Alumni News
Dr. Owen C. Cardwell Jr., (’76)
Dr. Owen C. Cardwell Jr., the Rosel Schewel Distinguished Professor of Education and Human Development and co-director of the Center for Innovative Leadership and Professional Development, died this week. He was 78 years old.
When he joined the University of Lynchburg’s education faculty in 2018, Cardwell did so as a longtime pastor, renowned civil rights activist, and well-respected Martin Luther King Jr. scholar.
“I seriously doubt there is a civil rights leader anywhere in the country that Owen didn’t know, that he couldn’t pick up the phone and call,” said Dr. Roger Jones, a University colleague and friend. “He was a remarkable man.”
A Lynchburg, Virginia, native, Cardwell was one of two Black students to integrate E.C. Glass High School in 1962. He was 14 years old when he first met Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a life-changing event he spoke about at Snidow Chapel in 2019.
Cardwell told the audience that meeting King “started a spark in me, that I had to do more than simply walk through the doors of an all-white high school. And, as I look back on that, this really … set the course for my life.”
Cardwell earned a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Seminary and College and master’s degrees in theological studies, from Boston University School of Theology, and adult and continuing education and teaching, from Cambridge College.
He had a PhD in multi/interdisciplinary studies from Union Institute & University.
Throughout his career, Cardwell worked to improve the lives of children, particularly children from disadvantaged backgrounds. On LinkedIn, he wrote, “I believe that children are not problems to be solved, but rather assets to our community and that every adult can be and should be asset builders.
“So many adults did not get that support as children and are now socially and emotionally underdeveloped. I am committed to walking along with people to assist them in becoming all they can be.”
Cardwell continued that work at Lynchburg. In 2022, he launched Good Gangs, a grant-funded program aimed at area high school-aged children who have been referred to the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice for crimes committed or issues like truancy.
He headed the city of Lynchburg’s branch of the Search Institute, a national initiative that focuses on instilling values in children. He also championed the CliftonStrengths program at the University of Lynchburg.
“This fall, all incoming freshmen are taking the CliftonStrengths assessment and [receiving] coaching from a certified coach,” Jones said. “He was instrumental with that and served on the task force to lay the groundwork for that. …
“He was kind of the guru of strength-based coaching on campus.”
In July of 2023, Cardwell was appointed by Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin to the Virginia African American Advisory Board. He had applied for the position and gave honest responses during a phone interview, including that he didn’t agree with all of the governor’s policy decisions.
While a bit surprised to be selected, Cardwell was determined not to let party lines get in the way of progress.
“My position is that someone is going to be governor for four years, and it’s either going to be one party or another,” he said at the time. “It’s not about party politics. It’s about representing the hopes and concerns of my constituents.”
According to Jones, this was classic Cardwell.
“He will be remembered as a unifier, as someone who really wanted to unify communities,” Jones said. “That was one of the things that he wanted to do in Lynchburg, to try to unify Lynchburg around the common vision.
“He will be known as someone who valued all people. Whether he agreed with you or disagreed with you, you knew he would respect you and value you as a person and … work with you to try to create the kind of community and the kind of city that everyone could be proud of.”
That did not, however, mean that Cardwell would compromise his values.
“He was driven by a strong set of values, his own faith and his beliefs,” Jones said. “Those were never compromised, but he was able to reach out and work with people and to find the common ground.”
Cardwell also was a longtime pastor, in Lynchburg and in the Richmond area. For the past four years, he pastored Lynchburg’s Diamond Hill Baptist Church, a church long known for its civil rights work.
University President Dr. Alison Morrison-Shetlar first met Cardwell shortly after she arrived on campus in 2019. “[He] was a mentor, guide, best friend and leader whose life work was to change the lives of others for the better,” she said.
“His conversations with me began in the first month of my tenure here at the University … and always began with him saying ‘I have an idea.’ The same conversations always ended with me agreeing and supporting his idea. I miss him.”
In an email to the campus community, Morrison-Shetlar wrote, “Owen’s work was all about creating a community where everyone could thrive. He had this remarkable ability to connect with people from all walks of life — to value them, even when there were disagreements.
“He stood firm in his own beliefs, rooted deeply in his faith, yet he always sought common ground, always with a focus on nurturing the growth and development of our youth.
“We have lost an awesome leader, a determined advocate for our young people, and a warm and cherished friend.”
