Aware: May 2013

Features   3  | Presidential Perspective: Beyond the Latchstring 4  | Cutting Edges: Cultivating Leaders for a Global Church 6  | Orpha Laurie: Leaving a Legacy 7  | Wesley United Methodist Church, Leadership Circle Church Since 2006 8  | Alums as Chaplains: Serving Where Need Exists 11  | Alum Jennifer Hill Anderson, United States Navy Chaplain 12  | Bishop Linda Lee Serving as Bishop-in-Residence 14  | Alum News and In Memoriam

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Meet Jake Ohlemiller

Hometown: Suburbs of St. Louis, Missouri

Home Church: First United Methodist Church, West Lafayette Indiana

Degree Program: Master of divinity, first year

Other Degrees: B.S., agricultural engineering

Formative Experiences: I grew up in the St. Louis suburbs, but my spiritual home is First United Methodist Church of West Lafayette, Indiana, which I attended while studying at Purdue University. Shortly before I earned my degree, I felt God calling me to a vocation in pastoral ministry.

Experiences at Garrett-Evangelical: I'm deeply grateful for the vibrant student/faculty community I've found at Garrett-Evangelical, and I have grown closer to God through the many friendships that have sustained me here. Studying theology has given an authentic and deep-rooted voice to my sense of vocation, and I have enjoyed gaining powerful new ways to articulate my faith to a hurting world.

Calling: My call to ministry is deeply connected to a sense of place. After seeing the decayed state of many rural communities in Indiana, I hope that God will use my life to nurture life-giving relationships between people, their neighbors, and the soil.

My favorite class this year: Of particular transformational value was my "Introduction to the Old Testament" course, taught by Cheryl Anderson. As we took a critical approach to the Hebrew Scriptures, I found that my faith in the biblical witness did not suffer, but actually matured!

Meet Lynn “Christer” Mawia

Hometown: Yangon, Myanmar (Burma)

Home Church and Denomination: Methodist English Church, Yangon, Myanmar and Methodist Denomination

Year and Program: First Year, Master of Arts in Christian Education

Other Degrees: B.Sc. in University Studies (Elementary Education)

Formative experiences: Growing up as a pastor’s kid, I saw the church as my home and playground. The Bible bedtime stories my parents told, the catchy Sunday School songs, the evangelism mission trips of the youth group, and being a religious minority in a Buddhist country, all contributed to forming a strong Christian foundation in my life. The untiring efforts of my junior high Sunday school teacher to teach my class the ropes of establishing quiet time with God and the power of unceasing prayer were inspirational and admiring. I realized through quiet time the reality of God and His purpose for me. Therefore, I thank my parents and my teacher who inspired me to pursue a career in educating younger leaders in the Church.

Attraction to/experiences at Garrett-Evangelical: I feel blessed to be a part of Garrett-Evangelical family. During my initial visit to the seminary, I was attracted to the tight-knit global community, spirit-filled learning environment, and the beautiful location of the seminary. As the first semester began, I quickly learned that Garrett-Evangelical encourages each student’s creativity in worship, leadership, art displays, work and the classroom environment.

Calling:  I would like to work in the field of education with a connection to the Christian mission. My dream organization would be one that focuses on bringing social justice with the help of God’s guidance. Serving as a Children’s Ministry director or a Sunday School teacher would also be an honorable career for me. Ultimately, I would like to work with people who understand that bringing care and compassion is the initial step in introducing the Grace of God.

What is your favorite class this year?: Dr. Vena’s “Introduction to New Testament” has been my favorite class so far. The class materials and discussions challenged me to see the Biblical world in its proper setting and to find new implications for my Burmese culture as well as the U.S. society. Dr. Vena’s oral final exam allowed each of the students to present the knowledge and insights attained during the semester in their own styles. That was very interesting, encouraging, and exciting

Committed to Environmental Sustainability

Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary is committed to integrating ecological perspectives and sustainable practices throughout the curriculum, worship and spiritual life, programming, building and grounds, and administrative operations of the seminary.

