Alumni News
Dr. Brittany Longsdorf (’18) appointed Associate Dean of Religious Life and the Chapel at Princeton
The following is an excerpt from the Princeton University article by Demara White, “Brittany Longsdorf joins Princeton as associate dean of religious life and the chapel,” published on January 9, 2025. Click here to read the full article.
“'It is such a sweet and surreal dream to be back at Princeton,' said the new associate dean. 'I am excited to nurture the historically vibrant religious and spiritual rhythms of this place and to add some creative arts and inclusive community-building programs.'
Longsdorf has also served as the university 
chaplain for international and interfaith students at Boston University, where she pioneered a new chaplaincy program. She has also taught undergraduate and graduate-level courses centered around religion, art and spirituality at Bates College and Graceland University."
Rev. Richard Karl Ernst (’66)
The following obituary was originally published by The Independent and can be found here.
Richard Karl Ernst, 87, passed away peacefully on Dec. 27, 2024, in the home he shared with his beloved wife Barbara, in Livermore, California. He was a gentle soul, and a loving husband, father, brother, friend, and pastor to all who knew him.
Richard was born in Ellensburg, Washington, on July 18, 1937; the eldest son of Margaret and Karl Ernst, and brother to Norman and Rodney. He lived all of his young life on the West Coast, with the longest period in Portland, Oregon, and shorter stays in San Carlos, San Jose, and San Francisco, California. Richard grew up in a musical household and developed a life-long love of music, always singing in his local church choirs. With every family move, the first order of business was to find a Methodist church, which proved to be a foundational part of Richard’s life.
Upon graduation from San Francisco State 
College in 1960, Richard served two years of voluntary service in Germany with the Brethren Voluntary Service, then enrolled at Boston University’s School of Theology, culminating in a master’s degree in Sacred Theology. Richard met his first wife, Nancy Eldridge, while in seminary, and they shared two children, Jonathan and Margot. Upon Nancy’s death in 1981, he reconnected with Barbara Jetter who he had graduated with in 1955 from Willow Glen High School in San Jose. They married in 1984, and along with her three children, Dana, Teri, and Greg, the Ernst-Jetter clan became a family of seven. Barbara remained, for the next 40 years, Richard’s beloved partner in life.
Richard was ordained in the Methodist Church in 1966, and spent his entire working life as a dedicated and beloved pastor, serving churches in Bakersfield, Loomis, Livermore, San Mateo, and Rossmoor California. He had a significant impact on all the congregations he served, and was known for his thoughtful sermons, his gentle and loving nature, and his ability to listen deeply. Peace and justice issues were a central part of his faith journey, and Richard was steadfast in support of the Civil Rights movement early in his life, and the LGTBQ community in his later years.
Tennis, pickle ball, and the Golden State Warriors were a few of Richard’s passions. He traveled extensively, especially in retirement, with memorable trips with Barbara to Europe, Mexico, and the Galapagos Islands. He had a wonderful voice and enjoyed singing even in his final days. He loved cards and playing board games with friends and family.
Richard loved his family dearly, and connecting with them was his primary joy near the end of his life. Richard is survived by his wife Barbara, his brothers Norman and Rodney, his children Jonathan and Margot Ernst, Dana, Teri, and Greg Jetter, his grandchildren Cayla, Nate, Nolan, and Charley, and many beloved family members including nieces, nephews, and in-laws. Please join us for Richard’s celebration of life on Sunday, Jan. 12, at 2 p.m., at Asbury United Methodist Church in Livermore. The service will also be live streamed at www.asburylive.org/media/live.
Callaghan Mortuary is honored to be serving the Ernst family. An online guestbook is available for condolences at callaghanmortuary.com.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Richard’s name to Asbury United Methodist Church.
Ms. Jeanne A. Parsley (’51)
The following obituary was originally published by Stephen C. Gregory and Son Cremation Service and can be found here.
Jeanne Parsley of Essex, Vermont, died peacefully on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.
She was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, on March 28, 1927, the first child of Harold J. and Claire (Lycette) Anderson. Her early years were spent on Long Island, and she moved to Connecticut in her late childhood, graduating from New Haven (Hillhouse) High School in 1944 and Bates College in 1948 with a major in philosophy and a membership in Phi Beta Kappa.
