Perkins Grad Launches Brewery
Betsy Lay (M.T.S. ’09) was featured in a news story on CBS Saturday about Lady Justice, an all-female owned brewery in Colorado, which “aims to turn great beer into a better world.” Only 7.5% of brewers in the U.S. are women, and just 2% of breweries in the country are all-female-owned, according to the report. The three women who founded the brewery met while serving in AmeriCorps. Watch the news story here. Lay was also recently featured in a podcast, Sandi Klein’s Conversations with Creative Women.
New Book by Kim Meyers
The Rev. Kim Meyers (M.A.M. ’15) weaves together the threads of wisdom, faith and perspective in her book Parenting with Perspective (Invite Press, October 2021). “In a world that validates perfection, Meyers’ is a fresh voice and friend for parents in every season of child-rearing,” according to a press release. Meyers is associate pastor of family ministry and community outreach at St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Plano. The book is available for preorder here.
News article highlights Kelly Krone
The Rev. Kelly Krone (M. Div. ’06, D. Min. ’15) was interviewed recently for a feature in the Texarkana Gazette, “Pastor takes circuitous path to Linden ministry.” The article describes how Krone made a midlife career change into ministry after working for 20 years in the steel industry. However, he felt destined to ministry most of his life. When he was born in the 1960’s, he was not expected to survive; his parents even purchased a burial plot for him. “Years later when I had made the decision to become a minister, my mother told me she made a plea. ‘Take him for what you will but let him live,’” he said.
Gienger Interviewed
The Rev. Michael Gienger (M.Div. ’17) was recently featured in an interview in the Galveston County Daily News. Gienger is pastor of Galveston Central Church. The interview highlights his work in the community and notes three recent awards: Small Membership Church of the Year (2019) presented by the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church; the Kick-Ass Pastor Award (2020) presented by Galveston Central Church; and a Citizen of the Year finalist (2021) – presented by The Daily News.
Q&A with Gun Violence Pastor
The Rev. Deanna Hollas (M. Div., ’15) was recently interviewed for The Presbyterian Outlook for a Q&A, “The current landscape of gun violence.” In 2019, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) ordained Hollas as the nation’s first gun prevention minister – she serves as gun violence prevention coordinator for Presbyterian Peace Fellowship. Hollas discussed American attitudes toward firearms and soaring gun sales during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the Q&A here.
Stephen Ling New Book
Stephen Ling (M.Th ’68), a retired college professor, is now working on his ninth book, tentatively titled Bonsai Kids, based on his seven years as a visiting professor in mainland China. “Many Chinese mothers are raising their kids like a gardener a bonsai tree,” he said. “I am hoping to return to China sometime this year to finish my book. I have asked many friends, former students in China to share their stories as Bonsai Kids, born during the one-child policy which ended in 2016.” The Chinese government has just passed a new law to encourage families to have three children, as the government is struggling with the growing aging populating, low fertility rate and labor shortage, but many women are rejecting that option. Ling can be reached at stephenehling@hotmail.com or on Facebook www:facebook.com/stephenehling. He would love to hear from former classmates and friends at Perkins.
Commentary by Shandon Klein
A commentary by Shandon Klein (M. Div. ’21) was recently featured on UMC.org, titled “Do we need the institution to do church?” When Klein hears the word “institution,” she can’t help but think of its negative characteristics. It occurs to her that many people have the same reaction to the word “church.” Klein, a ministry associate at First United Methodist Church Richardson, asks, as an institutional church, “are we truly creating disciples of Jesus Christ or are we simply creating disciples of our institutional standards and policies?” Read the commentary here.
Union Coffee Panel Discussion
For the first time since Union coffeehouse and community center moved to the Oak Lawn neighborhood, all the pastors on the block of Cedar Springs Drive and Oak Lawn Avenue in Dallas are now women; two of them have Perkins ties. In celebration of this news, Union hosted a panel discussion on August 21 with Katie Newsome (M.Div. ’16) from Union Coffee, Isabel Marquez of Gracia Viva church, a former Administrative Assistant at Perkins’ Hispanic/Latin@ Ministries Program and the Course of Study School, along with Rachel Griffin Baughman and Kaitlyn Elizabeth Frantz of Oak Lawn United Methodist Church. Former Union community curator Rev. Dr. Baranda J. Fermin, now Lead Pastor at Life in Deep Ellum, served as moderator.
