EchoesOfficial Publication of the

Baptist Missionary Training SchoolSpring 2019

Inside this Edition

News From the Sisters pg. 2

Celebrating Birthdays pg. 6

BMTS Scholarship Recipient pg. 7

In Memoriam pg. 8

From Enrollment Services pg. 9

Dear BMTS Alumae and Friends.

It is my privilege to announce Dr. Angela D. Sims as the 13th President of Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School (CRCDS). Dr. Sims’ selection resulted from a unanimous recommendation to the Board of Trustees by the 17-person search committee, consisting of representatives from the Trustees, administration, faculty, staff, students and alumni/ae. The search process, begun early last fall, was rigorous and thorough, resulting in a strong pool of excellent candidates from which Dr. Sims was chosen. Dr. Sims clearly exemplifies the values of CRCDS and her vision and leadership skills, as I know you will agree, demonstrate she is the right person to lead CRCDS at this unique time in its 200 year history.

Dr. Sims comes to CRCDS from Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas and Oklahoma, where she serves as the Vice President of Institutional Advancement, the Robert B. and Kathleen Rogers Professor in Church and Society and as a Professor of Ethics and Black Church Studies. A renowned Womanist scholar, and a member of the National Baptist denomination, Dr. Sims’ research and writing focuses on ethical complications related to lynching as well as poverty. She holds a Ph.D. from Union Presbyterian Seminary, a M.Div. from Howard University School of Divinity and a B.A. from Trinity University. She is the author and co-author of several books, including Lynched: The Power of Memory in a Culture of Terror (Baylor University Press, 2016), and Ethical Complications of Lynching: Ida B. Wells’s Interrogation of American Terror (New York: Palgrave MacMillan) as well as numerous articles, book reviews and an oral history project. Dr. Sims is the recipient of an array of grants and fellowships and has been featured on Religion and Ethics Newsweekly and in articles in the Dallas Morning News, the Baptist Standard and the New York Times. Prior to pursuing her theological work, Dr. Sims served as an accountant and controller — skills that have proven essential in her administrative work.

Dr. Sims will begin her tenure on July 1, at the conclusion of Dr. Marvin McMickle’s presidency. Dr. Sims will be the first female President of CRCDS and the first President to lead CRCDS at its new location at 320 North Goodman Street in Rochester where it will move this summer. Dr. Sims’ clear vision for the future of CRCDS, for increasing enrollment, deepening and extending relationships and growing philanthropic support will provide the foundation for a thriving 21st century CRCDS. We are grateful for Dr. Sims, grateful for CRCDS and grateful for each and every person who prays for and supports the good, essential and continuing work of this beloved school.

This is a time of renewal at CRCDS, a time to celebrate God’s faithfulness and the redemptive presence of Christ among us. We look forward to the opportunity for you to meet Dr. Sims in the near future.

Sincerely,

Peter H. Abdella, Esq. Chair, Board of Trustees

Dr. Angela Sims, 13th President,

CRCDS

Page 2 Echoes Spring 2019

Minnie Romerill Beguin (’43)Minnie said “I was elated to see the entrance to the Vernon Avenue BMTS days on the Echoes reminder postcard. The theme of one of our yearbooks was Doors are Opened, Ways are Made. That declaration has been a guiding thought throughout many of my 99 years. I often have quoted it for others. That door opened for me many life changes and fulfillments along life’s way.”

Marilyn Cook Partin (’48)Emily Partin, Marilyn’s daughter, submitted a note regarding “Cookie” as Marilyn is known. Cookie is in a skilled nursing facility in North Carolina. Her memory is not good, nor her speech, but she does recognize family members and greets all visitors with a big smile. Her years at BMTS were so very meaningful to her and she has always spoken and written of that time with affection, gratitude and joy. Please keep her in your prayers.

