September 18, 2009
Dear Alums,
This is an exciting time of year at Fuller--hundreds of new students will soon be joining our seminary community in Colorado Springs, Houston, Northern California, Orange County, Phoenix, Seattle, and Pasadena. Our admissions team has worked with renewed creativity and effort to bring in this new class in the midst of a troubled economy. One trustee at our May board meeting prayed specifically that the Lord would send us 100 new students who might not otherwise have chosen to come to Fuller this year. Another trustee responded with an amazing gift that provided new scholarship money for these students. It appears that the prayer has been answered and the students are coming! My own son is one of those new students.
Every fall a theme is chosen to guide the Fuller community in the year ahead. For 2009-2010, it is "God’s Promise: 'I Will Be With You'"--a message that is always appropriate, but especially so in this time of economic uncertainty and difficulty. It comes from a familiar passage in Isaiah 43:1-3a (New Living Translation):
But now, O Israel, the Lord who created you says: "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior."
Dr. Mouw shared marvelous words of encouragement from this text at a chapel for faculty and staff last week, and quoted from the hymn "How Firm a Foundation": "When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie, / My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply: / The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design / Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine." In Southern California recently, we have in fact experienced literal fires. But whether your fires are actual flame and smoke or take another form, the promise is the same: Our God is with us, and his mercies refresh us each morning.
Blessings,
Mary Hubbard Given
Associate Vice President
Alumni/ae and Church Relations
ALUMNI/AE IN ACTION
Embracing New Neighbors in La Misión, Mexico
Relocating from Seattle to start a brand-new ministry in a small Mexican town, Chad Fransen (MDiv '00) already sees God at work--in his own life as well as others'. Read more at www.fuller.edu/page.aspx?id=7794.
COUNCIL CORNER
Fuller, a Joyful Seminary
In the midst of the challenges of this world, Alumni/ae Council Chair Clint Le Bruyns (MAT ’99) exhorts us to "enjoy life and Fuller as worship to our joyful God." Read his reflection at www.fuller.edu/page.aspx?id=7802.
FULLER NEWS
Fuller Mourns the Loss of Geoffrey Bromiley
Geoffrey W. Bromiley, renowned church historian, theologian, and beloved professor emeritus at Fuller, passed away in August. Read more at www.fuller.edu/news-and-events/news/bromiley-passing.aspx.
Longtime Fuller Librarian Olive Brown Passes Away
Olive Brown, who served as reference librarian at Fuller for 22 years and was married to Professor Colin Brown, died on September 6. Please keep the Brown family in your prayers. Memorial gifts may be made in support of the Olive and Colin Brown Scholarship Fund; for more information, please email alay@fuller.edu.
School of Intercultural Studies Opens New Center for Missiological Research
The School of Intercultural Studies has created a new research center to more comprehensively address the challenges of the global church. Read more at www.fuller.edu/news-and-events/news/sis-center.aspx.
Fuller Celebrates Commendatory Accreditation Affirmation
The Association of Theological Schools and Western Association of Schools and Colleges both granted re-accreditation to Fuller for ten years, the maximum period possible. Read more at www.fuller.edu/news-and-events/news/accreditation-celebration-09.aspx.
Fuller Welcomes New Faculty
Fuller welcomes five new faculty members who have joined the seminary this summer and fall. Read more at www.fuller.edu/page.aspx?id=7795.
View Video of Ustream.tv "Online Visits" with Faculty
In recent months, several of Fuller's faculty have engaged in broadcast chats that were captured on video and can be viewed online. Read more at www.fuller.edu/page.aspx?id=7796.
UPCOMING EVENTS: CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
School of Psychology Continuing Education Day
This day of learning and connection will take place Saturday, October 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with presentations on "Desire, Conflict, and Religion" and "The Neurorelational Framework," alumni/ae-student lunch, and CE credit available. Contact bert@fuller.edu for more information or read more at www.fuller.edu/event.aspx?id=7247.
Ministry Enrichment Seminars
"Spiritual Formation, Sexuality and Ministry" and "Legal Issues in Church Counseling" are two of the Ministry Enrichment Seminars to be offered by Field Education during fall quarter. Open to all alumni/ae at no cost. For details, visit www.fuller.edu/current-students/resources/field-ed/ministry-enrichment-seminars.aspx.
