Kairos Issue #185

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kairoj kairos A Weekly Newspaper Meet the Juniors

Put names and faces with the new students and read their fun fact. Page 2 & 3

What I Learned at My Internship Today

Getting to know the Cabinet

Extensions of an Olive Branch

Student Group Digest

An article offering musings, insights, and reflections on the Seminary life while at an SPM.

There are six administrative cabinet members that make important decisions on behalf of the seminary.

An article offering glimpses of peace, unity and reconciliation in the world.

Take a look at the student groups on campus and see if you would like to join or form your own student group.

Page 1 & 2

Page 7

Page 5

FREE Food

Opportunities for free food by IQ and IA. Page 8

Page 5-6

What I Learned at my Internship Today:

Methodist Church. About half of my time is spent as the staff liaison for our Open Doors ministry. Each Thank God it is Saturday and every Saturday morning we provide breakfast Paul Dubois is a Senior MDiv Student under care of the and lunch to 400-500 people, and free clothing to United Methodist Church. He is completing a full year, about 120 from our Fig Leaf Store. Not since full-time internship at University United Methodist childhood cartoons has Saturday morning been the best part of my week. Church this academic year. I hate it when my mind works slow, when I cannot find the words that I need at an instant’s notice. I hate thinking hours later what I should have said. Just now, I’m thinking what I wished I would have said to a friend.

We hadn’t spoken in a while, and we were getting caught up on our lives and the goings-on of our families. He asked about my internship. I have finished classes and am now three months into my SPM–a year-long internship at University United

I told my friend about one of Saturday’s guests. I’ll call him Jesus. He was sitting alone at a table in the fellowship hall. It was about 10am, the time between breakfast and lunch, when folks hang out in the air conditioning, having a drink, perhaps, or getting clothes from the Fig Leaf. I was ambling around the hall, wiping down tables, picking up the stray dish or cup. We made eye contact and exchanged a pleasant greeting. He was about 35 cont on pg 2. © 2009 Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary

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years old, Caucasian, and clean cut. He was reading a book, The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara, a historical novel about the Civil War battle at Gettysburg. We struck up a casual conversation and I sat down. I grew up an hour south of Gettysburg, so I told him about visiting that battlefield, as well as Antietam, my personal favorite (if there can be a favorite for such things).

The conversation turned to his situation, and his alcoholism. Jesus said that he has tried rehab. He has tried religion (especially the fundamentalist kind, he emphasized). He’s good when he’s sober, he said. He’s employable, and life is good. But he cannot stay away from the drink; once he drinks, he soon finds himself back on the street. Someone at the Salvation Army promised to get him into rehab again... as soon as Jesus decides he’s ready to do it. It is not, for Jesus, an easy decision. I noticed a slight tremor as he spoke. I almost cried. I sat there and looked into his eyes. I wanted him to know that I saw him, that I knew his name, and that I loved him. I wanted him to know that he was welcome to be here. Indeed, I was glad that he was here.

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desires to enter our Open Doors is welcome. Substance abusers, cross-dressers, pregnant women, the dirty, smelly, plain ol’ down on their luck types, the mentally ill, and families with small children... we get them all, and all are welcome to come and partake of the food we offer, and the place of rest available, and the clothing that is theirs to take with them. We are blessed by them, and the great privilege God has given us to serve them.

There are times a slow tongue is a virtue. A slow tongue can keep one’s words from hurting another. Hurtful words spoken cannot be recalled. But there’s a time to turn the question, too. The Good News is not present solely in the proclamation. Or perhaps the Gospel is proclaimed not solely by words.

I’ll think about Jesus this week, and our conversation about the Civil War and his alcoholism. I’d like to see him again, to deepen our relationship. But part of me hopes he doesn’t come back, that his situation is improved and he no longer needs our food. He’s in my prayers this week.

