Windows Summer 09

A USTIN P RESBYTERIAN T HEOLOGICAL S EMINARY
SUMMER 2009
LOOKING OUTWARD
I
often encourage students, in a charge that is intentionally
provocative, to refrain from constructing their own prayers for
the first five years of ministry. Take at least that much time, I
say, to acquaint yourselves with the great treasury of Christian
prayer that can be found in our Presbyterian Book of Common
Worship or the United Methodist Book of Worship or The Oxford
Book of Prayer or the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer.
Become familiar, I say, with John Henry Newman’s prayer:
“O Lord, support us all the day long of this troublous life, until
the shadows lengthen and the evening comes and the busy world
is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then
in Thy mercy, grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at
the last; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
Become familiar, I say, with that wonderful blessing at a child’s
confirmation: “Defend, O Lord, your servant N. with your heav-
enly grace, that he/she may continue yours forever, and daily
increase in your Holy Spirit more and more, until he/she comes to
your everlasting kingdom.” That prayer, so powerful at the
moment when the pastor’s hands are laid upon the head of a con-
The President’s Preaching and firmand, are equally powerful every night when the parent prays
Speaking Engagements bedtime prayers with the children.
Become familiar, I say, with the Psalms—the first hymnal of
the children of Israel—and understand their rich texture, be the
June 7-27, Teacher, Justo Mwale Theological mood praise or lament or affirmation of faith.
University College, Lusaka, Zambia, Africa I hope through such a challenge that our students will come
July 8, Worship Leader, Calvin Jubilee, Montreat to appreciate the majesty, dignity, beauty, and testimony of
Conference Center thoughtful prayers from across the century. I hope that they will
September 10, Host, Partnership Lunch, Corpus
not fall into the pious assumption that a prayer has to be com-
Christi, Texas posed on the spot in order to be truly sincere. If people at prayer
“listen and wait upon God, call God by name, remember God's
September 17, Host, Evening with the President, gracious acts, and offer themselves to God,” as our Directory for
Houston, Texas Worship of the Book of Order puts it, then church leaders should
September 19-20, Preacher, FPC, Stillwater, approach prayer with appropriate preparation and expectancy. At
Oklahoma the very least, they should think about it just a little.
So I am pleased that this issue of Windows offers in the fol-
September 28, Host, Alumni/ae Challenge Kick
Off (ASA Board, Austin area alumni/ae, Austin lowing pages a bit of wisdom and experience from faculty and
Seminary seniors), Austin other friends regarding the practice of prayer. Read on, too, to dis-
cover the latest news from your Seminary; and pray with us and
October 1, Host, Partnership Lunch, Lubbock, for us as we prepare for a new season of activity in academic year
Texas
2009-2010!
October 4, Preacher, FPC, Fort Worth, Texas Faithfully yours,
October 13, Host, Evening with the President,
Conroe, Texas
Theodore J. Wardlaw
October 23, Preacher, Opening Worship, Mission President
Presbytery
October 26, Host, Evening with the President,
San Antonio, Texas
CONTENTS
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Cassandra C. Carr, Chair
2 - 14 Upgrade your prayer life
2 Exercising your faith
Michael D. Allen Prayer and the praying life
Karen C. Anderson
BY ALLAN HUGH COLE JR.
Thomas L. Are Jr.
Susan Beaird 11 Voicing the prayers of others
F. M. Bellingrath III What to consider when considering
Dianne E. Brown (MDiv’95)
the prayers of the people
Elizabeth Christian
Joseph J. Clifford
BY KEITH WRIGHT (MDIV’56, DMIN’86)
James G. Cooper
Marvin L. Cooper
13 The architecture of prayer
Using the collect in public prayer
Elizabeth Blanton Flowers
Donald R. Frampton
BY KRISTIN SALDINE
Richard D. Gillham
Walter Harris Jr.
15 Community news
Anderson House dedication
Bruce G. Herlin
Norman N. Honeycutt (MDiv’65) The Class of 2009
J Carter King III (MDiv’70)
Michael L. Lindvall
22 Faculty news
Catherine O. Lowry 26 Development news
Blair R. Monie
B. W. Payne 27 Continuing education news
William C. Powers Jr.
Jeffrey Kyle Richard
28 Alumni/ae news
Teresa Chávez Sauceda (MDiv’88) Back cover Photos from the 2009 commencement
Anne Vickery Stevenson
Karl Brian Travis
John L. Van Osdall W I N D OW S
Sallie Sampsell Watson (MDiv’87) Summer 2009
Elizabeth Currie Williams Volume 124 Number 3
Judy A. Woodward
EDITOR
Trustees Emeriti Randal Whittington
Stephen A. Matthews CONTRIBUTORS
Max Sherman Channing Burke
Edward D. Vickery
Shuhan Chan
Louis Zbinden
Kathy Muenchow
Nancy Reese
Caitlin Thomas
Publisher & Mailing Statement Sandy Wilder
Windows is published three times each year Cover Photograph by Jody Horton
by Austin Presbyterian Theological
Seminary.
ISSN 2056-0556
Non-profit bulk mail permit no. 2473 This issue of Windows is dedicated to the memory of
Austin Seminary Windows
Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary Professor Prescott Harrison Williams,
100 E. 27th St.
Austin, TX 78705-5797 whose superior gifts as a proofreader
phone: 512-472-6736
e-mail: windows@austinseminary.edu were generously offered and gratefully received.
fax: 512-479-0738
www.austinseminary.edu
Exercising
my favorite prayer my favorite prayer my favorite prayer
Prayer and the praying life
S
Lord God, You have appointed
me as a pastor in Your church,
but You see how unsuited I am
to meet so great and difficult a
task. If I had lacked Your help, I
would have ruined everything
BY ALLAN HUGH COLE JR.
long ago. Therefore, I call upon
You:
I wish to devote my mouth and
my heart to You; I shall teach
ome years ago, a friend revealed to me that she
the people. I myself will learn
and ponder diligently upon
longed for a fuller awareness of God’s presence
Your Word. Use me as your
instrument—but do not forsake
in her life. She noted her frequent sense of
me, for if ever I should
be on my own, I would
God’s being distant, if she sensed God’s presence at
easily wreck it all. all. When I inquired about what she thought might
Translated by Jim Kellerman for
the Wittenberg project in 1999.
help satisfy her sense of longing, she noted several
Text found at:
www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/
possibilities. These included reading the Bible more
wittenberg/prayers/sacristy.txt) regularly, devoting more time to having quality
For many years I have said
Luther's Sacristy Prayer while
conversations with people from her congregation, going
putting on my robe on Sunday
mornings. My best efforts in and
on retreat, taking a class—at church or elsewhere—on
of themselves do not achieve
much. But when God chooses to
the topic of deepening one’s spiritual life, and being a
work, and I cooperate with God's
direction, my work becomes the
more consistent participant in weekly worship. She
ministry God envisions. recognized the intrinsic value of each of these time-
—Andy Mangum (DMin’09)
senior minister, First Christian
tested faith practices for strengthening her relationship
Church, (Disciples of Christ),
Arlington, Texas
with God.
Never did she mention the practice of prayer.
In these pages we have invited members of the faculty and our

newest Doctor of Ministry graduates to share with Windows readers
their favorites from the great treasury of Christian prayers.
2
Your Faith

upgrade your prayer life
I am no longer my own, but

thine.
Put me to what thou wilt, rank
me with whom thou wilt.
Put me to doing, put me to suf-
fering.
Perhaps she thought of prayer as a part of the other acts that she noted; Let me be employed for thee or
and maybe she assumed that I would think in similar terms. Even so, her laid aside for thee,
response raises a crucial matter for ministry and for faith itself—name- exalted for thee or brought low
ly that faithful people may struggle with establishing and maintaining a for thee.
practice of prayer. Jesus’ first followers seem to have struggled with this, Let me be full, let me be empty.
too. “Lord, teach us to pray,” they said to him (Luke 11:1). Let me have all things, let me
I want to suggest two approaches to prayer that can enhance your have nothing.
prayer life. These approaches include praying the Lord’s Prayer and I freely and heartily yield all
engaging in contemplative prayer. We could identify numerous other things to thy pleasure and
approaches, too, such as praying various passages of Scripture, praying disposal.
with a prayer book or liturgical aid—what I call engaging in liturgical And now, O glorious and blessed
prayer; and keep in mind, too, that simply speaking to God, honestly
God, Father, Son, and Holy
and directly, is always a proper form of praying. But gaining familiarity
Spirit,
with these two approaches will likely enrich your prayer life, serve as the
thou art mine, and I am thine.
basis for other ways of praying, and most importantly, help to strength-
So be it.
en your relationship with God.
And the covenant which I have
made on earth,
Praying the Lord’s Prayer
let it be ratified in heaven.
Perhaps the most familiar of all Christian prayers is what we call “The
Amen.
Lord’s Prayer.” A common version goes like this:
Our Father in heaven, As used in the Book of Offices of the
hallowed be your name, British Methodist Church, 1936
your kingdom come,
your will be done, One of my favorite prayers is John
on earth as in heaven. Wesley’s Covenant prayer. Much
Give us today our daily bread. contemporary theology appropriately
Forgive us our sins emphasizes human empowerment,
as we forgive those who sin against us. agency, and liberation. Yet, we
Save us from the time of trial sometimes forget that for Christians
and deliver us from evil. our power is bound up with our
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours submission to God. These days
now and forever. Amen.
“submission” is a somewhat neglected
Probably no single prayer has been uttered by Christians more than concept, but for John Wesley it was of
the Lord’s Prayer, and for good reason. Jesus used these words when central importance. This prayer was
teaching his disciples about prayer, saying, “When you pray, pray in this and is prayed by Methodists yearly in
way” (Luke 11:2–4; Matt. 6:9–13). Calvin saw Jesus’ words as provid- The Covenant Service, commonly
ing his disciples with the right “pattern” or “form” for prayer, with a way held on New Year’s Eve.
of praying that correctly begins with attention to and praise of God and
—David White, C. Ellis and Nancy
Allan Cole is the Nancy Taylor Williamson Associate Professor of Pastoral Gribble Nelson Associate Professor of
Care at Austin Seminary and the author of The Life of Prayer: Mind, Body, Christian Education (also submitted
and Soul (Westminster John Knox Press, 2009). Windows appreciates per- by Ann Fields)
mission from WJK to excerpt from the manuscript for this article.
3
WINDOWS / Summer 2009
Dear God, these are anxious then moves to a focus on us and our needs. Says Calvin, this approach
times. Tonight for the first time I provides true freedom in prayer, for we do not have to wonder how to
lay in the dark with burning eyes pray or whether we do so faithfully. Why? Because Jesus “supplies words
as scene after scene of human to our lips that free our minds from all wavering,” and he “prescribed a
suffering passed before me. I shall form for us in which he set forth as in a table all that he allows us to seek
promise You one thing, God, just of him, all that is of benefit to us, all that we need ask” (Calvin, 1960,
one very small thing: I shall never p. 2:897). Moreover, as Dietrich Bonhoeffer said of the Lord’s Prayer,
burden my today with cares about “In it, every prayer is contained. Whatever enters into the petitions of
my tomorrow, although that takes the Lord’s Prayer is prayed aright; whatever has no place in it, is not
some practice. Each day is prayer at all. All the prayers of the Holy Scriptures are summed up in
sufficient unto itself. I shall try to the Lord’s Prayer and all are taken up into its immeasurable breadth”
help You, God, to stop my
(Bonhoeffer, 1999/2005, p. 157). So we can feel confident that what we
strength ebbing away, though I
cannot vouch for it in advance. pray when using the words of the Lord’s Prayer takes in other words or
But one thing is becoming prayers that we would offer to God.
increasingly clear to me: that You Praying the Lord’s Prayer provides additional benefits in that it
cannot help us, that we must help reminds us of two key matters. First, all prayer should begin with rec-
You to help ourselves. And that is ognizing the primary reason that we pray—namely, that God acts gra-
I
all we can manage these days and ciously toward us and that God remains the one “in whom we live,
also all that really matters: that we move, and have our being” (Acts 17:28). To begin to pray by uttering
safeguard that little piece of You,
God, in ourselves. And perhaps in
others as well. Alas, there doesn’t n referring to God as “Our Father” we recognize that
seem to be much You Yourself can
do about our circumstances, about God is not only God for ourselves but also for others
our lives. Neither do I hold You
responsible. You cannot help us and indeed for all people. “Our” denotes a common
but we must help You and defend humanity that lives under the grace of God and
Your dwelling
place inside us to the last. stands in need of God’s care and provision.
Etty Hillesum, An Interrupted Life:
The Diaries of Etty Hillesum 1941- the words “Our Father in heaven” recognizes that God holds supreme
43, as reprinted in Toward a
Reconstructed Jewish Life, Marc H. status and power while also calling attention to the fact that God simul-
Ellis, 1987, Orbis Books taneously relates to us intimately, faithfully, and with extraordinary love.
When we recognize that God lives and reigns “in heaven,” we attest to
At times when we encounter a person God’s maintaining authority over all things, including our own lives. At
who is or has been seriously the same time, however, in referring to God as “Our Father” we recog-
victimized we make the mistake in nize that God is not only God for ourselves but also for others and
seeing them as a mere victim. In our
desire to help and be empathic we lose indeed for all people. “Our” denotes a common humanity that lives
sight that moral agency remains an under the grace of God and stands in need of God’s care and provision.
integral part of the innermost being Referring to God as “Father” also affirms that God stands before us
of such persons. We forget that those (individually and collectively) as a heavenly parent, one who, like kind
who struggle against the forces that and nurturing “earthly” parents, provides guidance, support, aid, and
attempt to dehumanize them never
lose the imagination, creativity, and unfailing love but who offers these and myriad other provisions in ways
strength that enable them to make and degrees that surpass what any human parent may offer. Jesus tells a
creative choices. In acknowledging parable most often referred to as the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke
their inalienable moral stature we 15:11–32) to point to God’s parental qualities. We affirm these qualities
might come to see how they are in our prayers when we say, “Our Father in heaven.” Moreover, address-
capable of helping God in god’s ing God as “Our Father” places us in the company of Jesus, who him-
redemptive purpose for humanity.
self spoke to God as “Father” and the even more familiar term “Abba”
—Ismael García, (“Papa”), and who related to God in supremely intimate ways (Mark
professor of Christian ethics 14:36; John 10:30). Of course, in calling God “Father” we do not mean
4

