News and Photo Archives -- 2002-03 Academic Year

Highlights of the 2002-03 Academic Year

2003 Commencement -- Thirty-nine persons were graduated and four persons honored during the 50th ETSS Commencement on May 20 at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Austin.

"Night" -- the 2003 Commencement sermon given by the Rev. Dr. Alan Gregory, associate professor of church history

Honorees -- Three persons received honorary doctoral degrees and a long-time trustee was honored.

Bishop Payne -- A lectureship honoring the Rt. Rev. Claude Payne was announced at commencement.

Photos of Commencement

Last Gathering -- The traditional Goodbye in skits and songs for the graduating class.

Trinity Conference on Benedictine Spirituality -- In case you missed the Trinity Institute National Conference on "Shaping Holy Lives -- Benedictine Spirituality in the Contemporary World" in April, you may view the sessions on the Episcopal Cathedral Teleconferencing Network. The sessions are best viewed on Windows Media Player 9. Featured speakers were Rowan Williams, Joan Chittister, OSB, Kathleen Norris and Laurence Freeman, OSB.

Seminary offers premier online Hispanic ministry course -- Classes are now underway in the spring slate of ETSS online courses, including the first distance learning course on Hispanic ministry to be offered by an Episcopal seminary. "Historical and Cultural Contexts for Hispanic Ministry" is one of three six-week, online courses that are being taught by ETSS faculty in April and May. "The Flight of the Sparrow -- Six Days with the Wandering Saints," a course that focuses on Anglo-Saxon spirituality, and "We Give You Greeting: Prayer and Praise from the Celtic Tradition" round out the spring schedule. There are no educational prerequisites for the non-credit courses and tuition is $65. Class registration is open. Here is an overview of the courses. Registration for fall classes will begin in summer.

A Just Peace in Israel/Palestine -- The Rev. Dr. Robert Tobin '60 will explore the imperative for a just peace in the Middle East on Thursday, April 24, at 7:30 p.m. in Knapp Auditorium.

Prayer in the Texas Senate -- Dean Presler was invited to offer a prayer during the April 30 session of the Texas Senate.

Dean Presler addresses mission conference -- Dean Titus Presler was a featured speaker at a recent conference in Barbados that explored mission issues in the new century.

Mission Formation at ETSS -- Dean Presler's address to the annual council of the Diocese of Arkansas.

World wide Persecution of Christians -- Dean Titus Presler details the current persecution of Christians in India, his place of birth, in the March issue of "Episcopal Life." The article is the lead story in the magazine's coverage of how Christians are modern-day martyrs in many places throughout the world. Nan Cobbey, features editor of the magazine, explores persecution in other parts of the world.

Missionary training on ETSS campus in January -- Twenty-two future missionaries and a teaching staff from throughout the world gathered for the first ever orientation session at ETSS during the second half of January. Four articles and a photo page comprise the coverage.

Faculty & Staff News -- Read about the professional activities of seminary faculty and staff.

Quiet Day April 10 -- "Turn to your rest again, O my soul" from Psalm 116 is the theme of the all-seminary Quiet Day on April 10. The Rev. Mary Earle, author, seminary adjunct faculty member and 1986 ETSS graduate, will lead the community in a day of reflection and worship. Morning prayer, meditations, Eucharist and a silent lunch comprise the activities from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Forgiving the Unforgivable -- Eddie Mendoza, a MAC student, will talk about "Forgiving the Unforgivable: A Process of Healing with Victims and Offenders of Violent Crime" on Saturday, April 5, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in Knapp Auditorium. This powerful examination of healing, forgiveness and conflict resolution will include video selections from his work with Victim and Offender Mediation.

"Did I ever kill any of your friends or family? -- South African Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela focused on one of the most depraved state-sanctioned killers of the last century to explore the limits of remorse and forgiveness during a recent lecture at ETSS. Read about her talk and her new book: A Human Being Died That Night: A South African Story of Forgiveness.

ETSS hosts Hispanic Scholars -- About 20 Hispanic scholars -- members of the United States chapter of CEHILA -- will met on the seminary campus for their annual conference April 4-6.

Trull Foundation grant enables Spanish language acquistions -- A $2,500 grant will allow the Booher Library to add to its collection of pastoral theology resources in the Spanish language.

Dead Sea Scrolls Lecture April 7 -- Dr. George Brooke, co-director of the Centre for Biblical Studies at the University of Manchester, lectured on "The Dead Sea Scrolls for the 21st Century" on Tuesday, April 7, at 7 p.m. in Knapp Auditorium.

