Engaging in Dialogue

Friends:

I regularly reread sections of Pope John Paul II's Encyclical Ut Unum Sint--On Commitment to Ecumenism. My copy is really getting to look worn.

Paragraph 35 has an important point:

"Dialogue cannot take place merely on a horizontal level, being restricted to meetings, exchanges of points of view or even the sharing of gifts proper to each Community. It has also a primarily vertical thrust, directed toward the One who, as the Redeemer of the world and he Lord of History, is himself our Reconciliation."

We acknowledge to one another that we are people who have sinned and we need this reconciliation in Christ through the power of the Spirit.

It seems to me that this is key--Christ is our Reconciliation.
And we all need this Reconciliation, again and again.

Peace,
John

Ethics and the Secular

Friends:

Last evening members of the Consortium Ethics Group met at Wesley to discuss Charles Taylor's monumental volume A Secular Age. John Corbett of the Pontifical Faculty gave a 15 minute reflection as a discussion starter. This led to an hour of reflection on this lengthy, profound, repetitive, informed and difficult volume. If offers a superb, and occasionally digressive, view of the roots of our contemporary dichotomy--immanence with or without transcendence--and a host of other questions.

Will this work be one that will be read in decades to come?
There is some sentiment that it will--perhaps in a more concise form.

Peace,
John

A Ministry of Encouragement

Friends:

The ministry of the Consortium Office is 'encouragement.'

The four of us "in the center" [2 FT and 2 PT] support the seventeen member institutions, the 33 Consortium groups, the 200+ faculty members, the administrators and the many students in building relationships.

We assist in building relationships.
We provide a point of contact and refer people to those with similar positions and interests.

The Consortium has always considered itself a group of independent institutions building bridges to one another. Our office encourages everyone to make this bridge building a reality.

Peace,
John

InterFaith Conference Assembly:



Friends:



As some of you know, I am a representative of the Archdiocese of Washington to the InterFaith Conference Assembly. I have been going to the thrice yearly meetings for many year. IFC is an Affiliate of the Consortium.



The discussion yesterday on: "How much encouragement do I find in my faith to respect the faith of others? What limits does my faith set on the respect that I can accord to other faiths?"

The discussion of these questions by representatives of the Bahai and Muslim communities was very enlightening. Particularly important to me was the fact that they contend that a person must make an adult decision to be a person of faith. They see no substitute. A faith tradition needs to be actively embraced.

Peace,

John

Leland Campus

Friends:

Yesterday I received a delightful tour of the temporary campus of the John Leland Center at the Baptist World Alliance and Columbia Baptist Church. The president, Dr. Olson gave me the extended tour and commentary himself.

As you probably know, the former location at First Baptist of Arlington is having major construction. In fact I understand that most of the former location will soon be a hole in the ground! at least for a time!

The new facilities are quite nice--and well appointed.
The colleagues are friendly and supportive.

One of the things one learns in seminary administration is flexibility--accepting and working with the new and the unexpected.

Peace,
John

Dialogue

Friends:

We speak frequently these days of dialogue.
The other day I was rereading Pope John Paul II's encyclical Ut Unum Sint.
Paragraphs 28-30 concern themselves with dialogue.

This time through I noticed that:

1. He notes that "Dialogue is not simply an exchange of ideas. In some way it is always an 'exchange of gifts.'"

2. "When undertaking dialogue, each side must presuppose in the other a desire for reconciliation, for unity in truth."

I think that in working together we must be open to and search for the the truth the other brings to us--and seek to grasp it in depth. This certainly is true in the ecumenical exchanges in the Consortium.

Peace,
John

Consortium Planning



Friends:



I am happy to report that the Executive Committee reviewed the draft of the Strategic Plan Extension this past week. The Extension is for 2 years. The Executive Committee made suggestions for revisions. The plan will be discussed at the Board of Trustees meeting at WTU on Monday, October 26th

Peace,
John

Student Board

Friends:

The Student Board meeting this past Saturday at VTS was an excellent occasion.
I had a chance to share with the representatives of the Schools a little history of the Ecumenical Movement and of the Consortium.

I also invited the Board Members to several events--including sending a representative to the Board of Trustees meetings.

The Student Board is a dynamic ecumenical group--of great importance to the Consortium.
Students are most welcome to participate in Board activities. These can be found on the Consortium Website.

Peace,
John

Weekly Update



Friends:



The immediate often overtakes this blog--that is,
there are so many things happening
that I don't have time to reflect.



