January 14, 2009

Dear Alums,

Here at Fuller Theological Seminary we celebrate the family. We acknowledge the family as being comprised of relationships in which it is God's intention that humans be nurtured, grow, and thrive. Just after the holidays, some of us are acutely aware of how blessed we are by our families, and others of us are aware of opportunities for growth in our families!

As human beings created in the image of God, we celebrate the uniqueness and unity modeled by the Trinity. We acknowledge that the Father, Son, and Spirit are unique and particular persons, yet they live in complete, uncompromising community. As this new year launches, may you find authentic ways of being your own unique person, while growing in deep, mutual relationships with your family members. May you also find the grace and love to celebrate the uniqueness of your family members.

Here's to growing unity and uniqueness in our families this year.

Pamela Ebstyne King
Assistant Professor of Marital and Family Studies

ALUMNI/AE IN ACTION

Learning, Leading, and Loving through Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Rachel Poysky (MDiv '00) and James Poysky (PhDPsy '02) have found unexpected blessings and ministry opportunities in their journey with a special-needs child. Read more at www.fuller.edu/page.aspx?id=6170.

COUNCIL CORNER

Family Relationships: Foundational to Emotional Health 
Rick Williamson (PhD '02) writes about the powerful role of family relationships, and how the work of Fuller's Psychological and Family Services clinic reflects this reality.  Read his reflection at www.fuller.edu/page.aspx?id=6174.

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

Alumni/ae Council
The Alumni/ae Council is currently seeking nominees for three council positions coming open in June 2009, with service beginning September 2009. Read more at www.fuller.edu/page.aspx?id=5554.

Distinguished Alumni/ae Award
The council is also seeking nominees for Fuller’s Distinguished Alumni/ae Award, recognizing and honoring alumni/ae actively contributing to God's work in the world. This rotating award will focus this year on School of Psychology alumni/ae. Read more at julia.fuller.edu/departments/alum/Distinguished_Alum_Nominations_form.pdf (PDF, 169KB).

FULLER NEWS

First Phase of David Allan Hubbard Library Opens
Fuller marked the beginning of Winter Quarter with the opening of the first phase of its long-awaited David Allan Hubbard Library. Read more at www.fuller.edu/news-and-events/news/new-library.aspx.

Fuller Offers Review of 2008 Events
A wide range of events took place across the Fuller Seminary community in 2008, including a diversity of conferences, seminars, and lectures. Read the review at www.fuller.edu/news-and-events/news/2008-year-in-review.aspx.

President Mouw Addresses Impact of Financial Crisis on Seminary
In an all-seminary convocation in Pasadena, President Richard J. Mouw presented measures Fuller will take to address the financial downturn. Read more at www.fuller.edu/news-and-events/news/finance-discussion.aspx.

First Winter Quarter Chapel Focuses on Sharing the Gospel
President Mouw preached in the first all-seminary chapel of Winter Quarter on "Sharing the Big Love of the Gospel," as part of Fuller's campuswide theme for this year. Read more at www.fuller.edu/news-and-events/news/mouw-chapel0109.aspx.

New Book for Christians on Judaism Dedicated to Dr. Mouw
A new book release, The Jewish Approach to Repairing the World: A Brief Introduction for Christians, acknowledges President Mouw for his work in interfaith dialogue. Read more at www.fuller.edu/news-and-events/news/dorff-book.aspx.

2007-2008 Travis Research Institute Report Released
The School of Psychology's Travis Research Institute (TRI) has released its 2007-2008 Research Report online, detailing TRI's broad and varied areas of research and accomplishments last year. Read the report at www.travisinstitute.org.

UPCOMING EVENTS: CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES

Continuing Education Courses through Fuller DMin
Several upcoming Doctor of Ministry courses are open to a limited number of non-DMin participants who wish to audit the courses. Read more and see course list at www.fuller.edu/page.aspx?id=4942.

Brehm Center Labs
The Brehm Center is offering two "lab" courses Winter Quarter, open to all for a fee: Vocal Masterclass and Creative Writing: Employing the Creator's Way. For details and to register, visit www.brehmcenter.com/education/non-degree-programs.

Integration Symposium: Focus on Member Care
"The Pearls and the Perils: Practicing Psychology in Mission and Aid Settings" will be the topic of the Integration Symposium, offered by the School of Psychology February 19-20, with psychologist Kelly O'Donnell, of Member Care International, as speaker. Read more at www.fuller.edu/symposium.

Ministry Enrichment Seminars
Winter Quarter Ministry Enrichment Seminars, open to all alumni/ae, will include Recognizing and Helping Those with Mental Illness in the Church, Self-Care for Pastors: Attending to the Mind, Body, and Spirit, and a panel discussion on Women in Ministry. For details, visit www.fuller.edu/current-students/resources/field-ed/ministry-enrichment-seminars.aspx.

