Care in Community

Site Work Details

Students in the Care In Community cohort will work four hours each week with organizations and ministries in their local settings that provide care to individuals and groups and cultivate or support wider networks of care, with particular attention to individuals and populations who are vulnerable or in crisis. This work may take a variety of forms, including initiatives that provide spiritual or pastoral care, address immediate material needs, or support individuals and communities through structural and programmatic responses to need. Students may pursue this work within a variety of organizations, including non-profit or civic organizations, faith-based organizations or ministries, chaplaincy programs, or community initiatives.

Faculty

L. Edward Phillips will serve as the academic advisor for students in the Care In Community Cohort.

Teaching and Site Supervisor

Bec Cranford‘s passions revolve around writing, teaching, and speaking. She started her career in service, education, and humanitarian work. Bec’s commitment to be a life-long learner and servant leader started early in her career with Americorps, where she led a family literacy project and helped coordinate a rural transportation program for the poor in Eastern Texas. Bec’s history of justice and advocacy work includes homeless service agencies, para church ministries, and global justice projects. Her insight on leadership development, practical theology, homelessness, advocacy and the nonprofit world comes from years of unique experiences throughout America and the world. Bec has taught, guest lectured, and tutored over the years in various academic settings including colleges and universities, as well as church, parachurch organizations, and community outreaches.

Bec planted Church of the Misfits, the first dually affiliated Disciples of Christ and United Church of Christ LGBTQ affirming church in West Georgia in 2011. She served as the lead pastor and founder from 2011-2015. Bec served at Gateway Center, Atlanta’s largest homeless service agency, for over 10 years as a Coordinator and then Director of Community Engagement. Bec served as a Coordinator and then as the Director of Community for Wildgoose Festival from 2017 until 2020.

Bec received her B.A. in Biblical Theology and Practical Theology in Missions at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida. She received her MDiv from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary in May of 2013.

Bec cares deeply about those that society has rejected, and those religiosity and systems of power continue to alienate.  Bec focuses on ecumenical unity, interfaith justice work, and humanitarian endeavors in her spare time, writing and speaking at many events and conferences.

Bec has served with Candler School of Theology since 2015, with a break in 2022. Bec currently serves as a Community Responder at Policing Alternatives and Diversion and in her spare time enjoys getting messy with acrylic with her five year old.

Student Requirements

Cohort Meetings

Over the course of the year, students in this cohort will engage in ….

• Participation in this cohort also includes a fall semester reflection group and a spring semester integrative seminar.