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Doing Pastoral Theology in a Post-Colonial Context: Intercultural Models of Pastoral Care & Theology Spring is still a couple weeks away, but not far behind comes our historic visit to San Juan, Puerto Rico for the 2007 Annual Study Conference. This will be the first time in history that the Society will be meeting away from the North American continent, and an exciting program has been planned that we anticipate will match the unique beauty of our surroundings. From our opening session and plenary featuring Dr. Luis Rivera-Pagan’s opening address, to our traditional Society Luncheon where we honor and hear from colleague Ed Wimberly (yes, and even the business meeting that follows), this year’s program promises to challenge and enrich our teaching and practice of pastoral theology. Much of the program will be familiar to long-time Society members, but our setting provides opportunity for some new experiences as well. Please look through the description of our setting and program, and register right away. We have guaranteed fewer rooms than usual at the conference rate, so if you have not already confirmed a room, be sure to do so soon, in order to assure yourself of a reasonable lodging price. PLACE OF CONFERENCE Location - San Juan, Puerto Rico The Steering Committee has listened very carefully to your evaluations from last summer’s Denver conference and to your suggestions for slight alterations to our usual format. You shall notice several changes in the schedule and plan of the Society for Pastoral Theology’s annual meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico. In direct response to your input, we have reduced the number of workshops, we have built in more time for socializing and reunion, we have added in a free evening, we have eliminated the Society dinner and substituted breakfast and lunch together on Friday and Saturday only. Jesus Rodriguez Sanchez (our host) along with the local planning team and the SPT Steering Committee share the leadership. We have equal numbers of workshop presenters and plenary speakers from Puerto Rico and from the continental USA. We have also added a conversation time among the members to address the question: What is post-colonial pastoral theology? Every group of evaluations in the last four years has indicated we need more dialogue among ourselves. I believe you will be stimulated to engage in what we have carefully planned. Again, please make your hotel reservations before the May 14th deadline. We reserved 60 rooms for each night of the actual conference. At this point, 50% are already taken. Remember that graduate students on scholarships will be staying at the Casa Carmona (see fall newsletter.) This will be the conference of a lifetime of learning! We remain honored by the invitation and gracious hospitality of the Inter American University of Puerto Rico.
Click here to obtain a copy of the Conference registration form. If you need a copy of the entire Spring SPT Newsletter for complete conference information, click here to download the 2007 Spring SPT Newsletter.
SETTING
Puerto Rican hospitality awaits us at the Caribe Hilton, the site for this year’s conference. It has beautiful views, a private beach, extensive facilities (including a spa, gym, and tennis courts) as well as several restaurants and shopping alternatives. Rooms are well appointed, and the staff have worked diligently to accommodate our needs and interests. For further information and some spectacular views, see www.hiltoncaribbean.com/sanjuan/. Approximately 15 minutes from the Luis Munoz International Airport, the hotel is midway between historic Old San Juan and the exciting Condado area.
Reservations may be made directly to The Caribe Hilton at (787) 721-0303, 1 800 468-8585, by fax (787) 724-6992 or by E-mail at reservations.caribe@hilton.com. In order to receive the preferred rates for our group, telephone requests must specify that you are attending the Society for Pastoral Theology conference and use our passcode: PASA07. Rates cannot be changed at check in or check out for guests that fail to identify their affiliation at the time the reservation is requested. In order to confirm a room reservation, a deposit of the first room night charge must be received 1 month prior to the guest’s arrival date. After this date, the deposit is non-refundable.
For doctoral students only: Housing will be available for doctoral students at no cost, either in homes or at the university. Shuttle bus service will be available to and from the hotel. To make arrangements, contact Jesus Rodriguez at jrodrig50@yahoo.com, including your name, school and denominational affiliation.
