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A Greeting from Dean Gary Hall:

It is a great pleasure to invite you to participate in this year’s Bread for the Journey, Working for a Just Society here at Seabury October 25- 27, 2005.

Ever since Seabury adopted the mission-focused curriculum, the life of the seminary both in the classroom and outside has been focused on the questions of what it means to live out the Gospel mission in the concrete structures and communities which God has called us to serve. While we understand that there are differing understandings of what that mission looks like, we are coming increasingly to understand that doing God’s mission in the world means that we will live out ministries aiming at remaking our own society in the image of God’s loving and inclusive reign.

We have set aside these days as a time for Seabury’s alumni/ae to return to the seminary and to engage with each other, with faculty, students, and invited guests in celebration of the justice ministries that are already in place. We welcome you during this reunion time to explore ways in which all of our ministries might be stretched to include some work and witness on behalf of those for whom Jesus expressed special concern.

Please join us in Evanston on October 25-27. Bread for the Journey will be a time of reflection and refreshment and a wonderful opportunity to make some new connections in the service of the ministries to which God has called us.

THE WORKSHOPS

KEYNOTE SPEAKER
DEAN GARY HALL

Wednesday, October 26 at 9 a.m. - Sheil Center

How to be Prophetic and Keep Your Job

I once heard William Sloane Coffin, Jr. declaim that a mutual friend had been fired not because he was so prophetic “but because he wasn’t doing his job as a pastor!” While prophetic clergy often do lose their jobs because of the stands they take, it is more usually the case that conflict arises over a failure to take pastoral and institutional needs seriously. It is possible to be a prophet and to care for people while being one. In this session, I’ll reflect on a decade of ministry at All Saints, Pasadena--a social action parish if there ever was one--and my subsequent experience in a more conservative Pennsylvania congregation with some thoughts about how prophetic clergy can engage the issues that compel them while at the same time building in some personal and professional safeguards.

Prior to coming to Seabury, Dean Hall was rector of the Church of the Redeemer in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania for four years. For the eleven years prior to that he was Senior Associate at All Saints, Pasadena, with particular responsibility for Education, Church Growth, and Incorporation of New Members. A native Californian, Dean Hall received his A.B. at the University of California, Berkeley. He earned his M.Div. with distinction at Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He returned to California to study at UCLA where he earned both his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in English.

Dean Hall has served parishes in California, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. Among his ministries, he has been Chaplain at the Cranbrook Schools in Michigan, Vicar of St. Aidan's Church in Malibu, California, and Member of the Standing Committee and later Sexual Misconduct Officer for the Diocese of Los Angeles. In Pennsylvania he chaired the Campus Ministry Study Committee, the Diocesan Review Committee, and the Committee on Diocesan Finances.

Wednesday, October 26 at 2:45 p.m.

Concurrent Workshops

Defining & Dismantling Racism in Our Institutions - Sheil Center

Christopher Griffin

This workshop will help participants develop a shared definition and analysis of institutional racism. Participants will learn how power and prejudice combine to harm the community of color AND the white community. The group will leave with an action plan that will help them to dismantle racism in the Episcopal Church, and in other key institutions which effect the quality of life in our communities.This workshop will also look at the theological implications of antiracism as well as the ethical dimensions for our lives and liturgies.

The Rev. Christopher Griffin graduated from Seabury Western in 2002 with a Certificate of Advanced Theological Studies. Christopher also serves as the Convener of the Anti Racism Commission for the Diocese of Chicago. Chris has just finished his first year of doctoral studies in Theology at The University of Chicago and has recently become an Episcopal Church Fellow. Prior to doctoral studies, Chris worked as an elementary school social worker in the Rogers Park community of Chicago. Chris sees his work with children, anti-racism, and scholarship as part of his commitment to the Gospel.

Peacemaking and Justice as Action - Community Organizing and Working for Change in Our Society - Seabury Lounge

Jarrett Kerbel, Clyde Elledge, Andrea Mysen & Charles de Kay

This forum will discuss the basics of community organizing and some of the challenges that ministers and congregations face as they begin to dialogue with one another regarding issues of common good in a politically polarized, issue oriented culture.

These four presenters are all serving as clergy in Chicago churches and are actively involved in community organizing within their parishes. Jarrett is at St. Mary’s Park Ridge, Clyde is at Annunciation Gurnee, Andrea is at All Saints’ Chicago and Charlie is at St. James the Less Northfield. Three of the four are Seabury graduates: Clyde ‘93, Andrea ‘04 and Charlie ‘04.

Thursday, October 27 at 9 a.m.

Concurrent Workshops

Leading for Social Activism – Leading for Social Change - Sheil Center

William Persell

Bishop Persell will draw upon experiences in four parishes and a diocese to look at the issue of how a diverse congregation or diocese might work effectively for social change without alienating some of its members. Is this possible?

