NEWSLETTER OF THE DREW UNIVERSITY THEOLOGICAL SCHOOL VOL. 8, NO. 2, FALL 2010 Maxine Beach’s Legacy of Leadership Celebrated ereTne Photography Tenney George TheoBy Anne B. Yardley, SpiritRobert Weisbuch, president of Drew Interim Dean University; Catherine Keller, professor of constructive theology; Jeffrey he 2009–2010 academic year was Markay, former Alumni/ae Association one long “farewell tour” for president; Michael Christensen, national TMaxine Beach, dean of the director of Communities of Shalom; Theological School from 2000 to 2010. Stephen Moore, professor of New Beginning with reminiscences at the Testament; Mary Ann Moman, associate faculty retreat in September 2009 and general secretary of the General Board continuing through Tipple-Vosburgh of Higher Education and Ministry; and many other occasions, the celebra- Morris Davis, associate professor of the tion culminated in the Legacy of history of Christianity and Wesleyan/ Leadership celebration on Thursday, Methodist studies; Sharon Jacob, Ph.D. April 15. Over 300 people gathered to student; Kyung Sik Park, M.A. student worship in Craig Chapel, share a cele- and M.Div. alum; Daniel Aleshire, exec- bratory lunch, listen to tributes and utive director of the Association of then enjoy dessert and a bluegrass band. Theological Schools; Sudarshana The tributes ranged from the seri- Devadhar, bishop of the Greater New ous to the comical (see the limerick on Jersey Conference of the UMC; and page 4) to the poetic. Speakers included (continued on page 4)

Jeffrey Kuan Named New Dean From Drew Communications schools. He will be the first Asian Inside American to serve in this capacity. Open Doors @ Drew 2 rew University President Robert “There is a perfect match between From the Interim Dean 3 Weisbuch announced the selec- my values and the institution’s values— TTC10—Divine Multiplicities 3 tion of Kah-Jin Jeffrey Kuan as Publications Drew of Courtesy Maxine Beach Celebration 4–5 D the new dean of Drew’s Theological Legacy Video Available Online 6 Seminary Hall Renovation 7 School. Senior Class Gift 8 “Jeffrey brings with him a wealth Senior Sermons and Reflections 9 of experience and high ambition for Spring Event Photos 10 Drew,” said Weisbuch. “His commit- Spring 2010 Lectures 11 ment to theological education that Continuing Education Events 12 addresses the challenges of the wider Shalom Interns Commissioned 14 world will broaden our students’ expe- Prophetic Leaders 15 rience and better prepare them for A Letter from Uncle Ebenezer 16 leadership.” Barbed-Wire Fence in Mark 18 Kuan, an active member of the African and Indian Christianities 20 United Methodist Church (UMC), has Black Ministerial Caucus 21 Scholar/Teacher of the Year 22 served on the board of directors of the Clergy Self-Care 22 General Board of Higher Education and DREWnet Connects Alumni/ae 23 Ministry since 2004, and looks forward Thanks to Alumni/ae 23 to being able to serve the church as ATLAS Database Access 24 dean of one of its leading theological (continued on page 2) 2 TheoSpirit FALL 2010 JEFFREY KUAN NAMED DEAN (continued from page 1) a deep commitment to the church, to diversity and justice and ordained elder and full member of the California-Nevada to academic excellence,” said Kuan. “Drew is now poised to Annual Conference of the UMC. Since 2008, he has served as be a pioneer in reimagining and transforming theological edu- the vice president of the board of directors of the UMC’s cation, and in the preparation of religious leaders and scholars General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. for ethnically diverse and global societies.” Kuan is co-editor of Ways of Being, Ways of Reading: Asian- Kuan comes to Drew from the Pacific School of Religion American Biblical Interpretation and the author of numerous (PSR) and the Graduate Theological Union (GTU)—both in articles, the most recent of which include “Biblical Berkeley, California—where he serves on the faculty of both Interpretation and the Rhetoric of War and Violence” and institutions. At PSR, he has been a professor of Old Testament “Reading Race, Reading Rahab: A ‘Broad’ Asian-American since 1991. He has also served since 1997 as the director of Reading of a ‘Broad’ Other.” the school’s Certificate of Ministry Studies program. In the fall In addition to winning several grants and fellowships, of 2007, he was named PSR’s acting vice president for aca- Kuan has received numerous awards and honors throughout demic affairs and dean. Since 1994, he has been a member of his career. In 2004, the Reconciling Ministries of the the core doctoral faculty at the GTU. In 2009, he was named a California-Nevada Annual Conference named him the winner convener of GTU’s Biblical studies area. He has also served as of the Turtle Award for “sticking his neck out” for the LGBTQ the chair of the managing board of the school’s Asia project community. He was listed in Who’s Who in Biblical Studies and and as the director of its Asia Pacific Bridges project. Archaeology in 1993 and in Who’s Who Among Asian Americans From 2003 through 2009, Kuan served as an associate in 1994. He holds a Ph.D. in Old Testament from Emory editor of The New Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible. He was also University, a master of theological studies degree from an editorial board member of the Journal of Biblical Literature Southern Methodist University and a bachelor of theology de- from 2000 to 2005. gree from Trinity Theological College in Singapore. Kuan began his career serving a church as an associate Kuan is expected to begin in this position in January pastor from 1980 to 1983 in Malaysia. In 2002, he became an 2011.

“Open Doors @ Drew” Shares with Community

by Derek Elkins, Ahn Sungchun Assistant Director of Theological Admissions

The Theological School welcomed 25 guests to campus on March 25 for our second-annual open house, Open Doors @ Drew. Visitors engaged in classroom discussions, wor- shipped with the seminary choir and heard an inspiring sermon from Admissions Director Kevin Miller. At lunch, stu- dents and faculty joined Open Doors @ Drew participants to share first-hand experiences of the Drew community and to offer insights into the kinds of ministries people undertake during and after seminary. Guests heard from Dean Maxine KEVIN MILLER, director of theological admissions, greets prospective Beach about the unique history of the Theological School, and students at the Open Doors @ Drew event. Interim Dean Anne Yardley advised visitors regarding the event and would not be possible without full participation by three master-level programs offered at Drew: master of divin- everyone in the Theological School. Students volunteered to ity, master of arts and master of arts in ministry. The day after call prospective students and invite them to participate, fac- the event, phone calls and emails streamed in about the ulty welcomed guests into the classroom, the seminary choir warmth and welcome extended during the day, and applica- lifted our spirits in worship, alumni/ae told parishioners about tions have followed. their seminary experience at Drew and all these efforts culmi- Open Doors @ Drew is truly a community supported nate in the very best presentation of the Theological School community. With God’s help, Open Editorial Staff: Doors @ Drew will be held in the spring Maria Lise Iannuzzi of 2011, and we will look for students, TheoSpirit Christopher Haynes faculty, staff and alums to help Theological admissions deliver the word Anne B. Yardley, Interim Dean Please send comments to: Drew Theological School [email protected] about the open house to everyone who Madison, NJ 07940 Past issues can be viewed at: would benefit from a visit to Drew. Isn’t 973.408.3582 • [email protected] drew.edu/theo/spirit that everybody? 3 oreyo rwPublications Drew of Courtesy

FromMy Latin Interim dictionary defines Dean interim Anne as “meanwhile, Yardleyof the two agencies. This means that in the meantime, for the time being.” It is my pleasure to each agency will send in a visiting serve in this period of transition at Drew Theological team at the same time—in this case School for the time being or “for such a time as this.” It is a March 20–23, 2011. For the past fantastic place to be! We have spent much of the last year year university committees and looking retrospectively at the work of the past decade. Theo School committees have been Now we can begin to focus our attention on the next working on a self-study to see how decade! Maxine Beach has vacated her office; Kah-Jin well we meet the standards of ac- Jeffrey Kuan will come to occupy it in January 2011. In creditation. These studies have been the meantime, we will welcome an exciting class of new a wonderful opportunity to take stock of where we are and students in all of our degree programs, teach classes, super- how well we are fulfilling our mission as a school. Since vise dissertations, mentor students, listen to visiting this coincided with Maxine Beach’s last year as dean, it lecturers and continue our regular worship in chapel. In also allowed us an opportunity to reflect on her time with fact, we don’t plan to miss a beat for, as always, the only us. We will be inviting the alumni/ae board to read a draft time in which we can act is the present moment. of the self-study and to spend its September meeting dis- The 2010–2011 academic year will see the culmina- cussing the findings of the study. tion of two major processes that have been underway over Concurrently, President Weisbuch formed a presiden- the last year: the university and Theological School’s self- tial task force made up of faculty and staff that has met studies for accreditation and the university strategic over the past 18 months to consider the overall goals of planning process. I’d like to offer a few words about the the university. Some members of that task force have now Theo School’s part in both of those. joined with the cabinet in a strategic planning process. A Every 10 years, the school seeks accreditation from draft of the strategic plan will go to the board of trustees two agencies—the Middles States Commission on Higher retreat in late October. Jeffrey Kuan and I will both repre- Education (our regional accrediting agency) and the sent the Theo School at that retreat. Commission on Accrediting of the Association of In the academic world, fall brings new students, new Theological Schools. MSCHE accredits the university in- beginnings and great hope. Please come join us on campus cluding the Theo School, and ATS accredits the Theo for the Tipple-Vosburgh lectures or other events if you can. School only. We have elected to have a “concurrent” visit We would love to see you.

