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summer 2010 volume 6 number 2

Commencement 2010: Reveling in Traditions Both Festive and Sacred

n Thursday, May 27, Harvard “We learned something about our- Divinity School honored 155 new selves, about our world and what it needs, Ograduates (86 MTS’s, 56 MDiv’s, and what we think we can offer,” he said. 8 ThM’s, and 5 ThD’s) as part of the “You have changed, all of you. I know, School’s Commencement ceremonies. because I was there changing with you. In his welcome remarks, Dean Wil- Or maybe, we were all changing together.” liam A. Graham addressed the graduating Stephanie Paulsell, Houghton Profes- class, saying: “Many of you I have had the sor of the Practice of Ministry Studies, privilege either to have in the classroom gave the faculty address on May 26 during or to have gotten to know through the the Multireligious Service of Thanksgiv- contributions you have made to our HDS ing for the Class of 2010. She implored community and mission during your time new graduates to take courage in life and here. I salute, congratulate, and, frankly, in learning. “I hope the conversations you envy all of you for the great talents and began here will challenge and sustain you possibilities that you carry with you as you for a very long time,” she said. “Even if leave this place of learning today.” there were times when you felt alone in A collection of photos from the Multi- your work, you weren’t.” An excerpt of her religious Service of Thanksgiving on May talk is on page 7. 26 and from the Diploma Awarding Cer- In two short articles, located on page emony and Commencement Luncheon on 11, new graduates Marcus Briggs-Cloud May 27 can be found on pages 8 and 9. and Jasmine Beach-Ferrara discuss how In this summer Commencement issue their experiences at HDS have helped of Harvard Divinity Today, Scott Dickison, to shape their lives and their continuing MDiv ’10, eloquently recalls his HDS work. These articles can be viewed in their

journey—one, as he puts it, of change entirety on the HDS News and Events web justin knight and discovery that is shared by many page. Visit www.hds.harvard.edu/news/ From top: HDS graduates enter the Memorial Church to the jubilant sights and sounds of the

HDS students. article_archive to read their stories. Multireligious Service of Thanksgiving; recent graduates cheerfully pose during the class photo.

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Cambridge, 02138-1911 Massachusetts Cambridge, u . s . p o s t a g e e g a t s o p . s . u

45 Francis Avenue Francis 45 n o i t a z i n a g r o

Harvard Divinity School Divinity Harvard t i f o r p - n o n What’s Inside

a professor’s first year at hds 2 andover journal News From Around the School 3 Faculty and Staff Notes 4 a professor’s reflections one year in Recent Faculty Books 5 Commitment to Public Service 6 Papyrologist and Assistant Professor of at HDS Giovanni Bazzana shares his thoughts on his first year teaching at the Divinity School. commencement 2010 7 ne cannot deny that the first year as a professor at is some- Ohow a shocking experience, and this is all the more true for someone like me who had to absorb these novelties together with the American way of life and the American culture. alumni journal HDS, with its composite and diverse student body, presents a teacher with stimulat- Solidarity and Hope 11 ing and interesting challenges: should I focus more on the students who are thinking about a future career in academia, or should I pay more attention to those who are pre- Alumni News Highlights 12 paring for the daunting task of ministry or service to fellow human beings in a number Recent Graduate Profile 13 of different capacities? I have been lucky because many answers to these questions have come to me almost Class Notes and Obituaries 14 by themselves—the very students about whom I was so concerned have shown me, every day, through their conversations in and outside the classroom, that diversity is never a Recent Alumni Books 15 problem; rather, it is frequently a constructive element when interlocutors are willing to listen to each other and willing, always, to question their own presuppositions. calendar 16 Indeed, I look forward to the next academic year, because I think I have now assessed with more precision what contribution my teaching can offer to the overall activity of the School and what benefit my own research can derive from the interac- tion with the students. It is quite evident that Harvard offers a researcher unparalleled editor’s note: In order to reduce print costs as well as our impact on resources to pursue his or her work, day by day, with success and sometimes even plea- the environment, Harvard Divinity Today is mailed only to HDS alumni sure—if one shares my almost fetish-like love for huge libraries. I had many opportuni- and affiliates, and to members of the Harvard community. If you are not ties during this year to observe that the lively student body of the School can contribute a member of any of these groups but would like to receive a print copy, in remarkably positive ways. For instance, testing hypotheses and engaging in scholarly please write to [email protected]. All interested readers may also debates in the small setting of a can be a very convenient way to refine, and enjoy Harvard Divinity Today online, at www.hds.harvard.edu/news. occasionally even rethink, general points in any research plan. I have to admit that my research has been somewhat slowed down during the last year by the need to devote most of my energies to teaching, but I cannot say that I have not developed some interesting ideas. In particular, I continue in my attempt to bring together New Testament studies and papyrology—two disciplines that, I maintain, have Harvard Divinity Today more in common than appears at first glance. Papyri are traditionally a privileged focus of scholarly interest because some of them have preserved the most ancient and puz- Summer 2010 Volume 6 Number 2 zlingly fragmentary copies of the New Testament writings. However, I have always been more interested in the other branch of papyrology that deals with the so-called docu- Published three times a year by the Office of Communications at Harvard mentary papyri, a group that consists of a heterogeneous mixture of texts connected to Divinity School, 45 Francis Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02138, for the the occurrences of everyday life (contracts, wills, private letters). One might wonder alumni, faculty, staff, students, and friends of HDS. Letters to the editor are what these papyri have to do with the New Testament: in fact, the more I study them, welcome at that address, as are requests to be added to the mailing list. the more I am convinced that the first Christian writings were deeply involved with Postmaster: Send address changes to Office of Communications, Harvard even the humblest concerns of human beings in their everyday interactions and activi- Divinity Today, 45 Francis Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138 ties. (The parables of Jesus are a compelling witness to the truth of this statement.) Reading the New Testament in its social context can only improve our understanding of Copyright © 2010 President and Fellows of Harvard how a divine revelation can become part of human life.

2 andover journal

News From Around the School Theological Revue Welcomes Year-end Shenanigans

William James Lecture on Religious Experience

ohn J. McDermott, Distinguished Pro- Jfessor of Philosophy and Humanities at A&M University, delivered the 2010 Lecture on Religious Expe- rience on May 6, 2010. McDermott works in the areas of classical American philoso- phy and philosophy of culture, literature, and medicine. He is the general editor of the critical edition of The Correspondence of William James, published by the Uni-

