Volume LIV Fall 2015

Six new THE STORY seminarians share their MAGAZINE AND ANNUAL REPORT stories

Bishop in Residence Judith Craig reflects on a pastoral life

Events: Alumni Day, Williams Institute Lectures and Schooler Institute

Sandy Lutz, influential lay leader, chairs MTSO’s board

Meet new faculty members in New Testament, homiletics and Hebrew Bible

www.mtso.edu

Methodist Theological School in Ohio

Methodist Theological School in Ohio Contents FROM THE PRESIDENT FACULTY Why MTSO doesn’t deliver education ...... 1 Bridgeman brings a commitment to teaching and activism ...... 13 ON CAMPUS Schellenberg shares his curiosity about A preview of campus events ...... 2 early Christians 14 Meet Admissions Director Benjamin Hall 3 Beyond the classroom: faculty activities . . . . . 16 Fall Admissions Open House ...... 3 Emeriti obituaries ...... 17 Sandy Lutz ascends to chair of MTSO’s board . . . . 4 IN REVIEW We’re now powered, in part, by the sun 5 Images of a good year 22 Bishop Judith Craig’s pastoral life ...... 6 REPORT TO DONORS STUDENTS Financial information ...... 23 Six new arrivals introduce themselves ...... 8 Donor Honor Roll ...... 24 ALUMNI The Sterling Society: recognizing planned giving . . 26 A wise perspective on Christianity and war . . . . 10 MTSO Board of Trustees roster ...... 27 Alum news 11 Restricted student scholarship giving 28

A window on our heritage h Fifteen years ago, MTSO embarked on a new millennium by dedicating Gault Hall, a gift of the Stanley C. and Flo K. Gault family and many other donors. The hall’s Sterling Roof Terrace is graced by “Portal of God’s Love,” the stained-glass roundel illuminated by the morning light on the cover of this issue of The Story. Created by Alan Spencer and inspired by I Corinthians 13, the window was a gift of Ron Alford and Barbara Cantlin in memory of their parents, John and Mary Alford.

THE STORY Founded in 1958, Methodist Theological School in Ohio is one of 13 seminaries MAGAZINE AND ANNUAL REPORT formally affiliated with and funded in part by the United Methodist Church. Located in Central Ohio, MTSO offers five graduate degree programs: Master of Divinity, Volume LIV h Fall 2015 Master of Arts in Practical Theology, Master of Arts in Counseling Ministries, Master of Theological Studies and Doctor of Ministry. It also offers graduate-level certificate A publication of Methodist programs in Basic Theological Education, United Methodist Deacon Studies and Theological School in Ohio the Advanced Course of Study in the United Methodist Church. In addition, MTSO 3081 Columbus Pike provides courses for General Board of Higher Education and Ministry certification in Delaware, Ohio 43015 Engaging in Ministry with the Poor. 740-363-1146 MTSO is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States www.mtso.edu and Canada and the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Its degree programs are authorized by the Ohio Board of President: Jay Rundell Regents and approved by the University Senate of the United Methodist Church. Dean: Lisa Withrow Editor: Danny Russell We welcome your comments. Please send them to [email protected], or Writer: Susan Zimmerman Danny Russell, MTSO, 3081 Columbus Pike, Delaware, Ohio 43015. Design: Becky Roley and Jeff Smith, DesignSmith Printer: Robin Enterprises Co. FROM THE PRESIDENT

Why MTSO doesn’t deliver education

By Rev. Jay Rundell waiting empty vessels. interaction necessary for President Conversations about advancing the faith and educational technology developing competencies in and practice too often have those who will lead. What a joy it is to greet you as you used words like “delivery” receive this new issue of The Story Magazine and “distributed learning,” In the following pages, you and Annual Report. As you turn the which has served to will read about the myriad following pages, you will see that our school reinforce that notion. interactions among people is abuzz with activity as we begin another and communities that are exciting school year. Not only does thinking part and parcel to the life of education as something and mission of our seminary. Like most schools, we have our share of that can be “delivered” Faculty, students and alumni people coming and going, as well-prepared or “distributed” miss the continue to lead in the crucial students graduate and members of the point that education is an conversations and dilemmas incoming class matriculate in their place. interactive process, but of our day. Whether in issues We believe that amidst these transitions we it has unhelpful theological implications of race, societal change around gender and have a particularly creative interchange of for seminaries. If an educational approach sexuality, economic justice, or ecology and perspectives and ideas, with students and assumes that the religious faith is a kind of climate change, we are in the midst of it in faculty who come from rich and varied static entity that can be passed neatly from consequential ways. traditions and experiences. When talking an authority to a recipient, it will operate in with prospective students, I like to ask them, In fact, our campus community is when choosing a school, increasingly becoming a place where to consider when not only seemingly unrelated individuals, groups what they think they will If an educational approach assumes and movements find connection and receive from us but what that the religious faith is a kind of static synthesis. I believe one of our great they have to bring to the entity that can be passed neatly from an opportunities going forward is to build equation themselves. authority to a recipient, it will operate on our ability to function as a hub for relationship and interaction. That we are a learning in a very different mode than if we community­ wouldn’t understand that we are dealing with The Methesco tradition has always surprise many. What something that is dynamic, changing engaged Christian ministry and service might surprise some who beyond the walls of the church while don’t know us well is that, and evolving as it is faithfully engaged maintaining the very highest standards as a seminary, we don’t by every generation. in preparing pastors for traditional roles understand our learning as well. That hasn’t changed. community to be a place that simply passes time- In an era when focus is shifting from tested wisdom and truths from faculty a very different mode than if we understand institutions to communities and to students. that we are dealing with something that movements, MTSO’s future is bright if we is dynamic, changing and evolving as it is can continue to develop our ability to bridge I meet people quite frequently who faithfully engaged by every generation. these realities and facilitate the coalescing of assume we are concerned solely with old learning, action and community. ideas. After all, we deal with religion, We continue to find deep value in and that involves immersion in texts the belief that our interaction amidst I am grateful to all of you who facilitate and movements that have been around differences and our engagement of novel and support this important work! for several millennia. I also find that ideas produce a living tradition that is perceptions persist that educational necessarily transformed by those who institutions can be characterized by a kind engage it. Our Connections M.Div. is a great of one-directional flow of information example of how we seek to use the very best – that we have experts who are in place of educational technology while assuring to fill the minds of students like so many that we are maximizing the interpersonal

THE STORY h Fall 2015 1 ON CAMPUS

SAVE THE DATES Don’t miss these big campus events

The MTSO campus will welcome alumni and other Nov. 3 and 4 visitors to a wide variety of events throughout the Williams Institute Lectures school year. Information on all events will be shared through numerous means, including the website, The Williams Institute welcomes Stacey Floyd-Thomas, associate professor of ethics Facebook and Twitter (@MTSOedu). Here are three and society at Vanderbilt University Divinity significant events to add to your calendar. School and College of Arts and Sciences, who will deliver two lectures. Sept. 28 Floyd-Thomas’s research and teaching Vanderbilt ethicist interests lie at the intersection of ethics, Alumni Day h Floyd-Thomas feminist and womanist studies, black church Alumni Day 2015 begins with a continental breakfast and will deliver the studies, critical pedagogy, critical race theory, gathering time in the Gallery before a service of thanksgiving Williams Institute and post-colonial studies with an overall honoring recipients of the Mount Alumni Awards. This year’s Lectures approach to the study of Christian social honorees are: ethics that engages broad questions of moral • Karen Cook (’03), associate pastor of Church and Community agency, cultural memory, ethical responsibility and social justice. Development for All People, Columbus. A sought-after speaker and prolific author, Floyd-Thomas is a • Jeff Hodge (’08), pastor of Pennellville and Oswego Trinity recipient of the Texas Christian University Chancellor's Award for United Methodist churches and principal of J. Hodge Distinguished Achievement as a Creative Teacher and Scholar and Consulting in New York. the American Academy of Religion Excellence in Teaching Award. • Virginia Lohmann Bauman (’06), senior pastor of St. John’s United Church of Christ, Columbus. Feb. 8 and 9, 2016 • Alan Morrison (’90), pastor of First United Methodist Church Schooler Institute of Monongahela, Pa. on Preaching The day continues with a special luncheon honoring Bishop Mike Graves says when a new Judith Craig, MTSO’s bishop in residence and visiting professor in the Dickhaut Chair of Church Leadership. Over cuisine prepared acquaintance on the golf course or aboard by the farm and food staff, we’ll honor Bishop Craig’s remarkable an airplane asks him what he does for a ministry and launch the campaign for the Bishop Judith Craig living, he has a stock reply: “Have you ever Scholarship Endowment. We’ll cap off our time together with more been to church and heard a bad sermon? Saint Paul informal fellowship over dessert. My job is to fix that.” homeletician h Graves will lead the In addition to the day’s events, a Cokesbury representative will Graves, the William K. McElvaney Professor of Preaching and Worship at Schooler Institute be present. You’ll have the opportunity to browse the Cokesbury on Preaching display and place orders. Saint Paul School of Theology, will lead the 2016 Schooler Institute on Preaching. The morning service will feature an Alumni Choir. Anyone His passion for preaching is evident on his who wishes to be a part of the choir is invited to meet in the Alford faculty web page, where he says, “I believe preaching does indeed Centrum at 9:45 a.m. for a half-hour rehearsal. transform the world, both in terms of calling people to be change Alumni Day will feature events from 10 a.m. to around 2:30 p.m. agents but also by speaking truth to power. In many cases, our Monday, Sept. 28. Events are being presented at no cost to guests, vision has been too small, our sermons too provincial.” though we ask you to help us plan by completing a short RSVP “I challenge students to consider a larger worldview than the form at www.mtso.edu/alumniday. Guests also will be congregations where they serve,” Graves says. “An emphasis on offered the opportunity to invest in the Bishop Judith Craig social holiness and not just personal holiness is essential to a Scholarship Endowment. profound ministry of preaching.” h

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Hall relishes aiding with discernment The admissions director recalls being transformed by his time as an MTSO student

Benjamin Hall was transformed during history of how they’ve been taught to engage his time as a student at MTSO. Now he’s with scripture. But you’ll get the most out working with others seeking a similar of this place if you’ll allow yourself to be experience through theological education. challenged about your preconceived notions about God and how we respond to God’s “You’ll get the most out of this “The message that I try to give to call to service and ministry in whatever place if you’ll allow yourself to be prospective students is what I allowed context that is.” challenged” h Benjamin Hall myself to do when I was here as a student,” said Hall, who was appointed MTSO’s “You’ll learn that ministry occurs in director of admissions in March. “I so many other places than our traditional “Our Master of Arts in Counseling challenged myself to be challenged. By the contexts. We need people to be in the Ministries program allows people who may time I had completed my degree, I no longer traditional contexts as elders and pastors in not think of counseling as ministry to see thought about much of anything in the same our churches and parishes. But also in this that it actually is,” he said. “Someone who way I did when I first came.” changing world, we need people in ministry is discerning a call to ministry but who is meeting people in other places.” not interested in preaching in a pulpit on “If you truly allow yourself to be Sundays can realize that being a counselor challenged, you will find yourself opening Hall, a 2014 MTSO Master of is a form of ministry. MTSO is one of the up to many different possibilities and Theological Studies graduate, appreciates few places that embrace the two dynamics of options in ministry,” he said. “Students the intersection of ministry and counseling ministry and professional counseling.” arrive at MTSO with traditions and a education available to MTSO students. There are many paths prospective theological students might be considering. And Hall is enthusiastic to be a part of Admissions Open House is Oct. 20 the journey: “Engaging with people in conversations around the discernment Nothing helps a prospective seminarian process is something I enjoy more than appreciate the benefits of an MTSO anything else I’ve ever done. I like being education like a visit to the campus. with people in conversation as they flesh out Current students agree that seeing the what it is that God has called them to do.” campus, meeting faculty and current students, and learning about educational Hall invites alumni and friends of the and financial options was vital to their school to help initiate those conversations. discernment process. “The admissions department invites Those elements will come together at friends of MTSO to encourage people the Fall Admissions Open House, to be who are discerning a call to ministry or held 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20. theological education to visit campus,” he said. “When guests pull in off Route 23, Tuesdays are perfect days to visit, and explore scholarships and additional there’s something about this space that makes with many classes meeting and the financial aid options. The day’s events are them recognize what we have here. All of campus community coming together for free to anyone considering graduate-level us on the admissions staff look forward to a delicious lunch and afternoon chapel. theological education. Anyone wishing to helping them discover how the gifts nurtured Visitors will have the opportunity to register or learn more is invited to email on our campus can shape their lives and sit in on a class, tour student housing, [email protected]. their ministry.” h

THE STORY h Fall 2015 3 ON CAMPUS

‘I was called to lay work’ With a wealth of experience, Sandy Lutz ascends to chair of MTSO’s board

