Message
from the President

Acts, chapter 2, describes the church as multicultural by God’s design and providing. On the day of Pentecost, Jesus’ disciples were together in Jerusalem. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages. A crowd gathered, including persons from many nations. All heard the disciples speaking of the mighty acts of God—each in their native language. Three thousand were added to the disciples’ fellowship!

D. Newell Williams

President's Message

Spring Banquet Awards 2008

Mr. David Davis presented the
GRANVILLE T. AND ERLINE WALKER
MINISTERIAL SCHOLARSHIPS  
to

Noted Scholars, Leaders Participate in Church Studies Programs

Noted scholars and church leaders from around the country visited Brite this spring to participate in events sponsored by the seminary’s Church Studies Programs.
On March 4, the Brite Borderlands Center Presented its spring Crossing Borders Lecture, featuring Dr. Rudy Busto, associate professor of religious studies at the University of California at Santa Barbara.

                        Dr. Francisco Lozado introduces Dr. Rudy Busto

Dr. Busto gave an evening lecture in the Kelly Alumni Center on “The Triumph of Rasguachismo: Latino/a Religious Thought Thought from the Bottom Up.”

On March 18, the Asian (Korean) Church Studies Program hosted a day of conversation with Dr. Peter C. Phan, the Ellacuria Chair of Catholic Social Thought at Georgetown University.

Dr. Tim Lee, director of the program, introduced Dr. Phan to students, faculty and friends for a luncheon lecture in Weatherly Hall titled “World Christianity and Christian Mission: Are They Compatible?”



Earlier in the day, Dr. Phan gave the sermon, “At Jacob’s Well: An Interfaith Encounter. A Missiological Reading of John 4:4-2,” in Carr Chapel. The day concluded with a dinner lecture, “Reading Religious Texts Inter-religiously -- Possibilities, Challenges, Experiments” at the Kelly Center.

Brite's fourth annual State of the Black Church Summit was hosted on the campus of Paul Quinn College in late March. Dr. Stacey Floyd-Thomas, program director, introduced the panel of distinguished scholars and clergy who participated in a community discussion.



* Rev. Dr. Brad Braxton, associate professor of Homiletics and New Testament, The Divinity School, Vanderbilt University
* Rev. Dr. Teresa Fry-Brown, associate professor of Homiletics, Candler School of Theology at Emory University
* Rev. Dr. Frederick D. Haynes, III, senior pastor of Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas
*Rev. Dr. Obery Hendricks, professor of Biblical Interpretation, New York Theological Seminary
* Rev. Dr. Dwight Hopkins, professor of Theology, University of Chicago Divinity School
* Rev. Dr. Raphael G. Warnock, senior pastor of the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta
* Rev. Dr. Renita J. Weems, founder of Something Within consulting service and noted author



 

Graduate's Ministry Inspires Gift to Brite

The gift, whose donor prefers to remain anonymous, honors the ministry of a Brite graduate, Rev. Holly McKissick, (M.Div. 1987), her vision and St. Andrew Christian Church in Olathe, Kan., near Kansas City. .

McKissick has served as the senior pastor at St. Andrew since its founding in 1990.  The church is now recognized as one of the more dynamic congregations in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

“Inspired by the ministry of McKissick, this gift also honors Brite’s commitment to prepare, train and educate ministers for the church of today and tomorrow, with a passion for truth, hope and justice,” Potter said.

As the donor said, “Just keep educating and training more ministers like Holly and you will fulfill every hope I have for the use of my contribution.”

                      Brite Faculty and Staff in Weatherly Hall, October 2007

Brite Graduates 31 during Spring Commencement

Brite Student Selected As North American Doctoral Fellow

Faculty Updates

Dr. Stacey Floyd-Thomas, Associate Professor of Ethics and Black Church Studies, has accepted the invitation of Vanderbilt Divinity School to serve as Associate Professor of Ethics and Society beginning this fall semester of 2008. This opportunity allows her to use her gifts to train doctoral students in her field and to work alongside other scholars in Black Church Studies at Vanderbilt. Dean Ramsay noted, “Dr. Floyd-Thomas has done a remarkable job as the founding Director of our Black Church Studies Program at Brite. She has laid a strong foundation for which we will always be grateful and on which we will build for the future. Dr. Floyd-Thomas received the Chancellor’s Award for Creative Scholarship and Teaching this year as well as the American Academy of Religion Award for Excellence in Teaching. We will miss her many contributions to Brite.”

