Robert Wellington, Ph.d.
- Washington, DC
- robert_wellington@bullis.org
Dr. Wellington's expertise lies in the fields of conflict resolution, international relations, and theological studies. Teaching and research interests include social identity theory, religion/spirituality, intercultural understanding, dialogue, restorative justice, pastoral care and counseling, and LGBTQ+ issues. Wellington is the interim chair of the Upper School Social Studies Department and teaches AP Psychology at Bullis School in Potomac, MD. He has also taught courses on Contemporary Global Issues and Holocaust and Genocide Studies. Within the field of psychology, Wellington is most interested in clinical psychology (personality and psychotic disorders, client-centered therapy, humanistic and psychodynamic theory), social psychology, psychology of religion, gender studies, and human sexuality.
May 24, 2009 Ordained as a Minister of the Word and Sacrament
Presbyterian Church (USA)
Teaching Elder, National Capital Presbytery in good standing
Ph.D. Dissertation | School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution | George Mason University | Arlington, VA | 2012-2020
MA/MTS Thesis | Dual-Degree Program: School of International Service, American University and Wesley Theological Seminary | Washington, DC | 2004-2008
Research Assistant | Professor Abdul Aziz Said | School of International Service | American University | Washington, DC | 2004-2008
Qualitative and Quantitative Methodology Graduate Coursework | American University and George Mason University | Washington, DC and Arlington, VA | 2006, 2013, 2014
BA French Honors Project | Presbyterian College | Clinton, SC | 1994
"Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity as Cross-Cutting Identities in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: The Experience of LGBTQ Israeli Human Rights Activists," Journal of Transdisciplinary Peace Praxis, Ninth Issue, Vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 13-35, 2/21/2023
"Dialogue at Wesley - Ready for a New Kind of Conversation?," The Wesley Journal, Volume 56, Issue 17, 2/18/2008
"The Stranger and the Outcast: A Response to the Virginia Tech Shooting," The Wesley Journal, Volume 55, Issue 26, 4/16/2007
"Debunking the 'Presbyterian' Code," The Wesley Journal, Volume 55, Issue 25, 4/8/2007
"Where Have All the Glasses Gone??," The Wesley Journal, Vol. 55, Issue 24, 3/26/2007
"Some Lessons Learned from South Africa," The Wesley Journal, Vol. 55, Issue 16, 1/22/07
"Greetings from Minnesota and Robbie's Psalm," The Wesley Journal, Vol. 55, Issue 13, 12/4/2006
"Inspiration from LA," The Wesley Journal, Vol. 55, Issue 9, 10/30/2006
"The Dialogue of Life," The Wesley Journal, Vol. 55, Issue 8, 10/23/2006
Israeli and Palestinian LGBTQ Communities: Sexual Orientation as a Cross-Cutting Identity 5.12.2013
Applying Micro Theories of Conflict to the Israeli-Palestinian Case 12.12.2012
That You May Know One Another: The Qur’an and Terrorism 4.29.2010
A Look at Torture in the U.S. Intelligence Community 12.2.2009
Masters Thesis: “What Can the World Learn from South Africa about Gay Rights?” 4.1.2008
The Role of Interfaith Dialogue in Reconciliation 12.17.2007 *
Reconciliation Project on Libby and Len Traubman’s Israeli-Palestinian Dialogue Work 10.11.2007 *
Paper on Ethics and International Affairs 4.30.2007
Death and Dying Course Paper on Cancer 4.30.2007
Zeal for your House Will Consume Me: An Exegetical Analysis of John 2:13-22 12.12.2006
Qualitative Analysis on Religion and Non-Violence in Tibet 12.12.2006
The Nature of the Trinity, Johnson, and Homosexuality: An Exercise in Systematic Theology 12.11.2006
The Minister as Practical Ethicist – What God Expects of Us: To Be Just, Merciful, Humble, and Loving: Applying Practical Ethics to Male Homophobia and Heterosexism 12.8.2006
Muslim and Christian Cultural Conflict in Sudan 7.15.2006
Quantitative Analysis and Multivariate Regression on Global Political Freedom 6.29.2006