As a deer longs for flowing
streams,
that God is human or male. Nor do we mean that God possesses only
so my soul longs for you,
“fatherly” qualities, whatever we might say about those. We do mean,
O God.
however, that God possesses qualities that issue in care, concern, nur-
ture, provision, and love that parents (including both mothers and My soul thirsts for God,
fathers) may offer their children, and that God offers these unceasingly. for the living God.
When shall I come and behold
the face of God?
This seems to be what Jesus had in mind, too.
Approaching God in prayer as Jesus recommends, which involves
seeking to relate to God as Jesus himself did, reminds us of who God is Psalm 42:1-2 NRSV
I love this psalm: for the beauty of

but also of who we are. As Calvin noted, we are those who live as chil-
its imagery and of its meter, for its

dren of God (1 John 3:1), always reliant on “the Father of mercies and
breath-held wonder toward God,
God of all comfort” (2 Cor. 1:3) to provide what we cannot (Calvin,
for the way it names my own
2006, p. 113). To put it a bit more pointedly, to pray the Lord’s Prayer
reminds us that God is God and that we are not! aching longings.
—Kaye P. McKee (DMin’09),

The second key matter that we recall when praying the Lord’s
executive director, A Spacious

Prayer is this: Because God acts graciously toward us, we may ask (peti-
Place, Austin, Texas
tion) God for certain things and expect that God will respond. Jesus
urges us to live with just this kind of expectancy. Not only did he tell
his disciples to make petitions to God in prayer, he also told them to
pray persistently. God will answer our prayers and provide for our
needs, Jesus assures. Lord, you have made us for one
So in praying the Lord’s Prayer, we not only recognize God’s gra- another; you give us a mission to
ciousness, but we also call out to God to invoke God’s presence in our watch each person whom you
have given us today as a neighbor.
lives. This sets the stage for the sharing of our lives with God, whether Give us the right thing to say;
this sharing involves joys and celebrations or making requests of God to show us the right thing to do, to
provide for our needs, to meet our desires, to alleviate our fears, or to meet one another’s needs. We
answer our questions. Calling out to God with the assurances of the pray to you for all the people you
Lord’s Prayer also sets the stage for us to await God’s response with con- have entrusted to us. We pray for
fidence. As we have already noted, Jesus’ confidence in God’s inexorable those who are dear to us,
wherever they may be. We pray to
presence and provision (“Ask, and it will be given to you”) reaffirmed you for those who work with us.
what the ancient prophets and other witnesses believed about God: We pray to you for all the
“When you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. members of your church, for the
When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your healthy and sick, the joyful and
heart, I will let you find me, says the LORD” (Jer. 29:13–14) (see also sorrowing, the strong and the
weak. We pray to you to keep us
2 Sam. 22:4, Ps. 17:6, 18:3, 55:16, 141:1; Isa. 55:6; Jer. 29:12). Just as all, for Christ’s sake. Amen.
his ancestors had, Jesus urged his followers to pray, to do so persistent-
ly, to have confidence that God answers, and to live accordingly. I first heard this prayer in a prayer
Here are some ways to incorporate the Lord’s Prayer into your group at Genesis Presbyterian
prayer life. Church. I was so moved by it, I
bought the book: Prayers from the
Method 1. Simply pray the prayer slowly but deliberately all the way Reformed Tradition: In the
through several times. Think about the words you speak and what they Company of a Great Cloud of
mean, but don’t belabor any of them. Just pray in a way that feels nat- Witnesses, compiled and edited by
ural and seems right to you in expectation that the Spirit will be a part Diane Karay Tripp (Witherspoon
Press, Louisville, Kentucky, p. 198).
of your prayer. The volume contains 500 prayers of
Method 2. Follow the same approach, but pause for a few moments various lengths, from longer prayers to
between each recitation of the prayer to “listen” for what the Spirit may sentence prayers. I frequently use this
prayer to open the meetings of the
“say” to you. Student Life/Student Standing
Method 3. Break the prayer up into segments. After praying each one, Committee of Austin Seminary.
pause and reflect on what you have prayed and again listen for what the
—Ellen Babinsky, professor of church
Spirit might convey. For example, you might pray, “Our Father in heav- history and associate dean of student
academic affairs
WINDOWS / Summer 2009 5
en” several times and then pause to think more deeply about what you
have prayed. Or you might pray this phrase only once before pausing.
You could also try it both ways. Then you could move to the next line
of the prayer (the first petition), which says “Hallowed be your name”
(“make your name holy”) and incorporate similar moments of pausing
and reflecting. Next, move on to additional petitions and lines in the
prayer using a similar method. Also, you should feel free, if you want, to
Search me out, O God, limit your focus to just one aspect of the prayer and simply recite the
and know my heart. words having to do with this focus numerous times. For example, you
Try me, and know might choose “Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against
my restless thoughts. us,” if forgiveness is something you particularly have on your mind or
Look well whether there be any heart. Or, you might choose to focus on “Give us today our daily bread”
wickedness in me, and lead me in and consider particular needs that you or others have and want God to
the way that is everlasting. address. And note too that it’s fine to substitute “us” with “I” if this
allows you to personalize the prayer in helpful ways. Prayer can and
Psalm 139 should be quite personal. If you do this, however, remember to incor-
(Book of Common Prayer) porate the “us” language, too, as this will remind you of the collective,
communal nature of our relationship to God that shapes our individual
My favorite prayer is composed of the (personal) relationships with God. Both types of encounters with
final two verses of Psalm 139. The God—both sorts of relationships—remain indispensable for the
whole psalm is beloved to me as Christian life.
prayer, but these verses form a kind of Method 4. This method is particularly appropriate for praying with oth-
mantra. Apart from the Lord’s Prayer, ers.6 It involves praying the Lord’s Prayer with different people praying
it’s the prayer I consciously recite most various parts. Let’s say you pray with two other people. You could be the
often, day by day. It expresses my one who begins the prayer, saying, “Our Father in heaven,” with anoth-
deepest hope in faith as well as er person then saying, “Hallowed be your name,” and with the remain-
significant dimensions of my daily ing person saying, “Your kingdom come.” Then, you’d take another
experience of the presence of Christ. I turn, saying, “Your will be done,” and the second person who spoke
sense in life that God searches me out, would say, “On earth as it is in heaven,” and the third person would say,
knows my heart, and calms my “Give us today our daily bread.” This process would continue to the end
restless, often troubled mind. As God of the prayer, and then could begin again. Perhaps you’d want to pray
in Christ reveals my wickedness, I am five times through, or more, and then pause to listen, ponder, and reflect
forgiven not condemned. I believe this together. Or you could each take a turn praying the entire prayer
way of love endures and cannot be through, such that each person has the opportunity to listen to the oth-
taken away. The Prodigal Son is my ers pray the whole Lord’s Prayer, and to join them in silent reflection as
favorite of Jesus’ stories. This psalm- they do it.
mantra sings of that parable in a Remember to breathe as you pray, too. Use the deliberative
nutshell. I feel the father's welcoming approach that we’ve already considered while you pray the Lord’s Prayer.
embrace every time I say it. You might want to inhale as you say one part of the prayer, and exhale
as you say another part. For example, breathing in, you say, “Our
—Ron George (DMin’09), Father,” which could symbolize “taking God” into you or inviting God
lay eucharistic visitor and worship to dwell in you more deeply, and in turn lead you to a more powerful
minister, All Saints’ Episcopal sense of God’s presence and care. And then, breathing out, you could
Church, Corpus Christi, Texas say, “in Heaven,” which could symbolize your seeking the things of
God, that is, heavenly things, as you give yourself (your breath) to them.
A different set of words and meanings may resonate more with you, but
you get the idea, I hope.
Try each of these approaches, adapt them in ways that you find
helpful and appropriate, and try other approaches, too. Don’t get
bogged down paying so close attention to your methods that you miss
6

what these seek to foster, namely, faithful and meaningful prayer before
God. If I may play off of the words spoken by Jesus, remember that, like
the Sabbath, the Lord’s Prayer was created for human beings, not human
beings for the Lord’s Prayer (Mark 2:27). In other words, use this gift
that Jesus gave us in ways that seem faithful, nurturing, and life giving
to you, without worrying so much about strict rules or guidelines. I
believe that Jesus would want this for you.
Almighty God, we entrust all

Contemplative Prayer
who are dear to us to thy never-
The psalmist writes, “Be still before the LORD, and wait patiently for
him” (Ps. 37:7). Contemplative prayer may help you with this stillness. failing care and love, for this life
Many of us would benefit from more stillness in our lives, especially and the life to come; knowing
stillness before God. Not only does stillness foster patience, but accord- that thou art doing for them
better things than we can desire
J
ing to the psalmist, stillness before God and knowledge of God go hand
or pray for; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
in hand: “Be still, and know that I am God!” (Ps. 46:10). As we become
ust as his ancestors had, Jesus urged his followers to From The Book of Common
Prayer
pray, to do so persistently, to have confidence that
I came to appreciate this prayer
when [my wife] Debbie went
God answers, and to live accordingly.
through her surgery for cancer in
more still before God, we come to know God better, and we await God’s 1989. That first night after her
presence and guidance more patiently. All of this allows us to deepen our surgery I spent in a chair next to
relationship with God, to enjoy “God’s benefits,” and to bear spiritual her hospital. Instead of sleeping, I
fruit. Any type of prayer may foster this stillness, knowledge, and pretty much just read the entire
Book of Common Prayer cover to
cover. This prayer is toward the
patience, but contemplative prayer proves particularly helpful for some
end of the book. I hadn’t actually

people. It can especially help when life seems to do anything but stand
liked the prayer all that much until

still and patience ranks low on the list of spiritual fruit that we bear.
that night. In fact, I suppose it

Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary defines contemplate as
would be more accurate to say I
follows: “to view or consider with continued attention: meditate on.”
didn’t like it. By the time I came to
The dictionary defines contemplation as a “concentration on spiritual
it that night, some time in the wee
things as a form of private devotion”; “a state of mystical awareness of
hours of the morning, I was ready
God’s being”; and “an act of considering with attention: study” or “the
act of regarding steadily” (Mish, 1988, p. 83). We can think of contem- for it. It’s now my favorite prayer.
plative prayer, then, as a form of praying in which we ponder and give
steady and close attention to God and to our lives in relationship to —Michael Jinkins, academic dean
God, while seeking at the same time to keep anything extraneous to and professor of pastoral theology
these out of awareness. To put it another way, contemplative prayer
involves quiet reflection on God and God’s leading, such that we assume
a posture of devotion as we seek greater awareness of God’s being.
Contemplative prayer can take numerous forms. I’ll suggest two
forms to try: open prayer and centering prayer.
Open Prayer
Open prayer involves the singular goal of opening oneself to God. One
can approach the act of opening in different ways. One way is to try not
to think about anything and simply let your thoughts be guided by the
Spirit. The Quakers practice this type of approach in prayer and in wor-
ship. They get themselves “quiet” before God and await the Spirit’s lead-
ing. In such a state of quiet openness, you free yourself up from setting

any sort of agenda for prayer other than opening yourself entirely to
God, such that you make receiving God, experiencing God’s presence,
and following God’s lead your singular object of concentration.
It’s difficult for someone to coach you on learning this form of
prayer, and you’ll likely find that you simply must try it, and probably
multiple times, to get the hang of it. It essentially involves letting go of
whatever has your attention, interest, and even affection at the moment
O Lord my God, my one hope,
listen to me lest out of
you pray. In open prayer, you really don’t even want to try to think
weariness I should stop

specifically about God, but rather to open yourself to God and allow the
wanting to seek you, but let me

Spirit to take it from there. Centering prayer, which we will consider
seek your face always, and with

next, involves a more active focus on God than open prayer, which
ardor. Do you yourself give me
involves freeing or clearing your thinking and feeling to the extent that
the strength to seek, having
you can so that the Spirit takes you where it will.
caused yourself to be found
Here are a few suggestions that might help you learn how to pray in
and having given me the hope
this way. One has to do with physical matters. Since opening yourself up
of finding you more and more. to God in this form of prayer remains central, it may help you to incor-
Before you lies my strength and porate your body in this way of praying. For example, you might sit or
my weakness; preserve the one, stand with your arms extended outward, which results in both a posture
heal the other. Before you lies of giving and receiving.
my knowledge and my
ignorance; where you have
In open prayer, we really do seek to give to God whatever prevents
opened to me, receive me as I

our full openness, and so we extend our arms and, perhaps with palms
come in; where you have shut

in the air, indicate our desire. At the same time, this posture indicates a
to me, open to me as I knock.

desire to receive from God, fully and unencumbered by our own agen-
Let me remember you, let me
da, whatever God would impart. A variation on this approach involves
understand you, let me love
sitting with your palms up in the air while also extending your arms or
you. Increase these things in
letting them rest on your knees or in your lap. Think of it this way: these
T
me until you refashion
physical postures of openness invite you to rely on the Spirit, and noth-
me entirely. ing more, to take from you and give to you as God desires. With open-
Augustine, found at the conclusion

of his theological treatise hese physical postures of openness invite you to rely on
“The Trinity” the Spirit, and nothing more, to take from you and give
I chose this prayer because it to you as God desires. With openness comes deeper trust
focuses on the importance of
knowledge and love. All genuine and reliance on God, which the Scriptures
knowledge and all true love comes
from God whose desire is for us to
urge for God’s people.
know and to love God. The
knowledge and love that God
gives is never fixed, but grows ness comes deeper trust and reliance on God, which the Scriptures urge
until the end of days. for God’s people: “Blessed are those who trust in the LORD, whose trust
is the LORD” (Jer. 17:7), “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and
—David Jensen, professor do not rely on your own insight” (Prov. 3:5).
of constructive theology Here’s another posture to consider. In the Roman Catholic tradi-
tion, those ordained to the priesthood often incorporate a practice of
lying prostrate on the ground (facing down). This practice symbolizes
adoration of and submission to God. At the same time, this prostrate
position makes for a physical representation of what we seek inwardly
and spiritually in prayer, namely, to be in God’s presence in the most
inviting, welcoming, receptive, and open way. A variation on this prac-
tice involves lying prostrate with feet together and arms extended by
8

one’s side, which results in the body forming a cross. As the cross is the O Lord, Thou knowest how busy
central symbol of the Christian story, allowing your body to assume its I must be this day. If I forget
likeness can prove profoundly powerful for your life of prayer and your Thee, do not Thou forget me.
life of faith.
For some people, it will feel uncomfortable and perhaps even a bit —Sr. Jacob Astley, before the Battle
silly to pray in these less common (even odd) bodily positions. If you of Edgehill (1642)
feel this way, then there’s no obligation to try them. However, you might
be surprised at how much of an effect your physical position or posture I don’t know if this is my absolute
in prayer can have on your experiences of praying. Since the church’s favorite, but it is one of my collection
inception, followers of Jesus have engaged in these kinds of “physical” of Prayers in Case of Emergency, and
prayers with the goal of meeting God in fresh and powerful ways. I use it quite a bit.
Praying with attention to your physical posture also reminds you of the
answer to the first question posed by the Heidelberg Catechism, a prin- —David W. Johnson, director of
ciple confessional document of the Presbyterian and Reformed ministerial formation
Christian traditions. The question is “What is your only comfort in life
and death?” The answer (in part) is “That I with body and soul, both in
Father of all creatures,

life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful savior Jesus
whose dwelling extends

Christ.” So, why not consider giving some of these practices a try your-
beyond this world,
self? And, of course, if you find any of them meaningful, feel free to
let no one trivialize your being.
incorporate them (and adapt them) as you pray the Lord’s Prayer, pray
Let your order prevail.
Scripture, or pray in other ways.
Let your intentions come to be
Centering Prayer for creation and for yourself.
Another form of contemplative prayer is called centering prayer. The Give us, each day, no more
Roman Catholic tradition has given us this form, more recently made than we need,
popular by Father Thomas Keating, but people from a wide variety of and forgive us when we take for
ourselves
the well being of others,
Christian traditions and individuals who embrace a diversity of theo-
as we forgive others who seek

logical and religious persuasions now practice it (see Keating, 1986). As
to take ours.
its name suggests, it helps center you in relation to God by enhancing
Lead us away from our dreams

your focus on God and God’s presence. It shares qualities with open
of power
prayer, but whereas in that form you seek to free yourself from attention
that we might be whole,
to anything at all—so that you may be opened fully to the Spirit’s
satisfied in you.
work—in centering prayer you focus intently on God and God’s pres-
ence and lead in your life. You seek “centeredness” in God. This form of
contemplative prayer involves honing your focus, whereas open prayer From Out Walking by John Leax
entails letting go of it. (Baker Books, 2000)
Keating’s method for centering prayer involves three steps or move-
ments. First, get yourself still, comfortable, and otherwise prepared to This is the prayer with which I
have opened every class for the
past several years. The first word
pray. This preparation will likely involve closing your eyes and could
of the prayer is "Father," I always

further entail some of the suggestions for preparing to pray that we’ve
say "Mother" and invite students

already considered. Second, begin to let go of all of your thoughts by
to hear both. I also anticipate that

focusing on just one thought that relates to God. You can do this by
they will hear the Lord's Prayer
focusing your attention on one sacred word. It could be “God,” “Jesus,”
resonating in the background. It is
“Christ,” or “Holy Spirit,” or it could be a word that touches on an
a beautiful prayer, and I have
attribute of God or the promises of God in the gospel. Whatever sacred
found it to be rich and profound
word you choose, it will become the focus of your centering approach.
A third step or movement involves allowing the word (and its meaning) despite its simplicity.
to enter fully into your consciousness and your imagination, to become
“front and center” in your mind’s eye, and then allowing it to remain —Bill Greenway, associate profes-
there as you pray. Keating describes the process as follows: “Introduce sor of philosophical theology
the sacred word into your imagination as gently as if you were laying a

Keep watch, dear Lord,
with those who work or watch
feather on a piece of absorbent cotton,” which suggests welcoming
or weep this night,

whatever word you settle on into yourself (to internalize it) while not
and give your angels charge

forcing it or holding on to it too tightly. Remember, the word is just
over those who sleep.

that, a word, and it’s not the object of your praying. God remains the
Tend the sick, Lord Christ;
sole object, which means that if the word begins to “flee” or if other
give rest to the weary,
words push into your awareness, either simply recall the sacred word and
bless they dying,
try again to think of its presence as similar to laying a feather to cotton,
soothe the suffering,
or, if it seems more helpful, move on to another word and begin the
pity the afflicted, process again.
shield the joyous; Deliberate breathing may prove particularly important with both of
and all for your love’s sake. these contemplative approaches to prayer. So remember to give atten-
Amen. tion to some type of focused or deliberative breathing. Once again, the
This is a Compline prayer or

spirit of the law should trump the letter as concerns any approach to
Prayer at the Close of the Day as

prayer that you use. Your goal remains the contemplation of God, God’s
T
per the Presbyterian title. It is one
presence, and how God leads you to follow Jesus.
of the last-thing-you-do-before-
This year we celebrate the 500th birthday of John Calvin, a pastor
closing-your-eyes-for-sleep type
prayer. It is one of my favorite
he spirit of the law should trump the letter as concerns
compline prayers because of the
way it names night activities: it
any approach to prayer that you use.
prompts us to pray for night-shift Your goal remains the contemplation of God, God’s
workers and for the many ways
people are alone, sleepless, or
presence, and how God leads you to follow Jesus.
troubled during that
stretch of time. and theologian to whom Reformed Christians trace their roots. It seems
—Jennifer L. Lord, associate

particularly timely, therefore, to recall what he said about prayer—
professor of homiletics
namely, that it is “the chief exercise of faith.” The approaches to prayer
that we have considered hold a longstanding place in Christian faith,
and both may deepen your life of prayer as you make them part of your
own regular exercise regimen. Perhaps one approach will feel better suit-
O LORD God, ed for you than the other, but I encourage you to try both and to do so
Who hast called us thy servants for a period of at least a few weeks; and longer if possible. You might be
to ventures of which we cannot
surprised at how these can help you mature, not merely in your life of
L
see the ending,
By paths as yet untrodden and prayer but in your life of faith.
through perils unknown:
Give us faith to go out with good References
courage, not knowing whither John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, 2 vols., ed. John T.
we go, McNeill, trans. Ford Lewis Battles (Philadelphia: Westminster Press,
But only that thy hand is leading
us and thy love supporting us; 1960).
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. John Calvin, On Prayer: Conversations with God, intro by John
Amen. Hesselink (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2006).
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works, vol. 5, Life
Service Book and Hymnal (Lutheran Together/Prayebook of the Bible, ed. Geffrey B. Kelly, trans. Daniel W.
Churches cooperating in The
Commission on the Liturgy and Bloesch and James H. Burtness (1999; repr., Minneapolis: Fortress
Hymnal, Music Edition, 1958) Press, 2005).
Frederick C. Mish, ed., Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary
This a prayer that I first heard in (Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, Inc., 1988).
college and have valued ever since. Thomas Keating, Open Mind, Open Heart: The Contemplative
Dimension of the Gospel, (1986; repr. Minneapolis: Fortress Press,
—Timothy Lincoln, associate dean
for institutional effectiveness and 1993).
director of the Stitt Library
10