The Rev. Dr. Nathan Albert, Lynchburg’s chaplain and assistant vice president for belonging, also met Cardwell shortly after he arrived at Lynchburg in 2019.
“I met [him] the summer I was first hired here at the University,” Albert said. “Although my role was to be a chaplain, very quickly into our conversation, Dr. Cardwell was a chaplain to me.
“Within that brief conversation, he affirmed my calling and gifts and encouraged me to do good work and pursue justice in my work on this campus. I’m grateful, not only for his leadership but his spiritual leadership and guidance.”
Lynchburg’s chief inclusive excellence officer, Dr. Robert Canida II, described Cardwell as a “Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. brother, my on-campus mentor, and my friend,” and said Cardwell’s “passion for always wanting better for the Lynchburg community, particularly for the unseen community members, will never be forgotten.
“Thank you, Rev. Dr. Brother Cardwell, for being you and always speaking your truth!”
Youth Leader, Part Time, Trinitarian Congregational Church; Concord, MA
Who are we?
Trinitarian Congregational Church, located in Concord, Massachusetts, is a dynamic, intergenerational community of faith. We have a thriving high school youth program and seek to include disciples of all ages in our life of faith. At TriCon, we aim to offer a vibrant and thought-provoking Sunday morning worship enriched with music, encourage hands-on mission and outreach opportunities, and foster community and social justice. In addition to participating in our Sunday morning worship service, there are a variety of additional faith-based activities throughout the week where parishioners, including youth, explore their connection to the church and the community at large. We are blessed to have one of the most vibrant high school age youth programs in the area.
Who are you?
As our next Youth Leader, at your core, you love teenagers. You engage with them at their level, creating and leading programming that will keep them engaged and create a safe space for them to be themselves. While it is important that you are a Christian (we are a church, after all!) you don’t need to have any formal theological training to be great in this role. You are excited to welcome teens across sexualities, gender identities, races, ethnicities, abilities, and backgrounds, and supportive of TriCon’s commitment to inclusion as an Open and Affirming church.
The Youth Leader plans, coordinates, and co-leads the Middle School Youth Group, Sunday evening High School Youth Group, weekly High School Discussion Group, and the annual High School Mission Trip with the Associate Minister. This position supports the mission and purpose of the TriCon Youth Program by facilitating the spiritual growth and faith development of our middle and high school aged youth.
RESPONSIBILITIES
● Serve as the co-leader of the youth program with the Associate Minister by planning coordinating and co-leading:
Sunday evening Youth Group Meeting (High School)
Weeknight Discussion Group (High School)
Twice monthly “Seekers” Gatherings (Middle School)
o Find and lead ice breakers, getting-to-know-you activities, and games to promote community building
o Meet regularly with the Associate Minister to plan and coordinate Youth Group activities
● Annual Mission Trip
o Attend and lead the annual Mission Trip, which alternates between February and April break every year
o Lead Mission Trip development, planning, and coordination process
o Facilitate Mission Trip meetings with youths, families, and chaperones
o Build relationships with mission trippers, including youth, adult volunteer chaperones, and the families of the youth
● Confirmation
o Co-lead bi-annual Confirmation class for 9th and 10th graders with the Associate Minister
o Engage confirmands through “faith experiences,” in addition to Confirmation classes, to enrich their religious lives
o Coordinate adult mentors for the confirmands
o Co-plan Confirmation Worship with the Associate Minister
● TriCon Involvement
o Coordinate, with Associate Minister, youth involvement in worship and other wider church activities.
o Attend monthly Sunday evening church services, meant to engage our youth in worship
o Be available by phone, email, or in person to provide support, care, or presence for youth
o Be a positive and faith-filled role model for the youth and families and the ministry team, exemplifying a strong and authentic faith
o Build relationships with those outside of the youth program by attending worship and other churchwide events as needed
● Miscellaneous
o Follow Safe Church guidelines
o Enlist assistance with specific tasks such as transportation, snacks, etc.
o Write announcements and articles for the monthly church newsletter Sunday bulletin; develop and maintain Youth Group calendar
o Develop and maintain an email list and GroupMe chat of youth and parents.
o Be aware of and respond to community-wide issues, for example, teen depression, incidents, suicide, or other events that may impact youth.