Sandy Lutz sums it up said, “and decided I was not. valid a call as, although different from, the like this: “God works in I decided I was called to lay elders’ call to sacrament, word, service and strange and mysterious work.” A whole lot of lay order,” Lutz said. ways.” It certainly feels work. In the alphabet soup appropriate that a life of United Methodist boards, Lutz chaired the legislative committee devoted to both the church committees and councils, that successfully shepherded the proposal and education would bring there aren’t many letters for a newly defined order of deacon through her to the leadership of the missing from her resume. the 1996 Denver General Conference, a task MTSO Board of Trustees. And it quickly became clear she found both challenging and exciting. “It how much her colleagues was a fascinating process to see people who Lutz was elected chair were so committed to their own two-step of the board effective valued her dedication and insight. Lutz was elected to ordination, and to find them able to listen July 1, replacing David “Our seminaries are lead East Ohio’s delegation to to these diaconal ministers who were really Wilcox, who remains beacons in what can be a seeking a different path to ordination – and on the board following the 1980 Indianapolis General pretty dark world” h Lutz yet their path was just as genuine.” his three-year term at its Conference, despite the fact it helm. In addition to her was her first time attending a Now Lutz influences the church in a new five years as an MTSO trustee, Lutz has general conference. way, as a member of the United Methodists’ acquired broad expertise in education and In addition to her leadership within highest court, the Judicial Council. She was an exceptional record of lay service within the church, Lutz taught in the College of elected as an alternate in 2012 and moved the United Methodist Church. Among other Education at the University of Akron in into a spot vacated by a regular member leadership roles, she currently serves on the late 1980s and early ’90s. Her courses last year. the denomination’s nine-member Judicial included Learning “It has been Council – informally known as “the United Strategies and Methodist Supreme Court.” wonderful,” she said. Characteristics of It was the work of Lutz and “There is little in the Learners. “I enjoyed A native of Upstate New York, Lutz her colleagues that made church I have enjoyed earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary thinking about and the role of deacon as it’s and appreciated and education from the University of Vermont strategizing about learned as much understood today a reality. and a master’s from Southern Illinois education,” she said. from as I have in that University, where she met her late husband, Her thinking experience. The thing Richard. She spent 14 years completing her and strategizing I appreciate so much Doctor of Education degree through Texas served her well when she was elected to the about our United Methodist structure is that Tech University, balancing the writing of a United Methodist Church’s General Board the rulings of the Judicial Council are based dissertation on women’s vocational choices of Higher Education and Ministry, where upon the council’s reading of the Book of with the care of the couple’s daughter, Sara. she served on the Division of Diaconal Discipline and the church’s constitution. In 1972, the Lutzes moved to Canton and Ministry. It was the work of Lutz and her There is that shared, solid base.” began attending a nearby United Methodist colleagues that made the role of deacon as Despite her always-full plate, Lutz church. It wasn’t long before her pastor it’s understood today a reality. accepted President Jay Rundell’s invitation encouraged her to become more broadly Prior to 1996, United Methodist to become an MTSO trustee in 2010. She involved with the denomination. Soon she ordination involved two steps, to deacon was chairing the East Ohio Conference’s knew MTSO from her time as a member and then to elder. But there was a growing of the United Methodist Commission on Commission on the Status and Role of movement toward a redefinition of the Women – and considering a new vocation. Theological Education and through friends deacons’ ordination. “It seemed clear that who are trustees and alumni. “I spent about a year deciding whether the call identified by diaconal ministers to I was called to the ordained ministry,” Lutz service, compassion, word and justice was as Continues

4 METHODIST THEOLOGICAL SCHOOL IN OHIO ON CAMPUS

From previous page

“That was always something I thought I would enjoy doing,” she said of seminary trusteeship, “having both the education piece and the church piece as a part of my world. This is a denomination that honors the academic as well as the spiritual.” At MTSO, she said, “several things come together. Part is a commitment to diversity, not just in the politically correct sense, but diversity in the human sense that covers the range of differences that are “This is one step of our ongoing effort” h The new hillside array part of who we are as human beings.” “That plays out in so many different ways, and what I see at Methesco is a commitment to struggle with that. I hear MTSO’s solar array faculty doing that. I hear administrators doing that. I hear that as just a part of the conversation.” is harnessing the sun She also sees a fully engaged student body: “They own the environment. It’s In October 2014, President Jay Rundell MTSO’s commitment to thinking and not like the students at a college who go invited donors to invest in MTSO’s latest effort acting ecologically. through a class and leave and don’t leave to increase campus sustainability. The result “This is one step of our ongoing effort to an imprint on the school.” is a new, 40-panel solar array, which has been installed on a hillside between Gault Hall and make MTSO a more sustainable campus,” That level of engagement is necessary, the Helen Werner Apartment Building. Rundell said. “I’m grateful to those who she said, for the role she believes MTSO invested in this project.” and its graduates should play. The photovoltaic panels are expected to reduce the campus’s reliance on conven­tional Other efforts include the founding of “I think that our seminaries, and electric service by generating 11 kilowatts Seminary Hill Farm in late 2013. In addition particularly Methesco, are beacons in what of electricity for Gault and Werner halls. to providing fresh produce at every meal can be a pretty dark world and need to stay The system is tied into the electrical grid. in Dunn Dining Hall, the farm shares its that way,” she said. “If I can help in that Its location was chosen both for positioning bounty with the broader community through process I’m glad for the opportunity.” h relative to the sun and to stand as a symbol charitable donations, the community- supported agriculture program, restaurant supply and participation in farmers’ markets. Seminary Hill Farm’s CSA Fall Term begins Oct. 1 In the classroom, MTSO has developed five courses that address issues within MTSO’s Seminary Hill Farm offers distribution, an array of produce is ecotheology and sustainability, including those who love fresh, organic produce an washed, sorted into bunches and Food, Land and Faith Formation, and opportunity to participate in community organized for easy selection. Members are Dialogues in Faith and Science. Students in supported agriculture throughout the provided reusable Seminary Hill Farm the Master of Divinity and Master of Arts growing season. bags and have an opportunity to talk with in Practical Theology programs may earn The eight-week CSA Fall Term runs the people who grew the food, including Ecology and Justice degree specializations. from Oct. 1 through Nov. 19 and will experts in farm-to-table cooking. include such things as salad mix, radishes, New projects aimed at making campus Memberships are transferable and more sustainable are being identified. asparagus, spinach and herbs. The price sharable between households. To learn is $240. more and register, visit “This is a process for us,” Rundell said. CSA distribution is 4 to 6 p.m. www.seminaryhillfarm.org. “I look forward to sharing news of our next every Thursday at the farm. For each steps soon.” h

THE STORY h Fall 2015 5 ON CAMPUS A pastoral life MTSO Bishop in Residence Judith Craig discusses teaching, preaching and the new scholarship endowment that bears her name

Before she served as a United Methodist bishop, before she directed the East Ohio Conference Council on Ministries, before she pastored a church, before she was a minister of religious education, the young Judy Craig had in her mind a tidy vocational plan: “I wanted to spend a few years in a local church, and then I’d teach in a seminary somewhere.” The timeline wasn’t exactly what she envisioned, but for 15 years now, Bishop Judith Craig has indeed been teaching in a seminary somewhere – specifically at MTSO. She has served as bishop in residence and visiting professor in the Dickhaut Chair of Church Leadership since retiring from the episcopacy in 2000. “That I ended up at the seminary was sheer wonder,” she said. “Long years ago I thought this is what I’d do, and here I was.” “That I ended up at the seminary was sheer wonder” h Craig’s years teaching leadership and homiletics have capped a Craig delivering MTSO’s 2008 commencement address pioneering and impactful ministry. Elected to the United Methodist episcopacy in 1984, she served as bishop of the Michigan and Ohio West areas for eight years each. “I never took a homiletics course in seminary because I never thought I’d be a preacher. But I enjoyed teaching it. Some people She made history in 1996 as the first woman to deliver are just natural stage people, and there are some for whom that is the traditional episcopal address opening the denomination’s very difficult. But even the latter can learn the rubrics of how to quadrennial General Conference. Four colleges and universities write a good sermon and, with coaching and encouragement, can have presented her with honorary doctorate degrees, and in 2000, a learn to offer it acceptably. The chutzpah can’t be taught; that just is a home for orphans in Liberia was christened the Bishop Judith Craig natural thing. But courage and confidence in your skill, in knowing Children’s Village. what you’re doing, can be encouraged, I think. I saw some pretty quiet people become pretty bombastic preachers. That was fun.” Now she has embarked on a new project: the Bishop Judith Craig Scholarship Endowment at MTSO, to which she is a significant “When I arrived at MTSO, I found myself amidst a group of donor. Additional donors are now being offered the opportunity to scholars and committed souls that really impressed me. I felt so contribute to the fund. A special appeal will be made Sept. 28 at the honored to sit among the faculty. I still do. I haven’t begun to do the Alumni Day luncheon in Craig’s honor. academic work that they’ve done. They’re not to be taken lightly. I just admire them so much.” Bishop Craig spent an afternoon in July on her Worthington front porch demonstrating once again that she’s an important and “It had been a while since I’d been at a seminary, so I was provocative voice within the United Methodist Church. She shared surprised and pleased at all the age differences. But I also was a her recollections and wisdom on topics ranging from her seminary little surprised at the students’ expectations of their professors – the colleagues to the future of the United Methodist Church to the kind of pushback on their professors I never would have thought of makings of an effective preacher. exhibiting when I was in seminary. My professors were gods. I guess

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somebody who’s just had a death, somebody whose kids are in trouble, somebody who’s making a big decision about employment. Every congregation has those. So I kind of tried to conjure up a congregation in my mind that would be like that.” “I blessed a toilet once, an indoor toilet. That congregation finally got rid of the outdoor shanty and built an indoor toilet, and I went down and blessed that thing. Now, how do you bless a toilet? I don’t know. I remember thinking, ‘This is a challenge.’” “I think that the contentious issue of homosexuality within the United Methodist Church is a U.S. issue, and we need to find a way for the U.S. to debate it and deal with it. And let each continent find its own way to do that. We’re different. We have different contexts. There is a proposal to divide the church into five central conferences, “If you think you can wait until Friday to put a sermon of which the United States would be one. And in those central together, you’re not a thoughtful preacher” h Teaching conferences, each elects bishops. Each does work that is related to its a fresh-air homiletics class culture. We each set social standards. We deal with economies that are appropriate to our situations. We’re riding in an old boat, and we need to get out of it before it sinks us all and create some new boats that sail I want to beg students to remember that their professors are highly under different flags, with one big flag that is the United Methodist trained, committed professionals and Christians and believers, and Church. I pray for that day, and I pray for those concepts to come that they need to respect that.” back onto the floor of General Conference and be discussed seriously.” “Balancing the pastoral and the prophetic is a tough challenge. “This new scholarship is very pleasing to me. I fought putting But I believe if you get to know your people and let them get to my name on the scholarship for a little while. It seemed self- know you – put your feet under their kitchen table a little – that aggrandizing. But I learned with the children’s village in Liberia that my over time you can suggest wild things that they would never have name raises money in certain sectors. I hope we can build it to where imagined about changing church or changing society. But you can’t it can sustain some students full-time. I wish every seminary student do that if you’re a stranger. Those are the kinds of conversations you could spend their first year not having to worry about money and just have with people you know.” immerse themselves in study and the transition they’re making.” “About six years ago, I returned to Epworth-Euclid UMC, “I think seminary education requires pondering, lots of where I’d served earlier, to spend a year as interim pastor and pondering. Students need time to meditate without worrying about led them as they decided to unite with First Church Cleveland to finances, and to ask, ‘What is this I’m seeing?’ And if this scholarship create University Circle United Methodist Church. I said to my is one little contribution to that, then that’s pleasing to me. And I students, ‘I’ve got a student charge. I drive to it every weekend. Up would thank anyone who gives a dollar or 10 for helping that come and down I-71.’ Oh, it was fun. I got to preach every Sunday to the h same congregation for a year.” about.” “When I’m preparing a Sunday sermon, I read the lectionary on Monday and I start thinking. And every now and then The Bishop Judith Craig something pops in my head, and I go back and read the lectionary again to see if that really does illuminate it. Along about midweek, I Scholarship Endowment write out what I might want to do in that sermon. And it’s only then that I go to commentaries, because I’ve lived with the text a few days MTSO is honored that Bishop Judith Craig is lending her myself. I go to commentaries to make sure I’m not missing name to a new scholarship endowment that will benefit those something obvious – and often I am. I usually wrote a final sermon exploring a call to ministry by minimizing their financial on Friday. If my sermon isn’t done by 2 o’clock in the afternoon on burdens and enabling them to better concentrate on their Friday, I’m in a snit. And if you think you can wait until Friday to preparation to serve. It is her hope that the scholarship will be put it all together, you’re not a thoughtful preacher.” of particular value to women pursuing ministry. “As bishop, I’d preached to congregations I didn’t know and We invite you to join Bishop Craig in this investment in the under circumstances I wasn’t sure of all over the map for 16 ministries of future leaders for the church and the world. To years. You know how I did that, though: I decided that in every learn more about the scholarship and explore your options for congregation there is a cluster of the same human issues. There is giving, please visit www.mtso.edu/craig. someone out there with a broken family, somebody facing a divorce,

THE STORY h Fall 2015 7 STUDENTS New student The incoming class that arrived in August features a snapshots wealth of compelling stories The varied stories and aspirations of the newest MTSO from college are finding themselves among classmates students reflect the evolving role of theological education with careers and life experiences already under their belts. in preparing Christian leaders. Some feel the pull of Below are reflections of si x incoming students, featuring traditional pulpit ministry, while others seek to make a quotes from their admissions essays. The church and the difference beyond the church walls. This group also brings world are fortunate to have them pursuing vocations of an invigorating mix of backgrounds. Seminarians fresh real significance at MTSO.

