CO LU M B I A THEOLOGICAL SEMI NARY Vantage SPRING 1988 Columbia completes successful campaign JOHN A CONANT, chairman of Columbia Seminary's Toward 2000 Capital Campaign and vice-chairman of the seminary's Board of Directors, has announced the successful and early conclusion of the capital campaign. This campaign, which was scheduled to last three years and raise $6 million, was completed in two years with $6.7 million raised. Begun in January 1986 and concluded in December 1987, it was the largest "quiet" capital campaign in the seminary's 160-year history. Commenting on the campaign, Mr. Conant, who is a senior vice president of the John Harland Company, said, "The successful campaign is a clear vote of confidence for Columbia Seminary. Many of us who worked and responded saw it as a meaningful way to express appreciation to President Emeritus Davison Philips for his outstanding service and to President Douglas Oldenburg for an excellent beginning of his administration." Because this was a "quiet" campaign, no churches were solicited. The campaign committee raised funds from individuals and foundations. As a result of this fund-raising drive, two seminary buildings were renovated, money was received toward construction of a continuing education building, and significant endowment funds were received for scholarship aid and the J. Davison Philips Chair of New Testament. J. Davison Philips, who was president of Columbia from 1976 until his retirement at the end of 1986, said, "The generous response to the Toward 2000 Campaign objectives is cause for great thanksgiving. The mission of Columbia Theological Seminary will be greatly strengthened through these gifts as we move toward the twenty-first century." Douglas W. Oldenburg, who became president in January 1987, said of the campaign, "It is gratifying to assume the presidency of Columbia toward the completion of a successful campaign. To exceed our goal in such a short time is a strong witness to the outstanding leadership of Chairman John Conant, President Emeritus Davison Philips, Vice President James Dickenson, and the members of the campaign committee. It also shows the high regard which many people have for the seminary. We are profoundly grateful to all who contributed to the success of the campaign. We promise to be good Left to right: President Emeritus Davison Philips, Campaign Chairman John Conant, and President Oldenburg led the seminary's $6 million "quiet" campaign to its early conclusion. stewards of their gifts and worthy of the confidence they have placed in us.' Members of the Toward 2000 Campaign Committee were: Mr. Conant, Howell Adams, Howard Ector, Florida Ellis, Edward Gould, and the late Erskine Love of Atlanta, Georgia; Joseph Patrick, Hansford Sams, and John Weitnauer of Decatur, Georgia; William Bryant of Nashville, Tennessee; John Chambless of Montgomery, Alabama; Ludwick Clymer of Ft. Myers, Florida; Langdon Flowers of Thomasville, Georgia; James Johnson of Columbus, Georgia; Randolph Kowalski of Greenville, South Carolina; Sloan McCrea of Miami, Florida; and William Noonan of Pensacola, Florida. Ex officio members were: William Adams, Chariman of Columbia's Board of Directors; James Dickenson, Vice President of Development and Seminary Relations; Douglas Oldenburg; and Davison Philips. D Columbia's 160th birthday The seminary archives contains such items as diplomas, catalogues, bulletins, books, class pictures, furniture, maps, and more. Columbia Seminary's 160th BIRTHDAY is an appropriate time to celebrate the new home of the seminary archives, a room in the John Bulow Campbell Library especially renovated for the purpose of housing the seminary's archival collection. Previously, these pieces had been stored in a number of places on the seminary campus. Bringing them together, however, not only facilitates their preservation, but results in easier access, as well. For many years the seminary made no concentrated effort to collect the papers and other memorabilia relating to its past, choosing instead to forward such material to the Presbyterian Historical Foundation at Montreat. While the connection with PHF will remain an important one for the seminary, there is a growing realization that, as an institution, we need to claim important parts of our own history and to preserve these in our own facilities. The present new home for the archives is an important part of that effort. In addition to the type of materials one would expect to find in such a archive (official records, faculty papers, and the like), there are a number of curiosities. Among these are the following: The old bell from the South Carolina campus. When the seminary was in Columbia, this large brass bell was mounted atop a post behind the main building (now known as the Mills House) where it was routinely rung for classes and meals. Continued on page 7 From the President Douglas W. Oldenburg Columbia Theological Seminary has some outstanding students! As I havi come to know them, I am impressed with their diversity, their commitment, and the depth of their caring. Many of them have a pastor's heart and a scholar's mind and will make wonderful pastors and preachers and leaders in the church. Some are concerned today, however, that we are not drawing to the ministry the same "quality" of person we have had in the past. That is hard to measure, of course, but all of us agree that we should challenge the very "best and brightest'' to consider God's call to ministry. Among the qualities we need in our candidates for ministry are these: 1. Commit nnt We need students who are growing in their commitment to Almighty God, to Jesus Christ as Lord, to the church, and to discovering God's will for their lives. Amid whatever doubts or uncertainties they may have, we need folks who are willing to make commitments and take a stand. But that quality needs to be matched with an. . . . 2. Open mind and heart. We want students who bring to the seminary their own experience in the church and the gospel, but who are open to new insights and other points of view and are willing to challenge their own presumptions. We want students who have an eagerness to grow in their spiritual life, their theological understanding, in their knowledge of Scripture, in their awareness of the world, and in their capacity to care. 3. Seriousness about hard study: We don't expect all our students to become authors of scholarly tomes, but we do expect them to be very serious about hard work, about giving their studies the very best they have, about loving God with their minds. Seminary work is not easy and requires a high level of self-discipline, particularly when students have to luggle commitments to spouse and family (and sometimes job!) with their commitment to their studies. 4. Emotional maturity. Life itself is stressful, and seminary life presents its own set of tensions, frustrations and anxieties. We want students who are well on their way to becoming emotionally mature and stable, and who "have their heads together." Although most of us find the seminary to be an environment which engenders health and wholeness, it is not a therapeutic clinic. 