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September 2012
CTS Alumni News and Views
Clergy Renewal Programs Come to CTS
The Center for Pastoral Excellence at Christian Theological Seminary (CTS), created last month through an $8 million Lilly Endowment grant, will now administer the Endowment’s national and Indiana clergy renewal programs. Read more
Results from the 2012 Alumni Survey
We were so grateful to have received over 300 responses to the 2012 alumni survey. We appreciate so many people taking the time to give us feedback on ways we can be more responsive to your interests. We'll share results of the survey over the coming months.
A look at who responded:
Sixty percent of respondents were MDiv graduates with DMin grads in a distant second place at 9 percent.
A good 20 percent are in retirement and report they are glad to have finally learned how to enjoy life and family, while continuing to do ministry in many different fulfilling ways.
Top Ten Class Years to Respond
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Class
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Number of respondents
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1985
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11
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2010
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11
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1970
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10
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2007
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10
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2012
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10
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1994
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9
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2001
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9
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2009
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9
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1960
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8
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1972
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8
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We are really excited that 74 percent are using email and want to receive news and updates from us in that manner on a regular basis. It is our plan, starting with this missive, to send you an alumni newsletter on a monthly basis. Please share with other alumni with whom you communicate so that we can continue to build our email database.
Some comments shared through the survey :
I would like to see CTS revive its program in the arts, particularly the arts of theatre and storytelling. To begin,
I suggest that CTS host a storytelling event. – RW
I am pleased with the new direction the seminary is going especially the "cohort" M-Div. More on-line activities need to be offered particularly as continuing education. Providing (at a fee) Mega-Meeting type interactions with faculty on particular issues facing the church would be very useful. On-demand "webinar" style faculty lectures would also likely be widely used with simple access on the CTS website perhaps a perk (at no cost) for those who are Alumni Patrons (see earlier in survey). – BB
I serve as Chaplain to two correctional facilities, one for adult women (approximately 600 offenders) and one for juvenile girls (ages 12-18). In both cases, I have a zero dollar budget for bibles, religious books and all other supplies. All materials must be donated. All help is greatly appreciated.
Peace and blessings,
Rev. Marge Marvell, Chaplain
Madison Juvenile Correctional Facility
Madison Correctional Unit
Ordinations as of June, 2012
Ellen Huffman '12, January
Kate Terlep '12, March 24th, St. Paul Christian Church, St. Paul, IN
William '12 and Melissa '12 Bauzo, March 31st, Primera Iglesia Cristiana, Orlando, FL
Marie Siroky '11, April 14th, First Congregational United Church of Christ, Indianapolis, IN
Ayanna Garrett '10 , April 29th, Umoja Christian Church, Indianapolis, IN
Melissa Grishaw '12, June 10th, West Street Christian Church, Tipton, IN
Births
Malachi Karl born May 22nd to Shannon ‘10 and Gregory Dycus. He is welcomed also by big brother Semaj.
Maddox K. Litten born August 13th to Amber ’09 and Chad Karkosky-Litten. Siblings Myranda and McKale are excited to welcome him into the fold.
Deaths
David McCracken ’79 - January 3rd
E. Max Case ’72 - January 11th
Billye P. Bridges ’90, ’99 - February 17th
Donald C. Lacy '61 - February 28th
Paul Sandlin ’75 – April 6th
Debra Grady ’85 - April 15th
Ministry News and Notes
Tyler Thompson '10 and his wife Amanda began a new ministry at the First Christian Church in Knoxville. They are expecting their first child this winter.
Oscar Banks '09 and William Bauzo '12 have launched Lifework Christian Church, a multi-cultural new church start in the Broad Ripple area of Indianapolis.
Bruce Frogge '93 was installed as Senior Minister of Cypress Creek Christian Church in Spring, Texas, just north of Houston.
Khala Granville ‘12 has been named the new Executive Director of the Brightwood Community Center, Indianapolis. She fills a vacancy left by the passing of Debra Grady.
Jerry Zehr '85 has published a new novel entitled "Blurring the Lines." He has been called back to the Indianapolis area to serve as Senior Pastor at First Christian Church, Mooresville. His wife Diane '85 will become interim minister at Carmel Christian Church this November.
Donald Batz '61 was honored by the Illinois Great Rivers Conference of the United Methodist Church this year with the Peter Cartwright Lifetime Achievement Award for 60 years of service in that conference.
Upcoming Events
Petticrew Faith-in-Action Program entitled "Healing the Heart of Democracy" will be held Tuesday, October 23rd at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Seminar Leader is Dr. Parker J. Palmer and the luncheon speaker will be Governor Mitchell E. Daniels Jr. For more information, click here.
Rev. Dr. Edwin David Aponte will be installed as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty and Professor of Christianity and Culture, on Wednesday, October 24th. The worship service will be held in the CTS Chapel at 11:30 am.
Stop by our booth and say hello:
American Baptist Churches in Indiana/Kentucky meeting October 5-6 at the First Baptist Church in Columbus, IN
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Illinois/Wisconsin meeting October 12-13 at the Bloomington/Normal Marriott Convention Center.
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Ohio meeting October 18-20 at the Double Tree Hotel in Columbus/Worthington.
Clergy Renewal continued
The two programs will complement the new CTS center’s strategic initiatives that seek to support the ministries of outstanding pastors serving Christian congregations throughout the United States. The change of administration of the programs will be effective for the 2013 National Clergy Renewal Program and the 2013 Clergy Renewal Program for Indiana Congregations. No substantial changes to the programs’ selection criteria are anticipated for 2013. CTS expects to award as many as 20 grants of up to $50,000 each to Indiana congregations to support renewal programs for their pastors and 80 awards of similar amounts to congregations in other states.
“The Center for Pastoral Excellence and Lilly Endowment share a commitment to strengthen the quality of pastoral leadership of Christian congregations and to support the ministries of churches,” says N. Clay Robbins, the Endowment’s president and CEO. “We are delighted that CTS will administer the Endowment’s clergy renewal programs, which have helped rejuvenate the ministries of so many pastors across the country.”
Through grants to congregations to enable pastors to step away from their daily duties for uninterrupted periods of reflection and renewal, the Indiana and national clergy renewal programs have helped hundreds of ministers replenish their spiritual energies and regain their enthusiasm and creativity for ministry. Since 1999 the Endowment has awarded 404 grants to congregations in Indiana and 1,598 awards to churches in the other 49 states.
By helping students discern their calling to the ministry, preparing seminarians to become outstanding pastoral leaders and providing ongoing support to pastors throughout their careers, CTS provides a comprehensive approach to fostering excellence in the Christian ministry,” says Rev. Dr. Matthew Myer Boulton, CTS president and professor of theology. “The clergy renewal programs will enhance the work of the Center for Pastoral Excellence and extend the seminary’s efforts to support practicing pastors, while also providing seminary students and faculty with valuable insights into the challenges facing pastors and congregations and why seasons of renewal are important for them.”
"Pastors need time away from their congregations to gain new perspectives,” notes the Rev. Dr. Robert Saler, newly named director of the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Programs at CTS. “The clergy renewal programs free them up to pursue interests that will renew their passions for ministry, and the renewal leaves also give congregations opportunities to rediscover their own gifts and strengths while their pastors are away.”
More information about the 2013 clergy renewal programs is expected to be available on the CTS website (cts.edu/crp) in October. In the meantime, any questions should be addressed to Saler at CTS (317-931-2326).
Make a gift to CTS today!
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