Lyn Osiek led a study trip to Jordan and Israel May 17-28 and will spend July 14-August 21 in Lima, Peru as an elected delegate to an international meeting of her religious order.


Leo G. Perdue, Professor of Hebrew Bible, is in Cambridge for the third quarter of the academic year of Cambridge University. He is finishing several projects this summer: a postcolonial introduction to the Old Testament for Blackwells, a second edition of Wisdom and Creation for Wipf and Stock, and several essays for presentations in scholarly meetings this summer and eventual publication: "Two Worlds.  Neocolonialism and the Fourth Paradigm" for the Sheffield Conference on the Bible and Social Justice; "The Wisdom Hymn in First Baruch," for the international conference of scholars on the Apocrypha in Papa, Hungary, and "Postcolonialism and Biblical Theology in the Asian Context" (Seoul). 


Tommy Potter, Major Gifts Officer, Preached an Ordination Sermon for Sharae Buskirk at First Christian Church in Midland on January 13, 2008; preached at First Christian Church in Terrell on January 27, 2008; preached at the Installation Service for Rev. Katie Alexander at Community Christian Church in Aledo on February 10, 2008; attended the United Christian Missionary Society Board of Directors Meeting in Indianapolis, IN on March 14, 2008; assisted in Worship Leadership at Community Christian Church in Weatherford on March 16, 2008; attended the Abell-Hanger Foundation & Jo Ann and Wayne Moore Charitable Trust announcement event in Midland on March 19, 2008; assisted Newell Williams with a presentation at First Christian Church Men’s Breakfast in Granbury, Men’s Breakfast on April 5, 2008;

welcomed the arrival of his new granddaughter, Avery Abigail Matthews, on May 13, 2008; and preached at Community Christian Church in Aledo on May 18, 2008.


Elaine Robinson, Associate Professor of Theology and Methodist Studies, has accepted an opportunity to become the Academic Dean and Associate Professor of Theology and United Methodist Studies at Saint Paul School of Theology at Oklahoma City University, a new location for Saint Paul. Dr. Robinson will begin her duties this summer. "She has made many contributions to Brite as Associate Professor of Theology and Methodist Studies and has received our Brittan Award from students in recognition of her gifts as a teacher. We can well understand why our friends just to the north would invite her to share her gifts with them in this new venture." said Dean Nancy J. Ramsay.


Stephen V. Sprinkle, Director of Field Education and Supervised Ministry, and Associate Professor of Practical Theology, published the article "Queer Fear: Ministry Made Strange by Fear of the Sexually Other," in the May 2008 issue of Reflective Practice: Formation and Supervision in Ministry. In March, Larry King held the Dallas Vigil for Hate Crimes Victims at Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ in Dallas, and Dr. Sprinkle spoke there and was interviewed by the Dallas Voice for his work on LGBT Hate Crimes. In April, he attended the meeting of the Academy of Religious Leadership in Chaska, MN, and read a paper entitled, "Strange Change." Also in April, he participated in the Equality Texas "State of the State Public Policy Conference" at the Texas State Capital in Austin, serving on the Hate Crimes Policy Panel; he presented "Unfinished Lives: Reviving the Memory of LGBT Hate Crimes Victims" to Alabama Against Hate, a group in Birmingham, AL; he participated as a Guest Preacher in the Centennial Festival of Preaching at University Baptist Church in Austin. He received the Catherine Saylor Hill Award for Excellence in Teaching, Scholarship, and Service at the Spring Awards Banquet at Brite in April. Dr. Sprinkle has secured funds to support his LGBT Hate Crimes research for the summer, and will be travelling to Alabama, Florida, South and North Carolina, and Missouri to further his book project. He is scheduled to preach at Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church in Houston in June, and will be officiating at a wedding in Independence, MO, also in June.