Brehm Center Labs
The Brehm Center is offering three "lab" courses Fall Quarter, open to all for a fee: Introduction to Cinematic Storytelling, Introduction to Final Cut Pro (video editing software), and Sculpting the Human Form. For details and to register, visit www.brehmcenter.com/education/non-degree-programs/.
Course on Missional Church in Honolulu, Hawaii
Church leadership trainers Alan Hirsch and Kurt Fredrickson will lead "The Local Church as a Mission Outpost" November 7 to 13 in Honolulu, Hawaii, a course offered by Fuller's DMin program for continuing education credit. Read more about this and other DMin-CE options at www.fuller.edu/academics/school-of-theology/dmin/DMini/March09/CE.aspx.
New Resources Available from Fuller Youth Institute
Read practical articles and find other resources concerning today's youth--for youth workers, parents, and anyone interested in connecting with young people--at the Fuller Youth Institute (FYI) website, www.fulleryouthinstitute.com.
UPCOMING EVENTS: PASADENA AND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Jim Belcher Book Discussion
On Tuesday, October 13, at 4:00 p.m. in the David Allan Hubbard Library, church planter Jim Belcher will discuss and sign his new book, Deep Church: A Third Way Beyond Emerging and Traditional. Cosponsored by the DMin, Continuing Education, and Alumni/ae and Church Relations Offices. For details, email cll@fuller.edu.
Preaching with Passion Conference
Join Mark Labberton, Fuller's new Lloyd John Ogilvie Associate Professor of Preaching, along with Dr. Ogilvie himself for this conference Tuesday to Thursday, October 13 to 15. Alumni/ae discounts available!Read more at www.fuller.edu/page.aspx?id=7797.
Pastors' Luncheon
Save the date for a luncheon for pastors on Thursday, October 29, sponsored by the Southern California Ecumenical Council and Fuller's Alumni/ae and Church Relations Office. Watch for more details at www.fuller.edu/event.aspx?id=7250.
"Approaching Eden" Art Exhibit
The Brehm Center will sponsor an exhibition of the work of artist Patty Wickman, exploring biblical narratives of the garden, October 23 through November 23 in the David Allan Hubbard Library. An opening reception will take place Friday, October 23, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Read more at www.brehmcenter.com/event/2009-10-23-patty-wickman-approaching-eden-exhibit-/.
Asian American Pastors' Symposium
"Living Out the Gospel: An Asian American Equipping Symposium" will be held Monday and Tuesday, November 2 and 3, with speaker Jonathan Tran, Christian ethics professor at Baylor University, and sessions with Fuller faculty and Asian American ministry leaders. Read more at www.fuller.edu/event.aspx?id=7546.
Inaugural Brehm Center Lectures
The Brehm Center will launch a new lecture series with an array of special events Tuesday and Wednesday, November 3 and 4:
Lecture and Dialogue
On Tuesday, November 3, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., theologian Nicholas Wolterstorff of Yale University and artist-scholar Marcia McFee will lecture and dialogue on the topic "Just Art: The Place of Arts in the Ethical Formation of Christian Disciples." Read more at www.brehmcenter.com/event/2009-11-03-just-art-inaugural-brehm-lecture-with-nicholas-wolterstorff-and-marcia-mcfee/.
Debut Concert
In a concert event Tuesday from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m., the Fuller Vocal Ensemble will offer the debut performance of an original composition by Ed Willmington, "Jubilate! An Ancient-Future Concert Mass," with original choreography by Marcia McFee. Read more at www.brehmcenter.com/event/2009-11-03-jubilate-an-ancient--future-concert-mass-with-lecture-by-nicholas-wolterstorff/
Chapel
On Wednesday, November 4, at 10:00 a.m., all-seminary chapel in Travis Auditorium will feature an address by Wolterstorff, original choreography by McFee, and a reprise of a portion of Willmington's Mass.
To read more about upcoming events offered by the Brehm Center's Fred Bock Institute of Music, read their latest newsletter here.
Missiology Lectures
Save the date: The School of Intercultural Studies will host the 2009 Missiology Lectures on Wednesday, November 11, to be given by Rev. Graham Cray, former Anglican bishop and current leader of England’s missional church initiative Fresh Expressions.
Additional Events
To see additional upcoming events for alumni/ae and the larger community, visit www.fuller.edu/about-fuller/news-events/calendars/default.aspx.