SKILLS and QUALIFICATIONS
● Demonstrated passion for working with middle and high school aged youth
● At least 2 years’ experience working with youth (including volunteer experience)
● Ability to relate to, work with, and facilitate discussions for youth and to make explorations of faith interesting, energizing, and fun
● Strong leadership skills to oversee and manage volunteers and organize meaningful programming
● Creativity, innovation, humor, and energy to keep youth engaged and interested
● Knowledge and adherence to Safe Church practices
● Strong organizational skills to be able to develop and implement several activities simultaneously
● Willingness to model and share your Christian faith with youth in a way that is accessible, positive, and authentic
HOURS and BENEFITS
● This position is salaried part-time, 15 hours per week on average during the program year (September through mid-June) and 5 hours per week during the summer (mid-June through August). A bonus is paid in addition to the base salary for the attendance and leadership of the weeklong Mission Trip, along with all Mission Trip travel and expenses.
● This position earns 1 hour of paid sick-time for every 30 hours worked. Otherwise, per the Employee Handbook, this position is not eligible for benefits.
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: $21,100.00 per year
Expected hours: 12 – 15 per week
Contact Rev. Martha Schick via email: martha@triconchurch.org
Preschool Ministry Teacher (Part-Time), Aldersgate United Methodist Church (North Reading, MA)
Aldersgate United Methodist Church (North Reading, MA) seeks a loving, creative, and responsible individual of Christian faith to lead our growing Bible Buddies Preschool Class. This part-time role (4 – 5 hrs/week) includes teaching Sunday mornings (Sept–May, 2nd Sunday off each month) and 1-2 hours of prep weekly. Must be 18+, experienced in childcare, and pass a background check. Educational background preferred. Responsibilities include lesson planning, engaging with families, coordinating volunteers, and supporting preschool ministry activities. Pay is $125/week. Option to extend for Vacation Bible School in August.
To apply, email your resume and a sample 30-40 minute preschool lesson plan from any Bible story to Holly Vietzke at aldersgateumc@gmail.com.
Youth Ministry Coordinator, Part Time, St. Ignatius Loyola Parish: Chestnut Hill, MA
Introduction
St. Ignatius Loyola Parish is a vibrant Catholic community rooted in the Jesuit tradition,
located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Animated by our Ignatian spirit, we welcome ALL to share in the joy of the Gospel and to come to know, love, and serve God and one another.
Summary
The St. Ignatius Faith Formation Program serves approximately 130 students, ages 3-16, in nurturing and growing their relationship with God and others. The Youth Ministry Coordinator works directly with the Director of Faith Formation in developing educational, faith-based programs and service opportunities for students and their families. This position involves a fair amount of administrative responsibility, but also has significant opportunities for hands-on ministry. It is a great opportunity to gain exposure to parish ministry, religious education, and creative program development.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Coordinate the Confirmation Program (40%)
- Assist in weekly Sunday Faith Formation program of 130+ students
- Administrative tasks including overseeing registration, updating database, maintaining sacramental paperwork, and communicating with families
Co-create and co-lead Confirmation Retreats (30%)
- With support from the Director of Faith Formation, plan engaging, age-appropriate programming for one-day Confirmation I retreat in Fall 2025, and one-day Confirmation II retreat in Spring 2026. Please note that retreat leaders and the Youth Coordinator are compensated for retreat days via a stipend, not at an hourly rate.
Coordinate Youth Group (20%)
- Plan and attend monthly Youth Group gatherings for high school students in the parish (one Sunday per month from 7:15-8:15pm).
Other Administrative Support (10%)
- Serve as a substitute catechist, as needed
- Assist Director of Faith Formation in curriculum development for a particular age group, if interested
Requirements
- Theology coursework preferred, undergraduate or graduate level
- Experience working with teens within a ministerial, academic, or extracurricular setting
- Strong leadership, communication, and pastoral skills to facilitate Youth Groups and interact confidently with adults, parents and the larger faith community
- Cultivates spirit of curiosity, inclusivity and deep listening with youth
- Self-motivated and adept at working in a multi-task environment
- Knowledge of and interest in Catholic Christian spiritual traditions (both contemplative and active)
- Finds joy and humor in working with others, particularly on a small parish team
- Fluent and/or conversational in Spanish a plus
- Comfortability using Google Suite
Compensation
The rate is $20/hour, estimated 6-8 hours of work per week from September 2025 through April 2026. Sunday availability is required, as well as approximately one Saturday or weekday evenings a month. A typical week involves 4-6 hours in-person at the parish on Sundays. Other hours can be completed remotely or in-person during the week.