Mark G. Toulouse, Professor of American Religious History, led a Community Conversation on, “Religion and the 2008 Election,” at Brite Divinity School on January 29, 2008; delivered a paper entitled “Empire and North American Christianity,” at the DeMott Symposium at Florida Southern University, and participated in a panel discussion with Richard Horsley (New Testament at U. Mass., Boston), Ted Jennings (Theology at Chicago Theological Seminary), and Philip Wogaman (Ethics, retired from Westley Theological Seminary)at Florida Southern University, March 27-28, 2008; lectured on “God in Public:  Iconic and Priestly Faith in American Culture” at Ohio Northern University in Ada, OH, April 27-29, 2008; gave presentations on “The Role of Elders in Disciples Tradition,” and “The Role of a Denomination in a Post-Denominational Era,” and a sermon on “Photographs and Hope,” at The Cheshire Symposium, Broad Street Christian Church in Martinsville, VA, May 9-11, 2008; and taught a Licensed Ministry Education on-line course in Disciples History, Theology, Polity for Licensed Ministers in the Southwest Region, Spring 2008, with a second course planned for Fall 2008.



Newell Williams, President and Professor of Modern and American Church History, was the keynote speaker for the Consultation on Becoming a Multicultural and Inclusive Church in Indianapolis, IN, March 27-28; hosted the Council on Theological Education Meeting of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) at Brite, April 2-4; spoke to the Men’s Breakfast of the First Christian Church of Granbury April 4; preached at Bethany Christian Church in Houston, April 6; preached and presided at the General Board Meeting of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Indianapolis, IN, April 11-15, delivered keynote addresses on the Preamble to the Design and the new Disciples Identity Statement at the Peer 2 Peer Ministers Conference in Louisville, KY, April 23-24; spoke on “Addressing Moral Issues in a Culturally Divided Society: Lessons from the Disciples Tradition” as the Harold R. Watkins Lecturer on Leadership at National City Christian Church in Washington D.C., April 25; moderated a seminar on the relation of the Disciples to the Disciples related colleges and universities at Barton College, Wilson, NC, April 29; represented Brite at the Committee on the Ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Southwest, April 28 and 30; spoke on the role of racial-ethnic church studies programs in Brite’s mission at First Christian Church, Arlington, May 1; preached at the Costal Plains Area Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) at Port Arthur, May 4; spoke on Disciples History and Identity at Disciples Christian Church, Plano, May 18; spoke to friends of Brite’s Presbyterian Studies Program on Brite’s experience with this year’s Black Church Leader Award at St. Stephen Presbyterian Church, May 20. Dr. Williams also received a Research Expense Grant from the Association of Theological Schools for his project, A World History of the Stone-Campbell Movement.

Obituaries

Remembrances of Roy Melugin, 1937-2008
 Memorial Service, First Presbyterian Church of Fort Worth
April 14, 2008

We bring our memories –joyful and sad—to this memorial service today for our dear friend and colleague, Roy Frank Melugin, Jr.

Roy Melugin, loving husband to Sylvia, his wife of 49 years, was beloved father to two daughters, Cynthia Melugin and Annella Schneider. Roy was loving grandfather to two grandchildren, Alexandra Walpin and Cory Schneider, and father-in law to Ned Walpin, and Paul Schneider, Cory’s father. We pray special comfort for each of you, his dear family, today and in the days to come in these remembrances offered with our love and heartfelt sympathy.

Dr. Roy Melugin leaves a great legacy as a renowned scholar, greatly admired teacher, and incomparably generous colleague.

Roy’s own education took him first to McMurray University, where he completed his B.A. in 1959. Then on to Southern Methodist University, he finished his B.D. in 1962 and married Sylvia. At the University of Toronto, he did graduate study in Near Eastern language in 1962-63, before continuing at Yale University with an M.A. completed in 1965 and Ph.D. in 1968.

In 1967, Mr. Melugin started to teach at Austin College, Sherman, TX, where he eventually served in every rank, including Gould H. and Marie Cloud Professor of Religion, and Chair of the Department. He did post-doctoral study at the University of Heidelberg (1973-74) and Claremont Graduate School (Fall 1980 and 1987-88). He was visiting professor during the winter term 1977 at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary and adjunct professor at Perkins School of Theology during the fall semester 1985. When Dr. Melugin retired in 1999 and was named professor emeritus of religion by Austin College, he came to Brite Divinity School as research professor of Hebrew Bible, a position that he occupied until this very spring.

