T H E V O I C E
kairoj
kairos
Extensions of an
After all, peace and unity
Olive Branch
I was requested by my
Committee on Preparation for
Ministry to preach a sermon on
Ephesians 2:11-22, this summer.
I hope to do this bold and
Ironically enough this passage is
about identity, peace and unity,
three things that have plagued me
everywhere I turn for the last year.
I mean plague in the best sense
possible.
I hope to do these things by
After the trip to Egypt and
Israel/Palestine, I wrote several
articles about identity. Each
explored how cultures and people
define themselves and how often
these identities come into conflict.
Coupled with the request by my
COPM to preach on peace and
unity I feel I am being called to
write for Kairos under the title
Extensions of an Olive Branch.
O F T H E C O M
are what help build community,
help destroy walls between us, or
the hostilities that divide us.
Unity is not easy and olive
branches, much less trees are not
always the most beautiful plants
in the world. In fact, olive trees
are gnarled and mangled, twisted
An olive tree thought to be 1,500 years
old in the Garden of Gethsemane .
and rough, so to talk about
extending an olive branch in the
name of peace is boldly risking
unity in the midst of ugliness.
Doing my PCUSA exegesis exam
confirmed my calling to write
about peace. I exegete-d Psalm
M U N I T Y
100 and came to the conclusion
that God is no ordinary Shepherd.
Likewise, God is no ordinary
peacemaker. God in God’s
sovereignty allows us to engage
boldly and perhaps foolishly in
acts of peace-making.
foolish ministry by finding unity
in the midst of division, peace in
the midst of discord, and identity
in the midst of mutual growth.
writing for Kairos about things I
see on campus, in the community,
and in the world. I hope to extend
invitations to others to engage in
the community. I hope to use
“olive branches” to highlight
unity while acknowledging
differences. I hope to extend grace
and hope where unity may seem
impossible by writing about such
events. I hope to invite others to
reflect with me in this journey.
Mary Elizabeth Prentice
© 2009 Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary
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For the glory of God and to proclaim the

gospel of Jesus Christ . . . APTS promotes
and engages in critical theological thought
and research; and strives to be a winsome
and exemplary community of God's
people.

— Austin Presbyterian Theological

Seminary Mission Statement

Fall Convocation Worship

Tuesday, September 8, 2009 Tuesday, September 8, 2009

11:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m.

Shelton Chapel Shelton Chapel

Faculty Address by Preaching

Rev. Dr. Allan Cole Rev. Dr. Ted Wardlaw

Entering students - please stay in the
Chapel following convocation in order to
receive instructions for the signing of The
Declaration of Intent during the evening
worship service.
Worship, Sacrament of the Lord s Supper,
Signing of The Declaration of Intent
Reception following the service at Vickery
Atrium of McCord Center

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Understanding the Alphabet Soup of Seminary

An Urban Ministry SPM
We had six different youth groups come from
Kate Loveless is a senior MDiv student and a Candidate for
Minster of Word and Sacrament under care of Grace
Presbytery. She has served as a Young Adult Volunteer in
Liverpool, England and is engaged to be married.
four different states to stay at the church for a
mission trip and do ministry in an urban setting.
They worked for agencies that addressed a variety
of issues in the community, mainly people living
with HIV and AIDS, hunger, and homelessness.
While this was my main responsibility, I also
preached, led worship, taught Sunday School, did
pastoral visits, and helped with Vacation Bible
School.

I learned so much – not only from the other

pastors, but also from the staff and members. I had
many chances to apply practically what I have
learned theoretically in my classes in a church
setting.

