T H E V O I C E O F T H E C O M M U N I T Y

kairoj
kairos
A Weekly Newspaper Issue 187, Sept. 30 - Oct 2, 2009
Reflections from Invite to Write? Interview with the Campus Happenings Meet the Juniors Student Senate Meeting
Zambia Cabinet Notes
Middlers Brad Watson, Find out how Senior Preaching Find out more about Student Senate makes
Clare Lozano shares the Caitlin Thomas Academic Dean starts this week, find the new students on their notes public.
beginnings of her trip Deyerle, and Tina Michael Jinkins takes out the chapel schedule campus. Read them here.
to Zambia where fellow Broadway share their his tea and what some and other activities
Page 4
classmate Melea White thoughts on food, being of his hobbies are, happening on campus.
is living, working, and young and call. outside school. Those Running for
studying. Junior Senator & MATS
Page 2-3 & 6 Page 12 Representative say a Page 11
Page 1-2 Page 5 few words

Page 9

Reflections from Westminster Abbey. Even though we had both been

to the Abbey years before, we knew that the

Zambia: experience would be different with the benefit of

former Professor Ellen Babinsky’s Church History
class. We could not
What God Can Do with a 12-hour layover have been more
in London right, for as we
Clare Lozano is a Senior MDiv student and a Candidate for Minister toured the Abbey it
of Word and Sacrament under care of Mission Presbytery.  felt as if Ellen’s
Melea White is a Senior MDiv/MSSW dual degree student currently lectures were coming
completing her studies in Zambia.  to life before me.
Yet, ever present in
My good friend Melea White emailed me one my mind was our
day last spring with some exciting news. It was the final destination, and
itinerary for our trip to Africa. This solidified the it was as I walked
fact that I really was going and also revealed that we within the vast walls
had a day-long layover in London on our way over. Westminster Abbey of Westminster
It was not until the night before we left that we Abbey thinking of
finally settled our plans for that day, deciding to visit Zambia that I was
© 2009 Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary

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struck by the contrast that seemed to be set before
me. It was impossible not to be aware of the
opulence of the Abbey, especially knowing that I was
headed to one of the poorest countries in the world.
This was a not too subtle reminder of what
colonization and its aftermath has meant for
Africans, especially since Zambia had been under
British colonial rule. As I walked the worn stone
floors of the Abbey, I also was aware that I was in
what is arguably one of the centers of Western
Christianity, heading to the land that became its
mission field just over a century ago. However, I
was equally aware that it would be appropriate for
those roles to now be reversed, as Christianity is
growing rapidly in Africa, and struggles in the West
by comparison.
As I sat down for a service of Holy
Communion under the vaulted nave of the Abbey,
surrounded by ornate stained glass windows,
looking up at the gilded altar, I was reminded of a
story shared with me of Zambians gathering for
worship under the shade of a large tree, with the soil
beneath them as their pews.
Holding all of these thoughts together, it
seemed no accident that we had wound up in this
place, and I wondered what God’s purpose was in
bringing these two images of Christianity before us,
which when viewed together seemed to highlight the
differences and divisions within our tradition. It was
in that moment of wondering that I was called back
to the Eucharist service as I heard those words,
words that are so familiar to me that they seem to be
a part of the fabric of who I am.
“This is my body, given for you.”
I heard those words and remembered.
“This is my blood, shed for you.”
I heard those words and remembered.
I remembered that Jesus had first uttered
those words some 2,000 years ago.
I remembered that Christians ever since have
spoken them as well.
I remembered that those words have been
spoken within the walls of Westminster Abbey since
960 AD.
W W W . A U S T I N S E M I N A R Y. T Y P E P A D . P O R T A L / K A I R O S . H T M L
I remembered that those words crossed
continents, were translated into native tongues, and
are spoken today in languages too numerous to
count.
I remembered that what is at the heart of
Christian worship is not the building, or the style, or
the culture in which it is offered, but is instead the
body that gathers and its head, the one Word who
calls it together. I remembered that despite the
extreme diversity within Christianity, that despite its
painful and sometimes violent history and the
divisions it has caused, that there still remains ample
common ground upon which to stand.
It was no accident that we had wound up in
that place, but God had brought us there on the eve
of our arrival in Zambia not to remind us of what
divides our church, but instead to remind us of all
that holds it together. “Do this in remembrance of
me.”
I heard those words and remembered the one
Word who unites us across all the lines we expect to
divide us.
- Clare Lozano
Suggestions for
Ingestion
Brad Watson is a Middler MDiv student and Inquirer for Minister of
Word and Sacrament under care of Grace Presbytery.
One of my favorite things about living in
Austin is the numerous eateries that dish up well
made meals. It doesn’t matter what your favorite
cuisine is, there is more than likely a place that can
cater to your salivating taste buds.
As a newly minted 30 year-old, I’ve grown to
appreciate the finer things having to do with food,
and thus can no longer tolerate the value menus and
combo deals of the fast food world. The fact of the
matter is that it really doesn’t do a body good. All of
this being said, here are some suggestions for places
to enjoy great food, at a good value.
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First, my tried and true most enjoyable place community as well. Not only do they grow their
to have a good meal is Mother’s Café and Garden own vegetables, but they are ardent recyclers,
on Duval. I’m not a vegetarian, and even though winning national recognition for their stewardship of
vegetarian meals are all you can get at Mother’s, the environment.
anyone who appreciates well made meals will enjoy As Christians we have been called to the table
it. Be sure to get a spinach salad with cashew tamari brothers and sisters, so don’t hold back, go treat
dressing. yourself to a well-deserved meal and be sure to share
This next restaurant might be the best pound- it with your best friends and beloved family.
for-pound suggestion of them all. If you are looking -Brad Watson
for more than another PB&J for lunch, and are
willing to take a nice stroll through UT down to 16th Editor’s note: If you tried and could afford it, you might be
able to eat at a different restaurant every day for the rest of the year.
St. and Guadalupe, then you can’t go wrong with the
Take a look at www.foodhawk.com for a listing of eateries. You can
Clay Pit. They have excellent “contemporary Indian sort by area, price, cuisine, etc. . . (Please note neither Brad nor the
cuisine,” and their all-you-can-eat lunch buffet for editor get kick-backs from the restaurants or websites listed above!)
$7.50 is a great value.
Next – and I’m hanging a lot out on the line
with this one – my vote for really good BBQ is
Rudy’s “Country Store” and Bar-B-Q. I’ve never
had a bad meal here, whether it is brisket, turkey or
Midterms are
ribs (and even breakfast tacos). You can go other coming. . . .
places, and get a good piece of meat, but you won’t
be able to fill your car with gas, or buy your honey a Need a place to study?
special treat!! Be sure to try the pinto beans, they are
oh-so-good!
One of the most interesting food entrées, with
There are still open study carrels in Stitt Library. 
regards to ingredients and value, is pizza, and as far
Stop at the Circulation desk to inquire. 
as I can tell the competition in Austin is tough. To be
the #1 pizzeria means that you can’t cut corners (it’s
Contact person:  Lila Parrish
hard to find any on a pizza anyway!). My vote for
best pizza is Salvation Pizza on W. 34th St. They have
the best ingredients and the pizzas are perfectly
cooked. Go out on a limb and try the #5, or my
personal favorite: jalapenos, sausage, garlic, and sun-
dried tomatoes. Don’t forget their excellent salad
with sun-dried tomato vinaigrette. Pssst! Be sure to
check out Food Heads next door. Their sandwiches
are crazy good!
Finally, so many of you have asked me what
my thoughts are on taking someone out for a nice
meal; one that may cost a little more, but you get
great value for your money. To this person I say that
you cannot go wrong with Eastside Café on Manor
Road. It is truly an enjoyable place to have a great
meal, and these folks are doing great work in their