UPCOMING EVENTS: PASADENA AND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Hispanic Church Studies Events
The Hispanic Church Studies Department will host Spanish Language Chapels Thursday, January 29 and Thursday, February 26, both at 10:00 a.m. in the Hispanic Center's Student Lounge. For more information, contact hisp-ministries@dept.fuller.edu or 626-584-5586.

"Fuller Makes Movies"
Four independent films created by individuals within the Fuller community will be screened, with panel discussion following, on Friday, January 16, at 7:00 p.m.: LA Actors by Justin Wells, Spin by Camille Tucker, Weathered by Matt Webb and Matt Barber, and The Fair Trade by Lauralee Farrer. Read more at www.brehmcenter.com/event/2009-01-16-fuller-makes-movies.

Ecumenical Preaching Conference
An ecumenical Preaching with Passion Conference will be held Tuesday-Thursday, January 20-22, for Roman Catholic priests and Protestant clergy, sponsored by the Lloyd John Ogilvie Institute of Preaching. Read more at www.fuller.edu/page.aspx?id=5516.

Installation Service for Marguerite Shuster
Marguerite Shuster will be installed into the Harold John Ockenga Chair of Preaching and Theology on Tuesday, February 10, at 10:00 a.m. at the First Congregational Church of Pasadena, speaking on "The Hidden Hand of God." Read more at www.fuller.edu/event.aspx?id=2524&LangType=1033.

Worship Leadership Conference
The Brehm Center's Fred Bock Institute of Music will host the conference "Forming Hearts, Creating Art: Developing Worship Leadership" on Saturday, February 14, featuring musicians C. Michael Hawn and Gloria Gaither as session leaders. Read more at www.brehmcenter.com/event/2009-02-14-forming-hearts-creating-art-developing-worship-leadership/.
A Light Lunch and Q & A with the conference presenters will be held for students and alumni/ae on Friday, February 13 from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m.; contact the Brehm Center for details.

Book Signing and Celebration with Drs. Brown, Murphy, and Green
Fuller professors Warren S. Brown, Nancey Murphy, and Joel B. Green will be discussing and signing each of their recent book releases at a special event to be held in conjunction with the Integration Symposium Wednesday, February 18, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Read more at www.fuller.edu/events/school-of-psychology/book-signing-2009.aspx.

An Evening with N. T. Wright
Bishop and New Testament scholar N. T. Wright will speak at Lake Avenue Church on Thursday, February 26, at 7:00 p.m. Read more at www.fuller.edu/page.aspx?id=4948.

City of the Angels Film Festival
The 15th annual City of the Angels Film Festival, cosponsored by Fuller, is being held at a new time this year: Friday-Sunday, February 27-March 1. While Hollywood focuses upon the Golden Globes and Academy Awards, this festival will highlight overlooked gems. Check www.cityofangelsfilmfest.org, to be updated soon.

Reel Spirituality Conference
This conference, previously scheduled for February 27, has been postponed to Spring Quarter. Details to come.

Auditions for "Man of La Mancha"!
The Brehm Center will be putting on the musical "Man of La Mancha" in April 2009, and all Fuller alumni/ae are invited to audition for a role on Saturday, February 28, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Read more at www.brehmcenter.com/event/2009-02-28-auditions-for-man-of-la-mancha-open-to-fuller-students--alumniae.

Save these Dates:

Dialogue Series on Women's Theology
The Women's Concerns Committee of Fuller's All Seminary Council will host a series of dialogues on women and theology March 5, 7, 12, and 14, at 6:00 p.m. each evening. Speakers will include Professors Carolyn Gordon, Desiree Segura-April, and Mignon Jacobs. Details to come.

First-ever MAGL Student Consultation
Students and alumni/ae of the Master of Arts in Global Leadership (MAGL) program will gather for an inaugural consultation of MAGL leaders from around the world on Wednesday-Thursday, March 11-12, in Pasadena. Read more at www.fuller.edu/page.aspx?id=5518.

Alexis Abernethy Inaugural Lecture
Professor of Psychology Alexis Abernethy will offer a professorial inaugural lecture Tuesday, April 14, at 10:00 a.m. in Travis Auditorium, with reception following. Details to come.

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 California Coast:

Personal Financial Management Discussion
Kyle Shelley, founder of All In Education, will offer a practical approach to challenges with personal finances on Friday, January 16, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. He will discuss developing a spending plan, understanding credit scores, using credit cards appropriately, and accessing money for education. This free event will be held at the Fuller Irvine classroom. For more information, call the Irvine office at 949-975-0775.

Theology Reading Group
All are invited to join this reading group on Wednesday, January 21, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., to discuss Karl Barth's essay "Church and State" in the book Community, State, and Church (Wipf & Stock, 2004). Read more at www.fuller.edu/campuses-online/california-coast/events/theo-rdg-group-w09-1.aspx.

Sacred Space
This time for students and spouses to gather in worship, prayer, and conversation will take place Friday, January 30, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Dr. Steve Summerell will draw us into conversation about dealing with the effects of busyness in pastoral ministry. Read more at www.fuller.edu/campuses-online/california-coast/events/sacred-space-w09.aspx.

