Alumni News
Associate Pastor, Full-Time, UMC: Carlisle, PA
Prof. James McCarty produces Restorative Justice Lecture Series for Canopy Forum
Boston University School of Theology is pleased to announce that Clinical Assistant Professor of Religion and Conflict Transformation and Director of the Tom Porter Religion and Conflict Transformation Program James McCarty recently published a series of five lectures titled “Restorative Justice: A Global Movement to Transform Harm.” His lectures were made possible by the Canopy Forum, a digital publication site for the Center for the Study of Law and Religion at Emory University, which seeks to “foster productive public discourse on critical issues at the intersection of law and religion.”
“In this series I interpret the story of restorative justice as a globally connected one that understands justice as a series of mutually-informed experiments in anticolonial (broadly construed) and religious visions of justice that center both healing and accountability,” says Prof. McCarty. “This is not the dominant way the story of restorative justice is often told in politics or academic settings, but this way of telling and interpreting uncovers the Indigenous and religious roots of restorative justice that get ignored or obscured by that dominant story. My hope is that this serves as an accessible resource for people who want to learn more about restorative justice and for those who are shaping its future.”
My hope is that this serves as an accessible resource for people who want to learn more about restorative justice and for those who are shaping its future.
Prof. McCarty’s restorative justice series joins a list of featured lectures on the Canopy Forum website that include topics such as Crisis of Houses of Worship, Religion and its Publics in South Asia, and The Promise and Perils of Religious Arbitration.
Lecture 1: Indigenous Roots of Restorative Justice: The Story of Peacemaking Circles (19:42)
Lecture 2: Mennonites and Restorative Justice: The Story of Victim-Offender Conferencing (17:59)
Lecture 3: Aboriginal Justice: The Story of Family Group Conferences in New Zealand and Elsewhere (14:55)
Lecture 4: The Challenges of Transitional Justice: The Story of Truth and Reconciliation Commissions in South Africa and Beyond (32:40)
Lecture 5: Emergent Directions for Restorative Justice as Racial Justice: Musings on Possible Future (23:14)
Prof. Christopher Evans (’85) featured on Seekers and Scholars Podcast
Professor of History of Christianity and Methodist Studies Christopher Evans ('85) was featured on the February 1, 2024 podcast episode published by the Mary Baker Eddy Library to discuss his biography on Frances Willard, Do Everything: The Biography of Frances Willard and Willard’s contributions to Christian social reform. In the podcast, he mentions how Willard was raised Methodist, and how her Christianity impacted both her personal life and her professional work, and how her work was linked to Mary Baker Eddy.
Dr. Gina Ann Zurlo (STH’17) Publishes Global Christianity: A Guide to the World’s Largest Religion from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe
Dr. Gina Ann Zurlo (STH'17) authored the 2022 text:
The book description states:
"Explore Christian life in every corner of the world.
Christianity is now a majority-global South religion, with more believers living in Africa, Asia, and Latin America than in Europe and North America. However, most Americans have little exposure to Christians around the world.
In addition, the United States is still the country that sends the most international missionaries. While many American churches support missionaries overseas, they may not understand the beliefs, practices, histories, and challenges Christians experience abroad.
Global Christianity is an accessible quick-reference guide to the global church. Filled with at-a-glance maps and charts, it puts relevant and up-to-date information into the hands of churches, mission organizations, and individuals. Useful for prayer, missions, outreach, and study of the global church, this is the new standard resource on the world's largest religion.
Understand Christianity within each continent, country, tradition, and movement with:
- Current demographic information from the United Nations
- Research from the Center for the Study of Global Christianity
- A focus on historical, sociological, political, and religious contexts
- "Things to consider" within each local context, such as political conflicts, church-state relations, religious freedom, gender equality, education, health, economics, and climate change.
This resource will satisfy those looking for background on the global church and equip individuals and churches to strategically pray for, give to, and unite with fellow Christians around the world."
Reverend Marjorie L. Hiles (STH ’74)
This obituary was originally posted by Carpenter-Jenks Funeral Home and Crematory and can be found here.