1. The Consortium Student Ecumenical Orientation took place on Thursday, September 14. Caldwell Chapel at Catholic University was full. After warm greetings from the Dean of the School of Theology and Religious Studies, Msgr. Kevin Irwin, we had a prayer service prepared by the Consortium Student Board. Dr. Judy Fentress-Williams preached and preached well--encouraging and challenging the students. Early reports on the dinners at seven neighboring religious houses indicate that the interaction and sharing were quite positive. This is usually the most important student ecumenical event.

2. The Student Board of the Consortium will meet on Saturday, October 10th at Virginia Theological Seminary. One agenda item will be to evaluate this event.

3. On Monday, September 14, Dr. Richard Jones, who holds Alwani Chair in Muslim Christian Relations at the Consortium, conducted his first event to familiarize students with the Certificate Program in Muslim-Christian Dialogue. Several faculty and about 10 interested students, both Christian and Muslim, took part in this discussion. It was held after lunch at Virginia Theological Seminary.

4. I was happy to attend the Retreat of faculty and students at Virginia Union in Richmond on Saturday September 19th. The prayer service was lively, to say the least, and Associate Dean Mary H. Young preached about traveling with Jesus to the other side despite the storms. This was very moving. I gave my usual Consortium intro for the new students--and got several inquiries.

Well I try not to go beyond 4 points--so more later.

Peace,
John

Sign of Collaboration; Symbol of Division.

Friends:

I wear my black clerical garb wherever I go in the seventeen Consortium institutions. In most of them it is distinctive. I stand out.

My presence reminds faculty and students of our commitment to one another. We are not just a group of isolated institutions—but united in a common purpose. The members frequently say: ‘you pull us out of our silos.’ I am a sign of collaboration.

I also am a symbol of division. Despite our mutual commitment, we are divided. Our Christian traditions are separate. The Consortium presumes not just difference but division.

At certain liturgical moments the divisions are visible. Faculty walk around me to go to communion at the Methodist or Lutheran Lord’s Supper. I am not able to fully participate. I am not fully part of their community.

I am a sign of progress and partiality.

Peace,
John

Visit with Faculty at the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University

Friends:

Our colleagues in Richmond have a very long institutional name--
And a clear sense of their mission. They are training leaders for pastoral ministry.

I was privileged to meet the faculty this Wednesday during their retreat.
I had an opportunity to discuss with them their new status as an Institutional Member of the Consortium---and answer some questions.

I also was privileged to have lunch with Dean John Kinney and Associate Dean Mary Young and give them a little background on the Board of Trustees/Executive Committee and the Consortium Council of Academic Deans. They will be serving as VUU's representatives on these bodies.

Years ago members of the Consortium Student Board encouraged me to write a review of 'Food in the Consortium'. I graciously declined this task.

I would note, however, that the chef at Mosby Memorial Baptist Church [where the retreat took place] would be in my top 5.

Peace,
John

Planning for the Future

Friends:

Today the Planning Committee of the Board of Trustees meets for lunch.
The Consortium has been consistently in a planning mode since the mid-90's.

The Committee--Board Vice Chair Sheila Garcia, Dean Ian Markham of VTS, and Public Board Member Bob Maddox will meet at VTS to consider the current plan, its extension and the development of a new comprehensive plan.

Hope you have a relaxing Labor Day Weekend!

Peace,
John

Service to the church--Howertine Duncan

Friends:

I was privileged yesterday to attend the Opening Worship Service at Wesley Theological Seminary.

During the course of the Service a candle was lit by Dr. Bill Faupel in memory of Howertine Farrell Duncan, the recently deceased Reference Librarian at Wesley. Dr. Mary Moschella then gave a brief tribute to Howertine.

Howertine was usually one of the first people I saw when entering Wesley's Library.
She always offered a friendly greeting--even when very busy serving faculty and students.

I learned she was patient and dedicated in this ministry.
She attended numerous meetings of the Consortium Librarians during the decade I knew her--another form of service.

The Memorial at the Worship Service put me in mind of the endless hours of service provided by all those who work in the Consortium institutions. Most all regard this work not as a job but a ministry for the students and for the church.

I find this quiet and unheralded service deeply edifying.

Peace,
John

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

Consortium Activities Continue in Mid-Summer

Friends:

It used to be that the summertime was a time to catch up but no more.

This week:

1. Linwood Blizzard, one of Howard University Divinity School's student representatives, stopped by to share some ideas with me. He had very good suggestion(s) in regard to the Student Orientations on the campuses in the fall. I am taking some steps--as is he--to improve these events.

2. The Consortium Chief Financial Officers Group met at WTU yesterday. I want to thank Wayne E. Wissman, CFO of WTU, for hosting the meeting and sharing some insights into better stewardship. The group met for quite a while--and concluded with lunch. There was a lot of networking going on--and planning for some future meetings, perhaps by Conference Call, which would focus on individual topics of interest.

