|
Report
of the Eastern Cluster of Lutheran Seminaries
To the Synods of Regions 7, 8 and 9
Fostering Seminary
Collaboration
Since its
1995 founding, the Eastern Cluster of Lutheran Seminaries (ECLS) has fostered
strong collaboration between the three eastern schools, enhancing our
common task of theological education for a broad spectrum of students.
Major Cluster-sponsored programs include diaconal ministry formation (based
at Gettysburg), a Doctor of Ministry degree (Philadelphia-based), and
partnership in the Atlanta program centered in the predominantly African-American
Interdenominational Theological Center (with Southern being the primary
Cluster connection point). The Cluster is governed by a Board of
Directors made up of board representatives and key academic and administrative
leaders from each of the three schools. With only modest core funding
from the seminaries, the Cluster has been blessed to receive nearly $1.5
million in grants from foundations, as well as ELCA research and development
grants. A comprehensive evaluation of the Cluster was conducted
in 2003, and thanks to a planning grant from Thrivent Financial, long-range
planning is underway in 2004.
New
Deans, Faculty and Other Leaders
In mid-2003,
Dr. Michael Root and the Rev. Dr. Robin Steinke assumed duties as dean,
chief academic officers at Southern and Gettysburg seminaries, respectively.
Another "first"
in 2003 was the initiation of a shared faculty position between Philadelphia
and Gettysburg, welcoming to both campuses the Rev. Wilda Gafney who teaches
O.T. at Philadelphia and will teach preaching at Gettysburg. Philadelphia
installed the Right Rev. Dr. Frederick Borsch as holder of the new Chair
of Anglican Studies, largely a gift to the seminary from the Episcopal
Diocese of Pennsylvania. Professor H.S. Wilson became the first occupant
of Philadelphia’s H. George Anderson Chair for Mission and Cultures.
The Rev. Dr. Marty
E. Stevens became the Coordinator of Continuing Education for the ECLS
and Director of Continuing Education for Southern in October. Dr. Stevens
will give coordination across Regions 7, 8 and 9, essentially the entire
Eastern seaboard, for continuing education.
Ministries with Youth
Philadelphia and Gettysburg joined forces in Theological Education
with Youth ("TEY") supported by a major Lilly Endowment grant.
Events for senior high youth have occurred both on campus and in other
venues, including college campuses, camps and the centers of exciting
Lutheran ministries in Washington and Baltimore. Faculty members who have
participated in TEY events come away energized and even more hopeful about
the future of the Church. (Visit http://tey.easterncluster.org)
Southern continues a strong outreach to young theologians through its
annual Bishops’ School.
Building for Growth
With a combined
total of approximately 1,000 students, an increase of 23% over the past
four years, the Cluster is at an all-time high number of persons engaged
in degree-seeking theological education. Many more Lutherans and
ecumenical "students" engage in a broad array of continued lifelong
learning. To accommodate increasing residential populations, each of the
seminaries has a building project underway. Philadelphia is in the midst
of constructing an $18 million Learning Center featuring 11 classrooms
and slated for completion in June 2005. Southern broke ground for a $4
million, 40-unit housing complex, replacing some of its aging housing
stock. And Gettysburg is planning a four-unit garden apartment designed
to be completed in 2004.
Cluster Library
The experiment
of One Library Under Three Roofs continues to be the largest scale project
undertaken by the Cluster, under the close cooperation among the Librarians
and their staffs. They are engaged in common training, space utilization
planning and resource sharing. Visible from any internet connected computer,
the Library invites Eastern seaboard Lutherans to visit the Eastern Cluster
Catalog Online (ecco.easterncluster.com).
In Thanksgiving
for the Gift of Life
From Southern, Professors Emeritus Dr. L. David Miller and Dr. W. Richard
Fritz, Sr. entered the Church Triumphant during the last year. Gettysburg
Librarian, the Rev. Dr. Bonnie L. VanDelinder died from cancer in January,
and Philadelphia bade farewell in February to the Rev. Randolph L. Jones,
D.D., co-founder of the Urban Theological Institute.
Paul Summer, Eastern
Cluster Board of Directors Chair
Michael
Cooper-White, Executive Director
Patricia
Casto, Cluster Coordinator
|