At a Glance:
- Telling the truth about Native boarding schools with both a film screening and an update from the Episcopal Boarding School Commission
- A new fall course with Dr. Catherine Meeks
- Public events unpacking white Christian Nationalism and the Black church’s prophetic witness with Dr. Jemar Tisby
- An in-person educational workshop on Indigenous cosmologies and the gospel in action
Dear EDS Community,
I hope this summer has provided you with moments of beauty, rest, and joy. It has been a busy summer of planning and travel for team EDS as we work to increase our theological education offerings, both online and in person.
This past month, I was overjoyed to welcome the full staff to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan for our biannual staff retreat. It was special for me to host them in a place where I am deeply rooted and for us to rest, connect, worship, and learn about one another. As I wrap up my first year as President and Dean of EDS, I felt immense joy and pride in seeing this team of justice-driven, dedicated, compassionate people come together and learn more about what feeds their souls and consider how we can work even more effectively together.
August kicked off with EDS hosting a powerful vigil the evening before the annual Jonathan Daniels pilgrimage in Montgomery and Hanesville, Alabama. Our beloved former dean, the Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas preached, recalling Jon’s high standard of self-expectation and his refusal to settle for an unjust present - even to the point of laying down his life. She noted how this kind of sacrifice and trust in God’s promise of justice is what each of us are called to. The service was deeply moving and brought many in the pews to tears as we reflected on the juxtaposition of the hatred that caused this terrible violence and the ultimate gift of love and sacrifice for the promise of a better world. It brought us together in a meaningful way before the pilgrimage on the following morning.
Emilee, Mark, MG, and Liz (on her very first week!) participated in the “UnConference” hosted by EDS, the Iona Collaborative at Seminary of the Southwest, and Trinity Church in New York at Camp Allen in Navasota, Texas. The conversations centered around how to more freely share resources and attendees included grant makers, grant seekers, and innovators from around the church.
We have a busy fall ahead of us, filled with 3 courses, 2 in-person educational events, and a myriad of webinars coming your way. Please consider joining us!
Peace,
The Very Rev. Lydia Kelsey Bucklin
President & Dean