Alumni News
Room at Rolling Ridge Retreat and Conference Center Named in Honor of Reverend James G. Todd (STH’61)
The following is an excerpt from the Rolling Ridge Retreat and Conference Center article "Finding Meaning: Mary Todd and the Creation of Todd Hall” by Michael Reed, published on October 24, 2023.
With a wry smile, I point out to Mary that her husband Jim would have loved the Todd Hall project. Our current Niantic Hall is certainly in need of some extra love and care. Located on the lower level below the dining room, the current room hasn’t had an upgrade in a while—perhaps not since a youth group from Niantic Community Church helped clear the space, hence the name. A renovation project of this room, originally the “rec room” built in 1954, would have been right up Jim's alley.
What’s more, our intention is to make it into a “people space”—one of Jim’s favorite turns of phrase—designed to reflect Jim’s vibrant, multifaceted ministry. We are reimagining the current room as an open-concept venue with high-quality wood flooring, enhanced natural and overhead lighting, and a clean and inviting atmosphere. We want Todd Hall to be purpose-built for active learning: whether as pop-up studio space for our growing Artist Collaborative or a visiting yoga group; or as a eco-spirituality classroom for our burgeoning Earth Center—a place that can handle a little extra hands-on mess without a fuss—all with easy access to the outdoors.
Reverend Robert George Hawley, Jr., STH ’68
This obituary was originally posted by Beidelman-Kunsch Funeral Home and can be found here.
We celebrate the completed life of Robert George Hawley, Jr., age 80, a resident of Naperville, IL. Bob was 
born January 25, 1943, in Omaha, Nebraska to Robert G. Hawley, Sr. and Patricia A. Hawley. He died October 9, 2023, at his home in Naperville after a long battle with young-onset Alzheimer's subsequently complicated with Cerebral Atherosclerosis and Parkinson's Disease.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara, three children, Brian (Diana) Hawley of Lafayette, CA., George (Rachel) Hawley of Chicago, IL, Marisa Hawley of Naperville, IL, and two grandsons Graham and Jacob Hawley of Chicago, IL. He was supported and enriched by his brother and sister-in-law, Edward (Connie) Brinton of Iowa City, IA and sister-in-law Louise Hawley of Duluth, MN. He was preceded in death by his loving parents and brother John Hawley.
Bob spent his childhood in Omaha, NE and Sioux City, IA enjoying camping and hiking with his family, Boy Scouts, music and was nurtured in the Methodist Church. He graduated from Sioux City Central High School in 1961, attended one year at Drake University, then graduated from the University of Iowa in 1965. He met Barbara Brinton of Brighton, IA in their senior year. They began their married life in Boston, MA where Bob got his Master of Divinity from Boston University School of Theology in 1968.
Bob and Barbara returned to Iowa where he served Methodist churches for five years and welcomed their three children into their home. He was then assigned outside the local church and began his lifelong work with The Ecumenical Institute and Institute of Cultural Affairs. He served in this experimental global ministry consulting and collaborating with communities and churches advancing human development living in various locations in United States and Australia and consulted in Jamaica, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Canada. He was an agent of change and community advocate for ICA in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood.
After Bob was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, he participated in programs through Rush University's support group for people with young-onset Alzheimer's disease, diligently exercised and continued to read for many years. He was a bright and reflective man who helped educate professionals and caregivers through panel presentations and writing from the position of one living with the disease. He was a positive model for many struggling with the same journey. He tried to make the best of every day, be as little burden as he could, and rejoiced in what he still had.
Bob was a loving husband, father, grandpa, and uncle. He was compassionate and had a gift for putting his compassion into action. His kindness and empathy served as an example for others. He was a caring man that lived with faith in humanity and was always helping others.
The family requests that donations be made to support the Without Warning Young-Onset Alzheimer's Support Group at Rush which has sustained Bob and his family for 17 years. Please send memorial gifts to Rush University Medical Center, Philanthropy Office, 1201 W. Harrison St. Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60607-3319. Include Without Warning in memo line.
A memorial service and interment will be later at Hillcrest Cemetery in Brighton, IA. Anyone wishing to receive notice of the memorial service should tell Bob's family.
Guest book at www.beidelmankunschfh.com courtesy of Beidelman-Kunsch Funeral Home.
Reverend John H. Emerson, STH’62
This obituary was originally posted by the Reno Gazette Journal and can be found here.
Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and uncle, The Rev. John Herbert Emerson, at the age of 88 serenely passed from this earthly life on Sunday, October 22nd, 2023 
surrounded by his wife Janice, daughter Julie and longtime friend, Art; and has gone on to new adventures of living in God’s Heavenly Home. John was born in San Jose, California to Herbert Winter and Winnifred Davis Emerson. He attended San Jose schools, including San Jose High School, where he lettered in football and track, and was student body president. In his youth, John was a Boy Scout and was Master Counselor of San Jose Chapter No. 1, Order of DeMolay, that conferred upon him the honorary Chevalier degree. Beginning at age five, he studied piano for ten years, also played clarinet, French horn, and bassoon; and began composing music at age twelve. His sister, Janey, was born when John was thirteen.
