pr a xis News from Hartford Seminary • April 2010 • Vol. XXII • No. 1

For Four Ph.D. Students, Hartford Seminary Provides a Bond Feature

For Four Ph.D. Students, Hartford Seminary Provides a Bond

In September 2006, a Methodist priest Added Molly, “The rich discussions we have from Ghana, an Episcopalian minister shared, particularly in our seminar, provided from Maine, a Muslim from Turkey and me with an opportunity to gain knowledge a Dominican friar from Burkina Faso about other traditions, while also refining started on a shared academic journey my understanding and ability to articulate at Hartford Seminary . my own tradition and my own beliefs.”

Francis Acquah (upper left on front cover), Francis agreed: “Our PhD class was very Molly James (lower left on front cover), engaging and interesting, consisting of people Suendam Birinci (upper right on front cover) from different faith, denominational, cultural and Minlib Dallh (lower right on front cover) and racial backgrounds and these came to bear are students in the Seminary’s International on our discussions. We experienced differences Ph.D. Program. as well as commonalities in views and other areas of interaction; through these we were They studied together in seminars and classes challenged as well as enriched. The relationship during their first two years in the program and built during the period has established a special now are working on their dissertations. Their bond among us.” bond remains although two of them have moved to homes away from . Suendam, Molly, Francis and Minlib comprise the second class in the Seminary’s International That bond is forged around their commitment Ph.D. Program. to and understanding. Recognizing the importance of international As Suendam said, “Every class, along with diversity and the need for higher education to Christy Lohr First our casual meetings or conversations, easily engage with international perspectives, the to Graduate from became an interfaith encounter. There has been Seminary and The University of Exeter began International Ph.D. the program in 2005. It serves students in the much respect, care, and a warm relationship Program among us.” continued on page 4

When Christy Lohr came to Hartford CORRECTIONS Seminary in the fall of 2005 to study Please note these corrections for the 2008-2009 Annual Report. Praxis regrets the errors. for a Ph.D., she sought a school firmly The donation of the Rev. Dr. Jacqueline L. White should have been listed under Building Abrahamic rooted in Christian tradition but also Partnerships Program. supportive of interfaith engagement. An additional donation by Ms. Cornelia P. Ford should have been listed under Women’s And it should have a reputation for full story page 6 Leadership Institute. religious scholarship.

Editor: David Barrett Reprint and copy information: Articles may back issues if you would like more information Phone: 860/509-9519 be reprinted if full credit is given to Hartford about Praxis or about Hartford Seminary, please Fax: 860/509-9509 Seminary and the author, if bylined in Praxis. contact David Barrett at Hartford Seminary , 77 E-mail Address: info @hartsem.edu For our records, please inform us if you plan to Sherman Street, Hartford, CT 06105. Our Designer: Jennifer Musto reprint or circulate any part of Praxis. Letters website, www.hartsem.edu, provides additional to the editor are welcomed. If you would like information and news about Hartford Seminary.

2 H ARTFORD S EMINARY • Praxis New Faculty

Yuskaev Named Islamic Studies Professor at Hartford Seminary

expertise of our faculty. He is completing his Ph.D. which included trustees, faculty His background in inter - degree at the University of North and students, that recommended faith work and commu - Carolina, with the dissertation Yuskaev. During his visit, Mattson nity topic “The Qur’an Comes to said, Yuskaev “demonstrated outreach will serve him America: Pedagogies of Muslim intelligence, wit, compassion well as he starts this new Collective Memory.” He has an and humility.” position. I am confident M.A. in Religious Studies from that he will keep our the University of Colorado and “We were impressed with Timur's Islamic chaplaincy a B.A. from Bard College. interfaith work in New York, program vibrant and which demonstrates his commit - President Heidi Hadsell and the attractive to students Yuskaev’s areas of specialization ment to this engagement. Durin g Board of Trustees have named locally and nationally.” include Qur'anic Studies, his years with the Interfaith Timur Yuskaev as director of Anthropology of the Qur'an, Center of New York, Timur Hartford Seminary’s Islamic Yuskaev has been an instructor Qur'anic Hermeneutics, Islamic gained experience in doing field Chaplaincy Program and Assistant and teaching assistant at the homiletics, Muslim Modernities, work in the Muslim community, Professor of Contemporary . University of North Carolina at Islam in North America, and which will be an asset to the Chapel Hill and the University American and African-American Islamic Chaplaincy Program Yuskaev’s appointment is of Colorado at Boulder as well as religious history. His teaching and other Muslim leadership effective July 1. He also will be an adjunct faculty at St. Francis experience includes courses on education in which the seminary associate editor of the Muslim College, New York City. the Qur’an, Islamic History, will be engaged,” Mattson said. World journal. Western Religious Traditions, From 1999 to 2005, Yuskaev World , and African- Commenting on his new posi - “I am delighted that Timur served as coordinator of educa - American Religions. tion, Yuskaev said, “Along with Yuskaev will be joining the tional programs at the Interfaith the Muslim World journal, the faculty at Hartford Seminary,” Center of New York. He directed Ingrid Mattson, director of the Macdonald Center has a legendary Hadsell said. “Timur brings an the Muslims in New York Civic Seminary’s Macdonald Center reputation among Islamic Studies understanding of Islam in the Life Project, funded by Carnegie for the Study of Islam and specialists. What appealed to me American context, which is an Corporation of New York Christian-Muslim Relations, most was the chance to teach at important addition to the chaired the search committee, Hartford while administering

continued on page 7

PODCASTS Lecturers were Dr. Ingrid Mattson, Professor of Islamic Studies and Now available: A Podcast of the February Christian-Muslim Relations, and 23 lecture “Islamic and Canon Law: Their Monsignor John McCarthy, Interaction with Today’s Society.” Chancellor of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Hartford.

