February 16, 2009

Fellow Alumni/ae,

One of the joys I have as the director of Fuller Seminary's regional campus in Northern California is walking with others in their journey of faith during their time at Fuller. My greatest joy, however, comes in hearing the stories of how God works in and through the lives of our students and alumni/ae to reveal his Kingdom here on earth.

One of our alums, Renée Butler, told me a story about how a single word in the Hebrew language impacted her life and the lives of those around her. Her professor, John Koeker, explained that (hesed) describes God's loving-kindness and faithfulness to his people and to all of humanity. Renée decided to use hesed as the "word of the day" in her youth group. One of the girls in Renée's youth group liked hesed so much, she told one of her friends in school about it the next day. That friend came with her to Renée's youth group the next week to learn more about this God who loves her.

In this issue of AlumNews, you will read the story of another one of our alums, and the role his education at Fuller Seminary played in equipping him to serve as a campus minister with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. I trust that through these stories you will see God at work in and through the lives of fellow alumni/ae, and be encouraged in the ministry to which God has called you.

Your friend,
Curt Longacre, Director
Fuller Seminary Northern California

ALUMNI/AE IN ACTION

Seeking God in Each Season
Jon Paris (MAT '04), alumnus of Fuller Seminary Northern California, has found much reward in his campus ministry work with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. Read his story at www.fuller.edu/page.aspx?id=6389.

COUNCIL CORNER

Do You Speak Southern?
Alumni/ae Council member Chris Accornero (PhD ICS '99) writes with humor and warmth about her return to the world of undergraduate education. Read her reflection at www.fuller.edu/page.aspx?id=6502.

FULLER NEWS

Installation Service Held for Marguerite Shuster
Marguerite Shuster was installed into the Harold John Ockenga Chair of Preaching and Theology, and delivered her installation address on "The Hidden Hand of God." Read more at www.fuller.edu/news-and-events/news/shuster-recap.aspx.

Forum Explored Reasons for Interfaith Dialogue
"Why Dialogue?" was the topic of two evening discussion events led by President Richard J. Mouw and School of Intercultural Studies Dean Doug McConnell. Read more at www.fuller.edu/news-and-events/news/interfaith-dialogue-recap.aspx.

Newsweek Magazine Features Editorial by President Mouw
Last week's edition of Newsweek magazine featured an op-ed article by President Richard J. Mouw calling for respectful dialogue about gay marriage. Read more at www.fuller.edu/news-and-events/news/mouw-newsweek.aspx.

Presidential Inauguration Viewing Held on Campus
More than 200 students, faculty, staff, and friends gathered at Fuller's Pasadena campus to watch a live broadcast of the presidential inaugural ceremony. Read more at www.fuller.edu/news-and-events/news/inauguration-reflections.aspx.

Video: Fuller Community Members Offered Comments on Inauguration
After viewing the presidential inauguration on campus, several students, faculty, and staff offered personal thoughts on the significance of an Obama presidency. To see the video clips, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYvvtgXf1NI&eurl.

UPCOMING EVENTS: CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES

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.
Note two special events for alumni/ae in connection with the symposium:
Alumni/ae Luncheon on February 20, from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. in the School of Psychology Student Lounge, hosted by Dean Winston Gooden
Reconnection Reception on February 20, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.; for details see www.fuller.edu/event.aspx?id=6371.

Ministry Enrichment Seminars
These practical seminars are open to all alumni/ae, from any school, at no charge. Check upcoming seminar topics at www.fuller.edu/current-students/resources/field-ed/ministry-enrichment-seminars.aspx.

UPCOMING EVENTS: PASADENA AND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Book Signing and Celebration with Drs. Brown, Murphy, and Green
Come to a special reception Wednesday, February 18, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., celebrating the recent book releases of professors Warren Brown, Nancey Murphy, and Joel Green. This casual, drop-in evening will feature refreshments, brief comments from the authors, conversation and discussion. Read more at www.fuller.edu/events/school-of-psychology/book-signing-2009.aspx.

Desert Forum Speaker Series
Jehu Hanciles, associate professor of mission history and globalization and director of the Global Research Institute, will speak on the topic “Globalization and Mission” as part of an ongoing luncheon lecture series on Friday, February 20, at 11:30 a.m., at the Desert Willow Golf Resort in Palm Desert, California. Read more at www.fuller.edu/event.aspx?id=5980.

Hispanic Church Studies Events
The Hispanic Church Studies Department will host a Spanish-language chapel on Thursday, February 26, 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.

Black History Month Discussion and Celebration
Ralph Watkins, assistant dean for African American Church Studies, and Rev. Najuma Smith, pastor of St. James AME Church, will host a dessert and discussion on the future of the African American church Thursday, February 26, at 7:00 p.m. Read more at www.fuller.edu/event.aspx?id=6497.

