Christ’s Foundry UMC Honored
Christ’s Foundry United Methodist Mission (La Fundición de Cristo) in northwest Dallas received special recognition on Sept. 21 from Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson and the Dallas City Council for the church’s community outreach and assistance during COVID-19. The Rev. Amy D. Spaur (M.Div. ‘14), the church’s Lead Pastor and Missionary, expressed gratitude for the support of Dallas Mayor Pro Tem Omar Narvaez and his office for their partnership and support.
Justin Barringer Named Theologian-in-Residence
Justin Barringer (D.Min. ‘21) was recently featured in a story in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette about his new post as pastor of community engagement and theologian-in-residence at Pulaski Heights Baptist Church in Little Rock. While in Dallas, he served as director of neighborhood initiatives and social outreach at Owenwood Farm and Neighborhood Space, White Rock United Methodist Church’s outreach campus. He and his wife, Rachel, also launched Diapers, Etc., a diaper and hygiene pantry that has provided nearly one million diapers to needy North Texas families. Barringer’s doctoral work focused on religious ethics, with his dissertation titled “Protest and Politics: A Biographical Theology of Bayard Rustin, Friendship, Charity, and Economic Justice.”
Alum Book Wins Award
Dr. James E. Woods (M.T.S. ’11, D.Min. ‘18), an adjunct member of the Spiritual Formation faculty, has received a Catholic Media Association third-place prize in the category of Mysticism for his book Putting on the Mind of Christ: Contemplative Prayer and Holistic Unity, Orbis Books, 2021. The book is a revised version of Woods’ D.Min. dissertation; Ruben Habito wrote the Foreword. In addition to serving as Spiritual Formation Faculty (adjunct), Woods is also on the regular faculty team of the Spiritual Direction Certification program in the Office of External Programs.
Book Launch
The Rev. Mary Beth Taylor (M.Div. ‘11) has published a new book, Everything You Didn’t Learn in Church: A Guide to Sexuality & Relationships, a guide on sexuality and relationships aimed to guide readers through a process of self-discovery, forgiveness, transformation and healing. Biblical scripture, prayers, questions and meditations are included in each chapter. “Spirituality and sexuality don’t need to be separated and sexuality doesn’t need to be taboo,” Taylor said in a Facebook post. “We can talk about both, and we can grow and learn by doing so.” In reviewing the book, author Dr. Denise Nicholson said, “Mary Beth Taylor’s debut memoir is a modern American tale that depicts the ache of abandonment from the church, the perils of spiritual conflict, the longing for acceptance in the church, and the deep desire to love freely and be spiritually connected.” Taylor currently serves as interim pastor at Elizabeth United Methodist Church in Elizabeth, Colo.
Obit: Bishop John Russell
Bishop John William Russell (Th.M. ‘52), a retired bishop of The United Methodist Church, died on September 2 at the Reunion Court of the Woodlands, Texas. He was 96. After serving relatively smaller churches, Dr. Russell spent 20 years as pastor of some of United Methodism’s largest congregations (Village Church, Oklahoma City; First Church, Enid; Boston Avenue, Tulsa), with an interim appointment as District Superintendent of the Tulsa District. In 1988, he became the first episcopal leader of the newly formed Central Texas Conference. He was a member of the General Council on Finance and Administration and the Board of Trustees for Southern Methodist University. Russell was a World War II veteran. He and his late wife, Mary Jean, were married for 71 years. Read this story from J. Vance Morton on the bishop’s long, fruitful life and ministry. Funeral services took place September 9 at the First United Methodist Church in Fort Worth. Donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Fort Worth, or the charity of your choice, in memory of John William Russell.
Obit: Daniel Soliz
Daniel Soliz (M.Div. ‘22) age 59, of Whitney, Texas, passed away August 15 in Dallas. A memorial service took place August 24 at First United Methodist Church Duncanville in Duncanville, Texas.
Obit: The Rev. Dr. Kenneth R. Reed
The Rev. Dr. Kenneth R. Reed (Th.M. ‘55) died in Baton Rouge, La., on August 30 at the age of 90. Reed served 68 years under appointment in the United Methodist Church. He served churches in the Central Texas, North Texas and Louisiana conferences as a pastor and, later, as District Superintendent. In 1990, he became President/CEO of the United Methodist Foundation of Louisiana, from which he retired from active ministry in 1998. Reed was a 30-year veteran of the National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserve. Services were held September 3 at Broadmoor United Methodist Church in Baton Rouge, La. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the United Methodist Foundation of Louisiana or Broadmoor United Methodist Church in Baton Rouge. Read Reed’s obituary here.
Obit: The Rev. Tommy Bergeron
The Rev. Tommy R. Bergeron, Sr. (Th.M. ‘63) died September 14 at his home in Summerfield Senior Living Community in Slidell, Louisiana, at the age of 84. Bergeron was an ordained United Methodist minister who faithfully served at churches across southern Louisiana for nearly 40 years before his retirement in 2001. Upon retirement, Tommy returned to ministry serving Live Oak Church in Denham Springs, La., until 2021. He was an active Rotarian and community leader, and during retirement, could often be found telling Cajun stories or playing Santa Claus. His children’s ministry, using hand puppets, was adored by everyone. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Rev TR Bergeron Memorial Scholarship Fund at Centenary College of Louisiana, 2911 Centenary Blvd, Shreveport, LA 71104 or online at www.centenary.edu/give.
Read Bergeron’s obituary here.