H ARTFORD S EMINARY 3 • Praxis Feature

Ph.D. Students (continued)

fields of Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations Why did you choose Hartford Seminary? very enriching experience! I was aware of and Theology and Ethics. the interfaith aspect of the seminary, but Francis : I chose Hartford due to my area of the tremendous value of that only became Francis, a Methodist minister, came to interest – Christian-Muslim Relations. I got evident to me once I was in the program Hartford Seminary from Ghana originally to know Hartford Seminary when I was and experienced it for myself. to study Christian-Muslim Relations in the studying for my M. A. at the University of International Peacemaking Program. He Geneva/Ecumenical Institute of Bossey, What did you find are the strengths of decided to seek the Ph.D. “because I wanted Switzerland. I met the President, Heidi the Hartford Seminary International to build my capacity through knowledge for Hadsell, who was then the Director at Ph.D. program? leadership. My desire is to teach and raise future the Institute, preparing to come over to leaders for both the church and the nation.” Hartford. It was through her support that Suendam : The most significant strength of I came to the Seminary the program is its interfaith quality. Another Suendam came from Turkey to earn a Master is that the program is very clear and concise. of Arts at Hartford Seminary before starting Suendam : Hartford Seminary is where I The opportunity to experience a different on her Ph.D. She said she is studying for the completed my MA degree. The Seminary’s academic setting and British culture is Ph.D. “to learn more and be able to contribute dedication to interfaith dialogue and its also beneficial. to academia and faith communities.” diverse and calm environment were among my main motivations. Also, I thought that Minlib : In terms of Islamic Studies with a Minlib , a member of the Southern Dominican an international program offered through focus on Christian-Muslim dialogue, the Province of the U.S.A., learned of the Semi - the collaboration of two distinguished Seminary offers a wealth of experience nary’s Ph.D. program through a professor at institutes in the U.S. and U.K. would be almost un-matched in North America. The . He came to the Seminary to a beneficial experience. Macdonald Center for the Study of Islam pursue a doctorate in Islamic studies “and the and Christian-Muslim Relations brings a rest is history.” Minlib : The International PhD program historical expertise worthy of consideration. at the Seminary offers the advantage of Very few places offer such opportunity. Molly is an Episcopal priest in Connecticut. combining both continental (Western “Prior to coming to the Seminary, I worked Europe) and North America scholarships. Molly : They are many: the smallness of as a hospital chaplain, and in the course of that The requirement to travel to the U.K. and the program; the interfaith aspect; the work I realized that many people struggled a spend at least one term at Exeter University international aspect (the opportunity to great deal with suffering and death,” Molly is a valuable experience. study at the University of Exeter); the sense said. “Witnessing this led me to want to learn of community within the program and the more and hopefully to be able to help people Molly : I had previously been to the Seminary Seminary as a whole; the sense of teamwork to better cope with the realities of suffering for a lecture, and I knew it offered Master’s and collaboration (and complete lack of and death.” She chose the Seminary’s program and D.Min. degrees. I considered getting a competition) among colleagues; and the high because of its uniqueness in allowing more D.Min. degree, and so was poking around expectations of academic work coupled with independent and in-depth work and the the Seminary’s website when I discovered support and guidance from faculty and staff. international aspect. they offered a PhD! I was intrigued particularly by the uniqueness of the program Francis : The strength of the Hartford Ph.D. Recently Praxis asked each of the four and the international aspect. Because the lies in both the depth and diversity it offers in students to reflect on their studies and program follows the British system it seems terms of academic formation as well as spiritual their time at Hartford Seminary. to allow for much more independent and in experience. The diverse faith and cultural depth work than would usually be found in environment provided by the Seminary an American program. The opportunity to serves as the ‘laboratory’ for the academic study at the University of Exeter is also a engagements in class and this enhances growth. Continued on next page 4 H ARTFORD S EMINARY • Praxis Feature

Continued from previous page Do you feel the program has prepared teaching, research and writing. The experience the Seminary provides its you well for your career going forward? Minlib : I will teach courses on Islamic students is enriching on many levels. I mysticism but also participate in the appreciate the opportunity for academic Minlib : The PhD program has prepared Dominican Order’s long tradition of the growth, meeting and working with notable me academically and pastorally to navigate study of Islam and its civilization. academicians and forging friendships with the complex and complicated world of colleagues from various parts of the globe. interfaith dialogue. After studying at Hartford Seminary, please describe your impressions of the Molly : I am impressed by how much it packs Molly : My learning has already enriched my Seminary as an academic institution. into a small community - and what a global work as a priest - particularly my teaching. reach it has! I have certainly been held to high And I know the intellectual preparation and Francis : Hartford Seminary offers a unique academic standards in my work. I particularly the experiences I have gained through the environment for academic pursuit and value that that is done in combination with program will serve me well religious experience. This has to be built support and with an awareness that the upon and much of that depends on people Seminary is educating us to be global citizens Francis : The program has prepared me to who work here. There is the need for striking and leaders in a complex world. I do believe go forward in my academic career, though a balance in terms of professors, irrespective the Seminary provides excellent tools to help I admit that there is still a lot to be learnt. of one’s religious background, encouraging a us do just that! As a religious person, I think the program balanced, objective academic critique on has equipped me with both academic and aspects of all religious traditions; that is the I have been happy to discover how much is spiritual insights to go back to Ghana to only way for us all to be positively transformed, shared among the Abrahamic faiths. It has work in enhancing interreligious relations and not to go back with our assumptions and been a wonderful counter to the evening and advocate for peace and justice. biases. I think the objective of the Seminary news and the headlines to sit in the same is to train people who will go back to their room with Muslim women from Syria or Suendam : Yes, by providing the skills various communities as agents of change. with a professor who is Jewish and realize and opportunity to teach courses at the This in turn requires a balance in the the fundamentals of faith are true across our graduate level. composition of faculty members. traditions. Even with in my own Anglican Tradition, most of the headlines of late have How do you intend to use your Minlib : As an academic institution, the been about how much disagreement there is, Ph.D. degree? Seminary offers a sound curriculum, so it was also great to participate in discussion encourages academic discipline and fosters an with a fellow Anglican from another part of Molly : At present, I plan to continue my environment where hospitality and a genuine our Communion and realize that those parish work, and hope I will also be able to relationship between students and teachers. headlines are not entirely accurate. add some adjunct teaching work as well. I hope that in the future my career will be a Suendam : As historical as it is, the Seminary When I went to seminary I was surrounded balance of church work and teaching. is a constantly developing institution. It almost entirely by Christians, particularly brings many surprises. Both its faculty and fellow Episcopalians, and that was wonderful Francis : I intend to use the Ph.D. in student body are vibrant reflecting a range and important formation for me as a priest. teaching and also be involved at the of different perspectives and it is an amazing I am also tremendously grateful to have the grassroots in educating people on the example of coexistence of differences. The opportunity to study at Hartford Seminary need for peaceful co-existence in the Seminary’s centers and journals, each with with people from different faiths and cultures. midst of religious and cultural diversities. a focused dedication, are also significant, It is an enriching gift that has broadened my particularly for the opportunities they understanding of the world. < Suendam : My hope is to actively continue provide for student involvement. my involvement in academia, through

5 H ARTFORD S EMINARY • Praxis NEW GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN IMAM EDUCATION

Hartford Seminary, in cooperation Washington, D.C., area in the The Imams will receive educa - The program includes a field with the International Institute basic skills of religious leadership tion and training so they can education component. of Islamic Thought and its Fairfax in the United States. provide the quality of leadership Institute in Herndon, VA, has expected of Imams. Hartford Seminary is seeking begun a Graduate Certificate By the end of this program, formal approval from its in Imam Education. students will be better prepared The first course was offered in accrediting and licensing to encounter the theological, March at the Fairfax Institute. agencies for this new program, This pilot program in Imam pastoral and organizational The class of 11 Imams will study which is the first of its kind in theological education will serve challenges of providing excellent at Hartford Seminary in June the U.S. < to prepare a cohort of Imams religious leadership to the growing during Summer Session. Future and other Muslim religious Muslim community in this region courses will be taught in leaders from the Greater of the U.S. Herndon and in Hartford.