To apply, please send a resume and brief statement of interest to Liz Turnwald, Director of Faith Formation, at turnwald@bc.edu. The deadline to apply is July 18, 2025.
BUSTH Alumnus Rev. James Lawson (’60) Visits the Past
The Rev. James Lawson catches up with his reading at the Boston University School of Theology, in Boston, Mass., June 7, 1960, where he has started the summer session. The Rev. Mr. Lawson, a Methodist minister, was expelled by Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn., last March for his role in lunch counter sit-in demonstrations against segregation. TheDean of Vanderbilt University Divinity School and ten of the faculty resigned in protest.
Pastor, Full-time, First Mennonite Church of Denver: Denver, CO
Position Title: Pastor Reports To: FMC Leadership Board Employment Status: Full-time (40 hours per week)
I. Position Overview The Pastor of First Mennonite Church of Denver (FMC) will serve as the spiritual, community and organizational leader of the congregation. Grounded in Anabaptist theology, the pastor will provide worship leadership, faith formation, pastoral care, administration and outreach while helping the congregation discern its evolving role as an urban Mennonite church. This position requires a collaborative, relational, and spiritually anchored leader who can work effectively with lay leadership, staff, and the broader community. The pastor will be responsible for leading worship, offering pastoral care, supporting spiritual formation, and ensuring clear and effective administration and decision-making. FMC is committed to healing and renewal following a period of pastoral transition and seeks a pastor who can help unify, nurture, and empower the congregation for the next chapter of its ministry.
II. Qualifications and Competencies A. Required Qualifications (Must be demonstrably met at the time of application)
● Ordained or credentialed minister in good standing with Mennonite Church USA (MC USA) or a compatible Christian tradition.
● Master’s degree (M.Div., M.T.S., or equivalent) in theology, divinity, spiritual leadership, or a related field.
● Dedication to maintaining and honoring the Anabaptist/Mennonite faith tradition, emphasizing peacemaking, discipleship, and social justice. Additionally, foster an open1 minded approach to diverse faith expressions while guiding the congregation in thoughtful and constructive theological discussions and decision-making.
● Minimum of 5 years of experience in a pastoral, associate, or transitional ministerial role in a congregational setting.
● Ability to engage a theologically and generationally diverse congregation, facilitating dialogue and unity.
● Experience in pastoral care, including crisis response, funeral planning and grief support.
● Strong leadership and organizational skills, including the ability to collaborate with lay leaders and church staff.
● Commitment to ethical pastoral leadership, fiscal responsibility, confidentiality, and professional boundaries. B. Preferred Qualifications (Candidates need not meet all but should demonstrate openness to these areas)
● Spanish language proficiency (or a willingness to develop language skills) to support engagement with FMC’s Spanish-speaking members and neighbors.
● Experience in urban ministry, intercultural engagement, or community-based justice work.
● Training or experience in restorative justice, conflict transformation, or trauma-informed pastoral care.
● Leadership experience in nonprofit or faith-based organizations. C. Personal Attributes
● A visionary leader who: ○ Is passionate about servant leadership ○ Is self-reflective, compassionate, grounded and spiritually mature ○ Demonstrates critical thinking and collaborative decision making ○ Has strong conflict resolution and crisis care skills ○ Has established self-care practices and strong boundaries
III. Primary Responsibilities A. Worship Leadership & Preaching
● Serve as primary preacher at least three Sundays per month, ensuring sermons are Christ-centered, Anabaptist-informed, socially relevant, and inspire faith and action.
● Work with the Worship Team to develop meaningful, creative, participatory worship experiences. Encourage lay leadership in preaching, scripture reading, music and other worship elements.
● Guide and nurture congregants as they navigate their personal spiritual, emotional, and service paths.
● Support FMC as an open, welcoming and inclusive congregation. Model advocacy in affirming the membership, leadership, marriage vows and family units who identify as LGBTQ.
● Be present at Lenten, Easter, Advent and Christmas services, unless advance arrangements are made.
● Officiate at baptisms, weddings, funerals, and other sacramental rites. B. Pastoral Care & Community Building
● Provide nurturing pastoral care to members experiencing grief, illness, family transitions, or crisis.
