Agtarask

  • Vanderbilt University

    The end and the beginning

    Image: Glitter Ashes in a small terra cotta dish. They are on a woven blanket of rainbow colors in the sun. There are candles and other bowls in the background. Provided by the Rev. Lyndsey Godwin. Read a blessing for the imposition of ashes >> An Ash Wednesday reflection… Read More

    Feb. 17, 2021

  • Vanderbilt University

    We the people

    Dean’s message from the January 2021 Spire e-newsletter It begins with a country being formed by taking the land of others because darker-skinned people were (and are still) judged as less than lighter-skinned people.  This founding kernel of our country has grown over the years and has emerged at… Read More

    Feb. 1, 2021

  • Vanderbilt University

    My vote counts

    Chicago artist Mac Blackout’s new mural encouraging Americans to get out and vote in the upcoming election. Guest post by Emilie M. Townes, Dean and Distinguished Professor of Womanist Ethics and Society. This reflection originally appeared in the November 3, 2020  “Spire”electronic newsletter. Growing up in the liberal segregated south of Durham,… Read More

    Nov. 3, 2020

  • Vanderbilt University

    When a Bird Crashed Into My Window on a Pre-Yom-Kippur Jewish Meditation Virtual Retreat

    Saturday 26 Sept  / 8 Tishrei When a Bird Crashed Into My Window on a Pre-Yom-Kippur Jewish Meditation Virtual Retreat It was yoga time The instructor was guiding us from downward dog to cobra, when I heard a loud thunk. My mind began to race. I noticed it racing… Read More

    Sep. 27, 2020

  • Vanderbilt University

    Zoom crashed. Now what?

    Helpful tips and contingency planning for Zoom Compiled by Sophia Agtarap, Vanderbilt Divinity School Director of Communications Though Zoom has proved to be a helpful tool for online teaching, learning, and meeting, every system has its limits–some of which we… Read More

    Sep. 18, 2020

  • Vanderbilt University

    Call for Applications: Carpenter/LGBT Policy Lab Fellows

    Call for Applications: Carpenter/LGBT Policy Lab Fellows The Carpenter Program in Religion, Gender, and Sexuality is hiring two paid LGBT Policy Fellows (MTS or MDiv) for the 2020-21 school year. … Read More

    Sep. 14, 2020

  • Vanderbilt University

    #ScholarStrike

    Vanderbilt Divinity Community, The Divinity School has always been a school of prophets and scholars, and also, disruptors. We are always looking for a way to challenge the injustices in the world, which is why it is no surprise that Vanderbilt Divinity School alumna Anthea Butler has created the… Read More

    Sep. 5, 2020

  • Vanderbilt University

    A Call and Response to the Capitol Commission’s Historic Vote

    Bust of Nathan Bedford Forrest on display in the Tennessee State Capitol. Shelley Mays/The Tennessean Dear all– We join a number of people today rejoicing to hear that the Capitol Commissioners voted to remove the bust of Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest, U.S. Admiral David Farragut, and U.S. Admiral Albert Gleaves… Read More

    Jul. 9, 2020

  • Vanderbilt University

    A letter to the community on return to campus

    Students taking classes in person are required to stay in Nashville until the Thanksgiving break. Any student with an urgent need to travel must get approval from the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs before making any plans. If approved to travel, per current VU policy, the student will be… Read More

    Jun. 16, 2020

  • Vanderbilt University

    We have heard this before

    Words from emilie m. townes, dean of Vanderbilt Divinity School, E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Chair, Professor of Womanist Ethics and Society Once again, a Black man was killed while in police custody.  The images of his life slipping away because of the knee planted on his neck… Read More

    May. 31, 2020