Roy Melugin will be remembered for his numerous scholarly publications and contributions to our understanding of Isaiah, especially Isaiah 40-55, or Second Isaiah, and for his important studies of Amos. Author of the prestigious BZAW (Beiheft zur Zeitschrift für die altestamentliche Wissenschaft) volume, The Formation of Isaiah 40-55, he is leaving in progress two book length studies: The Irony of the Presence of God: Amos and the Formation of a Symbolic World (which is 2/3 complete) and Isaiah 40-66 (for the distinguished FOTL series, Forms of the Old Testament Literature). True to his sense of responsibility as a scholar, Roy contacted the editors when he learned of his illness this spring and helped with the arrangements for others to complete these works, which shouldn’t be difficult given that Roy has already published nine major articles in addition to the BZAW book on Deutero-Isaiah and three major pieces on Amos, including two extensive treatments of the entire book in one-volume Bible commentaries. He also leaves pieces that dot his career exploring more general issues in the prophetic books, such as “The Typical Versus the Unique Among the Hebrew Prophets” (1971), “The Church and the Language of the Bible” (1978), “Muilenburg, Form Criticism, and Theological Exegesis” (1979), “’Form’ versus ‘Formation' of Prophetic Books” (1985), “Prophetic Books and the Problem of Historical Reconstruction” (1996), “Scripture and the Formation of Christian Identity” (1997), and “Scripture and the Sitz im Leben of the Interpreter” (1997). Throughout his career, Roy questioned the assumptions of form criticism, historical reconstruction, exegesis, canonical formation, and Christian use of the prophetic books. Leo Perdue, a Hebrew Bible colleague at Brite who is on leave in Hong Kong this semester, remembers Roy’s humor and delight in his time in Germany with Hans Walter Wolff. When Roy raised some concerns about form criticism, Wolff agreed with him!

Roy Melugin’s genuine interest in teaching influenced and shaped the lives and careers of numerous students at Austin College and Brite Divinity School. During his nine years at Brite, Dr. Melugin taught masters and doctoral (HEBI 70153/90153) Exegesis courses in the Hebrew Bible four times on Isaiah and three times on Amos. In addition, he taught (HEBI 60003) Interpreting the Hebrew Bible and Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Books nine times, that is every year that he was with us right up to this spring, a course that he unfortunately could not complete. Dr. Melugin directed three MTS Final Exercises and offered eight independent study courses for masters and doctoral students. Brite Divinity School M.Div., M.T.S., Th.M., and Ph.D. students will dearly miss Dr. Roy Melugin, who always found time to help and encourage them.

Colleagues at Austin College, Brite Divinity, and Texas Christian University join others throughout the Southwest Region, the Society of Biblical Literature, regionally, nationally, and internationally, in honoring as excellent colleague and dear friend, Roy F.Melugin. His generosity to his colleagues is evidenced by professional service in literally every office of the SBL/SW and long years as Secretary-Treasurer of the Society of Biblical Literature (I suspect the bank account of the SBL/SW will remain in Sherman, TX for years to come on Roy’s account). It is one of the gifts of shared SBL meetings that, Erhard Gerstenberger, his German friend of many years, visited Roy and others here in the area last November. Brite Divinity School and Texas Christian University students and faculty benefited from rich meetings on Roy’s account and his and Sylvia’s hospitality.

We will miss our dear friend whom we will each remember in our own way. On this day, we give thanks for his life, his love of Sylvia, Cynthia, Annella, and their families, his warm and steady way with students here in Texas, and collegial encouragement of scholars around the world and here in Southwest region. May Roy now know first hand the tenderness of the God Isaiah describes as saying, “you are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you, . . . Do not fear, for I am with you” (Isa 43:4-5). He served the God whom Amos taught calls us all to, “let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream” (Amos 5:24).

We will remember with love, this special husband, father, grandfather, and father-in-law, pre-eminent teacher, and scholar. The last student he worked with is here today, Dr. Melugin met with her on April 4th to translate Biblical Hebrew. On April 9th Roy Frank Melugin, Jr. entered the Church Triumphant. May he rest now and for all eternity in the heart of God, the very God of Amos and Isaiah and Jesus. Amen and Shalom.

Toni Craven

Lucille Lauritzen Moudy 1924 - 2008

Lucille Lauritzen Moudy, 83, beloved wife of the late Dr. James Moudy, a minister and chancellor emeritus of Texas Christian University, passed away peacefully Sunday, May 18, 2008, at her residence in Fort Worth.