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. Read more at www.fuller.edu/news-and-events/news/city-angels.aspx,
An Alumni/ae Reception will be held for Fuller alumni/ae and friends on Sunday, March 1, following the screening of The Third Wave, in connection with the film festival. Read more at www.fuller.edu/event.aspx?id=6503.

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 6:00 p.m. Read more at www.brehmcenter.com/event/2009-02-28-auditions-for-man-of-la-mancha/.

Dialogue Series on Women's Theologies
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. Read more at www.fuller.edu/page.aspx?id=6189.

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.

Save the Date: "One City, One Story" Bilingual Book Discussion
Assistant Dean for Hispanic Church Studies Juan Martínez will lead discussion on religious aspects of The Hummingbird's Daughter, by Luis Alberto Urrea, the City of Pasadena's "One City, One Story" 2009 book selection, on Friday, April 3 in Payton 101, at 11:00 a.m. in English, and 2:00 p.m. in Spanish. Read more at www.onecityonestory.com.

Save the Date: Alexis Abernethy Inaugural Professorial 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.

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:

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 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Read more at www.fuller.edu/event.aspx?id=5820.

Conversations in Writing
This workshop, on Saturday, March 28, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., is offered for writers and those who want to write. Four authors--Emily Griesinger, Joe Nassise, Dennis Okholm, and Christine Spicer--will share about the love and heartbreak of writing, what motivates them as writers, and how new writers might get started. Read more at www.fuller.edu/event.aspx?id=6463.

Fuller Northern California:

Unlocking Romans Book Discussion Events
Unlocking Romans, a new book by Assistant Professor of New Testament Daniel Kirk, will be the focus of two discussions in the Bay Area: On Saturday, February 21, at 2:00 p.m., at The Door in San Carlos, and on Monday, March 23, at 8:00 a.m., at the regional SBL meeting in Santa Clara. Read more at sibboleth.blogspot.com/2009/02/unlocking-romans-events.html.

President Mouw to Speak at Ecumenical 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 plenary speaker, with responses from SPSU President Jerry Brown and other faculty. Read more at www.fuller.edu/event.aspx?id=6106.

Save the Date: Northern California “Doing Church” Conference
Fuller Professor of Church Growth Eddie Gibbs will be one of the speakers at the Renewal Project's Ninth Annual "Doing Church" Conference, to be held Friday-Saturday, May 8-9, in Pleasant Hill, on "The Shaping of Things to Come: New Ministry Opportunities in Times of Crisis." Cosponsored by Fuller Seminary Northern California. Read more at www.renewalproject.org/DC9/home.html.

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

Hawaiian Islands Ministries Pre-Conference
In connection with the 2009 Hawaiian Islands Ministries (HIM) Conference, the Brehm Center will sponsor a pre-conference module for worship leaders on Thursday, March 12, led by Clay Schmit, academic director of the Brehm Center, and Ed Willmington, director of the Fred Bock Institute of Music. Read more at www.brehmcenter.com/article/hawaiian-island-ministry-2009-pre-conference-schedule/.
An Alumni/ae Luncheon will also be held for Fuller alumni/ae and friends on Friday, March 13, in connection with the HIM Conference. Read more at www.fuller.edu/event.aspx?id=6506.

BOOKS OF NOTE

Professor of Theology and Culture Bill Dyrness offers the following reading recommendations:

I recently read God’s Crucible, by David Levering Lewis, which describes the role of Islam in shaping Europe as we know it. The book gives a very helpful and more balanced picture of the rise of Islam and its interconnections with Western Christians--with positive influences in both directions. I have also been reading Max Stackhouse’s Globalization and Grace, the fourth volume in his God and Globalization series. Max gives us a much more positive and constructive view of the globalizing world than we often get in the media.

ALUMNI/AE PUBLICATIONS

Thanks and congratulations to the following alumnus whose book has been donated to our Alumni/ae Bookshelf:

Stephen W. Simpson (PhDPsy ’99, MAT ’97, MAPsy ’95),Assaulted by Joy. Zondervan, 2008.

BULLETIN BOARD

Chautauqua’s New Clergy Program
The Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, New York, invites new clergy to apply for participation in one of its grant-funded New Clergy Conferences in 2009, to be held June 27-July 4 and July 25-August 1.Read more at religion.ciweb.org/2009%20New%20Clergy%20Info%20and%20App.pdf.

UNA Pasadena "Coffee Talk"
"Grassroots Involvement in the International Criminal Court (ICC)" will be the topic of the next Coffee Talk Speaker Series hosted by United Nations Association Pasadena on Tuesday, February 17, at 7:00 p.m., with ICC Alliance founder Marvin Schachter speaking. Read more at www.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/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.

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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.