March 18, 2010

Dear Alums,

Last week, the season of Lent was inaugurated yet again with Ash Wednesday. As a pastor, I had the strange and humbling privilege of marking the foreheads of sinners just like me. My eyes locked with each person that came before me as together we faced the reality of our brokenness and the pain of a world drenched in sin. Then, as flesh inscribed upon flesh, we looked up and together we saw not only the blackness of sin or the darkness of death but also the assurance of forgiveness, the promise of redemption in the shape of a cross that now marked our foreheads.

Over these next few weeks, the seasons will mirror our journey from darkness to light, as the days grow longer and nights get shorter. We will enter into sacred time--a space for taking stock, for dropping our guard and dying once again to ourselves. Thankfully, Lent reminds us that we do not make this journey alone. God's love is the greater fire that makes something out of the ashes of our lives.

The journey through Lent is God in Christ reaching out to us in love--a love that is enfleshed around the wounds of this world in order to bring healing, a love that is willing to be sacrificed in order to restore the goodness of creation, a love that is resurrected in order to make all things new. May we as the recipients of such gracious love, as the community of Fuller, continue to proclaim and embody this good news when we sit at home and as we walk along the road.

Lenten blessings,
Chris Tweitmann (MDiv '04)
Member, Alumni Council

LENTEN REFLECTION

Letting Go in Lent
Professor of New Testament and alumna Marianne Meye Thompson (MDiv '78) reflects on the practice of "giving up" something for Lent. Read her reflection 

FULLER NEWS

What's been happening at Fuller lately?
Check our News and Events page 

Brehm Center Kicks Off Tenth Anniversary
Conference Explores Sharing the Gospel with Jewish People
Ralph Watkins Discusses "The Black Church: Dead or Alive?"
J. Todd Billings Looks at Incarnational Ministry
    ...and more

Prayer for Japan
We encourage all members of the Fuller community to continue lifting up the people of Japan in prayer, including the more than 100 Fuller alumni who live there. Read a note from Dr. Mouw about Japan 

UPCOMING EVENTS: CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES

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

Legal Issues in Church Employment & Real Estate
Dennis Kasper, attorney
April 21    3:00-5:00 p.m.

Congregations as Emotional Systems: Implications for Pastors and their Families
Dr. Cameron Lee (PhD '87), professor of family studies
April 26    1:00-3:00 p.m.

Understanding Hospital Chaplaincy: How to Prepare for CPE
Rev. Cheri Coleman (MDiv '03), chaplain
May 4    11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

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

Social Network Analysis of Values in Adolescent Moral Identity
Dr. Kevin Reimer (PhD '01), Azusa Pacific University
April 4    11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

New Research on Combat-Related Moral Injury
Dr. David Foy, Pepperdine University
April 11    11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Read more 

UPCOMING EVENTS: PASADENA AND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Fuller Desert Forum with Dudley Woodberry
March 25    11:30 a.m.
"Toward an Understanding of Recent Events in the Middle East" will be Professor Dudley Woodberry's (BD '60) topic at this luncheon in Palm Desert. Read more 

Doctor of Ministry Visit Day
March 28    9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Learn more about Fuller's Doctor of Ministry program and meet professors, students, graduates, and theologian Tony Jones, to be teaching an upcoming cohort. Read more 

Tony Jones Discussion
March 28    7:00 p.m.
"Authority, Hierarchy, and the Future of the Church" will be the topic of a talk by theologian, cultural commentator, and Fuller DMin instructor Tony Jones. Read more 

Vicente Fox, Former President of Mexico, at Fuller
March 31    5:00 p.m.
President Fox will speak on "Transforming Leadership and Faith in Latin America" as part of the Max and Esther De Pree Presidential Leadership Lecture series. Read more 

Reel Spirituality Conference 2011
April 2    8:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
"Death of the Critic ... Rise of 30 Million Critics?" will be the theme for this seminar exploring the role of the critic in film and TV. Read more 

Spring Festival of the Arts
April 4-8
This special week sponsored by the Fuller Arts Collective will incorporate a variety of offerings: arts gallery, performances, literary publication, and more. Details to come 

"Catalytic Leadership: Gifts, Gender and Leadership in God's Church"
April 8    9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Leadership Development Director Nancy Ortberg and Family Life Pastor Jim Candy (MDiv '08) of Menlo Park Presbyterian Church will speak on this topic. Read more 

