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Bio |
Curriculum Vitae |
Workshops |
"I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world."
~ Mother Teresa
Prepared in both head and heart, Rev. Kennedy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Tennessee State University with a concentration in Mental Health as well as a Masters of Divinity degree from Drew University where she graduated with honors and was the recipient of the Patricia Wickham Award for Feminist Scholarship and the David Greybeal Award for a Ministry that Makes a Difference.
Currently, Rev. Kennedy is a Ph.D. candidate in Christian Ethics and Social Theory at Union Theological Seminary in
Rev. Kennedy can be found serving God through justice seeking as a women’s rights advocate and a social justice activist. Her key verse for ministry is: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…God has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to announce to prisoners their release…and to set at liberty those who are broken by life." (Isaiah 61: 1-2)
Rev. Kennedy has been featured in the African American Pulpit and the AME Review. She is an ordained Itinerant Elder from the 13th Episcopal District of the AME church and is the director of the Ministries of Hope and Healing at St. James AME Church in
Education
PhD candidate in Christian Ethics and Social Theory, Union Theological Seminary,
M.Phil in Christian Ethics and Social Theory, Union Theological Seminary, New York, NY
M.Div. in Theology,
B.S. in Psychology (concentration in mental health),
Experience
Teaching Experience
Instructor, St. James Christian Learning Center, 2004-2005
ET 101: Introduction to Christian Ethics (FA 2004)
TH 220: Black Theology (SP 2005)
Instructor, Summer Bible Institute, 1999-2004
Teens and Sexuality (SU 1999)
Profiles of Courage: African American Women in the Civil Rights Movement (SU 2000
BET, MTV and Christian Values (SU 2003, 2004)
Professional Experience
Education and Youth Leadership Coordinator, Urban League of
▪ Directed several major youth centered programs (ages 12-21) that focused on education and leadership
▪
▪ Facilitated group discussions
▪ Assisted with grant writing
▪ Taught basic life skills and critical thinking
Assistant to the Coordinator, International Student Services,
▪ Supervised 120 International Students and their families
▪ Counseled individuals on cultural and social issues
▪ Coordinated orientation events, multi-cultural seminars, holiday parties, and general social events
Director/Coordinator, Nwanyi Rite of Passage Program (
▪ Mentored young girls
▪ Conducted college tours
▪ Introduced youth to college/campus life
▪ Assisted with college planning and preparation as well as followed up on college applications
Research Experience
Research Assistant, for Lillie Edwards, PhD, Chair, AFAM Studies Dept.,
Research Assistant, for Arthur Pressley, PhD, Professor of Religion and Psychology,
• Trotman, F.K., Greene, B., & Pressley, A. (2001). African Americans and the Independent Practice of Psychotherapy: Factors Affecting Access to Clinical Services. In The Independent Practitioner, 21(3): 140-153.
• Pressley, A., Christensen, M., & Presnell, W. (2000) “Mental Health Workers and the Screening and Treatment of Children (11-18) with Radiation-induced Thyroid Cancer and Psychosocial Problems Associated With the 1986 Chornobyl Disaster.”
Qualifying Examinations
▪ Quiet as it’s Kept: Interrogating the Nexus of Colorism Through the Use of The Bluest Eye
▪ Hear Our Prayer O Lord: Violence Against African American Women and the Search for Moral Agency
▪ Methodism and the Question of Slavery
▪ “Political Ethics: A Moral Interrogation of the Abuse of Political Power”
“Myths and Media: A Socio-Ethical Reflection on Hurricane Katrina” in The Sky is Crying: Race, Class and Natural Disaster, ed. Cheryl Kirk Duggan, Abingdon Press, 2006.
“Towards an Environmental Theology: A Seminarian’s Perspective.” in The A.M.E. Church Review, Vol. CXVII, No. 381, Jan-Mar 2001.
“Think About It! ACT ON IT!” in The African American Pulpit. Spring 2001
Presentations/Lectures
Public Lecture—“Methodism and the Question of Slavery,” Union Theological Seminary/Columbia University,
Paper—Interrogating the Nexus of Colorism Through Toni Morrison’s “The Bluest Eye,” The Society of Christian Ethics,
Panelist— Tipple-Vosburgh Lectures, Spirituality and Social Justice, “Experiences of Spirituality and Social Justice Ministries,”
Seminar—“Ethically Responding to Violence Against Women,” St. James Church,
Seminar—“The Ultimate Betrayal: Sexual Abuse in Black Families”
Academic and University Service
Member, Psychology Club, Tennessee State University, 1995-1998
Peer Counselor, Tennessee State University, 1996-1998
Assistant Coordinator, International Student Organization,
President, Black Ministerial Caucus,
Community Life Representative, Theological Student Association,
Representative to the Faculty, Theological Student Association,
Theological Student Representative, University Senate,
Professional Affiliations
American Academy of Religion, 1999-Present ▪ Society of Biblical Literature, 1999-Present ▪ Society of Christian Ethics, 2003-Present ▪ the Toni Morrison Society, 2003-Present ▪ Association of Black Sociologist 2006-Present ▪ Advisory Board Member, University of Medicine and Dentistry, New Jersey: Behavioral Health
Awards, Honors and Fellowships
All American Scholar, 1998
Chatham United Methodist Church Women’s Scholarship, 2000
Patricia Wickham Award for Feminist Scholarship, 2001
David Greybeal Award for a Ministry that Makes a Difference “Nwanyi Rite of Passage Program,” 2001
Union Theological Seminary Doctoral Fellowship 2001-2004
Languages
French—Intermediate Reading Knowledge
Spanish—Intermediate Reading Knowledge
Research Interest
▪ Violence Against Women and Children
▪ Locating Evil within Religion and the Lived Experiences
▪ Colorism and Social Stratification
▪ African American Social Thought
▪ Theories of Justice
▪ Critical Social Theory
▪ Racism and Whiteness Theory
Ecclesiastical Information
▪ African Methodist Episcopal Church (13th Episcopal District)
▪ Itinerant Elder, 2002
- ▪ Itinerant Deacon, 2001
▪ Licensed to Preach, 1998
Coming Soon. . . .
Workshops for Congregations
Feel free to contact me about presenting a workshop at your church or event.
The Church and Violence Against Women: Every 9 seconds a woman is beaten!
- Definitions of Intimate/Domestic Violence
- The Church’s Role in Violence Against Women
- Domestic Violence in Every Church
- The Church as an Agent of Change
- The Pastor’s Calling
- How to Preach About Intimate/Domestic Violence
- What God Has Commissioned Us to Do
Grief Training 101 (normally a 2-part seminar)
- What is Grief?
- Who is At Risk For Grieving
- Job: A Study on Loss
- Stages of Grief
- Helping People Deal With Loss
- Grief as a Family Process
- The Role of Grief and Bereavement Ministry
Professional Ethics for Clergy
- Clarifying Our Theological Understanding of Ministry
- First Do No Harm
- Understanding Power Dynamics
- Addressing the Abuse of Power
- Sexual Ethics for Religious Professionals
- Guidelines for Responsible Conduct in Ministry
Clergy, Counseling and Legal Issues
Parenting 911