Rev. Marjorie L. Hiles, age 97, formerly of Cranston, died Monday, January 22, 2024. Born in Providence, she was the daughter of the late Alfred W. and Martha M. (Kottek) Logan. She was a graduate of Bryant College, Brown University, and Boston University School of Theology. She was an ordained United Methodist Minister and active at Shepherd of the Valley UMC, Ho
pe, RI.
She was predeceased by her cousin, Virginia Piccolini and husband Richard of Newtown, PA, and is survived by their children, John and James Piccolini.
Marjorie worked in professional Girl Scouting for twenty years in several councils including the Girl Scouts of Rhode Island. Following study at the Boston University School of Theology, she served as pastor in several United Methodist churches in Massachusetts and Connecticut until her retirement. Since then she has been active in Shepherd of the Valley United Methodist Church in Hope, Rhode Island.
She was president of her Pembroke Class of 1949 and past president of the Brown Alumnae Club of Kent County. She was a member of the Brown Learning Community in Retirement. She volunteered at the Food Emergency Program called Project Outreach at the Open Table of Christ Church in Providence for a number of years.
Mrs. Mary Louise Booth (STH ’52)
This obituary was originally posted by Dayton Daily News and can be found here.
Mary Lou (Jones) Booth was born on August 10, 1926 in Pelham, South Carolina to Grace Moore and William Manly Jones. She received her bachelor's from Lander College and master's degrees from Boston and Miami Universities. In 1951 she married Newell S. Booth, Jr. When he joined the faculty at Miami in 1961, they moved to Oxford. Mary Lou directed education at the Oxford United Methodist Church until becoming Fairfield Elementary School's librarian. In 2001, Mary Lou and Newell moved to Monroe. Beloved for her southern wit and passion for children's literature, Mary Lou passed away peacefully at the Mount Pleasant retirement community. She is survived by her sister, Betty Moyer; her children: Marilyn, Edwin, Alden, and Karen Booth; and five grandchildren.
Dr. Horace R. Pratt (STH ’88)
This obituary was originally posted by Metropolitan Funeral Service and can be found here.
Dr. Horace Roland Pratt of Hampton Virginia transitioned December 16, 2023 at the age of 80 after a long illness. Dr. Pratt attended Norfolk State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electronics. He was later employed with GE Portable Television Department as a Manufactory Specialist. Horace was then employed by Norfolk Naval Shipyard as an Industrial Engineer, later advancing to EEO Officer befor
e retiring. He worked as an adjunct Professor of Philosophy and Religion with St. Leo College and TCC. Horace earned a Master’s of Divinity Degree from Virginia Union University and a Doctorate of Ministries from Boston University.
Dr. Pratt was an ordained minister, founder and pastor of Rehoboth Church of Chesapeake, Virginia for over 55 years. He was a pastor in every sense of the word caring for the flock as he would call them. Dr. Pratt authored and published “Caring for the Poor.” He worked with the poor, the homeless, and was instrumental in encouraging others to pursue higher education. His mission was to make the world a better place by loving God, by loving our neighbors, by loving ourselves, and by teaching others to do the same.
Horace leaves behind his wife of 57 years, Mary Garlington Pratt, his children Marcus Roland, Darius Roland (Tatijana), Timothy Roland, and Kimberly Pratt Holloman (Robert), five granddaughters; Cheyenne Holloman, Shelby Holloman Wells (Chris), Madison Rain Pratt, Azarya Pratt, Sorell Pratt. Horace is survived by his two brothers James A. Pratt and Gary Leon Pratt; and three sisters Tee Garlington, Dora Bean and Hazel Williams. Horace is preceded in death by his parents, James W. Pratt, and Beatrice Pratt, four sisters; Mary Elizabeth Jackson, Gladys Garlington, Shirley Dixon, Florence Hayes, two brothers; Aaron Pratt and Thomas Pratt.
We fondly remember Horace for being steadfast, self disciplined and determined.
PhD candidate Emily Nelms Chastain receives ACT Grant from BU DL&I
The following is an excerpt from article “ACT Grant: Connecting Classroom Content with Life after Graduate School” featuring doctor of philosophy candidate Emily Nelms Chastain, published on February 5, 2024. Click here to read the full article.
