Chimes Summer 2024 - San Francisco Theological Seminary at University of Redlands
Chimes
Integrating Kodály Center programs into School of Performing Arts
The University announced in January the successful integration of the esteemed Kodály Center programs into its School of Performing Arts, a move prompted by the closure of its former home at Holy Names University.
This integration marks a significant enhancement to the University’s music education programs and it will be hosted and taught at the Marin Campus. The Kodály Center, renowned for its training and resources tailored to teachers, conductors, parents, and enthusiasts interested in children’s musical development, seamlessly complements the University’s undergraduate degree program in music education.
Under the leadership of Dr. Kathy Hickey, a distinguished scholar in Kodály pedagogy and a professor of music at Redlands, the Kodály Center is poised for continued success . Former faculty members from Holy Names University were invited to join the program and the University plans to enrich the curriculum by inviting world-renowned experts from Hungary, further enhancing the educational experience.
For more information, visit www.redlands.edu/music
News for Alumni & Friends of San Francisco Theological Seminary at the University of Redlands
SFTS awarded $1.2M grant for Preaching Justice Fellowship
The San Francisco Theological Seminary (SFTS) at the University of Redlands, in collaboration with the Center for Faith and Justice (CFJ), secured a $1.2 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to support the Preaching Justice Fellowship.
Dean Laurie Garrett-Cobbina of SFTS emphasized the importance of dynamic dialogue within diverse faith communities in fostering impactful preaching. “Compelling preaching thrives when the sermon takes place in the middle of an ongoing conversation in diverse and networked communities of faith committed to the work of justice,” Garrett-Cobbina said. “The CFJ is helping preachers do exactly that. SFTS is thrilled to partner with CFJ to help communities of faith envision new ways to preach justice in and beyond the pulpit.”
The Preaching Justice Fellowship is part of the Lilly Endowment’s Compelling Preaching Initiative, which aims to cultivate preachers who inspire individuals to live out their Christian faith more deeply. Among 81 programs funded by this initiative, this fellowship stands out for its innovative approach. Peter Choi, Executive Director of CFJ, highlighted the collaborative nature of creating impactful sermons, saying, “When multiple perspectives converge in sermon crafting, preaching becomes multiple acts of listening and speaking, envisioning and building a new world.”
This grant not only reinforces the University’s dedication to theological education but also strengthens its ongoing partnership with CFJ in other projects. These include collaborations with Princeton Theological Seminary in the Teaching Spiritual Entrepreneurship project and SFTS’s “Collaborative Seminary” project funded by the Association of Theological Schools.
JAMIE
SONJA
COMMENCEMENT
Celebrating the newest graduates of San Francisco Theological Seminary
Class notes
Class Notes reflect submissions from May 30, 2023 to February 29, 2024*
At 90 years old, Rev. Charles Adams Eaton ’66 is jogging, hiking, writing, and lecturing at UNM, OASIS Adult Learning, and churches. His work over many years includes volunteer Chaplain and Psychologist for a palliative care and hospice clinic. Currently, he is developing a national program to reduce suicide among Native American teens and meets with tribal teens identified as felons.
Rev. Charles “Chuck” Proudfoot ’73 served six parishes as a pastor before retiring in 2018. He serves on the Ganado Presbyterian Mission Foundation (GPMF) board which continues education and health and spiritual
care for the Navajo people. He also created an endowment to serve Navajo Presbyterian churches and volunteers at multiple organizations. Predeceased by first wife LaVerne Scholten, he is now married to Dawn Ashton and is father to Scot V. Proudfoot.
Rodger Mattson ’77 changed careers in the 1990s, completing medical school, being in family practice, and then teaching residents, on topics such as colposcopy and prevention of cervical cancer. He retired as the program director of a family medicine residency in Virginia, and “soon will be retired again.”
