Rev. Dr. Larry L. Greenfield died on November 2nd, in Rochester, New York. Larry was engaged with OMNIA from the time it was SCUPE -- for about 12 years -- serving as board chair for the past six. He admired and advocated for OMNIA's action-oriented methods of seeking justice and peace. Our anti-supremacy declaration came from his initiative, and he encouraged the exponential expansion of Interfaith Peacemaker Teams.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family; his wife Barbara (of 63 years), daughters, Sarah, Jessica and their families. Thank you for sharing him with us.
Born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Larry sometimes considered himself a rural farmer. He identified with two-thirds of our Interfaith Peacemaker (IP) Team members who are small-holder farmers and empathized with their plight facing serious consequences of climate change. Passionate about justice and peace and with his strong opposition to war and violence, he engaged with our Just Peace IP Team. With a history of supporting justice movements for women and sexual minorities, he challenged us to deepen our commitment to addressing patriarchy in the countries where we work.
Larry was an erudite theologian. He had his theological education at the University of Chicago Divinity School, where he received his M.Div., M.A., and Ph.D. He subsequently taught at the Divinity School and served as dean of students. He also served for more than three decades with the Baptist Theological Union at the University of Chicago Divinity School, including as its president from 2012 to 2023.
He served as the president of Colgate Rochester Divinity School/Bexley Hall/Crozer Theological Seminary in Rochester, New York, the executive minister of American Baptist Churches of Metro Chicago and later as the executive director of the Parliament of the World’s Religions.
Larry believed deeply in OMNIA's mission to build Interfaith Peacemaker Teams that train local leaders in marginalized communities around the world to build power so that they can address injustice effectively and create lasting peace. His leadership reflected the qualities for which he was so valued: wise counsel, sharp wit, and an ability to listen thoughtfully before posing just the right question to challenge assumptions and open new perspectives.
This June, in recognition of his valued service, OMNIA presented him with the Kenneth W. Bensen award for excellence in Contextual Leadership, an award that he helped create and treasured.
Thank you, beloved friend, for the many years of sharpening that you generously offered us me as we talked most mornings at least for a few minutes, some times for an hour! I treasure those memories. And for your visionary leadership during our formative years, we, in the OMNIA community are forever grateful.