Today was the first day that the seven provisionally-reinstated faculty members were expected back in chapel and in the classrooms of General Theological Seminary.
Late this afternoon, the dean, the Very Rev. Kurt Dunkle, sent an email to the current student body, which reads as follows:
Dear students, faculty and staff:
I want to thank you for your participation these last several days with the Lombard Mennonite Peace process. I trust that this was a good beginning to the truth telling, healing, and reconciliation work ahead. I realize that this will sometimes be painful work but I hope together we can trust that the process will bring us all a sense of peace in the end.
Also, thank you to the returning faculty for your continued offering of your gifts and presence to all of us at General.
There are rumors about many things. Let me outline a few facts:
1. All classes (except ST-1, Systematic Theology) are staffed. Students in each class have received communications about instructors and schedules.
2. Dr. Joshua Davis made the decision not to return. He will not resume teaching or other duties at General.
3. ST-1 (Systematic Theology) remains un-started. I continue to work on a plan for the remainder of that class, but acknowledge that only four weeks remain in the semester.
4. The Rev. Danielle Thompson made the decision to resign. Her last day is in two weeks and are working together on a plan to continue her good work on The Wisdom Year, Field Education, and CPE.
5. We will still have the already-scheduled discussion on Field Education with those interested students (principally juniors) on Tuesday at 1:30pm in Seabury Auditorium.
For the next step in the LMPC truth and reconciliation process:
1. Bill Blank has made a proposal to the six principal constituencies in this process – students, returning faculty, staff/remaining faculty, alumni, Board of Trustees, and Dean/President – about how to create a Logistics Committee (the communications/information management group). More on that as each constituency responds.
2. It is proposed that on Tuesday evening, December 16 and all day on Wednesday, December 17 Richard Blackburn (LMPC Executive Director) present the “Healthy Congregations” workshop.
This is the evening of Reading Day and the first day of a three-day exam period. This timing is due to three important considerations:
(1) General’s need and desire for a timely next step to move forward,
(2) General’s existing class and event calendar, and
(3) the availability of the LMPC leaders.
I will work with all faculty to assess whether this is feasible considering what in-class exams may be scheduled, the extent of semester-end papers assigned, take-home exams, deadlines, etc. The faculty are in charge of setting their own course requirements and exam schedules and I will encourage each to be generous with their schedule of deadlines, etc. this semester. More on this December 16/17 possibility as it develops.
3. It is proposed that on Tuesday evening and Wednesday all day (January 27/28)] Bill Blank present the “Conflict in the Church” workshop.
This is immediately prior to the beginning of and the first day of spring classes. Adjustments will be made in the Spring semester class schedule to accommodate this all day session on the first day of class.
Regarding our returning faculty, the procedure for reintegration and continuation for each class has been carefully thought through and agreed to by the returning faculty member. For chapel, however, there is less clarity. Returning faculty have been encouraged to return to faculty stalls for all services, but I have heard that some wish to remain within the wider choir section for some liturgies, perhaps for a time being. I hope this evening that all will vest and join in our long tradition of Evensong procession in the usual manner.
Regarding music, organ accompaniment has long been a part of our tradition. But, in the past six weeks, a cappella singing has also emerged as a rich and full musical expression. I have heard positive comments from many visitors, too. So, it seems that both should be honored, at least in the short term.
Therefore, this evening, we will have Evensong without organ accompaniment as with tomorrow’s Morning Prayer, both in the manner which has emerged in the past weeks. Tuesday evening Eucharist will be accompanied including a Scola Cantorum offering. Thank you to the briefly organized Chapel Choir for your Tuesday evening ministry these past weeks. Wednesday Morning Prayer is traditionally spoken but we will have full organ-accompanied Evensong Wednesday evening.
As we all experience a few of these days of varied music, I hope you will let me know your thoughts.
Finally, we are beginning to assemble the Spring semester class offerings. More on this soon, also.
I hope this is helpful. As always, please ask if you have any questions.
Kurt
The Very Rev. Kurt H. Dunkle
Dean and President | The General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church