Working to enhance the surrounding this issue by promoting people who rejected xenophobia, dialogues, raising awareness and islamophobia, homophobia and misogyny nonprofit she founded encouraging communication. SOW in favor of justice rooted in loving kindness.” empowers children and adults through Bhoke Mukami earned degrees from The experience rekindled Rodriquez’s educational programs on how to prevent, universities in Tanzania and the United interest in ministry. A Harding Scholarship recognize and react responsibly to Kingdom and embarked recipient, he will pursue a Master of Divinity childhood sexual abuse,” she said. on a successful career degree at MTSO. in investment banking. “I know with a MACM degree, I will be Yet she found herself better prepared to lead SOW and fulfill my “I know in my heart that I want to serve continuing to reflect on lifelong vision to work with people facing the impoverished as well as unhoused powerful experiences in some of the most difficult issues to solve.” communities,” he said. “I feel a strong Tanzania. calling toward ministering to those who so often go unnoticed. As a person of color, As a volunteer with A pursuit of ministry I have a strong desire to help bridge the local children, Mukami abandoned and rekindled chasm of racial understanding.” was often told difficult stories of abuse and molestation: “I came to know that some of Discouraged by the changes in his “While I am not certain any person can the girls had been sexually violated. It was childhood church and a faith-challenging ever be fully and truly prepared to delve into really hard to comprehend and digest. It was first year at a conservative Southern college, the most profound and longing questions of during this time that I made a commitment Kevin Michael the human heart, mind and spirit, I do know to empower both boys and girls.” Rodriquez abandoned that I have waited long enough to try.” In December 2013, Mukami founded the early plans to pursue nonprofit organization Shield Our Watoto, ministry. He returned to Called to be a deacon employing a Kiswahili word that means his home state to enroll children. SOW works to make Tanzanian in California State engaged in counseling University Monterey children safer by equipping both children After graduating Bay. After graduating and adults with the tools and information from Ohio Northern magna cum laude, to confront the silent but pervasive issue of University with a degree Rodriquez began a career as a mentor and sexual abuse. Now, with the help of the Flo in youth ministries, tutor with the Community Partnership for K. Gault Scholarship, Mukami is seeking Alexandra Petrey a Master of Arts in Counseling Ministries Youth. earned a Master of degree to enhance her work. “This is where I had a true encounter Divinity degree from “My dream is to break the silence with the living God,” he said, “through Garrett-Evangelical

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Theological Seminary. While at Garrett, she of several ministry areas, including music, Howard, who received a Methesco immersed herself in Chicago’s downtown, event planning and creating a new outreach Scholarship, feels certain this is the right serving in congregational children’s ministry. team,” he said. place to continue her discernment: “God’s She also interned with a nonprofit in Detroit presence is alive and vibrant at MTSO. I felt Inspired by that summer, he returned it in the chapel and the classrooms, among that provides transitional housing for to his sophomore year at Ohio Northern students, faculty and staff. I want to be a part homeless families. University and changed his major to music, of that living spirit.” “I felt myself torn between the needs of the with a minor in communication studies. local church for faith formation and the needs When he began serving as a student pastor in the greater community for justice,” she said. of Alger First UMC in July 2014, he relied Transitioning from pulpit “I enjoyed teaching and enjoyed working in on his communication skills in preparing ministry to counseling the larger community. At the same time, I sermons each week. Despite serving as an felt the need for strong elder leadership and Yet as he enters MTSO as an M. Div. ordained Presbyterian the strong encouragement of other clergy to student and a recipient of an Alford minister for the last 10 become an elder, but I felt within my heart the Scholarship, it is in his music degree that years and having a full call for deacon.” Burns finds the most historical and spiritual family life with a wife connections to ministry: “Music gives a To merge her interests, Petrey, a and three young boys, voice to the deepest part of the human soul. commissioned provisional deacon in the West Troy Scot Braswell As a pastor, that is the part of the soul to Ohio Conference, is seeking a Master of Arts finds himself longing to which I desire to speak.” in Counseling Ministries degree, aided by a shift the focus of his ministry. The recipient Burton D. Morgan Foundation Scholarship. of an MTSO Recognition Award, he will “As a licensed social worker or mental- Treating discernment pursue a Master of Arts in Counseling health counselor,” she said, “I am able to as an adventure Ministries degree. provide mental-health counseling and Braswell plans to seek licensure as a “Discerning a call to advocacy for justice issues beyond the life of professional counselor, “likely focusing ministry is a moment- the local congregation for the greater good of on marriage and family therapy with a by-moment adventure in our communities. I hope to make poverty and particular emphasis on questions of faith connecting with God and mental illness both areas where our churches and LGBT issues.” feel more equipped, and where disciples are integrating prayer with able to minister to, with and for others.” daily life. My discernment His focus on LGBT issues has taken is a lifelong pursuit,” said root in the last few years: “More often Emily Howard, whose than not, the church has been a locus of Moved by how pursuit has been wide-ranging. condemnation for those identifying as music speaks to lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered. That Raised in the Church of God, Howard experience is frequently accompanied by the soul attended the College of Wooster, where internal family conflict.” she participated in a Quaker leadership As a youth delegate development program, volunteered in an Braswell has taken pastoral care classes in to West Ohio Annual urban addiction recovery program and the past and employed what he learned. “But Conference in 2010, interned with a Presbyterian congregation. I still wonder how much more help I might Andrew Burns first felt his call to After graduation, she remained at Wooster as provide to others once I have completed ministry. He was captivated by the a campus chaplain for three years. training as a counselor.” ordination service and still remembers how “We all have questions,” he said. “The the strains of God of Grace and God of Glory Howard sought out one more experience maddeningly challenging reality of God is filled Hoover Auditorium: “It was a feeling before making the commitment to enroll that the more we explore the questions we similar to how I imagine John Wesley must in MTSO’s Master of Divinity program: have, the more new questions we are likely have felt when he wrote that his heart was Leaving behind rural Wooster, she moved to discover. And that is ultimately what I ‘strangely warmed’ on Aldersgate Street.” to Cleveland where she became a part of the ministry team at a new United Church of hope to do with this degree: help others A couple of years later, as an intern with Christ church called Embody: A Community explore their own life questions.” h the West Ohio Next Generations Leadership of Faith. There, she said, “I learned that Summer Internship program, he worked ministry is not a total pouring out of self for with two United Methodist churches near others and God. Rather, ministry fills me Dayton. “I was able to experience the rigors up t o o.”

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A wise take on Christianity and war An MTSO alum and Vietnam vet brought his perspective to a significant class

Polite and unassuming, Jerry Seaman would take his place at the circle of desks in Professor Diane Lobody’s class each Tuesday afternoon during the Spring Semester. He was there to audit – participating in the class without earning academic credit – and he didn’t always jump into the middle of the lively discussions. But when he did choose to speak, he commanded the room’s attention. “I loved the Marine Corps, and I loved what I did” h Jerry Seaman and The course was Christianity and War, and Christianity and War classmate Rachael Gardner Seaman has acquired a unique grounding in both of those topics. He received a Master of Divinity degree from MTSO in 1978 and put Seaman enrolled in MTSO, where his we as students would not understand,” said it to work in the field of substance abuse and vocational plans changed once again. Rachael Gardner, who received a Master of Divinity degree in May. “He discusses his prevention. The retired CEO of Quest “While I was here, I got connected thoughts about God and his faith during the Recovery and Prevention Services in with working as an alcoholism counselor war and from his memory of his father Canton, he has returned to Central Ohio. in Delaware,” he said. “I thought it was being in the military. Family dynamics and just gonna be a part-time job while I was Before his career and before seminary, the changes that happened within the finishing school, but I loved it. Ended up Seaman found himself in the middle of the society are something only a person who doing that for almost 40 years.” Vietnam War, flying helicopters as a Marine was there would be able to share.” pilot. He was on his way to law school when After he returned to Delaware from “Jerry and others in the class with military his plans were interrupted by a draft notice. Canton, Seaman decided to take advantage experience helped keep us grounded to of MTSO’s auditing opportunities. The “I qualified for Officer Candidates School the realities of viewpoints we might have Christianity and War course caught his because I was already out of college,” he said, otherwise missed,” said Mark Rupp, another attention, so he signed on for the Spring “and I also qualified for their pilot training May M.Div. grad. “As someone who professes Semester and quickly became immersed in program.” He was deployed to Vietnam in a commitment to nonviolent peacemaking, the class. 1968 and ’69. this was especially helpful to me as I think “I loved the Marine Corps, and I loved “Dr. Lobody does a phenomenal job about the ethical complexities of war.” with that course,” he said. “You can tell she what I did,” Seaman said. “I was lucky enough Seaman said joining Gardner, Rupp and puts a lot of passion and interest into it. The to be involved with a lot of medevac flying his other classmates was “inspiring in a lot readings she had all the students do were and felt like the missions we were involved of ways. It’s gotten me connected back with remarkably good.” in were supportive of the Marines on the some basic spiritual issues, and I’m reading ground. I appreciated that opportunity.” Lobody said it was enlightening to have theology again in a way I haven’t for a long Seaman offering a veteran’s perspective t i m e .” During his time in the service, his plans during class discussions. “He was able to for graduate school changed: “I had gotten “I’ve really been impressed with the say, ‘Let me tell you what it was like flying connected with the Methodist Church students in that class, with the seriousness a helicopter,’” she said. His classmates were when I was in the Marine Corps, and the with which they’ve taken the topics. It was grateful for his insights as well. experience I had and the relationships I had obvious they were doing the work – and Dr. with a couple pastors motivated me to think “There is such a passion when he talks Lobody had people do a lot of work.” h about becoming a Methodist minister.” about issues from the soldiers’ view, things

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1983 Since the school shooting deaths of three students at Chardon (Ohio) High School in 2012, Jim Adams has been involved in the treatment and recovery of victims of trauma, family members and the community. He Alum news is a national speaker on school shootings If you’re an alum or former faculty or staff member of MTSO and have news to share about your ministry or personal milestones, please submit it via the link and is currently doing research with Case Western Reserve University into how at www.mtso.edu/update. If you don’t have an Internet connection, you may communities heal after trauma, and what mail your news to us at Alum News, MTSO, 3081 Columbus Pike, Delaware, trauma interventions models produce the Ohio 43015. Alum news also can be found online at www.mtso.edu/alums. best long-term outcomes for survivors. [email protected] 1971 1979 1985 Paul Van Buren led in the development IN MEMORIAM Dale Lanigan is chairperson of the of Project Tariro (Hope),an HIV and Robert Bloomquist passed away Feb. 21, Department of Sociology & Justice Studies AIDS ministry of UMC Deacons and 2015. He is survived by his wife, Gloria, a at Lourdes University in Sylvania, Ohio. Diaconal Ministers in partnership 1980 Methesco grad, one son, Joe, and two [email protected] with Africa University, Zimbabwe. grandchildren. [email protected] [email protected] 1980 1990 Neil Leftwich has been appointed 1972 Sylvia Howe and her husband moved to superintendent of Central West District of James Kuse is now retired and living in Columbus to be closer to two of her sons, the Desert Southwest Annual Conference Asheville, N.C. He has spent the last nine their wives and their youngest grandson. “We of the United Methodist Church. Neil years in ministry with homeless folks, and are still unpacking and getting reacquainted and his wife, Judy McFarland, (also he currently scrubs pots and pans at the with life in the Midwest.” In 1981, she began MTSO class of 1990) have relocated to Haywood Street Mission, where 400-plus her first fulltime settlement as a Unitarian the greater Phoenix area. Judy retired are served every Wednesday. “What a joy!!” Universalist parish minister in Springfield from correctional health nursing in [email protected] and Macomb, Ill. In 2008, she retired and was the county jail system in June of 2014. awarded emerita status by the First Parish [email protected] Unitarian Universalist Church in Beverly, 1975 Mass. In between, she served congregations Lyle Shiffert has been appointed as in Pennsylvania, Florida and Maryland. [email protected] 1992 pastor of Zion UMC in Luckey, Ohio. Ashwin Welch [email protected] , currently pastor of St. Paul Brad Martin recently earned a Doctor of UMC in Galion, Ohio, is a former General Ministry degree with a core in Missional Board of Global Ministries missionary to Leadership from Asbury Theological India, police and fire chaplain, and Crucible 1976 Program mentor. [email protected] Robert Graybill and his wife, Seminary. [email protected] Barbara, have been blessed with their first granddaughter, Grace Margaret Jackson. 1993 [email protected] 1982 Samuel White Bill Byrd published Basic Budgeting: You has published his first Can Do It! The book is a simple visual book, It is Well with My Soul: Spiritual 1977 guide to creating a personal budget for Care for the Dying, a resource for clergy, graduates, newlyweds, families and retirees. professional caregivers and people IN MEMORIAM who want to help their loved ones Paul R. Parker died on Sept. 16, 2014. He also led a two-day budgeting class for 120 Indianapolis inner-city high school make a peaceful transition into eternal [email protected] freshmen. [email protected] life.