The Northern Ireland Conflict: The Catholic Community 5.6.2006 *
God as Warrior: An Exegetical Study of Exodus 15:3 5.4.2006
Religion and Electoral Politics 5.1.2006
A Bible Study on Male Homosexuality 4.25.2006
Kashmir Conflict Analysis 12.22.2005 *
The Armenian Genocide 4.27.2005
A Policy Recommendation to Dr. William Joseph Burns regarding Palestinian Elections 12.20.2004 *
Cenobitical Permanence and Obedience with Prayer in the Center 11.4.2004
Reflections on The Gospel of Thomas 9.16.2004
* denotes co-authorship
"A Wise and Discerning Mind," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 1 Kings 2:10-12, 3:3-14 and John 6:51-58, 8/18/2024
"Who Will Go for Us?," Northminster Presbyterian Church, Isaiah 6:1-8 and John 3:1-17, 5/26/2024
"Take Them Not from the World," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 and John 17:6-19, 5/12/2024
"The Greatest Commandment," Northminster Presbyterian Church, 1 John 4:7-21 and John 15:1-8, 4/28/2024
"Not yet complete, but Yes!," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 1 John 3:1-7 and Luke 24:36b-48, 4/14/2024
"Let's Go Back to Egypt," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Numbers 21:4-9 and John 3:14-21, 3/10/2024
"For a Crown, Not a Cross," Northminster Presbyterian Church, Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 and Mark 8:31-38, 2/25/2024
"Transform Us into Your Likeness," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 2 Kings 2:1-12 and Mark 9:2-9, 2/11/2024
"Where Have All the Prophets Gone?," Northminster Presbyterian Church, Deuteronomy 18:15-20 and Mark 1:21-28, 1/28/2024
"The Callings of 2024," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 1 Samuel 3:1-10 and John 1:43-51, 1/14/2024
"Christ's Peace During Troubled Times," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Isaiah 40:1-11 and Mark 1:1-8, 12/10/2023
"Living in Hope Eternal," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 and Matthew 25:1-13, 11/12/2023
"A Song for my Beloved," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 and Matthew 21:33-46, 10/8/2023
"For Manna and a Denarius," Northminster Presbyterian Church, Exodus 16:2-15 and Matthew 20:1-16, 9/24/2023
"The Responsibility of the Church," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Exodus 12:1-14 and Matthew 18:15-20, 9/10/2023
"Finding Yourself," Northeastern Presbyterian Church, Exodus 3:1-15 and Matthew 16:21-28, 9/3/2023
"The Meaning of Peace," Berwyn Presbyterian Church, Genesis 21:8-21 and Matthew 10:24-39, 6/25/2023
"Bridging the Gap," Berwyn Presbyterian Church, Genesis 18:1-15, 21:1-7 and Matthew 9:35-10:8, 6/18/2023
"Follow Me," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Genesis 12:1-9 and Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, 6/11/2023
"That Same Spirit," Northminster Presbyterian Church, Acts 2:1-21 and John 7:37-39, 5/28/2023
"Living a Life Shaped by Love," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 1 Peter 3:13-22 and John 14:15-21, 5/14/2023
"Following the Shepherd of Life," Berwyn Presbyterian Church, Ezekiel 34:17-31 and John 10:1-10, 4/30/2023
"He is Risen Indeed!," Northminster Presbyterian Church, 1 Peter 1:3-9 and John 20:19-31, 4/16/2023
"The One Whom Jesus Loved," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Jeremiah 31:1-6 and John 20:1-18, 4/9/2023
"The Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Exodus 17:1-7 and John 4:5-42, 3/12/2023
"Be Good," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Deuteronomy 30:15-20 and Matthew 5:21-37, 2/12/2023
"Modern Day Heroes," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Isaiah 42:1-9 and Matthew 3:13-17, 1/8/2023
"There's Still My Joy for Christmas Day," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Isaiah 35:1-10 and Matthew 11:2-11, 12/11/2022
"Give Thanks for the New Creation," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Isaiah 65:17-25 and Luke 21:5-19, 11/13/2022