Rev. Ann Hayman ’78 spent two years at First Presbyterian Church of El Centro as Assistant Pastor and 28 years as Program Director for the Mary Magdalene Project helping street prostitutes. After her work as Interim Pastor at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church of Los
Angeles and St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church, Rolling Hills, she retired but took on new interim assignments and committee work. She also has an MA in Feminist Spirituality.
Rev. Dr. David C. Emery ’81 is Interim Pastor at the Presbyterian Church of Longview, WA, and earned his D.Min. at Drew Theological Seminary. Joyce M. Emery ’81 is Pastor at East Woods Presbyterian Church in Vancouver, WA. She earned her D.Min. at Princeton Theological Seminary and is Lead Assessor for Discerning Missional Leadership, 1001 Initiative/PCUSA. They reside in Vancouver, WA, and celebrate their four grown children and ten grandchildren.
*Only if the notification date was between March 1, 2023, and February 29, 2024
Rev. Heather Jepsen ’06 is faithfully serving in ministry and is proud of her openly welcoming congregation in Warrensburg, MO.
Rev. Dr. Malcolm McQueen ’83 ’93 retired in February 2024 after more than 40 years of pastoral ministry, having served as pastor at The Church at Horseshoe Bay in Horseshoe Bay, TX (interdenominational). Previously he served as pastor at John Calvin Presbyterian Church in San Antonio, TX, and Montezuma Valley Presbyterian Church in Cortez, CO, and as associate pastor at Fletcher Hills Presbyterian Church in El Cajon, CA.
Rev. Terry McBride ’85 retired after 36 years of ordained ministry in 2021. Terry served as associate pastor at Goleta Presbyterian Church in Goleta, CA, and at First Presbyterian Church in South Bend, IN, where he served as the founder and director of the LOGmichiana retreat ministry for high school youth. Terry and wife Debbie have relocated to Renton, WA, to live closer to their two adult children.
Rev. Mark Wheeler ’89 started his 30th year as pastor at Lidgerwood Presbyterian Church in Spokane, WA. He became Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of the Inland Northwest in 2022.
Rev. Dr. Robert L. Gram ’96 is a retired Reformed Church minister and Licensed Clinical Social Worker with four theological degrees and an M.S. from Columbia University School of Social Work. He’s bicycled from San Francisco to Portsmouth, N.H., and climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro (19,350’), Chimborazo (20,750’), and Huayna Potosi (20,011’). Bob, who lives in Rhinebeck, N.Y., has written four books, including Christ and Covid-19: Meditations for Peace in Times of Turmoil, and his short stories have won national awards.
Rev. Miguel Santamaria ’03 celebrates his 20th anniversary of ordination in 2024, and last year, his 20th anniversary with wife Amy. They have three children from 11 to 14 who are “the greatest joy, blessing, and at times challenge in our lives.” A CPE Educator at Morton Plant Hospital, Clearwater, FL, for the last 13 years, Miguel officially retired from playing soccer.
Rev. Heather Jepsen ’06 is faithfully serving in ministry and is proud of her openly welcoming congregation in Warrensburg, MO. She is married to Lars Jepsen, whom she married on the SFTS campus in 2004. They have two children aged 12 and 14, the latter having a side gig writing devotionals for Guideposts.
Rev. Nicholas Kolivas ’09 is part-time associate pastor at Forest Hill Christian Church in San Francisco. He recently served on the board of Christian Church Homes (CCH), which builds and manages affordable senior housing in six states and is a ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). “The professors at SFTS changed my life with their erudite wisdom, ability to weave cogent tales into otherwise opaque scriptures, and true fondness and love for that which they taught. I so wish all of them well.”
Elizabeth Campbell-Maleke ’11 and Raymond Maleke ’11 reside in West Virginia, where they are parents to 5- and 11-year-old sons. Elizabeth is pastoring two congregations, First Presbyterian Church of Williamstown and Waverly-Bethel Presbyterian Church, and serving as the synod commissioner for the presbytery. Raymond is also pastoring two congregations, Parkview United Methodist and St. Andrews United Methodist Churches. “We hope our SFTS community and alumni are doing well!”