As I told my friend about my encounter with Jesus, of course, was not his real name, but, Jesus, I said that at Open Doors we’re called to feed, then again, it is. to clothe, and to be present with our brothers and sisters in their need. I said we’re not called to judge them or to change them. I didn’t say that this felt inadequate to me, but it did, and does. My friend questioned me on this, and asked, “What do you mean, that you’re not called to change them? Why didn’t you tell him about the Gospel?” Here my tongue failed, or perhaps my heart; I don’t know. I stumbled through some words. I don’t really remember them, and don’t want to.

Getting to know the Juniors

What I wish I would have said to my friend was something like this. That I don’t really know what it means to tell someone “about the Gospel.” Here I am, after three years of seminary, and I’m at a loss for what it means to tell someone “about the Gospel.” But, on Saturday morning, anyone who

Before Fall Break, hopefully all new students and special students will be introduced to the community and a fun fact will be shared about them. Plus you get a picture with a name.

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Gail Yarborough

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Holly Clark

Laura Westerlage

BS in Biology from University of Houston.

BS in English, Schreiner University.

BS in Religious Studies, Austin College.

First United Methodist Church, Lake Jackson, TX.

Covenant Presbyterian Church, Austin, TX.

St. Paul Presbyterian Church, North Richlands, Hills, TX.

She has a superpower of getting smiles from strangers and proclaims she is a non-electronic IMDB.

If she were a vegetable she would be fresh spinach because it is so versatile and claims “being a redhead is super-power enough!”

The last novel she read was Lamb, The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal and is most scared about Greek & Hebrew while here at APTS.

Whitney Payne

Kristi Click

Molly Hatchell JD - South Texas College of Law Westminster Presbyterian Church, Austin, TX. If she could time travel she would go back to the 50’s and if she listened to one song all day it would be Over the Rainbow.

BA - Missions, Hardin Simmons University.

BA - Psychology and Religion, Schreiner University.

Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, Abilene, TX.

Northpark Presbyterian Church, Dallas, TX.

If she were to go to a deserted island she would take an iPod, sunscreen and Diet Coke. She just finished a year of ministry in NYC working with immigrant communities.

If she were a vegetable she would be an orange bell pepper because they are pretty, crunchy & sweet. She also has the superpower of selective hearing!

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Student Group Digest Acts 2:42

to offer more events like this one, possibly including a chili cookoff, "trunk-or-treat", and other holiday parties.  

Contact: Jose Lopez [email protected]

Possible events for spouses might include workshops on Mission Statement: The purpose of things of concern to seminary this group is to provide a families, such as financial planning comfortable environment for or work-family balance, or evangelical, conservative, and conversations with spouses of orthodox students to gather, eat, pastors and chaplains.  attempt to apply God's Word to Suggestions for other events are their lives, and pray with and for welcome, too!   If you have one another. questions, or would like to help, contact L a u re n Falco: Choir [email protected]

Transgender) community? Corpus Christi is looking for you!

Join us to engage in difficult conversations as the body of Christ.

cell: 979.575.7491

Contact: Caitlin Thomas [email protected]

Community

Edge

is

Make a difference and get some exercise – all at the same time!!!

This

team

of

APTS

community members is committed to serving the broader Austin community each year as we ride in the Hill Country Ride for AIDS (HCRA).

million to support thousands of Texans living with HIV and AIDS. This year's Ride takes place on

a

group whose purpose is to support spouses and families of Austin Seminary students.  We do this primarily through sponsoring community events that foster friendships among students and families and through gatherings intended specifically for spouses.  

While we do not yet have specific events planned for this semester, we are off to a great start with the community potluck barbecue that took place at the Hicks house on Aug. 29.  We hope 4

Faithful Flyers

The Hill Country Ride for AIDS has raised more than $3

Community Edge

Contact: Kristin Austin

Lauren Falco and her son, Lucas, at last year’s Trunk or Treat.

April 24, 2010. 

