HERALDING NEWS FROM NORTHEASTERN SEMINARY VOL. 9, NO. 1 ■ JANUARY 2012

Supporting Women in Ministry ■ Syracuse Classroom Site ■ Reflection from a Grad Cohort Welcome ■ Spring Events ■ NES at MLK Celebration ■ Community News

A pastor sat in my office sharing the frustration of being on a pastoral team, yet not being included in the preaching rotation. A lay leader speaks of not being affirmed in the call to ordained ministry. They both have something in common. They are women students at Northeastern Seminary. They identify gender, as many other women do, as the single reason for being excluded in many aspects of ministry in their local churches. Behind the pain is confusion, hurt, anger, and the desire to follow God’s call in a faith-filled way.

Ministry in any form is challenging work for those called to serve in the church. Women have particular challenges given the lingering obstacles they face in many churches. Women in ministry often report their frustration at being excluded from senior pastoral positions, or when included, face more subtle prejudice within their church communities. Their stories, although far more hopeful than in any other time in church history, tell of the continued work that the church must do to live out Christ’s call to live in unity and freedom and for all men and women to fully participate in the ministerial gifts given by their Creator.

Northeastern Seminary is committed to fully supporting both women and men in their academic life and in their ministries. With an overall mission that encompasses the understanding that women are created in the image of God and are called to lead and participate in every area of life and ministry,

a women’s committee was developed early in Northeastern’s history. Its role is to provide opportunities for women to reflect on their spiritual and ministerial journeys, provide a “space” for women students, alumni, and faculty to gather together to share ideas, and promote community. The committee, who works to empower, equip, and strengthen women in their understanding of themselves and their role in the world and the church, also acts as an information resource on topics related to gender.

Starting with the first gathering we wanted to ensure that women would be provided an opportunity for spiritual formation that was rooted in the rich tradition of women’s spirituality. Through the collaboration of faculty, students, and alumni, women’s conferences were developed to blend small group sharing and network development with information sharing on such topics as women’s empowerment and leadership, overcoming obstacles to ministry, and church response to violence against women. To help foster spiritual formation an annual retreat was created. Each spring some 20 women retreat to the Abbey of

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Dr. Beth Gerhardt, Professor of Theology and Social Ethics, Chair, NES Women’s Committee

Gathered for 2011 retreat at the Abbey

the Genesee in Piffard, N.Y., deepening relationships with each other and growing in faith within an intimate and contemplative setting. We continue to explore ideas that will further the academic and spiritual development of women and inform all students on subjects related to diversity and building community.

Another ongoing activity supports the NES faculty to ensure that the curriculum continues to be examined and amended to be inclusive in terms of gender and global diversity. Not only have courses such as Women and Church History, and Violence Against Women been developed to expose students to women’s voices and experiences, we work to ensure that these voices are considered in each course by every student.

These efforts have not gone unnoticed by the students pursuing theological education at Northeastern. They find it contributes to the respect-filled community, in general, and provides an open, supportive space for both women and men to explore their gifts and Christ’s call to serve others.

Berta Cory Dimas, MA, C16

When a work obligation brought me back to Rochester from my home and ministry in Virginia, I was fortunate to attend the annual all seminary retreat—a gift and reminder of the blessing and spiritual growth I experienced as part of Cohort 16. It allowed me a chance to reflect on the fellowship and teaching of the Seminary and I am thankful to share about the ongoing impact NES has in my life and ministry:

■ As a Christian Hispanic woman, NES empowered and enabled me to pursue my calling. Being a part of an incredibly diverse group of students and faculty challenged and changed my outlook in ministry. I am thankful for a school dedicated to the training of men and women from all different backgrounds.

■ As a student of God’s Word, the incredible academic and spiritual formation I received impacts my personal study and ongoing teaching of Scripture. The books we studied have become key to my devotional time, my ministry to others, and in mentoring. Likewise, the small group community also influenced my walk with the Lord in ways I am able to model and minister from today.

■ As a family prepared for life in ministry together, God used my time at NES to equip me for our move as missionaries to Arlington, Va. We are blessed to be “home” just 15 minutes from the White House, called to mentor teens as Young Life leaders. As we share the Gospel and our lives with Hispanic teens, women, young adults and families in this community, I clearly see the impact NES is having on ministry today. Whether sitting down with a young couple considering marriage, or hosting teens in our home to hear the Gospel at a Young Life Club, I know that my formation and mentoring at NES gave me a vision for the life we get to live together today.

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Members of Mujeres de Virtud, the Hispanic women’s group, Dimas leads and mentors.

Zip-front fleece sweatshirts $40 ▪ Ball caps $15 ▪ T-shirts $12 ▪ Mugs $5 ▪ Window decals $2

To order contact Sarah Champignon at 585.594.6800 or champignon_sarah@nes.edu . Give your name, email or phone number, quantity, and size, as needed. Pick up and pay for your order at the reception desk at the Seminary (Rochester campus) or inquire about shipping.