versity of Press in 12 volumes. hds photograph/jonathan beasley hds photograph/jonathan beasley The title of his lecture was “A Jamesian John J. McDermott in the Sperry Room. Theological Revue, the annual end-of-year “roast” of life at HDS, took place on Friday, Personscape: The Fringe as Messaging to May 7, in the Rockefeller Café. Here, Dean William Graham receives some help from the ‘Sick Soul’.” The William James Lecture was estab- Jocelyn Gardner, MDiv ’10, in singing, “It Ain’t Easy Being Dean”—his take on Kermit “I’m pleased and privileged to present lished in 1968 with a gift to Harvard the Frog’s famous Sesame Street song, “Being Green.” this lecture on behalf of the memory of Wil- Divinity School from the John Lindsley liam James,” McDermott said. “That this Fund endowing a lecture series in honor takes place at is quintes- of William James. A scholar is to be sentially appropriate, for to speak the name invited each year to lecture with particular Not Just Fit For Print, HDS Publications Online, Too William James is to speak Harvard.” reference to James’s Varieties of Religious David Lamberth, Professor of Philoso- Experience. phy and at HDS, responded to arvard Theological Review, one of the example, and all of the articles discussing McDermott’s talk. View online at www.hds.harvard.edu/news. Holdest scholarly theological journals this topic in the past 100 years of HTR in the United States, has provided a forum will be listed for you—including authors, for scholars of religion and theology since volumes, and page numbers. This online Billings Preaching Prize its founding in 1908. Issued quarterly, it searchable index project was supported by publishes compelling original research a gift from the Carpenter Foundation. that contributes to the development of Additionally, Harvard Divinity Today ach spring, the Office of Ministry scholarly understanding and interpre- now has its own web presence, available EStudies at HDS hosts the Billings tation in a variety of fields. The most online at the HDS News and Event page Preaching Competition, under the Rob- recent issues of HTR are available online, or by visiting www.hds.harvard.edu/ ert Charles Billings Fund (established in through Harvard’s library e-resources, at news/HDT. Here you will find the most 1904), to recognize preaching and “pulpit sfx.hul.harvard.edu/sfx_local/az/. Insert recent HDT content—including the full delivery” among Divinity School students. “Harvard Theological Review,” and then text of articles that have been excerpted The competition is open to second- and “Cambridge University Press Journals in print—and have access to past issues. third-year of divinity candidates. Complete,” and click on “PDF” for the As of now, alumni class notes will appear The preaching finals this year took place complete text. only in the print edition. Harvard Divin- during Noon Service on Wednesday, All of the articles in HTR from 1908 ity Bulletin, the School’s magazine that

April 14, in Andover Chapel, and the hds photograph/jonathan tobeasley 2004 are available online through includes articles, reviews, and opinion first-place winners of the Billings Prize, Karen Bray delivers her sermon. JSTOR and ATLA (American Theological pieces on religion and contemporary life, non-ordained division, were Karen Bray, Library Association). Cambridge Univer- religion and the arts, religious history, and division was Scott Dickison, and the Mas- Taylor Lewis Guthrie, and Nathan Wil- sity Press will soon offer all the articles the study of religion, continues to appear sachusetts Bible Society Award for the lard (a three-way tie). The other finalists from back issues online, and later this in print and online at www.hds.harvard. best reading of a scripture went to Molly were Angela Herrera, Jasmine Johnson, year, an online searchable index will be edu/news/bulletin_mag/. To request to be Housh. Marcus McCullough, and Kenneth White. available on the HTR website. You will be added to the Bulletin mailing list, please The winner in the newly formed ordained View online at www.hds.harvard.edu/news. able to type in the keyword “Essenes,” for write to [email protected].

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Peoples: Toward a Peace in the Middle Faculty and Staff Notes East,” which he had prepared in coopera- Francis X. Clooney Is Named Luce Fellow for 2010–11 tion with seven other American scholars at François Bovon, Frothingham Professor of the Istanbul Center for Foreign Policy. In April, he served as lecturer for a Harvard he Association of Theological Schools theological the History of Religion, spent a week in Alumni Travel Study Seminar in Egypt, in the United States and Canada and commentarial April at Harvard’s T Jordan, and Israel. In March, Diana Eck, the Henry Luce Foundation have named writing. Cloo- Research Library and Collection in Wash- Professor of Comparative Religion and Francis X. Clooney, S.J., Parkman ney, who ington, D.C., a center for Byzantine stud- Indian Studies, delivered the Tanner Lec- Professor of Divinity and Professor of previously ies, where he was a representative for the ture at Westminster College in Salt Lake Comparative Theology at HDS, as one received a Committee on Medieval Studies. While at City, titled “Faith and the ‘Patchwork Peo- of six Henry Luce III Fellows in Theol- Luce Fel- Dumbarton Oaks, he gave an informal talk ple’: America’s Religious Promise Comes ogy for 2010–11. The Luce Fellows pro- lowship in on noncanonical stories of St. Stephen and of Age.” In April, she delivered the keynote gram was established in 1993 to identify Comparative St. Philip in Byzantine manuscripts and lecture, “Beginning in India: Sacred Geog- leading scholars in theological studies Religious icons. In May, he gave two lectures at four raphy and the Pilgrim Journey,” at the Asia and provide them with the necessary Studies in South Korean universities: Pyungtack Uni- versity, Kwangshin University, Torch Trini- Society in in connection with its financial support and recognition to 1989–90, will stephanie mitchell exhibit on Pilgrimage and Buddhist Arts. facilitate their work. The program, one be working ty Graduate School of Theology, and In May, she delivered the Commencement of the premier fellowship programs for on the project “When God Is Absent: Anyang University. He also participated in Address, titled “Faith and the Global theological scholarship, recognizes the Toward a Theo-Dramatic Reading of two conferences: at one, on the Gospel of Future,” at Berea College in Kentucky, excellence and creativity in Clooney’s Religious Diversity.” Luke and the Book of Acts of the Apostles, he presented “The Ascension Stories in where she was also awarded an honorary Luke-Acts”; and at the other, on early degree. Cheryl Giles, Peabody Christian literature, he gave the lecture Professor of the Practice in Pastoral Care “Useful Early Christian .” In and Counseling, presented “The Language early June, he spent a week working on of Compassion: Building Cultural Compe- Mark Jordan Is Outstanding Teacher of the Year Greek manuscripts at the Monastery of tency in Health Care Chaplaincy” at the Saint Catherine (Sinai) in Egypt. His “Un International Conference on Religious Plu- chapitre de théologie johannique” was pub- ralism in Health Care Chaplaincy, hosted ark Jordan, Richard Reinhold what dazzling lished in Studien zu Matthäus und by Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germa- MNiebuhr Professor of Divinity, was pattern they Johannes. Festschrift für Jean Zumstein, edit- ny, June 10–12. Janet Gyatso, Hershey Pro- voted Outstanding Teacher of the Year for will trace. ed by Andreas Dettwiler and Uta Poplutz fessor of Buddhist Studies, led the seminar 2009–10 by the HDS student body. The other (Theologischer Verlag Ag, 2009). Davíd “The Dharma of Humans: Ethics and “When I arrived at HDS,” Jordan says, thing that has Carrasco, Rudenstine Professor of the Experience in a Buddho-Scientific World” “I figured that I would have to translate struck me is Study of Latin America, conducted a three- at the Rutgers Center for Historical Analy- my teaching into the local idiom. I would the eagerness day seminar, “Filosofia de las Religiones,” sis this spring. She published “Spelling need to learn how topics were framed at HDS not in mid-April, sponsored by the Cátedra Mistakes, Philology, and Feminist Criti- here, which methods were favored, and only to reflect Alfonso Reyes at the Universidad Tech- cism: Women and Boys in Tibetan Medi- what the local canon of authoritative on teaching, nológico de Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexi- cine,” in Françoise Pommaret and books comprised. I quickly realized that to assess it, co. These lectures on the philosophy of Jean-Luc Achard, Tibetan Studies in Honor there was no single idiom. There was but to invent justin knight religions were viewed by students through- of Samten Karmey (Amnye Machen Insti- instead a racing polyphony of topics, ways for doing out the 33-campus system in Mexico. He tute, 2009), and “Female Ordination in methods, and canons. Any classroom at it differently—and better. When difficul- also delivered a public lecture, titled “Phi- : Looking into a Crystal Ball, HDS can draw students from across the ties appear in a classroom, as there must losophy, Cosmovision, and Sacrifice in Making a Future,” in Dignity and Discipline, Schools and degree stages, from Harvard if there is to be deep learning, I have Mesoamerican Religions.” , edited by Thea Mohr (Wisdom Publica- College juniors through senior profes- found a broad willingness to work them Hollis Research Professor of Divinity, lec- tions, 2010). David Hempton, McDonald sional practitioners to our own doctoral through, to reinforce or reestablish the tured at the Pontifical Gregorian University Family Professor of Evangelical Theological students on the eves of their compre- group’s sense of itself, in order to move in Rome on May 18 on Christian identity Studies, published the book chapter “Prot- hensive examination. Any classroom can on. In my experience, students and fac- and religious pluralism and also presented estant Migrations: Narratives of the Rise contain a dozen religious traditions and ulty share this passion for teaching. One the lecture “Religion in America Today” at and Decline of Religion in the North Atlan- as many academic fields. So teaching here sure sign of that is the number of faculty the University of Rome. After his visit to tic World c. 1650–1950,” in Secularisation brings the exhilaration of improvising in members nominated for the award this Rome, he traveled to Istanbul where he in the Christian World, edited by Callum G. opposed styles with unpredictably many year and the high participation of students held a public dialogue with the Islamic Brown and Michael Snape (Ashgate, 2010). instruments. As I walk into a lecture or in voting. While I’m delighted to receive scholar Seyyed Hossein Nasr, before an He also gave the lecture “Comparative Sec- seminar, I can never tell which topics, the award this year, I am convinced that it audience of 500 people, on the topic, “Reli- ularization in Europe and the United methods, canons, and traditions of prac- should have gone just as well to a number gion, Modernity, and the Future.” He also States: Some Fresh Directions,” as the tice will be at the center on that day—or of my colleagues.” presented the report “One Land for Two opening address at a conference organized