Learn more about the steps Garrett-Evangelical is taking to live out the commitment to Creation Care:

• Newly Renovated and LEED Certified Loder Hall
• Seminary Stewardship Alliance
• Featured Article in Aware February 2013 by Dr. Timothy Eberhart
• New Course Offering in May of 2013 - Food, Faith, and Justice: Holy Communion for the Whole Creation

Garrett-Evangelical's commitment to environmental stewardship can only happen because of the gifts given to the annual fund, which has direct impact on faculty and staff salaries, building and grounds maintance, and student financial aid. Your help is needed. Will you partner with us as we continue to embrace environmental responsibility?

or send a check to:
Attn: Development
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
2121 Sheridan Rd.
Evanston, IL 60201

Meet Tiggs Washington

Degree program: Master of divinity, first year

Meet M.Div. Student Fernando Rivera

Hometown
El Paso, TX

Age
23

Home Church & Denomination
Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, Oklahoma City, OK 

Degrees
B.A. in Religion and a minor in Business Entrepreneurship from Oklahoma City University

Garrett-Evangelical Degree Program/Year
Masters of Divinity, 2^nd year

Background Information
I was born and raised in El Paso, TX, which borders Las Cruzes, NM and Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. You could say that I grew up in multiple cultures! The beauty was that I never knew it. Both my parents were born and raised in Mexico and they passed down the Hispanic culture to me. I would spend holidays and vacation time with family in Mexico. This helped me appreciate my Hispanic roots and opened my eyes to the difficulties of living in a third world country.

At the same time, being raised in Texas, I had the opportunity to live in a primarily Anglo community.  Going through the public school systems, living in mostly white neighborhoods, and worshiping in a church where I was the minority, helped me quickly understand that my skin color and heritage did not and should not hold me back. It is because of these two experiences that I have come to understand and believe that it is not my skin color that defines who I am but rather a culmination of experiences and the use of the gifts God has given me.

Calling
I am currently on track to become an Elder in the Oklahoma Conference of The United Methodist Church. I also have a strong passion for music. For years now I have been writing music, producing, and leading contemporary worship services. I truly feel that contemporary music is a part of my calling as I want to help our churches find ways to incorporate contemporary worship in our services.

Attraction to Garrett-Evangelical
Garrett-Evangelical is a place where I can me be. I can go into a classroom or a professor’s office full of questions and doubts and speak honestly with them. It is a place where I can grow and gain confidence as I prepare for ministry. It is an authentic environment where people honestly care about me and honestly care about helping me reach my fullest potential so that I can effectively serve the local church.

Career Plans
After graduation I plan on returning to the Oklahoma Conference of The United Methodist Church to serve as an Elder. 

Meet Brielle Ocot

Hometown
Clifton, NJ

Age
24

Home Church & Denomination
Bethany Church (Wyckoff, NJ) - Assemblies of God

Degrees
B.A. Music Performance and Literature at Ramapo College of New Jersey

Garrett-Evangelical Degree Program/Year
M.A. Music Ministry, 2nd year

Background Information
I grew up 10 miles outside of my favorite city in the world: New York. With a mother who is a teacher and a father who loves good food, I was bound to spend the majority of my childhood traipsing up and down Manhattan in search of the new and exciting - and traipse I did! Growing up next to the city that never sleeps cultivated in me a love of diversity, a taste for adventure, and, of course, a passion for good pizza.

Calling
I started playing the piano at age 8 and somehow never stopped. Music, like God, seemed to me as natural as breathing. As I grew in my musicality and my faith, church became one of the main forums in which I developed my skills: I was always accompanying choirs, playing for worship bands, and doing offertories. When it came time to apply for college, the path of the collegiate musician seemed overwhelming and I wondered if my passion could really be a career or if it was only meant to be hobby. Halfway through college, after some significant encounters with the Lord and the bewildered realization that I was still very much a musician even though I wasn’t a music major, I began to understand that my passion was not meant to be a career or a hobby - it was meant to be a calling. My heart had always been committed to God, and I became aware that my music would be as well.