● Maintain an active pastoral presence with special attention to: ○ Elderly members (80+ years old) ○ Newer attendees ○ Families with children ○ Spanish-speaking and immigrant communities
● Work alongside the Care Team to coordinate and prioritize high quality and ongoing visitation and congregational support. C. Spiritual Formation & Discipleship
● Develop and implement teachings/opportunities that foster spiritual growth to deepen faith and relationship with God, self and others. Collaborate with lay leadership to develop and offer theological teaching and spiritual formation opportunities for all ages, including: ○ Adult education (Bible study, book studies, theological discussions, or current issues forums). ○ New member and baptismal classes. ○ Leadership development training for lay leaders and committees. ○ Oversight and guidance for meaningful children’s faith formation.
● Foster a culture of servant leadership: equip members to articulate their faith and engage in actions of peacemaking, justice and service. D. Leadership, Administration & Decision-Making
● Pastoral Oversight, Supervision: Oversee daily operations, supervise specific staff, and cultivate a culture of support for church employees, volunteers, and lay leaders to carry out the church’s vision effectively.
● Pastoral Visioning: Establish with the Leadership Board and congregation a shared vision for the congregation and work to establish short and long-term goals. Provide strategic oversight to guide the church towards fulfilling the vision/mission.
● Facilitative Leadership and Shared Governance: Serve as a collaborative leader working alongside the Leadership Board and/or staff to ensure shared decision-making while providing spiritual and operational leadership. Uphold and advance the priorities established by the Leadership Board. Ensure the congregation is included in decisionmaking when appropriate.
● Communication: Maintain open and timely communication with the congregation, lay leaders, and staff.
● Stewardship: Actively contribute to annual budgeting and planning efforts. E. Community Engagement & Church Growth
● Develop intentional outreach strategies to welcome and integrate new members, especially young adults and families. ● Strengthen FMC’s urban Mennonite identity by providing leadership, vision and fostering relationships with justice initiatives, nonprofits, and interfaith partners including FMC’s Direct Assistance Program and immigrant support efforts. F. Denominational Involvement
● Serve as FMC’s representative within the Mountain States Mennonite Conference (MSMC) annual meetings and MC USA conventions.
● Participate in MSMC pastoral peer groups and stewardship training, and serve on conference committees as time allows.
● Engage in continuing education, boundary training, and professional development activities provided by MSMC, MC USA, or other useful resources.
IV. Work Expectations & Support A. Workload & Compensation
● Competitive salary, housing allowance and benefits aligned with MC USA and MSMC pastoral compensation guidelines.
● Full-time position (40 hours per week), including: ○ One regular day off per week. ○ Four weeks of vacation annually ○ Two weeks of study leave ○ Continuing education allowance ○ Provision for sabbatical leave.
Website: https://www.fmcdenver.org/new-page-1
Prof. Shelly Rambo promoted to Full Professor
The following is an excerpt from the BU Today article “23 Charles River Campus Faculty Promoted to Full Professor” featuring Professor of Theology Shelly Rambo, published on May 21, 2025.
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Among the nearly two dozen faculty on Boston University’s Charles River Campus recently promoted to full professor are a computer scientist who studies methods to make computer programs more secure; an expert in the physics of droplets and bubbles, with applications that include disease transmission; a leader in the field of music education; a researcher studying the veracity of online information about climate change; and a social policy expert whose work is primarily focused on poverty, food insecurity, and food and nutrition assistance programs.
“As the world and institutions like BU navigate daily change that impacts our communities and missions, [these faculty] are rising to the challenge by pursuing new areas of inquiry, employing innovative approaches, and helping launch entirely new fields of study through exciting collaborations with colleagues across departments, schools, and campuses,” BU provost Gloria Waters wrote in an email to BU faculty and staff announcing the promotions. “In doing so, they exemplify each day the depth and excellence of Boston University’s talented academic community.”
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Shelly Rambo, School of Theology professor of theology, is a constructive theologian whose research connects theology to trauma theories, sociology, psychology, neuroscience, ethnography, feminist philosophy, literary analysis, and chaplaincy studies.
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BUSTH celebrates Class of 2025
On Saturday, May 17, 2025, the Boston University School of Theology held its annual convocation ceremony and celebrated one of its most diverse classes ever. Friends and families of the graduates gathered in person at Marsh Chapel for the hooding and diploma ceremony, and many more were able to watch live online (see recording below). 77 students were named as candidates for May graduation in the program bulletin across six degree programs, and several Summer 2025 graduates also participated in the ceremony. This year, the School graduated its largest-ever Doctor of Ministry (DMin) class with 18 graduates, and its first-ever Master of Arts in Religion and Public Leadership (MARPL) graduate, with several more MARPL students set to graduate later this year.
