Episcopal Divinity School

Episcopal Divinity School was a seminary that operated from 1974 to 2017, offering Master of Divinity and other degrees to students from the Episcopal Church in the United States of America and other Christian denominations, including the Anglican Communion and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The school was known for its progressive and inclusive approach to theology, with a focus on social justice and community engagement, as exemplified by the work of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Martin Luther King Jr.. Episcopal Divinity School was also a member of the Boston Theological Institute, a consortium of seminaries and theological schools in the Boston area, including Andover Newton Theological School and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. The school's curriculum was influenced by the Lambeth Conference and the Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral.

● History

The history of Episcopal Divinity School dates back to 1974, when it was founded as a result of the merger between the Episcopal Theological School and the Philadelphia Divinity School, with the support of Presiding Bishop John E. Hines and Bishop Paul Moore Jr.. The school's early years were marked by a strong focus on liberation theology and feminist theology, with faculty members such as Rosemary Radford Ruether and Letty Russell playing a key role in shaping the school's curriculum and community, alongside other notable theologians like James Cone and Beverly Harrison. Episcopal Divinity School was also influenced by the Civil Rights Movement and the anti-apartheid movement, with many students and faculty members involved in social justice activism, including William Stringfellow and Daniel Berrigan. The school's history is closely tied to the Episcopal Church in the United States of America, with many of its graduates going on to become bishops, priests, and deacons in the church, including Barbara Harris and Katherine Jefferts Schori.

● Academics

Episcopal Divinity School offered a range of academic programs, including the Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in theology or religious studies, with courses taught by faculty members such as Kwok Pui-lan and Emilie Townes. The school was known for its strong programs in biblical studies, church history, and pastoral theology, with a focus on practical theology and spiritual formation, as reflected in the work of Augsburg Fortress and Church Publishing. Students at Episcopal Divinity School also had access to a range of elective courses and independent study opportunities, allowing them to pursue their interests in areas such as eco-theology and interfaith dialogue, with the guidance of scholars like Sallie McFague and Mark Taylor. The school's academic programs were accredited by the Association of Theological Schools and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, and were influenced by the World Council of Churches and the National Council of Churches.

● Campus

The campus of Episcopal Divinity School was located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, near Harvard University and MIT, with many students and faculty members involved in the local community through volunteer work and community engagement, including partnerships with Trinity Church and St. Paul's Cathedral. The school's campus was also home to a number of student organizations and community groups, including the Episcopal Divinity School Student Council and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Caucus, which worked closely with organizations like IntegrityUSA and The Trevor Project. The campus was situated near the Charles River, offering beautiful views and a peaceful atmosphere, and was also close to the Boston Common and the Massachusetts State House.

● Notable Alumni

Episcopal Divinity School has a number of notable alumni, including Bishop Gene Robinson, the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church in the United States of America, and Bishop Mary Glasspool, one of the first openly lesbian bishops in the church, as well as Rebecca Goldstein and Katharine Jefferts Schori. Other notable alumni include priests and deacons who have gone on to serve in a range of parishes and dioceses across the United States and around the world, including Africa and Asia, and have been influenced by the work of Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela. Episcopal Divinity School alumni have also gone on to become theologians and scholars, making significant contributions to the field of theology and religious studies, including Catherine Keller and Laurel Schneider.

● Closure and Legacy

In 2017, Episcopal Divinity School announced that it would be closing its doors due to financial difficulties, with the support of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and Bishop Alan Gates. The school's closure was met with sadness from the Episcopal Church in the United States of America and the wider theological education community, but also with a sense of gratitude for the school's legacy and impact, as reflected in the work of The Episcopal Church Foundation and The Church Pension Fund. Episcopal Divinity School's legacy continues to be felt through its alumni and the many churches and communities that have been shaped by its graduates, including St. Mark's Episcopal Church and Trinity Wall Street.

● Merger with Union Theological Seminary

In 2018, it was announced that Episcopal Divinity School would be merging with Union Theological Seminary in New York City, with the support of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and Bishop Lawrence Provenzano. The merger created a new entity, Union Theological Seminary at EDS, which offers a range of academic programs and continues the legacy of Episcopal Divinity School, including its commitment to social justice and community engagement, as reflected in the work of The Riverside Church and The Interfaith Center of New York. The merger has allowed Union Theological Seminary to expand its reach and impact, while also preserving the unique heritage and traditions of Episcopal Divinity School, including its connection to the Episcopal Church in the United States of America and the Anglican Communion.