I’m delighted to give you an update from the EDS Board of Trustees. It has been my honor and privilege to be a trustee since 2017 and to serve as the Board Chair since October 2021. It has been a time of great discernment and transition, and I’m so pleased to report on what we have been doing. The EDS Board of Trustees meeting on February 21, 2024 focused on the strategic planning process and the upcoming search for a new President. We heard an important update from Katie Glover, our strategic planning consultant, about her second phase of conversations with a group of strategic, diverse members of the EDS community. These conversations offered the following thematic directions:
- Making a positive impact on the church and the world
- Matching EDS’ justice strengths to current formation gaps
- EDS as a “hub” for transformative formation reaching emerging faith leaders
The conversations that Katie has had with 52 individuals (including alums, bishops, clergy, lay leaders, seminary deans, church leaders and more) has shown both a deep desire and commitment to seeing EDS thrive and making a difference and gratitude for the process that EDS has undertaken since disaffiliating with Union Theological Seminary. The board remains committed to upholding EDS’ unique identity and voice within the church and in the world of theological education.
As you know, Dr. Douglas announced her retirement from the faculty of Union Theological Seminary in the Spring of 2023. We are so grateful that she agreed to stay on as Interim President for this year as we’ve engaged in the strategic planning process. As part of that process, the board approved an updated mission and core values statement that will serve as a foundation for the search for the new president of EDS that will be launched shortly. Please watch for a special email with further details!
Lastly, I'd like to remind you that EDS is committed to full transparency as we move along in this strategic planning process. For answers to commonly asked questions, including the current status of the endowment, please see the FAQ page on our website.
Sincerely,
Kay Kramer
Board Chair, Episcopal Divinity School