DMin's and a new director for Dmin announced

It's been a great June with 50+ DMin and other students on campus the past two weeks. Class G is finishing their third 3 week residency while Class H, the first of the joint Seabury-CDSP classes completed their first residency. The refectory was crowded and the energy high. During the week, we were able to announce our new hire!

The Reverend. Dr. M. Susan Harlow, an experienced theological educator and ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, has been hired as the Director of Congregational Development and Professor of Practical Theology at Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in Evanston IL. The Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees unanimously approved her selection at a meeting on Tuesday at the seminary.

According to the Very Reverend Gary Hall, Dean and President of Seabury, Dr. Harlow was chosen from a field of 12 candidates based on her teaching, administrative and leadership abilities. “Susan Harlow is exactly the right person to lead Seabury’s work in Congregational Development in the years ahead,” he said. “She brings vision, experience, and theological depth to the task of continuing Seabury’s ministry as a leader in the building of effective faith communities in the Episcopal Church and beyond.”

As Director of Congregational Development, Dr. Harlow will oversee the Doctor of Ministry in Congregational Development and Doctor of Ministry in Preaching programs at Seabury. She will also be Professor of Practical Theology.

Seabury-Western has just begun a new joint Doctor of Ministry in Congregational Development with the Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley CA. The school also participates in the Association of Chicago Theological Schools Doctor of Ministry in Preaching program.

From the early 1990’s until 2003, Dr. Harlow was Associate Professor of Religious Education and Associate Dean for External Affairs at Meadville/Lombard Theological School in Chicago. She has extensive experience in congregational studies and community organizing.

Most recently, Dr. Harlow has been an adjunct professor at McCormick Seminary in the Ecumenical Doctor of Ministry Program, a collaborative program of McCormick Theological Seminary, the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago, and Catholic Theological Union.

Dr. Harlow received her bachelor’s degree from Hollins College and a Master in Divinity from Andover Newton Theological School. She was awarded the Th.M. (Master of Theology) degree from Harvard Divinity School and an Ed.D. from Columbia University Teachers College in conjunction with Union Theological Seminary. She was a member of the Steering Committee of the Committee on Curriculum Research and Theory of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. and of the Constructive Theology Working Group of the American Academy of Religion. She has also represented the United Church of Christ on various councils and committees

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

Our newly announced Doctor of Ministry in Congregational Development with Church Divinity School of the Pacific went out via press releases this week. We are very excited about continuing to provide church leadership with the tools they need to be more effective in today. It's been picked up by Episcopal News Service and Living Church among others. Online applications will be available by the end of this week. Meanwhile, we're inviting all DMin in Congregational Development alumni/ae to share their stories and the benefits they and their communities have experienced through this program. All are invited to make available their projects, thesis, and the other outgrowths of their work so that the opportunity to learn, grow, and share may continue to expand.

Did you know out of 350,000 parishes less then 5% are multiracial?

As President Obama said nearly a year ago, the most segregated hour in America is on Sunday morning. Seabury alum Phoebe McPherson is developing a documentary based on her thesis entitled: Racial Reconciliation and Church Membership Development: A Model for Leadership Education to Support the Development of a Multiracial Congregation. You can see a brief promo for The High Road: A Journey Across America's Colorline by going to the website which I've linked for you. Find out more, including ways to help make this important topic more visible--what would happen if all of us were to make changing this reality one of our goals?

Demi Prentiss facilitates Lay Ministry nationally

One of the ways I'm eager to use this blog is to celebrate the work, life and ministry of our alums and of those doing exciting work in the world. Read about Demi Prentiss, a graduate of our Congregational Development program, and her new ministry in the larger church! Way to go Demi!