH' 57)
Multiple Grants Awarded to School of Theology
Associate Dean Bryan Stone and several other faculty members have contributed their creativity and energy to grant proposals over the past few months, and the result of their efforts has paid dividends. Many thanks for these collaborative efforts that will lead the STH community to continue their innovative strides.
- The Lilly Endowment awarded the Center for Practical Theology a $50,000 planning grant for a project called “Called to Lives of Meaning and Purpose” in response to a call for proposals. This grant is for the planning stage during the summer and will lead up to a major proposal in August for the full 5-year, $1.5 million project grant. The CPT proposed to create a congregational innovation hub to work with Mainline Protestant congregations in New England in designing and launching new ministries or enhancing existing ministries that help Christians discover and claim how God is calling them to lead lives of meaning and purpose. The STH innovation hub will provide both a process and a range of practical theological resources to aid congregations (both individually as members and collectively as a body) in exploring their callings, embracing them fully, and enacting them imaginatively in daily practices and ministries. The objective of the planning grant is to design this process in collaboration with congregations and to imagine with more concreteness the resources the STH hub might make available to congregations in New England.
- The Association of Theological Schools (ATS) awarded STH a $50,000 “Innovation Grant” to pursue the development of two Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). The Ethical Leadership MOOC created by Walter Fluker is already in existence, and Bryan Stone is presently creating the second on Faith and Finance. It was proposed that STH create two more MOOC’s – one on Religion and Conflict Transformation, and the other on Interfaith Leadership. Once these additional two MOOCs are created, STH would have a set of four MOOC’s that might be offered either as a form of continuing education, or possibly, a MicroMasters. For more information on Boston University’s new MicroMasters certification programs, click here.
- The Association of Theological Schools (ATS) awarded STH a $15,000 “Faculty Development Grant” to implement usage of the Intercultural Development Inventory among all faculty and senior administrators at the School of Theology both 1. to develop plans for achievable growth in intercultural competency, understood as a movement from ethnocentric orientations to more ethnorelative orientations (such as acceptance, adaptation, and integration) and 2. to measure that growth. This possibility follows a multi-year process of study, planning, and dialogue led by our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee. The implementation of this tool could possibly lead to an initial faculty and administrator’s retreat to explain the model behind the IDI, answer questions, and secure buy-in.
- The Wabash Center awarded STH a $50,000 grant that will provide funding over the next few years to pilot a set of annual colloquia, workshops, and retreats that augment our teacher-training preparation for PhD students beyond the first-year colloquium, coursework, and multi-year teaching and research internships that already stand at the core of our PhD program. The objective of this new initiative is to increase teaching competencies in our PhD graduates in course design and syllabus construction, online teaching, intercultural competency in teaching, and the development of a philosophy of teaching. The project is a creative new venture jointly developed by the School’s faculty, administration, and doctoral students.
Rev. Norman Headley (STH'72)
Rev. Norman Headley passed away peacefully with his family by his side at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital on Monday February 20, 2017 at age 72. Norman, beloved husband of Kathleen for 48 years. Loving father of Jennifer (1972-2006), Deidre Stajduhar (Greg) and Enid Selkirk (Glen). Proud Grandpa of Mark, Sarah, Jenna, Alexander and Maja. Dear brother of Kay Moir (Barry) and Carol Fahn (Jerry). He will be fondly remembered by his nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, friends and colleagues. Norman was the Director of Chaplaincy for SickKids Hospital in Toronto and prior to that the Director of Chaplaincy at University Hospital in London, ON. The family wishes to thank the staff at Post Inn Village for their compassionate care.
*Obituary taken from: https://www.arbormemorial.ca/oakview/obituaries/norman-headley/2765
Full-time Director of Family Outreach, Dracut, MA
Full-time Director of Family Outreach
Christ Church United in Dracut is seeking an experienced full-time Director of Family Outreach. If you are a team player who is flexible, self-directed, with strong interpersonal skills, and would like to provide an environment where youth of all ages can explore their relationship with God and with each other as they grow in faith and faithfulness through the teachings of Jesus Christ, then this may be the position for you.
40 hour per week. Primary responsibilities include your desire to share the Christian faith with children and youth
Qualifications: ●Minimum of three years family/youth ministry experience (volunteer or paid youth leadership, including leadership responsibility and program management). ●Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university required. ●Master of Divinity or equivalent training preferred but not required. ●Excellent written and verbal communication skills, conflict management skills, time management, and computer skills. ●Proven ability to work effectively with youth, diverse individuals, and teams of volunteers. ●Background check will be completed by a third-party vendor. Any hiring offer will be contingent on successfully passing the background check. ●Valid driver’s license.
