Alumni News
Professor Dana Robert Quoted in Episcopal News Service
The following is an excerpt from Episcopal News Service’s article “GEMN conference explores aspects of women in mission” by Melodie Woerman, featuring William Fairfield Warren Distinguished Professor and Director of the Center for Global Christianity and Mission Dana Robert, published on May 13, 2022. Click here to read the full article.
Mission work has been the primary way women have engaged in ministry over the years, beginning with the earliest days of the church when widows, virgins and deaconesses all played a role in the church’s ministry, said Dana Robert, a professor at Boston University School of Theology and director of the Center for Global Christianity and Mission.
“If you read medieval history and up through the history of Christianity, one thing is the constant struggle of women to serve,” she said.
Rev. Kai Chur (STH’16) Becomes Navy Chaplain
This article is provided courtesy of the Navy Chaplains and Chaplain Nathan Solomon, Director of Strategic Communications, Chief of Navy Chaplains.
Trust the Process
A Cape Cod native has completed training as a Navy Chaplain. Lieutenant Junior Grade Kai Chur (STH'16), China native and Cape Cod Massachusetts resident, recently graduated from the Naval Chaplaincy School in Newport, Rhode Island. He is a graduate of Boston University School of Theology and an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church. Chur will report to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton where he will serve as an infantry battalion chaplain in the First Marine Division.
His desire to serve as a chaplain was sparked by a chance encounter with a Marine in a Walmart parking lot. As he and the person parked next to him were loading groceries, an extremely loud bang rang out throughout the lot. Chur explained the man was paralyzed with fear, gripping his truck and visibly shaking. Chur went over to help calm the distressed man. Within a few minutes, he was calm enough to thank Chur for his assistance and continue on his way. Chur said the experience weighed heavily on his heart, stirring a desire to serve members of the military.
“Lord I want to help those people, someday open a door for me so I can be one of them and serve them,” he prayed. His prayer was answered, but it was not immediate. More than eight years later, Chur began his journey to become a Navy chaplain.
“Life is a journey of trusting God,” Chur said. “For those who have a desire to serve in this capacity, pray and wait for God to direct you. If you have heard the call of God to become a chaplain but you are hesitant, be bold and trust the process because God’s timing and calling for your life is perfect.”
Navy Chaplains provide religious ministry to their own, facilitate for the religious needs of other faiths, and care for all Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen. There are more than 800 Navy Chaplains from more than 100 different religious organizations and are deployed world-wide with Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard commands.
Interim Minister, Full-Time, UU: Fort Myers, FL
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fort Myers (Florida) is seeking an interim minister for a period of one year with the option to renew for a second year beginning August, 2022. We have been lay-led since December 2019.
Our congregation is active, intellectual, curious, and welcoming. We attract seekers of every kind looking for support and refuge from our typically conservative neighbors. We are determined to become the beacon of environmental and social justice for our area.
A few of our many strengths include a vibrant social justice presence in the community, an active Caring Ministry and a healthy worship team with two Lay Ministers and a core group of Worship Associates who all work with our talented Music Team and Tech Team to present Sunday Services. We have an outstanding paid staff of seven.
We offer a beautiful quadrangle of facilities consisting of the sanctuary with a piano and organ, administrative offices, seven classrooms, social hall with commercial kitchen and screen porch, all surrounding a courtyard. We have ample parking.
Our twelve acre campus includes raised garden beds, memorial garden, ecopreserve, woods, amphitheater, labyrinth, pond, sculpture garden, and playground.
We’d like a minister who:
- Has great communication skills including eloquent sermons, listening skills, compassion, and the ability to motivate, mediate, and problem solve.
- Relates well to people of all ages.
- Has a knowledge of congregational finances and has demonstrated the ability to assist congregations who have financial difficulties.
We desire special focus during the interim period on finances, covenantal right relations including communication, respecting boundaries, and bridging the gap between long term and newer members, and building family involvement.
All inquiries regarding this position should be made to searchcommittee@uucfm.org.