THEME AND PLENARY PRESENTATIONS
The theme for this distinctive conference is “Doing Pastoral Theology in a Post-Colonial Context: Intercultural Models of Pastoral Care & Theology.” We are delighted to welcome as our plenary speaker Dr. Luis N. Rivera-Pagán, Princeton Theological Seminary's Henry Winters Luce Professor of Ecumenics and Mission, who holds an S.T.M., an M.A., and a Ph.D., all from Yale University. An American Baptist and a native of Puerto Rico, he is editor of the official report of the Ninth Assembly of the World Council of Churches (Brazil, 2006). He teaches courses on Latin American theology, Third World liberation theologies, theological readings of world literature, and problems and issues in the 16th-century Christianization of the Americas. He is interested in the history of Latin American Christianity, and theology and literature. His m ajor publications include A Violent Evangelism: The Political and Religious Conquest of the Americas (Westminster John Knox Press, 1992) Mito, Exilio y Demonios: Literature y Teología en América Latina (Publicaciones Puertorriqueñas, 1996) and Essays from the Diaspora (Centro Luterano de Formación Teólogica, Publicaciones El Faro, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, Centro Basilea de Investigación, 2002). In addition, we have invited two long-time members of the society to offer responses to Dr. Rivera- Pagán 's presentation. Pamela Couture is Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean and Professor of Practical Theology at St. Paul School of Theology. Jaco Hamman is Associate Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling, Western Theological Seminary, and a native of South Africa. Each will offer responses as pastoral theologians working on the North American continent.
WORK IN PROGRESS
Our Work in Progress this year will be presented by Janet May who has taught Pastoral Theology at the Universidad Bíblica Latinoamericana in San José, Costa Rica since 1986, under the auspices of the United Methodist Church’s General Board of Global Ministries. She holds the Doctor of Ministry degree from St. Paul School of Theology. She has taught Gender Issues in Ministry, Ethics of Love and Health from a Gender Perspective, Feminist Theology, and, by request of the National University, Church history. Her presentation will consider the Latin American mosaic exploring the great diversity of Latin America's population, particularly in terms of class, education, religious, and ethnic diversity. She will also explore the implications of diversity for pastoral theology.
SOCIETY LUNCHEON
Friend and colleague Ed Wimberly will offer the annual Society Luncheon Address. Ed is Vice President for Academic Affairs/Provost, and Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, GA. His presentation will be titled “The Indigenous Story-teller: Pastoral Care and Reestablishing Village Functions in a Post Colonial Age,” drawing on work he is completing in revising his book African American Pastoral Care (Abingdon Press) and work on re-villaging in Ghana. Ed says, “Michael White uses a practice called the Definitional Ceremony which is used when villages and their culture have been destroyed by western industry and technology. Village functions are those functions that help people maintain emotional, spiritual, and interpersonal integrity when communal ties are being threatened. The definitional ceremony is a method of indigenous story-telling.”
THEOLOGICAL STUDY GROUPS
Each of our study groups focuses on a particular area, though the specific themes evolve from year to year. Under the leadership of two Society members, and with a continuing core of participants, groups welcome anyone attending the conference to visit and participate in conversation. Study groups meet annually, providing a small support community for ongoing research and related interests on theological themes. In this regard they differ from workshops, which are one-time contributions during which members present and lead discussions on specific topics. Theological study groups can disband if they have served their purpose, and new study groups can be formed. Anyone interested in becoming involved in a group is encouraged to contact a co-chair person at any time. These groups are not closed; everyone is invited to drop into a group of their choice to "test the waters," or to contact study group co-chairs during the year.
Study groups convene on Friday, 10:15-11:45.
Faith and Health Karen Scheib 404-727-2423 kscheib@emory.edu Keith Meador 919-660-3507 keith.meador@duke.edu
The Faith and Health study group reviews new research/scholarship in faith and health while considering upcoming opportunities for pastoral theologians within the field.
The Church and Christian Formation Roslyn Karaban 585-271-3657 ext 280 rkaraban@stbernards.edu Charles Scalise 206-284-9000 cscalise@fuller.edu
The Church and Christian Formation study group enjoys the opportunity to hear and discuss a wide range of case studies on its theme. Sessions present and engage contemporary and historical case studies that critically examine ways in which the church impacts Christian formation of diverse individuals and groups.