5. Caring spirit. We want students who have active minds and big hearts - caring for one another within the seminary community, caring about the hurts of the world, caring about injustice and poverty and all the other distortions of God's good creation. We want students who care passionately about the gospel and Christ's church and its potential for making a difference in individual lives and in the life of the world. 6. Unsurpassed joy\ We want students who have already tasted and are eager to drink more deeply of that inexpressible joy that comes in discovering new insights about our faith, in sharing with others some tremendously good news, in worshipping Almighty God, in knowing they have made a difference for someone else, and in "losing your life" for Christ's sake. 7. Leadership potential: The church needs leaders who believe deeply in what they are doing, who are filled with energy and enthusiasm, who take the initiative, who have the courage of their convictions, and who know how to work with people. We currently have at Columbia many students who have these qualities, thank God. But we're always searching for more. Help us find them! With warmest regards, Miss Harrison was honored on her retirement in 1961 by the Alumni Association. C.V. Harrison 1893-1988 Graveside services were held for Miss C. Virginia Harrison on March 3, 1988, in Johnston, South Carolina. Dr. Robert Tapp and the Rev. F. Sidney Anderson officiated. At the time of Miss Harrison's death on March 1, she was in her ninety-fifth year. She was born Carolina Virginia Harrison on August 25, 1893, in Johnston. After attending Winthrop College for two years, she was persuaded to come to Atlanta, Georgia, in 1925 to work with Mr. Thomas Law, an attorney. Mr. Law was involved in the capital funds campaign to move Columbia Theological Seminary from Columbia, South Carolina, to Decatur, Georgia. In those early years of the seminary's existence in Decatur, Miss Harrison was not only responsible for collecting the campaign pledges but found herself involved in all aspects of the life of the seminary. Dr. Gillespie, the seminary's president, found his health failing, so he gave much of the day-to-day responsibility of operating the seminary to her. During the rwo years following his death when the seminary was without a president, she provided stability to the operation of the school, and she gave much help to Dr. J. McDowell Richards, the newly elected president. She continued to work for Columbia Seminary until her retirement in August 1961. Dr. Richards, at the time of Miss Harrison's retirement, wrote her a letter which remains a classic tribute to her life and work. Said he in that letter, "I am quite sure that no one else is in quite so good a position as I am to know the real magnitude of the contribution which you have made to the life of Columbia Seminary. In the light of personal observation and experience, I can assert with confidence that few institutions have ever had an equally efficient employee, and that no institution has had one who labored with greater devotion, faithfulness, and usefulness than C. Virginia Harrison. I am grateful for the fact that, having served the seminary in days of great adversity and in many difficult circumstances, you have lived to see this school enter upon brighter times and that you leave it standing upon the threshold of even greater usefulness. For what has been accomplished here during the past 36 years, no one deserves greater credit than yourself. Indeed the real significance of what you have done for countless individuals and for the church will be manifest only in eternity. "My own work during these years could never have been done without your assistance. No man ever had a better secretary or a more loyal and helpful friend than you have been. When I reflect upon the fact that during most of this time, in addition to being my personal secretary and counselor, you have also served the seminary as treasurer, registrar, supervisor of buildings and grounds, purchasing agent, manager of the bookstore, publisher of the catalogue and bulletins, postmistress, keeper of alumni records, and assistant-secretary of the board, I am filled with amazement and admiration. Your retirement will leave a gap in the life of Columbia Seminary which no one individual can ever fill again, and I personally feel almost as if I were losing my right hand." Her life was appropriately honored by the student body of the seminary when she was presented a bronze plaque with the request for it to be attached to the wall of the seminary's business office. The inscription on the plaque reads as follows: In honor of Miss C. Virginia Harrison, from 1925 to 1961 a faith- ful servant of her Lord and church at Columbia Theological Seminary in innumerable administrative capacities, the student body on her retirement devotedly erects this plaque. "For her price is far above rubies." Prov. 31:10 Miss Harrison really never retired! After leaving the seminary, she remained in Decatur for about 12 years, during which time she worked with United Way of Atlanta and gave her services to other organizations. Even after moving to the Presbyterian Home in Summerville, South Carolina, until her health failed, she worked in the offices there. This tribute to Miss Harrison was written by F. Sidney Anderson '44, former Vice President for Business Affairs at Columbia. '88 Commencement Columbia Theological Seminary will hold its 1988 Commencement exercises at Peachtree Presbyterian Church on Sunday, May 29, at 4:00 p.m. The majority of students will receive the first professional degree: the Doctor of Ministry in Sequence, the Master of Divinity, the M.A. in Youth Ministry, or the M.A. in Theological Studies. The remainder of the graduates will receive the Master of Theology or the Doctor of Ministry in Ministry degrees. The Rev. Ashley Smith is the speaker for this year's commencement exercises. Dr. Smith serves as president of the United Theological College of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica. He has been moderator four times for the United Church of Jamaica and Grand Cayman (a union of Presbyterian and Congregational churches). Dr. Smith holds degrees or diplomas from U.T.C.W.I., London University, Lancaster Seminary, and Princeton Theological Seminary. He is the author of articles and a book, Real Roots and Potted Plants: Reflections on the Caribbean Church. Dr. William A. Adams will preach the Baccalaureate sermon on May 29 at 11:00 a.m. at North Avenue Presbyterian Church. Dr. Adams is a graduate of Davidson College and Columbia Seminary. He served as a pastor for 16 years before becoming executive presbyter for the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta in 1973. Dr. Adams currently chairs the Board of Directors at Columbia. On Saturday, May 28, President and Mrs. Oldenburg will hold a reception for graduates at their home. Saturday's highlight will be a dinner for graduates, their families and friends, and the faculty in the Richards Center. VANTAGE Internationals at Columbia 1 UBBflJH A typical LUNCH SCENE at Columbia's refectory is