2021 Leadership Fellows Global Engagement Trip

This year's Global Engagement trip was different from previous years. Typically, HELM takes the rising seniors on an international trip to visit one of the Disciples’ global partners. Due to the travel restrictions and the impact that COVID-19 has had on many of our partners, leaving the country wasn't a possibility for the second year in a row. Luckily for us, the Disciples consist of congregations that stretch far and wide across the United States and Canada, and we were presented with an incredible opportunity to take two classes of HELM Fellows (the senior class who missed their Global Engagement trip last year because of COVID, and this year's junior class) to visit First Christian Church of Anchorage and the beautiful state of Alaska. We were accompanied by Paul Boling, the Head Pastor of FCC Anchorage, Associate Pastor Dave Boling, Elder Helen McNeill, and two of Pastor Paul Boling's sons. Their presence and generosity were easily the largest blessings we received on this trip. We enjoyed nearly 24 hours of sunlight each day as well as seeing some of the exciting wildlife that draws people to Alaska every year. More importantly, however, students were able to engage with and learn from leaders who are working with communities on issues of justice and healing related to indigenous land, culture, and history. To read reflections from a few of the students who participated in this year's Global Engagement Trip, click on the photos below!

2021 Leadership Fellows Named

An incoming class of eight students has been selected to join the Leadership Fellows Program in the Fall of 2021. These students were selected from a large pool of extremely qualified applicants. Through their involvement in their schools and churches, the eight new Fellows have successfully established themselves as leaders within their own communities. Through the Leadership Fellows Program, HELM hopes to nurture and support each Fellow’s undergraduate career to further expand on their already impressive accomplishments towards positive impact in our communities.

Annika Fuller is a member of Palm Lake Christian Church in her hometown of St. Petersburg, Florida. She has been involved with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) since she was born, and both of her grandfathers served as pastors within the DoC. She has been a member of the Florida Regional Youth Ministry Council as well as the General Youth Council for more than two years. In her free time, she enjoys playing soccer and canoeing. She is also a professional musician and singer-songwriter and plans to someday try to sell her songs to a producer or an artist. While she is not entirely sure which career path she would like to follow, she does know whatever she chooses will relate to helping others. In the fall she will be attending New College of Florida and majoring in either Neuroscience or Biopsychology.

Ella Gordon is from Corvallis, Oregon. She loves to read and write and has been writing fiction stories for as long as she can remember. She also enjoys other forms of art, including drawing and painting. For exercise, Ella runs whenever she has the time. At her church, First Christian Church of Corvallis, she is involved in Sunday School activities with her peers and adult teachers and plays the violin in the folk band. In the fall she will attend the University of Oregon and plans to major in English.

Hayden Skaggs is from Mansfield, Texas, and will be pursuing a degree in Sociology and Psychology with a minor in Religion & Philosophy at Eureka College in Eureka, Illinois. While in high school, Hayden was a part of the National Honor Society, a leader in the school’s marching band, and ran cross country. At his home congregation, The Welcome Table Christian Church, he has been the youth representative in the hiring and ordination process of two student ministers. While attending The Welcome Table, he has seen it become an open and affirming congregation, which he believes is an important step into the inclusion of all. His time as a Disciple has propelled him to serve his community and helped it to become a place of inclusion today.

Ruthie Weeks is from Mechanicsville, Virginia, and is a member of Slash Christian Church in Ashland. She says that growing up in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) helped her develop a strong love for God and the community of her denomination. Her passion lies in journalism and videography, and she enjoys using these gifts in and out of the church. She served Hanover County Public Schools as a TV99 Intern, creating video content, along with serving as the Editor-In-Chief of Atlee High School’s newspaper. These opportunities allowed Ruthie to develop her skill set and she notes that taking her interest in writing and video production and channeling them into life as a Christian is extremely important. She has done this in a variety of ways over the years, including the creation of a video highlighting her youth group’s volunteer experiences for a Youth Sunday worship service and documenting Vacation Bible School each year through photography, including the creation of slideshows detailing each day’s Bible story. During the COVID pandemic, she videoed and edited communion, music, and the sermon. Ruthie is a member of the National Honor Society, the Beta Club, and Girl Scouts, where she earned the Gold Award by working to make her home congregation Green Chalice Certified. In the fall she will attend Chapman University to pursue a degree in Broadcast Journalism and Documentary.