Embodiment Glenn Asquith 610-861-1521 asquith@moravian.edu Carrie Doehring 303-765–3169 cdoehring@iliff.edu
The Embodiment group provides an arena for participants to talk in depth about research projects involving the theme of embodiment--issues of body image as well as issues of sexuality. Participants are welcome to bring handouts (outlines, excerpts, bibliographies, etc.) that describe their work and receive comments and feedback from the group. Anyone having research projects, resources, or other handouts for the meeting should contact the conveners.
Religious Practices and Commitment Leonard Hummel 717-334-6286 ext. 2157 Lhummel@Ltsg.edu Jane Maynard 510-204-0717 jmaynard@cdsp.edu
The Religious Practices and Commitment group invites all SPT members to join us to discuss: “Pastoral Bearings: Lived Religion and Pastoral Theology.” The meeting will focus on presentations from group members who are preparing chapters for an edited volume that will address the beliefs and practices that arise in the ongoing, dynamic relationship of religion and everyday experience.
Theological Anthropology J.F. Wickey 817-370-8806 jfw3rd@yahoo.com Jan Holton jan.holton@yale.edu
For the past two years the group has met with no clear agenda, but with the intention to offer a supportive and critical ear to those who were working on particular projects, such as dissertations, articles, papers.
Theological Dimensions of Family Herb Anderson 510-550-2709 handerson@plts.edu Bonnie Miller-McLemore 615-343-3970 bonnie.miller-mclemore@vanderbilt.edu
Since its beginning, the group has engaged in a rich variety of activities from paper presentations, syllabi discussions, shared reading, family manifesto composition, and research-in-progress reports. The successful and desired practice of the past three years has centered around an open invitation to participants to come prepared to discuss current research interests and projects. After brief introductions, those who want more time for discussion and feedback on their work identify themselves and the remaining time is divided up accordingly. Members of the Society who are interested in joining the group and presenting should contact Herb Anderson.
Pastoral Theology and Brain Sciences David Hogue 847-866-3983 david.hogue@garrett.edu Amenti Sujai 803-535-5399 asujai@claflin.edu
The Brain Sciences and Pastoral Theology study group attempts to bring contemporary findings in the neurosciences into dialogue with pastoral theology and pastoral psychology. Areas of interest include topics such as the mind/brain relationship, biological processes underlying human suffering and healing, the relational brain, and theological anthropology.
Economics and Pastoral Theology Jim Poling 847-866-3985 james.poling@garrett.edu Pam Couture 816-245-4828 pcouture@spst.edu
Call for Papers:
We have long realized that pastoral theology, including the practices of care and counseling, always occur in social contexts. Many people are increasingly concerned about the present globalization of the economy as a context that is destroying care of individuals, families, and communities. The subject of this working group will be two-fold: 1) to help pastoral theologians “retool” so that they have a basic understanding of the global economy, something they may not have studied in graduate school, and 2) to discuss how pastoral theology might respond to economic globalization and how it might promote practices of care in this context. Jim Poling ( james.poling@garrett.edu) and Pamela Couture ( pcouture@spst.edu)
WORKSHOPS
Workshops focus on a particular topic that reflects the current research interests of the presenter. On Thursday, from 4 to 6 pm there are several workshops from which to choose. (Use the registration form to indicate which workshop you plan to attend.)
1. Towards a Hispanic Caribbean Postcolonial and Macro-ecumenical Pastoral Theology Method
This workshop will approach the development of a possible postcolonial and macro-ecumenical method for pastoral theology in the context of a religious pluralist Afro-Indo-Hispanic Caribbean society and culture. Attention will be addressed to the implications of a Transdisciplinary Socio-Analytical, Hermeneutic and Practical Mediations in the development of a Hispanic Caribbean Postcolonial and Macro-Ecumenical Pastoral Theology Method.
Presenter: Héctor E. López-Sierra, Associate Professor, Sociology and Theology, Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, San Juan
2. Diversifying Clinical Education: Including Diverse Students, Careseekers, and Pastoral Care and Counseling Practices
This workshop will provide an opportunity to discuss and share strategies for diversifying clinical training. The discussion will open with description of steps taken within Claremont School of Theology's degree programs in pastoral care and counseling to diversify clinical placements and training. These steps were taken in response to the diversity of our students but also in response to diversification of those seeking care and of caregiving practices in pastoral care and counseling. This description will be a springboard for discussion of diversification of clinical training in settings with which the participants are familiar.
