Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Episcopal Divinity School

Episcopal Divinity School (EDS) is a progressive theological institution historically affiliated with the , formed in 1974 through the merger of the Episcopal Theological School, founded in in 1867, and the Divinity School, established in 1857. For over four decades, it operated as a emphasizing , civil rights, and inclusive practices, training and leaders within the Anglican from its campus adjacent to . EDS gained prominence for pioneering liberal theological education in the Episcopal Church, including early advocacy for women's ordination and engagement with issues like racism and sexism, but faced persistent enrollment declines and financial shortfalls amid broader challenges in mainline Protestant seminaries. By 2017, mounting deficits—exacerbated by operational costs and a student body prioritizing activism over traditional clerical formation—prompted the cessation of degree-granting programs, leading to an affiliation with Union Theological Seminary from 2018 to 2023 and the sale of its Cambridge property. In recent years, EDS has restructured as an independent entity focused on non-degree programs in moral leadership, , and community transformation, hosting events like the annual Lecture while forgoing a curriculum to address gaps in theological education. Controversies have included leadership tensions, such as the tenure of Katherine Ragsdale, a vocal advocate for abortion rights, which drew criticism from conservative Episcopalians for prioritizing ideological commitments over fiscal sustainability and formation. Despite these challenges, EDS maintains a legacy of influencing Anglican thought, though its evolution reflects causal pressures from demographic shifts and donor fatigue in institutions.

History

Predecessor Institutions

The Philadelphia Divinity School was established in 1857 in , , by Alonzo Potter of the of Pennsylvania as the Divinity School of the Protestant Church. Its primary mission centered on the formation of clergy through instruction in , scripture, and ecclesiastical practices, reflecting the traditions prevalent in mid-19th-century American Episcopalianism. The Theological School was founded in 1867 in , by a group of prominent businessmen, led by Benjamin Tyler Reed, to serve as a for preparing men for ordination in the . Located near , it offered theological training that integrated , patristic , and liturgical formation, attracting students seeking rigorous preparation for amid the post-Civil expansion of Episcopal institutions. Early operations emphasized a grounded in the and the , with modest enrollment growth supporting its role as a key regional through the late .

Formation and Early Development

![St. John's Chapel, Episcopal Divinity School, Cambridge][float-right] The Divinity School was established on June 6, 1974, through the merger of the Divinity School and the Episcopal Theological School, as encouraged by the Church's Board for Theological Education. This union consolidated operations at the Episcopal Theological School's campus in , specifically at 99 Brattle Street, amid financial strains including rising costs and declining traditional enrollment at both predecessor institutions. The merger created a unified faculty of approximately 20 members and preserved the combined libraries and resources, enabling EDS to function as an independent degree-granting focused on preparing individuals for ordained and lay ministry. In its early years, EDS maintained accreditation through the Association of Theological Schools and emphasized a integrating traditional Anglican with and biblical influenced by its predecessors' progressive orientations. The school adopted inclusive hiring practices ahead of broader church norms; following the irregular ordinations of women known as the in 1974, EDS deans announced intent to hire an ordained woman faculty member as soon as canonically possible, aligning with the Episcopal Church's formal approval of women's ordination in 1976. This period marked initial operational milestones, including the admission of diverse students and the continuation of feminist biblical studies within the program.

Affiliation with Union Theological Seminary and Relocation

In July , the Divinity School () Board of Trustees voted 11-4 to cease granting degrees at the conclusion of the 2016–2017 , citing ongoing financial challenges that were depleting the school's endowment amid declining across seminaries. This decision reflected broader pressures in theological education, where sustained budget deficits and reduced student numbers necessitated structural changes to preserve institutional viability. To sustain its Episcopal-focused mission without independent accreditation, EDS pursued an affiliation with Union Theological Seminary (UTS) in New York City. In February 2017, the EDS board approved negotiations for this partnership, which both institutions viewed as complementary due to aligned commitments to progressive theological inquiry and social justice emphases. By May 2017, EDS and UTS signed an agreement enabling EDS to operate an Anglican Studies program under UTS auspices, with EDS students accessing UTS facilities, faculty, and degree-granting authority while maintaining distinct Episcopal curricular elements such as liturgy and canon law training. The affiliation facilitated EDS's relocation from its Cambridge, Massachusetts, campus to , driven by the need to eliminate high maintenance costs and leverage UTS's urban resources for cost savings. In 2017, EDS placed its 99 Brattle Street property—spanning eight acres near —on the market as part of the transition. The sale to was announced in July 2018, yielding funds to support the endowment, with finalization of remaining property deals by January 2019 marking the completion of the physical move. Initial outcomes included stabilized operations through shared , though empirical assessments of long-term financial relief remained pending as EDS integrated into UTS's ecosystem while retaining over its identity.

