Our hearts continue to grieve as we approach the 20^th anniversary of the series of four coordinated terrorist attacks carried out in the United States, resulting in 2,977 fatalities and thousands of injuries on September 11, 2001. Even with the passing of years we remain aware of the devastating loss of life and trust, as well as the fragility of our common life.

The US State Department has reported that over 90 countries lost citizens in those attacks, which is too often overlooked. With the attacks of 9/11, our confidence in our ability to sustain and protect our diverse community and people was shaken. We continue to struggle to understand what it means to be a country of such diversity and to keep working to make it a society where all can flourish.

As we honor this anniversary, let us remember not only the number of lives lost, but also the diversity of lives. And may we recommit ourselves to cultivating communities and a country where everyone can flourish and participate in our common life.

Gracious God,
we continue to grieve and lament
over the tremendous loss of life
that our world endured.
We remember the Americans,
British, Dominicans, Greeks,
South Koreans, Canadians, Mexicans, Japanese,
Columbians, Jamaicans, Filipinos, Ecuadorians,
Australians, Germans, and those of other countries
who died so tragically on 9/11 and the days that followed.
We remember the families and communities
who lost their loved ones;
May our acknowledgement of their loss
bring them some comfort and
assurance that they are not alone.
Help us to convert our grief
into renewed commitment for
a diverse country where all can
live safely and in peace.
Help our entire world to decrease our
appetite for violence, oppression, and war
and to increase our appetite
for creativity, respect, and reconciliation.
In your many, holy, and beautiful names we pray,
AMEN.

Dr. David M. Mellott
President

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Just as Black and Brown people have suffered disproportionately from COVID-19, these communities have also experienced a greater level of affliction and mortality from  HIV/AIDS. The stigma associated with HIV/AIDS extends beyond the public health crisis posed, facilitating misinformation, contributing to social injustice, and escalating inequities for people and communities of color.

CTS is among a network of non-traditional partners selected to address HIV/AIDS disinformation and stigma in congregations and in communities. “A key objective of the Mixed Methods Conference is to preserve the preaching narrative and apply it to critical conversations taking place at the intersection of faith, scholarship, justice and equity,” says Aimee Laramore, philanthropy strategist at CTS. “This grant will help students, congregations and communities, to move the conversation from theory to practical application of methods that can help heal healthcare injustices.” Laramore noted that Black and Brown communities have a strong tradition of relying on faith and connection and that preaching can be a tool for breaking down stigmas and advancing equity in public health. The conference will explore how traditions of inclusivity and hospitality can be embraced as part of a holistic approach to addressing disparities among people living with HIV/AIDS.

A trend toward increased diversity in seminaries’ student bodies complements other demographic shifts projected to emerge through 2040. Dr. Frank A. Thomas, PhD Program Director and visionary behind the Mixed Methods Preaching Conference at CTS, notes that seminary leaders share a responsibility to reimagine and build environments that reflect a more diverse and complex cultural environment. “Effective responses to meet the emerging needs of seminary students and local faith communities demands a radical reassessment and prioritizing  of community needs,” he says. Inspired by the inaugural Mixed Methods Preaching Conference in 2019, the expanded conference builds upon a tested methodology to train and equip teachers and pastors. Reflecting on the public health element that is central to the expanded program, Dr. Thomas says, “Fundamental to this training is integration of ‘The Experience,’ an intensive community building program to elevate, cultivate and critique sermon preparation that reduces stigma and increases HIV/AIDS education.”

Following its launch, The Experience will serve as an ongoing community building initiative designed to continue critical conversations, increase education, facilitate evaluation in faith communities, and focus on the role of faith communities in HIV/AIDS education.  The community-model  leverages the Mixed Methods Preaching Conference movement and institutionalizes its efforts for impact far beyond the confines of the seminar environment.

The Gilead COMPASS Initiative® is a collaboration  between Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Southern AIDS Coalition, University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, and Wake Forest University School of Divinity, and is engaging non-traditional partners to address the stigma of HIV/AIDS and advance efforts to advance inclusivity and equity for Black and Brown populations. Remarking on the new phase of funding, Kia Colbert, Director of the COMPASS Program at Emory University Rollins School of Public Health stated, “We are proud to kick off our 2021 grantee partnership to support organization as they empower new leaders, reach members of their communities, and improve their capacity to care for people living with or affected by HIV.”

For more information on the Gilead COMPASS Initiative and its grantees, visit www.gileadcompass.com.