Presenters: Kathleen Greider and Sam Lee, Claremont Graduate University, School of Religion, Claremont, CA.
3. Introducing Contributions of Kohut's Self Psychology to Culturally-Sensitive Clinical Care
The workshop introduces Heinz Kohut¹s clinical method of introspection and empathy, and considers some of the assets and liabilities of this method for cross cultural clinical care.
Presenters: Angella Son, Drew University and Chris Schlauch, Boston University, School of Theology
4. The risks of caring and teaching with people at risk: an invitation to dialogue and reflection
This workshop will provide reflection of pastoral carers and counselors on the challenges of teaching courses on socioeconomic vulnerability to students from those contexts. After a brief presentation of my own experience of teaching a course on "Pastoral care with at-risk women and their families" the group will explore the challenges that such realities raise to our pastoral theological method, to our pedagogical assumptions, and to a certain rhetoric which assumes that "the poor and the disadvantaged" are not in our very midst. The workshop will: 1 ) raise awareness about the "risks" of teaching such pastoral care in such contexts (i.e. engaging the realities of the students in the classroom first; and 2) stimulate constructive reflection on how to navigate such difficult tasks while maintaining theological and pastoral integrity (i.e. develop a pedagogy of justice).
Presenter: Francesca Nuzzolese, Palmer Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, PA.
5. A Puerto Rican Pentecostal Women’s Pastoral Theology
In the quest to find their own voice, Puerto Rican Pentecostal women are in the pursuit of identifying, naming and claiming for themselves a feminist identity. This workshop seeks to engage participants in a theological dialogue with Feminist, Mujerista and Womanist theologies in order to find common grounds of reflection.
Presenter: Miriam Figueroa, Academic Dean, Colegio Biblico Pentecostal de Puerto Rico
6. A Caribbean Postcolonial Hermeneutics.
The workshop addresses the political and cultural ideologies of Spanish and American colonialism and discusses aspects of a pastoral theology engaged in the struggle for the decolonization of Puertorricans.
Presenter: Ediberto Lopez Rodriguez, Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico
CONTEXTUAL IMMERSION AND SOCIETY PARTY
On Friday afternoon we will visit the Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico, and then be hosted at the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico. The University is graciously providing a setting for our conversation about pastoral theological education in Puerto Rico, then music and supper at the university. We will return to our hotel early enough that evening to enjoy the sights or relax.
LOCAL ARRANGEMENTS COMMITTEE
The Local Arrangements Committee has been ably chaired by SPT member Jesús Rodríguez Sánchez, Pastoral Theology Faculty, Interamerican University. He has recruited and coordinated the work of a strong local arrangements committee from The Interamerican University in San Juan. They include: Marilina Wayland, Chancellor Olga Villamil, Humanitistics Faculty, Dean Deborah Hernández, Ph.D., Development and Planning, Michel Domenech del Pilar, School of Theology Coordinator, Rafael Hiraldo Román, Ph.D. Richard López, Ph.D. (cand.), Pedro J. Canales Ph.D. (cand.), Miriam Figueroa Ph.D. (cand.)
OTHER MATTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST
Nominating Committee Teresa Snorton, the most recent Steering Committee member to complete her term of office, chairs this committee, which has responsibility for bringing a nomination for the Steering Committee to replace Jeanne Stevenson-Moessner who rotates off this June. The Nominating Committee would very much like to receive suggestions. Please send them to Teresa or to any member of the committee. Other members include Pam Couture, Ann Rosewall, Valerie Lester Leyva, and Ted Stoneburg. The Nominating Committee cannot nominate its own members.