Lohr, PhD. Continued from page 2

Now she has graduated, and she program, Kemal Argon, also “Institute for Ministry in a The textbook provides an says her studies have prepared her is set to graduate with a degree Multifaith World.” intro duction to selected world well for a career as a professor at a in Islam. religions and was published by theological school or small liberal She coordinated the Interfaith Wiley-Blackwell in Jan. 2009. arts college. “Hartford Seminary Currently Christy is Associate Education Project, a cooperative She researched and drafted three has a very specific focus [interfaith Dean for Religious Life at Duke initiative of the World Council new chapters for the Reader. dialogue], but it is internationally Chapel. Previously she was the of Churches and Hartford renowned and attracts luminaries director of the Intersections Seminary. Also, while at Hartford Christy also contributed two arti - in its fields of expertise. It is Institute of the Eastern Cluster Seminary, Christy served as a cles to the Blackwell Companion exactly where I needed to be,” of Lutheran Seminaries. teaching assistant and adjunct to Theologians that was published Christy says. faculty and has helped manage in 2009. She wrote a chapter for Christy received a Master of a program to provide fellowships Pedagogies for Interfaith Dialogue: Hartford Seminary offers an Arts in religious studies from the to young scholars in the field of Changing the Way Seminaries International Doctor of University of South Carolina and congregational studies. Teach, a Hartford Seminary in partnership a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy publication which is the product with the University of Exeter and from Appalachian In the fall, she co-taught “Interfaith of a two-year working group in the United Kingdom. Exeter State University. At both Dialogue at Home and Abroad: that reflected on best practices awarded a Doctor of Philosophy schools, she has been named Parliament of World Religions,” for teaching interfaith dialogue in Theology and Ethics to Christy an outstanding alumna. with Seminary President Heidi in theological schools. at ceremonies in January. She also Hadsell and attended the will be recognized at Hartford Her commitment to interfaith Parliament meeting in Melbourne , Christy’s Ph.D. dissertation is Seminary’s graduation in June. understanding is a lifelong passion. Australia, in December, 2009. titled, “Finding a Lutheran She has served on the board of Theology of Religions: Ecclesial Christy is the first person to the North American Interfaith Christy co-edited the third Traditions and Interfaith Dia - graduate from the International Network and coordinator of the edition of the World Religions logue .” In it, she argues that this Ph.D. Program, which began in Multifaith Ministries Education Reader with Ian Markham, for - Lutheran theology recognizes a 2004. A second student in the Consortium and its annual mer dean at Hartford Seminary. Continued on next page

6 H ARTFORD S EMINARY • Praxis Continued from previous page connection between all people Why did you choose Hartford The Hartford Seminary Ph.D. avenues. For example, I served and calls Lutherans to live in Seminary? is innovative and manageable. as the associate editor for Reviews kinship with the religious other. Because it operates on the British in Religion and Theology – a Hartford Seminary was one of model, it is designed to move quarterly book review journal. In In her own words, Christy the few schools that met most of students through it at a reason - addition to widening my network comments on her experience in my “criteria” for an advanced able pace. This is appealing for of acquaintances in the fields of the International Ph.D. Program: degree – most notably, I wanted people like me who do not want theology and religious studies, to get a Ph.D. (not a Ed.D. or to spend 5 to 10 years working this position also introduced me Why did you decide to seek Th.D.) and I wanted to be in a on a Ph.D. as can often happen to the publishing world in a way a Ph.D.? seminary setting. I also recognized in the American system. I had not previously experienced. that Hartford Seminary would Before coming to Hartford I decided to seek a Ph.D. in allow me to expand my network Do you feel the program has Seminary, I had never considered order to expand my professional of contacts with others in the prepared you well for your publishing, but now I see it as options. I had been working in interfaith world in a really career going forward? another field in which I could the non-profit world for a unique and helpful way. find meaningful work. < decade, was ready to take on Hartford Seminary provided advanced positions, and hoped What did you find are the me with several really great that the Ph.D. would help to strengths of the Hartford opportunities that will help me facilitate that. Seminary International in my career and that opened up Ph.D. program? possibilities for new vocational

Yuskaev Continued from page 3 the Islamic Chaplaincy Program. Some of his public addresses that facilitates research, intellectual religious discourses. I study how Being a part of Hartford Seminary include presentations on exchange and practical work religious leaders communicate is an extraordinary privilege for “The Real Work of Interfaith between academics and religious within and across communities. anyone concerned with the Organizations,” "Religious communities. A distinct draw for My particular emphasis will be practical impact of scholarship. Communities, Peace and Civil me was the chance to work with on contributing to Hartford’s For me, it is also a unique Liberties," Islam in America,” the colleagues at the Hartford impressive record of working opportunity to continue my “Covering Muslims in America,” Institute for Religion Research with Muslim congregations and engagement with American “Muslim Communities in New and the Center for Faith in organizations, in the local area Muslim communities in ways York,” and “Addressing Stereo - Practice,” Yuskaev said. and beyond.” that really matter.” types of Islam.” “My first priority,” he said, Outside work, Yuskaev enjoys Among Yuskaev’s publications He said another reason the “will be to serve my students, spending time with his family, are several entries for the Ency - position at Hartford Seminary to prepare them to be effective traveling and fishing. < clopedia of Muslim-American is particularly appealing is that leaders in the increasingly diverse History and a chapter titled he admires its approach. “It is religious and public landscape. "Training Teachers in American rigorously academic, with a clear Thankfully, my research interests Religious Diversity,” in Building purpose of training religious correspond with their practical the Interfaith Youth Movement. leaders and assisting congregations. concerns. Like them, I am It is a bridge-building institution interested in contemporary