Attraction to Garrett-Evangelical
After college, I spent a year looking at various M.A. Sacred Music programs around the country. In my search, I found that most programs fell into one of two camps: either musically-oriented with little-to-no ministerial training or ministry-oriented with little-to-no musical training. I was looking for a program that had both. In a divine moment that I can only attribute to God and Google, I stumbled upon Garrett-Evangelical’s website and noticed the Music Ministry program; a glance at the degree outline showed a well-balanced program that seemed too good to be true. After a heartfelt conversation with admissions personnel, I applied to the program and was accepted. A subsequent visit to campus that included a breathtaking walk around the lakefront, a spiritually-charged chapel service, and a placating meeting with the financial aid director clinched it: I knew Garrett-Evangelical was where I should be.

Career Plans
Music ministry within the church will always be a facet of my career. As such, I plan on seeking out a job within the music/worship team of a church after graduation. Increasingly, I am also feeling a burden for Christian (academic) education, particularly at the secondary and collegiate levels. As a product of Christian schools, I am a passionate advocate for Christian academic institutions. I would love to one day work in a Christian school or college/university where I can train and mentor young musicians as they seek to blend their music and their faith.

Meet Paige Boyer

Name
J. Paige Boyer

Hometown  
Cleveland, OH

Age  
31

Home Church & Denomination
Lakewood United Methodist Church, The United Methodist Church

Degrees
BA in Public Communications and Electronic Media Production from Ashland University

Garrett-Evangelical Degree Program/Year
Master of Divinity, first year

Background Information
I’m a recovering Public Relations professional, having worked in PR for nearly a decade. During that time, I was employed by several advertising agencies and the largest hospice in northeast Ohio. An Ohio native, I’m a fan of all things Cleveland, especially the Browns and the Indians. I’m a social media addict, actively using Twitter, Facebook and blogging as a way to continue my discernment process and to build and maintain relationships.

While I grew up in a Christian home, I didn’t attend church until I was in the 4th grade. As a youth, I was actively involved in youth ministries in my local church and at the district and conference levels. I enjoy theater (watching and performing), singing, reading and writing.  I love school and am excited to be back in an academic environment after almost 10 years away.

Calling
Life so rarely goes the way we plan it. I had my very first sense of call when I was 16 years old but, like a typical teenager, I ignored it. After graduating college, I entered the Public Relations field in Cleveland, got married, and stopped going to church. After my life took a series of unplanned twists and turns, I returned to church in my late 20s, single again and in a brand new job. It was in this brokenness that God called me back to service. It took another two years for me to accept that calling and begin to make plans to be ordained as an elder in the UMC.

Attraction to Garrett-Evangelical
I visited Garrett-Evangelical during early August of 2011, before classes began. Driving up Lake Shore Drive into Evanston, I was awed by the beauty of Lake Michigan. Then, as I pulled onto Garrett Place and looked up at the Main Building, I was sold. My heart knew I had found my home. From my conversations while on campus, I saw that Garrett-Evangelical would not only be the best place for me to find community but it was a place where my theology would be best formed. Besides that, purple is my favorite color.

Career Plans
I tend to be a bit of a dreamer, so I have big plans for my future ministry. After completing my M.Div., I would like to serve in a parish or campus ministry setting for several years. After having that experience, I’d like to move into agency work, helping to make a broader impact on the changing church by using my gifts for creative communications to reach more people. I want to help the UMC maintain its relevance in a culture where the largest growing religious group are “nones.” Alternatively, I’d like to plant a church in downtown Cleveland, helping to reach the growing young professional residential community there.