UPCOMING EVENTS: FULLER'S REGIONAL CAMPUSES
Fuller Northwest:
Movie and Discussion Nights
Join us for monthly gatherings on Sundays, September 20, October 18, and November 15, to watch the critically acclaimed ten-part series "The Decalogue," in which each installment depicts a modern interpretation of one of the Ten Commandments. Read more at www.fuller.edu/event.aspx?id=7666.
Mission Fest
If anyone you know is interested in learning more about Fuller, encourage them to stop by our booth at Mission Fest Seattle, taking place Friday-Saturday, October 2-3, at Westminster Chapel in Bellevue. Read more at www.fuller.edu/event.aspx?id=7667.
Fuller Southwest:
Fall Barbecue
Bring your family to this gathering this Saturday, September 19, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the home of Dr. Grayson Carter, to meet new students and fellowship with returning ones. Read more at www.fuller.edu/event.aspx?id=7386.
Fall Convocation
Join us Friday, October 2, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., and celebrate the new academic year with a chapel service and dessert reception. Read more at www.fuller.edu/event.aspx?id=7387.
Fuller Northern California:
"Discover Fuller" in Menlo Park
If you know someone who is considering a seminary education in the Bay Area, encourage them to attend this event on Thursday, October 8, from 7:00 to 8:15 p.m., to learn about Fuller's Menlo Park campus--with students, professors, alumni/ae and staff members available to answer questions in a casual atmosphere. Read more at www.fuller.edu/event.aspx?id=7110.
"Discover Fuller" in Sacramento
A similar event for prospective students will also be held in the Sacramento area on Thursday, October 22, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Invite your friends to learn more about Fuller's Sacramento campus at this casual event with students, professors, and staff members available to answer questions. Read more at www.fuller.edu/event.aspx?id=6104.
ALUMNI/AE PUBLICATIONS
Thanks and congratulations to the following alumni/ae whose publications have been donated to our Alumni/ae Bookshelf:
Steven Bouma-Prediger (MDiv '87) and Brian J. Walsh.Beyond Homelessness: Christian Faith in a Culture of Displacement. William B. Eerdmans, 2008.
Craig Hovey ('02).To Share in the Body: A Theology of Martyrdom for Today's Church. Brazos Press, 2008.
Ed Klodt (MAT '08).The Jonah Factor: 13 Spiritual Steps to Finding the Job of a Lifetime. Augsburg Books, 2006.
Peter Lundell (DMiss '94, MDiv '87).Prayer Power: 30 Days to a Stronger Connection with God. Revell, 2009.
Faith Annette Sand (MAMiss '82):
Adventures of Faith: On Learning to Walk on Water. Hope Publishing House, 2009.
Prayers of Faith: On Learning to Trust God. Hope Publishing House, 1996.
Travels of Faith. Hope Publishing House, 1986.
R. Larry Shelton (ThD '74).Cross and Covenant: Interpreting the Atonement for 21st Century Mission. Paternoster, 2006.
Herb Swartz (BD '59).Stories Our Mothers Told. Self published, 2006.
William Paul Tarbell (DMin '05, MDiv '75):
"The 'I's' Have It, Maybe." Presbyterian Outlook, January 6, 2008; www.pres-outlook.com/opinion/guest-commentary/6664.html.
"Experience: The Best Teacher?" Presbyterian Outlook, February 22, 2009; www.pres-outlook.com/reports-a-resources/presbyterian-heritage-articles/8484-is-experience-the-best-teacher.html
BULLETIN BOARD
Kara Powell at Sierra Madre Congregational
Fuller Youth Institute Executive Director Kara Powell will speak on "Sticky Faith" at Sierra Madre Congregational Church on Monday, September 28, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. For more information, contact the church at 626-355-3566.
Brenda Salter McNeil on Sotomayor Appointment
An article by alumna and reconciliation leader Brenda Salter McNeil (MDiv '84) on new Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor ran in God's Politics, a blog by Jim Wallis and Sojouners.Read it at blog.sojo.net/2009/09/04/sister-sotomayor-lady-justice/.
United Nations Day Festival
The United Nations Association of Pasadena will sponsor a UN Day Festival Sunday, October 25, featuring a global marketplace, silent auction, and World Citizen Luncheon honoring local humanitarians. For details, contact Sherry Simpson Dean at (626) 449-1795 or sherry@unapasadena.org, or visit their website at unapasadena.org.
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 documents.fuller.edu/news/pubs/tnn/2009_spring/. 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@dept.fuller.edu.
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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 Churches Relations Office, 135 North Oakland Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91182.