Alumni News
Prof. Christopher Evans Featured in German Documentary
Professor of History of Christianity and Methodist Studies Christopher Evans is a featured theological expert in the Religion episode of the German documentary series “Truth and Lies.” The episode is fully in German and aired in Germany in May 2022. Prof. Evans was interviewed for this episode here in Boston during the summer of 2020. He first appears in the episode at timestamp 1:23.
BUSTH PhD Student Jeehyun Baek Awarded Louisville Institute Dissertation Fellowship
Boston University School of Theology PhD student in Theology, Ethics, and Philosophy Jeehyun Baek has been awarded The Dissertation Fellowship by the Louisville Institute.
Titled “Mourning Across Generations: Theological Witness to Intergenerational Trauma in the Korean Diaspora,” Ms. Baek’s dissertation examines a theology of resilience for Korean diaspora communities who inherit the past trauma, experience ongoing hate crimes against Asians in the present, and may have difficulty envisioning life in the US. To address the phenomenon of intergenerational trauma in Korean Americans’ lives, she engages with three contemporary Korean American literary works written by second generation Korean American writers. By using trauma framework and a more aesthetic approach to theology, she explores how these literary works hold unspoken suffering, its mysterious transmission to subsequent generations, and the subtle but dynamic relationship between unclaimed past traumatic wounds and lives of the current generation.
“I’m very honored to have been selected as one of the Louisville Institute dissertation fellows! It means a lot to have this overwhelming amount of support from the LI during this process of writing my dissertation. I would like to give a special shout out to my advisor Dr. Shelly Rambo for her constant support and encouragement. I am able to really put my heart out into this project, and for that I’m endlessly grateful..” --- Jeehyun Baek
To read more about Ms. Baek’s project, please visit the Louisville Institute website.
Prof. Dana Robert Delivers Inaugural Anderson Lecture at Princeton Theological Seminary
William Fairfield Warren Distinguished Professor Dana Robert delivered the inaugural Gerald H. Anderson Lecture at Princeton Theological Seminary on June 9, 2022. “Gerry Anderson will be remembered as the maestro of contemporary mission studies,” began Prof. Robert. “He has guided the field, the movements, and ideals that carried mission theory and practice beyond the mid-century Cold War, through post-colonialism, to the era of World Christianity.”
The event was jointly supported by Princeton Theological Seminary and the Overseas Ministry Study Center, which is celebrating its 100th year. More information on the centenary celebration and the Anderson lecture series can be found here.
Prof. Robert’s lecture begins at time stamp 17:17.
Pastor, Full-Time, American Baptist: Madison, NH
The Madison Baptist Church, in Madison, N.H., is seeking a full time pastor to lead the church into its next chapter of ministry. While the church is associated with the American Baptist denomination, it has long viewed itself as a community church, welcoming to all who come to worship.
Some of the gifts they are seeking in their next pastor include:
- Ability to deliver Biblical sermons based on scripture with relevancy.
- A good communicator and listener/counselor with a sense of humor.
- Has a focus on helping the congregation to grow on their individual and church based spiritual journeys.
- Someone to help develop and maintain youth and family activities and membership.
- Values and utilizes our music ministry.
- Relatability with all ages and can demonstrate compassion and empathy.
- A leadership style which is team orientated.
Madison is located in the White Mountains of N.H. and the northern portion of New Hampshire's Lakes Region. It is a vacation paradise which offers year round tourism.
For further information, please contact Rev. Jim Smith at either (603) 819-9124 or pastorjim@twc.com.
Associate Pastor, Full-Time, UCC: Newington, CT
Application Dates: Rolling until filled
Position Summary
The Associate Pastor provides pastoral care and leadership for the entire congregation with an emphasis on ministry to youth and young adults as well as mission and outreach.
Essential Functions
- Works in partnership with the Senior Pastor to provide pastoral leadership to the congregation including but not limited to:
- Participates in weekly worship services and preaching at one or more services throughout the month
- Provides coverage in the absence of the Senior Pastor
- Implements new ministries, missions, and outreach opportunities
- Assists our diverse congregation with building a vibrant ministry for the 21st century as a pastoral entrepreneur
- Grows and continues to develop a vibrant Youth Ministry Program for elementary, middle school, and high school to include children, youth, and families
- Recruits families to engage in the Youth Ministry Program
- Leads the Youth Ministry program to include the church school working together with the Christian Education board
- Co-Leads with the Senior Pastor the confirmation program including coordinating teachers and mentors
- In cooperation with the Senior Pastor, provides pastoral care and crisis intervention as needed and make referrals as needed
- Performs other duties as assigned by the Senior Pastor and agreed upon by the staff parish relations committee
Other Responsibilities:
- Participates in staff meetings
- Participates in weekly meetings with the Senior Pastor, other clergy, and church boards
- Participates in Greater Hartford Interfaith Action Alliance (GHIAA) and Citizens of the World (COTW), and other related missions-focused organizations
- Participates in Central Association, (Southern New England Conference, Newington Interfaith Clergy Association and other wider church activities)
For more information (including compensation and contact info), please see the full job description here
Director of Youth and Children’s Ministries, Full-Time, UMC: Baton Rouge, LA
St. John’s United Methodist Church (Baton Rouge, LA) is seeking a full time Director of Youth and Children’s Ministries to lead and direct ministries with the next generation (birth-12th grade) and their families.
St. John’s is a friendly, loving, and generous congregation located in a diverse and growing neighborhood of south Baton Rouge, less than 10 minutes from LSU. The church has dedicated spaces for youth and children, a gorgeous and spacious campus, as well as a thrice weekly client-choice food pantry with its own vegetable garden. They are passionate about worship, spiritual growth, community outreach, and are committed to ministry with the next generation. Baton Rouge has a robust park system, incredible cuisine, a rich culture, great universities and educational opportunities, and is only an hour from New Orleans.
