[Magdalen] D's letter

[Lynn Ronkainen]

... apparently he was quoted in one of the faculty communiqués as having 
said something to the effect that : we don't want GTS to be a 'gay' 
seminary.... this man seems to have a difficult time articulating what he 
wants to communicate in a way that doesn't offend.  Neither that remark, or 
the huge apologia in the 'letter' undo what that off the cuff remark from 
the president/dean left in people's minds. (who ideally should think before 
speaking) At some point, people who hold positions of authority need to be 
held to higher standards. When a person in a position of authority uses that 
authority to explain away their words, they are already in trouble (which is 
what he did afterwards regarding several 'hot button' remarks he made in 
earshot of many that were found in the letters from faculty which have 
already been made available on the internet). This letter seems to be 'the 
last word' from him, serving to quiet things 'once and for all'. Not.

L

website: www.ichthysdesigns.com

When I stand before God at the end of my life I would hope that I have not a 
single bit of talent left and could say, "I used everything You gave me." 
attributed to Erma Bombeck

Thomas Merton writes, “People may spend their whole lives climbing the 
ladder of success only to find, once they reach the top, that the ladder is 
leaning against the wrong wall.”

--------------------------------------------------
From: "Jay Weigel" <jay.weigel at gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, October 06, 2014 1:12 PM
To: <magdalen at herberthouse.org>
Subject: Re: [Magdalen] D's letter