My call also seems to have been clarified; this
is now the second time that I have been assigned to
Kate in the midst of the Urban GAP
do urban ministry with youth. I was reminded how
much I enjoyed being in relationship with youth,
This summer, I worked full-time at First
how passionate I am about their Christian
Presbyterian Church in Fort Worth to fulfill my
education, and how grateful I am to be a part of
Supervised Practice of Ministry requirement. FPC
their faith journey.
has over 2000 members and is very involved in
outreach to their community. They are a unique
church for several reasons: all four pastors are under
the age of 45; they have two different campuses, one Ancient Greek Summer Day
being in a transitional neighborhood and the other
the main traditional campus; they have four
Camp for Adults
worship services on Sunday, ranging from Sally Wright is a Middler, MDiv student and an Inquirer for
traditional to contemporary and everything in Minister of Word and Sacrament under care of New Covenant
Presbytery. Sally spent his summer at Greek Camp and in the
between.
Wilderness. She is one of two Middler Senators and a Reyah
Coordinator.
One of the reasons I chose to work at FPC
was also their incredible generosity in mission and Beginning seminary is an exciting time. It is
outreach. They have a social worker on staff, whose exciting to learn the different editions of the
job is solely to coordinate the mission and outreach Pentateuch, the different sources of Matthew and
programs. My main responsibility was working the date of the Reformation.   But nothing brings
with the social worker to help run the Urban GAPs quite as much excitement as learning Biblical
program. Hebrew and Biblical Greek. Being able to read and
translate the original languages of the Old

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Understanding the Alphabet Soup of Seminary Cont.

Testament and the New Testament reveal new A Personal Experience
insights into the scriptures.  You see first hand how
Ron Phares is a Senior MDiv Student and under care the Unitarian
the words directly translate and how the grammar Universalist Church. Originally from Arizona, Ron has lived in
actually renders a variety of interpretations. Austin for six years. He spent his summer in the depths of many
hospitals doing Clinical Pastoral Education.
Earlier this summer the Middler Class
CPE is personal. It is unavoidably and
finished a six-week grammar course in Biblical
intentionally so. The difference between coursework
Greek - dubbed "Greek Camp."  Camp it is.  After
here on campus and CPE is that, while many of the
two semesters packed full of reading and writing,
classes we take in lecture halls and seminar rooms
we entered into Greek Camp, a different class, a fun
leave us challenged and changed by our
class. We ate chocolate, "Cowboy Cookies" and
engagement with the subject matter, few do so with
"Arkone" cake.  
explicit purpose. What’s more, if coursework
changes and challenges us, it is often on an
We had cheerleaders of the stuffed kind who
intellectual level. This may change our faith and
included Doughboy, Doughgirl and Hippos, the
perhaps even our behavior, but it does not change
horse, who taught us prepositions.  Dr. John Alsup,
who we are. CPE does.
our professor, invited us to his ranch where we
spent a Saturday on hayrides, petting horses and
enjoying a picnic. And, the best cheerleaders, our
TAs worked very hard to ensure we knew our
endings and our definite article.  We could not have
made it through Greek Camp without the assistance
and guidance of the TAs.

The last week of the course, the week when

we were preparing to take the final, the class played
a game called "Marley and Me." Similar to the
movie of the same name, John gave us a
grammatical construction to find in the text of the
day. We proceeded to go "fetch" it. It was a unique
way to allow us to use the skills we learned
throughout the previous five weeks.
We are now poised to begin Bi. 216 -
Introduction to Greek Exegesis with a solid
knowledge of Greek grammatical constructions.  We
are looking forward to translating parts of the Book
of Mark in its original language.
If you listen carefully in McMillan you might
still be able to hear echoes of "If you are happy to be
in Greek Camp.... Clap your Hands...."
Five APTS current or former students were in this summer’s CPE group
hosted by Seton Hospital: Laurel Dixon, John Pflug, Jason Webster,
Renee Roederer and Ron Phares.
How? CPE involves interning as a chaplain in
the field (a hospital or prison system, etc.). This
requires students to interact with people in
excessively dire circumstances, people who are
hurting and angry or despondent, people who are
wailing or denying their predicament and
(sometimes) people who’s disposition and outlook
are attuned to frequencies such that they have
something to give to us.