Continues

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1998 IN MEMORIAM 2011 Candy Thomas successfully completed her MariAnn KusmertzChell passed away Michele Holloway has moved from interim pastorate at First UCC, Austinburg Nov. 9, 2014, after a brief and sudden illness. the West Ohio Conference of the United in September 2014. She moved to the Miami, Methodist Church to the Oregon-Idaho Fla., area to help her daughter and son- Conference, where she is serving two small- in-law with the two Haitian children they 2006 membership churches on the Columbia recently adopted. [email protected] Thomas Lawton has been called to serve River. [email protected] a Bostwick Lake Congregational UCC in Rockford, Mich. [email protected] Jean Schafer was ordained as deacon 2000 in the West Ohio Conference of the Joseph Branch was recently promoted United Methodist Church in June. to major and has been appointed wing 2007 [email protected] chaplain of the 178th Wing of the Ohio Air Mark Parsons-Justice is teaching National Guard. [email protected] Leslie Taylor moved to Lafayette, Calif., in English, English as a second language July. [email protected] and general education at West Virginia Carol Layton retired July 1 and has State University, outside of Charleston. relocated to the area of her childhood home [email protected] in Colorado. “I am helping care for my 2013 mother and enjoying sleeping in on Sunday Peggy Sham is back home in Texas, morning!” [email protected] working with adolescents in the Dallas 2008 County Juvenile Residential Drug Treatment Nancy Day-Achauer has been appointed 2001 program, while pursuing commissioning to serve as a commissioner for the city of in North Texas Conference of the United Nancy Millwater is currently serving Columbus Westland Area Commission and Methodist Church in 2016. Her call is to Lees Creek UCC in Sabina, Ohio. appointed chair of the executive board of help the church serve people struggling [email protected] the Westland Area Business Association. with mental health and substance abuse She also co-founded the Prairie Township concerns. [email protected] 2002 Community Health Action Team, a partnership of community leaders working David McDonald was a presenter at the together to improve health and wellness 2014 2015 United Methodist Campus Ministry on the far west side of Columbus. As Christina (Yost) Lelache was married Association Summer Institute, with the senior pastor of St. Mark’s UMC, she has topic “Merge: A Model for Group Spiritual on Oct. 18, 2014, to Ryan Lelache. led the transition to a bilingual (English [email protected] Direction for First Year Students.” He also and Spanish), bicultural congregation: presented at the General Board of Higher “St. Mark’s UMC – One Church, Two Education and Ministry colloquium on Languages.” [email protected] theological reflection on campus ministry 2015 in 2015 on the topic “Discerning Calling Whitney Bruno has been called to at the Center and the Edge: Vocational 2010 St. Michael’s UCC in Baltimore, Ohio. Discernment as Spiritual Direction and [email protected] Abby Caseman is currently the pastor Discipline.” [email protected] at Cunningham and Penalosa UMCs in Sam Byrd was installed as the minister at Kingman County, Kan. She also teaches Westfield Center First Universalist Church 2004 worship for the Certified Lay Ministers in Westfield Center, Ohio, in July. Rob Giannamore is on the road to in the Great Plains Annual Conference ordination in the United Church of Christ and speaks at retreats and workshops Samuel Osam-Duodu is grateful for and is licensed as a professional counselor in for the United Methodist Women. his 2015 graduation from MTSO: “To the Pennsylvania. [email protected] [email protected] good Lord be all the glory for granting us the needed spiritual and physical resources Matthew Landry is now the associate to see us through our stay at MTSO. 2005 pastor of Meridian Street UMC in Personally, I am now more enriched and Betsy Maurath was ordained as a teaching Indianapolis. He serves in the areas better equipped for ministry.” elder in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) of mission and justice ministries, and commissioned to the specialized local outreach, and discipleship. Andrew Scott is the pastor of ministry of hospital chaplaincy in January. [email protected] LaGrange UMC in LaGrange, [email protected] Ohio. [email protected]

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NEW TO THE FACULTY ‘My teaching and activism fit here’ Valerie Bridgeman shows her homiletics students what it means to pay attention

When Dr. Valerie Bridgeman’s mother associate professor of homiletics and watched her playing with friends in rural Hebrew Bible effective July 1 of this year. Alabama in the 1960s and ’70s, she observed Prior to coming to MTSO, Bridgeman a sign of things to come. was a tenured associate professor at “My mother used to say that I was the Lancaster Theological Seminary. She also is littlest thing on the playground, and I was the founding president and CEO of the first to stand up for other kids who were WomanPreach! Inc., a nonprofit being picked on,” Bridgeman said. “That must organization that instructs preachers in have been the start of my life as an activist.” speaking about issues of equity and justice both in the pulpit and in the public arena. “My mother did very little talking about her faith, but she lived it out in very “Dr. Bridgeman is known broadly for specific ways,” she said. “And all of her her prophetic voice regarding important children in some ways are activists. It’s a issues for the church and the world. I expect commitment for us she will help those we’re that’s grounded in preparing for ministry to “None of us is free until all of us are h faith and in the notion “My mother used to find their voices as well,” said free” Bridgeman that to be a Christian say that I was the MTSO President Jay Rundell. is to participate in the littlest thing on the Bridgeman approached and living out her social justice principles changing of the world the opportunity to teach at are always at the forefront of her thoughts as for the better.” playground, and I was the first to MTSO cautiously at first. she weaves together her background and her Bridgeman’s current thinking. stand up for other “I was reticent, to say activism takes a the least, to be in a mostly “I’m a black woman from the South,” she number of forms. She kids who were white environment and in said. “But there are some privileges associated participates regularly being picked on.” a rural one, too,” she said. with my life. I’m an educated black woman in demonstrations, “But I can honestly say with a middle-class income. Poor and often including several in that this faculty, staff and people of color – but not just people of color Ferguson, Mo., over the past year. While administration are the most collegial people – who are outside of power structures move participating in a recent demonstration in I’ve ever been around. During my time here, me. I really believe that none of us is free Ferguson, Bridgeman relied on her well- the community opened up to me, welcomed until all of us are free.” known role as a preacher to lead those me, and made me believe that my voice, my gathered. “I truly believe that we are in a web of teaching, my passion for the church, my relationships,” she said. “If my success is “I didn’t lead a chant on the streets scholarship, and my activism fit who and how based on the oppression of someone else’s because those people didn’t know me as a this institution is.” life, then my success is not really success at ‘voice.’ I led prayer inside the church before Bridgeman chuckled that she finds herself all. And the inequities in our world, both as a we hit the streets because I’m known as a in the Greater Columbus area at a seminary Christian and as an educator, I am bound to ritualist and worship leader.” that includes a certified organic farm: both expose and oppose. That’s my work, and Along with her fierce commitment to I feel very much called to it.” “Althought I grew up on a farm, I’m a city social justice, Bridgeman brings a reputation person. I couldn’t wait to get off the farm, and After earning a Master of Divinity as respected and sought-after preacher to here I am back on a farm at MTSO.” degree from Austin Presbyterian Seminary, the classrooms of MTSO. A visiting faculty member since early 2014, she was appointed Bridgeman’s commitment to teaching Continues on page 15

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NEW TO THE FACULTY ‘I’m curious about the early Christians’ Ryan Schellenberg loves studying the New Testament – particularly (to his surprise) Paul

When you ask Dr. Ryan Schellenberg of Arts in New Testament at Mennonite why he left a job he enjoyed at Fresno Pacific Brethren Biblical Seminary and his B.A. at University and moved across the country to Canadian Mennonite University. join the faculty of MTSO, he doesn’t have an answer. He has three. “Rather than quitting school and getting a real job like most of my peers, I just kept “First,” he said, “I’ll be working going back,” he said with a smile. “I just kept with seminary students rather than being curious about what the early Christians undergraduates – people with a little bit were up to.” more academic background and, more “The MTSO community shares my important, people who are already focused Schellenberg is the author of Rethinking h on ministry and are thinking theologically Paul’s Rhetorical Education: Comparative commitment to social justice” about how reading the Bible might inform Rhetoric and 2 Corinthians 10-13, published Schellenberg church ministry. That’s quite different from by the Society of Biblical Literature. The recent monograph was awarded the 2015 having a bunch of college freshmen in one’s person, and asking questions about him as an F.W. Beare Award, presented by the Canadian classroom who are being forced to take individual, opened up the study of Paul to me Society of Biblical Studies in recognition of Introduction to the Bible. The second thing in a way that I had not imagined. Who is this an outstanding book in the areas of Christian is that an institution like this will give me person? Why does he think the way he does? origins, post-biblical Judaism or Greco- more scope to pursue the research I love and What is going on not just in his brain but in Roman religions. He also has had peer- that shapes my teaching. And then finally, him as a whole human person?” like Fresno, the MTSO community shares reviewed articles published in such respected my commitment to social justice and seeing periodicals as the Journal of Biblical Literature In Rethinking Paul’s Rhetorical Education, what God’s kingdom looks like worked out and Catholic Biblical Quarterly. Schellenberg swims against the tide of much in practical, concrete terms.” scholarly speculation about Paul’s social status Schellenberg was appointed assistant and education. professor of New Testament, effective July “It’s important that we’re not just 1. He arrived at MTSO after four years reading about the Bible or about what “A number of scholars at Fresno Pacific, where he was assistant Greeks and Romans and Jews thought have argued that since Paul’s letters look relatively professor and program director of Biblical about things, but that we’re actually and Religious Studies. In 2013, he won the rhetorically sophisticated, Inspirational Teacher Award from Fresno encountering them in their own words.” he must have had formal Pacific’s chapter of the Alpha Chi Honor education, which means Society. he must have been Much of Schellenberg’s writing involves relatively well-off since your average folk “We’re excited to bring such an energetic the work of Paul, which would have surprised didn’t get rhetorical education in the ancient and thoughtful scholar to campus,” his younger self: “At the master’s level, I was world,” he said. “By using cross-cultural said MTSO President Jay Rundell. “Dr. particularly interested in the Gospel of Luke, rhetorical comparison, I try to show that Schellenberg will guide our students in largely because in Luke, social issues and all of his rhetorical strategies can also be taking a fresh look at the texts that shape our particularly economic justice are right at the found among speakers who we know had no work as religious leaders.” fore of the text. I thought of Paul as being too training in Western rhetoric and aren’t even Raised Mennonite in Hepburn, doctrinaire to be of very much practical use. a part of the heritage of Greek and Roman Saskatchewan, Schellenberg earned his Ph.D. But I took a seminar in my doctoral studies culture. That sets me up to try to challenge from the University of St. Michael’s College called Paul: Biographical Problems, and in the University of Toronto, his Master approaching Paul as a human being, as a real Continues

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SCHELLENBERG generous, too, and Paul could have been similarities and differences, and then consider From previous page inviting people to be generous who weren’t in how we might take something from the past more directly the idea that Paul had a fact well-off.” and translate it into our present reality.” relatively wealthy background.” Longer term, Schellenberg is studying He’ll expect his students to do that how Paul’s time in prison shaped the opinion thinking while carefully considering the Schellenberg contends that our of him among those in Greco-Roman primary texts, rather than relying too heavily assumptions about Paul’s wealth or lack society: “We, of course, look back on Paul as on subsequent scholars’ abstracts: “I think it’s thereof are important: “My suspicion is that a prisoner of conscience, sort of like we see really important that we’re not just reading most scholars studying Paul, who themselves Martin Luther King Jr. But it’s anachronistic about the Bible or about what Greeks and are in positions of privilege, tend to imagine to imagine the average Greek or Roman Romans and Jews thought about things, but that the people who have something would have seen him in those terms.” that we’re actually encountering them in their worthwhile to say are also in positions of own words.” privilege. I think it’s a useful corrective to “Given the realities of life in the United consider that Paul was actually a manual States, I’m thinking about early Christian Schellenberg is still encountering MTSO, laborer with informal education and is experiences of prison with an eye to how getting a sense of the campus and its people. nevertheless worth attending to.” such research might inform a Christian But already, he feels a kinship. response to mass incarceration.” Currently, he is writing a paper – “the “It is really clear right from the outset As a teacher, Schellenberg wants to help shorthand I use for it is ‘Paul in Poverty’” – that people are committed to the connection students consider the difference between to be presented in November at the annual between academic work and social practice. ancient and modern contexts – without using meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature. That’s clear in conversations with faculty, that difference to marginalize early Christian where I see other faculty talking about “The argument that when Paul asks writing: “We don’t want to read those texts how what they do academically and in the people to be generous he must be speaking in isolation from their contexts, but neither classroom connects with a vision for the with relatively wealthy people is one I’m not should we lock them in the ancient world so world. But it’s also clear in things the school persuaded by,” he said. “I’m trying to use that they’re no good to us in the present. We itself is doing, from the solar panels to the ethnographic and anthropological literature and they are different in all kinds of ways. farm. I’m impressed by that and excited to be to defend my intuition that poor people are The trick is to think critically about both a part of it.” h

BRIDGEMAN The need to pay attention infuses her From page 13 teaching in other ways. Bridgeman graduated from Baylor “When I’m teaching a biblical text, I tell with a Ph.D. in biblical studies with students, ‘We’re going to doing something a concentration in Hebrew Bible and radical here. We’re going to read the text,’” secondary studies in ethics. At Baylor, she said. “There’s a perception that if you’re she realized she wanted to be part of an progressive and liberal, you don’t take institution that truly valued teaching, not the Bible seriously. I’m like, ‘We take the just research. Bible really seriously here.’ Whether you are preaching it, or you are studying it “I felt called to train the church’s leaders. “The most collegial people I’ve been from a biblical interpretive point of view, And I don’t mean to train just the church’s around” h Bridgeman with Rundell at or whether I’m teaching Hebrew Bible, or pastors, but to train people who represent the fall orientation dinner whether I’m teaching preaching, the text has and who together can be representatives of in it the ability to force you to see. Then you God in the earth. For me, the training of poor people right around the corner from have to make ethical decisions. You have to leaders for the act of service or the work of their church who they disdain.” pay attention.” ministry has to do with helping people see God’s ‘What if,’ to help people see beyond “And as for students, the song line that I President Rundell believes that the MTSO what they’ve always seen, to think beyond quote to them all the time is from the movie campus will be paying attention to Bridgeman what they’ve always thought.” Sister Act: ‘If you want to be somebody, in important ways over the coming years. if you want to go somewhere, you better “My activism is always about what are wake up and pay attention,’” she said. “But “Dr. Bridgeman brings a special blend we paying attention to right now, right for me it’s not even the ‘be somebody or go of scholarship, creativity and energy to our where we are,” she said. “I see folks traveling somewhere’ part of that line. It’s the paying campus and the world around us,” Rundell to help poor people in Africa when there are attention,” she said. said. “She is just the disruption we need.” h

