2021 Commencement

from Chimes Summer 2021 - San Francisco Theological Seminary at University of Redlands

Faculty

COMMENCEMENT 2021 Distinguished Alumnus Writing new chapters

By Rev. Dr. Jorge William de Castro Abdala ’16 (D.Min.) The Graduate School of Theology celebrated the Classes of 2020 and 2021 on May 22. At the ceremony, Rev. Dr. Jorge William de Castro Abdala ’16 (D.Min.) was recognized as the San Francisco Theological Seminary (SFTS) 2021 distinguished alumnus and shared the following remarks:

Iam honored and humbled to be recognized among the distinguished alumni at SFTS, now part of the University of Redlands Graduate School of Theology. It is an even greater honor to be placed alongside the distinguished ranks of my fellow nominees, all of whom have made important contributions to the life of their communities. It means a lot to be recognized by a university that has enabled me to accomplish so many things in my life. For that, I am eternally grateful.

Special thanks go to • Rev. Dr. Janet Bower, for having the generosity to nominate me • SFTS Alumni Council • Rev. Dr. Jana Childers • Two most important persons who have helped shaped my life and are always standing by my side: my wife, Andrea, and my son, Joshua • And I also recognize my father, my mother, my brother, and all those responsible for this great honor

Six weeks ago, when I received notification of having been selected for this award, I was able to take a gratitudefilled journey down memory lane. One important part of my story began when I was about six months old, and I suffered a severe traumatic brain injury involving a fracture of the skull and a concussion. The severity of this accident could have led to permanent distortion in my cognitive reasoning, impairing my physical coordination, and causing psychological degeneration, all with the likelihood of stunted brain growth or even death. My condition was critical, so my parents kept vigil—and never stopped praying to God for me. Their prayers promised God that if He saved me, they would dedicate me to Him. The Lord heard their prayers, and by His mercy, I was saved (both physically and spiritually). I was dedicated to God for all the days of my life.

By God’s grace, I have accomplished so many amazing things. I was able to pursue degrees and studies in philosophy, psychology, and theology. I was ordained in May 1992 by the Presbyterian Church Philadelphia in São Paulo, Brazil, and have visited more than 20 countries (including those in Central and South America and Europe). In 2004, I moved to California after accepting an invitation to serve as the Latin American coordinator for the Knox Fellowship of Burlingame in evangelism, discipleship, and leadership development. In May 2006, I responded to God’s call to raise a new ministry to Brazilians in the Bay Area. At that time, I remember having 12 people for the very first Bible study in the Lighthouse at First Presbyterian Church San Mateo, where someone said to me, “Padre Jorge, that’s a good number to start a ministry. I know a story of a man who started his ministry with the very same number of disciples.” A year later, a Brazilian fellowship was formed, with over 80 people welcomed into the Presbytery of San Francisco.

As my ministry with Brazilian fellowship was underway, it was time for me to pursue a Doctor of Ministry and improve in my field of study. As a believer that everyone should be a lifelong learner, this chance to study at SFTS brought me joy. And that’s why my love and gratitude for SFTS are so tremendous. To put it briefly, what SFTS did for me, and many others is what a good seminary should do: equip and prepare us to be used mightily for the glory of God’s kingdom on earth. As far as I know, I am the first Brazilian to graduate from this University; this brings honor to me and my people—for this, SFTS holds a special place in my heart.

Currently, I serve as the pastor of the Brazilian Presbyterian Church and Latinos Unidos en Cristo, both ministries in the San Francisco Bay Area. I also serve as the moderator for the National Portuguese Language Presbyterian Council. I am committed to carrying out an integrated mission program in my community that meets not only spiritual but also physical, intellectual, social, and emotional needs. I feel called to help, minister, and offer pastoral care to a community of the most vulnerable people in this land.

Today feels like a day to celebrate, but also an opportunity to be reflective and share with you some of my hopes. I hope that each of you in this audience considers writing together Acts 29. If you go to Acts 29 in the Bible, you’ll notice there is no such chapter! The book has only 28 chapters and ends abruptly; many experts contend that Luke intended to write a third volume. I believe we have the opportunity of writing Acts 29. We can write a new chapter each day—by the deeds we do and the words we say!

