Alumni News
Rev. Dr. Robert “Bob” Hibbard (STH ’54, GRS ’57) passed on March 18, 2019
The Rev. Dr. Robert B. Hibbard (STH '54, GRS '57), 92, beloved husband of Elaine Arnsbarger Hibbard for 65-years, died Monday, March 18, 2019 at Aiken Regional Medical Centers. A memorial service will be held Monday, April 1, 2019 at 11AM at St. John's United Methodist Church with The Rev. Dr. W. Timothy McClendon and Rev. Nancy Creswell Reed officiating. To read Bob's full obituary, click here.
Jen Bloesch (STH ’18) starts as Agrarian Youth Mentor and Supervisor at Gideon’s Garden and Grace Church
Jen Bloesch (STH MDiv Graduate 2018) recently began as the first Agrarian Youth Mentor and Supervisor at Gideon's Garden and Grace Church, an Episcopal Community in the Southern Berkshires. To learn more about Jen and Gideon's Garden, visit their website here.
Significant Honors for Professor Nimi Wariboko
Professor Nimi Wariboko has a list of upcoming achievements and honors to add to his list of lifetime achievements and awards.
He will be inducted into the American Theological Society in the Society’s meeting in Princeton Theological Seminary this weekend, beginning March 22. Other School of Theology faculty among the select 100 members are Professor Emeritus Robert Neville, Professor Wesley Wildman, and Professor Walter Fluker.
The BU Institute on Culture, Religion and World Affairs will launch Professor Wariboko's most recent book, Ethics and Society in Nigeria: Identity, History, and Political Theory onWednesday April 3, 2019, 4:00pm, Hillel, 4th floor (213 Bay State Road). The School of Theology and the African Studies Center are co-sponsoring this event: https://www.bu.edu/cura/nimi-wariboko-book-launch/
Finally, Professor Wariboko will deliver the 41st W. E. B. Du Bois Distinguished Lecture at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, on November 13, 2019. Nimi adds to a distinguished line of lecturers, including people in history, political science, creative writing, law, and sociology. Visit https://africanastudies.umbc.edu/w-e-b-du-bois-lecture-series for more information.
Congratulations to Professor Wariboko!
Mary Baker Eddy Library Hosts Podcast with STH Alum Dr. Ruth Duck (’89)
The Mary Baker Eddy Library Podcast Series Seekers and Scholars recently hosted Dr. Ruth Duck (STH '89) for an episode entitled "Hymns of Our Time," exploring Dr. Ruth Duck's hymn writing. Listen to the episode here.
“Faith at the Intersections: A Collection of Writings for Black and LGBTQ Communities in and beyond the United Methodist Church”
Rev. Gil Caldwell (STH '58), Rev. Dr. Pamela Lightsey (Former STH Dean of Community Life), and Bishop Melvin Talbert published "Faith at the Intersections: A Collection of Writings for Black and LGBTQ Communities in and beyond the United Methodist Church" in 2017 and we share it with you now as a resource after the recent vote.
From the Introduction:
“Through his writings, Rev. Gil Caldwell civil rights activist and foot soldier who walked with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., has frequently identified black, same-gender loving persons as important to the work of liberation. Bishop Melvin Talbert, another civil rights activist has been the leading episcopal voice reminding us that biblical obedience means full inclusion of LGBTQI persons in the worship and ministry of our denomination. Rev. Dr. Pamela R. Lightsey, a queer lesbian ordained elder and scholar works within the academy, the church and as an activist on urban streets protesting racism and homophobia. Each of us, in our work and writings have consistently argued that our ministries are made better by the teachings and examples of such Black LGBTQI persons as James Baldwin, Bayard Rustin, and Audre Lorde. We have seen no conflict in our racial justice activism and our activism in challenging the discrimination LGBTQI persons, same gender loving persons and couples face in church and society.
We share these writings with the hope that the unfinished justice journeys of persons of African descent in the America’s, Africa and the rest of the world, will be linked to the justice journeys of LGBTQI persons, same sex couples, women, the poor, and all people who are yet to experience complete freedom, justice and equality.”
For a further preview or to order a copy, please visit the Reconciling Ministries Network Website.
