The Diné ‘Being the Church’ on the Navajo Nation

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Pilgrims among the Diné ‘Being the church’ on the Navajo Nation

also inside: Duke Installs Richard Hays as Divinity’s 12th Dean Stanley Hauerwas on Writing Hannah’s Child Anathoth: The Garden of Reconciliation from the archives All Creatures, Great and Small

In living color: McKennon Shea D’08 blesses Willa, service dog of Claire Wimbush D’09, at the 2008 Blessing of Animals. Shea, who was then youth director for the Congregation at Duke Chapel, is currently the school’s director of admissions.

Beginning in 1989, the Blessing of Animals has been an annual service at Duke Chapel. These services (b&w photos) included liturgical dancers and guest speaker Andrew Linzey, author of Christianity and the Rights of Animals. Over the years, the popular ceremony has attracted pet lovers with snakes, iguanas, guinea pigs, cats, dogs, and other critters furry, feathered, or finned. Duke Photogra p hy A rch i ves fall 2010 Volume 10, number 1

Editor Elisabeth Stagg Associate Director of Communications CONSULTING EDITORS Wesley F. Brown D’76 divinity Associate Dean for External Relations cover Jonathan Goldstein Associate Dean for Communications 8 STAFF Kate Rugani Pilgrims among the Diné Communications Manager Thriving Communities Initiatives ‘Being the church’ Sherry Williamson on the Navajo Nation Public Relations Specialist

ONLINE DESIGN Michelle Rudolph 10 Web Technology Coordinator 16 PUBLISHER Richard B. Hays Dean & G.W. Ivey Professor of New Testament Copyright © 2010 Duke Divinity School. All rights reserved. Design: Regina Barnhill-Bordo 20 www.bdesign-studio.com

Divinity magazine is published three times during the academic year— fall, winter, and spring—for alumni features departments and friends of Duke Divinity School. NewsMakers Duke Divinity School 8 2 Alumni Association Duke Installs Richard Hays Eruditio et Religio National Council 2009–2010 as Divinity’s 12th Dean 6 Burt Palmer D’90, Houston, Texas President 26 Arts Jim Bailes D’74, Knoxville, Tenn. 16 President-Elect Writing Hannah’s Child 27 Books Paul Phillips D’63, Mebane, N.C. Lauren Winner interviews Secretary Stanley Hauerwas about his memoir 30 Faculty Adviser Shane Benjamin D’84, Creedmoor, N.C. Harriet Bryan D’95, Clarksville, Tenn. 32 Gifts Bob Bushong D’81, Winter Park, Fla. 20 Lisa Fischbeck T’77, D’91, Carrboro, N.C. Faculty & Staff Notes David Hockett D’94, D’99, Salisbury, N.C. abundance at Anathoth: 34 Ross Kane D’09, Alexandria, Va. In the small farming town of Cedar Grove, Courtney Krueger D’92, Pendleton, S.C. N.C., an unsolved murder helped whites and 3 Class Notes Molly D. Morgan D’90, Reidsville, N.C. 8 blacks imagine a better future Steve Morton D’83, Downingtown, Pa. Deaths David Ruth D’03, Kingstree, S.C. 41 Won Un D’89, Richmond, Va. Kristin Adkins Whitesides D’05, Winchester, Va. Cover: At Four Corners Native American 4 Ministry at Large Ministry in Shiprock, N.M., Rodney Aist D’92 2 Wesley F. Brown D’76, Durham, N.C. and Heather Bishop D’09 serve in partnership Financial Planner ex officio with their Navajo neighbors. Behind them rises 44 Wyman Fraser Davis T’87, D’95, Atlanta, Ga. Shiprock, which the Navajo call Tsé Bit’a’í, or ex officio “Winged Rock.” Photo by Roger Hawkins. 45 End Quotes Debbie McLeod D’85, Jacksonville, Fla. ex officio (2009-2010 Council was elected 10/09 to serve through 10/10) www.divinity.duke.edu/divinityonline newsmakers

New Degrees Help Meet Changing Church’s Need

During the coming year the Divinity School will launch three new degree programs, two of which allow ministry professionals to continue working while they study at Duke. All three degrees—the doctor of ministry (D.Min.), the master of arts in Christian practice (M.A.C.P.), and the master of arts in Christian studies (M.A.C.S.)—were developed in response to the church’s need for a greater variety of educational offerings from seminaries in the 21st century. “Using innovative teaching technologies, the Divinity School’s faculty can reach a wider circle of students and provide the same sort of rich, tradition-grounded theological education for which Duke Divinity School is internationally known,” says Dean Richard Hays. “Our new degrees will continue to offer academically rigorous reflection on the heart of the Christian tradition: Scripture, Christian theology, and the ministry of the church. At the same time, we expect these programs to prepare students to respond imaginatively and wisely to the new challenges faced by the church today.” Associate Dean for Academic Formation and Programs Laceye Warner will lead the M.A.C.S. degree program. The other new programs will be led by Craig Hill, who joined the Divinity School in July as research professor of theological pedagogy and executive director of the D.Min. and M.A.C.P. Prior to coming to Duke, Hill was a professor and executive director of academic outreach at Wesley Theological Seminary. He holds a B.A. from Illinois Wesleyan University, an M.Div. from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, and a D.Phil. from the University of Oxford. An ordained elder in the United Methodist Church, he has served as an associate pastor and chaplain in a variety of church settings.

Doctor of Ministry that are part of their daily work, adds positions, the M.A.C.P. will introduce A mainstay of theological education Warner, and to do so in collaboration students to disciplined theological that is new to Duke, the D.Min. is a with their peers in the degree program. reflection as a means for enriching professional doctorate for those who There will be opportunities for stu- their Christian service. have a master of divinity degree, are dents to explore the relationships of Cohorts in both the M.A.C.P. and ordained, and are currently serving theological inquiry with other fields D.Min. will be created in response to as associate or senior pastors—or through collaboration with the schools the needs and interests of particular as executives of Christian institutions. of law, business, the environment, constituencies, says Warner. “The D.Min. combines elements of public policy, nursing, and medicine at “Given both the current strengths both residential and distance learning, Duke University. of the faculty and growing collabora- allowing Christian professionals Students will ordinarily complete tions with other schools at Duke, pos- to pursue advanced study without their coursework in 19 months fol- sible themes for cohorts in the first leaving their full-time work,” says lowed by a period devoted to the few years of the program are youth Laceye Warner, associate dean for D.Min. project, Warner says. The first ministry; the ministry of reconciliation academic formation and programs. class will matriculate in August 2011. in a divided world; leadership in the Students will participate in seminars Christian tradition; biblical hermeneu- on Duke’s campus, usually for a week Master of Arts in tics; and Christian ministry and the at a time, and take part in ongoing Christian Practice healing arts,” Warner says. group interaction through online tools. Designed primarily for those seek- Two academic years, which includes They will be asked to integrate course ing to deepen lay vocations while in a period of supervised ministry, will be Duke Photogra p hy material with the ecclesial practices full-time ministry or other professional required to complete the M.A.C.P. pro-

2 Divinity newsmakers

gram. The first class is expected Choosing a Darker Shade of Blue? to matriculate in June 2011. Ten graduates of the University of North Carolina at Master of Arts in Chapel Hill are among the 210 students who began classes Christian Studies August 30 at the Divinity School. This one-year residential program While the UNC students adjust to a darker shade of blue, offers students the opportunity their six classmates from Duke are no doubt offering support, to explore theological study in a including two who participated in Duke Chapel’s Pathways, general way, or to combine it with a national Lilly Endowment-funded program that encourages specific vocational interests. gifted undergraduates to consider entering ministry. “We see the development of Other schools represented by three or more new students a one-year master’s degree as included Appalachian State, Baylor, Belmont, Clemson, an essential aspect of what the Florida Southern, Florida State, Mt. Olive, the University of Divinity School needs to do to Virginia, Wake Forest, and Wheaton College. jim w allace open itself up to inquiring under- The median age for all new students remained the same graduates seeking their next step, as in 2009—23 for the master of divinity degree and 24 for and to professional students in all incoming students—as did the top reason for choosing other schools seeking to supple- Duke: academic reputation. ment their formation in other professions with theological educa- Above right: Rodney “Drew” Weseman D’13, a first-year student, and Project BRI(DDD)GE* leader Adrienne Hamm D’12 volunteer at the NEEM (Natural Environmental Ecological Management) Group tion,” says Warner, who will lead greenhouse. Weseman was among 20 new divinity students who arrived in Durham before the start of the M.A.C.S. degree program. classes to participate in the weeklong community-based program of fellowship and service. Christian undergraduates who *Building Relationships in Durham through Duke Divinity Graduate Education wish to explore opportunities for faith-based service and leader- new students by the numbers ship—and graduate students in other, non-theological programs degree distribution Denominations within M.Div. at Duke, particularly the School of Non-Degree 4% Other Denominations Medicine—have expressed inter- Th.D. 4% 19% est in the M.A.C.S. Th.M. 7% The degree encompasses eight Presbyterian 11% courses to be completed in two semesters and is not intended to M.T.S. 12% serve as direct preparation for Anglican/ UMC 50% Episcopal 10% ordained ministry or doctoral M.Div. Candidates 72% study. The first class is expected to matriculate in August 2011. Baptist 10%

To learn more about all of the Divinity Top 5 reasons for choosing Median Age 2010 School’s degrees, visit Duke Divinity School M.Div. students: 23 www.divinity.duke.edu/academics Academic Reputation Total incoming: 24 Theological Reputation Median Age 2009 Strength of Faculty M.Div. students: 23 Location Total incoming: 24 denominational affiliation

Fall 2010 3 newsmakers

Spirited Life: Addressing the Health of UMC Clergy in N.C.

If you’re concerned about clergy mechanisms was crucial—pastors health, you’re not alone. The topic really seemed to value the opportunity has been in the news often during to share their successes and the past few months, in part because challenges with others,” says Robin Duke Divinity School’s Clergy Health Swift, the Clergy Health Initiative’s Initiative has confirmed that United director of health programs. “Spirited Methodist pastors in North Carolina Life participants will receive support are more likely to suffer from obesity from specially trained health coaches, and chronic disease than other as well as from their peers. The comparable state residents. program will also engage congrega- Now there’s a way to help pastors tions and conference leadership in become healthier. support of pastors’ health, because The Clergy Health Initiative has change happens only if a problem developed Spirited Life, a multi-year is addressed on many fronts.” holistic health and wellness program Because the program is a research and behavioral health study. Enrollment study as well as a service program, is open through Oct. 31, 2010, for all pastors wanting to participate must clergy serving under appointment to enroll by Oct. 31. They then will a local church or on conference staff be randomly assigned to one of in the North Carolina and Western three groups. Each group will receive North Carolina Conferences of the wellness services for two years of the United Methodist Church, with the program, with the first group beginning exception of clergy who received the in January 2011. The remainder of the services of the Clergy Health Initiative time, they will serve as a comparison pilot program. The program is funded group to the other two groups. by The Duke Endowment and endorsed This is the first combined weight by the two participating conferences. loss and stress reduction program in There is no cost to participate. the nation to receive rigorous study, Spirited Life recasts health in the and one of only a handful in which context of ministry, recognizing that programming lasts more than 12 unless pastors are well in mind, body, months. By studying the effects on and spirit, it is difficult for them to pastors’ health—measured through care effectively for their congregations. periodic surveys and instant-read Working within a holistic framework blood screenings—the Clergy Health of Wesleyan theology and spirituality, Initiative hopes to be able to offer a Spirited Life focuses on two distinct proven program that can be adopted by but inseparable drivers of health—the other United Methodist conferences ability to deal with stressful situations and faith communities. and the ability to eat well and take Jim Harry D’94 and Joann Turner D’04, pastors at St. Paul United Methodist Church care of the body—while also folding in To learn more about Spirited Life or in Goldsboro, N.C., participated in the Clergy accountability and support measures. to register for the program, visit Health Initiative pilot program, the forerunner “We learned through our pilot www.spiritedlife.org of Spirited Life. Enrollment in Spirited Life program that building in support ends Oct. 31, 2010. D ONN YOUNG

4 Divinity newsmakers

Grant Helps Document the Local Church

A $30,000 planning grant from the ‘Living Witness’ Draws State Library of North Carolina will fund Record Registration the Duke Divinity School Library’s effort Registrations for the 2010 to archive publications from the state’s Convocation & Pastors’ School— churches and other religious bodies. “The Living Witness: Tradition, The Religion in North Carolina Innovation, and the Church”— Digital Collection, a joint project with had exceeded 800 at press time, the libraries at the University of North the largest response ever for the Carolina at Chapel Hill and Wake Forest annual event sponsored by Duke University, will use the grant funds to Divinity School. develop a list of titles to be digitized “We’re very much excited about and made freely available. the national interest—and particu- These materials are critical primary larly the interest of Duke Divinity sources in research, said Andy Keck, students—in this year’s program,” associate director of the Divinity School said Laura Webb of Leadership Library and project manager. School Library and other libraries across Education at Duke Divinity. “While some nationally produced the state, said Keck, and to seek Speakers N.T. Wright, Andy materials are widely held, the works permission to digitize copyrighted works. Crouch, Rob Bell, and Bishop published by local or regional religious The collection will include the histories Vashti McKenzie will be featured at bodies can be quite rare among librar- of local religious bodies and publications the Oct. 11-12 event, which coin- ies,” he said. of larger North Carolina denominations cides with Duke’s fall break. “We’ve “The local church history, for example, or cooperative networks. The libraries had more student registrations than is often self-published for members of plan eventually to provide digital access ever before,” said Webb. the congregation, yet indispensable for and tools for searching across these describing the development of a commu- significant works. For more information about the event, nity, documenting involvement with other visit www.divinity.duke.edu/livingwitness religious institutions and communities, The EZ LSTA (Library Services and Technology illustrating struggles with broader soci- Act) Planning Grant is administered through etal events or issues, and illuminating the State Library of North Carolina, a division particular religious disputes.” of the Department of Cultural Resources. The grant will make it possible to To learn more, contact Keck, 919.660.3549 identify titles located in the Divinity or [email protected].

CORRECTIONS Share Your Feedback

Bookmark (p. 32, Spring’10 Divinity) mistakenly Divinity magazine welcomes comments and suggestions from readers. If you have an idea for a feature story or first-person column, or know attributed reviewer Michael Gorman’s comment, “Not an alumnus who would be ideal for a profile, let us know:

only is Rowe’s reading a … corrective to misreadings Write: Editor, Divinity magazine, Duke Divinity School of Acts, …”) to David Burrell. Box 90970, Durham, NC 27708-0970 In ShelfLife (p. 32) the listing for Reading the Bible Call: 919.660.3412 E-mail: [email protected] Intertextually should have read, “Essays by some of the Letters to the Editor may be edited for clarity or length. world’s foremost interpreters of the New Testament exam-

Duke Photogra p hy ine the varied and distinctive ways that the canonical texts Help Update Your Record engage in conversation with other parts of the Bible.” Please complete and mail the inserted card, including your denominational affiliation and judicatory, or update this information Divinity magazine regrets these errors. at www.divinity.duke.edu/update

Fall 2010 5

ERUDITIO et Religio

Listening Together: Christians and Muslims Reading Scriptures Instructors: Abdullah Antepli, Muslim Chaplain, Duke University/Adjunct Faculty of Islamic Studies and Ellen Davis, Amos Ragan Kearns Professor of Bible and Practical Theology

In this new course, Abdullah Class Information: Required Texts: Antepli and Ellen Davis will help stu- Spring 2011 The Qur’an, a New Translation (M.A.S. dents begin to map out their own Wednesdays, 8:30-11 a.m. Abdel, Haleem, Oxford, 2005), or The journey through the still largely Limit: 25 Qur’an (Ali ünal, Tughra Books, 2008) uncharted territory of Muslim-Christian Claiming Abraham: Reading the Bible conversation about scriptural interpre- PREREQUISITES: and the Qur’an Side by Side by Michael tation. Readings will provide a broad OT 11 and 12, NT 18 Lodahl (Baker Books) exposure to the core Islamic scriptures, Christian students are asked to read Qur’an and Hadith, and introduce either The Heart of Islam by Seyyed Hagar, Sarah, and Their Children: Jewish, basic principles of Islamic hermeneu- Hossein Nasr, (HarperOne) or God Is Christian, and Muslim Perspectives, tics. There will be weekly cross-text One: The Way of Islam by R. Marston edited by Phyllis Trible and Letty Russell study between Islamic and Christian Speight, (Friendship Press). Muslim (Westminster John Knox, 2006) scriptures (OT and NT). Students will students are asked to read The Spirit of be provided with intellectual, spiritual, Early Christian Thought by Robert Wilken. Students are expected to have access theological, exegetical, and herme- to several translations of the Bible for neutical tools to engage in ministry in Requirements: comparison as they read the Christian settings such as hospitals, prisons, In addition to submitting two essays scriptures in both Testaments. campuses, and larger communi- and a final exam, students will be ties. Two class sessions will be held required to attend and prepare for Highly Recommended (Feb. 14 & March 28) at the Islamic each session and to submit entries Ishmael Instructs Isaac: An Introduction Association of Raleigh for scripture from an informal notebook in response to the Quran for Bible Readers by John study and theological conversation. to the weekly readings. Kaltner (Liturgical Press, 1999)

FACULTY BIOS

ELLEN Davis’ research interests focus on how biblical interpretation bears on the life of faith communities and their response to urgent public issues, particularly the environmental crisis and interfaith relations. Among her current projects is collaboration with the Episcopal Church of Sudan to develop theological education, community health, and sustainable agriculture. She received the 2010 University Scholar-Teacher of the Year Award at Founder’s Day Convocation on Sept. 30.