News from the sisters

Helen Burger Knechtel (’42) Helen turned 100 years old on July 13, 2018. Her three daughters planned a special get-together at Friendship Park Conservatory in Des Plaines, IL where Helen and her husband, Bill, volunteered for many years. Nearly 100 relatives and friends attended to help her celebrate. In addition to a catered luncheon, they enjoyed music, memory boards of pictures, a streaming powerpoint of times with friends and a How Well Do You Know Helen game. They also released more than 30 monarch butterflies they had raised. Even the two younger adult children of her late BMTS roommate, Norma Gangwish Wagner (’44), flew in from California to join the festivities. Helen said “It was an occasion that I will never forget.”

Helen blowing out the candles!

Helen with her three daughters. From left to right: Susan Berescik, Helen Knechtel,

Carol Schoenberg and Jean Johnson

Helen releasing monarch butterflies in the front gardens of the

Friendship Park Conservatory.

Spring 2019 Echoes Page 3

Emma Enoch (‘51)Ruth Watson (‘51) contacted Emma and reported that she sounds just as strong as ever, but Emma admitted to slowing down and she needs daily injections to keep her vision. She uses the walker that Gam Shea (widower of Alice Mae Simmons ‘48) insisted she needed! She went to the State Board meeting with only her cane last September. She gets to church each Sunday, where CRCDS President Marvin McMickle once served as pastor. Because of the changes in the neighborhood population the members saw a need for the church to be sold to an Hispanic American Baptist congregation. Five to ten “oldsters” from the original church met each Sunday for English worship and once a month joined the larger Spanish speaking congregation for Holy Communion.

Emma continues to participate in the Church Women United celebrations and White Cross bandage rolling. Ruth and Emma shared good memories of classmate Darlene Nelson (‘52) who was the third BMTSer to come from Ruth’s home church in Oregon, near her sister Esther Nichols (‘53) who had been Emma’s BMTS room-mate for one year. Emma lives near her 99 year old brother who comes driving by to check on her. Her other brother died at age 99 a few months after the reunion at the American Baptist Churches Biennial in Pasadena, CA. She recently had word from Lois Waddington’s (‘51) family that Lois is unable to communicate. Emma sends love to all who made life so interesting.

Emma Enoch (‘51) and Ruth Watson (‘51) at the reunion breakfast at the American

Baptist Biennial. The buildings in the banner are the three Chicago locations of the BMTS

prior to moving to Rochester.

Ruth Watson (’51)Ruth wrote, “The Welsh Dragon views the St. David Day scene from my New York City apartment on March 1, 2019. Hope you all were as comfortable, warm and dry as I was. When I read Echoes it brings sadness and a joy for the families and friends as five classmates died last season. Reading the last issue reminded me of a French class I took before

my first trip abroad. I joined Rockwell Smith of Garret Seminary’s study tour to Europe in search of the effect of urbanism on rural youth. The French instructor turned out to be the nephew of Marguerite Beguin (‘43) whose greetings were in the last issue of Echoes. I continue with the English Conversation program for graduate students from abroad at Riverside Church and I am still able to manipulate the subways and the computer database for research, a remnant of Welsh Chapel here and our Welsh Home near Cleveland. Last summer my niece escorted me to Oregon where my oldest sister arranged for nine nieces and nephews to welcome me. We visited sister Esther Nichols (‘53) gravestone and her daughter and son-in-law. Great memories! There was even a parade of some 30 elk across the meadow behind their house — a product of global warming apparently. Let’s keep

working to make the churches relevant to the great social issues of the day. BMTS certainly has so many witnesses to show us the way.”

The “Welsh Dragon”

Page 4 Echoes Spring 2019

June E. Fehrn Jacobson (’53) (We received word from June’s daughter, Heidi, that she had passed away just as this Echoes was going to print.)

June is having a hard time writing because of arthritis in her right hand, but she wanted to let folks know where she is living now. June is living in Northern California with her daughter and her family. Her current address is 6071 Bayville Court, Granite Bay, CA, 95746. June hasn’t sold her Los Angeles home yet. Unfortunately she is not able to live alone anymore. June said, “my family is so good to me, but I miss my two churches in Los Angeles. I was 40 years as a Baptist, 47 years, almost 48 years as a Presbyterian! The last several years I went to Sunday School at one church and then drove to another church for morning worship. Now I miss everyone and can’t get used to my family’s enormous church, Bayside Covenant Church, in Granite Bay, CA.”

