Divinity School Dean Richard J. Wood announced this week that five New Haven residents have been chosen to serve as Coffin-Forsberg Fellows for the 1998-99 academic year.

The fellows will be honored at an installation ceremony at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3, in the Divinity School's Marquand Chapel, 409 Prospect Street. The event is free and open to the public.

The Coffin-Forsberg Fellows program was created in 1995 by the Divinity School General Faculty to increase the school's commitment to urban and social ministry and in appreciation for the work being done by individuals for social justice in the parish and the world. Named for William Sloane Coffin, former chaplain of the University, and Joan Bates Forsberg, former associate dean for the students at the Divinity School, these non-monetary fellowships are intended to honor the recipients and invite them to be involved in the community life of the Divinity School.

The 1998-99 Coffin-Forsberg Fellows are:
Fernando A. Ayala, a substance abuse counselor for Northside Outpatient Treatment Services. Ayala has a decade of commitment and service to those struggling with alcohol and drug addiction. His work has led him to serve a variety of individuals in New Haven, such as people who are homeless and those with AIDS, as well as to undertake prevention work with Latino children. He has been described as a person who gives first priority to helping his clients recover from addiction and start living productive lives.

Rabbi Herbert Brockman, Congregation Mishkan Israel. In addition to his rabbinical work at Mishkan Israel, Rabbi Brockman has been in the forefront of interfaith and justice work in New Haven. He is the vice-president of the board of Interfaith Cooperative Ministries as well as a member of the Elm City Congregations Organizing (ECCO) Clergy Caucus, the Steering Committee of the Interfaith Budget Watch, and several community agency boards. He has been described as a champion of compassion and justice throughout his three-decade career.

Elsie Cofield, president of AIDS Interfaith Network (AIN). Cofield founded AIN in 1987 and opened the AIN Day Respite Center in 1996. The organization has been recognized by the Connecticut Department of Public Health as among the best providers of information and support services for AIDS patients and their families. In addition to being a leader in the direct provision of AIDS services, Cofield has emerged as a national resource person as a result of her experience educating the African-American community about AIDS through the churches.

Andrea Cole, a union organizer with the local hotel and restaurant employees' union. Cole has organized a working coalition of clergy, community leaders, and union representatives which serves as a standing committee to address issues affecting workers in New Haven. She is a bridge-builder, skilled at bringing diverse groups and persons together with clarity of purpose to discuss working people's economic issues.

The Reverend Edwin R. Edmonds, retired senior pastor of Dixwell United Church of Christ. While at Dixwell United Church of Christ, Edmonds was a member of several city boards and gave leadership to housing and education initiatives to meet the needs of the poor and marginalized members of the New Haven community. His prophetic voice and deep commitment to serve the poor has been heard all over the country through his participation in the national life of the United Church of Christ. In retirement, he remains active in community affairs and continues to be a voice for justice and equality in New Haven.binical work at Mishkan Israel, Rabbi Brockman has been in the forefront of interfaith and justice work in New Haven. He is the vice-president of the board of Interfaith Cooperative Ministries as well as a member of the Elm City Congregations Organizing (ECCO) Clergy Caucus, the Steering Committee of the Interfaith Budget Watch, and several community agency boards. He has been described as a champion of compassion and justice throughout his three-decade career.