Shift to Non-Degree Status and Independence

In March 2023, Episcopal Divinity School (EDS) and Union Theological Seminary (UTS) jointly announced the termination of their formal affiliation, effective immediately, which ended EDS's access to UTS's residential infrastructure and degree-granting capabilities. This separation positioned EDS as a non-residential entity without a physical campus, full-time faculty, or capacity for accredited degree programs, with the stated aim of enabling EDS to "explore multiple models for theological education" beyond traditional seminary structures. The disaffiliation led to the loss of EDS's Association of Theological Schools (ATS) accreditation for degree programs, as those had been administered through UTS following EDS's earlier cessation of independent degree offerings in 2017. reoriented toward non-degree initiatives, including short-term certificates, advisory services, and formats designed for broader accessibility. EDS retained control of its endowment, valued at approximately $53 million prior to the , to fund these non-degree efforts and potential partnerships without reliance on UTS resources. This supported EDS's transition to a leaner, innovation-focused model amid declining enrollment trends in residential theological education.

Governance and Leadership

Deans of Predecessor Schools

The predecessor institutions to Episcopal Divinity School, Philadelphia Divinity School (founded 1857) and Episcopal Theological School (founded 1867), featured deans whose extended tenures fostered administrative stability prior to their 1974 merger. At Episcopal Theological School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, George Hodges served as dean from 1894 to 1919, a 25-year period marked by steady enrollment growth and infrastructure enhancements, including the development of library resources and faculty appointments to support pastoral training. His predecessor, William Lawrence, held the position from 1889 to 1893, contributing to early curricular refinements amid the school's expansion. Later, Harvey H. Guthrie Jr. led as dean from 1969 to 1974, managing operational transitions and negotiations that facilitated the merger while maintaining academic programs for approximately 100 students annually. Philadelphia Divinity School's leadership emphasized institutional resilience in an urban context, with Edward G. Harris serving as dean from 1961 to 1974—a 13-year term during which the school sustained its enrollment of around 50-70 seminarians and adapted facilities for theological instruction near the . These tenures, often spanning a or more, underscored a pattern of continuity that minimized disruptions and preserved doctrinal education standards ahead of consolidation.

Leadership of Episcopal Divinity School

The leadership of Episcopal Divinity School since its 1974 formation has primarily been vested in a combined and role, responsible for steering institutional strategy amid evolving theological landscapes. Post-2000, the school experienced notable leadership transitions, including the 2008 resignation of Steven Charleston as and after a tenure focused on efforts. These changes coincided with broader enrollment declines across Episcopal seminaries, with overall enrollment dropping about 9% from 2018 to 2022 and Episcopal-specific figures reflecting a 31% reduction over similar periods. The Very Rev. Katherine Hancock Ragsdale, an ordained Episcopal priest with prior experience in advocacy organizations, assumed the role of president and dean in 2009. Her six-year tenure emphasized progressive social justice initiatives but encountered faculty friction and institutional tensions, culminating in her announcement in January 2015 not to seek contract renewal amid reports of conflict. Following interim leadership by figures such as the Rev. Frank Fornaro in 2016, the Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas served as dean starting in 2017, overseeing the 2017 affiliation with Union Theological Seminary to access resources during financial strain, including a reported $7.9 million asset loss. Douglas's term ended with the March 2023 disaffiliation, after which she briefly acted as interim president. In August 2024, the EDS Board of Trustees appointed the Very Rev. Lydia Kelsey Bucklin, a 2015 EDS alumna and former canon to the ordinary in the , as the new president and dean. Bucklin's mandate centers on implementing a strategic plan for hybrid, non- theological education models to address ongoing institutional challenges, including the cessation of degree programs since 2017 and adaptation to declining traditional attendance. Her approach prioritizes expansive, flexible formats amid membership losses of nearly 40,000 in recent years.

Theological Orientation

Core Doctrinal Emphases

Episcopal Divinity School's foundational doctrinal emphases aligned with the Episcopal Church's Anglican heritage, centering on the interpretation of scripture through tradition and reason, as reflected in the curricula of its predecessor institutions, Episcopal Theological School and Divinity School. These emphases prioritized creedal orthodoxy, including the , , and , which were integral to liturgical and catechetical training for candidates. The school's programs required comprehensive study of the , emphasizing historical-critical to discern original contexts and theological implications, alongside examinations in Christian doctrine that affirmed the , , and as non-negotiable tenets derived from patristic sources and formularies. Central to this formation was the , with the 1979 revision—authorized by the General Convention in 1979—serving as the primary text for sacramental theology and . Students engaged in courses on the , , and rites, underscoring the church's between catholic and reformed impulses, where sacraments were understood as efficacious signs of grounded in scriptural warrants and historical continuity. courses explored the nature of the , , and the threefold order of ministry, drawing from Anglican divines like and the theologians to affirm the church as a visible, hierarchical body under scripture's authority. This doctrinal core ensured graduates were equipped to uphold formularies while navigating responsibilities. The curriculum's structure, mandated by canons for seminary preparation (Canon III.8), integrated these elements into a balanced regimen of biblical, historical, and , with required competencies in Old and studies, (including ), and moral . Early emphases maintained doctrinal rigor through sequential coursework that built from scriptural foundations to applied ecclesial practice, fostering capable of defending Anglican positions against contemporary challenges. Faculty selections initially preserved this equilibrium by prioritizing scholars versed in classical sources, though subsequent hires increasingly emphasized interpretive lenses prioritizing ethical application over exegetical precision.

Evolution Toward Progressive Interpretations

Following the 1974 merger that formed Episcopal Divinity School, the institution integrated elements of into its theological education, particularly through faculty like Carter Heyward, who taught relational and feminist emphasizing critiques of hierarchical power and sexuality as sites of divine relation. This approach aligned with post-1970s curricular emphases on social critique over traditional doctrinal exposition, as seen in programs enlivened by liberationist frameworks that prioritized contextual ethics amid cultural upheavals. By the 1980s, Episcopal Divinity School advanced progressive liturgical reforms, hosting Standing Liturgical Commission discussions on in 1982 and publishing gender-expansive worship orders for St. John's Memorial Chapel in 1988, which replaced male-centric references to and with neutral or relational terms. These changes exemplified a doctrinal pivot toward experiential and egalitarian interpretations, correlating with Episcopal Church-wide revisions that de-emphasized rigidity in favor of adaptive . Such evolutions drew conservative critiques for eroding and historic Anglican formularies, with observers linking the school's liberalizing trajectory to broader denominational metrics, including a membership drop from 3.4 million in 1965 to 2.3 million by 2000, attributing it to diluted that sidelined scriptural authority for situational moralism. Proponents of traditional contended that fewer alumni upheld creedal affirmations, fostering a feedback loop where progressive outputs reinforced trends away from conversion-focused .