Seungli You Profiled in News Story
The Rev. Seungli You (M.Div. ’19), associate pastor of First United Methodist Church in Kearney, Neb., was profiled in a news story. He and senior pastor Matt Fowler took over the reins of the church on July 1. Born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, You came to the U.S. in 2016 to study at Perkins, then served at a church in McCool Junction. Read the story in the Kearney Hub here.
Obit: The Rev. Mary Elizabeth “Patsy” Brundige
The Rev. Mary Elizabeth “Patsy” Brundige, age 88, passed away in Dallas on August 3. She received her undergraduate degree at SMU, and years later returned to Perkins to earn an M. Div. in 1986. Brundige was ordained in the United Methodist Church in 1986 and served churches in Dallas, Carrollton, and East Texas. She maintained an active affiliation with Oaklawn United Methodist Church in Dallas and then with her community at C.C. Young. After her husband Virgil died young of lung cancer in 1989, she wrote Hope for a Widow’s Shattered World and In Touch with Now: An Uncommon Celebration, a book of poetry and meditations. She also led grief groups for widows. A memorial service celebrating her life was held on August 7 at Preston Hollow United Methodist Church in Dallas. Donations may be made in Patsy’s honor to: Heifer International “In Memory of Patsy Brundige” by mailing to Heifer Foundation, P.O. Box 8058, Little Rock, AR 72203. Read her obituary here.
Obit: James E. Dorff
James E. Dorff (M. Th. ’72) a former United Methodist bishop remembered for his ability to bring people together, died June 7 after a three-year struggle with pancreatic cancer. He was 73. As bishop, Dorff helped lead the formation of what is now the Rio Texas Conference — bringing together the formerly separate Southwest and Rio Grande conferences into a single, bilingual regional body. Dorff also guided various denomination-wide ministries. He helped launch Imagine No Malaria — the United Methodist initiative to combat the deadly disease in Africa. He also served as president of the denomination’s Board of Higher Education and Ministry for nearly four years. Memorial services were held at Highland Park UMC on June 18 and at First UMC McKinney on June 25. The Dorff family suggest anyone wishing to make a gift do so to Lydia Patterson Institute Chapel Fund. Cards/notes may be sent to Barbara Dorff at: 10031 Apple Creek Drive, Dallas, TX 75253. Read his UMNS obit here.
Obit: The Rev. Verlon E. Feller
The Rev. Verlon Eli Feller (M. Div. ’52) died July 28 at age 93. As a Methodist minister he was a caring pastor, a spiritual preacher, a leader, and he loved the people in his churches which he served for 50 years. His first appointment was Lexington, Texas; he also served churches in Franklin, Quitman, East Bernard, Gilmer, Athens, Houston West University, Texarkana Hardy Memorial, and then Port Neches where he lived at the time of his retirement. Feller was involved in his community, serving in men’s service clubs, the chamber of commerce and PTA. He was a member of the Tyler Coin Club, and he was a stamp collector from age 10 until his death. He received the lifetime membership award from the American Philatelic Association. A celebration of his life was held at the Gilmer First United Methodist Church on August 9. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be given to the First United Methodist Church, Gilmer, or the church or charity of your choice. Read his obituary here.
Obit: The Rev. Ben F. Jordan
The Rev. Ben F. Jordan (M. Th. ’52) passed away on August 16. Before retiring, he served churches in the Arkansas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, including Houston Bigelow, Van Buren, Monette, Jonesboro Huntington, Osceola, Newport First, Conway First, North Little Rock First, and Central-Fayetteville, as well as Conway District Superintendent and Paragould District Superintendent. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Notes of condolences may be sent to: Marie Jordan, 3 Shepherd’s Cove #117, Little Rock, AR 72205. Read his obituary here.
Obit: The Rev. Larry Nicholson
The Rev. Larry Nicholson (M.Th. ’69) passed away in Dallas on June 20 at age 78. Nicholson was ordained as a Deacon in the North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church in 1969, became an Elder in 1971 and ministered to churches throughout North Texas. Larry is survived by his wife of 52 years, Rebie (Comb) Nicholson, two sons, his brother and eight grandchildren. A Service of Witness to the Resurrection was held at Northridge Presbyterian Church on June 24. Read his obit here.