New Members

Friends:

Most years I have the privilege of orienting the administrations of new member institutions.
Yesterday I met with the Library Coordinator, the Executive Director and the Dean of the Reformed Theological Seminary Washington. RTS is located in McLean, VA and is our newest member institution.

Often I review the Consortium's 40+ year history as a way of explaining what we do and how we do it. I also review recent developments in various committees.

I think that it takes about 2 years for an institution to really adjust to being a part of our group--at all levels. In some ways the Consortium is simple; in others complicated. These days we are large--17 member institutions.

I always promise to pray for the administrators, faculty and students of the Consortium.
I think that ultimately it is the Spirit who has brought us together and who teaches us.

Peace,
John

Laptops in Class

Friends:

This morning at the orientation of new students by the Pontifical Faculty [Dominican House], the Dean Father Gabriel O'Donnell raised an interesting point--do laptops in class hinder or help the learning process. He meant this for students and faculty.

This called to mind an article I noticed in the latest issue of the Chronicle for Higher Education. This article also had questioned whether the high-tech class presentations of faculty aided the learning process.

Does attention to the computer hinder the interaction of faculty and students.

Dean O'Donnell, being a wise man, did not answer this question. He just pointed out that it is being discussed in academic circles.

I think this question is well considered--does writing rather than typing, and looking at the professor rather than the screen aid learning.

We will see how this discussion develops.

Peace,
John

John Leland Center Retreat

Friends:

I had the privilege of attending the retreat of the John Leland Center this past weekend at a retreat center near Middleburg. The retreat included the orientation of new students.

The Center did not have a retreat for the past year or two. Getting together for time away helps faculty and students to build a sense of community.

The singing was dynamic and contemporary--the preaching by Stephen Welch got right to the heart of life and the call to ministry [and our resistance too]. The time was well organized--but not so tight as to preclude the occasional conversation to get to know someone.

I returned to Washington with a sense that I understand the Leland Center and its Baptist community much better than I did. I am grateful to President Mark Olson and Director of Student Services Tom Lynch for the invitation to share their community life.

Peace,
John

Arrival of Dr. Richard Jones

Friends:

Today marks the beginning of the tenure of Dr. Richard Jones as the first Consortium Scholar.
He will hold the Al-Alwani Chair in Muslim Christian Relations as provided for by the Heritage Trust. Dr. Jones will occupy his office this morning at 10:00. He promises to be in once a week--as he will do his research at his home office and in libraries.

This is a first--and long awaited.
I am hopeful that will find funding for other Consortium Scholars as time goes on.

Peace,
John

Community is Essential

Friends:

One of the important dimensions of theological education is community life.
I was reminded of this at the first two student orientations I attended--last Thursday at Virginia Theological Seminary and yesterday at Howard University School of Divinity.

At both campuses I shared lunch with students and faculty. New students are seeking to get to know one another and the faculty members. There are forming a community. At other times they are praying together. I am happy to be a part of this process.

This is very important. Theological education concerns itself with the formation of the total person--intellectual, pastoral and personal. The personal formation often occurs in community interactions.

As I mentioned in my last posting, I am introducing their Consortium Student Board representatives to the new students--and thus indicating that the Consortium is part of the wider community of formation.

Peace,
John

Consortium Schools Beginning Fall Semester

Friends:

I have returned from my time away.

I was happy to have spent a week at the Chautauqua Institution in Western New York
as one of the Catholic House Chaplains. I was part of a group from the Association of Theological Schools who served at chaplains the last week of July. The theme of the week was Abrahamic Dialogue.

I learned a lot from the presidents and deans who served as chaplains in the various Christian houses on the Chautauqua campus. They were a friendly group and shared a lot of insights about preparing students for the world of inter religious dialogue. We also had quite a few laughs in our get-togethers.

I have returned--and am preparing for the first orientation of new students at VTS on Thursday. This year we are implementing Linwood Blizzard's excellent suggestion [He is a student representative from HUSD] that I introduce the Consortium Student Board representatives from the School and ask them to say a few words.

Please keep all new students in your prayers.

Peace,
John