Meet the Academic Council

Rev. Dr. Ruth E. Shaver, Academic Dean, is an Intentional Interim and Transitional Ministry Specialist in the United Church of Christ, serving congregations in the Southern New England Conference as Interim Pastor and Consultant. She is also the Moderator of the Old Colony Association. Rev. Dr. Shaver is a faculty member of the Interim Ministry Network and served as a member of the Manual on Local Church rollout team for the United Church of Christ. She is an alumna of the Sinai and Synapses Fellowship, 2017-2019 cohort. Rev. Dr. Shaver holds a Master of Divinity from Boston University School of Theology, and a Bachelor of Arts in Soviet and East European Studies from Boston University's Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies (then in the College of Liberal Arts). She resides in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, where she enjoys cooking, reading, and binge-watching science fiction television shows. 

Dr. Vanessee Burns, an ordained Methodist Elder, retired after 30 years of pastoral and clinical service. She currently serves at Georgetown University as Resident Minister to graduate students and Advisor for Spiritual Care, supporting the faith and wellness of students, faculty, and staff across traditions. As Apostolic Leader of Kingdom First Ministries, a global marketplace ministry, she nurtures spiritual, intellectual, and emotional growth through teaching, outreach, and leadership development. Dr. Burns holds degrees from the University of Georgia, Phillips School of Theology, and Hood Theological Seminary, and is a Certified Clinical Counselor (ACPE). She has served in chaplaincy, mental health, and correctional settings, and is a mentor with Georgia State University’s Garden Initiative for Black Women’s Religious Activism. She is the author of 30 Days of Meditation and Let’s Talk About Tongues.

The Rev. R. Keith Stuart, PhD. former Senior Minister at Dover Congregational United Church of Christ, holds advanced degrees in homiletics and systematic theology. While pursuing is Ph.D, Stuart studied in South Africa, spending time with Alan Paton, author of Cry, the Beloved Country. It was during that season that Stuart began to fashion a different understanding of the Jesus Way as a response to the evils of apartheid, racism, and exclusion. Later, while leading churches in Missouri and Ohio, Stuart led congregations consider faith beyond literalism and to exploring the freedom of theological metaphor as the interpretive lens to God and scripture. Stuart has contributed articles to numerous periodicals. He published his first book, Letting Go of True Belief: A Spiritual Memoir of Two Friends Who Found a Different Understanding of God. Since his retirement in 2022, he is working on his second book, a novel that traces racism through a series of three events that interweave through the lives of multiple families. Stuart is married to Cynthia. They have two children, Laura and Joseph and twin grandsons, Julian and Eli.

Kathy joined the PATHWAYS Board of Directors following years of pastoral and community leadership in the United Church of Christ. As an ordained minister in the Western North Carolina Association, she has served congregations across the Southeast, including Zion UCC and Sun Coast Disciples of Christ. She leads an online comminity called Meandering Ministries. Kathy’s career spans pastoral, chaplaincy, and academic leadership roles. She has served as an educator, program chair, and dean in health and theological education programs. She holds a PhD in Organization and Management with a focus on Information Technology from Capella University, as well as master’s and doctoral-level degrees in theological studies. Deeply committed to compassionate care and inclusive ministry, Kathy integrates pastoral presence with innovative online engagement. She is an advocate for lifelong spiritual formation, clergy wellness, and creative approaches to church leadership.

Ginnie joined the PATHWAYS Advisory Committee in 2014 while PATHWAYS was a program of the Southeast Conference. In March 2018, Ginnie served on the initial Board of Directors of PATHWAYS Theological Education, Inc., and is currently the Secretary. Ginnie is retired UCC clergy and long-time church educator serving churches in Maine and Georgia. Prior to ordained ministry, Ginnie worked as a field geologist and geophysics technician. Ginnie has degrees in Geology and Chemistry and a Master of Divinity (Bangor Theological Seminary). She was certified as an Environmental Educator in 2016. Since retirement, she is an active member of First Congregational Church UCC in Atlanta. Ginnie is married to Jack Raymer who together have a little Scottie named Yevo.

bio forthcoming

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Elizabeth joined the PATHWAYS Academic Council as a scholar and minister dedicated to connecting faith, education, and public engagement. She serves as Scholar-in-Residence at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology, where she designs courses for community learning, teaches New Testament and Greek, and supports innovative ministry education through The Candler Foundry. An ordained minister with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Elizabeth brings her passion for making rigorous theological study accessible beyond the academy. She holds a Ph.D. in Religion (New Testament) from Emory University, an M.Div. from Gardner-Webb University, and a B.A. in English from Grand Valley State University. Her research explores wilderness imagery in Luke-Acts, and she serves on the editorial board for Emory Studies in Early Christianity. Elizabeth is a public theologian who bridges academic scholarship with the lived experience of faith communities.

bio forthcoming

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