> I thought it was a little, um, self-serving. But then I thought, maybe 
> it's
> just me. Glad I'm not the only one.
>
> On Mon, Oct 6, 2014 at 2:05 PM, Jon Egger <revegger at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Wow.  What an ego.
>>
>> +++
>> Grace & peace,
>> jon
>>
>>
>> On Mon, Oct 6, 2014 at 8:50 AM, Grace Cangialosi <gracecan at gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>> > This is the letter:
>> >
>> > Begin forwarded message:
>> >
>> > >
>> > > I could not fine a link either so I cut and pasted.  Here you go!
>> > >
>> > > To the beloveds of God's church in the world
>> > >
>> > > Some of you may be following the unfolding of various controversies
>> > surrounding The General Seminary of The Episcopal Church here in New 
>> > York
>> > City and around me, it's Dean and President. Until today, there were
>> three
>> > main issues: (1) allegations against me personally, (2) faculty
>> employment
>> > issues, and (3) overarching and intensely serious issues regarding the
>> > future of Christian theological education in America, in The Episcopal
>> > Church, and at General Seminary. While dutifully silent until now, I 
>> > have
>> > felt for a while that I need to touch on all three.
>> > >
>> > > But, this morning something much more serious emerged. It is about my
>> > support for our LGBT community and those loved by God around the world.
>> My
>> > hubris in addressing this letter to all of God's beloveds worldwide is
>> > because statements which may hurt one of us actually hurts all of us,
>> > wherever you live. I think that's what Christian community is about.
>> > >
>> > > LGBT Issues
>> > >
>> > > Let me start as I will end this section: I support our LGBT community
>> > without condition. Period.
>> > >
>> > > Of all the allegations made - and to be made, I'm sure - when
>> fabricated
>> > things start to circulate, I know we have a collective problem. The 
>> > issue
>> > about my embrace of our LGBT community is one of those. Now we have a
>> > worldwide community problem.
>> > >
>> > > I can say I support all of God's children until I'm blue in the face,
>> > but that doesn't seem to mean much when faced with a determination to
>> > obfuscate the truth. In fact, what is most disturbing is a portion of a
>> > letter I just read about one of our beloved partners in ministry, St.
>> > Luke's in the Fields Episcopal Church down the street in Greenwich
>> Village.
>> > It seems to say that as the Dean, I discourage worship there and steer
>> > seminarians away. Let me give some facts:
>> > >
>> > > - I have personally worshiped at St. Luke's (and given money) several
>> > times since coming to New York. Most recently was late this summer in
>> > August. Taking communion from the common cup in line with everyone else
>> is
>> > part of what we do to signal oneness. That morning at 8am, it was my
>> > delight to join that assembled community just like I always do at the
>> > Lord's table. Communion with all of God's people makes us one. All =
>> one. I
>> > look forward to returning.
>> > >
>> > > - We have had, do have, and will have seminarians at St. Luke's. I 
>> > > hope
>> > that continues forever. In fact, late this summer when one of our 
>> > seniors
>> > decided to enter a Wisdom Year Residency pilot, I personally contacted
>> St.
>> > Luke's rector to make sure she did not feel General was leaving them in
>> the
>> > lurch. She assured me they did not feel that way whatsoever. I then 
>> > asked
>> > our Field Education coordinator to see if we had a seminarian who 
>> > needed
>> a
>> > last-minute placement at St. Luke's. I support the ministry of St. 
>> > Luke's
>> > in worship, on the street, and in the world.
>> > >
>> > > - I suspect St. Luke's also feels my support. When their long-time
>> > associate rector recently announced a new calling thereby leaving St.
>> > Luke's, the rector contacted me (and others, I suspect) for assistance 
>> > in
>> > identifying new candidates. I look forward to helping them find the 
>> > right
>> > candidate for their rich ministry.
>> > >
>> > > - I have never discouraged anyone from worshiping anywhere. One of 
>> > > the
>> > joys of this metropolitan area of 8 million people is that there are 
>> > over
>> > 400 Episcopal churches in commuting distance. All are open to our
>> > seminarians. If you are reading this letter and interested in trying a
>> LGBT
>> > welcoming church, please try one of ours, including St. Luke's. We
>> welcome
>> > all of God's people... and so do I.
>> > >
>> > > Here at General, we have LGBT students. Some were just recently
>> > ordained. Joy for them and the flocks they will serve. But, it doesn't
>> just
>> > stop with enrolling, graduating, and ordaining LGBT seminarians. 
>> > General
>> is
>> > community for all of us.
>> > >
>> > > For example, over the past six months or so, I personally approved a
>> > blessing of an upcoming same gender union in the seminary's Chapel of 
>> > the
>> > Good Shepherd. Even though my own bishop (as some do) prohibits his
>> clergy
>> > from participating in same gender blessings and I cannot officiate, I
>> told
>> > the couple I will attend and sit in the Dean's Stall as a powerful 
>> > symbol
>> > of my approval of this for General Seminary. By this action, I am
>> following
>> > my own beliefs, what the Episcopal Church and General Seminary embrace 
>> > as
>> > the current openness of our denomination, and my ordination vows of
>> > obedience to my bishop, even when I disagree with him. I take all three
>> > very seriously.
>> > >
>> > > While the allegation of "gay seminary" bleeds into the next section
>> > about some of the allegations against me, it has immediate importance
>> here.
>> > Let me address it head-on.
>> > >
>> > > Since I have arrived at General I have been very clear in frequent
>> > public and private gatherings that my number one goal is to make sure
>> > meaning attaches to the word "general" in our title. We are the General
>> > Theological Seminary; not the specific seminary. I have said it to our
>> > Board, Executive Committee, Alumni Council, students, potential donors,
>> and
>> > anyone who will listen. But it always always always always comes with 
>> > the
>> > following: "that said, this is not 'code word' for anything; General 
>> > (or
>> > sometimes "normal") means young/old... rich/poor... gay/straight...
>> > white/black... male/female... General means general." I almost say it
>> that
>> > way verbatim each time because I know how that could be misconstrued. I
>> > know some of you have heard this statement because this is precisely 
>> > what
>> > is now being complained about.
>> > >
>> > > When people allege that I said I don't want General to be the "gay
>> > seminary," I have said that. But it is only said in the context of just
>> the
>> > gay seminary. That "just" connotation is an essential part of the 
>> > entire
>> > message. In fact, I also combine it with "high church" or "Anglo
>> Catholic"
>> > or "male" or "female" or even "evangelical" seminary, just for good
>> > measure. General needs to be general, not specific. All of God's
>> children,
>> > whether you are LGBT or not, are part of general. Have I said that 
>> > enough
>> > now?
>> > >
>> > > We are all one and need to be treated as one. One means one. One.
>> > >
>> > > I support our LGBT community without condition. Period.
>> > >
>> > > Allegations against me
>> > >
>> > > Some of you have read that eight faculty members have made general 
>> > > and
>> > specific allegations against words I have used and an atmosphere which
>> has