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Clark M. Williamson (November 3, 1935- June 26th, 2021) was renowned for his work with neo-process theology, post-Shoah theology, and biblical theology. The author of more than twenty books, he was especially known for his pioneering work in eliminating anti-Jewish elements and implications in Christianity in his Has God Rejected His People? Anti-Judaism in the Christian Church (1982) and for his probing examination and restatement of major themes in Christian faith in the light of the Holocaust and official statements of the churches on these matters in Guest in the House of Israel: Post-Holocaust Church Theology (1993). He also wrote a systematic theology, Way of Blessing/Way of Life: A Christian Theology (1999) developing a constructive and comprehensive theology based on these themes and in conversation with process thinkers, Paul Tillich, post-Shoah theology, narrative theology, and feminist theology.

Clark Williamson was born 1935 in Memphis, Tennessee, where he grew up. Williamson was a member of Taylor Memorial Christian Church where his grandfather, J. Murray Taylor was minister. Williamson completed the AB in religion and philosophy at Transylvania University in 1957. He then studied at the Divinity School of the University of Chicago for the M.Div. (1961), M.A. (1963), and PhD (1969). While at the University of Chicago, Williamson was Paul Tillich’s assistant for Volume III of Tillich’s renowned Systematic Theology. In Chicago, Williamson served as assistant dean of Disciples Divinity House and as interim minister of University Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

In 1966, he was called to teach theology at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis. He was the first to hold the Indiana Chair of Christian Thought and served as Dean and Vice President of Academic Affairs, retiring in 2002. He was also visiting professor at the Ecumenical Institute of the World Council of Churches and at Claremont School of Theology. Transylvania University honored him with the Distinguished Achievement Award (2002) and with the D.D. (honoris causa) (2005). Disciples Divinity House of the University of Chicago named him Alumnus of the Year in 2015. He remained active in scholarship and education in his retirement, writing multiple commentaries on preaching and Biblical exegesis.

Generations of CTS students have paid testimony to the influence of Clark upon their thinking and praised him for his academic rigor, his deeply humane theological sensibilities, and his insistence that faithful ministry requires clear and brave thinking.

A memorial service has be scheduled for Saturday, September 25th at 2 p.m. at Central Christian Church in Indianapolis.

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Dedicated friend and advisor to Christian Theological Seminary (CTS), Tamara Zahn, died Thursday at age 67. 

 “Tamara’s thoughtful input, her positive energy, and her authenticity were prized and will be missed throughout the Seminary—and particularly in her work as a community member of Trustee committees and with the Faith & Action Project,” said CTS President Dr. David M. Mellott. 

 Zahn was instrumental to the Faith & Action Project from its beginning, having served on its advisory board and strategic planning committee. The Project brings together faith communities, nonprofit organizations, and leaders in business and government in a collaborative effort to mitigate the causes and impact of poverty in Indianapolis and beyond. 

“She was a genuine person that cared deeply about those around her. I will miss her encouraging words, thoughtful contribution and kindness,” said Lindsey Nell Rabinowitch, Project Director. “She brought a passion and energy for our collective work and would often remind us to continue to provide hope for the community. She would say, ‘We need to double down on the FAITH and ACTION we stand for.'”

When asked about Zahn, Seminary Trustee and Faith & Action Advisory Board Member Mike Smith said, “Some people change the energy level and ‘the goodness factor’ when they enter a meeting room. Tamara did both at every Advisory Board meeting she attended. I will miss both her beautiful smile and the contagious influence of her love for Indianapolis and all our neighbors.” 

Zahn’s love for and dedication to Indianapolis goes back decades. She was named president of Indianapolis Downtown Inc., now known as Downtown Indy Inc., when it was founded in 1993. She led the not-for-profit charged with marketing, managing, and developing the downtown area until 2012 and oversaw several momentous events including the 1995 opening of Circle Centre Mall and the hosting of the 2012 Super Bowl. 

We give thanks to God for the gift that Tamara was to CTS and the city of Indianapolis. 

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Rev. Harris began working at CTS on June 15, 2000, as Church and Alumni Relations Director in the Seminary Advancement Department. In 2002, she became the Interim Director of Admissions, eventually becoming the Director of Admissions. After two years in that position, Rev. Harris was promoted to Associate Dean for Student services, a position she held for 11 years. In 2012, Rev. Harris was promoted to Dean of Students, where she has served as chaplain, advocate, counselor, prayer partner, and supporter of students and alumni/ae.

When asked her about her plans for retirement, Dean Harris shared,

My plans for retirement include travel to the ancestral homelands of Nancy’s and my own which are England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and Germany. In addition, I will be writing a book about my ancestors entitled Waking Up to Dixie: Discovering My Southern Heritage. My daughter and her family are relocating to my hometown of Charleston, WV this June so we will also be assisting their transition. Finally, I have resumed my walking schedule of a few years ago so I am hoping to be in better health as a result.

