raxis PPNews rfroma Hartfordxis Seminary • Dec.2002•Vol.XIV•No.3 Talking thetalk What is dialogue? How should it be taught? Chatredreator faith freedom theology profoundrejudice church secula faithr ddivinityialoguetraditio humann A Special Report on Interfaith Dialogue begins on page 6 Yale lectures, a hymnology and various one by one. Toward the end he said, Library Receives books on preaching. According to ‘Christ, I am ready’ – the nurse made him Blackburn, Post’s donations are especially comfortable and asked if he could sleep. Cynthia Woolever Generous, Rare appreciated for their content and value as He said, ‘yes’ and then in the last few research tools. minutes he laid his hand upon his heart and said, ‘I feel so—‘ (but) the last sen- Named to Faculty Donations Among the newly acquired materials are tence was never finished, for he had several that provide a treasure trove for gone…What a glorious, bright strong the religious historians among us. For Angel he is now! Everyone has been anx- tionally vital.” example, there are personal items that ious to know what I will do. It is all per- once belonged to descendents of the Since 1996, Woolever has worked in fectly clear to me. I shall stay here and Rev. Howard Arnold Walter, a Hartford the Research Services office of the will not return to America until 1920 or Seminary Class of 1909 alumnus who Presbyterian Church (USA) as associ- 1921 when the children’s education will penned the famous hymn, “My Creed,” ate for congregational research. She have to be attended to. Then I and served as associate pastor at was professor of sociology at Midway shall…eventually return to the land Asylum Hill Congregational College in Midway, Kentucky, for eight where all my heart is – and where my Church under Mark Twain friend, years, where she also was director of dearest’s body lies…” the famed Rev. Joseph Twitchell. the Center for Christian Church Sometimes the donations are more valu- Organizational Research. Prior to that, Interestingly, Walter’s mother was able than the donor anticipates. Hartford she was an associate professor in the so smitten with her son’s poem resident Mary Taylor, for example, donat- Sociology Department at Phillips (which he sent home to her from ed several hundred books that had University in Enid, Oklahoma. Japan shortly after writing it on belonged to her husband. These texts New Year’s Day, 1907), that she Woolever has a Ph.D. from Indiana include pulpit commentaries by Calvin sent it, without his knowledge, to University and a Bachelor of Science and early 20th Century religious thinker Harper’s Bazaar. The magazine from Phillips, both in sociology. accepted the piece and it became She published A Field Guide to U.S. an instant hit among churchgoers Congregations, with co-author Deborah who responded to its now well- Bruce, this year and is working on a known opening lines, “I would second book with Bruce on factors be True, for there are those who related to congregational effectiveness. By Christine Palm Trust me…” It will be accompanied by congrega- tional resources to help leaders assess In the past few months, several members Miss Sarah Pyle gave Walter’s book to the Seminary in honor of Walter’s their congregation’s strengths. of the Hartford Seminary community – Woolever’s research has focused on and a few others — have made significant grandniece, Ann M. McCormack. Walter, who was born in New Britain, three areas — voluntary organizations, and fascinating donations to the holdings sociology of religion and congregational of the Seminary Library. Connecticut in 1883, served as a mis- sionary in Lahore, India, where he died studies – and has been multi-faith. Steven Blackburn, who will become during the devastating influenza She said she sought the professorship at Interim Library Director on January 1, epidemic of 1918. Cynthia Woolever, director of the understand themselves, identify their the Seminary because, “The Hartford said the donated books, archival material, C.F.D. Moule, books by theologian G. largest profile ever taken of worshipers strengths, assess their ministries and Included in Walter’s memorabilia is a let- Institute for Religion Research has a journals and ephemera range from new, Campbell Morgan and Bible commen- in the United States, is the newest relate more effectively with their com- ter from his wife, Marguerite, who also national reputation for excellent but utilitarian religious texts and videos taries by Arthur Walkington Pink (1886- member of the faculty at Hartford munities. took sick but survived. In several moving research in the sociology of religion. to moving personal correspondence and 1952). Seminary. Woolever will be Professor of passages, Walter’s widow describes his last “I am delighted that Cynthia Woolever Through their work they demonstrate a the scholarly writings of notable figures Sociology of Religious