>> > emerged at General. I welcome the on-going investigation and to comment
>> > specifically here (other than the very important correction about LGBT
>> > issues, above), would be contrary to the Board's request of my silence
>> > pending conclusion of their investigation. However, I can say that 
>> > there
>> > are three categories of things the eight faculty allege: (1) things 
>> > that
>> I
>> > said and I stand behind them; (2) things which are so contorted,
>> misquoted,
>> > or detatched from context that they are repeated in a "false light;" 
>> > and
>> > (3) things which are just not true.
>> > >
>> > > That said, I'm also sure something or somethings will emerge which I
>> > would like to put differently next time. Why? Because I'm human. But 
>> > none
>> > of those wanted do-overs involve the egregious allegations.
>> > >
>> > > I welcome the unfolding of the inquiry.
>> > >
>> > > Faculty Employment
>> > >
>> > > I know there is a firestorm around the issues regarding faculty
>> > employment. I did not participate in any of the meetings, was not 
>> > present
>> > for the discussion or votes, and discovered the Board's various actions
>> > after the faculty (and perhaps some of you) learned of them. I can't
>> > comment further on anything relating to faculty employment because I 
>> > have
>> > not been involved in that aspect.
>> > >
>> > > Massive Changes in Theological Education and at General Seminary
>> > >
>> > > Let me close with a few comments about the massive changes underway 
>> > > in
>> > theological education and how they are being unfolded at General.
>> > >
>> > > When I arrived, the seminary had not had a Dean and President for 
>> > > over
>> > three years since my predecessor retired, was emerging from a $42 
>> > million
>> > un-funded debt crisis of enormous proportion, had an annual cash 
>> > deficit
>> of
>> > $3 million a year with only three years of operating reserves in the
>> bank,
>> > and an unsustainably small number of students (great students, by the
>> way)
>> > in the entering class. Despite a rapidly changing church which was
>> yearning
>> > for leadership and vision, our response was to continue doing what we 
>> > had
>> > always done, just do it better. Virtually everyone - especially the
>> Board -
>> > recognized that would not work.
>> > >
>> > > While those facts apply to General, we are not alone. Nationwide,
>> > seminaries are facing enormous pressure, not just financial but
>> missional.
>> > We need to reclaim our relevance to the world. The world is counting on
>> us
>> > to teach about life in Christ in a language which can be understood.
>> > Counting on us. Counting on us.
>> > >
>> > > Last year we cut the defecit in half, extended the effectiveness of 
>> > > the
>> > operating reserves from two to four more years, with the Board's help
>> > crafted a vision of maximizing our unique place in the New York
>> > metropolitan area with The Wisdom Year, and empowered the faculty to
>> expand
>> > on that into the classroom by integrating learning with the Way of
>> Wisdom.
>> > For the first time in years, the Church responded with audible 
>> > applause:
>> we
>> > had 34 new students this year! The uncharacteristicly early interest in
>> > admissions (until this week) for next year is additional proof of the
>> > pudding: the eating is good.
>> > >
>> > > All of this was possible because of the clarity of the mission which
>> the
>> > Board recognized in order for General to move forward. I don't mean 
>> > just
>> > the necessary financial directions (like the fast-paced
>> deficit-eliminating
>> > directions to me), but the clear mandate to make any and all changes
>> > necessary to reform General into usefulness for the future of our
>> church, a
>> > future not even known to our own church leaders. The decisions and
>> > leadership I have been able to exercise were because the Board gave me
>> the
>> > tools necessary: a clear governance structure, a mandate to create 
>> > order,
>> > health and vision, and the affirmation needed to make swift, clear, and
>> > difficult decisions.
>> > >
>> > > All of this was in increasing opposition to many entrenched interests
>> > eager (and vocal) to return to the "way it used to be at General." Have
>> you
>> > ever heard that at your own church/business/community? My own 
>> > leadership
>> > style of consultation rather than collaboration created conflict, yet
>> again
>> > and again allows us to move forward by having the ability to make
>> > decisions. The myriad external pressures (shrinking denomination; 
>> > expense
>> > of operation; purposefully low tuition; limited housing; etc.) also
>> > increase tension, but we have to face them head-on or they will swallow
>> us
>> > up.
>> > >
>> > > Finally, the recognition that despite anyone's best efforts of
>> polishing
>> > our current mission, it is absolutely financially unsustainable into 
>> > even
>> > the near future without continued major shifts and changes. Again:
>> > continued major shifts and changes. Without those which are ongoing and
>> yet
>> > to be started, the required significant outside fundraising simply has 
>> > no
>> > reasonable chance of success. Professionals tell me that "no one wants 
>> > to
>> > get an institution out of a hole; they all want to build on a 
>> > mountain."
>> I
>> > look forward to helping all our stakeholders build that mountain, but 
>> > not
>> > until we deal with our structural problems.
>> > >
>> > > So, just "coming back to work" means entering an environment which 
>> > > will
>> > continue to shift and change in massive ways. Why? Because we must
>> embrace
>> > those uncertain changes or we will go out of business. "Coming back to
>> > work" better mean coming back with eyes open that the pressures will 
>> > only
>> > increase for all of us, some felt more personally than others. But also
>> > come back with a hopefulness given by Jesus himself that the Church is
>> not
>> > finished with General.
>> > >
>> > > Telling and hearing deep truths is difficult. Acting upon those deep
>> > truths is even more difficult. Another one of those important truths is
>> > that we have many more choices to make to bring General forward to have 
>> > a
>> > sustainable future and be useful and attractive to the church and the
>> > world, not to mention financially viable beyond the horizon of our
>> > available cash. Each new decision will require speed and clarity.
>> Whomever
>> > is the Dean and President needs to continue to have those tools
>> available.
>> > >
>> > > Conclusion
>> > >
>> > > I feel very supported by the Board and many of you in this
>> unprecedented
>> > undertaking. I know they and you feel my support as well. Support, not
>> > ambush, will move the Body of Christ forward.
>> > >
>> > > Thank you for reading this. I know some (the part about General and
>> > theological education) is "inside baseball" and of little interest to 
>> > the
>> > worldwide church. But, it all gives context to our particular storms.
>> Yet,
>> > the important message I really want to make sure you hear today - 
>> > because
>> > to remain silent compounds the hurt already being inflicted - is that
>> all,
>> > all, all, all of God's children are welcome in our Episcopal Church,
>> > General Seminary, and in my life. All means all, LGBT community 
>> > included.
>> > >
>> > > I hope this brings some peace, particularly to those who may be 
>> > > wounded
>> > by what is swirling around.
>> > >
>> > > Kurt+
>> > >
>> > > The Very Rev. Kurt H. Dunkle
>> > > Dean and President | The General Theological Seminary of The 
>> > > Episcopal
>> > Church
>> > >
>> > >
>> >
>>