Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Anglican/Episcopal Studiessimilar to the Berkeley Divinity School at Yale University model. This
option was proposed multiple times by members of the wider EDS community in the Futures visioning
process. Finally, as a third option the Futures Committee proposed exploring a consortium relationship
with several other Episcopal seminaries. We would note that the Futures Committee was explicitly told
by the trustees that small-to-small seminary mergers would not be acceptable and none were offered in
the final Futures Committee report.
The Boston University proposal ultimately might have led to the cessation of academic degrees by EDS,
following the Berkeley at Yale model, but to date no significant exploration of the feasibility of that
option or any of the others with potential partners has been undertaken by the trustees, administration, or
faculty. Sadly, when firmly and repeatedly pressed by student and faculty representatives during
Thursdays meeting, the trustees voting in the majority articulated no shared vision for the future of EDS,
beyond the cessation of academic degrees. We thus conclude that the present action is premature, until an
actual and feasible future vision is articulated by the Board. Even better would be such a vision reached
with considerable affirmation by the wider EDS community. At that point we would hope to be able to
enthusiastically endorse the trustees action. Unfortunately, this important work has not yet been done.
We recall from our own history that Episcopal Divinity School was created in 1974 by the merger of
Episcopal Theological School and Philadelphia Divinity School only after considerable and ongoing
student, faculty, and trustee consultation. While the Boards of Trustees were ultimately responsible for
the merger, they did not make their decisions in isolation but in concert and in mutuality with the schools
multiple constituencies. Not everyone approved of that decision, of course. It was particularly painful for
our Philadelphia alumni/ae. But, an extraordinary new reality was brought into beingincluding the
integration of both schools faculties and student bodies and, through deep mutual consultation, the
adoption of much of the innovative teaching ethos developed at PDS, refined for use in Cambridge.
The birth of EDS was a careful, albeit imperfect, process that involved and was informed by the schools
many constituencies. We would urge that a similar participatory process continue to be employed today as
EDS looks to its next incarnation. It is not only the right way to come to such a monumental decision, it is
the EDS wayinformed and guided by our long-standing commitments to justice and inclusion for all of
Gods people. Decisions reached by the trustees in a closed executive retreat do not reflect and, in fact,
fall far short of the best of our heritage.
Several members of the Alumni/ae Executive Committee were in attendance for Thursdays public
trustees meetingin person and onlineas were numerous other alumni/ae and friends of the School,
along with students, staff, and faculty. In stark contrast with other EDS trustee meetings, visitors were not
permitted to speak as the trustees announced their decision and held a limited debate, with the result
apparently largely agreed upon in advance. Beyond the trustees, only one non-voting student
representative and one non-voting faculty representative were given voice. Others were forced to watch in
silence. Though, as one might expect of an EDS community event, not all present accepted that silence
and made their feelings of anger, frustration, and sadness known.
The AEC commends those few who were permitted to speak at the meeting, offering an articulate and
passionate defence of the School and its mission in the face of this dramatic change: the Rev. Dr. Joan M.
Martin, faculty representative to the Board of Trustees, and Dr. Pamela Conrad, student representative to
the Board of Trustees. We likewise commend the four trustees who voted and spoke in opposition to this
action: the Rev. Dr. Robert Griffin 06, the Rev. Hall Kirkham 08, the Rev. Dr. Robert Steele 68, and
the Rt. Rev. Dr. Carol Gallagher 89, our elected alumni/ae trustee. We are tremendously grateful for their
witness. Dr. Conrads wise and courageous statement merits repetition: Justice is never for sale. And
justice always operates at a deficit.
Following the vote, we witnessed the public resignation of Interim President & Dean Frank Fornaro 96,
who expressed his own firm opposition to the trustees action. We are deeply sorry he has felt it necessary
to resign, but we understand his reasoning and we share in his sadness and frustration with the decision
taken. Considerable work has been done to bring reconciliation to the campus over the past year, such that
it has once again become a joyful and spirit-filled place. Dean Fornaro deserves particular credit for
fostering a climate of openness and gospel hope for the future. His steadfast leadership has been a
manifestation of the love of God for EDSs students, faculty, staff, alumni/ae and friends. Thankfully, his
resignation does not take effect until Nov. 19, 2016. We look forward to the opportunity to thank him for
his dedicated service properly in the future. We invite and encourage you to thank Frank as well.