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Religion and the American Radical Tradition. and Their Interpretation in the Dead Sea Recent Faculty Books Laura Nasrallah, Associate Professor of Scrolls,” a public lecture sponsored by the New Testament and Early Christianity, Lubar Institute for the Study of Abrahamic The New Comparative Theology: Interreligious Insights From the gave the Kraft-Hiatt Lecture at Brandeis Religion, held at the Milwaukee Public Next Generation University on April 29, titled “Revelation: Museum in conjunction with the exhibi- edited by Francis X. Clooney, S.J. (Parkman Professor of Divinity From Rasta to Archaeological Ruins.” She tion “The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Bible: and Professor of Comparative Theology) also presented “Grief in Corinth: The Ancient Artifacts—Timeless Treasures.” Continuum Roman City and Paul’s Corinthian Corre- This collection illuminates where (Christian and other) are spondence” at Princeton University in Feb- going today, how religious pluralism is theorized in light of past errors, ruary. Jonathan Schofer, Associate and how the diversity of religions is becoming a solid topic for theological Professor of Comparative Ethics, organized Cole Gustafson, MDiv ’08, who worked learning. a conference on comparative ethics at the for two years as a faculty assistant in Center for the Study of World Religions, the Office of Academic Administration, March 29–30. On May 6, Charles Stang, left HDS in May to return to his mid- Seducing Augustine: Bodies, Desires, Confessions Assistant Professor of Early Christian American roots—and to begin a doctoral by Mark D. Jordan (Richard Professor of Thought, delivered “After the Afterlife: program in American literature at the Divinity), Virginia Burrus, and Karmen MacKendrick Evagrius of Pontus on the apokatastasis” in University of Missouri–Columbia. At Har- Fordham University Press the three-day seminar “Imagining Other vard’s Commencement on May 27, Anissa Worlds: Eschatology and Utopia in Ancient Augustine’s Confessions is a text that seduces. But how often do its Potvin, annual giving and alumni relations readers respond in kind? Three scholars who share a longstanding fasci- Greece and Rome,” at the Real Colegio coordinator, received a master of liberal nation with sexuality and Christian discourse set out both to seduce and Complutense in Cambridge, Massachu- arts degree in management from Harvard to be seduced by Augustine’s text. setts, sponsored jointly by the Universidad Extension School and Elizabeth Sutton, Complutense, Madrid, and the Department program coordinator for the Women’s of the Classics at Harvard. Donald K. Studies in Religion Program at HDS, Swearer, Distinguished Visiting Professor by Robert Putnam, named “The Social ence Fretheim, and participated in a panel received a master’s in higher education of Buddhist Studies and director of the Change, Harvard-Manchester Initiative,” discussion. On April 19, he gave a lecture (EdM) from the Harvard Graduate School Center for the Study of World Religions, held at the University of Manchester, Eng- of the same title at the Work- of Education. On Friday, April 23, several gave three lectures in April. He presented land, June 10. Karen King, Hollis Professor shop at Harvard. On February 16, he pre- HDS students and staff participated in a “Monks, Kings, and Commoners: Images of Divinity, has served as president of the sented “ and Christians as Abrahamic staged reading of The Edge of Blue Light, of Buddhism in Thailand and Southeast Northeastern Region of the Society of Bibli- Communities,” the Hay of Seaton Memori- a play written and directed by Angela Asia” at the University of Nebraska–Lin- cal Literature for 2009–10. She presented al Lecture at the University of Aberdeen, Counts, assistant director of admissions coln; as part of the CSWR 50th Anniversa- “Beyond ‘Varieties of Christianity’: Reading Scotland, and, in accordance with the and a Lorraine Hansberry Award-winning ry Symposium, he gave the lecture the Letter of Peter to Philip in the History terms of the endowment, under the auspic- playwright. The humorous tale of women “Towards a World Theology: Wilfred of Ancient Christianity,” the presidential es of the Institute for Jewish Policy finding their way through the mystery of Cantwell Smith and the Center for the address to the Society of Biblical Literature Research, London, on February 17. He illness and mortality has been performed Study of World Religions”; and he partici- New England Regional Meeting, in Boston, published the article “The Idea of Abraha- in festivals across the country. April 16. David Lamberth, Professor of Phi- mic Religions: A Qualified Dissent,” in the pated in the American Society for the losophy and Theology, published his 2008 Jewish Review of Books 1:1 (Spring 2010), Study of Religion Annual Meeting in Gran- presidential address to the William James and a book review of Scott W. Hahn, Kin- ville, Ohio, where he gave the lecture “Bud- Society, “What to Make of James’s Genetic ship by Covenant: A Canonical Approach to dhist Economics and Thailand’s Theory of Truth?” in William James Studies. the Fulfillment of God’s Saving Promises, in Sufficiency Economy.” At the end of In November 2009, Harvard University the Journal of Religion 90 (2010). Dan McK- March, his article “The Temple on Mount Provost Steve Hyman appointed Lamberth anan, Emerson Unitarian Universalist Sutep and Pilgrimage in Northern Thai- as chair of the Harvard-wide Library Imple- Association Senior Lecturer in Divinity, land” was published in Pilgrimage and Bud- mentation Work Group, which is charged was the featured speaker at the annual dhist Art, edited by Adriana Proser (Asia with bringing significant reforms to the ministers retreat of the Southwest Unitari- Society Museum/ Press, University library system as recommended an Universalist Conference in January. In 2010). Andrew Teeter, Assistant Professor in the provost’s Library Task Force Report April, he spoke at “What’s Enough? A Con- of Hebrew Bible/, gave two of 2009. Jon Levenson, List Professor of versation Between Harvard Business lectures in Wisconsin during the first week , participated in the “Akeda School and Harvard Divinity School” and of May: “Between Scripture and Its Rewrit-

