2013-01 Archive

Remembering Nelson Mandela (1918-2013)

Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary wishes to express its sympathy as we weep with the family of Nelson Mandela during this time of bereavement. The world has lost one of its iconic, great leaders. As we anticipate the state funeral and the last traditional ceremony that will lay him to his final rest, the seminary community takes this moment to publicly express our gratitude for the remarkable life of this servant leader.

Guaranteed Tuition Rate for Masters Students Starting Fall 2014

Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary is pleased to announce a guaranteed tuition rate for master’s level students, starting in the fall of 2014. This initiative provides students a new layer of financial stability by guaranteeing the same tuition rate for two or three years, pending which masters degree program they seek to complete.

Garrett-Evangelical and MTSO Appoint Timothy Eberhart Assistant Professor of Theology and Ecology

Methodist Theological School in Ohio and Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary have appointed Rev. Dr. Timothy Eberhart assistant professor of theology and ecology. Eberhart will serve Garrett-Evangelical and MTSO through a joint appointment, teaching classes on both campuses through a variety of formats.

Historic Day of Giving for Garrett-Evangelical on #GivingTuesday

On December 3, 2013, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary participated in #GivingTuesday, an international campaign to encourage giving to nonprofit organizations. The day began with alums and friends making gifts online at midnight and calling the development office to make gifts over the phone during office hours. The seminary is pleased to announce that over $48,000 was donated to Garrett-Evangelical by over 100 people. This marks a historic day in fundraising for the seminary, and Garrett-Evangelical could not be more thankful for the generosity of our alumni and friends.

Dr. Philip Amerson, President Emeritus, to Serve as Interim Pastor at St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Highlands Ranch, Colorado

The Rev. Dr. Philip A. Amerson, outgoing president of Garrett-Evangelical, will serve as interim pastor at St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Highlands Ranch, Colorado beginning February 2014. Dr. Amerson, who retires as president as of December 31, 2013, will serve as interim pastor at St. Andrews UMC through June 2014.

Ruth C. Duck Honored as Fellow by Hymn Society

Originally published by The Hymn Society in the United States

Ruth C. Duck has been honored by The Hymn Society in the United States and Canada at its annual conference in Richmond from July 14-18, 2013, by being named a Fellow of The Hymn Society. This award, the highest honor given by the organization, was conferred because of Duck’s pioneering work in inclusive language for worship, her preeminence as a hymn poet and teacher, and her significant contributions to The Society.

Two Prominent Figures in the Seminary's History, Roth and Clymer, Now Deceased

This week the Garrett-Evangelical community was saddened to learn of the passing of two prominent figures in the history of the seminary. Dr. Wolfgang Roth, former professor of Old Testament and academic dean, died on Sunday, November 24. Bishop Wayne Clymer, former president of Evangelical Theological Seminary, died on Monday, November 25.

Matching Opportunity for #GivingTuesday on December 3, 2013

On December 3, 2013, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary will participate in #GivingTuesday to boost gift-giving to the seminary. #GivingTuesday is one day of giving that kicks off the giving season. This year it is on Tuesday, December 3rd following Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday. This is the second year for this national day of philanthropy. In the same way that retail stores take part in Black Friday and online shippers participate in Cyber Monday, #Giving Tuesday allows people to utilize the power of social media and to create a national moment dedicated to giving.

President Philip Amerson confirmed as President Emeritus

It is with profound gratitude and honor that Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary announces the confirmation of President Philip A. Amerson the honorary title of President Emeritus of Garrett-Evangelical upon his retirement on December 31, 2013. The Garrett-Evangelical Board of Trustees unanimously approved this title at their semi-annual meeting held on October 24.

Dr. Elaine Amerson Honored with the Eliza Garrett Distinguished Service Award

Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary was overjoyed to present the Eliza Garrett Distinguished Service Award to Dr. Elaine Amerson, spouse of President Philip Amerson, for her many years of selfless service to the seminary community. President-elect Lallene Rector presented the award to Dr. Amerson at a community meal held in honor of President and Dr. Amerson. The award is given in the name and spirit of Eliza Clark Garrett to honor a person, who by their imaginative acts of communal restoration and healing, reflect God’s mission and purposes for our world.