TTC10—Divine Multiplicities: Trinities & Diversities by Chris Boesel, Associate Professor of Christian Theology diversity is taken up again with the title, “Divine Multipli- cities: Trinities and Diversities.” This coming fall will mark the 10th year of Drew The following are some of the questions participants will Theological School’s annual Transdisciplinary Theological be exploring together through the colloquium’s distinctively Colloquium, which meets October 1–2 with a graduate stu- intensive conversational mode. Can pluralist and trinitarian dent session on October 3. As the name suggests, each fall a discourses be put into fruitful conversation with one another? small cohort of scholars from vari- Fidel, Bela Can divine multiplicity become a ous disciplinary locations are invited new site for the discourses of inter- to engage a specific theological permission. by Used V . Triangle In&nite religious dialogue and religious theme of current interest. The collo- pluralism? Is there an ethical com- quium brings together thinkers who mon ground for theological share a commitment to interrogat- resistance to oppressive socio- ing the ethical, material impulses political hierarchies that can bear and effects of theological discourse, the weight of real religious and an appreciation for the always sur- theological difference—even of di- prising complexity of theological vine difference? and religious traditions, as well as Invited presenters include an interest in contemporary theo- Kathryn Tanner, Peter Ochs, Mark retical approaches to scholarship, Heim, Karen Baker-Fletcher, among such as postmodern, postcolonial and liberationist methodolo- others, together with Drew’s Wesley Ariarajah and myself, gies. For the colloquium this fall, an enduring TTC interest in Chris Boesel. Updated information is available at the radical relationality of divinity to, with and in creaturely http://depts.drew.edu/tsfac/colloquium/2010. 4 TheoSpirit FALL 2010 BEACH’S LEGACY CELEBRATED Beach Legacy of Leadership Fund (continued from page 1) or more than 20 years, Maxine Beach has been professionally engaged in ex- myself, Anne Yardley. Fploring issues of religious leadership. During her tenure at Drew, she has Traci West, professor of ethics and focused extensively on ensuring that Drew Theological School students acquire the African-American studies, preached at wide-ranging pastoral skills needed to minister to the ever-changing congregations the farewell chapel service. Tanya and communities of the 21st century. We can say—with confidence and without Bennett, director of the chapel, presided exaggeration—that Dean Beach’s greatest legacy will be the hundreds of students at communion and Mark Miller and the who have left the Forest and are now sharing their knowledge, faith and love with Seminary Choir provided music. the world. Even the festivities on April 15 did The money we seek to raise in Dean Beach’s honor will make certain that fu- not end the farewell tour, however. The ture deans of the Theological School can continue her good work in developing trustees honored her at her last trustee well-educated, well-rounded prophetic ministers for our churches and communi- meeting. The faculty toasted and ties. These funds will enable future deans to shape the curriculum and the roasted her at the end of the year party. educational experiences of Drew Theological School students, offering them the At the Senior Dinner, the graduating best opportunity to become tomorrow’s religious and spiritual leaders. seniors presented Dean Beach with Make a gift online (drew.edu/giving), by mail (Drew University, 36 Madison stained glass windows for the atrium in Ave., Madison, NJ 07940) or by phone (973.408.3695). If you have any questions, her honor (see page 8) and the staff cele- contact Melissa Fuest, major gifts and church relations officer, at 973.408.3695 or brated her time here at a party on July 1. [email protected].

The Girl Who Dreamed of Being a Dean A poem by Stephen D. Moore, Professor of New Testament There was a young girl from Nebraska. The search committee exclaimed, Sarah Palin? No, she’s from Alaska. “Wow! But how?” Our heroine was named Maxine, And you replied, “Now, now; And so precocious is she said to have been It’s a theological mystery.” That already at the age of thirteen And the rest, as they say, is history. She had a rather singular dream: She thought, “When I grow up I should like We searched for a dean to be a dean.” And found a queen— A more unusual teen had never been seen. Queen Maxine. Your reign has been the best that Drew has Cut to 1999, ever seen; Rather an anxious time. A better-loved Queen there never has been. Our outgoing dean was Sweet, We’re so glad that you grew up But we thought it would be neat to be the dean To have a dean from Nebraska That you dreamed of being when Instead of a dean from the state you were still a teen. below Alaska— And so we asked ya! Sarah Palin is convinced she could do better. And at your interview It’s rumored she will campaign to be You declared it was true your successor. That you had been born to lead Drew But why should we want a Dean To pastures new from Alaska? And usher in a golden age You’ve shown us that the best deans come In which excellence would be all the rage. from Nebraska. 5 Legacy of Leadership Celebration ughnAhn Sungchun

TRIBUTES AND REFLECTIONS. Faculty members and friends offering their thanks to Dean Beach include (top to bottom, left to right): Drew President Robert Weisbuch, Professor Catherine Keller, the Rev. Jeffrey Markay, Dr. Michael Christensen, Professor Stephen Moore, the Rev. Mary Ann Moman, Professor Morris Davis, Sharon Jacob, Dean Anne Yardley, Kyung Sik Park, Dr. Daniel Aleshire and Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar.

THE THEO SCHOOL CHOIR offers their musical gifts during the chapel DEAN BEACH worships in chapel with her son, Chris (left), and service in Dean Beach’s honor. husband David (center). 6 FALL 2010

TheoSpirit Ahn Sungchun

THE “LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP” CELEBRATION allowed Dean Beach to GOVERNOR THOMAS KEAN, former Drew University president, offers receive love and thanks from students, alumni/ae and friends. Dean Beach his congratulations on her retirement.

Legacy of Leadership Video Available Online

If you would like to experience the April 15 Legacy of Leadership celebration again, video recordings of the event (including both the worship service of word and table and offering of tributes) are available to view online at http://drew.edu/theo/ maxinelegacy. ughnAhn Sungchun

DEAN BEACH gets the Mnal word at the Legacy of Leadership celebration in her honor. 7 Sungchun Ahn . Courtesy of The Acorn

Seminary Hall Expansion and Renovation ver the course of her tenure at Drew, Maxine Beach has overseen sigificant im- Oprovements to Seminary Hall. In 2005, an addition was completed that added an atrium, several seminar rooms and an elevator. The first and second floors of the origi- nal building were modernized and refurbished during the summer of 2007. During the summer of 2009, the basement was thoroughly renovated to provide more office space for faculty and new work areas for staff. A study area was given a complete facelift with new furniture and TV monitors. The Cyber Café was moved to a new lo- cation and continues to provide a selection of hot beverages at the decorative bar that defined the look of the older space. The summers of 2010 and 2011 will see the com- pletion of the new heating and air conditioning system in the entire building. If you haven’t yet seen all these changes, be sure to take a look the next time you’re in Seminary Hall. Sungchun Ahn 8 FALL 2010 TheoSpiritSenior Class Commissions Stained Glass Gift by Brian Schlemmer T’10 be found in the waters of the middle parallels the Theological School logo frame. The three-panel window uses and the trees that surround our school. As its senior class gift, the Theological School water as a through line, flowing from Finally, the piece represents two Class of 2010 commissioned a set of stained the far right panel, through the middle aspects of our Drew community that go glass windows to adorn the atrium of and into the third. It is trinitarian in na- beyond any particular image in the Seminary Hall. These windows were given ture, depicting the water coming down glass: our commitment to art as a viable in honor of Maxine Beach’s tenure as dean off the mountain top, just as God’s wis- medium for reflecting on God, and our of the school. Brian Schlemmer here de- dom is depicted in the Hebrew Bible as commitment to justice and fair wages. scribes the symbolism in the windows and coming down off the mountain top to When we first commissioned the proj- the process of developing them. the people below. It flows into the sec- ect, many people were intimidated by the price tag of $12,000. George TenneyGeorge Photography rom the beginning of It was more than double Fthe process, it was what any other senior important to the senior class had ever raised, and gift committee to pick a no one was sure whether project that everyone in we should take on such a the class could feel good commitment. Our only about. We took a vote, alternatives were to go and the senior class with someone who could voted overwhelmingly work with glass but who for a gift that would may not be an artist, or honor Dean Beach’s time to ask the artist to accept with us at Drew, and her less money for the proj- ministry overall. We ect. While Susan knew that one of Dean expressed some willing- Beach's dreams for the ness to move on her atrium that she helped price, we decided that we create was a stained glass did not want to compro- window that would mise on artistic integrity speak to who we are as a or to pay substandard theological school. With wages. The cost was fair the help of one of our for the work, and the wise women in resi- work was important dence, Heather Murray enough to be done with Elkins, and our artist, integrity. And the senior Susan Gepford (daughter class stepped up in a big of Dan Gepford T’07), way. Through the diligent we were able to come up work of the committee with a design that both and the generous giving spoke to our community of the senior class, we set at Drew and the work a record for giving, rais- that Dean Beach has ing over $10,000 toward dedicated her life to. the cost of the project. Amos 5:24, “Let jus- The Theological Student tice roll down like water; Association gave the re- righteousness like an mainder of the money in ever flowing stream,” order to honor Dean served as the inspiration Beach, and the piece is both for Dean Beach’s life in ministry ond panel, which, along with the dove already up and hanging in the and for our stained glass installation. To illuminated above it, recreates the bap- Theological School atrium for all to see. the careful observer, the word “justice” tismal scene of Jesus. In the third panel, We hope you enjoy it, feel honored by can be found in the water flowing the water flows to the roots of the tree it and remember the important work of down from the mountain in the first of life, nurturing it as the Spirit nur- Dean Maxine Clarke Beach every time piece, and the word “righteousness” can tures our lives. The tree of life also you look at it. 9

Senior Sermons and Reflections All photos: Sungchun Ahn It is the tradition of the Theological School to invite graduating seniors to deliver “Senior Sermons” in Craig Chapel during their final semester. A few of the members of the Class of 2010 are pictured below, along with three alumnae’s reflections about their future plans.

