Category: June 2021

A Note of Thanks from Our Team

Dear Perspective Online Community:

This academic year is fast coming to its close, but our recruitment season continues with anticipation of one last push this summer as we head into fall 2021 and welcome another new class. In this last issue of the year, we wish to express our sense of appreciation for all you do for Perkins.

It is with a deep gratitude that we pay tribute to our extraordinary Perspective Online community — all of the Perkins alumnae/i, students, faculty/staff, friends and supporters who read this newsletter each month. You have inspired us to forge ahead with commitment of devotion to the ideals of the Perkins mission and vision, despite the necessity to navigate uncertain times.  Your support of our recruiting work — your encouragement, your referrals and your supportive interactions with prospective students — has inspired us and allowed us to better serve our students, faculty, and staff. Thank you for understanding how special Perkins is to the church and larger community. Together we are better.

Have a restful, peaceful, and safe summer. May God bless you immeasurably.

With every good wish,
Margot

Christina Rhodes, Financial Aid and Financial Literacy Coordinator

What a whirlwind this past year has been at Perkins! Over 250 students received financial assistance and I know that, without your generosity through both financial resources and prayer, this would not have been possible. From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank each of you for your support, and I look forward to our continued collaboration.

Stephen Bagby, Director, Recruitment & Admission

Thank you for your support of the mission of Perkins School of Theology. I count it a privilege to work in theological education where the next generation of leaders are being trained to serve in churches and communities throughout America and the world. Your support makes this possible. In my role at Perkins, I find it a joy to walk with our future students through the application process, hearing their stories of following God’s call to seminary and future service. These stories demonstrate faithfulness and servant leadership that is so valued at Perkins School of Theology.

Caleb Palmer, Ministry Discernment Associate

Recruitment this year has not been easy, but it would have been impossible without your support! Thanks to you, we are connecting with more students and continuing the good work done here at SMU Perkins School of Theology. You play a vital role in making the difference, and we in the Office of Enrollment Management are grateful for your support. Thank you!

Samantha Stewart, Ministry Discernment Associate

A very big thank you to everyone for supporting the Office of Enrollment Management during this unusual time.  We are excited and eager for the future of Perkins and we cannot wait to hopefully see you all in person soon, safely. 

What a school year we have had!  A killer virus, tornados in Dallas, a record-breaking ice storm and freeze—I was waiting for the Fourth Horseman of the Apocalypse!

But, we made it through all of the chaos.  As President Turner recently told SMU Staff at the annual staff picnic, “We rallied, worked together, made adjustments, and persevered.  And we did it!” And Perkins’ faithful donors “did it” too, responding to appeals and opportunities in a miraculous way. Let me tell a quick story of one of these mini-miracles:

A few days ago, I received a phone call from a woman in another state who wanted to honor a long-time friend.  This friend is a retired pastor who graduated from Perkins in the 1980s.  The caller decided to endow a scholarship in her friend’s name and told me she would send the required $100,000 to endow the fund.  This donor did not want to wait the requisite four years for the scholarship to begin producing income, so she agreed to send $5,000 a year for the next four so that the scholarship can begin funding students this fall!

That is just one of the many happy surprises we have experienced this year at Perkins. You, our community, have continually stepped up in surprising ways and showed us how much Perkins means to you. Scores of people participated in the SMU Day of Giving.  Even though we held our Scholarship Event virtually for the first time this year, we had more table sponsorships than ever. A faculty member just significantly increased his monthly giving because he wants Perkins to thrive.

But, despite a banner year for us, students continue to have needs.

The COVID-19 pandemic has put a severe financial strain on the students of Perkins School of Theology.  We have students, and spouses of students, who have been severely impacted by events of the last year.  Our student emergency fund has been stretched to its limit.  Current scholarship funds available for next year won’t cover all of the needs of students.

Our new fiscal year has just begun.  I am asking all of our alumni and friends to help us begin the year with a strong start.  Please be involved with this effort.

Donations for the SMU Fund for Perkins and the Student Scholarship Fund can be made on the Perkins giving page at https://giving.smu.edu/schools-areas/perkins/  Those two funds are the top designations in the drop-down menu.  It is those funds which we need to fill.