Required qualifications include leadership experience in youth and/or children’s ministries or an equivalent field and an understanding and endorsement of United Methodist Wesleyan Theology. Other sought-after qualifications include sharp organizational and communications skills, experience in volunteer recruitment, program development, group facilitation, and recreational play. The successful completion of a criminal background check, training in our Safe Sanctuaries policy, and the most up to date Covid-19 vaccination are required.
Salary is deemed competitive in the church/non-profit market, is commensurate with qualifications and experience, and may be in the range of $47,000 to $55,000. Position also includes benefits such as a Health Reimbursement Account, continuing education, paid time off, optional 403(b) retirement savings plan, and moving expenses.
Applications are being accepted now and will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. If you’d like to be a part of this strong, vibrant, and welcoming congregation, qualified applicants should submit a resume, cover letter, and the names and contact information of three references to jobs@stjohnsbr.org.
Please find the full job description here.
Part-Time Music Position, Episcopal: Cambridge MA
This is a part-time salaried position with an expected average commitment between 15 and 20 hours per week. Salary range $20,000 - $22,000.
The responsibilities of the position include: selection of sacred music for liturgies; playing the organ and piano at weekly rehearsals and Sunday services; directing and accompanying the choir; and recruiting and mentoring musicians to enhance the sacred music program of the Parish.
Saint Peter's Episcopal Church, Cambridge MA
https://saintpeterscambridge.org/
Memoir “Coming Alive” by Rev. Dr. Anne Ierardi (STH’90) Wins Next Generation INDIE Book Award
The content below is provided courtesy of Rev. Dr. Anne Ierardi's (STH’90) newsletter, which can be found here.
I was excited to learn that my book, Coming Alive, memoir, tied for first place in the LESBIAN/GAY/BISEXUAL/TRANSGENDER/QUEER+ category for the Next Generation INDIE awards. There were nine finalists, including the other winner. Robert Steele won for Banned in California Jim Foshee- Persecution, Redemption, Liberation ... and the Gay Civil Rights Movement.
My book discusses the journey I took to get me to here. I recount how I lived through the early days of gay, feminist and religious liberation. It shows how I faced cultural, gender and sexual orientation prejudices. Along the way, I survived losses in my extended Italian family and found my voice as an artist. The book shows my courage, persistence and authenticity. Coming Alive will speak to people of diverse faiths and cultural backgrounds and help them in their journeys through time, identity and development.
Get your copy from Amazon. Visit www.amazon.com/author/anneierardi.
Read more about Coming Alive from our recent news release here.
Rev. Rashad D. McPherson (STH’15) Serves as The Music Director at The Broadway League’s Black to Broadway Initiative
This press release was originally published by The City Life Org and can be found here.
The Broadway League’s Black to Broadway Initiative presents the second annual Broadway Celebrates Juneteenth concert, a free outdoor event centered around Black artistry and community. This 90-minute concert is open to all and takes place at Duffy Square in Times Square (Broadway between 45th & 47th Streets) on Sunday, June 19, 2022, from noon – 1:30pm (rain or shine). Black to Broadway thanks its sponsors United Airlines and M·A·C (Make-up Art Cosmetics) for their support of Broadway Celebrates Juneteenth.
Broadway Celebrates Juneteenth features Black performers, and allies, from a variety of Broadway shows performing their own works of art, with their song, dance, and poetry accompanied by live music provided by The Music Performance Trust Fund. In addition, the event will welcome notable guest speakers to celebrate this momentous day.
Rashad McPherson (Music Director) is a performer, musician, composer, and arranger living in New York, NY. Rashad studied music formally as a piano principle and Music Business major at Berklee College of Music (Boston, MA). Though Rashad began his recording career as a Gospel Music recording artist, the music that he has released most recently is socio-politically conscious and inspirational. Rashad is preparing to release a live, visual performance album that he recorded at a NY Soundstage. This project will feature several new songs and will be accompanied by numerous live performance videos. Rashad released the lead single from this project, “In the Stone,” this past May 20, 2022. Rashad made his theatrical music directorial debut with the world premiere of Bayard Rustin: Inside Ashland; written and directed by Steve H. Broadnax, III (People’s Light Theatre). He composed and co-arranged the score alongside Jason Michael Webb.
Rashad is a seminary-trained and ordained minister. He graduated from Boston University: School of Theology (Boston, MA) and Union Theological Seminary (New York, NY) in 2015 and 2017, respectively. Currently, Rashad serves as the Associate in Ministry and Music at Marble Collegiate Church (New York, NY). There he is the lead contributor for racial justice programming.
Read the full article here.
Prof. Luis Menéndez-Antuña Featured in BU Today
The following is an excerpt from BU Today’s article “My Coming Out Story: Luis Menéndez-Antuña” by Alene Bouranova, featuring Assistant Professor of New Testament Luis Menéndez-Antuña, published on June 8, 2022. Click here to read the full article.
STH assistant professor on creating space for exploring identity and religion
I’m not a big fan of the coming-out narrative. It assumes that you’re hiding somewhere, and then there’s a moment of enlightenment where you realize who you truly are and decide to share it with the world. I’m not saying that that’s not a good narrative. I think it works for some people. But I don’t think it works for everyone.
So for me, there’s not a coming-out narrative that I endorse for my own personal life. That doesn’t mean that I haven’t had to share my sexual preferences with the world at certain points. (The first time I said, “I’m gay,” to somebody was to a very close friend when I was 21.) I’m actually very open about it; I love talking about sex and sexuality. I’m very open professionally, personally, spiritually…you name it.