Almighty God, we commend to
your gracious care and keeping
all the men and women of the
Voicing the prayers

armed forces at home and
abroad. Defend them day by day
of others
with your heavenly grace;
strengthen them in their trials
H
and temptations; give them
courage to face the perils which
beset them; and grant them a
BY KEITH WRIGHT
sense of your abiding presence
wherever they may be; through
ow do you decide what to say when you are offering the pastoral
Jesus Christ our Lord.
prayer in worship? Two possibilities come immediately to mind.
You can go to the Book of Common Worship or some other litur-
There is a collect in the Book of
gical resource and choose a prayer for the particular season of the church
Common Prayer (page 823) that I
year in which you find yourself. Or, you can trust that the Spirit will give
use in almost every worship service.
you words with which to sum up what is on the hearts and minds of the
It is meaningful to me because it is
people gathered for worship that particular day. Both of these approach-
for the Armed Forces and identifies
es to the prayers of the people have been used and appreciated by dif-
the common spiritual tensions many
ferent congregations.
soldiers and their loved ones face.
In this brief article, I want to suggest a third approach. When I am
This prayer reminds me that God is
preparing the pastoral prayer, I sit in front of my computer and I
our ultimate source of protection and
think—I think about God—I think about the congregation whose
that God is always with us, especially
prayer I am voicing—I think about what has been going on in the
in our suffering. Not by coincidence
world, the church, and our own faith community since our last worship
the next collect is for those who suffer
service.
for the sake of conscience. I value this
As I think about God, I realize how difficult it is to address God and
reminder that whether one serves in
how sometimes our praise rings hollow unless it is followed by deeds
the military or as a conscientious
that match our words. With this in mind, I began one of my recent
objector, we serve one Lord.
prayers by saying, “God, there are no words adequate to address you or
describe you, and yet words are all we have. So, we approach you this —David M Scheider, LTC MIL
morning knowing that our thoughts are not your thoughts and our ways USA IMCOM (DMin’09)
not your ways. Yet you invite us into this conversation and encourage us
in our search to know you better.” As I have come to know the congre-
gation I serve, I am convinced that many of them are wrestling with
their image of God and are therefore comfortable with prayer language
Keith Wright (MDiv’56, DMin’86) is parish associate at University

Presbyterian Church, Austin, Texas, and the author of Religious Abuse: A
Pastor Explores the Many Ways Religion Can Hurt As Well As Heal
(Northstone Publishing, 2001).

that acknowledges the otherness and mystery of God.
However, I also know that the people in this congregation have
already found in Jesus Christ a revelation of God that they can trust
while they live with the mystery of God’s presence. So, I continued the
Father, according as I am able,

morning prayer with thanksgiving for God’s self-revelation in Jesus
I keep my little rule,

Christ and the request that God would “hold before us the love and care
my little fast,
—the demand for justice and equality—the compassion and healing
and my little prayer.
spirit—that we find in Jesus Christ. Thank You for dwelling in this man
And according as I am able,
in such a way that we find a part of your mystery revealed and can thus
I strive to cleanse my mind of
trust that you are good and kind.”
all evil thoughts
From praise and thanksgiving, I turn in the pastoral prayer to voice
and my heart of all evil intents. for the people the concerns that are on their hearts. That demands for
Now, what more should I do? me that during the week proceeding Sunday, I pay careful attention to
the national and world and local news as it is presented in newsprint, tel-
Prayer: Finding The Heart's True evision, and the Internet. On this particular week, the story that domi-
Home (Richard Foster, 1992) nated the news was about the killing in the Holocaust Museum in
Foster book has become a

Washington, D.C. That was the event, but as I read and heard the story,
resource for my devotion as well

I felt that the deepest concern for many people would be, not racism or
as a tool for my ministry over the

the death of one man, but the recognition that prejudice and disdain for
years. Foster suggests that prayer
other races often creeps into our lives. That prompted me to pray,
has at least three movements:
“Loving God, we are shocked by the news of a man who walked into the
Inward, Upward, and Outward.
Holocaust Museum in Washington and shot a guard because he was a
About the inward movement he
black man. We are shocked by the hatred for Jews and African
writes, “The movement inward Americans that had festered in this man for many years. We are also
comes first because without shocked by the news of a man who walked into a church and killed a
interior transformation the doctor who performed abortions. We are shocked by these and other
movement up into God's glory recent killings, but we are also uneasy—uneasy because these extreme
would overwhelm us and the
movement out into
examples remind us of our own prejudices and feelings of disdain for
ministry would destroy us.”

those who are different from ourselves. We are uneasy because Jesus
In his first chapter, Foster

commanded us to love each other and sometimes that is hard to do. Use
suggests that "to pray is to

these extreme examples to show us where hatred leads and turn us back
change.” Part of moving towards
to the love Jesus lived out in his life and death.”
change is to take little and simple
In our present world of war, poverty, economic collapse, and natu-
self-awareness steps eventually
ral disasters, there are more concerns than could ever be lifted up to God
leading to effectiveness or
in a single prayer. Therefore I try to choose one or two events that stand
perhaps change. The open ended out as representing the broken society in which we live and in asking
question at the end of this prayer God to help, I assume that healing must first begin with us.
tells me that before I do anything The prayer of the people moves from thanksgiving to intercession,
else I must listen inwardly and and it concludes with celebrations and concerns of the church family.
intently to my Shepherd's guiding
voice. Change happens from
Sometimes I hold before God specific needs of people or events in the
simple prayers.
life of the congregation. At other times I focus on a particular need of
the whole congregation. That was the case with the prayer I have citied
—Paul D. Kraus, (DMin’09),

in this article. That prayer ended, “Help us to recognize opportunities
director of pastoral care,
to get to know people around us and beyond our comfort zone. Give us
Austin State Supported
eyes to see needs in individuals and situations where we can be of help.”
Living Center
Voicing the prayer of others in worship is not easy and it takes time
to prepare such a prayer. However, it is a privilege and well worth the
effort. L
Find back issues of Windows online at

12

The architecture of prayer
P
Using the collect in public prayer
BY KRISTIN SALDINE
Eternal and everlasting God,
in the growing quietness of the
rayer is a blessing, a way of communion with God, with others,
and the world. Prayer can also feel like a burden, especially when evening and the deepening
we are asked to pray in public. All Christians are called to pray, shadows of the night, grant us
privately and publicly. The challenge is how to pray well. sleep and rest. With the stilling of
The scenario might go like this: when you arrive at your weekly the day’s doings, and the end of
small group Bible study you are asked to open the meeting with prayer. coming and going about us, make
You say yes, in part because you think you have to, and spend the next us to be sleepy with heavy eyes
few minutes anxiously trying to think of what you will say. What to pray and tired limbs. As your creatures
for, and how? When the time comes you consider defaulting to the pop- are lying down in the wood, as
ular informal, conversational prayer Tony Jones describes as the “Father the bird is quiet in its nest and
Weejus” prayer: the wild thing in its hole, as the
stream is still in its bed reflecting
Father Weejus thank you for bringing us together tonight; we the great expanse of stars above,
pray, Lord, that you will bless our time together. Amen. may we in our sleep reflect our
confidence in you, and our
Now, this is an adequate Christian prayer; it makes a petition in assurance in your constant peace.
God’s name. But the prayer lacks scriptural imagery and theological In our sleep give us that deeper
reflection, two hallmarks of the magnificent tradition of Christian communion of our souls with you
T
prayer through the centuries. The Father Weejus prayer, as popular as it who restores unto health. For
your name’s sake. Amen.
Book of Common Worship, p. 560

he “Father Weejus” prayer will do in a pinch, (from “Prayer at the Close of Day”)
but, in the name of Christ, we can do better. I first encountered this prayer from
the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Book of Common Worship years
is, is the lowest common denominator of Christian public prayer. It will ago at a staff retreat for the program
do in a pinch, but, in the name of Christ, we can do better. and support staff of Central
Christians are reclaiming ancient forms of prayer, in part to deepen Presbyterian Church in Atlanta.
their spiritual disciplines but also to help them pray with confidence in I was taken by the scene it creates of
public. One form of prayer that is particularly helpful is the collect (in all creation settling down to sleep.
this usage, “collect” is pronounced with the stress on the first syllable). Since it is often hard for many of us
The collect is a form typical of Roman prayers, brief and to the point. to fall asleep, I began paying
You can think of the collect as a general prayer that collects or gathers attention to this prayer in an attempt
up concerns into a concise, thematic prayer. The collect has a five-part to commit to God all of the undone
structure: and anxious thoughts still lingering at
1) Address (a descriptive naming of the person of the trinity being the end of the day.
addressed)
—Theodore J. Wardlaw, president
Kristin Saldine is associate professor of homiletics at Austin Seminary. Prior
to her appointment she was minister of the chapel and associate director of
the Joe R. Engle Institute of Preaching at Princeton Theological Seminary
and pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Anacortes, Washington.

“Nothing comes between
2) An attribute or quality of God
that relates to the petition (often
me and my Calvin.”
begins with “who” or “whose”)
3) Petition
4) Desired result or benefit of the
petition (often begins with “so
that”)
5) Doxological conclusion
The beauty of the collect is its

elegant simplicity and flexibility.
Once you learn the five-part struc-
ture you can use it anywhere—as a
table blessing, at a hospital bedside,
for a church committee meeting, in
corporate worship.
The collect form enhances the
art of public prayer. It encourages us
to broaden our naming of God,
inviting us to consider the rich
descriptions of God’s activity in
scripture (step 1 and 2). The form
also requires contextual awareness
and theological reflection; we must
think about what we want to pray
Austin Seminary’s Master of Divinity program
Student body president Kaci Porter
for and why (step 3 and 4).
Let’s return to your dilemma.
You’re nervous about opening the (for those who are serious about preparing for ministry
meeting in prayer, but you remem- in the Reformed tradition)
Discovery Weekend Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 2009
ber the five-part structure of the col-
www.austinseminary.edu | 800-241-1085
lect. You take a breath, pause to
reflect, and pray:
Loving God,
whose Word is a lamp to our feet and
a light to our path;
give us a grace tonight to receive your The meditations by faculty,
word with faith and love, students, and alumni/ae in our
so that we might grow in love and 2009 Advent Devotional reflect the
service for you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord and richness and depth of the theological
living Word. Amen. education offered at Austin
The art of public prayer is a Seminary.
blessing, for us and for the world,
and it deserves our best expression. Connect our community of faith to
With practice, the collect form can yours. Order now through October 6
help our public prayer seem less like
a burden and more like a gift. L
at:
www.austinseminary.edu/advent
14
COMMUNITY NEWS
Anderson House dedication

Austin Seminary dedicated its new residential apartment building, The
John F. and Nancy Anderson House, on May 23, 2009. In attendance
were friends of Austin Seminary, students, faculty, staff, trustees, members
of the Anderson family, donors, and Austin city council member Brewster
McCracken. Built entirely with funds donated by those who support
residential theological education, Anderson House is now open to
seminary students; all twenty-four apartments will be fully occupied for
the 2009-2010 term. The Latin saying above the side entrance is a quote
from the Reverend Dr. Anderson, for whom the residence is named, and
means, “Send us preachers who aren’t boring.”
Find more photos in our Media Gallery at www.austinseminary.edu
(Select the channel “Community Life”)

Ultimate Exposure The Class of 2009
2009 MDiv and MATS graduates
Forty-eight granted degrees included the following:

The Charles L. King Preaching
in May ceremony Award, given annually to honor the

late Dr. Charles L. King, for many
years pastor of the First
G raduation activities for the

