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President Ferlo Asks, "Who are you, Jesus...and who are we?"
The challenge of our times
What a chilling experience last Friday, as another Trump rally erupted into violence, this time in Chicago, this time violence sufficient to shut down the event before the candidate took the stage. I watched from New York City, there for meetings at General Theological Seminary, where I was to preach a few days hence.  Please read on for that sermon, and please also read and share the House of Bishops statement on "Godly Leadership in the Face of Violence," dated March 12 but released to the public on March 15 as I stood in the pulpit and challenged everyone -- myself included -- to take a public stand against hatred, for reconciliation and healing. * * * * Tuesday in Lent V March 15, 2016 Like many Chicagoans, I watched in dismay Friday as a Trump rally, scheduled to be held a few neighborhoods west of my apartment, descended into violence -- yet more evidence of the bloody effects of the polarizing rhetoric that is poisoning our body politic. So I find a sermon on these readings a challenging one to preach. What we are experiencing in our political culture, especially in these last days before Holy Week, makes it more and more difficult for me to sympathize with the troublesome polarities of John's gospel, polarities equally shadowed by the promise of violence. There is so much in John's gospel to love: Jesus washing his disciples feet, Jesus at home in Bethany, Jesus defending the woman taken in adultery, Jesus speaking to the Samaritan woman as an equal, Jesus weeping at Lazarus' tomb, Mary of Bethany extravagantly anointing him, Mary of Magdala yearning to embrace him in the resurrection dawn. This is the intimacy of the Jesus circle that all of us here so much yearn to share, an intimacy that we will try in our awkward way to emulate when we gather next week to wash each other's feet in his memory. There is so much in John's Jesus to love. But there is also much not to love. Read the entire sermon
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Meet Therese DeLisio, Our New Academic Dean
July "homecoming" coincides with our consolidation at CTS
 Bexley Seabury is pleased to welcome back Therese DeLisio, PhD, to the faculty as associate professor of theology and liturgy and academic dean. Terry will join us in July as we move to our new, unified campus at Chicago Theological Seminary, where we will be the sixth (sole Episcopal) seminary within a one-mile-square area.
Currently associate dean of academic affairs at her alma mater, Union Theological Seminary, New York City, Terry is a systematic theologian, liturgical scholar, theological educator and an attorney. Before joining Union, she taught theology, worship and interreligious women's studies for seven years at Chicago-area seminaries and universities.
Terry's scholarly research and writing examine the theological, ethical, and liturgical implications of the contemporary "turn to the cosmos" for sacramental theology, liturgical practice, and creation care from an eco-feminist perspective. Until Terry arrives in July, Jason Fout, associate professor of Anglican theology will serve as acting academic dean.
Alums and others in the Seabury-Western community 2006-2013 may remember Terry was an adjunct faculty member and taught systematic theology and liturgics. During that period she also taught at Catholic Theological Union, Chicago Theological Seminary, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, and several local universities.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, and educated in the greater New York City area, Terry said her time in Chicago gave her the gift of a second home, and she is looking forward to reconnecting with colleagues, former students and friends in the area. More information
Welcome home, Terry!
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Farewell and Godspeed to Two Valued Colleagues
Giving thanks for their many contributions and gifts
We bid farewell this week to two valued colleagues, and continue to give thanks for their service and dedication to our mission.
Vice President of Academic Affairs and Academic Dean Tom Ferguson leaves Bexley Seabury after five years to take on his first rectorship. May Tom and his family be richly blessed as he moves to Cape Cod, where he will lead St. John's Episcopal Church, Sandwich, Mass., and will continue to teach for us as adjunct professor of Episcopal and Anglican History.
 Vice President of Advancement and Church Relations Conrad Selnick takes his leave and moves into retirement. Prior to joining Bexley Seabury in 2013,Conrad was rector of St. Christopher's by the River Episcopal Church in Gates Mills, Ohio. We wish Conrad and his family Godspeed as they begin a new chapter. Deliver us, God, in our various occupations from the service of self alone, that we may do the work you give us to do in truth and beauty and for the common good; for the sake of him who came among us as one who serves.
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Virtual Media Open House a Success
22 Prospective Students Participate
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| | This ad, which appeared on the Bexley Seabury homepage, was one of several promotional efforts that supplemented the Facebook ads. |
Bexley Seabury's Recruiter, Jaime Briceno, reported that our first open house on March 8 using virtual media was a great success. He said that the online open house was organized so those attending could experience what studying at Bexley Seabury is like. A Facebook ad campaign was developed targeted to people in a specific demographic as well as geographical location. The ad set was called "Rochester 25-45," which included Province V of the Episcopal Church, as well as the Diocese of Rochester, NY. The initial ad flight was displayed on the Facebook pages of the people age 25-44 in an effort to cover the coveted millennial bracket; the ad reached thousands of people. The March 8 event was also promoted on the Bexley Seabury website, through postings on Facebook and Twitter, our monthly Community News and at least one diocesan eNewsletter. Jaime said 22 people registered online in advance of the event, and there was 100 percent participation, along with one extra participant by phone. The goal of the entire promotional process, initially thought by Jaime to be a "wishful dream," was to gather an external potential student body, and that goal was achieved. Of those responding to an online survey after the open house, the overall rating was in the "very good" category. Jaime noted that seven potential students, four of whom are new prospects, expressed an interest in being contacted to explore various programs offered by Bexley Seabury.
