Dear EDS Community,
Last week, I had the honor of traveling to London to represent Episcopal Divinity School at the annual Compass Rose Society gathering. Thank you to Bishop Daniel Gutiérrez of the Diocese of Pennsylvania for the invitation to share our vision for theological education in a time of living postcolonial, polycentric Anglicanism. This meeting gathers the largest funders of the Anglican Communion Office and it was a privilege to be with them and explore opportunities to collaborate on dismantling old, colonial models of ministry training and shifting to centering local voices and leaders across the Communion that have historically been kept on the margins.
I was proud to showcase how EDS is bringing high-caliber theological reflection to a world hungry for it. In London, I was able to share key aspects of our work with several leaders including Archbishop of Canterbury Designate, Bishop Sarah Mullaly, who was wonderfully supportive of our emerging fellows program, and Bishop Anderson Jeremiah, Bishop of Edmonton within the Diocese of London, who has been a leader on reparations and anti-racism in the Church of England and led on historical projects to tell a fuller story about the history of our colonial legacy and impact. One of the more moving moments was joining together with those gathered to lay hands on and pray for Bishop Anthony Poggo, the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, offering support for his leadership.
I was also grateful to share time with EDS alums, Bishop Peter Selby ‘66 and Bishop Rayford High ‘66. Bishops Selby and High were classmates with one another and Jonathan Daniels and I learned from them more about both the agony and solidarity students experienced coming back to campus after the summer Jon was killed. They are both wonderful leaders who have made an impact on the church and are part of EDS' important legacy.
Conversations throughout my visit reaffirm our commitment to revisioning theological education for today and forming leaders for a church rooted in God’s abundant justice. This vision is resonating globally and I’m grateful to do this work alongside EDS’s dispersed and deeply connected community.
With hope,
The Very Rev. Lydia Kelsey Bucklin
President Bucklin with Bishop Rayford High ‘66
Those gathered at the Compass Rose meeting laid hands on and prayed for Bishop Anthony Poggo, the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, offering support for his leadership.
President Bucklin with Bishop Peter Selby ‘66
President Bucklin and her family with Archbishop of Canterbury Designate, Bishop Sarah Mullaly, and Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell
President Bucklin with Bishop Anderson Jeremiah, Bishop of Edmonton within the Diocese of London, who has been a leader on reparations and anti-racism in the Church of England
President Bucklin delivered remarks at the annual Compass Rose meeting