Focusing on Hope and Possibility

from Aware Magazine | Summer 2024

by Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary

Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary Celebrates its 168th Commencement Ceremony

By Katharine Duke

On Friday, May 17, the 2024 graduates of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary celebrated with their family and friends and listened to advice on how to minister in this deeply divided world. The 168th annual commencement ceremony was held at the Alice Millar Chapel in Evanston, Illinois.

Commencement speaker, Dr. Eboo Patel, reminded the graduates that they have spent the last several years growing their knowledge, cultivating their skills, and deepening their faith so they can “build bridges of cooperation” in a diverse democracy.

“There are many ways to lead in a diverse democracy, and I hope you engage in all of them,” said Patel, the founder and president of Interfaith America, the leading interfaith organization in the United States. “Vote, lead your church, protest peacefully (but not during my speech), and host potlucks.” canvas, make speeches, start an organization, join a club, run for office, lead your church, protest peacefully (but not during my speech), and host potlucks.”

A potluck, according to Patel, “is the ultimate democratic form, . . . an event of the people, by the people, for the people.” In order for it to be successful, Patel said, someone must be a leader and step up to host the potluck. “Everything always starts with a leader,” he said. “Today, I am asking you to be that person.” regulation, and yes, on even more polarizing things, they are together sharing sacred stories of family rituals behind their favorite dish,” he said.

Additionally, he said, in a democracy as at a potluck, the leader must reduce barriers, invite a diverse group of people, ask participants to make contributions, create a space where people of diverse identities and divergent ideologies can come together for enriching conversation and varied dishes, and teach people how to take responsibility for the common good.

Patel also said that a diverse democracy requires safe spaces “where people who disagree on some fundamental things can come together on other fundamental things.” “I believe that such spaces are the solution to so many of our current challenges, particularly the challenges of polarization and isolation,” he said. “When you open your home or your church to people whose doctrine you might disagree with, but whose dish you find delicious, you are creating a sacred space for the creation

“The magic at a potluck happens when one person’s crusty bread from Eastern Europe meets another person’s spicy dip from the Middle East, and then these

“The magic at a potluck happens when one person’s crusty bread from Eastern Europe meets another person’s spicy dip from the Middle East, and then these people of different ethnicities and religions, who have divergent views on tax policy and environmental people of different ethnicities and religions, who have divergent views on tax policy and environmental regulation, and yes, on even more polarizing things, they are together sharing sacred stories of family rituals behind their favorite dish,” he said. spiritually rigorous work, but your study and formation here have prepared you to be bold, astute leaders who are up to this existential challenge.”

During the ceremony, Garrett-Evangelical conferred honorary degrees upon Patel, The Honorable Richard Gordon (GTS 1973) and Rabbi Wendi Geffen.

“This year, it was especially important to me that we recognize individuals whose work attempts to bridge divides, foster collaboration and cooperation, build interfaith and interreligious alliances, and whose voices rise above the cacophony of trite slogans and rigid ideologies, instead offering wisdom, compassion, and a call to love and serve our neighbors,” Viera said.

Recognizing Excellence: The Reverend Dr. Jennifer Harvey presents the exemplary teacher of the year award.

In addition to being the founder and president of Interfaith America, Patel is a civic leader who believes that religious diversity is an essential and inspiring dimension of American democracy.

An Ismaili Muslim of Gujarati decent, he was named “one of America’s Best Leaders by U.S. News and World Report. Patel has also served on President Barack Obama’s Inaugural Faith Council, given hundreds of keynote addresses, and written five books.

In his welcome, Garrett-Evangelical President Javier Viera told the graduates that although their commencement comes at a precarious time for humanity and the earth, he wanted the graduates to focus on hope and possibility.

“You are being sent out from these hallowed halls as agents of possibility, as cultivators of communities of justice, compassion, and hope,” he said.