Meet Justin Lane

Name
Justin Lane

Hometown
Beech Grove, Indiana

Age
24

Home Church & Denomination
Westlake Community Church of God
Church of God (Anderson, IN)

Degrees
B.A. in Bible and Comparative Religion, Anderson University

Garrett-Evangelical Degree Program/Year
M.T.S., first year

Background Information
It seems like I have been an academic my whole life. As a young child, I would beg my mother to quiz me on all different types of facts when we were in the car. While I tended to enjoy history the most, my mother would “quiz” me on just about everything she could. In high school, I was very intrigued by a few pastors and teachers that would dive deep into the history and culture of the biblical text. There were many times I would get so caught up in their historical and cultural explanations that I would miss the point of the sermon. This led me to pursue biblical studies at the collegiate level.
During my freshman year at Anderson University, I took a course with Dr. Merle Strege. Dr. Strege is the professor of historical theology and an avid golfer; needless to say we got along very well. Dr. Strege became my advisor, mentor, and friend. However, the greatest gift he gave me was a love of education and critical analysis.

 Calling
Many of my current classmates have great stories of their calling into vocational ministry. While I haven’t necessarily felt the “call” that they experienced, I am certain that I am faithfully pursuing the vocation and the passions that I have been given. It is my greatest hope that my academic work will positively affect the church and interreligious dialogue. While I may not serve in a parish, I believe I can contribute to the work of the church through exploring biblical texts academically.

Attraction to Garrett-Evangelical
There are two main reasons why I choose Garrett-Evangelical. First, the Old Testament faculty is exceptional. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to learn from their different experiences and areas of expertise. Second, I wanted to attend a seminary that is equally focused on good academic work and a desire to passionately serve the church.

Career Plans
Ideally, upon graduation for Garrett-Evangelical, I would immediately begin doctoral studies. I would like to study the canonical and rabbinical Hebrew writings in the Second Temple period at a university in the United Kingdom. Upon completion of my doctorate, I hope to teach in a college or university where I can do research and give future students the same gift I was given, a love for education and critical analysis.

Faculty Feature: Osvaldo Vena

In the classroom my primary goal is not information but liberation and transformation. My classes become an invitation for students to open their minds to new interpretations and to open their hearts to those who hold those interpretations. When we aks new questions of the text, the Bible can then address us where we are and bring God's word for our context. 

On the stage I sing for peace. I offer my songs as a tribute to Jewish, Arab, and Argentine children who are still not able to live the dignified type of life they deserve. Proceeds from my music support Hope Secondary School in Beit Jala, West Bank and Sueñitos, a day care center working with under privileged children of Ciudad Oculta, the Hidden City, one of the shanty towns of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

- Dr. Osvaldo Vena
Professor of New Testament Interpretation,
Vocalist and Guitarist for Still a Dream Band

Learn more about Dr. Osvaldo Vena:

• Faculty Bio Page
• Still a Dream Band
• Promotion Lecture Video
• Aware Magazine: May 2012 (page 6-7)

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Student Stories 2011-2012

Ben Bower	Annette Hankins	Michael Jarboe
Brenda Kostner	Mao Her	Kentina Washington
Carole Snow	Lauren Wallem	KyungSu Park

Meet Annie MacNeal

Name
Annie MacNeal

Hometown
Worcester, MA

Age
21

Home Church & Denomination
Epworth United Methodist Church

Degrees
B.A. in Psychology, minor in Philosophy at the University of Massachusetts

Garrett-Evangelical Degree Program/Year
M.Div., first year

Background Information
While attending UMass Amherst (University of Massachusetts), I became involved in social justice and community service learning. I volunteered a lot of my time at a local multicultural, anti-bias, afterschool program, Capacidad, which focused on social justice issues. I have always loved working with children, having been a camp counselor for years at a variety of camps. Upon graduating from UMass, I worked as a substitute teacher at an inner-city elementary school and directed a summer camp for cub scouts this past summer.