Journal of Pastoral Theology and the ATLA Project The Journal of Pastoral Theology is no longer a publication fed primarily by material from its Annual Study Conference. In the year 2002 it became a two-issue-a-year journal that depends upon its total membership--not just conference presenters--for its contents. The co-editors of the Journal, Glenn Asquith and Karen Scheib, are encouraging members of the Society to submit articles for upcoming editions. Carrie Doehring, the book review editor, is always looking for reviews. Please forward those to her.
Dues Dues include the Journal and semi-annual newsletters; $50 for regular members and $25 for students, retirees, and persons on low, fixed incomes. International members are not required to pay dues; but they have to pay the registration fee. Canadian members are not regarded as international members. Checks are payable to "Society for Pastoral Theology," mailed with any new or corrected membership contact information, to Society for Pastoral Theology, c/o ACPE, Inc., 1549 Clairmont Rd., #103, Decatur, GA 30033. Dues are payable by calendar year. You are encouraged to pay dues upon the receipt of this newsletter to ensure the timely receiving of the Spring issue of the Journal of Pastoral Theology (if applicable). Please keep your dues current!
Society Bibliography All members in good standing (with dues paid through the previous year) are invited to submit entries. Please note Guidelines for Submission, posted on the website.
Contributions to the Society for Pastoral Theology Members of the Society participate in one another's lives, professionally and personally. We share manuscripts, solicit references, seek and provide referrals, celebrate achievements, provide support and care through transitions, and mourn losses.
Gift donations can be made to the Society for Pastoral Theology in the form of memorials or tributes in honor of someone. This is a wonderful way to commemorate retirements, books, births, promotions. There will be a form provided at the registration table in San Juan. All memorials and tributes will be acknowledged at the Saturday lunch, and acknowledgements will be mailed later to recipients. If a member cannot come to the Puerto Rico meeting, a monetary gift can be mailed to the Treasurer:
Dr. Esther Acolatse 5226 Langford Terrace Durham, NC 27713
Graduate Student Lunch Convener J.F. Wickey will be the convener of this group that will meet on Saturday morning over breakfast. Watch for the room assignment at registration.
Conference Photography Would someone be able and willing to serve as photographer at this year's conference? Expenses for film and development will be covered by the Society.
Displays at the Annual Study Conference The Steering Committee has adopted a policy that commercial displays of goods for sale by members are not appropriate at our Annual Study Conferences.
Directory of Graduate Programs A fine, useful directory of graduate programs in pastoral theology has been prepared by Sam Lee and Bonnie Miller-McLemore. The directory is available on the website. Persons responsible for writing the accounts of these various programs are requested to send Sam updated information as appropriate, as soon as possible.
CEU's The Steering Committee has decided that it cannot provide CEU's for those who attend our meetings. However, a certificate confirming one's attendance at the meeting can be made available for those needing such documentation Please indicate this on the registration form. The certificate will be available at the conference registration desk.
Future Meeting Site: The June, 2008, conference will convene in Atlanta, Georgia, from June 19-21. So mark your calendars and begin planning now. Residents of the Atlanta area who would like to volunteer to serve on the local planning committee may contact David Hogue, or let us know of your interest at the San Juan conference. Please bring your copy of the Newsletter with you to the conference. You will be able to use the enclosed materials, and we will all contribute to saving trees. Schedule for Study Conference, Society for Pastoral Theology, June 14-16, 2007
WORKSHOP LEADERS AND WORKING GROUP COORDINATORS, PLEASE NOTE: The hotel has announced a policy of charging a substantial fee for the use of audiovisual equipment in the rooms, even for those who bring their own equipment (projectors, screens, etc.) Please consider using alternate means of communication for this conference so that we may make good use of the Society’s limited financial resources. If you do need to use A/V equipment, please notify David Hogue as soon as possible.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
10:00-7:00 Book Exhibits Open
10:00-5:00 Registration
