SEMINARY IN THE CITY

Marie Onwubuariri, a second-year M.Div. student, has been selected for an “Xtreme” assignment. In July she will travel to Ghana as a leader for one of International Ministries’ young adult mission teams—called “Xtreme teams.”

Onwubuariri’s specific assignment will make use of her writing and editing experience. She will be an “XPAD”—Xtreme Publisher of the Affairs of the Day—a combination scriptwriter/journalist for the adventure, which exposes young leaders to American Baptist missions.

“I am grateful to God and to the leaders of Xtreme team for this unique and Xciting opportunity,” she says.

Children with HIV and AIDS received some joy from ABSW this Christmas, thanks to a donation of toys by students, staff and faculty to Children’s Hospital, Pediatric HIV/AIDS Program, in Oakland.

Dr. Marian Ronan, assistant professor of contemporary theology and religion, published two articles in recent months in The Living Pulpit. “(In)tolerance in the World’s Pulpit” appeared in the January-March 2003 edition. “The Guy in the Ditch” appeared in the July-September 2002 edition.

Last November Ronan presented a paper on “Dangerous Memories: Autobiographic Strategies in the Religious Writings of James Carroll” for the Feminist Theory and Religious Reflection Group of the American Academy of Religion at its annual meeting in Toronto.

Dr. James Chuck, professor of theology and church ministry, recently edited the book “Chinatown Stories of Life and Faith,” a collection of life stories about people connected with the First Chinese Baptist Church of San Francisco. Chuck was pastor of the church for 40 years.

Dr. LeAnn Flesher, associate professor of Old Testament and acting dean, presented a paper on “Structures That Point to Meaning: Psalms 8, 81 & 84” at the Society of Biblical Literature annual meeting in November in Toronto.

The Rev. Desmond Hoffmeister, director of the Global Prophetic Network at ABSW, delivered the Harold Jensen Lecture at Seattle First Baptist Church in September.

Earlier in September he was the keynote speaker at the 3rd Annual Conference for the Center for American and Jewish Studies at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. His message was titled “Boundaries, Identity and Power: Journeying Toward a Common Future.”

Along with ABSW alum Daniel Pryfogle (’01), Hoffmeister facilitated a conversation on ministry with American Baptist pastoral, nonprofit and denominational leaders at the Fourth National Gathering for Social Entrepreneurs in Minneapolis in December.

The Rev. Katie Choy-Wong, director of admissions and instructor in ministry, published an article titled "Sunday School Innovations" (PDF) in the Fall 2002 edition of "Minister," the journal of the American Baptist Ministers Council.

Professor of Preaching Dr. J. Alfred Smith Sr. gave the celebration message for President’s Day at First Baptist Church of the New Covenant in Norwalk, Calif., on Dec. 16. He also preached at Southern Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles on Dec. 15.

Smith was the guest speaker for the 71st anniversary of Olivet Institutional Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio, in November.

He is one of the featured preachers/writers in “Power in the Pulpit: How America’s Most Effective Black Preachers Prepare Their Sermons” (Westminster John Knox Press, 2002), edited by Cleophus J. LaRue. Smith’s chapter is "How Can They Hear Without a Preacher?" His sermon "Foundations of Our Faith" is based on 1 Corinthians 15:12-18.