Abdullah Antepli became Duke’s first Muslim chaplain, and among the first at any American university, in 2008. He is a faculty member in the Divinity School and at the Duke Islamic Studies Center, and also serves on the Duke Chapel Faith Council and Religious Life staff. He provides pastoral care, teaches about Islam, and participates in interfaith discussions. He is one of the few Muslims to have delivered an opening prayer

for the U.S. House of Representatives. He completed his basic training and education in E l i sa b eth S tagg his native Turkey. Watch “A conversation between Iman Abdullah Antepli and Samuel Wells, Dean of Duke Chapel” at www.ustream.tv/recorded/9474638

6 Divinity ‘It All Begins with Baptism’ by Bishop (Ret.) Kenneth Carder, Ruth W. and A. Morris Williams Professor of the Practice of Christian Ministry

Excerpted from “Temptations and of God, redeemed in Jesus Christ, and Triumphs of Ministry,” preached June 13, called to participate in God’s present and 2010, at the Service of Commissioning coming reign in Jesus Christ. and Ordination, Holston Annual Our primary calling, then, is to accept Conference of the United Methodist and live our baptismal identity! That is Church, Lake Junaluska, N.C. a ministry we share as laity and clergy. Ordination does not supersede baptism. Luke begins Jesus’ public ministry with Rather, it derives from baptism. And the his baptism (Luke 3:21–22). … John the bedrock calling of the ordained and com- Baptist invites the people to enter the missioned is to support the baptized in liv- waters of the Jordan, that crossover river ing their identity in the world. There is no between bondage and wilderness wander- higher calling. ... Baptism has to do with Bertel Thorvaldsen’s marble relief “St. John Baptizing Christ,” c. 1809, Baptismal Apse, ings and God’s promised land. Joining the our being as beloved daughters and sons Goodson Chapel crowd entering those cleansing waters of of God: it is who we are. freedom and promise was Jesus. Luke … Baptism is God’s affirmation, “Do simply says, “When all the people were not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have subtle temptations. …Every exalted baptized, and when Jesus also had been called you by name, you are mine” position—and being the child of the baptized and was praying, the heaven was (Isaiah 43:1). Therefore, our worth lies King is an exalted position—has its shad- opened, and the Holy Spirit descended in the One to whom we belong, and ows or temptations. … Henri Nouwen upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a nothing can take that from us, not even reminds us that “one of the greatest voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, death itself! And the glorious good news ironies of the history of Christianity is the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’” is that it is all a gift. We call it grace. that its leaders constantly give in to the … Luke knew that the divine message … In the words of the Epistle of First temptation of power—political power, at Jesus’ baptism combined the words John: “Beloved, we are God’s children military power, economic power, or moral from the coronation Psalm 2:7, “You are now; what we will be has not yet been and spiritual power.” my son; today I have begotten you,” and revealed. What we do know is this: when … Christian ministry means living now in the image of God’s servant in Isaiah 42:1, he is revealed, we will be like him, for we the light of the ultimate triumph of Christ’s “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my will see him as he is” (3:1–2). reign. Christ has already taken on all the chosen, in whom my soul delights.” That is the source of our morale, not seductions and principalities and powers Baptism is the outward and visible sign the size of our churches or our titles or that threaten God’s mission. And the good of God’s action in claiming us as beloved ecclesial positions. Martin Luther reports news is this: God in Christ won the battle! sons and daughters, those who bear the that when he became discouraged and … You who are being commissioned divine image and are incorporated into depressed by conflicts within and without, and ordained: Remember your baptism. Christ’s body, his death and resurrection, he would say, “But I have been baptized.” …Before you looms the wilderness and a and called to share in God’s mission of The Tempter would say, “Luther, you’re world filled with powerful and seductive the redemption of the whole creation. a hopeless, stubborn, prideful, ignorant, temptations. Move toward the future with Baptism defines who we are, who our arrogant, no-good sinner,” to which Luther courage and hope. The One who claims family is, and what our ministry entails. would reply, “True enough, devil, but I and calls you has triumphed through the This identity is accompanied and affirmed have been baptized.” wilderness and has overcome the world. by the Holy Spirit, which persistently woos Being sons and daughters of God and Hear his promise: “Lo, I am with you

Duke Photogra p hy us, guides us, and reminds us that we living our baptismal identity as God’s ser- always, to the close of the age (Matthew have been claimed as beloved children vants, however, leads us into all kinds of 28:20)!”

Fall 2010 7 The thOpening 84 Convocation & Installation of Richard B. Hays as Dean

8 Divinity “The Divinity School is … the symbol of the long and abiding relationship between church and academy. Today we affirm anew that relationship, symbolized in our motto, Eruditio et Religio, as we install a dean of the Divinity School.”

— Richard H. Brodhead, President, Duke University

Duke Divinity School’s 12th Dean Installed Richard B. Hays was installed as dean of Duke Divinity School at the 84th Opening Convocation on Aug. 31, 2010. Dean Hays, who is the George Washington Ivey Professor of New Testament, is internationally recognized for his work on the letters of Paul and on New Testament ethics. His scholarship bridges the disciplines of biblical criticism and literary studies, exploring the innovative ways in which early Christian writers interpreted Israel’s Scripture. Hays succeeds L. Gregory Jones, who stepped down after 13 years as dean to become vice president and vice provost for global strategy and programs for the university. Hays came to Duke in 1991 from the faculty of Yale Divinity School, where he earlier received the M.Div. degree. He earned a Ph.D. at Emory University. As the Divinity School’s first worship service of the academic year, Opening Convocation includes the procession of faculty and staff in academic regalia and a formal welcome and ritual L es T o dd /Duke Photogra p hy of blessing for new members of the faculty and staff.

on the web

Download the text and audio of Dean Richard B. Hays’ homily “I Have Set Before You Life and Death” and watch his installation at the 84th Opening Convocation at www.divinity.duke.edu/news-media/news/2010-09-02-hays-installed-dean Fall 2010 9 pilgrims among the Diné On the Navajo Nation, Four Corners Native American Ministry maps a new course

by Kate Nelson | photography by Roger Hawkins

hiprock, N.M.—Pawn shops and trading posts boasting the best Sin Native American artistry hug the edge of Diné Bikéyah, or the Navajo Nation, a 17-million-acre expanse that weaves together the beauty of the high desert, an ancient culture, and, despite daunting poverty, dreams for the future. From his office at the Four Corners Native American Ministry, Rodney Aist D’92 can see beyond convenience stores and gas stations to the craggy neck of an ancient volcano. The Navajos call it Tsé Bit’a’í, or “winged rock,” a daily evocation of the great bird that delivered the tribe’s people to their ancestral homeland. Since the 1870s, U.S. mapmakers have called it Shiprock.

10 Divinity For Aist, who arrived as director of this United Methodist ministry in 2008, such landmarks hold special pilgrims significance. During 1996-97, he spent a year visiting holy sites and Christian ministries in 20 countries. Later, during breaks from graduate study at the among the Diné University of Wales, where he earned an M.A. in Celtic Christianity (2002) On the Navajo Nation, Four Corners Native American and a Ph.D. in theology (2008), Aist Ministry maps a new course walked 800 miles of Spain’s Camino de Santiago. His doctoral research by Kate Nelson | photography by Roger Hawkins on Christian pilgrimage to Jerusalem before the Crusades included a research fellowship at the W.F. Albright Institute for Archeological Research in East Jerusalem, and in addition Four Corners Native American Ministry includes seven UMC charter churches and 17 to Israel and Wales, he has lived in additional congregations throughout the Navajo Nation, which covers 17 million acres. Denmark, Germany, and Scotland. After years of pilgrimage to holy Spanish conquest to Manifest Destiny tions of alcoholism, diabetes, sexual sites across many cultures, Aist, 44, to unemployment and crystal meth. abuse. If we believe in Christianity’s fully appreciates the significance of Among the 165,000 Diné who live on power to transform lives, then this is Tsé Bit’a’í, or Shiprock, which genera- the reservation, half are unemployed. where we are called to be. But how are tions of the Diné have looked to as Most jobs are with government agen- we called to be here?” sacred, resisting efforts to open it to cies, and most of the income is spent One thing that is clear to Aist is the hikers and rock-climbers. For them, beyond tribal borders. (The closest imperative of reaching beyond the the land of their ancestors, of their town is Farmington, N.M., an oil-and- pulpit with a boots-on-the-ground traditions and of their culture, defines gas rich area where the largest employ- ministry that addresses issues of social their place in the cosmos. For Aist, the ers are BP America and Conoco. justice and basic human needs. “Anglo- Navajo’s struggle to honor and pre- Among Farmington’s 48,000 residents, Europeans have destroyed a lot of serve their homeland resonates with nearly 75 percent are Anglo.) Navajos native cultures in the name of ‘civiliza- parallel struggles among indigenous are more likely than the average tion’ and Christianity,” says Aist. peoples around the world. American to die of diabetes, suicide, “Before leaving Jerusalem for homicide, pneumonia, or influenza. ‘Becoming more’ the Navajo reservation, I had more The alcoholism death rate eclipses that Beyond the deck of Aist’s house, a gen- than one person point out to me the of other Americans eight to one. tle rain—what Navajos call a “mother interesting parallels between the two Bound by these realities, Aist and rain”—is falling across a neighborhood contexts,” Aist says. “Both Zionism Heather Bishop D’09, a US-2 mission- filled with satellite dishes, feral cats, and and Manifest Destiny have used the ary with the young adult programs of roaming dogs. Inside, Bishop and Aist reading of a sacred text by a dominant the United Methodist Church’s General talk over coffee about what drew them political culture to justify the acquisi- Board of Global Ministries, seek to to the reservation. tion of land and the subjugation of walk faithfully with their brothers and “The opportunity to practice the human rights.” Some in Jerusalem, says sisters through this grinding litany of Methodist traditions of hospitality and Aist, believe that the United States is needs. The questions, Aist acknowl- social justice here was intriguing,” Aist reluctant to respond to the Palestinian edges, far outnumber the answers. says. He was appointed to Four Corners question because of similarities that “What should the role of by Bishop D. Max Whitfield, who had can be raised with the treatment of Christianity be today?” he asks. “What once served as Aist’s district superin- American Indians. should a mainline denomination look tendent and knew his background in, That treatment includes five centu- like here? You’ve got a broken soci- and commitment to, cross-cultural min- ries of an often brutal history, from the ety—kids engaged in drugs, genera- istry. Throughout his spiritual journey,

Ffaall 2010 11 he says, “I’ve been interested in hospi- “Being in right relationship with each From left: worship at Shiprock UMC; feeding tality as a counterpoint to pilgrimage.” other involves everything from how the flock; Navajo girls, Ft. Sumner, N.M., Bosque “It’s been wonderful for me to be we eat to how we spend money,” says Redondo era; crosses outside Shiprock UMC. able to enter into this Native American Bishop, who found courses at seminary world,” Aist says. He relishes the time that stressed the gifts of food, creation, children were taken from their families spent worshipping in Navajo churches, and community. Encouraging people and forbidden to speak their native lan- the Diné sense of humor, the ubiquity to purchase food locally rather than guage. (See sidebar, “A Bitter Legacy.”) of southwestern cuisine. driving off the reservation to shop in Frank Hanagarne Sr., 78, senior Bishop, 26, with tattoos for the Farmington, she adds, supports the pastor of the cinder-block, 20-pew Hebrew words shalom (peace) and Navajo economy and decreases the Shiprock UMC, was born in Shiprock menuha (rest) on her arms, received area’s carbon footprint. and attended the Methodist Mission her calling while doing mission work in In addition to her time in the gar- School from 1937 to 1949. He was bap- Jamaica, where she served in a hos- den, which provides produce for the tized there in 1941. pital. Her witness of “love moving in day-care center, Bishop works closely “One of the things they developed in the presence of fear” changed her life, with Navajo youth, and has taken high me was punctuality,” says Hanagarne. she says. Her call was clarified by the school students to visit colleges. After stints in college and the U.S. realization of “my holy discontentment. “The wonderfulness of it is the Army, he worked in the mining industry You have to find what you ‘can’t not ‘becoming,’” she says. “I’m never going before returning to Shiprock in 1995. do.’ Now, I can do nothing but this.” to be Navajo, but I’m a little bit more He became active in the church and is Since arriving in Shiprock a year ago, Navajo than I was. I will always have a firm believer in its power to change she has worked closely with the minis- mutton-and-green-chile memories, fry- lives. “We’re here to save souls, be a try’s day care center while supporting bread memories, hearing myself called lifesaver,” he says. fair trade, new opportunities for youth, an ‘albino cousin’. I can only be more and improved child and family nutri- Navajo than I was because they allow Change Agent tion and health. me to be.” Thirteen years ago, Terry Matthews Bishop applied for and received This hospitality is a measure of grace. D’78, G’90 joined a mission group grant funding for Faithful Feasting, a The scars are still evident from the traveling to the Navajo reservation. food and nutrition program at the day Long Walk of 1863-64, when the tribe The landscape he saw during the drive care center. “Shiprock is kind of a food was forcibly marched to the Bosque from the airport in Albuquerque, ghetto,” she says. “On every side, you’re Redondo in eastern New Mexico— N.M., across the high desert to pummeled with Burger King or KFC.” Hwééldi, or the ‘place of suffering’— Gallup touched a spiritual chord that The new program includes once-a- and held captive until 1868. Within a resonated within the senior pastor month food education with hands-on generation of their return to their land, of Maple Springs United Methodist cooking lessons that emphasize choos- the federal Civilization Fund helped Church in Winston-Salem, N.C., and he ing fresh, healthy ingredients to help establish boarding schools throughout has returned to Four Corners at least combat obesity and diabetes. Native American lands. In many cases, once a year ever since.