Lucille Lauritzen was born July 1, 1924, in Fort Worth, daughter of the late Arthur William and Mamie Rhea Freeman Lauritzen. She attended Polytechnic High School and Texas Christian University. While a student at TCU, she met and married her husband of 61 years, James M. Moudy. Lucille supported her husband with his education and career in the Christian ministry and as first lady of TCU, while maintaining home and family. During their life together, Lucille and Jim raised two daughters, Linda and Rosemary. Lucille was involved in University Christian Church women's circles and TCU Women Exes and delighted in the Van Cliburn piano competitions. She enjoyed traveling the world with Jim and spending time with her three grandchildren and four great grandchildren. The adult Sunday school class at UCC that Jim taught and that bears the Moudy name was a source of great joy and friendship for the couple. She is remembered fondly for her bright smile, nurturing support, endearing sense of humor and love of family and friends. Mrs. Moudy was also preceded in death by a daughter, Rosemary Moudy Reutlinger, and sister, Ann Smedley Kessel. Survivors: Her daughter, Linda Rhea Pickel and husband, Doug; grandsons, James David (Ebershoff) Moudy of Orlando, Fla., Scott Edwin Stroud of Lake Norman, N.C., and Eric Clayton Moore and wife, Meredith, of Houston; great-grandchildren, James Mattox Moudy II, Christian Connell Moudy, Matthew Christopher Stroud and Lindsay Alice Moore; and brother, William A. Lauritzen and wife, Rita.
Published in the Star-Telegram from 5/20/2008 - 5/21/2008.

Alumni/ae and Friends Update

Bradley D. Barton (M.Div. 2003) and Susan Barton (M.Div. 2003) are currently the Pastor and Minister of Involvement at St. Charles Christian Church in St. Charles, MO. Their son, Cole, just finished 4th grade and Josh (who was born while they were at Brite) graduated from Kindergarten on May 14! (see photo above of Josh and Cole)

Russ Boyd (M.Div. 2003) began serving as Associate Minister of Youth Ministries at University Christian Church of Fort Worth, Texas in October.  Previously he had served for nearly four years as Associate Minister at Collierville Christian Church near Memphis, Tennessee.  His wife, Sarah (TCU 2004), is a Teacher of the Deaf at the Callier Center in Dallas.  In August, Russ will begin serving as a Theological Reflection Group Leader at Brite and will also join the Brite Alumni Council.

Camille Bryant (M.Div. 2004) is currently serving in the McAllen District, and recently celebrated the birth of another granddaughter, Olivia Sue Jaymes.  Her church, Trinity UMC, just recently hired a choir director, a youth leader, and started Angel Food Ministry, an outreach program for economically challenged individuals. Camille has many fond memories of Brite and TCU, and looks forward to coming back in the near future for a homecoming game! Go Frogs!  She sends her best to faculty and all her friends.

Katelyn Dame (M.Div. 2006) gave birth to a beautiful baby girl named Bella Grace Warren on February 8, 2008.

Tiffany Danna (M.Div. 2005) accepted a new appointment to First United Methodist Church, Bartlett, Tennessee.

Charles (Chuck) Fisher (M.Div. 1972; D.Min. 1980) has been serving as the High Plains Area Minister for the Christian Church in the Southwest since April of 2001. Chuck came to this position after thirty years in pastoral ministry.



Katherine Godby (M.Div. 1998, Ph.D. 2005) is part-time Minister for Faith Growth at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Ft. Worth.  She also has a thriving spiritual direction and pastoral counseling practice.  She married David Grebel (director of Extended Education, TCU) in 2004 and now has three marvelous children-by-marriage.  Katherine was recently asked to chair the Advisory Council for the Pastoral Care Center, and is on the Board of Directors for Ladder Alliance, a non-profit agency offering computer-skills training for women coming out of situations of domestic violence.  She lectured (Fall 2007) at the Stalcup School of Theology for the Laity on the topic of her dissertation: "The Christian Authentic Self in a Postmodern World."

