UpClose: Fall Faculty Update
In the midst of change and transitions here at General, our faculty have remained singularly focused on our collective mission of forming seminarians for lives of impact and service. Their commitment to their craft, study, and quality of instruction is an inspiration to me and a gift to our school. Both at General and around the country, our faculty continue to make their mark as scholars and thought-leaders, offering Spirit-led moral clarity and redemptive insights for a complex world.
Loving God with Our Minds: Feminist Scholarship at General
The Rev. Dr. Julie Faith Parker, Professor of Biblical Studies and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, and 2022 alumnus John Markowski are featured in the latest edition of the Journal of Feminist Studies in Religion.
John Markowski submitted, “Finding the Men in Menstruation: Resolving Bad Blood by Discovering Male Roles in the Purification Rituals of Leviticus 12,” to the double-blind review process of JFSR. Not only was the article accepted for publication, but it also was awarded one of three Elizabeth Schüssler Fiorenza New Scholar Awards.
Dr. Parker latest article for JFS is “Where Have All the Young Girls Gone? Discovering the Girls of the Bible through Childist Analysis of Exodus 2 and Mark 5-7,” co-written with Sharon Betsworth. “My article argues that some characters who are commonly regarded as women in the Bible are more accurately envisioned as girls. John’s article questions the misogyny commonly ascribed to the menstrual purification ritual in Leviticus 12. With different texts, we both offer understandings of the Bible that upend assumptions. I am just delighted that our work appears together in this academic feminist journal.”
FACULTY UPDATES
Liza Anderson, Teaching Professor of Church History and Ascetical Theology, was the speaker at the annual eucharistic festival for the Diocese of Fond du Lac, and led the clergy retreat for the Diocese of Oklahoma. Last month she completed her term as President of the North American Academy of Ecumenists, and continues to serve the Episcopal Church as a member of the churchwide Executive Council, the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, and the Standing Commission on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations.
Michael Battle, Professor of Church and Society and Director of the Desmond Tutu Center, was appointed to Episcopal House of Bishops Theology Committee. He delivered keynote addresses for Spirituality Conference at St. Philip’s Cathedral, the Campolo Fellows Lecture & Mission Forum at Eastern University and Palmer Theological Seminary, and at Berkeley Divinity School, where he received an honorary Doctorate Degree.
Robert Flanagan, Seminary Chaplain, published two books this summer: Courage to Thrive: Finding Joy and Hope in the Midst of Mental Health Struggles (audio edition) and The Letters of an Unexpected Mystic: Encountering the Mystical Theology in First and Second Peter. [Learn more]
Carla Roland Guzmán, Affiliated Professor of Church History, published Unmasking Latinx Ministry, a thoughtful and honest evaluation at how the Episcopal/Anglican church can minister to and with the Latinx community. [Learn more]
Douglas Mohrmann, Assistant Professor of New Testament, was Book Reviewer for 1-2 Thessalonians in the new New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVue).
Julie Faith Parker, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Professor of Biblical Studies, spoke at Marble Collegiate Church on October 5 with an interactive talk entitled, "Eve Isn't Evil: Why I Love Her and You Should Too." Her latest book, in press with Baker Academic, Eve Isn't Evil: Feminist Readings of the Bible to Upend Our Assumptions will be available September 26, 2023. [Watch here]
Hillary Raining, Director of the Center for Christian Spirituality and Affiliated Professor of Ascetic & Liturgical Theology, contributed to the theological and liturgical "Ideas of the Day" for Lent through Eastertide 2021 & "Engaging All Ages" for Advent 2023 in collaboration with Lifelong Learning at VTS. [Read more]
Timothy Snyder, Associate Dean of Digital Learning and Assistant Professor of Contemporary Spirituality, was recently awarded a 2022 Jacquet Research Award by the Religious Research Associate to fund his latest research project: "Responsible Masculinity: An Ethnographic Study of Illuman’s Men’s Rites of Passage." [Learn more]
April Stace, Senior Associate Dean of Hybrid Programs and Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology and Leadership, was recently certified by Gallup as a CliftonStrengths coach and consultant. This training was the result of a Conant Grant she was awarded for the 2021-2022 academic year for her continued work in re-developing the competency-based contextual education program at GTS.
Eric Thomas, Louisville Post-Doctoral Fellow and Visiting Professor of New Testament and Queer Studies, working with Professor Roland Guzmán and Jonathan Silver, Director of Alumni Relations, is the creative director for Queer Advent, an evensong worship series celebrating LGBTQIA+ life. These will be three Thursday evensong services (Dec 1, 8, 15), and a Tuesday evening culminating celebration of lights on December 20th at the Hoffman Refectory. [Learn more]