Brunch for Pastors
April 13    10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Brehm Center Academic Director Clay Schmit and sculptor Chris Slatoff will speak at this brunch, to be held at the University Club in Pasadena. Read more 

Payton Lectures
April 13 - 14
Bernard McGinn of the University of Chicago Divinity School will speak on "Lambs Wading and Elephants Swimming: Two Lectures on the Mystical Interpretation of the Bible." Read more 

"Missions in a Post-American World"
April 14    3:00-4:30 p.m.
The Center for Missiological Research will host a panel on this topic with professors Bryant Myers, Douglas McConnell (PhD '92), Grace Dyrness and Ralph Watkins. Read more 

Grant Writing Workshop
April 15    9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Fuller will co-host this award-winning Grant Central USA workshop. Attend in person or take an online course. Early-bird and alumni discounts available through March 31! Read more 

"Jesus Christ Superstar" Production
April 15, 16, 17
Fuller's Brehm Center is co-producing this musical performance with Glendale Presbyterian Church. Read more 

Brunch for Hispanic Pastors
May 4
Save the date--details to come!

Preaching and Justice Conference
May 5-7
"Mighty Waters: Preaching & Living God's Passion for Justice" will be the theme for this conference for church leaders. Register by April 1 for a discounted fee. Read more 

Save the Date:
Stanley Hauerwas on "Why Habit Matters"
May 19    7:30-9:30 p.m.
This will be one of two talks on "Understanding Virtue: Bridging Neuroscience and Philosophy" cosponsored by Fuller's School of Psychology and Caltech. Read more 

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

UPCOMING EVENTS: FULLER'S REGIONAL CAMPUSES

Fuller Northern California: 

Dr. Mouw at Community Presbyterian Church, Danville
March 26    5:00 p.m. service
March 27    9:00 and 10:30 a.m. services
Also on March 27, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Dr. Mouw will offer a public talk on "Christian Leadership in the 21st Century." Read more 

President's Lunch for Pastors/Ministry Leaders
March 28    12:00-2:00 p.m.
President Richard J. Mouw will speak on "Interfaith Dialogue: Making the Most of Conversations with Non-Christians and Christians from other Traditions." Read more 

Windrider Film Forum
April 28-30
Save the date for Fuller Northern California's second annual Windrider Film Forum! Details to come 

Fuller California Coast: 

"Lessons in Prayer"
March 20, 27    10:30 a.m.
During the month of March, Fuller's Nathan P. Feldmeth is speaking at San Marino Community Church about the theology, practice, and dynamics of prayer. Read more 

Fuller Southwest: 

CityFest with Luis Palau
March 19-20    Tempe Town Lake
Come, bring a friend, and check out the Fuller Southwest booth at the festival. Read more 

KNOW SOMEONE who is considering attending seminary?
Invite them to attend a prospective student event at the Fuller campus in your area--and come along if you wish.

ALUMNI PUBLICATIONS

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

Craig Goodwin (MDiv '95).Year of Plenty: One Suburban Family, Four Rules, and 365 Days of Homegrown Adventure in Pursuit of Christian Living. Spark House, 2011.

Louis Hoffman, ed. (PhD '01).Toward a Christian Clinical Psychology: The Contributions of H. Newton Malony. Fuller Seminary Press, 2010.

L. Paul Jensen (PhD '07).Subversive Spirituality: Transforming Mission Through the Collapse of Space and Time. Pickwick Publications, 2009.

Richard H. Swartley (MDiv '59).A Wolf in the Pulpit? The Setup for Moral Failure and the Abuse of Power. Right Start Publications, 2011.

Lace Marie Williams-Tinajero (PhD '08).The Reshaped Mind: Searle, the Biblical Writers, and Christ's Blood. Brill, 2011.

BULLETIN BOARD

Chap Clark to Speak in Pennsylvania
March 24-26
Vice Provost Chap Clark (MDiv '88) will speak at a chapel service, ParenTeen seminar, and conference for youth workers at Messiah College in Grantham, Pennsylvania. Read more 

"Songs for a New World"
March 26 & April 2, 9, 16
Tickets are offered to Fuller alumni, students, and staff at a 30% discount to this musical produced by the Red Stamp. Click here and enter the promotional code MOUW when prompted. Read more 

Alumnus Honored by Pasadena Ecumenical Council
The Ecumenical Council of Pasadena Area Congregations honored Joe Colletti (MA '84), alumnus and executive director of Fuller's Office for Urban Initiatives, as "Person of the Year." Read more 

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