Florence Reis McGrath (‘56)Florence recently celebrated her 90th birthday and is recovering from four broken ribs she sustained in a fall. She and her husband, Bob, a retired Pastor,

live in a retirement community in Lancaster, PA.

Lily Douglas (’57)Lily was honored as a Community Trailblazer during the Black History Month celebration dinner at the Abundant Life Ministries in Ansonia, CT on February 23. She received citations from the CT General Assembly in recognition of her work in the community and during the civil rights struggles of the 1960’s.

Janet Sedam Roberts (’58)Janet wrote in and said, “I appreciate the phone visits with Lisa Bors, our Honorary 2007 BMTS Sis. Thank you and others for keeping our BMTS communication going through Echoes.” Alida Struze’s (‘57) memorial service was at her Lakewood, OH church on February 3, 2019. Janet received Christmas greetings from the following: Ethelmae Walters (‘49) and her housemate, Marion Voge of Spoken Valley, WA; Lois Kawamura Toyama (‘51) who is 94 years old and lives in her Los Angeles home. Betty Loun Wright (’58) has struggled with back problems and her husband, Larry, has medical problems. She walks and keeps busy with her home, yard and church. Her grandson, who is a high school freshman, received an award for Academic Excellence and plays lots of baseball. Ginny Gates Quiring (’60) and her husband, Dave, had to move from their retirement community due to redevelopment. They love their new place with views of trees and birds and they keep busy where they live and at their church. They plan to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in May with a family trip to Hawaii. Evelyn Brown (’61) is keeping busy doing “Minnie Pearl” comedy shows in Indianapolis, IN. She has happy memories of the BMTS and enjoyed a visit from Roxie Jester Ash (’59). Sandra McCrory Nye (’61) is living in Medford, OR with her husband, George. They both continue to find great satisfaction in their work with children who are caught in the judicial system because of family situations. They also rejoice in the accomplishments of their two young adult grandchildren. Susan Hall Soria ’58 and Janet enjoyed a phone visit.

Janet found a scrapbook of BMTS memories while locating items for a Redlands Display of Memorabilia. It started with welcome notes received in the Summer of 1954 from Dorothy “Bunny” Estabrook (’56), Trudy Bloss (’55), Marge Hill (’56) and Alida Struze (’57). It ended up with the July 1958 Missionary Dedication Service at First Baptist Church of Redlands as Janet prepared to leave for the Milwaukee Christian Center. Janet said, “Among the treasures were the following: an account of my arrival at 510; class schedules for each quarter for the four years; words of ‘made up’ songs; telegram announcing birth of nephew

Spring 2019 Echoes Page 5

which made me Uncle Janet; highlights of field work; notes from my big sis, Dorothy “Bunny” Estabrook (’56) and little sisses, Virginia Baily and Alice Kitchen; letters and remembrances from my summers at Winnebago Baptist Home and leading Vacation Bible Schools in Southeastern, OH; plans for my Senior Prayer Meeting, ‘This Christian Community.” There were numerous programs and photos which brought back memories of Mission Union Day, Christmas Ceremonies, Junior Senior Banquet, Choir Tours in Indiana and Michigan, Ground Breaking and Dedication of Chapel of the Crosses, May Day, Moving Up Day and Senior Dedication. There were also notes about house work assignments, involvement at Second Baptist Church, visits to Orchestra Hall and other Chicago attractions and lots more. Janet said, “Hallowed the memories that cling ‘round thy portals. Oh, Alma Mater, our homage accept...God bless thee for aye.”

Hazel Hayden Belden (’60) Hazel said, “We are blessed to be reasonably healthy and we are enjoying celebrating with four generations of our family.”

Hazel and her husband, Jerry, on their 58th wedding anniversary

Natalie Wigandt Galaway (’60)Nan recently downsized her home and has moved to be closer to where her husband, Bert, is in memory care. Nan sends her best and love to all of her BMTS sisters. If you would like Nan’s new address, please contact Lisa Bors.

Observing Dunes DayPat Doolittle Tingley (’52) and Ruth Watson (’51) both caught the good news that the BMTS beloved Dunes Day spot—the Indian Sand Dunes—has been registered as a National Park. Who does not remember BMTSers observing “Dunes Day” in the Spring of each year? The actual day was announced at 6:00 a.m. by the BMTS Faculty marching through each floor of the dormitory hallway banging on pots and pans, announcing “Dunes Day!” Pat said, “As a freshman, I remember being told you have to wear blue jeans.” Pat replied, “I don’t have any.” Pat’s roommate replied, “Then you’d better get some soon!” Pat went down to the clothing store nearby and bought her first and only pair of jeans for $1.99 and also a yellow cotton short sleeved shirt for the same amount. Buses sped them through the city, past the mills of Gary, IN and suddenly they were in another world. Such Joyful Memories!

Do you want to get in touch with your BMTS Sisters,

but don’t have their addresses?Contact Lisa Bors at 585-340-9647

or bmts@crcds.edu.

Page 6 Echoes Spring 2019

Date Class

JulyDiane Forsberg Johnson 6 ‘63 Sylvia Chandler Lanham 7 ‘53 Marilyn Baker Saunders 12 ‘54 Lois Worman Fey 13 ‘52 Cheryle Knight 23 ‘63 Anna Aponas 25 ‘45 Donna Birath Whitenack 27 ‘51 Ruby McDonald Shepherd 27 ‘56 Daisy VeZain 29 ‘60

August Yvonne Buckley 1 ‘52 Jean Counts Hansen 6 ‘57Betty Anderson Warren 7 ‘53 Joy Denlinger Gale 12 ‘54 Beatrice Spencer Brophey 13 ‘47Phoebe Brown O’Dell 23 ‘52 Ann Hawkes Paquin 24 ‘52Ruth Milliken Dudley 26 ‘45

SeptemberLois Thompson English 4 ‘62Betty Piltz Parsons 6 ‘55Alice Edson Cornell 7 ‘44 Priscilla Quiroga Jenkins 14 ‘57 Carol Welch 14 ‘55Leah Johnson McGillen 24 ‘60 Eglantina Cerna Vogeli 30 ‘63

CelebratiNg birthdays marCh - september Date Class

March

Patricia Grinnell Thompson 26 ‘51 Ruth Brazell Arena 17 ‘51Dora Mae Eaton Norton 17 ‘54Mary McGregor Keyser 24 ‘58

April Sharon Carper Pauley 5 ‘62Ruth Aust Foster 11 ‘60Kiyoko Fujiu 16 ‘46Lois Kawamura Toyama 21 ‘51 Patsy Newland Hayes 22 ‘57 Doris Brinker Frohock 23 ‘54 Zenol Moore 23 ‘46 Tomiko Kasai Asano 25 ‘49Elinor Frey Geer 28 ‘51

May Joan Erhart Sayer 4 ‘52Ruby Karlson 8 ‘49Natalie Wigandt Galaway 6 ‘60 Susan Hall Soria 16 ‘58 Lois Hampton Waddington 16 ‘51 Carol Locke Medbery 23 ‘63 Barbara Westwood Fradenburgh 24 ‘50 Marilyn Cook Partin 25 ‘48 Maxine Bascom Bascom 27 ‘47 Ruth Cowley Reynolds 28 ‘44Juanita Summers 29 ‘46Shirley Tyler Gardner Tatum 30 ‘56 Janet Sedam Roberts 30 ‘58

June Evelyn Brown 1 ‘61 June Wells Benoit 2 ‘46 June Kniser Nealy 2 ‘56 June Russell Gilstad 6 ‘50 Emma Ornelas Gordoa 10 ‘58 Emma Enoch 12 ‘51 Ruth Watson 18 ‘51Barbara Mosher Bishop 26 ‘64 Irene Velez Magana 27 ‘41 Beatrice Williams Wilkins 29 ‘52 Loretta Ems Bigger 30 ‘56

Spring 2019 Echoes Page 7

meet your bmts sCholarship reCipieNt raiN Christi

Rain chose to come to Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School (CRCDS) because her friend, Sharon Jacobson (CRDS ’05), recommended CRCDS to her. Sharon reached out to Rain and told her that the Spirit told her to deliver a message. Rain said “I

humbled myself to receive.” Rain was already practicing transformative leadership and Sharon envisioned her completing a degree at CRCDS. Sharon graduated four years ago, and Sharon thought the spirituality would suit Rain’s eclectic views. Rain followed her suggestion and came to CRCDS to check out the campus and programs CRCDS offered. Rain says, “The rest is history.”