an international gathering. Students and professors from countries such as Scotland, India, Jamaica, and the United States refill their coffee cups and return to the tables to discuss issues and questions together. Columbia's international program, which was begun in 1980 with the Women of the Church Birthday Offering, has grown and expanded and now includes representatives from these countries; West Germany, Hungary, Haiti, Scotland, South Korea, Ghana, South Africa, Zambia, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Taiwan, the Island of Mauritius, India, and Liberia. Students and professors from other countries bring valuable contributions to Columbia's classrooms and community activities. While they benefit from Columbia's programs and resources, international visitors greatly enrich and challenge our perspectives of the church and the world. They share different ideas and traditions and broaden Columbia's understanding of the world-wide communion of the church. Dr. Sylvia Babu came to Columbia from Bangalore, India, where she works in the slums as a pediatrician for the State Council for Child Welfare. She has studied and worked in the U.S. previously and received a master's degree in public health from Johns Hopkins University in 1978. At Columbia Dr. Babu is studying for the M.A. in Theological Studies. She says, "The theology and ethics are more relevant for my situation than research in academic pediatrics. I am working to meet basic needs in Bangalore." She continues, "Poverty is an ever present reality in India which you cannot escape. In the U.S. you have to make the effort to see it." She sees the church beginning to be involved in economic and justice issues, but she hopes that theological education will allow the real world to impinge more on the classroom. Dr. Babu cited Columbia's alternative context program as a good step toward greater involvement in the world. She explains, "The program allows you to then took the chair of homiletics and liturgies. He also spent six years teaching in Kenya between 1970 and 1976. Speaking of her various jobs, Mrs. Pasztor comments, "There are no housewives in a socialist country; everyone works." She was a librarian at Debrecen for 12 years and volunteered her time in Kenya to catalog books in the theological library. Mrs. Pasztor later became general secretary for the college in Debrecen. She handled the business, ecumenical, and supporting relationships for the complex. This included the theological academy, a high school, a huge library, and a celebrated museum. The Pasztors speak with deep feeling of the 400 years of suffering the Reformed Church has endured in Hungary. Mrs. Pasztor states, "In America it is more fashionable to be Christian. In Eastern Europe, you go against the stream as a Christian." Dr. Pasztor explains that the Hungarian church does not face as much persecution as the Romanian church, whose leaders often disappear without explanation. He adds, "Despite some advances, the Hungarians still must make a definite decision to be Christians. They inherit a poor church which struggles for survival." Both Pasztors stress the importance of biblical teaching and preaching for today's Christians. Dr. Pasztor thinks of himself primarily as a preacher and will return to full-time parish work when they return to Hungary. Mrs. Pasztor claims, "We must bring the text and the present situation together. The Bible is tied to peoples suffering. We must go in Christ's name and preach the text." The Rev. Maake Masango has been the director of the Department of Christian Education for the Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. He studied at Columbia between 1978 and 1981 and has returned to work on the Doctor of Sacred Theology degree in pastoral counseling, so that he can meet the need for pastoral care in South Africa. In speaking of his vision for the 'We all need to be involved in mission which educates. We need to listen, learn, and become sensitive to other situations." listen to people to analyze and to learn from your experience. That is how we train health care workers in order that they may meet the needs of the people." Dr. Janos Pasztor and his wife, Judith, came from Hungary to spend a year at Columbia teaching and speaking in churches. Dr. Pasztor served in a parish of the Reformed Church of Hungary for many years before he began teaching at the Reformed Theological Academy at Debrecen. He was professor of practical theology for five years and church, Mr. Masango says, "I would like to see the church become a vehicle for justice issues. We need to educate people for a change of attitudes so that we may worship freely together without hate or fear." Mr. Masango points to a need for partnership between the church in America and the church in Africa. He says, "Americans have given much love and now they need to receive. We all need to be involved in mission which educates. We need to listen, learn, and become sensitive to other situations. As Christians, we can share Columbia's internationals this year include {front row. l-r): Sylvia Baku, India; Stanley Redwood, Jamaica; Jennifer Ahlhaus. \X i my; Judith Huggctt. Scotland. (Second row): Mac Kumt, Ghana; Judith Pasztor, Hungary; Martin Song, Taiwan; Chang Whan Park, South Korea. (Third row): Adolfo Ruiz, Costa Rica; Raphael Dessieu. Haiti; Janos Pasztor. Hungary. and become a walking news media for each other, relying on each other for information about our countries." Dr. Chang Whan Park is a visiting scholar from South Korea. He has been teaching New Testament courses for 40 years and has served is president of the Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Seoul for the past four years. He is teaching classes at Columbia and preparing Bible study materials for lay people in South Korea. Dr. Park believes that the Korean Presbyterian Church is too much like the Presbyterian Church (USA), whose missionaries planted the Korean church. Dr. Park explains, "We are not an indigenous church, and we have imitated the West. This is beginning to change very slowly. Both the American and Korean churches are clothed with European civilization. As Koreans, we must peel back the layers and discover real, pure Christianity. Then we must combine Christianity with our own culture." The Rev. Adolfo Ruiz teaches sociology at the University of San Jose in Costa Rica and also teaches at the Biblical Seminary in San Jose. He is studying at Columbia to gain a better understanding of North American churches, religion, and politics. Mr. Ruiz will write about his experiences and share them in classrooms and churches in Costa Rica. Adolfo's time in the U.S. is a model for his own vision of the global church's mission. He says, "Reciprocity is necessary between the church in Central America and the church in North America. We need to support each other, develop friendships, and become partners in mission." Adolfo believes that churches and seminaries should initiate more exhanges to develop new information, fresh interpretations, and ongoing dialogue between Christians. Mr. Ruiz claims, "Christians must work together to meet