12 Divinity a bitter legacy

It began with one man’s misguided notion of a utopia for Native Americans. It ended with one of the most shameful chapters in the history of the American West. More than a century later, the legacy of the Long Walk haunts the memories of the Navajos as surely as the Trail of Tears haunts the Cherokees. In 1862, Gen. James H. Carleton, military commander of the New Mexico Territory, envisioned an agricultural reservation at Fort Sumner in eastern New Mexico, where tribes would be held a safe distance from Anglo and Hispanic settlers. His intent, fed by the momentum of Manifest Destiny, was to force the tribes “to give way to the insatiable progress of our race.” To carry out this plan, Carleton turned to Christopher Houston “Kit” Carson, ordering: “All Indian men of that tribe (the Mescalero Apaches in southern New Mexico) “I realized early on that just going are to be killed whenever and wherever you can find them. The women and children there for a week may assuage a little will not be harmed, but you will take them prisoners.” white liberal guilt, but you had to Carson could not bring himself to abide in full. Instead, he took Apache men maintain a consistent approach,” says prisoners, eventually persuading the tribe to surrender and move to the Bosque Matthews, who earned both M.Div. and Redondo. In 1863, more than 400 arrived at an incomplete military fort and were Ph.D. degrees at Duke. “You had to put to work. show you cared over time. They had seen Carleton then issued a similar order for the Navajos. In the siege of Canyon de enough missionaries come for a week. Chelly, the spiritual heartland of the Navajo people, Carson burned the tribe’s crops The more time I spend there, the more I and peach orchards, shot livestock, and destroyed wells. Eventually, the Navajos understand the people and their issues.” surrendered and 10,000 of them began the 350-mile walk to Bosque Redondo. Last summer, Matthews led the first They were poorly clothed and barely fed. One in five died, their corpses abandoned, nava j o g i rls arch val im age: Palace of the G overnors Photo A rch ves/ N e w Mex co Hi story Museu m training sessions for pastoral leaders. unburied, along the route. A woman in labor was shot to death because she could “I have to translate Wesleyan theol- not keep up. ogy into the culture of the Navajo, and The reservation exposed the futility of Carleton’s utopia. The two tribes had long- that’s not an easy thing to do,” he says. standing rivalries and different languages. There was little firewood, no shelter, “The Navajo language is difficult. It’s a and only one water source, the salty Pecos River. Comanche raids were common. complex culture. The task for Rodney Smallpox infected them. An estimated 1,500 perished in the winter of 1863-64 alone. is bringing a sense of coherence to the In 1865, the Mescalero Apaches escaped. The Navajos remained until 1868, ministry. He’s a change agent to make when Gen. William T. Sherman crafted a treaty granting both tribes permanent rights that happen.” to a portion of their ancestral lands. As June 18, 1868, dawned, a 10-mile-long col- Aist, who credits Duke with instill- umn of Navajo people began yet another long walk, this time home. ing in him a deep understanding of Within a decade after the Diné had returned to their ancestral lands, missionaries Christian orthodoxy over the past of various denominations arrived with plans for a brighter Navajo future. Children 2,000 years, believes that effective were taken from their families and enrolled in boarding schools, where they were cross-cultural collaboration, especially forbidden to speak their native language. Stories of physical, emotional, and sexual between historically dominant cultures abuse at many of these schools abound. and indigenous groups, requires a Methodists started missions in the area in 1891, and the Methodist Mission new paradigm. School in Farmington operated between 1912 and the mid-80s. The Mission School The shift from paternalism to a is lauded by some alumni, including Frank Hanagarne Sr., pastor of Shiprock United model that supports self-determination Methodist Church, for the structure it brought to their lives; others grieve the dam- and empowerment—from ministry to age done by such schools to their native culture. others to ministry with others, in defer- In 2000, then-Bureau of Indian Affairs Assistant Secretary Kevin Gover issued an ence to the indigenous culture—“can apology, saying in part: “The trauma of shame, fear, and anger has passed from one still ignore the critique, evaluation, and generation to the next, and manifests itself in the rampant alcoholism, drug abuse, discussion necessary for a strong and and domestic violence that plague Indian country. Many of our people live lives of honest partnership. We’ve got a long unrelenting tragedy.” — Kate Nelson

Fall 2010 13 ways to go, but I’m open to the idea “I know the Lord has put me here to that something new could take place.” work with my people, to listen to the What won’t take place, Hanagarne people’s problems,” Lynch says. “They insists, is a synthesis with native practices. come, they want you to pray for them, “In my opinion, you can’t have Jesus to listen to them. I’ve had a lot of time Christ sharing the beliefs of a medicine praying with people in that fitting room man,” he says. “In the church, we do over there.” not allow medicine men to preach. We Lately, Lynch—whom Aist calls “the will allow them to conduct funerals, matriarch of our ministry”—has been but with no pipes, drums, or smoke.” counseling a young woman who yearns to learn more about Christianity, but The formation that Bishop received A Tribal Divide fears the reaction of her family, which at Duke, he adds, is more geared to That stance is at the heart of rec- follows tribal religion. these issues than his was in the early onciling traditional spiritual beliefs “It’s a very tough situation,” she 1990s. For Bishop, the grounding she and Christianity. Each day, Lorena said. “But I tell her ‘There’s nothing received in courses that included Lynch, director of the ministry’s thrift wrong with reading the Bible. Just read issues of social justice such as access shop, tries to help her fellow Navajos it. Everyone should read the Bible. It to health and nutrition supported her navigate this tribal divide. For her, it’s opens your eye.’” grant application for Faithful Feasting. personal. While Hanagarne builds a bulwark “We’re not business people,” says “That’s why I’m without a husband against native traditions, Lynch draws a Aist, who looks toward mission groups today,” she says. “When I accepted more delicate line. whose members could bring that Christ, that was what I wanted for “Some Navajo people have been told, expertise to the reservation. “The myself and my kids. But my husband ‘You can’t claim anything that has to Christian community can really benefit was not ready for that. Finally, he went do with the traditional way of life; you by having dedicated lay people [who his way.” can’t even go to the Shiprock Navajo have the training and experience] to A native of Sanders, Ariz., Lynch Fair.’ But I go.” support things like fair trade.” attended a government boarding school Lynch has attended powwows and For all its difficulties, life on the and found her way to Methodism as a the yeibichei ceremony, a nine-day heal- Navajo reservation does hold promise. 15-year-old at a small mission church. ing ritual. But she makes clear that she Navajo jewelers and weavers enjoy She left the church as a young adult but is an observer. “We don’t participate,” global renown for the caliber of their returned to her faith in 1976, when her she says. “We come back and go to work. In the 1970s, the reintroduction oldest daughter began having prob- church the next day.” of the Churro sheep—a desert-hardy lems and the Navajo Mission School in For Aist and Bishop, that deli- species nearly decimated by govern- Farmington offered a solution. cate line holds promise. Episcopal ment cross-breeding programs— While she rejected tribal religion, her denominations on the reservation have proved a boon for the weavers, who Navajo identity is expressed through blended traditional religion into their prize the animals’ lustrous fleece. her artistry as a weaver, a tradition she services, but for now, the congregations Although many of the Navajo Code learned as a child helping herd sheep. of the Four Corners ministry aren’t. Talkers have passed away, these WWII “We prepared our own wool, carded “It’s important to me that people have heroes are revered for developing an it, and that’s what I did when I was freedom of choice regarding Christ and unbreakable military code used in the with my sheep,” she says. “My mom, culture,” Aist says. Pacific theatre from 1942 to 1945. she made a living off of it, raised a lot Against these strengths, Aist of sheep, sold the lambs, sold the wool. `The power to change the world’ battles a daily tidal wave of needs: the In those days, it was a must that a girl Creating a viable economy on the res- Shiprock church, built in 1957, desper- learned to weave. Now when I weave, ervation will require many changes, says ately needs a new heating and cooling it’s a relaxing thing to do. You sit there, Aist, among them more jobs and job system at a cost of $15,000; attract- you pray, you talk to your God.” training, and the growth of fair trade. ing young people to lead the church’s At the thrift shop, dubbed by custom- Best business practices for supporting future is complicated by language, ers the “Navajo Wal-Mart,” Lynch turns these changes are not typically part of a distance, and lingering distrust; and the prayer into action. theological education. persistence of drug and alcohol abuse

14 Divinity seems to subvert the gospel message date many Christians celebrate the From left: Lorena Lynch, director of the thrift of redemption. Feast of the Transfiguration. shop; Rodney Aist leads worship; Heather Bishop and a helper in Faithful Feasting gar- As Aist prepares to preach on a “Since 1945,” Aist says, “the Feast of den; Hanagarne and Aist serve Eucharist. Sunday in August, clouds cluster on the Transfiguration has been differ- the horizon, looking like mounds of ent. For those who’ve celebrated that shorn Churro fleece—a mix of gray Christian feast, the image of Christ in calabacitas (squash), ceremonial corn and white with traces of sandy brown. glory on the mountaintop has to be pollen, and $5 hay bales. A mission team from Foundry United compared with the image of the mush- The worshippers spill out of the Methodist Church in Houston, Texas, room cloud. crowded fellowship hall into the dirt brings the congregation to more than “But maybe it tells us something parking lot, sharing birthday cake, 70, almost filling the sanctuary. that it was dropped on the anniver- admiring the view of Shiprock, and Hanagarne asks the congregation sary of the great feast of hope. All of mapping out the week’s construction to call out their blessings and prayers. us have the tendency to destroy and work. In this place of contradictions, A new granddaughter is on the way. disfigure. God has given us the power where spectacular beauty meets “It’s my birthday, and I invite everyone to change the world through love or unrelenting needs, they are threads of to share my cake,” says a parishioner. through hate.” hope, joining together, one by one, to A neighbor has cancer. Farmington Parishioners accept pieces of bread weave something new. foster homes are caring for Navajo from Aist and dip them into a chal- children whose parents can no longer ice held by Hanagarne. As the service Kate Nelson, a former newspaper afford them. “Pray for my grandson,” a ends, Aist and Hanagarne file out, and writer and editor, has written about New woman says. “We buried his father.” Hanagarne’s strong voice calls out: Mexico for more than 20 years. She lives Aist takes the pulpit, then moves to “Let’s go be the church!” in Placitas, N.M. stand directly in front of parishioners. Outside, the Churro clouds prepare His sermon begins with the story of to unleash a torrential “father rain,” Sadako Sasaki, a survivor of the Aug. the term the Navajos use for storms so 6, 1945, bombing of Hiroshima. It was fierce that they often wash out bridges Sasaki’s subsequent death from leu- and flood fields of corn. Commerce is kemia that led to a 1958 peace statue picking up at a nearby open-air flea in Hiroshima Park. The anniversary market. On the road to Farmington, more info of the bomb blast, Aist notes, was the vendors are offering roasted lamb, Diné: A History of the Navajos by Peter Iverson, (University of New Mexico Press, 2002) how to help Four Corners, Where the Holy Volunteers needed with specific skills include a certified public accountant to Spirit Touches Navajo Hearts by prepare documents, veterinarians to treat reservation pets, computer technicians, Stan Sager (Providence House, 2007). and electricians and plumbers to oversee repairs. Other needs are included in the Order by calling the Four Corners Office monthly e-newsletter; to subscribe, e-mail [email protected]. The Four Corners 505.368.4402. Native American Ministry belongs to the General Advance Special Program of the Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church. Donations are accepted at Navajo Nation Government: www.gbgm-umc.org/fcnam/Financial$20Donations.html www.navajo.org

Fall 2010 15 [ interview ] Hannah’s Child STANLEY HAUERWAS ON ‘BECOMING CHRISTIAN’

Lauren Winner, assistant professor of Christian spirituality and

the author of the memoir Girl Meets God, interviewed Gilbert T.

Rowe Professor of Theological Ethics Stanley Hauerwas Aug. 18,

2010, about his most recent book, Hannah’s Child: A Theologian’s

Memoir, for Divinity magazine. Hauerwas, 70, was named “America’s best theo-

logian” by Time magazine in 2001, the same year he delivered the prestigious

Gifford Lectures at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland. His book A Community of

Character: Toward a Constructive Christian Social Ethic was selected as one of the

100 most important books on religion of the 20th century.

Hannah’s Child represents one of the writers you mention, one who your foray, as a writer, into compels you particularly, is John Updike. memoir. Why did you decide hauerwas: I think Updike helps us to write a memoir now? see the agony of the American middle hauerwas: Well, people had asked class and the quiet desperation that

me to do something like this. Usually, lives so constituted often live out. He Illustrat i on: K ev n H ar p er/ DI V INIT Y N e w s & otes, ol. X , o. 2, S u mm er 1995 younger students kind of wanted to does that with such beautiful writing know where I’d come from, and I had that it seems counter to the lies. I love resisted that because, of course, it’s such the Rabbit books, and how he exposes an invitation of narcissism. But it turned emptiness that cannot be sustained. I out I’m just narcissistic enough to do it. take it that one of the problems of his reception is the high-culture folk in What did you learn America just will not forgive him for from writing it? making the middle class interesting. But he certainly did that, and I just hauerwas: I think what I learned admire it. People love the beauty of his most from writing it is that I’m a writer. prose, but they don’t like, necessarily, My writing has always been my way of the subject. becoming Christian, and I think this book is a further exercise in that. I was very compelled by your description, in the preface to You’re a writer and you’re also a Hannah’s Child, of God as there reader. In Hannah’s Child, you for your wife, Paula, and there for your write about reading fiction, and priest, Timothy Kimbrough, and there for

16 Divinity your friend Sam Wells in a way that God “ My writing has always been my way is not there for you. That is a sentiment that resonates very deeply with me, but I of becoming Christian, and I think this imagine for some people it is discomfort- book is a further exercise in that.” ing or startling or confusing. I was thinking about when that book by Mother Teresa — stanley hauerwas was published a few years ago; people were very unsettled by her revealing that she hadn’t felt any closeness to God for decades and decades. he “fell in love with God by being a would be her gardening tools—inso- hauerwas: I think some people are seminarian.” I thought how lovely it is far as they were tools. My mother naturally open to the reception of that he can use the language of falling really didn’t have tools. She had her God’s presence in the way that others in love with God without embarrass- voice and she talked constantly, and are not, and I don’t think that’s neces- ment. I need that. I need people to say I suppose that’s still there. As for my sarily a good thing. I think that it can that they fell in love with God. I think father’s tools, I have quite a number be [good], but to be naturally anything Paula is in love with God. It’s never of them at home, but I just thought it can [cause one to forgo] the training something that’s come easy for me to would be good to put the level and necessary to make that which is imme- be in love with God. That very way the trowel and the brick hammers in diate a habit. I think Paula, Timothy, of putting it makes it sound like, “Oh, my office to remind me of the extraor- and Sam have all undergone the kind then you ought to try to be in love with dinary hard work that constituted his of training that makes it habit, but I God.” How do you try to be in love with life, and of how fortunate I was to think that one of God’s gifts to some anything? It comes, oftentimes, slow and have that kind of exemplar, always of us is … that we have to undergo the unnoticed, and that’s all right. reminding me that I’m a very fortu- kind of discipline necessary to have nate guy to be able to spend my life in what others seem to have effortlessly. Your father’s bricklaying tools, books and in interaction with students. If you think of someone who’s very are they there in your office? At the end of the day when I go home, good, just naturally good, at a sport— I’ve still got something left. When you that can be a great disadvantage just hauerwas: They are. lay brick, you oftentimes don’t have to the extent that they don’t ever have anything left. to submit themselves to the disciplines What’s it like to walk into that necessary to making the sport sustain- academic tower every day and You write a lot about Anne, your able for a lifetime. see the contrast between those first wife, in this book. When I tools and your own tools, all those books? teach memoir writing, the ques- How do Paula’s and Timothy’s And did your mother have tools? Do you tion comes up immediately, how do you immediate relationships with have her tools, too, there in your office? write about other people? Writing students God function in your life? Are hauerwas: Nope. My mom wrote a always say, kind of jokingly, “Well, I’ll just their relationships with God icons for you? poem about when my father died, and wait until my family is dead to publish it.” hauerwas: Once I was talking with I have that framed with his tools. But But I find the burden of writing about the Timothy, and he was describing how I don’t have my mother’s tools, which dead to be much heavier; at least the liv-

Fall 2010 17 [ interview ]

ing can say, “You didn’t get it right.” Anne “ What I find compelling can’t talk back. and yet at the same hauerwas: People say it must have been very emotional to write about time frightening is that Anne, and I say “No.” I was determined our life is at stake. to try to write in a manner that did not turn her into a foil. I wanted to write i find frightening the honestly in a way that helped the reader understand the pain she was in, as well recognition that this as the pain that we were all in. I didn’t is what Christianity is find the writing of it emotionally difficult. Oftentimes, if I’m presenting and about: it is a matter of I read some of it, I get emotional and life and death, because that’s perfectly, I suppose, intelligible that it would work that way. Just this it’s about truth.” Sunday, some of the people at Holy — stanley hauerwas Family had read Hannah’s Child, and they wanted me to do a session on it. I was reading the part about when Anne had left me and gone back to Indiana ate genre for a Cuban, but that wasn’t account by a famous person where the and tried to commit suicide. I refused to the appropriate genre for … narrator and the subject and the plot are go there, and then the next day when I all the same; whereas in a memoir, to went in with John Westerhoff and said, A Texan? borrow Vivian Gornick’s formulation, the “She’s absolutely alone,” John said, writer is the narrator but not the plot. A “No, God’s with her”—and I teared memoir uses first-person nonfiction nar- up at that. I don’t know whether I felt hauerwas: A Texan. Exactly. ration to say something about something emotional or not, but I certainly teared [Laughter]. So how to write straightfor- else. Hannah’s Child has confounded my up. Part of the craft of writing kept a wardly and simply about the complexity tidy little distinction. I think many people certain kind of emotion at bay, but that of our lives was part of the challenge. are reading it as they read autobiogra- can come back in the reading of it. Looking back, I’d read quite a number phy. That is, many people are reading it of memoirs and autobiography. How to because they want to know about “Stanley Were there any memoirs or make the distinction between autobiog- Hauerwas,” but I think it’s more than that. autobiographies that were models raphy and memoir is not easily done. hauerwas: I hope it is. The subtitle for you as you were writing? was originally “A Theological Memoir” I know you’re a fan of Carlos Eire’s I wanted to ask you about that. because I think there is really serious memoir Waiting for Snow in Havana. I draw a distinction that your book theology being done in the book, and hauerwas: Eire’s book is unique in has confounded. When I teach that’s not necessarily when I’m talking Duke Photogra p hy that it’s magical realism, and it’s just memoir writing, I say autobiographies about how I think. beautifully done. That was the appropri- are the first-person narrative nonfiction