Other qualities desired: Ability to keep appropriate confidences; prioritize multiple tasks and deadlines.
Location: Dracut
Compensation: Commensurate with skills and experience
Please, no phone calls about this job.
Submit résumé and cover letter to: resumes@ccudracut.org or mail to
Rev. Carra McFadden
Christ Church United
10 Arlington Street
Dracut, MA 01826
Pastor of Youth and Children, Newark, New Jersey
Pastor of Youth and Children
Reports to: Senior Pastor
Status: Full Time
Qualifications and Position Requirements:
- A calling to youth and youth ministry, with a passion for seeing young people and children grow into disciples of Christ.
- An ability to imagine a long-term vision for Bethany Baptist Church’s youth ministry and be able to execute this vision.
- An engaging teacher, with a strong biblical and theological background, who is in agreement with Bethany’s Statement of Faith and who possessing the ability to reach our young people at their level.
- A relational leader who is self-motivated.
- Masters of Divinity or equivalent degree. Consideration will also be given to applicants who are working towards their MDIV that are still able to work full-time.
- 1-3 years of experience working with youth and children and efficiency in Social Media
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Lead and organize an effective and Biblical based Youth Ministry and Children’s Ministry that includes fellowship, worship, teaching, discipleship, and evangelism, as well as ministry and mission opportunities.
- Recruit, train and shepherd volunteer staff with diverse gifts and personalities.
- Provide counseling and spiritual direction to youth on an individual basis.
- Maintain contact with students and parents, keeping them informed of ongoing activities. Keep them updated on ministry strategies and plans, and encouraging partnership.
- Assist in the development and oversight of the youth ministry budget; also manage student fees for events and trips in a timely fashion.
- Organize all of the youth ministry opportunities at Bethany under their leadership.
- Work with the Senior Pastor and Deacon Board to integrate youth into all phases of church life to create a culture that is intentionally intergenerational.
Please email Cover Letter, Resume, and 3 Letters of Reference (2 related to ministry work and 1 personal) to Alice Turner at aperson@bethany-newark.org or mail to
Bethany Baptist Church
Attn: Alice Turner, Administrative Assistant to the Pastor
275 West Market Street
Newark, New Jersey 07103
Deadline for Submissions: July 7th, 2017
Visiting Researcher at STH Center for Global Christianity and Mission to lead Hindu dialogue at National Council of Churches
Dr. Jesudas Athyal, a visiting researcher at the School of Theology's Center for Global Christianity and Mission, will be co-convener of the Hindu-Christian Dialogue of the National Council of Churches. He has been at the Center for Global Christianity and Mission for the past seven years, and he has extensive teaching and research experience in the areas of philosophy, theology, religion and social analysis. He is the author of An Adventure in Faith: The Story of Dr. A. K. Tharien (Tiruvalla, India, 2004), and co-author of Understanding World Christianity - India (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2016).
“Dr. Jesudas Athyal is an outstanding choice to lead the Hindu-Christian dialogue of the National Council of Churches," said Dr. Dana Robert, Director of the Center for Global Christianity and Mission. "He has made major contributions to the history of religions in South Asia, and to the history and sociology of Christianity in India. His presence at the Center for Global Christianity and Mission enriches the intercultural and interreligious understanding of faculty and students at the School of Theology.”
Please see below for the full press release, available on www.nationalcouncilofchurches.us.
National Council of Churches Announces Two New DialoguesThe National Council of Churches USA and The Guibord Center – Religion Inside Out are pleased to announce their intention to explore the formation of a new Buddhist-Christian Dialogue and a new Hindu-Christian Dialogue. These dialogues, both national in scope, will be concentrated primarily on the west coast.
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### Since its founding in 1950, the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA has been the leading force for shared ecumenical witness among Christians in the United States. The NCC's 38 member communions -- from a wide spectrum of Protestant, Anglican, Orthodox, Evangelical, historic African American and Living Peace churches -- include 45 million persons in more than 100,000 local congregations in communities across the nation. NCC News contact: Steven D. Martin: 202.412.4323 or steven.martin@nationalcouncilofchurches.us. |
Metropolitan Iakovos (STH'57)
Metropolitan Iakovos grew up hiding Jews in his home during the Axis occupation of Greece, sparking a life of interfaith and unifying work.
The first to hold the position of Metropolitan of Chicago in the Greek Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Iakovos died Friday after an unexpected illness and surgery.