today's challenges. People in Central America are discovering that the Christian faith is a real response to their experience. We must accept the risks and stand in solidarity tog< thei These Christian brothers and sisters strengthen the life of Columlu.i Seminary and present a vision for the church which is global and unifying. i in v emphazii the need foi < hristiaru to live- out thi gospel in partnership with eai h othei The chaUengi s foi thi i hur< h arc great in this global village which we share. However, we can rind hope in our efforts to understand each other and to ai i faithfully as the church of Jesus Christ.D Sarah Speed, the writer, is a senior from Marietta, Georgia. Plato Henderson dies PLATO HENDERSON, WHO served Columbia Seminary as chef for some 46 years before retiring in 1963, died in Atlanta on July 15, 1987. In l'i lining health for some years, he was living in the Cosby Spear Memorial Towers, just across North Avenue from the Presbyterian Center in Atlanta. Mr Henderson began his work as chef in 1917, when the seminary was located in Columbia, South Carolina. When the seminary was moved to Decatur in 1927, Plato was asked, a few months, to come to Decatur and take up his duties on the new campus, A faithful and valuable member of the staff, he was liked and respected by many generations of ( olumbia students and faculty. He was a charter member and elder of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Decatur. He is survived by a sister, a brother, several nieces and nephews and other members of his extended family. Funeral services were held July 18 ill Trinity Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Dr. Lawrence Bottoms officiating. Interment was in Kennedy Memorial Garden in ElIenwood.D The Rev. Harold Prince, Librarian Emeritus, wrote this tribute to Mr. Henderson. SPRING 1988 Continuing Education Calendar Fellowship at Montreat For further information or to register for courses, call or write: Douglas W. Hix, Director of Advanced Studies, or Sara Covin Juengst, Director of Continuing Education Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, GA 30031 / 404-378-8821. May 1-6 A Contemplative Retreat for Men at the Monastery of the Holy Ghost An opportunity for rest, renewal, and quiet refreshment, spiritual discipline and inspiration. Leader: Doug Hix. Cost: $100. May 31-June 16 PEOPLES AND CHURCHES OF THE USSR Travel to Moscow, Kiev, and Leningrad during the 1,000th anniversary of Christianity in Russia. Leaders: Douglas and Claudia Oldenburg, Sara Juengst, Tom Remington. Cost: $3,150. July 11-15 On the seminary campus. 1. How TO TEACH Crisis as Opportunity: Challenges in the Elijah Stories, THE Women"S STUDY BOOK FOR 1988-89 Taught by Mary Boney Sheats, Professor Emerita of Bible and Religion, Agnes Scott College. Cost: $25. 2 Thhodicy in the Wisdom Traditions Taught by Walter Brueggemann, Professor of Old Testament at Columbia. Cost: $50. 3. Images of God and Family Relations Taught by Diane Tennis, Women's Ministry Unit Staff, GAC, PC(USA). Cost: $50. 4. The Theology of Stewardship Taught by Douglas John Hall, Professor of Christian Theology, McGill University. Cost: $50. 5. Human Sexuality and Ministry Taught by Marilyn Washburn '81, M.D., and Jasper Keith, Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling at Columbia. Cost: $50. July 1 1-22 On the seminary campus. Credit courses.* 1. Building Christian Community through Small Groups Taught by Robert Ramey, Professor of Ministry at Columbia. 2. The Theology of Stewardship Taught by Douglas John Hall, Professor of Christian Theology, McGill University. July 18-22 On the seminary campus. 1. How TO TEACH Crisis as Opportunity: Challenges in the Elijah Stories, the Women's Study Book for 1988-89 Taught by Rebecca Skillern Parker, Director of Admissions at Columbia. Cost: $25. 2. APPROACHES TO Paul Taught by Beverly Gaventa, Professor of New Testament at Columbia. Cost: $50. 3. Personality and Pastoral Care Taught by William Arnold, Dean of the Faculty, Union Theological Seminary in Virginia. Cost: $50. 4. Getting the Most out of Modern Bible Translations Taught by Keith Crim, Presbyterian minister and a translator of the Old Testament for Good News Bible. Cost: $50. 5. Preaching on Advent and Christmas Taught by Lucy Rose, Assistant Professor of Preaching and Worship at Columbia. Cost: $50. July 25-August 5 On the seminary campus. Credit courses.* 1. Sociological Study of the Church and the Community Taught by Harvey Newman, Professor, College of Urban Life, Georgia State University. 2. The Gospel of John For the Teacher and the Preacher Taught by Will Ormond, Professor Emeritus of Biblical Exposition at Columbia. 3. Faith and Righteousness: A Theology of H Richard Niebuhr. Taught by C. Benton Kline, Professor of Theology at Columbia. August 5-6 Conference on the Korean Church in America. For Korean pastors and church members and anyone interested in the mission of the Korean Church in America. Cost: $25 per person, $15 for each additional person from the same church. September 18-23 Study/Retreat at the Beach A time to read, reflect, and relax at Sunset Beach, NC. Cost: $100, plus books. Leader: Doug Hix. October 9-14 A Week at Koinonia and Habitat for Humanity A working/learning week of renewal. Cost $100. Leader: Sara Juengst. Two-week credit courses: prerequisite M.Div. or equivalent degree. You may take ONE of the credit offerings in each two-week period and thus earn three semester hours credit in each two-week period. Cost per course is $420. "Meeting the Master in the Mountains," a fellowship gathering of Presbyterians sponsored by Columbia Seminary, will be held at Montreat May 20-22. Participants will find this conference a place and time prepared to broaden and deepen their journeys of faith. Leaders for the weekend will be President Douglas Oldenburg; Dr. Ben Johnson, Professor of Evangelism; Dr. Robert Ramey, Professor of Ministry; and Dr. Robert Smith, Director of the Lay Institute of Faith and Life. The first session of the weekend, " The Touch of the Master," will be led by Dr. Johnson at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Dr. Ramey will begin Saturday's events with "The Tie with Each Other," and Dr. Smith will conclude with "The Towel in Our Hand." Mid-morning electives will be offered, and participants may choose from Christian Family Life with Dr. Ramey; Ministry in Your Workplace with Dr. Smith; Prayer with Dr. Johnson; or Witness in the World with President Oldenburg. Saturday afternoon offers the chance for golf, tennis, hiking, and conversation with the leaders. On Sunday morning, reflection groups will be held, after which President Oldenburg will lead the concluding worship service. To register, contact the Montreat Conference Center, Box 907, Montreat, NC 28757 for room reservations and meals in Assembly Inn. An advance reservation fee of $20 is required when reservations are requested. Participants are asked to notify Columbia's Lay Institute, Box 520, Decatur, GA 30031, when reservations are made.D Autumn Lay School offered Due to the success of the January Lay School of Bible and Theology, the Lay