Online Course Information Is Up!

Several of you have asked about classes, and here's the best answer I can give you so far: Online Course Information has launched. This will let you preview the Fall's course offerings, although you still won't be able to register until September 1. For the record, we're listed under Divinity School, not Religion.

Introductions: Bill Goettler

August is nearly upon us. Unbelievable. Second year is about to start for me so I'm about to reminisce (this is my blog, so it's about me for a second). One of the first memories I have of being at YDS was actually Prospective Students Day. After Chapel, at Coffee Hour, I was talking to a (seemingly) random Presbyterian minister. Quick smile, witty, and knew all the students. As a schmoozing prospective (and Presbyterian) trying for any assistance in getting into Yale, I was trying to talk this guy up.

This guy was Bill Goettler. Bill serves as co-pastor of First Presbyterian Church in New Haven with his wife, Maria LaSala. He is also the Asst. Dean for Assessment & Ministerial Studies at YDS, meaning he oversees much of preparation for ministry--MDiv ears should be perking up. He's a great resource, and has a great office if you want to chat and lament such issues as why Presbyterians have to take learn Hebrew and Greek and take lots of exams while Episcopalians just have to be able to stand incense and cross themselves at the right time to be ordained.

So below, an interview with Dean Goettler:

Q: What is your role here?
A: My role here is to work with every MDiv student to develop a portfolio and an approach to academic and personal life that will help them move through their degree in a purposeful way, and then to lead them into a midterm conversation ½-way through their three year program. This discussion takes place with them, their advisor, myself, and other mentors. Its intended to be a deeply significant conversation about where they’ve been and where they’re going. After that, each student continues that process of conversation and growth through graduation.

Institutionally, my role is to help YDS go through program-outcomes-assessment, which means self-reflection and assessment about how well we are meeting our goals for MDiv students. That’s done with faculty standing committees (which include students). It sounds boring but it’s actually really cool to think that the school takes very seriously that kind of self-reflection. The faculty talk to each other about this project, and then they continue to revisit their goals and check in on how they’re doing. You might think a school like Yale might not do that kind of self-reflection, but in fact we do, and it’s a great asset for this institution.

Q: Why do you find yourself at Yale?
A: I was drawn by the chance to work with MDiv students at Yale as they figure out what is ahead for them in ministry and in study. And that’s really fun; our students are interesting human beings with a whole range of life experiences behind them. Over three years, it’s a delight to be in on their movement toward ministry, and to be a part of their communal and individual journeys.

The whole job offers an aspect of ministry that came as a surprise to me after two decades of parish ministry. I love it.

Q: How did this surprise come to you?
A: I spent 10 years teaching Presbyterian polity and helping with Supervised Ministries here at Yale, and I guess it went well because I was invited to have a larger role. My wife, Maria (who is also co-pastor with me of First Presbyterian Church) and I figured out some ways for me to take on that larger role and stay involved with the local congregation. I am able to continue to practice ministry in a church and also engage students. That’s not something one can plan for in a professional life, so that was the surprise.

Q: Students come in from many denominations and places on their spiritual journeys. There are a plethora of churches in this area. Are there home churches for people during their time at YDS?
A: Some churches draw more students than others. I’ll use my church as one example. Sometimes one chooses the church because of proximity (First Presbyterian in a 10 minute walk from campus) and sometimes it’s history (a good number of students and faculty attend First Pres), and sometimes it’s denominational (we are the only English-speaking Presbyterian Church in New Haven). It’s a fun, very progressive community, near enough to the university to bring many people: undergrads, grads, Ph.D. students, young professors, old professors.And then lots of other people who have no connection to Yale at all.Every year we lose 20% of active congregation as the academic turnover and changeover takes place. In the fall, new people always show up! That adds a vitality and a sense of urgency to the church’s life and ministry that Maria and I enjoy. There are many factors that go into finding a home church, and I encourage people not to settle too early or too easily. Visit five churches, minimum.

Q: What has surprised you about YDS?
A: In ministry studies work, the open-hearted willingness to engage the questions I ask, both from students trying to figure out the intersection of academic/spiritual/personal life, and enthusiasm of faculty to take part in that discussion. Faculty at Yale are sometimes portrayed as focused solely on their academic work. They are indeed involved with that here, but they are enthusiastic as well about the growth of students, and the effort to train ministers…it probably doesn’t hurt that the Dean has long said its important for them to be involved as well!


