Welcome & Opening Worship
Rev. Nannette Dixon
Rev. Dr. Anita Crittenden
Rev. Dr. Lis Valle-Ruiz
Plenary 1: HeartWork Rising – The Work of Educating and Equipping Leaders for Trauma Healing
McCormick Theological Seminary’s HeartWork Rising Trauma Healing Initiative (THI) engages in institution-wide learning and practices in order to cultivate a trauma- informed and healing-centered culture of theological education. Supported over a three-year period through a grant from the Lily Endowment, THI aims to equip staff, students, clergy, and community partners with the knowledge, connections, and skills to respond to trauma from a healing-centered perspective. McCormick Days provides an opportunity for alumni to learn more about the initiative through interactive experiences and up-close conversation with partners in this powerful work!
Rev. Dr. Stephanie M. Crumpton, Director, Trauma Healing Initiative
Eyvette Jones Johnson, Urban Possibilities
The Center For Reparatory Justice, Transformation and Remediation
The mission of The Center for Reparatory Justice, Transformation, and Remediation is to promote/advance consciousness of reparatory justice and engender communities of practice and practitioners engaged in the reparations movement for people of African descent within local, national and global communities.
The Center is unapologetic in its goal to situate faith, theology, and ministry in the public discourse on reparations, reparatory justice, and models of remedy to address centuries of foundational and systemic racism in America grounded in faith.
Dr. Iva Caruthers, Executive Director
Rev. Antonia Coleman, Program Coordinator
State of McCormick
Mr. David H. Crawford, President
Plenary 2: Celebratory Movement & Worship
Movement 1 – Cook County Arts Collective – Artist Jane Sawyer.
The Cook County Arts Collective connects teaching artists in Chicago with women at
the Cook County Department of Corrections, and with returning citizens at Grace House. Their goal is to create space for joyful movement with women wherever they are.
Movement 2 – Healing Ritual: Moving with Divine Wisdom – Dr. Lis Valle-Ruiz
Finding the wisdom within helps us move toward healing with the Divine.
Dr. Lis Valle-Ruiz will help us listen to our bodies during a short healing ritual that incorporates bodily posture and artistic expression.
Alumni Celebration
Opening with Musical Selections featuring Pastor Vickie Johnson, McCormick DMin Student
Celebration of Distinguished Alumnus 2022 Rev. Thomas C. Hart (Tom), MDIV Class of 1986
Described as well-equipped, faithful, and transformational - Tom led the Shepherd of the Valley Presbyterian Church in Albuquerque into increasingly innovative and culturally sensitive engagement with the larger world. While reflecting on the nomination of Rev. Hart, colleague Rev. Trey Hammond (1980) shared, “I have always been impressed by those who emerge
from the crucible of McCormick’s empowering education to serve the larger church.” As this year’s Distinguished Alum recipient, Rev. Hart has done just that during his esteemed career.
Celebration of Rising Star Award 2022 Rev. Violet Johnicker, MDIV Class of 2018
Recipient of the inaugural McCormick Alumni Rising Star Award, Violet Johnicker is Pastor
of the Brooke Road United Methodist Church and Associate Director of Rockford Urban Ministries, an interfaith social justice advocacy nonprofit. Rev. Johnicker works alongside community leaders to advocate for restorative justice, gun violence prevention, reproductive health rights, and LGBTQIA+ inclusion. Through the United Methodist Church, Rev. Johnicker has recently established a justice center for the Rockford area.
Celebration of Class of 1972 (50th Year Anniversary) Celebration Class of 1997 (25th Year Anniversary)