Donna Powell T’10 pon graduation from Drew, I will be ordained in the Baptist tradition and Userve in a part-time capacity as the assistant pastor at the Bethesda Baptist Church of New Rochelle, New York, for one year. During this year I will also be preparing applications for doctoral studies in the area of liturgy and homiletics, working on a book project that has been bubbling in my spirit and prayerfully having opportunities for rest and play (which I consider to be holy work).

Heidi Tierney T’10 DONNA POWELL am so excited to be graduat- Iing this year with my master of divinity degree. I have been studying for five years, and the entire experi- ence has meant life and ministry changes and challenges. Graduating is a bittersweet experience. The tears of rejoicing in accomplishments made and wonderful memories fill my eyes quite frequently these days. We have shared so much of ourselves with each other through laughter, tears, hugs and lively discussions. When I think back over the years, the support and accountability of this seminary community are like no other I have ever HEIDI TIERNEY experienced (granted, I have only been to one seminary), and I will miss you all so deeply. My plans upon graduation are to relax, read for fun, spoil some people in my life that may be feeling the pinch of neglect, catch up on some much needed gardening (weeding, mostly) and home repairs and look for a place to serve in ministry. I am currently looking for a church staff position in the area of spiritual formation (hint, hint), as well as considering the possibilities of prison chaplaincy or hospital chaplaincy. There are not enough words in our limited humanity to express my grateful heart. It does not seem to be enough to say thank you to everyone for their generous support as I have navigated through life and academia these past five years, but it is all I have at this time. I am blessed, and all of you are a part of that blessing; thank you! May God’s blessings return to you a thousand fold. Peace always and hugs till we meet again!

Jessica Brendler T’10 cannot believe that three years have flown by so quickly! The festivities of Igraduation have all been a bit bittersweet. While I am very ready to be tak- ing a break from classroom learning and the rigors of balancing a seminary JESSICA BRENDLER education with church work, I will desperately miss the community at Drew. After being commissioned in June as a provisional minister in the United Methodist Church, I will be appointed as a full-time associate pastor at Haddonfield UMC starting July 1. In this position, I will be putting my semi- nary education to use and continuing to build on it, as I oversee the programming and small group ministries of the church. I am looking forward to having the full measure of my time and energy available to devote to my parish ministry. If all goes smoothly, I hope to be ordained as an elder in full connection within the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference in two years. Enjoy the jour- ney!

SARAH POMERANTZ BETTE SOHM 10 FALL 2010

TheoSpirit Photos of GradImages courtesy

THEO SCHOOL GRADUATES FOR 2010 included both masters (above) and D.Min. (below) students. Sungchun Ahn

THE KOREAN CAUCUS sings a blessing to Dean Beach at their Mnal THE KOREAN CAUCUS poses with Dean Beach and friends. service of the academic year.

GUEST CHAPEL PREACHERS AND LUNCHTIME LECTURERS DURING THE SPRING 2010 SEMESTER INCLUDED: the Rev. Pat Barrett, the Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Lewis, the Rev. Dr. Eliseo Pérez-Álvarez, and Bishop Forrest C. Stith. 11 Spring 2010 Lectures Provide New Insights By Nancy Vander Veen, steeple and the shelter is central to responding compassion- Coordinator of Continuing Education ately and with best practices to domestic violence in families of deep religious faith. Each year the Drew Theological School invites major • The Hispanic Lecture in Religion and Theology: “Towards the scholars to campus to participate in its various lecture series, Decolonial: Dehumanization, U.S. Latina Feminist and Queer in areas such as spirituality, peacemaking, sociology of religion Thought, and the Nonviolent Politics of Love” on April 7. Dr. Laura and issues in society, theology and religious communities. The E. Perez, associate professor in the Department of Ethnic Theological School hosted the following outstanding lectures Studies at University of California, Berkeley, advanced the in spring 2010 that stretched our thinking, called us to action central and durable contribution of U.S. women of color’s and provided new insights into the complex realities of our thought: the linkage of decoloniality as body-mind-spirit heal-

interconnected Sungchun Ahn ing, with world: nonviolence, • The Edward and a social Leroy Long Jr. politics of Lecture in love. Since Peacemaking: the late 60s “The Origins and 70s, U.S. and Nature of women of the Peacemaking color have Idea” on March linked 18. Dr. Edward patriarchal Leroy Long Jr., racialization professor and hetero- emeritus of normativity Christian DR. EDWARD LEROY LONG JR. (right), with Dr. Jeff DR. NANCY NASON-CLARK delivers the to coloniza- ethics and the- Rarich G’86 G’91 (left). 2010 Frederick A. Shippey Lecture. tion as ology of inseparable culture, forces of op- Presbyterian pression. The minister of critique by word and Chicana and sacrament and African- past president American of both the feminists of American the inade- Theological quacy of Society and single-issue Society of analyses, Christian whether Ethics, spoke DR. LAURA E. PEREZ gives the Hispanic lecture in BISHOP JOHN SHELBY SPONG speaks "race," gen- on the history, religion and theology. about “Eternal Life: A New Vision.” der, class or emergence and ongoing development of the peacemaking sexuality, instead posits the simultaneous nature of oppression idea. This movement has taken place in both ecclesiastical and that colonization of the Americas has deeded us. academic institutions and may offer the promise of transcend- • Bishop John Shelby Spong: “Eternal Life: A New Vision: Beyond ing the debate between pacifist and non-pacifist positions. Religion, Beyond Theism, Beyond Heaven and Hell” on April 19. In This lecture inaugurated a continuing endowed series to look his most recent book and his lecture, Eternal Life: A New Vision, at the idea of peacemaking. John Shelby Spong, the longtime champion of progressive • The Frederick A. Shippey Lecture in the Sociology of Religion: Christianity and pioneer for human rights, once again chal- “Domestic Violence and Communities of Faith: Linking Research and lenged traditional Christian theology. This time, he offered a Social Action” on March 24. In this lecture, Dr. Nancy Nason- deeply personal consideration of the question to which reli- Clark, professor of sociology and chair of the Department of gion devotes so much energy: whether death might be a Sociology at the University of New Brunswick in eastern doorway into something more. This liberal theologian who Canada, focused on ways to understand the intersections be- disputes the existence of places like heaven and hell, among tween congregations and their communities in developing other traditional beliefs, answered a resounding “Yes!” to the trust between those who have been impacted by abuse and question of whether there is life beyond death. Spong invited those assisting them on the journey to healing, justice, ac- us into the journey that has brought him to a new vision of countability and wholeness. Building bridges between the eternity. 12 TheoSpirit FALL 2010