One of the reasons I graduated early was so that I could participate as a delegate from New England to the General Conference of the UMC. I was elected as a first-alternate lay delegate, but was able to be a seated delegate on the General Administration legislative committee. One of the main focuses of this committee was to restructure the UMC. Although General Conference was stressful and disheartening at times, I learned a lot and was even more confident in my call to ordained ministry and social justice in the UMC.

Calling
I grew up going to a United Methodist Church with my family. My mom was the head of Sunday School and my dad was the Lay Leader. I went to church because that was what you were supposed to do; I didn’t know anything else.

One summer, when I was 14 years old, I went on a camping trip with my family. During this trip, I discovered what it meant that Jesus truly loved me and I wanted to accept that love and forgiveness. As I prayed, a warmness and peace came over me and I knew that there was nothing else I was meant to do in life besides make others feel that same peace and love; God was calling me to be a pastor.

After becoming involved in community service and learning about social justice issues in college, I felt the call even more. I knew I wanted to work toward social justice through my ministry and build bridges between the community and the church. I wondered about becoming a Deacon instead of an Elder, but the feeling I would get when I preached, made me sure of my call to ordained ministry on the elder track.

Attraction to Garrett-Evangelical
One of the main reasons I chose Garrett-Evangelical was because of its sense of community. The first time I visited¸ I was immediately welcomed and felt right at home. Another reason I chose Garrett-Evangelical was because of its strong commitment to social justice. There are so many ways to get involved and serve others in a variety of ministries. Finally, I appreciated that the education at Garrett-Evangelical was well-rounded. Not only do we learn academically and in the classroom, but there is also an aspect of practical, hands-on learning that is important for ministry. For example, there are two years of required field education.

Career Plans
I am currently on my way to becoming a certified candidate in the UMC for ordained ministry on the elder track. Upon graduating from Garrett-Evangelical, I hope to be commissioned to the local church and to be ordained. At this point, I wish to return to my home conference of New England, but I am open to wherever God calls me to go. Ideally, I would love to work with a diverse population of people, break the barriers of the church “walls,” and truly reach out to and serve the surrounding community.

Meet Uziel Hernandez

Hometown in Mexico
Veracruz, Mexico
Hometown in the U.S.A.
Lafayette, TN.

Age
23

Home Church & Denomination
Chapel Hill United Methodist Church and Iglesia Metodista Hispana “Manahaim” (Spanish congregation at Chapel Hill UMC).
My denomination is the United Methodist Church.

Degrees
B.S. in Religion and Philosophy, Martin Methodist College

Degree Program/Year
master of divinity, second year

Background Information
I am originally from Mexico but have been living in the United States for about 10 years. I finished my undergraduate studies at Martin Methodist College. I can speak English and Spanish proficiently. I enjoy playing soccer, racquetball, rugby, football and tennis. I like to draw, sketch and paint whenever I get the chance. I also enjoy going to church and reading the Bible. I especially enjoy reading the New Testament in Greek. My favorite food is Japanese but I can eat just about anything. My favorite drink is coffee and my favorite fruit is banana. I like to have coffee with banana every morning for breakfast.

Calling
I had been given a lot by people who loved me very much. As a result, it is in my heart to do my best in my studies, life, work and ministry, and to serve others, my family, my church, my community and my society. In doing this, I will be able to bring honor and respect to those who put their trust and effort in me. Thus, I believe being a pastor and scholar is the best way in my situation to serve others and achieve my goals in my life. God speaks to us all in many different ways. I want to be ready theologically and academically to listen and act for the well-being of the other, the one who needs me.

