December 10, 2010 

Dear Fellow Alums,

"Jesus is the reason for the season" is an adage that evokes the nostalgia of my childhood, as I could always find it scrawled in glitter across a variety of Christmas cards atop the mantelpiece in my parents' home. I recall my excited anticipation as the glittery reminders also signified that Christmas was soon to come.

Now as I reflect on Advent, the season still consists of the celebratory reminder of Jesus's birth--but also a looking forward in the hope and anticipation of Jesus coming again. The season is imbued with significance and meaning as it both begins and ends with Jesus. Advent has become a time of personal encouragement for me as I recognize that "the season" is the present age, and every day holds tremendous purpose: It all began and will ultimately culminate with the coming of Jesus.

So while I've refined my theology over the years since childhood, I appreciate the elegant truth in the simple adage. The Christmas card that will be on yearly display on my mantelpiece for my child to later contemplate post-seminary will be this: "The reason for the season is STILL Jesus."

Rick Williamson, PhDPsy '02
Chair, Alumni Council

CHRISTMAS REFLECTIONS

Christmas Joy: Voices from the Fuller Community
"Joyful, Patient, Faithful" is this year's all-seminary theme, drawn from Romans 12:12. President Richard Mouw, faculty members Oscar Garcia-Johnson, Cameron Lee, and Jude Tiersma Watson, and several students offer personal reflections on joy this Christmas season. Read their reflections 

FULLER NEWS

What's been happening at Fuller lately? 

Check our News and Events page 

Richard Rohr Speaks on Emerging Christianity
Juan Martínez Lectures on Immigration Rights
President Mouw Featured on Narniafaith.com
Archibald Hart Releases Book on Sleep
...and more

UPCOMING EVENTS: CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES

Plan now for these opportunities in 2011: 

Creative Writing Lab
January 11-February 8    5:00-7:00 p.m.
This Brehm Center course, open to all for a reasonable fee, will be taught by writer and editor Grace Farag over five Tuesday sessions. Read more 

Ministry Enrichment Seminars
Four of these seminars will be offered Winter Quarter, free and open to all:

Recognizing and Helping Those with Mental Illness in the Church
January 25    3:00-5:00 p.m.

Self-Care for Pastors: Attending to the Mind, Body, and Spirit
January 31    11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Pastoral Care of Military Veterans
February 3    1:00-3:00 p.m.

Women in Pastoral Ministry
February 23    3:00-5:00 p.m.

School of Psychology Research Colloquia
These lectures are open to all, and offer the option of CE credit:

Dr. Robert Emmons, University of California Davis
January 31    11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Dr. Erin Bigler, Brigham Young University
February 28    11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Dr. Kevin Reimer, Azusa Pacific University
March 7    11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Read more 

Integration Symposium
February 16-18
Stanley Hauerwas, the Gilbert T. Rowe Professor of Theological Ethics at Duke University Divinity School, will be speaker for this annual School of Psychology symposium. Read more 

UPCOMING EVENTS: PASADENA AND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Ustream.tv Broadcast with Desiree Segura-April
December 14    3:00-4:00 p.m.
Watch and interact with Assistant Professor of Children at Risk Desiree Segura-April in this live "online visit." Only an internet connection is needed. Read more 

Plan now for these events in 2011: 

Art Gallery Reception
January 6    6:30 p.m.
This reception will celebrate the opening of a new exhibit in the Hubbard Library: "The Narrative of Life: A Response to the Brehm Lectures." Read more 

Prayer Retreat: An Unhurried Day with Jesus
January 22    8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Alumni are welcome to join in this morning of rest and renewal at the Los Angeles Arboretum, sponsored by the Office of Student Affairs. Cost is $12. More details: studentaffairs@fuller.edu 

Asian American Symposium
February 7-8
Save the date for this seminar for Asian American pastors, parachurch leaders, and lay leaders. Details to come 

"Forming Hearts" Worship Conference
February 19    8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
This year's worship conference from the Brehm Center will feature musicians Ken Medema, Tommy Walker, and John Witvliet of Calvin College. Read more 

African American Pastors' Brunch
February 25   10:00-11:30 a.m.
Save the date for this brunch for pastors and church leaders. Details to come 

Film Screening: Cry Freedom
February 25    7:00-9:00 p.m.
The Brehm Center and Reel Spirituality Initiative will host a screening and discussion of the film Cry Freedom in honor of Black History Month. Read more 

Save the Date: Payton Lectures
April 13-14
Guest speaker for these annual School of Theology lectures will be Dr. Bernard McGinn, the Naomi Shenstone Donnelley Professor Emeritus at the University of Chicago Divinity School.