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Jessica Goad
BA in Music, University of
Arizona in Tucson.
St. Paul’s United Methodist,
Tucson, AZ.
She would be an orange bell
pepper because they are so sweet.
Jessica loves math, even when it is
hard, plays the piano and guitar,
and sings!
Christian Schmidt
BA in English, University of
Houston Honors College.
Unitarian Universalist Church of
the Brazos Valley, College Station,
TX.
He would take his iPhone, a
hymnal and a guitar to a deserted
island. He loves to sing and once
played the trombone.
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Bart Smith
BA in Criminal Justice, University
of Georgia.
Morningside Presbyterian Church, Mosaic Baptist Church, Austin,
Atlanta, GA. TX.
If he were a vegetable he would be
okra, because “It’s tasty.” He
identifies with the story of
Pentecost because he set his hair
on fire once at church.
Jesse Ha
BA - Natural Science, Johns
Hopkins Univeristy
Onnuri English Ministry in Seoul,
Korea.
He plays drums and the guitar
and can solve Rubik’s cube with
ease. Jesse also loves Korean
Short Ribs (Kalbi).
Jeremiah Griffin
BA in Political Science, Stephen F.
Austin State University.
He always smells of sunscreen
and could listen to monastic
chanting all day, perhaps.
Jeremiah also plays the fiddle and
djembe.
Don Choi
BA - University of Texas at Austin.
Bethany Presbyterian Church,
Dallas, TX.
He could eat Potbelly’s for the rest
of his life and plays the violin and
guitar. Don could listen to With or
Without You by U2 all day on
repeat.
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Interview with Academic
Dean
Rev. Dr. Michael Jinkins
As one of the six Austin Presbyterian Seminary Cabinet members, Michael
keeps the school’s educational mission in front of the seminary’s various
constituencies His job is to provide support for teaching, learning, and
research at the Seminary.
Interviewed by: Mary Elizabeth Prentice
Stats:
• He was Southern Baptist until the age
of 25.
• He became active in the church by
playing in the youth choir’s backup
band.
• At the age of 17 experienced a call to
ministry - the next week he preached
his first sermon to 400 and a radio
audience. Then within a month he was
leading revivals.
• BS at Howard Payne in Brownwood,
TX.
• Was supposed to go to Baylor and be a
lawyer like Atticus Finch. His parents
were disappointed he chose ministry
because they did not know educated
ministers.
• MDiv at Southwestern Baptist
• Began working on his PhD at
Southwestern and was asked to sign a
document validating the infallibility of
“the original manuscripts” of the Bible.
He refused and was stripped of his TA
responsibilities.
• By this time though he was working at
St. Stephen Presbyterian Church, Ft.
Worth TX.
• Ordained in the Presbyterian Church in
1981 and served as Associate Pastor.
• First solo pastorate in Itasca, TX, where
he worked on his DMin at APTS
W W W . A U S T I N S E M I N A R Y. T Y P E P A D . P O R T A L / K A I R O S . H T M L
Michael,
at
the
helm
of
a
sailboat,
as
the
sun
sets
over
Lake
Travis.
• PhD at Aberdeen in Scotland. A: I take Yorkshire Gold Tea with milk
and one sugar (like any civilized person
• Cannot donate blood because he lived should!!!)
and ate meat in Scotland long enough
to be considered a “mad cow” threat! Q: What is your favorite way of
interacting with students?
• Began working at APTS in 1993
teaching Pastoral Theology and A: I really enjoying hanging out with
directing the SPM program. students outside the classroom and
engaging in conversation. My weekly
Questions & Answers: prayer group is a great way to interact
with students. It is a way to engage
Q: If you got a tattoo of a theologian, that students as pilgrims and fellow travelers.
could at anytime be removed, who would
it be? The classroom is a sacred space though -
Being in the Dean’s office I miss the
A: Well, I have actually thought of classroom, there is so much that can be
getting a tattoo, but of a theologian. . . I treasured in those moments.
don’t know. I am skeptical of becoming a
disciple of one theologian. Karl Barth Q: What is your newest hobby?
said one must remain free and in that
A: I am learning to sail. I am not like
freedom you follow Christ, not a
Whit Bodman and David White, the
particular theologian.
experts, but currently I charter a 32 foot
I have considered a sailing themed tattoo boat and one day will own my own boat.