Austin Presbyterian
Theological Seminary Class of
The Reverend Dr. Joseph J.
Clifford, pastor of First
Presbyterian Church in Dallas,
Presbyterian Church of Houston
and a distinguished denominational
leader, was presented to Joseph
2009 were held on May 23-24. Texas, and a member of Austin Moore. Isaac Pyo received the
Forty-eight students received the Seminary’s Board of Trustees, gave Rachel Henderlite Award, named
Master of Arts (Theological the commencement address, “And for former Austin Seminary profes-
Studies), the Master of Divinity, or They Were Afraid Because.” sor and given to a graduate who has
the Doctor of Ministry degrees. Clifford earned his BS degree from made significant contributions to
Among those are the first two stu- Auburn University, his MDiv from cross-cultural and interracial rela-
dents graduating from Austin Columbia Theological Seminary, tionships while at Austin Seminary.
Seminary’s dual-degree program and his DMin in preaching from The John Spragens Award was
with The University of Texas (UT) McCormick Theological Seminary. established to honor a former
at Austin School of Social Work. He also serves on the Board of Austin Seminary faculty member
A Baccalaureate service was Directors of Grace Presbyterian and is given each year to an out-
held Saturday, May 23, at Village in Dallas. standing graduate to be used for
University Presbyterian Church in Awards to graduating seniors additional study in the field of
Austin with the Reverend J.
Andrew Dearman preaching.
Dearman, professor of Old Ultimate Exposure
Testament, has been a member of
Austin Seminary’s faculty since
1982, and served as academic dean
from 1997-2003; he leaves Austin
Seminary in July to become
associate dean of Fuller Seminary’s
program in Houston, Texas. Also
participating in the service were the
Reverend Jackie Saxon, vice
2009 Doctor of Ministry graduates

president for student affairs and
vocation, and the Reverend Dr.
David Johnson, director of
ministerial formation.
16
First two students receive dual degrees from
Austin Seminary and The University of Texas
at Austin School of Social Work
I n a first for Austin

Presbyterian
Theological
Seminary, two stu-
dents have graduated
from its collabora-
Trustee Carter King (MDiv’70) and tive program with
Commencement speaker Joe Clifford visit
The University of
before the ceremony.
Texas (UT) at
Austin School of
Christian education. The award Social Work. The
this year was given to Melissa two students,
Koerner. The Hendrick-Smith Karolina Wright
Award for Evangelism and Missions and Ken Fries,
was established by William Smith received the Master
Sevier in memory of William Swan of Divinity (MDiv)
Smith, James Hardin Smith, John and Master of
Henry Hendrick, Edwin Eugene Science in Social
Hendrick and in honor of John Work (MSSW)
Robert Hendrick, professor emeri- degrees in separate
tus of evangelism and mission at ceremonies on May
Austin Seminary. It is given each 23 and 24.
year to a graduate who has demon- The dual degree
strated a commitment to the field program was begun Dual degree recipients Ken Fries and Karolina Wright hold
their UT stoles which they received the day before their gradu-
of mission and evangelism. This in 2006 as a
ation from Austin Seminary.
year’s recipient was Karolina response to the
Wright. The Donald Capps Award growing demand for ministers, social workers, and the communities they
in Pastoral Care, established to serve to work in partnerships in response to personal and social problems
honor Professor Donald Capps, the and to promote greater well-being of individuals and groups in increasingly
William Harte Felmeth Professor of diverse contexts. The partnership between Austin Seminary and The UT
Pastoral Psychology at Princeton School of Social Work provides students with resources that extend each
Theological Seminary, is given each institution’s individual offerings. Both Fries and Wright are now working in
year based on a student’s gifts for the area of social services: Fries with the Burke Center for Youth in
and commitment to the church’s Driftwood, Texas, and Wright as a geriatric mental health therapist at Navos
caring ministries. The recipient of in Seattle, Washington.
the Donald Capps Award in Allan Hugh Cole Jr., Austin Seminary’s Nancy Taylor Williamson
Pastoral Care was Michael Associate Professor of Pastoral Care, took leadership in establishing this pro-
Lauziere. gram; and he now chairs the committee comprised of members of both
Additional awards included the schools that oversees the dual degree program. Cole says, “We envisioned
Ada and Adams Colhoun Award, this program as a way to help students think broadly about human
granted to Sarah Hegar; the 2009 strengths, needs, and ways to foster people’s flourishing, whether when
Carl Kilborn Book Award, granted working in pastoral ministry, social work, or a related vocation. I am delight-
to Sung-il Matthew Pyeon, and a ed to celebrate our first two dual-degree graduates and their significant
Chalice Press Book Award granted accomplishments, and I look forward to continuing our partnership with
to James E. Sweet Jr. the UT School of Social Work, which is an extraordinary school.”

The Class of 2009
Key to Masters degree entries: graduate’s name and denomination (presbytery or conference under care); first call
/ placement or future plans.
Chizason Chunda; Presbyterian; Jason Paul DeGraaf;
• MDiv • Master of Divinity • MDiv • Divinity • MDiv • Master of Divinity • MDiv • Divinity • MDiv •
Pastor, Kalulushi Church of Central Nondenominational; seeking a call
Master of Divinity • MDiv • Master of Arts (Theological Studies) • MATS • Master of Arts (Theological
Africa Presbyterian; Kalulushi,

Zambia
Charissa Dawn Ellis; Presbyterian; Megan Renee Dosher; Presbyterian

seeking a position in research biolo- (Presbytery of Seattle); seeking a
gy while seeking a position in the position while completing ordina-
church. tion requirements
Stephanie Lynn Goodman Lynch; Carrie Madeleine Finch;

not seeking a position at this time Presbyterian (New Hope
Presbytery); seeking a call
David Matthew Mustol, Kenneth Joseph Fries; United

Presbyterian; Latin teacher, San Methodist (Southwest Texas
Antonio Christian Schools, San Conference); Treatment Director,
Antonio, Texas The Burke Center for Youth,
Driftwood, Texas
Margaret Murray Talbot; Paul Rudolph Gaedke;

Presbyterian; seeking an editorial Presbyterian (Mission Presbytery);
freelance position seeking a call
Ingrid Beguiristain Akers; United Sarah Feltman Hegar; Presbyterian

Methodist (Texas Conference); (North Central Iowa Presbytery);
Youth Director, University United Chaplain Intern, The Methodist
Methodist Church, Austin, Texas Hospital—Medical Plaza,
Houston, Texas
Patrick Dargan Cherry; Sherry Lynn Higdon; Presbyterian

Presbyterian (Peaks Presbytery); (Olympia Presbytery); Year-long
Director of Young Adults and Chaplain Resident, Providence
Youth, Covenant Presbyterian Alaska Medical Center, Anchorage,
Church, San Antonio, Texas Alaska
18
The Class of 2009
Keith David Hudson; Presbyterian Melissa Renae Koerner Lopez;
MDiv • Master of Divinity • MDiv • Master of Divinity • MDiv • Master of Divinity • MDiv • Master of Divinity • MDiv
(Alaska Presbytery); seeking a call Presbyterian (Plains and Peaks
Presbytery); Chaplain Resident,
Year-long residency at Seton
Hospital, Austin, Texas
Laura Elly Hudson; Presbyterian Daniel Joseph Miracle;

(Alaska Presbytery); seeking a call Presbyterian (Tres Rios Presbytery);
Currently working for the Texas
Railroad Commission while seeking
a call
Krista Danielle Ingram; United Joseph Houston Moore;

Methodist (Central Texas Presbyterian (Mission Presbytery);
Conference); Associate Pastor, First seeking a call
United Methodist Church,
Olney, Texas
Daniel Milo Jean; United Jamie Lee Peterson; United

Methodist (Southwest Texas Methodist (Central Texas
Conference); seeking a part-time Conference); Pastor, Florence/
licensed or appointed position while Jarrell United Methodist Church
completing denominational require- Florence, Texas
ments.
Jong Seo Kim; United Methodist Mark Lynn Proeger;
(Southwest Texas Conference); Interdenominational; Pastor, Hope
College Minister, Korean United Chapel, Austin, Texas
Methodist Church, Austin, Texas
Christopher Joseph Kirwan; Sung-Il Matthew Pyeon;

Presbyterian (Central Florida Presbyterian (Mission Presbytery);
Presbytery); seeking a position while Music Director, Round Rock
completing ordination requirements Presbyterian Church, Round Rock,
Texas
Lyndsey Alexandra Knott; Isaac Pyo; Assemblies of God;

Presbyterian (Grace Presbytery); Associate Pastor, Antioch Church,
seeking a call San Antonio, Texas
Michael Paul Lauziere; American Cody McConal Sandahl;

Baptist; seeking a position while Presbyterian (Mission Presbytery);
completing denominational require- Associate Pastor of Discipleship,
ments First Presbyterian Church,
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

The Class of 2009
Carol Carpenter Schmidt;
DMin • Doctor of Ministry • DMin • Doctor of Ministry • DMin•Doctor of Ministry • DMin • Doctor of Ministry• DMin
Lutheran; writing a book on women Key to Doctor of Ministry degree entries:
and the Lutheran Church-Missouri graduate’s name, current position; title of
Synod doctoral project.
Holly Reneé Smith; Presbyterian Rodney Jeremiah Booker, senior

(New Covenant Presbytery); pastor, Mission Bend United
Associate Pastor, Hodges Boulevard Methodist Church, Houston, Texas;
“Leadership That Listens: Negotiating
Presbyterian Church, New Boundaries with Ethnic Faith
Jacksonville, Florida Communities”
James E. Sweet; Methodist Morgan Dane Boyles, pastor,

(Southwest Texas Conference); Leander Church of Christ at Crystal
Falls, Leander, Texas; “Evangelism
Associate Pastor, Buda United Through Mission: An Outreach
Methodist Church, Buda, Texas Model For A Target Community”
Matthew Lyall Thompson; Wayne Carl Eberly, Pastor, Pines

Presbyterian (Palo Duro Presbytery); Presbyterian Church, Houston, Texas;
“A Jubilee Journey: Embodying
CPE-Summer Internship, Covenant
Jubilee through a Fifty Day
Health System, Lubbock, Texas Commitment of Remembrance and
Practice”
Traci Truly; Presbyterian (Grace Ronald Eugene George, lay eucharis-

Presbytery); seeking a call tic visitor and worship minister, All
Saints’ Episcopal Church, Corpus
Christi, Texas; “Hearing Stories from
Within: Teaching Empathic Listening
to Lay Pastoral Leaders”
Jerimey Joshua Wicke; United Paul David Kraus, Director of

Methodist (Southwest Texas Pastoral Care; Austin State Supported
Conference); Associate Local Pastor, Living Center; “Increasing Critical
Self-Awareness: A Revised Model For
First United Methodist Church, Pastoral Care”
Elgin, Texas
Karolina Ann Wright; Presbyterian; Andy Wayne Mangum, Senior

Geriatric Mental Health Therapist, Minister, First Christian Church of
Navos, Seattle, Washington Arlington, (Texas); “Developing
Parishioners’ Narrative Perceptions of
Philippians by Developing
Understanding of Narrative Reading
Techniques”
Kaye Pentecost McKee, Executive
Director, A Spacious Place, Austin,
Texas; “Safe and Sacred Space:
Exploring Metaphors for God
Through Arts-Based Spiritual
Direction”
20
The Class of 2009
DMin • Doctor of Ministry • DMin

Sung-In Park; Pastor, Yerang Korean David Max Scheider; Chaplain, U.S.
DMin • Doctor of Ministry • DMin
Church, Austin, Texas; “Living Water Army (Germany); “Integrating Theol-

for Korean Women: A Model for ogy and Psychology in Pastoral Coun-
Inclusive Interpretation of Scripture” seling Practice”
James William Randall Jr., Pastor, Joshua Aaron Stowe, Pastor, First
Hope Mills (North Carolina) Presby- Baptist Church, Monahans, Texas;
terian Church; “Head, Heart and “Lectio Divina in a West Texas
Hands: Training Select Members to Baptist Church: Enhancing Awareness
Respond Evangelistically to the Needs of God’s Presence”
of the Homeless and to Those of Mil-
itary Families in the Town of Hope
Mills”
Houston Extension program to end in 2010
A fter an extensive review process, the Board of Trustees of Austin Semi-

nary voted at its spring meeting to eliminate the Houston Extension
program, effective July 2010. In their decision they cited a need for the
February 1-3
Seminary to remain focused on its core mission of the residential formation
model of theological education and to be mindful of the stated goal of
reducing Austin Seminary’s annual budget.
The Board of Trustees and administration stated its commitment to Thomas W. Currie
continuing to equip servant leaders for the church and community and seek Professor of Theology and
ways to move toward the future, prudently stewarding the Seminary’s
Dean of Union / PSCE at
resources. “Austin Seminary has strong and longstanding ties to Houston,
Charlotte
which is one of our most significant constituent areas, and we have been,
and remain grateful for, the support and encouragement we receive from
Houston churches and individuals,” said Theodore J. Wardlaw, president of Barbara G. Wheeler
Austin Seminary. “We are committed to remaining a theological resource for Director, Center for Study of
Houston.” Theological Education at
Austin Seminary’s Houston Extension non-degree program was designed Auburn Seminary
for persons interested in beginning theological study and for laypersons desir-
ing to deepen their theological understanding. Over the years, most of Austin Roger Nishioka
Seminary’s resident faculty traveled to Houston to teach courses. More than
Benton Family Associate
two hundred students have taken courses for credit in the Houston Extension
Professor of Christian
program, an average of seventeen students per term; forty-two eventually
matriculated into the residential degree program at Austin Seminary. Education, Columbia
The Reverend Dr. James S. Currie, associate dean of the Houston Theological Seminary
Extension Program, said, “Austin Seminary began its Houston extension
program in the spring of 1986 when Dr. John Jansen taught Reformed The- Bryan Blount
ology. For over twenty-three years it has played a significant role in the lives President, Union / PSCE
of many persons in the Houston area. It has been my privilege to serve as
director of the program and to teach in it for the past thirteen years. I know Reunions for the
that the Seminary will continue to find ways to make its presence known in Classes of 1960, 1970,
Houston.”
and 2007-2009
Enrollment for the fall 2009 term has begun with courses offered in
Old Testament, church history, and mission and evangelism.