Youth and Community Outreach Minister, Part-Time, UCC: Belmont, MA
Do something that matters. Payson Park Congregational Church UCC, an Open and Affirming congregation in Belmont, MA (next to Cambridge and Boston) is seeking you to become our Youth and Community Outreach Minister (YCOM). (part time, $50,000/year, health insurance, www.PaysonPark.org). Join with us in making a difference. Be part of a real community. Light up God for our children. Give them life direction. This position will return back to you many-fold. Bring your creativity to leading faith formation for our youth, including children of all ages; and connect our youth in strong outreach to our neighbors in need. College degree, 1 year in religious studies, experience with youth ministry or camp counseling required. With other staff beginning a Community Choir/Theater School, love of music, singing, and theater arts a plus. Be on our team, and make a real difference in the life of young people.
Please submit a cover letter and resume to PastorEric@PaysonPark.org
Dr. Frank E. Johnson (STH ’81, Questrom ’82)
This obituary was originally published by Solimine Funeral Homes - Broadway on Apr. 20, 2022, and can be found here.
Frank Eugene Johnson IV was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on July 6, 1950. He attended mostly rural schools throughout his childhood but still managed to graduate third in his class of 400 at Southeast High School. After being awarded multiple scholarships he graduated with honors from Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in Psychology. He then completed all coursework at Catholic University in Washington, DC, but was too emotionally distraught by the untimely death of his father to complete his graduate thesis in Psychology.
He joined the Navy and qualified and was accepted as an intelligence officer for a squadron, but his poor eyesight prevented him from becoming a pilot. After training in Denver, CO he and Laurena spent the next four years in Key West, Florida for his deployment. During this time he traveled with his squadron on several Pacific tours from Japan to Kenya.
After this time he felt the Lord calling him to be a minister so he and Laurena moved to Boston to attend Boston University. While there he simultaneously earned both a Master of Divinity and a Master of Business in Public Management. In 1982 he and Laurena packed up their two daughters and moved to Costa Rica to attend El Instituto de La Lengua Española. After a year of studying Spanish they moved to Guatemala City where Frank served as Treasurer for the Southern Baptist Mission. He was also able to answer God's call to start and nurture several churches as well as lead many volunteer groups in providing support for the Guatemalan Indigenous people.
In 1992 Frank and Laurena moved with their three children to New York City for a year-long furlough. While there they worked to support small churches in NYC. They greatly enjoyed their time exploring the city and formed some very fond memories.
By this time Frank had completed his Doctorate in Ministry and was asked to help direct mission work in Canada. Frank, Laurena, Sally and Gene moved to Calgary and after two years moved to Montreal for a year.
When Frank was asked to return to Guatemala to serve as Associate Area Director of Missions for Central America and the Caribbean he eagerly accepted as the whole family was eager to return to their beloved Guatemala. After three years Frank and Laurena returned to Oklahoma and decided to resign as missionaries in order to spend more time with their ailing mothers.
During this time Frank became certified in Spanish to English translation and started his own very successful translation and interpretation company, Multilingual Services LLC. He found very fulfilling work in translation and interpreting for social workers, schools, courts, the medical field, government offices and the USDA.
Because all of this somehow did not keep him busy enough, he became an adjunct professor of Spanish at Southern Nazarene University where he taught for a decade. He eventually sold his business in 2015 so that he could spend more time teaching and working as a spin class instructor for the YMCA. He became a member of the Oklahoma Bicycle Association and even became its president for a time.
In 2016 Frank and Laurena moved to Lynn, MA in order to be closer to their grown daughters and grandchildren. In addition to maintaining a busy schedule of training for and running marathons, he worked as a popular spin class instructor for the YMCA and certified personal trainer, as well as working with the Livestrong Program. One of his greatest sources of pride and satisfaction was qualifying for the New York Marathon as well as the Boston Marathon. He ran the NY Marathon in November 2021 but soon after became ill and was diagnosed with lung cancer in January 2022.
After a short and fiercely fought battle with the disease, surrounded by family, Frank passed into the arms of Jesus on Good Friday, April 15, 2022. He is survived by his wife, Laurena, daughters Joy and Sally and son Frank Eugene V (Gene), as well as six grandchildren.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a Memorial Service on Saturday, April 23, 2022 at 11:00AM in the First Lutheran Church, 280 Broadway, Lynn, MA.
Rev. Janet L. Harry (STH ’67)
This obituary was originally published by the Dignity Memorial, and can be found here.
Our beloved wife, mother and grandmother Janet Lee Harry died peacefully on Friday April 8, 2022. Jan was born October 20, 1942 to loving parents Clifford and Jean Kunz who preceded her in death. She is survived by her devoted husband of 50 years Tom Harry, younger brother Robert Kunz and younger sister Barbara Kobs (Alan). Jan was the mother of two children, Christopher Harry (Leah Harry) and Sonya Harry (Alison Perkins), and was “Mamo” to four grandchildren Micah and Nate Harry, and Xander and Astrid Harry who were her profound joy.
Jan was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She attended North Hills High School, West Virginia Wesleyan College (B.A.), and Boston University School of Theology where she graduated Magna Cum Laude (M.S.T.).
Jan had a rich and diversified career that touched many lives. She was a juvenile probation officer, Acting Director for New Life for Girls, Christian Educator in 3 churches, adoption worker in Children’s Services, and trainer in volunteer management and conflict resolution. In 1997 she was ordained Deacon in the United Methodist Church, becoming the Rev. Jan Harry, and was co-pastor with Rev. Tom in 2 churches.
Valuing cross-cultural experiences, she parented 6 international exchange students and traveled to 41 countries on 6 continents. She was part of ministry settlement teams supporting refugee families from Vietnam, Iran, and DRC in Africa, and was also President of the Washington/Centerville Diversity Council.
Final arrangements are being handled by Tobias Funeral Homes. A memorial service will be held Saturday April 23 at 11am with visitation from 9:30am at Harmony Creek Church U.C.C. - https://www.harmonycreekchurch.org. An informal time of sharing personal life stories will also be held at the church at 5pm. Condolences may be left at www.tobiasfuneralhome.com
Rev. Dr. Marcelo Gomes (STH’21) and Rev. Patricia Peña (STH’09) to Join the UMC Discipleship Ministries
This press release was originally published by The UMC Discipleship Ministries and can be found here.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. April 26, 2022 /Discipleship Ministries/ - Path 1 at Discipleship Ministries is pleased to announce three new staff members, effective July 1, 2022. They are:
- Rev. Patricia Peña (STH'09), Director, Diversity and Innovative Community Engagement and Church Planting
- Rev. Dr. Marcelo Gomes (STH'21), Director, Training and Church Planting Systems
- Rev. Dr. Michael Beck, Fresh Expressions United Methodist Strategist
Patricia Peña was born in the Dominican Republic. She is a fourth-generation pastor and an ordained elder of The United Methodist Church. Currently, she serves as senior pastor of Christ United Methodist Church in Lehigh Acres, FL, under an extension appointment from the New England Conference. She studied pastoral ministry and ESL teaching in Nyack, NY, and received a Master of Divinity degree from the Boston University School of Theology in 2009. Her fifteen years in serving various local United Methodist congregations were focused on church revitalization and new church development with a specialization in intergenerational and multicultural ministry. She received distinguished recognition for her work, including the Exemplary Dominican of the Year by the Dominican Festival in Boston, the National Harry Denman Evangelism Award, and the One Matters Discipleship Award.
“With great honor and responsibility, I take this opportunity to serve the larger church through the work of Path 1 at Discipleship Ministries at such a crucial time in the life of our church, where innovation, diversity, and community will be essential in furthering the growth of the church planting movement,” Rev. Peña said.