Q: What do you think is underutilized by YDS students?
A: YDS students do not take courses downtown nearly enough. The degree requirements make it difficult to imagine taking courses in the broader university (downtown). But there is a huge and wonderful university just blocks away, and that is the most underutilized part of YDS. Have you taken a course downtown?

Q: No, but I will this semester.
A: Good. It’s crazy not to do that. If nothing else, sociologically not to meet people who are not Div school students, and to fail to engage the many people who are from the other schools and disciplines and perspectives is a detriment to your work at YDS.

Q: What do we as students often miss out on in New Haven?
A: It’s too easy to live in a student bubble. This is a very interesting and complex city. There are huge opportunities to learn beyond the walls of the university, and to engage people who are wise and have lived through the struggles of a northeastern city. Those folks offer profound ministries and witness to the goodness of this community.

Again, I recommend going to at least 5 churches, including some churches that are very different than your own tradition. That’s my pitch. Get to know people outside Yale, outside your denomination. It makes living here more real. Our church has an after-school program that is always looking for more volunteers. Columbus House does great ministry with homeless people, and almost any church has links to other community organizations.

Q: What has you most excited about the upcoming year?
A: There are 81 new MDivs, and I’m excited to get to know them. Seventy are reaching their midway point in the degree, and I am really excited for the upcoming discussions. It’s quite amazing, the 70 who have completed their first year will bring in pastors, Bishops, directors of non-profits, etc. who will sit in a circle and have these really wise conversations about the hopes and dreams of the students and give their best counsel. This began as part of an experiment three years ago, and it really works. It’s well worth the effort people put into it. I’m excited for those things.

Q: Is there something students should be aware of before they come?
A: The Nica’s vs Romeos debate. These are the two terrific Italian delis, a couple of blocks from YDS. But you must choose your favorite.This is one of the hardest decisions to make: where to eat. Now it’s been thrown into a vortex because of Orange Street Market. So now there are three Italian Delis that are down the street, any one of which would put a great smile on your face for lunch. The drama is how the three delis are related to one another, the great love lost between them and their owners, and how this feud has led to the three stores.The problem is that you cannot ask the owners of any of the three because they will not tell you. It’s left up to the gossip of the street to learn the sordid tale.

Q: So can you fill us in on the sordid tale?
A: I won’t say anything if it’s going into print. The word on the street is still that Nica’s is the best, but I think Orange Street Market will rise fast this fall. Café Romeo’s (a fourth option) is the real newcomer, a few blocks farther down the road. It’s a different flavor, it almost doesn’t belong in New Haven—more Brooklyn style coffee shop. It’s not really a true deli, and their coffee costs too much.

Q: Any fashion tips for the incoming class, something they should know about?
A: The tall, thin man look will continue to be popular. If you are that, no one will know your name for a time; you’re going to be interchangeable with many others. There have been students who tried to bring in the beard, but it’s not really caught on. I think mostly because of the pictures of the students in the hallways from the 60s and 70s that give such opportunity for laughter.

A Public Service Announcement

This past year, the YDS community made a commitment to sustainability and responsible stewardship of the environment. We've started a farm, and we have ceramic plates in the refectory as an alternative to plastic ones. As part of this commitment, Alex and I will be encouraging you to bring your own reusable plates, cups, and utensils to the meals during BTFO.

We know that some of you will have just arrived in New Haven when BTFO begins, and that you won't have had time to unpack your dishes. Others of you may not have cars and can't just run out to Wal-Mart or Target to buy tupperware. With that in mind, we will a limited number of dishes for you to use (but we'll also ask you to wash them yourselves). We also have some plates and utensils donated by former students in the BTFO Give-Away Room, which we'll make available on a first-come, first-served basis. If we have to, we will use disposable paper plates, but we'd really rather not.

As an incentive for those of you who bring your own plates and utensils, you'll be first in line at all of the meals. If you decide to bring tupperware instead of a plate, we'll even let you take any leftovers you want home with you.

The moral of this story is to make sure that you pack some reusable dinnerware and a water bottle in an easily accessible place. Here at YDS, we feel that responsible stewardship of the environment is a theological issue (rooted, among other places, in Gen. 1.28-30). Please help us to become better stewards as a community.

Plus, look how happy the family in the picture is about their tupperware. We want you to be this happy during BTFO (although probably less medicated and dead on the inside).

Annand Redux

Good morning, all! Thought it would be a good idea, after extolling the virtues of Annand a few days ago, to introduce you to some of the people who will lead the small groups for you. So...


