Rev. Dr. Mark G. Toulouse, a beloved professor, preacher, and author, passed away on March 3, 2025. A retired professor, ordained Disciples minister, and a PhD graduate of the University of Chicago Divinity School, he is the author of the well-known text, Joined in Discipleship: The Shaping of Contemporary Disciples Identity.

Dr. Toulouse retired in 2017 as Principal of Emmanuel College and Professor of the History of Christianity at Emmanuel College and the Department for the Study of Religion at the University of Toronto. He joined the faculty of Emmanuel College, the University of Toronto’s seminary, in 2009, after serving twenty-three years at Brite Divinity School of Texas Christian University as a historian of religion and culture. Dr. Toulouse taught at Brite Divinity School from 1986 to 2008 and served as Dean from 1999-2002. He began his work in theological education in 1984, when he joined the faculty of Phillips Theological Seminary in Enid, Oklahoma.

He is the author of numerous articles and books. His books include The Transformation of John Foster Dulles: From Prophet of Realism to Priest of Nationalism (1985); Makers of Christian Theology in America (1997), Sources of Christian Theology in America (1999), Walter Scott: A Nineteenth-Century Evangelical (1999), and God in Public (2006), and The Altars Where We Worship: The Religious Significance of Popular Culture (2016).

Services will be held Sunday afternoon (time TBD) March 9 at South Hill Christian Church, located at 3200 Bilglade Road, Fort Worth, Texas 76133.

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The Rev. Dr. Charles (Chuck) Blaisdell passed from this life to the next on September 22, 2024. Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Chuck excelled in math and engineering courses at Southwest High School. He was awarded a bachelor’s degree from Texas Christian University, a master’s in religious studies from the University of Chicago, a master’s in philosophy (ABD) from Vanderbilt, and both master’s and doctoral degrees in divinity from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis.

A man of unparalleled integrity and allyship, Chuck spent more than forty years in ministry with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ. He served congregations, regional bodies, and national church organizations in Texas, Indiana, Northern California, Hawaii, and Colorado. He was sought after as a mentor in ministry, a writer of good polity, and a brilliant theologian.

In his ministry, Chuck pastored First Christian Church (Monahans, Texas), Stylesville Christian Church (Stylesville, Indiana), Hilo Coast United Church of Christ (Hawaii), and First Christian Church of Colorado Springs (Colorado). He served as a lay leader at First Church of Sterling, Massachusetts.

Chuck also served as the Associate Regional Minister of Indiana and the Regional Minister of Northern California-Nevada. He also worked for UCC Church Building and Loan Fund, Week of Compassion, and CBP in development.

As a volunteer, he served nine years as a director on the Christian Board of Publication, including a stint as board chair, and was recognized as a director emeritus in 2021. He also served on the board of directors of Higher Education & Leadership Ministries.

In his free time, Chuck was a voracious reader. He enjoyed piloting his Cessna 150 and, later, listening to air traffic control. He spent copious hours moderating online forums, ejecting rude people with great glee. He was a great appreciator of puns, both terrible and clever.

Chuck is preceded in death by his parents, Hazel (Carr) and Richard Blaisdell, and his brother, Dr. Greg Blaisdell. He is survived by his loving wife, Rev. Barbara (Shires) Blaisdell; his brother, Jim Blaisdell; his hanai brother, Rev. Dr. Bob Hill; his children, Micah Shires-Taylor, Rebecca (Shires-Taylor) DeWeese, Andrew Blaisdell, Rev. Katherine Blaisdell, and their spouses; and three grandchildren.

Services will be held at the First Church of Sterling, Massachusetts, on a date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Humane Borders, your local foodbank, or the congregation in which you serve God as he served so faithfully for decades.

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Rev. Dr. M. Eugene Boring, a renowned Disciples New Testament Scholar and Theologian, passed away on Thursday, June 27, 2024. Dr. Boring retired from Brite Divinity School, where he served as the I. Wylie Briscoe Professor of New Testament Emeritus. He earned his Ph.D. from Vanderbilt Divinity School and authored several notable works, including the Revelation Commentary in the Interpretation Series, Disciples and the Bible, and The People’s New Testament Commentary, co-authored with Fred Craddock, among others.

