Alumni News
Godly Play Teacher, Part-Time, Episcopal: Jamaica Plain, MA
St. John’s Episcopal Church, Jamaica Plain is hiring a Godly Play Teacher to lead our offerings for young children using the Godly Play Montessori-based curriculum. We are a small, vibrant, welcoming, and inclusive parish. The Godly Play Teacher is a key part of our ministry team, under the supervision of the rector and the Faith formation Team. The ideal candidate has a positive, collaborative approach to work, communicates well, is skilled in engaging with young children, and is able to work independently. The job is 2.5 hours on Sunday mornings and 2.5 hours of preparation time and runs from September to June. For interested candidates, the job can be expanded to 10 hours total per week, with added responsibilities for communicating with families weekly and coordinating monthly intergenerational faith formation gatherings. Familiarity with Godly Play or Montessori education is a plus. Training in Godly Play will be provided for otherwise qualified candidates.
Job Responsibilities
● Lead weekly Godly Play sessions on Sunday morning throughout the program year (September to June); Training in Godly Play will be funded by St. John’s, if needed
● Maintain and oversee the Godly Play space and materials
● Communicate with families about lessons, activities, schedules, etc. via email, text and
website
● Communicate with Faith Formation Team, Rector, Church Staff and Vestry
Package Details
Part-time position.
$20/hour for 5 hours/week, or expanded responsibilities for 10 hours/week.
Except for Sunday mornings, hours are flexible. Runs from September to June.
Travel expenses negotiable.
No other benefits.
St. John's Church
One Roanoke Avenue
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
Additional Information: www.stjohns-jp.org
BUSTH Community Members reflect on importance of Juneteenth
Shively T. J. Smith, Associate Professor of New Testament; Director, PhD program
Joshua Lawrence Lazard ('25), PhD candidate
Andrew E. Kimble ('19), Director of Lifelong Learning; Associate Director of Alumni & Donor Relations; Associate Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
PhD candidate Emily Nelms Chastain to join Perkins School of Theology as Instructor
The following is an excerpt from article “Rev. Emily Nelms Chastain to join Perkins August 1 as Instructor in the History of Christianity” featuring PhD candidate Emily Nelms Chastain, published on March 19, 2024. Click here to read the full article.
Rev. Emily Nelms Chastain, an ordained deacon in The United Methodist Church and Ph.D. candidate at Boston University, has been named Instructor in the History of Christianity at Perkins School of Theology. The appointment is effective August 1, 2024.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and both a Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Religion from Claremont School of Theology.
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BUSTH alumni, faculty, and students to present at AAR’s Inaugural Online June Sessions of the Annual Meetings
The following Boston University School of Theology alumni, faculty, and students are set to present at the American Academy of Religion's Inaugural Online June Sessions of the Annual Meetings happening between June 25- 27, 2024. 
Reverend Emily Nelms Chastain (STH'25)
Presenter - Resisting Boundaries: The Trailblazing Legacy of Jeanne Audrey Powers in American Methodism
Dr. Yara Gonzalez-Justiniano (STH'14,'19)
Panelist - What are the status committees? Representing diverse constituencies in the AAR
Ms. Cynthia Perry (STH'23)
Presenter - The Necessity for a Womanist Sports Ethic of Care
Reverend Dr. Patrick Reyes (STH'11)
Presiding - Academic Labor and Contingent Faculty Committee Meeting
Mr. Patrick Tugwell (STH'22)
Presenter - Capitalizing Hope in Healthcare: Exploring the Future of Hospital Chaplaincy Between Prayer and Profit
Dr. Seth Villegas (STH'23)
Panelist - Increasing Access in the Field: An Open Forum on Human Enhancement and Transhumanism
Ms. Meng Liu (visiting student with Center for Global Christianity & Mission)
Presenter - Reconceptualizing “Spiritual” since the 20th Century: An Inter-Continental Perspective on the Global South and East
Reverend Kristen Redford Hydinger (STH'15), Dr. Laura Captari (Danielsen Institute), Dr. Elise Choe (Danielsen Institute), Professor Steven Sandage, Ms. Xiaodi Wu (STH'23,'28)
Panelists - Individual, Relational, and Systemic Factors Related to Chaplain Moral Injury
For more information on the AAR's Online June Meeting, or to register for the event, click here.