- maybe an anchor like Pop-eye, but more When I retire it will be near an ocean and
than likely I would probably get a Celtic with a boat!
symbol of some kind.
Q: Anything else?
Q: Where is your favorite place in
A: I love golf. I use to play two times a
Scotland?
week, but now only play once a year. I
A: Wow. . . I guess the Dee Valley which follow Tiger Woods and Tom Watson, and
are part of the Eastern Highlands. My I have seen in person 3 Majors, 2 British
wife Debbie and I return often, though to Opens and 1 PGA Tournament, and other
the Isle of Seil. You can stand on the Isle PGA events. Next summer I plan to see
and see the Isle of Mull, which is close to the British Open in St. Andrews with my
Iona. family, including my son and daughter
and their spouses.
Q: How do you take your tea?
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Being the Youngest and fresh eyes of the younger students, just as much
as the older generation’s experience, wisdom and
discernment. I thank them for creating this
Caitlin Thomas Deyerle is a Middler MDiv student from wonderful community for us to explore the wisdom
Albuquerque, NM. She is an Inquirer for Minister of Word and
Sacrament under care of Santa Fe Presbytery. that both young and old can offer to one another and
I welcome this new class into that community. And
“Don't let anyone look down on you because you are of course I also thank them for taking on the title of
young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in youngest!
life, in love, in faith and in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12 
-Caitlin Thomas Deyerle
We are blessed on our campus to have a great
diversity of age within our student body. Despite the
ever-present groaning that the youth of our day are God, You’ve got to be
lost and have rejected the church, we see in this
year’s junior class how these generalizations, that are
joking!
so easy to make, to be misleading.
Thoughts prompted by questions at Manna
When I was a junior I quickly learned that I
Tina Broadway is a Part-Time Midller Student and an Inquirer for
was the very youngest person walking the grounds Minister of Word and Sacrament under care of Mission Presbytery.
of this campus. Many of my peers exclaimed how Originally from Blyth, England, she and her family now live in
their children were older than me! I started to be Austin.
overwhelmed by a feeling of dread and
embarrassment any time someone asked me my age. My family in the United Kingdom seems a
And I worried that perhaps I should attempt to dress little nervous about what I am doing; I do not think
older or maybe wear high heels to appear taller. And they know how to handle my oddball enthusiasm for
don’t get me started on what people said when they theologians. I wonder if they think I will try to
found out I was getting married at 23. However, question their faith.
despite some initial surprise at my age, as they came
When I phone them, talk turns to how my
to know me better, most accepted me as one of their
husband, my daughters and I are doing here in
own.
Austin. I eventually, inevitably mention APTS. I find
But I still find it a little strange and somewhat my excitement rising as I describe the latest courses I
disconcerting that there was so much surprise at my am taking, only to have it answered with
youthfulness that seemed to melt away only after my awkwardness and a gentle change of subject. My
fellow students were assured that I was not some second eldest sister; however, is a staunch supporter,
antsy teenager. It made me wonder if we have let our glad that I am at last “doing my thing,” albeit slowly!
expectations for the spiritual maturity of young
It has been a long time coming. Sometimes I
adults in our churches fall too far? Do we do enough
feel as if God has herded me into this huge funnel
to empower the younger generation to be examples
with this gradually narrowing tube, leading me to
to all believers in “speech, in life, in love, in faith and
this moment in time at APTS. At 20 or 30 I could not
in purity” as Paul does for Timothy?
have imagined this specific calling, not even the idea
Here at APTS we are lucky to have a faculty, that I would live in the United States and be US
administration, and an admissions team who do citizen!
strive to empower the younger members of the
community. They are open to both the new ideas,

