Category: Dean’s Commentary

Piano Recital with Mr. Johnny Knight

It is a joy to welcome Mr. Johnny Knight to the chapel on Sunday afternoon for a piano recital, which will run for just over an hour. There is a tradition of talented seminary children – Ms. Janet Yieh, not only practiced on the Seminary organ for many years, but went on to have a […]

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Black History Month

It is a delight to use today’s Commentary to usher in Black History Month. Given the fact that important lessons of Black History have been undermined in recent years, remembering—and building upon—the legacies of the Black community has never been more important. It is the perfect time to visit some of the many wonderful Black […]

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Luella Brien and we all must watch “Murder in Big Horn”

On February 21, we will have the privilege of having Luella Brien on the campus. Luella Brien is Editor-in-Chief and owner/publisher of Four Points Press, an independent online news site covering the Crow Indian Reservation and the surrounding area (near Hardin in south Montana, around 40 miles SE of Billings). She is best known for […]

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The start of a new semester

2024 is upon us. The focus for so many years has been our Bicentenary. We can now put that historic moment behind us. Over the last five years, we have done some important work. We reflected with deep moral seriousness on our identity – where we had come from and the things that we have […]

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Thank you facilities team

As the snow disappears, I do want to thank the facilities team for their hard work during the snow days. As the message goes out that there will be a delayed opening, the team in facilities are preparing for an early start. So, today I am grateful to Tom Leake, Victor Hurtado, Stuart Dahlinger, Tim […]

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Welcome to the Phillips Brooks Conference

From time to time, the Dean’s Office hosts an academic conference. This one is especially important. We are looking at the work of our alum, Phillips Brooks. Participants are making the journey to the campus. It is a joy to welcome to the campus Karen Prior, Lanie Flanagan, Mary Cate Curley, Morgan Allen, and Rachel […]

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Forma done differently

Forma is perhaps one of the most important organizations for Christian educators. The Forma Conferences is happening right now and it is going remarkably well. As of early January, there were 243 participants. There are several participant watch locations – two conference centers and 12 diocesan gatherings. The demographics of the participants are fascinating:  Age […]

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Time to go to the movies

This is probably the first time that The Episcopal Church has tried to create a movie that impacts American culture. A Case for Love is in regular movie theaters for one night only – tonight. If we can fill these movie theaters with people, then there is a possibility of the film generating even more […]

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Faculty Retreat

It is our practice to have a Faculty Retreat in January. We are midway through the academic year; it is the start of a new calendar year; and it is pause between semesters. We gather our thoughts, reflect, discuss, and share. With our accreditation visit looming in February, this is an important moment. Unfortunately, I […]

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