At Bates, she met her husband-to-be, Charles John Parsley, Jr. and in August of 1948 they were married. They both continued their education at Boston University School of Theology where she received a master’s degree in religious education in 1951.
Upon graduation, Jeanne and Charles moved 
to Vermont where Charles served as minister in several communities and Jeanne supported him in his ministry. While living in East Barre, she helped form a Girl Scout troop and was active in many roles in the Scouting movement. She organized a community kindergarten since there was none in the school system and was delighted when it became a part of the regular school experience. With a move to North Bennington and the arrival of their four children, Jeanne’s focus was on child rearing with all its joys and challenges.
In 1964 the family moved to India where Jeanne and Charles served as missionaries for the United Church Board of World Ministries. Charles served as Chaplain at Ahmednager College and as Professor of Old Testament and Pastoral Counseling at United Western India Theological College in Pune while Jeanne worked with the women’s program in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra State, and later taught at Kodaikanal School in Tamilnadu.
The family returned to the States in 1968 and went to Oakville, Connecticut, where Jeanne taught at Cross Street School in Naugatuck. She continued her education, earning a second master’s degree, this one in elementary education, from Western Connecticut State University.
Returning to Vermont in 1971, the family settled in Grafton and later in Bellows Falls, and finally in Essex in 1998. Jeanne taught language arts to 7th and 8th graders at the Bellows Falls Middle School for 18 years. She was active in the drama department and helped many people develop a love for theater. One of her classes put on a performance of parts of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the New England Shakespeare Festival. She directed several one-act plays put on by the teaching staff at the Middle School.
Jeanne loved to travel. She reveled in learning about other cultures and how they answered the basic questions of where we come from, why we are here and where we are going. Upon retiring from teaching in 1989, she went to work for Greater Falls Travel Agency and helped other people travel as well as traveling herself. She traveled widely in the United States and to over 50 countries around the world over the course of her life.
Jeanne loved to volunteer and worked hard to make the world a better place. She started out when she was in high school working at well-baby clinics for the Visiting Nurse Association in New Haven. In the various parishes where Charles served as minister, she taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, directed plays, counseled many people over a cup of coffee, and washed dishes after church suppers. She was a Guardian-ad-litem in the Windham County Family Court, a member of the Reparative Justice Board in Essex, a teacher of English as a second language at Essex High School, a member of the Social Action Committee at the First Unitarian Universalist Society in Burlington, and a marcher for many social causes.
Jeanne loved to learn. She was an avid reader; she read everything from books about our brains and how we interact with the world, to social and political issues, to spy stories and grisly mysteries, to the New York Times and even the ingredient list on the back of the cereal box. She took online courses in writing, photography, speaking Spanish and Jungian psychology. She even took a course in philosophy of the mind at UVM at the age of 87.
Jeanne loved music. She sang in many choruses during her life, and especially liked singing with the Burlington Choral Society with her daughter Karen and her granddaughter Erica. She attended concerts and recitals, and never missed one when Karen was singing.
Jeanne loved her friends. She made life-long friends wherever she went—traveling, teaching, volunteering, swimming at the Edge, facilitating her covenant group at church, and sharing writing with her haiku group. She was open, caring, and supportive to whomever she met. She was always available for a chat on the phone, a lunch out, or a listening ear over a cup of tea.
And Jeanne loved her family. She loved camping with Charles and all the kids when they were little. She loved watching them grow into adulthood. She loved her sons-in-law and the ever-expanding families that ensued. She was always there to listen when they had concerns and to help whenever necessary. She was never happier than when the whole tribe visited for holidays.
Jeanne is survived by her children, MarthaJeanne Barton and her husband Jerry Barton of Vienna, Austria; Karen Baron and her husband Dana Baron of Shelburne, Vermont with whom she made her home in Essex for twenty years; Cynthia Baehr and her husband Thomas Baehr of Putney, Vermont; and Andrew Hui Parsley of Keene, New Hampshire. She leaves seven grandchildren and their spouses and six great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband Charles John Parsley in 2007 and her brother Donald Anderson in 2015.
A memorial service will be held at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington on January 19th at 2:30 p.m. with Rev. Karen Johnston presiding. A reception will follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington, Planned Parenthood of Northern Vermont, or a charity of your own choosing.