If donating by check, it should be made out to “SMU” with the appropriate designation on the notation line.  Our mailing address is:

John A. Martin
Perkins Development
PO Box 750133
Dallas, TX 75275-0133

Please join in helping students during this extraordinary time of need.  The future leaders being trained at Perkins need your support.

Thank you in advance.

John A. Martin
Director of Development

May 14, 2021  

The Dr. and Mrs. J. P. Bray Award in Hebrew, given to the student who ranks highest in Hebrew scholarship: Chris Gelwick

Faculty Award in Greek, awarded to the student who ranks highest in New Testament Greek scholarship: Marissa Neil

The Charley T. and Jesse James Bible Awards, awarded to students on the basis of academic achievement in biblical courses and overall scholastic performance. The ranked awards went to 1) Shandon Klein and 2) Jennifer Kilpatrick

The W.B.J. Martin Award in Homiletics, given in recognition of outstanding students in the introductory preaching classes: Tanner Smith

The W. B. DeJernett Award in Homiletics, given to a senior student with the highest academic average in homiletics courses: Paul Bussert

The Paul W. Quillian Award in Homiletics, given to the student who has presented the best written sermon: Claudia Stephens

The William K. McElvaney Preaching Award, given to the student who has presented the best written sermon on a public issue, which includes a social crisis, a controversial issue or a chronic social problem: Rachel Mumaw, Samuel Spraggins

The Robert Weatherford Prize for Internship Preaching, awarded to theology students for excellence in preaching during internship. Recipients are chosen by the intern faculty of Perkins School of Theology and a representative from the preaching faculty: Shandon Klein, Megan Twyman, Vicki Wood

The Bert Affleck Award, given to a student for creativity in ministry during internship: Wallace Wyatt.

The Hoyt Hickman Award for Outstanding Liturgical Scholarship and Practice, awarded by the Order of Saint Luke, is given to the graduating student who, in the judgment of the selection committee, has given evidence of a high quality of scholarship in the study of liturgy and is an effective leader of Christian worship: Jennifer Kilpatrick

The Roger Deschner Prize in Sacred Music, established by friends and family in memory of Roger Deschner. The prize is awarded to an M.S.M. student who has excelled in academic work, musical abilities and overall achievement in the Sacred Music Program. Senior:  Allison Shutt. Junior:  Claire Ward

The Albert C. Outler Award in Theology, awarded to the student contributing the most outstanding essay in theology during the academic year: Kaylee Vida

The Phillip Schaff Prize in Church History, established by Klaus Penzel, is given for demonstrated excellence in the historical study of Christianity, while participating in courses in church history: Adam Lubbers

The B’nai B’rith Award in Social Ethics, given by the Harold M. Kaufman Memorial Foundation to students on the basis of scholarly competence in the field of social ethics and personal commitment as shown in voluntary activity in support of worthy causes: Julian Hobdy, Melissa Nelms.

The Harry Hosier Spirit Award, established by Perkins alumnus Reverend Dr. Henry Masters and given to a graduating student who best exemplifies the spirit of Harry Hosier expressed in what is described as his “elocution of faith: I sing by faith, preach by faith, pray by faith and do everything by faith.” Deneen Goldsmith

The Dr. and Mrs. Glenn Flinn Senior Award, given to that member of the graduating class who, in the judgment of the faculty, best exemplifies the aims of the school and the church for its ministry: Shandon Klein

The Hunt-Francis Research Grant in Pastoral Care and Counseling, funded by a gift from Dr. Richard and Joan Hunt, provides financial support to a student undertaking faculty-supervised research on the subject of Pastoral Care and Counseling at the Perkins School of Theology. The inaugural recipient was Lael Melville.

Following an agreement announced in April, the World Methodist Museum in Lake Junaluska, N.C., is sending its entire collection to Bridwell Library at Perkins. A portion of the collection already has arrived at the library in time for Aldersgate Day, the anniversary of John Wesley’s spiritual awakening on May 24, 1738. The remainder is scheduled to arrive in July. The addition of the artifacts to Bridwell’s already-extensive collection, coupled with two world-renowned Wesley scholars named as new Perkins faculty chairs, uniquely positions Perkins School of Theology as a center for Wesley studies. Read the United Methodist News feature by Heather Hahn here.

