Three ETSS graduates approved by General Convention -- Bishops-elect Dena Harrison (ETSS 1987), Todd Ousley (1991) and David Reed (1983) were recommended for consent to be consecrated bishop by the convention's Joint Legislative Committee on June 13.

ETSS professor explores el Protestantes -- Hispanic Methodists, Baptists and Presbyterians in Texas -- a recently-published book by the Rev. Dr. Paul Barton, Associate Professor of Hispanic Church Studies at ETSS -- examines how being both Hispanic and Protestant has perplexed Mexican Americans for nearly two centuries in Texas.

Michael Battle is Blandy Lecturer Sept. 26 & 27 -- Author, retreat leader and seminary professor and vice-president the Rev. Dr. Michael Battle is the 2006 Blandy Lecturer.

ETSS Commencement May 16 & 17 -- 46 persons were graduated, two honorary degrees were awarded, an Austin resident received the Trustees Award and a campus building was named in honor of Dean-emeritus Durstan R McDonald during Commencement 2006.

Eastern Michigan elects Todd Ousley, Class of 1991, bishop coadjutor -- Bishop-elect Todd Ousley, a 1991 ETSS graduate, was selected bishop coadjutor of the Diocese of Eastern Michigan on May 6.

Dena Harrison, Class of 1987, chosen Texas suffragan bishop -- The Diocese of Texas elected Dena Harrison suffragan bishop of Texas on April 29. Bishop-elect Harrison will oversee the Austin Convocation area and work out of the Diocese of Texas office on the ETSS campus.

David Mitchell Reed, Class of 1983, elected West Texas suffragan bishop -- Bishop-elect Reed is the new suffragan bishop of the Diocese of West Texas.

Education Society funds ETSS projects -- The Evangelical Education Society of the Episcopal Church has awarded grants to four ETSS projects for the upcoming 2006-07 academic year.

Winifred Mitchell awarded funding for VBS -- Middler Winifred Mitchell from the Diocese of Minnesota will launch a Vacation Bible School program for children of Spanish-speaking migrant laborers in her home diocese this summer -- thanks to a Jonathan Daniels Fellowship from EDS.

John Hines Chair of Preaching funded at ETSS -- A $1.25 million capital campaign has funded the creation of the John Hines Chair of Preaching that honors John E. Hines, founder of the Seminary of the Southwest and 22nd Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church.

ETSS Online School offers summer M.Div. course -- The Summer 2006 Online School term features one course -- New Testament Greek -- June 5 through July 14. Details at ETSS Online School. The course may be taken for M.Div. academic credit, continuing education units or on an auditing, general interest basis.

Professor Kittredge's essay published in tribute book -- The recently-published I Have Called You Friends: Reflections on Reconciliation in Honor of Frank T. Griswold includes an essay by the Rev. Dr. Cynthia Briggs Kittredge.

Money in Family Life and Careers -- Visiting Fellow Dr. Mary Jacobsen will talk about "Blood Money: Understanding the Pulse and Soul of Money in Family Life and Careers" on Wednesday, May 3, at the seminary.

Summer Continuing Education Program -- The Bread that Gives Life to the World: Christian Formation for Faith in Daily Life will be explored June 5-9 on the ETSS campus. Registration deadline is May 26.

Intensive Hispanic Ministries Course June 22-26 -- Province VII Center for Hispanic Ministries presents its third annual Intensive Hispanic Ministries Course in the English language on the seminary campus this summer.

Intensive Spanish language course July 3-14 in Cuernavaca -- Province VII's Center for Hispanic Ministries offers its second annual Spanish language course in Cuernavaca, Moerlos, Mexico mid summer.

Dr. Steven Bishop edits new edition of Understanding the Old Testament -- Lecturer in Old Testament, Dr. Bishop is one of three editors of the fifth edition of the book widely-acknowledged as a foundational textbook for Old Testament studies.

Downtown Stations of the Cross -- Walking the Stations of the Cross in downtown Austin has been an ecumenical event for about 20 years. Linking the Stations with our world today, meditations on contemporary peace and justice issues are offered at each Station. Read the meditation by Bob Kinney, communications director at ETSS.

Theology conference April 7 & 8 -- Scholars from ETSS, Baylor University and Cambridge University will explore "Grace in Believing: On Keeping and Living the Faith of the Church" on the Seminary of the Southwest campus. Dr. Tony Baker, assistant professor of theology at the Seminary of the Southwest, is coordinating the conference.

Learning Hispanic culture by doing during January Term -- The Hispanic Immersion Program is a distinctive experience every January Term for first year divinity degree seminarians at ETSS.

Seminarians featured on Austin News 8 report -- Edwin Beckham (speaking) and Ken Malcolm (on camera only) can be seen on a local television channel's news report of an acolyte celebration at All Saints' Church. Sources report the news clip runs fine with a Windows media plug-in, Firefox or IE. EMac not so well.

Visitors Weekend March 24-26 at ETSS -- Visitors Weekend is a great opportunity for you to experience the Seminary of the Southwest, explore options in our curriculum and meet students, faculty and staff. Registration deadline to take part in this annual seminarian-organized weekend is March 10.

