Noach Dzmura, the 2013 Castaneda Lecturer
Gilberto Castañeda
The Gilberto Castañeda Award was established in 1994 in loving memory of Gilberto Castañeda, the “adopted” son of Dr. Theodore Jennings and Rev. Ronna Case. Gilberto first met Ronna Case in California, where she was engaged in developing mission congregations among undocumented workers from Mexico. Gilberto was an “inquirer” who “found the love of God so compelling that he became not only a member but also a leader in the new congregations of young people” being established by Rev. Case. He learned to play the guitar and, over the next five years, brought his gifts of music and ministry to Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches and Methodist congregations in both Chicago and Atlanta. In 1994, at the age of 29, he died of complications due to AIDS.
Of his life and this scholarship Dr. Jennings writes, “Gilberto was one of the people it would be easy to overlook…In honoring the memory of ‘one of the least of these,’ CTS also honors our common Lord.”
This award is presented either to openly gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered students or to those who actively support the openly gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered student community at Chicago Theological Seminary. It is an expression of the seminary’s commitment on behalf of these students to transform congregations from places of hostility and alienation to communities of hospitality and empowerment.
Castaneda Awards at Chicago Theological Seminary
2011-2012 - The Rev. Dr. Patrick Cheng, Episcopal Divinity School, speaker
Esther Baruja, M.Div.
2010-2011 - Dr. Emilie M. Townes, Yale Divinity School, speaker
Wendy Cooper, M.Div.
Jamie Hawley, M.Div.
2009-2010 - Dr. Ellen T. Armour, Vanderbilt Divinity School, speaker
Erik Koepnick, M.Div.
Emily Jones, M.Div.
Eileen Gebbie, M.Div.
2008-2009 – Dr. Alice Hunt, speaker
Kooper Knebel, M.Div.
Nate Metrick, M.Div.
Katherine Schofield, M.Div.
2007-2008 – Dr. Bo Myung Seo, speaker
Jennie Kitch, M.Div.
Benjamin Reynolds, Ph.D.
2006-2007 – Dr. Laurel C. Schneider, speaker (video excerpt, lecture text)
Carlos Fernandez, M.A.
AnnMarie Kneebone, M.Div.
Mike Underhill, M.Div.
2005-2006 – Dr. Scott Haldeman, speaker
Sara Ross, M.Div.
Nicolette Siragusa, M.Div.
2004-2005 – speaker unknown
Anastasia McRae, M.Div.
Gregory Potts, M.Div.
Anthony Hollins, M.Div.
2003-2004 – The Rev. Elder Troy Perry, speaker
Gabriel Calderon, M.Div.
Susan Sparta, M.Div.
2002-2003 – Dr. Ted Jennings, speaker (lecture text [pdf])
Matthew Emery, M.Div.
Anastasia McRae, M.Div.