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Drew Theological School Hosts 2024 Tipple Celebration Day

Honoring the Global Impact of Drew Theological School Alums

October 2024 – Nearly 100 Drew Theological School alums, students, faculty, and community members came together to participate in the 2024 Tipple Celebration Day.

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Seeking Justice in All Times and Places panel discussion.

The annual hybrid event, themed Celebrating the Global Impact of Drew Theological School Alums, honored the wisdom of the Theological School’s inspirational alum network.

The event showcased Master of Divinity (MDiv) alums from their chosen vocational ministerial pathways at Drew—Ministerial Leadership, United Methodist Ministry, Social Justice Advocacy, and Chaplaincy. The participants were invited to share the stories and journeys within their ministry and chaplaincy work and shared insights and observations of ministry and mission in pandemic and post-pandemic contexts—influenced and globally focused on church and society.

The day kicked off with welcoming words from President Hilary Link and Theological School Dean Edwin David Aponte.

“Drew Theo alums and faculty are leaders and advocates for moves of justice and inclusion,” said Aponte, referring to the United Methodist Church (UMC) General Conference decision to lift the ban on the ordination of gay clergy and removed penalties for clergy and churches hosting same-sex marriages. “This is one of the many reasons we decided to showcase our alums on this day.”

Traci West, James W. Pearsall Professor of Christian Ethics and African American Studies, moderated a Seeking Justice in All Times and Places panel discussion. “The pursuit of justice can be exhausting and exhilarating, crushingly disappointing and joyously hopeful,” she said. “It always requires persistent leadership, deeply engaged in community life in ways that touch mind and body and spirit.”

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An interactive dance performance led by Eyesha Marable T’16.

The discussion featured Nicole A. Davis T’22, executive director at the Center for Food Action New Jersey; Rachel Griffin-Allison T’04, UMC LGBTQIA+ activist and senior pastor at Oak Lawn UMC in Dallas, TX; and Leah Wandera T’22 of Health Justice for Women & Children.

“There are three words that we all know very well—rooted, innovative, and courageous,” said Davis referring to the Theological School’s motto. “These words now propel the work that I now do in the space of social justice.”

“As we gather today, the urgency of seeking justice is clear,” said Griffin-Allison. “It’s both local and global. Justice knows no borders. We are called to seek justice wherever God has placed us. Let’s show up for justice in all times and places—not just when it’s easy, but most especially when it’s hard.”

Chapel service, held in Craig Chapel, opened with a performance with an alum and student choir. Eyesha Marable T’16, director of community outreach at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, led an interactive dance expression, inviting worshipers to participate.

Professor of Church Music Mark Miller offered a deeply personal reflection, titled Give Until it Heals, on family, raising children, and allowing and trusting children to find their paths. 

Panel sessions resumed after lunch, leading with Prophetic Preaching & Public Proclamation, moderated by Associate Professor of Preaching & Pastoral Formation Gary Simpson. Alum participants included Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez T’10, United Methodists of Upper New York; Donna O. Owusu-Ansah T’10, pastor at First Baptist Church of Englewood, NJ; and Michael T. Sniffen T’05,’15,’19, Dean of the Cathedral of the Incarnation.

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A performance by the student/alum choir.

“There have been so many homiletical voices at Drew that have shaped me and shaped so many,” said Snifffen. “I think about prophetic preaching as a contemplative and pastoral practice which is not about my utterance, but what utterance might be called forth in the hearers as a result of a preaching moment that causes them to experience themselves in the presence of God.”

“Humbly, I believe that prophetic preaching that is not accompanied by a prophetic proclamation in the public square is just half-baked prophetic witness,” shared Núñez.

Art Pressley, associate professor of psychology & religion, moderated a panel discussion titled Reaching the Masses—Chaplaincy in 21st Century, featuring alum participants Tiffani Green T’20, chaplain and bereavement coordinator at LilyCare Hospice of New Jersey; Emily Hall T’12, director of chaplaincy services at Greystone Psychiatric Hospital; and Brinna Kolitz T’20, hospice chaplain, spiritual care coordinator, and bereavement coordinator at Affinity Care of New Jersey.

“I want to give thanks to Drew for teaching me that no matter what a person looks like, no matter what a person believes in, no matter what I believe in, that it really isn’t relevant,” said Hall. “We are there for the patient.”

The event closed with an Innovation and Church Transformation (in the UMC) panel discussion, featuring Cricket Denton T’21 and Chris Heckert T’03, pastoral team at Haddonfield UMC in Haddonfield, NJ; Saebuek Lee T’20 of the Catskill District; and Youngkwang (YK) Jun T’18, creative director at YK Ministry and director of worship at Wesley UMC in South Plainfield, NJ.

The discussion was moderated by Associate Teaching Professor in the History of Christianity & Methodist Studies Kevin Newburg.

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