To review the Program Book for the Meeting, click here.
Rev. Dr. Walter Earl Fluker (GRS’88, STH’88, HON’24) gives Baccalaureate Address and receives Honorary Degree
The Reverend Dr. Walker E. Fluker (GRS'88, STH'88, HON'24), Martin Luther King, Jr. Professor Emeritus of Ethical Leadership, received an honorary degree from Boston University at this year's commencement ceremony. Additionally, Reverend Dr. Fluker delivered the University's Baccalaureate Address.
To read more about this news, click here and here.
To hear Rev. Dr. Fluker's speech, click here.
Reverend Dr. Forrest J. Waller (STH ’60)
This obituary was originally posted by Legacy and can be found here.
Rev. Dr. Forrest Waller, 88, passed away on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024.
Forrest was born in W. Union, WV to Forrest J and Waneta Waller.
In 1961, he met the love of his life, Marilyn, and they wed in 1962, going on to have three children, Jackie, Paul, and Cathy.
Forrest was predeceased by his parents, wife, Marilyn, brother Charles and his daughter, Cathy. He is survived by his children, Jackie (Mark) and Paul (Jenny), grandchildren Dalton, Zoe, Parker, Tanner, and Asher, sister Dolores Kinn, his nieces, nephews and friends. He loved his family and especially enjoyed vacations in Lakeside, and Myrtle Beach.
Forrest graduated from Baldwin Wallace College and went on to graduate from Boston University where he attended seminary. Baldwin Wallace awarded Forrest with an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity for his service and accomplishments in the church. His first church was Brookfield Methodist Church where he served for four years. He then became the head pastor at Oberlin First United Methodist Church in Oberlin for five years and then became the head minister at Grace United Methodist Church in Coshocton for seven years where the entire family formed so many friendships that have lasted a lifetime. He then finished his amazing career at First United Methodist Church of Cuyahoga Falls for the next twenty years. Upon his retirement he continued to work part time at Akron Methodist Church and volunteered at Stan Hywet Hall giving tours.
Mr. Donald F. Hess (STH ’69)
This obituary was originally posted by The Wellsboro Gazette and can be found here.
Donald F. Hess Sr. passed away Monday, April 8, 2024, at the age of 86. He was predeceased by his parents, Charles F. Hess Jr. and Adeline Hess; brother, Charles F. Hess III.
Don is survived by his daughter, Janet Hess; sons, Donald F. (Lisa) Hess Jr., Joseph (Patti) Hess, sister, Jane (Curt) Bonser; sister-in-law, Betty Hess, along with five grandchildren and one great-grandchild; two nephews and a niece.
Don was born in Mansfield and graduated from Boston University School of Sacred Theology. Don was an ordained Methodist Minister in Bethel, Maine until he left the ministry to pursue a career in the human resources field. Don retired from Harvey's Resort Hotel and Casino in 1993 and retired to spend his remaining years in Liberty.
Don built his own home, Camp Hessmuk where he lived peacefully with his beloved dogs, Bully, Zookie, Okie and Snert. Don's super-power was fishing. Don was known to his children as "The Old Master" due to his ability to catch fish that no one else could. He also earned a black belt in Tae Kwon Do at the age of 50.
A private gathering for family and friends will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Sebring Grange #1047, 1065 Bloss Mountain Road, Liberty, PA 16930.
Prof. Nicolette Manglos-Weber quoted on Maine Public Radio
The following is an excerpt from the Maine Public Radio article “African immigration to Maine fuels boom in new churches, bringing distinct forms of Christianity” by Ari Snider, published on June 13, 2024. Click here to read the full article.
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Nicolette Manglos-Weber, a professor at Boston University's School of Theology, said immigration is a major reason why those levels haven't fallen even lower, and that many traditional Christian denominations in the U.S. are taking note.
"The United Methodist Church, or the Episcopal Church or the Presbyterian Church are now looking towards immigrant populations to really build up and recover some of the losses," she said.