H ARTFORD S EMINARY 7 • Praxis What’s New

New Study of Congregations Released Congregations 2008 that and increasing uncertainty about story because the in was released last month. their mission and purpose. contextual captivity is only Produced by Faith • At the same time, some partly true and, in fact, research Communities Today, congregations have shifted suggests that it has become less the survey is based on to a contemporary style of true over the past quarter century. responses from more worship that has catalyzed As the FACT 2008 findings than 2,500 Oldline growth, and other congrega - clearly demonstrate there remain Protestant, Evangelical tions have benefitted from pockets of vitality among Amer - Protestant, Catholic & focused leadership. ican congregations, and many of Orthodox and World the distinguishing characteristics Religions congregations. David A. Roozen, Director of of today’s vital congregations the Cooperative Congregational appear to be well within a The Cooperative Studies Partnership and Profes - congregation’s control – such as The better the financial health Congregational Studies Partnership sor of Religion and Society at openness to change, clarity of of a congregation in America, (CCSP) conducted the survey. It Hartford Seminary, said that, purpose, attentiveness to new the better its spiritual vitality. updates results from surveys “There is a tendency to believe members, and appreciation of The worse the financial health taken in 2000 and 2005, and is that congregations are captive to volunteers. We also are gaining of a congregation, the greater the latest in CCSP’s series of their demographic and cultural a much more refined sense, as the chance for conflict. trend-tracking national surveys contexts. To the extent this is evidenced in FACT 2008, about of U.S. congregations. true the broad based erosion of the distinct predispositions of Thus, money matters in vitality in America’s congregations clergy leadership in vital congregational vitality and such Several of the key findings of the over the past eight years evidenced congregations.” matters were getting worse for survey were reported earlier: in the FACT 2008 survey suggests American congregations even • American congregations, as an erosion of religious receptivity The report being released this week before the recession hit. a group, continue to struggle, in the broader American social- provides a more in-depth look at facing declining attendance cultural milieu. 11 topics: worship; identity; This is just one of the findings at worship, eroding financial program; youth, attracting and of a new survey, titled American health, waning spiritual vitality “But this is only a part of the continued on next page

New Staff

Mary Coleman, who is close to She first came to Hartford Coleman will work with completing her Ph.D. degree Seminary as a student in the Professor Yahya Michot, who is with the University of Exeter Ph.D. program after a 30 plus director of the Ph.D. Program. and Hartford Seminary, has year career in Information been appointed Administrator Technology. Coleman has a B.A Michot also announced the of the Ph.D. Program. in history from Clark University, appointment of Nicholas and an M.A in history from Mumejian as Managing Editor Coleman has served as assistant Trinity College. She lives in of The Muslim World journal, editor with the Reviews in West Hartford with her husband which Michot edits. < Religion and Theology journal, and two sons and attends and adjunct instructor at Asylum Hill Congregational the Seminary in American Church in Hartford, CT. religious history.

8 H ARTFORD S EMINARY • Praxis What’s New

Continued from previous page tracking new members; assimilat - more the norm than the Conflict about leadership is the for Religion Research. ing new members and deepening exception. most likely to produce serious lay leadership; conflict; fiscal • A newly emergent trend is negative consequences. A link to view the report is available health and conflict; budget satellite congregations in which • Creating strong interpersonal at: http://fact.hartsem.edu/prod - profiles; clergy education and sermons are beamed in from bonds and purposefulness de - ucts/index.html. congregational health; and the primary congregation. crease the likelihood of conflict clergy time usage. • Congregations that changed to • In clergy time usage, worship Faith Communities Today contemporary worship in the and teaching about the faith surveys and publications are Among the new findings: past five years show elevated are the top task priorities for products of the Cooperative • Oldline Protestant congrega - levels of spiritual vitality and both Protestant families. The Congregational Studies tions spend close to half their growth in worship attendance. Oldline congregations put Partnership, a collaborative, budgets on salaries and benefits • Conservative congregations higher priority on worship and multifaith coalition of American compared to 31 percent spent place more emphasis on the the Evangelical congregations faith communities affiliated with on salaries and budgets by Evan - quality of their internal put higher priority on teaching. Hartford Seminary’s Hartford gelical Protestant congregations. relationships than do liberal Catholic/Orthodox leaders Institute for Religion Research. Oldline congregations’ pay congregations; liberal spent more time and attention Researchers, consultants and premium is even more striking congregations place more on administration than any program staff representing 39 when one recalls that Oldline emphasis on ministry to the other task. denominations and faith groups congregations are, on average, world outside their doors. contributed to the American considerably smaller than other • As in 2000, money, worship The American Congregations Congregations survey. < Christian congregations. and leadership lead the way 2008 report was written by • American congregations have as the areas of congregational Roozen, director of the gone electronic. Web access is life most riled with conflict. Seminary’s Hartford Institute

Seminary Receives Two Grants

At a time when such gifts are especially The second grant was from the Board welcome, Hartford Seminary has been of Christian Missions of the Congrega - the recipient of two recent grants. tional Church in South Glastonbury, , for support The first was from the William and of the Programa de Ministerios His - Alice Mortensen Foundation, a family panos (Hispanic Ministries Program). foundation with commitment to provid - The Board’s calling is “to identify, ing funds primarily for Connecticut- evaluate and distribute money to based non-profits, particularly those in programs that are in alignment with Hartford. Their generous grant will the church’s overall mission and that provide for the purchase of new video ultimately make a positive difference technology for the Meeting Room, in the lives of the recipients,” and so In February, Hartford Seminary celebrated Shrove enabling more effective presentations has been consistently supportive Tuesday with a pancake supper for students, faculty to the diverse groups from within and of PMH’s Christian outreach to and staff. Shown here are Dean Efrain Agosto (left) beyond the Seminary which make use local communities. < with student Robert Ayer. of that space.