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I am grateful to be here. My ideas on Indeed it is true, both in my Evangelism and Conflict

leadership, the role of women in the church, and class, tension was a topic of conversation this week.
what I think I am capable of versus what God thinks;
I am not referring to the tension that makes
all of these notions have been taken and turned on
your back and shoulders stiffen up, although that
their head.
does come with exams and deadlines, but instead I
I started slowly as a special student; testing am referring to the tension I see in the ongoing,
the waters, full of questions. It’s a long time since I constant, exhausting conversations of life.
was at university (known as college here in the Metaphorically, I see this tension in a game of tug-of-
States), can I handle these courses? Are You truly war.
calling me to this? I see my weakness, You know my
My senior year of high school at our “Senior
weaknesses. You must be joking God!
Picnic” we played a game of tug-of-war. There were
I was so grateful as a commuting student for probably 25-35 people on each team. We gathered
friendly faces, opportunities to chat outside the around the rope, placing people at strategic
classroom and commiserate over tests. locations. (You know - the football guys that thought
they were all powerful - as anchors, and the girls just
Being a good mom to two teenage daughters had to grab a bit of rope. . . don’t get me started.) As
while going through this process has been hard. It is the competition began, I had a bad feeling, but
amazing that the courses I am studying seem to participated anyway. The rope was one of poor
relate not only to challenging me theologically and quality and in general seemed more like a string than
growing my ministerial skills, but also to my home a cable, much less a rope. Both sides picked up the
life! rope and positioned themselves, then the whistle
Through all of this I have discovered strengths blew and both sides tugged. With the first tug, the
I never knew I had. I have glimpsed the immensity tension in the rope split and both sides collapsed,
of our God, and grasped that God loves to work lying in heaps on the ground. The tension had lasted
through weakness and imperfection. The associate but a moment and the rope was broken.
pastor of the church I attend once made a comment I remember this because I was working on
to me as we were about to lead a service together. I yearbook staff and one of the photographers caught
cherish it, because to me it rings so true “It’s not the rope fraying during the microsecond tear - it was
about me, it’s about God.” quite the photo if I do say so myself. This
-Tina Broadway momentary tension is the type of tension I am
talking about that we hear about so often in
seminary.
Extensions of an Olive Branch
You cannot play tug-of-war without an
Reflections on Peace and Unity opposing side; similarly you cannot talk about
“Tug of War” theological concepts without putting them in
conversation or in tension with one another. The
Mary Elizabeth Prentice is a Senior MDiv student and Candidate for tension is the pull you must allow to have happen, to
Minister of Word and Sacrament under care of Grace Presbytery.
listen to both ends of the spectrum, and to hold onto

 I was talking with some Juniors the other day one another as a community. I see tension in
about tension. One said that tension and ambiguity theology, the church, and our studies, not as
seem to be reoccurring words in all of her classes. stiffening stress that causes us to break apart and end

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up in separate heaps, but instead I see tension as an attempt to tear the rope, but in an attempt to
merely being able to play tug-of-war without having listen to one another; to hold onto one another.
the rope break within the first tug, or at all.
After the Conflict class today though, I fear that
Paul does this in his letters to many Early “the Middle East Conflict” is beyond co-laboring and
Christian communities. As a Jewish man, Paul simply now in negotiation. And unfortunately
refuses to dismiss the Jews of Israel as having lost “negotiation does not work very well on theological
“salvation” while simultaneously he also refuses to issues, values, or issues of integrity.”2 It is my fear of
see Jesus as saving just the Gentiles. It is an issue this reality that saddens me about peace talks in the
that Paul does not resolve, nor do I believe is it an Middle East, yet I still stand with my twig of an olive
issue that we can resolve if we remain faithful to the branch in great hope.
tension in Christian faith. Likewise when dealing
Because we, as seminarians, are in the business
with conflict, especially in the church, we must work
of church and theological issues, we cannot sell out
towards faithfulness not happiness; therefore there
and buy the cheap rope for our constant tug-of-war
will, at times, be stiffening stress, but that is not the
tensions in life. We must invest in the Purple Plasma
goal of conflict.
Puget Sound Rope3 and continuously engage
A part of our work, as the author Speed B. Leas competing issues, values, and theological concepts.
presents in his article “The Basics of Conflict
It sounds exhausting, overwhelming and
Management in Congregations” in the book Conflict
ambiguous, but for me, I cannot imagine life any
Management in Congregations, is collaboration. Co-
other way.
laboring is the fundamental element of collaboration
and is a time-consuming, exhausting process. If this 1 David B. Lott. Conflict Management in Congregations. (The Alban
Institute, 2001) p. 37.
co-laboring fails then we enter into negotiation, 2 David B. Lott. Conflict Management in Congregations. (The Alban

where something must be divided or exchanged.1 Institute, 2001) p. 37.

