A Director’s View from Three Months In

Report to the EDS Board of Trustees byDr. Diane D’Souza

May 22, 2013

The gift : a time to pause…

… a time to take stock:

How can our strengths & experiences

shape a new vision?

Building on a Strong Foundation

EDS

Progressive

Innovative

Respected

Extraordinary…

Eminent faculty

Respect for learner individuality & experience

Commitment to social & personal transformation

Focus on inclusive education & social justice

How might more people come

to connect with who we are

and what we believe?

Who needs us but hasn’t found us yet?

we have yet to imagine?

What are the

stories, voices, courses, ga

therings, songs, resources,

alliances…

How can Lifelong Learning at EDS

increase the life, vitality and

scope of who we are?

Our Emphasis:

EXCELLENCE … creating relevant & exciting learning opportunities

PASSION … focusing on offerings which move our spirits

CREATIVITY … envisioning new possibilities & learning communities

COLLABORATION … strengthening our partnerships & cultivating new ones

Program Areas

• Envisioning & nurturing new ways

of being a transforming &

reconciling presence in the world

• CREATIVITY

• Increasing our skills, insights and

abilities to partner in healing the world

• WISDOM

• Increasing our capacity to be a

listening, guiding, healing presence in the

world

• STRENGTH

• Recharging for fresh engagement

with the world

• HOPE Renewing Our Spirit

Strengthening Our

Leadership

Building Our Future

Deepening Our

Knowledge

In development:

• Re-imagining Vocation; a 12-week program for clergy with the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire (Lent 2014)

• Collaboration with the Religious Institute in offering a sexuality course for religious professionals

• A joint Multi-faith Literacy initiative with the Episcopal Church’s Ecumenical / Inter-religious Ministry

What lies ahead?

Where is our cutting edge?

The future is here.

“The Web is the primary delivery

system for learning and faith

development. What the book was

to the modern world, the web will

be to the world that is forming.”

Leonard Sweet

Forward: 18 Rungs in the New Ladder of Learning

June 20, 2013

ROUNDTABLEon Lifelong Learning / Continuing Education in Boston

Theological Institute Schools

An initiative of Episcopal Divinity School, Boston College School of

Theology & Ministry, and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

This is our growth area.

A collaborative project of Episcopal Divinity School, Episcopal City

Mission, & the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts

Collaboration

Diversity

Abundance

Social and economic justice

Practical, contextual learning

Action and reflection

Fun, joy and passion

The Mission

Institute’s work is

guided by

commitments to:

The

Mission Institute

provides congregations and communities with innovative learning opportunities that nurture leaders, advance spiritual growth, and support the flourishing of just, healthy societies. Acknowledging the strengths of diversity and collaboration, the Mission Institute strives to be a platform through which people can access a rich array of resources that fuel transformational ministry, especially in urban settings.

EVOLVING PROGRAMS

“… informative and interactive.”

“… several takeaways that I can bring back to my church & vestry.”

“… a refreshing overview & encouragement in people and project

management.”

“… an excellent new tool to create heaven on earth (a little!!) within

committee work.”

“…[it] opened my eyes to new thinking.”

86 lay people and clergy participated in 5 different regional venues.

Leadership for Transformationa 2013Mission Institute Workshop

Next Steps:

Study Paths for Faith-based Leadership

A menu of workshops offering individuals and congregations the opportunity to customize programs to meet their needs.

Offerings include:

• Introduction to Small Church Vitality

• Finding God in the Work of the Committee

• Embracing Part-time Leadership

• New Ways of Being Church

• Building Vital Communities that Reach Out

STRENGTHENING RESILIENCE:

A Learning Series

a collaborative initiative of the Mission Institute, Lesley

University, and the Cambridge Health Alliance

How can we support growth and healing

in times of trial?

When the Unthinkable Happens: Strengthening Resilience

Save Us from the Time of Trial: Spiritual Resources & Scientific

Insights into Trauma and Healing

Telling Your Story So It Can Be Heard

What Do We Tell the Children? Parenting Through Troubling

and Confusing Times

Short workshops that make a big difference.