H ARTFORD S EMINARY 9 • Praxis In Memoriam

The Hartford Seminary The Rev. Dr. Robert H. professional career and was a intendent of Parochial Schools community has lost the following DeValve, Ph.D. ’73, received scholar, teacher and a writer. in Connecticut, Supervisor of beloved members. Our thoughts his degree from Hartford She was also deeply in her time – Welfare Intake and Human and prayers go out to their Seminary in Islamic Studies, present, aware, and attentive to Services for 31 years, and authored friends and families. and was ordained by the the well-being of those she cared two illustrated volumes on Evangelical Covenant Church. for.” Hazel worked as Minister Christian archeology. After his When he was studying at At the time of his death in of Christian Education for the retirement in 1989, he continued Hartford Seminary in the 1940s, January of 2010, he was serving Ohio Conference of the Congre - to volunteer at the UConn Art Clokey intended to be - as Pastor of Missions at Trinity gational-Christian Churches, Health Center. come an Episcopal priest. In - Covenant Church in Manchester, was a public school teacher in stead, his creation of Gumby, an CT. Dr. DeValve was 79 years old. Weymouth, MA, and was After a decades-long career iconic figure of American culture, Christian Education Director as a pastoral counselor and rerouted his career plans from The Rev. James T. Scherer, at the Avon Congregational psychotherapist, the Rev. Dr. ministry to animation, including B.D . ’56, died on December 11, UCC, where her husband, Ted, Virginia L. Wheeler , M.A. the popular religious series, 2009 in Richmond, IN, where was pastor. She also taught the ’84, died on January 3, 2010 at “Davey and Goliath .” Mr. he operated the Garden Center, Associates in Christian Education the age of 90. Dr. Wheeler served Clokey died on January 8, 2010 Inc., with his wife, Barbara. Jim program for the Connecticut as Associate Pastor of the First in Los Osos, California at the was recorded as a Friends Minister Conference and Hartford Seminary . Congregational Church UCC in age of 88. One of the tributes by Indiana Yearly Meeting in Hazel died on November 11, West Hartford (the first woman occasioned by his death 1954. At the time of his death, 2009 at the age of 86. to be called to a settled pastoral explained, “Asparagus green he was a member of the Deer position there) and Executive and fashioned from clay, Gumby Creek Friends Meeting in The Rev. Constantin A. Director of the West Hartford made his television debut in Darlington, MD, and was Solomonides , B.D. ’50, M.A. Pastoral Counseling Center. 1956 on “The Howdy Doody active at First Presbyterian ’51, died in West Hartford on Connecticut Conference Minister Show.” The next year, he became Church in Richmond. January 5, 2010 at the age of 90. Davida Foy Crabtree wrote, the star of “The Gumby Show,” “Alex” was born in Egypt, and “Ginny was a deeply caring, in which he embarked on a string As described by her son-in-law taught and served the St. George tender-hearted woman whose of gently quixotic adventures at her memorial service, Hazel Monastery Seminary in Cairo presence as a pastoral counselor with his supple steed, Pokey. Schoonmaker , M.Div. ’48, before coming to the United touched people deeply and helped The series was one of the first “was a trailblazer, a woman ahead States and Hartford Seminary in them reflect on their lives.” < extended uses of stop-motion of her time. Long before it was 1948. Among many and varied animation on television .” in vogue, Hazel launched a accomplishments, he was Super -

An International Conference Hartford Seminary had a was a Visiting Professor at Radko Popov, who studied for Titled “Ecumenical Perspectives strong presence at the first-ever Hartford Seminary, was a key a year at the Seminary in the of the Dialogue with Islam,” the conference in Italy dedicated organizer of the conference. International Peacemaking conference was held April 10 in to the study of how different Program and is the most Piacenza. It included two sessions, Christian communities Among the speakers were prominent Bulgarian Orthodox one on Europe and one on the dialogue with Islam. Nicholas Mumejian, a Ph.D. theologian engaged in interfaith United States. < student at the Seminary who dialogue with Islam. Professor Davide Tacchini of is Managing Editor of the Milan Catholic University, who Muslim World journal, and

10 H ARTFORD S EMINARY • Praxis Bookstore

75-PERCENT-OFF SALE AT HARTFORD SEMINARY BOOKSTORE All books and merchandise 75 percent off

Bookstore Hours in June: Monday through Friday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Special hours: June 8-11, 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Please note: The bookstore will close at noon on Thursdays to allow time to process online and phone orders.

Location: 77 Sherman Street, Hartford, CT (off Farmington Avenue across from Sisson Avenue)

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All sales final No returns No special orders or gift cards

Check our bookstore website, www.hartfordseminarybookstore.org, to browse for your selections

The Hartford Seminary Bookstore offers a unique collection of books and World of Good jewelry and merchandise.

It will close its doors on June 30, 2010 due to the current economic climate and the evolving nature of today’s book business that emphasizes online sales and deep discounting. Don’t miss out on this opportunity for special bargains on books and merchandise.

H ARTFORD S EMINARY 11 • Praxis Faculty Notes

Efrain Agosto served on an member for close to two decades, Association of Theological ended in February; he continues Schools accreditation team visit as a Deacon there. to Alliance Seminary in Nyack, NY, on February 22 to 25. He In December, a book edited by also visited Alliance’s extension Heidi Hadsell and David seminary in Puerto Rico on Roozen was published, “Chang - behalf of the team on March 4 ing the Way Seminaries Teach: and 5. At the end of March, Pedagogies for Interfaith Dialogue .” Efrain visited the International During this month, her travels Institute of Islamic Thought brought het to Melbourne, (IIIT) in Hearndon, Virginia, Australia, where she attended the to help launch the first course Parliament of the World Religions President Heidi Hadsell and ProfessorYehezkel Landau traveled in March to the United Kingdom to meet with the leaders of the Cambridge (taught by Professor Mahmoud in Melbourne, Australia, with University Inter-Faith Programme. Shown here are, left to right, Professor Ayoub) of the Seminary’s pilot students from her course “Interfaith David Ford of the Inter-Faith Programme, Hadsell, Professor Nick Adams graduate certificate program in Dialogue at Home and Abroad: of the Inter-Faith Programme, and Landau. Imam Education. Also in March, Parliament of World Religions.” Efrain’s essay, “Latino /a Following this meeting, Hadsell Mattson, were the featured pan - In December, Yehezkel Hermeneutics” was published went to Geneva to take part in a elists in a program co-sponsored Landau was a guest teacher for in Hearing the New Testament: conference organized by the World by several religious organizations, four high school religion classes, Strategies for Interpretation. Council of Churches “Women as “How Religious People of Peace focusing on interfaith relations, Peacemakers through Religion: Can Transform Differences and at the Salisbury School in Salis - Steven Blackburn met with Methodologies Preached by Build Bridges of Understanding.” bury, CT. In January, he taught a Corporator Winthrop Adkins in Women in Interreligious Dialogue.” January intensive course on “Re - January to facilitate the donation In January, Hadsell spoke at the Uriah Kim wrote a response ligion, Conflict, and Peacemak - of the private library of his late Stony Point Center at the confer - to Robert Coote’s review of his ing” Among Landau’s February father, the Rev. Dr. Leslie John ence, “Confessing When Empire book in Conversations in Religion speaking engagements were a Adkins (Hartford Seminary Class Trembles: Belhar and Accra and Theology and a book review workshop on how to address of 1924). Dr. Adkins’ library Confessions in Conversation: A of Anthony C. Thiselton’s difficult issues in interfaith numbers some 2000 volumes. Colloquium on North American Hermeneutics: An Introduction for relations for student leaders at In Seminary Chapel, Steven sang & Caribbean Reformed Justice Reviews in Religion and Theology. Union College, Schenectady, NY; Bass as part of a vocal quartet Theology.” Later in the month she He finished and submitted a day-long seminar on “Biblical assembled by Jonathan Lee for traveled to Indonesia to be part “Reading David from an Asian Resources for Peacemaking” for the December 14 service, and of a conference sponsored by American Context” to be published clergy and religious educators at was keyboard accompanist for the U. S. Department of State in Reading the Bible and Doing the Capital Region Theological Chapel on March 24. Outside on Indonesia-US Interfaith Theology in Asian American Center, Schenectady, NY; and a the Seminary, Steven met three Cooperation. The title of the Context: Essays in Honor of conference on “Interfaith Dialogue times with a local Congregational conference, which was facilitated Sang Hyun Lee (forthcoming in Higher Education” at Clark church as a resource in a matter by Religions for Peace, was “Build - in 2011). Kim gave a talk at University, Worcester, MA. He of resolving church conflict. ing Collaborative Communities: South Congregational Church attended the annual conference Closer to home, Steven’s term Enhancing Cooperation among in Granby on homosexuality of the National Association of as Senior Deacon at the Second People of Different Faiths ”. In and the Bible in March. College and University Chaplains Congregational Church, West March Hadsell, along with in Durham, NC, helping to Hartland, where he has been a Yehezkel Landau and Ingrid facilitate a session on Scriptural continued on next page