Conference: ‘The Binding of Isaac’ ” at at the “Finding Our Way” conference orga- ing: Exegetical Strategies in the Scribal courtesy angela counts Augustana College, Sioux Falls, South nized by the HDS Office of Ministry Stud- Transmission of Biblical Law in the Second From left, Jacqueline Brambila, MTS ’10, Dakota, April 13–15, where he gave the key- ies. In June, he appeared on WORT radio Temple Period,” in the Department of HDS student Logan Narikawa, and Maria note address, titled “The Aqedah in Four in Madison, Wisconsin, speaking on his Hebrew and Semitics at the University of Cristina Vlassidis, ThD candidate, rehearsing Traditions,” responded to a paper by Ter- forthcoming book, Prophetic Encounters: Wisconsin–Madison; and “The Scriptures The Edge of Blue Light in the Rock Café.

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The third annual HDS Charity Ball was Community Action in Service of a Better World held on April 25 at the Harvard Faculty Club, with all proceeds benefiting the Haitian Multi-Service Center. And in May, the HDS Green Team, led by the efforts of staff member Kristin Gunst, organized arvard’s tradition of service dates to Shelter and Jane Doe Inc.: The Massa­ join together in responding to this trag- a special collection of items needed for Hthe seventeenth century. In 1636, chusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault edy, offering both our knowledge and our Haiti’s rainy season to be shipped to Part­ the “College at Newtowne” was founded and Domestic Violence. contributions to ease the suffering of the ners in Health in Haiti for distribution. to provide the Collection boxes were set up around earthquake’s survivors.” Donation boxes were located around cam­ with the ministers needed in what was campus in early February as members of Heeding this call to action, members pus, and a local moving company, Gentle perceived as a wilderness. Six of the nine the communi­ty participated in the Univer- of the HDS community organized several Giant, arrived at HDS on June 11 to pick members of Harvard’s first graduating sity-wide Valen­tine’s Day Cosmetics Drive. opportunities for the com­munity to par- up the donated items. class became ministers, at least part time. People were asked to donate beauty prod­ ticipate in relief efforts. Public service at Harvard is not Three of the six also were physicians. ucts to homeless women living at the Cam­ Nationally touring songwriter and HDS merely limited to those within the Boston Public service remains a vital focus of bridge Family Shelter. The women received student Tracy Howe per­formed with other area. The Harvard Alumni Association the University, and likewise at HDS, where free spa services the day they picked up the songwriters, including some Haitian musi- (HAA) has a public service task force service is an important part of the culture. items, making for a festive Valentine’s Day. cians from the Boston community, in a that helps identify ways for graduates to At any given time during the year, one is Harvard’s participation in the Ameri­ night of music and in praise that benefited volunteer around the world. There are likely to walk into the main entryway of an can Cancer Society’s Daffodil Days in the work of Partners in Health in Haiti. thousands of Harvard alumni, students, HDS build­ing and see a collection box or a February and March is a University-wide The concert was held at the Episcopal faculty, and organizations involved in flyer publicizing a volunteer opportunity. effort to raise funds to support the fight Cathedral Church of St. Paul, in Boston, public service work, and the HAA’s new The range of public service activi­ against cancer. All proceeds go to the and was supported by, among others, the Public Service on the Map website con­ ties this previous academic year at HDS American Cancer Society (ACS) toward HDS Office of Reli­gious and Spiritual Life. nects Harvard community members to involving faculty, students, staff, and prevention, early detection, advocacy, and Jacob K. Olupona, Professor of African these people and places, which are locat­ alumni was indeed broad. In late Sep­ patient services. Now in its 23rd year, Daf­ Religious Traditions at HDS, sponsored ed all over the world. tember through early October 2009, the fodil Days provides an opportunity for the a Haitian Vodou memorial service on In April, the HAA held a Global Month Office of Religious and Spiritual Life and Harvard community to purchase bouquets March 5 in Andover Chapel for those who of Service, sparking service events in student religious and spiritual organiza­ of daffodils, potted bulbs, and teddy bears. died in the earthquake. This was a service North and South America, , Europe, tions at HDS invited the community to In 2009, Harvard was honored as the top of candlelight, prayer, and singing, and Asia, and Australia. Closer to campus, donate men’s clothing items to Haley Massachusetts participant by the Ameri­ par­ticipants were invited to wear white, HDS alumna Gloria White-Hammond, House of Hospitality in Boston and to the can Cancer Society. bring a white candle for the altar, and, if MDiv ’97, spoke on May 19 at an event Harvard Square Homeless Shelter. After the Haitian earthquake on Janu­ appropriate, bring a picture for the altar sponsored by the HAA, titled “Public In the fall and in the late winter, two ary 12, Harvard President Drew Gilpin of someone lost in the earthquake. Dona- Service: Activism in Action.” White-Ham­ community bake-offs were held to raise Faust released a statement saying, “I am tions went to support Partners in Health mond, co-pastor of Bethel AME Church in money for the Harvard Square Homeless confident that many of us at Harvard will and their relief work in Haiti. Boston and executive director of My Sis­ ter’s Keeper, spoke on the work she does with fellow alumna Liz Walker, MDiv ’95, in fighting for the emancipation of Suda­ nese slaves. During her Commence­ment address on May 27, President Faust underscored the University’s mission to serve the common good and announced enhanced support for students seeking service opportunities. “It is a fundamental purpose of the modern research university to develop tal- ent in service of a better world,” she said. “This commitment is at the heart of all we do and at the heart of what we cel­ebrate today.” Harvard Gazette reporter Cory Ireland kathy irving hds photograph/jonathan contributedbeasley to this article. Read more about At left, HDS staff member Kristin Gunst led a School-wide effort to collect much-needed items for Haiti. Right, Gloria White-Hammond, public service at Harvard at news.harvard. MDiv ’97, spoke at May event highlighting public service and sponsored by the Harvard Alumni Association. edu/gazette/.