Social and Political Engagement

Initiatives on Ordination and Inclusion

The predecessor institutions of , particularly Philadelphia Divinity School founded in 1857, pioneered the admission and training of African American students and clergy in the starting in the 1870s, at a time when such inclusion was rare globally. This early emphasis on racial inclusion laid groundwork for broader diversity in ordination, with PDS becoming one of the first seminaries to house African American candidates and ordain Black ministers. Following the 1974 merger forming , the school advanced women's amid the Episcopal Church's evolving canons, admitting women as students since the 1950s via PDS and supporting the irregular ordinations of the in 1974. After the 1976 General Convention authorized women's priesthood, EDS's first female graduates were ordained under the new rules, contributing to a rapid increase in female clergy; by the late 1970s, women comprised nearly 20% of seminarians at institutions like EDS, doubling annually in preceding years. The school developed programs in feminist liberation theologies during the 1980s, fostering inclusive leadership and producing ordained women such as Bishop Mary Glasspool and Dean Kelly Brown Douglas. Empirical data from seminaries indicate higher female rates from progressive institutions like compared to conservative ones, where women's enrollment and remain minimal or opposed; for instance, Church Pension Group analyses show women increasingly attending seminaries by the 2010s, correlating with broader trends of women reaching 18.9% of bishops by 2019. Orthodox Anglicans, including those in networks like the , criticize EDS's initiatives for as bypassing scriptural prohibitions, such as 1 Timothy 2:12, which states a should not teach or have over a man, viewing them as innovations undermining rather than fidelity to biblical .

Involvement in Civil Rights and Related Movements

During the , students at Episcopal Theological School (ETS), a predecessor institution to Episcopal Divinity School (EDS), actively participated in the , particularly through involvement in events centered in . ETS's location in , facilitated engagement with broader activist networks in the area, though direct participation often stemmed from individual initiatives inspired by the era's moral imperatives. Seminarians joined marches and drives, reflecting a commitment to racial justice amid national upheavals. A prominent example is Jonathan Myrick Daniels, an ETS student who, after experiencing the Selma marches in March 1965, dedicated his summer to civil rights work in , including participation in protests against . Arrested during a at Fort Deposit on August 14, 1965, Daniels was released five days later and fatally shot on August 20 while shielding 16-year-old from gunfire by a deputy sheriff in Hayneville; he was 26 years old and is commemorated as a martyr in the calendar. Similarly, seminarian Judy Upham, studying at in 1965, traveled to Selma amid the voting rights campaign, lodging with a local Black family and contributing to efforts, though her involvement began somewhat serendipitously during a planned visit elsewhere. These cases illustrate how ETS students translated theological formation into on-the-ground , with Daniels's sacrifice drawing national attention to involvement. Following the 1974 merger forming , the institution sustained advocacy for economic justice and related causes, aligning with initiatives such as anti-poverty programs and campaigns. Faculty like Rev. Canon Edward Rodman, a civil rights veteran and founder of the Union of Black Episcopalians in 1968, taught at and emphasized structural inequities, influencing alumni who pursued roles in justice-oriented ministries. supported broader church efforts, including those against in during the 1970s and 1980s, where Episcopal seminaries, including peers to , advocated for from companies profiting from the regime; specific -led actions included seminars and student mobilizations echoing these priorities. from this period often entered activist positions, extending ETS's legacy into economic advocacy amid and inequality debates. Critics within conservative Episcopal circles have contended that such pronounced emphasis on civil rights and social movements diverted resources and attention from core and doctrinal formation, correlating with declines in urban attendance and overall membership during the late . For instance, analyses attribute part of the Episcopal Church's numerical erosion—from over 3 million members in 1965 to under 2 million by the —to a shift toward political over spiritual renewal, with seminaries like exemplifying this trend through curricula prioritizing over traditional missionary outreach. These views hold that while addressed immediate injustices, it contributed to institutional weakening by alienating potential congregants focused on personal rather than systemic critique.

