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From the President

Reflections on the Year

by Jennifer Bartholomew

As the year draws to a close, I have been looking back on experiences and opportunities. I’ve appreciated the chance to travel—Indianapolis in June, a trip to Scotland in August with my mother, several trips to Chicago on Board business, and Toronto in November. This fall, as a volunteer at…

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November: Strategic Alignment

by Jennifer Bartholomew

Each year ATLA committee chairs, interest group, and task force leaders gather to talk with staff liaisons about their goals and plans. Over the past few years we have passed new Bylaws and the Board has developed a new Core Purpose, Core Values, Mission Statement, Organizational Ends, and Strategic Goals. In…

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Hospitality for the Pilgrim

by Jennifer Bartholomew

I’ve had hospitality on my mind for weeks. During October I’m looking forward to three events where I’ll be out of my usual routine, learning about the work of others (scholars, faith leaders) and hearing new ideas. The first is on my own turf. My seminary is hosting a symposium…

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The Comfort of Core Values Amidst Change

by Jennifer Bartholomew

As the academic year begins I have been very intentional in my efforts to connect and create community at work. Several longtime faculty and support staff retired last year, resulting in new hires and reconfigurations of our staffing model. Every department has been adjusting to new people and new ways…

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Lightning Bugs and Transitions

by Jennifer Bartholomew

August is my favorite month. I love the heat, local gardens and markets, and evenings full of lightning bugs, planets, and stars. I glory in the time I can spend out of doors walking in our nearby park and botanical garden. Recently I’ve found great comfort and retreat from the…

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Staying Connected During the Revolution

by Jennifer Bartholomew

I’ve been reflecting on our recent conference and would like to thank all those who attended, presented, labored, and volunteered. Indianapolis was a great venue — very walkable, with a variety of local activities. I value the informal opportunities to connect and learn about your lives and careers. For those…

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Storytelling

by Matthew Ostercamp

Resourceful water beetles, spunky turtles, and courageous hummingbirds are a few of the creatures I was introduced to by Cherokee storytellers last month. I was privileged to spend the second half of May exploring Cherokee history and culture with a group of undergraduate students on a camping trip that began…

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A Hub Sighting

by Matthew Ostercamp

Four years ago the ATLA Board was challenged to set a big, audacious goal for the association. After a lot of conversation, we settled on the goal of seeing ATLA become the hub of worldwide scholarly communication in theology and religion. Having been a part of those conversations, it was…

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Librarianship in Liminal Spaces

by Matthew Ostercamp

I’m not much of a gardener but I know that weeds flourish in freshly tilled soil. This truism from the natural world comes to mind as I’ve been reflecting on ethnographer danah boyd’s address at SXSW EDU entitled “What Hath We Wrought?” She suggests that our current attempts to educate…

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May I Speak with the Owner?

by Matthew Ostercamp

Governance is not management one step up, it is ownership one step down. Before librarianship, there was lawn care. MD Lawn Care (You’ll like the way we operate!) was launched when I was 12 with my younger brother Dave. Mowing lawns in our small Nebraska town, we learned to pay…

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