LifelonContinuingg Learning En rEducation:iches and Transforms

By Nancy Vander Veen, September 24 Coordinator of Continuing Education “Conflict Resolution within the Church Community” he Theological School’s Center for Varlyna Wright, Leadership Development TContinuing Education invites semi- Coordinator, Greater New Jersey Annual narians, clergy, laity and all spiritual Conference of the UMC seekers to renew their minds and ex- pand their knowledge through October 29 participation in the center’s fall pro- “Developing a Personal Relationship grams. In the ongoing quest for with God” personal growth and transformation The Rev. Dr. Charles McNeil, Retired within a constantly changing world, UMC Clergy, Psychotherapist, Licensed continuing education not only responds Marriage and Family Therapist to change but also helps prepare for it. The center offers many opportunities November 19 for lifelong learning, growth and re- “The Financing of Ministry: Cultivating newal through the following events. a Growing Church” The Rev. Dr. Rich Hendrickson, Stewardship Development Coordinator, SEMINARY Problem, Living Faith, and a Society Greater New Jersey Annual Conference of SATURDAYS of Equals” the UMC Dr. Chris Boesel, Associate Professor of The Seminary Saturdays program Christian Theology at Drew offers churches and individuals Spirituality: “Spirituality of Space” SPEAKERS’ BUREAU the opportunity to gain perspectives be- Dr. Heather Murray Elkins, Professor of yond the local church. Each Saturday Worship, Preaching and the Arts The Center for Continuing morning session will offer one work- Education is pleased to introduce its shop on a spiritual topic and one on a December 4 new Speakers’ Bureau, which is com- theological topic, and will begin with a Theological: “The Pentecostal Tsunami: prised of many outstanding faculty continental breakfast from 8:30 to 9 Directions & Challenges of the Global members providing lectures and guest a.m. and concludes with soup and sand- Growth of Pentecostalism” presentations to churches, organizations wiches from noon to 1 p.m. Dr. Otto Maduro, Professor of and businesses. World Christianity Topics include: Living the Questions October 2 Spirituality: “Spirituality of Chant” of the Spiritual Life; Christian Response to Theological: “Finding the Lost Symbol: Anne Yardley, Interim Dean and Associate Religious Plurality; Ethics and Worship, The Hidden History of the Professor of Music Spirituality, Preaching and Ministry; Enlightenment” Biblical Archaeology; History of Missions; Dr. Robert Corin Morris, Founder and The Mary Magdalene Traditions; Pastoral Executive Director, Interweave Center for CLASSES WITHOUT Care and Counseling; U.S. Religious Wholistic Living, Summit, NJ QUIZZES Landscape; Ways of Knowing Ourselves Spirituality: “Spiritual Formation: and Our World: Beyond the “Obvious”; Following the Movements of the Spirit” Classes without Quizzes offers sem- Bible Study/Prayers with an Immigrant Dr. Michael Christensen, National inarians and new church leaders the Church; and Wholistic Practices for Director, Shalom Initiative and Dr. Rebecca opportunity to explore vital topics that Spirituality. Laird, Director of Spiritual Formation are not often addressed in seminary A complete list of available speak- curricula. Workshops will take place on ers and their presentation topics are November 6 Friday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to available at drew.edu/theo/cue/ Theological: “The Trinity: the Math noon; refreshments will be provided. speakersbureau. 13 COMMUNITY Comfe 716 support inclusive and sustainable life for FELLOWS Christianity and Ecology all God’s people, creating opportunities Laurel Kearns for our spiritually diverse community of Drew Theological School welcomes Tuesdays 1:15–3:45 p.m. faith to explore age-old questions of men and women of all ages and inter- meaning in creative, open and holistic ests to study religion, theology, ethics Comfe 633 ways. In addition to providing a forum and related disciplines as part of its Spirituality of Joy for our alumni/ae and other religious Community Fellows program. This non- Angella Son leaders to explore the nature of “soul- credit educational venture brings people Wednesdays 4–6:30 p.m. work,” the lectures series will also from every walk of life into Drew class- inaugurate our certification program in rooms to learn, explore, study and Comfe 596 spiritual formation, an initiative dedi- ponder great questions from a religious Reel to Real: Portrayals of cated to addressing society’s need for and theological perspective. Community Women in Film leaders who are well-educated, who are Fellows participate in classes with theo- N. Lynne Westfield spiritually astute and who understand logical students preparing for ministry Wednesdays 4–8 p.m. the need for spiritual practices that can and enrich classrooms with their per- support individual, social and congrega- spectives and experiences. The Comfe 141 tional vitality. Please join us as we Community Fellows program is open to Beginning Hebrew gather for a time of revitalization and all, from people grounded in their faith Instructor: TBA renewal! and committed to a religious institution Mondays & Wednesdays: 4–5:15 p.m. to those who are beginning a spiritual Keynote Speakers exploration. A list of courses set aside To enroll in the program, new fel- for Community Fellows for fall 2010 is lows complete a brief, one-time Father Richard Rohr, Founding Director, posted on the Continuing Education application process through the Office of Center for Action and Contemplation website at drew.edu/theo/cue/ Theological Admissions. After complet- Leigh Schmidt, Charles Warren Professor of communityfellows. ing the admissions process, students fill the History of Religion in America, Harvard out a Community Fellows Registration Divinity School Fall 2010 Form available with a list of courses set Albert Raboteau, Henry W. Putnam Community Fellows Courses aside for fellows. Registration forms are Professor of Religion, Princeton University Comfe 177 available from the Office of the Aca- Lynne Westfield, Associate Professor Studies in Pauline Literature: demic Associate Dean in the Theological of Religious Education, Drew The Letters of Paul School. Theological School Althea Spencer-Miller Rebecca Laird, Director of Ministerial Tuesdays 4–6:30 p.m. Formation, Drew Theological School, serv- 2010 TIPPLE- ing as moderator for the following Drew Comfe 187 VOSBURGH LECTURES Theological School faculty panel: Jesus, Mary Magdalene and the Soul-Work: A Melanie Johnson-Debaufre, Associate Kin-dom of God Conversation on Professor of New Testament Melanie Johnson-DeBaufre Spiritual Practices S. Wesley Ariarajah, Professor of Wednesdays 7–9:30 p.m. October 19–21 Ecumenical Theology Catherine Peyroux, Associate Professor of Comfe 225 What is spiritual well-being? What the History of Christianity Approaching the Celtic does it mean, in a digital age, to nurture Ada Maria Isasi-Díaz, Professor of Ethics Christian Tradition the interior landscape of self and com- and Theology Catherine Peyroux munity? How do we foster a sense of Thursdays 4–6:30 p.m. connectedness with self, others, nature For more information, visit and God? What if the work of saving drew.edu/tipple. Comfe 339 our planet is ultimately soul-work, in- Doctrine of God and the Trinity volving a balance of mind, body, and Chris Boesel spirit? For more information about any of Thursdays 4–6:30 p.m. In continuity with Drew’s well- these programs at Drew Theological known theological vision linking School, contact Nancy Vander Veen, co- Comfe 348 personal and communal spiritual com- ordinator of continuing education at Jewish Spirituality mitments with transformative actions, [email protected] or at Yehezkel Landau the 2010 Tipple-Vosburgh lectures ex- 973.408.3084, or visit drew.edu/ Wednesdays 4–6:30 p.m. plore the kinds of “soul-work” that theo/cue. 14 TheoSpirit FALL 2010 New Shalom Interns Trained and Commissioned