“I bring you greetings on behalf of Boston University and the School of Theology. I welcome each of you upon this joyous occasion as we gather to recognize and applaud the achievements of our 2025 graduates,” Dean G. Sujin Pak welcomed the gathered congregation. “We extend a special welcome to family and friends, partners and mentors, pastors and allies who have come near and far. This is your celebration as well.”
Class of 2025 Convocation Service
Saturday, May 17, 2025, 2pm ET
Songs. Prayers. S’mores.
This article was written by Marc Chalufour and originally published in the 2025 issue of focus magazine, the annual publication of the BU School of Theology. This article can be found on page 8.
The singing starts at the camp's farmhouse with a group of staffers: "Allelu, allelu, allelu, alleluia!" They sing toward campsite 1, in the forest across the road. A few seconds pass. Then a response comes back through the trees: “Praise ye the Lord.”
Campers at site 1 then turn toward campsite 2, deeper in the woods, and start again: “Allelu, allelu, allelu, alleluia.”
The melody reverberates through the forest as the call-and-response song ping-pongs from one campsite to the next, up a hillside and back down again before coming to rest where it started.
“Allelus” are a Friday tradition at Wanakee, a United Methodist summer camp in Meredith, N.H. They begin at sunset on the last night of the week, while campers roast marshmallows and assemble sticky s’mores. Participants call it the most magical moment in a week packed with adventure, ritual, and community. Neighbors are rumored to sit out on their porches to listen.
While congregations of every denomination struggle to attract young people, Methodist summer camps are thriving. But what does camp have to do with the church?
Outdoor and camp ministry go back to the beginning of Methodism. John Wesley practiced “field preaching” in the 1700s to reach people not attending traditional church services. In the 1800s, pastors set up camp meetings on the American frontier, where churches had yet to be established.
In the 21st century, that legacy lives on at retreat centers and camps, which provide spaces for deeper experiences than a Sunday service may allow. The United Methodist Church (UMC) owns more than 175 such facilities nationwide, including three New England summer camps: Wanakee, Aldersgate in North Scituate, R.I., and Camp Mechuwana in Winthrop, Maine.
“We don’t see a lot of youth in our churches,” says Alicia Veléz Stewart (’18), pastor at Weston UMC in Weston, Mass., and camp chaplain at Aldersgate. But, she adds, the three camps serve more children in a summer—nearly 2,000—than New England’s 500-plus UMC churches see in a year. Those kids have the classic summer camp experience—swimming, canoeing, hiking, campfires, and bunkhouses—mixed with Methodist ministry.
For families across New England— including many from the STH community—UMC summer camps are an annual tradition. Kim Macdonald, STH’s director of communications, attended Wanakee as a camper and returned as a counselor and lifeguard. Now, with her own kids becoming campers, she volunteers on the board of directors.
“Children need camp,” says Macdonald (CFA’04, COM’23). “They need to be disconnected from the grid. They need to be disconnected from their screens. They should live in a world where they are all equal and they all can serve each other in ways that foster growth and maturity. It was the best week of my year while growing up, and I want that experience for my kids.”
Faith in Practice
Jen Savoy, the pastor at Contoocook UMC in Contoocook, N.H., also has a long history with Wanakee. She has sent four children to the camp and has spent time at the camp every year, volunteering on committees and directing programs.
Savoy (’21) has witnessed the power of the camaraderie and community that develop as campers and staff share experiences and try new things. “Church is an hour, once a week, and you’re sitting in a pew, listening to someone talk,” she says. “At camp, they can see faith in action.”
Last summer, Savoy decided to conquer her fear of heights. She strapped on a climbing harness and made her way up into the trees on the camp’s ropes course. When she reached a platform high in the trees, she “was shaking like a leaf in a hurricane.” But she could hear campers shouting encouragement from the forest floor and kept going. “When we get to practice being Christians and be the hands and feet of Jesus and encourage others—show God’s love to the world—that’s when our faith becomes real,” she says.
“Camp is one of the few places left that offers that kind of freedom and experimentation,” says Veléz Stewart. “You don’t have to be anything but yourself, and we can’t say that all the time for our sanctuaries. Aldersgate is a place of true radical welcome, true radical hospitality, true radical love.”
