School Notes: Yale Divinity School
March/April 2009

YDS alumna delivers sermon at National Prayer Service

Sharon E. Watkins ’84MDiv, general minister and president of the Disciples of Christ, became the first woman ever to deliver the sermon at the National Prayer Service when she preached on January 21 at National Cathedral in Washington, DC, at the conclusion of presidential inaugural activities. Drawing on the wisdom of the prophet Isaiah, the words of "America the Beautiful," speeches of Martin Luther King Jr., and the imagery of the Statue of Liberty, Watkins challenged President Barack Obama to "stay centered on the values that have guided us in the past, values that have empowered to move us through the perils of the present, of earlier times, and can guide us now into a future of renewed promise." Watkins concluded, "Even in these hard times, rich or poor, let us reach out to our neighbor, including our global neighbor, in generous hospitality, building together communities of possibility and of hope." Watkins, who delivered the opening sermon at YDS during Convocation and Reunions 2005, has served as general minister and president of the 700,000-member denomination for three and a half years, the first woman to hold the position.

Dean predicts "minimal disruption" to academics during financial downturn

In an end-of-the-year letter to the wider YDS community, Dean Harold Attridge said tough financial times "will require our careful attention, patience, and imagination, but together we can weather this storm and even enhance our ability to prepare men and women to serve church and society." Attridge held up recruitment and retention of excellent faculty, as well as student financial aid, as top priorities that will be protected, and confirmed that renovation of the "Back Buildings" -- the old ISM space and the Common Room and Refectory -- will continue, with occupancy targeted for summer 2009. However, replacement of the Canner Street apartments will be delayed until conditions are more favorable. Predicting "minimal disruption to our academic functions," Attridge noted that the school is systematically exploring cost-saving measures in other areas.

Paracleats down Shoots and Leaves in battle of Heaven and Earth

Heaven triumphed over earth on November 16 when the Divinity School's soccer team, the Paracleats (from the Johannine epithet of the Holy Ghost, paraclete, traditionally translated as "comforter"), cut down Shoots and Leaves, representing the School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, in the finals of the Yale Graduate & Professional Schools intramural soccer tournament. The score was 2-0. Both teams entered the match with undefeated records. Though Forestry claimed a Goliath-like advantage, having allowed not a single goal all season, the 'Cleats would take aim with two keenly placed shots on goal, reminiscent of young David hurling a single smooth stone to slay the Philistine giant. With the blow of the final whistle, the Paracleats walked off the field, basking in the divine providence of another championship title. Having allowed not one Forestry goal, they had given new meaning to the phrase emblazoned on the socks of Micah Luce ’07MAR, ’08STM: "Jesus saves."