“Amazing Grace: Hopes and Memories” includes a number of editor’s columns penned by Columbus who enjoyed a 43-year career at UD. Proceeds from the new book will benefit the Benjamin Taylor Columbus Scholarship Fund at the University of Dayton in memory of Columbus’ 15-year-old son who died in 1996 on a local soccer field.
Columbus writes what he calls “the stuff of everyday life and eternity, of sadness and of joy.” His topics range from basketball to the death of a university president.
“It isn’t easy steering a university magazine that examines the intellectual and the spiritual, that brings religion into the conversation,” says Kerry Temple, editor of Notre Dame Magazine. “And yet Tom has done that so gracefully. And these columns show why. Tom is honest in his communication. He’s humble and true. He cares, he feels. He brings it home.”
“In the first year of the column, I wrote of the deaths Tom Frericks and Father Raymond Roesch, S.M., two giants in making UD a major national university,” Columbus says. “ So from the beginning, the column reflected on life and death, on God and grace, on the underpinnings of the nature of this University ... I have learned much about what a community can be. Maybe others will see in this book something of the wonder of the community that is the University of Dayton.”
Columbus will remain on the University communications staff in a part-time role as editor emeritus. Matt Dewald, managing editor of the University of Dayton Magazine, has been promoted to editor. Michelle Tedford, who serves as director of University communications, takes on the additional role of managing editor.
“Amazing Grace: Hopes and Memories” is available for $25 at the University of Dayton bookstore or online at bit.ly/ccDJLn For more information, call (937) 229-3241.
Church to show movies outside
Grace United Methodist Church in Dayton is showing free family movies this summer on the lawn outside the church.
It’s part of “40 Days and 40 Nights” of safe, positive activities for young people and their families, a project sponsored by the Dayton Police Department, the Community Initiative to Reduce Gun Violence (CIRGV), other local churches, and community groups.
Upcoming film dates at Grace are July 9, 16 and 23. You’re asked to bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy a movie, free popcorn and other refreshments.
“We are inviting the community to join us for fun, film, food and fellowship,” says the pastor, Sherry Gale. “In these difficult days for our city we want to provide new ways to unite church and community in peace to promote peace.”
The evenings will begin at 8:30 p.m. with a classic cartoon and announcements. The film will be shown on a large screen beginning at 9 p.m. The church is located at 1001 Harvard Blvd. at the corner of Harvard and Salem Ave. For more information, visit www.graceumc.com or call (937) 278-4731.
Stang Spirit Award winners announced
The winners of the first annual Sister Dorothy Stang Spirit Award have been announced. Two of the recipients are Cora Harrison, a graduating senior from Chaminade Julienne High School and Linda Dintamin, a faculty member of Archbishop Alter High School.
The award honors Dorothy Mae Stang, a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur, who was martyred in Brazil in February 2005 and was outspoken in her efforts on behalf of the poor and the environment. It is open to Catholic high school faculty members, parish lay ministers or graduating seniors who exemplify the values of Sister Dorothy through their social justice ministry, service work and teaching.
Gilmore to fill in for retiring Griffith
The Rev. Mearle L. Griffith, who has served as president and CEO of the United Methodist Association (UMA) since 2003, has retired as of June 1. Griffith became president and CEO on Nov. 1, 2003, and prior to that was a United Methodist clergyman and served as a senior pastor with several United Methodist congregations.
Donald L. Gilmore, former Otterbein Homes’ president and CEO, will fill in while a replacement search is being conducted.
Coldwater native ordained a priest
Robert K. Muhlenkamp, 28, was ordained a Roman Catholic priest for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati by Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains on May 22.
He is the son of the late Kenneth and Peg Muhlenkamp of Coldwater, Ohio, and his home parish is Holy Trinity, Coldwater. He is a graduate of Coldwater High School and Ashland University where he studied mathematics and chemistry.
Archbishop to get Pallium from pope
Dennis M. Schnurr, archbishop of Cincnnati, is leaving for Rome to receive the Pallium — a symbol of his ministry as shepherd — from Pope Benedict XVI .
More than 100 priests, deacons and laity will travel to Rome from Cincinnati for the ceremony and a nine-day pilgrimage sponsored by The Catholic Telegraph.
The pallium is a round woolen band with two black-tipped strips that is worn around the shoulders over liturgical vestments. The vestments are made from the wool of lambs blessed by the pope.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2440 or mmoss@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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