The foundational influence of a former ETSS staff member on a ministry to the homeless -- The late Houston Flake, who worked at the seminary in the first half of the 1990s and who was himself homeless at various times, did much to help launch the now expanding ministry of Mobile Loaves and Fishes.

2006 Harvey Lectures Feb. 20 -- The Rev. Dr. Marjorie Procter-Smith will be the 2006 Harvey Lecturer at the seminary on Monday, February 20. Procter-Smith is the LeVan Professor of Preaching and Worship at the Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University. The title of her talk is "The Church In Her House: Foundations for Christian Feminist Emancipatory Liturgy." A link to her Harvey Lecture sermon can be found in the link listed above.

Austin Lay School offers daytime classes for first time -- Daytime classes with available childcare at three satellite church campuses in Central Texas are debuting during the current session of the Austin Lay School of Theology. Three Central Texas churches -- Holy Spirit Episcopal in Dripping Springs --Church of the Good Shepherd in Austin -- and, Grace Episcopal in Georgetown will offer daytime classes with childcare. Two additional courses will be held evenings on the ETSS campus without childcare.

ETSS celebrates Black History & Culture Month -- A full slate of films, musical performances, chapel services, luncheons and receptions highlight the month of February at ETSS. Photos and Events

Steve Bishop explores Job in church adult class -- Old Testament Instructor Dr. Steve Bishop will present a four-part talk on Job in late January through mid-February at the First Baptist Church in Austin.

New film by longtime ETSS friend -- In his new film, The New World, director Terry Malick contrasts the concept of love as found in 1 Corinthians 13 with how love is portrayed in other Hollywood movies.

Animals and people -- Visiting Fellow Debra Harrington spent two weeks on ETSS campus completing book that explores holy covenants between humans and their animal friends.

Report from Kenya -- ETSS seminarian Zane Wilemon and spouse Natalie are working in Kenya during the fall semester and January Term. Letter from Natalie with photography by Zane.

"Segregation was just 35 years ago. Can we grasp that?" -- asked the Rev. Dr. Roger Paynter, instructor of preaching at ETSS, during his eulogy of Volma Overton, a civil rights pioneer in Austin who died recently. Newspaper editor Alberta Phillips offers this commentary.

A study of prayer, and play, and porcelain sculpture -- ETSS graduate and instructor in pastoral ministy, Ginger Geyer creates in the realm of God and the realm of imagination.

Seminary honors Michael Athey '97 -- A service of remembrance for the late Rev. Michael Athey was held on All Saints Day shortly after the first anniversary of his death. Michael's ashes are now in the garden adjacent to Christ Chapel.

ETSS alum launches podcasts for commuters -- The Rev. Brenda Monroe, a 1998 ETSS graduate, launched a pod of Morning Prayer for Atlanta area commuters ... and everyone else.

The Gospel According to Sam -- The Rev. Bill Miller, a 1989 ETSS graduate, has written a book -- The Gospel According to Sam: Animal Stories for the Soul -- an exploration of nonhuman creatures and how they have taught him about faith, love and life.

ETSS expands online course offerings -- Register now for two online courses that will begin this fall. Two M.Div. courses will also be taught online during Spring 2006 semester. Find out these opportunities for academic credit, continuing education credit or life-long learning through the Online School in Spirituality and Mission. ETSS Online For You.

Search committee for new dean and president formed -- A 13-person search committee of ETSS faculty, staff, student and trustees was formed in late July to launch the search for a new dean and president of the Seminary of the Southwest.

The Rev. Dr. Philip Turner appointed interim dean and president -- Former Berkeley Divinity School dean, author and 1970s ETSS professor Philip Turner began interim duties at ETSS August 1.

Two join ETSS faculty -- The Rev. Kathleen Sams Russell (contextual theology for ministry) and Nathan Jennings (liturgics) join the seminary faculty as assistant professors.

Gandhi film screened Oct. 2 -- The seminary's chapter of the Episcopal Peace Fellowship and the Austin Peace and Justice Center are sponsoring a screening of the 1982 epic film on Sunday, Oct. 2, at 2 p.m.

Jim Wallis is Blandy Lecturer in September -- Author and Sojourners editor Jim Wallis will present the 2005 Blandy Lectures on Wednesday and Thursday, September 21 and 22. His Wednesday evening lecture will be held at the El Buen Samaritano campus in South Austin. His Thursday morning concluding lecture will take place in Knapp Auditorium on the ETSS campus. Wallis will also preach during the Thursday service in Christ Chapel. Four clergy wellness workshops will be held on campus Friday morning for returning graduates.

Holy Superheroes! -- Seminarian Greg Garrett's latest book -- Holy Superheroes! Exploring Spirituality and Faith in Comics -- is a serious look at the spiritual traditions and philosophical lessons to be found in popular culture. Greg reflects on the book.

Seminary trustee spearheads Afghanistan reconstruction -- Airline executive David Grizzle volunteers for one-year stint as transportation and infrastructure coordinator based in Kabul.