A native of East Tennessee, Dr. Boring was ordained to Christian Ministry in 1957 and served pastorates in Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee. He held professorships at Phillips University, Texas Christian University, and Brite Divinity School, where he was named Professor Emeritus.

Rev. Dr. Boring was a dedicated educator, preacher, and author. He made significant contributions to both the Roman Catholic/Disciples of Christ Dialogue and the Stone-Campbell Dialogue. Gene passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, at the time of his passing.

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Rev. Dr. William O. Paulsell died on Sunday, April 14, 2024, at the age of 88. He was the former President and Dean of Lexington Theological Seminary. Rev. Paulsell was an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the author of eight books, including Taste and See: A Practical Guide to the Spiritual Life (Upper Room, 1976), Tough Minds, Tender Hearts: Six Prophets of Social Justice (Paulist, 1990), and, most recently, Longing for God: An Introduction to Christian Mysticism (Paulist, 2021). “Bill was a titan…his influence and shaping hands on the church and her ministers is simply off the charts,” said Rev. Cyd Cowgill, a Disciples minister who lives in Lexington.

Born in Miami, Florida in 1935, Paulsell grew up in Dallas, Texas and was a leader in the Disciples youth movement. As a student at Texas Christian University, he fell in love with Sally Atkins, a fellow Religion major. They married in 1957 and moved to Nashville, Tennessee where Paulsell completed his Bachelor of Divinity and his PhD in Church History from Vanderbilt University. He was part of a group of Vanderbilt students who visited the Trappist monk, Thomas Merton, at the Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky for conversations about the human longing for God. Those conversations significantly shaped Paulsell’s future life and research, and he maintained a relationship with the Abbey of Gethsemani throughout his life.

From 1962 to 1981, Paulsell served on the faculty of what was then called Atlantic Christian College (now Barton College) in Wilson, North Carolina in the department of Religion and Philosophy. He and his wife, Dr. Sally Paulsell, had two daughters, Stephanie and Diane. In 1981, the family moved to Lexington when Paulsell was called to serve as Dean of Lexington Theological Seminary. In 1987, he was appointed President of the seminary and served until 1992. After retiring from LTS, he served as Senior Minister of North Christian Church in Columbus, Indiana for five years, after which he and his wife, Sally, returned to Lexington. He continued to teach courses periodically at the seminary.

Central Christian Church was an important community in his life. He loved the people, the worship and the music. He taught a course on Thomas Merton and other significant spiritual writers for over a decade at Central. He also served as minister of Twin Pines Christian Church in Lexington while the senior minister was on sabbatical.

He is survived by his wife, Dr. Sally Paulsell; his daughters, Stephanie Paulsell and Diane Paulsell; his son-in-law, Kevin Madigan; and two grandchildren, Theo Block and Amanda Madigan.

Published by Lexington Herald-Leader on Apr. 17, 2024.

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The Reverend Doctor Janet A. Long, 67, of Elyria, Ohio, died unexpectedly in her sleep at her home on Tuesday, March 26, 2024.

A beloved 3rd Generation lifelong Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) minister, she retired as Senior Pastor of Washington Avenue Christian Church, Elyria, in 2018. Long was elected Moderator of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for a two-year term from 1995 – 1997.

A pioneer among women in ministry, Long was the first graduate from her class at Brite Divinity School to be called to a pastoral position, and the only female to ever achieve this coveted honor. Her first position was the Senior Pastor of Clyde Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Clyde, Ohio. In 1985, she was called to be the Senior Pastor of Washington Avenue Christian Church in Elyria, Ohio in an era when women typically were not considered for such an assignment. Following her retirement from full-time local-church ministry, Long worked for Center for Faith and Giving on programs of stewardship and generosity.

Her service across the denomination included Christian Church Finance Council and Christian Church Foundation Board of Directors, including two years as Chair on the Christian Church Pension Fund Board. Long was part of the audit committee and chaired the Board’s presidential search.

She was faithful, insightful, dedicated, and an effective leader. She was truly a generational talent.

Funeral services for Rev. Dr. Janet Long will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at Washington Avenue Christian Church, 301 Washington Avenue, Elyria. Please keep her husband, Colonel Daniel D. Clark of Elyria, family, and friends in your hearts and prayers.