6 commencement

courses in a religious tradition other than oars, as Dante himself did, every time he The Painstaking Work of Learning her own because learning about how oth- took up his pen and added another line to ers consecrate the world helps her find in his divine comedy. Make wings out of her own practices ways of loving the world whatever you have at hand: your pastoral she hadn’t known were there. gifts; your language skills; your ability to How can such work be quantified, think theologically; your critical knowledge The following is an excerpt of the faculty counselors, swathed entirely in flame. valued, or assessed? How can we be sure of history; your commitment to practice; address, which Stephanie Paulsell, Houghton Dante is so drawn to the sight of him that this work matters? As ministers, scholars, your ability to hear poetry in ordinary Professor of the Practice of Ministry Studies, he nearly falls off the bridge he is stand- teachers of all kinds, chaplains, activists, human exchanges; your gift for helping us delivered during the May 26 Multireligious ing on. Stay quiet, Virgil warns him. Let and artists, some of your work will done hear it, too. Make sails out of ritual theory Service of Thanksgiving for the Class of 2010. me speak to Ulysses, Virgil says, and I’ll in public, and its effects will be visible and feminist theory and what you know of hat a great pleasure it is to greet all of ask him to tell you how he got here. for all to see. We will read about you in human suffering and row out into the Wyou and to receive with you the offer- I offer this story, not as a cautionary tale the newspaper, and we will rejoice at the open sea. We anticipate with joy all the ings of our graduates in music, in silence, about the dangers of following your desire difference you are making in this world. ways you will bless this world and shape and in words. A life spent in school is for knowledge, but because the anxieties But some of your work, no matter what its future, through work that is both hid- a privileged life, full of so many good about creative, intellectual work that gave your vocation, will be done in very great den and visible, work that is marked less things. We sit around tables with students rise to it still trouble us today. Whenever hiddenness. And sometimes it is the work by the boundaries that define it and more like these, with our books and our lives we are urged to police the boundaries of that is most hidden that has the most by what St. Paul once called “the freedom open, and, when things are going well, disciplines, degrees, and vocations so as to profound consequences for human life in of the glory of the children of God” our hearts and minds open, too. I do not protect the distinctiveness of each, I can the present and what human life might (Romans 8:21). take my good fortune for granted. This is hear the waves lapping over the spot where become in a future far a special class, this Class of 2010. They Ulysses’ boat once sailed—or when we are beyond our own. have breathed in what we had to offer and required to know the “relevance” and “use- Now, it can certainly exhaled it transformed, having passed fulness” of our intellectual work in advance. be tempting to drown through their bodies, their histories, their What good is this work going to do others in the sea of our questions, their hopes. Time and again, for anyone? This is a question we know anxiety when we are try- they showed us there is more to what we very well, a question we care about, as we ing to push past bound- call “theological education” and “religious ought. A great deal of your best work at aries into new territory. studies” and “learned ministry” than we HDS has been to articulate how the ques- Maybe you feel some had yet imagined. It means a great deal tions and ideas about which you are pas- sympathy with Dante, to me to be asked to speak to them on the sionate matter for the life of the world. remembering those eve of their Commencement. We can’t always predict the life our days when the differenc- When I thought about what offering work will have, or the difference it will es between us grated— I would like to set down next to the wis- make. The philologist struggling to deci- theological differences, dom our graduates have offered from the pher a cuneiform tablet may look, in one political differences, cul- religious and philosophical traditions they generation, like someone whose work is tural differences. It’s not cherish, I found myself returning, again far removed from the needs of the pres- always easy, studying and again, to a story from Dante’s Inferno. ent. But in another generation, that same and living together. But I want you to know that I tried to find a scholar may be honored as the one who you showed us over and different direction for this talk, because a made it possible for us to read The Epic over again that, when poem about hell does not seem very Com- of Gilgamesh, and so come to understand we hold our anxiety mencement-friendly. But I kept being the dilemmas of our shared humanity a loosely, we flourish in drawn back to Dante, and I hope he will little better. It is a leap of faith to dedicate each other’s presence. help me do what I most want to do: honor ourselves to the slow, painstaking work I hope the conversa- the work of our graduates, in all the forms of learning. It is a wager that nothing tions you began here it has taken during their years here, and human beings have discovered, wondered will challenge and sus- to remind them, as they prepare to leave at, created, loved, studied, translated, tain you for a very long us, how very much that work matters. puzzled or prayed over is irrelevant to the time. Even if there were Dante’s poem, of course, is about wak- life of the world. times when you felt ing up one day to find oneself utterly lost An MTS student may complete two alone in your work, you and having to travel through every circle units of field education for no other weren’t. You were turn- of hell before one can see the stars again. reason than he thinks he might be a bet- ing toward people you Way down in the eighth pouch of the ter teacher and scholar of religion if he haven’t yet met. eighth circle, Dante encounters the most spends some time working in a living So be fearless. Don’t justin knight famous traveler of all: the great Ulysses, religious community. An MDiv student wait for the wind, but Stephanie Paulsell delivers the faculty address to the Class of run to ground among the fraudulent may take more than the three required make wings out of your 2010 in the Memorial Church on May 26.

7 commencement

Clockwise from top left, Elizabeth Paxton, MDiv ’10, entering the Memorial Church; the HDS Commencement Choir sings “Gonna Build a Mountain”; view from the balcony during the Multireligious Service of Thanksgiving; Naomi Saks, MDiv ’10, gives a thumbs-up to HDS faculty, who lined the steps of Memorial Church to applaud the new graduates; Taylor Petrey, ThD ’10, offers a benediction from the tradition of Latter-day Saints; Emma Crossen, MDiv ’10, Jocelyn Gardner, MDiv ’10, Lindsey Levenson, MDiv ’10, and Scott Dickison, MDiv ’10, sing “Bring Morning Star Arising.” Photographs by Justin Knight

8 Zolisa Shokane, MTS ’10, receives her diploma; Matthew Mitchell, MTS ’10, with family; Nathan Willard, MDiv ’10, with his daughter; Austin Campbell, MTS ’10, poses in front of Andover Hall with his new diploma; Ju Hee Koh, MDiv ’10, Hannah An, MTS ’10, and Jee Hei Park, MDiv ’10; Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, MDiv ’10, gets a kiss after the ceremony; David Mozina, ThD ’10, with Professor Kimberley Patton; David Ceraquas, MTS ’10, at the Com- mencement Luncheon; left, HDS staff members assist Kieran Conroy, MDiv ’10, and Lauren Clark, MTS ’10; Jason Garrett, MDiv ’10, and Marcus McCullough, MDiv ’10, celebrate during the Diploma Awarding Ceremony; with the customary halo on her mortarboard, Molly Housh, MDiv ’10, processes into the Memorial Church.