Leslie K. Green (Th.M. 1965; D.Min. 1973) has lived in Texarkana, Texas during the past twenty years, serving as Senior Minister of the Central Christian Church for twelve-and-a-half years. He also served as Moderator of the Arkansas Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), as a member of the General Board (DoC) and the Board of Directors of the Division of Overseas Ministries (which became The Board for Global Ministries, DoC/UCC.)  He also served as adjunct faculty for Texas A & M University-Texarkana and Texarkana College. Leslie retired from the pastoral ministry in 1995, and began a 5-year term as Chaplain and Director of Pastoral Care and Ethics at the Wadley Regional Medical Center, Texarkana.  A part of his job description with medical ethics (mainly end-of-life decisions) included conducting seminars for physicians and nurses. To help better understand this complicated field, he was able to participate in post-doctoral studies (mainly intensive, week-long seminars) at the University of Arkansas School of Medicine; Georgetown University Kennedy Institute of Bio-Medical Ethics and Harvard Medical School. He retired from the Medical Center in 2000, but continued his teaching at Texarkana College for another year. The class that attracted the largest enrollment was the one on Ethics. After Pauline, his wife of 53-plus years, passed away in March of 2006, he decided to move to Burnet to be close to his daughter, Kathy Golson, and her family.  He is trying to complete two books: Focused Prayer and A Handbook for Lay Pastoral Ministry.  He has kept busy teaching workshops for Elders and Deacons (based on his two manuscripts) in local churches, as well as at Area Assembles.

Lester E. Heinzman (B.A. 1953; M.Div.1956) was recently honored at the Las Cruces Gospel Rescue Mission, Las Cruces, New Mexico, for his 20 years of volunteer service and for the last 6 years as counselor and chaplain. He has also done volunteer work at the Southern New Mexico Correctional Facility, which is located 10 miles west of Las Cruces, for the past 20 years.

Judy Van Hemert Hunt (M.Div. 2003) was married November 17, 2007 to Tristan Hunt. She is currently Associate Pastor for Women's Ministries at White's Chapel United Methodist Church in Southlake, Texas.

Eldon Irving (D.Min. 1981) is writing a book after retiring from forty-three years of parish ministry, "Personalities in the Pews." Dr. Irving served churches in Ohio, Kansas, and Texas.  His last church was First Christian Church in Duncanville, Texas, where he served for twenty-eight years.  Since retirement, in addition to working on his book, Eldon and his wife, Gloria, have been doing volunteer work in state parks in Texas, Florida, and Colorado.

Jerry Johns (M.Div. 1984) has been the Pastor at Providence Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Nicholasville, KY for 13 years. In 2006 they sold the building and property on which the church had been located since 1917, and moved into a storefront in a shopping center and were there from August 2006 until November 2007. On Thanksgiving eve they moved into their new facility. Their first service was an ecumenical Thanksgiving service with Catholic, Lutheran, Episcopal and Baptist congregations as guests. They dedicated the new facility on January 6, 2008. Guest speakers that day included folks from the Catholic and Episcopal faiths, plus their Regional Minister and a representative from the Jewish community. Their previous building was built in 1917 and measured about 10,000 square feet. The new facility is all ground level and measures just over 19,000 square feet. It has a high school regulation size basketball court, and sits on 8 acres of land.

Charles D. Kamilos (M.Div. 1980) has been a librarian for George Fox University in Oregon since 1998.
His career began as the Head of Technical Services. After five years, he became the Portland Center Librarian, where he serves mainly adult degree-completion and graduate students at the Portland campus. The George Fox Evangelical Seminary is located at the University.


Vernon (M.Div. 1973; D.Min. 1974) and Loraine Lawrence of Vian, OK, recently celebrated their 52nd Wedding Anniversary with family in St. Louis, MO.

Katie Long (D.Min. 2000) will become director of the Wesley Foundation at Baylor University in June 2008. She also will be pastor at Oglesby United Methodist Church. For the past four years, she has led a Theological Reflection Group in Brite's Supervised Ministry program.

Lynda Gail "Galyon" Long (M.RE. 1968) was elected Secretary of the Board of Trustees for Lincoln Christian College and Seminary, Lincoln, Illinois. The school is noted for its preparation of men and women for Christian service. Asked about her service, she says, "It is a pleasure to serve in this important position and help young people to receive the training to carry out their God-given ministries."

Wayne Long (B.Div. 1967) recently organized Kingdom Advance Ministries, a consulting service to stimulate church growth near and far. Dr. Long is especially interested in evangelism and church planting among ethnic populations. Currently, Kingdom Advance Ministries is organizing a Hisportic Expo and Banquet for the World Convention (Christian, Church of Christ & Disciples) scheduled July 27 through August 3 in Nashville Tennessee. The Expo will bring together missionaries and church leaders from the three strands of the Restoration Movement who work in Portuguese-speaking countries. Dr. Long is also slated to deliver a lecture on "World Migration and Evangelism".

