ANTS Student E-News: ANTS Student E-News - Tuesday, February 6 2007

In this message:

NEW

- Update on Pastor Schmeling, ELCA
- Professor Heim Invited to Be Inaugural Lecturer in Leuven, Belgium
- Professor Fontaine Joins the Board of Directors of WAFE-International
- Welcoming Transgender People within the Communities of Faith - Thurs., Feb 22
- Announcement from Field Ed Office

REVIEW

- CLASS CANCELED TODAY: Tuesday, February 6 - CMLE Leading for the Future
- Spiritual Direction Groups- Registration CLOSED
- Stuart Chair Candidate Interviews - Weds, Feb 7 and Tues., Feb 13
- Designated Smoking Areas
- Make a Difference in the Lives of Future ANTS Colleagues--Work in Admissions!
- JOTH event: Song Potluck - Tuesday, February 6
- Public Lectures by the Candidates for the Stuart Chair in Ethics - Feb. 7 and 13
- Academic Announcement - Spring 2007
- Prof. Kirk Jones' Courses Starting February 15
- Cafe offers Beverages all Day, Open til 10pm
- The Spirit Among Us: Group Spiritual Direction at ANTS
- Public Lecture by Dr. Stephen G. Post - Wednesday, February 7
- Search and Call in the United Church of Christ - Next Session February 8, 2007
- Woodbury Management Workshop - February 8-9, 2007

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Update on Pastor Schmeling, ELCA
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Dear ANTS Community Members,

Last fall there was some dialogue in enews and on campus about the case of ELCA pastor Rev. Brad Schmeling who is being disciplined by the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA for being in a three-year relationship with another man, who also is a pastor. Brad's congregation is in Atlanta, and many people in the ELCA have supported and do support him. In fact, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is split down the middle on the matter of gay and lesbian persons being in relationships at the same time as they are ordained and called ministers of the church. They have opening
and confirming congregations throughout the church and respect the process of discernment that the church is engaged in that seeks to understand God's will in these very sensitive and difficult human situations. Many people in the ELCA do not read scripture or the model of Jesus or their understanding of God such that treatment towards gays, lesbians and transgendered persons should be different from that of people with other sexual preferences.

In an effort to encourage a more respectful and conciliatory approach in the consideration of Pastor Schmeling's circumstances, the Bishop of the New England Synod, Martha Payne, issued the letter below to her counterpart in
the southeast. We thought that sharing this with you might add to our understanding of the struggle within the ELCA church and their hope for a very different outcome. Pastor Schmeling's church web site also has regular updates on the circumstances. It is to be found at _http://www.stjohnsatlanta.org/_ (http://www.stjohnsatlanta.org/) .

We hope this information is helpful. The letter follows below.

Nancy Nienhuis, Dean of Students
Rick Kremer, MDiv Candidate, ELCA

To Brothers and Sisters in Christ of the Disciplinary Panel for The Rev. Brad Schmeling:

During the time that I served as the Chair of the ELCA Task Force for Sexuality Studies (2002-2005), I came to regard those remarkable and committed people as a group that truly grasped the present reality of the ELCA with regard to issues of homosexuality, and integrated that reality with a discernment of and desire for God's will for church at this present time. Their final report reflects what I believe is the wisest counsel that has been offered thus far in this delicate and challenging matter before our church. As you listen, ponder and pray your way to a decision regarding this case, I hope that you will see your deliberations as part of a larger picture of the ELCA seeking to be faithful in its response to the present understanding of sexual orientation in our world as well as God's will for our life together as the Body of Christ.

I believe that each of the three recommendations of the Task Force offers wisdom for your work. The first recommendation, which was approved overwhelmingly by the Churchwide Assembly in 2005, asks that the church "concentrate on finding ways to live together faithfully in the midst of our disagreements." It notes that our God-given mission is "at least as important as the issues about which faithful conscience-bound Lutherans find themselves so decisively at odds."

I ask: Is there any way that your decision-making might honor the present reality of the deep divisions on this issue in the ELCA and broaden your decision beyond a single situation of non-compliance of a policy that is passionately debated in our church at this time? Could your work somehow pave the way for further discussion and consideration of other ways to deal with transgressions of rostered leaders who are otherwise faithful, competent and gifted leaders for mission in our church?

The second recommendation of the Task Force is not immediately relevant to the situation before you now, but it does include the important observation in its commentary that faithful members of the ELCA give different answers to the question: Is sexual activity between two people of the same sex always a sin? It notes that "the ELCA needs to continue in prayerful study of Scripture with one another". Such a study will likely be underway soon in the ELCA, ("Book of Faith: Lutherans Read the Bible"). Until a time in the future when we are further along in that renewed study of scripture, the decisions that are made will not reflect a complete engagement with the issue in a way that is more deeply informed by understanding of scriptural wisdom in this matter.

