Director of DMin programs wanted

Today I received this link from USA Today on outlining the seminary economic woes facing so many institutions, even prior to the market dropping in the fall/winter. While that is indeed sobering, Seabury faced into this reality a year or so ahead of many others, forcing us to change the way we do our mission pretty dramatically. An important part of that work has been and continues to be clarifying our highest values--that we hold mission above property, agility and relevance as well as academic excellence as some examples. We are searching for a Director of DMin programs in Preaching and in Congregational Development. We're excited about this work and the way forward. More later.

faculty updates from Gary Hall

Change is a daily event at Seabury. As we move forward with ambitious and exciting plans to reform what seminary means to us, to our faculty and staff, our students and the Church, many pieces are coming together to form a new whole. The Joint DMin program with our partner Church Divinity School of the Pacific is a reality. The announcement has been made to the Church and the world at large, and we are in the process of reviewing our first applications. We’ll welcome our first students in June 2009. Partnerships and strategic alliances with academic leaders such as Northwestern and Garrett are in final stages, with completed agreements just weeks away. And our first lecture for the spiritually and intellectually curious – both clergy and lay – was a gratifying success. More info about the event and a link to the video lecture is included in this month's Seabury Update email.

As the definition of our mission shifts, so does the shape of the faculty that will deliver on that mission. A traditional faculty with academic and theological leaders will evolve into a team of full and part time faculty. The concept of tenure will become long term contracts. Faculty will comprise an alliance of academic professionals – some from Seabury, others from CDSP or Northwestern University or Garrett as well as expert field practitioners– each respected for his or her accomplishments in an area particularly suited to our new offerings.

With change comes not just eager anticipation but sorrow. Many of the academic and theological leaders who have built Seabury’s reputation for excellence will be taking the next step in their outstanding careers. Ruth Meyers will join the faculty of CDSP in one of the Church’s and the nation’s most prestigious appointments – the Hodges-Haynes Professor of Liturgics. John Dally will move to a faculty position at Garrett as Visiting Associate Professor of Preaching and Missional Leadership – a role shaped specifically for John that will allow Garrett to take advantage his considerable gifts. Letters from John and Ruth and Gary's response. As we continue to develop creative and collaborative partnerships, we will remain in relationship with both Ruth and John as well as their new colleagues and communities.

But balancing our sorrow is the knowledge that the team that has guided much of our transition remains in place. Academic Dean Ellen Wondra has worked beyond tirelessly to mold the curriculum for the Joint DMin program with our partners at CDSP. Elizabeth Butler has driven the process of creating and realizing our vision for the new seminary. And Mark Miliotto has ensured that we stand on firm financial ground as we develop our plans. We all owe thanks to those who move on and those who will remain.

Gary Hall

Dean and President

Traces of the Trade reflections

Today the Seabury community set aside phone calls, classes and other work to watch the movie Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North and reflect together with each other and author Katrina Browne. The movie itself is powerful, beautiful, inspiring, painful and challenging. A film I would encourage everyone to take the time to see and to share. The afternoon was spent sharing together in small groups around a series of questions such as 'if I work for or worship with a community whose endowment depends heavily on money made by slaveowners, how might I choose to address that history?' and 'what practical steps can I take take in my own sphere of influence to help the Episopal Church and the larger church writ a new chapter?' Interspersed with the open and heartfelt sharing about the film's message and impact on us personally came sobering insights from John Dally about the painful facts of the Episcopal Church's history, the terrible truth of slavery existing even into the 1950s in this country and the reality of slave camps across the world today consisting primarily of women and children who pick our coffee or cocoa or make our clothes. I'll post more of this information and the links in the next few days. Right now I find myself reeling--from the powerful impact of the thoughtfulness and necessary discomfort raised by the film and the facts, from the open and honest conversation of the participants today and from wondering within my heart how today will impact the rest of my life. I give thanks for the ministry and life of Newland Smith, in whose honor so many gave to fund Anti-racism work at Seabury.
what can you and I do? what can places like Seabury and other communities of faith and learning do?