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Faculty activities Beyond the classroom | 2014-15 Valerie for Texas A&M Rural Leadership Conference, Nashville, March 13-14, 2015. Bridgeman May 20, 2015. Preached at the historic Concord Baptist Meetings Church of Christ in New York City, March 15, Associate Professor 2015. of Homiletics American Academy of Religion annual meet- and Hebrew Bible ing, Nov. 20-23, 2014. Preached at New Calvary Baptist Church in Norfolk, Va., March 22, 2015. Society of Biblical Literature annual meeting, Preached “I Thirst” for Good Friday: Seven Publications Nov. 20-23, 2014. Last Sayings, St. Paul’s Baptist Church, Phila- “Walking” and “Apocalypse/When Freedom Academy of Homiletics, Nov. 20-21, 2014. delphia, April 3, 2015. Can be Had,” Society for Arts in Religious and The Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference, Feb. Pastoral Installation for Rev. James Thomas, Theological Studies 26.2, April 15, 2015. 8-12, 2015. First Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, April Academic lectures and presentations Society for the Study of Black Religion, March 12, 2015. 19-21, 2015. “A Report from Ferguson,” presented at the Preached for Women’s Day, Open Church, Womanist Ingathering of the American Acad- Samuel DeWitt Proctor board meeting, June Baltimore, May 10, 2015. emy of Religion Conference, Nov. 21, 2014. 15-16, 2015. Preached for Women’s Day, Emory “Alternative Training for Practical Ministry: SpiritHouse Community-Building Conference Grove UMC, Gaithersburg, Md., May 31, WomanPreach! Inc.,” presented as a case study for Activists, Philadelphia, June 18-20, 2015. 2015. in the Practical Theology session of the Society Arts and Spirituality Conference, United Theo- Preached at Advent UCC, Columbus, June 7, of Biblical Literature Conference, Nov. 22, logical Seminary of the Twin Cities, Minne- 2015. 2014. apolis, June 22-26, 2015. Preached at Bethel Family Worship Center “The Character ‘Moloch’ in the Television Church and popular lectures (Church of God), Kansas City, Mo., June 21, Series Sleepy Hollow,” presented at the Women 2015. in the Biblical World session of the Society of Preached at the Church Anniversary for Unity

Biblical Literature Conference, Nov. 23, 2014. Church of Baltimore, Nov. 1, 2014. Keynote speaker for the 33rd Annual Presented on authenticity and ministry at Jeffrey Jaynes Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Breakfast PETRA, a ministry to ministers, Nov. 7-8, 2014. Professor in the in Springfield, Mass., 2015. Preached at Springfield United Methodist Warner Chair “Justice: A Hermeneutic for Homiletics,” pre- Church, Brooklyn, N.Y., Nov. 9, 2014. of Church History sented at the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Confer- WomanPreach! Inc.’s “Sophie’s Table: Con- ence, Feb. 9, 2015. versations with our Brothers” Preaching “Beyond Band-Aids: Building the Beloved Workshop, in collaboration with Mount Aery Academic lectures and presentations Community in the Age of Ferguson,” Schooler Baptist Church, Bridgeport, Conn., Nov. 14- “The ‘Urban’ Landscape of Reform in Sixteenth Institute on Preaching, MTSO, Feb. 23, 2015. 15, 2014. Century North Germany,” the European Ref- “Beauty is Deceitful: A Hermeneutic of Justice Preached at Mt. Aery Baptist Church, Nov.16, ormation Research Group, Murray Edwards in our Imperfect Union,” for the “Thinking 2014. College, Cambridge, U.K., Sept. 9, 2014. Lincoln: The Limits and Possibilities of our Preached at Christ UMC, Northampton, “‘Landscapes’ of the Reformation in 16th Cen- Imperfect Union” panel, Society for the Study Mass., Nov. 30, 2014. tury Northern Germany,” Reformation and of Black Religion, Savannah, Ga., March 19, Preached at Wesley UMC, Springfield, Mass., Early Modern Seminar, Reformation Studies 2015. Nov. 30, 2014. Institute, University of St. Andrews, Scotland, “Setting the Captives Free: Preaching for Free- “Listening for God,” at A Day Apart, spon- Oct. 16, 2014. dom and Justice,” at “The Voice of the Prophet: sored by Beeson Divinity School of Samford “Kirchenordnungen als Drucke im 16. Jah- Examining the Preaching Ministry of C. L. University, Birmingham, Ala., March 2, 2015. rhunderts Norddeutschland” at the Stipen- Franklin for a New Generation,” Detroit, April diatenkolloquim, Herzog August Bibliothek, 16-18, 2015. “Finding Voice” and “Containers for Sermons” at “Sophie’s Table: A Conversation with our April 27, 2015. Black Theologians Day, East Ohio Conference, Brothers,” an offering of WomanPreach! Inc., Research Fellow, Herzog August Bibliothek, May 11, 2015. sponsored by Vanderbilt Divinity School and Wolfenbüttel, Germany. Project: Luther to Plenary Speaker on Conversations that Matter, Gordon Memorial United Methodist Church, Lutheranism, Architects of Church Order in

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16th century Northern Germany, February- Gruyter, 2014), 89-119. Church and popular lectures May, 2015. “Ethics, Second Temple and Hellenistic Juda- “The Dead Sea Scrolls: Ancient History, Unex- Meetings ism,” Encyclopedia of the Bible and Its Recep- pected Wisdom,” Chautauqua Lecture Series, tion. Berlin, De Gruyter, 2014. Vol. 8, 106-08. Lakeside, Ohio, July 9-10, 2014. Reformation Studies Colloquium, Cambridge University, Sept. 10-12, 2014. Academic lectures and presentations “Where We Came From and Why It Mat- ters: Christianity and Judaism in Formation,” Appointed Cameron Faculty Fellow, University “Where We Came From and Why It Matters: Westerville Community UCC, April 12, 2015. of St. Andrews, Scotland, Fall Term 2014. Christianity and Judaism in Formation,” Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Jan. 15, 2015. Taught “Introduction to the Dead Sea Scrolls” Paul Kim John Kampen course, the School of Graduate Studies at Professor of Hebrew Professor in the Dunn Hebrew Union College, spring 2015. Bible in the Williams Chair in Biblical Awards and appointments Chair of Biblical Interpretation Studies Honors and Awards Committee, American Schools of Oriental Research, 2014. President, School of Graduate Studies Alumni Publications Publications Association, Hebrew Union College-Jewish “Isaiah 22: A Crux or a Clue in Isaiah 13- Institute of Religion, 2014. 23?” in Concerning the Nations: Essays on the “Wisdom in Deuterocanonical and Cognate Appointed to second term as president, Oracles Against the Nations in Isaiah, Jeremiah, Literatures” in Canonicity, Setting, Wisdom Hebrew Union College School of Graduate and Ezekiel (2015), 3-18. in the Deuterocanonicals: Papers of the Jubilee Studies Alumni Association. Meeting of the International Conference on Deuterocanonical Books (ed. Géza G. Xeravits, József Zsengellér and Xavér Szabó; Berlin: De Continues

EMERITI PASSAGES Roy Reed, 1930-2015 Jeff Hopper, 1930-2015 Rev. Roy A. Reed Jr., Ph. D., emeritus Arthur Jeffery Hopper, Ph.D., emeritus professor of liturgy and music, died April 19. professor of theology, died July 12. He served on He served on the MTSO faculty for 34 years, the MTSO faculty from 1961, the year the school retiring in 1997. opened, to 1997. Born Nov. 6, 1930, Reed earned Bachelor of Born April 4, 1930, Hopper earned his Arts and Bachelor of Music degrees from the undergraduate degree from Allegheny College, University of Redlands in California, a Master of Theology degree his master’s from Drew Divinity School and his doctorate from from the Boston School of Theology and a Ph.D. from Boston Yale Graduate School. University. He published several books, served as minister of music for Asbury United Methodist Church in Delaware for 35 In recent years, Hopper was a member of the Methodist years and directed the Delaware Community Chorus. Church of the Messiah in Westerville, Ohio. On Easter Sunday 1964, he was one of four MTSO faculty members arrested on Reed is survived by his wife, Nancy Lou (Lee) Reed; children the steps of a Methodist church in Jackson, Miss., during an Edward (Imelda) Reed, Daniel Reed (Mariah Dyson-Smith), attempt to accompany African-American worshipers into an Karen Reed and Linda Reed; step-children Lesa (Richard) all-white congregation. Haas and Keith (Drema) Wells; 10 grandchildren and step- grandchildren; one great-grandchild; brother, John Charles Reed; He is survived by children Kathryn H. Flynn, Ellen H. Allen brother-in-law, Charles Simmons; and former wife and mother of and Timothy P. Brown; four grandchildren; and brothers David R. his children, Beth Reed. Hopper and John A. Hopper. A memorial service was held May 19 at Asbury United A memorial service was held July 22 at Church of the Messiah. Methodist Church.

THE STORY h Fall 2015 17 FACULTY

from previous page Church and popular lectures “Deaconess: Order and Office,” at the Study of Sermon, “Forgiveness” (Genesis 45:1-15), St. Lay Order in Relationship with the Deacon- Andrew Presbyterian Church, Columbus, ess/Home Missioner Movement in the United Book Review of Kay Weißflog, Zeichen und Aug., 17, 2014. Methodist Church, Scarritt Bennett Center, Nashville, Sept. 26-28, 2014. Sinnbilder: Die Kinder der Propheten Jesaja und Preached at Korean Presbyterian Church of Hosea (Arbeiten zur Bibel und ihrer Geschich- Columbus, Feb. 15, 2015. Responded to papers in “Wesleyan Perspec- te 36; Leipzig, Evangelische Verlagsanstalt, tives on Embodiment” session, American 2011), in Biblica 94 (2013): 297-301. Preached at Condit Presbyterian Church, Academy of Religion Annual Meeting, San Sunbury, May 17, 2015. Concerning the Nations: Essays on the Oracles Diego, Nov. 22, 2014. against the Nations in Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Meetings Ezekiel (co-edited with Else Holt and Andrew Sarah Heaner Mein; LHB/OTS 612; London: T&T Clark, Consultation on Theological Education, 2015). Lancaster sponsored by the General Board of Higher Professor in the Education and Ministry, San Diego, Nov. 19- “A Farewell to Trito-Isaiah?: An Inner-Biblical 21, 2014. Exegesis of Isaiah 54–57 in Light of Isaiah 1–2 Werner Chair and Psalm 1,” Canon and Culture (2015): 35-70. of Theology American Academy of Religion/Society Biblical Literature annual meeting, San Diego, Academic lectures and presentations 2014. Publications “Is PERMA Universal? Engaging Positive Psy- “The Future of Theological Education in the chology with the Korean Cultures of Jeong and Book review of Wesley, Wesleyans, and Reading UMC,” The Turner Center, Vanderbilt Univer- the African Tradition of Ubuntu, in Dialogue Bible as Scripture, eds. J.B. Green and D. F. sity, Nashville, Feb. 26-28, 2015. Watson, in Modern Believing 56:1. with Ecclesiastes” (co-presented with Fulgence Responded to John Wesley in America, and Nyengele), Society of Biblical Literature Book review of A Living Tradition: Criti- moderator for panel discussion on “The Eccle- Annual Meeting, San Diego, 2014. cal Recovery and Reconstruction of Wesleyan sial Theologian in the Wesleyan Tradition: “Pursuing Happiness Across Cultures: Positive Heritage, ed. Mary Elizabeth Mulino Moore, in Retrospect and Prospect,” Wesley Theological Psychology, Bible, Korean Jeong, and African Wesley and Methodist Studies 7:1. Society Annual Meeting, Mount Vernon Naza- Ubuntu in Creative Dialogue” co-presented “Methodist Constructive Theology,” in Circuit rene University, Mount Vernon, Ohio, March with Fulgence Nyengele, faculty lecture, Rider, 39:1 (Winter 2014/15), pp. 21-22. 6-7, 2015. MTSO, April 9, 2015. Created for Happiness: Understanding Your Life Organized and led “United Methodist Wom- Meetings in God, with Cynthia Bond Hopson, United en’s History: Voices Lost and Found” confer- Methodist Women, February 2015. ence, MTSO, May 28-30, 2015. Korean Church Coalition for North Korea Free- dom, Washington, D.C., July 14-17, 2014. Academic lectures and presentations Eastern Great Lakes Biblical Society, April Panelist on ecumenism, Seminary Leadership Linda A. 12-13, 2015. Conference, Bexley Seabury, Columbus, Sept. Mercadante 19, 2014. Professor of Theology in the Straker Chair of Historical Theology

Publications Are you getting Campus View email? Interviewed for “Examining the Growth of the ‘Spiritual but Not Religious,’” New York Times, The next issue of MTSO’s Campus View newsletter will July 19, 2014. appear in thousands of email inboxes soon, with the “What must the church know about SBNRs?” latest stories and information on the school’s people, field notes for Regent College, winter 2015. programs and events. If you haven’t been receiving Interviewed for “Can You Be Spiritual but not Campus View, we invite you to update your information Religious?” on NBCs Today, April 1, 2015. online at www.mtso.edu/update. Meanwhile, if you’d like to catch up on our archives of Campus View, “Sin and Addiction: Conceptual Enemies or The Story and news releases, you’ll find them at Fellow Travelers?” in Religions 6 (2), 614-625, May 11, 2015. www.mtso.edu/news.