Though I stand here today accepting this honor, it is important to share that this award also belongs equally to those who dedicate their lives to God’s service—my siblings in Christ. We are all distinguished by God’s grace, and by sacrificing ourselves for others and having received a great education here at SFTS— we are all blessed! Congratulations to the Class of 2021. You’re making history! Know without a doubt that you are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do amazing things! You are destined for greatness! God bless you! 9

“We are all distinguished by God’s grace, and by sacrificing ourselves for others and having received a great education here at SFTS—we are all blessed!”

—Rev. Dr. Jorge William de Castro Abdala ’16 (D.Min.)

CONGRATULATIONS Class

of 2021

Board President Alvin McLean, Jr., Ph.D., Former Dean Jana Childers, and Rev. Dr. Paul Nazarian ‘84 (M.Div.) (left to right) celebrate commencement at Geneva Terrace.

On May 22, graduates from the Classes of 2020 and 2021 joined with faculty and family for an in-person commencement event held on the Geneva Terrace. While the Class of 2020 graduates recognized during the online commencement were featured in the 2020 issue of Chimes, they are also recognized in the photos on these pages for their achievements.

Provost Kathy Ogren greets the graduates.

Photos by Cali Godley

Bagpiper Jonathan Han leads the recessional.

Faculty, board members, and graduates gather under the balloon arch.

Sharika Gregory ’21 (M.A.T.S.) listens to the proceedings.

Former Dean Jana Childers (left) stands with SFTS Board President Alvin McLean Jr., Ph.D.

Diplomas & Certificates

Awarded by the faculty on the recommendation of the faculty and staff of the Shaw Chaplaincy Institute, the Advanced Pastoral Studies program and the program in Christian Spirituality

Certificate in Trauma and Spiritual Care (C.T.S.C.)

Wendy Cliff

Certificate in Spiritual Direction and Formation (C.S.D.F.)

Suzanne Bojdak Kimberly Elliot Karen Fields Karen L. Seth Ann (Bryn) Smallwood-Garcia Nereyda Yong-Martínez Jennifer Whitaker

Diploma in the Art of Spiritual Direction (D.A.S.D.)

Anne Blackwood-Chirchir William Capps Karen Gordon Natalie Moon-Wainwright

Graduate Degrees

Conferred by the Board of Trustees on the recommendation of the faculty

Master of Arts in Theological Studies (M.A.T.S.)

Sharika Gregory

Master of Divinity (M.Div.)

Erin Green Ryan Miller Susan Pierson Suzabelle Spaulding

Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.)

Dearthrice Aaron DeWitt Dying with Quiet Eyes: A Pastoral Care Modality to Alleviate the Distress of Near Death Awareness Phenomena on Hospice Caregivers

Kanyere Eaton Sister Support: Accompanying African American Clergy Women in Their Journeys Toward the Pastorate

Zac Harmon-McLaughlin Post-Church Ecclesiology: The Future of Community of Christ through Ambiguity and Principle

Reginald Darnell Horton Getting to Know Your Mate Better Before You Say, “I Do”: Simulation Exercises for Engaged Couples

Hyung Do Lee Educating Korean Immigrant Male Pastors: Applying Concepts of Womanist and Asian Feminist Theology for Effective Ministry with Korean Immigrant Women Experiencing Domestic Violence

Meggan Hannah Manlove Equipping Lutherans for Faith Storytelling

Michael L. Morison Disaster and Catastrophic Crisis Ministry: Pastoral Response in Time of Terrorism, Human-caused, and Natural Disasters Bethany Joanna Nelson Listening for God’s Call in a Noisy World: Vocation and the Privileged Teen

Emmanuel Okonkwo Stopping Social Spiral of Violence: A Pilot Program of Christian Restoration and Healing in Central African Republic

Marta Palma Manriquez Women’s Ecumenical and Interfaith Spirituality: A Resource for Peace

Diane Marcia Pate Engaging Young Women Leaders in Peer Spiritual Direction to Deepen Their Experience with God

Juliette Razafiarisoa A Leadership Training for Christian Religious Leaders in Madagascar Using a “Privilege-Accountability-AwarenessStewardship” (P.A.A.S.) Model