Conversations on Culture
Jason Clark, pastor of the Vineyard Church in Sutton, UK, and leader of Emergent UK, will speak on the topic "Reflective Practitioners: A New Kind of Missional Church Leader" on Thursday, March 12 from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. Read more at www.fuller.edu/campuses-online/california-coast/events/conversations-w09-clark.aspx.

Fuller Northern California:

"Discover Fuller" in Menlo Park
All who are considering a seminary education in the Bay Area are invited to this event on Thursday, January 29, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., to explore what Fuller in Menlo Park is all about. Students, professors, and staff members will be available to answer questions in a casual atmosphere. Please RSVP to 650-321-7444 or renee@fuller.edu.

"Discover Fuller" in Sacramento
A similar event for prospective students will be held in the Sacramento area on Thursday, February 12, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., to learn about the Sacramento campus—with students, professors, and staff members available to answer questions. Please RSVP to 916-452-2855 or cbaker@fuller.edu.

President Mouw to Speak at Joint Event
Fuller Northern California and St. Patrick's Seminary and University (SPSU) will be hosting a discussion, "Speaking Christ in Dialog in Contemporary Culture," on Thursday, March 19, from 7:15 to 8:45 p.m. in Menlo Park. President Richard J. Mouw will be the plenary speaker. Offering responses will be Fr. Jerry Brown, president and rector of SPSU; Fr. Bud Stevens, academic dean at SPSU; and Dr. Daniel Kirk, assistant professor of New Testament at Fuller. The event is open to the community, pastors and priests, faculty, students and alumni/ae of Fuller and SPSU. For more information, visit www.fuller.edu/event.aspx?id=6106.

Fuller Northwest:

What Does the "Law" Require of You? Legal Liability in Ministry Workshop
This practical, two-part workshop will be offered Saturday, January 17, and Saturday, February 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day, to help pastors, church leaders and seminary students understand and recognize legal principles and risks in order to avoid litigation and legal liability. For details and to register, visit www.fuller.edu/event.aspx?id=5514.

Fuller Southwest:

Professor Appreciation Lunch and Winter Worship Service
This event on Saturday, January 24, from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. at Bethany Community Church in Tempe, Arizona, will offer fellowship, worship, and a time to celebrate the professors of Fuller Southwest. Speaker will be Frank Switzer, adjunct instructor of communication and lead pastor of Paradise Valley Community Church. Cost for lunch is $10; please RSVP by January 16 to 602-220-0400.

Prospective Student Night
This event on Thursday, February 12, from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m., will offer information about the unique mission of Fuller Southwest, answer important questions, and give participants a taste of what classes are like. Read more at www.fuller.edu/events/southwest/phoenix-prospective-student-night.aspx.

ADDITIONAL EVENTS FOR ALUMNI/AE ACROSS THE U.S.

Saturday-Sunday, Januar 31-February 1
Fuller President in Chicago, IL

Wednesday, February 4
Alumni/ae Luncheon, National Prayer Breakfast, Washington DC

Saturday-Sunday, February 6-8
Fuller Seminary President in Minneapolis-Saint Paul

Thursday, February 12
Author's Forum, Decatur, GA

Friday, February 13
Alumni/ae Dinner, INS, Atlanta, GA

BOOKS OF NOTE

Alvin Dueck, the Evelyn and Frank Freed Professor of the Integration of Psychology and Theology, offers the following book recommendations:

I would recommend Marilynne Robinson's novels Gilead (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2004) and Home (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2008), for the beauty of her prose, her spiritual sensibility, and the depth of her psychological insight.

I would also recommend Heal Thyself: Spirituality, Medicine, and the Distortion of Christianity, by Joel Shuman and Keith Meador (Oxford University Press, 2002), because more than any book I have read recently it takes the role of the Christian story as seriously. It critiques all instrumentalism so rampant in the integration of religion into therapy.

ALUMNI/AE PUBLICATIONS

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

Lynne M. Baab (MDiv '90).Reaching Out in a Networked World: Expressing Your Congregation's Heart and Soul. The Alban Institute, 2008.

Brian M. Howell (MACCS '95).Christianity in the Local Context: Southern Baptists in the Philippines. Palgrave Macmillian, 2008.

BULLETIN BOARD

Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women
The National Association of Presbyterian Clergywomen invites all Presbyterian women to come to the 2009 Churchwide Gathering to be held July 11-15 in Louisville, Kentucky. For details, visit www.pcusa.org/pwgathering.

Speaking Voice Development
Voice coach Marty Carmack now offers Speaking Voice Development over Skype as well as in person. Learn to develop the instrument of your voice to where your sound is a fine-tuned instrument; Stanford University research has found that what people remember about you is 38% sound, 5% words, the balance appearance. Learn more at www.brehmcenter.com/speaking-voice-development/.

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/2008_Fall/. 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.

As always, if you would rather not receive Fuller AlumNews, just tell us by sending a message to enews@fuller.edu with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

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.