of Shalom Zone training (four sessions) whom to process their daily ministry before the internship began, prepara- and to reflect theologically on their as- tory reading, site supervision, weekly signment and learning. By Michael J. Christensen, blogging, online discussion, a theologi- A key component of the intern- National Director of Communities of Shalom cal reflection paper, report-back sessions ships is a site visit by myself, the and presentations in the fall. For super- national director of Communities of Shalom Zones in the United States, vised ministry students, an additional Shalom, or Associate Director Annie Africa and Haiti are benefiting again theological case study and a theology of Allen, who spends one day with each this summer from Drew students who ministry paper are required. For stu- student intern at his or her site, joining were selected, trained, commissioned dents seeking to fulfill their each on a neighborhood walk, reflect- and assigned to summer internships, cross-cultural course requirement, addi- ing theologically and practically on the funded by the Jessie Ball duPont Fund. tional reading and mentoring by a assignment and meeting those with Through a selective application process, cross-cultural resource person in their whom they interact on a daily or 11 M.Div. students and one college stu- assignment area is required. weekly basis. This active learning exer- dent with a calling and capacity for In the course of their internships, cise and onsite consultation with each social justice ministry in the church and students complete their reading of as- intern have proven to be an integral community were selected for four- to signed texts, write three to four book and vital component of the program. 10-week summer internships for three reports and post weekly theological re- When the students return to cam- to six academic credits. flections for peer review and instructor pus in the fall, they have both formal Eligible sites for student assign- feedback. Student interns work 40 and informal venues by which to share ments include registered Shalom Zones hours per week in their assigned min- their experiences with the Drew com- involved in community development istry site and participate in onsite munity through a series of reflections and prophetic congregations doing so- supervision and reflection with a men- and learnings that include a Shalom cial justice. Student interns are trained tor, and online learning and reflection chapel service (September 15), faculty in community organizing and commu- with their peers and the instructor. They meetings and classroom sessions. nity development skills before being stay in touch with each other and their The 2010 Shalom team is the third commissioned as “ministers of Shalom” instructor daily through Drew’s social group to participate in the Drew’s sum- and sent to the field. After 50+ hours of networking site, www.ShalomNexus.org. mer internship program focused on the community development and commu- Students thus have someone with theology and practice of Shalom. nity organizing training, the students of CommunitiesCourtesy of Shalom are commissioned and sent off to their ministry assignments for the summer. These duPont-sponsored students re- ceived stipends of $3,000 to $7,500 (depending on length of internship) plus reimbursement for travel and, in some cases, housing when the host site could not afford the cost, in return for their full-time ministry commitment. In preparation for their assign- ments each year, M.Div. student interns enroll in two applied theology courses: “Theology and Practice of Shalom,” taught by the national trainers of the 2010 SHALOM INTERNS AND THEIR SUMMER ASSIGNMENTS: Renee Blanchard, Dallas, TX; Joshua Communities of Shalom initiative; and Clough, HAPI Community of Shalom, Mizak, Haiti; Barnaby Feder, Monclair, NJ; Gaius Charles, “Leadership for Community Organiz- Echo Park UMC, Los Angeles, CA; Summer Kemp, Peace Center University Church, Los Angeles, CA; Geralda Hill, Asbury Shalom Zone, Buffalo, NY; Shanee Yvette Murrain, Pharr Literacy Project, ing,” led by the national trainers from Pharr, TX; Katrina Walk, Malawi Mission, Mzuzu, Malawi; Dawrell Rich, City of Shalom, Macon, GA; the Industrial Areas Foundation. The Catherine Jordan, Shalom Ministries, Spokane, WA; Narshonna Townes, Rosebud Reservation, SD; and Geny Kimbrell, Gateway District UMC, Newark, NJ. Also pictured: Michael Christensen, “Theology and Practice of Shalom” National Director, Communities of Shalom; Annie Allen, Associate Director, Communities of course requirements included 20 hours Shalom; and Peggy Grow, Administrative Assistant, Communities of Shalom. 15 From the Ditch to the Nation’s Capital: Prophetic Leaders Share Experiences By Annie Allen T’09, connectional ministries of the North During her chapel sermon, “It’s a Family Associate Director, Communities of Shalom Texas Annual Conference and Shalom Affair,” she celebrated what it means to conference coordinator visited Drew be part of the large family of Christ. She The Rev. John Wesley Culp of Sungchun Ahn thanked the Drew community for Virginia Wingard Memorial UMC in welcoming her as a sister. “This feels Columbia, South Carolina, surprised like a family reunion,” she said. Dean Drew students and faculty by opening Beach praised Vonner for “exemplify- the Prophetic Leaders in Residence se- ing the grassroots folks who are ries standing in a trash can in Craig holding down the other side of min- Chapel. During his sermon, “The istry.” Vonner supervises seven Shalom Broken and Rejected,” Culp said that Zones in and around Dallas, Texas. She he “walks the ditch” picking up trash shared with students the hard work it along the highway. “We live in a takes to build and maintain God’s wasteful throw-away society,” he said. shalom in diverse communities in Since 1978, Culp has devoted himself Texas. to those in the ditch. As founder of “Developing a Theology of Salkehatchie Summer Service program, Radical Hospitality” was the theme he challenges young people to get their for Drs. Dennis and Christine Wiley, hands dirty by serving those in impov- co-pastors of Covenant Baptist erished neighborhoods in South Church in Washington, D.C. This Carolina. He challenged Drew students holy duo was the first couple to co- to address systems of oppression and pastor a predominantly African- stand in solidarity alongside those who American Church in the Washington suffer. Culp engaged students and fac- metropolitan area. They have also ulty in Seminary Hall by walking up to been in the forefront of the Marriage strangers, hand extended and saying in Equality Movement. The couple told his loud southern drawl, “I’m John students that once they had commit- Culp; who are you?” ted to lead an open and affirming This year, with the generous sup- church, they could not afford mar- port of the Jesse Ball duPont Fund, riage rights to some in their church Drew students and faculty shared three and deny others. During their two weeks with Prophetic Ministers from public lectures entitled “A New Texas, South Carolina and Washington, Paradigm for a New Day: A Black DC. The Prophetic Leaders in Church’s Struggle to Become the Residence program was conceived by Beloved Community” and “A Gospel Dean Maxine Beach in her efforts to of Radical Inclusion: How the expose students to grassroots leaders Message and Ministry of Jesus who maintain shalom in their commu- Challenge the 21st-Century Church,” nities. As part of Communities of the Wileys shared the realities of sup- Shalom and Dean Beach’s efforts to porting gay, lesbian, bisexual and “bring the world to Drew,” visits from transgender persons within the faith Prophetic Leaders have been a tremen- community. Preaching from Romans dous success. At the April 7 chapel 16:3–4, the Wileys characterized service, Dean Beach spoke of the his- prophetic ministry as “risky business.” tory and purpose of Communities of In addition to public lectures Shalom at Drew. “Communities of and chapel services, prophetic leaders Shalom only makes sense here if it im- visited pastoral formation classes, pacts the theological education of every providing every first-year student the PROPHETIC LEADERS (from top): the Rev. John student.” She told us, “we are achiev- Wesley Culp, Sally Vonner, Dr. Christine Wiley and Dr. opportunity to interact with them in ing that through the Shalom summer Dennis Wiley. small group settings. Communities of intern program and by bringing from April 7 to 10. Her three public lec- Shalom is committed to continuing the prophetic leaders to campus.” tures focused on what it means to be a vision of Dean Maxine Beach in “bring- Sally Vonner, associate director of prophetic voice in local communities. ing the world to Drew.” 16 TheoSpirit FALL 2010

A Letter frByo Professorm U Mark A. nMillercle Ebenezer hat a great day this is. It is a day to “Now, friends to all we say The illusion of an individual Wrejoice in the accomplishments of ‘good-bye,’ achieving by themselves coupled with a our community! Of course, this is our Till when, no tongue can tell; hierarchy of worthiness are twin ene- second honors chapel—two weeks ago, Professors, brethren, president, mies that attempt to obscure the truth of we honored our beloved dean from We bid a long farewell, Sungchun Ahn Nebraska. I remarked to some colleagues But if, as days and years glide by, on that occasion that I had never been We e’er shall meet with you, more proud to say that I am a part of We’ll clasp your hand, this Drew community. Dean Beach, you and drop a tear have made us proud to be who we are In mem’ry of old Drew.” here at Drew, and for this, I give pro- Alas, I did not find any particular found thanks. information on any student prize win- Today we celebrate the honorees, ners. So imagine my delight when one and indeed some who will be graduating evening, I was rummaging through an and in a very short while can declare: old chest in the seminary attic and came Free at last! Free at last! Thank God, across a yellowed envelope. I gingerly almighty, we are free at last! opened it and found a letter written by In preparation for today, I contacted the Rev. Ebenezer Poselswaithe to his the archives to see what information nephew attending Drew, sometime in they might have concerning some of the the late 19th century; his nephew was a earliest prize winners. They suggested I young man named Christian. go to eBay and look there. I do owe a After reading this letter I realized what God call us to be: servant leaders debt of gratitude to Chris Anderson who that in the awarding of today’s honors who live the reality of Ubuntu. Ubuntu, discovered financial aid in the form of and prizes we would be wise to refrain the word from the Bantu language of scholarships toward two students in the from worshipping at the altar of individ- southern Africa describes the intercon- ual accomplishment and academic nectedness of all humanity. Archbishop hierarchy, as if these were the basis for Desmond Tutu characterizes the essence today’s celebrations. Indeed, we need to of Ubuntu when he says, “It is not ‘I Sungchun Ahn honor the individual while at the same think, therefore I am’; Ubuntu says, time recognizing that no one achieves by rather, “I am human because I belong. I themselves. If it wasn’t for the colleagues participate, I share. I am, because you and friends and cousins and siblings and are.’” Another way to think of our inter- parents and grandparents, mentors and relatedness is … mountain climbing! teachers, secretaries, administrators, cus- It is said that the reason mountain todians, coaches, pastors and professors, climbers are tied together is to keep the none of us would be where we are sane ones from going home. At the most today. The song written by the African- dangerous part of the climb, the climber American Margaret Douroux and based decides, “I must be nuts, I’m going on the Psalms asks, “If it had not been home.” That’s when you feel the tug on for the Lord on my side, tell me where the rope, and you know someone in would I be?” Indeed, where would we your group needs your help. My friend be if it had not been for all those who the Rev. Barbara Lundblad compared have gone before us, the great cloud of this to what it means to be a part of a 1870s. He also came across the Drew witnesses, those whose shoulders we church. We’re tied together to keep the “school song” that was sung at com- stand on, the people who sacrificed and sane ones from going home. On the days mencement exercises 130 years ago this saved up, and those who stand next to when your heart tells you to give up and year in 1880, to the tune of “Auld Lang us, with us now, supporting and encour- your rational mind tells you to simply Syne.” The last verse goes: aging us on this journey? trust in things that make a lot more 17 sense—that’s when we feel that tug at yet was the word we heard that women, our responsibility to maintain this di- the rope from someone else who is on Women! might actually be participating vinely sanctioned way of life. Hopefully this journey called faith. We are tied to- in your graduation exercises. Dear you will someday understand this. gether to remind one another that we Christian, the professors and dean at “I am so stirred up, that I am now do not walk this lonesome valley by Drew read and pray from the very same of a mind to organize a movement of ourselves, we cannot do this on our Bible we do, do they not? Well then, my own, dearest Christian—but alas, I own. As Martin Luther King wrote from how is it that a wife of Adam could even must draw this letter to a close. We are the Birmingham jail, we are caught in defend a dissertation being that she preparing the house for our afternoon an inescapable network of mutuality should remain silent? Women have tea party and have several neighbors tied to a single garment of destiny. their place, but assuredly not in the halls joining us. Whatever affects one directly affects all of theological education. “Stay strong in your beliefs, indirectly. “Finally, the somewhat pleasant Christian. In sincere concern, your The living out of Ubuntu makes it surprise of your award has been com- Uncle Ebenezer” very difficult to assign people a position pletely overshadowed by ominous So, what will you do, servant lead- of worth based on hierarchy. This ers, when you meet your “Ebenezer”? process is antithetical to the concept of Where would we be if Will we let that uncle know the Gospel Ubuntu. However, the very institutions is not about accomplishment or achieve- that many of us call home, the church it had not been for all ment or station in life, but that the love and the academy, are typically hotbeds those who have gone before of God is for everyone and that all hu- of hierarchy. I was in New Haven a few us, the great cloud of manity is created good by God and that weeks ago when, in a sermon, Dr. all are the beloved of God? Friends, this Carolyn Sharp, associate professor of witnesses, those whose is the hard, joyful work of a lifetime of Hebrew scriptures, called Yale “a verita- shoulders we stand on, discipleship. Ebenezer’s still out there, or ble ivy-covered crack house of addiction more to the point, Uncle Ebenezer is still to credentials.” (Thank God we’re not the people who sacrificed in here in this room, and in here in our like that here at Drew!) and saved up, and those hearts, and it is up to us to take what we Now the letter from Uncle have received in this very special place, Ebenezer: who stand next to us, with in this sacred space, and by the grace of “My dear Christian, we just re- us now, supporting God, be transformed. And that transfor- ceived the glorious news of the high mation, of ourselves and of the world, is honor bestowed on you this past week and encouraging us on not one bright moment of conversion or at the theological seminary in Madison. this journey? revelation. As Jill Tundidor, senior in the Your garrulous aunt wasted no time in- college, sang so beautifully, “It’s not a forming the entire county of your rumors that there might exist at your cry that you hear at night. It’s not some- academic achievements. Indeed, if Paul seminary, in the very seed bed of God’s one who’s seen the light. It’s a cold and Revere had the gift of verbosity your sacred school, the love that dare not it’s a broken Hallelujah.” dear aunt possesses, all 13 colonies speak its name. But you know what? Even on the would have known in a matter of hours “Oh, dear Christian, what good mountain top moment of this day, even that the British were coming! could ever come from a place that al- in the valley of the shadow, when we “While remaining elated at the lows Negroes, women and sodomites to find ourselves cold and broken, God is great boon that has attended you, I must preach about God’s love? Imagine what with us, and we, the Ubuntu people on confess to a certain unease about other the legacy of a place like Drew would the journey, bearing the marks of both news that has reached our ears concern- spawn? What would be next? People the cross and the resurrection, will be ing the present situation of your springing up from lineages without singing: “Hallelujah!” seminary life. Have we been misled, or property or proper breeding, those for