3 Plasma Rope is the world's strongest rope for its weight. Puget
And then we must ask ourselves if we are being
Sound Rope has pioneered this unique and durable product
faithful to holding on to one another. that's strong enough to pull ships. The 12 x 12, the newest
braided hawser is composed of 12 strands of Plasma®12-
Tension is hopeful in my mind. I will be the Strand. This patented construction makes it the first truly
repairable braided rope.
first to admit that it is sometimes difficult for me to
reside in the tension, the grey, the middle area; but if http://www.ropeinc.com/plasma-rope.html.

I stop to think about it, grey is actually more

-Mary Elizabeth Prentice
comfortable than either end of the spectrum. I see
the grey as a way to find unity and common ground
without forgoing a particular identity. I see the grey
as an opportunity to find peace. I see the grey, but
often I don’t reside in it.

Residing in the grey is my hope for President

Obama and the administration of George Mitchell
with regard to re-starting peace talks for the Middle The President wants YOU! to
East. It is my sincere hope and prayer that common
ground is found and both sides are able to reside in have lunch with him.
the grey area for the sake of the people living in the Next lunch, Tuesday, October 13, 2009
region. I hope that they can play tug-of-war, not in
Sign up at the McCord Desk

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Election of Holly Clark Kristi Click Brittany Harvey Mary Ann Kaiser
Junior Senators
MATS Senator &
MATS Rep. to
Student
Standing
Committee Running for Jr. Senator Running for Jr. Senator Running for Jr. Senator Running for Jr. Senator
Nominations are in.
Elections begin by “I'm a maverick. “It would be
“I'm passionate “I really love the
email Thursday, But seriously, I love nothing short of an
about voicing the APTS community
student honor to walk
September 17, 2009 opinions of others and would be
government and beside you as
and end Tuesday, and am all about honored to serve it
would enjoy being confidant but to
September 29, 2009. involved in shaping perspective. This the best way that I
position is all about can.” also stand for you
Look for an email and molding the as an ambassador
servant leadership
and vote online. future of APTS to fit of our class as we
and I would be
Candidates were the needs of my journey together
humbled and
asked to give peers.” with the rest of the
honored to have
twitter sized the opportunity to APTS community.”
statements. do so.”

Christian Bart Smith Paul Harris Bryan Law

Schmidt

MATS - Master
of Arts
(Theological
Studies)
Running for Jr. Senator Running for Jr. Senator
“I came here A MATS student is
because I sensed “The lesser of the asked to be a part
this was a special six evils.”
of the Student
place, and my goal
Senate and a MATS
will be to keep that
student also serves
true as best I can.”
on the Student
Life/Standing
Faculty Committee
Running for MATS
representative to Student
Life/Standing Committee
“My name is Paul
Harris. I am a second
year student here at
APTS while serving as
pastor of a United
Methodist Church in
Cedar Park. As a local
commuter student, I
am on campus for a
limited time, but I love
every minute of it. I live
a life called to service
and will serve as able
for the students of
APTS.”
Running for MATS
Senator
“I look forward to serving
the Austin Seminary
community, especially
representing the voices of
MATS students. As your
MATS Senator you have
my heart, because acts of
service are my heartbeat.
I promise you nothing but
my best! Thank you again
for the opportunity to love
you through servanthood.
It is truly humbling and
exciting at the same time.
God bless you!”

Editor’s endorsement: Yeah right! These are all excellent leaders for the community. Make sure your voice
counts, vote online!