Virginia Fullerton is from Kansas City, Missouri. She loves creating, reading, chatting, hiking, and spending time with her family and friends. This fall she will be attending Kansas State University and pursuing a degree in Fashion Studies with a concentration in Business. She hopes to blaze a path in the fashion industry and create inclusive, accessible, and sustainable fashion. She works for Pro Athlete Inc. and has had the opportunity to take part in the Community and Charitable Outreach team, creating innovative projects to touch the community including donating stuffed animals to local children’s hospitals and providing goodie boxes for healthcare workers. Virginia has served as Moderator to the Regional Youth Cabinet of the Greater Kansas City Region from 2019-2021. She is excited to be a part of the Leadership Fellows Program and can’t wait to experience all the future holds.

Katie Madole is from Nashville, Tennessee, and will be attending Birmingham Southern College, pursuing a double major in Biology and Secondary Education with a concentration in Social Justice. She served as president of her high school’s environmental club, Livable Schools, and was an active member of the National Honor Society. Katie also enjoyed performing with her school’s theatre and choral departments. For the past four years, Katie has attended the School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt (SSMV) one day a week where she engaged in interdisciplinary scientific research. Katie loves hiking, exploring nature, traveling, trying any and all coffee shops, performing theatre, singing, and playing with kids. Katie regularly performs theatre with the Theater Bug, a youth arts group in Nashville which performs original works about social issues facing today’s youth and kids. She is a member of Eastwood Christian Church, where she has enjoyed engaging with the youth group, helping out with the children’s ministries, and deepening her faith through the rich, thought-provoking, and diverse community that Eastwood provides. Additionally, Katie has loved serving as Chaplain for the Christian Church of Tennessee’s regional camp, Bethany Hills. Both Eastwood and Bethany Hills have helped Katie gain a deeper understanding of the unconditional love of God and sparked a desire to make the Church more equitable, inclusive, anti-racist, and loving. Through HELM, Katie is excited to see how this passion further blossoms.

Anna Whittle is from Louisville, Kentucky, and is a member of Beargrass Christian Church. She loves reading cool books, hiking with friends, and traveling. She served as a three-year member of the Louisville Youth Philanthropy Council, which led to her involvement with various nonprofits in her community. Through volunteering and working at both TreesLouisville, a local environmental organization, and Just Creations, a fair-trade marketplace, Anna has developed her passion for environmental and economic justice. At her school, Anna was captain of the Future Problem-Solving team and competed at state and international competitions during her senior year. Anna is a youth elder at her church and has loved attending Camp WaKonDaHo, Kentucky’s Disciples camp, during the summers. In the fall, she will be attending Hope College in Holland, Michigan, and plans to double major in Environmental Studies and Spanish.

HELM and Global Ministries Partner to Facilitate Student Connections

Fellows in Columbia

HELM’s Leadership Development Program aims to develop leaders through an intentional focus on four major areas during an undergraduate’s years of study. In their first year, Fellows focus on the nature and purpose of Christian community, including what it means to build and sustain authentic community. During the second year of the program, they learn about social transformation and reflect on the way faith compels us to work for justice. The third-year focus is on global awareness and involves an international trip to visit Disciples’ partners who are working on grassroots issues related to justice, peace, equality, and human rights. Finally, Fellows in their fourth year learn about mentoring and the lifelong practices of spiritual and vocational discernment.

The year three focus on Global Awareness has allowed HELM to partner with Global Ministries, a common witness of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ, in connecting with international partners. Thus far, different cohorts of Fellows have visited Disciples’ partner organizations in Cuba, Morocco, and Colombia. In 2020, plans were in place to visit partners in Cuba again; however, the global effects of the COVID-19 pandemic prevented this trip from taking place. Chris Dorsey, President of HELM, says that when the global awareness theme was added as part of the Leadership Development Program, “We did it as a way of ensuring that participants in the program would have a chance to connect with people and places around the world, and understand the principles of solidarity and accompaniment as a key approach to mission.”