THANK YOU to everyone who helped us invite new leaders to our teaching-learning community by reaching out to directees, colleagues and friends.
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In Columbus the Evening of April 13? Join Us
Dr. Titus Presler to speak on Christian-Muslim Relations in Pakistan
 Along with our partners in the Theological Consortium of Greater Columbus Bexley Seabury is sponsoring the 12th Annual Lecture on World Religions and Interreligious Dialogue. The event is scheduled for 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 13, 2016 and will be hosted by All Saints Episcopal Church, 5101 Johnstown Road, New Albany, Ohio. The lecture is free and open to the public.
The Rev. Canon Dr. Titus Presler will deliver the lecture entitled " Challenges and Opportunities in Christian-Muslim Relations: A Perspective from Pakistan." Presler has been on the faculty at three Episcopal seminaries and held executive staff positions at two more, and was Principal of Edwardes College in Peshawar, Pakistan. More information
The Theological Consortium of Greater Columbus is a collaborative effort of Bexley Seabury, Methodist Theological School in Ohio, Pontifical College Josephinum, and Trinity Lutheran Seminary.
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Missional Voices Conference April 15-16
A weekend of thinking, planning, dreaming to propel innovative ministries
 PARTICIPATE WITH US in the upcoming Missional Voices Conference, Friday/Saturday, April 15-16 at Virginia Theological Seminary. The conference will gather a wide range of leaders-priests and professors, missioners and social entrepreneurs, artists and civic leaders-committed to transforming the church through participation in the neighborhood.
More information
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Nationally Acclaimed Bexley Seabury Leadership Institute
at Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management
Meets in Chicago June 20-22 or 20-24 -- apply by May 2
 Our sixth annual Bexley Seabury Leadership Institute will offer both a three and five day institute in June. The three-day institute for lay and clergy leaders will run June 20-22, and the five-day institute for Masters or DMin academic credit will run June 20-24. The three-day institute meets at Northwestern University's Wiebolt Hall at 340 East Superior Street in Chicago. The five-day institute also meets at Wiebolt Hall for the first three days, and finishes at Bexley Seabury, at 8765 W. Higgins Road in Chicago, for the last two days.
The cost is $1,450 for the three-day institute and $1,620 for the five-day.
QUESTIONS? Contact Suzann Holding, director of lifelong theological education and Doctor of Ministry program at 773-380-6784.
To apply online go to this page
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LAST CHANCE to Begin a Bexley Seabury DMin this June
Apply by Friday, April 1
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Victor Conrado, Amanda Bordenkircher,
Steve Foster and Pat Grace (seated) will begin their second DMin residency in June.
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OUR APOLOGIES to Amanda, Steve and Pat pictured here, whose names were not included or were incomplete in our earlier release of this newsletter.
We're proud that a Bexley Seabury Doctor of Ministry has become a mark of distinction, widely recognized as a credential of excellence. Our DMin in Preaching program has closed for 2016, but there is still time to apply for our DMin in Congregational Development.
- Flexible scheduling with two- or three-week Chicago residencies each June and January
- Continuing study throughout the year conducted in your home parish and with peer cohorts online
- Coursework that integrates theory and practice and blends collaborative, small-group work with lectures and practicums
- Individually tailored for your ministry context
If you or someone you know is considering a DMin, help us reach out to initiate a conversation. To explore the possibilities or to refer a potential student, contact Suzann Holding
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Take a Study Break This June in Chicago
Academic credit, continuing education and enrichment options
TIME TO REFINE your leadership skills? Choose from four 5-day intensive courses, all led by scholar-practitioners who are experts in their fields. Any course may be taken for academic credit ($1,620) and all but one may be taken for continuing education credit ($400) or enrichment ($375).
- June 6-10...Dwight Zsheile will lead "Congregations in the 21st Century," which focuses on ways to renew congregational identity and bring new vitality to community life.
- June 13-17...John Dally will lead "Forming Gospel-Shaped Mission," an examination of the four canonical gospels as missional documents intended to reveal what each of the authors' communities were sent to be and do.
- June 13-17...Barbara Wilson will lead "Community Organizing for Missional Living," an opportunity to develop relationship leadership skills and learn how to engage colleagues and neighbors in community change.
