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A 21st Century Seminary Beyond Walls
Bexley Seabury's new mission, vision, website
 The Bexley Seabury Seminary Federation's new website debuted on October 21 with a new monthly column by President Roger Ferlo:
One of the features of our common life in both Columbus and Chicago that I find most meaningful is the longstanding Seabury tradition, now shared by Bexley, of praying in weekly rotation for each of our alumni by name. Leadership in the church, especially in these difficult times, is a lonely vocation. It is a privilege to pray for every graduate in the course of the academic year. That kind of intercessory prayer-a sign of our solidarity with all who are in ministry-is integral to our seminaries' historic identities. This round of intercessory prayer affirms that we are all in this together.
It was in that spirit of solidarity that last week our newly united board of directors unanimously adopted a vision and mission statement for our new federation:
Our vision: Bexley Seabury is called to be a 21st century seminary beyond walls - open to all who seek to deepen their Christian formation in a generous spiritual and intellectual tradition.
Our mission: As an Episcopal center for learning and discipleship at the crossroads of the nation, the Bexley Hall Seabury Western Seminary Federation forms lay and clergy leaders to proclaim God's mission in the world, creating new networks of Christian formation, entrepreneurial leadership and bold inquiry in the service of the Gospel.
Read more.
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Forming Leaders Through Ecumenism
Trinity Lutheran President Rick Barger on Bexley Seabury
 Trinity Lutheran Seminary President Rick Barger, who was installed by ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton last Sunday, recently wrote to the Trinity community about the importance of its relationship with Bexley Seabury:
Trinity and Bexley Seabury share this campus, faculty, worship, community life, academic calendar, and even commencement. What they do not share is a blended theology. In other words, we do not take elements from what it means to be Lutheran and what it means to be Episcopal, throw it all into a blender, and out comes some form of Lutherpiscopal. The presence of both seminaries works to strengthen the theological work of all students. In the presence of the other, we must learn to articulate and nuance our traditions with theological precision. The presence of these two traditions on campus broadens the horizons of all.
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Harlow to Take Sabbatical, End Tenure
Search for new DMin director underway
 The Rev. Dr. Susan Harlow, who has led the DMin in Congregational Development since 2008, will be on sabbatical beginning in March 2014, and will be completing her five-year tenure with Bexley Seabury at the end of the 2013-2014 academic year. In his announcement, President Ferlo said, "We owe a great debt to Susan for leading the program so ably during a time of significant institutional change. She was instrumental in developing the Kellogg Leadership Institute, now a signature program of the DMin. I know you will join me in wishing her well as she explores new directions for her teaching and ministry." During Harlow's sabbatical, and until her successor is named, Ferlo will serve as acting director of the DMin program. Questions? Email him or call him at 773.380.6781. |
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Seeking Director of Lifelong Learning and DMin
Help pioneer the future of 21st century theological education
 Bexley Seabury is seeking candidates to fill a new position: Director of Lifelong Learning and the Doctor of Ministry. This person will be a skilled leader and administrator for our lifelong theological education programs, which include the DMin in Congregational Studies and the ACTS DMin in Preaching, as well as non-degree programs in continuing education for lay and clergy leaders.
Qualified candidates will demonstrate a strong commitment to theological education in a post-Christian, ecumenical, pluralist, multi-racial context and be familiar with contemporary congregational life. Demonstrated experience in academic and/or ecclesial administration, creative thinking and leading collaboratively is required. Strong oral and written communications skills are a must, as well as expertise in administrative computer applications and easy familiarity with current and emerging social media.
Read the full position description.
Women, minorities, veterans, and disabled persons are strongly encouraged to apply. Please submit applications and nominations to:
Br. Ronald Fox, BSG
Bexley Seabury Seminary Federation
8765 W. Higgins Rd. Suite 650
Chicago, IL 60631
ron.fox@seabury.edu
773-380-6781
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Apply to the 2014 Leadership Institute
Study with the Kellogg School June 16-20
Applications are now being accepted for the next session of our popular Bexley Seabury Leadership Institute, a three-day program with the Center for Nonprofit Management, Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University tailored to meet the distinctive needs of lay and clergy leaders.
The 2014 Institute will include seminars titled Leadership Today, Branding Your Congregation, Understanding Changing Generations, Social Media Strategy, Major Gift Strategies and Donor Relations, Leading and Following, and Communicating Vision and Values. Learn more and apply online. Questions? Talk with Susan Harlow. 
"This Kellogg-Seabury leadership week continues to be one of the most impactful andformative learning experiences for my current ministry on bishop's staff. Learning about the latest in communications, development, and organizational health from some of the brightest and gifted practitioners in their fields alongside some of the most gifted leaders in the Episcopal Church has strengthened my capacity to serve the congregations of the Diocese of Chicago.
--The Rev. Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows
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Register Now for January Courses
Weeklong intensive courses in Columbus and Chicago
In January, join us in Columbus or Chicago for intensive courses in congregational development and Anglican studies. All classes are open for academic credit or lifelong learning: Chicago  Diversity and Context: January 6-10
This course with the Rev. Eric H.F. Law of the Kaleidoscope Institute is designed to increase participants' intercultural competency in a diverse, changing world. Students will gain a deeper understanding of communication styles and perception of power and their consequences for congregational vitality and stewardship. Learn more and register online.