FACULTY NEWS
Emeritus Professor Prescott Williams dies
D r. Prescott Harrison
Williams, Professor Emeri-
tus of Old Testament Languages
Ministry program, strengthened its
cooperative relationship with the
nearby Episcopal seminary, and
and Archaeology, died on June 18; received its first academic accredi-
a memorial service was held in tation from the Southern
Shelton Chapel on June 25. Association of Colleges and
One of the longest-serving Schools. But Williams may best be
members of the Austin Seminary remembered for leading the
faculty, Williams arrived in 1959 Seminary through a comprehen-
and served in every capacity: as sive curriculum review in 1974.
professor (1959-1991), dean The story goes that after much
(1966-1976), acting president deliberation among the faculty
(1971-1972), and president and working on the project (fifty-five
dean (1972-1976). Following his meetings, by Prescott’s count), he
tenure as president he continued locked them up in a Hill Country
his work in the classroom for motel room vowing they wouldn’t
many years. Williams was also a come out until their work was
frequent guest lecturer and visiting complete. A bit extreme, perhaps,
professor at the University of Texas but the core of the resulting cur-
at Austin. After retiring from riculum remained in place for
Austin Seminary, Williams contin- more than thirty years.
ued to teach and advise at the Williams was known for his
Seminary as well as through pro- collegiality among the faculty and
grams in local congregations, Mo- his career he was actively involved concern for his students. Andy
Ranch, and the University of Texas’ in biblical research and archaeology, Dearman, who taught Old
lifelong learning program, LAMP. serving as Shechem Fellow at the Testament alongside Williams for
A native of Detroit, Williams American School of Oriental many years, said, “Of all the teach-
was baptized by Reinhold Niebuhr Research in Jerusalem in 1964-65; ing colleagues I have known at
and brought up in the Scovel advising the Jordanian Department Austin Seminary, Prescott was the
Presbyterian Church. He graduated of Antiquities and training absolute best at assessing a student’s
with honors from Wheaton College Jordanian archaeologists in their style of learning … I have often
then went on to earn an MDiv work in Amman, Qumran, and thought that perhaps the reason is
from Princeton Theological Sabastiyah (biblical Samaria); and that Prescott was himself such a
Seminary and the PhD in ancient staffing archaeological expeditions wonderful, eccentric individualist,
near eastern languages, history, and to Schechem in Jordan in 1962, that he could see the idiosyncrasies
archeology from Johns Hopkins 1964, and 1966, which was and patterns of association in oth-
University. Williams was ordained believed to be the site of Abram’s ers more clearly than the rest of us.
by the Presbytery of Detroit in first stop in Canaan and, at the When it came time to speak with a
1950 and served churches in time, the largest American archaeo- student struggling with Hebrew or
Maryland, including the Makemie logical expedition since World War showing signs of trouble in the
Memorial Presbyterian Church in II. In 1983-84 he spent a sabbatical exegetical task, I learned early on to
Maryland—the oldest Presbyterian year researching and teaching at the follow one of two options: either I
congregation in the United States. American Center of Oriental consulted Prescott for his advice, or
An authority on the Dead Sea Research in Amman, Jordan, on better, I sent the student directly to
Scrolls, he penned numerous lec- whose board he also served as a Prescott.”
tures and articles on what he con- trustee and officer. The family has requested that
sidered the “unequalled importance Under his leadership Austin memorial contributions be sent to
of the Qumran literature.” During Seminary began its Doctor of Austin Seminary.
22
Board of Trustee action
Faculty promotions
and reappointments
Austin Seminary’s Board of Trustees
took the following action, with
Tom Snider / The Presbyterian Voice

respect to faculty, at its spring 2009
meeting:
David Jensen was promoted to
professor of constructive theology,
effective July 1, 2009. Jensen joined
the Austin Seminary faculty in
2001.
Allan Hugh Cole Jr., the Nancy
Taylor Williamson Associate
Professor of Pastoral Care, was
granted tenure, effective July 1,
K.C. Ptomey to be the next Zbinden Professor
2009. Cole joined the faculty of
Austin Seminary in 2003. A ustin Seminary has called the Reverend K.C. Ptomey Jr. to be the Louis
H. and Katherine S. Zbinden Professor of Pastoral Ministry and
Leadership, effective July 1, 2009. Ptomey will teach pastoral ministry, church
The following faculty members were administration, congregational leadership, stewardship, and liturgy. He and
reappointed: his wife, Carol Tate, will move to Austin this summer.
Ptomey served as pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church in
• Whitney Bodman, associate pro- Nashville, Tennessee, from 1981 to 2008. According to the Presbyterian Voice
fessor of comparative religion, to a newsletter of the Synod of Living Waters, “With a membership of 2000,
three-year term, effective July 1, Westminster is known for its spirited Sunday-school discussions, liturgy,
2010 music, community involvement, and influential membership (including
• Kristin Saldine, assistant profes- Senator Lamar Alexander and former Senator Bill Frist, both prominent
sor of homiletics, to a three-year Republicans). For decades Ptomey set a tone of respect for diverse opinion and
term, effective July 1, 2009 the adventure of learning. ‘People come to hear new ideas and to be chal-
lenged and not to be stroked or just made to feel good,’ says Ptomey”
• Timothy D. Lincoln, associate
(November 2008).
dean for seminary effectiveness and
Ptomey received a BA from Rhodes College, an MDiv from Louisville
director of Stitt Library, to a con-
Presbyterian Theological Seminary, a DMin from McCormick Theological
tinuous term, effective July 1, 2009
Seminary, and an honorary doctorate from Rhodes. He has served on the
• Jennifer Lord, associate professor Boards of Trustees of Schreiner College and Rhodes College and as Chair of
of homiletics, to a three-year term, the Examinations Committee, Commission on the Minister, Grace
effective July 1, 2009 Presbytery. He has also served on the alumni/ae board of Louisville Seminary,
as moderator and chair of several committees of the Presbytery of Middle
• C. Ellis Nelson as research pro-
Tennessee, and currently serves as a member of the Committee on Theological
fessor in Christian education
Education. Ptomey’s sermons and articles have appeared in Presbyterian
Survey, Journal for Preachers, Weavings, Pulpit Digest, and Reformed Liturgy
The following faculty members were
and Worship.
granted sabbatical leave requests:
Members of First Presbyterian Church, San Antonio, Texas, endowed the
• Ismael García, 12-months, Louis H. and Katherine S. Zbinden Chair in 2002 in honor of their long-time
beginning July 1, 2009 pastor and his wife. This endowed professorship was designed to bring the
• David White, 6-month, begin- wisdom and experience of pastoral leadership into the closest proximity pos-
ning July 1, 2010 sible to seminary students. Louis H. Zbinden himself became the first to hold
the chair and completed his term at the end of the 2008-09 academic year.