1:00-1:45 Orientation, Opening Liturgy
1:45-3:45 Plenary Presentation:“Doing Pastoral Theology in a Post-Colonial Context: Intercultural Models of Pastoral Care and Theology”
Questions and Answers
4:00-6:00 Workshops
6:00-7:00 Social Hour
7:00-10:00 Dinner on your own
Friday, June 15, 2007
7:30-8:30 Breakfast
8:30-8:45 Meditation
8:45-9:45 Table Conversations
9:45-10:15 Coffee Break
10:15-11:45 Theological Study Groups
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:00-1:30 Gather/Load Busses
1:30-2:00 Travel
2:00-3:00 Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico
3:00-3:30 Travel to Interamerican University of Puerto Rico
3:30-4:45 Contextual Report - Partoral Theology in Puerto Rico
5:00-6:30 Dinner and a Musical Cultural Experience
7:00-7:30 Return to Hotel
7:30- On your own
Saturday, June 16, 2007
7:30-8:30 Breakfast(s) Special Interest Groups
8:50-10:30 Work-in-Progress – A Latin American Mosaic Janet May, Universidad Biblica Latinoamericana, Costa Rica
10:30–11:00 Coffee Break
11:00 -12:30 Table Conversations: Reflections on the Conference, Implications for the Field
1:00-3:00 Society Banquet Speaker: Ed Wimberly, Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, GA
3:00-4:30 Business Meeting
4:30-5:00 Closing
SPT QUICK REFERENCE, 2007
Steering Committee
Jeanne Stevenson-Moessner, Chair, 214-768-2433 jmoessne@smu.edu
Esther Acolatse, Treasurer, 919-660-3573 eeacolatse@div.duke.edu
David Hogue, Corresponding Secretary, 847-866-3983 David.Hogue@garrett.edu
Daniel Hembree, Recording Secretary, 803-535-5894 dhembree@clafin.edu
Siroj Sorajjakool, Conference Registrar, 909-558-4300 ext 83413 ssorajjakool@rel.llu.edu
Journal of Pastoral Theology Editors
Karen Scheib, Co-editor 404-727-2423 kscheib@emory.edu
Dues Dues include the Journal and semi-annual newsletters; $50 for regular members and $25 for students, retirees, and persons on low, fixed incomes. International members are not required to pay dues; but they have to pay the registration fee. Canadian members are not regarded as international members. Checks are payable to "Society for Pastoral Theology," mailed with any new or corrected membership contact information, to Society for Pastoral Theology, c/o ACPE, Inc., 1549 Clairmont Rd., #103, Decatur, GA 30033.
New Member Information The Society welcomes the membership of any person with professional interests in the field of pastoral theology. On our website at www.societyforpastoraltheology.org, see the Mission Statement of the Society for Pastoral Theology which includes a definition of pastoral theology, and the Journal of Pastoral Theology 's Statement of Purpose. One joins the Society and remains in good standing by paying dues; participation in the annual conference is strongly encouraged. New members: please include institutional or home address, e-mail address (if you have two email addresses, please choose one), where you prefer Society mailings to be sent (whether email or U.S. mail), and as much of the following contact information as you wish to provide: office phone, home phone, fax number.
MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY UPDATE
When registering for the Annual Study Conference, please check one of the copies of the Membership Directory to confirm that your name, address, and e-mail address are up-to-date. You may wish to supplement the information there with a fax number. Those unable to attend the meeting should contact SPT at journals@acpe.edu, to ensure that the data recorded in the Directory are accurate and complete. A registration form is included with this newsletter and should be returned to Society for Pastoral Theology, c/o ACPE, Inc., 1549 Clairmont Road, #103, Decatur, GA 30033 by May 14th. (After 5/14 the registration fee will increase from $192 to $227 for members, and from $227 to $242 for non-members.) The form provides information regarding conference fees (including the luncheon and annual dues) and requests additional information. Hotel arrangements are made individually, directly with the hotel.
Please note: International participants: Membership dues are waived for persons traveling to the conference from outside the United States or Canada. These participants need to pay their registration fees. They may return their conference registration form at this time and pay any amounts due in U.S. dollars at the time of the conference.
Click here to obtain a copy of the Conference registration form. If you need a copy of the entire Spring SPT Newsletter for complete conference information, click here to download the 2007 Spring SPT Newsletter. After May 14, 2007, please register on site and not by mail. For information on other Annual Meetings, please visit the following links:
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