"Come and See What God Has Done," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 2 Timothy 2:8-15 and Luke 17:11-19, 10/9/2022
"Once Was Lost," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 1 Timothy 1:12-17 andLuke 15:1-10, 9/11/2022
"Have You Ever Been in Love?," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Isaiah 5:1-7 and Luke 12:49-56, 8/14/2022
"Our Triumphal Entry," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Isaiah 50:4-9 and Luke 19:28-40, 4/10/2022
"A Tree Planted by Water," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Jeremiah 17:5-10 and Luke 6:17-26, 2/13/2022
"When God Calls," Northminster Presbyterian Church, Jeremiah 1:4-10 and Luke 4:21-30, 1/30/2022
"Mission and Purpose in a New Year," Northminster Presbyterian Church, Nehemiah 8:1-10 and Luke 4:14-21, 1/23/2022
"Precious in My Sight," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Isaiah 43:1-7 and Luke 3:15-17, 21-22, 1/9/2022
"Repeat the Sounding Joy," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Philippians 4:4-7 and Luke 3:7-18, 12/12/2021
"The One Who is to Come," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Hebrews 10:11-25 and Mark 13:1-8, 11/14/2021
"Giving All You Have," Northeastern Presbyterian Church, Hebrews 9:24-28 and Mark 12:38-44, 11/7/2021
"A Reversal of Fortunes," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Hebrews 4:12-16 and Mark 10:17-31, 10/10/2021
"Faith of a Child," Northeastern Presbyterian Church, Job 1:1, 2:1-10 and Mark 10:2-16, 10/3/2021
"Divine Things and Human Things," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, James 3:1-12 and Mark 8:27-38, 9/12/2021
"Human Faith, Divine Work," Northeastern Presbyterian Church, James 2:1-17 and Mark 7:24-37, 9/5/2021
"A Parent's Love," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33 and John 6:35, 41-51, 8/8/2021
"The Spiritually Starving," Northeastern Presbyterian Church, 2 Samuel 11:26-12:13a and John 6:24-35, 8/1/2021
"The Turning of the Tide," Berwyn Presbyterian Church, 2 Samuel 11:1-15 and John 6:1-21, 7/25/2021
"A Shepherd's Compassion," Berwyn Presbyterian Church, 2 Samuel 7:1-14a and Mark 6:30-34, 53-56, 7/18/2021
"Dancing with the Lord," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 and Mark 6:14-29, 7/11/2021
"From Humble Beginnings," Northeastern Presbyterian Church, 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10 and Mark 6:1-13, 7/4/2021
"The Significance of Relationship," Riverdale Presbyterian Church, 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 and Mark 5:21-43, 6/27/2021
"Giants and Storms," Berwyn Presbyterian Church, 1 Samuel 17:41-49 and Mark 4:35-41, 6/20/2021
"The Origins of Greatness," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 1 Samuel 15:34-16:13 and Mark 4:26-34, 6/13/2021
"In the Stillness," Northeastern Presbyterian Church, 1 Samuel 8:4-11, 16-20 and Mark 3:20-35, 6/6/2021
"No Longer Servants, but Friends," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 1 John 5:1-6 and John 15:9-17, 5/9/2021
"The Universal Hunger," Northeastern Presbyterian Church, 1 John 4:7-21 and John 15:1-8, 5/2/2021
"And Yet We Still Do Not Believe," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 1 John 1:1-2:2 and John 20:19-31, 4/11/2021
"We've Been Waiting," Northeastern Presbyterian Church, Isaiah 25:6-9 and John 20:1-18, 4/4/2021
"Darkness to Light," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Ephesians 2:1-10 and John 3:14-21, 3/14/2021
"The Transformative Power of Lent," Northeastern Presbyterian Church, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 and John 2:13-22, 3/7/2021
"The Darkness Did Not Comprehend," Northeastern Presbyterian Church, Isaiah 40:21-31 and Mark 1:29-39, 2/7/2021
"Baptized with the Holy Spirit," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Acts 19:1-7 and Mark 1:4-11, 1/10/2021
"A New Year of Remarkable Reversals," Northeastern Presbyterian Church, Jeremiah 31:7-14 and John 1:1-18, 1/3/2021