Julie Kelsey has been a spiritual director for over twenty years. She is an ordained Episcopal priest and has spent most of her ministry doing parish work, most recently serving as rector of Grace and St Peter's Church in Hamden. She is especially interested in retrieving the language of theology, integrating theology and the study scripture, and making this language meaningful in daily life. Care for the entire person - body, mind and soul - is of paramount importance to her. Julie loves jogging, hiking, reading, singing, classical music and theater. She currently serves as Assistant Dean of Students for Pastoral Concerns at YDS.


Bari S. Dworken is a lay leader serving in numerous roles at Congregation B'nai Israel in Bridgeport where she has been active for more than twenty-five years. A graduate of the Lev Shomea Spiritual Direction Program, she has served as a spiritual director for several years with individuals and groups and at YDS. Bari holds a doctorate from the University of Massachusetts and works as an Educational Consultant in Organization Development concentrating in the areas of team building, conflict resolution, diversity awareness and strategic planning. She recently retired from the faculty of the University of Connecticut and works part time as a Hospice Chaplain. Bari is passionate about social action issues, interfaith study and involvement, learning from the natural world, traveling and "walking" with others on their spiritual journey.



Dawn Stegelmann is an Episcopal priest who was ordained in February 2009. She is the curate at Trinity Church, Southport, CT. She graduated from YDS/BDS in 2008. A grateful beneficiary of the Annand Program, she has a special interest in spiritual direction, pastoral care and healing ministries. She has spent years as a facilitator of small groups for men and women. Topics have included spiritual formation, parenting, bereavement, marriage, life-threatening illnesses, suicide and aging. A 20-year resident of Darien, CT, Dawn is a wife and mother of three sons. She loves the outdoors, international travel, reading and writing.


Jane Stickney was ordained for ministry by the UCC in 1977. An Episcopal priest since 1987, she has served in large and small parishes. She received an STM in Spiritual Direction in 1987 from the Center for Christian Spirituality at General Theological Seminary, and served on the GTS Summers staff as a small group supervisor between 1991 and 1997. Jane has served as an Annand Mentor since 1994 and became the coordinator of the program in 2005. Her husband is a UCC pastor and interim ministry specialist. Jane is a weaver and has taught in the Graduate Liberal Studies Program at Wesleyan University: Psychology, Spirituality, and Celtic Art. She is interested in the value of creativity in a healthy spiritual life.


Judy Stone is a 1970 graduate of Yale Divinity School. She has been an active lifelong member of the Episcopal Church. Judy continues to be a member of a Spirituality Group that has met weekly for 25 years, reading classics of Christian and other religious traditions. She has been part of a church choir for a number of years and preaches occasionally. Judy recently retired from her career in social work, working with children and families. Midway in her career she earned a master’s in Social Work from UCONN in 1993 with a focus on casework and group work. She is intrigued with the connection between some of the therapeutic approaches from her training and traditional spiritual exercises. She finds groups especially helpful personally and professionally, and enjoys hiking, travel, cooking and art work.


Susan Fowler: “When I was seventeen, I sat on this rock and committed my life to God. I had no idea what that meant, nor even how I would live it out, but my desire was deep, and helped me intuit those paths that were “right” for me as life presented its challenges and choices. Looking back now over a 30 year body of richly fulfilling ministries as diverse as educator in college and community settings, ordained parish pastor, community leader and social justice advocate and spiritual director, I see that my unformed yet faithful YES to God awakened me to myself, to others and to the universe in ways that articulated my identity and cultivated an ever-deepening sense of transcendent meaning and purpose. Now, as a college professor and spiritual mentor, I am blessed to companion others as they awaken and embrace God’s invitation to live their own lives in authentic and life-giving ways.”

Div Dictionary: Annand Program

Annand (n): Program offering spiritual direction, small groups, workshops, and scholarships for retreats in order to support student work/life at YDS

When you arrive at YDS, it is likely that you will come with some preconceived notions, and either healthy or unhealthy baggage. The issue is partly to recognize that these exist, partly to identify them, and partly to try and either embrace them (if they’re correct…however THAT’s defined) or move past them if they’re not. The Annand Program is sponsored by one of Yale’s partners on the Quad, the Berkeley Divinity School. The Berkeley Divinity School has a major focus on the preparation of Anglican students for church work, but simply viewing it as that is a mistake. They hold weekly services (open to all), daily worship (open to all), and a weekly dinner (again, open to all).