Institute of Faith and Life has made this a semi-annual event. The first fall session will be held on four consecutive Monday evenings: September 19 and 26 and October 3 and 10. Each participant may choose one class from the following: Christian Ethics in an Election Year Dr. Fred Bonkovsky Family Systems Dr. Brian Childs Old Testament: Discovering Biblical Narrative Dr. David Gunn New Testament: Philemon and Philippians Dr. Will Ormond The registration fee for each course is $25. To register, please call 404/378-8821, or mail your name, address, choice of class, and $25 to Lay School, Columbia Seminary, Box 520, Decatur, GA 3003 l.D Seminary says goodbye to four The Columbia community is saying goodbye to four members of its staff. Dr. Olin Whitener, Regional Director of Development, will be moving to Darlington, South Carolina, to assume the pastorate of the Darlington Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Caroline Leach, Associate Dean of Students, will have completed her three-year term at Columbia. Daryle Maroney and Cathy Carlson are leaving the John Bulow Campbell Library staff. Dr. Whitener, who joined the seminary's development staff four years ago, received the D.Min. degree from Columbia in 1976. He has served as pastor of the Shiloh and Dixon Presbyterian Churches in North Carolina and the Allison Creek Church in South Carolina. His areas of responsibility at the seminary, in addition to general development duties, have been the Alumni/ae Association, the annual fund, and the Columbia Friendship Circle. Ms. Leach, who received the M.Div. from Columbia in 1972, has been associate dean, half-time, since 1985. Her primary responsibility has been with the women of Columbia, both students and spouses. Ms. Leach is also assistant pastor at Oakhurst Presbyterian Church in Decatur. Ms. Maroney, technical services librarian for seven years, will be joining the staff of the Georgia State University Pullen Library. Ms. Carlson, who joined the library staff a year ago, has served as assistant librarian for circulation. The seminary community will miss these members of its staff and wishes them and their families well.D Mary Wallace succumbs The Columbia Seminary community was saddened to learn recently of the death of Mrs. Mary Wallace, wife of Professor Emeritus Ronald Wallace. The Wallaces came to Columbia from Scotland in 1964 and remained until Dr. Wallace's retirement in 1977. During that time, they lived in an apartment in Simons Law Hall which they turned into a warm and hospitable gathering place for students and faculty. Mrs. Wallace was a friend and counselor to many students, especially those faced with some special difficulty. She was a daughter of missionaries to China and a sister to the distinguished Scottish theologians, Thomas and James Torrance. She pursued many scholarly interests herself and was often a visitor to Columbia classrooms and the library. Special tribute was paid to her memory by Professor Wade Huie at a recent faculty meeting. VANTAGE Forum 1988 The Alumni I ae Association Council met for its annual meeting on February 1. Officers elected for 1988-89 are: G. Daniel McCall, president; Elizabeth McGregor Simmons, president-elect; Ralph Aker, vice president; Charles Cook, secretary I treasurer. The Association expresses appreciation to B.E. Pettit, outgoing president, for his leadership during the past year. Council members shown are (front row, l-r): President Oldenburg, B.E. Pettit 62, Elizabeth McGregor Simmons 79, G. Daniel McCall '60, Ralph Aker '75. Second row: Joan Gray '76, Alice Johnson 77, Anna Case Winters '78, Steve Vance '81, Fred Woodward 48, Herb Barks '59. Third row: Thomas J. Reeves '64, Tyler Downing '84, David Bailey '82, John Sharp '71. Fourth row: Winona Jones DuCille '76, Hugh Eichelberger '62, William Wade '80, William Lancaster '73, Charles Cook '59. Fifth row: Dana Waters '58, Roy Wat kins '58, Ralph McCaskill '59, Lane Alderman '80, James K. Thompson '58, Clayton Bell '58, A.A. Markley '62. On April 12 during the spring meeting of the Board of Directors, Professor Emeritus J. Will Ormond "43 preached in a special seminary worship service at Columbia Presbyterian Church. Dr. Ormond had been scheduled as the Forum preacher but was unable to preach because of illness. Phyllis Trible, Baldwin Professor of Sacred Literature at Union Theological Seminary in New York, was the Smyth Lecturer. The overall title for her lectures was "Scriptural Subversion." Joanna Adams '78, pastor of North Decatur Presbyterian Church, Frank Harrington '60, pastor of Peachtree Presbyterian Church, and President Oldenburg preached during Forum. James Sanders, president of the Ancient Biblical Manuscript Center for Preservation and Research in Claremont, California, and Professor of Intertestamental and Biblical Studies at the School of Theology at Claremont, was the Alumni/ae Lecturer. He spoke on fundamentalism and the church and reading the Bible on its own terms. The Class of '53 had the largest turnout for its reunion with over 30 people attending. Reunion Chair Doug Hix, Director of Advanced Studies at Columbia, and his wife, Pat, hosted a reunion supper at their home. (L-r): Bob Dobbins, John Sadler, Bill Shotanus, Arleen Shotanus, Nancy Sadler, and Sue Dobbins enjoyed the get together. SPRING 1988 For the Record If you have recent news you would like to contribute to this section, please send it to the editor. Fred McDaniel '58 is a licensed representative with A.L. Williams and Co., pan-time. He has been named to the National Distinguished Service Registry for distinguished service in medical and vocational rehabilitation. In November he received the Delaware Counselor of the Year Award. After 18 years, he retired as senior counselor with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, State of Delaware. Mr. McDaniel's new job is church consultant for United Church Directories for Delaware, Eastern Shore of Maryland, and parts of Pennsylvania Katie Thoresen '84 had published six devotions in the Advent issue of These Days Gene Norris '59 (D.Min. 77) is hospital chaplain at Eisenhower Army Medical Center and is in private practice as a marriage and family therapist in Augusta, GA. Rebecca S. Parker, Director of Admissions at Columbia, preached at Northwoods Presbyterian Church in Doraville, GA, addressed the constituting convention of Savannah Presbytery on the new Preparation for Ministry process, and taught a workshop on the process in January. She is teaching a series on the Psalms based on Walter Brueggemann's book, Praying the Psalms, at First Presbyterian in Atlanta. She has taught a three-day workshop for the Synod of Lakes and Prairies on the new Preparation for Ministry process and was workshop leader for the Church Executive Conference at McCormick Seminary. Ms. Parker gave a tour at the High Museum of Art, Atlanta, on "Spirituality Expressed in Form: Twentieth Century Art."' Harvey Walters '69 is associate pastor of the Moorings church in Naples, FL David Bailey '82 received honorable mention in the doctrinal/theological category for the "Best Sermons Contest for 1987," sponsored by Harper & Row Publishers. The collection of sermons will be published in June. John Patton, Professor of Pastoral Theology at Columbia, is a visiting professor at Vanderbilt Divinity School for the spring semester. He is teaching a course, Pastoral Anthropology, for Ph.D. students. "Caring for Our Generations," was published in the March 2 issue of Christian Century, and "Pastoral Ministry in a Fractured World" was published in the spring 1988 issue of Journal of Pastoral Care Karen Rice '87 was the first minister to be ordained by the new Northeast Georgia Presbytery. She has been called as stated supply to the Arcade church in Jefferson Morris Taylor '63 has been called as pastor of the First church in Canton, MS. George Stroup, Professor of Theology at Columbia, led a church officers' retreat for First church, Charlotte, spoke at the meeting of Middle Tennessee Presbytery on the new curriculum in the Presbyterian Church, spoke at a Lenten series at Westminster church in Austin, and led a continuing education seminar with David Adams at Princeton Theological Seminary on "Christology in Luke" in February. In March he was the speaker for Renewal 1988 at First church, Salem, OR Ben Kline, President Emeritus and Professor of Theology at Columbia, taught a course on Christology in a lay school for Charleston-Atlantic Presbytery in February Shirley Ford Adams (D.Min. 77) is interim pastor of the Bethel and Summerville, GA, churches. Jim Reaves '52 is interim pastor of the Silver Creek church in Lindale, GA David Moessner, Associate Professor of New Testament at Columbia, had an article, "Paul in Acts: Preacher of Eschatological Repentance to Israel," published in New Testament Studies, Vol. 34 (1988), which is dedicated to the memory' of Professor Bo Reicke, a past president of Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas. NTS is the official publication of the society. Dr. Moessner was principal speaker for the regional meeting of the National Conference of Christians and Jews at Emory University. His topic was the notion of Israel in Luke and Acts and the relations between Jews and Christians in those writings as a basis for a discussion of the relation between church and synagogue today in America. Dr. Moessner taught a church school class on Acts at First church, Atlanta, in March. Frank Reynold Sells '65 is pastor of Eastminster church, Knoxville Richard Stanford 74 has been called as pastor to the Hillside church in Decatur Wade BIRTHS To Sally-Lodge Henderson Teel 78 and Tom, a son, Hunter Henderson, Jan. 4, 1988. To David '82 and Claire Bailey, a daughter, Allison Neal, Mar. 8, 1988. To Wade '87 and Dorinda Mailoy, a daughter, Anna Elyse, Feb. 29, 1988. To Rob "88 and Robbin Arp, a daugh- ter, Emily Elizabeth, Feb. 14, 1988. To Christine Wenderoth, Associate Li- brarian at Columbia, and David Eck- strand, a son, Anders, Nov. 9, 1987. DEATHS Robert Malcolm Dickson "24, Feb. 29, 1988. Lee Plexico '29, May 25, 1987. Kenneth C. Seawright '29, Feb. 9, 1988. H.P.J. LHeureux '31, Jan. 11, 1988. Henry S. Robinson '35, Oct. 28, 1987. Frank Davis, former chairman of the Board of Directors, Feb. 27, 1988. C. Virginia Harrison, Mar. 1, 1988. Plato Henderson, July 15, 1987. Mary Wallace, Feb. 22, 1988. Huie '46, Professor of Homiletics at Columbia, has been speaker or preacher at mission conferences and witness season services at Covenant church, Albany, the Newnan and Lithonia churches, and Columbia church, Decatur. He was speaker at Lenten services at the Bay Minette, AL, church Roe M. Callaway '69 has been called to First church, Annandale, VA Carl Schlich '69 is pastor of the John Knox church, Marietta, GA Preston Shealy '86 is associate pastor for nurture at First church. Champaign, IL. Shane Owens '80 is pastor of the Olney Church in Gastonia, NC Charles Cook '59 has become executive for the new Northeast Georgia Presbytery James Stuart '52 retired from First Church, Gastonia, NC, in February Walter Brueggemann, Professor of Old Testament at Columbia, gave the Voight Lectures at McKendrie College and the Melugin Lectures at McMurry College. He lectured at First church, Atlanta, and at Eden Seminary and preached and lectured at First United Methodist Church in Wichita Falls, TX; Nassau church, Princeton; and First church, Fayetteville, NC. He presented a paper for the Institute of Religion, Texas Medical Center Lecture at St. Phillips Cathedral, Atlanta, in March. Dr. Brueggemann's book, Israel's Praise: Doxology Against Idolatry and Ideology, has been printed by Fortress Press, and his articles and reviews have appeared in Journal for Preachers, Interpretation, and Theology Today. Sara Covin Juengst '83, Director of Continuing Education at Columbia, had an essay, "The Theology of Continuing Education," published by the Society for Continuing Education in Ministry. In February she was worship leader for the meeting of the Association of Presbyterian Christian Educators in Ft. Worth and led a workshop there on Friendship Press materials. She led a workshop on "Mission Education in the Local Church" at Savannah Presbytery's officer training retreat. During witness season, she spoke in 18 churches on "The Churches in the USSR." She was keynote speaker for the Synod of South Atlantic's educators' retreat in April Martha Tissington, member of Columbia's Board of Directors, is the first moderator of the Synod of Living Waters. Ken Borden '66 has been transferred to the Presbyterian Church in Canada, and he became pastor of the Calvin Presbyterian Church in Toronto last September. He is at the dissertation stage of a Th.D. in pastoral theology from the University of Toronto, Knox College Ben Johnson, Professor of Evangelism at Columbia, preached at Marble Collegiate Church in New York, gave an address at Cincinnati Presbytery and an evangelism workshop, and preached at Highland Park church in Dallas, where he also addressed the monthly meeting of the Women of the Church. He directed regional pastors training for New Age Dawning in San Francisco, Kansas City, MO, and Hershey, PA. He led Faith Discovery Training for Washington Presbytery and the session retreat for Bethany church, Newton County, GA. Dr. Johnson participated in the Academy for Evangelism and Church Growth for the Presbyterian Church in Canada in Waterloo, Ontario. Mike Andrews '61 received the D.Min. from Pittsburg Theological Seminary last year. He is now pastor of the Fairview church in North Augusta, SC Robert R. Wilson '85 was retired by Mississippi Presbytery in June Joseph Lee '53 retired as a college chaplain in Decatur on Oct. 31 David Gunn, Professor of Old Testament at Columbia, in January lectured at the Perkins School of Theology on the theory and practice of biblical narrative criticism and gave a paper on Ruth, co-authored with Professor Danna Nolan Fewell, former Columbia instructor, to the Southwest Regional Biblical Studies Seminar. Recently published in Journal for the Study of the Old Testament 40 (1988) is another joint paper with Professor Fewell, " 'A Son Is Born to Naomi!' ": Literary Allusions and Interpretation in the Book of Ruth." Janos Pasztor, Visiting Professor of