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“Excerpts from Sin and Addiction,” in Un- Church and popular lecture Ongoing consultant for SCUPE’s interfaith bound: An Interactive Journal of Christian Sermon reflection, Columbus Mennonite course offerings. Social Justice, May 19, 2015. Church, July 20, 2014. Community representative on Grady Memo- Academic lectures and presentations “How Can the Church Serve SBNRs?” series rial Hospital Ethics Advisory Committee. “Theological Issues in the Spiritual but not at All Saints Lutheran Church, Worthington, Church and popular lectures Nov.2- 9, 2014. Religious Movement,” Willow Brook Christian “Christians in a Multireligious America,” First Communities, July 25, 2014. “Understanding the SBNRs,” Albion District Community Church, Columbus, Feb. 4, 2015. “Spiritual, Religious, or Restless? Reaching the United Methodist clergy event, March 14, 2015. “Multireligious America,” Larry Larson Middle Spiritual but not Religious,” Chaplains Asso- School, Columbus, Apr. 17, 2015. ciation of Ohio, Mansfield, Oct. 2, 2014. Adult forum speaker, First UMC, Boulder, “Why Should We Care? SBNRs and Chap- Colo., May 17 and 24, 2015. laincy,” Chaplain Conference, OhioHealth, M. Fulgence Oct. 27, 2014. Paul Numrich Nyengele Leader and keynoter, Juniata College “Beyond Professor of Pastoral Tolerance” lecture series, Nov. 6, 2014. Professor in the Snowden Chair for Care and Counseling “The Nones,” guest lecture, Trinity Lutheran the Study of Religion in the Chryst Chair in Seminary, Columbus, Nov. 9, 2014. and Interreligious Pastoral Theology “Method and Surprising Results in SBNR Relations Research,” American Academy of Religion Publications quad session with sociology, religious con- Publications Book Review of Missing Us: Re-visioning versions, LGBT and gay men’s research, San Psychoanalysis from the Perspective of Commu- “Whose Buddhism? Whose Texts? Observa- Diego, Nov. 22, 2014. nity by Ryan LaMothe (Lanham, M.D.: Jason tions about Religious Conversations,” contrib- Aronson, 2013), Journal of Pastoral Theology, “Bumper Sticker Theology,” two workshops, uted to Public Square: 2014 Religious Trends Volume 1, 2014. Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Feb. 9-10, 2015. series, “Expanding Leadership Opportunities Keynote speaker and leader of two-day for Buddhist Women – Which Way Forward?” “Cultivating Ubuntu? An African Postcolonial seminar, “What Can We Learn from SBNR?” at Patheos.com, August 2014. Pastoral Theological Engagement with Posi- tive Psychology,” Journal of Pastoral Theology, Capital Area Theological Center, Albany, N.Y., Review of the book Islam Plain and Simple: Volume 1, 2014. May 1-2, 2015. Women, Terrorism and Other Controversial Keynote speaker and consultant, Unitarian Topics by Tariq Jalil, Interfaith Update (the Academic lectures and presentations newsletter of the Interfaith Association of Universalist General Assembly, Portland, Ore., “Well-Being in Positive Psychology and Central Ohio), Sept. 5, 2014. June 23-24, 2015. Hebrew Bible,” with Prof. Paul Kim, Society Review of The Cosmic Breath: Spirit and Nature Meetings of Biblical Literature/American Academy of in the Christianity-Buddhism-Science Trialogue Religion Annual Meeting, Nov. 25, 2014. Worthington Libraries Board of Trustees, by Amos Yong, Buddhist-Christian Studies 34 Three keynote lectures on the themes “Gender numerous meetings. (2014): 230-234. Across Cultures,” “Gender and Transnational Consultant, Jewish-Presbyterian Dialogue on “The Problem with Sex according to Bud- Identity in a Globalizing World: Challenges Middle East Conflict, Aug. 7, 2014. dhism,” Fair Observer, March 9, 2015. and Opportunities for Ministry,” and “Gender Columbus Foundation, Women in Philanthropy Religion and Community in the New Urban and Self-Differentiation in the Family and the event, Nov. 19, 2014. America, co-author with Elfriede Wedam Church: Family and Church as Crucibles for American Academy of Religion, (New York: Oxford University Press, 2015). Grace,” Leadership Training Seminar for Nov. 21-25, 2014. International and Migrant Churches in Academic lectures and presentations Europe, Evangelisch-Methodistische Kirche, Scioto Valley Presbytery Clergy Women event, Taught Abrahamic Faiths course at Method- Stuttgart, Germany, Jan. 25-29, 2015. Dec. 10, 2014. ist Theological University, Seoul, Republic of “Pursuing Happiness Across Cultures: Awards and appointments Korea, summer 2015. Positive Psychology, Bible, Korean Jeong, and African Ubuntu in Creative Dialogue,” with Belief without Borders: Inside the Minds of Meetings the Spiritual but not Religious named to “Best Professor Paul Kim, Faculty Lecture, MTSO, Attended the Celebrating Day of Ahimsa event of the Best” spiritual books list for 2014 by April 9, 2015. held at the Jain Center in Lewis Center, Ohio, the multifaith online journal Spirituality & Oct. 4, 2014. Practice. Ongoing consultant for ELCA’s conference on immigrant congregations in US. Continues

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from previous page Ryan Robin Schellenberg Knowles Wallace Meetings Assistant Professor Professor in the Taylor American Academy of Religion Annual Meet- of New Testament Chair of Church ing, San Diego, November 2014. Worship and Music 2015 Roundtable Seminar for Midcareer Faculty, Association of Theological Schools in Publications the United States and Canada, Orlando, March Publications 6-8, 2015. “The First Pauline Chronologist? Paul’s Itiner- Editor of Summer 2014, Fall 2014, Winter ary in the Letters and in Acts,” Journal of Bibli- 2015 and Spring 2015 issues of The Hymn: A cal Literature 134 (2015): 193–213. Journal of Congregational Song. Joon-Sik Park “Seed of Abraham (Friesen?): Universality Articles published on Paul M. Abels, and Professor in the and Ethnicity in Paul.” Direction: A Mennonite Thomas O. Summers, for Canterbury Diction- E. Stanley Jones Chair Brethren Forum 44 (2015): 16–29. ary of Hymnology. of World Evangelism Review of Christian Congregational Music: Per- Timothy L. formance, Identity, and Experience, Monique Ingalls, Carolyn Landau and Thomas, Wagner Van Meter (eds. and intro.) and Martyn Percy (afterword) Publications Associate Professor in The American Organist, 48:1 (January 2014): “The Church as Witnessing Community: On in the Alford Chair of 76-77. ‘A World Transformed by Grace,’” blog post, Christian Education “Hymns in Periodical Literature,” The Hymn UM and Global, Sept. 11, 2014. and Youth Ministry 66:2, 19-20. Academic lectures and presentations Academic lectures and presentations “Across the Pond: Charles Wesley and Holiness in Current British Hymnals,” proceedings of “The Worldwide Nature of The United Meth- “Food, Faith and a Seminary Farm,” MTSO the Charles Wesley Society 18 (2014, published odist Church: A Historical and Missiological Alumni Day, Oct. 6, 2014. Summer 2015). Reflection,” Steering Committee of the Office of Christian Unity and Interreligious Rela- Meetings Academic lectures and presentations tionships of the United Methodist Church, Seminary Stewardship Alliance, Winston- “What Do They Want from Me? How to Write Charlotte, N.C., April 18, 2015. Salem, N.C., Sept. 11-13, 2014. for Publication in The Hymn and The Verse,” “The Worldwide Nature of The United Meth- Ohio Interfaith Power & Light Summit, Oct. with Tina Schneider, Hymn Society of the U.S. odist Church and Its Implications for 12-13, 2014. and Canada Annual Meeting, July 16, 2014. Mission,” American Society of Missiology An- Hispanic Summer Program board meeting, “Across the Pond: Charles Wesley and Holiness nual Conference, Chicago, June 20, 2015. San Antonio, Oct. 15-17, 2014. in Current British Hymnals,” Charles Wesley “Missional Legacy of R. Archer Torrey: Mystic, Society, Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilm- Prophet, and Pioneer,” American Society of Church and popular lectures ore, Ky., Sept. 26, 2014. Missiology, Chicago, June 21, 2014. “Food and Justice,” presentation for West Ohio “The Impact of Congregational Singing on Meetings Youth Justice Task Force, MTSO, Aug. 9, 2014. Everyday Life: Results of a Survey,” Liturgical Consultation on seeking a youth pastor, First Music Seminar of the North American Acad- Steering Committee of the Office of Christian Congregational Church, Mount Vernon, Ohio, emy of Liturgy Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, Unity and Interreligious Relationships of the Aug. 17, 2014. Jan. 2-3, 2015. United Methodist Church, Dallas, Oct. 23-25, 2014. Presentations on food and faith with MTSO Meetings farm tours: West Ohio Youth Justice group Church and popular lectures (Aug. 9, 2014); Worthington UMC Youth Executive Committee meeting, Hymn Society of the United States and Canada, July 12, 2014. “Pentecost and Mission,” Lakeside Chautau- (Sept. 27, 2014); Delaware Ecumenical Youth qua, Ohio, June 8, 2014. Group (Oct. 5, 2014); Centerburg UMC (Oct. Editorial Advisory Board meeting, Hymn 26, 2014). Society of the United States and Canada, July “On Being Present Where We Are,” sermon for 13, 2014. Town and Rural Resource Programming event, MTSO, Sept. 6, 2014. Hymn Society of the United States and Canada meeting, July 13-17, 2014. “Equipping for Ministry through Course of Study,” Maumee Watershed District Local Pas- Charles Wesley Society, Wilmore, Ky., Sept. tor Training, Sylvania, Ohio, March 7, 2015. 25-26, 2014.

20 METHODIST THEOLOGICAL SCHOOL IN OHIO FACULTY

Executive Committee of the Hymn Society of Association of Theological Schools Women in Academic lectures and presentations the U.S. and Canada meeting, Richmond, Va., Leadership Deans’ Consultation, March 2015. “Practicing Values: Progressive Christianity Oct. 27-30, 2014. Association of Theological Schools Chief and the Movement to End Human Traffick- Academic Officers Society Conference, March ing,” 2014 Sister Ruth Agnes Ahlers lecture, Lisa Withrow 2015. Briar Cliff University, Sioux City, Iowa, Sept. Academy of Religious Leadership, April 2015. 22, 2014. Dean and “Losing Voice: Progressive Christianity and Vice President for Wabash Deans’ Colloquy, June 29-July 3, 2015. the Movement to End Human Trafficking,” Academic Affairs keynote at Perspectives on Human Trafficking Advisory Group to the Association of Theolog- Conference, University of Denver, Jan. 7-8, ical Schools Deans, Chief Academic Officers 2015. Society. “Naming Values and Finding Voice: Toward Publications Church and popular lectures Progressive Christian Anti-Trafficking Activ- “Creating Knowledge in Hybrid Format,” “Conflict Management and Grief – Moving ism and Advocacy,” workshop at Perspectives Teaching Theology and Religion, July 2014. Into the Future by Dealing with the Past,” on Human Trafficking Conference. Co-editor, The Journal of Religious Leadership. Brimfield UMC, May 16, 2015. “Missing in Action: The Disappearance of Pro- “Creating Knowledge in Hybrid Format,” gressive Christianity in the Movement to End Teaching Theology and Religion, Vol. 17, No. 3, Human Trafficking” and “Using Progressive July 2014. C. Jeff Woods Christian Values in Anti-Trafficking Advo- cacy,” Keep Making Peace Conference, East Book review of Religious Leadership: A Refer- Fully Affiliated Lansing, Mich., April 11, 2015. ence Handbook, Sharon Henderson Callahan, Faculty ed. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage Publications, in Congregational Panelist for “Defrocked: Still Faithful” with Inc., 2013, Journal of Religious Leadership, Vol. Studies Rev. Frank Schaeffer, Oberlin College, Ohio, 13, No. 2, Fall 2014. May 1, 2015.

Book review: Choosing Change: How to Moti- Publications Meetings vate Churches to Face the Future. Peter Coutts, American Academy of Religion, Herndon, Va.: Alban Institute, 2013. Journal of “What Type of Follower Attends our Church?” November 2014. Religious Leadership, Vol. 13, No. 2, Fall 2014. The Parish Paper, Vol. 22, No. 7, July 2014. Perspectives on Human Trafficking, “Transformative Potentials of Liminal Leader- Meetings Jan. 7-8, 2015. ship” (co-authored with Dr. Andrew J. Orton), World Futures Conference, Orlando, July 2014. Journal of Religious Leadership (Vol 14, No. 1), Association of Theological Schools Mid- Spring 2015. Peer reviewed. Career Faculty Roundtable, Orlando, March 6-8, 2015. Academic lectures and presentations Yvonne Church and popular lectures “Choices,” installation speech as dean, MTSO, Zimmerman Oct. 6, 2014. “Uncomfortable Ethics,” workshop for “Living Associate Professor of into the Vision: Beyond Our Comfort Zones,” “Leadership in the Non-Profit Organization – Christian Ethics North Central Jurisdiction Conference for the Challenges for the Future,” Durham University, Commission on Religion and Race, Indepen- England, Dec. 2, 2014. dence, Ohio, Oct. 18, 2014. “Bordering on C(h)aos,” ATS Women in Publications “Progressive Christianity and the Movement to Leadership Deans’ meeting, Association of End Human Trafficking,” East Ohio Method- Theological Schools Chief Academic Officers “Christian Ethics and Human Trafficking ists for Social Action Fall Meeting, Akron First Society conference, March 2015. Activism: Progressive Christianity and Social Critique,” co-authored with Letitia M. Camp- UMC, Nov.1, 2014. Meetings bell, The Journal of the Society of Christian “How Do We Live Lives that Aren’t Arranged Academy of Religious Leadership, April 2014. Ethics 34 (1), 2014, p.145-172. Around the Economy?” Ministerium of Ideas, Columbus, Feb. 19, 2015. h Chair, Pastoral Advisory Committee for “Christian Engagement in U.S. Anti-Traf- OhioHealth. ficking Activism: Precedents and Contexts” (Part 1: Oct. 17, 2014; Part 2: Oct. 31, 2014), Visiting faculty research fellow, Durham Uni- co-authored with Letitia M. Campbell, the versity, November-December 2014. Trafficking Research Project. Association of United Methodist Theological Schools Presidents and Deans, March 2015.