Kay L. McFarland (M.Div. 1984), has been officially retired since 1992. Rev. McFarland has served interims in Pensacola, FL, Fremont, CA, and still preaches monthly at FCC San Leandro, CA. She lives in subsidized HUD housing, and receives MediCal that helps keep her afloat. Sorry, late life women pastors don't make a lot!! Otherwise she is doing fine, except for fibromyalgia which includes chronic fatigue, joint pain, obstructed airways and depression. What can you expect at 75?   

Chuck Mull (B.Div. 1962) has spent his 12 years of retirement on low-income housing boards (including creating NBA Estes Gardens jointly with Tucson Housing Foundation), as a Money Management Specialist for the area agency on aging, an AARP Tax Counselor and a Fiduciary/Estate Planner. He's following his dad's advice to "wear out" and not "rust out" when one retires. He also chairs the Endowment Committee at Saguaro Christian Church.

Dana Norton (M.Div. 2006) continues to serve at Plymouth Park UMC as as Associate Pastor with Dr. Bill La Barr (also a Brite grad). It is with great joy that she is able to announce that she will be traveling with her husband, Andy, and daughter, Naomi, to China this summer to adopt another daughter, Anna. The Nortons are looking forward to expanding their family, and Naomi is eager to bring her sister home.

James Allen Osborne (M.Div. 1988) will be installed as minister of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Athens, Alabama on Sunday, May 18, 2008.  Leading the installation service will be The Rev. Dr. John Mobley, Regional Minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)of Alabama and Northwest Florida. Rev. Osborne has served previous ministry positions in Mineral Wells and Ennis, Texas; Myrtle Creek, Oregon and chaplain of Mercy Medical Center of Roseburg, Oregon. He can be reached at fccpastor@pclnet.net

Michael Duncan Parish (M.Div. 1987) retired the year before Hurricane Katrina and moved to Tampa for his wife's VA work. Then Katrina happened and they moved to Houston to work with the Gulf Coast veterans who moved to the VA clinics there. During Hurricane Rita, the pastor of a very small congregation in Tyler County (Woodville, TX) died. The church was put in contact with Michael, and he’s been "helping out" since November of that year. At the beginning, there were eleven members. Since then, they've sold their building to a congregation who lost theirs completely in the storm, and they have become a home church. Four members have since died and now, with Michael and his wife, they are nine, meeting around the dining room table. He also does prison ministry, speaks in black churches on occasion, and preaches and teaches at the Episcopal church. Mary is down to three days per week in her medical practice now, and Michael works about four days per week. Their four children and ten grandchildren are well, and their oldest grandson just graduated from OU and is headed to Naval OCS. "Seek the kingdom of God first, and his righteousness..." remains their polar star, and they are blessed.

Roy M. Rutherford (B.Div. 1954) was ordained a Disciple Minister in 1954. Roy also earned an M.A. from Hartford Seminary Foundation in 1956, and an Ed.R.D. (Doctor of Religious Education) from Hartford Seminary Foundation in 1962. Student Pastorates while in TCU and Brite included Christian Churches at Grapeland and Hamilton, Texas. At Hartford, Roy did a research project for the Northern Baptist Convention and served in student pastorates in various Congregational Churches. His full-time work included The First Christian Church of Temple, Texas and professorships at Drury College 1956-1958, Springfield, Missouri and the Missouri School of Religion in Columbia, Missouri 1959-1969.  From 1969 to 1989 he served as Administrator of Education Programs for the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services. During his tenure in Missouri he served various Christian Churches near Springfield and Columbia, Missouri.  While in Kansas he served various churches of the United Church of Christ, including Congregational and Evangelical and Reformed Churches. Since retirement from the Kansas Department of Social Services in 1989, he has been Lay Speaker and Sunday School teacher for the United Methodist Church of Claude, Texas. Roy was very pleased to be asked to serve on the Brite Alumni Council as a combination Disciple/Methodist member and hopes to attend the August meeting. In 1990 Roy and his wife were asked to be a part of the founding board of the Armstrong County Museum, which they organized and opened in 1992 in a three building complex located on North Trice Street in Claude, Texas.  In 1993 the board purchased the Gem Theatre, which had been built in 1915. After renovation, the theatre was opened and he now serves as Director of Programs for the shows that are presented each month at the theatre. A vice-chairman of the board, Roy began writing grants to support the various programs of the museum and, since 1991, has generated over $250,000.00 in grant revenue for the museum and Gem Theatre. In 2005 the museum board was given the house that Charles Goodnight built for his ranch home in 1890.  The board launched a campaign in 2005 to raise one million dollars to renovate the house, and renovation began in February of 2008.  It is hoped that the house will be open to the public in 2009. The museum board has undertaken the project to raise another two million dollars in order to build a visitor center at the house and to provide an endowment for the operation of the house and visitor center. In addition to the Goodnight House renovation project, a building across the street from the museum is being renovated to honor the founding board and provide an educational center for the museum. Roy has written two grants to support this project.  In between activities at the museum, he and his wife find time to travel to visit historical places in the U.S. and to enjoy the sun in Mexico. Roy just celebrated my 82nd birthday, which probably makes him the oldest member of the Alumni Council and, as he looks over the membership, his graduation dates indicate that he dates back further than just about anyone else on the council. He just hopes that age ads wisdom to his years.