One of the truly ecumenical works of theirs is sponsorship of the Annand Program, named for former Dean James Annand. Students have the opportunity at YDS to take part in group and individual spiritual formation, under the direction of trained leaders. From the Berkeley Divinity School website: “The goal, as described by Professor Emeritus David Kelsey, is ‘to understand God truly,’ and it has long been the ethos of the entire Yale Divinity School to foster such a knowledge and love of God as its core institutional mission.” Annand is an attempt to support and equip students for their work at YDS, whatever that might be.

The first year, you take part in a small group program that is designed to meet once a week for a semester. People come with their ideas and goals for spiritual formation, and the group proceeds to attempt to support one another through experience and shared learning. Now I get to admit some of the baggage I brought to YDS. I had serious issues with the notion of prayer practice, and also about sharing the specifics of my view of religion. There are a lot of reasons for my qualms and feelings, but I entered my group skittish/wary-as-hell.

There were 8 in my group the first semester, from very different places, and heading very different places. I immediately learned several things. 1. we all have baggage. 2. Annand is, thankfully, not in any way shape or form group therapy or anything of that ilk. 3. understanding someone’s story, really taking the time to meet them on their ground, then engaging them, is in itself an amazing prayer practice.

While most groups end after a semester, mine was given permission to continue for the entire year, so we could explore more. All of this was free. Once a week, this place became for some a respite from the stress elsewhere, for some a place to be more open to differences, for some a place to explore commonalities, and others a time set aside for the Divine. We tried various practices: solitary walks, Enneagram, mediation, Ignatian prayer, poetry, song, etc., while also just trying to create a smaller, safer community. Whatever reasons people had for coming, it was a useful experience, and one I am quite thankful for.

Ok, off my ‘I love Annand’ soapbox. After the first year, you are given the option (again, free of charge) to meet for one-on-one spiritual direction. This is required for all Berkeley students, and encouraged for all other students. As I’ve not taken part in that (rising 2nd year and all), I can’t speak to it. But it’s there for you when if you want it, if you complete the first year of small group.

I cannot encourage you enough to consider this program. It is not for MDivs only, although I've couched my terminology a bit toward that framework. In my group, we had 5 MDivs and 3 MARs, and I think it's usually about 50/50. If you have more questions, please feel free to email Jane Stickney, the director of the Annand Program, at: annand@yale.edu

“Life off the Hill:” A Southerners’ Guide to Surviving a New England Winter

I’ve gotten several e-mails asking about weather-related concerns, mostly dealing with what clothes one needs to survive winter in New Haven. Apparently, y’all assume that since I’m from Texas, I, rather than Alex, will be able to understand your concerns and fears better, since Nebraska becomes a frigid wasteland with much more regularity than Texas. Of course, what you haven’t considered is that my relative inexperience with actual winter weather might have caused me to overreact and spend last winter wearing thirteen layers of clothing and huddled around a space heater.

Lucky for you, it didn’t.

However, that brings up a good point. I’ve just returned from vacationing back in the southwest (Texas and Oklahoma [which is actually much nicer than my hatred of all things OU has lead me to believe], specifically), and little in the southwest prepares you for a winter in New England. In fact, it’s hard to find a good winter coat down here. In Texas (or at least parts of it), we’ll get a cold snap for a few days, but it always warms up by the third day or so. Roads might ice over once or twice a year, but snow that sticks around more than a few hours is practically unheard of. What this means that that those of you who are currently living in a warm climate aren’t going to be able to buy clothing and outerwear that’s actually appropriate for New England until you get here.

Yes, even Lubbock, Texas, a warm city that’s surrounded by flat farmland for hundreds of miles in every direction has a ski shop, so wherever you live, you can buy clothing that’s advertised to be good in a cold climate. Still, you should bear in mind that there are no ski slopes in New Haven, and that you want very different things from a ski jacket and a coat to wear while you’re walking to class.

So how does one buy a New England-appropriate coat? Well, first off, you should wait until September or early October. During those months, many department stores will have pre-winter sales, which means that you can get a nice winter coat for up to 50% off. My winter coat came from Macy’s, and by applying for a store credit card (which has an usurious interest rate and has never been used again), I was able to gain another 10% off the purchase, getting a $250+ coat for a little over $100.