12 H ARTFORD S EMINARY • Praxis Continued from previous page Reasoning and giving a presenta - Century organized by the Gülen dialogue was self-published by Oldline Congregations ”. tion, along with Imam Abdullah Institute and gave a panel the Seminary. Changing the Way Antepli, on the Building Abrahamic presentation on An Islamic Seminaries Teach: Volume II Scott Thumma continued Partnerships and Islamic Chaplaincy Approach to Social Conflicts & Pedagogies for Interfaith Dialogue to appear in numerous media, Programs at Hartford Seminary. Peaceful Coexistence. During a can be reviewed or purchased including USA Today, Forbes, In March, Landau spoke as part weekend in Fresno, CA, he spoke online through a link on the First Things, Christian Post, the of a panel with Heidi Hadsell and on Muslims’ Challenges Today at Hartford Seminary homepage: Minneapolis Star Tribune, the Ingrid Mattson on the challenges the Islamic Cultural Center, gave http://www.hartsem.edu Roozen Newark Star Ledger, the San of interfaith dialogue at the two lectures at the Temple Beth led a continuing education Francisco Chronicle and the Farmington Valley Jewish Israel – the first on Islamic workshop at the Seminary in Arizona Daily Star. He spoke Congregation in Simsbury, CT; Theology, Past and Present , the mid-February titled: Interfaith on radio shows airing in Arizona accompanied President Heidi second on Monotheism and Dialogue in Congregations. and Australia and provided Hadsell on a trip to the United Prophethood: the Meaning of a Battling snow once again in late research for websites and blogs. Kingdom to meet with the leaders Creed , gave a sermon at the February in Louisville, KY, the of the Cambridge University Unitarian Universalist Church Cooperative Congregational After 30 years in what was once Inter-Faith Programme; led a on The Way (Sharî‘a): Ethics, Studies Partnership Steering known as “the new Richard discussion on Sandy Tolan’s Love, and Mystical Praxis, and Committee, which Roozen chairs , Meier building ,” Miriam book The Lemon Tree and the recorded two 1/2 hour programs announced the launch of its new Therese Winter moved her situation in the Middle East with for the Catholic Diocese TV. In online newsletter about congre - office out of 77 Sherman Street and members of three Hartford-area Wayland, MA, during the 25th gational development. Readers into the newly acquired interfaith book groups; co-led a workshop Islamic Circle of New England can sign up for the FACT eletter building at 60 Lorraine Street. on “Sensitivities and Skills for Anniversar y & Benefactors’ by emailing [email protected]. She is currently in the midst of Interfaith Dialogue” for spiritual Dinner, he gave the keynote In early March, Roozen published preparing a permanent space for directors and educators under speech on Challenges of Islamic American Congregations 2008 , the the Women’s Leadership Institute the auspices of the Spiritual Life Leadership in the West. Michot’s primary report of the 2008 Faith in the former Macdonald Center. Center in Bloomfield, CT; spoke book on Against Smoking. An Communities Today national She spent two weeks in London on “The Challenge of Jewish- Ottoman Manifesto , was survey of American congregations. in January doing research for her Christian-Muslim Relations” to published. Twelve photographs Among many other things the next book and gave a series of the Rotary Club of Springfield, by Michot were offered to the 2008 survey tracks trends since talks on quantum spirituality in MA; and gave a presentation Muslim Coalition of Connecticut 2000 in several indicators of Bonita Springs, FL, Saint Mary’s, on the Open House Center for for its 2010 Calendar: Images congregational vitality. It can GA, and West Hartford, CT Jewish- Arab Coexistence and From the Muslim World. Three be reviewed or purchased online in February and March. A Reconciliation in Ramle, Israel, more texts were added to the new through a link on the Faith new course, “Ministry in a to a group of Jews and Quakers series of French translations of Communities Today homepage: Multicultural World ,” which she in Cambridge, MA. Ibn Taymiyya’s spiritual writings http//fact.hartsem.edu. Finally, in team-taught this semester with on www.muslimphilosophy.com: a farewell to March Roozen used Ben Watts, will definitely be From the end of October 2009 (4) Obeying authorities; (5) God the American Congregations 2008 taught again. < to February 2010, Yahya has set a measure for all things; (6) findings in a two part Lenten Michot gave various lectures Being a Muslim among the unbelievers. series presentation at The First and seminars in the US and Church in Windsor -- “Four abroad. Among them: In In December David A. Mega-Trends Changing America’s Houston, he took part in the Roozen and Heidi Hadsell’s Religious Landscape (and working Dialog of Civilizations Platform edited collection of case studies of against Oldline Protestantism)”, Social Challenges of the 21st seminary courses on interfaith and “Pockets of Vitality in