“While many fear the uncertainty that our future holds, I want to encourage you to see in it possibilities to lead transformation, to lead the transformation of your communities and our world in order to reflect the goodness and the intentions of our God, to proclaim in word and deed the love, the mercy, the grace, and yes, the hope that transformed communities can bring to the human family and to the earth that we share as our common home,” he continued. “It will be intellectually and

Patel also said that a diverse democracy requires safe spaces “where people who disagree on some fundamental things can come together on other fundamental things.” “I believe that such spaces are the solution to so many of our current challenges, particularly challenges of polarization and isolation,” he said. “When you open your home or your church to people whose doctrine you might disagree with, but whose dish you find delicious, you are creating a sacred space for the creation of community.”

Gordon, is a retired California State Assemblyman and political leader, community and social impact leader, and environmentalist. He has been an advocate for LGBTQ rights, environmental and racial justice, prison prevention and reform, and policies that protect and help vulnerable children and teens. Gordon retired after 20 years in public office and now serves as the CEO of the California Forestry Association. (See page tk for more on Gordon.)

In addition to being the founder and president of Interfaith America, Patel is a civic leader who believes that religious diversity is an essential and inspiring dimension of American democracy. An Ismaili Muslim of Gujarati decent, he was named “one of America’s Best Leaders" by U.S. News and World Report Patel has also served on President Barack Obama’s Inaugural Faith Council, given hundreds of keynote addresses, and written five books.

In his speech, Gordon told the graduates that he believes that regardless of their path, the ministry calls people to be builders of community—bringing people together and holding them together; agents of change—helping people accept and embrace change; and servant leaders—putting other people first.

Geffen has been affiliated with North Shore Congregation Israel in Glencoe, Illinois since 2002, first, as part of the rabbinic team and then in 2015, as the senior rabbi. Geffen is also a leader in the national Jewish community and serves on the Executive Board of the Chicago Board of Rabbis and numerous local Jewish and communal boards. She is also a sought-after commentator on issues of interreligious and national importance.

“You are being sent out from these hallowed halls as agents of possibility, as cultivators of communities of justice, compassion, and hope,” he said.

She told the graduates that although they are graduating in “an incredibly to the human family and to the earth that we share as our common home,” he continued. “It will be intellectually and spiritually rigorous work, but your study and formation here have prepared you to be bold, astute leaders who are up to this existential challenge.” fraught time” of violence, suffering, pain, loneliness, and isolation, she hoped that they will avoid a singular point of view and instead talk and listen to one another. protect and help vulnerable children and teens. Gordon retired after 20 years in public office and now serves as the CEO of the California Forestry Association. (See page 14 for more on Gordon.)

Also, during the service, Dr. Ahyun Lee, (G-ETS 2015) assistant professor of pastoral theology, care, and psychotherapy, was awarded the Exemplary Teacher Award for her excellence as a teacher, her service to students, her commitment to education, and her record of significant contributions to the scholarly life of Garrett-Evangelical.

During the ceremony, Garrett-Evangelical conferred honorary degrees upon Patel, The Honorable Richard Gordon (GTS 1973) and Rabbi Wendi Geffen.

For the Class of 2024, the seminary awarded seven doctor of philosophy degrees, 14 doctor of ministry degrees, three master of theological studies degrees, two master of arts in formation, culture, and educational leadership degrees, three master of arts in public ministry degrees, 12 master of arts in pastoral care and counseling degrees, and 28 master of divinity degrees. In addition, the seminary recognized one student who completed the basic graduate theological studies. †

Gordon, is a retired California State Assemblyman and political leader, community and social impact leader, and environmentalist. He has been an advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights, environmental and racial justice, prison prevention and reform, and policies that

She told the graduates that although they are graduating in “an incredibly fraught time” of violence, suffering, pain, loneliness, and isolation, she hoped that they will avoid a singular point of view and instead talk and listen to one another.

By Katharine Duke

This article is from:

Aware Magazine | Summer 2024