John married a high school classmate, Janice Elaine Farr, with whom he shared the co-lead in the musical “Annie Get Your Gun.” They had been married 68 years, and raised three delightful daughters, Joanne (Jody) Call, Julie Kalisiak, and Jerilyn (Jeri) Hadley.
John attended the School of Pharmacy at Washington State University. In his junior year, Emerson experienced God’s call to the ministry through his pastor/father-in-law, The Rev. Dr. J. Wesley Farr, who had baptized John and received him into membership at First United Methodist Church in San Jose. Following graduation, John attended seminary at Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA and Boston University School of Theology in Boston, MA. As a student pastor he served churches in Kendrick and Julietta, ID and Bernardston, MA. He pursued post-graduate studies in marriage and family therapy.
Rev. Emerson served churches in California and Nevada, having been the founding pastor of a new church in Sunnyvale, CA. He was senior pastor of First United Methodist Church of Reno and Carson City. In retirement he was interim pastor of the United Methodist churches in Winnemucca, Ely, and McGill. He had been a board member and officer of the Religious Alliance in Nevada, a legislative advocate on behalf of the California-Nevada Conference of the United Methodist Church regarding social justice concerns, chair of numerous conference boards, and past president of the Retired Clergy Association of the CA-NV Conference. In retirement, John served as a chaplain for nearly six years for Circle of Life Hospice, Reno.
Rev. Emerson developed a deep concern for social justice; and advocated for improved working and housing conditions for migrant farm workers; supported Caesar Chavez and United Farm Workers; joined in the 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery march with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; worked in support of the open housing legislation in CA; and civil rights for the LGBTQ citizens. Former NV Gov. Paul Laxalt had appointed John to two state commissions, and invited him to conduct the memorial service at the state capitol for slain Martin Luther King, Jr.
Rev. John Emerson composed many pieces of music, and published many articles, poetry, and books. But, he would tell you, his greatest accomplishment and joy was his marriage and family, as well as time with friends. Humor and laughter helped John survive adversities in his life and appreciate the good times. World travel, hiking mountain trails, and skiing rounded out an active life.
He is survived by his wife Janice of Sparks, NV; daughters Jody Call (David) of Washoe Valley, NV; Julie Kalisiak of Sparks, NV; and Jeri Hadley (Rob) of Abilene, TX; sister Janey Baker (Jim) of Hillsboro, OR; and seven grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren plus numerous nephews and nieces in the USA and Germany.
The celebration of life will be held at Reno’s First United Methodist Church on Friday, November 17th at 1pm, followed by a reception.
Memorial gifts may be made to the First United Methodist Church Foundation of Reno, 209 W. 1st St, Reno, NV 89501, Circle of Life Hospice of Reno, 1575 Delucchi Lane, Suite 214 Reno, Nevada 89502, Food Bank of Northern Nevada, 550 Italy Drive, Sparks, NV 89437, or Amnesty International (www.amnesty.org)
Zoom and Facebook live will be available.
Mr. Robert W. Tull, STH ’57
This obituary was originally posted by the Mail Tribune and can be found here.
Robert Warren Tull, 89 of Medford, Oregon, passed away Sunday, April 17, 2022 in Medford, Oregon. Arrangements are entrusted to Hillcrest Mortuary (541-773-6162, www.hillcrestmortuary.com)
Project Assistants & Facilitators, Part-Time: Hybrid
Project Assistants & Facilitators
The Black Sports Ministry Network has received a grant from the Louisville Institute to complete a Pastoral Study Project entitled “A Womanist Sports Ethic of Care for Black Women Athletes.” We are seeking graduate students for our two (2) project assistant and facilitator positions, possibly three students, to help with our year long project. This position will provide support in the following areas based on applicants’ education and experience:
-Project Management, Administration & Operations
-Research & Data Collection
-Communications, Marketing, & Event Planning
-Educational Programming
-Facilitation of Dialogue Circles
-Spiritual Care & Counseling
Position Details
This is a hybrid part-time position with an expectation of 3-5 hours per week. There is flexibility based on one’s work or school schedule. However, travel to other universities may be required.
This is a year-long project however, project assistants/ facilitators can work one full year or one semester; Spring Semester 2024 (January - May) or Fall Semester 2024 (August - December).
Compensation
One semester will receive compensation of $900.00.
Full year will receive compensation of $1,800.
Applications are due no later than November 30, 2023.