Those of us present on campus experienced Gods incarnate and abiding love at a service of prayer and
song in St. Johns Memorial Chapel following the trustees vote. Dean Fornaros prayers, joined with
those of the gathered community, lifted us in love. It is salutary to remember that for thousands of years
people of faith have come together in prayer both in times of joy and in sadness. This life of prayer
continually sustains us and leads us to hope for a better future. Thursday was most certainly an occasion
of sadness, as well as anger, frustration, shock, and bewilderment. Thankfully the walls of St. Johns
Chapel are sturdy enough to contain it all. That sacred place is steeped in the fervent prayers of
generations students, faculty, staff, alumni/ae, and trustees, too, both longing for justice and being
empowered to work for and incarnate it, in the church and in the world.
Among the trustees who voted with the majority were also alumni/ae. We do not doubt or question their
loyalty and appreciation for the transformational education they received at PDS, ETS, and EDS, even as
we firmly disagree with their decision. We know that their decision must have been reached in great pain
and difficulty. The AEC holds them in prayer and is committed to working with all of our trustees to
ensure that EDS has a strong and vibrant future. Even with this coming change, we are confident that
there are tremendous possibilities for our beloved School. We enjoy considerable financial resources, a
beautiful and well-maintained campus in the midst of one of the most significant educational centers in
the world, and a deeply committed faculty, staff, and student body. There is no reason that EDS cannot
thrive in a new way. We dare to hope for that future.
In coming to their decision, the Board of Trustees made several promises. First, they have promised that
there will be no staff or faculty layoffs over the next year. The staff are the strong backbone of EDS,
consistently and faithfully serving our constituencies with grace and dedication, often without
recognition. We are profoundly grateful to them. Generations of faculty have formed us with their
teaching and mentorship. We are the people we are because of them. The faculty and staff deserve the
Schools very best, just as they have given us their very bestin the classroom, chapel, refectory, and
beyond.
Second, the trustees have promised that current and incoming students not prepared to graduate in 2017
will be supported as they transition to compatible programs in other institutions. There is some question
about how that can be accomplished within accredited ATS standards, but we are hopeful that it is fully
possible if the current plan is enacted. Even in the midst of recent crises, EDS has attracted extraordinary
students. They, too, deserve our very best. We look forward to counting those currently enrolled among
our alumni/ae community upon the completion of their programs. The AEC will stay in close contact with
the faculty and staff to ensure that these important promises to the EDS community are honored.
Most significantly, the trustees have promised that they will engage in a process of discernment over the
coming academic year as they consider the future for our beloved School and discern a shared vision. In
particular, they have promised to engage with the thoughtful and creative recommendations offered by the
Futures Committee as they look forward to a sustainable Episcopal Divinity School and the continuation
of our longstanding mission. We are dedicated to partnering with them in this work.
EDS not only has an incredible history, we believe it still has the potential for an incredible future,
bearing witness to the justice-focused values and commitments of the gospel. These values and
commitments are deeply needed as peoples and societies face hatred, violence, religious extremism, and
discrimination of every kind. EDS has offered and continues to offer a different and better way, inspired
by justice, inclusion, love, and hope. We dedicate our individual and collective wisdom to discerning this
future together. If EDS is true to its values, this work must be done togetherby trustees, faculty,
students, staff, and alumni/ae alikediscerning and working in mutuality, in trust, and in shared vision.
This letter necessarily comes with deep reflection and gratitude for the generations of faculty, staff, and
student colleagues who have shaped us for ministry. Our history goes back to 1857 and the founding of
the Philadelphia Divinity School. For nearly 160 years, our graduatesprepared for lives of ministry and
service on our campuses in Philadelphia and Cambridgehave been drawing people of every background
ever closer to the heart of God. We have every confidence and hope that this ministry can and will
continue long into the future.
Be assured that your Alumni/ae Executive Committee will do everything we can to ensure that EDS
continues to embrace and fulfill its sacred mission and purpose. Those wishing to contact us may do so
via this email address: alum@eds.edu.
In love and gratitude for our School and for you and your ministries,