Bishop William Persell is the 11th Bishop for the Diocese of Chicago. Formerly dean of Trinity Cathedral, Bishop Persell serves as a member of the Boards of Trustees of Rush University Medical Center, Seabury-Western Theological Seminary, the Christian Century Foundation; Episcopal Relief and Development and a variety of boards of social service agencies. He is a member of Bishops Working for a Just Society, a coalition of bishops concerned with social justice issues. He is past President of the Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago.

Educating and Mobilizing Congregations for Social Justice- Seabury Lounge

Jennifer Kottler

This workshop will help pastors and church educators frame justice issues in theological, biblical and historical contexts. Jennifer will look at timely issues of racial, social and economic justice and will assist participants in identifying the issue, its impact on marginalized and disempowered communities and identify how congregations can work on these issues within these communities in ways that are collaborative and empowering. We will also explore avenues for congregational education including preaching, speakers, educational forums and book groups.

The Rev. Jennifer Kottler, Deputy Director at Protestants for the Common Good, holds a Master’s of Divinity degree from the Divinity School at the University of Chicago, and a Master’s Degree in Education from the George Washington University. Prior to her work with PCG, Jennifer was a special education teacher and human service case manager in Fairfax County, Virginia. She is an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and a registered lobbyist in the State of Illinois, advocating for just social policy on the state level.

THE SCHEDULE
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Registration - the Cloister
2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Gathering & Refreshments -Seabury Lounge
5:15 p.m.
Evensong - the Chapel
5:30 p.m. - 6:45 p.m.
Reception - the Deanery
7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Alumni/ae Banquet - the Refectory
8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Dessert and Alumni Association Meeting - Seabury Lounge

Wednesday, October 26, 2005
7:45 - 8:15 a.m.
Breakfast - the Refectory
8:30 a.m.
Morning Prayer - the Chapel
9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Keynote Speaker:
Gary Hall
How to be Prophetic and Keep Your Job - Sheil Center
11:15 a.m.
Eucharist - Chapel
12:15 - 1:45 p.m.
Buffet Lunch with the Dean - Seabury Lounge
2:45 - 4:45 p.m.
Concurrent Workshops
Anti-Racism - Sheil Center
Community Organizing - Seabury Lounge
5:15 p.m.
Evensong - the Chapel
7 p.m.
Class Reunion Dinners

Thursday, October 27, 2005
7:45 - 8:15 a.m.
Breakfast - the Refectory
8:30 a.m.
Morning Prayer - the Chapel
9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Concurrent Workshops
Leading for Social Activism - Sheil Center
Mobilizing Congregations - Seabury Lounge
12:00-1:30 p.m.
Closing Lunch - the Refectory

Guest Housing in Evanston and Skokie Information

This information is to assist alumni/ae in arranging their housing options in the Evanston and Skokie area. Please know that most hotel rates vary according to occupancy at the time one makes their reservation. Listed are typical rates and hotels that offer discounts for Northwestern institutions. Please be sure to ask for the discount when making the reservation and checking in. As this is a very busy season for the Evanston area, it will be important to book a reservation as soon as possible.

If you require housing, please call the listed number for reservations. The seminary does not automatically hold a reservation for you if you requested housing information.

Also, be advised that housing at Seabury is already filled. Garrett has limited housing and filled on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Garrett Guest Rooms
Across the Street, Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary
2121 N. Sheridan Road
Evanston, IL
Available on first come, first serve basis.
Options:
VIP Rooms
Private bath, 1-queen or 2-twins
double occupancy $82/night
single occupancy $61/night

Dorm Rooms
Bathroom in hall, 2-twins:
double occupancy: $68/night
single occupancy: $47/night
For reservations, call or e-mail: Susan Nanna 800-275-8235 x42 susan.nanna@seabury.edu
Reservations deadline: Thursday, October 1, 2005

The Homestead Inn
Downtown Evanston
1625 Hinman Avenue
Evanston, IL
Rooms can be 2-twins, 1 double or 1 queen with private bath, complimentary parking & continental breakfast
Rates: single or double occupancy $95/night
For reservations, call (847) 475-3300

Best Western
Downtown Evanston
1501 Sherman Ave.
Evanston, IL
Rates: single occupancy $89/night
Ask for Northwestern rate
For reservations, call (847) 491-6400

The Hotel Orrington
Downtown Evanston
1710 Orrington Avenue
Evanston, IL
Newly renovated
Rates: for double or single occupancy $129/night
For reservations, call (847) 866-8700

Margarita Inn
Downtown Evanston1818 Maple Ave.
Evanston, IL 60201
Rates: rooms vary from suites to singles with a shared bathroom and rates vary accordingly ($79-$160). Ask for the Northwestern discount.
For reservations, call (847) 869-2273

Holiday Inn Express
Skokie
5300 W. Touhy Ave.
Skokie, IL
Rates: single and double occupancy $135/ night
Free parking
For reservations, call (866)-270-5112

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