Kikanza Nuri-Robbins ’14 works to sustain healthy organization cultures by developing effective leaders, improving communication, and nurturing corporate values for cultural proficiency. Kikanza has authored many articles and six books, including Cultural Proficiency and Fish Out of Water. She serves on the Bio-Ethics Committee of the UCLA Medical Center and boards of social-service organizations, and spends time in her studio playing with color and textiles.
Passings
Passings reflect deaths between March 1, 2023 and February 29, 2024*
Dorothy Richmond ’56, Aug. 6, 2023.
Maggie Veneman ’56 ’74, March 7, 2024.
Bruce Tjaden ’59, Jan. 15, 2021.
Russ Lewis ’60, Dec. 3, 2023.
Robert Jeambey ’65, Oct. 27, 2023.
James Clarke ’67, Jan. 7, 2024.
Robert Koenig ’69, June 29, 2023.
George Fitzgerald ’72, July 6, 2023.
Barbara Stout ’76, Feb. 15, 2020.
Richard Wardlaw ’78, Nov. 9, 2023.
Wendy Dreitcer ’83, April 23, 2004.
John Barklind ’84, Oct. 13, 2023.
Scott Schaefer ’87, Nov. 26, 2023. Former SFTS VP of finance and administration.
Joseph Beltran ’91, March 12, 2024.
Joan Currey ’96, July 2, 2023.
Peg Lofsvold ’97, Jan. 10, 2024.
Carolyn Stiles ’97, Dec. 22, 2023.
Mara Crabtree ’98 ’99, Nov. 15, 2023.
Jan Opdyke ’08, Dec. 17, 2023. Family members include husband Albert Opdyke ’93.
In Memoriam
James “Jim” Johnson, life trustee of SFTS, passed away peacefully in his home on Nov. 16, 2023, at age 93. Jim was born in Yankton, SD, and attended Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, where he met his wife, Nancy Brown. He then served as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving as a jet fighter pilot from 1952-1956.
He obtained his law degree from the University of Colorado, settling in Ft. Collins where he taught business law and coached track at CSU. In 1972 he ran for Congress and was elected, serving for eight years then returning to Fort Collins to practice law. In addition to many charitable works, he was proud of his 30 years of service to SFTS where he took his turn as Board President. Jim was known for his kindness, wit and intelligence. In the book Watching Politicians: Essays on Participant Observation, Richard Fenno noted that Jim could quote the Bible (or was it Shakespeare?) and swear like a sailor. Jim is survived by daughter Dea (Woody), daughter JC, son Drake (Christy); 9 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
105 Seminary Road
San Anselmo, CA 94960
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Message to SFTS Alumni and Friends
As Vice President of Advancement for the University of Redlands and SFTS, I am deeply impressed with SFTS faculty, staff, and students. The personal stories of alumni of five to fifty years and more are consistent for everyone I’ve met: SFTS made a lasting and meaningful impact on their lives.
We want to be sure that current and future SFTS graduates will offer the same perspective. As SFTS alumni, you set the example for all that our students can accomplish when they graduate, and you show them what it means to pay it forward when you give back to the Seminary. Whether that is in treasure, time, or talent, each student benefits from alumni support.
And what an exciting time to be involved with the Seminary. In addition to the great news in this issue of Chimes, I offer hearty
congratulations to former dean and Professor of the History of Christianity, Chris Ocker, for his appointment as Dean of the Graduate Theological Union. We are proud of all our SFTS faculty, staff, students, and alumni.
Should you wish to explore options for ensuring the legacy of SFTS, our Senior Director of Development Clyde Derrick at clyde_derrick@redlands.edu, or 909-748-8381, is happy to discuss the many ways to deepen your connection to the Seminary.