In the 21st century, the continuous transformation of both the church and the world relies on the presence of insightful and pragmatic religious leaders. The School of Theology’s Master of Divinity program academically prepares current students to tailor their coursework according to their distinctive vocational calling.
However, while STH students have had access to the academic tools necessary to become a theologian or pastor, there is still a resource and guidance gap for students completing the credentialing paperwork necessary to pursue ordination in their path.
Doctor of Ministry student Joanne Hus (’22) featured in Vineyard Gazette
The following is an excerpt from The Vineyard Gazette article “For Oak Bluffs Pastor, God’s Call Came as a Surprise” featuring doctor of ministry student Joanne Hus, published on January 31, 2024. Click here to read the full article.
Nearly two years after receiving her master’s degree in divinity from the Boston University School of Theology, Rev. Joanne Hus still marvels at the fact she’s wearing a clerical collar.
Her resolutely non-religious parents never even celebrated Easter, Ms. Hus told the Gazette during an interview at the parish hall of the United Methodist Church in Oak Bluffs, where she became pastor last July.
“It’s so weird to me that I’m here,” Ms. Hus said, smiling as she recalled the journey that led her to Christianity in her early 30s, the theological seminary in her late 50s and a Martha’s Vineyard pulpit for her first appointment.
Leader, Full-Time, Humanist/American Ethical Union: St. Louis, MO
Opportunity
The Ethical Society of St. Louis is seeking a full-time Leader, comparable to a senior minister/pastor/rabbi.
Who We Are
The Ethical Society of St. Louis (ESSL) is a humanist congregation, founded in 1886 and affiliated with the American Ethical Union (AEU). Our mission is to inspire ethical living by affirming the worth and dignity of every person and advocating the primacy of ethical behavior above any creed. The Ethical Society functions like a traditional religion, but our programs are non-theistic and involve no prayer or traditional religious rituals. Each Sunday morning, we hold services for adults and provide ethical education for children from preschool through high school. Our membership of about 300 adults includes people of varied backgrounds, faiths and beliefs, many of whom self-identify as humanists and consider themselves agnostic or atheist. Through careful stewardship, and out of consideration for future generations, we are financially solvent and have significant endowments. We own our building outright. In addition to gathering together on Sunday morning, our members connect with each other and with the Society’s mission through affinity groups, community gatherings, social justice initiatives, and much more. We believe in the capacity of human beings to work together to create a better world. We are an intergenerational community, providing education, inspiration, social action opportunities, support, and friendship for all stages of life.
Principal Responsibilities
- Give an engaging, inspiring, and intellectually stimulating talk, 20 – 30 minutes long, on Sunday morning, about twice monthly.
- Engage actively with the congregation and foster a sense of community and the involvement of current and new members.
- Deliver pastoral care and perform weddings, funerals, and other ceremonies.
- Represent the Ethical Society of St. Louis to the broader community.
- Provide an array of administrative functions including staff and volunteer supervision, budget development and oversight, and oversight of youth programs.
Desired Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or higher, with a preference for study in the humanities or the helping professions.
- Congregational leadership experience or leadership in a similar type of organization.
- Training, background or understanding of humanism, Ethical Culture, or comparable religious traditions.
- Leader certification or willingness to seek leader certification from the American Ethical Union.
- Experienced public speaker and excellent communicator.
Compensation
Minimum salary of $90,000 plus benefits, including housing allowance, medical insurance, self-employment offset tax, retirement contribution, and, if appropriate, relocation allowance.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should provide the following:
- Letter of interest
- Resume
- A writing sample that exemplifies what you might include in a 20-30-minute Sunday morning talk
- Relevant video links, if available
- Contact information for at least 4 references with an explanation of the context in which the referee knows you
Materials should be submitted to ESSLsearch24@gmail.com
Application Deadline
To be guaranteed consideration, applications are due by April 5, 2024. Applications received after that date will be considered until the position is filled.
Diversity Statement
A core value of the Ethical Society is a commitment to diversity. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome qualified applicants regardless of race, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or age.
If you have questions, please email: ESSLsearch24@gmail.com
Additional Information: https://www.ethicalstl.org/leader-search/