February 26, 2016 ♦
Bexley Seabury, one of 10 accredited seminaries of the Episcopal Church, today announced that effective July 2016 it will operate from a single site at Chicago Theological Seminary (CTS), 1407 East 60th Street, Chicago, Ill., 60637, becoming the sixth seminary* in the ecumenically and theologically diverse Hyde Park/Woodlawn area. As of the fall 2016 term, Bexley Seabury will offer its Doctor of Ministry degree and Anglican Studies and Lifelong Learning programs from the eco-friendly, state-of-the-art CTS facility, which is accessible for individuals with differing needs, and has earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification. Pending accrediting and state licensing approvals, Bexley Seabury also plans to offer its Master of Divinity degree from the CTS campus. Bexley Seabury’s consolidation in a single location at CTS will give both Bexley Seabury and CTS students increased access to innovative online and hybrid courses, and will open the door to the two seminaries collaborating on new course offerings and other initiatives.
Bexley Seabury’s move to Hyde Park/Woodlawn will make it easier for its students to take advantage of long-standing cross-registration privileges for courses offered by member schools in the Association of Chicago Theological Schools (ACTS), of which Bexley Seabury and CTS are founding members.** Notably, Bexley Seabury students will also enjoy greater access to Chicago Theological Seminary courses as well as the academic programming offered by its four theological centers: The Center for the Study of Black Faith and Life; The LGBTQ Studies Center; The Center for Jewish, Christian & Islamic Studies; and The Center for the Study of Korean Christianity.
Chicago Theological Seminary (CTS), affiliated with the United Church of Christ, serves many different Christian and non-Christian faith communities by preparing persons to be the next generation of religious leadership. Founded in 1855, CTS promotes a progressive, forward-looking philosophy and is at the forefront of religious scholarship; interreligious, race and gender dialogue; and transformative leadership. CTS graduates, students, faculty and staff have been advocates for social justice and mercy since the days of the Underground Railroad. The CTS student body represents more than 40 different faith traditions, perspectives and denominations. CTS is one of the few seminaries in the country fully accredited to offer its Master of Divinity degree both in the classroom and 100% online.
“Bexley Seabury and Chicago Theological Seminary have been training church leaders in the Midwest since the mid-1800s, and in association in metropolitan Chicago, through ACTS, since 1984,” noted Board of Directors Chair W. Michie Klusmeyer, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia. “Both seminaries share a commitment to interfaith experience as a key component for the formation of lay leaders, deacons and priests to better equip them to lead change in the church and in the world. Clearly, this is where Bexley Seabury is called to be for the next phase of its service to the church,” Klusmeyer said.
“Our consolidation at CTS and our newly defined association, including use of CTS’ proven online teaching technologies, will make an Episcopal theological education more accessible to students both throughout the Midwest and nationally, and help us live more fully into Bexley Seabury’s established commitment to formation in an ecumenical setting,” said Bexley Seabury President Roger Ferlo. “We look forward to contributing to the rich mix of belief traditions and world perspectives that enrich CTS and the surrounding communities,” Ferlo said.
“Like Bexley Seabury, Chicago Theological Seminary has educated future leaders for a multitude of ministries for more than 160 years, always in dialogue with other faith communities,” said CTS President Alice Hunt. “Our commitment to building an inclusive and diverse community is reflected in our faculty, and in our curriculum. We are delighted at the many learning opportunities and experiences that will come from this multi-faceted association with Bexley Seabury,” Hunt said.
Recruiting and scholarship support
While preparing to consolidate, including the relocation of faculty members currently in Columbus, Bexley Seabury is in conversation with a growing number of candidates toward their beginning studies this fall. “Recruiting is in full swing for Bexley Seabury’s Doctor of Ministry degree and our Anglican Studies and Lifelong Learning programs,” President Ferlo affirmed, “and by the fall we hope to expand our efforts to include our Master of Divinity program.”
Fall 2016 is also the target for introducing a new Bexley Seabury program for tuition and expense support and post-graduate mentoring. Endorsed in principle by the Board of Directors earlier this month, the Bexley Seabury Scholars Program is designed to empower nontraditional candidates for advanced theological study. The program will focus on candidates from underrepresented populations and under-resourced communities, and candidates emerging from or interested in serving in nontraditional ministry settings. Work is under way to develop a diocesan-based recruitment strategy in collaboration with bishops and commissions on ministry, selection protocols and an application process. Until the new program is launched, Bexley Seabury continues to offer needs-based scholarships to lay and ordained students.
Expanded resources, new housing options
Bexley Seabury students, faculty and staff will maintain full access to the United Library at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, as well access to all other ACTS member school libraries. The move will also give Bexley Seabury students full access to the CTS Learning Commons, a collection of more than 45,000 volumes that is strong in classical theological subject areas and offers substantial resources in African-American religion and spirituality, women’s studies, gay and lesbian studies, and Jewish-Christian studies.
Beginning September, Bexley Seabury students will have new housing options for January/June residency periods and while taking hybrid intensives throughout the year. Students will be able to book stays at Catholic Theological Union or Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago student-housing facilities, each approximately one mile from Bexley Seabury’s new location.
*Hyde Park/Woodlawn is currently home to four ACTS member schools—Catholic Theological Union (affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church); Chicago Theological Seminary (United Church of Christ); Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America); and McCormick Theological Seminary (Presbyterian Church USA)—plus the University of Chicago Divinity School (interreligious).
**The Association of Chicago Theological Schools (ACTS) includes Bexley Seabury, Catholic Theological Union, Chicago Theological Seminary, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, McCormick Theological Seminary, Meadville Lombard Theological School, Mundelein Seminary, Northern Seminary, North Park Theological Seminary, and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.