Attraction to Garrett-Evangelical
When I was looking for a graduate school, someone suggested that I look at Garrett-Evangelical. I really didn’t know much about the school; however, soon after a visit to the campus, I felt that Garrett-Evangelical would be a place where I could develop my theological, academic, and spiritual life. The students, staff, and faculty at Garrett-Evangelical are very hospitable. I constantly feel the support I need to be confident that I’m on the right path. Also, the great resources, academic, financial and spiritual, Garrett-Evangelical offers for the students are very extensive. 

Career Plans
I am seeking ordination in The United Methodist Church. Also, I want to continue with my academic work and get a Ph.D. in theology or philosophy someday. In addition to this, I want to work with churches to find ways to connect points of mutual understanding between Spanish-speaking churches and English-speaking churches.  Both churches are very complex and different; however, I believed that in our differences we can have mutual points of similarities in communication, justice, action, ethics, and work. As Christians, we all have been called to teach, preach, and become immersed in the gospel of Christ, a gospel of freedom, liberty and mutuality. It is my desire that my work in the ministry reflects the message of Christ and it is my desire to be of service and support to my family, church, community, and society in all that I can.

Meet Benjamin Bower

Hometown
West Bloomfield, Michigan

Age
24

Home Church
Birmingham First United Methodist Church

Degrees
B.A. Philosophy & Religious Studies, Albion College 

Garrett-Evangelical Degree Program/Year
M.Div. third year

Career Plans
I plan on ministering in the local church as an ordained elder in the UMC.

Personal Information
I have been involved in some type of ministry in the church since I was in high school. Before coming to Garrett-Evangelical I worked with Crossroads of Detroit, taught elementary students through Baldwin Summer Enrichment Camp, coordinated projects for Motown Mission, and did a little bit of everything for Cass Community Social Services. My most meaningful ministerial experiences are those from my time working in Detroit. Lately, I have been thinking about the ways in which God is moving in my life and in the world around me. I believe that God cares deeply about those who have the least and hurt the most. I have a heart for justice and I pray that God will use me in ministry to further God’s vision of a just and whole world.

Attraction to Garrett-Evangelical
The decision to come to seminary was not an easy one for me. I began wrestling with that question in my junior year of college. Through my discernment process I believed that God was calling me to further my education, to sharpen the skills that I had already acquired, and to prepare by learning new truths about the work I am called to do.  I was and am committed to seeking ways by which God can equip me to do such a work. I narrowed my search to three seminaries. There are many reasons that I was attracted to Garrett-Evangelical. However, there were two things that really pulled me in. The first is that I knew plenty of alums who were doing incredible work for God in Detroit and around the world. The second was that Garrett-Evangelical was the only seminary that made me believe that I was truly wanted there and that the education they could provide was exactly what I would need in order to do the work that I felt called to.

Calling
When I was 15, I was at a youth conference with a few friends. We were able to choose which workshops we would attend and one day as we were looking over our options I felt drawn to a workshop on entering ministry as a profession. As my friends all prepared to go as a group, I went my own way. At that moment a seed was planted within me. A year later I was given the opportunity to preach at my church’s largest service along with some fellow youth group members. After the service, my pastor came up to me and suggested that I’d be pretty good at this. I then embraced any leadership opportunity in my youth group and around the church that I could. The church afforded me a place to experiment and grow in a role of responsibility and leadership while continuing to grow in my faith and my understanding of who God is. By the time I was ready to graduate from high school I answered the call that God had placed on my heart and believed that no other work would be as fulfilling as this.

Class of 1962 Photo

Garrett-Evangelical Class of 1962 Reunion, as photographed in Evanston, Illinois, May 11, 2012

Front row, bottom step, left to right
Miley Palmer, Don Ferrill, Don Leo, Gene Matthews and Robert Harman

Middle row, left to right
Leroy Fassett, Philip Richardson, Lowell Walsworth, Ralph Dude, Royal Speidel, Fred Eisenhut and Curtis Rolfe

Back row, left to right
Dewey Sanders, Jim Current, John Schreiber, James McHolland, Walter Wagener and Irwin Jennings