In my view, the third recommendation is most relevant to this situation. The Task Force recommended that the ELCA:

"….continue under the standards regarding sexual conduct for rostered leaders as set forth in Vision and Expectations and Definitions and Guidelines for Discipline, but that, as a pastoral response to the deep divisions among us, this church may choose to refrain from disciplining those who in good conscience, and for the sake of outreach, ministry, and the commitment to continuing dialogue, call or approve partnered gay or lesbian candidates whom they believe to be otherwise in compliance with Vision and Expectations and to refrain from disciplining those rostered people so approved and called."

As you may recall, this recommendation was not forwarded to the Churchwide Assembly. Instead, the ELCA Church Council forwarded a resolution that outlined a policy that would have allowed for exceptions to the present guidelines. That resolution was defeated by the assembly. It is impossible to know what the assembly might have decided had the original recommendation come before it. I trust that God was present in the process that led both to the change in the recommendation and the final vote, yet I cannot help but believe that the original recommendation, and accompanying discussion, might have led to the creation of space needed for a helpful time of dialogue as part of our faithful journey of discernment in this matter. Members, pastors and bishops will inevitably continue to differ in their conscience-bound positions on this issue, but I believe that the permission to exercise restraint in disciplinary action might be a helpful option during this time of discernment.

I ask: Is there any way that your decision-making could be guided by the wisdom of the Task Force that suggested the possibility of restraint as a helpful guide in our life together as further study, prayer and dialogue continue to guide us to discern God's will?

It is my hope and prayer that you will feel called to consider creative and Spirit-informed ways in which this situation may be resolved.

In the peace of Jesus Christ,

The Rev. Margaret G. Payne,
Bishop, New England Synod of the ELCA

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Professor Heim Invited to Be Inaugural Lecturer in Leuven, Belgium
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The Faculty of Theology of the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium have invited Dr. S. Mark Heim, Samuel Abbot Professor of Christian Theology, to be the inaugural lecturer in a series titled "Religions and the Response to Human Suffering." This lecture series marks the establishment of a new research group at the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium, one of the oldest and most distinguished universities in Europe.
Read more: http://www.ants.edu/about/news/2007/020607heim.htm

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Professor Fontaine Joins the Board of Directors of WAFE-International
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Professor Carole R. Fontaine, Taylor Professor of Biblical Theology and History, has joined the Board of Directors of The International Federation of Women Against Fundamentalism and for Equality (WAFE). She will be presenting a speech on "Religious Tolerance: A Scriptural Message for Peoples of the Book" at the April 19, 2007 meeting of WAFE at the House of Lords, Parliament, London.
Read more: http://www.ants.edu/about/news/2007/020607fontaine.htm

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Welcoming Transgender People within the Communities of Faith - Thurs., Feb 22
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Thursday, February 22, 2007
>From 2:30-5pm
Stoddard Hall

with
Leanne McCall Tigert & expert panel

Refreshments will be served

Please join our discussion.
We are hoping to create an informative and caring conversation regarding welcoming Transgender people in the communities of Faith. Our forum will consist of expert panel dialogue as well as an open discussion. We invite all to come, listen and share.

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Announcement from Field Ed Office
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Short Information Session For:

1. Students considering an advanced year of field education

AND

2. Students entering field education who already attended an Information Session in the fall:

Choose ONE—
February 14
12-12:30 OR 2:30-3

February 20 from
1:00-1:30

Peck Conference Room

Sarah B. Drummond, M.Div., Ph.D.

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REVIEW
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CLASS CANCELED TODAY: Tuesday, February 6 - CMLE Leading for the Future
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Jeff Jones has canceled tonight's class- CMLE 745 Leading for the Future.

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Spiritual Direction Groups- Registration CLOSED
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The Spirit Among Us: Group Spiritual Direction at ANTS
Two groups, Thursdays, Feb. 8 - May 3

These two spritual direction groups are full. Registration is now CLOSED

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Stuart Chair Candidate Interviews - Weds, Feb 7 and Tues., Feb 13
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Wednesday, February 7th & Tuesday, February 13th
12:00-1:00 PM
Upper Noyes

The student members of the Stuart Ethics Chair search committee, Jason Alpsaugh and Stephanie Haskins, extend a special invitation to all students to attend a candidate forum with students on February 7th and February 13th. Get your lunch and go upstairs to Upper Noyes to meet and interact with each fine candidate. This is your opportunity to shape ethical conversation at ANTS both for your benefit and for the benefit of the next generation of ANTS students. Questions? Contact Stephanie at SHaskins@ants.edu or Jason at JAlspaugh@ants.edu. We look forward to seeing you there!