Rain is a Youth Care Professional for Hillside Family of Agencies (Rochester, NY) and she also works in a Dialectical Behavior Therapy Unit. Hillside a residential facility with young women and young men who are placed there by the courts. Dialectical Behavior Therapy works directly with understanding and regulating our emotions. Rain says, “It is a perfect spot for this stage in my career.”

Rain is extremely passionate and has a lot of gifts, talents and hobbies. She has been teaching piano for over twenty-five years and is currently lining up her fourth album. Rain says, “My music is all over the world and I have been blessed to have performed all over the country and even as far as Northern Vietnam. I am a spoken word activist and I perform poetry for every occasion. I have performed for Uhuru meetings, for Black Lives Matter marches, and for all kind of special events. My goal is to raise awareness about social ills, especially racism and inspire human beings to become their exponential potential one person at a time. I paint and sketch and make dream weavers and other sacred art. I read Tarot cards and work with crystals and essential oils for healing and clarifying purposes. I make air fresheners naturally

using essential oils, water and aloe, and it is actually being used by Hillside! I adore hiking and meditation. I love to spend time in the water and by the water. I am an accomplished chef and love to cook and break bread with spiritual beings seeking understanding. I love to dance, sing, and play my piano! I could keep going, but I should probably stop now!”

Rain’s father filled many roles in her Military Fundamental Baptist Church when she was a youth. Rain says, “I knew from a very young age that my role on this Earth was to instruct and heal, feed and nurture the world. Every missionary that would come to visit our church would entice me to the far reaches of the Earth. My views may be unorthodox but my soul is on fire to inspire! My biggest mantra in life is, ‘Exponential Potential.’ It is my firm belief that we all have it.”

Rain thinks it is clear that even though women in the church have made major leaps and bounds in the direction of equality, there is still so much work to be done. She says, “I believe that if Christ loved all equally, it should be obvious that we all should be free to worship equally. It should be obvious that we all have a calling on our lives and we should have the freedom to answer that call. I believe women in ministry will see a lot of progress before the end of this decade, let alone this century.”

When Rain was asked how CRCDS is preparing her for ministry she replied, “The unique grounds that CRCDS has offered as a solid foundation for us to stand on allows us all to debate, clarify, study and grow with people from all faith traditions. We study all sacred texts and learn from all sacred truth. This open heart allows the pure love of Christ to shine in. Through this love and light, we are able to grow profoundly and in great freedom.”

Rain says, “My king and I have been blessed with a beautiful daughter named Kadence. She is an ancient soul come to this Earth to help heal and restore in these dark days. She has a brilliant personality and smiles a LOT! She is our joy and we soak in every precious moment with her.”

Continued...

Page 8 Echoes Spring 2019

After graduation Rain says, “I will take a break and spend some quality time with my brilliantly beautiful daughter and perhaps travel the country and film another documentary. After a respite with my family, I would really love to complete the Doctoral in Depth Psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute.”

Rain would like to thank the BMTS alumnae for the BMTS Scholarship. Because of your generosity it has afforded her the opportunity “to reach deeper, soar higher and answer the call placed in [her] life by the Divine.“ Rain says, “Thank you for this opportunity to share my journey. I look forward to graduation in May of 2020. I will hold a piece of CRCDS in my heart for the rest of this life.”

November 2018 – April 2019

Frances Lewis Elkins ‘51Dorothy Stickler Tilden ‘51

Faith Charlot Rohrabaugh ‘52June Woodbury Yapp ‘52

June E. Fehrn Jacobson (’53)Alida Struze ‘57

Barbara Mosher Bishop ‘64

Spring 2019 Echoes Page 9

from the direCtor of eNrollmeNt serviCes

Dear BMTS Alumnae,

My name is Deanna Pfluke and I am the newly appointed Director of Enrollment Services at CRCDS. I am writing you, our alumnae, to introduce myself and ask for your help in our efforts to increase student enrollment.

