A Bit of an AutobiographyI study and teach systematic theology, sprinkled with ethics, using an approach that begins with theological reflection and then uses Mennonite peace theologies and feminist and womanist methodologies to develop constructive proposals for interpreting that reflection in order to give a coherent accounting of Christian faith centered around the basic conviction that God’s shalom is the purpose of Creation, the center of Jesus Christ’s gospel, and the goal of Christian community for the world.
My background begins with the liberal arts; I hold a BA in English and history from Goshen College. After finding my vocational identity and choosing a career path, I attended Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary — Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary beginning in August 2012. There I completed an MA in Peace Studies, an interdisciplinary theological degree. And finally, I have a PhD in Constructive Theologies, Praxis, and Ethics from Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York. Throughout my academic career, I have had the opportunity to teach as well as learn. From 2006 to 2009, I was a visiting scholar at my alma mater, Goshen College, where I did some teaching while I finished my comprehensive exams and developed my dissertation proposal. In the Fall of 2009, I joined the teaching faculty at Bethany Theological Seminary where I served in the dual capacity of assistant professor of Theological Studies and director of the MA program. In 2014, I was appointed to the faculty of Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary where I serve as assistant professor of theology and ethics, following in the footsteps of my teacher Dr. Gayle Gerber Koontz. On a more personal level, here are a few words I use to describe myself… Ambivert. Academic. Teacher. Tea drinker. Houseplant and vegetable gardener. Homebody. Feminist. Inquisitive. Intense. Mennonite Christian. Mother. Peace Theologian. Spouse. With my good husband, John Stoltzfus, our son Jeremiah and daughter Chloe, a chicken, a cat, and 51,151 other people, we call Elkhart, Indiana “home.” We live in a mixed-income and mixed-race neighborhood on the south side of town, and in our particular backyard, we keep a garden, sit around the fire, and let the chicken run free. As part of Mennonite Church USA, we make a congregational connection with Fellowship of Hope, just a few blocks from our house. |
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