BRYCE E. RICH

EDUCATION
PhD in Theology (expected graduation 2016)
The University of Chicago Divinity School, Chicago, IL
Advisor: Kevin W. Hector

Master of Arts in Religion (2009)
Lancaster Theological Seminary, Lancaster, PA
Honors: Chalice Press Book Award (2009), Spessard Prize in Christology (2008), Schaff Prize in Church History (2007)

Bachelor of Arts in Russian & Eastern Studies (1993)
University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
Honors: Departmental Honors (1993), Dean's List (1990)

PUBLICATIONS, PRESENTATIONS AND PAPERS
"What Is To Prevent Me From Being Baptized?" (Forthcoming)
Chapter for volume on Metropolitan Community Churches' theologies to be published by SCM Press

"Who Is Jesus? : The Patristic Jesus" (2011)
Guest Speaker, The Church of St. Paul & the Redeemer, Chicago, IL

"The Anglican Covenant" (2011)
Theologian-in-Residence, The Church of St. Paul & the Redeemer, Chicago, IL

"What is Communion? Baptism, Eucharist, Ecclesiology" (2011)
Theologian-in-Residence, The Church of St. Paul & the Redeemer, Chicago, IL

"Violence and the Bible: The Perspectives of René Girard" (2010)
Guest Speaker, Lancaster Theological Seminary, Lancaster, PA

"Eucharist, Private Prayer and Positive Mimesis in the Theology of James Alison" (2009)
Presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Religion, Montréal, Canada

"The Adoption of Christianity in Kievan Rus'" (2008)
Guest Speaker, Lancaster Theological Seminary, Lancaster, PA

TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Adjunct Instructor (2002)
Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, Lancaster, PA
Taught three classes of approximately 60 students in Microsoft Office Professional XP and English composition.

Russian Language Instructor (1990)
Fayette County Public Schools, Lexington, KY
Taught 30 students in Russian classes at two Lexington high schools for two months. Prepared and taught first year lessons in Russian grammar and conversation. Designed lessons to incorporate information about everyday life, history and popular culture in Russia.

RELATED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
University of Chicago, Chicago, IL (2011 - present)
Administrative Assistant for Constructive Studies - The Divinity School
Administrative Student Assistant - Web Services

Lancaster Theological Seminary, Lancaster, PA (2006 – 2010)
Administrative Coordinator / Assistant to the Director of Library Services
Student Library Worker

M&T Mortgage Corporation, Lancaster, PA (2005 – 2006)
MIS Analyst III, Lancaster, PA

Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center, Columbia, PA (2003 – 2004)
Assistant Director

Vision of Hope Metropolitan Community Church, Mountville, PA (2002 – 2003)
Volunteer

Partners in Computing Services International, Washington, DC (2002)
Help Desk Services Manager

International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX), various sites in the US and Russia (1993 – 2002)
Director of Operations, Washington, DC
Director of Programs, Business for Russia (BFR), Community Connections/Russia (CC), Presidential Management Training Initiative (PMTI), Moscow, Russia
Field Coordinator, Business for Russia (BFR) Program, Moscow, Russia
Program Officer, Irkutsk, Russia
Fellow in Communications Assistance to Russia, Novosibirsk, Russia

DEPARTMENTAL SERVICE
University of Chicago Divinity School / The Church of St. Paul & the Redeemer
Theologian-in-Residence Program (2010 – 2011 academic year)
Collaborated with the staff of St. Paul & the Redeemer and a team of two other Divinity School students, to create and present an adult education series titled, Anglicanism and Controversy.  Topics presented include sacramental theology and Open Table practice, the ordination of women and openly gay/lesbian priests and bishops, and the current controversy surrounding the proposed Anglican Covenant.

RELATED ACTIVITIES
Metropolitan Community Churches
MCC Theologies Team (2010 – present)
Facebook fan page
Work with pastors and scholars of the denomination on questions of constructive theology.  Serve as chair of the Descriptive Theologies subcommittee which seeks to map the diverse practices and faith trends within the denomination.

Lancaster Theological Seminary, Lancaster, PA
Educational Life Committee (2007 – 2009)
Served as the student representative for seminarians enrolled in the Master of Arts in Religion program.

LTS Allies (2007 – 2010)
Organized students, staff and faculty and alumni of Lancaster Seminary to work for LGBTQ inclusion in the life of the seminary through creating a welcoming, safe and accepting campus environment; providing opportunities for dialogue and cultivating friendships among people of mixed orientations and gender  identities; and fostering the development of a strong collection of LGBTQ resources within the seminary. Created group's original website.

Annual LGBT Week (2006 – 2008)

LANGUAGES
French - High Pass on UChicago reading exam
Classical Greek – basic competence
Russian – good command of reading and speaking, fair writing competence

MEMBERSHIPS
American Academy of Religion
Colloquium on Violence & Religion
Society of Biblical Literature