Table of Contents
- Give to Wesley
- From the President
- Ministry Resources
- Grad News and Notes
- Upcoming Events
- About eCalling for Graduates
Give to Wesley
June Marks the End of Wesley's Fiscal Year
Donations to Wesley Theological Seminary are a major factor in our ability to prepare exemplary preachers, teachers and leaders for the church. Your gift to Wesley provides the resources needed to equip men and women for a life of Christian ministry. Please support your seminary this fiscal year with a contribution to Wesley and our students by June 30.
There is a special matching fund for gifts given by Wesley graduates from 2003 through 2006.Any gift to Wesley's Annual Fund by June 30 from these class years will be matched one for one.
Please take a moment to make a secure online donation at http://www.wesleysem.edu/give or send a check to Wesley Theological Seminary, attention Development Department, 4500 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20016.
Thank you for your support.
From the President
Dear friend,
The Christian faith is a group experience. Because it is a group experience, leadership--spiritual leadership--is essential. And the measurement of your effectiveness as a leader in the Body of Christ is whether your community has become more sanctified, whether their love of God and love of neighbor has increased.
So, how do we become effective spiritual leaders? The first thing I want to share is the deepest lesson I have learned. Like all deep lessons, it is something I have to continually re-learn by reflecting on my mistakes. Here is my great insight: It's easy to be busy. (I didn't say the lesson was complicated. It's just hard to follow.) Your effectiveness will not depend on simply your busyness. What matters isn't that your calendar is full. It is what you do that matters.
That means we have to be strategic--spiritually strategic. To be strategic means you understand the forces that drive change in human organizations. To be spiritually strategic means you have a vision for how those forces may be used to be part of what God is doing in the world. Let me briefly describe three forces at work in human nature that can become means of Grace, channels of God's sanctifying Grace, in order that we might be spiritually strategic.
The first force is the desire for humans to belong. You know that people are much braver in groups, there is safety in numbers and we can endure much more suffering if we don't have to endure it alone. Research shows, that in matters of faith, belonging is primary. Robin Gill, an English ethicist and theologian, is convinced that most people first belong and then believe. Much of what you do in your ministry will be to make this a channel for God's Grace--to provide hospitality to the stranger, welcoming them into the household and simply helping them feel like they belong.
The second force is curiosity. Without curiosity, learning doesn't happen. A good teacher knows how to tap into this powerful force of human nature. You will do a lot of teaching in your ministry; some of it may be in a classroom. Jesus taught us to "love God with all our heart, all our soul and all our mind." Follow his lead. His was a ministry of teaching and what he taught about was the Kingdom of God. "Teach ye first the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness."
The third force is the desire to work. Oh, how powerful this is. It is so basic and instinctual. It's what causes us to get up every morning. Perhaps "work" isn't the right word; it's the desire to do something, to be a part of some effort. But the desire to work is value-free--it drives both the fireman and the arsonist. For every person who seeks to claim the record for the number of gallons of blood donated, someone else is trying to make the biggest ball of aluminum foil.
The great choice in life isn't whether to live or die. The question is: "what are you living for?" or, "what are you dying for?" It is the same question. It is a religious question; it is the central question of faith. But remember, it isn't hard to be busy. The challenge of leadership is to know how to channel that busyness for the sake of the Kingdom.
The Body of Christ needs leadership...strategic spiritual leadership. And that's you. Rejoice in your calling. When we were little, before we knew the difference between work and play, it was all play. Have you ever watched children at play? No one works harder. Maybe that's what Jesus meant when he said, "let the children come unto me, for to such belong the Kingdom of God."
If you gather people in the name of Christ, comfort them, teach them of the Kingdom of God and give them something holy to do, the community you are called to serve will grow both outwardly and inwardly. It won't be you; it will be the sanctifying Grace of God. But you will have channeled that Grace. And at its best moments, it will seem like children at play in the mind of God.
May God bless you in your ministry.
Sincerely,
David McAllister-Wilson
Ministry Resources
Wesley Is a Resource for the Church and the People of the Church
- At Wesley, our faculty members teach from the deep center of thoughtful Christianity. For example, Wesley's professor of theology, culture and mission, Dr. Sathi Clarke, spoke to a group of lay people about being passionately Christian and compassionately interfaith earlier this year. In his speech, he spoke of the love of God extending beyond human comprehension, and how we should open ourselves up to the love that is extended to us and through us to others. You can hear Dr. Clarke's lecture by going to www.wesleysem.edu/development/alumni_relations.