9 commencement

here today that these questions do not have realities should be all too familiar. Stories of Change and Discovery the same effect in the past tense. We have felt them in ourselves, in our But when I read back over those own experiences of failure, doubt, and pain, words of mine, I was struck most by my and we have experienced them with each unabashed certainty—by the assurance in other. But we have also encountered them at my written voice and the resoluteness of our field education sites around the city, at Scott Dickison, MDiv ’10, was the student staff, alumni, family, friends, and my fel- my argument. At the time, going to Har- the prisons and homeless shelters we have speaker at the HDS Diploma Awarding Cer- low graduates, welcome to this day when vard Divinity School seemed like a per- visited or served, or on field trips or spon- emony on the afternoon of May 27, 2010. the space between beginning and end, fectly natural progression based on my life sored travel to foreign lands. We have read past and future, what has happened and n Professor Peter Gomes’s famous—or and work to that point—the most practical about them in books, studied them in our what is still to come, at least for a few perhaps infamous—preaching class, means to the inevitable end that awaited classes, discussed them in section meetings I moments, seems to disappear. we were encouraged when constructing me upon graduation. The road ahead or impromptu debates in the Rockefeller As absurd and ill-informed as this sort our sermons to write our last words, or seemed a well-paved one, the conclusion Café, or perhaps over a beer and some over- of long-range educational planning may concluding thoughts, first. The rationale, foregone. I was going to be a college pro- cooked but temptingly inexpensive chicken seem to many of us now, when I think we were told, was that if we did not know fessor of religious ethics and a dedicated wings at the Queen’s Head. back to the beginning—and I invite you to where we were going, then any road was member of a nice church somewhere, per- And these encounters have bred creation. do the same, whether it was two years ago, sure to take us there. But what may very haps even teaching Sunday school. We have written about them in aca- three, or even more—I remember that it well be sound advice for crafting a ser- Well, I am leaving this place a Baptist demic essays, pieces of inspired journal- did not stop many of us, myself included, mon, I am sorry to report, is quite impos- minister on my way to Texas. So there’s ism, sermons, songs, poetry, short stories, from trying. We arrived, sure of ourselves, sible for crafting an education: perhaps that for you. or even novels. Indeed, in our time here, of who we were, where we had been, what especially at a divinity school, and perhaps How many of us came here with sets if we have made the most of it, the harsh we stood for, and what we wanted to do even more so at a place like HDS. of goals and expectations, only to have realities that color our existence should be next. A few of us even came here sure of Dean Graham, distinguished faculty, them put in question and eventually as strangely familiar as first-year MDiv- what we believed. wrestled away from us? Or, even more required class protests. Do you remember likely, to have them rendered somehow But so should their antitheses, their those days? If you are less grand, less vital, less than what we foils, and, we hope, even their remedies— like me, they didn’t thought them to be? But how many of us those things that are every bit as present in last too long. And I then discovered new ones, or, as it felt at our world, but that may not be as visible, thank God for that. the time, had them discover us? And for whose stories are not always as easy to tell. During the writ- how many of us did these new goals and Things like perspective, hope, inclusivity, ing of this speech, in expectations far exceed the former ones? knowledge, friendship, community, and search of inspiration These sorts of stories of change and yes, even at a place like Harvard, humility. and probably giving in discovery are all too common here. And We have encountered these, too, in ways to a growing impulse that’s a good thing. It means we learned and in people we never could have expect- toward nostalgia, I something about ourselves, about our ed in any “statement of purpose.” decided to subject world and what it needs, and what we As ministers or teachers or practitio- myself to the pain and think we can offer. You have changed, ners or students of matters of faith, of the- embarrassment of all of you. I know, because I was there ology, of spiritual practice, of the human reading my entrance changing with you. Or maybe, we were all condition, of divinity and all that it means essay, or “statement changing together. or does not mean, it is our duty—and of purpose,” for HDS. Many of us came to HDS because we we hope even our delight—to confront Have you, too, tried felt it reflected something like the “real those realities that continue to challenge this? If you have not, world”: people from around the world us as a society and as individuals, and to it is probably for the studying their own religions and the reli- distribute freely all these many gifts we best that you will now gions of others, in the same classrooms have been given by this place during these have to wait until after and around the same tables. Well, friends, few years, but, more importantly, by one you have your diploma I do not know of too many places in the another. These are the things we came safely in hand, or you “real world” that have their own labyrinth. here to get, to do, and to be, even if we did might have asked No, HDS is not like the real world, and not know it at the time. yourself again those all- it does not claim to be, but it is our hope To the Harvard Divinity School Class of too-familiar questions: that it has prepared us for such a place. 2010, even if they do not reflect where we “Am I really supposed For even if we somehow managed to thought we were going, may these gifts, to be here?” “Did the make it to HDS without experiencing these offerings to the world, be our final admissions committee justin knight firsthand the unfortunate realities of our words, our concluding thoughts. For they make a mistake?” Good human condition, if the School has done are the road that we shared with each other, Scott Dickison, MDiv ’10, addresses his fellow graduates during the for those of us gathered Diploma Awarding Ceremony in the Memorial Church. its job and we have done ours, then these and have taken here, to the beginning.

10 alumni journal

whether it is conflict Toward Solidarity and Hope or natural disaster— their material needs are prioritized, Diet- rich says, but what By Jonathan Beasley is often neglected are emotional and hen Kyle Dietrich, MTS ’09, cofound- organizations—either in peace-building social needs. Wed the nonprofit organization Peace or in youth development—and helps to As a result, Mercy in Focus in 2007 with his friend and busi- design a program curriculum with those Corps and Dietrich ness partner, Kate Fedosova, it was, he groups. The programs, however, are are running a pro-

confesses, not the best time to start a non- meant to be locally run, so Peace in Focus gram called Comfort courtesy peace in focus profit. Neither he nor Fedosova had much supplies cameras and computers, pro- for Kids, in which Peace in Focus cofounders Kyle Dietrich, MTS ’09, far right, and money of their own to invest. They were vides technical support, and assists local they train caregivers Kate Fedosova, far left, with youth leaders in Burundi in 2008. working with a small fiscal year budget, organizers and leaders in raising money working with young and still are. They employ mostly part-time to keep the programs going. people how to better support youth facing love and of things they want to change.” staff and volunteers, and they struggle In March 2010, Dietrich, who also has crisis. They are also conducting a series of Through this project, youth begin to with raising money. There is seemingly a dual degree from the Fletcher School of art therapy projects, sports-based psycho- understand the lines of tension in the one challenge after another, yet, even in Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, social youth programs, and other life skills community and to use photography as a the face of so much adversity, Dietrich is arrived in Haiti for a job with Mercy Corps, and vocational training. visual resource to help them understand driven to helping those facing crisis, espe- a large relief and development organization Much of their work is focused on the social issues within their community. cially youth, to cope with the often trau- working in about 40 countries. His role is adults, because it maximizes the impact of “The biggest thing is to enable young matic events unfolding before them. to oversee and implement a series of psy- their efforts. people to see themselves as leaders,” he “For me, doing the work I do is about chosocial youth programs. “By training one religious leader, that says. “They don’t have to be adults to purpose,” Dietrich says. “It’s bringing “A lot of this is looking at children person has the ability to reach out to change something, and they need to real- people closer together; it’s giving them a and youth affected by the earthquake and thousands of people,” he says. “Having ize that there are many ways of sharpen- new way of looking at things.” examining how we can help within the gone through divinity school at HDS, I ing their voices.” At its core, Peace in Focus uses pho- context of a country that has very limited have the ability to look at religion as a In the spring 2010 semester, photogra- tography and grassroots media tools to mental health resources,” he explained. resource within this sort of crisis and to phy from some of the youth participating train youth from underserved and post- “Social services are broken, so we are have it become an opportunity for reach- in Peace in Focus was displayed in HDS’s conflict communities to be creative peace trying to find ways to provide important ing out to people and getting the right Rockefeller Hall lounge. In February builders and leaders. After launching pro- emotional and social support—not just information to this big audience.” 2010, Peace in Focus held a celebration grams in Boston and in Burundi, Africa, providing the material needs of young For Dietrich, it is also critical to put for a spring exhibition at the Harriet in 2008, the organization again expand- people, but examining developmentally young people in a position of leadership Tubman House in Boston, where a few ed, moving into Liberia in 2009. Peace what they need after going through this.” at a time when they are not simply ben- hundred people showed up to view the in Focus works by partnering with local When people come into crisis— eficiaries of a program, but are treated photography of young people in Burundi, and addressed as agents of change. It is Boston, and Liberia. important, he says, to engage them in “The pride that these young people a process of reimagination and creative had in seeing others interact with their thinking and problem-solving. work and asking questions was incred- Peace in Focus works with primar- ible,” says Dietrich. ily 11- to 16-year-olds and, according to With the work he is doing with Mercy Dietrich, the youth understand that the Corps and with Peace in Focus, Dietrich is program is about peace and about social putting young people in positions where change, but they do not immediately they are able to engage with problems understand how the two relate. So, with- directly, which he says creates a pattern in the program, young people go through change—one in which young people can a process where the leaders engage them be leaders in the present. in intensive workshops. “You use the arts almost like a thera- “For a two-week workshop, the first peutic tool for them, to begin to under- week is about them. It’s about their iden- stand who they are, but then you take it tity; it’s about using this new tool as a way to the next level and use it as a tool for to reflect who they are,” says Dietrich. advocacy and messaging and shift the “They do a community mapping project, narrative away from one of division or

kyle dietrich where they will go into the community unrest or distrust and toward one of soli- Princess, age 14, near a seaside village during a Peace in Focus workshop in Monrovia, Liberia. and take pictures—both of things they darity and hope.”