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Designated Smoking Areas
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With the beginning of the new semester, please remember that smoking is permitted only in the designated smoking areas. There are six areas on campus: in front of Stoddard, in front of Appleton-Chase, between Kendall and Fuller behind the buildings, to the side of Sturtevant, in front of the library, and to the side of Farwell. Please be courteous to other members of the community and keep lit cigarettes away from doorways and windows and dispose of cigarette butts in the designated container in each area. Thank you.

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Make a Difference in the Lives of Future ANTS Colleagues--Work in Admissions!!
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We are looking for someone to help us prepare for the upcoming Conference on Ministries scheduled for March 2-3, with the possibility to extend into further projects after February. We are in need of someone to help with copying, making follow-up phone calls, answering questions that come in via email and telephone, and general office assistance and projects. Our student workers begin at $10.00/hour and we could probably use someone for 6-10 hours or so, mostly mornings, depending on your schedule. We would also need you to be available at the Conference on Ministries, March 2-3. The start date would be ASAP!

You can email me (mcarroll@ants.edu) or give me a call at 1-800-964-2687, or 617-964-1100 x294 or just come on over with your resume and we can talk.

Thanks for giving this your consideration!

Peg

Margaret L. Carroll
Director of Enrollment

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JOTH event: Song Potluck - Tuesday, February 6
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Tuesday, Feb. 6

5-7 p.m.

Meetinghouse

What's a song potluck?

An evening of singing and listening to songs from our traditions. Bring a song to share or just come to join in.

Where?

ANTS Meetinghouse

When?

Tuesday, Feb. 6th., 5-7pm -- if you have a 6:pm class, come join for the first hour (dinner's included!)

How?

1. Think of a song you love from your tradition. (Consider teaming up with a friend or colleague.)

2. Make and bring a copy of the lyrics and/or music (We'll duplicate copies as needed that evening).

3. Come to the Meetinghouse, eat some dinner (provided by JOTH), and sing your heart out!

Who?

YOU! --along with fellow students on the hill from Hebrew College and Andover Newton.

For more information contact Minna Bromberg minna@minnabromberg.com and/or MaryHelen Gunn marlenspirit@gmail.com.

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Public Lectures by the Candidates for the Stuart Chair in Ethics - Feb. 7 and 13
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The field of candidates for the Katherine B. Stuart Chair in Christian Ethics has been reaped, threshed, and winnowed down to the final two - Dr. Stephen Post, and Dr. Nimi Wariboko.

Each candidate will give a Public Lecture in the Berkeley Room, open to the entire community, followed by a meeting with students in Upper Noyes.

Dr. Stephen Post, Professor in the Department of Bioethics at Case Western Reserve Medical School, will speak on Wednesday, February 7 at 10.45 a.m. in the Berkeley Room. His lecture is entitled " 'Tis Better to Give Than to Receive? An Ethical - Empirical Reflection on a Passage from Acts 20"

Dr. Nimi Wariboko, a former investment banker, the founding senior pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Brooklyn, New York, and an African studies scholar with a Ph.D. in Social Ethics from Princeton Theological Seminary will speak on Tuesday, February 13 at 10.45 a.m. in the Berkeley Room. His lecture is entitled "Ethics of United States' Monetary Policy"

Following the lectures, each candidate will meet with students in Upper Noyes from noon until 1 p.m.

Please come and get to know the candidates!

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Academic Announcement - Spring 2007
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For questions about required courses, waivers and substitutions, please contact your academic advisors and the department chairpersons noted below:

Theological Foundations

Old Testament Mobley

New Testament Wan

History of Christianity Burrows

Theology Heim

Ethics Dixon

Ministerial Practice

Church and Ministry Boulton

Field Education Drummond

Psychology and Pastoral Theology Gill-Austern

Congregational Renewal

Christian Spiritual Resources Gill-Austern

Congregational Life Drummond

World Christianity Jeyaraj

Interdepartmental Studies Herzog

If additional questions arise, you can discuss your academic programs with the directors of programs as follows:

MDiv - Prof. Mark Heim

MA- Prof. Brita Gill-Austern

STM- Prof. Jeyaraj

For the DMin - contact Debbie Craig who coordinates the program.

Faculty members overseeing the renewal areas are as follows:

FHSP - Gill-Austern

GCIM - Jeyaraj

TMPL - Dixon

WOTA - Burrows

All additional questions can be referred to Dean Bill Herzog.

Faculty on sabbatical/ leave for the 2006-07 academic year include:

Pazmino (year)

Valentin (year)

Nordbeck (spring)

Thornton (spring)

A strong corps of adjunct faculty supports the teaching of courses and the dean's team is available to support you!

