Date: August 22, 2024
It may seem contradictory that the department of Lifelong Learning has more remote employees than any other department (9) and one of the most attractive, purpose-built campus spaces to anchor our work. Since the summer of 2020 we have occupied the NE corner of the lower level of the Addison Academic Building where floor to ceiling windows, glass walls, collaborative work areas, a resource library, and a recording studio surround our desks and inspire our imagination. We are used to having high energy team meetings in conference rooms with bodies around tables and faces filling monitors on the walls. We laugh a lot! We pray regularly. We are deeply grateful for the resources we steward for the purpose of activating baptism across the church. Having dedicated space on the Seminary campus is an outward and visible sign of our deep connection to theological education, community, and the church. We are in the business of helping people grow deeper in their Christian faith and more confident in their callings. Children, alumni, Senior Wardens, Sunday School teachers, school chaplains, teenagers, even bishops feel welcome because we care about their lives and listen to their questions.
We are serious about hospitality on campus and online. We’re known for our touchless M&M dispenser (chocolate always improves learning!) and our radically
hybrid conferences. Just last week the experimental and research-driven arm of our body of work, the Trytank Research Institute (led by our llama toy-toting colleague Dr. Lorenzo Lebrija), hosted a first-of-its-kind ecumenical gathering on the relationship and future of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the church called the AI & The Church Summit in Seattle, WA. And of course all of that happened on the heels of helping to develop AskCathy, which the Episcopal News Service referred to as “a new AI chatbot and Episcopal Church expert”.
New students, come and see for yourself! You are invited to the Lifelong Learning Open House TODAY in the Lifelong Learning suite, 4-5pm, to learn about our work, enjoy refreshments, and pick up some great gifts!
Lisa Kimball, Ph.D.
Vice President of Lifelong Learning
James Maxwell Professor of Lifelong Christian Formation