Political, Religious Leaders hold Conference on Navigating Health Care Reform

The Daily Northwestern
DANNY KELLEHER, REPORTER
October 2, 2013

As the highly anticipated Affordable Care Act’s insurance exchanges opened across the nation Tuesday, local religious figures, Evanston politicians and other community members gathered on Northwestern’s campus to discuss the bill’s implications and educate attendees on the new health care system.

New Vice President of Business Affairs and Chief Financial Officer

Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary is pleased to announce the appointment of Dale McClain as the Vice President of Business Affairs and Chief Financial Officer effective Monday, August 19, 2013. Mr. McClain comes to Garrett-Evangelical with a wealth of experience and a successful record of growing revenue and managing costs.

Garrett-Evangelical Announces the Appointment of Dr. Luis R. Rivera as Vice President of Academic Affairs and Academic Dean

Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary named Dr. Luis R. Rivera as the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Academic Dean in May of 2013. Rivera began his term on January 1, 2014, the same day Dr. Lallene Rector assumed the presidency of the seminary. Rivera maintains a thorough and diverse experience of academic teaching, administration, and institutional leadership. He is an exploring candidate for ordination as a United Methodist Deacon in the Northern Illinois Annual Conference.

Garrett-Evangelical to Host a Healthcare Education Conference for Religious and Community Leaders

On October 1 and 2, 2013, faith leaders and the people they serve will gather together for "Navigating the Affordable Care Act: People of Faith Seeking Justice and Health." Participants, gathered at Garrett-Evangelical and across Chicagoland at three partner satellite sites, will share knowledge and resources to help people access health security provided by the Affordable Healthcare Act (Obamacare). Our satellite locations have been selected to get essential information to the people who need it.

2013 Academic Convocation

Rev. Dr. Tex Sample, an ordained elder of The United Methodist Church and professor emeritus at The Saint Paul School of Theology, will be the keynote speaker at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary’s convocation on September 11, 2013. The event will be held at 11:15 a.m. in the Chapel of the Unnamed Faithful and all are welcome to attend.

Installation of Dr. Frederick W. Schmidt as the Rueben P. Job Associate Professor of Spiritual Formation

Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary is pleased to announce the inauguration of the endowed Rueben P. Job Chair of Spiritual Formation and the installation of Dr. Frederick W. Schmidt into this Chair as the Rueben P. Job Associate Professor of Spiritual Formation. The inauguration and installation ceremony will be held on September 10, 2013 at 11:15 a.m. in the Chapel of the Unnamed Faithful. The establishment of the endowed Rueben P. Job Chair in Spiritual Formation continues Garrett-Evangelical’s commitment to academic rigor and profound spiritual formation.

Dr. Stephen G. Ray, Jr. Named Interim Dean

Garrett-Evangelical has named Professor Stephen G. Ray, Jr. as the Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs and Academic Dean of the seminary effective August 1st though December 31, 2013. Garrett-Evangelical's current Academic Dean, Lallene Rector, will be on sabbatical leave during the fall semester and will begin her duties as president on January 1, 2014.

Dr. Jack Harnish Honored with the Eliza Garrett Distinguished Service Award

President Philip Amerson presented the Eliza Garrett Distinguished Service Award to Dr. John “Jack” Harnish for his years of extraordinary service and ministry to The United Methodist Church on June 23^rd. President Amerson presented the award at an event being held in Harnish’s honor at First United Methodist Church in Birmingham, Michigan for his 43 years of ministry.

Neichelle Guidry Jones Receives Beatitudes Society Fellowship

SANTA BARBARA, CA ‐ The Beatitudes Society has announced that Neichelle Guidry Jones, Yale Divinity School `10 and current Ph.D. student at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, has been awarded a $10,000 Beatitudes Fellowship. She is one of eight emerging faith leaders from across the United States selected for the annual award.

Dr. Frederick W. Schmidt Named Rueben P. Job Associate Professor of Spiritual Formation

Dr. Frederick W. Schmidt will join the faculty of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary as the Rueben P. Job Associate Professor of Spiritual Formation effective July 1, 2013. Schmidt is the first to hold the newly endowed Rueben P. Job Chair in Spiritual Formation. He will begin teaching in the fall of 2013 and will also oversee the Rueben Job Institute for Spiritual Formation.

Jaeyeon Lucy Chung Named Director of United Library and Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology

Garrett-Evangelical is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Jaeyeon Lucy Chung as director of the United Library and Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology, effective July 1, 2013. With approximately 515,000 volumes in the collection, including a rare book collection of over 7,000, Chung will oversee the ninth largest theological library in the United States and the largest theological library in the Chicagoland area. In addition, Chung will join the distinguished faculty of Garrett-Evangelical and begin teaching in the fall of 2013.

Dr. Lallene J. Rector Named President of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary

Today, the Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary Board of Trustees unanimously elected Dr. Lallene J. Rector to be the next president of Garrett-Evangelical. Currently serving as the seminary’s vice president for academic affairs and academic dean, Rector will succeed Dr. Philip A. Amerson, who will retire on December 31 after nearly eight years as president.

Garrett-Evangelical to Honor Three Alumni at Commencement

Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary will honor three alumni for their service in The United Methodist Church at the 156^th Commencement on May 17, 2013. Bishop Sharon Rader, retired bishop and previously bishop-in-residence at Garrett-Evangelical, will be awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree. Rev. Jane Eesley, an elder in the Northern Illinois Conference, and Rev. Earl Francis Lindsay, retired elder in the Wisconsin Conference, will be honored with Distinguished Alumni Awards for their important service to the Church and the world.

Trustee Alice Spitzer Honored with the Eliza Garrett Distinguished Service Award

On behalf of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, President Philip Amerson presented the Eliza Garrett Distinguished Service Award to Alice Spitzer, a retiring trustee, this past Sunday, April 21^st. President Amerson surprised Spitzer with the award in front of her home congregation, First United Methodist Church of Peoria, Illinois, for her years of service to the church and the seminary.

Garrett-Evangelical and Kellogg School of Management Honor the Inaugural Class of the Plus Program

On Tuesday, April 16, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management awarded certificates of completion to the inaugural class of the Plus Program at a dinner held at Northwestern University’s School of Law in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Philip Amerson, President of Garrett-Evangelical, and Ms.

Doctor of Ministry Student, Rev. Steven Trefz, Receives The Journal of Christian Ministry Award of Excellence

The Association for Doctor of Ministry Education (ADME) has selected current Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) student, Rev. Steven Trefz, as the recipient of The Journal of Christian Ministry Award of Excellence for his recently completed thesis. Entitled “Picturing” Lay Ministry: Photovoice and Participatory Group Spiritual Gifts Assessment, Trefz’s thesis was chosen from hundreds of D.Min. theses from 55 ADME represented schools across the United States and Canada.

Dr. Morton Schapiro, President of Northwestern University, to Deliver Address at 156th Commencement

Dr. Morton Schapiro, President of Northwestern University, will deliver the address at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary’s 156th Commencement and receive an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters. The service will begin at 10 a.m. on May 17th, at First United Methodist Church in Evanston with a reception to follow.

Garrett-Evangelical Honored to Host Episcopal Leaders and Scholars

Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary was graced by the diverse presence of church leaders and scholars attending one of two conferences held on the seminary's campus last week. On Wednesday, March 13, members of the Black Methodists for Church Renewal (BMCR) opened their 46th Annual Meeting over dinner in Loder Hall followed by the opening worship service.

Three Garrett-Evangelical Alumni Named Deans of Divinity Schools

Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary celebrates the recent appointments of three alumni who will serve as deans of divinity schools. Dr. David K. Clark has been named Vice President and Dean of Bethel Seminary, Dr. Evelyn L. Parker has been named Associate Academic Dean of Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University, and Dr. Emilie M. Townes has been named Dean of Vanderbilt University Divinity School.

Garrett-Evangelical Hosts 11 Bishops of The United Methodist Church for the 2013 Leadership Academy

For four days, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary hosted eleven newly appointed bishops of The United Methodist Church as participants in the 2013 Leadership Academy. The Leadership Academy, an executive education program created specifically for the bishops elected in 2012, was led by senior faculty and practitioners from Garrett-Evangelical and the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Bishops from across the United States as well as Europe and Russia participated in the groundbreaking leadership program.

Newly Endowed Chair in Spiritual Formation is Among the First in Protestant Seminaries

In 2010 Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary began seeking funds for the Rueben P. Job Endowed Chair in Spiritual Formation in celebration of the seminary’s first 25 years of leadership in spiritual formation studies and in recognition of Rueben Job’s lifelong commitment to this area. Hundreds of gifts were received, and in December 2012 a generous gift helped the seminary reach its $2 million goal to fund one of the first chairs in spiritual formation among Protestant seminaries.