Shantha Ready Alonso

Ex Officio Member

Shantha comes from an ecumenical family and has lived questions of Christian unity and diversity since birth. Shantha brings to her work a strong interest in liberation theologies and a background in congregation-based community organizing. As Vice Chair of the World Student Christian Federation, she convenes the WSCF global Advocacy and Solidarity Committee. During her studies at Eden Theological Seminary and her 2008 internship at the National Council of Churches, Shantha became very involved in laying groundwork for the first gathering of the New Fire Network, and has been involved since. She began serving as Interim New Fire Coordinator in December, 2009. Wildflowers, hiking, conversations over coffee, singing, NPR, and quality time with her husband Jaime are a few things that make Shantha smile.

 

Jordan Blevins

Co-moderator and Fundraising/Communications Team Member

Jordan is currently assistant director of land and water programs, as well as coordinator of the poverty initiative for the National Council of Churches, U.S.A. Jordan also oversees the internship program of the Washington Office. Previously, he was a legislative intern at the Church of the Brethren's Witness/Washington office, where he participated in a Faith Expedition to Vietnam, and did follow up reporting and helped create a Brethren Water and Sanitation project in that area through the Global Food Crisis Fund. Additionally, he was manager of Cokesbury Bookstore in Washington, DC, as well as a grassroots fundraiser for Grassroots Campaigns, Inc. Jordan holds a BA in Philosophy and Religion and a BS in Business Administration from Bridgewater College, and recently graduated from American University and Wesley Theological Seminary, with a Master of Arts degree in International Peace and Conflict Resolution, and a Masters of Theological Studies, respectively. He is an active member of the Church of the Brethren, serving on the Board of Directors of On Earth Peace, and the Young Adult Steering Committee. Jordan also served on the Young Adult Task Force of the US Conference of the World Council of Churches, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Ministry in Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue at Wesley Theological Seminary.

 

Allison Johnson

Campaign Coordinator for Christians for Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Allison works with clergy, denominations, organizations and individuals to support and advocate for fair and humane immigration reform. She provides training and resources to groups around the country and works to strengthen existing efforts within the church. She also seeks to build bridges between diverse groups of Christians and has a passion for seeing communities transformed by the power of people of faith taking action together. She is a graduate of the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN with a degree in Justice and Peace Studies and Spanish. She has been at Sojourners since fall of 2007 and is a proud Sojourners Internship Program alumna. She is a native of Minnesota and grew up in the ELCA Lutheran tradition. She enjoys travel, family and friends, and taking advantage of all the free events DC has to offer.

 

 

William Miller

Co-Moderator and Ecumenical Formation Team Member

William is a son of the south. A native of Charleston, SC, aspirations to receive a quality secondary education along with hard work took him to Winston-Salem State University, where he graduated in 2008 with a B.S. in Business Administration. Currently, he is a Master of Divinity student at Drew University in Madison, NJ where he is active as an intern with the Black Methodist Heritage Center, Theological Admissions, Communities of Shalom, and the Black Ministerial Caucus. A fourth generation minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church (A.M.E.), he began his work in ministry on December 26, 2004. In addition to being active in many aspects of AME life, William is relatively new to the ecumenical movement, but hopes to gain a strong start through his involvement with New Fire. His current plans are to serve within the parish ministry of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, become an entrepreneur and work as a community relations consultant to faith-based organizations and corporations. William’s passions in life include but are not limited to traveling, studying history, writing, cooking, and the overall pursuit of happiness.

 

Additional Participants

Beth Balcombe

Caitlin Reilley Beck

Flavia D'Souza

Robyn Fickes

Ashley George

Michael Heller

Kara Hildebrandt

Orenthious Hill

Lauren Hodgeson

Nick Kiger

Sam Martinez

Carrie Chefas McClain

Rachel Medema

Juliana M. Mecera

The Rev. Garland F. Pierce

Craig Talmage

Ann Tiemeyer