FACULTY NEWS
Ellen Babinsky to retire FACULTY NOTES
This summer First Presbyterian
P rofessor Ellen Babinsky, who has taught church history at Austin
Seminary since 1988, has announced her retirement, effective August 1,
2009. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Babinsky has been associ-
Church, Shreveport, D. Thomason
Professor of New Testament John
Alsup is teaching Greek, continu-
ate dean for student academic affairs since 2005. In that role she led the
ing work on a publication, “The
Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) Committee charged with formulating
Church as Household,” and pursu-
and implementing a program for student learning that has been a critical
ing his pastoral responsibilities. His
element of the Seminary’s recent reaccreditation process.
newest passion; however, is a cut-
A much-beloved professor, Babinsky has enriched the classroom with
ting horse named Mr. Majestic.
her expertise in the Early, Medieval, Reformation, and Modern periods of
church history, and has enlivened the conver- Whit Bodman, associate professor
sation with her specialization in medieval of comparative religion, organized,
heresy and Christian mysticism. In the larger with students, a Bible-Qur’an Study
life of the Seminary, she has played a central Group this spring with a group of
role in the community through her leadership local Muslims. He attended the
in chairing the Student Life and Student Notre Dame conference on the
Standing Committee for more than a decade. study of the Qur’an and will be
She served on the search committee that called participating this summer in a con-
President Theodore J. Wardlaw in 2002. sultation to develop a new state-
“As well as being a wonderful teacher, Ellen ment on Christian-Muslim rela-
is a kind, intuitive, and supportive pastor,” tions for the PCUSA. On a person-
says Beth Sentell (MDiv’98), who claims to al note, he graduated two chil-
have taken as many of Ellen’s classes as her dren—from Columbia School of
schedule would allow. “She is proof that one Social Work and the University of
can be a serious scholar and a loving pastor at Montana Law School—and (along
the same time. She is, in the words of Joni with a number of other Austin
Mitchell, ‘a woman of heart and mind.’ Her Seminary faculty and students)
intellectual influence, her spiritual insight and cheered the UNC Tarheels to the
the strength of her pastoral example will con- NCAA basketball championship.
tinue to shape and inspire those of us blessed
Nancy Taylor Williamson Professor
to have been her students.”
of Pastoral Care Allan Cole has
A regular participant and contributor
published two essays in the forth-
to the Medieval Institute in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Ghost Ranch
coming The Encyclopedia of
Conference Center in northern New Mexico, Babinsky is the author of sev-
Psychology and Religion (New York:
eral publications including her own translation of and introduction to a
Blanton-Peale, 2009).
13th-century French mystical text, Marguerite Porete’s “The Mirror of
Simple Souls” (Classics of Western Spirituality series, 1993). James S. Currie, associate dean for
Professor Babinsky’s passion for global ecumenical dialogue led to her the Houston Extension Program,
appointment to the Theology Committee of the Caribbean and North coordinated the third annual Spring
American Area Council of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches in Forum on “The Fundamentals of
1993 and election to the General Assembly Committee on Ecumenical Fundamentalism.” Between 85-100
Relations in 1999. She was a delegate to the 1997 World Alliance of people attended the event at
Reformed Churches General Council held in Debrecen, Hungary. Memorial Drive Presbyterian
Babinsky earned a BA from Earlham College, an MDiv from Church on April 26. On June 5 he
McCormick Theological Seminary, an MTh from Luther Northwestern represented the Presbyterian
Theological Seminary, and the PhD from the University of Chicago. An Historical Society of the Southwest
ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Babinsky was associ- at the Tri-Presbytery meeting in
ate pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis from 1976- Tulsa, Oklahoma, and on June 19
1983 and has served as a parish associate for Genesis Presbyterian Church, he made a presentation at Tres Rios
Austin, for many years. Presbytery.
24
The Dean’s Bookshelf
Books of Uncommon Prayer
Mary Frances and Ralph Cottham, who
endowed the Cottham Lectures at
Westover Hills Presbyterian Church in
Little Rock in 1969 in memory of their
P rayer,” wrote the seventeenth-century poet and Anglican pastor,
George Herbert, is “the Church’s banquet … God’s breath in man
returning to his birth, the soul in paraphrase, heart in pilgrimage, the
son, visit with Cynthia Rigby and their Christian plummet sounding heav’n and earth.”
pastor, Debra Carl Freeman (DMin’08) Prayer is all of this—and more.
following Rigby’s presentation.
I find myself astonished how we Christians both admire and trivial-
ize prayer. It is a mark of great faith for a Christian to say, “I believe in
David Jones, director of the
the power of prayer.” Yet it is not unusual for someone to step up to a
Doctor of Ministry program has
pastor before a meeting or a church supper and say, “Preacher, could you
been reelected as president of the
say a little prayer” as though prayer is just a pious zipper to begin eccle-
Association of Doctor of Ministry
siastical functions.
Educators (ADME). He presented
The books of and on prayer that crowd my bookshelves celebrate
a paper at ADME’s annual confer-
prayer’s power and protest its trivialization.
ence this spring.
The Book of Common Prayer is one of the five books I would have to
Jennifer Lord, associate professor have if stranded on a desert island. And I have long appreciated The
of homiletics, was the co-preacher Oxford Book of Prayer, edited by George Appleton. I am convinced that
and co-presider this summer at the most new pastors would be best served (and so would their congrega-
Montreat Worship and Music Con- tions!) if they refrained from writing their own prayers for five years and
ference hosted by the Presbyterian schooled themselves instead in the treasury of the church’s prayers dur-
Association of Musicians June 21- ing that time. And what a treasury it is! From the Psalter, which remains
July 4. She will also be a lecturer the church’s indispensable prayer book, to the prayers of Julian of
and preaching coach in Malibu, Norwich, Reinhold Niebuhr (including his so-called “serenity prayer”),
California, for the Office of Theol- and Thomas Merton. John Doberstein’s Minister’s Prayer Book was my
ogy and Worship (PCUSA) Acade- constant companion as a young pastor, providing me both a resource
my of Missional Preaching, July and an order to daily devotion.
19-24. When it comes to books on prayer, I am especially indebted to
Dietrich Bonhoeffer for his Prayerbook of the Bible, C. S. Lewis for his
The W. C. Brown Professor of
Letters to Malcolm, Chiefly on Prayer, and Eugene Peterson for his superb
Theology Cynthia Rigby delivered
books Answering God: The Psalms as Tools for Prayer and Working the
the Cottham Lectures at Westover
Angles: The Shape of Pastoral Integrity. It’s in the latter of these books that
Hills Presbyterian Church in Little
Peterson provides his protest against the trivialization of prayer when he
Rock. She gave a plenary Bible
quotes William McNamara’s imagined response to someone who
study during the “Proclaiming the
requests, “Reverend, get things started for us with a little prayer, will ya?”
Text” Conference at Montreat,
McNamara fantasizes saying: “I will not! There are no little prayers!
June 1-5, and was conference co-
Prayers enter the lion’s den, bring us before the holy where it is uncer-
chair and speaker for the Calvin
tain whether we will come back alive or sane, for ‘it is a fearful thing to
Jubilee, July 8-11. She preaches at
fall into the hands of a living God.’”
Montreat on July 12 and then at
Some of the books that have most influenced my understanding of
the 2009 Churchwide Gathering of
prayer aren’t about prayer at all, however. For example, Annie Dillard’s
Presbyterian Women on Tuesday
Teaching a Stone to Talk isn’t a book about prayer. I’m not really sure
evening, July 14. Rigby has been
what it’s about! But reading it makes me want to pray. And maybe that’s
invited to give a presentation at an
even more important.
international Calvin conference in
St. Petersburg, Russia, in
—Michael Jinkins, Academic Dean
September.

DEVELOPMENT NEWS
Wichita Falls man offers $1.3 million challenge
grant to endow the College of Pastoral Leaders
T o Robert Priddy’s
way of thinking,
you put your money
2012 by Lilly Endowment. A $2.6
million endowment, made up of
Priddy’s and the matching gifts,
into programs that when combined with Austin Semi-
have personal meaning nary operational funds, will pro-
and that have a proven vide funds for the College’s pro-
track record of making grams in perpetuity.
a difference to society. Craig Dykstra, senior vice pres-
That’s why, as he ident for religion at Lilly Endow-
approached his nineti- ment, said, “We believe this is an
eth year, Priddy began outstanding program, one that is
looking around for making a significant difference in
ways to invest in the strengthening the quality of pas-
church. “It was impor- toral ministry and congregational
tant to me to do some- life, both in Central Texas and else-
thing financially for Donor Bob Priddy enjoys speaking to the annual gathering where in the country. We consider
the organized church, of College of Pastoral Leaders cohorts about his investment Austin Seminary’s program to be
in the future of the church.
and I spent a long exemplary.”
time pursuing various opportuni- selves and describe what they need “Bob Priddy’s vision for the
ties.” He soon found himself drawn to hone, inspire, invigorate, and future of the church, twinned with
to the work of the Lilly Endow- rejuvenate pastoral excellence in his generosity, will enable Austin
ment and its Sustaining Pastoral their lives and ministries. With Seminary to be a formative
Excellence program because, he $10,000 grants from the College, resource for pastors for years to
says, those programs were “making these small groups meet together come,” says Seminary President
more effort toward maintaining the for two years and then come Theodore J. Wardlaw. “ We are
spirituality of the mainline church- together annually for renewal deeply grateful for his commit-
es than all the other public institu- among their peers. ments and will be faithful stewards
tions put together.” The College is funded through of his trust.”
In April, Priddy spoke to the
annual gathering of Austin Semi-
Take Austin Seminary’s mission into the future:

nary’s College of Pastoral Leaders
C o n s i d e r t h e o l o g ic a l e d uc a t i o n i n y ou r e s t a t e p l a n s .
and offered a $1.3 million chal-
lenge grant to endow the College.
A gift to Austin Seminary through your will or trust reflects your commitment to
The gift will become available to
theological education and to the church. Generations of Austin Seminary

Austin Seminary when the Semi-
nary has raised a matching amount
from other sources. graduates will magnify your gift far into the future, into places far and wide, and
In 2002, with a $1.5 million through Christian service both here and now and in times to come.
A charitable bequest can help you save estate taxes by providing your estate with
grant from Lilly Endowment, the
a charitable deduction for the value of the gift. With careful planning, your family
College of Pastoral Leaders was cre-
can also avoid paying income taxes on the assets they receive from your estate.
ated to offer ministers a chance to
practice life-long learning in the
context of supportive long-term
relationships with colleagues. Min- For more information about estate giving, contact:
isters form cohorts, or groups, who Elizabeth Shumaker, director of development,
define pastoral excellence for them- 800-777-6127, ext. 4803; eshumaker@austinseminary.edu
26
CONTINUING EDUCATION NEWS
College of Pastoral Leaders
Grant application deadline
August 3-7, 2009 – SCRAPCE*
Certification Course, “Religious
October 31, 2009 Education Theory, and Practice,”
Rev. Dr. Michael Waschevski, asso-
ciate pastor, First Presbyterian
College of Pastoral Leaders 2009 grants Church of Fort Worth; registration
deadline is July 27th.
T he College of Pastoral Leaders has awarded grants to seventy-eight clergy

to pursue renewal projects during 2009-2011. This is the continuation of
the list that appeared in the Spring 2009 issue of Windows.
October 19-21, 2009— Christian
Educators seminar; Fernando
The next application deadline is October 31, 2009. Cascante; tuition subsidized by
First Presbyterian Church of Bryan,
New Wineskins 2 Texas; registration deadline
The Rev. Dr. Lori L. Adams, Church Extension of the Christian Church, Indianapolis
The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Crane, Alive Hospice, Nashville October 5; fees: $25 deposit, room
The Rev. Ms. Dayna L. Kinkade, Norwalk Christian Church Norwalk, Iowa and board: $80/single $55/double;
The Rev. Ms. Deborah A. Morgan, East Dallas Christian Church, Dallas register online at
The Rev. Dr. Helen L. Nablo, North Community Church, Marshfield Hills, Massachusetts
P.E.A.C.E.
The Rev. Ms. Bonnie J. Chandler-Warren, United Methodist Church at Lakewood,
Washington January 4-8, 2010—SCRAPCE*
The Rev. Mr. K. Scott Connolly, Assumption Catholic Church, Bellingham, Washington Certification Course, “Biblical
The Rev. Ms. Catherine A. Fransson, Seattle First Baptist Church, Seattle Interpretation,” Dr. David
The Rev. Ms. Alicia Grac, University Unitarian Church, Seattle
The Rev. Mr. Kevin David Pearson, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, S. Renton, Washington
Johnson, director of ministerial for-
mation at Austin Seminary.
Soulful Sojourners
The Rev. Ms. Beverly J. Sonnier, Zion Baptist Church, Marietta, Georgia
Elder Ophelia H. Mims, Light of the World Christian Church, Stockbridge, Georgia March 15-19, 2010—Regional
The Rev. Ms. Jo Ellen Ludgood, Zion Baptist Church, Marietta, georgia Training for Interim Ministry,
The Rev. Ms. Bianca A. Robinson, Zion Baptist Church, Marietta, Georgia PC(USA), sponsored by the Synod
Tera Pastora of the Sun. For information:
The Rev. Mr. Robert L. Grigsby, Trinity Mother Frances Health System, Tyler, Texas www.synodsun.com. Follow the
The Rev. Dr. Mark Evans Hart, Baptist Health System, San Antonio
Dr. Paul E. Robertson, Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital, Houston “events” link.
The Rev. Mr. Kent L. Taylor, Presbyterian Hospital of Plano, Plano, Texas
The Rev. Mr. Douglas G. Watts, Children’s Medical Center - Dallas July 19-23, 2010—SCRAPCE*
Theory U Learning Group Certification Course, “Presbyterian
The Rev. Dr. Barthel L. Brenner, Interim Exec. Director, South Dakota Presbytery, Retired, Worship and Sacraments,” Dr.
Omaha
The Rev. Dr. A. Christopher Hammon, Wayne E. Oates Institute, Louisville Jennifer Lord, associate professor of
Mr. James G. Mahanes, Webster University, Louisville homiletics at Austin Seminary.
The Rev. Dr. Wayne Purintun, Executive Presbyter, Minnesota Valley Presbytery, Retired, Prerequisite: Student must have com-
Morrow, Ohio
The Rev. Dr. David R. Sawyer, Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Louisville
pleted their Associate Certified Exam
The Rev. Dr. Stephen A. Simmons, Moravian Theological Seminary, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania or be in the exam process to attend
Undying Metaphors
the Worship class.
The Rev. Mr. Matthew Ashburn, Edenton Street United Methodist Church, Raleigh
The Rev. Mr. Owen Barrow, Apex United Methodist Church, Apex, North Carolina * SCRAPCE Events: More informa-
The Rev. Ms. Jessie Larkins, Mt. Sylvan United Methodist Church, Durham, North Carolina tion, registration fees, and materials
The Rev. Mr. Michael D. Precht, Saint Francis United Methodist Church, Cary, North
Carolina are available from Valerie Knox,
registrar, Synod of the Sun; 800-
Way of the Pilgrim
The Rev. Dr. Margaret Willis Boles, First Presbyterian Church, Temple, Texas 381-7075 or knox@synodsun.com.
The Rev. Ms. Joyce Daniel, First Presbyterian Church, Arkansas, Kansas For additional information and
The Rev. Beth Hessel-Robinson, Trinity Presbyterian Church, Mansfield, Texas scholarship information for
The Rev. Dr. Kitty Holtzclaw, Mountain View United Methodist Church, Taylors, South
Carolina SCRAPCE members, please con-
The Rev. Ms. Patricia Ireland, First Presbyterian Church, Cottonwood Falls, Kansas tact Martha Richardson, 512-219-
The Rev. Ms. Grace Kaori Suzuki, Christ United Presbyterian Church, San Francisco 8931, mjrcce@gmail.com.

