Friends of the Chapel Fall Newsletter.Pmd
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View from Duke Chapel A Newsletter for Friends of Duke Chapel THE DEAN’S DIALOGUE 3rd Quarter 2006 President The State of the Chapel Janet Gwyer, PhD Vice President Andy Barada, MD Dear Friends, realignment of the Chapel’s profile needed han- dling sensitively. When I was in ministry in Secretary When I came a year ago I sensed that the Chapel had three main roles – as servant to socially-disadvantaged areas myself, I experi- Karen Rhodes, T‘92 the university, as focus for student religious enced a split between the ‘incarnational’ need Immediate Past President life, and as church. Our real strength was on simply to show people how much they mat- Pat Henry, B’88 occasions when the three came together. Mu- tered to God, by lingering, befriending, shar- ing local concerns and being residentially Advisory Board sic, preaching and architecture were our three present, and the ‘kingdom’ need to be involved Mel Baars, T’05 crown jewels. Meanwhile I sensed three areas needed strengthening: our ministry to stu- in committees and programs oriented to mak- Mary Best, WC’56 dents, our relationship with the town, and our ing things better. Without the former, the lat- Lydia Califf, P’06 use of our accumulated so- ter can be hollow. Yet trying Vincent Carey, P’82 cialW capital. By social capital Music, preaching and architecture to be both finally exhausted James Clapp, MD, T’54 I mean all the friendships, me. So I began investigating Janet Clapp, T’54 goodwill, high reputation, were our three crown jewels. splitting the role of DUCR Andrew Crewson, T’09 good experiences, respect, Meanwhile I sensed three areas away from a second role, Gina Harrison admiration and attention more based around the Amanda Lee, T’09 people associate with the needed strengthening: our ministry incarnational model – not Katie Owen, T’06 Chapel, which may not to students, our relationship with concerned so much to make Patricia Philipps translate into money but things better as to be alert to make the Chapel an influen- the town, and our use of our what God is up to. Getting Emeritus member tial center of a host of social, accumulated social capital. this role right would lend wis- William E. King, PhD, T’61, G’63, G’70 academic, theological, dom and credibility to any initiatives the Chapel might go on to make, Inside ecclesial, musical and student networks. It’s a nice term for power. because they would be grounded in the reali- Investing... to Make a Difference 2 ties of life among those for whom every day is I spoke with President Brodhead last Decem- Organ Recital Series Begins 2 a struggle for survival. Hence the appointment ber and explained that my biggest concern was My Life in the West End 3 of Abby Kocher as Community Minister in that the Chapel had built up a huge reputa- July, to live in and be a part of the greater West Lessons from Honduras 4 tion but had no staff responsible for convert- End and surrounding neighborhoods. A Summer of Service 6 ing that goodwill into social good. I asked him The Future of PathWays 7 if we could have a new director who could be As I said in my sermon on September 17, Jesus Devils Doing God’s Work 8 devoted to translating our high profile into spent 30 years in Nazareth living with people The Life and Times of the Æolian Organ 10 initiatives that would benefit those closest to as they were before he ever set off to make The DUCR’s Report 12 God’s heart. He said yes. In July Gaston things better. Duke Chapel has a responsibil- ity to help make things better; but that must Is It Possible to Do Any Good? 12 Warner was appointed as our first Director of University and Community Relations be grounded in a deep understanding of how Advent and Christmas in Duke Chapel 13 (DUCR). things are, particularly for some of the more The Theological Challenge of 9/11 14 socially disadvantaged people of our city. That I then began to sense that the interest gener- Sunday Night Worship Begins 15 is what this initiative represents. ated by the PathWays house and the general FRIENDS OF DUKE CHAPEL THIRD QUARTER 2006 2 INVESTING... to make a difference Interested in an investment strategy that can the North Carolina Council of Churches, both give a healthy return and help those will focus on the benefits of investing in “The one who had much did in need? Faith and Money, a conference local CDFIs, whose main purpose is to help sponsored by Duke Chapel and other local those in poverty find a way out. not have too much, and the organizations, will discuss opportunities to “You can have a hand in alleviating pov- make money on investments while contrib- erty: and it will cost you next to nothing. one who had little did not uting to the social good. The conference will Ain’t that good news?” said Wells. be held October 14, Guest speaker Myers 2006 at Immaculate have too little.” often teaches and Conception Church You can have a hand speaks in widely ecu- Iin Durham, from - Ex 16:18 & 2 Cor 8:15 menical settings 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 in alleviating poverty: about the biblical p.m., and will feature and it will cost you theme of Sabbath guest speaker Ched economics. He has a “I see Duke Chapel’s role as bringing to- Myers, theologian, next to nothing. Ain’t particular talent for gether people who could use a bit of help scholar and founder of that good news? helping people to see from a friend with people who want to make Bartimaeus Coopera- clearly the Christian friends but don’t know where to start,” said tive Ministries. call to engage dis- Wells. “Rather than wealth differentials be- “Don’t give all your money away to charity, cipleship with economic resources. ing a barrier to relationship, I am always and don’t assume the interest is all you can looking for ways in which money can be a “Ched Myers offers teaching in the most do something with,” said Sam Wells, Dean means towards a more important relation- overlooked area in modern discipleship, how of Duke Chapel. “Consider investing the ship - the one that really changes things - we employ our money to serve God,” said capital in a Community Development Fi- which is friendship.” conference organizer Gaston Warner, Uni- nance Initiative (CDFI).” versity and Community Relations director To register for the conference, please visit The conference, co-sponsored by Duke for Duke Chapel. www.chapel.duke.edu to download a regis- Chapel, Bartimaeus Cooperative Ministries, tration form, or contact Gaston Warner at This conference is the first of several Sam Good Work, Immaculate Conception Ro- [email protected] or at (919) 414-4167. Wells, dean of Duke Chapel, hopes to put man Catholic Church, Sabbath Economics A registration fee of $15 is required, and forth over the next few years in coopera- Collaborative, Self-Help Credit Union, and lunch is included. tion with local churches and non-profits. Organ Recital Series Begins October 22 at 5:00 pm The first recital will feature organist Stephen Tharp, who has been hailed by reviewers as “the perfect virtuoso” and “the consummate creative artist.” Among the most active of international concert organists, with 28 intercontinental tours and more than 800 North American recitals to his credit during the last two decades, he has also released a dozen CDs. A champion of contemporary music as well, he will perform as part of this recital both a U.S. and a world premiere of two new works commissioned by and dedicated to him. Stephen Tharp will retire from concertizing after this year, and we are pleased to present him during his final season. Admission is free. FRIENDS OF DUKE CHAPEL THIRD QUARTER 2006 3 My Life in by Abby Kocher, T‘00, M. Div ‘06, The West End Duke Chapel Community Minister As an undergraduate at Duke, I remem- ber spending several Saturdays in the West End volunteering to work on Habitat houses. It never crossed my mind that I would return to this neighborhood to live and work as a pastor and be given the op- portunity to become friends with people who have lived their entire lives in this area of Durham. As Duke Chapel’s first CommunityA Minister, my days have been filled with getting to know the folks who make their home in Durham’s greater West End neighborhoods. Only a couple of blocks lie between the PathWays House on West Chapel Hill Street and the home where Craig and I now live. Not only are we are neighbors to the PathWays Fellows, but we are also neighbors to Duke house- keepers and foodservice workers, to fami- lies who proudly own their first home gift is the invitation to live as neighbors. yes. I knew you were coming. I didn’t through Habitat for Humanity, to folks In many ways, everything that lies ahead know who was coming, but I knew God who speak English and Spanish (but is our act of receiving that gift. would send someone.” I asked, “What hardly ever both!), to aging grandparents do you mean?” “Well,” he replied, “A few who cherish their neighborhood’s legacy, The Community Minister’s role is to live months ago we were in the middle of a and to many folks who struggle to make and work in the West End and surround- worship service and heard gunshots again ends meet.