Second, try and take a Connecticut native with you when you go shopping. Despite what you may have heard, Yankees are friendly in their own, special way, and it should be easy to find someone from the Div School willing to help you out. My first instinct was to buy the heaviest coat I could find. When I’d made my campus visit, I’d asked around about the weather, and I was told that it “only” got down to seven degrees the previous winter. People meant that to be reassuring, but there’s still no “only” about seven degrees for me. However, my friend Sharon (who is from Connecticut) pointed out that I would be wearing other layers and that the temperature wouldn’t hover in the single digits for the entire winter. With her help, I ended up selecting a reasonably thick coat which had a lining which could be removed, depending on the temperature.

Remember, you aren’t moving to the arctic; you don’t need a parka.

Beyond a coat, you’re going to need winter footwear. The winter in New Haven tends to be wet and rainy, rather than outright snowy, so you’ll need shoes which will keep your feet dry. Galoshes of various types are popular. Puffy snow boots are probably overkill (although I always wanted a pair as a child). In a move which proves that moving to Connecticut has made me more Texan, I ordered a pair of cowboy boots, which I now swear by as the best possible winter footwear. It’s true; if the uppers are weather-treated leather and the soles are rubber, you’re not going to find shoes that keep your feet dryer while offering good traction. Still, I recognize some of you don’t want to look like you’re heading to a square dance or ho-down. These or these might be more your style.

Some people swear by long underwear, and I certainly received several pairs from well-meaning family members. However, I only wore the bottoms once, and I’m very much a wimp about the cold. You’ll probably be able to pass.

The real trick is to remember that winter will one day be over. It can be cold and wet, but it will eventually turn to spring. Armed with an umbrella, a wool coat, and good shoes, you’ll be fine.

Div Dictionary: Certificates

Div Dictionary: Certificates

Certificate (n): additional piece of paper you get as you graduate indicating you have focused on a particular area, group, or topic.

So you’ve arrived at YDS. You love your classes, professors really turn you on intellectually, your classmates and you all get along swimmingly. Life is perfect.

But still, there is something tugging at you. This could be the Presbytery/Oversight Committee/Bishop at home, who really wonders what EXACTLY goes on in the ecumenical setting of Yale. Will you be fully prepared for ministry, he/she/they ask? You dutifully share your course schedules, replete with great syllabi and topics. Still, they’re a bit leery: why did you not go to __(insert school affiliated with your denomination that is theologically in-step with the Presbytery/Committee/Bishop). They want proof that you’re not just frittering away your time at Yale taking underwater basket-weaving.

Or perhaps you look at all the classes you plan to take the next two or three years and say “goodness, amazing, but how will that look for that dream PhD or job application?” You want to keep taking the classes, but want something that will really ratchet it up a notch.

Well, never fear. Mother Yale has heard you in advance, and is ready for whatever it is tugging at you. Yale Divinity School offers a number of Certificates. In-house, these include the Institute of Sacred Music’s Certificate in Church Music Studies, the Certificate in Lutheran Studies and Anglican Studies(typically done by … shocker … Lutherans and Anglicans, but in no way limited only to people in those denominations!). There is also a Certificate in Reformed Studies among others, which makes sense since the Jonathan Edwards Center is housed here, and Edwards studied here. The Reformed Studies Certificate even has a facebook page, making it perhaps the most tech-savvy of the certificates.

Students taking part in one of these certificates have course requirements specific to each certificate, so I won’t even try to explain it all: check with the contacts for each certificate. Most have various colloquia in addition to specific classes, which is a great way to meet outside of class to discuss issues (one of my favorites was Dr. Bruce Gordon leading discussion on Calvin and Servetus in Bill Goettler’s home over pasta and wine). PLUG FOR BTFO: the certificate programs will all be discussed during BTFO, with the opportunity to meet the faculty/staff heading the various projects!

Now, besides the in-house certificates, there are a wide range of other options for certificates from other schools. Popular ones include certificates from the school of forestry, Development Studies, Security Studies, and health. This is the result of some nice collaboration between the various Deans and recognition that an MAR/MDiv might benefit by having a certificate showing their focus on religion and ethics was actively and intricately tied to international Security Studies issues. Check with each school to see if they have a certificate, and requirements. NOTE: this often means some/a lot of extra coursework, and can eat up your electives, but it can be well worth it. Most that I’ve seen require at least 6 classes in that particular field, chosen with the aid of an adviser they will assign you, and some require 2 years of graduate-level language in addition, for a total of 10 classes. Again, worth it, but you need to be prepared and organize your class schedule well.

I hope that if you’ve felt the tug (I felt it from multiple areas), then the certificates can help free you up, put people at ease, and allow life at YDS to be constantly perfect.