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I’m not in control
Christian Schmidt is a junior MDiv Unitarian Universalist student
and aspirant in the care of the Southwest Unitarian Universalist
Conference.
All of which got me to thinking about things
It’s me and President Ted Wardlaw at 30,000
feet above Central Texas, and something is wrong
with the airplane. A smoky smell seeps out of the air
vents, and the flight attendant frantically checks hot
spots inside the plane in between frequent
discussions with the pilot. And, despite her words to
the contrary, I am pretty sure the flight attendant is a
little worried.
But in any case, it was yet another reminder
Aren’t I too young to die?
The scariest part was the conversation I
overheard in which the flight attendant said to the
pilot, “Oh, I’ll just wait until we land to tell them
about that.”
TELL US ABOUT WHAT, LADY?
But maybe I should back up a little. In my
ongoing guest preaching tour around Texas and the
Our lives are not in our control. For me, that’s
Southwest, I was in Amarillo last weekend,
preaching the good word of Unitarian Universalism
to the people of the high plains at the Amarillo
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.
But I can control this; despite my plane
Our seminary’s esteemed president, like so
many of my Presbyterian friends here, was
preaching and educating about the importance of
seminaries as part of Theological Education Sunday.
Ted was in Stillwater, Oklahoma, before both of us
ended up on the same plane from Dallas to Austin
on Sunday evening.
Maybe I’m overdramatizing a pretty minor
incident, but the fire truck that was waiting for us on
the tarmac and the three other fire trucks and an
ambulance just outside the airport sure made me
think something serious could have been wrong. A
flight that takes just 38 minutes, going from Dallas to
Austin, could have been the end for me, Ted and a
couple hundred other folks. A few minutes after we
took off, some of us passengers on the front few rows
noticed a smell coming from the air vents. It never
got more serious than that, but a funny, slightly
W W W . A U S T I N S E M I N A R Y. T Y P E P A D . P O R T A L / K A I R O S . H T M L
smoky smell on an airplane is cause for concern.
And all because I agreed to guest preach in Amarillo
– for free.
(which, of course, can be dangerous). My mother
said, as a joke, I think, that it must have been divine
providence that saved our plane. With my
background in newspapers, all I could think about
was what the headline would have said: “Seminary
President, Others Die in Plane Crash: Millions in
Mourning.” Ok, maybe that wouldn’t have been
what it said, but whatever.
that this life is not in my control. Not by a long shot.
It wasn’t in my control when I got laid off the day
before I got my acceptance letter from Austin
Seminary (I’ll leave the interpretation of that timing
for you). It wasn’t in my control when I got on that
plane, though the phenomenal safety record of
commercial air travel is a comfort.
both a cause of great joy and great concern. I have to
do what I can to make this world better, and
remember that I can control so very, very few things.
misadventure, I’m already talking to the Amarillo
Fellowship about preaching there again soon. And I
can’t wait.
Community Edge (Spouse’s Group)
Do you have a spouse? Do they feel like
they live on the edge of this community
you have just entered? If so, there is a
place for them!
Organizational Meeting: Thursday, October 1, 2009
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Place: Hicks House
Contact: laurenefalco@yahoo.com
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Senate Minutes 9/22 Kairos Guidelines

-In attendance: Jackie Saxon – VP SA, Kaci Porter – SBP, Jose Lopez – S.
Senator, Sally Wright – M. Senator, John Leedy – M. Senator, Shane Webb –
S. Senator, Prof.Whit Bodman, Mary Elizabeth Prentice – Kairos Editor, Kate
Loveless – Elections Commissioner, Karen Cotton, Student Rep to Library
-Moved Agenda to Whit Bodman presenting on the Conversation Circles
idea for Manna:
Based out of AAIM as a way of having difficult conversations in a healthy
and constructive environment. Conversations are patterned in particular ways
with a moderator at a table of 5- people. Tables have an object that is
designated as the “talking piece” to facilitate conversation. Moderator opens
with an initial statement. Then stone is passed around the circle so that
everyone gets a say. Then the conversation is open around the table. If the
conversation at any time needs to be paused for recollection or reflection,
someone may touch the stone to halt the conversation for a few moments.
Towards the end of the time, the group stops, has another moment of silence,
and then passes the rock around to enable a closing comment by everyone,
and then a closing. Process takes about an hour and a half but could be
shortened for manna.
Recorded & Submitted by John Leedy
Editorial Guidelines
1. Kairos is the voice of students at Austin Seminary.
2.Kairos generally carries no advertisements for sale of goods
or services by individuals. An exception is the sale of a
student or professor’s library or other study aids.
3.It is not possible to make all program announcements which
are submitted by individual church. Kairos is more likely to
be able to run announcements which apply to ecumenical or
interfaith groups or groups of churches.
4.No letters which attack individuals or groups will be run in
Kairos. This is to be distinguished from letter which might
criticize the actions of individuals or groups.