Positions on Sexuality and Gender

Episcopal Divinity School faculty in the 1970s advanced arguments for the of homosexuals, exemplified by the 1975 appointment of Carter Heyward, an openly lesbian priest irregularly ordained in 1974 as part of the , who taught theology emphasizing relational ethics inclusive of same-sex partnerships. Heyward's work at EDS contributed to early institutional pushes within seminaries for revising traditional prohibitions on homosexual clergy, predating formal church-wide policy changes. By the early 2000s, following the Church's 2003 consecration of as its first openly partnered homosexual bishop, EDS aligned with full affirmation of homosexual and rites, with faculty such as Ian Douglas defending the move as consistent with Anglican relational ethics amid global tensions. Students from EDS attended Robinson's consecration ceremony, reflecting institutional support for the policy shift that intensified debates over scriptural fidelity. The school's curriculum integrates queer theology, featuring courses like "Queer Theologies" offered by adjunct instructor Patrick S. Cheng in 2015 and 2016, which examine homosexual and transgender identities through lenses of radical love and sin redefinition. Additional offerings, such as Kwok Pui Lan's 2009 seminar on "Eros, Sexuality, and the Spirit," analyze sexuality's theological dimensions, often challenging historic Christian views of acts described in Romans 1:26–27 as unnatural. Dean Kelly Brown Douglas, appointed in 2017, has promoted womanist frameworks incorporating queer inclusion, underscoring EDS's emphasis on intersectional identities over traditional doctrinal boundaries. In 2017, EDS issued a statement condemning U.S. Department of Justice guidance redefining Title VII to exclude protections, framing it as bigotry incompatible with commitments to human dignity. These positions mirror resolutions authorizing same-sex blessings in 2012 and equal marriage access in 2015, prioritizing experiential affirmation over prohibitions rooted in Leviticus 18:22 and 1 Corinthians 6:9–10. Orthodox critics, including departing Episcopalians, contended that EDS's stances deviated from biblical realism on sexual complementarity, citing texts like Romans 1:26–27 that equate same-sex acts with and disorder, prompting schisms such as the 2009 founding of the by conservatives rejecting homosexual affirmation as a causal factor in decline. Empirical data from post-schism trends show ACNA's growth to over 1,000 congregations by 2023, contrasting with Episcopal membership losses exceeding 20% since 2003, attributable in part to sexuality disputes.

Controversies and Criticisms

Leadership Conflicts and Resignations

In 2013, the faculty of Episcopal Divinity School issued a vote of no confidence in President and Dean Katherine Hancock Ragsdale following her proposal to shift away from the traditional residential model toward more flexible, distributed learning options amid financial pressures. This action highlighted tensions over , with faculty expressing concerns about Ragsdale's top-down approach to restructuring and perceived erosion of shared decision-making processes. These disputes persisted into 2014, stalling a planned strategic review intended to address the school's operational viability, as internal conflicts between and disrupted collaborative efforts on potential partnerships and . Governance clashes centered on divergent visions for institutional , with Ragsdale advocating aggressive adaptations to declining and endowments, while resisted changes they viewed as undermining academic autonomy and long-term stability. The cumulative strain from these leadership tensions culminated in Ragsdale's announcement on January 5, 2015, that she would not seek to continue as and president, citing a need for fresh direction after six years in the role. Her departure, preceded by the faculty's unresolved grievances, delayed integration discussions with potential affiliates and intensified scrutiny of administrative efficacy, contributing to broader instability in decision-making at a time when fiscal challenges demanded unified action.

Theological and Ethical Disputes

The tenure of Katherine Ragsdale as president and dean of Episcopal Divinity School from 2009 to 2013 exemplified theological disputes over ethical stances on abortion, drawing sharp conservative rebukes for her public advocacy portraying abortion providers as "saints" and the procedure itself as a "blessing." In a 2007 speech at an Alabama abortion clinic, Ragsdale described clinic staff as "heroes" performing "holy work" amid opposition, framing access to abortion as essential for women's moral agency rather than a violation of traditional Christian bioethics that prioritize fetal life from conception. Orthodox Anglican critics, including outlets aligned with global Anglican realignment efforts, labeled her the "high priestess of abortion," arguing her views represented a departure from scriptural prohibitions on shedding innocent blood and contributed to the erosion of doctrinal coherence in the Episcopal Church. Faculty at EDS more broadly endorsed revisionist ethical frameworks that prioritized contextual over classical traditions in , fostering debates with conservatives who contended such approaches undermined Anglican formularies like the . For instance, EDS's integration of feminist and theologies into curricula emphasized autonomy and narratives, contrasting with traditional emphases on creedal and sanctity of life, as critiqued by Anglican critics who viewed these as concessions to secular relativism rather than biblically grounded . These positions correlated with tangible institutional repercussions, including donor withdrawals from conservative Episcopalian sources; national church assessments declined by approximately $4 million in 2004 amid broader ethical controversies, with progressive seminaries like EDS experiencing heightened scrutiny and reduced support from traditionalist donors unwilling to fund what they saw as heterodox formation. Empirical data underscores the disputes' impacts, as progressive mainline seminaries including registered drops exceeding 50% from 2000 to 2020, dropping from around 100 full-time equivalents to near cessation of degree programs by 2017, while evangelical institutions maintained relative stability amid similar cultural pressures. Conservative analyses attribute this divergence to theological revisionism alienating potential ordinands committed to historic , evidenced by EDS's shift to non-degree models and asset sales exceeding $30 million by 2014, signaling viability challenges tied to its ethical emphases rather than mere demographics.

Institutional Viability and Decline

The Episcopal Divinity School experienced acute enrollment contraction, with student numbers peaking at approximately 100 in the 1980s before plummeting to levels insufficient to sustain degree programs by the mid-2010s. This decline contributed to structural , as low tuition inflows—amid high operational expenditures—depleted reserves despite an endowment exceeding $50 million. In July 2016, the board voted 11-4 to halt degree-granting after the 2016-2017 academic year, citing annual losses over $8 million that threatened long-term viability. These challenges mirrored broader patterns in Episcopal seminaries, where enrollment dropped 53 percent from 1,130 students in 2003-2004 to 531 in 2022-2023, alongside a 54 percent decline in total seminarians from 2,271 to 1,050 over the same period. Financial strains were exacerbated by fixed costs outpacing revenue in low-enrollment environments, as seen in EDS's reported expenditures of $7.2 million in a recent —nearly 30 percent higher than those of comparably sized conservative institutions like Trinity School for Ministry. Critics from Anglican viewpoints argue that doctrinal emphases, by prioritizing cultural adaptation over traditional , have eroded vocational appeal, correlating with both downsizing and the Church's membership erosion of over 20 percent since 2000. This causal link is evidenced by repeated merger failures, such as Seabury-Western Theological 's 2013 consolidation with Bexley Hall into Bexley Seabury, which involved asset sales to and a pivot to online operations amid ongoing enrollment shortfalls and leadership instability. Proponents of liberal counter that such realignments reflect pragmatic responses to demographic shifts and reduced funding, yet data on persistent closures and consolidations indicate limited success in reversing institutional contraction.

Current Status and Future Outlook

Program Offerings and Partnerships

Episcopal Divinity School provides non-degree offerings including short-term online courses, symposia, and programs geared toward lay formation rather than training, with no enrollment of full-time students in residential or degree-granting programs following its to independent status in 2023. Examples include virtual six-week courses such as "Facing the Shadow: An Exploration of Personal Healing & Collective Responsibility," which is open to the public and emphasizes personal and communal ethical reflection. These initiatives prioritize accessible, for Episcopal lay leaders and broader audiences, aligning with the school's post-affiliation emphasis on flexible, non-traditional theological education. In 2025, launched small grants of up to $500 to support faith communities in hosting screenings of the documentary , which examines Native American abuses, accompanied by expert consultations to foster truth-telling and repair discussions. This program, announced in October 2025, extends to congregations interested in integrating film-based events into lay formation activities. Additionally, the school initiated a fellows program under Distinguished Scholar Dr. Kwok Pui Lan for 2025-2026, mentoring Anglican women's leadership from the Global South through theological and postcolonial perspectives, without formal residency but involving ongoing scholarly engagement. Partnerships enhance these offerings, including collaborations with the Seminary of the Southwest on the 2024 Jonathan Myrick Daniels Civil Rights Pilgrimage, which integrates for participants focused on themes. EDS also partnered with Law School's , Rights & Project in fall 2024 for online seminars and policy initiatives, such as a event equipping faith leaders on legal advocacy for religious rights. These alliances support hybrid models blending virtual theological discourse with practical, interdisciplinary applications, though full hybrid degree pathways remain undeveloped.

