This June, the Episcopal Divinity School (EDS) spent a week in Louisville, Kentucky at the 81st General Convention. During this time, EDS hosted two significant events: a luncheon with alums and friends, and a retirement reception for former Interim President the Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas, whose term officially came to an end on June 30, 2024. After a year of strategic listening and planning, both of these events offered the space for EDS community members to come together to joyfully celebrate where EDS has been and to look forward to the bright future that lies ahead.
EDS Alum Lunch
On Monday, June 24th, EDS hosted a luncheon at General Convention to gather in community with alums, friends, and colleagues and to honor the retirements of former EDS professor Dr. Kwok Pui Lan and EDS Interim President the Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas.
The event was emceed by EDS alums the Rev. Lydia Bucklin ’15 and the Rev. Christopher Montella ’15, who opened lunch with a welcome, prayer, and update on EDS’ journey of the past year. EDS Board Chair Kay Kramer then followed up with a formal update on the strategic planning process. Next, the Rev. Dr. Sheryl Kujawa-Holbrook shared a heartfelt tribute to the late Rev. Canon Dr. Edward W. Rodman, EDS alum and former John Seeley Stone Professor of Pastoral Theology and Urban Ministry. The programming concluded with presentations to honor the retirements of former EDS professor Dr. Kwok Pui Lan and EDS Interim President the Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas. Both Drs. Kowk and Douglas reflected on their tenures at EDS and offered remarks on their belief in its strong future.
“The gathering of the EDS community at lunch on June 24th at the 81st General Convention was an inspiring, hope-filled opportunity to connect with alums, former faculty and staff, and current EDS leadership,” shared emcee the Rev. Lydia Bucklin ’15. “The mission and vision of EDS remains strong and justice focused, with the EDS community reaffirming their commitment to changing unjust systems and working toward God’s dream of liberation. Alums from all over The Episcopal Church expressed joy in being together, reminiscing on the unique, formative theological education that EDS has equipped us with.”
Retirement Reception for the Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas
On Tuesday, June 25th, EDS hosted a retirement reception for former Interim President the Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas. Friends and colleagues joined together to celebrate the remarkable tenure of Dr. Douglas, who served as Dean of the Episcopal Divinity School at Union Theological Seminary from 2017 to 2023, and then Interim President of Episcopal Divinity School from July 2023 to June 2024.
Beginning in 2017 under Dr. Douglas’ leadership, EDS launched the Anglican Studies program at Union Theological Seminary. This program welcomed its first class in 2018 and consistently grew in participants and program offerings during its five years at UTS. In 2020, during the COVID-19 lockdown, Dr. Douglas developed “Just Conversations”, a series of theological conversations with leaders across the church and society on pressing justice issues which surfaced amidst the dual-pandemic of racism and COVID-19. In 2023, EDS once again became an independent institution and began a year-long listening and strategic planning process to define EDS’ bold and optimistic future within the landscape of theological education.
After her tenure at EDS, Dr. Douglas will serve as Canon Theologian for Newcastle Cathedral in the Church of England and continue her role as theologian-in-residence at Washington National Cathedral and Trinity Wall Street.