is it true that colored people, Negroes, in whom English is a foreign tongue, the Sungchun Ahn fact, are to be found in the classrooms crippled who might not even be able to amongst you, learning next to you, dear climb the glorious stairs to your chapel? Mark A. Miller is Christian? Of course we have always Oh, just the thought of a place like that instructor in church music and composer been aware of the odd ways and queer makes me shudder! in residence at Drew manners of the people called Methodist, “My dear nephew, if there was one University Theological but really? What station in life exactly, thing I would want to impress upon you School. He delivered would they ever imagine a black man to it is that God has created a proper order this address at the aspire in this country of ours? for mankind to follow—it is not up to us spring 2010 honors “We are still happy over the prize to question the wisdom of why we were convocation on April you have obtained at Drew, but stranger born into our superior station, but it is 28 in Craig Chapel. 18 TheoSpirit FALL 2010 The Barbed-Wire Fence in Mark’s Gospel (and How Not to Get Caught on It) By Professor Stephen D. Moore

’m intrigued anew, as at each matricu- of an outsider become insider. Not only of every Jewish character in the narra- Ilation service, by this solemn ritual of is he a Gentile, he’s a soldier in the tive, will have mutated into a double the book, by this book-signing ceremony Gentile army of occupation stationed in barbed-wire electric fence, one patrolled that we enact each year. What is this the Jewish homeland. Not only is he a by jackbooted storm troopers with sub- book that the signing of it should be so soldier in that hated army of occupation, machine guns and snarling guard dogs. freighted with significance? The book is he’s an officer in it. And not only is he If this seems like an overly sinister a threshold, a portal. We pass through it an officer in that army, he’s the very of- reading of this Gospel, consider these together, but where does it lead? As ficer charged with crucifying Jesus and further elements. As scholars have long much as anything it leads into another the other two troublemakers with whom recognized, Mark’s is the first Gospel to book, the Christian Book of books, the he has been lumped. interpret the catastrophic destruction of This soft-focus interpretation, how- Jerusalem and its temple by a Roman Biblia Sacra. More precisely, it leads us ever—centurion as climactic example of army in 70 CE as divine retribution for deeper into that other book, for most of outsider become insider—conceals far the rejection of Jesus by the Jewish peo- us are already in it, otherwise we would more than it reveals. What are we to ple, embodied in their leaders (see, e.g., not be in this theological school. Yet we Mark 12:6–9). The problem is com- are not all at the same place in the book. pounded by the fact that it was not just Some of us are bound to the book by ties The blanket designation of the Jewish elite who were destroyed in that are urgent and immediate, others of Jews as “Christ killers”— the Roman sacking of the city. The gen- us by ties that are so mediated, so indi- eral population of Jerusalem, swollen by rect, that we rarely feel their tug. And the most insistent slur of large numbers of Judean peasantry seek- for some of us who feel that tug most in- Christian anti-Judaism ing refuge from the advancing Roman sistently, the book is still perfect. We legions, was also massacred. And it is long to be remade in the book’s image and anti-Semitism through this indiscriminate mass slaughter that and likeness, to become compliant read- the ages—and as such Mark seems implicitly to sanction. The ers of the book. For others of us, blanket designation of Jews as “Christ however, the book is imperfect; the ethic divinely sanctioned targets killers”—the most insistent slur of it enjoins is archaic at best, at worst bar- for bloody retribution thus Christian anti-Judaism and anti- baric. We are resistant readers of the finds implicit expression in Semitism through the ages—and as such book, we read against its grain. And for divinely sanctioned targets for bloody still others of us, perhaps most of us, the earliest narrative retribution thus finds implicit expression compliance and resistance do battle Gospel, that of Mark. in the earliest narrative Gospel, that of within us as we feel the book’s powerful Mark. pull and lean into or away from it. But enough with reading Mark; let But enough of abstraction. We do make of the fact that the only human me take a moment to read your faces. have a text of the day, and that text is character in Mark seemingly granted full By now the “that would never preach in Mark 15:39: “And when the Roman inside access to the mystery of Jesus’ my church” reflex has risen to dangerous 1 centurion standing opposite Jesus’ cross identity is a non-Jew? With the centu- levels in the room. Fortunately, that saw the manner in which he expired, he rion’s confession the partition between room is Craig Chapel. You may have no- 2 exclaimed, ‘Truly this man was a son of insider and outsider in Mark begins to ticed the motto over the door as you God!’” This verse is often regarded as the resemble, or at least anticipate, another entered: “Everything preaches here.” My climax of Mark’s plot, the centurion fence—the high barbed-wire fence of a bleak reading has bottomed out, in any being the first human character in Nazi death camp. Reading Mark with case, and we’re now ready to inch up Mark’s drama to apply the title “Son of post-Holocaust hindsight, in other the other side. For this reading too con- God” to Mark’s protagonist, Jesus’ own words, one might contend that by the ceals as well as reveals. The path from hand-picked disciples having failed spec- time the culmination of the centuries- the Gospel of Mark to the Nazi genocide tacularly to reconcile the honor of divine long history of Christian anti-Judaism I have been mapping has appeared to be sonship with the shame of crucifixion. In occurs in the 1930s and 1940s, the in- a straight one, with no sharp turns, forks consequence, the centurion at the foot sider/outsider opposition in Mark, with or dead ends. Implicitly it has run di- of the cross would seem to be the con- its own climax in the Gentile centurion’s rectly from Markan theological summate and climactic example in Mark Christological confession at the expense anti-Judaism, along with Matthean the- 19