Interviews will begin December 5, 2023.
Final selections will be made December 20 and the project commences January 8, 2024.
International students encouraged to apply!
Application link is below:
Religion Instructor, Full-Time: Exeter, NH
The Religion department at Phillips Exeter Academy seeks a passionate and energetic teacher to fill a full-time, regular teaching position beginning in August 2024. We are looking for a dynamic candidate who will be an active participant in the academic, athletic, co-curricular, and residential programs at the Academy. Candidates should be prepared to teach a range of religion, ethics, and philosophy courses with broad teaching competencies across more than one religious and/or philosophical tradition and approaches to the study of ‘religion,’ as well as a candidate interested in helping to shape courses in conversation with curricular needs of our students and world. We especially encourage applicants with demonstrable experience with East Asian; African and African Diaspora; Global South; Indigenous religions, philosophies, or cultures; or that which will otherwise complement the current strengths of the department.
To Learn More or Apply: https://recruiting.ultipro.com/PHI1011PEADY/JobBoard/78e5a9e3-b002-4a2c-ad4b-85eca4bcb1d4/OpportunityDetail?opportunityId=61931508-3b17-4269-95b2-abbe99b40adf
Protestant and Catholic Chaplains, Full-Time: Connecticut
Exciting opportunities with the State of Connecticut, Department of Correction. We currently have openings for Protestant and Catholic Chaplains at facilities across our state!
These are full-time, 35-hours a week, roles with flexible schedules based on program and facility needs.
We are proud to offer a competitive benefits plan that includes generous paid time off, a hazardous duty pension plan, excellent healthcare coverage plans, eligibility for Federal Student Loan forgiveness, and much more!
Learn more and apply to our opportunities below:
Job Opening: Protestant Chaplain (35 Hour) - Department of Administrative Services (jobapscloud.com)
Job Opening: Catholic Chaplain (35 Hour) - Department of Administrative Services (jobapscloud.com)
BUSTH Announces Faculty Publications and Presentations for November 2023
The School of Theology is pleased to announce the following faculty publications and scholarly presentations for November 2023:
- Eunil David Cho, et al
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Eunil David Cho & Garam Han (2023) “A Pilgrimage to the Motherland: Understanding Pilgrimage Experience as Embodied Religious Education for Immigrant Youth.” Journal of Religious Education, DOI: 10.1080/00344087.2023.2268971
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“From Mission to Ecumenism in Mid Twentieth-Century Southern Africa,” Journal of African Christian Biography 8:4 (October 2023):1-6. Editorial and guest editor of issue.
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Steven Sandage, et al
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Jankowski, P.J., Sandage, S.J., Crabtree, S.A., Owen, J., & Stavros, G.S. (2023). A constructive replication of client change during psychodynamic treatment in an outpatient setting. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research. DOI: 10.1002/capr.12710
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Karen Westerfield Tucker
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“1784 Sunday Service.” In The Routledge Companion to John Wesley, ed. Clive Murray Norris and Joseph W. Cunningham, pp. 148-60. London and New York: Routledge, 2023.
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Claire Wolfteich (presentations)
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“Congregations and Calling: From Dancing to Lament,” Baylor University Symposium on Faith and Culture, Waco, Texas, October 26, 2023.
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“From Sabbath to the ‘Nap Bishop’: Liberative Movements to Reclaim Rest,” Religion & Spirituality in Society Conference, Athens, Greece, June 21, 2023.
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“Vocational Pauses and Pivots: Spirituality under Covid,” International Network of Spirituality Studies conference, Waterford, Ireland, May 17, 2023.
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Rev. Dr. Anastasia Kidd (’04,’18) featured on PHPod Podcast about Fat Liberation
Lecturer and director of contextual education Anastasia Kidd was featured on the October 27, 2023 podcast published by Public Health Post to discuss her work in the fat liberation space and her recent publication Fat Church: Claiming a Gospel of Fat Liberation. Together with host Kara Schmidt and guest Becca Rausch, Massachusetts State Senator, the three discussed weight stigma, fat liberation, and fatphobia in today’s society.
stProf. Dana Robert mentioned in BU Today about the History of Boston University
The following is an excerpt from BU Today’s article “Did You Know? 10 BU Trivia Bits for the University's New President” by C. Daryl Healea, which mentions William Fairfield Warren Distinguished Professor Dana L. Robert, published on October 4, 2023.
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That tower was intended to symbolize the originating ideals of Boston University. Those ideals include the above mentioned motto and other principles, such as women’s empowerment, racial integration, religious freedom, and global outreach—which Dana L. Robert, a William Fairfield Warren Distinguished Professor and a School of Theology professor, has written about. In other words, that tower was intended to “fire the imagination,” and to show everyone within view that, regardless of their background, the education they received here just might propel them to heights unknown.
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