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Understanding the Alphabet Soup of Seminary Cont.
These encounters, several times a day, would be
enough to call most of us into a fit of introspection.
But they are the tip of the iceberg. After all, then
there’s death.
So that’s a big deal. You might say that.
Death. I’d never seen a person freshly dead before.
It is a vision I will never forget. And that vision was
part of an overall experience in the moment that
was astounding, fascinating, horrifying, tragic, and
stupefying, flush with too much context to reveal in
this space. Kaleidoscopic. That experience was one
of a few (and for some of my fellow CPE classmates
– MANY) similar such experiences. Yet, even death
was just the tip of the ice berg as well.
CPE is all about going underwater. It is about
investigating the whole of the ice berg that lies
Clare and Melea shared a variety of
beneath the surface. And do you know what lies
beneath the surface? You do.
Much of CPE is spent in a small group setting
facilitated by a professional trained in such matters.
I can not speak for everyone’s experience, but our
groups stated intent was to uncover blind spots in
our self conceptions, to reveal the ways we hide
It was an experience of contrasts and
from ourselves and thus do disservice to our life
and the lives around us. We sought out our pain in
order to help us identify with the pain of our
patients as well as to help us deal with the sources
Over the course of the semester, Clare will
of this pain in our own lives.
Such a process is grueling. It is frightening.
And it is beautiful. CPE will test you in ways you
likely have not been tested. It will challenge your
theology, your self-conception, and your faith.
Everyday I reported to CPE excited for what the day
would bring. Every evening I was so glad the day
was over. Even now, I am relieved that such an
intense experience is behind me. But I miss it.
W W W . A U S T I N S E M I N A R Y. T Y P E P A D . P O R T A L / K A I R O S . H T M L
Introduction to an Zambian
Experience
Clare Lozano is a Senior MDiv student and a Candidate for
Minister of the Word and Sacrament under care of Mission
Presbytery. Clare began her summer escorting Melea White to
our sister seminary in Lusaka, Zambia.
Melea White is a Senior dual degree MDiv/MSSW student
currently studying at Justo Mwale Theological University
College in Lusaka, Zambia. Her interest lies in breaking down
barriers through cross-cultural work.
Unfortunately the summer trip to Zambia
with the seminary did not make, but Melea White
had already committed to going to Zambia and
what better way to go then travel with her good
friend Clare Lozano and get acquainted with
Lusaka and the community.
experiences. Everything from worshiping in
Westminster Abbey in London during their 12 hour
layover to meeting the first two women ordained in
the Reformed Church in Zambia. They experienced
the absolute beauty and majesty of Zambia with a
trip to Victoria Falls, but contrasted that with
poverty of a nation in the Global South.
similarities. It was an experience of goodbyes and
hellos. It is an experience of a lifetime.
share her reflections of the trip and Melea will
contribute reflections of her experiences as she
remains in Lusaka at Justo Mwale Theological
University College.
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INVITE TO WRITE! Lunch with the President

It is my goal to invite every
student, including special President Ted Wardlaw would like to have lunch with students once a month
students, to write for Kairos throughout this academic year. 
throughout the year. I am There is no agenda for these lunch visits, no preparation
currently working on a method is needed, and no quizzes will be given.  The intent is
to invite students to write. getting to know us and spending a little fun and
informal time with us.    Listed below are the dates for
The invitation will be extended Lunch with the President. Sign up at the McCord Desk
on Friday and you will have and you will receive an email from Nancy Reese, Ted’s
until Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. to assistant, to remind you of your commitment.  Join Ted
submit a 250-300 word essay in the Knox Dining Room at noon with a BYOL (Bring
Your Own Lunch) and have a chance to get to know
on whatever the Spirit leads
President Ted and to voice your joys and your concerns
you to write about. as students of Austin Seminary. Sign up now!
I would love to have repeat Dates of Lunch with the President
contributors, but understand
that writing a weekly column September 22 January 20
October 13 February 24
is a daunting commitment, so I
November 11 March 24
want people to know writing December 16 April 20
once is great! May 11
I will begin to invite Juniors to
write after Fall Break, so that
you all can get into the swing Getting to know the Junior Class
of the community and not feel
overwhelmed. With orientation out of the way and the new semester about to begin in
I look forward to your full force, Kairos will be introducing the new Junior class over the next
contributions. few weeks. Using the FUN FACT SHEET and general information
about you we will introduce you to the community.

