Each year, the Andover Newton Spirit of the Hill Award is conferred on an alumna or alumnus who, through the grace of God, displays a strong devotion to renewing church and society through ecumenical witness and creative expression of the Gospel and commitment to enacting God’s ways of justice and love in the world.
Awardees must demonstrate the faith and courage provided by liberating visions that compel them toward thoughtful, compassionate, and timely responses to cultural and religious conflict. A recipient must possess the ability to respectfully cross borders within and across religious traditions and to help others do the same, thus serving as repairers of the breach.
Finally, those recognized have committed to dutifully promote fellowship among Andover Newton graduates and commitment to the school’s mission through contributions of time and energy to the ANTS constituency.
On October 7, 2025, in conjunction with the 2025 Convocation and Living Village Grand Opening Celebration, Andover Newton Seminary will proudly recognize Rev. Dr. Ned Allyn Parker (ANTS MDiv, 2010) as the 2025 recipient of the Spirit of the Hill Award. In response, Founding Dean, Rev. Dr. Sarah B. Drummond, shared the following thoughts:
“The ‘Spirit of the Hill’ alumni/ae award recognizes both achievement in ministry and dedication to Andover Newton. I am so pleased that the Andover Newton at YDS Alumni/ae Board selected Ned Allyn Parker (ANTS 2011) as this year’s recipient. Ned joined the Andover Newton’s admissions team in Newton just weeks after beginning his Master of Divinity. After recruiting and supporting dozens of students who are now faithful alums, Ned went to Seattle to serve as a pastor on the staff of Seattle First Baptist Church. We then brought him back east when Andover Newton was relocating and needed a leader to help us to carry our identity from Newton, MA to New Haven. Ned currently serves as the Interim Senior Pastor at First Church in Windsor, CT, and we are excited to thank, recognize, and celebrate him at Alumni/ae Convocation in October.”
Congratulations, Ned! Thank you for leadership, passion, and lasting contributions to Andover Newton Seminary at Yale Divinity School.