Winners of 2024 Hare Preaching Prize Announced

On May 15, 2024, homiletics students at Boston University School of Theology gathered to preach for the Edith P. and Augustus G. Hare Preaching Prize, established by Philomena Hare (’11). The prize has two categories: the first for sermons based on a Biblical or other scriptural text, and the second for sermons for a situation of the student’s choice, which could include interreligious meditation, poetry, musical lyrics, or a local community reflection. The winning recipients were awarded a $1,000 prize for each category, and the students were judged by the jury that includes Assistant Professor of Spiritual Care and Counseling and Co-Director of the Center for Practical Theology Dr. Eunil David Cho and PhD students Joshua Lazard and La Ronda Barnes. All registered spring 2024 STH students were able to participate in the competition and encouraged to speak from any tradition or spirituality.

“This was the second year for us to organize the Hare Preaching Prize, thanks to a generous donation from the Hare family,” said Professor Cho. “It was such an honor to be part of the jury because I had invaluable opportunities to see our students bringing their whole selves to this sacred practice of preaching. While I was intellectually stimulated by the students’ robust exegesis of texts and in-depth contextual analysis, I was equally inspired by their genuine desire to tell moving stories of mercy, justice, and compassion. I give thanks to all the participants and my fellow jurors, Joshua and La Ronda.”

More information about the Edith P. and Augustus G. Hare Preaching Prize can be found in the 2024 issue of focus magazine on page 20.

Congratulations to all participating students as well as the 2024 award winners!

Prize 1: Text-based Sermon

Amber Jogie, winner: Amber Jogie is a proud Caribbean American woman hailing from Hotlanta, Georgia. She is an MDiv graduate from Boston University’s School of Theology and is passionate about ministering to women and uplifting their stories. Amber is also a spoken word artist and poet. She published her first poetry book last winter, My Favorite Color: A Book for Black Girls in White Spaces.

Luke Litz, honorable mention: Luke Litz is a first-year Master of Divinity student from Nashville, Tennessee. He is on the Religion and the Academy track and hopes to pursue PhD studies after graduation. He is passionate about the intersection between theology and church life, and hopes to work in both ecclesial and academic spaces after completing his education. Luke attends Church of the Cross in Boston.

Rob Powell, honorable mention: Rob Powell graduated with his Master of Divinity from the Boston University School of Theology in May of 2024. He currently serves as the Director of Family Ministries and Connections at Trinity United Methodist Church in Springfield, MA. He lives in Western Massachusetts with his husband, Chris, and child, Janziel.

Prize 2: Situational Sermon