A bishop's journey on the streets -- Rhode Island bishop Geralyn Wolf spent the first month of this year as "Aly," a homeless woman, in shelters and soup kitchens across the northeast United States. Read an Episcopal News Service article about her experiences, as well as an interview.

Dean Presler Installation Nov. 13 -- Titus Presler was installed as the sixth dean and president of ETSS on November 13. Details of the service are here, as well as biographical information on Dean Presler. If you could not attend the installation, download the service booklet. Read the sermon by the Rt. Rev'd Mano Rumalshah. View photos of the celebration.

Mission extension office opens at ETSS -- An extension office of the Mission Personnel Office (MPO) of the Episcopal Church's Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society has been established at the seminary.

Eric Law presented Harvey Lectures Feb. 17 -- The Rev. Eric Law, author, multicultural consultant and missioner for congregation development of the Diocese of Los Angeles, talked about "The Words in the Crossings -- Proclaiming the Gospel in a Pluralistic Community" during the 2003 Harvey Lectures on Monday, Feb. 17. Read his Blandy Lectures.

ETSS Visiting Fellow named to church post -- The Rev. Margaret Rose, who was a visiting fellow at the seminary during the fall of 2002, has been named director of women's ministries at the Episcopal Church Center in New York City.

Record enrollment at ETSS -- A large and geographically diverse class of entering students helped to set an ETSS enrollment record as the 2002-03 academic year began.

Prospects of War in Iraq -- As the debate heightens in this country and throughout the world about the possibility of an invasion of Iraq, here are links to statements from within the Anglican Communion: Anglican Consultative Council 23 September 2002

Second career in ministry -- Recent May graduate the Rev. Faith Bledsoe, of All Saints' Episcopal Church in Corpus Christi, Texas, is featured in this recent newspaper article written by Jeremy Brown.

Three ministries -- The seminary honored two ETSS graduates and a Roman Catholic nun for their exemplary ministries during our recent commencement.

Booher Library exhibited 9-11 Art -- "Tragedy and Transformation: Artists Respond to September 11" was on display in the Booher Library during the fall of 2002. The mixed media exhibit from 12 Austin area artists ranged from intaglio prints and Ilfochrome prints to oil on canvas and assemblages. The exhibit was coordinated by Ginger Geyer, Class of 2001 and an adjunct professor of pastoral ministry at the seminary.

Seminary amends sexuality policy --The ETSS board of trustees amended the seminary's conduct policy on human sexuality during its May meeting. In announcing its decision, the board affirmed a resolution passed during the Episcopal Church's 73rd General Convention in Denver two years ago. The new policy replaces the former conduct policy that reflected the sexuality resolution adopted by the General Convention in 1988. Since a canonical law of the Diocese of Texas, in which the seminary is located, could conflict in part with the trustees decision, the Diocese of Texas issued a news release clarifying its position. The issue centers on the Texas diocesan canon on moral discipline that precludes an Episcopalian living in a same-sex relationship from being ordained or licensed to function in the Diocese of Texas. A seminary trustee task force is now studying the implications of the diocesan canon and seminary policy. The diocesan canon law does not pertain to persons from other denominations.

Dusty retires -- Eileen Flynn, the Austin American-Statesman religion writer, profiled Dean McDonald as he retired May 31. An editorial from the newspaper appeared June 3. Read the articles.

Dusty Named Interim Dean ... in Paris! -- Dean Emeritus Dusty McDonald has been named interim dean of the American Cathedral in Paris, France. He and Ruth left Austin around the first of 2003 and will return in September.

Archbishop Carey's Visit to Texas -- Members of the ETSS community were well represented during the Eucharist in Houston that concluded the archbishop's July 17-19 visit to the Diocese of Texas.

Coptics at ETSS -- Christ Chapel was filled with the music of Coptic Christianity during a recent service of blessing at the seminary. Photos of the service are here, as is more information about the Coptic Church.

Damian Gregory Memorial Service Aug. 15 -- A memorial service for Damian Gregory, the 22-year-old son of Professor Alan and Suzy Gregory, was held Aug. 15, in Christ Chapel after Damian died unexpectedly ten days before in England. Professor Gregory wrote this sermon and delivered it during Damian's funeral service in England while Dean Presler read Alan's sermon at about the same time during the seminary's memorial service.

Photo Essay Archives -- 2002-03 Academic Year

Ray Wylie Hubbard visits ETSS -- Legendary singer and songwriter helps seminary community explore this year's symposium topic, Theology and Art.

Dance of Death -- Liturgical dancers perfom a medieval dance in honor of All Saints Day.