Veléz Stewart was a Master of Divinity student at STH in 2017, looking for a field education opportunity. While most of her peers found placements in churches, the former Girl Scout wanted a different experience. “Camping was in my blood,” she says. So she reached out to Aldersgate.
Eight years later, Veléz Stewart is looking forward to another summer as chaplain. “It’s a way of making faith in community accessible and not scary,” she says. “My goal is to make faith— not religion, not denomination, but faith—accessible and authentic for our campers. For many of these kids, Aldersgate is their church.”
We are empowering our youth to be persons of character and persons of faith. - Alicia Veléz Stewart ('18)
Creative Ministry
Eungil Cho is a pastor in the northeast corner of New Hampshire, where he oversees seven United Methodist churches. His congregations are shrinking and getting older. Cumulatively, says Cho (’19), they draw fewer than 100 people on a given Sunday, and not many of them are children. “It’s always been a concern of mine—how do I provide spiritual formation for my own son?” He found his answer at Wanakee, which his son has attended for three years.
Cho, who wanted to experience the camp for himself, began volunteering as chaplain in 2023. He leads a Thursday night service, but his role is otherwise informal. He’s learned that sharing adventures with the campers, like a long swim to an island, allows him to make connections that aren’t possible during an hour in church on Sunday. He’s come away from Wanakee inspired by another element of camp life: mealtime.
At each dinner, kids from a different campsite lead grace and a series of songs. Cho was surprised by how engaged the kids were and was inspired by their creativity. “The religious components in our traditional church can be boring and uninteresting to children,” Cho says. “Wanakee does a good job of making that very interesting by making it silly.” He’s brought some of that humor and creativity back to his churches, introducing classics like “Superman Grace” to his programs.
At Aldersgate, Veléz Stewart also fosters creativity. Every summer, she and the camp director design a week of faith formation that includes the biblical narrative as well as art, music, worship, and prayer. In 2024, Aldersgate focused on the Lord’s Prayer, which she helped the campers learn. On Thursday evenings, the kids lead a collaborative worship. Each cabin presents their interpretations of the summer’s prayer. These reimagined prayers can take any form, like works of art or camp songs.
“We are empowering our youth to be persons of character and persons of faith,” Veléz Stewart says. “They’re taking this kernel of faith that we have planted and nurtured so that they can live it out in a way that works for them and makes the world better.”
A Spiritual Space
There’s an irony in the continued relevance of camp ministry: What began in the 1700s as a respite in undeveloped areas now exists as an escape from development. For one week, kids can trade their screens and headphones for campfires and group songs. They run in the dirt, swim in the lake, and climb in the trees.
“We keep it rustic on purpose, because we want to keep the focus on being in fellowship with one another as a community,” Macdonald says. “I see being able to connect with your fellow person on a deeper level as a spiritual experience.”
To Veléz Stewart, camp is no less spiritual a space than her own church. Deep on Aldersgate’s property, just before the main retreat center, where the forest meets the lake, is a rustic, outdoor chapel surrounded by trees. She likes to hold morning worship there. “It’s one of these places where the veil between this world and the Kin-dom is most thin,” she says. “Everything feels very apart from the world and, in this wonderful way, it gives the kids a chance to take a deep breath.”
Savoy has seen Wanakee shape her kids as campers and staffers over almost two decades. Last summer, she volunteered as a site director for a week and enlisted her youngest daughter to help. Savoy was amazed to see how her normally introverted child emerged from her shell to help run things. When Savoy asked why she didn’t do that at home, her daughter responded with four words.
“Camp is magic, Mom.”
BUSTH Publishes Annual FOCUS Magazine for 2025
The Boston University School of Theology is pleased to announce the 2025 publication of its annual magazine focus. This issue's theme is "reimagining ministry," which asks the reader to consider new strategies for healing a hurting world. Our faculty, staff, and alumni are pushing these boundaries of ministry as evidenced throughout the issue. The 2025 issue features close-ups on faculty promotions, a spotlight on the community-focused work by our online and hybrid students, Methodist camping ministry, and thought-provoking articles written by alumni and faculty. The featured sermon was preached by Martin Luther King, Jr. Professor of Religion and Black Studies emilie m. townes at the matriculation service of worship in September 2024.
This issue also features the first publication re-design in over a decade, which showcases exciting digital content from our community from the past year with a vibrant new palette. Any questions about the magazine can be directed to sthcomm@bu.edu.
Read the full issue here.