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Prof. Kirk Jones' Courses Starting February 15
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The following courses will begin on Thursday, February 15:

CMPR 630 - The Jazz of Preaching

ETHI 780 - With Head and Heart: The Writings of Howard Thurman

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Cafeteria Offers Beverages All Day, Closes at 10:00 pm Each Night
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The cafeteria has beverages available all day! We are currently serving

coffee, soda, juice,and milk.

Beginning in February we will be offering coffee at night and on the

weekends. Cafeteria hours will be back to the regular schedule. We are

now serving green mountain coffee roasters, fairly traded coffee's,in

the cafeteria as well as all catering services.

Beginning in February we will be offering what is called a K-cup self

service coffee (from Green Mountain Coffee Roasters). The cost is $1.00

each and tea is available as well.

The machine will be outside of the cafeteria and is only available from

6:30pm- 10:00 pm Monday through Wednesday, and is available Thursday

night until 10:00 pm and all day Friday until 10:00 pm.

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The Spirit Among Us: Group Spiritual Direction at ANTS
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Two groups, Thursdays, Feb. 8 - May 3

"Spiritual Direction is a way of leading us to see and follow the real Director - the Holy Spirit - hidden in the depths of our soul."

Thomas Merton

This is a unique opportunity to explore our own relationships with The Holy and to learn more about accompanying others on their spiritual journeys. Spiritual Direction helps participants enhance their awareness of God or the Sacred in every day experiences and make life affirming responses to the gifts of Grace. Following the tradition of the Desert Mothers and Fathers, these group experiences will focus on self-discovery and reality as paths to choosing "Life."

Two groups will begin in February, 2007 Meeting in Sturtevant Hall: Center for FHS, 3rd Floor, Room 32 Each group is limited to 8 participants. Cost for 6 sessions: Sliding Scale: $40-$80

Group for all denominations: Thursdays: 10AM - Noon 2/15, 3/01, 3/15, 3/29, 4/19, 5/3

Group for Unitarian Universalists: Thursdays: 10AM - Noon 2/8, 2/22, 3/8, 3/22, 4/12, 4/26

Directed by The Rev. Jade Angelica, certified spiritual director, Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation. Rev. Angelica received her MDIv from HDS in 1992, is a UU Community Minister, and is currently enrolled in the DMin program for Faith, Health and Spirituality at ANTS.

To register for the group, please contact Rev. Angelica (781-648-1525 or jangelica@uuma.org).

Financial Assistance is available. So all may attend in good health, groups will be fragrance free.

Sponsored by Faith, Health and Spirituality, Andover Newton Theological School

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POP and IMAP Email Access
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Andover Newton now offers POP nad IMAP e-mail access. This means you can use an e-mail client like Microsoft Outlook or Eudora to access your mail from home. Additionally, many internet providers like Hotmail and Gmail will let you access your ANTS account through this service. Webmail will continue to function, and this is only for users that wish to use other methods of access.

Instructions for how to use POP and IMAP e-mail access are available on ANTS Connect:

1. Log in to ANTS COnnect.

2. Click the Campus Life tab.

3. Download the POP and IMAP document in the Handouts portlet.

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Public Lecture by Dr. Stephen G. Post - Wednesday, February 7
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Wednesday, February 7, 2007

10:45 a.m.

The Berkeley Room

" 'Tis better to give than to receive? An Ethical - Empirical Reflection on a Passage from Acts 20"

Public Lecture by Dr. Stephen G. Post

Professor in the Department of Bioethics

Case Western Reserve Medical School

and Candidate for the

KATHERINE B. STUART CHAIR IN ETHICS

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Search and Call in the United Church of Christ - Next Session February 8, 2007
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All events take place in the Meetinghouse at Andover Newton Theological School.

Are you graduating from seminary this year? Have you already graduated and are beginning the search process? Come to these upcoming events to find out how to enter the search process, meet with search committees, start your benefits, and enter a congregation!

Though everyone is welcome, these events are designed particularly for graduating seminarians who plan to search for a call as a pastor in a United Church of Christ congregation.

Meeting with Search Committees: Discerning a Match

February 8, 2007 (snow date Feb. 15)

9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

- Spiritual Discernment and the Search Process

- Reading a Church Profile

- Interviewing Skills: How to Answer and What to Ask

Leaders: Associate Conference Ministers of the Massachusetts Conference, UCC

More information and registration form:

http://www.ants.edu/community/events/2006/110906macucc.htm

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Woodbury Management Workshop - February 8-9, 2007
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A Ministerial Leadership Workshop

with President Nick Carter