3. The Board of Trustees Committee on The Friends of the Consortium met this morning. We discussed the Reception this past April at St. John's Lafayette Square--and planned for next year's meeting in the Atrium of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The Committee members discussed the purposes of the Friends--Sharing the vision and mission of the Consortium, sustaining ecumenical and inter religious relationships and enlarging the circle of those who participate, and supporting the ongoing efforts of the Consortium.

4. Dr. Lewis Parks and I continued our efforts this week on behalf of the Doctor of Ministry Degree in Ecumenism and Inter religious Dialogue. We will begin the program in January. This is a Wesley Degree co-sponsored by the Consortium.

Please tell those you know who may be interested in this program. The program is relatively inexpensive and the classes are 4 intensive weeks each year.

Peace,
John

PS I will resuming these reflection in August after a break!

Wesley Friends Featured

Friends:

Today I was reading the United Methodist Connection at lunch.
On the front page was a story about the Wesley Ministry Network--and an interview with Dr. Craig Hill. The writer thinks Craig asks deep questions--I know from experience that he does, though he does not do so all day, every day.


On the third page was a picture of Consortium Trustee Mary Kraus, who retired from pastoring Dumbarton UMC this summer. The local Chapter of the Methodist Federation for Social Action gave her their annual award. It is called "Gods' Foolish One" after 1 Cor 1:27.


Usually I don't see two people I know featured in any publication.
It was great to see two leaders honored.

Peace,
John

Dr. Collins Nominated to Lead NIH

Friends:

I was thrilled to see that Dr. Francis Collins, who keynoted the Consortium Faculties' Convocation this past fall at VTS, has been nominated to lead the National Institutes of Health.

As you know, many faculty at the time remarked on his superb presentation on the question of science and religion. He was impressive both professionally and personally.

I wish him all God's blessings in this important position.

Peace,
John

The Peace of Christ

Friends:

For some reason I have always signed off my emails by saying Peace.

I do not know exactly how I began this custom.
But I do know that my concern inner peace of heart on the spiritual journey of life and my desire to share this peace with my email correspondents is a part of its origin.

Yesterday, while waiting for my car to be serviced [!] I had time, finally, to read "A Mennonite and CAtholic Contribution to the World Council of Churches' Decade to Overcome Violence.

I had promised myself that I would read this statement--for I am also concerned with peace in our world. Finding the time was the problem--thus in the comparative quiet of the waiting room, I was finally reading.

I would recommend this short, succinct and very helpful statement to you.
It gets to the point quickly.
I found the statement in The Ecumenical Review, July 2008, pages 333-344.
I am sure you can find it elsewhere.

It seems to me that as Christians we are messengers of the Peace of Christ--every day.
We are seeking, in modest ways to be sure, to build a community of peace.

The Peace of Christ....
John

Practical Theology Group Forming

Friends:

I was happy to meet yesterday with Dr. Joyce Mercer [VTS] , Dr. Jessicah Duckworth [WTS] and Dr. David Gortner [VTS] to discuss the possibilities for forming an interdisciplinary group of colleagues interested in what is now being called Practical Theology. This discipline, sometimes referred to previously as pastoral theology, focuses on lived religious practices.

The field embraces several sub-disciplines including:

Christian Spirituality
Religious Education
Pastoral Care
Missiology
Religion and Culture

The initial agenda for the group would be to learn about one another's work in progress, to create collective resources, and to explore collaborative teaching.

These are only a few of the thoughts expressed in our conversation.

If you are a Consortium faculty member interested in exploring or adding to the parameters of this 'group being formed' please let me--or one of the colleagues--know.

Peace,
John

Science and Religion--and Peacebuilding

Friends:

As you know the Consortium has had a very active Science and Religion faculty group since 2000.
The group meets about 6 times each school year and sponsors a public lecture each semester.

What you might not know is that the group is pursuing a grant on a Platform for Peace building.
The proposal is at the intersection of science, theology and public policy--as well as philosophy, psychology,etc. It is truly interdisciplinary. The first lecture of this program will be on Saturday, November 14th--God willing of course

I am building a list of folks interested in this project.
If you are one of them send me your email address.

Peace,
John
crossin@washtheocon.org

Consortium Office Moves West!

Friends:

The move is not far--from the South 2nd floor temporary offices
To the west 2nd floor renovated permanent offices.

Packing is a chore!
I am delaying packing by writing this blog.

But by the end of next week The Consortium Office--as it is known to some--will be in 3 newly renovated
offices provided by the Pontifical Faculty at Dominican House. The Office has been at Dominican House since 1972 in a couple different locations on the second floor.