-Moved Agenda to Mary Elizabeth Prentice with a Kairos update:
Hired two field reporters to contribute to Kairos. Given two hours a week to
interview and report. People are responding well to the invite to write
program. Feedback given: New content and layout has been received well
-Moved Agenda to Kate Loveless with a Elections commissions update:
7 Nominations submitted for Junior Senators. No nominations yet received
for MATS representatives to Senate and SLSS Com. Should we push to
encourage those nominated to MATS or SLSS committee to serve even if
initially reluctant? Nominations close 9/23/09 at Manna. Elections will run
from Thursday to Tuesday. Should a nominations committee be formed?
How involved in the community should one feel in order to serve?
5.Kairos will publish letter to the editor that contribute to
Christian conversation on the APTS campus. All letters must
be signed.
Submission Guidelines:
Email submissions to the editor, Mary Elizabeth Prentice, at
kairos@austinseminary.edu. Editorial decisions are based on
urgency, availability of space and editorial guidelines.
Deadline is Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. Submissions made after
the deadline must be accompanied by a dunkel or a bribe.

-Reformation Roast – 10/29/2009 Starts at 5:30 pm, Thursday before

Discovery Weekend Manna from the community.
-Trunk or Treat 10/31/2009 Senate asks for students, faculty and staff to bring refreshments
-Polity Bowl (ten. 11/21 or 12/5) Asked Jose to contact SSW to confirm an
to Manna on Wednesdays. Sign up as an individual or sign up
available date.
as a group.  Look for the large Post-It Board in Stotts and
-Report from SAV from Jackie Saxon choose a Wednesday.
• Renee Menke has developed form for student activity coordination. Form
will be released within the coming weeks.
• Spouses group meeting on 10/1/09 at 7 pm in Hicks House, contact Lauren
Falco.
• Food Service Task force meeting @ 3:30 9/22/09: conversation of
eliminating the dinner service.
• Religious Diversity Task force (faculty/staff): very beginning conversation
on the question of admitting non-Christian (Muslim & Jewish) students to
degree programs.

-Manna Discussion
• Replace sign up sheets at 9/22/09
• Snacks for Manna – follow up with student group sign up sheets
• Need to Develop a long term Manna calendar for main content
• Kaci Porter asked to notify committee reps to present at Student Body
• Meeting at 9/23/09 Manna: Manna meeting planned for 4:30 9/22
• Table Thing Question: Either talk about the most blessed event in your call
story or the most challenging moment or aspect of your call story. 10
minutes for discussion.

Meeting adjourned

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Campus Happenings
Chapel Volunteer Flu Shots offered by
Opportunity Seminary
Schedule
The annual Alumni Phonathon is The seminary will be bringing in
Monday, September 28: coming and you can make it a people to vaccinate the
11 a.m. Shane Webb success by volunteering a little bit community for the flu season.
of your time.  You’ll be calling Shots are $25 and all members of
Senior Sermon Seminary graduates and the community, including family
encouraging them to make their are welcome.
Tuesday, September 29: annual gift to support the
Date: Friday, October 16, 2009
Seminary.  We offer free food and
11 a.m. Rev. Dr. David Jones
drink and fellowship for Time: 11 a.m to 1 p.m.
The Lord s Supper & a Phonathon volunteers, too.
Reflection on the Psalms Student Body
Tuesday, September 29 Meeting
Wednesday, September 30:
5:30-8:30 p.m. A student body meeting will be
Community Wide Manna
Wednesday, September 30 held Wednesday, September 30,
2009 at 11:00 a.m. (during Manna)
Thursday, October 1: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Student Representatives to Faculty
11 a.m. Ken White Committees will make reports and
Monday, October 5
the Senate will report on its
Senior Sermon 5:30-8:30 p.m. activity.
Tuesday, October 6

During the day

Wednesday, October 7

5:30-8:30 p.m.

All calling takes place in Trull.

RSVP to Sandy Wilder at 404-4806

or swilder@austinseminary.edu to
let us know which time(s) you can
Friday, October 2: help.

11 a.m. Chapel Open

for Prayer

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