THE STORY h Fall 2015 21 IN REVIEW

From big events to quiet Images of a good year moments to the rituals that bookend an academic Oct. 6, 2014 year, here are a few photos of life at MTSO

Jan. 6, 2015

The Alumni Day installation of Dean Lisa Withrow was followed by a festival tent celebration

Jan. 24, 2015 April 22, 2015

There’s nothing like a frigid winter day to demonstrate the value of a warm, well-tended hoop house at Seminary Hill Farm

May 23, 2015

A hands-on Schooler Institute Melanie Harris, associate on Preaching was led by MTSO’s professor of religion and Valerie Bridgeman and United ethics at Texas Christian Methodist Church Director of University, delivered the Global Praise Jorge Lockward, Williams Institute lectures shown above

Aug. 21, 2015

MTSO’s 53rd commencement offered a stirring address by After an orientation dinner in their honor, the newest United Methodist Bishop Gregory Palmer, perfect weather and, seminarians returned to the classroom for an evening session of course, lots of selfie opportunities

22 METHODIST THEOLOGICAL SCHOOL IN OHIO REPORT TO DONORS

Financial information In the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015, Methodist Theological School in Ohio had revenues of $6,208,281 and expenditures of $6,206,755. If you have questions about this information, please contact our business office at 740-363-1146.

Operating budget for Fiscal Year 2014-15 (unaudited) Revenues Expenditures MTSO relied primarily on three sources of income: tuition Compensation of faculty and staff accounted for 54.3 percent of and fees (39.3 percent of total revenues), endowment earnings the MTSO operating budget, followed by student financial aid (27.9 percent) and the Ministerial Education Fund of the United (19.4 percent) and other programs and services, which include Methodist Church (13.7 percent). Combined gift revenue such items as the Course of Study School of Ohio (9.9 percent). accounted for 8.4 percent of total revenues.

Revenues Percent of total Expenditures Percent of total n Tuition and fees $2,440,155 39.3% n Compensation $3,371,743 54.3% n Endowment $1,731,000 27.9% n Financial aid $1,204,210 19.4% n Ministerial Education Fund $849,730 13.7% n Other programs and services $617,558 9.9% n Other programs and services $622,442 10.0% n Plant maintenance $329,937 5.3% n Methesco Fund gifts $300,828 4.8% n General administration $233,321 3.8% n Release of restricted gifts $194,534 3.1% n Information systems $130,357 2.1% n Federal work study $40,494 0.7% n Academic support $123,905 2.0% n Student aid gifts $29,098 0.5% n Business administration $60,920 1.0% Total revenues $6,208,281 100% n Instruction $54,525 0.9% n Enrollment $45,983 0.7% n Institutional advancement $34,296 0.6% Total expenditures $6,206,755 100%

THE STORY h Fall 2015 2323 REPORT TO DONORS

Donor Honor Roll In grateful recognition of all those whose gifts between July 1, 2014, and June 30, 2015, contributed to the success of MTSO Gold Crest Society President’s Circle Leaders’ Circle C. Suzanne and Bill Ellis $25,000 and above $5,000-$7,499 Norman and Trudy Flowers Julia A. Foster Ronald B. Alford Janet and Roger Baker Olivia E. Graham Barbara and Michael Cantlin Sarah and Kermit Lancaster William and Kathleen Grové The Columbus Foundation David R. Schooler Robert and Elaine Hibbard Walter & Marian English Foundation David and Marjorie Wilcox Robert and Sharon Hickson The Foundation for Evangelism Maggie Jackson Stanley C. Gault Veronica Jefferson Huntington Bank Werner Circle Rollin T. Kearns Ministerial Education Fund of the $2,500-$4,999 Alex and Joan Keller United Methodist Church Susan A. Kyser Doug L. Aschenbach Claudine and Allan Leary Clarksbury UMC Leipsic UMC Judith Craig Trustees’ Circle Joan Leitzel Preston and Barbara Jean Forbes John P. Loeser $15,000-$24,999 Cyndy L. Garn Wendy and Thomas Lybarger Susan and William Bowman Frank and Dorothy Himes William and Martha McFadden E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Ronald and Prudence Holtman Mentor UMC Foundation John Johnson Elaine and Alan Mikesell James and Amy Chapman John Kampen and Carol Lehman Isabel Miller Gerald and Dorothea Maloney June A. Ladd Mary Ann Moman J.D. and Arlene Milliken Diane Lobody Alan and Lois Morrison Thomas and Carol Mount Karen R. Marshall Karen and Brook Muntzing Jane P. Mykrantz Bill and Judy McCartney Beverly and Terry Myers Jay and Kristen Rundell Michael and Katie McNeil Linda and Dick Ogden Karen and F. Christopher Oehl Joon-Sik and Soo-Hea Park Sandra Selby Jack Patton Charles and Nancy Sheley Founders’ Circle Marian and David Plant Ralph Shunk Leigh Precise and Pete Black $10,000-$14,999 Alfred B. Wise Howard and Jo Ann Preston Paul and Anne Donald John and Cheryl Zeiger Jane and Michael Endres Retired Ministers Association Sandra W. Lutz of West Ohio The Magee Christian Education John Wesley Circle Donald and Constance Rose Foundation The J.M. Smucker Company R. Stanley and Jerilyn Sutton $1,000-$2,499 Guido and Anne Stempel Trinity UMC Columbus Anonymous Margaret A. Sterling William and Diane Van Nostran Marcus and Kristen Atha Gary and Margaret Streiff W. S. and Adele White Charles and Marilyn Barker Valerie and Buck Stultz Janet and Roger Blocher Robert C. Tannehill and Barbara Tull Warren and Verna Bulman Rollin and Ann Tarter Stewards’ Circle April and Zac Casperson Jeffrey and Mary Taylor William H. Casto and J. R. and Catharine Warmbrod $7,500-$9,999 Jennifer E. Kimball Casto Paul R. White Norman and Shirley Dewire Carla F. Chiles Tamara and Philip Wilden Robert and Ann Oakley Richard A. Donnenwirth and Lisa R. Withrow Rosalie Laurenti Wooster UMC

24 METHODIST THEOLOGICAL SCHOOL IN OHIO REPORT TO DONORS

Silver Level Donald and Dianna Dixon Robert D. Arduino King and Anne Marie Hanna $500-$999 Lee Ann Dunlap Robert and Susan Atchley Denise M. Hart Paul and Michaelene Durbin Steven and Karla Averill Phyllis A. Havener Grayson and Wende Lou Atha Eugene P. Finnegan and John Mark A. Bailey Richard Hayden Joyce and Ralph Barrera Rainey Barratt R. Banta Dwight and Maxine Hayes Battelle Benjamin and Dana Hall Theodore and Karin Barlow Basil and Janis Hensley Patricia and Arthur Bennett Marcy and Steven Hile Marilyn and James Barney Kathleen and Robert Dale and Dorothy Brandon Mary and Robert Holm Dorothy Beard Herington David J. Browning Raymond Kinne George and Polly Bender Charles and Betty Hill Peter and Carol Browning Jerry W. Krueger and Susan E. Don W. Berg Dale and Jean Hoak John H. Cramton Brown Mary and Glenn Biedron Herbert J. Hoppe Joseph V. F. Crockett Lakewood UMC Lawrence and Rebecca Boord Dana and Ann Houck Walter and Marilyn Dickhaut Dale and Nancy Lambert Robert and Carolyn Bough Alfred and Lois Hubler Katherine Dickson Susan M. Lamphere Dorothy A. Brane Philip and Rolanda Hunt East Ohio Conference, TUMC Vergel and Joy Lattimore Neil and Pat Bright Carol Ingram John and Flo Ann Easton Gerald and Susan Leist James and Mary Brucklacher Deborah L. Jeanblanc Mary Jo Edwards Mark and Deborah Lindemood Lori and Wesley Laverne Jenkins H. Eugene Folden, Jr. Marjorie Magee Burdette-Steele Bruce and Dawn Jones Roger and Sue Grace James and Virginia McCartney Cordelia Burpee Jonathan and Michelle Jump Carl and Dorothy Gray Bradley and Krista McKibben Dorothy B. Burr Gerald and Roberta Kalb James and Shari Gysel Paul and Christine Mottl James and Rebecca Butler Jane and Phil Karl Steven A. Harsh and Diana Joseph and Marion Nied Charles and Carole Bynner Patrick and Karen Kaufman Hoffman-Harsh Barbara J. Planck John and Helen Capper Carol S. Kautz John and Elaine Hopkins Alissa and Kelly Pummell Jean and Alan Carroll Charles A. Kerwood, III Anita K. Ingram Phyllis and Richard Radlinski R. Michael and Sally Casto Hyun Chul and Yi Kim Bruce and Barbara Lynn Irwin James and Wilma Roberson H. James and A. Joann Thomas E. Kiracofe Jeff and Sally Jaynes Benita Rollins Chalfant Cecil and Tharon Kirk Joseph and Lisa Jeffries Edward and Monika Ross Ann Marie Champion Cynthia Klingemier and Paul Marion and Debbie Kite Carolyn and Allen Rothermel Rollin and Anne Conway Sentgeorge Randy and Terri Litchfield Rina Shere Dessie Cook Myron and Doris Kottke James and Clare Long Barbara and Robert Sholis Diane Corbett and Jeff and Debbie Krumpelman David and Beth Ann R. Thomas and Carolyn Slack Richard Eureka Bryan and Mary Lauzau Mansperger Alan and Susan Smith Coralee Cox Phillip and JoAnn Lawson North Congregational Church Cassandra A. Smith and James and Susan Cox Charles A. Lindabury Gregory and Cynthia Palmer Matthew McDaniel Susan Cromer Jenna and Benjamin Link Carolyn Piper Robert and Marilyn Town Crystal Park UMC Connie and Roger Long Kenneth C. Ramsey Union Church of Proctor Inc. Harold E. Davidson Petina T. Lott-Wilder Pamela Roy Outreach Eileen W. Deming Robert D. Lovell Daniel and Denise Russell United Methodist Foundation Jean and James Doane George and Carolyn Luciani St. Luke’s UMC of West Virginia Michael and Rebecca Donnally Terry L. MacArthur Isaac Stonecypher James and Carol Waugh Thomas and Elizabeth Douce Pat MadHugh Terry and Anita Turner Grace S. Welch H. Daniel and Debra Drew James and Bonnie Magaw Dale and Norma Wilhelm David and Jeanette Peter and Susan Elliott William and Sarah Maher Westerfield Paul and Charlene Ernst David and Gayle Maly Sondra and Edwin Willobee John and Rebecca Erwin Doris Mauck Bronze Level John R. Wilson and Mary F. Randall W. May $250-$499 Jared M. Gadomski Littleton Sturm William and Betty Jo Gavitt Robert and Janet McCartney Jon and Elaine Barker Amy and Joel Wood Wayne and Connie Geissinger Richard C. McConnell, Jr. Margaret C. Barno Ellen K. Zienert and Mark Elizabeth B. Gibbons Kenton and Dorothy McGraw Mary Pat Borgess and Baker Georgia and Norman Gillfillan John G. Medaugh E. Christopher Ellison Susan and William Zimmerman Richelle and Michael Goff Linda Mercadante and Joseph Kathleen and Charles Brown Yvonne C. Zimmerman Arthur and Marlene Gotjen Maas Ruth Ann Carnahan Catherine E. Green Patricia S. Miller Linda S. Carter and Ernest Austin and Christine Greene R. Michael and Sue Ellen Miller Century Level Margaret M. Miskimen Johansson $100-$249 Jerry and Hope Greer Sade Davis-Reynolds Rebecca L. Guthrie William and Louwana Mock Nancy P. Day-Achauer and Jeff James and Nancy Adams Charles and Sara Haag Dale and Leellen Moore Achauer Wayne and Fern Albertson William M. Halter Robin D. Dillon Andrew and Gail Angel Al and Carol Hammer Continues

THE STORY h Fall 2015 25 REPORT TO DONORS

from previous page Christopher Olsgard Randall and Joanne Preston Richland County Foundation Richard and Elizabeth Parks Stanley and Jeanine Purdum David J. Roberts, III Haskel and Sarah Moore David and Carolyn Patterson Jack and C. Yvonne Pursell Lenore D. Robinson James and June Moore Phillip R. Peoples Steven and Wendy Putka Calvin and Margery Karen and Greg Nelson A. Edward and Shirley Perkins Elizabeth J. Raitt Rodeheffer Henry and Arlene Nettling Warren and Karleen Pettis Susan M. Ranous Richard and Ann Royer James R. Nothstine Thomas and Pamela Pottkotter Gretchen S. Rauschenberg Ralph and Patricia Rudy Paul and Christine Numrich Michael and Nancy Preston Roylene Reed Georgianna H. Rymer