11 alumni journal Alumni News Highlights Robert George Honored With Human Rights Medal versity of Warsaw, after which George delivered the 2010 academic affairs Petrazycki Lecture O’Day Named Dean of and the A. H. in legal philosophy, Wake Forest University Shatford Pro- titled, “Natural Law, fessor of New God, and Human School of Divinity Testament and Dignity.” Preaching. At Princeton, George is the McCor- ail R. O’Day, a respected New Testa- From 1983 to mick Professor of ment scholar and senior associate 1987, she was an G Jurisprudence, a dean at the Candler School of Theology at assistant profes- professor of politics, Emory University, has been named dean sor of New Tes- tament at Eden and the director of of the Wake Forest University School of courtesy candler school of theology the James Madison Divinity. She will become dean and pro- Theological Semi- Program in Ameri- fessor of New Testament and preaching nary, a seminary can Ideals and Insti- on August 1, 2010. in St. Louis, Missouri. tutions. He is the A graduate of , O’Day Her research focuses on the Gospel courtesy the office of the commissioner for civil rights protection author or co-author earned a master of theological studies of John, the Bible and preaching, and the Robert George, MTS ’81, with Polish Deputy Ombudsman of the of several books, degree from Harvard Divinity School in history of biblical interpretation. She has Office of the Commissioner for Civil Rights Protection Marek Zubik including Embryo: 1979 and then a doctorate in New Testa- written, edited, or co-edited a number A Defense of Human ment from Emory. She is an ordained of books and articles, including, most rinceton legal philosopher and con- Life, The Clash of Orthodoxies: Law, Reli- minister in the United Church of Christ. recently, Theological Bible Commentary stitutional scholar Robert George, gion and in Crisis, In Defense of O’Day joined the Candler School fac- (Westminster John Knox Press, 2009) P MTS ’81, JD ’81, has been awarded the Natural Law, and Making Men Moral: Civil ulty as an assistant professor of biblical and Preaching the Revised Common Lection- Honorific Medal for the Defense of Liberties and Public Morality. preaching in 1987. She was most recently ary: A Guide (Abingdon Press, 2007). Human Rights of the Republic of Poland, He has served as a presidential appoin- the senior associate dean of faculty and which recognizes outstanding achieve- tee to the United States Commission on ment in the field of human rights. Civil Rights and as a member of the Presi- Marek Zubik, deputy ombudsman in dent’s Council on Bioethics. He currently Utah Diocese Elects Alumnus Scott Hayashi as Bishop the Office of the Commissioner for Civil serves on UNESCO’s World Commission Rights Protection and a law professor at on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge he Rev. Canon ministry, Hayashi has served inner-city, the University of Warsaw, bestowed the and Technology, and is a member of the TScott Byron suburban, and rural congregations in medal in a ceremony May 4 at the Uni- Council on Foreign Relations. Hayashi was elect- , Utah, and Washington. He ed May 22 as the was born in Tacoma, Washington, and 11th bishop of the received a bachelor’s degree in social work Episcopal Diocese from the University of Washington in Alumna Receives New Post at Seminary of the Southwest of Utah, pending 1977. He holds a degree required consents from Harvard Divinity School (1981), and from a majority of a Certificate of Theology from the Church courtesy episcopal church bishops with juris- Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley, ynthia Briggs Kittredge assumed the Austin. She also diction and stand- California (1984). Cresponsibilities of academic dean at is a member of ing committees of the Episcopal Church. “It is clear from the history of the Seminary of the Southwest on June 1. the steering group Hayashi, 56, canon to the ordinary in Episcopal Church in Utah that for 140 The Ernest J. Villavaso, Jr. Professor for Theological the Diocese of Chicago since 2005, was years Episcopalians have been bringing of New Testament at the seminary, Education in the elected on the second ballot out of a field this message to the people of the Beehive she holds three degrees from Harvard Anglican Commu- of three nominees. Pending a successful State,” he said in statements posted on the Divinity School: MDiv ’84, ThM ’89, nion. Earlier this consent process, Hayashi would succeed Utah diocese’s website. and ThD ’96. year, Kittredge the Right Rev. Carolyn Tanner Irish, 70, The consecration is expected to take A priest in the Episcopal Church, was appointed who was elected in 1996 and a year ago place November 6, 2010. The bishop will Kittredge is canonically resident in the dean of com- courtesy episcopal church announced her decision to retire. be formally seated on November 7 at St. Diocese of Texas and serves on the staff munity life at the During nearly 25 years of ordained Mark’s Cathedral in Salt Lake City. at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in seminary.

12 alumni journal

engagement—but there were obstacles. When the Past Is Present “The irony is that my own people would listen to an anthropologist from Harvard before they would listen to our own elders,” he explained. “The only thing By Colleen Walsh for me to do was to get that credential, so I applied to only one school.” henever he introduces himself, Mar- “I wanted to see if the language and HDS has allowed him to “really do what Wcus Briggs-Cloud, MTS ’10, does the ceremonial continuity was there from I wanted to do,” he said: “liberation theol- so in Maskoke, a melodic language now what was familiar to me, what we had ogy, decolonization, gender theory—those spoken by only a few thousand people. maintained in Florida, even though we kinds of areas that I am interested in.” Language has been a key to the Florida had been separated for 170 years.” Building on his Harvard work, Briggs- native’s understanding of his cultural In Oklahoma, Briggs-Cloud also found Cloud developed a curriculum for the kris snibbe identity and of his ancestors’ fractured his- something else, a young urban Indian course he plans to teach back in Okla- Marcus Briggs-Cloud tory. Using his MTS degree, Briggs-Cloud population sadly out of touch with its heri- homa at the College of the Muscogee hopes to preserve his native language and tage. “They don’t know where they come Nation. It involves a critical analysis to home in Oklahoma, where he now build a bridge of knowledge and support from,” he said. “None of them are speak- of theories on decolonization, gender, resides. Life on the East Coast has taken for the Maskoke Nation. ers of their language, and they are mostly politics, and epistemology, as well as the him too far away from his community and For his undergraduate education, the disconnected from their communities.” theology and philosophy of the Maskoke his tribal duties, he said, which include son of the Wind Clan people and grand- He stayed at the University of Okla- people. Instrumental to the course will be leading ceremonial dances and songs. son of the Bird Clan people chose the homa after graduation, teaching Maskoke studying language. “My ceremonial ground is there,” he University of Oklahoma, partly because of language and philosophy in the university’s “The decolonization of the mind for said. “That’s where my priorities are.” its indigenous studies program, but also to anthropology department, counseling high indigenous peoples begins with language explore the genealogical and cultural con- school Indian youth, and working with acquisition,” he said. “All of our world- This excerpt is reprinted with permis- nections to the descendants of his ances- organizations that support indigenous views are encompassed in our respective sion from . Read the tors who had been displaced by the Indian communities. His hope was to mobilize languages.” full article at news.harvard.edu/gazette/ Removal Act of 1830. grassroots projects around community He now hopes to pursue a PhD closer story/2010/05/when-the-past-is-present.