H ARTFORD S EMINARY 13 • Praxis Alumni/ae Note

The Rev. John Olson , B.D. The Rev. Andrew Terwil - The Rev. Tom Leamon , B.D. Hartford for 23 years before ’61, is currently providing transi - leger , M.Div. ‘70, writes that he ’53 was trained and worked as becoming the founder of pastoral tional worship leadership for the can “relate to the excitement of 3 an illustrator before and during counseling centers in Northamp - Bridgeport United Church of John 4 (“I have no greater joy than his pastoral career, in which he ton and Greenfield, MA. While Christ on Laurel Avenue. He this, to hear that my children are served churches in Amherst, in West Hartford, John selected served for 18 years as the Minister walking in the truth .”). On Sep - MA, Cincinnati, OH, Danielson, books for a church library funded of the United Church of Christ tember 5, 2009, the Rev. Michelle CT and Williamstown, MA. by a member, who wanted to on Park Avenue in Bridgeport, as Terwilleger, daughter of Andy and Recently one of Tom’s paintings create “the best church library in well as congregations in Hartford, Priscilla, was ordained as Priest in was accepted by the Smithsonian New England .” Today, the John P. Middle Haddam, Haddam Neck the Anglican Church. She earned Institute as part of its permanent Webster Library - named in his and North Greenwich, CT. A her M.Div. at Asbury Theological collection. honor by the estate of the donor - longtime resident of Bridgeport, Seminary in Wilmore, KY. She is known throughout the region John founded the city’s chapter serves a church in Lexington, KY, After serving Covenant Churches as just that. of Habitat for Humanity. and is a Chaplain for Hospice. in Middletown and Middle Haddam, CT, and Cleveland, After completing her studies at For much of his working life, the Voices , a local newspaper in OH, the Rev. John Dahlman , Hartford Seminary, Judith Rev. Gordon Bates , S.T.M. Woodbury, CT, wrote a story B.S. ’41, led United Church of Welles , M.A. ’42, B.D. ’44, ’64, worked with the Connecticut about the Rev. Bonnie Bardot , Christ congregations in Chester, went to the University of Edin - Prison Association, eventually D.Min. ’07, who, in October NH, and Norton, MA, before burgh in Scotland , where she serving as its Executive Director 2009, was beginning her 18th retiring to Northfield, where he wrote her doctoral dissertation on before retiring to work as the interim ministry position in lives in (and maintains) a home John Cotton. She then taught at Associate Conference Minister Connecticut at the Oxford built in 1776. the American School in Izmir, for Justice Ministries with the United Church of Christ. Turkey, before returning to Connecticut Conference of the Bonnie said she feels she is cut A native of Nova Scotia, the Vernon, CT, where she still lives. United Church of Christ. Gordon out to be an interim minister - Rev. Aubrey Murphy , M.A. At 93, Judith still walks two miles is currently working on a history of one who serves a parish for 18-24 ’49, remembers hitching a ride on a day, including to the Talcottville the Connecticut Prison Association, months while it searches for a the mail wagon to his first student Congregational UCC, where and has discovered that two permanent leader. ‘It suits my ministry posting, as the rural she is a member and occasional Hartford Seminary faculty personality,’ she said. ‘I like going Canadian town had no train or accompanist for worship services. members had connections with into a church where they are bus service. Deeply committed to the organization: William Barnes, experiencing transition.’ a ministry of Christian Education, Hartford Seminary prepared the professor in the “Practical Depart - Aubrey was pastor in numerous Rev. Mary Hawkes , M.A. ’58 ment” in the 1920s and 30s, and After studying at Hartford Seminary churches in Connecticut, serving for a varied career in church Charles Chakerian, the Graham in the 1960s, Dr. Keith Kersh - at the Bristol Congregational leadership including local church, Taylor Professor of Social Ethics ner received a Master’s degree in UCC just prior to his retirement regional and denominational and Director of the Seminary’s Educational Research from in 1986. Since then he has work in sacred music, Christian Institute of Church Social Service Bucknell University, and a Ph.D. worked with Elon Homes for Education, interim and settled in the 1930s and 40s. in behavioral sciences from the Children and as an interim ministry and youth work. Mary university. He now serves as minister in New Britain and is the seventh in her family to The Rev. Dr. David Koppel , Executive Director of Research Old Saybrook. He now lives in graduate from Hartford Seminary, D.Min. ’91, has relocated from for Better Schools in Philadelphia, East Granby, CT. and recalls that among her Georgia, and is now the Senior and contacted the Seminary looking favorite professors was Ruth Pastor of Palm Valley Lutheran for a classmate, Donald Anderson. The Rev. John Webster , Conant of the History Depart - Church, Round Rock, TX. S.T.M. ’59, served First Church ment, of whom it was said, “If of Christ, Congregational in West you dropped your pencil, you missed a century.” <

14 H ARTFORD S EMINARY • Praxis Alumni/ae Note

Mina Mina & The Mosquitoes By The Rev. Daniel K. Martin, ‘59

Fresh out of Hartford Seminary had, at that time, what was a for Mina and his wife, Sarah. As There he had them sworn in as I was flattered to receive an first. A classmate by the name a Chinese woman she could not American citizens. invitation to candidate at the of Mina Mina was from Egypt. go to Egypt. Congregational Church in And Mina Mina had married a Unfortunately it was just Aitkin, Minnesota. O boy, my girl from China. It was the first Now Mina was looking for a after this we lost contact with chance to bring true religion known union of this type. My church and I suggested he try Sarah and Mina and we do not to the north woods. God had wife used to baby-sit the children for the Aitkin church. He did, know how they weathered the other plans and sent them in the whom we called “Egyptneese.” was called, and accepted the mosquitoes. But we have always form of clouds of mosquitoes. call. Unbeknownst to Mina been pleased by the mysterious When the church issued a call Mina was not a U.S. Citizen. Mina, Sen. Hubert Humphrey workings of God. < I declined. I wanted to keep A war over the Suez Canal was was a member of the Aitkin my blood. about to break out between congregation. When he heard Egypt and Israel. Mina’s govern - of Mina’s plight he arranged Back at Hartford Seminary, God ment was about to call him for both Mina and Sarah to really got down to work. We home. Things did not look good be flown down to Washington.

Alumni/ae Reunion Friday, June 4 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. The Classes of 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, and 1962

Key Events

Lecture by Dr. Uriah Kim, Professor of Hebrew Bible “King David and King Saul: Two Models of Leadership in a Multicultural Context”

Lecture by Dr. David Roozen, Professor of Religion and Society “Hartford Seminary: the Last 50Years and the FACTS Report on Congregational Trends”

Alumni/ae Luncheon

Opportunities to reflect and catch up

Commencement Exercises 2010 (at 5 p.m.) (at which the class of 1960, celebrating their 50th anniversary of graduation, will be recognized)

To Register or for further information, contact Jonathan Lee, chief development officer and director of alumni/ae relations, at 860.509.9556 or [email protected].

See you on June 4!