18 Divinity Hauerwas is known for both his propensity to draw elaborate doodles and his artful signature.

There is certainly theology in the knowing that your life is constituted by I don’t get that religious people don’t book. You write that you yourself the worship of God and, therefore, you have a sense of distancing from that are frightened by the Christianity are able, even when you’ve been apart language of sacredness. You know? you have articulated over the course for some time, to pick up the conversa- of your career. What is it that you find tion in a way that it just comes com- Well, if you think the victims frightening about the Christianity you pletely naturally. One of the problems were martyrs ... have sketched? about friendship in our world is it’s so hauerwas: What I find compelling fragile. We think the only way to sustain hauerwas: And, of course, that’s just and yet at the same time frightening is it is to make sure it’s always the same sheer projection. They were victims. that our life is at stake. I find frighten- and we are always the same, and that ing the recognition that this is what won’t work, because even if you try to I wondered if you had any Christianity is about: it is a matter of stay the same, everything around you is response to Meilaender’s argu- life and death, because it’s about truth. changing, so the same will be different. ment that your own life narrative, I also find that the commitment to non- So if friendship is to be a story you’re your love of Paula, contradicts and indeed violence involves, as I often say, the pos- able to tell across time about your rela- overshadows much of what you’ve written sibility that you will have to watch the tionship between yourself and others, elsewhere about love, what you’ve taught innocent suffer for your convictions. It’s you need a larger narrative in which about love. very frightening to think that you may those stories take place. hauerwas: I thought he was wrong have to do that. about that—about my narrative Speaking of friends, in First suggesting that love is more central for To be honest, Stanley, I don’t Things, your friend the ethicist me than I’ve made explicit. I don’t think think the book is about theology. Gil Meilaender published an that’s right. I think indeed that I say Arguably, it’s about friendship— interesting response to Hannah’s Child. some very good things about love, and how, among other things, friendship Meilaender’s point was that you need to about how the love that moves the sun sustains people. What is friendship? take things more seriously—acknowledge and the stars makes it possible for us to How do you know who your friends are? how seriously you take love, and also, he be in love with God and one another. hauerwas: You can always go back to wrote, take the bond between citizens Aristotle’s distinction between friend- more seriously. Lauren Winner, assistant professor of ships of use, friendships of pleasure, hauerwas: I got a call from Time Christian spirituality at Duke, is a visiting and friendships of character. Most magazine yesterday about the build- fellow at Yale’s Institute of Sacred Music friendships are friendships of use and ing of the mosque [at Ground Zero], for the 2010–11 academic year. Doo d le courtesy of C arter A skren D’95 friendships of pleasure, and when use and I said, “What I don’t get is this and pleasure are over, you’re no longer claim about the World Trade Center friends. So one of the questions is how geography being sacred. I don’t want to maintain contact with one another to be unfeeling, because I understand a across time, even when you’re not in the murder occurred there, and there’s an presence of one another. I think that appropriate pathos about it, but God is has so much to do with simply sharing holy—not people dying under murder- common acts of significance, such as ous conditions.” I just don’t get it, and

Fall 2010 19 Abundanceat Anathoth In the small farming town of Cedar Grove, N.C., an unsolved murder helped whites and blacks imagine a better future

by jessica jones* | photography by donn young

*Adapted from “Race and Reconciliation in Cedar Grove,” which aired July 7, 2010, on North Carolina Public Radio WUNC 91.5 FM 20 Divinity The farming town of Cedar Grove, N. C., has been home to both African-Americans and whites for generations. But until recently, many people in the community preferred to keep their social and religious lives separate. This is the story of how a tragedy changed that. Pastor Grace Hackney is a tall woman with a gentle smile who loves being a minister. Hackney didn’t follow her calling until later in life, after working as a teacher and raising two children. When she graduated from Duke Divinity School in 2003, her first assignment was to the historic congregation of Cedar Grove United Methodist Church.

“After living in northern is right next to her church. When Chatham County and going to she saw an African-American school at Duke, I thought I had man standing there looking at a good sense of what life in North the church building, she went to Carolina was like, but I didn’t,” him and introduced herself as the says Hackney. “It was like com- pastor. ing to a different country. This is a “I did that often at the post very different part office,” Hackney says. “That’s of North Carolina.” how I met people.” Although she Northern Orange County is a learned his name was Valee Taylor, place of both great wealth and Hackney didn’t know anything else great poverty. Many families there about him. have owned vast parcels of land Taylor, who is a retired proba- for generations. At the same time, tion officer, remembers that he’d there are desperately poor people been working in his garden that who live in trailers or barns without day and was wearing dirty work running water and working toilets. “I hired him on the spot to weed the clothes. He was driving his old When Hackney arrived in Cedar Grove, flower bed in front of the parsonage,” pickup truck to deliver extra vegetables it was also very segregated. Even says Hackney. He befriended the con- to people who needed them. He was though blacks and whites were neigh- gregation, and began coming to church. shocked when Hackney spoke to him. bors, they rarely socialized with each When she later learned that he had “She said, ‘My name is Grace other. And they certainly didn’t go to landed in jail, she went to visit him. Hackney. I’m the new pastor at Cedar church together. “The lieutenant at the jail ques- Grove United Methodist Church, During her first week as pastor, an tioned me about my credentials,” and I would love you to come, I wel- African-American man showed up Hackney says. “He said, ‘I know that come you to come, and worship with outside the church. Hackney noticed no church in Cedar Grove. They wouldn’t us.’ Surprisingly, I’ve never had a one had invited him in. She went out have a woman pastor, and they cer- Caucasian pastor to approach me and to speak with him, and learned he was tainly wouldn’t have a black person in invite me to their church.” looking for work. their church.’” Hackney remembers saying, “Valee, That didn’t stop Hackney from try- as a white Christian and as a United Methodist, I feel like I owe you an Opposite: community gardeners gather ing to get to know everyone in the Anathoth’s midsummer harvest; far right, community. One day she was outside apology, because we have not always Grace Hackney D’03; center, heirloom tomatoes. Cedar Grove’s tiny post office, which done rightly by African-Americans.”

Fall 2010 21 In 1800, African-Americans made ‘It’s all souls; it’s no color.’ It’s stuck up nearly one-fifth of the Methodist with me to this day.” Episcopal Church. But they were One of the first things Valee Taylor After introducing herself to denied full equality from the very did after that conversation was to call beginning. When white Methodists his mother to tell her what had hap- Valee Taylor, Pastor Grace began backing away from criticizing pened. For generations, his family has slavery, black parishioners formed lived in Orange County, where his told him, “I feel like I owe separate African Methodist churches. grandfather was the largest landowner, you an apology, because we The majority, white Methodist with a thousand acres to his name. churches that remained were segre- Taylor’s father is a retired army officer have not always done rightly gated until 1968, when the United who served two tours in Vietnam. His by African-Americans.” Methodist Church was formed. Grace cousins include prominent doctors, Hackney carried the weight of all that lawyers, and businessmen. But no one history on her shoulders as she talked in the family could remember a white to Valee Taylor. But that’s not what minister in Orange County ever invit- Taylor remembers. ing them anywhere. down the road,’ and that was it.” “She made the mention of souls, and The Taylor family owns a hundred- Residents of Cedar Grove started asked me, ‘What do you think the king- acre tract about a mile down the road shopping at the store more often. dom of heaven looks like?’ She said, from Cedar Grove United Methodist Parents let children ride bikes there to Church. To get to Valee Taylor’s buy sodas and ice cream. And Taylor house, you pass a little conve- noticed that Bill King let people who nience store that sells every- were short on cash buy food on credit. thing from canned vegetables to “He was a man of meager means,” minnows and fishing worms. For Taylor says, “but he would share what years, crack dealers had loitered he had with people who weren’t fortu- there to sell drugs, sometimes nate enough to buy what they needed getting high in broad daylight. to survive. And he would allow people But a new storekeeper named credit, even though he had signs all over Bill King, a white man married the store saying, ‘No credit. Don’t even to an African-American woman, ask.’ If you needed it, he would be there had rented the building and set for you.” up shop. Taylor says people in the community “He was a fair man, but he was admired King’s work ethic, particularly a very stern man,” says Taylor. after learning that he suffered from “When he told [drug dealers] Crohn’s disease. to leave, he meant it. He was “He was very sick, but he always like a one-man army. It wasn’t a wanted to have a convenience store. crusade; he’d just say, ‘Take it on That was his lifelong dream. And he never missed a day of being at work. When he had to go to the doctor, some- Left, Scenobia Taylor, who body else would work for him.” donated the land for Anathoth, Taylor began dropping by the store and Pastor Grace Hackney. Top, on his way home just to chat with King. l to r: Cedar Grove UMC; Valee Taylor; the post office where he One afternoon, Taylor was resting at and Hackney first met. home when the phone rang. A friend in

22 Divinity The unsolved murder of Bill King, who was shot June 10, 2004, as he closed his Cedar Grove store, brought the community together for a candlelight vigil organized by Pastor Grace Hackney. From left, Taylor, his mother, Scenobia Taylor, and Hackney.

Durham told him that King had been every car they knew that was at that shot in the head. That’s just the facts.’” killed at the store. store, and it just came up a big zero.” Hackney and Taylor spoke for a “I said, ‘What you talking about The following week, Taylor remem- few hours about how scared people man? I was just down there earlier. bered the conversation he’d had with in the community were. After all, the I saw him.’ He told me what chan- Pastor Grace Hackney a few months killer was still out there. They decided nel to turn on the TV, and I saw Bill’s earlier. Since the murdered shopkeeper that offering a reward wasn’t the right younger daughter talking about how was white, Taylor thought it would be a response, but they knew the community her father had died.” good idea to get a white church involved. needed something. So Hackney visited On the afternoon of June 10, 2004, When he showed up at the parish Bill King’s wife, Emma. She didn’t have Bill King was shot in the back of the house, Taylor hadn’t seen Hackney enough money for a funeral, and she’d head as he was closing up shop. Police since their first meeting. He asked if already had her husband cremated. found the drawer from the cash regis- she remembering telling him to knock They decided to hold a vigil in the ter outside the store, but they couldn’t on her door if he ever needed any- store’s parking lot, on the two-week find the murder weapon. They couldn’t thing. She assured him that she did, and anniversary of the murder. find any suspects either. invited him inside. “I invited her to bring photos,” “I personally felt helpless, and I “Valee wanted our church to help Hackney says. “She brought his ashes, think the community felt helpless,” raise money for a reward to find the and we set up a little table with the says Taylor. “You depend on law person who killed Bill King,” Hackney cross and candles. Then we just waited enforcement to find the killer, but says. “He said, ‘You know, a poor shop to see who would come.” you know they can’t do but so much. owner in a rural community, they’re not More than a hundred people showed They questioned everybody. They did going to get the same attention that a up—black, white, Latino, rich, poor, a neighborhood sweep. They traced rich shop owner is going to get if they’re churched, unchurched. Taylor, who

Fall 2010 23 had brought his 76-year-old mother, to be buried. Papa, at one time, he had But such a generous donation to a Scenobia, with him, says, “Tears came a thousand acres. We have all this land white church didn’t go over well with to my eyes to see the whole community here, and what do we do with it? We not some in the black community. come together. We had black preachers doin’ nothin’.” “People said, ‘What have they done that spoke, we had white preachers that She wanted to do something like her for us? Ain’t never did nothing for us,’” spoke, and you could feel the presence grandfather and father had done. She Scenobia says. “We told them, ‘We’re of a higher power.” began to pray, “Lord, please show me, not looking to the past. We’re looking For both Taylor and Hackney, it was give me a sign or somethin’.” toward the future. We’re trying to a sign that Cedar Grove’s segregated Not long after the vigil for Bill King, build Anathoth Garden here in our history could actually come to an end. she got the sign she was waiting for. She community, starting a community of The town was finally in a place where dreamed that God told her to give some giving here.’” race and class didn’t matter. Hackney of her land away to feed the hungry. Scenobia Taylor’s pastor approved told the Taylors that she felt strongly At the time, Hackney’s church was of the idea. But some members of that this was a picture of the kingdom studying the story of Jeremiah in the her extended family argued that of heaven on earth. Old Testament. While planting a field their grandfather had worked hard to Scenobia Taylor and her children still wasn’t customary during wartime, God amass a thousand acres despite the remember the nights when the Ku Klux told Jeremiah to buy land in a place Depression and terrible racism. They Klan burned crosses in their yard, and called Anathoth and plant crops to feed weren’t about to see five acres of it go when segregationists fired gunshots at his community. to a white church. Valee and his siblings as they began Hackney began thinking about the “They attacked my mother real hard, attending previously white schools. hunger in Cedar Grove. She and her tried to make false accusations, and it “She’s seen all that, and at that vigil congregation sponsored community dis- all came because she was giving five I think she was able to see a new world cussions about how food and faith are acres to that church,” Valee says. being born, a new community, a very linked. Valee Taylor was already talking “With my family, you know it’s not new community of different colors and to local ministers, both black and white, only white that’s prejudiced; it’s black shapes and sizes,” Valee says. about how his mother wanted to give too that’s prejudiced,” his mother says. land to the community. After much “They don’t see things like they should.” Food and Faith prayer and discussion, Scenobia Taylor Two extended family members filed At the time of Bill King’s death, decided to donate five acres of prime a lawsuit, claiming that Scenobia Taylor Scenobia Taylor was feeling troubled. land to what was historically the whit- had acquired the land dishonestly. In the She had recently purchased more than est, richest church in the community— meantime, the church’s discussions about a hundred acres from her brother Cedar Grove United Methodist. food, faith, and farming had become before he died. She was bothered by The Taylors wanted to build a gar- controversial. The idea of starting a the fact that no one in her family’s den to honor Bill King’s memory, and community garden to help feed the poor generation used their land for anything to name it Anathoth after Jeremiah’s didn’t sit well with everyone. Among but themselves. field in the Old Testament. There, any- some, there was a perception that pov- “My father, he gave land for a one, black or white, rich or poor, could erty is the result of chronic laziness. school,” she says. “My grandfather, he come to a community garden and get Hackney was making waves in other gave land for the church, and for people food to eat. ways. Her efforts to organize joint wor-

From left: volunteers gather regularly for communal meals at the garden; summer intern Heather Bixler D’11 helps gather the harvest; Anathoth blueberries and sweet peppers.

24 Divinity “My district superintendent said to me, ‘Just keep your face pointed toward Jerusalem, where God’s calling you to go, and everything else will be taken care of.’”

— Grace Hackney

ship between African-Americans and emony for Anathoth Garden was whites raised objections at Cedar Grove held in November of that year. that “their music is not like ours” and Today, Anathoth is a small “we worship differently.” organic farm, thanks to grants “I knew some of her struggles, as far from The Duke Endowment, as what you hear on the street, plus the and lots of community effort. little things my mother would tell me,” There’s a greenhouse, a children’s Valee Taylor says. “I knew that it was play area, a meditation garden not going to be easy on either side.” with native plants, and two acres But he assured her that members of of crops. Karl Grant D’09 with the black community stood behind her. During an early summer tour youth at Cedar Grove Hackney remembers hearing of the garden, Hackney points UMC, where he was Scenobia describe the controversy as out rows of garlic and asparagus, assigned in July. “the devil on my back.” squash and carrots, turnips, cilan- “She said she didn’t realize it was tro, a variety of lettuces, onions, Grove, but says it’s time for her to move going to be this hard,” Hackney says. strawberries, and sweet potatoes. on. “I really do feel like I’ve done what “I shared that I was having difficulty as Nearly every morning volunteers God has called me to do here, and I well, and we prayed together.” But at arrive to work under the watchful have to trust that God is calling me to this point, she and the Taylors weren’t eyes of a garden director and interns. go somewhere else.” sure if the plan could succeed. Anyone can join. A contribution of She looks forward to finding out what They struggled through 2004 and $5 a year and two hours of work per is in store for her at Mt. Bethel United 2005 to gain consensus for the project. week earns people the right to take Methodist Church in Bahama, N.C., in In Hackney’s church, a quiet majority home as many vegetables as they need. northern Durham County. Meanwhile, of parishioners and supervisors ended Hackney says it’s nice to be in a place the work of Anathoth Garden will up supporting her. where everyone is welcome. continue. On any morning you’ll find “My district superintendent said “There’s no judgment, and there’s people of every color and background to me, ‘Just keep your face pointed no proselytizing,” Hackney says. “It’s a planting, weeding, and cultivating toward Jerusalem, where God’s calling living witness of how we embody and hundreds of pounds of vegetables that you to go, and everything else will be receive this life that God has made will be distributed back into the taken care of.’ I had a lot of folks who possible for us on this planet.” community they’re grown in. stood behind me in this congregation, Hackney and Taylor sit on a big deck and people would leave church with near a pavilion where garden members Postscript: Grace Hackney D’03 is getting tears in their eyes, saying, ‘Thank you hold community potlucks every week. to know her new community at Mt. Bethel for having the courage to say that.’” But they both know that Hackney’s UMC in Bahama, N.C. Karl Grant D’09 is By 2005, the council of Cedar Grove time in Cedar Grove is coming to an the current pastor at Cedar Grove UMC, United Methodist Church decided to end. At first, he explains, he hated the where Anathoth Garden is flourishing. accept the Taylors’ land and to start thought of her leaving. a community garden, providing the “But then the more I’ve prayed over Ed.’s Note: This article was adapted church didn’t have to pay for upkeep. it, … I came to reckoning that she’s with permission from “Race and The lawsuit filed by the Taylors’ carrying the word on. I don’t think her Reconciliation in Cedar Grove,” by Jessica extended family members was eventu- work is done.” Jones, which aired July 7, 2010, on North ally dropped. A groundbreaking cer- Hackney knows she will miss Cedar Carolina Public Radio, WUNC.