BMTS alumnae transform lives, serving their communities as pastoral, prophetic and learned leaders. But long before graduation, each of you were encouraged by someone to look at BMTS and to explore how God might be calling you to attend. Your recommendation of just one potential student can impact thousands of lives as those students become graduates and then leaders.

You, as a BMTS alumna, have tremendous influence over those discerning God’s call. If you know of a promising individual who you think we should reach out to, please call me directly at (585) 340-9633. I would love to hear from you!

Thank you for the gift of your ministry and for your support of CRCDS. We hope you will partner with us in identifying future progressive Christian leaders who are pastoral, prophetic and learned.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Deanna PflukeDirector of Enrollment Services

Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School(585) 340-9633dpfluke@crcds.edu

www.crcds.edu

Page 10 Echoes Spring 2019

aNNual susaN b. aNthoNy luNCheoNCRCDS Staff and Faculty members attended Susan B. Anthony’s 199th birthday celebration at the Joseph A. Floreano Riverside Convention Center (Rochester, NY) on February 14th. This event is the annual fundraiser for the National Susan B. Anthony Museum and House where CRCDS alumna, Rev. Deborah L. Hughes (‘87), is the Executive Director. The keynote speaker for the 2019 Susan B. Anthony Birthday Luncheon was Dr. Irma McClaurin, co-chair of the 2018 Seneca Falls Revisited Conference & Retreat held in Rochester. She is also past president of Shaw University, an activist anthropologist, black feminist speaker, author, and diversity champion and consultant. The Susan B. Anthony Birthday Luncheon is held each year in mid-February to celebrate Susan B. Anthony’s February 15th birthday, to honor contemporary women who continue her legacy, and to raise awareness of the educational and inspirational programs offered by the Museum.

Susan B. Anthony was an American social reformer and women’s rights activist who played a pivotal role in the women’s suffrage movement. Born into a Quaker family committed to social equality, she collected anti-slavery petitions at the age of 17. In 1856, she became the New York state agent for the American Anti-Slavery Society.

Background on Susan B. AnthonyIn 1872, Anthony was arrested for voting in her hometown of Rochester, NY, just a few miles from the CRCDS campus and convicted in a widely publicized trial. Although she refused to pay the fine, the authorities declined to take further action. In 1878, Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton arranged for Congress to be presented with an amendment giving women the right to vote. Introduced by Sen. Aaron A. Sargent (R-CA), it later became known colloquially as the Susan B. Anthony Amendment. It was ratified as the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1920.

Anthony traveled extensively in support of women’s suffrage, giving as many as 75 to 100 speeches per year and working on many state campaigns. She worked internationally for women’s rights, playing a key role in creating the International Council of Women, which is still active. She also helped to bring about the World’s Congress of Representative Women at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893.

When she first began campaigning for women’s rights, Anthony was harshly ridiculed and accused of trying to destroy the institution of marriage. Public perception of her changed radically during her lifetime, however. Her 80th birthday was celebrated in the White House at the invitation of President William McKinley. She became the first woman to be depicted on U.S. coinage when her portrait appeared on the 1979 dollar coin.

From left to right: Polly Bush, Admissions Coordinator and Student Services

Representative, Deanna Pfluke, Director of Enrollment Services, Dean Stephanie Sauvé, Patty Keenahan, Director of Accounting, & Barbara Hessdoerfer, Executive Assistant to

President Marvin A. McMickle

Spring 2019 Echoes Page 11

1100 South Goodman StreetRochester, NY 14620

www.crcds.eduFollow us: @crcdsLike us: facebook.com/crcds

Echoes is published two times a year. The next issue is Fall 2019.

Submissions are due by September 27, 2019. Send your news to:

EchoesCRCDS

1100 South Goodman StreetRochester, NY 14620

(585) 340-9647 or

BMTS@crcds.edu