BUSTH announces Faculty Publications and Presentations for January 2025
The School of Theology is pleased to announce the following faculty publications and scholarly presentations for January 2025:
- Debbie Brubaker ('11)
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Presentation: “Grief Reminders when #BlackLivesMatter,” American Academy of Religion, Religion and Popular Culture Unit and Religion, Media, and Culture Unit, San Diego, CA, November 2024.
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Presentation: “Hopeless Disorientation and the Unimaginable Future of Whiteness,” Society for the Study of Affect, Lancaster, PA, October 2024.
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- Nicolette Manglos-Weber
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“Ambivalent Accommodation: The Politics of Religious Leaders and the Hybrid Regime in Uganda.” Sociology of Religion, published online January 22, 2025.
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Presentation: “Open Science and Methodological Diversity: Beyond the Qualitative-Quantitative Division,” invited talk, Open Science in the Study of Religion, Aruba, Jan 9-12, 2025.
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“Marie Dentière,” in The Oxford Handbook of the Bible and the Reformation. Ed by Jennifer Powell McNutt and Herman J. Selderhuis. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2024. Pp. 481-93.
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Moderator: “The Scholarship of Carter Lindberg, 1937-2024: Age of Anxiety, Luther, Social Welfare, and Love.” Sixteenth Century Studies Conference. Toronto, Canada. November 2, 2024.
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Panelist: “Developing and Sustaining Vision for the School.” ATS Seminar for New Executive Officers. Phoenix, AZ. December 10, 2024.
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Panelist: “Building an Effective Administrative Team.” ATS Seminar for New Executive Officers. Phoenix, AZ. December 10, 2024.
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- Dana L. Robert
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Honored as a “Legend” at the American Society of Church History in Chicago, January 3-6. She gave a keynote plenary address on “World Christianity and the Challenges of Sacred Charters,” and answered questions from the membership of the society.
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- Steven Sandage, et al
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Davis, D. E., Hunter, E. A., Lee, Y., Choe, E. J. Y., Sandage, S. J., Hook, J. N., DeBlaere, C., & Owen, J. J. (2025). Culturally humble continuing education: A multicultural orientation perspective. Practice Innovations. https://doiorg.ezproxy.bu.edu/10.1037/pri0000272
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- emilie m. townes
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Presentation: Presidential address “Shadowboxing the Ridiculous” for the Society of Christian Ethics Annual on January 10, 2025 in Chicago, IL.
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Presentation: Keynote at the Cambridge Black Pastors Alliance Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Service and Celebration on January 19, 2025 in Cambridge, MA.
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Prof. Steven Sandage co-authors POV article in BU Today on humility among religious leaders
The following is an excerpt from the article “POV: Religious Leaders Talk About the Value of Humility, but It Can Be Hard for Clergy to Practice What They Preach” co-authored by Albert and Jessie Danielsen Professor of Psychology of Religion and Theology Steven Sandage, published on January 16, 2025 by BU Today.
Being a religious leader means wearing many different hats. At times, their congregations expect them to convey passionate confidence—to be models of faith and strength. But wise leadership also means listening and being willing to change your mind: from navigating a congregation in crisis to questioning once-firm beliefs.
The ones who can effectively balance these tensions seem to possess a key virtue: intellectual humility.
Rev. Patricia Berry (’21) serving as UCC of Newport’s First Woman Pastor
The following is an excerpt from the What's Up Newp article by Ryan Belmore, “Historic Ordination: United Congregational Church ordains first woman pastor in 330 Years,” published on January 8, 2025. Click here to read the full article.
"While raising three children, Berry earned her Master of Divinity degree from Boston University School of Theology. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she joined United Congregational Church of Newport in Middletown, initially as Minister of Faith Formation and now as Bridge Pastor.
Rev. Berry’s ministry, defined by a welcoming 
and inclusive approach that honors each person’s unique journey, was shaped by her childhood. Her grandmother’s deep spirituality had a profound impact on her, as did early church experiences. A pivotal moment at age nine—when she was told that girls couldn’t serve at the altar—motivated her to speak out against injustice. From that early age, Rev. Berry recalls, 'I felt drawn to speaking up for equality, justice, and God’s love for all.' Her early work in community organizing, advocacy, and missions further deepened her commitment to these values and paved the foundation for her transformational ministry, rooted in social justice and expanding God’s circle of love."
Dr. Ruth C. Duck (’89)
The following obituary was originally published by the Claremont Courier and can be found here.
Ruth Carolyn Duck died peacefully from pneumonia on December 26, 2024, with loved ones near her.
Born in Washington D.C. on November 21, 1947 to Jesse Thomas Duck and Louise Farmer Duck, Ruth grew up in Washington and in Annapolis, MD. At the age of sixteen she and her family moved to Memphis, TN where she learned of the ministry of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and soon became clear about the injustice of racism. She earned her BA from Southwestern at Memphis University (now Rhodes College) in 1969, a Master of Divinity from Chicago Theological Seminary in 1973, a Master of Arts from the University of Notre Dame in 1987, and a Doctor of Theology from Boston University School of Theology in 1989. Her academic work focused on liturgy, worship, and the Trinitarian baptismal formula.
An ordained minister in the United Church 
of Christ, pastor at several UCC churches in earlier years in the Midwest, a liturgical theologian and professor of worship who taught for 27 years at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, she was best known as the writer of some 200 published hymn texts and psalm paraphrases. Her hymns appear in numerous hymnals and supplements; she is often among those who have contributed the largest number of hymns in a given hymnal. She was a pioneer in the use of inclusive language that embraces everyone and enlarges our images of God in both hymn texts and other elements of Christian worship. “All of her hymns are deeply scriptural, arising from Ruth’s deep biblical knowledge,” a friend shared. “In addition, Ruth’s sense of multiculturalism enabled issues of justice, equality, and care for God’s creation to shape her creative crafting of hymns and worship resources.”
She was a life member of The Hymn Society in the United States and Canada, which named her a fellow in 2013, in recognition of her pioneering work in inclusive language for worship and her preeminence as a hymn poet and teacher.
She was a member and former president of the North American Academy of Liturgy; in 2018, she received its highest honor, the prestigious Berakah Award, that recognized her long-term contributions to liturgical scholarship and practice.
She enjoyed travels to many countries worldwide, lecturing, leading worship, and offering mentoring workshops on worship and hymn writing. She has written and edited numerous books, articles, and worship resources about and for Christian worship. In the last seven years of her life, she was a resident of Pilgrim Place, an intentional continuing care retirement community in Claremont.
“Preceded in death by members of her small family, she will be missed by cousins Elene and Larry Cooper; many loving friends; and numerous students, all of whom benefited from the gift of her hymns, her worship leadership, her teaching, and her inspiring life,” a friend added.
A celebration of her life with singing of some of her hymns will take place at 3 p.m. Saturday, February 22 in Decker Hall at Pilgrim Place, 665 Avery Rd., Claremont, CA 91711. The service will be live-streamed on Zoom and available afterward online. Visit ruthduck.com for the Zoom link or to view the recording.
Rev. Arthur Athans (’62)
The following obituary was originally posted by Tasker Funeral Service and can be found here.
Rev. Dr. Arthur E. Athans (Athanasios Emmanuel Athanasiou) of Dover, NH fell asleep in the Lord on Sunday, December 22, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born in Kimi on the island of Evia, 
Greece on December 9, 1930, the son of Rev. Dr. Emmanuel and Presbytera Anna (Karalis) Athans. He attended Panteion University in Athens, and the University of Toronto, and graduated from Holy Cross Theological Seminary in Brookline with a BA in 1956 and a BD in 1957. In 1962 he received a Master in Systematic Theology degree from Boston University, and a PhD in1992 from Somerset University in England.
Father Athans was ordained a deacon on August 15, 1955 in Somerville, MA and to the priesthood on October 9, 1955 in New London, CT by Bishop Athenagoras.
In 1955 he was assigned to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Dover, NH. Within a year, the church was destroyed by fire and by the Fall of 1957, under his guidance, the new church was completed. Father Athans was also instrumental in building a Hellenic Center in 1966, buying picnic grounds and enlarging the church cemetery grounds for the Dover community.