audio extra

Listen to the original North Carolina Public Radio broadcast at WUNC 91.5 FM at http://wunc.org/programs/news/archive/anathoth_mp3.mp3/view Fall 2010 25 arts

Celebrating a New Dean and Donne’s ‘Holy Sonnets’

A performance of Benjamin Britten’s “A Valediction Forbidding Mourning”: “Our “The Holy Sonnets of John Donne” culmi- two soules therefore, which are one, / nated celebrations of the Aug. 31 instal- though I must goe, endure not yet / A lation of Richard B. Hays as the Divinity breach, but an expansion, / like gold to School’s 12th dean. ayery thinnesse beate.” Soprano Elizabeth Byrum Linnartz, a “[Donne’s] progression from earthly lecturing fellow in Duke’s Department of passion to the passion for God was ‘not a Music, accompanied by pianist Jeremy breach, but an expansion,’ a beating and Begbie, Thomas A. Langford Research stretching that led to an elegant refine- Professor of Theology, opened the 2010- ment,” said Hays. 11 season for Duke Initiatives in Theology In “Death Be Not Proud,” Hays said that and the Arts, which Begbie directs. Donne depended on “Paul’s similar trash Dean Richard B. Hays introduced guests to Benjamin Britten composed the song cycle just talking towards Death in 1 Corinthians Britten’s The Holy Sonnets of John Donne. Videos months after he and Yehudi Menuhin 15: ‘Death has been swallowed up in vic- of the introductory lectures and performance are at performed for prisoners of Bergen- tory. / Where, O death, is your victory / http://bit.ly/holysonnets. Belsen concentration camp, which had Where, O death, is your sting?’ been liberated by English troops in “The final line of the sonnet—‘And “That is the hope to which Donne’s April 1945. Britten chose nine of the death shall be no more; Death thou shalt poems repeatedly and confidently point,” 19 poems in Donne’s “Holy Sonnets,” die,’ is an exact echo of Revelation 21:4, said Hays. He urged the audience in L es T o dd /Duke Photogra p hy and rearranged their order, ending with which declares that God will wipe away Goodson Chapel to listen “in the midst “Death be not proud.” every tear from our eyes, for ‘Death will of the sufferings of the present age, In introductory remarks titled “Not a be no more; mourning and crying and for the scriptural hope of resurrection Breach, but an Expansion,” Hays began pain will be no more, for the first things echoed and sung in John Donne’s by quoting lines from Donne’s love poem have passed away.’ passionate voice.”

26 Divinity Books

Mirror to the Church: Resurrecting Faith after Genocide in Rwanda By Emmanuel M. Katongole, Associate Professor of Theology and World Christianity, with Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove D’06 Zondervan, 2009, 176 pages, paperback, $15.99

Reviewed by Mark R. Gornik

n 1994, in the nation of Rwanda, should form us? “ The failure of Christianity some 800,000 people were killed. Such questions are Under the labels of Hutu and of course deeply in Rwanda shines a mirror I Tutsi, “Hutu neighbors were told connected to our on all of Christianity.” to kill their Tutsi neighbors.” Almost all remembering our were given over to death by machete. histories rightly. — Mark R. Gornik, Director, What makes this story of genocide even “A book about City Seminary of New York more troubling, if that were possible, is the Rwandan that confessed Christians were killing genocide must fellow Christians. Indeed, “in a num- be a book about bodies,” Katongole “How long, O God?”, the church can ber of instances throughout Rwanda, offers at the outset. Bodies were be resurrected into a living hope. churches became slaughterhouses.” physically broken in Rwanda, and the With his commitment to the gospel The failure of Christianity in Rwanda body politic represents a real factor in of reconciliation, category-changing shines a mirror on all of Christianity. how events unfolded. It is not enough ways of describing discipleship, and How are we to live in this world therefore, Katongole notes, to ask how passion for new creation sprout- Celebrating a New Dean and Donne’s ‘Holy Sonnets’ as Christ’s ambassadors? How can Christians can make a “difference.” ing from the ground up, Emmanuel Christian identity recover its unique The challenge becomes, how do we Katongole is a theologian for our time. identity? How do we face the contradic- “reposition our bodies?” That is, how Mirror to the Church confirms the tions present in our practice of faith? do we worship God and embrace new power of his voice, life, and insight as a These challenges are critically possibilities for discipleship where we singular one for the church today. engaged with prayer, tears, and hope are in the world? After reading Mirror to the Church, in Emmanuel Katongole’s Mirror to Following this emphasis on the I had a vision of a particular use for the Church: Resurrecting Faith after body, Katongole speaks of “interrup- this book. It is not just for college or Genocide in Rwanda, written with tions”—persons who in bodily form seminary courses, although it is very the assistance of Jonathan Wilson- understand that keeping the gospel much that. Nor is it just for all persons Hartgrove. Katongole speaks from a can also mean refusing to accept the interested in reconciliation and the unique intersection: He is a Ugandan assumptions so many take as given. work of the church in Africa, although whose parents were from Rwanda, a An example he provides is the saint it uniquely fulfills that role. It is a book Catholic priest, a professor at Duke and martyr Sister Félicité Niyitegeka, we should be giving to new Christians Divinity School, and a pilgrim in life who sheltered others with her body, and believers in formation, those and faith. and prayed for her killer in the to whom we want to introduce and One of the key problems in Rwanda, moments before her death. Sister deepen what it means to have an iden- as Katongole identifies it, is the Félicité’s life and body offered a tity shaped by the gospel. Read this conflation of Christian commitment prophetic interruption, the claiming book with tears of lament, but also as a with other forms of identity. As a of her identity in Christ before other call to be witnesses to the gospel. mirror, Rwanda can press us to ask, identities, at the cost of her life. How deeply are our national stories Discipleship, indeed mission and Mark R. Gornik is the director of City inscribed unknowingly into everyday what Katongole calls the “prophetic Seminary of New York and the author of life and faith? How can the story of posture,” will be discovered only by To Live in Peace: Biblical Faith and the Rwanda help us see our captivity to immersion in the “deep brokenness Changing Inner City (Eerdmans, 2002). the powers of the age? What story of our world.” At the point of crying,

Fall 2010 27 Bookmark

The Judaizing Calvin: Sixteenth-Century Debates over the Messianic Psalms By Sujin Pak, Assistant Professor of the History of Christianity Oxford University Press, 2009, 240 pages, hardcover, $65.00

Reviewed by Craig S. Farmer

n the past 30 years we have “messianic psalms,” ing claim. She recognizes that Calvin witnessed a flowering of scholar- so-called because they shares too many convictions with ship on biblical interpretation in are quoted in the New pre-modern readers of Scripture to I the era of the Reformation. This Testament as prophe- be credited (or blamed) for fathering flowering is due, in no small part, to cies of Christ, and by the modern approach to biblical stud- the work of A.R. Kearns Distinguished comparing Calvin’s ies. Like his pre-modern predecessors, Professor Emeritus of the History of exegesis to medieval Calvin believes that God has inspired Christianity David C. Steinmetz and interpretations and the interpretations Scripture and that good exegesis the students he trained in a nearly of his older contemporaries Martin should edify faith, promote charity, and 40-year teaching career at Duke. One Luther and Martin Bucer, Pak shows inspire hope in believers. However, Pak of the most significant recent contri- that Calvin was, in fact, doing some- rightly notes that modern exegesis will butions is Sujin Pak’s The Judaizing thing different in his reading of these share many of the emphases developed Calvin, a work that reflects the hall- psalms. Most notably, Calvin wanted in Calvin’s exegetical program, even mark of the “Steinmetz school”: careful to circumscribe the literal meaning though it may be driven by fundamen- reading of the exegesis of Reformation of these texts by the intention of the tally different purposes than those theologians evaluated in the context of human author. Thus, for Calvin these shared by Calvin and pre-modern medieval and ancient biblical interpre- psalms refer primarily to circumstances interpreters. tation. in the life of David. This does not One of the most important contri- Pak takes her title from a 1593 mean, of course, that Calvin was trying butions of Pak’s book is her analysis treatise, Calvinus Iudaizans, authored to de-Christianize the Old Testament, of the nasty anti-Judaism that often by the Lutheran theologian Aegidius for Calvin continued to read these accompanies Christian readings of Hunnius, who attacked John Calvin’s psalms as lessons in Christian piety and the Old Testament. The pre-modern exegesis (nearly three decades after devotion. However, as part of his larger tradition, in its reading of the mes- Calvin’s death) for undermining the program to de-allegorize Christian exe- sianic psalms, and indeed of the Old biblical basis for the doctrines of the gesis with interpretation that is closely Testament prophecies in general, often Trinity and the divinity of Christ. At tied to the grammatical and historical made the Jews the enemies of Christ, issue here was Calvin’s identification of sense of the text, Calvin clearly wanted and therefore of the church. This read- the literal sense of certain psalms with to rein in (not eliminate) christological ing strategy continued even in the the life of David, even though these readings of the Old Testament. Reformation-era exegesis of Luther psalms were traditionally understood Are we to conclude, then, that and Bucer. (even by Gospel writers and apostles) Calvin’s emphases on authorial inten- Is there a way, then, for Christians to as literal prophecies of Christ. tion, history, and context validate the read the Hebrew Bible “Christianly” Although Calvin had his defenders, claim that he has made a clean break without embracing the anti-Jewish atti- most notably in the Reformed theolo- with the medieval exegetical tradition, tudes that have accompanied Christian gian David Pareus, Pak’s work suggests and has laid the foundation for the interpretation of the Bible? Here, Pak that Hunnius was not completely off development of the historical-critical offers Calvin’s reading of the Psalms the mark in his critique of Calvin. By method? Pak is unwilling (thankfully, as a possible model. Because of his analyzing Calvin’s exegesis of eight in my mind) to make such a sweep- refusal to read the messianic psalms

28 Divinity first and foremost as literal prophe- psalms. As the supreme expression of ways to become more faithful and cies of the saving events of Christ’s God’s providential care for the world, charitable readers of Scripture. life, Calvin has no need to target the Christ remains the focus of these Jews as enemies of the church. Indeed, psalms even when they are interpreted Craig S. Farmer is the Joel O. and in his reading David becomes a in relation to David’s life. Mabel Stephens Chair of Bible and model Jew who edifies the church and Pak’s brilliant study of the history of Professor of History and Humanities teaches Christian truths. And while exegesis demonstrates how historically at Milligan College, Milligan, Tenn. Calvin may have abandoned the tra- oriented scholarship can be in service He is the author of The Gospel of John ditional christological readings, he has of the church and its theology. She in the Sixteenth Century: The Johannine not, in fact, abandoned the centrality shows how an engagement with our Exegesis of Wolfgang Musculus (Oxford of Christ in his interpretations of the exegetical forebears can help us learn University Press, 1997).

shelf life new releases

A Cheerful and Comfortable Faith: Christian Ethics: Anglican Religious Practice in the An Introductory Elite Households of Eighteenth-Century Virginia by LAUREN WINNER, Assistant Professor of Christian Spirituality Reader Yale University Press, 2010, 288 pages, hardcover, $45.00 edited by Sam Wells Dean of Duke Chapel and In this enlightening examination of the physical objects found in elite Research Professor of Christian Ethics Virginia households of the 18th century, Lauren Winner discovers John Wiley & Sons, 2010, what they can tell us about their owners’ lives and religious prac- 360 pages, paper, $44.95 tices. Her survey includes punch bowls, needlework, mourning jew- elry, baptismal gowns, biscuit molds, cookbooks, and many other This volume seeks to encompass items, illuminating the ways Anglicanism influenced daily activities the entire canon of and attitudes in colonial Virginia, particularly in the households of the gentry. Christian ethics, including works by Augustine, Unsettling Arguments: A Festschrift on the Occasion of Aquinas, and Luther; Stanley Hauerwas’s 70th Birthday contemporary theorists Edited by Charles R. Pinches, Kelly S. Johnson, Charles M. Collier including Jürgen Moltmann, Stanley Cascade Books, 2010, 374 pages, paper, $41.00 Hauerwas, and Wendell Berry; and other key figures including Gandhi This “particularly feisty festschrift” includes both admiration and thanks, but and Martin Luther King Jr. also critique. “Those concerned that Hauerwas’s talk of tradition, community, and virtue encourages slavish emulation of authori- ties … will find little evidence of that here. Rather, what we find is appreciation mixed with complaint, confidence leavened with doubt, and loyalty expressed in conversation.” — John Bowlin, Princeton Theological Seminary

Fall 2010 29 Faculty Adviser

Professor Barfield recommends… Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Christian Philosophy shorter space than almost anyone I Ray Barfield is a pediatric oncologist whose research and scholar- know. I place her alongside Flannery ship are at the intersection of medicine, philosophy, and theology. O’Connor and Anton Chekhov. As director of pediatric palliative care for Duke Hospital, Dr. Barfield works closely with the Duke Institute on Care at the Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close End of Life to advance interdisciplinary research, teaching, and service. In the by Jonathan Safran Foer Divinity School, he collaborates with fellow faculty and students on bridging the In this novel about a boy whose father disciplines of medicine, philosophy, and theology. died in the World Trade Center on His book The Ancient Quarrel between Philosophy and Poetry is forthcoming 9/11, there are no words on the last 15 from Cambridge University Press, and he writes both fiction and poetry. He and pages. Those 15 pages are some of the his wife, Karen Clay Barfield, an Episcopal priest, have two children. most powerful I have encountered in a novel. POETRY one of the greatest poets of the 20th A Book of Luminous Things century opens our eyes to the beauty of NONFICTION by Czeslaw Milosz simple things encountered every day. Leisure: The Basis of Culture One of my favorite anthologies, this by Josef Pieper book reflects the astonishing variety of The Art of Writing I believe Pieper’s argument in this human experience that is illuminated by Lu Chi (translated by Sam Hamill) short book is a powerful rejoinder to by poetry. In the top 10 “books I wish many of the most dangerous tendencies I had written.” in the modern world. I sneak this book Book of My Nights into class reading lists anytime I can. by Li-Young Lee FICTION A beautiful collection of meditative Grendel The Nature of Suffering and the poems that frame and respond to ques- by John Gardner Goals of Medicine tions of hope, fear, and gratitude. Gardner was a master of the art of the by Eric Cassell unbroken fictional dream, and one of Anyone who wants to understand what Landing Light the best writing teachers we have ever should be at the heart of our debate by Don Paterson had. This wonderful little novel tells the about health care reform—some of Introduced to me by poet Malcolm story of Beowulf from the perspective which has not even been mentioned in Guite, Don Paterson has become a new of the monster. the debate—needs to read this book. favorite. His exquisitely crafted poems If you don’t have the time for the book, always offer a challenging perspective Love in the Ruins read Cassell’s three-page article in the on life, love, and death. by Walker Percy New England Journal of Medicine. The fact that Percy was a physician The Spirit Level and a novelist keeps many of us closet Thinking in Pictures: by Seamus Heaney scribblers in the hospital going. This My Life with Autism Heaney’s poems are intensely local, brilliant novel set in a time of decay is by Temple Grandin yet evoke thoughts and feelings about worth reading for many reasons, one of I have cared for kids with autism and universal themes. They are my favorite which is the invention of a stethoscope for their families, and I can hardly wait to read out loud, though sometimes the for the human spirit. to read this book. What a gift to have language is so rich it feels like talking an account from inside that world. This with peanut butter in my mouth. The Collected Stories of is part of why we need to keep listening Elizabeth Bowen to each other’s stories, and keep telling Odes to Common Things One of the greatest short story writers our own. It matters. by Pablo Neruda ever, Elizabeth Bowen gets at surprise This bilingual collection of poems by and mystery in the human soul in a