- We have designed day, night and weekend courses to accommodate all who seek to explore, learn and deepen their faith. In addition to our degree programs, we provide a diverse range of programs for clergy and lay members. For example, Wesley's Equipping Lay Ministry Program is offering the two-week, evening course Spiritual Gifts for the Contemporary Church beginning July 17, where participants learn more about growing their congregations. For more information, visit www.wesleysem.edu/layministry/courses/Summer2006.asp.
- A few of our faculty members have recommended the following books for lay and clergy leaders.
Dr. Youtha Hardman-Cromwell recommends:
Now, Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham and Donald O. Clifton
Reflecting with God, Connecting Faith and Daily Life in Small Groups by Abigail Johnson
Catherine Kapikian recommends:
On the Strange Place of Religion in Contemporary Art by James Elkins as an engaging antithesis to her new book Art in Service of the Sacred
Dr. Amy Oden recommends:
A Woman's Place: Women and House Churches in Early Christianity by Carolyn Osiek and Margaret Y. McDonald
Streams of Living Water: Celebrating the Great Traditions of the Christian Faith by Richard Foster
Creating a Life with God: The Call of Ancient Prayer Practices by Daniel Wolpert
Sex Wars: A Novel of the Turbulent Post-Civil War Period by Marge Piercy
Dr. Shaun Casey recommends:
Improvisation: The Drama of Christian Ethics by Samuel Wells
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
The March by E.L. Doctorow
Thy Kingdom Come: An Evangelical's Lament by Randall Balmer
The End of Poverty by Jeffrey Sachs
Anti-Catholicism in America by Mark Massa
The Oxford Book of American Poetry edited by David Lehman
Moneyball by Michael Lewis
Dr. Eileen Guenther recommends:
Bound for Canaan: The Underground Railroad and The War for the Soul of America by Fergus M. Bordewich
Dr. Lovett H. Weems, Jr. recommends:
God's Potters: Pastoral Leadership and the Shaping of Congregations by Jackson W. Carroll
Back Talk!: Women Leaders Changing the Church by Susan Willhauck
Grad News and Notes
For and About Wesley Alums
Please send information you'd like to share with other Wesley alumni to Ann Keeler, director of alumni relations, at Graduates@wesleysem.edu.
Celebrations
David Canada, D.Min. '96 reports that his book Spiritual Leadership in the Small Membership Church was published by Abingdon Press in October 2005. It is the second in a series aimed at pastors of small membership churches.
Linda Dolby, M.Div. '80 and Cleve Shields, M.Div. '80 celebrated their 28th wedding anniversary recently. They were married in Oxnam Chapel on May 6, 1978. Dr. Shields, who has been on the faculty of the University of Rochester, will be joining the faculty of the Marriage and Family Therapy Training Program, Department of Child and Family Studies at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana this summer. He will be teaching and doing research in the Ph.D. program, the same program from which he received his Ph.D. nearly 20 years ago. He will also have a private practice in Lafayette. As of July 1, Rev. Dolby will be the pastor of the Mulberry United Methodist Church in Mulberry, Indiana. For the past 19 years, she has served in the WNY Conference of The United Methodist Church, most recently for five years as pastor of Wesley UMC in Rochester, New York. Both Cleve and Linda were ordained Elder in the North Indiana Conference in 1981.
David Fetterman, M.Div. '79 has been serving since mid-January of this year at the University of Pittsburgh as community outreach coordinator for the Center for Healthy Aging.
Kathleen Kind, M.Div. '01, preached at the Central Pennsylvania Annual Conference during the Celebration of Ministry service in which they honored retirees, conference award recipients and extension ministers and celebrated 50 years of full clergy rights for women. In order to commemorate and celebrate full clergy rights an elder woman elder and younger woman elder (Kathy!) were asked to preach.
Lu Lan, M.T.S. '02 received the 2006 D.C. Community Service Award on May 25 from Mayor Anthony Williams. The award recognizes the recipient's pioneering spirit, commitment to the community, and exceptional leadership and community service.