"The Gift of Joy at Christmas Time," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 and John 1:6-8, 19-28, 12/13/2020
"Preparing for the Peace of the Lord," Northeastern Presbyterian Church, Isaiah 40:1-11 and Mark 1:1-8, 12/6/2020
"Plenty of Light at the Banquet," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Amos 5:18-24 and Matthew 25:1-13, 11/8/2020
"The Other Side of the Great Ordeal," Berwyn Presbyterian Church, Revelation 7:9-17 and Matthew 5:1-12, 11/1/2020
"A Banquet of Reconciliation," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Isaiah 25:1-9 and Matthew 22:1-14, 10/11/2020
"As We Forgive Our Debtors," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Genesis 50:15-21 and Matthew 18:21-35, 9/13/2020
"Prodigals, Tax Collectors, and Lost Sheep," Warner Memorial Presbyterian Church, Ezekiel 33:7-11 and Matthew 18:15-20, 9/6/2020
"Faith to See in the Storm," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 1 Kings 19:9-18 and Matthew 14:22-33, 8/9/2020
"A Stranger Named Love," St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, Genesis 32:22-31 and Matthew 14:13-21, 7/29/2020
"The Critical Business of Loving," Southminster Presbyterian Church, Isaiah 44:6-8 and Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, 7/19/2020
"Silencing the Tumult," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Isaiah 55:10-13 and Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23, 7/12/2020
"A Pocket Full of Faith," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Genesis 12:1-4a and John 3:1-17, 3/8/2020
"Mountaintop Experiences," (audio link only) Northwood Presbyterian Church, Exodus 24:12-18 and Matthew 17:1-9, 2/23/2020
"God's Commands," (audio link only) Northwood Presbyterian Church, Deuteronomy 30:15-20 and Matthew 5:21-37, 2/16/2020
"Salt and Light," (video and audio link) Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Isaiah 58:1-9a and Matthew 5:13-20, 2/9/2020
"Remember Your Baptism," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Isaiah 42:1-9 and Matthew 3:13-17, 1/12/2020
"Confronting New Year's Challenges with Christmas Hope," Southminster Presbyterian Church, Isaiah 63:7-9 and Matthew 2:13-23, 12/29/2019
"The Peace of Christ at Christmastime," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Isaiah 11:1-10 and Matthew 3:1-12, 12/8/2019
"The Latter Splendor Shall be Greater than the Former," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Haggai 1:15b-2:9 and Luke 20:27-38, 11/10/2019
"Accepting the Unacceptable in Courageous Hope," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7 and Luke 17:11-19, 10/13/2019
"Lessons on Dishonesty and Shrewdness," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Jeremiah 8:18-9:1 and Luke 16:1-13, 9/22/2019
"No Driftwood in Discipleship," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Jeremiah 18:1-11 and Luke 14:25-33, 9/8/2019
"Entertaining Angels," Berwyn Presbyterian Church, Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 and Luke 14:1, 7-14, 9/1/2019
"Faith for a Rebellious Nation," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Isaiah 1:1, 10-20 and Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, 8/11/2019
"Rich Towards God and Neighbor," Northwood Presbyterian Church, Hosea 11:1-11 and Luke 12:13-21, 8/4/2019
"Who is My Neighbor?" Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Amos 7:7-17 and Luke 10:25-37, 7/14/2019
"Packing for the Journey," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14 and Luke 9:51-62, 6/30/2019
"The Adventure of the Christian Life," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Acts 2:1-21 and John 14:8-17, 25-27, 6/9/2019
"The Horribly Wounded Hands," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Revelation 7:9-17 and John 10:22-30, 5/12/2019
"Now What?", Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Revelation 1:4-8 and John 20:19-31, 4/28/2019
"Beginning of the Lenten Journey," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Deuteronomy 26:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13, 3/10/2019