Enrollment Trends and Financial Realities

Enrollment at () has mirrored broader declines in seminaries, dropping from over 200 students across Episcopal institutions in the early 1970s to 85 total enrollees by fall 2007, including 45 pursuing the degree. By 2017, the school ceased granting degrees, laid off its faculty, and transferred remaining students elsewhere, reflecting a trajectory toward zero traditional seminarians for by 2023 as it shifted to non-degree exploratory models. This aligns with Association of Theological Schools (ATS) data showing seminary enrollment falling approximately 25% per decade, from 22,400 in 2007 to 16,300 by 2017, driven by reduced demand for amid shrinking denominational bases. Financial pressures have intensified these trends, with EDS selling its 8-acre campus in 2018 to , yielding proceeds estimated to boost assets by around $25.5 million into its endowment, then valued at $53 million plus restricted funds. Despite this, the school has sustained operations through aggressive endowment drawdowns, expending about $6 million annually—equivalent to 7% of its $66 million investments—far exceeding sustainable rates of 5% or less, leading to rapid depletion. These dynamics correlate empirically with the Church's attendance plunge of over 20% since 2000, from roughly 850,000 average Sunday attendees to under 400,000 by 2023, reducing the pipeline for candidates. In contrast, Orthodox Christian seminaries have maintained relatively stable shares around 30% of their traditions' totals between 2000 and 2020, underscoring how doctrinal and liturgical in such institutions sustains viability amid mainline . EDS's trajectory highlights the unsustainability of relying on asset and high drawdowns without reversing underlying tied to denominational .

Recent Administrative Changes

On August 5, 2024, the Episcopal Divinity School Board of Trustees appointed the Very Rev. Lydia Kelsey Bucklin as the new President and , succeeding the interim following the school's from residential operations. Bucklin, a 2015 alumna and former dean of students at , was formally installed in an October 23, 2024, ceremony at in . This appointment marks a key shift in executive direction amid the school's emphasis on non-residential, flexible theological education programs. In November 2024, the Rt. Rev. Matthew Heyd, Chair of the Board of Trustees, issued an update outlining priorities such as strengthening partnerships and programmatic innovation, while acknowledging the transition from outgoing chair Ms. Kay Kramer. The board welcomed three new members in September 2025, including the Rev. Canon Randy Kyle Callender, to bolster governance amid ongoing . Under Bucklin's early leadership, launched initiatives including the "For Such A Time As This: Liberating Theological Education" series in September 2024, hosted by the president, focusing on adaptive models for ministry formation. In collaboration with , the school initiated a four-part election series in August 2024 titled "Being Church: Leading and Caring for Our Communities through the 2024 Election," featuring discussions on in . Looking to 2025, partnered with the Iona Collaborative at Seminary of the Southwest for the course "Choosing Justice & Making Amends in Biblical & Modern Witness," running from February 7 to April 11, to explore restorative themes in and practice. These efforts align with the non-residential model's focus on accessible, event-based learning without reported attendance metrics for the period.