Practical Theology at Columbia, preached in Hungarian churches in New York City and Connecticut during the Christmas holidays. He and his wife Judith spoke at mission conferences in Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. In March he participated in the meeting of the Faith and Order Commission of the National Council of Churches in New Orleans and gave a lecture at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. He presented a paper, "A Survey and Analysis of Orthodox and Reformed Churches since the Time of the Reformation," at the first Theological Dialogue between Orthodox and Reformed Churches. This meeting was held in Switzerland in March with representatives of all autokephalos Orthodox Churches and those of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches participating. Continued on page 7 Vantage Vol. 80, No. 1, Spring 1988 Published quarterly by Columbia Theological Seminary Circulation: 38,000 The Department of Development/ Seminary Relations Editor: Juliette Harper Director of Publications and Publicity Postmaster: Send address changes to Vantage Columbia Theological Seminary P.O. Box 520 Decatur, GA 30031-0520 VANTAGE For the Record Continued from page 6 Beverly Gaventa, Professor of New Testament at Columbia, preached at Duke University Chapel and participated in the consultation of the Faith and Order Commission, World Council of Churches, in Rhodes, Greece in January. In March she delivered the Oreon E. Scott Lectures at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis. Her title was "Reading the Acts of the Apostles." Dr. Gaventa also preached and lectured at First Baptist Church, Dayton, Ohio, as Theologian in Residence for four days in March Brian Childs, Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology and Counseling at Columbia, spoke to the meeting of the Georgia Association of Chaplains on "Overview of Systems of Marriage and Family Pastoral Counseling" at Columbia in February. In March he led a seminar for Emory University Hospital advanced clinical pastoral education students on "What is Pastoral Theology?" and "Pastoral Theological Method." The American Theological Library Association has published the first volume, "Pastoral Theology and Pastoral Care: An Annotated Bibliography," of its basic bibliography series. This volume was written by Professor Childs. This is a unique experiment in computer/ electronic publishing. The volume is sold as a computer disk allowing the reader to interact with the text, add entries, add notes and annotations. Jeanne Stevenson-Moessner, Adjunct Professor of Pastoral Theology at Columbia, was leader of a series on Ephesians for First church, Atlanta, and leader of a workshop for the national Women's Interseminary Conference, held at Interdenominational Theological Center. She presided over the philosophy and theology section at the meeting of the American Academy of Religion, Southeast region, in March. Dr. Stevenson-Moessner is chaplain intern at Charter Peachford Hospital, addictive disease unit, in Atlanta for spring semester William Anderson '71 is chaplain at the Veterans Hospital in Asheville, NC Mark Kayser '84 has entered the U.S. Army chaplaincy Lou P. Wade *x87 is stated supply at Argentine church and John Calvin church in Kansas City, MO. Yong Gil Maeng (Th.M. 71) is the new president of Presbyterian College and Seminary in Seoul, Korea Robert S. Smith 71, Director of Columbia's Lay Institute of Faith and Life, met in Chicago with the leadership team of the Forum, a national event in February sponsored by the Christian Laity of Chicago. He has led laity renewal events in Vicksburg, MS, and Orlando, FL, and a mission event in Opelika, AL Robert Ramey, Professor of Ministry at Columbia, taught a cross-cultural course in "Leadership and Ministry" for U.S. and Anglican clergy at Codrington College, Barbados. He has preached and conducted workshops at Faith church in Tallahassee, the Morrow, GA, church, and at the Mt. Pleasant, SC, church on spiritual growth. He preached at North Avenue church in Atlanta and during Holy Week at Whitehaven church, Memphis. Young Ihl Chang '79 has become assistant professor of Old Testament at Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Seoul, Korea Russell Jonas '82 is associate pastor of the Highland Park church, Dallas John Sanderford '80 has been called as associate pastor of First church, Charlottesville, VA Larry Curtis Mitchell '74 is pastor of First church, Little Rock William Lancaster '73 has been called as pastor of the Florence Moore church in Wellford, SC Ronald Smith '82 is pastor of the St. Johns church, Jackson- ville Clark David Benson '40 has retired in Sylacauga, AL, after ministry with the Moravian mission in Honduras and the American Missionary Fellowship in California. Frank Arnold (D.Min. 84) is dean of a new seminary of the Independent Presbyterian Church of Brazil in Fortaleza. He also teaches in the areas of church history and mission and coordinates the seminary's program of theological education by extension, designed to equip lay leadership in local churches for ministry C.R. Jenkins '23 is a volunteer at Crisis Assistance Ministry and with the Law Enforcement Center's prison ministry in Charlotte, NC AI Ruggles '73 is pastor of the Carbon Hill, AL, church Bo Yates '80 is pastor of First church, Whitesville, WV, and the Marsh Fork church in Dry Creek, WV John Magee '44 received first place in the CapMap program as region chaplain in the Southeast region Civil Air Patrol. Archives Continued from page 1 A scrapbook of late eighteenth- and early nineteenth-century maps compiled by the Rev. Thomas Smyth. Dr. Smyth, who served as pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church of Charleston, South Carolina, from 1834 to 1873 and whose personal libary later became the nucleus of the seminary's library, was a voracious reader on a wide range of subjects and a collector of rare books. This accumulation of maps, many of them now of some value, is an indication of this scholarly curiosity and his appreciation of learning. Six diplomas awarded to W.M. McPheeters by Washington and Lee College (now University) from 1872 to 1874. Dr. McPheeters, who taught Old Testament at Columbia Seminary from 1888 to 1932, earned these diplomas in the various subjects he mastered at Washington and Lee, including English and algebra. Each diploma is signed by Custis Lee, president of the college and son of Robert E. Lee. Two letters to Columbia Seminary from President Woodrow Wilson. In one of these the President is responding to a request that he share his memories of the seminary campus in Columbia, where his father served Development I Seminary Relations By James F. Dickenson Vice President, Development/Seminary Relations Dynamo in Decatur A successful financial campaign for any institution is a result of many good things which that institution has done or is doing. We have successfully completed our campaign (see story on page 1). A three-year goal of $6,000,000 was completed in two years by going 10 percent over the goal. Years ago, an article about Columbia suggested the seminary campus