30 Divinity Professor Bowler recommends… Kate Bowler, who joined the Divinity School faculty July 1 as Recently Recommended assistant professor of American Christianity, loves popular cul- Dark Days (2000), directed ture. Whether Bowler is weighing in on the Twilight Saga’s Team by Marc Singer Edward or the role of the documentarian as anthropologist, she This documentary gives an unvarnished can often be found in a local movie theater. portrait of Manhattan’s homeless “I love to be surprised,” she says. “From the off-beat comedy of Wes Anderson surviving in the abandoned Amtrak to the unexpected feminist undertones of The Descent, I gravitate toward filmmak- tunnels to escape the danger of the ers who draw new connections. My favorites are a touch sweet and awkward. ” streets. This gritty movie rewards viewers with an unexpectedly touch- Recommended In the thick of the French Revolution, ing ending and a reminder that we all, Tender Mercies (1983), directed by the dashing Sir Percy (Leslie Howard) blinking, long to be in the light. Bruce Beresford and starring Robert evades bloodthirsty revolutionaries Duvall, Tess Harper, Allan Hubbard, to save aristocrats from the guillotine. Can’t Wait to See and Betty Buckley Though viewers might wonder why his Away from Her (2006), directed by Before there was Crazy Heart, there terrible disguises dupe anyone, few will Sarah Polley and starring Gordon was Tender Mercies, a story about object to this Brit being everyone’s hero. Pinsent and Julie Christie a washed-up country music singer This has all the markings of greatness: who struggles to move forward in his Lars and the Real Girl (2007), subtlety, a literary backbone, and a failure-littered life. The fits and starts directed by Craig Gillespie and star- Canadian pedigree. With stars like Julie of Mac Sledge’s recovery remind us ring Ryan Gosling, Emily Mortimer, Christie and Gordon Pinsent, chances that redemption is rarely a perfect Paul Schneider, and Patricia Clarkson are good that this end-of-life drama melody, but rather a slow, uneven beat. This unusual film takes a potentially about Alzheimer’s will be less embar- creepy story line (man introduces an rassing to love than The Notebook. Timely inflatable doll into his family’s life as Food, Inc. (2008), directed his girlfriend) and tells a sweet story NOW PLAYING by Robert Kenner about the meaning of love and loss Get Low (2009), directed by Aaron This compelling documentary asks a in community. Schneider and starring Robert Duvall, simple question: Where does our food Sissy Spacek, and Bill Murray. come from? The answer may make A Room with a View (1985), directed The mysterious recluse Felix Bush you lose your appetite. This peppy film by James Ivory and starring Helena (brilliantly played by Duvall) wants a offers a macro-level view of how cur- Bonham Carter, Maggie Smith, Julian beautiful funeral. And much to the rent methods of food processing have Sands, and Daniel Day-Lewis consternation of Frank Quinn (Bill troubling implications for consumer Though gentlemen might roll their Murray) of Quinn Funeral Home, health, workers’ safety, and animal eyes, this lush adaptation of E.M. Felix wants to attend, alive and kicking. rights. And while you’re at it, read any- Forster’s classic novel spins a time- This bittersweet story follows a man thing by Norman Wirzba. His theologi- less love story out of travel, propriety, trying to break free from shame and a cal reflections on food and creation and good manners. The clergyman Mr. life that he built as a prison for himself. will have you praying in new ways as Beebe’s observation upon hearing the Set in 1930 Tennessee, this charmer is a you bow your head before a meal. young Lucy Honeychurch play piano deeply Christian folk tale of a commu- reveals the take-away dictum: “If she nity prodding Felix to “get low,” get Guilty Pleasures ever takes to living as she plays, it will down to the painful reckoning of The Scarlet Pimpernel (1934), be very exciting—both for us and for confession and forgiveness. directed by Harold Young, starring her.” And if anyone doesn’t laugh at Leslie Howard and Merle Oberon fiancé Cecil (Daniel Day-Lewis) in his No offense to the French, but the blithely awkward attempts to secure 1934 film adaptation of The Scarlet Lucy’s love, they are dead inside. Pimpernel is still one of my favorites.

Fall 2010 31 gifts ...... Dean Hays: Endowment Gifts Reflect...... ‘A Circle of Grace’ ...... Endowed resources provide vital support over many generations...... As Paul explains in 2 Corinthians 9, those who share the good gifts that God has given participate in a circle of grace: their generosity not only supports the work of ministry “but also overflows with thanksgiving to God.” And so, these new endowed funds are signs of God’s grace at work in our midst.

It is our aim at the Divinity School always to use these investments wisely. We are deeply grateful for the witness of those who are honored, as well as for the faithfulness of the donors.

— Dean Richard Hays

he L. Gregory Jones Endowment for The Mary G. Stange Charitable Trust through a grant from the Arthur Vining Global Church Leadership, estab- of Troy, Mich., has committed an addi- Davis Foundations. These include the T lished with $1 million in gifts and tional $100,000 to the L. Gregory and William L. Carson Scholarship, the commitments from alumni and friends, Susan Pendleton Jones Endowment, Charis Scholarship, the Jones-Pickens celebrates the distinguished leadership of which provides unrestricted support for Family Scholarship, the Clair M. and L. Gregory Jones D’85, G’88, dean of the the Divinity School. Mary Durham Herndon Memorial Divinity School, 1997–2010. The Jones Additional contributions of $20,000 or Scholarship, and the Freida Bennett Endowment, which may at some future more to scholarship endowments already Shaulis Scholarship. More matching time be converted to a professorship, is to established and fully funded in previous funds remain to be claimed. support global church leadership including years have secured 1:2 matching funds innovative, entrepreneurial programs. The William S. and Judith A. Shillady Scholarship Fund, a planned gift from Annual Fund Sets $615,000 Goal William S. Shillady D’81 of Tuckahoe, As the cost of theological education rises, so does the goal for the Annual Fund. N.Y., is in honor of his wife, Judith, with “Making theological education more affordable is the ultimate goal of the Annual gratitude for theological education, Fund,” says Betsy Poole, associate director of annual giving and alumni relations. friendships, and lifelong learning at Duke “We want to help our graduates enter ministry with as few financial constraints as Divinity School. possible, free to serve Christ and the church wherever their call leads them. And A gift of $100,000 from the members we are grateful for every gift that helps meet this goal. of the local chapter has established the “A master of divinity (M.Div.) degree at the Divinity School requires at least three Sheltering Home Circle of the King’s years of study at a yearly cost of approximately $37,000, including tuition and Daughters and Sons Scholarship Fund to living expenses,” says Poole. “Every dollar given to the Annual Fund goes directly celebrate and continue 105 years of faith- toward student financial aid. We want our students to graduate with less and less ful service by the Sheltering Home Circle in debt. Also, competitive financial aid is crucial in our ability to recruit strong stu- the Durham community, to commemorate dents and shape our student body.” long and joyful ties to the Duke family and A gift of $500 supports a mission trip, while $1,200 covers a student’s books Duke University, and to foster excellence in for a year. Funding a year’s full-tuition scholarship requires a donation of $17,750. ministerial education and leadership. “Whether you give $25, $25,000, or any amount in between, your gift will The Annabel and A. Morris Williams Sr. make a difference in the lives of our students, and the future of ministry,” Poole COURTESY OF LAUREN TYLER W R I GHT Fund, a $50,000 endowment from Ruth says. “We urge alumni and friends to give joyfully to support transforming ministry W. Williams WC’63 and A. Morris Williams at Duke.” Jr. T’62, G’63 of Gladwyne, Pa., honors the memory of Annabel and A. Morris Williams Online gifts in any amount may be made at www.divinity.duke.edu/giving. Sr. D’32, and celebrates worship and To learn more about the Annual Fund or about options for planned giv- ministry through Goodson Chapel in Duke ing, contact Wes Brown, Jami Moss Wise, or Betsy Poole at the Divinity Divinity School. School by calling 919.660.3456.

32 Divinity [ Giving Back ]

Annual Fund Giving as ‘Spiritual Discipline’ ‘The act of giving trains our desires, shapes our reality, and transforms our identity.’

by Lauren Tyler Wright D’03

During our vacation last April, With deep gratitude, Brent and I have my husband, Brent, and I were perus- given to the Annual Fund every year ing the shelves of a Catholic bookstore since. Over the years, this giving has in the Santa Fe Square when his phone become a spiritual discipline. When we rang; it was his district superintendent. write a check to Duke Divinity, we see After three years at a small rural church in the act as a sacred practice, part of our Jamestown, Ind., both of us were itching journey toward a generous lifestyle. Our to move back to the city. (Not only had we regular participation in the act of giving confirmed our aversion to physical labor; trains our desires, shapes our reality, and we never figured out how to put a gun transforms our identity. Acting generously rack in our Prius.) then becomes something we do as chil- So when Brent pointed to the phone dren of God, not something we consider and mouthed “It’s the DS,” my heart doing when the opportunity presents was strangely warmed. He was being itself. (Yes, Professor Hauerwas, I was appointed to an urban congregation we roosted as long as possible before paying attention.) in Indianapolis. our coffee dependence forced us to Granted, we are in a recession. Most While some United Methodist clergy move. In another, our friends are proudly of us in ministry earn less than our peers spouses were probably dreaming about celebrating in black robes and graduation in corporate jobs, and many of us have all the possibilities that lay ahead, I tend hoods after baccalaureate. lingering educational debt. I often worry toward the practical. Immediately I made In our wedding photos from 2004, the about the practicality of annual giving, or a to-do list for the next three months, faces remain the same: Alex officiated the meager size of my gift. But the truth including the laborious task of preparing and dozens of Divinity School friends of God’s abundance reminds me that to move. supported our union by serving as brides- my gift makes a difference, regardless One day as we were packing, I came maids, groomsmen, ushers, musicians, of size, to me and to the Divinity School. across a picture taken during my first liturgists, and guests. As time passed, This act of giving allows the Divinity day at the Divinity School: I’m sitting on hair colors changed, waistlines grew, and School to educate and transform a new the floor of the student lounge, eating babies were added. Memories filled me generation of students, and it allows God a pink-tinted hot dog, drinking out of a with thankfulness. to shape me into who God created me Dixie cup, and talking with three students My gratitude for Duke Divinity School to be. assigned to my spiritual formation group. extends far beyond the number of multi- Finding this picture made me chuckle a syllabic theological words I can now use Lauren Tyler Wright and bit, which caught Brent’s attention. He in a sentence, or the church councils I Brent Wright, both D’03, live in walked over and commented about the can reference in a sermon. At Duke, Brent Indianapolis, where Brent is an elder fashion sense of the guy in the picture and I met each other and a community of in the UMC and Lauren is a writer and sitting to my left—who happened to be lifelong friends. I was transformed into a artist. She donates royalties from her COURTESY OF LAUREN TYLER W R I GHT him. “I’ve come a long way in 10 years,” person who recognizes and cares for the book Giving—The Sacred Art: Creating he said. (Even though I can hardly “other,” and my entire being was formed to a Lifestyle of Generosity (SkyLight Paths remember it, we met that day.) encounter the sacred. Of lesser importance Publishing, 2008)—named a “Best Soon I was going through other old perhaps, but worth noting, is my aptitude Spiritual Book of the Year” by Spirituality photos. In one picture, Alex Shanks D’03 for tent assembly and a respectable reper- and Practice—to the United Nations and I strike a pose by our laptops in the toire of witty cheers and biting taunts use- World Food Programme. Baker Methodist Research Room, where ful at any number of sporting events.

Ffaall 2010 33 Faculty & Staff Notes

David Arcus, chapel organist and posted “What the Church Can Learn ered by Marian Wright Edelman of the associate university organist, was direc- from Teach For America”; “My God Children’s Defense Fund. He appeared tor of the 2010 National Competition and Your God,” a version of his on N.C. Public Television’s “North in Organ Improvisation during the commencement address at Western Carolina People” with William Friday National Convention of the American Theological Seminary; “Goods and Aug. 27 to discuss the origin, purpose, Guild of Organists in Washington, God,” a profile of Tim Keller’s the- and content of the conference. D.C., in July. He was also moderator ology of entrepreneurship and the He delivered the keynote address of a panel discussion on improvisation Entrepreneurship Initiative Forum for the “Abolishing Poverty in competitions during the convention. at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Appalachia” conference at First Broad In June, he performed an organ recital New York; and “Entrepreneurship in Street United Methodist Church, for the 275th anniversary celebra- Action,” a look at 100cameras and Kingsport, Tenn., Sept. 10–11. He tion of St. John’s (Hain’s) United Blessed Nest, two winners of the preached the sermon for the Service Church of Christ in Wernersville, Entrepreneurship Initiative’s busi- of Commissioning and Ordination at Pa., where he and his wife, the Rev. ness plan competition. He was plenary the Holston Annual Conference June Robin Townsley Arcus D’91, were speaker and faculty member for the 13, and led a session with Cal Turner married. David oversaw the commis- 2010 St. Olaf Conference on Worship, on leadership at the conference session sioning of a new hymn text by Brian Theology & the Arts, “The News and June 14. Wren for the 75th anniversary of the Good News,” July 19–23. Duke Chapel. He was organist for the Jackson Carroll taught a four- Duke Chapel Choir’s performance of Charles Campbell attended and week course, “Christians Face Maurice Duruflé’s Requiem and other gave a panel pre- Religious Diversity,” at Duke anthems in Duke Chapel in April, and sentation at the Memorial United Methodist Church, in February he performed a solo organ Christian Scholars’ Durham, N.C., in March. On May 27, recital at Westminster Presbyterian Conference in he gave a lecture at Croasdaile Village Church, Knoxville, Tenn. Nashville, Tenn., in Durham on the history of religious where he also diversity in America. Kate Bowler published the lectured at the Otter Creek Church entry “Positive Thinking” in The of Christ. He gave three lectures and Mark Chaves published several Encyclopedia of Religion in America, preached at the Zentrum für evan- articles: “Thanks, but No Thanks: edited by Charles Lippy and Peter gelische Predigtkultur in Wittenberg, Congregations Say No to the Faith- Williams (CQ). She presented “World Germany; taught a D.Min. class in Based Initiative” in The Christian Christianity in America” at the Texas Chicago for the Association of Chicago Century (June 1, 2010); “Did the Annual Conference Youth Academy, Theological Schools; preached at Faith-Based Initiative Change Southwestern University, Georgetown, Duke Chapel and at First Presbyterian Congregations?” (with co-author Bob Texas, July 15; and preached the Church, Kenly, N.C.; and attended Wineburg) in Nonprofit and Voluntary sermon “Covenant” at the 2010 the biennial meeting of Societas Sector Quarterly (39.2, 2010); Duke Youth Academy for Christian Homiletica at Yale. “Rain Dances in the Dry Season: Formation June 23. Overcoming the Religious Congruence Kenneth L. Carder presented a Fallacy,” his presidential address to Jason Byassee published a review lecture entitled “The World’s Children: the Society for the Scientific Study of of Brian Robinette’s Grammars Victims and Victors” at the opening Religion, delivered in October 2009, of Resurrection: A Christian Theology session of the 2010 Peace Conference in Journal for the Scientific Study of Presence and Absence in the held at Lake Junaluska, N.C., Sept. of Religion (49.1, 2010); and “The June 15 edition of The Christian 19–21. The theme of the conference Prevalence of Clergy Sexual Advances Century. At Faith & Leadership was “Peace for the World’s Children,” toward Adults in Their Congregations” (www.faithandleadership.com), he and the keynote address was deliv- (with co-author Diana Garland) in

34 Divinity work last January at Renk Theological College in Southern Sudan through the Renk Visiting Teacher program, supported by Duke Divinity School and Virginia Theological Seminary.