"Life-Changing Words," Northeastern Presbyterian Church, Exodus 34:29-35 and Luke 9:28-36, 3/3/2019
"Freedom from Life's Nets," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Isaiah 6:1-13 and Luke 5:1-11, 2/10/2019
"Mission and Purpose in a New Year," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Nehemiah 8:1-10 and Luke 4:14-21, 1/27/2019
"A Baptism of the Beloved and Precious One," Northwood Presbyterian Church, Isaiah 43:1-7 and Luke 3:15-22, 1/13/2019
"The Wall with Paint on It," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Hebrews 10:5-10 and Luke 1:39-55, 12/23/2018
"The Christmas Guest's Gift of Miracle in Erēmos," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Malachi 3:1-4 and Luke 3:1-6, 12/9/2018
"A Loving and Serving Witness," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Revelation 1:4-8 and John 18:33-37, 11/25/2018
"The Sufficiency of God in a World of Need," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Job 2:1-10 and Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12, 10/7/2018
"Jesus' Faith, Jesus' Work," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, James 2:1-17, Mark 7:24-37, 9/9/2018
"Discovering that I Had Not Lived," Northwood Presbyterian Church, Ephesians 5:15-20 and John 6:51-58, 8/19/18
"Walking on Water in the Midst of a Storm," Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 2 Kings 4:42-44 and John 6:1-21, 7/29/2018
"The Cross, the Grave, the Skies," Hope Presbyterian Church, Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 and Romans 4:13-25, 2/25/2018
"Remembering Leads to Wholeness," Southminster Presbyterian Church, Isaiah 40:21-31 and Mark 1:29-39, 2/4/2018
"The Hopes and Fears of All the Years," Riverdale Presbyterian Church, Isaiah 64:1-9 and Mark 13:24-37, 12/3/2017
"The Yearly Physical," Northwood Presbyterian Church, Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 and Matthew 25:31-46, 11/26/2017
"Purity or Messiness," Grace Presbyterian Church, Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18 and Matthew 22:34-46, 10/29/2017
"Being in Relationship with Cyrus," Grace Presbyterian Church, Isaiah 45:1-7 and Matthew 22:15-22, 10/22/2017
"Characters in a Divine Love Song," Riverdale Presbyterian Church, Isaiah 5:1-7 and Matthew 21:33-46, 10/8/2017
"The Familiar Unknown," Riverdale Presbyterian Church, Exodus 16:2-16 and Matthew 20:1-16, 9/24/2017
"Dandelions out of Sidewalk Cracks," Riverdale Presbyterian Church, Zechariah 9:9-12 and Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30, 7/9/2017
"The Harvest of our Souls," Sixth Presbyterian Church, Psalm 128 and Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, 7/27/14
"Will You Join the Celebration?" Fairlington Presbyterian Church, Psalm 32 and Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32, 3/20/2013
"Ministry of Listening," Berwyn Presbyterian Church, 1 Samuel 8:4-11, 16-20 and Mark 3:20-35, 6/10/2012
"The Life Artist," Sixth Presbyterian Church, Genesis 29:15-28 and Romans 8:26-39, 7/24/2011
"Bless the Lord," Arlington Presbyterian Church, Nehemiah 8:1-10 and Luke 4:14-21, 1/24/2010
"The Peace of Christ," Sibley Memorial Hospital Chapel, John 14:27, 7/19/2008
"Wrestling with God," Sibley Memorial Hospital Chapel, Genesis 32:22-32, 7/10/2008
"A Cup of Cold Water," Bethesda Presbyterian Church, Genesis 22:1-14 and Matthew 10:40-42, 6/29/2008
"God's Plans," Sibley Memorial Hospital Chapel, Jeremiah 29:4-14, 6/21/2008
Good Friday Homily, National Presbyterian Church, Mark 15:34, 4/16/2007
"Reconciliation and the Prodigal Son," Foundations of Preaching Class, Luke 15:20, 3/5/2007
"The Harvest of our Souls," Foundations of Preaching Class, Matthew 13:24-30, 2/12/2007
Oct 20-22, 2020: Co-led workshop at Bullis on Engaging Students in Civic Discourse discussing conflict resolution and dialogue skills around the 2020 election. This workshop was referenced in a letter by the Head of School in The Washington Post on Oct 20, 2020.