We’ll be fundraising and

Corpus Christi

heading out around Austin on some training rides between now 
 Are you interested in environmental and social justice and then! Contact Cathy Stone or issues? Would you like to be Lori Gainer for more information involved in discussion about how or go to www.hillcountryride.org we as a seminary can minister to to join the Faithful Flyers today! human suffering in our [email protected] community?

Do you want to join in [email protected] ministry in support of the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Nullam arcu leo, facilisis ut

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Student Group Digest Cont. Fore God! Contact: Jose Lopez [email protected] [email protected]

KAAPTS Koreans At Austin Presbyterian Theological SEminary Contact: Jennifer Lee [email protected]

Methodist Student Group

Harmonium

like to engage in. Contact: Nikki Stahl [email protected]

Overcomers’ Outreach Open 12Step Meeting Open 12-Step Meeting Noon Tuesday (Check McMillan Activities Board for Location)

Overcomers Outreach is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, Contact: Jenny Tucker strength and hope with one [email protected] another in order to find joy one day at a time in lives once MSSW/MDiv Support dominated with disorders like alcoholism, co-dependency, drug Group addiction, gambling or sex 
 MSSW/MDIV group is a addiction and other compulsions support group for current, or those that define us.   considering becoming, dual Our meetings are a Bible degree students. The goal is to provide education, foster study based on the 12 Steps of community, and provide support Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anon and other 12-step groups.  We are for dual degree students. open to all who do not oppose our form of recovery.

We do this primarily through informal meetings over Contact: Doug Fritzsche lunch. Our first meeting will be Thursday, September 17th at 12:00 cell: (505) 280-2903 [email protected] (room TBD).

APTS's inter-religious forum.

This is an opportunity to interface with other faiths and traditions. A perk is that other faiths and traditions frequently supply novel snacks and deserts to facilitate conversation.

We'll be taking some field

trips this fall as well as hosting guests, and facilitating discussion groups, usually at a local watering hole.

We seek to enrich our

understand religions

of

our by

understanding of religions writ large.

faith and seeking faith

and

Contact: Ron Phares [email protected]

Intentional Community Contact: Melanie Lange [email protected]

At that time, we will discuss how often we would like to meet and/ or other activities that we would Nullam arcu leo, facilisis ut

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Student Group Digest Cont. Still Small Voice 


We are a mixed band of students who desire both to encourage ourselves and others in the practice of spirituality, by providing monthly opportunities for growth and learning.

Last

year

this

ranged

from Taize services to spiritual journaling, from professors sharing a passion for a particular spiritual discipline to walking the labyrinth. I invite you to keep your eyes and ears open for what will be happening this year! Contact: Tina Broadway [email protected]

Kickball Contact: Kate Loveless [email protected] Didn’t see anything you like – start your own student group.

If you are interested in forming a student group Vice President for Student Affairs and Vocation, Jackie Saxon or Deborah Butler [email protected]

OFFICIAL RECOGNITION OF STUDENT GROUPS AT AUSTIN PRESBYTERIAN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY In order to be recognized as an official student group of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, a student or group of students must make a request by completing the accompanying form, stating the proposed on-campus need the group seeks to address

1. mission and purpose;

2. primary constituents that the group seeks to serve;

3. faculty or administrator sponsor;

4. objectives;

5. possible activities; and . This form is to be submitted to the Vice President for Student Affairs and Vocation, who will then submit the group’s request to the President’s Cabinet for approval. Only current students may submit such a request. The President’s Cabinet will review the request and decide whether to recognize the group as an official student group. The Vice President for Student Affairs and Vocation will then convey the Cabinet’s decision to the person(s) who have submitted the request. Considerations for recognizing a student group will include, but not be limited to, the following:

1. clarity of the group’s goals and objectives;

2. consistency with the purpose of Austin Seminary, as stated in the

catalogue; and

3. uniqueness of the group’s purpose and membership as compared to

already existing student groups. All official student groups will be required to submit a form annually on or before October 1 of the academic year,for review by the President’s Cabinet. Student groups currently in existence as of May 1, 2004, are grand-parented as official student groups. Each is required, however, to secure sponsorship by a faculty member or administrator and to submit the required form. **On Campus Fund-raising by Student Groups Student groups may do fund-raising for the outside charities (such as the Hill Country Ride for AIDS for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure), with the approval of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Vocation. Student groups may not do fundraising for individuals or for groups on campus.

[email protected] 6

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Interview with President of APTS Rev. Dr. Ted Wardlaw As the President of the seminary, Ted surrounds himself with great leaders in order to discern the needs of the seminary, both now and in the future. “I surround myself with people who are smarter than I am and that helps us to do the best job we can. The cabinet is like the cast of Seinfeld or Friends. We go through tough times, but we are stuck with each other, so we make it work!” - Ted. Ted
reading
to
the
children
of
the
seminary

 community
during
a
Halloween
party.



Stats: • Raised in South Carolina & Georgia • B.A. from Presbyterian College • DMin from Union Seminary • STM at Yale Divinity School in American Church History • Decided to be a pastor at the Beecher Lectures with John Claypool as lecturer who inspired him to try to be a decent preacher.

organs and stored them in a warehouse in Lusaka. In worship today, they use the Q: If you got a tattoo of a theologian, that same words to the songs, but their drums could at anytime be removed, who would and voices make the songs sing differently. it be?

Questions & Answers:

A: H. Richard Neibur because he is my favorite 20th century theologian and I wrote my masters thesis on his doctrine of the church. Q: Tell me about the time when your mom took you to the movies at the age of 7. How has it effected your life?

• Served as Associate Pastor in Memphis, TN. Pastor at Grand Ave. Pres. in Sherman, TX.

A: I have no idea why my mother thought it would be a good idea to take me to see Alfred Hitchcock’s movie Psycho, but she did and I remember the • Served as a pastor on Long Island in the murder-shower scene vividly. I think this 5th oldest Presbyterian Church in the has to do with me marrying a USA. psychologist. • Served Central Pres. in Atlanta, GA. (He is the 5th pastor of Central to be a seminary president.) • Dislikes renting soccer mom vans and SUV while on the road. • Daughter Shelby is a senior at Vassar College in New York. • Daughter, Clare is a freshman at Guilford College in Greensboro, NC. • Daughters have “take the Geezers out on the town nights” for family time where they go and listen to live music, go to the Alamo Draft House, East Side Cafe and of course Amy’s Ice Cream.

Q: What is something you would like students to know about you? A: I was a radio disc jockey. I had a jingle and everything. “T. . . Jackson. . . Wardlaw.” This was back when radio had personality. When the music stopped, the magic began, and I was part of that magic.

Q: What is the strangest thing that has happened during worship that was not on the bulletin? A: In the summer of 1996, while I was serving at Central Presbyterian in Atlanta, a downtown church near the Capitol, a man walks in wearing army fatigues. We were all a bit aware of terrorism because of the Olympics and as this man walks down the aisle I did not know what to expect. The man disrupts the service and in a thick Irish accent chides us for saying the Lord’s Prayer incorrectly. He then yells “SAY THE LORD’S PRAYER.” So the congregation got up said the Lord’s Prayer using “trespasses” and “those who trespass against us” and then we sat down. Then the man walked out of the church. That was definitely not in the bulletin. Q: What are things that your family likes to do together?

Q: What was the most memorable experience while you were teaching in Zambia this summer?

A: Well, we have a house in the mountains and whenever we go there - I am off the clock. We have certain meals that we make, certain restaurants that we A: The singing. From colonialism many of the Zambian churches have traditional frequent. We go to movies and hike, in general we just marinate in each other. It European hymnals - you know the kind really is a special place and special time with no music, just words. Once colonialism ended, Zambians took out the for us. 7

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Extensions of an Olive Branch

One of my favorite words from the first semester of Systematic Theology was dialectical tension. I use it at parties and with non-seminary friends and their eyes often glaze over. But I have yet to find a better way of describing the tension we invariably find ourselves. I once again found myself in that tension this week.