appeared to be a quiet, sleepy place. Today, nothing could be further from the truth. Those who know what is going on view the campus as a beehive of activity. This campus is a veritable dynamo. Every day brings something different, and the total seminary community is highly active, both locally and in national and international affairs. Many of the faculty have published, or are in the process of publishing, books and articles. Academic courses are constantly being strengthened, the president is maintaining a backbreaking schedule, and the administrators and staff are often overloaded, the students are under tension to complete assignments, to graduate, to find a church. Pulling all of this together indicates that Columbia Seminary is energetic, enthusiastic, and preparing itself for the future. Our objectives will always be preparing and nurturing students for the ministry and providing a continuing resource for the church and the denomination. We never lose sight of why we exist. Nor do we forget our purposes in the work we do and the plans we make. There are many ways to describe what transpires both on and off campus Oou way is to list areas of naming for new members of the Board of Directors. We have planned an orientation session for the new members, and the areas to be covered are as follows: Nation. il picture of theoloi education Columbia Seminary overview The chimii and th< di nominal ion Basic degl Faculty Evangel i mi i Internal ii ii i.i 1 1 sing theological education Advanced degrees Continuinr edu< ation Lay Institute of Faith and Lifi Student services Admissions I'm. in. lal aid Placement Buili'i i Hon Auxiliary services Development programs Seminary relations programs Constitui ii< \ groups . . .and that list by no means exhausts the nature of the many .Hiiviues ,iikI i is pi ,i labilities which Columbia Seminary undertakes. All of this is simply to say that Presbyterians should be justly pleased that your seminary is doing everything ii can to be Of service to the local church, the clergy, the denomination, and thereby to the world which our Lord has created. And to all who have participated in helping in this excellent enterprise, we say with deep gratitude and appreciation, thank you.D as a faculty member. Interestingly, in this letter he makes no mention of a story which is sometimes told and according to which he had a deep religious experience while attending a service in the old seminary chapel. The handwritten diary of Dr. James L. Martin, a physician who lived near Chester, South Carolina, from July 31, 1861, to September 5, 1862, near the beginning of the Civil War. Dr. Martin later attended the seminary (1867-1870) and served a number of Presbyterian (PCUS) congregations before his death in 1922. Two interesting items of furniture which belonged to the Rev. Thomas Goulding, a parlor table and a chest with mirror. The beginnings of Columbia Seminary may be traced to Dr. Goulding's manse (still standing) in Lexington, Georgia, where in the late 1820's he tutored candidates for the Presbyterian ministry. When the seminary was organized in Columbia, South Carolina, he became its first professor. These items of furniture, which were generously donated to the seminary by Dr. Goulding's great- granddaughter, Gertrude Pollard, were reportedly in daily use in the Goulding home. The archives room is located on the ground floor of the John Bulow Campbell Library. Anyone interested in seeing it may do so by inquiring at the circulation desk.D Professor James Newsome, the writer, is chair of the Archives Committee. DO YOU HAVE AN ITEM FOR THE ARCHIVES' The Archives Committee is interested in acquiring material which relates to the seminary's past, including personal letters and photographs. If you have such material you would be willing to donate to the seminary, you are invited to be in touch with Dr. Newsome. SPRING 1988 Two appointments announced Columbia Seminary has filled two positions, President Douglas W Oldenburg announced. John W. Gilmore has been named Vice President for Business and Finance, and Rebecca Skillern Parker has been appointed Director of Admissions. Mr. Gilmore succeeds F. Sidney Anderson, who retired December 3 1 after 30 years of service to the seminary. Mr. Gilmore received a bachelors degree in accounting with highest honors from Manchester College in Indiana in 1974. As a certified public accountant, he worked several years for an accounting firm in South Bend, Indiana. He entered Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary"s double competency program of law and theology, graduating in 1982 with a Master of Divinity degree from Louisville and a J.D. degree from the College of Law, University of Illinois. He has worked for an Atlanta accounting firm as well as an Atlanta law firm. As an affiliate member at Central Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, Mr. Gilmore handled business affairs of that church's Legal Services Clinic. His wife, Linda, is also a CPA and a partner in a local accounting firm. President Oldenburg said, 'John comes with all the credentials to do this most important task. Financial credibility and accountability are essential in any institution, especially the church, and John will help us continue that tradition at Columbia. We are delighted to have him on our team." As Director of Admissions, Ms. Parker succeeds Philip Gehman, who has been appointed Dean of Students/ Vice President for Student Life at Columbia. Ms. Parker holds the B.A., with distinction, from Rhodes College and earned the M.Div. degree from Yale Divinity School. After graduation she served as youth minister at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Atlanta and as a chaplain at the Emory University hospitals. In 1982 she was called as associate pastor of Druid Hills Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, serving there five years. In 1987 she was appointed Staff Associate for Candidates (for the ministry) by the Presbyterian Church (USA) General Assembly Mission Board. Her husband. Buddy, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney. They live in Atlanta. Commenting on Ms. Parker's appointment, President Oldenburg said, "Rebecca's personal dynamism, her knowledge of the candidacy process, her commitment to challenge the best and the brightest to consider the call of God to ministry, and her enthusiasm for Columbia combine to make her highly qualified to be our John Gilmore and Rebecca S. Parker director of admissions. Under her leadership Columbia will continue to draw a full entering class of outstanding students." D Vantage P.O. Box 520 Decatur, Georgia 30031 Second Class Postage Paid at Decatur, GA Publication No. 124160 CONTENTS Successful campaign completed 1 New home for seminary archives 1 From the President 2 Tribute to C. Virginia Harrison 2 Commencement '88 2 Internationals at Columbia 3 Tribute to Plato Henderson 3 Continuing education calendar 4 Lay Institute offerings 4 Goodbyes 4 Tribute to Mary Wallace 4 Forum '88 highlights 5 For the Record 6 Dynamo in Decatur 7 New appointments 8 COLUMBIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY