Alumni News
Dr. Carolynne Hitter Brown (’09) authors upcoming work, “Singing through Struggle Music, Worship, and Identity in Postemancipation Black Churches”
Dr. Carolynne Hitter Brown ('09) authored
The book description reads:
"Singing through Struggle: Music, Worship, 
and Identity in Postemancipation Black Churches offers an innovative look at the vital role music and worship played in nurturing Black citizenship and identity during the Reconstruction era. In such border cities as Baltimore, Washington, DC, and Philadelphia, the church was where newly emancipated migrants and members of the free Black community merged identities, priorities, and experiences through a process of cultural negotiation. Music, as a sign of Black achievement and as a genuine expression of identity, produced both bastions and battlegrounds in the fight for democracy.
The music of Black churchgoers, singing together in sanctuaries as well as in homes, schools, and outdoors, expressed resistance to uplift ideologies within and to white supremacy without. Even while using hymns and music of the European sacred tradition, members infused the songs they chose with new meanings relevant to their evolving concerns and situations. Drawing on fresh archival sources, Singing through Struggle sheds light on the unexplored gap in the study of African American religious music between slavery and the Great Migration, demonstrating the continuous stream of Black creativity and dignity that existed in religious music making between gospel music and the spirituals.
This close-up investigation of three Black congregations draws out previously forgotten stories of men and women who understood church music as key to shaping a collective purpose and civic identity. Their stories demonstrate how faith, music, and ritual gave the Black community means for exploring a deeply complex and ever-changing reality."
The Very Rev. Dr. Marion Pardy (’97) awarded for leadership among interfaith communities
The following is an excerpt from The United Church of Canada's article, “Dr. Pardy nominated for her interfaith and guaranteed living income (GLI) work,” published on February 4, 2025. Click here to read the full article.
"The Very Rev. Dr. Marion Pardy, 37th Moderator of The United Church of Canada, will receive the King Charles Coronation Medal in recognition of her leadership and commitment to interfaith community service. This is not her first medal of recognition; in 2013, the Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador awarded Dr. Pardy a Queen’s Jubilee Medal in recognition of her contributions to church and community.
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'From pew to pulpit, to public officials, to public and social media; from synagogue to mosque, to temple, to Gurdwara, Dr. Pardy has spent years in education, consciousness-raising, advocacy and solidarity,' says Haseen Khan, executive member with the Canadian Interfaith Conversation, who initiated the nomination on behalf of the Religious Social Action Coalition, of which he also is one of the directors. '[Her work highlights] for society the benefits of the pluralistic nature of our country and the necessity for appreciation and understanding of all religions, noting that the many paths to the Divine command respect from all.'”
Mr. Sean Glenn (’13) joins in developing Haven Religious Community
The following is an excerpt from The Living Church article by Greta Gaffin ('23, '28), “Three Members Form a Nascent Religious Community,” published on January 1, 2025. Click here to read the full article.
"Haven Religious is an emerging religious 
community in Hartford, Connecticut that hopes to provide active service to the church and the city. There are three members: the Rev. Marta Rivera Monclova, Gregory Simmons, and Sean Glenn. Rivera Monclova and Simmons are novices in the Order of the Body of Christ, a traditional vowed religious community that exists within Haven.
Rivera Monclova is the leader. She wants to create something she sees as not prominent within the Episcopal Church: active religious life. 'We’re very inspired by the early Victorian sisterhoods, who often were just women who started living together in a house and serving the church,' she said.
The community uses the Carmelite Rule of St. Albert, because it was written for a group of hermits who wanted to unite into a more corporate life. Because members can pursue different ministries, as opposed to having one shared apostolate, they felt like a rule emphasizing individual discernment and spirituality would work best. The community shares in daily Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer, acknowledging that sometimes ministry needs mean someone cannot attend."
Rev. Leonard S. Buxton (’56, ’63)
The following obituary was originally published by Hugh B. Hughes Funeral Home and can be found here.
Reverend Leonard S. Buxton died 
December 16th, 2024 at Wesley Village Rehabilitation Center in Pittston surrounded by members of his family. He was born in Ephrata PA, the son of Rev. Sydney and Ella Buxton on May 21, 1930. Leonard attended Albright College and Boston University, becoming a United Methodist minister. He served numerous congregations–from Somerville Massachusetts to churches in metropolitan New York, including a tenure of service at NY Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn–finally settling in northeastern Pennsylvania. Active in the civil rights movement, he also taught psychology at Claflin and Benedict Colleges in South Carolina and wrote about his experiences in his book This is My Story, This is My Song.
Leonard married his beloved wife, Loretta (Smith) Buxton in 1957 and they had daughter (Lynette), and three sons. They traveled the world during their time together and were currently living at Wesley Village retirement community.
Leonard is survived by his wife (Loretta), sons Mark (Hilary), Jon (Barbara), and Dale (Angie). Grandchildren include Leah (Addison), Josiah (Sarah), Jesse (Elsa), and Sam. He also has a great grandchild, Wren.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Shavertown United Methodist Church, 163 N Pioneer Avenue, Shavertown, on Friday, December 20th at 3:30 PM with visitation from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Shavertown United Methodist Church or a charity of your choice. Online condolences, if desired, can be sent to hughbhughes.com.
Prof. Wesley Wildman named an Inaugural Duan Family Faculty Fellow in CDS
The following is an excerpt from the article “BU’s “Changemakers”: Crovella and Wildman Named Inaugural Duan Family Faculty Fellows in CDS” by Maureen McCarty, featuring Professor of Philosophy, Theology, and Ethics Wesley Wildman, published in March 2025.
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During the winter 2024 ceremony held at the Duan Family Center for Computing & Data Sciences, Crovella, CDS chair of academic affairs and professor of computer science in the College of Arts & Sciences, and Wildman, CDS chair of faculty affairs and professor of philosophy, theology, and ethics at Boston University, were recognized for their leadership and contributions to advancing interdisciplinary collaboration in data science. Before an audience of over 200, CDS Associate Provost Azer Bestavros praised the two scholars calling them “changemakers” and “cornerstones” of CDS.
“Critical to our vision and mission are distinguished faculty members who have the capacity and demonstrated track record of bridging disciplines and thus acting as ‘changemakers’ at BU,” Bestavros said. “Their selection is a recognition of their commitment to CDS's premise, vision, and mission – even before CDS was created – and their tireless efforts to make it the reality we have today. Simply put, they are two cornerstones of CDS.”
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Rev. Dr. Brandon T. Crowley (STH ’12, ’19) Inspiring the Development of Affirming Congregations
The following is an excerpt from The Heights article by Laney McAden and Riley Del Sesto, “He Felt God Call Him to Come Out. Now, He Helps Black Churches Become Safe Spaces for Others To Do the Same,” published on February 17, 2025. Click here to read the full article.
"Crowley’s first book, Queering the Black 
Church: Dismantling Heteronormativity in the African American Church, was published in 2024 by Oxford University Press. In the book, he seeks to aid other Black churches across the country through the process of becoming welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community.
'I wrote the book because there are Black churches out there who want to figure out how to affirm gay people,' Crowley said. 'They just don’t know how to do it.'
In his book, Crowley addresses the history of Black Christian methodology in regard to homosexuality. He writes, in part, with the goal of 'queering' these beliefs in Black Churches across the country, just as the Civil Rights Movement dismantled the flaws of American equality.
'And so queering, for me, is about subversion,' Crowley said. 'It is about making the least, the most important. It is about turning the center on its head where there is no center and all are equitably treated.'
Rev. Deborah Loomis LaFond (’96) publishes children’s book, “The Laughing Giraffe”
Reverend Deborah Loomis LaFond ('96) authored the 2024 children's book titled The Laughing Giraffe.
The book description reads:
"The Laughing Giraffe is a story about 
Thulani, a gentle and quiet giraffe living in the savanna of Southern Africa. With his long, thick lashes, Thulani captivates everyone around him. Join Thulani on an adventure filled with surprise when his friends attempt to make him laugh. Written by Deborah L. Lafond and illustrated by Amanda Leighton, this book will bring joy to readers of any age. Teachers, parents, and grandparents will find this story illustrating critical concepts for living and working together. Thulani's friends show empathy, a willingness to help their friends, and an acceptance of differences. The book contains a list of characters with Zulu names and meanings, a drawing, the animal species, and a description of each. The illustrations are realistic and whimsical, making it perfect for early primary grades."
Rev. Kim Engle (’24) serving first appointment with Middleboro, Lakeville churches
The following is an excerpt from the Nemasket Week article, “Combined Middleboro, Lakeville churches have new pastor” published on February 7, 2025. Click here to read the full article.
"Engle, a Plymouth native, was a member 
at the Church of the Pilgrimage in Plymouth, where she also began her path into ministry. She was accepted into the Boston University School of Theology where she received her masters of divinity degree and was recently ordained in the United Church of Christ.
