The national CWAC Coordinating Team has unanimously chosen 

Rev. Gregory Dell to receive the second Gilbert H. Caldwell Justice Ministry Award.

“Living in the Now: The Journey to Justice”

September 25-26, 2009

Chicago, IL
 

PROGRAM SCHEDULE / WORKSHOP INFORMATION / REGISTRATION FORM / HOTEL INFORMATION / LOCAL HOUSING REQUEST FORM /

BANQUET PROGRAM BOOK

(OFFER YOUR ADS, WORDS OF TRIBUTE AND SUPPORT TO GREG DELL!)

MAKE SURE YOU ARE ON THE CWAC LISTSERV TO RECEIVE IMPORTANT UPDATES REGARDING SEPTEMBER 25-26, 2009 SYMPOSIA AND BANQUET INFORMATION!

SAVE THE DATE FLYER!

Nationally known theologian, author, speaker and justice-seeker, Rev. Susan Thistlethwaite will be the Banquet Keynote speaker Saturday Sept. 26th.

The Reverend Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite, Ph.D., is Professor of Theology at the Chicago Theological Seminary and Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress. 
Read Dr. Thistlethwaite's Bio Here!

           Read Rev. Greg Dell’s Vitae Here!
Faith Beyond Words, Story by Kate Arthur. After decades fighting for social justice, retired pastor Greg Dell ’67 faces a new challenge: coping with Parkinson’s.

Portrait photo by Lloyd DeGrane

Journey to Justice presenters

   

"It was most appropriate for CWAC to establish the Gilbert H. Caldwell Justice Ministry Award.  Gil has been a champion of full and equal rights – civil and ecclesial – for everyone throughout his life.  He set a standard for articulate, active and clear-minded advocacy for all to follow. 

And, no one is more deserving to receive this award than the Reverend Gregory Dell.  Greg and I were classmates at Duke Divinity School.  Upon graduation, I told Greg I’d learned as much if not more from him about the true mission of the Church than from any professor at Duke.  His passion for peace and justice infused his theology from the beginning, and it was contagious and inspirational to me and others.  Throughout his ministry, he’s been consistent and persistent in his advocacy for justice.  Greg measures up to Gil’s high standard and honors the award as a recipient."

Jimmy Creech, defrocked former UMC clergyperson

"I have never forgotten the words spoken about one of the early women pioneers whose prophetic stands led the way....It was said: YOU NEVER COUNTED THE COST, THANK GOD!!!!

That is how I think of the life and ministry of Greg Dell...Thank God for his witness among us."                                        UMC Bishop, retired, Susan Morrison

"I remember the first time I met Greg Dell.  With as much as he had put up with, I expected an angry, prophetic demeanor with hunched shoulders, a bowed neck, and a set jaw ready to wade into the opposition.  They had been singularly mean and unkind to him.  I don’t even need to mention uncharitable?  I expected a prophet breathing fire. 

Well, there is plenty of fire in that fellow, and he is a prophet, but what I found was a peaceable, loving and gentle spirit.  I remember being quite stunned by it.   Surely there must be some place where he lets it all hang out and blows off some steam, but I found him spectacularly—yes, that is the word—decent toward his enemies—and that, too, is the right word, though Greg might not use it. 

So honor this man we must if we are up to  it, and maybe we are not.  He so deserves the recognition with Gil Caldwell’s name on it, another brother to us all, including his enemies." 

Tex Sample