Check Fuller's events calendar for more upcoming events for alumni and the larger community. 

UPCOMING EVENTS: FULLER'S REGIONAL CAMPUSES

Fuller Southwest: 

Alumni and Friends Gathering
January 7    7:00-8:30 p.m.
Dean Douglas C. McConnell will speak on "Globalization as a Missional Force" at this gathering for Fuller alumni and friends in the Phoenix area. Read more 

Fuller Northwest: 

Urban Ministry Series: Repairing the Social Fabric of the City
January 18    6:30 p.m.
The next in this year's urban ministry series will feature Joe Chrastil and Christa Mazzone Palmberg of Sound Alliance will discussing community organizing principles. Read more 

Fuller Texas: 

Preaching with Passion Conference
January 18-20
Pastors, do not miss this conference offering teaching and intimate discussion groups with renowned preacher John Lloyd Ogilvie and Mark Labberton, director of Fuller's Ogilvie Institute of Preaching. Read more 

Fuller California Coast: 

Conversations on Culture: C. S. Lewis
January 21
In this evening event, Professor Nate Feldmeth will discuss C. S. Lewis and Voyage of the Dawn Treader.More details: dasiaryan@fuller.edu or 949-975-0775 

Discussion with Eddie Gibbs
February 16    6:30 p.m.
Senior Professor Eddie Gibbs will discuss how megatrends shape Christian community. More details: dasiaryan@fuller.edu or 949-975-0775 

Fuller Northern California: 

Kara Powell in Saratoga
January 30    2:00-4:00 p.m.
Professor Kara Powell will speak at Saratoga Federated Church on "Sticky Faith," offering counsel for ways adults can help kids develop a deep and lasting faith. Read more 

UPCOMING EVENTS: ACROSS THE U.S. & THE GLOBE

Fuller at Sundance in Park City, Utah
January 24-30
Nearly 50 Fuller students, faculty, staff, and guests will be attending the Sundance Film Festival as part of an immersive course taught by Dr. Craig Detweiler. Local Fuller alumni or those attending the festival who would like to participate in any of the class sessions or special events offered during the week should contact Will Stoller-Lee, director for the Windrider Film Forum, wsl@fuller.edu or 719-385-0085. Read more 

International Neuropsychological Society Dinner
February 4
Save the date for this INS dinner in Boston, Massachusetts. Details to come 

ALUMNI PUBLICATIONS

Thanks and congratulations to the following alumni whose publications have been donated to our Alumni Bookshelf: 

Amy Anderson (MAT '96).When You Come Together: Challenging the Church to an Interactive Relationship with God. Being Church, 2010.

Alvin VanderGriend (DMin '82).Praying God's Heart: Prayers that Make a Difference. PrayerShop, 2010.

BULLETIN BOARD

Pastoral Search in San Francisco
Grace Community Church, a small, nondenominational Evangelical church (approximately 40 believers) in the Miraloma Park area of San Francisco, is seeking a part-time pastor. Would prefer an ordained minister but would consider a divinity student. More details: GraceChurchPastorSearch@gmail.com Church website: www.gracechurchsf.org 

Alumnus Featured
MAGL graduate Jaeson Ma has been featured in a recent issue of Neue magazine. Read the article (p. 32) 

Subscribe to Theology, News and Notes
Theology, News and Notes is published twice a year for alumni/ae and friends of Fuller Seminary. To read past issues of the magazine, visit our website. If you do not currently receive the magazine and would like a free subscription, please send an e-mail with your current postal address to alum-alumni@fuller.edu.

Comments and ideas? E-mail us at enews@fuller.edu, call the Alumni/ae Office at 626-584-5498, or write Fuller Theological Seminary, Alumni/ae and Church Relations Office, 135 North Oakland Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91182.