On January 28th, faculty, staff, alumni and friends gathered to thank Dean Harris for her many years of service to CTS. President Mellott announced that, in her honor, the Harris Student Emergency Fund had been created. Generations of students and alumni have been graced by the work and kindness of Dean Harris. She has been a valuable resource and colleague for faculty and staff and the Seminary is grateful to her and for the care that she has taken in serving our students.

You can make a gift in support of the Harris Fund here. On the giving form, select “Other” as the designation and type “Harris Student Emergency Fund.”

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Coyle is Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology and Marriage and Family Therapy, MAMFT Program Director, and Executive Director of the Counseling Center.

She is pictured with Vancouver School for Narrative Therapy Director Stephen Madigan and faculty member David Nylund.

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CTS Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology and Mental Health Counseling & Director of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program, Matthias Beier, spoke on WISH-TV about suicide, the importance of mental health, and what signs to look for in order to tell if someone may be considering taking their own life. Click the image to view the video.

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Rev. Dr. Kimberly Russaw brings to CTS a background rich in corporate leadership, academia and community service. She earned a Ph.D. and Master of Arts in Religion from Vanderbilt University and a Master of Divinity in Biblical Studies from Interdenominational Theological Center. as well as a Master of Business Administration from Clark-Atlanta University, and a Bachelor of Arts, English from Spelman College. Prior to heeding the call to serve in the faith community, she worked in corporate America for 15 years, holding positions with some of the world’s largest consumer goods and service companies. Dr. Russaw’s research and teaching interests include the Pentateuch, feminist and biblical interpretation and Ancient Near Eastern Literature.

Russaw joins CTS from Claflin University in Orangeburg, SC, where she served as Visiting Assistant Professor of Religion and Biblical Studies. She has also served as an adjunct faculty member with Saint Paul School of Theology, Candler School of Theology at Emory University, and Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary. Russaw’s theological leadership experience includes serving as a Doctoral Fellowship Consultant for the Forum for Theological Exploration, Director for the Center for the Black Experience, and special projects with the United Methodist Church General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. The author of more than a dozen academic publications, Russaw is a frequent presenter at academic forums exploring womanist studies, African American Biblical Hermeneutics and the Old Testament. She has earned 10 fellowships and served as a participant at forums convened by Wabash College, Vanderbilt University, the Fund for Theological Education, and the United Methodist Church. Her professional affiliations include the Society of Biblical Literature, American Academy of Religion, Society for the Study of Black Religion, Martin Luther King Jr. Collegium of Scholars, National Black MBA Association and African Methodist Episcopal Church, ordained itinerate elder.

Regarding her thoughts as she continues her journey at CTS, Rev. Russaw said, “I look forward to learning alongside students as we explore the biblical world, examine the texts that emerged from it, and make responsible connections between it and our modern contexts.”

Rev. Dr. Amy Lindeman Allen will bring her interests in practical theology, biblical ethics, feminism and motherhood, and postcolonial and contextual biblical criticisms, to her new role at CTS. Lindeman Allen earned a Ph.D. in New Testament and Early Christianity and a Master of Arts in Religious Studies from Vanderbilt University and a Master of Divinity degree from Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago; as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology from Texas Lutheran University. Her recent teaching

background includes positions at Columbia Theological Seminary and Truckee Meadows Community College. She has been recognized for academic excellence as a Theology and Practice Fellow at Vanderbilt University.

Lindeman Allen was awarded the Luke Acts Prize from Vanderbilt University and the Pacesetter Award for College Excellence from Texas Lutheran University. A prolific writer, Lindeman Allen has published articles in Currents in Theology and Mission and the Journal of Childhood and Religion and contributes to several print and online preaching and lectionary sources. Lindeman Allen brings a servant’s heart to community activism, serving organizations that address homelessness and housing equity, dementia friendliness and immigration policy. As co-lead pastor, she most recently served at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, an openly welcoming and affirming downtown congregation in Reno, NV. As she relocates from Reno, Nevada to Indianapolis, Rev. Lindeman Allen looks forward to connecting with various community and ministry initiatives engaged with the Seminary. “As someone who had always been involved in the broader community in which I serve, I envision ways in which students in my classes might make connections between their academic learning, ministry contexts and the surrounding community,” she said.

Remarking on the addition of new faculty members to CTS, CTS interim president Rev. Dr. Bill Kincaid stated, “We are blessed to have Rev. Dr. Lindeman Allen and Rev. Dr. Russaw join Christian Theological Seminary. I look forward to all the ways they will enrich our community of learning, worship, and service.” He added, “The pedagogy, activism, and passion for pioneering social justice embodied by both women will be tremendous assets to CTS and the wider community.”

Dean Leah Gunning Francis stated, “Our faculty is delighted to welcome these trailblazing biblical scholars and innovative teachers to CTS and to work with them as colleagues.”

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