wfn.org | Charleston new dean of Episcopal Divinity School

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99-155

Charleston installed as dean of Episcopal Divinity School

by James Solheim

     (ENS) On a crisp New England weekend Episcopal Divinity 
School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, embraced a new dean and 
celebrated its 25th anniversary in a reflective mood.

     The weekend began October 14 with the Jonathan Daniels 
Lecture, honoring an EDS student who was martyred in 1965 during 
the Civil Rights Movement. It was given by Sara Lawrence-
Lightfoot, the first African-American woman in the history of 
Harvard University to have an endowed professorship in her honor.

     A Eucharist on the morning of October 15 commemorated Teresa 
of Avila and included a renewal of commitment by the school's 
trustees, who were meeting on campus during the weekend. In her 
sermon, Bishop Barbara Harris of Massachusetts warned against 
"privatized piety," urging EDS to move beyond "personal spiritual 
formation" to balance it with action-oriented social justice.

     Harris said that Bishop Steven Charleston, former bishop of 
Alaska and chaplain at Trinity College in Connecticut, is "a new 
kind of dean and president," the best person to lead EDS into a 
new spirituality and a justice-focused ministry. Arguing that 
"some things need to change," she added, "We must dare to be 
different. We must dare to model community where we exercise our 
gifts of grace for the good of God's people. Not with a sense of 
arrogance and superiority but moving with a confidence of faith 
that reflects holy boldness in our witness to the Gospel of Jesus 
Christ."

Looking forward in faith

     Celebrating the creation of EDS in a merger between 
Episcopal Theological School and Philadelphia Divinity School in 
1974, faculty, students and alumni looked into the future. Prof. 
Larry Wills addressed the tension between those who are busy 
preparing for the 21st century and those who are "trying to get 
back to the 19th century as soon as possible." The seminary is 
not a cloister from the world, he said, pointing out that 
"diversity has always been one of our guiding concerns." He said 
that an international emphasis at the school is a sign of efforts 
to "break down old barriers."

     Prof. Pui Lan said that she was excited that Charleston 
would bring together a community that is "spiritually grounded 
and justice-focused." She added, "Theology today is exciting 
because we are all learning new languages. We are teaching our 
students to embrace diversity, to speak different languages," 
much like Pentecost.

     Speaking for graduates on another panel, the Rev. Marthe 
Dyner of New Hampshire said that EDS had a reputation for justice 
advocacy but should use its gifts to be "instruments of forming 
community." While the seminary continues its identity struggles, 
it should also ask what kind of church is needed. She urged EDS 
to "stay in the middle of the fray."

Installation draws on many elements

     In a swirl of sage smoke, drums and flutes, a colorful 
procession moved slowly into First Church of Cambridge for the 
evensong, blessingway and installation service.

     Drawing on Native American rituals, in recognition of 
Charleston's membership in the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, the 
call to worship honored the four directions and, once the circle 
was complete, the service continued.

     Owanah Anderson, who recently retired as the church's 
director of Native American Ministries, drew on the Choctaw 
understanding of leadership and expectations of leaders. "You 
have chosen a strong and gifted visionary, a man of courage, 
integrity, wisdom and faith," she said in speaking of Charleston 
as her "adopted son."

     Quoting St. Gregory of Nyssa, who said that "sin is failure 
to grow," Anderson challenged the congregation and 
representatives of EDS, "Go now with your new leader, go boldly 
into the new millennium. Build a new community with Christ as 
your cornerstone…Dedicate this new community to justice--justice 
that is created by reconciliation which arises from compassion…. 
And dedicate this new community to the passing of sacred 
knowledge."

     She cited as an example of commitment to justice and 
compassion the Cambridge Accord, issued by Charleston on behalf 
of the EDS community, calling for human rights for homosexuals.

The blessingway

     Bishop Edmond Browning, former presiding bishop of the 
Episcopal Church, moved the liturgy into the blessingway, 
described as "one of the most profound and beautiful theological 
expressions of Native American religious wisdom," one that "calls 
to mind the nature of all life as following a path of blessings 
from the Creator."

     Dr. Joanna Dewey, academic dean at EDS, brought a book to 
symbolize Holy Scriptures "as the center of our scholarship" as 
well as books so integral to "human intellectual endeavor." 
Bishop M. Thomas Shaw of Massachusetts brought a candle to 
represent the "Light of Christ," as well as "the light of our 
baptism, of our common commitment to seek and serve all persons 
and to respect their dignity as a birthright from God."

     Elizabeth Magill, a student at EDS, brought forward a loaf 
of bread, which represents "hospitality," to the stranger and to 
each other in "the meal we share in God's name across all 
boundaries and all divisions." The Rev. Kwasi Thornell, 
representing the alumni, offered a bell as "the ever-ringing 
reminder of justice."

     Joined by EDS trustees, Browning asked for assurances that 
Charleston had been elected to the faculty and as dean and 
president. And he asked the whole EDS community to "support and 
uphold" Charleston.

Fear-free zone

     Charleston received a number of gifts from the Native 
American community and also a large peace cross from the 
Episcopal Peace Fellowship. In the presentation, Janet Chisholm 
said, "We hope you will wear it as a sign that many of us walk 
the road with you, working for peace and justice together--and 
believing in the power of the Spirit."

     In his response, Charleston said that he hoped to be a 
pastor to the EDS community, not just a dean or administrator. "I 
am a spiritual person who lives in the expectations of the Holy 
Spirit. I expect change because it is the work of God in our 
lives."

     Addressing those who are "afraid of letting God's power of 
change into their lives," who create "ghettos of fear so change 
will not discomfort them," Charleston said that his first act as 
the new dean was to declare "a fear-free zone in this small 
corner of Cambridge."

--James Solheim is director of News and Information for the 
Episcopal Church.