Member of the Speakers Bureau | Community Hospices | Washington, DC | 2008-2017
Served as Inspirational Speaker at several conferences and events focused on hospice, death and dying, and/or spiritual care
Experience giving invocation on many occasions at various events
Frequently spoke at conferences on:
Intercultural Understanding / Communication / Culture and Conflict
Dialogue
Religion / Spirituality in Conflict Resolution
Human Sexuality / Gender Identity / LGBTQ Studies
Social Identity Theory
Restorative Justice / Reconciliation and Justice
Pastoral Care and Counseling / Family Systems Theory
Hospice / Death and Dying / Thanatology
Ethics
Mediation
Negotiation
China
Israel-Palestine
South Africa
Interim Chair, Social Studies Department | Bullis School | 2024-present
Vice-President, Student Council | Wesley Theological Seminary | 2004-2007
Co-Moderator, Presbyterian Student Fellowship | Wesley Theological Seminary | 2006-2007
Eagle Scout | July 1994
Vice-President, Junior Class | Dunwoody High School | 1992-1993
Dialogue Facilitator, Trainer, and Mentor | American University | Fall 2009
Clinical Pastoral Education (1 Unit) | Sibley Memorial Hospital | Washington, DC | Summer 2007
Certified Mediator | American University | Fall 2005
STAR Employee of the Month August 2015
The Washington Home and Community Hospices
Employee of the Month April 2011
The Washington Home and Community Hospices
Biblical Interpretation Award May 2008
Wesley Theological Seminary
Outstanding Provincial Teacher Award September 2000
Weifang University – Shandong Province
Omicron Delta Kappa May 1998
Honorary Leadership Society
Alpha Pi Omega May 1996
Honorary Theater Society
Who’s who in American High School Students June 1994
Dunwoody High School
Superior Language Speaking Award in French February 1994
Annual High School Language Forum
Excellent Language Speaking Award in French February 1993
Annual High School Language Forum
Austria
Belgium
China / Taiwan / Tibet
Czech Republic
Egypt
France
Germany
Hungary
Israel-Palestine
Italy
Japan
Jordan
Luxembourg
Malaysia
Mexico
Monaco
Netherlands
Poland
Singapore
Slovakia
South Africa
Spain
Switzerland
Thailand
United Kingdom
Vietnam
English (native language)
French (intermediate)
German (intermediate)
Mandarin Chinese (intermediate)
Biblical Hebrew (intermediate)
Biblical Greek (intermediate)
Spanish (beginner)
Running (finished Marine Corps Marathon four times: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009)
Scuba Diving (PADI-Certified Advanced Open Water Diver)
Spending time with rescue dog Emma and rescue cat Mr. Knightley
Rev. Dr. Wellington was born in Chicago, Illinois. He went to middle school and high school in Atlanta, Georgia. He studied at Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina where he triple majored and double minored. In 1998, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science, a Bachelor of Arts in French with honors, and a Bachelor of Arts in German. He also minored in international studies and English. As part of his English minor, he focused primarily on Arthurian Legends, American Literature, the American Renaissance, and the works of Emerson, Thoreau, and Whitman. For his political science major and international studies minor, his research and writing focused on Northern Ireland, China, and Israel-Palestine. During his junior year of college, he studied abroad at Oxford University; the Goethe Institute near Munich, Germany; at the University of Vienna; and at the Sorbonne in Paris, France. His courses focused on politics and government, history, literature, arts, language, and culture. His BA French Honors Project was a Macrolevel Analysis and Survey of France’s Influence in the World Politically, Culturally, Historically, and Socially.
Upon graduation, he taught English in the People’s Republic of China at Weifang University in Shandong Province to Chinese English majors for five consecutive years from 1998-2003. While living in China, he learned Mandarin.
In 2004, he went to Washington, DC to begin his graduate work in a dual-degree program at American University’s School of International Service and Wesley Theological Seminary. In 2008, he received a Master of Arts in international peace and conflict resolution from American University, a Master of Divinity with honors from Wesley Theological Seminary, and a Master of Theological Studies with honors from Wesley Theological Seminary. His areas of focus at Wesley were biblical interpretation (for which he received the Biblical Interpretation Award for the class of 2008), pastoral care and counseling, and Christian ethics. He was active at American University in dialogue work as a facilitator, trainer, and mentor. He co-facilitated dialogue groups on religion and spirituality, religion and sexuality, Palestine-Israel, and China-Japan relations. Also, as part of his graduate work, he traveled to South Africa where he studied conflict resolution in a post-Apartheid context focusing on the works of Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. His master’s thesis was on The Unique Post-Apartheid South African Experience with LGBTQ Rights.
He was ordained as a Minister of the Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (USA) in May 2009 and served as a hospice chaplain in Washington, DC with Community Hospices for nine years (2008-2017). He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses on Intercultural Understanding, Reconciliation and Justice, and Conflict Resolution at American University’s School of Professional and Extended Studies, American University’s School of International Service, and Wesley Theological Seminary. He is also an Associate Presbyterian Chaplain at American University and an active member of the National Capital Presbytery preaching regularly at various churches throughout the Washington, DC area. Wellington is the interim chair of the Social Studies Department and teaches AP Psychology at Bullis School.
His research and teaching interests include intercultural understanding, culture and conflict, dialogue, mediation, negotiation, religion/spirituality in conflict resolution, human sexuality/gender identity/LGBTQ studies, social identity theory, restorative justice/reconciliation and justice, pastoral care and counseling/family systems theory, hospice/death and dying/thanatology, and ethics. Regional interests include China, Israel-Palestine, and South Africa.