Father Athans had been married to Presbytera Keta (Xanthos) of Brooklyn, NY for almost 70 years. They have two daughters, Geriann, married to Dr. John Athans, and Barbara, married to Les Hoogeveen, four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
He had been awarded the titles of Sakellarios by Bishop Athenagoras in 1957, Hieromnemon by his Eminence Archbishop Iacovos in 1965, Economou by his Eminence Archbishop Iacovos in 1974, and Protopresbyter by Patriarch Demetrios in 1980. During his tenure in Dover, Father Athans served on many committees including the Citizens Advisory Council, Advisory Council on Alcohol Abuse in NH, the New England Clergy Brotherhood, St. Andrew, where he served as Treasurer and Vice President, the Dover Industrial Development Authority, where he served as Treasurer, and the Wentworth Douglas Hospital Pharmaceutical Investigatory Committee. In 2015, he received the Spiritual Care Award from Wentworth-Douglas Hospital, and the Ministry Award from the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston.
He served as chaplain at the University of New Hampshire for 25 years and taught for 15 years in the department of Classics at UNH.
Father Athans retired in 1995 after 40 years of service to the Annunciation in Dover NH and subsequently served the neighboring community of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary in Somersworth, NH for 15 years.
Along with his parents, Father Athans is predeceased by his siblings John and Zaharoula.
Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife, Keta Athans; children, Geriann Athans, and husband, Dr. John Athans, of Dover, NH and Barbara Athans-Hoogeveen and husband, Les Hoogeveen, of Dover, NH; siblings, Sotiris, and Nicholas, both of Greece, sister-in-law Stella, of Seattle, WA; four grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.
Family and Friends are called to visit on Friday, December 27, 2024, from 5 PM – 8 PM at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 93 Locust St, Dover, NH 03820. The Trisagion will be prayed at 6 PM on Friday. Divine Liturgy will be on Saturday, December 28, 2024, at 9 AM, followed by a visitation from 10 – 11 AM, followed by a Funeral Service at 11 AM. All Services will be officiated at The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Dover.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church of Dover or the Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church of Somersworth. Envelopes will be available at the church. To leave an online condolence for the family, please visit www.taskerfuneralservice.com.
Senior Minister, Full-Time, Congregational: Quincy, MA
General Description:
The Senior Minister is in charge of the spiritual welfare of the church and serves as the leader of the spiritual life of the congregation. They facilitate members’ spiritual journey and discovery through leading worship services, studies and educational sessions along with outreach activities in the community bringing Christ’s word and message outside of the church walls.
The minster serves as an inspiration and example of Christianity lived in modern life, bringing the teachings of our Lord Jesus to life in our current world. They are one of the most visible faces of our congregation to the community, supporting activities in the local and larger community, engaging the community to connect with our congregation, bringing the love of Christ into the everyday world, demonstrating true Christian Faith to all, as taught by Jesus.
Key Responsibilities:
• Lead Sunday worship in collaboration with our Minister of Music
• Work with lay church leadership (the Deacons) to develop and execute programming to support the spiritual life of the congregation
• Work with lay leadership (the Trustees) to promote stewardship of the churches financial resources.
• Be a “face” of the church to the lager community helping to bring God’s love into the wider community.
Please reach out to firstchurchsquantum@gmail.com for any inquiries or info.
Church website: www.firstchurchsquantum.org
The position is also posted on the NACCC website:
www.naccc.org/resources/pastoral-search/#openpulpits
Rev. Vernon K. Walker, Jr. (’16) Preaching at Multifaith Martin Luther King, Jr. Service
The following is a segment from the article “Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Multifaith Service” published by the Coalition for Peace Action. Click here to read the full event announcement.
"The annual Multifaith Service to Honor the Legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, co-sponsored by CFPA and the Princeton Clergy Association. Diverse faith leaders from a wide range of traditions will co-lead the worship Service.
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[Rev. Walker] attended Penn State University 
for college where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Organizational Leadership and a minor in Psychology. After graduating from Penn State University, He attended Boston University and earned a Master Degree in Theological Studies (MTS) with a focus on community engagement. He also attended Tufts University and earned a Master in Public Policy degree (MPP).
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The Service is free and open to the public.
A free-will offering will be received to benefit Coalition for Peace Action and the Poor People's Campaign.
If you cannot attend in person, please click here to watch via livestream at any time beginning at 7:00 PM"