If you would not like to participate in this introduction to the

SHARE YOUR community please contact Kairos immediately. By submitting the FUN
FACT SHEET, I understand you are in agreement to this, but please let
SUMMER me know if this is not the case.
ADVENTURES! Next edition will be introducing:

Do you have pictures? Random Gail Yarborough Whitney Payne

Stories? Fun adventures? from
Molly Hatchell
your summer away from school
or at Greek Camp? Please send Holly Clark
pictures, short stories or
Kristi Click
artwork in digital form to
kairos@austinseminary.edu Laura Westerlage

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Announcements
Advice from Manna
classmates This year we are inviting Clothes Closet
students, faculty and staff to The seminary has a closet in
“Seize the day,” make the most of help provide refreshments for Currie dorm. If you want to go
every day and every moment on our weekly community event “shopping” go to the McCord
this campus and in this called Manna. If you are desk and ask for a key. Please
community. Truly it will fly by and
interested in baking or bringing leave it as neatly as you find it.
I urge you to be active and involved
food look for a sign-up at
in the life of the community.
Cherish the opportunity to be in Manna. Episco-pool
seminary - growing and being
equipped to better serve the world The Seminary of the Southwest
and God’s people through Christ. allows us to use their pool. It is
Recycling located at the corner of 30th
Drink margaritas. Eat
Batteries are recycled in Dr. and Duvual. (Right across the
chocolate, relax - you will
David Jones’ Office (Office of street from Double Dave’s)
survive.
the Doctors of Ministry All are welcome, but children
Be sure to join a study group for
each class, even though you study Program - Near Cokesbury.) MUST be supervised. If you are
well alone. There are terms that Can, Paper & Plastic bins are asked for ID - tell them you are
can be shared with the group and from APTS
outside McMillan classrooms
the work load divided. We need
and in Stotts dining hall. Bins
each other and no one graduates
without someone’s help. for housing are located in Last day to drop
Getting involved in groups and
central locations. classes
committees is good, but don’t Monday, September 21, 2009.
over-do it. Pick one and do
Winsome Walkers
Talk to your advisor and
that one well. If you can still Who: Winsome Students, Staff &
Jacqueline Heffley for more
do another, well Ok. Just don’t Faculty
stretch yourself too far. information.
What: Walking
Make up your own opinions about
When: Tuesday & Thursday If you have announcements to
classes, professors community
events, etc. Do not put too much 12:15 p.m. make please submit them by 5
weight or power into the advice/ p.m. on Wednesday to
Why: Hang out and exercise.
statements you hear other kairos@austinseminary.edu.
students say. Most likely, you will Where: Meet at McCord for a Large submission & pictures,
experience the event or the
30-40 min walk.
professor’s class differently. please send to:

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Announcements Cont.
Chapel Volunteer Communication
Schedule Opportunity Department
A volunteer is needed to work 2-3 Request
Tuesday, September 8: hours a month updating a new If you have pictures of community
11 a.m. Convocation web site for the Jeremiah Project. events and life in general on
The launch date for the web site is campus, Randal Whittington in
7 p.m. Signing of Declaration mid-September. the Communications Office would
of Intent, Lord s Supper,
appreciate receiving such pictures.
Reception to follow. Austin Seminary graduate Linda Email them to her at:
Reinhart (MDiv'96), started windows@austinseminary.edu
Wednesday, September 9: Jeremiah Project to build a
community of faith for those living
Community Wide Manna
in isolation due to chronic illness Introduction of
Thursday, September 10:
caused by environmental toxins.
Call Linda at 830-935-4618 and
Churches
11 a.m. Daily Prayer leave a message if you are If you are a member of a church or
interested in helping. attend a church regularly in the
area, please submit a brief
Flu Shots offered description of your church, its
activities, and your contact
by Seminary information so that we can publish
a “Church Directory” for new
The seminary will be bringing in students looking for worship
people to vaccinate the opportunities. Please submit them
community for the flu season. by Wednesday, September 16 at
Shots are $25 and all members of 5:00 p.m.
the community, including family
are welcome.
This fall Tuesday services in Student Group
Date: Friday, October 16, 2009
Chapel faculty will be Introductions
preaching from a Psalm and Time: 11 a.m to 1 p.m.
presiding at the table. If you are part of a student group
on campus, Kairos will be
Starting the week of featuring all student groups in a
September 22, Monday and “Student Group Digest.” Please
Thursday services will be led submit information by Wed, Sept 9
by our Senior Preaching at 5 p.m.
classes.