Rev. Dr. Shively T. J. Smith to Appear in History Channel Special
Rev. Dr. Shively T. J. Smith, Assistant Professor of New Testament, will appear as an expert on the History Channel series "Jesus: His Life". The showings begin on Monday, March 25 at 8pm EDT, and with two back-to-back episodes weekly leading to Easter (March 25, April 1, April 8, and April 15).
The story is told through the eyes of those who knew Jesus. The series interviewed or consulted with more than 25 of the most prominent theologians, historians, biblical scholars and faith leaders from across the ideological spectrum to create a complete portrait of Jesus and the times in which he lived, combining a narrative retelling of Jesus that follows the Gospel accounts with attention to the cultural and historical context. The order of the episodes are:
• Joseph – The Nativity
• John The Baptist – The Mission
• Mary Mother – The First Miracles
• Caiaphas – The Rising of Lazarus
• Judas – The Betrayal
• Pilate – The Trial
• Mary Magdalene – The Crucifixion
• Peter – The Resurrection
For more information and to find showtimes in your area, please visit https://www.aenetworks.com/article/history-to-premiere-eight-part-event-jesus-his-life-on-monday-march-25.
Cry Against Terror: A Message from Dean Moore about the New Zealand Shooting
March 15, 2019
Dear Beloved Community,
Our neighbors, half-way across the world, have been terrorized, and we grieve and cry out with them. While people prayed in the Al Noor and Linwood Mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, a horrifying attack took 49 lives and injured many more, including children and families. We grieve for those who were killed, those who have been left behind, and those whose lives have been traumatized. The attacks ripped at the security and wellbeing of Muslims worldwide, and the dignity and decency of the human family. I hope we can join together to decry bigotry and hatred wherever it festers in the human family, and to mourn all forces that dehumanize and demonize anyone or any community. People of Christchurch, and people of Islam, we link our hearts with yours.
Tomorrow and the next day and the next, we in the Boston University School of Theology will be standing with our Muslim neighbors. I pray that we will find ways to offer compassion and concern, and commit ourselves to reshape human culture into one of love and dignity.
The Islamic Society of Boston University is planning a vigil to take place Monday, March 18, 7:00-8:00 pm on the Marsh Plaza. You are invited to participate.
Salam/Shalom/Peace,
Mary Elizabeth Moore
New England and Northeast Responses to United Methodist General Conference
In response to the recent ruling at the February United Methodist Church General Conference meeting in St. Louis, the following statements have been issued by the New England Board of Ordained Ministry, New England Conference Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar, and the New England Jurisdictional Committee on Ministry. Please see those statements below.
Message from Co-Chairs of the New England Board of Ministry
Message from Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar and New England Conference Cabinet
School of Theology Welcomes New Assistant Professor of Theology
Boston, MA – March 13, 2019 – Boston University School of Theology is pleased to announce the new appointment of new full-time faculty member Filipe Maia, who will begin on July 1, 2019, for the 2019-2020 academic year. Professor Maia will join the faculty as Assistant Professor of Theology.
Professor Maia focuses his work in postmodern theology and philosophy, Latin American and Latino/a liberation theologies and philosophy, economic justice, eschatology, postcolonial and decolonial theologies, and Wesleyan studies. Professor Maia completed his ThD at Harvard University in 2017, and has been on the faculty at the Pacific School of Religion. In his dissertation, “Trading Futures: Future-Talk, Finance, and Christian Eschatology,” he interwove theological and philosophical themes of future and hope with economic analysis and liberation. Prof. Maia currently works closely with the United Methodist and global Methodist Churches, with local Latinx communities, and with students in the Portuguese Course of Study (UMC). In addition to his five articles and book chapters and his book underway, he overflows with a creative vision for the future of his teaching and research.
Dean Mary Elizabeth Moore says "He will be a wise, warm, and vital member of the STH community, and we welcome him with great enthusiasm."
News from Bishop Devadhar and New England Conference Cabinet
The United Methodist Church New England Conference Cabinet and Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar have released an important statement in response to the February 2019 United Methodist Church General Conference decision. Please find that statement here: New England Conference Cabinet offers a response to the 2019 General Conference