deeply held commitments and faith in disaster response at the Harvard School about called Back- ‘Ministry Was the public life. One hopes, of course, that of Public Health. It has also come up in yard Band/With transformative things will happen because my field education, including a chaplaincy that combines people are acting from a place of love. But internship at Brigham and Women’s Hos- silent film and Missing Piece’ in the realpolitik of contemporary life, pital in Boston. From a pastoral perspec- live music. you also have to figure out what it means tive, this is the work I am really drawn to. Starting in when we disagree, especially vehemently, Having the flexibility to take courses at August, I’ll be with each other. Does that mean discours- and the Harvard able to focus on Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, who graduated from es and relationships rupture, or do we School of Public Health has been one of writing full-time, HDS on May 27 with a master of divin- find vocabularies and strategies that open the high points of my academic experi- thanks to the courtesy jasmine beach-ferrara ity degree, is a recipient of a 2010 National up other possibilities? This is an issue ence at HDS. The ministry I am drawn to National Endow- Jasmine Beach-Ferrara Endowment for the Arts literature fellowship that comes up constantly in my work involves collaboration across sectors, and it ment for the Arts and the director of The Progressive Project, a around LGBT rights, where the tendency has been enormously helpful to spend time fellowship. I’ll also be working part-time as grassroots group that develops innovations in is for each side to approach the other with studying alongside people in these sectors. a chaplain with Echoing Green, a founda- community organizing, focusing on LGBT a mixture of condemnation and mockery. I have been continually and wonderfully tion that provides fellowships to people rights and electoral politics. She is seeking ordi- The issue of how communities surprised by the extent to which HDS sup- launching social change initiatives. My wife nation in the United Church of Christ and will respond to crisis is related but also dis- ports students in crafting a course of study and I will be moving back down to North spend the summer completing a chaplaincy tinct. I am interested in the methodol- that focuses on the questions at the heart Carolina, my home state, this fall and internship in Providence, Rhode Island. Below, ogy side of the question (literally, what of our ministry—whether this comes in launching a LGBT rights campaign down Jasmine describes her experience at HDS and protocols kick in when a crisis occurs), the form of cross-registering, independent there. In the coming year, I’ll also be con- what’s next after graduation (hint: a lot). and in the spiritual side of the question study class, student-initiated field educa- tinuing to move forward with the ordina- wo themes—one of expressing values (how people make meaning of crises and tion, or the topic for the senior paper. tion process in the United Church of Tin public life and another of respond- suffering and how they can be supported This summer, I’ll be doing a Clinical Christ. There will be a few moving pieces, ing to crisis—have run through a lot best through these times). Pastoral Education unit at Hasbro Chil- but it all feels like part of my ministry. of my coursework and field education. I have been able to look at this ques- dren’s Hospital in Providence. Through The Regarding the former, what I mean is tion through my coursework, including Progressive Project, I’ll also be helping to Read the full interview at www.hds.harvard. how people talk about and act upon their counseling classes at HDS and a class in organize a summer series I’m really excited edu/news/article_archive.

13 alumni journal

Recent Alumni Books Dear Alumni and Friends, Imagine a puzzle with more than A House for Hope: The Promise of Progressive Religion for the 6,000 pieces or, more dramatically, Twenty-First Century a puzzle with 330,000 pieces. The by John A. Buehrens (MDiv ’73) and Rebecca Ann Parker puzzle pieces are all very different, yet Beacon Press they work together to form a whole. HDS has more than 6,000 alumni, and the Harvard Alumni Association The Cathedral of the World: A Universalist Theology (HAA) is more than 330,000 mem- by (MDiv ’74, PhD ’78) bers strong. As the staff director of the Beacon Press alumni relations program at HDS, I have the pleasure of trying to connect as many alumni as possible with the Embracing the Call to Spiritual Depth: Gifts for Contemplative School and the University. I plan to Living establish and nurture these connec- by Tilden Edwards (BD ’61) tions in three key ways:

Paulist Press hds photograph/jonathan beasley • Supporting Leadership: In partnership with the HDS Alumni/ae Council, our elected alumni leaders, Shalom/Salaam/Peace: A Liberation Theology of Hope in Israel/ including Council president Ruth Purtilo (MTS ’75, PhD ’79), we hope to expand Palestine volunteer and leadership opportunities at HDS and in the HAA, as well as to by Constance A. Hammond (MDiv ’85) nominate worthy candidates for alumni awards. Equinox Publishing • Building the Network: Regardless of geographic location, alumni can be active members of our community, via local HDS gatherings in some cities across Democratic Insecurities: Violence, Trauma, and Intervention in the country and via our popular online communities, including our fan Haiti page and alumni group on LinkedIn. Additionally, the numerous HAA Clubs and by Erica Caple James (MTS ’95) Shared Interest Groups offer myriad ways for HDS graduates to become involved University of California Press with the larger Harvard alumni network.

• Encouraging Philanthropy: A primary means for our alumni to help In the Absence of God: Dwelling in the Presence of the Sacred today’s HDS students and faculty is through gifts to The HDS Fund. We wish by Sam Keen (STB ’56, ThM ’58) to expand alumni participation in the Fund in the years ahead; alumni support Harmony Books/Random House ensures that our commitment to financial aid remains strong.

Please visit our online home at www.hds.harvard.edu/alumni and consider how you City of God: Christian Citizenship in Postwar Guatemala might like to get involved with HDS today. I look forward to meeting you soon. by Kevin Lewis O’Neill (MTS ’02) University of California Press Sincerely,

Wild : The Moral Lives of Animals by and (MTS ’89) University of Chicago Press

Michael E. Goetz The Cambridge Companion to Christian Philosophical Theology Associate Director of Development, Alumni Relations and Annual Giving edited by Charles Taliaferro (MTS ’79 ) and Chad Meister Cambridge University Press

The Spiritual Journal of by Malcolm Clemens Young (MDiv ’94, ThD ’04) Mercer University Press

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May 27 Commencement Calendar

August 31 September 1 5 pm Convocation First Day of Fall Term Classes An Eleventh Commandment: Thou Shalt Defamiliarize Peter Machinist HDS Campus Green

September 2 5:15–7 pm God and the Study of Religions The CSWR hosts a faculty panel discussion for the open- ing week of classes. Sperry Room, Andover Hall

October 20 5:15 pm Studying Our Religions in the Particular and Meaning Something by It The inaugural address by CSWR director Francis X. Clooney, S.J. Sperry Room, Andover Hall

November 2–4 November 4 5:15 pm Diversity and Explorations Program Ingersoll Lecture Harvard Divinity School Campus Memory Eternal: The Presence of the Dead in Christian Piety Al Raboteau Sperry Room, Andover Hall

November 30 date date 6–7 pm ForTime the most up-to-date informationTime on all Seasons of Light HarvardEvent Description Divinity School events,Event please Description check the Public Events Calendar at www.hds.harvard.edu. Andover Chapel Location Location