I was sitting in Evangelism this morning and Professor Arun Jones began to talk about two types of conversion or a “reorientation of culture and situation to Christ.” Arun’s lecture was a presentation of the church as home and not fully home and how that has influenced our understanding of the church’s mission. He named these categories as pilgrim and “home.” In one sense the church is home. It is a safe space for us to come and feel welcome, comfortable and loved. Simultaneously the church is merely a stopping point, it is a continually process that leaves you restless. If we believe in the “not yet” then church is a part of the journey, but not the end.

In listening to Arun’s lecture I could not help but think about my time in Northern Ireland as a Young Adult Volunteer for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A). I lived in Belfast, Northern Ireland and worked in a small town 20

miles east of Belfast called Newtownards. Every morning I would rise and meet the day with “Yes” (that is a shout out to anyone that has heard Corey Nelson read his Barth inspired morning prayer). My commute of 20 miles took 1.5 hours.

have a 2-hour break, but it was pointless to go back to Belfast. I stayed in ‘Ards and then worked the 3 hour night drop-in shift, getting off at 10 p.m. Then it was back to the bus and a reversal of the trip into Belfast. Thankfully the evenings were not as bad, but still the process of getting home

First I had a 30 min walk to was at least a 45-minute exercise. the city centre. Second and depending on what time I arrived Many of the people I a, I proceeded to wait 15 minute worked with took pity on me and for the bus, if it was on time. would invite me to stay with them Then depending on traffic, I for a night. With these generous enjoyed a 45-60 min bus ride invitations, I calculated that I did through the countryside and out not stay in the same bed for more to ‘Ards. It was actually a part of than 5 night consecutively for over my day that I cherished. If I 6 months. My backpack became wasn’t too sleepy or talking with my overnight bag and I always someone I would stare out and carried a fresh set of underwear, watch the green pastures dotted rain gear, and another warm layer with white sheep pass by the everywhere I went. window. I felt like I was daydreaming!

I am reminded about this story in the discussion of the

Upon arrival in ‘Ards, I church as being home, but not yet ended my journey with a short 7 fully home because I was truly minute walk to The Link Family disoriented in where I found and Community Centre. I needed “home.” Eventually I moved out to be in the office by 9 a.m., so I to ‘Ards and felt like I was home, would normally leave the house in but then my time ended and I Belfast at 7, just to give myself a moved back to the United States. I bit of grace in case things were not no longer felt like Dallas was running on time. home, but I stayed there for two years, until finally I came to APTS.

Following a few hours of Once again I feel at home, but I work in the morning, I supervised recognize that this too is coming to a two-hour drop-in for an end. I am preparing for marginalized young people. After another time to end and for me to our afternoon drop in, I would journey on. 8

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In starting the semester, in that I give thanks and find courage hearing Ted’s opening worship to extend olive branches. reflections, in seeing old friends, I felt at home, but I am realizing that the new faces on campus Mary Elizabeth Prentice mean my time is dwindling. Things are not the same, but they are the same all at once. Likewise the church is home and not yet home for us. We dwell constantly in these tensions. Tensions, that if resolved would live us stagnant and still. We are constantly disoriented and oriented at the same time. We live in perpetual states of dialectical tension and for

Kairos Editorial Guidelines 1. Kairos is the voice of students at Austin Seminary. 2. Kairos generally carries no advertisements for sale of goods or services by individuals. An exception is the sale of a student or professor’s library or other study aids. 3. It is not possible to make all program announcements which are submitted by individual church. Kairos is more likely to be able to run announcements which apply to ecumenical or interfaith groups or groups of churches. 4. No letters which attack individuals or groups will be run in Kairos. This is to be distinguished from letter which might criticize the actions of individuals or groups. 5. Kairos will publish letter to the editor that contribute to Christian conversation on the APTS campus. All letters must be signed.