ological anti-Judaism, Johannine theo- events leading up to it.3 for Mark’s Gentile-Christian community. logical anti-Judaism, etc., to patristic The path from Golgotha to But he can also be seen as a stand-in for theological anti-Judaism, and from Auschwitz is not only a crooked one, post-Constantinian imperial there to medieval theological anti- then; it is also a multiply forking one. Christianity—Rome become Christian Judaism, arriving finally at modern And even the “multiply forking” and Christianity become Roman. racial anti-Semitism and its most horrific metaphor fails on another level. A num- Intrinsic to imperial Christianity, most manifestation, the Nazi genocide. In ber of different paths converge at especially to the forms it would assume Holocaust studies, indeed, this approach Auschwitz, and only some of them can in Europe during the Middle Ages and is termed the “straight path” interpreta- be said to have originated in ancient or beyond, was a systemic disavowal of its tion of the Holocaust. Over against it is a medieval theological anti-Judaism, and Jewish origins: no longer Christianity’s “crooked path” interpretation, now hence in early Christian texts such as mother, Judaism became its abjected widely embraced in Holocaust studies, Mark—not that Mark or any other early other, and Jews became the victims of which sees the Nazi “Final Solution” as Christian text represents an absolute some of Christians’ most appalling the product of an ideology with exceed- point of origin anyway for what I am, atrocities. And all of this can be said to ingly complex roots. While racial for convenience, terming “theological be uncannily encoded or “anticipated” anti-Judaism.” And yet the fact remains in the Markan centurion’s utterance at Sungchun Ahn that Mark as, apparently, the earliest the foot of Jesus’ cross. The centurion’s surviving Gospel represents an enor- ambiguous words teeter eternally be- mously significant early moment in the tween crypto-Christian Christological history of theological anti-Judaism. confession, on the one hand, and deri- Moreover, because Mark is now forever sion and dismissal, on the other— fixed in the amber of the New specifically, ethnic derision directed by a Testament canon, that early moment is Gentile against a Jew, a stance that, always a present moment, perennially again, will reach its historical climax in reappropriated in ever new circum- the Holocaust. All of which is to say that stances by ever new audiences. Even the Roman military officer overseeing after Auschwitz, Mark’s theological the death-torture of three subaltern anti-Judaism continues to be reacti- Jewish subjects shimmers uncertainly in vated, often unconsciously, by Christian the harsh Judean sunlight and morphs THE MATRICULATION BOOK. “What is this book that readers and hearers. momentarily into an SS officer in a con- the signing of it should be so freighted with signiMcance? The book is a threshold, a portal. We All of which brings us back to the centration camp. As such, the pass through it together, but where does it lead?” verse with which we began, the Roman centurion’s words perfectly encapsulate centurion’s crypto-Christian “confes- subsequent Christianity’s profound am- anti-Semitism, with theological anti- sion” at the foot of the cross. We haven’t bivalence toward Judaism—its embrace Judaism lurking in its shadow, was yet begun to unravel the intricacies of of a Jewish Jesus interpreted through certainly a necessary condition for the what he is confessing. In declaring the the lens of Jewish scripture, on the one Final Solution, it was by no means the bloody, lacerated corpse dangling before hand, and its disavowal of its own con- sole condition. The Final Solution also him to have “truly [been] a son of God,” sequent and ineradicable Jewishness, on had its roots in such toxic elements of is the centurion succeeding spectacu- the other, a rejection that regularly finds modernity as European imperialism and larly where Jesus’ elite cadre of disciples displaced expression through violence. colonialism with their demonization of have so singularly failed, effortlessly A deconstructive dismantling of the cen- racial and ethnic otherness, and extreme coupling the concepts of divine sonship turion’s utterance in Mark would thus nationalism with its own concomitant and dishonorable death where they always keep its two warring semantic el- xenophobia; along with more proximate could not, and thereby giving climactic ements—Christological confession and pathologies such as a rabid anti-commu- and definitive expression to Mark’s the- anti-Jewish invective—in deliberate ten- nism that included a construal of Jews ology of the cross? (Such has been the sion, and hence ever keep us mindful of as communist masterminds; and social dominant interpretation of the utter- how the first is always threatening to Darwinism and eugenics. Theological ance, as I mentioned earlier.) Or is the mutate into the second.5 anti-Judaism was a necessary, but insuf- centurion merely engaging in grim gal- ficient, condition for the emergence of lows humor instead, the tone inflecting Notes racial anti-Semitism. Racial anti- his “Truly this man was a son of God!” 1 And only because Mark has de- Semitism was a necessary, but being one of scathing sarcasm rather sired that it should be so. Compare insufficient, condition for the emergence than awed reverence?4 Thus compli- Matthew’s Gospel in which Jesus is of genocidal ideology. And genocidal cated and counter-read, the centurion’s acclaimed Son of God by his disciples ideology was a necessary, but insuffi- utterance seems to oscillate undecidedly midway through the plot (Matt. 14:33), cient, condition for the Final Solution, between confession and oppression. The and John’s Gospel in which Jesus is ac- which emerged only in the complex centurion has often been seen as a card- specificity of the World War II and the board cutout, a stand-in in the narrative (continued on page 20) 20 FALL 2010 BTheoSpiritARBED-WIRE FENCE IN MARK Voices from African and Indian (continued from page 19) Christianities claimed Son of God by a disciple before the plot has even properly begun (John by Elizabeth S. Tapia, Theologising Today: Issues and 1:49; cf. 1:34). Former Director of Center for Challenges in Indian Context.” Dr. Christianities in Global Contexts Anderson-Rajkumar, one of the leading 2 Classically expressed in Mark feminist liberation theologians in Asia, 4:11: “And he said to them, ‘To you has he Center for Christianities in Global is a professor of feminist theology and been given the secret of the kingdom of TContexts (CCGC) organized two hermeneutics at the United Theological God, but for those outside everything is events on campus this spring. These lec- Sungchun Ahn in parables ….’” tures, organized by Luce Fellows Youn Tae An, Kris Black and Nam Joong Kim, 3 This paragraph is indebted to together with me, were made possible Shawn Kelley, “‘And There Will Be by our grant from the Henry Luce Terrors and Great Signs from Heaven’: Foundation. One was the screening and Biblical Scholarship, Violence and discussion of the documentary film Genocide,” an unpublished paper pre- African Christianity Rising: Stories from sented at the Society of Biblical Ghana, produced by Dr. James Ault Jr. Literature Annual Meeting in San It was held on March 2 and attended by Diego, November 2007, that the author 55 people. With over two-thirds of the was kind enough to share with me. world’s Christians now living in the global south, it is important to note how DR. JAMES AULT JR 4 As suggested by Richard A. Africa is growing in the midst of political College in Bangalore, India. Dr. Horsley; see his Hearing the Whole Story: The Politics of Plot in Mark’s Gospel and economic challenges. Dr. Ault, an Anderson-Rajkumar was one of the in- (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2001), 252. award-winning documentary filmmaker ternational participants of the World and son of the late United Methodist Without Empire conference in New 5 More elaborate versions of the ar- Bishop James Ault Sr., traveled and York City April 23–24 at Union guments presented in this address can lived briefly in Africa. He became inter- Theological Seminary. The CCGC at be found in my “Deconstructive ested in documenting the vibrant Drew was a proud cosponsor of this in- Criticism: Turning Mark Inside-Out,” in growth of Christianity in Ghana and in ternational event, organized by Peace Mark and Method: New Approaches in Zimbabwe. His film documents the vi- for Life, a global grassroots movement Biblical Studies, ed. Janice Capel tality of Ghanaian Christianity and what for peace and justice. Anderson and Stephen D. Moore (2nd it offers to the world. The stories of Dr. Rajkumar spoke on her experi- ed.; Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2008), women, children and men are illumi- ences of teaching women’s studies and 95–110, and especially my “The SS nated by pastors and theologians like feminist theology within the context of Officer at the Foot of the Cross: A Archbishop Peter Sarpong, who intro- India. She said that at Serampore Tragedy in Three Acts,” in Between duced African culture into Christian University and at United Theological Author and Audience in Mark: Narration, worship, and the late Kwame Bediako, Seminary, feminist theology and Characterization, Interpretation, ed. one of the brilliant African theologians. women/gender studies are considered Elizabeth Struthers Malbon (Sheffield, The film also shows some impacts of an integral part of theological education, UK: Sheffield Phoenix Press, 2009), 44– African Christianity in the West—for in- bearing a required four credit course. 61. stance, the largest church in London is She talked about Dalit theology, led by an African, and old and dying women’s theologizing in India, with