Well, I must stop procrastinating on packing.
And there is a thunderstorm happening outside.

Peace,
John

Dr. George Lindbeck and Vatican II

Friends:

I was happy to attend the opening session this past Monday of the Center for Evangelical and Catholic Theology's Conference on Vatican II at the John Paul II Cultural Center.

Dr. Lindbeck led off--and putting aside parts of his prepared text, he reminisced in an interesting way
on his experience at Vatican II as an observer for the Lutheran World Federation. He attended all four sessions of the Council.

The following struck me as significant:

• There were few Catholic of Protestant theologians at that time who were expert in ecumenism and, among Protestants, few who were experts in Catholicism. Thus there were few observers to start.
• There is no way to document the influence of the observers. They did have a weekly meeting however with the staff members of what is now the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. And who knows where their comments went? Some of the observers had personal relationships with the bishops or their expert advisers.
• Vatican II is still having its impact in Protestant circles.

It was quite interesting to hear from someone who was present and has lived his life in the aftermath.

I was happy to see Consortium Board members and Consortium students in attendance at the Conference.

The presentations will eventually appear in print.

Peace,

John

Rev. Dr. Clark Lobenstine Honored

Friends:

In a surprise move that produced an ovation, the Board of the InterFaith Conference, an Affiliate Member of the Consortium, awarded Dr. Lobenstine its Bridge Builder Award. Clark has been the Executive Director of IFC since the beginning--30 years ago. He is well-known for his dynamism and his complete dedication to mutual understanding. The IFC embraces 11 religious traditions.

The Board gave the award to him at the end of their annual presentation of Bridge Builder and Founder's Award. The other recipients had been known for months. The award to Clark was a well-guarded surprise--Clark is usually the first to know what is going on!

This is a well-deserved award given to an esteemed and admired colleague.

Peace,
John

Important Administrative Work

Friends:

At this time of year we catch up on import work.
Yesterday it was the review of the By-Laws of the Consortium.

Task Force Chair Mary Brown, Trustee Clyde Taylor and I met for two hours yesterday to review the By-Laws and to draw up a list of changes to recommend to the full Board next October.

We also reviewed three proposed policy statements.

I am most appreciative of the time and energy of Mary and Clyde.
This rather unsung work of two Board members keeps the Consortium up-to-date in important corporate matters.

Peace,
John

The Boston Consortium

Friends:

Sorry to be absent for a few days.

I had a delightful mini-retreat this week at St. Anselm's Abbey on South Dakota Avenue NE.
I have gone their from time to time to make my annual retreat.
It is always good to pray with the monks, to have some quiet time and to do some spiritual reading.
I strongly recommend retreats!

Subsequently I had a few minutes to take a look a the Bulletin of the Boston Theological Institute, a Consortium like ours in many ways. They are celebrating their 40th anniversary.

I would note two things:

1. My counterpart, Dr. Rodney L. Petersen, Director of the BTI, has his usual interesting column.
What struck me about this one is the following:

"But the Zero-Sum option is no option for theological education: The Zero-Sum option says that it is impossible for one party to advance its position without the other party suffering a corresponding loss. This is theological prejudgment. A negative-sum solution says that the pie is shrinking and in the end, the gains and losses will all add up to less than zero. This, also, is not an option: Religion is, worldwide, a growth industry."

He goes on to say that the only option for theological education is positive-sum thinking.

We believe in divine grace.

2.In the same issue of the Bulletin is the 40th Anniversary Address give by Dan Aleshire, Executive Director of the Association of Theological Schools [ATS]. He notes that Consortia increase educational capacity at very modest costs. He says:

"Effective consortial structures are one of the greatest bang-for-the-buck investments theological schools can make, and most of the schools still have at least a buck."

This is as true here as in Boston.

A happy Memorial Day.

Peace,
John

"Believers in Christ, united in following in the footsteps of the Martyrs,
cannot remain divided."

Friends:

Today I was looking at the first paragraph of the famous 1995 Encyclical of John Paul II
Ut Unum Sint.

Here he cited the offering of Christian martyrs as a "powerful proof that every factor of division can be transcended and overcome in the total gift of self for the sake of the Gospel."

Now I have never thought of myself as 'having the character of the martyrs' though I admire them.
But I do think that I might learn a little about perseverance in our ecumenical call, despite the obstacle's that arise, from the courage of the Martyrs.

The power of the Spirit, alive in us, is stronger than our weaknesses.
I ask daily for the guidance of the Spirit for my work in the Consortium and for the ecumenical movement.

Peace,
John