Mary McClintock Fulkerson presented “Social Memory as Redemptive Ritual” on the panel “Quiet Violence: The Pauli Murray Project” at the John Hope Franklin Center National Symposium, Faculty Marshal Warren Smith, “Reconciliation in America: Moving associate professor of historical beyond Racial Violence,” in Tulsa, theology, leads the procession for the 84th Opening Okla., June 2–4. She was a plenary Convocation and installation of speaker at the international ecclesiol- Dean Richard B. Hays. ogy conference “Being Surprised by God: Embodied Ecclesiology in Local Contexts” in Utrecht, Netherlands, Journal for the Scientific Study of bishops, and others from various parts June 21–24. Her paper was entitled Religion (48.4, 2009). He delivered of Sudan on the subject “The Bible “Redemptive Disruptions and the the lectures “Did the Faith-Based and the Environment.” In August, Social Implications of Eucharistic Initiative Change Congregations?” at she gave the Stern Lectures at St. Memory.” She was a participant the Brookings Institution, Washington, Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Pacific preacher in the Second Service D.C., in February; and “Continuity and Palisades, Calif., on the topic “Between Commemorating the Life of Pauli Change in American Religion,” at the Jerusalem and Jerusalem.” Murray at St. Titus’ Episcopal Church, 10th anniversary celebration of the Durham, N.C., July 1; and a panel par- Observatoire des Religions en Suisse, Susan Eastman published “Israel ticipant in the Black Theodicy Forum, Université de Lausanne, Switzerland, and the Mercy of sponsored by the UNC Institute of in December 2009. God: A Re-reading African American Research, in Chapel of Galatians 6.16 Hill, N.C., Aug. 6–7. Ellen Davis joined Wendell Berry and Romans on the public radio program Speaking 9–11” in New Paul Griffiths published “The of Faith in a discussion entitled “Land, Testament Studies Cross as the Fulcrum of Politics: Life, and the Poetry of Creatures,” (56.3, 2010); and “Galatians” in Expropriating Agamben on Paul” in which aired on stations nationwide in The New Interpreter’s Bible One- Paul, Philosophy, and the Theopolitical mid-June. Also in June she gave the Volume Commentary, edited by Vision, edited by Douglas Harink opening address in Louisville, Ky., Beverly Gaventa and David Petersen (Cascade). In March, he participated for a two-week Agrarian Road Trip (Abingdon). Eastman and her hus- with Stanley Fish in a public discus- sponsored by the Presbyterian Hunger band, Ed, presented a workshop on sion of the virtue-vice of curiosity at Program and the PCUSA. In July, she theological education in the Episcopal Marist College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. attended the annual meeting of the Church of Sudan at the annual con- In May, he lectured for the Lumen Theological Education Commission ference of the American Friends of Christi Institute under the title “From of the Episcopal Church of Sudan the Episcopal Church of Sudan at St. Curiosity to Studiousness: Catechizing and inaugurated a leadership semi- Paul’s Episcopal Church, Alexandria, the Appetite for Knowledge” in nar for some 25 theological educators, Va., June 4–6. They reported on their Chicago, Ill.; spoke to the Raleigh

Fall 2010 35 Faculty & Staff Notes

(N.C.) chapter of the Catholic Commencement Address for Eastern Andrew Keck was elected to the Physicians Guild under the title “The Mennonite Seminary” in Mennonite board of directors of the American Human Person and the Meaning of Quarterly Review (84.3, 2010); a Theological Library Association. At the Health”; spoke on the topic of the review of The Ten Commandments, ATLA Annual Conference, he served priesthood at the Assembly for Priests by Patrick Miller, in Theology Today on a panel presentation on writing of the Catholic Diocese of Raleigh; (67.2, 2010); and “‘Long Live the and publishing and provided a report and was the concluding, keynote Weeds and the Wilderness Yet’: of his work in Côte d’Ivoire to the speaker at the annual meeting of the Reflections on A Secular Age” (with International Collaboration Committee Academy for Catholic Theology in Romand Coles) in Modern Theology Roundtable. He also worked with Washington, D.C., under the title “‘The (26.3, 2010). He spoke June 2 at the the libraries at Duke University, the Word of the Lord’: Notes toward a Virginia Mennonite Conference University of North Carolina at Chapel Theology of the Versions.” In June, he Assembly in Raleigh, N.C., and pre- Hill, and Wake Forest University to spoke on the topic of J.H. Newman’s sented “Why Is War a Moral Necessity receive a planning grant from the Grammar of Assent at the summer for America?” at Peace Among the State Library of North Carolina for a institute at Portsmouth Abbey School Peoples, Elkhart, Ind., July 29. He project entitled “The Religion in North in Portsmouth, R.I. presented “America’s God” Aug. 2 at Carolina Digital Collection.” St. James’ Episcopal Church, Marietta, Amy Laura Hall published “Charles Ga. The volume Unsettling Arguments: Warren Kinghorn presented a Kingsley’s Christian Darwinism” in the A Festschrift on the Occasion of Stanley paper, “Ordering volume Theology after Darwin, edited Hauerwas’s 70th Birthday, edited by ‘Mental Disorder’: by Michael Northcott and R.J. Berry Charles R. Pinches, Kelly S. Johnson, Theology and the (Paternoster). She served as a bioeth- and Charles M. Collier, was published Disputed Boundaries ics consultant to the World Council by Cascade Books. of Psychiatric of Churches meeting on embryonic Diagnosis,” at the stem cell research in Volos, Greece, in Richard B. Hays published annual meeting of the Society for November 2009; and presented a paper “Intertextuelle Pneumatologie: Die Spirituality, Theology, and Health in on race and social Darwinism for a paulinische Rede vom Heiligen Geist” Durham, N.C., in June; and served as a senior scholar panel at the American in Zeitschrift für Neues Testament respondent at the academic conference Academy for the Advancement (25, 2010). He delivered the sermons of the Society for Christian Psychology of Science in San Diego, Calif., in “The Word of Reconciliation,” at the in Louisville, Ky., in September. February. She gave the Wiley Lectures Duke Center for Reconciliation’s at Point Loma Nazarene University, Summer Institute, June 1; “Carrying Richard Lischer was the speaker San Diego, in April; and the Phillip the Death of Jesus,” at the open- at the triennial Clergy Conference of Wogaman Lecture at Foundry UMC ing session of the North Carolina the Diocese of Chester in England. He in Washington, D.C., in May. Hall was Annual Conference in Greenville, delivered three lectures under the con- part of a winning three-year proj- N.C., June 10; “Reasoning on the Basis ference theme, “Preaching into Poverty,” ect proposal on science, poverty, and of Incarnation,” at the Duke Youth and led a seminar titled “Prophecy and virtue for the University of Chicago Academy, June 24; and “Consider Poetry in Martin Luther King Jr.” Later Arete Initiative. How to Irritate One Another,” at the in the summer, he taught for a week at Divinity School’s Summer Course of the Collegeville Institute for Ecumenical Stanley Hauerwas published Study, July 14. At the annual meeting and Cultural Research, Collegeville, “Pragmatism and Democracy: of the SNTS in Berlin, Germany, he Minn., on the theme “Writing and Assessing Jeffrey Stout’s Democracy gave a response to Matthias Konradt, the Pastoral Life.” His anthology The and Tradition” in the Journal of “Ethik im Neuen Testament.” Company of Preachers: Wisdom on the American Academy of Religion Preaching, Augustine to the Present has (78.2, 2010); “Speaking Christian: A recently been translated into Japanese.

36 Divinity Randy L. Maddox published International Society” in Seoul, South and St. Andrew’s Episcopal Cathedral “Theology of John and Charles Wesley” Korea, Aug. 24–26, sponsored by the in Jackson, Miss., Aug. 21–22. in the T&T Clark Companion to International Peace Corps of Religions. Methodism, edited by Charles Yrigoyen He also participated in a consultation Sam Wells published Christian Ethics: Jr. (T&T Clark). at the Boston University School of An Introductory Theology, “Teaching Religion, Conflict Reader (Wiley- ANAThea Portier-Young taught Transformation, and Peacebuilding: A Blackwell); Living the D.Min. course Consultation of Educators in Theology Out Loud, with “Old Testament and Religion,” Aug. 9–11. co-author Stanley Prophets” June 21– Hauerwas, edited by July 9 at Sewanee: Laceye Warner published “Mega- Luke Bretherton et al. (Paternoster); The University Churches: A New Ecclesiology or An Liturgy Comes to Life, a photo book of the South. She Ecclesial Evangelism?” in Review and about worship and its role in Christian taught sessions on the prophets Amos Expositor (Winter 2010). In June, she formation; “The Nature and Destiny and Hosea at Duke Memorial United co-presented, with John VerBerkmoes, of Serious Theology” in Reinhold Methodist Church, Durham, N.C., July “Outcomes Assessment” at the Niebuhr and Contemporary Politics: 11 and 18. Throughout August, she ATS Biennial Meeting in Montreal, God and Power, edited by Richard was scholar in residence at Millbrook Canada; and taught the Adult Vacation Harries and Stephen Platten (Oxford Baptist Church, Raleigh, N.C., where Bible School class “Resurrecting the University Press); and “Bell and the she preached the sermon “I Do Not Word: Practicing Evangelism” at Voice of the Church in Time of War” in Delight in the Blood of Bulls” (Isaiah Asbury UMC, Durham, N.C. She gave Crucible (April–June 2010). He deliv- 1) Aug. 8 and taught the series “War the plenary address “Heeding the ered the baccalaureate address at Elon and Peace in the Historical Books.” She Spirit’s Call: Methodism” at the Texas University in May and the commence- attended the European Association of Annual Conference Youth Academy, ment address at Ravenscroft School, Biblical Studies/International Society Southwestern University, Georgetown, Raleigh, N.C., in June. He led a retreat of Biblical Literature meeting in Tartu, Texas, July 14; and presented for the clergy of the Episcopal Diocese Estonia, July 26–29, where she delivered “Resurrecting the Word: Evangelism for of Southwest Florida in September. two papers, “Seleucid State Terror and Today” at the annual retreat of Chinese the Reconquest of Jerusalem” and “The UMC, New York, N.Y., Aug. 12–15. In Luba Zakharov was elected by the Edict of Antiochus: Persecution and the September, she preached and presented Duke University Perkins Library staff Unmaking of the Judean World,” and “Wesleyan Evangelism” at First United to serve as secretary to the Duke chaired two sessions on apocalyptic lit- Methodist Church in Salisbury, N.C. University Librarians Assembly. She erature. She presented the paper “Greek was a contributor to the “Theological Giants, Silent Stars, and Knowledges Jo Wells served as the Old Testament Libraries Month: Success Stories” That Kill: Critical Inversion as Symbolic contributor for the adult education poster session at the American Resistance in the Book of the Watchers” DVD teaching series “Anglicanism: A Theological Library Association Aug. 2 at the Catholic Biblical Gift in Christ” (Anglican Communion conference in Louisville, Ky. She also Association Annual Meeting at Loyola Institute), which came out in July. She participated in the planning for the Marymount University, where she also led the all-church retreat for Messiah conference session “Great met with the CBA Strategic Planning Episcopal Church in St. Paul, Minn., Underappreciated and Much Needed Committee, of which she is a part. June 11–13, presenting “Themes from Works of Theological Reference.” In Exodus: God leads the people out, for July, she accepted the appointment of Chris Rice, co-director of the Duke what?” She was a keynote speaker secretary to the ATLA Public Services Center for Reconciliation, gave a pre- for the Warren Burns Learning Series Interest Group Steering Committee. sentation at “Building an East Asian at a weekend organized jointly by Peace Community and the Role of Galloway United Methodist Church

Fall 2010 37 class Notes

s Ingram C. Parmley D’64 was particular emphases upon jail ministry, 40 inducted into the Martin Methodist missions, ethnic ministries, and alcohol Leighton E. Harrell Jr. D’46 College (Pulaski, Tenn.) Hall of and drug rehabilitation programs. He has been elected pastor emeritus at Distinction April 30 during Jubilee was honored with Darris K. Doyal Grace United Methodist Church in Weekend, which coincided with the Day in Hamblen County and pre- Roanoke, Va. school’s 139th commencement. After sented the key to the city. earning his master of divinity degree s at Duke, Parmley, an Episcopal priest, Louis B. Weeks III G’70 is the 50 completed a doctorate at N.C. State author of To Be a Presbyterian: J. Earl Richardson D’51, 92, is University and became a professor of Revised Edition (Geneva, 2010). the eldest elder of the North Carolina sociology. He resides in Asheville, N.C. He and his wife, Carolyn Mang Conference of the United Methodist Weeks G’70, live in Williamsburg, Va. Church. The 1974 recipient of the James H. Charlesworth D’65, Divinity School’s Distinguished G’67, the G. L. Collord Professor Hope Morgan Ward T’73, D’78, Alumni Award, he and his wife, of New Testament Language and the United Methodist bishop of Alice, reside in Durham, N.C., Literature at Princeton Theological Mississippi, has been elected to the and attend Duke Chapel worship Seminary, Princeton, N.J., has pub- Duke University Board of Trustees. services faithfully. lished The Good and Evil Serpent: How a Universal Symbol Became Philip L. “Phil” Hathcock D’74, William K. Quick D’58 is serving Christianized (Anchor Yale Bible former superintendent of the Central as the pastor-in-charge of Gibson Reference Library, 2010). District, has been appointed director Chapel Mission, formerly Gibson of connectional ministries and assis- United Methodist Church (Gibson, tant to the bishop for the Arkansas N.C.), an outreach ministry of the Daniel T. Earnhardt D’65, D’66, Conference of the United Methodist North Carolina Conference, the minister of pastoral care at Jarvis Church, Little Rock, Ark. He suc- United Methodist Church, and the Memorial United Methodist Church ceeds Roy P. Smith D’80, who is the Rockingham District. After two in Greenville, N.C., represented Duke new pastor at First United Methodist decades in pastorates across North University at the inauguration of Mark Church, Russellville, Ark. The United Carolina, Quick served as senior D. La Branche as the new president Methodist bishop of Arkansas is pastor of Metropolitan United of 220-year-old Louisburg College in Charles N. Crutchfield D’68. Methodist Church, Detroit, Mich., Louisburg, N.C. from 1974 to 1998. Since 1999, he J. Barney Hawkins IV D’74, G’81 has served as a visiting professor at Stanley E. LaTorre D’68, now is one of the editors of Christ and Duke Divinity School. retired from the U.S. Army chaplaincy Culture: Communion after Lambeth and the South Carolina Conference of (Morehouse, 2010), the first volume s the United Methodist Church, resides in Canterbury Studies in Anglicanism. 60 on Edisto Island, S.C., where he was He and his wife, Linda Wofford O. Richard Bowyer D’60, D’68 the founding minister of the Edisto Hawkins WC’72, D’76, D’79, reside has been elected president of the Island Community Church. in Alexandria, Va. He is professor West Virginia Board of Medicine. of pastoral theology, vice president Bowyer, who has been appointed to s for institutional advancement, and the board by six different governors 70 associate dean for the Center for since 1981, is the first non-physician Darris K. Doyal D’70 of Sevierville, Anglican Communion Studies at to hold that office. Tenn., has retired from First United Virginia Theological Seminary. Linda Methodist Church, Morristown, Tenn., is the rector of St. Barnabas’ Church after 46 years under appointment with (Episcopal) in Annandale, Va.

38 Divinity Ernest T. “Tommy” Herndon ience in coping with chronic illness Robert Cox D’94 and his wife, D’77, who served St. Thomas United and trauma. Theresa, have returned to South Methodist Church in Manassas, Va., Carolina from family leave in Florida. has been appointed superintendent of Barry White D’84 has retired to Land Robert has been appointed the pastor the Harrisonburg (Va.) District. O’ Lakes, Fla., following 22 years as a for St. Paul United Methodist Church U.S. Army chaplain. He looks forward in Saluda, S.C. Gregory V. Palmer D’79, resident to continuing ministry as a pastor for bishop of the Illinois Great Rivers Holland America Cruise Lines. David J. AbbotT D’96, pastor for Area of the United Methodist Church, the past 14 years at Belfast United is co-author of the book Becoming Martha Holland Thorson D’85 Methodist Church, Belfast, Maine, has Jesus’ Prayer: Transforming Your Life has earned the M.A. degree in psychol- been appointed superintendent of the through the Lord’s Prayer (Pilgrim, ogy from the College of Educational New Hampshire District in the New 2010). Other co-authors are Cindy Studies at Chapman University, Orange, England Conference of the United M. McCalmont D’91, minister of Calif., focusing on marriage and family Methodist Church. spiritual formation and pastoral therapy. She is a Presbyterian pastor in care at Collegiate United Methodist Hemet, Calif. Wendy Sue Earle Kissa D’97 Church/Wesley Foundation, in Ames, and her husband, Karl Kissa T’82, Iowa, and Brian K. Milford D’86, Thomas K. Stephenson Jr. D’86 is announce the adoption of Joy Bergen, lead pastor of Lovely Lane United the new senior pastor at First Christian who was born March 18, 2010. The Methodist Church in Cedar Rapids, Church (Disciples of Christ) in Kissa family resides in West Simsbury, Iowa. Each chapter of the book fea- Wilmington, Ohio. Conn. Wendy Sue is the pastor at East tures a story, theological reflection, Granby Congregational Church and discussion questions, guidelines for Scott C. Washington D’87, Karl is a senior optical engineer with weekly prayer at home and corporate author, historian, and veteran Kodak JDS Uniphase. prayer, and hymn suggestions. employee, recently shared a multime- dia presentation, “Audacity of Hope: Tom Pietila D’99 recently retired s George Eastman and the Eastman following 11 years as pastor of Central 80 Community School,” at the 9th United Methodist Church in Florence, Adele Byrum Novotney D’81 annual African American Cultural S.C., where he and his wife, Lindy, of Maggie Valley, N.C., works in the Celebration at the North Carolina continue to live. mental health field with children Museum of History in Raleigh. and their families. Since 2006 she s has been a social worker with child Susan J. Dunlap D’88 has published 00 protective services. Caring Cultures: How Congregations Michael E. Byerley D’00 is the Respond to the Sick (Baylor University new assistant director of reunion giv- Michael Pasquarello III D’83, the Press, 2010). ing at the Fuqua School of Business at Fisher Professor of Preaching at Asbury Duke University. Mike and his wife, Theological Seminary, Wilmore, Ky., is s Julie Story ByerlEy M’98, a pedia- the author of John Wesley: A Preaching 90 trician, reside in Chapel Hill, N.C. Life (Abingdon, 2010). Tobias Winright D’91 has co- authored After the Smoke Clears: The Beth Felker Jones D’00, G’04, Bruce W. Smith D’84, associate pro- Just War Tradition and Post War Justice associate professor of theology at fessor of psychology at the University (Orbis, 2010). He is a tenured associate Wheaton College, is the author of of New Mexico, Albuquerque, teaches professor of theological ethics and direc- Touched by a Vampire: Discovering and does research examining the role tor of the Ethics across the Curriculum the Hidden Messages in the Twilight of spirituality, mindfulness, and resil- program at Saint Louis University. Saga (Waterbrook, 2010). She