Fellows in Morocco

The work of partnering together has been facilitated by Global Ministries’ People-to-People Program, which assists in planning and preparing those who are engaging in cross-cultural pilgrimages. Lorna Hernandez, the Director of the program, believes deeply in the importance of these encounters: “When people from different backgrounds and cultures seek to listen and learn from each other, it is a sacred space. Whether by sharing a meal, worshipping, or exploring challenging issues, listening to each other’s stories changes the hearts, minds, and attitudes of those willing to come out of themselves into the world.”

Reflecting on the connection between HELM and Global Ministries, Hernandez notes that “The ongoing collaboration has created intentional spaces of transformation for college students at a time of academic, leadership, and ministry development. The knowledge, experience, and connections shared with international partners will increase intercultural awareness in students, understanding of their own contexts through a global lens, and willingness to take action on social issues to promote peace with justice.” Dorsey echoed the importance of this connection, sharing that “We are grateful that the global awareness trips we take the students on each year give us a chance to work closely with Global Ministries to make it a successful part of the curriculum.”

Fellows in Cuba

While HELM anticipates providing international connections and experiences for Fellows in the future, the many travel restrictions currently in place make international travel difficult. As a result, this year’s trip involves connecting with Disciples serving in Alaska. During this experience, Fellows will learn about the legacy of colonialism, the struggle for indigenous rights, and the effects of climate change and ongoing conservation efforts, as well as meet Disciples who are on the front lines of addressing these challenges.

To learn more about the Leadership Fellows Program, visit helmdisciples.org/leadership-programs/leadership-fellows/.

Nina Vest Salmon receives 33rd TA Abbott Award for Faculty Excellence

Credit: John McCormick, University of Lynchburg

The TA Abbott Award for Faculty Excellence was presented to Dr. Nina Vest Salmon as part of the University of Lynchburg’s baccalaureate service on May 19, 2021. This year marks the 33rd presentation of this award to a faculty member at a Disciples of Christ related college or university that, by their teaching and personal example, inspire students towards excellence.

Dr. Salmon, who has taught at the university since 1997, is an Associate Professor of English and an ordained priest in the Episcopal Church. She is also the Director of the Senior Symposium, a capstone course that every graduating senior must take. As director, she and a team of faculty guide students through self-reflection, critical thinking, and core reading texts. Themes from past seminars have included “Pursuit of Happiness: Health, Wealth and Life Choices,” “Information and Misinformation: Media, Morality, Manipulation,” and “Effecting Change: Rebellion, Resistance, Advocacy.” Dr. Allison Jablonski, Provost of the university, wrote in her letter nominating Dr. Salmon that while hundreds of students take this course each year, Dr. Salmon handles any problems or issues smoothly and with grace. She went on to write that the key that enables her to do so is that Dr. Salmon sees every student and faculty member as a child of God, and she makes an intentional, deliberate choice to love those students who face the most challenges.

Dr. Salmon’s academic interests include the study of race and equality in Southwest Virginia, and she often takes her students to visit the Anne Spencer House in Lynchburg for service learning. Anne Spencer was a poet of the Harlem Renaissance, a civil rights activist, and hosted many important and influential intellectuals and activists such as Langton Hughes, George Washington Carver, Thurgood Marshall, and Martin Luther King Junior.

Dr. Jablonski shared that “At the Anne Spencer House, Dr. Salmon experiences an intersection of faith, service-learning, and education, and has studied and learned about the racial divides in her church, in her city of Lynchburg, and those that continue to exist today. She sees it as her call to educate her students about what once was but also to enable a vision for how it can be.”

In response to receiving the award, Dr. Salmon said, “I am humbled and honored. I’m grateful to work in a place where I’m surrounded by talented, supportive, encouraging people. I’m so very fortunate to be able to lead this bi-vocational life that blends a life of teaching with ordained ministry.”