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It is with sadness that we share the passing of Rev. Dr. William “Bill” Thomas Jr. on Saturday, November 14, after battling a series of health issues. Bill most recently served as the Senior Pastor for Little White Chapel in Burbank and has been a beloved leader in the Pacific Southwest Region for over 35 years.   

Bill was born in Ohio and comes from a long line of Disciples of Christ generations. His ministry began at the young age of 16, when he became the choir director and organist of his church in Woodland, Ohio. For decades, Bill continued to provide musical leadership for churches from New York to California, and served as a music leader for General Assemblies throughout the late 90s and 2000s.   

Bill has been an integral part of the Pacific Southwest Region (PSWR) since 1986, when he became the organist for 30th Street Christian Church in Los Angeles. Shortly after that, he served as the Director of Music for Church of the Valley for over a decade before receiving a pastoral call from Little White Chapel. His leadership within the PSWR was not just limited to music, as he also served on the Regional Board and spearheaded a few of our recent Regional Assemblies/Gatherings. Bill is also widely known throughout the Claremont School of Theology community due to the years he spent in seminary and earning his doctorate degree.  

Outside of church, Bill spent a number of years performing on Broadway before heading to Los Angeles, where he worked in the TV and film industry. He can be seen in the movie “Bruce Almighty” and in several episodes of “The Cosby Show.”  

Bill is survived by his husband Rev. Dr. Michael Kosik, who is the pastor of Church of the Valley and Little Brown Church. Cards of condolence can be sent to Michael at Church of the Valley – 6565 Vesper Avenue, Van Nuys, CA 91411. Cards of condolence to the Little White Chapel congregation can be sent to 1711 N. Avon Street, Burbank, CA 91505.   Memorial service information is not yet available but will be included in upcoming Regional communications.

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A presence on Thomas Circle since 1930, National City Christian Church in Washington, DC, will be celebrating its 90^th birthday on Nov. 1 with worship, a concert and social media throughout the day according to their most recent newsletter. 

The congregation is the fulfillment of Alexander Campbell’s call in 1851 to have a Disciples presence in the U.S. capital. In 1926, the National City Christian Church Foundation was formed by the International Convention (which became the current Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)) to care for the resulting physical building.

National City reaches out to its neighbors in so many ways evidenced by their calendar – bible studies (currently via Zoom), Friday concerts to offer respite for all, a food pantry, hosting community meetings. In addition, the building hosts offices of the Disciples Home Missions’ Refugee & Immigration Ministries as well as other Disciples justice ministries whenever there is a need.

The building contains a columbarium, a resting place for the ashes of Disciples who wish to be inurned there. Kathleen Burger, trustee, in a story about the columbarium, said, “In our current times, when families are often geographically distanced, a columbarium can be a final gathering place.”
Denominational leaders inurned in the Columbarium include former General Minister and President Rev. Dr. C. William Nichols, former Deputy General Minister and President and former Senior Minister of NCCC, Rev. Dr. William C. Howland, Jr., former Moderator of the General Assembly Oscar Haynes, National Benevolent Association President William Gibble, Disciples of Christ Historical Society President Roland Huff, Division of Higher Education President William Miller, Christian Church Foundation President James Reed, and Board of Church Extension President Rolland Shaefor.

Burger said, “This November is indeed an appropriate time to give thanks for their lives and remarkable service to our church and denomination.”

The columbarium is open for visitors during regular worship and business hours of the church and at other times by special arrangement. If you are interested in information regarding the columbarium, please contact Executive Pastor Rev. Steven Baines.

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Janice Newborn, longtime staff in general church ministries and originator of the Disciples Women’s Woman-to-Woman program, passed away April 21, 2020, in Claremont, CA, at the age of 91. She was the spouse of the Rev. Ernest J. Newborn, Sr., who passed away in November of 2019.

Executive Director of Disciples Women. Rev. Dr. Patricia Donahoo, said, “Janice Newborn was instrumental in creating the Woman-to-Woman Worldwide program of Disciples Women. This program has expanded the worldview of women for the last 30 years by creating opportunities to learn from women of faith in other countries. Not only do women learn first-hand the struggles of our sisters but also provides the opportunity to work with Global Ministries in sharing and publicizing the programs serving our sisters in those countries. The work of Disciples Women is indebted to her leadership.”