Chuck Leger, M.Div. '03 and Beth Richards Leger, M.Div. '03 were ordained as elders in full connection in the Baltimore-Washington Conference of The United Methodist Church on May 27, 2006.
Rev. Lyle M. Miller, Sr., Course of Study '92 is retired from the Troy Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. He's interested in discussing the process other Course of Study graduates have undergone to become ordained Associate Members and Deacons. Fellow Course of Study graduates can contact Lyle at lmiller@logical.net.
Previously Reported in eCalling for Graduates May 2006 Issue
Recent Deaths
Rev. Barbara Bunker Vercelli, M.Div. '01 probationary member of the Baltimore-Washington Conference and pastor of Woodfield: Wesley Grove UMC, died April 25 after a long struggle with cancer. Condolences may be sent to Wendy Giuliano (daughter), 311 Sloping Woods Ct., Annapolis, MD 21409.
Celebrations
Debra J. Hanson, D.Min. '04 was married to David Atkinson on February 18, 2006 at the Hampden Highlands UMC in Hampden, Maine where she serves as the pastor.
Dave Hunter, M.Div. '03 and Kerry Mueller, M.Div. '94 have been called by the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fayetteville, Arkansas. They will serve as their co-ministers, sharing one full-time position. The position begins in August.
Tim Seidel M.T.S. '03 and Chris Seidel joyfully announce the birth of their son, Kai Emanuel Hoover Siedel, on May 12. Weighing in at 8.59 pounds, Kai was born in Bethlehem. Tim and Chris are peace development workers with the Mennonite Central Committee in Palestine.
Olivia Wesley, M.Div. '01 was inducted as the first female principal of the Sierra Leone Theological College and Church Training Centre on May 7. She started teaching/lecturing there when she returned home to Freetown, Sierra Leone in 2003. The college is an ecumenical one founded in 1975 by three heads of churches-ANGLICAN, Methodist and United Methodist. However, all other churches send their students there. Presently the student population is 87, a big drop from 200 plus, due to the war and the economic situation in Sierra Leone.
Rev. John Shellenberger, M.Div. '80 is serving at First UMC in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. This summer, he will be participating in the World Methodist Council Ministerial Exchange in England.
Job Announcements
Wesley Seminary does not actively seek job announcements, but when they are sent to us, we forward information applicable to our graduates.
The Hunger Team of the Mission Interpretation and Coordination Committee of National Capital Presbytery is seeking applicants for a part-time Hunger Action Enabler to work with local congregations, the Presbyterian Hunger Program and other hunger advocacy organizations. For application and job description please visit www.thepresbytery.org/hungerteam.html. For more information, call Joan McLellan at ajoanmclellan@aol.com or (703) 360-5034. The Reformed Church in America in Bronxville, New York, is seeking a minister of Christian education. The Minister of Education, in conjunction with the Education Council, is to provide effective programs for instruction, nurture, fellowship, and growth in the Christian faith and life of the congregation. The primary area of concentration will be in adult education with oversight and support of educational ministry to children and youth. Position available: July 1, 2006 with adult education classes beginning in September. Ordained individual preferred but experienced non-ordained individual will be greatly considered. Send resume, references and any additional consideration materials to: Eric Blessing, Search Committee Chair, The Reformed Church, Box 397, Bronxville, NY 10708. For more information, visit www.reformedchurch.org.
Upcoming Events
The Reconstituted Cross, An Art Exhibition Running now through July 28, 2006
The Henry Luce III Center for the Arts and Religion and the Dadian Gallery present an art exhibit of sculptural meditations on the connections between physical matter and Christian faith by Ted Prescott in the gallery on Wesley's campus. On Tuesday, June 27, at 12 p.m. in Elderdice Hall, the gallery will host a reception and discussion with the artist. For more information, call (202) 885-8630.
The Fruitful Congregation, September 23, 2006
Wesley's Lewis Center for Church Leadership presents a daylong program The Fruitful Congregation on Saturday, September 23, 2006. This day of learning will inspire, empower, inform and equip participating lay and clergy leaders from churches throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. The program offers practical, actionable strategies, workshops, resources and connections. The event will be held on the Wesley campus 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. The registration fee is $55 per person or $45 per person when four or more register together from the same church. Lunch is included. For more information, visit www.churchleadership.com or call (202) 885-8757.
About eCalling for Graduates
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