The vision of Northeastern Seminary is to transform the spiritual climate of the northeastern United States by preparing theologically-reflective, spiritually-formed, professionally-competent persons for ministry. This fall the Seminary will broaden its scope by bringing graduate theological education to central New York, offering an accredited distance education program in Syracuse. Partnering with Onondaga Community College (OCC), classes will be held on the OCC campus utilizing interactive video. Students in Syracuse will join, in sight and sound, students and faculty members at the Rochester campus as professors lecture and coordinate dialogue between locations.

The Seminary has seen success with video conferencing technology, enrolling students in the fall of 2011 at a site in Williamsville, N.Y. In accordance with recent action by the Association of Theological Schools, up to 50 percent of the Master of Divinity program will be offered through distance education.

Information meetings in Syracuse are on Feb. 22 and April 4. Direct inquiries to 585.594.6802 or www.nes.edu/admissions/infomeeting.

Ten students started their seminary journey on Jan. 10. Among the members of the cohort are a college admissions director, worship arts pastor, campus staff worker for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, and an architectural designer. Represented are three women and seven men and a diverse cross-section of denominations including Methodist, Baptist, Nazarene, and Elim. The cohort began their studies in The Biblical Era with Dr. Paul Livermore and Biblical Worldview with Dr. J. Richard Middleton on Tuesday nights.

On Jan. 16, Rochester's community gathered to honor the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the 27th Annual Collective Community Celebration. Hosted by the MLK Greater Rochester Commission, the platform party included Peter Rios (C27, M.Div.) and the Honorable Roy W. King (C9, MA) .

Rios led the MLK Public Pledge and charge to the community for the audience that exceeded 1,000. In a spirit of unity Rios presented the charge in both Spanish and English, honoring Martin Luther King, Jr.'s vision of equality and community between all people. An ordained minister specializing in youth ministry, Rios serves at House of Prayer and Restoration Church in Rochester, N.Y.

King, a retired Rochester city court and drug treatment judge, closed the service by offering the benediction. King has been an NES trustee since 2004 and is a lay leader at Progressive Church of God in Christ in Rochester, N.Y.

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Video conference-equipped classroom at OCC

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington D.C.

Coach Training Event (Mars Hill) Feb. 3-4 Cicero, N.Y. Unite Pastors Gathering Feb. 20 Williamsville, N.Y. Mantime Mar. 2-3 Buffalo, N.Y. Elim Fellowship Youth Leader Summit Mar. 2-3 Lima, N.Y. RWC Job Recruitment Day Mar. 14 North Chili, N.Y. Davis College Pastors Conference Mar. 20 Johnson City, N.Y.

March 5, 2012

Dr. Al Tizon, director of Word and Deed Network and associate professor of holistic ministry at Palmer Theological Seminary, responds to the conversation about the missional movement in today’s church with the “what” and “who” of

preaching. In this half-day seminar, comprised of three presentations, including a roundtable discussion over lunch, Tizon brings together critical theological and pastoral insights in ways that strengthen the call and practice of preaching. Preachers-teachers from among the church will find his honest, passionate, and experienced pastor’s voice strong and encouraging as they consider how their preaching can have impact well beyond the organized church. In an approach guided by the revelation of the missio dei, Tizon inspires confidence in a holistic, global, and transformational type of evangelicalism.

Registration details at www.nes.edu/al-tizon-missional-preaching.

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March 28, 2012

Conflict need not be destructive; it can create opportunities for care, healing, and vitality in our connections to God, self, and others. Drawing upon compassionate communication, psychosocial studies of empathy, and the church’s union and communion with God in Christ, Dr. Theresa Latini will present and model skills for building authentic community marked by empathy and honesty. By learning to transform conflict from the inside out, we are empowered to lead with compassion, conviction, and courage. Dr. Latini is associate professor of congregational and community care at Luther Seminary.

Registration details at www.nes.edu/theresa-latini-conflict-and-communities.

June 12-13, 2012

Closing the conference series this year is Dr. David Fitch, avid blogger and author of The End of Evanglicalism? Fitch, will also serve as visiting professor in our doctor of ministry program. CEU credits are available. Watch for event information at www.nes.edu.

David Fitch

Theresa Latini Al Tizon

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Thursday, February 16 6—7:30 p.m. 2265 Westside Drive, Rochester, N.Y. Wednesday, February 22 6—7:30 p.m. 800 4th Street, Liverpool, N.Y. Monday, March 12 6—7:30 p.m. 6500 Sheridan Drive, Williamsville, N.Y.

January 23—March 23, 2012

Issues of American culture and Cuban identity permeate the work of Alberto Rey in this retrospective collection of paintings. Multiple themes of identity and alienation are addressed in some early paintings, while an examination of the validity of regionalism in contemporary art is the focus of more recent works. His current work uses nature and painting as a metaphor for human life and death—in poignant reminders of the fragility and richness of life. Rey is distinguished professor for research and creative activity at the State University of New York, Fredonia, N.Y.