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Director of Religious Education, Part-Time, UU: Franklin, MA
The First Universalist Society in Franklin (FUSF) is seeking an organized, innovative, and collaborative professional with education experience to lead and facilitate a comprehensive Religious Education Program. FUSF is a liberal, inclusive and welcoming spiritual community valuing diversity, social justice and environmental awareness. This is a part time position with an average of 20 hours per week during the church year and reduced summer hours. This position has a competitive salary and generous benefits.
For more information: https://fusf.org/who-we-are/join-us/job-opening/
To apply: Send cover letter and resume to joan.toye@fusf.org
Additional Information: fusf.org
BUSTH Travel Seminar explores Hawai’ian culture and religious history
By Madison Chau ('24). Photos courtesy of Madison Chau and Philip Kirui ('24).
On May 21, 2024, STH faculty members Choi Hee An, Cristian De La Rosa, and Charlene Zuill led students and staff on a travel seminar to Honolulu, Hawai'i. With a focus on postcolonial and decolonial theory and methodologies, the group had a chance to study the indigenous Hawai'ian religious history and culture, as well as the Asian immigrant history in the Hawai'ian context.
Upon arrival, they were welcomed by ministerial staff from Wesley United Methodist Church, a congregation that has played a central role in the UMC’s Acts of Repentance Task Force, which, as of April 2024, is leading the UMC in a charge to repent for Methodist missionaries’ role in overthrowing the Hawaiian kingdom. Throughout the week, the group had the opportunity to meet with the ministers, elders, and activists leading the task force and learn more about the UMC’s efforts to repair the harm caused by the illegal overthrow of Queen Liliʻuokalani’s throne. Two ministers, Rev. Piula Alailima and Rev. Amy Wake, shared about their work with the task force, and Rev. Piula talked about his efforts to incorporate his own Polynesian spirituality into Methodist worship as a form of resistance. The group participated in a sunrise chant and also attended a Sunday worship service led by Rev. Piula, who later invited them to join him in a morning oceanside ritual of chanting, song, communion out of a coconut, breakfast, and a swim.
In addition to learning about the history of Christian missionary work, the group also learned about the profound connection between Hawaiian spirituality and care for the land, or ‘āina, which they learned translates to “that which sustains life.” During a visit to Loko I’a Pā'aiau Fish Pond, the group was led by Hawaiian elders in a native Hawaiian protocol, in which each member made offerings to the ahu (altar of rocks) in gratitude for the abundance of the sea. Volunteers at the fish pond, which once fed generations of Hawaiian people before being overtaken by invasive species, are working to restore the pond, and the group spent the afternoon working alongside them and learning more about native Hawaiian plant life. At Kapi’olani Community College, they heard from Dr. Miku Lenentine, a researcher who coordinates programs that equip young adult leaders to lead community resilience efforts in the face of climate change.
In between their contextual learning sessions, group members presented on different readings to help put their experiences into historical context, with topics ranging from decolonial methodologies to Asian settler colonialism. They also had some time to go hiking and tour different historical sites, such as Iolani Palace, Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, Hawaii’s Plantation Village, Byod-In Buddhist Temple, and the Center for Korean Studies at the University of Hawaii Manoa. For Memorial Day, they attended a Budddhist lantern lighting ceremony honoring the victims of war, climate change, and settler colonialism, where over 8,000 people came to light lanterns for peace. After stumbling upon a native-owned Hawaiian bookstore, head librarian Amy Limpitlaw granted students their greatest wish: helping her pick out books for the STH library collection.
They returned on May 31st invigorated by their newfound understanding of the spirit of aloha, which is not only a greeting, but a way of life; “alo” translates roughly to “presence,” while “ha” means “breath.”
The trip ended with dinner at the beach, where the group reflected on their experiences. Students expressed a desire for solidarity with the Hawaiian people still living with the ongoing effects of settler colonialism, a renewed excitement to locate the resistance efforts in their own postcolonial contexts, and a deeper appreciation for the land that sustains them. They returned on May 31st invigorated by their newfound understanding of the spirit of aloha, which is not only a greeting, but a way of life; “alo” translates roughly to “presence,” while “ha” means “breath.” Aloha, then, is the breath of life—the collective spirit of love and harmony in which all of creation is called to partake.