A letter from the Dean and President received via email as distributed to students and members of the General Theological Seminary:
From: Kurt Dunkle
Subject: Monday at General
Dear everyone
I’m sorry I have not had an opportunity to communicate with you untilnow. I know how rumors, suspicion, and even anger fill silence. No
doubt, I will not be able to address everyone’s concerns at once. But
I hope our time together last Friday after chapel and this brief
update are helpful. I believe the Chairman of the Board of Trustees
will have a further communication to you tomorrow or Tuesday.
Chapel: As worship is central at General, it seems fitting to begin
here. I know it would be tempting to politicize chapel in one way or
another. Please know that the only statement anyone is making by
coming to chapel is that you are worshiping Jesus and supporting the
worldwide Body of Christ. Chapel at General is all about Jesus.
Tomorrow is a major holy day: St. Michael and All Angels. As we have
been doing this semester, we will have Eucharist at 10:10am in lieu of
Morning Prayer. While we continue with our worship life, I am aware
that it is not without cost, particularly the absence of those usually
with us. Please keep that in your prayers.
Monday and Tuesday Classes: Some classes will meet tomorrow and
Tuesday and some will not. A few have changes. Here is a list:
– Classes taught by Professors Owens, McPherson, Silver, Young,
Kinman, Moore, and Kaalund will meet as usual.
– CS-1 will meet at the usual time and place and Professor Spellers
will join you for discussion.
– The Anglican Seminar (AS 594) will meet briefly in the afternoon to
discuss your class presentation schedule. Tomorrow I will contact
that class directly to set a good time and place for this brief
discussion.
– CH-1 will meet on Tuesday with Professor McPherson.
– Any classes not listed here are postponed for tomorrow and Tuesday.
Over the next few days, the remaining faculty and I are working on how
to make sure that the momentum you have built in these first four
weeks is not lost. I will let you know more soon.
Board of Trustees/Executive Committee: I want you to know that the
Executive Committee of the Board has been meeting regularly during
this time. Their principal concern has been the welfare of our
students. They are all intensely aware of the interruption in your
education and formation and are working diligently to bring this
uncertainty to conclusion. Please keep them in your prayers as you
have been in theirs.
I know this limited email may be frustrating to some of you. But in
times of intensity like this, brevity and clarity are important so
that nothing is misunderstood. I hope to keep you updated regularly.
Thank you, everyone.
Kurt+