Photography by Courtney Sappleton.
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The Rev. Amani D. Legagneur, (M.Div.) is a Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Supervisor certified through the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc. She has an extensive history of scholarship and meaningful work in theological studies, health, pastoral care, and related fields. Rev. Legagneur graduated from Amherst College with a dual degree in Interdisciplinary Biochemistry and Spanish Language and Culture. She then worked for two years as a biomedical researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). During the same time period, Rev. Legagneur established The Treasure Chest Publishing Company and published her first volume of poetry, Cymbals and Thyme. The reflective process of writing her book and a persistent draw toward theological studies led Rev. Legagneur to pursue a Master of Divinity degree at Harvard Divinity School. Upon graduation from Harvard, Rev. Legagneur completed her CPE internship, residency, and supervisory training at the nationally renowned Emory Centre for Pastoral Services (ECPS). For five years, she specialized in pastoral care for women and families with a focus on Perinatal loss. She went on to serve as Associate Director of Programme Development for Emory Clergy Care, working collaboratively with Director Rev. Dr. Fred Smoot and ECPS to begin a parish-based CPE programme in Cartersville, GA and to enhance support services for clergy spouses. Rev. Legagneur is currently the Manager of Chaplaincy Services for Northside Hospital (Atlanta, Cherokee and Forsyth). She is married to her college sweetheart, a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend, and a person of faith.
The Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Lartey was ordained in the Methodist Church in 1981. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from the University of Ghana in psychology with statistics (1978), and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in pastoral theology from The University of Birmingham, England (1984). Rev. Dr. Lartey currently teaches at Candler School of Theology and in Emory’s Graduate Division of Religion in the Person, Community, and Religious Life Programmme. As a pastor, scholar, teacher and researcher, he has contributed widely to the international field of pastoral care and counselling. His interests and research are focused on the theological implications and practical effects of pastoral care and counselling in a diversity of cultures, with particular reference to African, British, and American expressions. He is the author of,"Black Memory: Commemorating the Sacred and the Traumatic in the African Diaspora" in Suffer the Little Children: Urban Violence and Sacred Space (2001), In Living Colour: An Intercultural Approach to Pastoral Care and Counseling (2nd ed., 2003),"Globalization, Internationalization and Indigenization of Pastoral Care and Counseling" in Pastoral Care and Counseling: Redefining the Paradigms (2004), Pastoral Theology in an Intercultural World (2006) and numerous articles and chapters in pastoral care and counselling textbooks. An ordained minister in the Methodist Church, Rev. Dr. Lartey has served as a pastor in Ghana and at the Ghana Interdenominational Church and the United Ghana Christian Church, both in Atlanta. As a professional in pastoral care and counselling, he has served on numerous boards related to the field, including as past President of the International Council on Pastoral Care and Counselling (ICPCC) and as a member of the Theological Education Steering Committee of the American Academy of Religion (AAR). He is researching the theological implications and practical effects of pastoral care in a diversity of cultures, and writes on the topic of interculturality. He is also a husband and father.
The Rev. Dr. Maitland Evans, CD is a Jamaican theologian and educator. His formal and informal educational pursuits and interests have centered around Pastoral Care, Theological Education, Community Development, Counselling and Consulting Psychology. Rev. Dr. Evans completed a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counselling (University of Birmingham), DD (Hon. St. Stephen’s/St. Andrews Colleges), Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Counselling and Consulting Psychology (Harvard University), Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Theology (University of the West Indies), and Licentiate of Theology (L.Th.) (United Theological College of the West Indies). Rev. Dr. Evans was instrumental in the founding of the Institute for Theological and Leadership Development (ITLD; now the College for Leadership and Theological Development) in 1989 as well as the Mel Nathan College in 2004. These institutions have evolved to become constituent colleges of the International University of the Caribbean (IUC). Rev. Dr. Evans is the founding president of IUC, which was formally launched in 2005. Rev. Dr. Evans is also president of the Jamaica Association of Private Tertiary Institutions (JAPTI), serves on the board of the Jamaica Tertiary Education Commission (JTEC) and is the Chair of the Advisory Committee for the Jamaica Teaching Council (JTC). His other service focus has been in the area of Community Development. In 1978, through the United Church, he founded the Mel Nathan Institute for Development and Social Research. The largest institute of its kind in the Caribbean for many years, this Institute sought to empower and create opportunities and facilitate the empowerment of many inner city residents. Rev. Dr. Evans has served as a Minister of Religion with the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands in Pastoral and specialized Ministry for some thirty-seven years. He has pastored congregations throughout Jamaica and has offered leadership within the United Church as Moderator (1987-1990) and General Secretary (1990-2005). On the International front, Rev. Dr. Evans has functioned as Executive Secretary of the Council for World Mission (1981-1983) and later as Deputy Chair and Chair. Rev. Dr. Evans has also engaged himself in other cultural and personal pursuits. He chaired the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (1993-1997) and enjoys writing in all its forms, as well as various other types of cultural expression. He is an avid supporter of the West Indies cricket team and is passionate about critical engagement in current affairs. In 2003, he was awarded the Order of Distinction (Commander Class) by the Government of Jamaica. He is married to Betty, and has three adult children: Makesha, Maitland Tamu, and Tara Marie.