During her career with the Church, Newborn worked in the Indianapolis offices of the Division of Overseas Ministries, Disciples Women and Disciples Home Missions, retiring in 1994. She was featured in Melvia Fields’ book, Women on a Mission about African-American women in the Disciples of Christ. Her biography was also featured in a video series – Wisdom of Women, Volume 2 – produced by Disciples Women.

Acting President of Disciples Home Missions, Rev. Sheila Spencer, said, “Janice Newborn was a treasured mentor and trusted source of wisdom. Throughout her life and ministry, she has sown encouragement into the lives of so many of us. I am especially thankful for her ministry and work within Disciples Women and Disciples Home Missions.  She was a true gift and I am forever grateful.”

Newborn leaves behind two children, Ernest J. Newborn II and Mary Jo Newborn Wiggins, their spouses and several grandchildren.

Arrangements are incomplete at this time though a memorial service is being planned in Claremont this summer. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, donations in Mrs. Newborn’s name be made to the Christian Church Foundation for the Ernest J. and Janice Newborn Fund. Online gifts may be made at christianchurchfoundation.org/give.

Messages of sympathy may be sent to

Ernest Newborn II
68 Chelsea Place
Ridgefield, CT 06877
and
Mary Jo Wiggins
12195 Darkwood Road
San Diego, CA 92129

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“The Church is so grateful for the work of Dr. Newborn,” said General Minister and President Rev. Terri Hord Owens. “His gentle heart and manner, his care for the oppressed, and his leadership in the ministry of reconciliation leave an example of Christian love, giving and commitment that we can boldly emulate.”

After graduating from Tennessee State University in 1951 with a degree in sociology, Newborn continued his studies at Howard University School of Religion, earning his master of divinity in 1954 and his doctor of ministry degree from Christian Theological Seminary in 1983. He served as a pastor in Tennessee, Ohio, and Washington, DC as well as associate regional minister in Mid-America in the early 1970s. In 1978, he started a new chapter with the Church Finance Council as administrative director of reconciliation, where he continued until 1992.

“Dr. Newborn’s legacy is unparalleled in our Church and in Reconciliation Ministry,” said Rev. April Johnson, Reconciliation Minister. “He taught us the importance of relationship-building in ministry and development of this mission and this mission fund. I pray he is riding his bike in heaven today, rejoicing with the angels and reunited with his cycling buddy, Bill Fox.”

Newborn was the fourth director of Reconciliation Ministry, following Revs. John Compton, Thomas Griffin and William Fox.

The family requests, in lieu of flowers, donations in Dr. Newborn’s name be made to the Christian Church Foundation for the Ernest J. and Janice Newborn Fund. Online gifts may be made at christianchurchfoundation.org/give.

He is survived by his wife Janice, who also worked in several general ministries, a son and a daughter. Memorial arrangements are still in progress.

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In addition to his work in the general Church, Hobgood was regional minister in Arkansas and the Capital Area and most recently pastor of Bethany Beach Christian Church in Delaware. The author of books such as Welcoming Resistance: A Path to Faithful Ministry, Once and Future Pastor, and Born Apart, Becoming One: Disciples Defeating Racism, Hobgood was a tireless voice speaking up against racism, making that a theme of his term as general minister and president.

“We were so blessed to have him as a leader in our Church. I was blessed to be in pro-reconciliation/anti-racism training with him several times,” said current general minister and president, Rev. Teresa “Terri” Hord Owens. “His leadership in a transitional time called us to faithfulness in our witness as a pro-reconciling anti-racist Church.”

Hobgood’s daughter, Dr. Laura Hobgood, said “His anti-racism and justice work was always at the heart of his ministry.” She noted his long affiliation with the Disciples Center for Public Witness as well as the mission trips his congregation took to assist with rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina.

Born in July of 1936 in Lotumbe in what was then the Republic of Zaire, Hobgood was the son of missionaries. He received his bachelor’s degree from Transylvania College (now University) and his divinity degree from the College of the Bible (now Lexington Theological Seminary) while serving several Kentucky congregations in the late 1950s. He earned his doctor of ministry from Lancaster Theological Seminary in 1982.

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