Dear alumni/ae and friends,
In the “Introduction” to his last collection of essays, The Price of the Ticket, the writer James Baldwin speaks of doing our first works over. He means that from time to time, it is a good thing to reexamine our lives—from birth to the present—and tell the truth of our living. This powerful challenge means that we must try not to live and practice a witness that specializes in being the doo-wop pom-pom squad for judgment and condemnation. Rather, Baldwin encourages us to take a good look at our lives, and witness and give an honest accounting of what we have done and not done. To drop our fears of being judged as less-than if we admit our humanness, our isness, and to be ready to try again as we seek to be bearers of the good news of love, hope, and grace in a world that desperately needs to hear a word crafted from love rather than from fear and loathing.
Becoming more reflective and honest with ourselves can and does help us to be a caring witness to and with others. I have grown weary of listening to excuses and rationales for creating and maintaining silos for our living—saved ones over here, damned ones over there, unsure ones...well, you better get on the good foot and figure out where you are! Folks, the new heaven and new earth does not come from a compartmentalized people who judge others and think they are the only ones who hold the market on righteousness.
This is not what loving our neighbor means. Rather, it’s a cavalier approach to our faith that simply doesn’t last when times get tough. It’s not that bone-deep love that carries us through trouble and dissention as well as joy and celebration. The love of neighbor I want for us all is forged out of the gospel call to dig deep into our innards and find the spaces of compassion sequestered there. To pull them out into our lives to create a society that values the great diversity of folks that shape us and mark as being human. We cannot get there if we are busy circling the wagons around our ideas and beliefs, failing to look up and out into the faces of the many-ness of this world and see the marvelous changing designs of God’s rich creation unfolding into our lives and the lives of others.
Best,
| |
Emilie M. Townes
Dean of Vanderbilt Divinity School
Distinguished Professor of Womanist Ethics and Society
| |
Vanderbilt Divinity School Announces Lifelong Learning Program
Lifelong Learning provides non-degree courses led by Divinity School faculty and is designed to be accessible, applicable, and enlightening. Our courses are for those who consider themselves lifelong learners and who find the study of religion wildly important.
Early Bird pricing is until Friday, Nov. 12. Deadline to sign up is Monday, Nov. 22.
| |
New Multicultural Community Space celebrates grand opening
The Student Center for Social Justice and Identity joined with campus and community partners to host a grand opening Oct. 27 of the Multicultural Community Space, an exciting new venue created for students in more than 30 student organizations that are part of the Multicultural Leadership Council or are supported by SCSJI.
| |
Womanist Legacies: Visions of Radical Hope Past, Present, and Future
Dean Emilie Townes held a conversation with the Rev. Jennifer Bailey, MDiv ’14, hosted by Parnassus Books to celebrate the release of Bailey’s new book To My Beloveds: Letters on Faith, Race, Loss, and Radical Hope.
| |
Check out our Alumni publications
Leaving Silence: Sexualized Violence, the Bible, and Standing with Survivors by Susannah Larry, MTS'14, MA'17, PhD'20. Under Larry’s skillful guidance, readers will rediscover the God who is present in experiences of trauma and who desires ultimate wholeness for survivors.
| |
Vanderbilt University releases its 2020–21 Report for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
This report highlights several actionable objectives that were outlined in the university's July 2020 commitment to strengthening equity, diversity and inclusion at Vanderbilt.
| |
Praying with Our Feet by Lindsey Krinks, MTS'13, receives "Best Book About a Pressing Social Issue" from The Nashville Scene
As a street chaplain, activist, and cofounder of Open Table Nashville, Krinks takes us on an unforgettable spiritual journey to tent cities, alleys, slums, and the front lines of movements for justice.
| |
|
James Lawson Institute presents the screening of My Name Is Maria De Jesus
Join us for a virtual screening of the documentary, written and directed by Marcella Ochoa. A discussion on immigration and community activism will follow the screening Thursday, Dec. 2, 5:30– 6:45 p.m. CST.
| |
Join us for this online program series that encourages participants to think through practical ways to take action on religious freedom issues in their community. Held at various times from Thursday, Nov. 11–though Saturday, Nov. 13.
| |
Join us for Nashville’s annual commemoration of Transgender Day of Remembrance, in which we honor and recognize those we have lost to anti-transgender violence this year. Come to the chapel at Scarritt Bennett Center, or watch the live stream Tuesday, Nov. 16, 6–7 p.m. CST.
| |
Catch up on what's happening with your classmates online
Do you have news to share with fellow alumni?
| |
Update Your Contact Information
Have you recently moved? Update your contact information so we can keep you informed of the latest news and events.
| |
|
![Divinity - Spire E-Newsletter [Vanderbilt University]](https://cdn.vanderbilt.edu/vu-wp0/wp-content/uploads/sites/119/2018/08/28104832/20180824140827-agtarask-24988-0.png)