- June 20-24... Roger Ferlo, Suzann Holding and faculty from the Northwestern University Kellogg School will lead "Non-Profit Management and Leadership," an extension of the three-day institute (see previous story) that emphasizes blending best practices with becoming a more confident and effective leader. NOTE: Offered for academic credit only.
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April 28 Chicago Convocation 2016
RESERVE NOW for "Telling It Fresh"
 If you'll be in the Chicago metro area on Thursday, April 28, please put Chicago Convocation 2016 on your calendar. The Bexley Seabury community will gather that afternoon and evening at St. James Commons to pray, study, reflect and celebrate the value of new perspectives. Top-tier Faculty Our faculty for the day is diverse and truly
impressive: two scripture scholars and three theologians who represent the Episcopal, Jewish and Roman Catholic traditions and three home institutions -- Bexley Seabury, the University of Chicago School of Divinity and Vanderbilt Divinity School.
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Roger Ferlo
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____ 2:00 WORKSHOP:
Forming Leaders for a Re-forming Church
Observations and insights from President Roger Ferlo on some of the challenges and opportunities that emerging church leaders-and all who are helping them to prepare for ministry-are facing in a time of fluidity and uncertainty. The workshop will meet in the Gallery of St. James Commons.
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Ellen Wondra
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____ 3:00 WORKSHOP:
Authority and Power: Things Seen and Unseen
Regardless of your role in or experience of "church," the second workshop is certain to spark lively dialogue. Bexley Seabury Professor Ellen Wondra and University of Chicago Professor David Tracy consider how authority and power operate -- tacitly, informally
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David Tracy
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and symbolically. This conversation between two longtime colleagues and friends will be moderated by Bexley Seabury Associate Professor and Acting Academic Dean Jason Fout.
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4:00 KEYNOTE:
Of Pearls and Prodigals: Hearing Jesus' Parables
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Jason Fout
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Our featured presenter, Vanderbilt Divinity School and College of Arts and Sciences Professor Amy-Jill Levine, will shine light on how parables were heard in the first century, how misunderstandings of Jesus' Jewish culture create misinterpretations of the parables, and how imagining their original meaning provides new, provocative and challenging messages applicable for today.
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Amy-Jill Levine
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5:30 FESTAL EVENSONG at St. James Cathedral, offered in thanksgiving for Ellen Wondra and her scholarship, pedagogy, leadership and service to the church on the occasion of her retirement from Bexley Seabury. ____ 6:00-7:00 RECEPTION at St. James Commons.
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* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 2 MORE WAYS to visit with Amy-Jill Levine: Friday, April 29 7 PM "Preaching the Difficult Anti-Jewish Texts" at Grace Episcopal Church, Oak Park Saturday, April 30 Interfaith Dinner & Talk at Grace Episcopal Church, Hinsdale
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News, Ideas or Insights to Share?
Help us keep the Bexley Seabury community better informed
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 Taking on a new ministry? - Celebrating an anniversary or a recent accomplishment?
- Have insights to share from a retreat or sabbatical?
- Have feedback to offer?
We want to hear what's new in your world so we can recognize you in our monthly newsletter and keep friends and colleagues up to date.
TO SHARE YOUR NEWS & IDEAS...
please send an email to Ron Fox -- and include photos if possible. THANK YOU.
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On and Off Campus
Faculty, Staff & Host Dioceses
The clergy of The Diocese of Southern Ohio gathered at the Procter Center outside of Columbus on Saturday, March 5, to hear a presentation by Professor John Dally entitled "Say What Again, Jesus?" The program was described in this way: "The so-called 'hard sayings' of Jesus are really
 quite easy when we pray 'your kingdom come' and mean it. When we pray those words with our eyes and ears closed to the nearness of God's reign, however, the 'hard sayings' become virtually impossible. Can we really have our cake and eat it, too? Moving from institutional maintenance to welcoming the reign of God into our midst is simple, but so is a root canal. Are we ready for the pain, knowing greater health awaits us?" Turnout was excellent and the conversation between John and the clergy and among the clergy themselves was lively and engaged. One Southern Ohio priest stopped John at lunch and said, with a huge smile on her face, "You've just undone everything I've learned in seminary."
Recruiter and Digital Missioner Jaime Briceno was one of 22 lay and ordained leaderinvited to participate in a seven-day training curriculum that launched the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago's new  congregational vitality initiative, the College of Congregational Development. The college, which originated in the Diocese of Olympia, offers a comprehensive set of training programs for individuals charged with congregational development. Jaime said the program gives leaders tools and language to help develop vibrant more vibrant congregations. The launch was the first east of the Rocky Mountains. A second session will be held July 24-30 for leadership teams who want to introduce the program in their congregations. For more information, contact the Rev. Andrea Mysen, Associate for Ministries for the diocese.
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