Organizations, days: “Oh, if God had only allowed me “It was a massive collection and adds will be joining the faculty at Hartford concern for the daily life and practices such as the Rev. Lyman Beecher. effective July 1, 2003. She will join the the comfort of being with him! But I was immeasurably to the Library’s ability to Seminary,” Seminary President Heidi of religious leaders, congregations, and Seminary’s Hartford Institute for John E. Post, a Seminary alumnus, donat- very ill and could not even go to the support theological research,” Blackburn Hadsell said. “Cynthia, through her people of faith. And the Seminary also Religion Research. ed more than 1,000 books this past year, funeral. He talked about me and the chil- says. “Many of these books are classical leadership on the Congregational Life has a well-known reputation for cre- including several volumes of Beecher’s dren, saying all the children’s names over Continued on page 4 Woolever directed the U.S. Survey, has shown great skill in devel- ative approaches to making seminary Congregational Life Survey. About oping and disseminating important education critically relevant.” 300,000 worshipers in more than 2,000 information about religious life in At Hartford Seminary, she said, she On the cover: Hartford Editor: Christine Palm • Designer: James Baker congregations in the United States America today. She is an excellent looks forward to being part of a faculty Seminary students Jawad Reprint and copy information: Articles may be completed a survey during worship ser- sociologist who understands how to team that engages students and the Ashraf, left, (M.A.) talks with reprinted if full credit is given to Hartford vices in April 2001. Worshipers in apply academic skills to analyze practi- public in important conversations. the Rev. Terasa Cooley Seminary and the author, if bylined in Praxis. For Australia, England, and New Zealand cal, every-day issues.” (D.Min.) at a recent round- our records, please inform us if you plan to reprint completed similar surveys. Together, “One of the things I admire about the table discussion about or photocopy any part of Praxis. Letters to the Woolever is known for her work with the international effort included about faculty is their consistent and coura- Christian-Muslim dialogue. editor are welcomed. If you would like additional congregations. geous willingness to cross boundaries — Story on page 8. copies of this issue of Praxis or back issues, please 2 million worshipers and 17,000 con- contact Christine Palm, c/o Hartford Seminary, gregations across three continents. “Cynthia has a deep commitment to whether it’s faith groups, nations, gen- 77 Sherman Street, Hartford, CT 06105. For the vitality of congregations, across der, race/ethnicity, community, acade- information about Praxis, please call 860/586- The survey included Jewish, Greek denominational lines,” Hadsell addes. mic disciplines — that normally keep 8030, or by e-mail: [email protected]. For all other Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Buddhist, “She has worked extensively to help us from seeing clearly,” she said. information concerning Hartford Seminary, call Unitarian and Protestant denomina- faith communities understand what it 860/509-9519. tions. Its purpose was to develop takes to remain, or become, organiza- resources to help congregations better 2 P RAXIS P RAXIS 3 S ERMON bad and the ugly. Some Library Donations of the weeds – or what we Visiting Professor K.P. Aleaz Continued from page 2 God’s Strange and now call weeds – may Dialogical Theology, was reminded of relate it to Christianity. Many have texts which, while turn out to be beautiful once fairly common, Wonderful Garden plants in due course. Let A.J. Appasamy, who earned his B.D. already spent time learning about Islam, are out of print and from Hartford Seminary in 1918 and and have discovered that they have Editor’s Note: The Rev. Canon Dr. Martyn Percy the harvest ripen. therefore hard to went on to be the Bishop of the Church neighbors and associates who are Hindu, was a Visiting Professor of Theology at Hartford Christians are ultimately come by.” of India, and S.J. Samartha, Ph.D., ’58, and wish to learn more about them, Seminary during the summer. Director of the judged by their fruits, and who became the first Director of the too.” Other donors gave Lincoln Theological Institute at the University of not by their seeds. Christian communities World Council of Churches’ division of personal effects, Sheffield in Sheffield, England, Percy preached at Aleaz, who earned his B.D., M.Th. and need to be places that interfaith dialogue. Each wrote exten- including the pencil several churches during his stay in Hartford. Here D.Th. from the Senate of Serampore reflect the Kingdom of sively on interfaith relations and Aleaz, drawings, diaries, let- is an extract of a sermon preached at St.