Disciples Related Schools 2021 Commencement Schedules

Tougaloo Chapel at Tougaloo College’s 2019 Ceremony

After navigating a difficult academic year due to the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, students in the class of 2021 are preparing to graduate. Last year, most schools either postponed spring commencement ceremonies or moved them to virtual platforms. This year, however, many schools are able to hold in-person ceremonies while still offering an option for virtual participation.

Listed below are the college, universities, and theological schools related to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), along with the commencement plans that have been announced. While many schools have made plans for in-person ceremonies, in most cases there are restrictions on the number of guests allowed. Other schools, due to their location in areas that continue to have higher levels of infection, are holding their ceremonies virtually. In the list below, if the name of a school is highlighted in blue, you can click the link to be taken directly to that school’s commencement information webpage.

Disciples Related Colleges and Universities

Barton College – In-person on Saturday, May 8 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Bethany College – In-person on Friday, May 7, and Saturday, May 8.

Chapman University – In-person over two weekends, July 30-August 1 and August 6-8.

Columbia College – In person on Saturday, May 1 at 11 a.m. and 2:15 p.m.

Culver-Stockton College – In-person on Saturday, May 15 at 9 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 4 p.m., and on Sunday, May 16 at 12:30 p.m.

Drury University – In-person on Friday, May 14 at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 15 at 11 a.m.

Eureka College – Ceremony on Saturday, May 15.

Hiram College –On-campus commencement watch party on Saturday, May 15 at 2 p.m.

Jarvis Christian College – In-person on Saturday, May 1 with a virtual option.

Midway University – In-person on Saturday, May 15 at 11 a.m.

Texas Christian University – In-person on Saturday, May 8 at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Transylvania University – In-person on Saturday, May 29 at 8:30 a.m.

Tugaloo College – Live-streamed on Sunday, May 2 at 9 a.m.

University of Lynchburg – In-person on Thursday, May 20 at 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. and Friday, May 21 at 9 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

William Woods University – In-person on Saturday, May 1 and Sunday, May 2. Details on time and whether guests are allowed forthcoming.

Disciple Related Theological Institutions

Brite Divinity School – Ceremony on Saturday, May 8. Details forthcoming.

Christian Theological Seminary – Ceremony on Saturday, May 22. Details forthcoming.

Disciples Divinity Houses at the University of Chicago – Virtual ceremony on Wednesday, June 9 at 4 p.m.

Disciples Divinity House at Vanderbilt University – Limited in-person on Sunday, May 16 at 3 p.m.

Disciples Seminary Foundation

Claremont School of Theology – Ceremony on Tuesday, May 18

Iliff School of Theology – Ceremony on Thursday, June 2.

Pacific School of Religion – Virtual ceremony on Sunday, May 23 at 4 p.m. Link to attend forthcoming on PSR website.

San Francisco Theological Seminary – Ceremony on Saturday, May 22.

Seattle University’s School of Theology and Ministry – Virtual ceremony on Sunday, June 13

Lexington Theological Seminary – Graduation for Certificate in Hispanic Ministries Program on Friday, June 4 at 11:30. Commencement ceremony on Thursday, June 17 at 11:30. Both ceremonies are virtual.

Phillips Theological Seminary – Ceremony on Saturday, May 15 at 11 a.m. Details forthcoming.

Chaplains Get Creative to Connect with Students

An outdoor Bible study underway at TCU

While the number of people in the United States that have received a COVID-19 vaccine has increased over the past few months, the current academic year has been and, in many cases, continues to be incredibly difficult for students, faculty and staff at colleges and universities around the country. Amid the uncertainty and anxiety of these days, college chaplains have continued to minister to students and their wider community in creative ways. HELM caught up with a few chaplains at Disciples-related schools to learn about how they have stayed connected with students.

Sedaric Dinkens, Chaplain at Jarvis Christian College in Hawkins, Texas, shared that trying to communicate and minister to students during the pandemic has been challenging, noting that “Separation and distance are at the heart of the communicative challenge. The pandemic forced our campus, like many others, to send our students home and continue our academic endeavors through distanced and online learning.” Given these circumstances, Dinkens found ways to try and connect with students to let them know that while they may be physically distant from their campus community, he and the university were still there to support and journey with them: “Early in the pandemic, I began to send a weekly email to our students with a set of questions: How are you? Tell me the challenges you are facing with the switch to online learning? What may I do to assist you? Do you have any prayer concerns? Each email concluded with a special phone number established specifically so that students may reach out to me through calling or text message. Whenever I became aware of a specific event in the life of a student, the student received a text, a follow-up email and a phone call. Sometimes, if the circumstances warranted it, the student was connected to Counseling services for follow-up conversations.”