On May 3, Perkins faculty approved a proposal to launch an SMU Perkins Black/ Africana Church Studies (BACS) Program. Tamara Lewis, Assistant Professor of the History of Christianity, will serve as the program’s director.

“The program will critically explore Black theology, Black Biblical studies and interpretation, history, pastoral theology, preaching, worship, religious education, ethics, and other practices in conjunction with African American, African, and other African Diasporic churches, non-profit organizations, and social justice ministries,” said Lewis.

The BACS program will offer a range of opportunities and activities designed to enrich the educational, cultural, and communal experiences of Black students at Perkins School of Theology and the Graduate Program in Religious Studies (GPRS) as well as the broader SMU community.

“A first priority of the program is to promote the Concentration in African American Church Studies among students through informal sharing and informative presentations on African American courses and degree requirements and electives at the Community Hour at Perkins (CHAP),” Lewis added. The Concentration is available to all M.Div. students who wish to broaden their understanding of African American religious experiences as well as prepare for leadership in the Black church or related social agencies. Interested students declare their intent to earn the certificate with their advisor and registrar.

Perkins established the first Black Church Studies Program in 1970 under Dean Joseph D. Quillian, Jr. The first Coordinator of Black Church Studies was also the first Black faculty member of Perkins, the Rev. Nathaniel Lenard Lacy, Jr. (1935-2016), a United Methodist clergyman who served as Assistant Professor of Practical Theology from 1970-74. However, without specifically designated funding, the Black Church Studies Program and Director ceased by the 1980s; instead, Black faculty advisors worked with the Black Seminarians Association.

Goals of the BACS program include:

* Preparing Black/ Africana students both at the Dallas campus and the Houston/Galveston Extension, for innovative and impactful leadership in the Black Church, academy, and the world.

* Educating the entire Perkins and SMU community about the origins, development, and diversity of the Black Church Tradition, including Africa and the Diaspora.

* Hosting events, including worship services, revivals and gospel concerts, in conjunction with the Black Seminarians Association and Black Perkins faculty.

* Establishing a Perkins Black Alumni Network/ Association.

* Creating a warm atmosphere of nurture, support, and community for Black seminarians and others in order to increase student recruitment and matriculation in a wholesome environment.

* Connecting the religious academy with the Black church by bringing together a consortium of ministerial leaders and religious scholars for the sharing of research and critical reflection.

* Integrating Africana and African American themed curriculum into Perkins’ core courses and promoting successful student participation and completion of the Concentration in African American Studies.

Program organizers also hope to eventually offer scholarships, stipends, and other funding opportunities for qualified Black students and anticipate the development of Black archival collections and papers of Black Perkins professors, students, and local ministerial leaders. They also hope to expand student mentoring and networking opportunities.

An overall goal of the program is to improve campus quality of life for members of the SMU Black community, starting with a biennial survey of the campus climate as seen through the eyes of students, faculty, and staff.

Beginning this summer and through the spring semester of 2022, Lewis and other program leaders will prepare a BACS constitution and by-laws, formalize and recruit a Board of Advisors, assemble a Consultation Team (consisting of Black seminarians, Black Perkins alumni, Black Perkins doctoral students, community leaders, and other invested individuals), set up office space and administrative help for the program, and establish a web presence on the Perkins website. In conjunction with the BSA, program leaders will also plan worship programming for the 2021-2022 school year and schedule gatherings for Black student fellowship, fun, support and nurture.

One of the highlights of the annual conference sessions of The United Methodist Church, particularly within the South Central Jurisdiction, is the annual gathering of alums from Perkins School of Theology for a meal and conversation with Perkins representatives.  This year, because of ongoing concerns about COVID-19 and the ability to gather safely, annual conference sessions are not yet back to “normal” and alumni/ae gatherings have been impacted. However, Perkins alumni/ae will have the chance to connect virtually at the following Annual Conferences.

Here are the upcoming events finalized as of June 1:

Arkansas Annual Conference – Thursday, June 3, 6:30-8 p.m. (Central Time)

North Texas Annual Conference – Wednesday, June 16, 10-11 a.m. (Central Time)

Rio Texas Annual Conference – No alumni/ae gathering in conjunction with this year’s annual conference.

Perkins alums from these annual conferences will receive an e-mail invitation and all are asked to RSVP to Rachel Holmes, Office of Public Affairs and Alumni/ae Relations, at rdwight@smu.edu.  Once the RSVP is received, alums will receive the Zoom link for the gathering.

Likewise, Perkins displays will accommodate the request of each annual conference.  In most cases, our “display” will include downloadable fliers or promotional video, which will be available on each annual conference website.

Check back with this page for additional events as they are scheduled. Because of the fluidity of annual conference sessions, including postponement or shortened meeting dates, other alumni/ae events are yet to be finalized. Annual conference alums will receive an e-mail notification when/if an event is scheduled.  The Office of Public Affairs and Alumni/ae Relations is working closely with Perkins Alumni/ae Council representatives from each annual conference to make final determinations about when and whether a gathering will be held.

Questions?  Contact the Office of Public Affairs and Alumni/ae Relations, Perkins School of Theology:  rdwight@smu.edu

Applications Now Open for First Cohort of Perkins Testimony HQ Congregational Initiative

Applications will be accepted from June 1 until July 1 from congregations interested in joining Perkins School of Theology’s Testimony HQ grant-funded initiative. Ten churches will be selected for the first cohort, which launches January 1, 2022.  Churches within a 350-mile radius of Dallas, Texas, are eligible to apply.

The program, supported by a $999,975 grant made through Lilly Endowment’s nationwide Thriving Congregations Initiative, aims to increase the practice of testimony as community engagement both inside and outside the church. The Rev. Priscilla Pope-Levison and Bart Patton of Perkins School of Theology are the co-principal investigators.

“The stories we tell our children, our neighbors, our co-workers about how, when and where we have experienced God remain the most winsome, invitational way for people, both inside and beyond the church, to encounter God for themselves,” said Pope-Levison. “We are looking for congregations, of any denomination, that are ready to focus wholeheartedly on testimony as community engagement.”

Pope-Levison added that the practice of Christians telling stories about how and where they experience God’s activity in their lives can be transformative for individuals and communities. When people see how others are discerning the presence of God in their lives, they are inspired to do the same.

“The program’s purposes are to capture the stimulus toward testimony in this COVID-19 moment, when people are eager to tell stories about God’s presence and activity in their lives, and to build that stimulus into the life-giving pulse and practice of congregations,” said Patton. “The practice of testimony as community engagement, within and beyond the church walls, will become an indispensable part of the DNA of each cohort congregation.”

This is the second Lilly Endowment grant awarded to SMU to fund the work of Pope-Levison and Patton; the first was a $1 million grant awarded in 2018 to strengthen congregational ministries with youth.

SMU is one of 92 organizations funded through Lilly Endowment’s Thriving Congregations Initiative. The aim of the initiative is to strengthen Christian congregations so they can help people deepen their relationships with God, build strong relationships with each other and contribute to the flourishing of local communities and the world. The grants will support organizations as they work directly with congregations and help them gain clarity about their values and missions; explore and understand better the communities in which they serve; and draw upon their theological traditions as they adapt ministries to meet changing needs.

Ultimately, the project at SMU will enable the Perkins School to embed testimony as community engagement into the practice of 30 congregations within a 350-mile radius of Dallas.

“Testimony is a fundamental building block of the church as a welcoming body, where even newcomers can overhear authentic faith stories,” said Pope-Levison. “Community and connection flow out from a thriving congregation’s practice of testimony into the world around it.”

This grant will engage a core value of Perkins’ mission statement: “To prepare women and men for faithful leadership in Christian ministry.” The ability to articulate how one experiences God is foundational to training Christian leaders, especially for an institution in the Wesleyan tradition.

The Rev. Priscilla Pope-Levison, co-principal investigator, associate dean for External Programs and professor of ministerial studies, is an award-winning author, pastor, professor and higher education administrator.

Bart Patton, co-principal investigator and director of youth and young adult ministry education, is a proven congregational leader, youth minister, worship leader, teacher and pastor.

For more information and to connect with the application portal, visit testimonyhq.com. To contact the grant team, email testimonyhq@smu.edu.