The 89-year-old was the leader of the Greek Orthodox Church in six Midwestern states, and a well-respected member of the Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago, an interfaith organization.
In World War II, "He grew up seeing what hatred and division can do to people," said the Rev. Stanley Davis Jr., co-executive director of the council. "One of the major things in his life was to fight against that."
Born in 1928 in Athens as Michael Garmatis, Metropolitan Iakovos moved to Boston as a young clergyman, earned his doctorate from Boston University and was elected a bishop of the Greek Orthodox Church in 1969. He then served as an auxiliary bishop of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America, overseeing parishes in Detroit and New England, the church said.
Metropolitan Iakovos was elected and enthroned as Bishop of Chicago in 1979 and then elevated to the honorary rank of Metropolitan in 1997. He became the first Metropolitan when the Diocese of Chicago was elevated to the status of Metropolis in 2002.
The Archbishop will also hold a Trisagion service at the cathedral the night before, on Thursday, June 8, at 7 p.m.
*Obituary has been re-posted from the following website:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-leader-greek-orthodox-church-obituary-met-20170603-story.html
Mary Scifres (STH '91), publishes The Gospel According to the Beauty and the Beast: A story of transformation
From Amazon:
The story of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, like the gospel stories of Jesus’ life, contains tools of transformation. In the pages of The Gospel According to Beauty and the Beast, Mary Scifres illuminates the teachings of Jesus in light of the lessons that Belle, Beast, and their many fairytale friends discover as they embark on journeys of both personal and communal transformation. With Mary’s insights, you will explore the transformative power of perception, perspective, self-giving love, and even community. Through the words of a skillful story teller, you will discover the wisdom of both scripture and fairy tales, and will learn the tools to help guide your own transformative journeys. Guided by the beautiful lessons of Jesus’ teachings and the inspiring and transformative tale of Beauty and the Beast, discover your own “happily ever after” as you move toward a fuller, freer life of purpose, joy, love, and meaning.
Learn more at Mary Scifres.com
Administrative Assistant, Jamaica Plain, MA
Title: Administrative Assistant
Reports to: Church Manager
Status: Part-time (16-18 hours/week)
About us: Hope Central Church is a member congregation of both the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), two mainline Protestant Christian denominations. We aspire to extend a radical welcome to all people, inviting them into loving, accepting community. We are progressive in theology, drawing from the witness and wisdom of other spiritual traditions as we strive to express our faith in ways that are affirming, life-giving, and expansive.
Essential Functions:
Public Relations and Communications
- Answer phones, greet guests, keep scheduled office hours (3 - 4 days per week)
- Retrieve voice mail messages daily
- Notify media, email list, etc. of worship service and other events
- Maintain signage and postings, community bulletin boards, mailings, and outdoor signs
- Design flyers and advertising in conjunction with pastor and marketing team
- Compose and send thank you notes and other acknowledgements
- Serve as internal communications point person - managing Basecamp, the Google Group listserv, and Constant Contact mailing list
- Maintain website
- Compile Annual Reports for church and denominations
- Coordinate other mailings as needed
- Distribute information to pastor, such as committee reports and requests, pastoral care issues (births, illness, death, etc.), appointment and meeting scheduling, voice and email messages
- Attend weekly staff meetings
Office and Records Management
- Maintain records and files
- Data entry
- Maintain electronic database(s), e.g., membership
- Maintain a current and accurate church calendar
- Develop and produce service bulletin, newsletter, weekly emails, and other weekly worship materials
- Prepare certificates for weddings, baptisms, etc.
- Utilize and coordinate with volunteers and church committees in collaboration with pastor and church leadership
- Maintain parking lot rental spreadsheets
Financial
Some minimal data entry into Quickbooks and light A/R A/P
Facilities Support
- Order/maintain adequate supplies for restroom, kitchen, sacristy and office
- Oversee maintenance of office equipment
- Maintain neat and functional office space
- Support building manager and coordinate with building manager as necessary
Minimum Qualifications:
- High School diploma or equivalent
- At least two years of administrative assistant experience in office setting, non-profit experience preferred
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Ability to prioritize projects and deadlines
- Ability to work independently
- Experience with at least some of the following: Quickbooks, data entry, word processing, web management, document publishing
- Proficiency with Macintosh applications and hardware
- Experience with Google Drive, Audacity, WordPress, Photoshop, HTML. Quickbooks a plus.
- Audio editing a plus
Physical Requirements:
- Must be able to lift at least 25 pounds; while performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
To Apply:
- Please send a resume and cover letter to hopecentraljobs@gmail.com.