While he describes these months as challenging, Dinkens also mentions that there have been many real and meaningful connections made: “Pandemic communication has also been exhilarating. While I have been told many stories about the impact of our communication efforts, one specific story comes to mind. During the pandemic, a student’s father passed away from a heart attack. After I received the notification of his demise, each day I called the student and even requested their permission to conference with them via video chat with a follow-up text. The student has testified that her love for Jarvis increased as well as a solidification of her faith in God.”

At Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, those serving in the Religious Life Office are using an old method of connecting with students in new ways. Lea McCracken, Associate Chaplain and Interim Director of Church Relations, said that for many years staff have relied on “walk and talk” meetings to make connections: “‘Walk and talks’ are part of our weekly pastoral presence with students as well as with faculty and staff. We have been doing them for years, so our students expect the invitation to walk and talk and also know they can ask for one anytime.” With the onset of the pandemic and the need for physical distancing, McCracken said she and other staff found this a natural way to continue to be present at a time when it was greatly needed. She shared that, “During the pandemic, a lot of our pastoral care appointments have taken place as walk and talks. Typically, each of us has at least one walk and talk of some form each day, whether it be with a student, a faculty or staff member, or each other.”

As infection rates in some areas of the country have declined, some schools have welcomed students back on campus. Others, like Chapman University in Orange, California, are still not completely back in person. Nancy Brink, Director of Church Relations at Chapman, shared that to keep Disciples students connected, “We hold weekly student-led worship on Zoom. We pay particular attention to the joys and concerns students share in worship and follow up with those who need extra care.” For those students who are living on or near campus, Brink has started hosting Friday evening outdoor pizza parties: “Students need to gather, get to know each other outside of a Zoom box, and enjoy positive community. All of us are terribly sick of online gathering, but we all agree that we have maintained strong connections, nevertheless.”

Meet Dr. Morrison-Shetlar President of the University of Lynchburg

Dr. Allison Morrison-Shetlar, President of the University of Lynchburg in Lynchburg, Virginia. Before coming to Lynchburg, Dr. Morrison-Shetlar served as Provost at Western Carolina University. She also previously served as dean of the Elon College of Arts and Sciences at Elon University, vice provost and dean of undergraduate studies at the University of Central Florida, and director of faculty development at Georgia Southern University. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry and a doctorate in biomedical science form Dundee College of Technology (now Abertay University) in Scotland

What drew you to the University of Lynchburg?

I was drawn immediately by the mission and values of the University. Servant leadership has been the guiding light of my career and Lynchburg has a holistic approach to making sure that everyone – students, faculty, and staff – reach their maximum potential. I also saw a place where I could contribute and grow and develop both professionally and personally.

What has been your biggest joy so far?

It has been a joy to become a part of such a caring and supportive Hornet family. This has really come to the fore during the pandemic, where the care and attention to student, faculty, and staff success and well-being have been exemplary.

Your biggest surprise?

Finding out the many resources the University has to support the well-being of our community, on and off campus. On campus, all are dedicated to the student experience in and out of the classroom. Off campus, we benefit from the incredible Lynchburg community, the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains, and the Claytor Nature Center and Observatory, to name just a few.

What do the college’s historic ties to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) mean to you as you lead the institution into the future?

The University’s ties to the Disciples Church set the tone for our identity as a caring community committed to diversity and high-impact learning. Disciples believe in dialogue around the complicated issues of our day and engaging all voices in the conversation. I have recently begun worshiping in a DOC congregation and appreciate the social justice commitments of the congregation and an opportunity to live out my personal commitments to ending food insecurity.