Marcelo Gomes is an ordained elder in full connection with The New England Conference of The United Methodist Church. He serves as lead pastor of First United Methodist Church in Pittsfield, MA, and as certified clergy and candidate mentor. He served the Methodist Church of Brazil for twelve years in different roles, including pastoral ministry and theological training for lay leaders. He taught psychology and sociology in two universities in Brazil and served as president of one of the public colleges in Rio de Janeiro. He served as a Global Ministries missionary for three years in Miami, where he planted a Portuguese-speaking congregation. He worked as an adjunct professor of transformational leadership and congregational care at Garrett-Evangelical Seminary Course of Study between 2016 and 2020. He was a member of the National Plan for Hispanic Latino Ministries (2016-2018), and he is a licensed psychoanalyst in Vermont and a registered psychoanalyst in the United Kingdom. Rev. Dr. Gomes holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Boston University and is currently a Ph.D. candidate at Sigmund Freud University in Vienna, Austria. He is the author of four books on education and psychoanalysis, and he is working on a new one about religion and migration.
“I am excited to join the Path 1 team and work with others to discern the best way to prepare leaders and implement strategic actions for church growth and missional presence worldwide,” Rev. Gomes said.
Rev. Michael John Reckling (STH ’04)
Rev. Michael John Reckling (STH ’04) passed away on 4/19/2022. Obituary to come…
Dr. John D. Spangler (GRS ’61, STH ’61)
This in memoriam was originally published by the Iliff School of Theology and written by Rev. Dr. Cathie Kelsey. It can be found here.
Dear Members of the Iliff Community:
Please join me in giving thanks for the life, ministry, and teaching career of Rev. Dr. John Spangler, who passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning, April 19. He was at home, being cared for by his daughters Anne and Susan.
Dr. Spangler was a Pastoral Care and Pastoral Theology Professor at the Iliff School of Theology until his retirement in the 1990s. He was deeply invested in helping students prepare for ministry. He was a strong advocate of church internships as a way for Iliff students to gain practical experience and to reflect on that experience through their time at Iliff. He was known and beloved to many Iliffians as well as United Methodists on the Front Range and will be greatly missed.
At his own request, Dr Spangler’s memorial service will largely take the form of a concert on piano, organ, and violin performed by his friend JoAnn Gudvangen-Brown (music director at University Park UMC) and by his granddaughter, who is an accomplished violinist. Details about the date and time of that service will be announced when we receive them. We do not have a direct way to get condolences to his daughters at this time.
Please hold Anne, Susan, and all Dr. Spangler’s family and friends in your prayers in this time of loss.
Blessings,
Rev. Dr. Cathie Kelsey
Chief Financial Officer, Full-Time, Episcopal Diocese of MA: Boston, MA
For full job description, please visit the post on the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts website.
The next Chief Financial Officer of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts will report directly to the bishop diocesan, the Rt. Rev. Alan M. Gates. Charged with overseeing all financial operations of the Diocese, the CFO will also play a central role in information technology and human resources. The new CFO needs to be a strategic thinker and a problem solver, dealing with complexity and historical context with any number of issues.
The successful candidate will succeed Cynthia Hallenbeck, who has served as interim CFO since 2020. The CFO oversees an operating budget of roughly $10 million and an endowment of approximately $90 million, which holds many funds that are restricted. The next CFO will supervise a full-time Controller, Accountants, and a Payroll and Benefits Coordinator, and collaborate with the Diocesan Treasurer, an elected, governance-related position, in meeting all accounting and finance responsibilities. Currently, additional accounting and all HR and IT services are sub-contracted out of the Business and Finance Office. In addition to Bishop Gates, the CFO will work closely with The Rev. Canon William Clay Parnell, Canon to the Ordinary, and with the interim Missioner for Property Stewardship.
The new CFO is responsible for the finances and accounting for not only the Diocese, but also for the Cathedral and for the Trustees of Donations, both separate legal entities. The Cathedral has an operating budget of $2 million and an endowment of $15 million, and occupies roughly 25% of the CFO’s time. The Diocese leases office space from the Cathedral and bills back finance, accounting, and IT services. The Trustees of Donations manages the Diocese’s endowment funds. Additionally, the CFO will provide general financial guidance and support for the 160 Episcopal-congregations in Eastern Massachusetts (the Diocese of Western Massachusetts is a separate diocese).