Awards and Appointments: Alumni in Action
NJ SHARING NETWORK APPOINTS REV. DAVID COTTON (M.DIV. ’89) OF POINT PLEASANT TO GOVERNING BOARD OF TRUSTEES
New Providence, NJ – NJ Sharing Network, the federally designated nonprofit organization committed to saving and enhancing lives through the recovery of donated organs and tissue, is proud to announce the appointment of Reverend David Cotton to its Governing Board of Trustees.
“We are proud to welcome Rev. Cotton to our Governing Board of Trustees,” said Carolyn M. Welsh, President and CEO of NJ Sharing Network. “Rev. Cotton’s decades of service in pastoral care and medical ethics brings a valuable perspective to our work. His leadership and personal commitment to helping others will guide our mission forward as we continue to save and enhance lives and support organ and tissue donor families and transplant recipients across our communities.”
Rev. David Cotton dedicated nearly 30 years to serving as Regional Director of Spiritual Care Services Emeritus at Hackensack Meridian Health, where he provided leadership in pastoral care and medical ethics. During his tenure, he co-chaired the Bioethics Committee at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, facilitated peer review processes, and later served as Chair of the Bioethics Consult Committee as well as Ethics Consultant for New Jersey Long Term Care. He also served as a member of the Donor Council and has been a strong advocate for organ and tissue donation throughout his career.
Before his career in healthcare, Rev. Cotton spent two decades in education as an English teacher and administrator in New Jersey. He earned his Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary and is ordained in both the United Methodist Church and the Presbyterian Church (USA). His academic background also includes degrees from Kent State University and Georgian Court University.
Rev. Cotton resides in Point Pleasant, NJ, with his wife, Margaret. Married since 1969, they are proud parents of two children, Allison and Daniel, and grandparents to seven.
DR. HOWARD SNYDER (B.DIV. ’66) AWARDED 2025 MARSTON BOOK PRIZE
The Marston Book Prize was granted to ATS alumnus Howard Snyder, for his book Consider the Lilies: How Jesus Saves People and the Land: The Theology and Ecology of Salvation (Wilmore, KY: First Fruits Press, 2025). This prize is awarded annually by the Marston Memorial Historical Center and the Committee on Free Methodist History and Archives in honor of Free Methodist Historian and Bishop Leslie R. Marston. This published book has been judged to be the most significant publication over the preceding 12 to 24 months in terms of its contribution to understanding Free Methodist origins, history, and mission.
This volume is grounded in the Free Methodist heritage and addresses important issues with which the church at large and world culture are struggling from the perspectives of the Free Methodist Church. While not a work of Free Methodist history it is a significant contribution to theology, Christian participation in the ecology of God, and missiology; it is fundamentally shaped by the free Methodist convictions that have been central to all of Snyder’s research and writing.
It develops an understanding of Christian doctrine in light of Jesus Christ as revealed in Scripture and history, and also in light of the realities of today’s global church and culture. It is a theological framework within which a Christian can live with and love God, neighbor, and the creation. The Christian is encouraged to think seriously about these things.
Dr. Snyder will receive an award of $500 and be invited for an interview with Light and Life Communications editor, Jeff Finley. Consider the Lilies is available on Amazon, and for free HERE.
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