Irie L. Session (M.Div. 2006) was called by the North Texas Area Cabinet at its November meeting and was accepted by unanimous recommendation of its Associate Area Minister Search Committee. As Associate Area Minister, Rev. Session will work closely with the Camp and Conference Ministry, Disciples Women throughout the Area, and program initiation and planning.  Since this is part time ministry, Rev. Session will continue her work as Senior Pastor for New Life Christian Church, a new church plant, and with New Friends New Life, where she ministers to women seeking to leave the adult entertainment business. In March 2008, New Life Christian Church received a grant from the Black Disciples Endowment Fund to begin its HIV/AIDS Outreach Ministry. Resurrection Outreach Ministry will provide Education and Awareness, Spiritual Support and Referral Services to individuals and communities affected and impacted by HIV/AIDS. 

Dennis Sparks (M.Div. 1974) was recognized as Public Citizen of the Year in April 2008 by the National Association of Social Workers, West Virginia Chapter. During the same week, West Virginia Congressman Nick Rahall read on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, prior to a vote on the Wild Mongahaela Act, from Dennis' theological statement on the environment, justifying "wilderness designations" within the U.S. The statement was on C-Span. It can be found at the West Virginia Council of Churches website, www.wvcc.org, where Dennis is the executive director.
 


Jared Trullinger (M.Div. 2002) began working as an Academic Counselor for The University of Iowa as of April 1, 2008.  He advises undergraduate, non-traditional students who are primarily taking online courses. This new position follows 3 ½ years of advising and teaching religion, philosophy, ethics, and interdisciplinary humanities at the undergraduate level for a few different institutions.  In addition, he has passed comprehensive exams and is now working on his dissertation for the Ph.D. in Educational Administration and Foundations from Illinois State University. Jared’s wife, Amy, has been working in quality of life research with head and neck cancer patients for the past five years at The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Last April, Jared and Amy were blessed with a new daughter, Stella Jill, and she continues to bring joy to their lives.



Bill Vaughn (B.Div. 1952) donated funds to provide an apartment at Leibrock Village in memory of his wife, Pat Meleen Vaughn, who passed away in May 2008.

Richard (M.RE. 1958) and Peggy Ziglar (M.RE. 1958) are celebrating their biggest event, the celebration of their Golden Anniversary on May 28. They were married in Robert Carr Chapel with the reception in Weatherly Hall. (No weddings were allowed during finals week but they (and Margaret & Jack Roth, who were married the 27th), were given permission to let their wedding happen before graduation from Brite on the 30th. Both couples had to promise to be present at the Senior Banquet on the 29th. And they were! The Roths returned from their wedding night to be in the Ziglars’ wedding the next night. It was a busy week! Now it is 50 years later and they are rejoicing that they can celebrate this milestone in their marriage! Their children, Julia and Vance (a TCU grad), are giving them a reception on Saturday, May 31, at Harvard Avenue Christian Church in Tulsa. The Ziglars continue ministry in their retirement years with NEATs (Northeast Active Timers), affiliated with the area ministry of the Christian Church in Oklahoma. NEATs provides services and programs for the "chronologically gifted" (55+) with an outreach focus on centenarians.