Engle’s position at both North Congregational Church and Lakeville United Church of Christ is her first in ministry. She previously served as camp program director at Amazing Grace, a director at the Hanover YMCA and also worked at Sing, Explore, Create, where she taught music to preschoolers and students with disabilities."
Rev. Dr. Andrew Robert Taylor (’97)
The following obituary was originally published by Amory Funeral Home Inc. and can be found here.
Andrew Robert Taylor (The Rev. Dr.) was born on December 20, 1938, in San Francisco, CA, to Ernest and Vera Taylor. He died on February 18, 2025. His family of origin included a brother, David Dalton (deceased) and two sisters, Mary Jean and Elizabeth. He was educated in San Francisco public schools, graduating from Abraham Lincoln High School in 1957. He earned his BA degree from San Francisco State University in 1962, and then upon completion of theological studies, he was awarded the Master of Divinity degree in 1966 from Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA. He served as pastor of Saint Paul United Methodist Church in Newark, CA, for four years, prior to going on active duty as a Navy Chaplain.
He derived boundless personal satisfaction 
and professional fulfillment from his naval career, serving in a variety of settings, including three at-sea tours: Destroyer Squadron Twenty-Two, home ported in Norfolk, VA, a repair ship (USS Jason AR 8), home ported in San Diego, and an amphibious command ship (USS Blue Ridge LCC-19), home ported in Japan. His assignments included duty with the Third Marine Division in Okinawa, hospital chaplaincy at the Naval Regional Medical Center in San Diego, and a tour at the Subase Bangor, WA, home port of the (then) newly constructed Trident submarine. He served at three Naval Air Stations: Jacksonville, FL, Corpus Christi, TX, and Alameda, CA. He was present at the Winging Ceremony when the Navy's first female naval aviator received her wings. He deployed to the North Atlantic, where he entered the Arctic Circle and saw the long, continuous day/night, and there observed the splendor of the natural light display called the Aurora Borealis. As well, he deployed to the South Pacific where, in the night sky, he viewed the bright stars that make up the Southern Cross. Moreover, he visited every time zone and many of the major cities around the world, all courtesy of the U.S. Navy. Further, midway through his naval career, he was awarded a year (1981-1982) of federally funded post-graduate education at Boston University School of Theology, which he parlayed into a doctorate degree (D.Min.).
Upon retirement from the Navy, he relocated to Yorktown, Virginia. He served as an associate pastor of First United Methodist Church, Hampton, for two years, and then for twelve years, he was pastor of Asbury United Methodist Church in Newport News. Then, he retired again, concluding forty years of ministry, serving the United Methodist Church.
In retirement, he became an avid gardener (he even enjoyed cutting his own grass!), and he grew prize winning roses. He was also a tinkerer, craftsman and furniture maker in his workshop. In addition, he served as President of the Board of Directors of the Peninsula Pastoral Counseling Center, and as a member on the Advisory Board of the Riverside Wellness and Fitness Center. He was devoted to his family. For him, family life was central. He was his sons’ first coach in little league baseball, and was active with both boys in their scouting activities, as well.
He will be held dearly in remembrance by his wife Sally, of 58 years; two sons, Bryan (Melanie) of Panama City, FL, and Garrett (Tasha) of Kennett Square, PA; daughter, Rev. Becca Minor (Rodney) of Warsaw, VA; and grandchildren, Maddox, Colton, Ava, Dakota, Austin, Ethan (Ayesha), and JeyLynn.
Services will be held Tuesday, February 25, 2025, 2pm at Grace United Methodist Church located at 1209 Country Club Road, Newport News VA with The Rev. Rebecca Minor officiating. The family will receive visitors at a reception following the service. Burial will be at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery in the section designated for military chaplains.
The family is grateful to the staff of Commonwealth Senior Living and Regency Health and Rehabilitation center for their loving care. In lieu of flowers and in his memory, you may wish to consider a donation to one of his preferred non-profits: Peninsula Pastoral Counseling Center, 707 Gum Rock Ct., Newport News, VA 23606, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Student Preacher, Seasonal, Congregational: Braintree, MA
Union Congregational Church located in Braintree, MA is interested in hiring a student to preach and lead Christian worship for the months of July and August 2025. Worship is held Sunday mornings from 9:30-10:15 am, with 125.00 stipend per Sunday. We would love to have you join our congregation this summer!
Email: Unionchurchministry@gmail.com
Website: www.unionchurchbraintree.church