Merit Scholars and Fellows: Jessica Goad, John Stanger, Sudie Niesen, President Ted Wardlaw, Becca Weaver, Kristi Click, and Bart Smith. Merit Scholars: Left to Right

Junior Class Elections After Manna on Wednesday, September 16, the nominations will open for 2 Junior class Senators, a MATS Student Senator, and a MATS Student Life/Student Standing Committee Representative. Voting begins, September 23 and results will be announced September 30.

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INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT

NEEDS

YOUR HELP!

The annual Alumni Phonathon is coming up in just a few weeks and you can make it a success by volunteering a little bit of your time. You’ll be calling Seminary graduates and encouraging them to make their annual gift to support the Seminary. We offer FREE food and drink and fellowship for Phonathon volunteers, too.

Lunch with the President President Ted Wardlaw would like to have lunch with students once a month throughout this academic year.  Who wouldn’t want to have lunch with this guy? Dates for Lunch with the President: September 22

January 20

October 11

February 24

November 11

March 24

December 16

April 20



May 11

Volunteers Needed For: Tuesday, September 29, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 30, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, October 5, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 6, anytime! Wednesday, October 7, 5:30-8:30 p.m. All calling takes place in Trull Administrative Building. RSVP to Sandy Wilder at 404-4806 or [email protected] to let us know which time(s) you can help.

Sign up at the McCord Desk.



IQ – BBQ LIQRE (Library and Information Quality Committee) is hosting a BBQ

Who’s
invited:

The
APTS
community. What:


FREE
LUNCH

FREE
STUFF
and
 
 

a
presentation
about
IQ
(no
not
your
Intelligence
Quotient
‐

 
 

IQ
is
Information
Quality!) When:

Wednesday,
September
16,
2009


 Time:

12‐1
p.m. Why:

‘Cause
FRAU
says
so!! Where:

Stotts
Dining
Hall How:

Stick
around
after
Manna
and
learn
more
from
Whit
B.
 Turabian
about
the
IQ
12‐step
program
! Juniors
will
be
taking
the
IQ
Assessment
at
2:30,
after
Church
History,
 also
on
Wednesday,
9/16. Just
can't
wait
to
learn
more
about
the
12
steps?

Don't
remember
 what
FRAU
stands
for?

Go
to
www.austinseminary.edu/iq


and
follow
the
tutorials.

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Announcements Chapel Schedule Monday, September 14: 11 a.m. Daily Prayer Tuesday, September 15: 11 a.m. Celebration of The Lord s Supper - Rev. Dr. Michael Jinkins, preaching

Wednesday, September 16: Community Wide Manna Thursday, September 17: 11 a.m. Daily Prayer

Winsome Walkers Join the Winsome Walkers every Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:15 to 12:45 for a walk & talk.

receiving such pictures. Email them to her at: [email protected]

Introduction of Churches

We are an informal group, so If you are a member of a throw on your shoes and meet church or attend a church us in the McCord atrium. regularly in the area, please submit a brief description of Contact: Deborah Butler your church, its activities, and your contact information so that we can publish a Church Directory for new students looking for worship The seminary will be bringing opportunities. Please submit them by Wednesday, in people to vaccinate the community for the flu season. September 16 at 5:00 p.m.

Flu Shots offered by Seminary

Shots are $25 and all members of the community, including family are welcome. Date: Friday, October 16, 2009 Time: 11 a.m to 1 p.m.

This fall Tuesday services in Chapel faculty will be preaching from a Psalm and presiding at the table.

Communication Department Request

Starting the week of September 22, Monday and Thursday services will be led by Senior Preaching classes.

If you have pictures of community events and life in general on campus, Randal Whittington would appreciate

Invite to Write & Repeat Writers Kairos is still looking for repeat writers and will continue to extend the invitation for Invite to Write. Remember the submission deadline is 5 p.m. on Wednesdays!

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