Three Faculty Awarded Grants

Jill Crainshaw, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor of Worship and Ministry Studies, was awarded a grant by the Calvin Institute for Christian Worship in support of her proposal, “Many Gifts, One Body: Renewing Worship at an Ecumenical Divinity School.” The funds provided by the grant will help to expand the weekly worship offerings at the divinity school, a necessary expansion which Crainshaw believes will, “invite students to consider different worship styles and provide additional opportunities to hear other voices, centered around worship, in conversation with their own.”

Mark Jensen, Jessie Ball duPont Associate Professor of Pastoral Care, and Jill Crainshaw were awarded a grant by the Association of Theological Schools under the auspices of the Christian Hospitality and Pastoral Practices in a Multi-faith Society Initiative. To support their proposal, “Creating Places of Welcome: Pastoral Care and Worship in a Multifaith Society” the grant will allow for the enrichment of current courses and creation of new classes that emphasize multicultural competencies. In addition to varying course offerings at the divinity school, the grant will also be used to develop resources and invite lecturers on the topics of pastoral care and worship in ecumenical settings.

Neal Walls, Associate Professor of Old Testament Interpretation, was awarded a grant by the Wake Forest University Provost’s Fund for Academic Innovation. The grant will establish an interfaith pilgrimage trip to Israel and Palestine for School of Divinity and undergraduate students. The pilgrimage also supports the “President’s Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge,” through which President Obama issued a call for university campuses to lead interfaith service initiatives. The pilgrimage is scheduled from December 30, 2011 – January 13, 2012.

In an email to the School of Divinity community, Dean Gail O’Day congratulated the grant winners and noted how each exemplify the School of Divinity’s commitment to the community abroad: “Each of these grants will directly benefit our students and will enhance our mission and identity as a multi-denominational divinity school preparing leaders for today’s complex religious landscape.”

Media Contact: Mark Batten