Author
We have heard this before
May. 31, 2020—Words from emilie m. townes, dean of Vanderbilt Divinity School, E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Chair, Professor of Womanist Ethics and Society Once again, a Black man was killed while in police custody. The images of his life slipping away because of the knee planted on his neck by the White police officer as...
On Foyle’s War, Creativity, and COVID-19
May. 1, 2020—A guest post from alumna Katy Attanasi, who earned her PhD in Christian Ethics from Vanderbilt University. In the Masterpiece Mystery series Foyle’s War, Detective Chief Superintendent Foyle solves regular crimes in an average British town during the extraordinary times of World War II. Although he would rather serve the War Office, Foyle eventually accepts that...
Embodied Mutuality
Apr. 9, 2020—A lenten reflection by Lyndsey Godwin (she, her, hers), Assistant Director of the Carpenter Program in Religion, Gender, and Sexuality. Foot-washing is a practice of mutuality, embodied. It represents, for me at least, the whole of Jesus’ ministry. This ritual, this practice is the cornerstone of my faith. Though we cannot practice the ritual collectively,...
Outside Our Service Area
Apr. 2, 2020—Waste Not Want Not: A Beginner’s Composting Series This series focuses on our commitment to sustainability and ecotheology by offering tips and tools to live out what we say we believe. Amy E. Steele (she/her/hers), Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and Community Life at Vanderbilt Divinity School (VDS) invites us in to her journey toward...
Why Nashville?
Apr. 2, 2020—Guest post from The Rev. Laura M. Cheifetz (she/her), Assistant Dean of Admissions, Vocation, and Stewardship This post is part of a series titled, “Why Vanderbilt Divinity” that provides different perspectives from the Vanderbilt Divinity School (VDS) community about why VDS makes a top school to consider for graduate theological education. To read part I...
The Elevator Speech
Apr. 1, 2020—Guest post from The Rev. Laura M. Cheifetz (she/her), Assistant Dean of Admissions, Vocation, and Stewardship This post is part II of a series titled, “Why Vanderbilt Divinity” that provides different perspectives from the Vanderbilt Divinity School (VDS) community about why VDS makes a top school to consider for graduate theological education. When I am out recruiting...
Why Vanderbilt Divinity School
Apr. 1, 2020—Guest post from The Rev. Laura M. Cheifetz (she/her), Assistant Dean of Admissions, Vocation, and Stewardship This post is part of a series titled, “Why Vanderbilt Divinity” that provides different perspectives from the Vanderbilt Divinity School (VDS) community about why VDS makes a top school to consider for graduate theological education. Why did I decide...
a moment of meditation
Apr. 1, 2020—As we explore what it means to be in community virtually, we’ve been meeting weekly on Mondays for a moment of poetry, song, and silence. Periodically, we’ll be sharing parts of those gatherings here, as a resource for you to center yourselves for 15 minutes wherever you are. Click on the links embedded below to...
Honoring our collective dead
Oct. 30, 2019—On November 1, in many Christian traditions, we observe All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, where we offer a “Requiem for the Dead” — a moving, often solemn remembrance of our faithful departed in song and prayer. Increasingly though, in many Christian communities, especially those with congregants from Latin American backgrounds, we have integrated...
2019 Convocation Address
Sep. 13, 2019—The message below was delivered by dean emilie m. townes at the 2019 Convocation held at Vanderbilt Divinity School on August 23. we gathered in this space that was conceived by students, faculty, staff, alums, and the board of visitors when we started this journey in the fall of 2013 as we talked to all...