Seminary Newsletter

Community of Christ 2007 Theology Ministry Forum

Convocation Visionary Award Winner - Bill Higdon

Glad Tidings
The newsletter of Community of Christ Seminary
Graceland University
Fall 2007

Dear Friends,
Greetings to you from the Community of Christ Seminary! We hope you enjoyed the summer. Once again, we are excited to share with you events that have taken place during this year and upcoming events in the early part of 2008.

HIGHLIGHTS AND EVENTS OF 2007

Seminary Convocation – click here to see a gallery of photos
Seminary Theology and Ministry Forum – click here to see a gallery of photos
2007 Commencement
Congratulations to our eleven students from the MAR program and five students from the MACM program who graduated during the 2006/2007 academic year.
The Sandra Gleazer Johnson Endowed Scholarship
This scholarship was established in memory of Sandy Johnson ('06), one of the first of four students to graduate with the Masters of Arts in Christian Ministries. This fund was recently greatly expanded by a most generous gift from The Groves congregation. Contact Tere Naylor or Don Compier if you would like to receive a brochure describing the scholarship.
Hispanic Leadership Project
The first two study weekends on "Message of the Church" and "Spirituality"” were held in Los Angeles and Weslaco. Courses are taught entirely in Spanish. Participants have responded with enthusiasm. One described how he has gained confidence to share his testimony in public.
Faculty News
Sue McLaughlin has been hired as the first full-time professor and associate dean of the Community of Christ Seminary. In her role as associate dean, Sue will provide oversight of the online course offerings and faculty development, and assist the dean with administrative duties as needed.

Mark Scherer also joined the seminary faculty as our Associate Professor of History. Mark has extensive and varied teaching and research experience and will continue to serve as Church Historian for the Community of Christ. He is currently writing a ground-breaking three-volume history of the Community of Christ. We are very grateful for the support of the leadership of the Community of Christ for making Mark available as we build a full-time faculty.

The Seminary is in the process of filling two additional full-time faculty positions. If the seminary receives an additional faculty chair, we can reach our goal of eligibility for accreditation with The Association of Theological Schools. The recent gift from Louise Morden will allow the seminary to continue to strive toward accreditation and fill new faculty positions in future years.

Tony and Charmaine Chvala-Smith are currently in Zambia where they will teach classes for International MEADS (Ministerial Education and Discipleship Studies - a non-degree program for church leaders around the world.)
Seminary Board
We welcome Art Smith and Laurie Heintz to the seminary board. Continuing seminary board members are Paul Booth, Cheryl Hansen, Susan Skoor, Helen Pearson Smith, Vicki Ross (chair) and Vincent Lewis.
Seminary Graduates
Michele Torrey, MAR '06, is author of ten fiction books for children. Her most recent book, Voyage of Midnight (Chronicles of Courage), was released November 2006, and was chosen for the 2006 New York Public Library's 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing list. http://www.micheletorrey.com/index.htm.

Suzanne Carver, MACM '06, Buzz, Noah, and family members went to Boston, Mass., on June 2^nd to participate in a 5K run/walk to raise awareness for the blind and visually impaired. Suzanne says their team, "Noah Peeps, raised $3700 for National Braille Press, and met wonderful people and had a great time besides." The Carvers are looking forward to participating in the next 5K run/walk next year. If you would like to find out more about their team, contact Suzanne Carver at sdcarver@maineline.net.

Charlie Curry, MAR '07, wrote an article, "Everyone is God Speaking," for the May/June 2007 edition of Interfaithings.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sixth Seminary Convocation will be held in the Carmichael Auditorium, Graceland University, Independence Campus, Truman Road, Independence, on Sunday, January 6, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. Susan McLaughlin will be installed as associate dean of Community of Christ Seminary. The Seminary Vision Award will be presented to Barbara and Dick Howard.
The 2008 Theology & Ministry Forum will be held at Graceland University, Lamoni, Iowa, February 8-10. The theme of the forum is Science and Religion: Pastoral Implications. The plenary speakers are Bob Mesle (Graceland), Jerry Nieft (former director of Temple School), Laurie Gordon (biologist, member of spirituality team), and Nancy Howell (Saint Paul School of Theology). Many practicing scientists will be offering concurrent presentations throughout the forum.
Upcoming Online courses
Wayne Ham is teaching an eight-week course on Hebrew Scriptures I in August-October, 2007, and Hebrew Scriptures II in October-December, 2007.
Matthew Naylor is teaching an eight-week course on Ethics in January-March, 2008.
Sue McLaughlin is teaching an eight-week course on Christian Theology in March-May, 2008.
For more information on these courses, contact Tere Naylor at tnaylor@graceland.edu.

Don H. Compier
Dean, Community of Christ Seminary
Graceland University
1401 West Truman Road
Independence, MO 64050
816-833-0524, ext. 4900
Email: dcompier@graceland.edu
Graceland: www.graceland.edu
Seminary Page: http://www.graceland.edu/seminary
Community of Christ: www.cofchrist.org

Graceland University -