The Sterling Society

These individuals have M. Gilbert Dunn Richard and Judyth Maurer Edwin M. Shaffer named MTSO in their Joanne Duran Bill and Judy McCartney Charles and Nancy Sheley Mary Jo Edwards William and Martha Vernon L. Shepherd estate plans Philip English and Charlene McFadden Ralph Shunk Nevil-English Beth McGuire and David John and Judith Skinner Shiro Abe John Tyler and Kathy Kersten David A. Sky Ronald and Maurine Adams Erickson John G. Medaugh Dora Faye Smith Anonymous (13) Harry and Donna Donna J. Meinhard and William and Janet Smith Doug L. Aschenbach Featherstone Arleon Kelley Kenneth T. South Robert and Susan Atchley Eugene P. Finnegan and Linda Mercadante C. Joseph and Diane Sprague Grayson and Wende Lou John Rainey Bette Meyer Margaret A. Sterling Atha Julia A. Foster Edward and Ilse Meyer Harold and Norma Stockman Jon and Elaine Barker Cyndy L. Garn Isabel Miller Valerie and Buck Stultz Margaret C. Barno Stanley Gault J. D. and Arlene Milliken R. Stanley and Jerilyn Sutton Joyce and Ralph Barrera Gary and Barbara Giller Paul and Jean Minus Robert C. Tannehill Reg and Jane Barss Betty Dancey Godard Loran and Vicki Miracle William A. Thorne Joanne R. Bartelt George V. Goshorn Roberta B. Moore Paul and Corinne Van Buren Joel and Karen Biggers Olivia E. Graham Diana M. Morris William and Diane Joe and Georgia Bottorff William and Kathleen Grové Alan and Lois Morrison Van Nostran Susan and William Bowman Robert and Nancy Hayden Jane P. Mykrantz Daniel and June Walcott Deborah E. H. Bowsher Walter and Jo Ann Hays Roy and Kay Nash J. R. and Catharine Jackie L. Browning Joseph and Barbara Henson David and Lenore Nichols Warmbrod James and Mary Brucklacher Dale and Jean Hoak Joseph and Marion Nied Anita A. Watson Barbara and Michael Cantlin Robert and Barbara Ingram William and Virginia Norman Evelyn M. Weaver Dana Casto Clark and Linda Kandel Jane Parker Marie S. Webb Shelly M. Casto Gene and Laurene Kandel Richard and Elizabeth Parks David and Jeanette Trevor W. Casto James and Mary Kandel Martin and Phyllis Parks Westerfield William H. Casto and Warren and Barbara Kandel Cynthia and Jeff Parsons Sondra and Edwin Willobee Jennifer Kimball Casto Katherine Kegerreis Marian and David Plant Alfred B. Wise James and Amy Chapman Colleen and Barry Keith Howard and Jo Ann Preston Robert and Carol Wood John and Patricia Chapman James and Mary Keller Craig and Nancy Redecker Theodore and June Yewey Carla F. Chiles Dwayne and Ruth Kelsey Craig and Rebecca Rice Karl and Carmen Zeigler Robin K. Clark Eleanore Kleist Sharon Ringe Ellen K. Zienert and Diane Corbett and Richard John and Florence Lee Benita Rollins Mark Baker Eureka Esther Ley Donald and Constance Rose Charles and Julia Cordle Jan Lichtenwalter Edward and Monika Ross To explore options for Judith Craig Dennis and Dot Lippart Elaine and John Ross joining the Sterling Society Deborah K. Cronin J. Franklin and Beth Jay and Kristen Rundell by including MTSO in your Norman and Shirley Dewire Luchsinger Steven and Judy Russalesi estate planning, visit www. Donald and Dianna Dixon Gerald and Dorothea James and Sonya Ryhal mtso.edu/plannedgiving or Paul and Anne Donald Maloney Beverly and Glen Schmidt contact Claudine Leary at Harry A. Donovan Lisa A. Marchal Jere and Sharon Schrader 740-362-3323 or John and Ruth Doyle Russell and Ellen Martin Louise and Craig Seipel [email protected]. H. Daniel and Debra Drew Martha A. Mattner Sandra F. Selby

26 METHODIST THEOLOGICAL SCHOOL IN OHIO REPORT TO DONORS

Karen and Paul Schaefer Barbara and John Wienke Howard and Carole Burdette Scott and Karen Griswold Robert and Phyllis Jean Schall Thomas and Edwina Wilber John Butchko Carol and David Groff Scott and Beth Schieber Terry D. Williams George and Genie Campbell Paula S. Gruner, RSCJ Jere and Sharon Schrader Carol A. Williams-Young Robert and Joanne Campbell Ralph and Gail Hall Andrew J. Scott L. Cean Wilson Sharon C. Carson and William and Nancy Harvey Jerry and Judith Seaman Sharon J. Wilson William A. Zeyer Richard and Jodi Haught James and Mary Lou Shepherd Brian and Anita Wood Ellen S. Carter Alice Herman Robert and Deanna Shrom Laura J. Young Jennifer Chamberlin Fred and Joyce Hilbig Thomas S. Simpson Sue E. Chidley Dale Hoffman Duane and Kay Smith Contributor Level Crystal R. Clark William and Mary Hoffman Thomas R. Smoot Up to $99 Elizabeth M. Clark Andrew and Kristi Hopp Joseph and Laura Sopher William A. Cole Larry Keith Huffman Kenneth T. South Nathan and Alicia Adams Phyllis and Jihong Cole-Dai S. L. Hume Sandra and Michael Spahr Neldon and Eleanor Adams Columbus Speech & Hearing Robert and Rebecca Hurst Mark and Virginia Steiger Virginia G. Allen Center David E. Ibokette Constance E. Sterner Jonathan and Nora Almond Thomas Conrad George and Beverly Jarrell Jessica and Samuel Thomas and Lois Anderson Frederick and Margot Cooley Ethel R. Johnson Stonecypher Dina Andrews Larry and Deborah Cordial Joanne and Clayton Jolliff Howard and Joann Strauch Peter and Margaret Angelo Flora M. Cotrone Kara S. Jones William and Peggy Sutherin Paula and Carl Archdeacon Nancy and Herbert William and Holly Kapus Patricia and John Tatham Emily Badertscher Curtis-Einheit William H. Kaylor Leslie C. Taylor Harold and Joyce Bailey Edna P. Darling-Lewis Debra and Daniel Ketcham Terry and Linda Thompson Jack A. Baird Selma and Clarence Denison Sharon and Mike Kiesel William A. Thorne Michael and Betty Baldwin Annette Dimond and William Bonnie and John King Joseph and Margaret Tilson Kathleen A. Ballenger Jarvis Stephen W. Klyce Charles and Doris Titko David and Carolyn Bearden Robert and Ethel Dobson Robin Knowles Wallace Theodore P. Townsend Mark A. Beckett James C. Donnan and Sue Richard and Lorna Kretchmar Triad Financial Advisors Grace A. Beebe Leatherman Linda and Roy Landers Thane and Patricia Trujillo Leonard and Marsha Benson Sasha G. Downey Kathy A. Langkamp Bentley Sandra K. VandenBrink and J. Marlene and Robert Bentley George Ellis and Steven Bentley Noel T. Matthews Diane H. Berger Pierre L. Exantus Steven and Judith Lightner Raymond and Nancy April and Martin Blaine Phyllis R. Fetzer Virginia E. Lohmann Bauman Waggoner Gloria Bloomquist Debra and John Foster and Gery Bauman Larry Waller Alethea and Thomas Botts Victoria and Vincent Front Kurt A. Looper Mary Lu and Rodney Warstler Ronald W. Botts James and Janet Gallander John E. Ma Jo and R. Karl Watkins Deborah E. H. Bowsher Virginia G. Geaman Christina A. Mallasch Donald and Renee Webb Brian and Karin Briggs Thomas and Dona Gibson Susan Mangelson Peggy and Ashwin Welch Ronald and Edna Brooks Robert Giercyk Rebeka L. Maples and Gerald and Mildred Wheat John and Dolores Brown Sarah Girard James N. Upton Josephine A. Whitely-Fields Kyle Bucholz and Lauren K. Charlotte R. Goodykoontz Barbara and David Wiechel Dennis-Bucholz Richard W. Grigsby Continues

MTSO Board of Trustees 2015-16

Ronald B. Alford James Gysel Michael McNeil Jeff Taylor Derek Anderson Ronald Holtman Alan Morrison Paul White Janet B. Baker Bishop John L. Hopkins Robert Oakley David Wilcox Patricia Bennett Maggie Jackson Karen Oehl Yvonne Zimmerman Janet Blocher, Vice Chair Veronica Jefferson Bishop Gregory V. Palmer Kathleen Brown Susan A. Kyser James Roberson For more information about James S. Chapman Sarah Lancaster Jay Rundell MTSO’s trustees and the Ethan Collins Joan R. Leitzel Sandy Selby governance of the school, visit Preston Forbes James Long Barbara Sholis www.mtso.edu/trustees. Rachael Gardner Sandra Lutz, Chair Earl Stalter Cyndy Garn Gerald P. Maloney Peggy Streiff

THE STORY h Fall 2015 27 REPORT TO DONORS

from previous page George and Kathleen Porter James and Karen Skinner Douglas and Constance Sarah E. Porto Carl and Carol Slicer Weakley Lisa A. Marchal Kathryn L. Preising Katie E. Smith Evelyn M. Weaver Paul and Margaret Mazur Judith A. Riczinger Ruth and Richard Solo Heidi M. Welch John and Meredythe McDaniel Rebecca and Jesse Rogers Harold and Jennifer Steindam Damon and Mary Wetterauer Patricia McIntyre Richard and Carol Rothrock Blair and Carol Stewart Walter and Cheryl Willey Charles and Kendra McNatt Mark D. Rupp Harold and Norma Stockman Robert and Denise Wilson William and Mary Jo Memke Larry E. Sarbaugh Karen and J. Steven Stoner Kimberly A. Wisecup Paul W. Miller Heather and David Sass Brian and Kathleen Straub Janis L. Wright Meyers Zoe and John Milliman Rozell and Norma Sattler Ralph and Jane Stuckman John and Alice Younker Patricia A. Mills Kenneth M. Schoon Larry and Deloris Swaisgood Nancy G. Zahn Allen R. Mitchell and Rebecca Elbert and Alma Schrader Jeanette and Terry Tangeman Joseph and Jennifer Ziraldo Gifford-Mitchell Marilynn and Paul Schroeder Karen K. Tate Roy and Melissa Mitchell Janet A. Schulte Lynn and Janice Thursby Every effort has been made W. Robert Morrison Carolyn and Harry Scott UMCH Family Services to accurately honor MTSO’s Carl and Mary Nourse Linda R. Scott James and Vickie Valentine donors. If you believe an error Samuel and Grace Maria and Scott Seaman Timothy L. Van Meter has been made, please contact Osam-Duodu Everett Sherron Felix and Sharon Wade Claudine Leary at 740-362- Rebecca S. Ozcomert Shiloh United Methodist John Wallace 3323 or [email protected]. James and Cynthia Pence Women Donald M. Warren Marshall and Patricia Peterson Inez G. Sisley Anita A. Watson

Restricted student scholarship giving

These churches and North Congregational Dublin Community UCC United Church of Christ, other organizations Church, Farmington Hills East Ohio Annual Cleveland Petersburg United Methodist Conference of the UMC West Ohio Annual have assisted in Church Epworth Center, Bethesda Conference of the UMC the sponsorship of Plante Moran Trust First Community Foundation, Wooster UMC individual MTSO St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Columbus students’ educations Dowagiac First Presbyterian Church, OKLAHOMA Zion Evangelical Lutheran London Joy Lutheran Church, Tulsa DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Church, Freeland First UMC Marysville African Methodist Episcopal Grace UMC Willard SOUTH DAKOTA Church MISSISSIPPI Grand Chapter of Ohio, OES Lutheran Church of Our Mississippi Annual Jerome UMC, Plain City Redeemer, Watertown FLORIDA Conference of the UMC Johnsville Grace/Steam Christ Church United Corners UM Charge, TENNESSEE Methodist, Fort Lauderdale MONTANA Shauck First UMC Trustees, Martin Florida Annual Conference St. John’s Lutheran King Avenue UMC, Grible Education Fund, of the UMC Ministries, Inc., Billings Columbus McMinnville North Congregational UCC, General Board of Higher ILLINOIS NEW YORK Columbus Education & Ministry of St. Paul Lutheran Church, St. John’s UCC, Dunkirk Northwest Christian Church, the UMC Gilman United Methodist Women, Columbus Tennessee Annual National Office Northwest Christian Church Conference of the UMC INDIANA Foundation, Columbus United Methodist Higher Christian Theological NORTH CAROLINA Roscoe UMC, Coshocton Education Foundation Seminary North Carolina Annual St. John’s Evangelical Conference of the UMC Protestant Church, WASHINGTON MICHIGAN Columbus Faithlife, Bellingham Detroit Annual Conference OHIO Steam Corners United of the UMC Aldersgate UMC, Toledo Methodist Church WEST VIRGINIA First United Methodist Brownhelm Congregational The Columbus Foundation West Virginia Annual Church of Warren UCC, Vermilion Trinity UMC Columbus Conference of the UMC

28 METHODIST THEOLOGICAL SCHOOL IN OHIO On behalf of our students and those they’re preparing to serve, thank you for your generosity. You may give online at www.mtso.edu/giveonline or return this form with your check or credit card information to: Methodist Theological School in Ohio, 3081 Columbus Pike, Delaware, OH 43015. My gift to MTSO is: q $1,000 q $500 q I have enclosed a check payable to MTSO. q $250 q $100 q $50 Other $_____ q Please charge my q Visa q MasterCard I would like my gift designated for the following fund: Account no.______

q No preference Expiration date______Signature______q Methesco’s Greatest Needs Name______q Seminary Scholarship Address______q Bishop Judith Craig Scholarship ______

q Other (please specify)______Phone______E-mail______Please contact me to discuss: q Direct Donation monthly giving q a planned estate gift We look forward to discussing your philanthropic goals in more depth. To begin that conversation today, contact Vice President of Institutional Advancement April Casperson at 740-362-3372 or [email protected].

Three ways to invest in our students Your continuing financial support of MTSO’s mission provides vital assistance to our students. Each of these three methods of giving enables us to provide a meaningful theological education and enhance affordability for our students: Donate automatically Plan for an estate gift Give now every month Today’s MTSO students are benefiting You may make your tax-deductible MTSO’s Direct Donation program enormously from estate gift online donation at www.mtso.edu/ provides the convenient, budget- commitments made years ago. Through giveonline, or if you wish to give friendly option of dividing your gift planned giving to the seminary, by mail, you may return the form into manageable monthly portions you’ll join the Sterling Society, which above with your check or credit card that are automatically withdrawn from honors those committed to a legacy of information. your account. Direct Donations may be lasting significance. We offer a helpful stopped or modified at any time. Visit collection of estate-planning tools at www.mtso.edu/directdonation www.mtso.edu/plannedgiving. to get started.