Courtesy of Drew Courtesy Publications churches in Scandinavia are being re- women and men of other faiths, and Dr. Stephen D. vived by African congregations. Dr. Ault her personal involvement in leading the Moore is professor gifted the center with rough cuts of the National Association of Theological of New Testament DVDs of stories from Ghana and Trained Women of India. She shared at Drew University Zimbabwe. These are available for use in compelling stories of how Christian Theological small groups, classrooms and congrega- women struggle for their rights in soci- School. He tions. He hopes to complete the project ety and in church, how feminist delivered this and to distribute the results widely. theologizing needs to be active and rele- address at the The second lecture featured the vant to the lives of the poor and spring 2010 Rev. Dr. Evangeline Anderson- marginalized. From her context, Indian matriculation Rajkumar on April 27. Her topic was Christianity and women’s theologizing service in Craig “Women Studies and Feminist are life-affirming and justice-seeking. Chapel. 21 Black Ministerial Caucus: Moving Forward with God’s Vision Sungchun Ahn by Kimberly K. Holmes, M.Div. student

fter continued prayer and major Acollaboration, the Black Ministerial Caucus (BMC) hosted a God-inspired worship experience on Thursday, March 24. BMC began by having Dr. Randal Pinkett deliver a heartfelt mes- sage on seizing your moment in history. Dr. Pinkett has established himself as an entrepreneur, speaker, author, scholar and community servant. He is the co- founder, chairman and CEO of BCT Partners, a multimillion dollar manage- ment, technology and policy consulting firm based in Newark, New Jersey. He was the season four winner of NBC’s hit reality show The Apprentice with Donald THE REV. STEFANIE MINATEE (left) leads the Grammy Award–winning Jubilation Choir. Trump. He served as an executive with Pinkett. He was right at home, and the auditioned voices committed to singing Trump Entertainment Resorts in five F’s that he lives by were indeed re- African-American sacred music with an Atlantic City, where he was responsible alized through his message that emphasis on Gospel. The Rev. Minatee, for overseeing both renovation and in- evening. Jubilation Choir and Queen Latifah re- formation technology projects. While Once Dr. Pinkett concluded his re- ceived a Grammy Award in 2010 for often remembered from The Apprentice, marks, recent Grammy Award winner Traditional Gospel Album: Oh Happy his résumé and passion for mentoring the Rev. Stefanie R. Minatee and the Day. Moreover, the Rev. Minatee and young people is so much greater than Jubilation Choir took our worship ex- the Jubilation Choir have been the re- his appearance on the show. Again, his perience to higher heights. By way of cipients of a 2009 Stellar Award in engaging message emanating from the background, Jubilation was established Nashville, Tennessee, for their Launch Book of Esther was one that resonated in 1998 under the auspices of the New Out Project and have been nominated with all in attendance. “I try to live ac- Jersey Performing Arts Center. It is a for numerous other awards. Most of all, cording to the five F’s: faith, family, culturally mixed choir of professionally they pride themselves in being minis- friends, fellowship and fun,” says Dr. ters of music. Sungchun Ahn Our souls were definitely minis- tered to in song and reflection by reaching back to share in the rich his- tory of the African diaspora on March 24. It was a moment in time where those in attendance saw how African history is a part of African-American history and therefore a part of history for humanity. There were moments of tears, joy and most of all, celebration. This was an occasion to be treasured and remembered in the beautiful tapes- try of Drew Theological Seminary. BMC wishes to express its sincere gratitude to Dean Maxine Beach and to the entire Drew community for their labor of love and fellowship in this worship experience. DR. RANDAL PINKETT signs his book following his leadership in Craig Chapel. 22 TheoSpirit FALL 2010 Fewell Named 2010 Scholar/Teacher of the Year rofessor Danna Nolan Fewell is this year’s recipient of the cultural approaches to Biblical narrative, feminist criticism, PTheological School’s Scholar/Teacher of the Year Award. the Bible in art, children and Biblical literature and the One of the students who nominated Fewell for this award ethics of reading. During her career she has been a three- commented: “Dr. Fewell is an exemplary professor who in- time recipient of the Scholarly Outreach Award sponsored spires and encourages intellectual curiosity within her by the Lilly endowment, and prior to this year has twice students as they critically engage the Biblical text. been awarded the Scholar/Teacher of the Year Award She asks her students to live into difficult ques- sponsored by the General Board of Higher tions rather than seek (or regurgitate) pat Education and Ministry of the United Methodist answers.” Another noted Fewell’s work this Church (in 1999 by Southern Methodist year outside the classroom in organizing the University; in 2004 by Drew University). 2009 Tipple-Vosburgh lectures, featuring In addition to numerous scholarly articles, artist Samuel Bak. “She made Sam Bak’s her published works include Compromising visit interactive between the community Redemption: Relating Characters in the Book of and the Theological School. My parishioners Ruth (nominated for the Jewish Book Award loved coming down and seeing Bak's work. in 1990), Circle of Sovereignty: Plotting Politics in It gave us a way to get into a discussion about the Book of Daniel (1991), Narrative in the Hebrew religious diversity and the ethics of being a Bible (1993), Gender, Power, and Promise: The Christian in a post-Holocaust world.” Subject of the Bible’s First Story (1993), The Children Danna Nolan Fewell joined the Drew faculty of Israel: Reading the Bible for the Sake of Our Children in the fall of 2000 as professor of Hebrew Bible at the (2003) and Icon of Loss: The Haunting Child of Samuel Bak Theological School and in the Graduate Division of Religion. (2009). Prior to coming to Drew she had taught for 13 years at the Fewell’s husband, David, teaches at Mountain Lakes Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist High School in Mountain Lakes, New Jersey. Their daughter, University. She holds an M.T.S. and a Ph.D. from Emory Aubrey Sinclair, is a budding singer-songwriter currently en- University. rolled at Drew University. Her teaching and research interests include literary and Photo courtesy of Drew Publications.

Clergy Self-Care: A Call to Health and Wholeness Dr. Virginia A. Samuel, self-care practices. Associate Dean for Contextual Learning The Theological School has established the Center for Clergy Health and Wholeness through a generous grant from rew Theological School recently held the fourth in its se- the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations. The center, still in its Dries of Clergy Health Summits on February 1. Titled infancy, will serve as a resource for clergy, congregations and “Clergy Self-Care: A Call to Health and Wholeness,” the focus judicatories through offering on-campus and off-campus pro- for the event was a theological understanding of self-care. The grams on a variety of related topics, the center website, the speaker for the day was the Rev. Embra Jackson, administra- creation of online clergy support groups and periodical tive assistant to Bishop Hope Morgan Ward of the Mississippi newsletters. More Clergy Health Summits are planned for the Annual Conference of the UMC. The Rev. Jackson spoke future. about the need for clergy to embrace more completely John Sungchun Ahn Wesley’s insistence that true discipleship of Jesus Christ in- cludes caring for one’s body, mind and spirit on an ongoing basis. Referring to John Wesley’s Primitive Physick, the Rev. Jackson spoke about the various disciplines Wesley used in his own life to insure good health broadly construed. Dr. Arthur Pressley, associate professor of psychology and religion in the Theological School, led a workshop on the psy- chological dimensions of self-care and issues facing clergy that may impede their efforts at good self-care. I, Virginia Samuel, associate dean of the Theological School, led a workshop on THE REV. EMBRA JACKSON discussed the need for a balanced, Wesleyan resources to help clergy continue or begin to develop good view of health. 23 DREWnet Connects Alumni/ae to Ministry Placements and Facebook

Drew Theological School’s Ministry alumniconnections.com/olc/pub/DRE/cpages/ Placement System has recently merged with home/home.jsp. If you have any questions, DREWnet, a password-protected online com- email Michael Oliver at [email protected]. munity for Drew alumni/ae. With DREWnet’s In addition, the Drew University career services, you can post jobs and search Alumni/ae Connections application on the for job listings offered by members of your Facebook platform will automatically update community or from the international network your profile on DREWnet when you update of colleges, universities and organizations. Job your information on Facebook. Visit listings from our network of churches and or- drew.edu/alumni and click the “Online ganizations have already been uploaded to Community” link for more instructions. this system. To access the system, log in at

Thanks for Alumni/ae Help at Annual Conferences The Office of Alumni/ae Relations and Drew Theological School would like to thank the following alumni/ae for their help and assistance with 2010 United Methodist Annual Conferences. We greatly appreciate these volunteers taking the time to help coordinate gatherings of Drew alumni/ae.

Greater New Jersey Jeff Markay C’88, T’95 Central Pennsylvania Larry Coleman T’77 Baltimore/Washington Mark Smiley T’83 Wyoming Nancy Stanley Jean Blackie T’06 Western North Carolina Molly Van Derwerken T’02 West Virginia Meredith Gudger-Raines New York Vicky Fleming T’91 Peninsula-Delaware Cheryl Jensen T’90 Holston Katherine Hale T’06 Eastern Pennsylvania Christopher Schiavinio T’04 California/Nevada Schuyler Rhodes T’86, Kathy La Point-Collup T’82 New England Marcelle Dotson T’93 24 TheoSpirit FALL 2010 ATLAS DATABASE ACCESS NOW AVAILABLE FOR ALUMNI/AE

lumni/ae of the Theo School now have access to The user ID is: drew. The password is: alumni. Alumni/ae AATLAS for Alumni/ae, a version of the ATLA are advised that the account name and password are for Religion Database. This database provides full text articles their use alone and should not be shared. The older access online in about 100 journals, including Christian Century, method is no longer available. Alumni/ae are encouraged Theology Today and the Journal of Biblical Literature. A list to begin working with the new access. For help navigating of all the journals included is at atla.com/products/titles/ the database, contact Drew’s theological librarian, Ernie

titles_atlas.html. The webpage for the database is Rubinstein, at [email protected].

http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?group=alumni.

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