Barton College Awarded Grant, Creating Center for Vocation and Rural Ministry

Barton College in Wilson North Carolina has been awarded a grant in the amount of $959,816 by the Lilly Endowment ais part of the “Thriving in Ministry Initiative 2020.” From the funds received, a new Center for Vocation and Rural Ministry will be established at the college. To read more, click here.

In preparation for the opening of the Center for Vocation and Rural Ministry, Barton College is advertising for the role of the Center’s Director. To read more about the position and qualifications, click here.

Meet Dr. Brien Lewis, President of Transylvania University

Three Disciple related colleges and universities are in their first year under new presidents. This month we meet Brien Lewis, President of Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky. Before coming to Transylvania, Dr. Lewis served as President of Catawba College in North Carolina. He holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Toronto and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Read a brief interview with President Lewis below:

What drew you to Transylvania University?

I found the combination of a national-caliber liberal arts education in the heart of a thriving city especially compelling. It really offers our students the best of both worlds: the personal attention of a teaching-focused and dedicated faculty and easy access to the experiential opportunities (including internships and mentors) that will also help them develop the skills needed to navigate our complex future.

What has been your biggest joy so far? You biggest surprise?

The biggest joy has been the depth of commitment to the core mission and values of the University. It is evident in our students seeking the fullest residential and connected experiences possible, the thoughtfulness and creativity of faculty adapting to online and hybrid pedagogies, and the care and generosity of alumni and friends of Transy. Each is driven by the same passion: a deeply personal and relevant liberal arts education that will shape the critical thinking, communications skills, and creativity that students will need to thrive in “The Conceptual Age”.

The biggest surprise is how patient everyone has been. Students and parents, faculty and staff – everyone recognizes just how unusual and challenging it is to navigate the pandemic. As a result, they have given the Transy team the time and space to think things through, to experiment, and to not have all the answers overnight. When we have said, “We don’t know yet” people have nodded and said, “That’s fine – just let us know when you do.” I am grateful for the grace members of our community have shown each other.

What do the college’s historic ties to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) mean to you as you lead the institution into the future?

Transylvania University’s ties to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) are vital on several levels. The values and tenets of the Church help provide a moral and ethical foundation for us in approaching complex issues such as racism and social justice, stewardship of natural resources, and civil discourse. In addition, the way the Church embraces people of many faith traditions sets an example for our campus community in accepting and understanding differences. It is my hope that we can deepen and expand our ties with the Church both for families who might

Phillips Theological Seminary – New Position Hiring

Phillips Theological Seminary invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track or tenured position in History of Global Christianities or History of Christian Imperialism and Postcolony to begin July 1, 2021. We are especially interested in historical methodology that engages interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches to religious identity, religion and violence, and genocidal studies. Scholars whose historical inquiries consider racial, ethnic, gender, and queer categories for reflection are particularly desired.

PhD/ABD considered, PhD or ThD preferred. Competency in online teaching and learning is also required. Knowledge of ministerial praxis and commitment to emerging ministries are desirable. Applications from scholars committed to history and cultural expressions of Christianity within Africana, Latinx, and/or Indigenous American communities are encouraged. The successful candidate will teach in all Master degree programs (MTS, MA(SJ), MAMC, and MDiv) and the Doctor of Ministry degree program. A scholarly trajectory that leads to the development of a professional profile that includes publications is essential.

Persons within the Wesleyan tradition (e.g., UMC, AME, AMEZ, CME), women, persons of color, LGBTQIA+ persons, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.

Interested applicants please submit a cover letter detailing relevant academic and professional experience, a curriculum vitae, and the names and contact information of at least three references to tammye.jurena@ptstulsa.edu. Review of applications will begin January 15, 2021.

Phillips is an Equal Opportunity, ecumenical seminary of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). We are approved by the University Senate of the United Methodist Church. See www.ptstulsa.edu/employment for position description, employment policies, and more information.

2021 Leadership Fellows Global Engagement Trip

Kaylie Allen

Olivia Adams

Yeijin Lim

Zach Cheyney

Clay York

2021 Leadership Fellows Named

Annika Fuller

Ella Gordon

Hayden Skaggs

Ruthie Weeks

Virginia Fullerton

Katie Madole

Julia Vasquez

Anna Whittle