Fall 2010 39 class Notes

and her husband, Brian Felker Community (Fresh Air (March 2010) in Irving, Texas. He was Jones D’03, pastor at Faith United Books, October 2010). The awarded the Ph.D. in biblical stud- Methodist Church in Lombard, reside book has been described as ies (Hebrew Bible/Old Testament) at in Wheaton, Ill. “part Augustine, part Jane Baylor University, Waco, Texas, in May. Austen with a side of Anne His dissertation was titled “Jacob and Paul G. Murphy D’00 was hon- Lamott …” and “a deeply moving the Divine Trickster: A Theology of ored with a 2010 Piney Award from field guide for the curious, the con- Deception and YHWH’s Fidelity to the PineStraw magazine in Southern Pines, fused, and the convicted.” Ancestral Promise in the Jacob Cycle.” N.C., at a June 23 luncheon benefit for the Moore County Arts Council. Tonya D. Armstrong D’03, G’10, Christina Peterman D’07 and Murphy, a musician who has played formerly adjunct assistant professor in Josh Hubert D’08 were married with Tony Bennett and Lou Rawls, pastoral theology, Duke Institute on May 29 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The is the vice principal and counselor at Care at the End of Life, has resigned Huberts reside in Houston, Texas, Sandhills Renaissance School, an arts- to expand The Armstrong Center for where they have joined the ministry focused charter school in Vass, N.C. Hope, where she provides psychologi- of Josh’s home conference, the Texas cal and spiritual services to children, Annual Conference. Kenny J. Walden D’02, senior adolescents, adults, couples, and fami- pastor at Lakewood First United lies. She continues her 10-year role as Chanequa Walker-Barnes D’07 Methodist Church, Lakewood, Calif., minister of congregational care and was among the keynote speakers and a former Air Force chaplain, con- counseling at Union Baptist Church, on the theme “The Strong Black tributed “Training” in Reveille for the Durham, N.C. She may be contacted at Woman—A Gentle Force for God” Soul: Prayers for Military Life (Liguori, [email protected]. at the African-American Women’s 2010), edited by Marge Fenelon. Leadership Conference in August Ronda Cole D’05, who joined at Lake Junaluska, N.C. A clinical Ryan Black D’03, D’05 and his wife, Virginia Intermont psychologist, faculty member at Shaw Mary, announce the College in Bristol, Va., Divinity School, and writer, she lives birth of Nicholas as chaplain in 2007, in Durham, N.C. Leland on Dec. 5, has been promoted to 2009, in Houston, dean of student devel- Rebecca Rigel Donald D’08 was Texas. Ryan teaches opment. Cole was ordained at the featured in the May 26, 2010, issue in Pasadena. First Baptist Church of Cocoa, Fla., of UVa Today as she was completing where she served as minister to stu- the University of Virginia’s Post- Christina “Christy” Watson dents, and has worked as a ministerial Baccalaureate/Pre-Medicine Program. Brookshire D’03 and her hus- intern and a youth minister at Baptist She worked as a medical scribe in band, Matt Brookshire, announce the churches in North Carolina. Department of Emergency Medicine arrival of Anna Ruth, who was born at the University of Virginia and has July 7, 2009. The Brookshires live in John Anderson D’06 presented begun medical school with plans to Asheville, N.C., where Christy is a two papers, “A Trickster Oracle in specialize in geriatrics and palliative chaplain with Mission Health System Gen 25:23: Reading Jacob and Esau care. Her husband, Chris Donald and Matt works with Wachovia/Wells Between Beten and Bethel,” at the D’06, is a United Methodist pastor Fargo. 2009 Society of Biblical Literature who has recently been appointed in Annual Meeting in New Orleans, Charlottesville following service with Enuma Okoro D’03 has pub- La., and “Replaying the Fool: Esau Reveille Church in Richmond, Va. lished a memoir, Reluctant Pilgrim: vs. Jacob and YHWH in Gen 32 and A Moody, Somewhat Self-Indulgent 33,” at the southwest regional meeting T. Daniel Irving D’08 and his Introvert’s Search for Spiritual of the Society of Biblical Literature wife, Jean, announce the birth of

40 Divinity Emma Grace and Hannah Claire. s realignments in the North Carolina The twins were born July 6, 2010, 10 Conference of the United Methodist in Houston, Texas. Heather Thomas Folliard D’10 Church. An Army spouse, she is the and her husband, John, announce the daughter of an Air Force chaplain. C. Edward “CJ” Rhodes II D’09 June 4, 2010, birth of Mary Grace. The is the new senior pastor of Mt. Helm Folliards reside in Chapel Hill, N.C. Got News? Stay in touch with Baptist Church, the oldest African- your classmates! Use the postcard American congregation in Jackson, Jaye Nesbitt White D’10 has been inserted in this issue to share your Miss. He is the youngest pastor in the named mission developer for Base news, or e-mail [email protected]. church’s 175-year history. He has been Realignment and Closure (BRAC- Update info or submit Class Notes online a Fund for Theological Education U.S. Department of Defense). She at www.divinity.duke.edu/update Ministry Fellow and worked for a year works with families and churches with Mission Mississippi. associated with military base

deaths

Jarvis P. Brown D’49 died April 12, For 18 years, he was the director of adult services Reaves Phillips Geist T’77, D’80 2010, in Fullerton, Calif. He served parishes in and a clinical pastoral counselor for the Foothills died March 31, 2010, in Oak Ridge, Tenn. She the Western North Carolina Conference and the Area Mental Health Program with a specializa- was ordained as a United Methodist minister in California-Arizona Conferences of the United tion in mental retardation and substance abuse 1991. Her husband, Al Geist II T’78, a Methodist Church. After voluntary location in programs. He was recognized by the Freedom daughter, two sons, and other family members 1967, he enjoyed a second 20-year career as an Foundation, Valley Forge, Pa., and the North survive her. employee of Los Angeles County, Calif., retiring Carolina Order of the Long Leaf Pine for his dis- as the supervisor of Senior Centers. He is sur- tinguished leadership. His wife, Ruth Foster, four Camille Ogle Yorkey D’85 died vived by his wife of 64 years, Mildred L. Brown. daughters, seven grandchildren, and three great- June 13, 2010, in Chapel Hill, N.C. An educa- grandchildren survive him. tor, author, and United Methodist minister in the J. Herbert Waldrop Jr. D’52 North Carolina Conference, she was the founding died March 28, 2010, in Aiken, S.C. He served Herman N. Ward Jr. D’65 died May pastor of three churches. She also served for parishes in the North Carolina Conference of the 28, 2010, in Hillsborough, N.C. He was a United a year as a counselor at Ground Zero in New United Methodist Church for 30 years. In 1982, Methodist pastor with 41 years of service in the York City following the 9/11 tragedy. She was a he was ordained as deacon and priest in the North Carolina Conference, including 35 years former president of the Divinity National Alumni Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina. at the Hillsborough United Methodist Church. Council and the recipient of the Divinity School’s He served Episcopal churches in Franklin and Following retirement he continued to be active Distinguished Alumna Award in 2007. She is Murphy, N.C., before retiring in 1992. He is in ecumenical ministries of northern Orange survived by two children. survived by his wife, the Rev. Charlotte County. He is survived by his wife, Ann Ward, a Egerton Waldrop D’86, vicar of All daughter, and two grandchildren. The Divinity School Family Saints Episcopal Church in Beech Island, a LaVeta “Veta” S. Campbell died April daughter and a son, two stepdaughters, and four James M. Jarvis D’71 died Sept. 29, 19, 2010, in Upland, Calif. She was the wife of grandchildren. 2009, in Farmington, Mo. His career was in clini- Jerry D. Campbell D’71, president of cal psychology and pastoral counseling in both the Claremont School of Theology, former CIO Robert A. “Bob” Foster D’53 died Missouri and West Virginia. He is survived by two and librarian at the University of Southern May 18, 2010, in Winston-Salem, N.C. A United sons, including Eric C. Jarvis T’94. His California, and the former librarian of Duke Methodist pastor, he served parishes and later late father, J. Clair Jarvis D’39, and his University. She is survived by a daughter. in assignments with the U.S. Army Chaplaincy, niece, Clare J. Sulgit-Horn D’97, retiring from the reserves in 1988 as a colonel. were also Divinity School graduates.

Fall 2010 41 ministry at large

Taking Jesus Literally? By R.G. Lyons D’06

n 1999 I left my small town in northeast Alabama the state of Alabama. In Birmingham’s I West End, my starting salary (and and confidently entered college to study religion, housing allowance) was nearly three certain that the Bible was the inerrant word of God times more than my neighbors’ median income. (Not to mention my health and that anything other than its literal interpretation insurance and pension.) signified a lack of faith. Even when I decided to take a pay Despite my parents’ more metaphorical read- cut to live more in “solidarity” with my neighbors, I was, and still am, making ing of the Bible, I was influenced by youth pastors nearly twice their median income. More and friends whose theology was rooted in a literal- challenging than these simple statistics are stories of the people in my commu- ist understanding of Scripture. I took them at their nity who have no trouble taking Jesus’ word until my second semester of college when, in a teachings on possessions seriously. biblical studies class, I began to realize the difficul- People like Melvin, who is homeless and empties his coins every week ties of such an approach. I read about the two cre- in the offering plate. He leaves church ation stories in Genesis, and the arguments between with only the clothes on his back. Paul and James. People like Ms. Earnestine, who has taken three abused children and two homeless people into her home, and But more than anything else, the What if he really meant that we are supports them on an income that is undoing of my literalist faith came to love our enemies and turn the other half of mine—which supports only about when I realized that those who cheek? What if he really meant that me. People like Clarissa, a 17-year-old were so adamant about believing in the prostitutes and sinners are enter- special-needs girl, who, for her birth- an actual flood or seven-day creation ing God’s kingdom before the religious day, gave all her presents to her friend, rarely took Jesus’ teachings literally. elite (not a comforting thought for Gabriel, who had lost all her toys when It seemed to me that the proponents a professional minister)? What if he her house burned down. of inerrancy never argued for a literal really did mean that we cannot be his When I try to dismiss Jesus’ teach- interpretation of Jesus’ teaching when followers unless we give all that we ings about possessions as unrealistic, such behavior—loving our enemies have to the poor? Melvin, Earnestine, and Clarissa serve or giving up all our possessions— Of all Jesus’ teachings, I struggle as stark reminder that these decisions profoundly challenged their lives. most with those involving possessions. are not impossible; they’re just hard. In the years since, my faith has come In the Gospels, it seems that those Maybe that is why Jesus, toward the to mirror that of my parents: Wesleyan who followed Jesus left virtually all end of the Gospel of Matthew, told us with a deep appreciation for sym- of their belongings (and often homes that if we want to find him, we must bol and metaphor within Scripture. and families) behind. This struggle has find him in the least of these. It’s not However, I have constantly struggled become more profound for me since I only that serving the hungry, poor, and with the question, “What if Jesus really graduated from seminary and started a sick is a good thing to do, but that it’s did mean what he said?” church in the poorest neighborhood in these people who can teach the more

42 Divinity Shawanda Polk of The Community Church without Walls in Birmingham, Ala.’s West End neighborhood, and the Rev. R.G. Lyons D’06 at a youth confirma- tion retreat, Oak Mountain State Park.

privileged, like me, what it means to are in the presence of those who have R.G. Lyons at West End Community have enough faith to take Jesus’ teach- so little, we are forced to confront and Gardens, where volunteers trade labor ings seriously. struggle with the abundance of our for fresh vegetables, and share the extras at a market for neighbors. Being in community with Melvin, own possessions. Earnestine, and Clarissa has helped When we live in community with me develop the faith to give up more people who force us to confront these R.G. Lyons D’06 leads the Community of my possessions. I still have more difficult questions—asking ourselves Church without Walls, a network of five than I need, but I have slowly made how the Gospels apply to our lives— house churches in the West End neighbor- a little progress. Perhaps that is why perhaps we are taking the first step hood of Birmingham, Ala. Jesus always brought poor people with toward taking Jesus’ teachings seri- him whenever he was invited to dine ously, maybe even literally. with the rich and privileged. When we

Fall 2010 43 financial planner

‘How Much Is Enough?’

by James G. Mentzer D’99

arly in my former career as an or to provide time for family members insurance. For a healthy 30-year- insurance agent, I offered a to find a job? old male, $100,000 of term insur- Edetailed presentation to a The questions then move to ongo- ance might cost $250 per year for young couple with a new home and ing financial needs: monthly bills, day 20 years. That amount of whole an even newer baby. The wife listened care costs, mortgage payments, college life insurance for the same person to every word, nodding her head at savings, and income to assure that the might average $607 per year, but all the right places, but her husband surviving spouse can live comfortably. the rate would stay constant. By simply sat there with arms folded defi- The final figure will represent the total age 50, his cost for $100,000 of antly across his chest. When I asked dollars one’s survivor(s) will need. term insurance might increase to for their responses, the husband said, Finally, the analysis will include $825 per year. “Life insurance will only make sense current financial assets—savings In the early years of the whole for us if I die.” accounts, retirement plans, mutual life policy, the payments not used to Most of us acknowledge that death funds, real estate investments— purchase the death benefit or pay is more than an “if” proposition. But that could offset projected needs. policy expense charges accumulate as while death is inevitable, life insurance Comparing assets to projected costs interest in the “cash value” account. is not. In truth, the need is greatest reveals how much life insurance will In later years, the policy’s cash value when there are young children in the be needed to make up any difference. assists the premiums to meet the family, there is only one breadwinner, Since needs vary over a lifetime, it’s cost of the insurance. In between are or when resources are lacking to sup- important to update this analysis peri- a variety of life insurance contracts port the surviving family members for odically. As one accumulates finan- that combine features of both term a significant length of time. cial assets, the need for life insurance and whole life coverage. (For basic Life insurance is designed primar- often decreases. information, visit the online LifeBook ily to replace income lost at the death All life insurance policies agree offered by the Kansas Insurance of a wage earner. That’s why financial to pay an amount of money if you Department at www.ksinsurance.org/ planning textbooks today suggest the die, but all policies are not the same. consumers/docs/LifeBookOnline.pdf.) average person should own enough Term insurance is basic coverage for One caution here. The main purpose life insurance to replace eight to 10 a set number of years, often with the of life insurance is financial protec- times his or her annual take-home pay. ability to renew the policy at the end tion. Beware financial consultants who Can’t you just feel the “sticker shock” of the stated “term.” Since there is recommend life insurance products setting in? no investment or cash value compo- as investments or asset accumulation For most, it makes more sense to sit nent to term insurance, it is often the tools. You would be better served by down with a trusted financial adviser least expensive option, especially at considering other financial products and do a computer-based analysis of younger ages. While premiums vary to meet those goals. one’s life insurance needs. This starts by company, they increase as one ages, with any immediate needs at death, often dramatically after age 50. James G. Mentzer, CLU, ChFC, has such as funeral expenses, final medi- At the other end of the spectrum been a financial planner cal bills, unpaid debts, or estate taxes. is whole life insurance, which guaran- since 1986. He is currently Next, how much will be needed to tees lifelong protection as long as the director of planned giving cover a readjustment period, perhaps policy remains in place. The premiums for the United Methodist to finance a move out of the church do not increase as you age, but remain Foundation of Raleigh, N.C. parsonage into a different residence, level, and are always higher than term

44 Divinity end quotes

History’s Lesson “I fear that my Christian brothers and sisters in the Dove World Outreach Center, like James and John, ‘do not know what spirit they belong to’ (Luke 9:54-55). If they burn the Quran, they will be acting in the spirit of Goebbels. History has taught us where that leads.” RICHARD HAYS, dean and George Washington Ivey Professor of New Testament, in an Aug. 13, 2010, essay in The News & Observer (Raleigh,N.C.) about a church’s plans to burn copies of the Quran on Sept. 11. The church’s pastor decided not to carry out the plan.

Facebook Outreach “The number of the so-called unchurched has remained steady in the past two decades. If churches want to reach this part of society, they have to find new ways to do it. That’s where social networking comes in.”

MARK CHAVES, professor of sociology, religion, and divinity, quoted in the July 26, 2010, issue of The Montgomery Advertiser on churches using social media to attract new members Sabbath Peace “There is this enormous hunger, but it is like a collective action problem. The barriers feel so high and people feel so overwhelmed. There isn’t, in North American Protestantism, any sense of an imperative about this.”

LAUREN WINNER, assistant professor of Christian spirituality, quoted in the July 16, 2010, issue of The New York Times on the challenges of keeping the Sabbath Gardening with God “If nothing else, we should be astonished by God’s fondness for dirt. Soil is the life-bearing medium that God repeatedly uses to create plants, animals, and of course us. Life grows out of the soil together. We all depend on the soil.”

NORMAN WIRZBA, research professor of theology, ecology, and rural life, in a July 12, 2010, essay in The Huffington Post Working at Being Christian “I’m not naturally religious. Being a Christian comes to me through extensive training.”

STANLEY HAUERWAS, Gilbert T. Rowe Professor of Theological Ethics, quoted in the June 24, 2010, issue of The News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.) about his memoir, Hannah’s Child

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