 Congregational Systems: January 13-17The Rev. Dr. Emlyn Ott, assistant professor of ministry and pastoral leadership at Trinity Lutheran Seminary, teaches an introduction to systems and organizational theory in relation to congregations and other church groups. Students will explore issues in organizational and ministry development as well as strategies for systemic change. Learn more and register online. Making Mission Possible in Tough Times: January 20-24 This course, co-taught by Professor Susan Harlow and community policy expert John Kretzmann, will explore how mission-focused fundraising and greater neighborhood involvement can breathe new life into congregational mission and outreach at a time when many are struggling with shoe-string budgets and exploding social needs in their communities. Learn more and register online. Current DMin students can also register for the January 2014 thesis proposal workshop and research and writing seminar. Columbus Anglican Spirituality and Ethos: January 20-24 Bexley Seabury President Roger Ferlo and the Rev. Dr. Elise Feyerherm offer an orientation to spiritual practices, with attention to principles that guide their use for personal formation and cultivation of communities. Learn more and register online. |
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Apply Now to Begin DMin Study in June
Programs in congregational development, preaching
Bexley Seabury's doctor of ministry programs prepare leaders for vital, dynamic, diverse communities of faith. Our flexible programs allow students to work independently and online with colleagues and enjoy intensive studies in Chicago for just a few weeks a year.
Doctor of Ministry in Congregational Development
Our low-residence doctor of ministry students have an unparalleled opportunity to learn, stretch, challenge themselves and others, and emerge at the end of three years with exceptional skills in leadership and deeper theological grounding for innovative and effective congregational ministry. A new cohort of students begins the program each June; the priority admission deadline is January 15. Learn more and apply online.
Doctor of Ministry in Preaching
This ecumenical program, which includes intensive summer residencies and work in your home congregation during the year, is designed to help you become the preacher God is calling you to be. The Bexley Seabury Doctor of Ministry in Preaching Program is offered in collaboration with six other Chicago-area seminaries as the Association of Chicago Theological Schools (ACTS) DMin in Preaching Program. Apply by January 31 for admission in June. Learn more and apply online.
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Lifelong Learning in Columbus, Chicago
State of Racism webcast
 On November 15 from 1:30-4 pm at Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Bexley Seabury and the Columbus Deanery of the Diocese of Southern Ohio will host Fifty Years Later: The State of Racism in America, a live webcast of a 90 minute forum on the state of racism in America.
The event, which will originate at St. Andrew's Episcopal Cathedral in Jackson, Mississippi, is sponsored by the Episcopal Church and the Diocese of Mississippi. Former PBS correspondent Ray Suarez will moderate the event, which will include a keynote by Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori (CDSP MDiv '94, DD '01) and two panel discussions. Learn more.
Professor Dally open sessions
Professor John Dally continues the free open sessions of his fall course, Strategies for Teaching the Bible. Everyone is welcome to join the class to explore new ways of teaching the Bible. Learn more and register online.
Friday, November 1, 7-8:30 pm:
Making the Bible Present in the Room: Image, Sound and Movement
Saturday, November 2, 11 am - 12:30 pm:
Reading with the Heart: Intuitive and Emotive Exegesis
Friday, December 6, 7-8:30 pm:
This is My Bible: This is Our Bible
Saturday, December 7, 11 am -12:30 pm:
Why No One Should Read the Bible
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Executive Council Visits Seabury
Reception for church leaders meeting at ELCA
Bexley Dean Tom Ferguson and Executive Council member Dr. Fredrica Harris Thompsett. She is Mary Wolfe Professor of Historical Theology and faculty emerita at Episcopal Divinity School.photo credit: Vincent Johnson
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The Executive Council of the Episcopal Church met October 15-17 at the headquarters of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), where Seabury is located. On the evening of October 15, Seabury hosted a reception for Executive Council members. See more photos.
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The Leveling of Baptism
Ferlo talks to Washington Post about royal christening
On October 23, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby baptized Britain's Prince George at the Chapel Royal of St. James Palace. President Roger Ferlo talked with the Washington Post about the meaning of the young prince's baptism.
"Everybody gets the same baptism," Ferlo told the Post. "It's the same christening for someone who was born somewhere up in the north country as someone born into the royal family. I like to think of it as a leveling, that everyone is a child of God, and this child will be a child of God the same as anybody else."
Read the entire story, including comments from the Very Rev. Gary Hall, dean of the Washington National Cathedral and former dean of Seabury. |
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Alumni News
In Memoriam
 The Rev. George Philip Timberlake (Bexley '50) died on August 27, 2013 in Gaithersburg, Maryland at the age of 89. He was an Episcopal priest for 60 years and most recently served as interim rector at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Temple Hills, Maryland.
Timberlake lived in the Washington, DC area from 1979 until his death and most notably served as chaplain of the U.S. Soldiers' and Airmen's Home in Washington, DC. He is survived by his daughters Margaret Leah Timberlake and Sarah Wolcott Timberlake and his son, James Harrison Timberlake.
Alumni Updates The Rt. Rev. Joseph Atem, bishop of Renk, South Sudan (Seabury MTS '00, DD honoris causa '09), is fostering reconciliation in Sudan and South Sudan. Learn more in this video interview from Episcopal News Service. The Rev. Samuel R. Bowman, (Seabury '50) was the clergy recipient of the Bishop's cross on October 9 at the 145th Annual Council of the Diocese of Nebraska. The award is given for "extra ordinary contribution to the Diocese." A former Seabury trustee, he is senior priest of the Diocese of Nebraska. The Rev. Tyrone Fowlkes (Seabury '08) has been called as rector of St. Augustine's Episcopal Church in Oakland, California. He currently serves as assisting priest at Church of Our Saviour, Chicago and priest-consultant at Holy Cross, Chicago.
News to share with your fellow Bexley and Seabury alums? Email Debbie Franz at Bexley or Ron Fox at Seabury. |
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