Stories

Eden faculty and staff are out in the church networks this summer providing resources and making connections.  Lots of collaborations took place during the weekend of June 6-9.  Here is a glimpse.

Christopher Grundy (Academic Dean | Professor of Worship and Preaching | Dean of the Chapel) at the Wisconsin UCC Conference Annual Meeting.

Raquel S. Lettsome (Professor of New Testament and Womanist Biblical Interpretation) at Hampton University’s Ministers’ Conference.

Sandi Boehlein (Director of Development), Rev. Dr. Deborah Krause (President of Eden Seminary,) gathered with Eden alumni for breakfast prior to the MO UMC Annual Conference meeting.

Scott Holl (Theological Librarian/Archivist | Bookstore Manager) at the Webster Arts Fair.

Justin Shamell (Relationship Manager and Recruiter of Congregations) at the Northern California/Nevada United Church of Christ Annual Conference.

Dietra Wise Baker ( Director of the Center for Lived Faith and Organizing |Assistant Professor of Contextual Education and Community Engagement | Director of Contextual Education), Alum, Rev. Dwayne Mosier and Cindy Kline Mosier at the meeting of 4 UCC Conferences (Penn West, Penn Central, Pennsylvania Southeast, and Penn Northeast) in Pennsylvania as they discern their future together.

Dana McNamara (Interim Director of Admissions) represented Eden at the Rocky Mountain UCC Conference Annual Celebration, complete with voting.

Giving thanks! By unanimous vote of the Tenured Faculty and Action of the Board of Trustees, Eden Theological Seminary has appointed Dr. Henry S. Kuo as Associate Professor of Church Histories and Historical Theology. Dr. Kuo received a Ph.D. in systematic and philosophical theology from the Graduate Theological Union/University of California in Berkeley (2019) with a firm grounding in the history of theologies. He also received a M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary in New Jersey (2013) and M.A. in economics from the University of Illinois at Chicago (2009). Dr. Kuo has served as Associate Professor of Religion, Ethics and Philosophy at Greensboro College in North Carolina and Director of the George Center for Honors Studies. He taught undergraduate and graduate courses in Christian ethics, Christian theology, church history, business ethics, and biblical studies. His primary research focus in on Christian ecclesiology (the theological study of the church). His work draws from historical studies read through the lenses of decoloniality and marginality.

Dr. Kuo is active globally in theological consultations of the World Communion of Reformed Churches. Dr. Kuo values Eden’s long history of excellence. He looks forward to joining this progressive seminary that trains students to be theologically-rooted leaders who can passionately engage their communities critically and thoughtfully while integrating their learning with their religious traditions, vocations, and the call for justice in society.

Dr. Henry Kuo will be moving to St. Louis. He begins at Eden in July 2024. The Eden community is excited to welcome Dr. Henry Kuo and his family.

Camping on the Quad: The Awe and Aesthetics of Nature at Eden Theological Seminary

Schedule:

Friday, April 5
2 PM– Registration and Camp Setup

• Participants arrive and check in.
• Set up tents and camping gear.

2:30 PM– Camping 101, Tent Building

• Welcome Briefing
  • Welcome address and safety briefing.
  • Overview of the weekend’s schedule and important information.

4 PM– Opening Ceremony

5:30 PM– USFS- Urban Connections: Black Faces in Green Spaces

6 PM– DJ & Dinner on the Patio

7 PM– Black Liturgies: Cole Arthur Riley with Book Signing and
Podcast Pastor: Kristian A. Smith of the Holy Smokes Movement for a Live Podcast

• Cole Arthur Riley will be at Eden Seminary Friday April 5th and Christ Church Cathedral Saturday, April 6, 2024. Cole is the best-selling author of “This Here Flesh” and “Black Liturgies.” We’ll be talking healing, community, the sacred self, Black power and Black joy.  Kristian A. Smith of the Holy Smokes Movement will be at Eden to do a Live Podcast.

• Co-Sponsored by:

Saturday, April 6

8 AM — Registration and Camp Set Up, Welcome to the Day’s Activities, Breakfast Available

8:30 AM– Sunrise Shinrin-Yoku (Nature Therapy & Forest Bathing)

• Enjoy sunrise nature therapy with gentle tai chi/qi gong movement for a dousing of embodied spirituality with eco-theologian and certified ANFT (Association of Nature and Forest Therapy) guide, Laura Weber, Ph.D.  Nature therapy stimulates the full sensorium, awakens awe, and offers participants restorative breath exercise while sharpening attention and focus. Practicing this traditional Japanese art of mindful immersion in nature offers a wide range of physical benefits and psychological healing, from lowering BP, heart rate, cortisol, stress, anxiety, and anger, to a boosted immune system with an increase in NK (natural killer) cell activity, improved quantity and quality of sleep, less pain, ability to cope with chronic pain, and increased feelings of well-being, gratitude and contentment. It’s a morning soak for the senses.

10 AM– Do Trees Tell a Story?
With Rebecca Hankin, Moreleaf.org

11 AM– Tree Wrapping Ceremony

AFTERNOON – Homecoming and Tailgating

12 – 1:30 PM– Lunch (Food, Relaxation at the Campsite, Games)

1:30 – 3 PM– Workshops, Demonstrations, Tabling

• Youth Corner – Art in Nature
• Follow Along Painting
• Live Alumni Podcast
• Games

3 PM– Free Time and Exploration

3:30 PM– Gather on the Quad

4 PM– Hush Harbors and Sacred Groves: A Conversation about Historical Resources for African American Congregations Outdoors

• As part of Eden’s “Awe and the Aesthetics of Nature” event, you are invited to join Eden professor Christopher Grundy and Gabrielle Kennedy, Eden alum, pastor of Buren Chapel AME Church, and Interim Director of Faith HEALS, for a wisdom-sharing conversation about hush harbors, historical connections with African sacred groves, and the spirituality of congregations reclaiming the outdoors.

5 PM– Music, Road to Freedom Land
with Dr. Drew Hines, Missouri Department of Conservation “Relational Value”

6 PM– Dinner and Campfire Gathering

6:30 PM– The Movement ft Candice Hogue concert

8 PM– Dreaming Salon, InPower

Sunday, April 7

9 AM– Break Down Camp

10 AM–  Peace United Church of Christ Worship Service

This was an Eden Amplify event, a series of free seminars covering a broad range of ministry topics for clergy, congregation members and the general public. Eden Amplify is about empowering today for impact tomorrow.

This seminar focused on the importance of community gardening as a faithful way to respond to community needs, discussing both why it’s so necessary, and how to start a garden at your church or organization.

Watch full seminar here: