John Dally was hired by former COS rector Wilson Reed to assist him in 1987, when John had moved to Chicago from California to pursue his Ph.D. at the University of Chicago.  He met his husband, Todd Young, the following year when they served together at Food for Friends, then called Saturday Lunch.  He completed his doctorate in Religion and Literature in 1994 and joined the faculty of Seabury-Western Theological Seminary. John taught preaching at Seabury for fifteen years and held the appointment of Professor of Theology and Culture before retiring in 2019.  In recent years he has become keenly interested in the way images and music help individuals and communities express deeply-held theological convictions and insights into the riches of an ancient faith.  Many COS'ers got a taste of his work in the parish retreats he has led for us since 2012.  He and Todd have written and directed the COS Christmas pageant for more than a decade.

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