April 27-28, 2012

Students, alumni, and spouses are invited to come away and relax at a unique, natural setting, enjoy delicious food, and participate in small group sessions led by Dr. Elizabeth Gerhardt and others. Details about the women’s retreat will soon be posted on the NES website. To register for the retreat please contact Sarah Champig-non at champignon_sarah@nes.edu or 585.594.6420.

May 12, 2012

This year’s commencement will celebrate the accomplishments of over 20 masters and doctoral program graduates and features speaker Dr. Richard Mouw, president of Fuller Theological Seminary. Also being recognized are graduates of three certificate in Christian ministry programs: the Center for Theological Studies and the Hispanic Center for Theological Studies at Northeastern Seminary, the Sound of the Genuine Institute at Elim Christian Fellowship, and the Rochester Institute for Christian Education.

May 22-24, 2012

This workshop affords working preachers the opportunity to engage in conversation with two of our country’s leading experts in homiletics and biblical preaching. David Lose and Karoline Lewis, two pillars of the website WorkingPreacher.org and the weekly podcast “Sermon Brainwave” will be conducting a hands-on workshop for preachers. Come talk about the challenges of contemporary preaching, engage in small group “sermon brainwave” conversation around the texts for Pentecost Sunday, and have the opportunity to preach and receive critique from the presenters and your peers.

The workshop takes place at the Notre Dame Retreat Center (5151 Foster Road, Canandaigua, N.Y.). For more information, contact Denise Yarbrough at 585.340.9540 or dyarbrough@crcds.edu.

House of Memories

Alumni News:

Master of Divinity (C10) alumna and D.Min. (C9) student, Allison Coventry, participated in a summit worship team in Lima, Peru, was interviewed by students at the Maturin FM school in Venezuela, and taught during the Costa Rica District’s Annual Meeting, all as part of the Free Methodist church in Latin America.

Daryl Densford (C5) served as battalion chaplain since January 2011 at 2019 Infantry Battalion in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

Adonai Community Fellowship, through the leadership of Senior Pastor Wilfredo Irizarry (C14), has partnered with Teen Challenge of Western New York to open the Rochester Crisis and Referral Office. Irizarry was also named as chair of the Community Action Project for “Rock the Lakes: Rochester,” a summer event sponsored by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and he will be teaching classes for ordination in the Assembly of God Church at their N.Y. School of Ministry in Syracuse.

Doug Milne (C19) serves as associate pastor at Grace Church of the Nazarene in Rochester, N.Y. Milne also serves as adjunct professor of religion at Roberts Wesleyan College. This past summer, he and NES colleague, Mike Kuhlkin (D.Min. C10), led the Seminary-sponsored youth leader workshops at Kingdom Bound.

Mark Torrey (C9) established the urban ministry, ACTION Partnership, and is creating a multi-use Christian activity center in Rochester.

Tim Wasson (C19) and his wife, Anna, welcomed a baby girl, Callie Mae, on January 25.

Student News:

Jim Burton (D.Min. C3) recently retired from the Hamburg Presbyterian Church. He and his wife, Marianne, have relocated to Ohio.

Ajilon Ferdinand (D.Min. C11) presented “Dancehall Clash: A Powerful Subculture of Dancehall Music and its Impact on Youth in Rural Jamaica” on January 21 at the Baobab Cultural Center in Rochester, N.Y. He reported on his work with youth in rural Jamaica, in the context of the destructive Dancehall culture that claims their minds and hearts. The lecture was sponsored by the Rochester Jamaican Organization and is part of a series of events celebrating the 50th anniversary of Jamaican independence in 1962.

Jeremy Kelly (C28) assumed responsibility for pulpit supply at Riga Congregational Church, outside of Churchville, N.Y.

Faculty News:

Dr. Doug Cullum was featured speaker at an appreciation lunch for pastors of the Upstate District, Church of the Nazarene on the topic “The Essence of Ministry” and, in February, he will address United Methodist leaders in the region on worship in a post-modern world.

Last month Dr. Nelson Grimm gave the homily at the Service of Hope, a holiday service of worship for those experiencing loss, at Pearce Memorial Church in North Chili, NY.

Dr. J. Richard Middleton lectures February 3 on “The Subversive Spirituality of Reggae: ‘Resisting against the System’ in the Music of Bob Marley & the Wailers” at the Baobab Cultural Center in Rochester, N.Y. The lecture is hosted by the Rochester Jamaican Organization commemorating Jamaican independence.

Northeastern Seminary 2265 Westside Drive Rochester, N.Y. 14624 585.594.6800 seminary@nes.edu www.nes.edu

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Ajilon Ferdinand

Doctor of ministry students reconnect in captivating classroom discussions during January’s residency. One student noted the courses, Theological Foundations and Preaching and Scripture, prompted “great learning, camaraderie, and were engaging and relevant. The best thing that’s happened to me this year.”