ALUMNI/AE NEWS
WELCOME… Class gift honors Stan Hall
to Maxwell Robert Norris Lane, son of Gini Norris Lane (MDiv’99)
and Wesley A. Lane born April 3, 2009. F ollowing a tradition of present-
ing a gift for the betterment of
the Seminary, the 2009 senior class
raised funds in memory of Stan
ORDINATION CLASS NOTES Hall, their professor and friend, to
fulfill his dream of turning a class-
Christopher Donald Drew 1990s room in McMillan into an alterna-
(MDiv’07) to serve First Valerie Bridgeman (MDiv’90) will tive worship space/practice worship
Presbyterian Church in Jackson, move to a new position at space. Room 103 will be used for
Minnesota. Lancaster Theological Seminary in preaching classes and other hands-
July 2009. on ministry classes and can be re-
Monica Hall (MDiv’08) to serve
First Presbyterian Church in A new young adult novel by formed into alternative worship
Wichita Falls, Texas. Elizabeth (Betsy) Johnson-Miller spaces. It will also be a place for
(MA’95) has been published by students to pray and to practice
Thomas Eugene Mitchell their spiritual disciplines. Pastor
North Star Press. The Bracelet, now
(MDiv’08) to serve Covenant and woodworker Derek Forbes
available from Amazon.com, will
Presbyterian Church, Austin, (MDiv’08) is designing and build-
become part of a series based on
Texas. ing a cross, table, pulpit, font, and
Johnson-Miller’s main character.
If you have been recently ordained wardrobe for storing the elements.
and are not recognized above, 2000s The Seminary is contributing
please contact Laura Harris at Sharon Risher (MDiv’07) has audiovisual equipment, chairs, and
512- 404-4886 or been named the 2009-2010 a fresh coat of paint. Melissa
alum@austinseminary.edu Substance Abuse Fellow in the Koerner Lopez (MDiv’09) and
Post-Master’s Chaplain Fellowship Carrie Finch (MDiv’09) coordi-
NECROLOGY program at the North Texas VA nated the project.
Hospital in Dallas, Texas.
W. Clinton Edwards (MDiv’49)
Connect with Austin Seminary alumni/ae over lunch, from
Wills Point, Texas, October 20,
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Learn from a dynamic speaker and
2007
John B. Elder (MDiv’51) from one another. Lunch is only $10; the continuing ed is
Georgetown, Texas, May 12, on us!
Register online at
2009
www.austinseminary.edu;
click on “Alumni/ae
Exell L. Coon Jr. (MDiv’52)
Conroe, Texas, March 7, 2009
James W. “Jim” Mosley Gatherings”
Upcoming dates:
(MDiv’55, ThM’66, DMin’77),
October 22, 2009, St. Andrew Presbyterian

July 2, 2009, Little Rock
Church, Marble Falls, Texas

Davis M. Taylor (MDiv’61)
Speaker: Janet Maykus on “The Importance
Winston Salem, North Carolina,
of Clergy Peer Groups”
May 21, 2009
November 10, 2009, Grace Presbyterian

G. Robert M. Montgomery Jr.
Church, Round Rock, Texas
(MDiv’62) Pearland, Texas, May
Speaker: David W. Johnson on
6, 2009
Oscar I. Romo (DMin’82) “Reformed Spirituality”
Check out the website for 2010 dates!
Cumming, Georgia, January 16,
2009.
28
Alumni/ae Challenge Theological Education ASA Board members are commit-
Sunday is September 20 ted to being advocates for Austin
In the back yard, To schedule a student, faculty
Seminary. Deadline is September
up the road, 10; nominations can be made by
member, or administrator to deliver mail, to alum@austinseminary.edu
around the world! a sermon or minute for mission on on the web: (www.austinsem
Theological Education Sunday, inary.edu/asaboard),
N ew (and, we believe,
improved), the 2009 Alum-
ni/ae Challenge kicks off this fall!
September 20, please contact Laura
Harris at 800-777-6127, 512-404-
4886, or alum@austinseminary.edu Jim Mosley dies July 2
Based on suggestions from gradu-
ates, the 2009 Challenge includes
these new features:
• The ASA Board is inviting
Alumni/ae gathering in
the mile-high city
J ames Wiley “Jim”
Mosley (MDiv’55,
ThM’66, DMin’77)
Austin-area alumni/ae, ASA Board A Denver area alumni/ae gathering died on July 2, 2009,
members, and senior students to with Professor Kristine Saldine in Little Rock,
kick off the challenge at the Presi- will be in the late afternoon on Arkansas. A memorial
dent’s Manse (September 28). Sunday, October 25, at Shepherd service was held at Second
• One night of phone calling will of the Hills Presbyterian Church in Presbyterian, Little Rock, on July 7.
be done from the Texas Presbyteri- Lakewood, Colorado; Ronald Mosley was deeply involved in
an Foundation office in Dallas, to Holmes (MDiv’88) will be the the life of Austin Seminary, serving
give Dallas-area alumni/ae an alum host. as admissions director in the early
opportunity to catch up with their 1960s; three times on the ASA
fellow graduates and invite them to Board, including a term as president
Call for nominations in 1997; and on the Board of
support the Seminary (September
29) If you Trustees from 1984-1992. He
• In addition to the student calls in know of received the ASA Distinguished
the evening, some of the telephon- an alum Service Award in 1983. In 1981 the
ing will be done during daytime who has Austin Seminary’s Board of Trustees
hours to accommodate people who made a paid tribute to Mosley, then pastor
prefer to be called then (September significant of Westminster Presbyterian Church
29-30 and October 5-7) contribu- in Hot Springs, for his role in
Currently, 29% of Austin Sem- tion to the life of the church, please encouraging the $11.25 million
inary alumni/ae contribute to the nominate him or her for the Austin bequest of his parishioner Miss Jean
Alumni/ae Challenge, which sup- Seminary Distinguished Service Brown. At the time of the gift, the
ports: Award, at www.austinsemi bequest doubled the Seminary’s
• student scholarships nary.edu/nomination. Nominations endowment and still stands as the
• faculty enrichment will be received through September largest donation ever made to
• housing subsidies 10 and reviewed at the ASA Board Austin Seminary.
With increased alumni/ae par- meeting on September 28. (All Three institutions have been
ticipation in the Alumni/ae nominations are kept on file for named as beneficiaries of memorial
Challenge, Austin Seminary can three years.) Winners of the award gifts in honor of Mosley: Austin
not only provide more aid but can will be honored at the 2010 ASA Seminary, Lyon College, and
also demonstrate to outside funders Banquet. Ferncliffe Camp and Conference
the strength of the alumni/ae’s Nominate yourself or someone Center.
Seminary Connect
commitment to Austin Seminary. else to serve on the ASA Board! We
attempt to reflect the geographic,
Stay up to date on all things
Find more information about this denominational, racial/ethnic, and
Austin Seminary!
year’s Challenge on the Alumni/ae decade diversity of our 1700 plus
page of the Web site, living alumni/ae on the ASA Board.
www.austinseminary.edu/challenge. Terms of service are three years and

WINDOWS Non Profit Org.
Austin Seminary Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary U.S. Postage
100 East 27th Street, Austin, Texas 78705-5797 PAID
Partnership Events
Fall | Winter 2009
Austin, Texas
Address Service Requested Permit No. 2473
Corpus Christi,
Texas
September 10, 2009
Lubbock, Texas Summer 2009
October 1, 2009
Georgetown, Texas
October 29, 2009
Bryan / College
Station, Texas
November 12, 2009
For more information or
to attend one of these
events call: 2009 Commencement
Clockwise from top: Alex Knott gets
(512) 404-4806 a hug from Pepa Paniagua
(MDiv’08); Ingrid Aker’s son,
Nathanial, takes his mom’s accom-
plishment in stride; Jamie Peterson
AUSTIN SEMINARY revels in the moment; Professors
ASSOCIATION (ASA) Allan Cole and John Alsup flank
graduate Mike Lauziere; Chizason
BOARD
Chunda will take his diploma back
home to Zambia; Megan Dosher
Patti Herndon (MDiv’93), President
flashes her trademark smile;
Belinda Windham (MDiv’91), Vice Professor Jennifer Lord takes a
President moment from the festivities to cele-
Frank Yates (MDiv’75), Past President brate the Indy 500; Isaac Pyo in a
rare solemn moment.
Richard Culp (MDiv’93)
Charles W. Edwards Jr. (MDiv’89)
Gerald Goodridge (MDiv’02)
David Green (MDiv’95)
Dorothy C. “Dolly” Hunt (MDiv’03)
Patricia H. Holland (MDiv’68)
Patricia H. Lee (MDiv’05)
Brian L. Merritt (MDiv’98)
Nancy Mossman (MDiv’88)
Sabelyn Pussman (MDiv’05)
Karen H. Stocks (MDiv’85)
Tricia L. Tedrow (MDiv’98) For more photos of Commencement, go online to
Thomas A. Tickner (MDiv’84)
www.austinseminary.edu Click on “Media Gallery,” and select the
John D. Williams (MDiv’87)
channel “Community Life,” then “Commencement 2009.”

Windows Summer 09

Încărcat de

Informații document

Descriere originală:

Drepturi de autor

Formate disponibile

Partajați acest document

Partajați sau inserați document

Opțiuni de partajare

Vi se pare util acest document?

Este necorespunzător acest conținut?

Drepturi de autor:

Formate disponibile

Windows Summer 09

Încărcat de

Drepturi de autor:

Formate disponibile

A USTIN P RESBYTERIAN T HEOLOGICAL S EMINARY

Prayer and the praying life

In these pages we have invited members of the faculty and our

my favorite prayer my favorite prayer my favorite prayer

I am no longer my own, but

my favorite prayer my favorite prayer my favorite prayer

I love this psalm: for the beauty of

its imagery and of its meter, for its

—Kaye P. McKee (DMin’09),

executive director, A Spacious

my favorite prayer my favorite prayer my favorite prayer

Almighty God, we entrust all

end of the book. I hadn’t actually

liked the prayer all that much until

that night. In fact, I suppose it

WINDOWS / Summer 2009 7

weariness I should stop

wanting to seek you, but let me

seek your face always, and with

opened to me, receive me as I

come in; where you have shut

to me, open to me as I knock.

Augustine, found at the conclusion

my favorite prayer my favorite prayer my favorite prayer

Father of all creatures,

whose dwelling extends

as we forgive others who seek

Lead us away from our dreams

of the prayer is "Father," I always

say "Mother" and invite students

to hear both. I also anticipate that

WINDOWS / Summer 2009 9

or weep this night,

and give your angels charge

over those who sleep.

This is a Compline prayer or

Prayer at the Close of the Day as

—Jennifer L. Lord, associate

my favorite prayer my favorite prayer my favorite prayer

Voicing the prayers

Keith Wright (MDiv’56, DMin’86) is parish associate at University

WINDOWS / Summer 2009 11

Father, according as I am able,

I keep my little rule,

Foster book has become a

resource for my devotion as well

as a tool for my ministry over the

ministry would destroy us.”

In his first chapter, Foster

suggests that "to pray is to

—Paul D. Kraus, (DMin’09),

Find back issues of Windows online at

my favorite prayer my favorite prayer my favorite prayer

Book of Common Worship, p. 560

WINDOWS / Summer 2009 13

The beauty of the collect is its

Anderson House dedication

WINDOWS / Summer 2009 15

2009 MDiv and MATS graduates

Forty-eight granted degrees included the following:

in May ceremony Award, given annually to honor the

G raduation activities for the

2009 Doctor of Ministry graduates