H ARTFORD S EMINARY 15 • Praxis Courses

Summer Course Schedule 2010

Hartford Seminary’s Summer Session 2010 will run from Tuesday, United Church of Christ History, Theology and Polity June 1 through Friday, July 2. Most courses are weeklong intensives Monday, June 21 - Friday, July 2, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the weeks of June 7-11, The Summer Institute is designed as a two-week experience primarily June 14-18, June 21-25 and June 28-July 2. The Seminary’s courses are for those needing basic work in United Church of Christ history, open to the public and carry three graduate level credits. Individuals theology and polity. The Institute is also designed for those students who do not wish to take courses for credit may apply to take courses who are graduating from seminaries where a UCC polity course is as an auditor. Many classes fill up quickly, so participants are urged not offered, or who are pursuing an alternative route to ordination. to register early to ensure a place in their courses of choice. Sponsored by Andover Newton Theological School, Bangor Theological Seminary and Hartford Seminary, this year the Institute For those enrolled in a three-credit course, the cost is $1,680. The will be held at Hartford Seminary. Faculty to be determined non-credit audit fee is $575 A special audit fee of $385 is available for: those who are age 60 and older, persons 55 and older receiving Understanding Congregations disability income, graduates of Hartford Seminary degree programs Wednesday, June 9 - Sunday June 13, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. or the Certificate of Professional Ministry (cooperative M.Div.), donors Your congregation is a spiritual entity, but it is also a social of $250 a year or more, Hartford Seminary Adjunct Faculty, and up to organization, made up of human beings, with conflicts and habits, three specially designated members of churches that participate in the and grounded in a particular context. The more you know about International Peacemaking Program of the Seminary. There is a limit the many dimensions of the congregation, the better you can make of one course per academic year to receive the special rate except decisions, plan ministry and envision its future. This course is designed persons age 60 and older, for whom there is no limit. for clergy and lay leaders who wish to better understand the dynamics of their congregations. We will use a combination of lectures, readings To register, please contact the registrar’s office at (860) 509-9 511. Her and practical hands-on experience through field trips to study one email is [email protected]. To see specific course syllabi prior to congregation and then each student will explore his or her own the semester or learn more about Hartford Seminary and its faculty, congregation as the final assignment. We will look at the congregation’s visit our website, www.hartsem.edu. identity and culture, its context, the material and human resources, the structures of power, the implicit theology and the leadership dynamics You also may access a registration form at in an effort to understand this complex spiritual entity that is the http://www.hartsem.edu/pages/academics/courses/index.aspx congregation. Scott Thumma, Professor of Sociology of Religion

Building Abrahamic Partnerships Muslim Life Through “Fatwas,” Ancient and Modern Sunday, June 6 - Sunday, June 13 (intensive schedule, includes all Monday, June 21 – Friday, June 25, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. days and some evenings) Legal opinions issued by Muslim scholars relate to all individual and This eight-day intensive training program offers a practical foundation collective aspects of the material and spiritual life of the believers who for mutual understanding and cooperation among Jews, Christians, ask for them. When used with an appropriate methodology, they and Muslims. Participants learn about the tenets and practices of the offer great avenues, sometimes even amazing ones, to explore the three faiths, study texts from their respective scriptures together, attend everyday realities and interrogations of Muslim societies, past and worship at a mosque, synagogue, and church, and acquire pastoral present. Coffee, tobacco, cannabis, opium and other drugs, music, skills useful in interfaith ministry. Combining the academic and the dance, trance and sex, marginality, extremism and violence, pious experiential, the course includes ample time for socializing over meals practices and social conventions, relations with non-Muslims and and during breaks. Building on Hartford Seminary’s strengths as an jihâd are among the topics considered in this course. Mamlûk, interfaith, dialogical school of practical theology, this team-taught Ottoman and modern sources (both from books and the internet) program is a resource for religious leaders who are grounded in will be read and commented on. No knowledge of Arabic is required their own traditions while open to the faith orientations of other for this course. A basic knowledge of Islam and the history of Muslim communities. Due to the interfaith nature of this course, we aim for societies would be useful. Yahya Michot, Professor of Islamic Studies equal representation among each of the three Abrahamic traditions in and Christian-Muslim Relations admitting students to this course. Yehezkel Landau, Faculty Associate in Interfaith Relations and Co-founder, Open House, Ramle, Israel continued on next page

16 H ARTFORD S EMINARY • Praxis Courses

Continued from previous page

The Gospel of John and Johannine Literature The New Atheism Tuesdays and Thursdays, June 1 – July 1, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Monday, June 28 – Friday, July 2, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. A general introduction to the Gospel of John, I-II-III John, and the Recent best sellers by Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins and Christopher Book of Revelation from the perspective of contemporary Biblical Hitchens argue for atheism and against theism as immoral, irrational scholarship, with special emphasis on the history, theology, Christology, and the main impediment to a more rational and moral society. and spirituality of Johannine Literature and its relevance today. This course will examine these authors as well as other examples of a Wayne Rollins, Adjunct Professor of Scripture newly aggressive rejection of religion in the name of secularism. We will also examine the historical roots of contemporary atheism since Readings in Hadith the eighteenth-century Enlightenment. Borden Painter, Adjunct Monday, June 14 - Friday, June 18, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Professor of History and Professor of History, Emeritus, at Trinity College, In this class, we will read from a selection of prophetic Hadith in Hartford, CT English translation with accompanying Arabic text. We will focus on the content and structure of Hadith, with a primary emphasis on Renewal of Muslim Theology: “A Common Word” the 40 Hadith of Imam al-Nawawi, supplemented by selections from and the Theology of Compassion other Hadith collections. Elementary Arabic reading ability (first-year Monday, June 7 - Friday, June 11, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Arabic or equivalent) is a prerequisite. Ingrid Mattson, Professor of The course offers a brief survey of traditional Muslim Theology Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations (Kalam) and recent attempts at its renewal (New Kalam). Invoking often neglected resources within the Muslim tradition, and dialogically The Book of Revelation in the Context of engaging contributions from Jewish, Christian, and Buddhist theological Apocalyptic Literature Yesterday and Today quests, a new Ash’arite Theology of Compassion is then offered for Monday, June 14 – Friday June 18, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. discussion and elaboration. The “A Common Word” initiative This course, which assumes a basic understanding of the New (www.acommonword.com) is invoked as a solid foundation for Testament, will explore the only full New Testament apocalypse, the compassion-centered theology and preaching, and the need for Book of Revelation. We will do so in the context of understanding personal and institutional networking towards a Compassion ancient Jewish apocalyptic literature, as well as modern attempts to Architecture is then explored. The course will be team taught by understand these texts in Christian theology, faith and practice. Such Hartford Seminary faculty members and outside experts on the topic popular religious understandings as the “Left Behind” book series will under the leadership of Dr. Ingrid Mattson be considered, as well as the political implications of the apocalyptic , both in the ancient imperial context as well as the religious and political climate of today. Efrain Agosto, Professor of New Testament and Academic Dean

H ARTFORD S EMINARY 17 • Praxis