References

  1. [1]
    About Episcopal Divinity School
    The roots of EDS can be traced back to the merger of Philadelphia Divinity School (1857) and Episcopal Theological School (1867), both renowned for their ...
  2. [2]
    Episcopal Divinity School (EDS)
    EDS was established at Cambridge, Massachusetts, on June 6, 1974, by the merger of the Philadelphia Divinity School and the Episcopal Theological School, ...Missing: history | Show results with:history
  3. [3]
    https://www.spencermarks.com/blogs/journal/episcopal-divinity-school-br-cambridge-massachusetts
  4. [4]
    Episcopal Theological School (ETS)
    The school was founded at Cambridge, Massachusetts, by a group of prominent Boston businessmen in 1867 to be a place of preparation for holy orders.
  5. [5]
    Episcopal Divinity School to stop granting degrees in June 2017
    Jul 21, 2016 · “A school that has taken on racism, sexism, heterosexism, and multiple interlocking oppressions is now called to rethink its delivery of ...Missing: achievements | Show results with:achievements
  6. [6]
    Shuttering Episcopal Divinity School Burning Cash - Juicy Ecumenism
    Nov 14, 2016 · Trustees from Episcopal Divinity School (EDS) released a letter today that reveals staggering financial losses at the troubled progressive ...Missing: controversies achievements
  7. [7]
    From hurt to healing - In Trust Center
    The governing board had voted to end the school's 150-year presence in the Boston area and pursue a partnership with a yet-to-be-determined seminary. Trustees ...<|separator|>
  8. [8]
    Episcopal Divinity School
    Episcopal Divinity School embraces remarkable journeys. Born from the merger of Episcopal Theological School and Philadelphia Divinity School in 1974.About · News · Staff & Board · ProgramsMissing: history | Show results with:history
  9. [9]
    New EDS Dean Seeks to Fill Gaps in Theological Education
    Sep 3, 2024 · The school does not plan to resume a Master of Divinity program, the standard offering of a seminary. EDS traces its origins to the 1974 merger ...
  10. [10]
    “High Priestess of Abortion” to Exit Episcopal Divinity School
    Jan 5, 2015 · A controversial Episcopal seminary dean is stepping down following several years of friction with faculty and disagreement about the future ...Missing: achievements | Show results with:achievements
  11. [11]
    Philadelphia Divinity School - The Episcopal Church
    This school was founded in 1857 by Bishop Alonzo Potter of Pennsylvania. On June 6, 1974, it merged with the Episcopal Theological School at Cambridge, ...Missing: date history predecessor
  12. [12]
    Episcopal Divinity School's 8-acre campus for sale in Harvard Square
    May 25, 2017 · The Episcopal Divinity School is selling its 8-acre campus at 99 Brattle Street in Cambridge's Harvard Square area as it prepares to decamp ...
  13. [13]
    A Reflection from the Rev. Dr. Carter Heyward on the Philadelphia ...
    Jul 29, 2025 · Episcopal Theological School in Cambridge (founded 1867) and Philadelphia Divinity School (founded 1857) merged to become Episcopal Divinity ...Missing: predecessors schools
  14. [14]
    EDS to Discontinue Degrees - The Living Church
    Jul 21, 2016 · Episcopal Divinity School's board of trustees voted Thursday morning to discontinue the school's three degree programs in June 2017.
  15. [15]
    Episcopal Seminary Succumbs to "Unsustainable" Spending
    Jul 21, 2016 · “The Episcopal Church has dropped from 3.6 million to 1.8 million members in a generation; this historic decline will have continued ...Missing: enrollment | Show results with:enrollment
  16. [16]
    Episcopal Divinity School to Pursue Affiliation with Union
    Feb 24, 2017 · The Board of Trustees of the Episcopal Divinity School (EDS) today voted to pursue an affiliation with Union Theological Seminary that would create an EDS ...
  17. [17]
    Episcopal Divinity School to Affiliate with Union Theological Seminary
    May 19, 2017 · EDS and Union Theological Seminary today announced that they have signed an agreement that will allow EDS to continue as an Episcopal seminary through a ...
  18. [18]
    Episcopal Divinity School, Union Theological Seminary agree on ...
    May 19, 2017 · Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts was formed in 1974 by the merger ... Formation Leader – Children, Youth, and Family (PT).
  19. [19]
    Eight acres near Harvard Square in play after Episcopal Divinity ...
    May 19, 2017 · The nature of the structures on the eight-acre Episcopal Divinity School near Harvard Square could define a sale of property after July.
  20. [20]
    Episcopal Divinity School sells Cambridge property
    Jul 24, 2018 · Episcopal Divinity School (EDS) has sold its 8-acre Brattle Street property in Cambridge, MA to its former neighbor Lesley University.Missing: early | Show results with:early
  21. [21]
    EDS finalizes deal on remaining Cambridge property
    Jan 23, 2019 · The lease of the property represents the completion of EDS' physical transition out of Cambridge, as EDS reaches the halfway point in its first ...Missing: relocation | Show results with:relocation<|separator|>
  22. [22]
    After pain and planning, two seminaries are moving toward ...
    Episcopal Divinity School recently signed an affiliation agreement with Union Theological Seminary.
  23. [23]
    Union Theological Seminary and Episcopal Divinity School ...
    Mar 31, 2023 · Union Theological Seminary and Episcopal Divinity School Announce New Directions for Leading Anglican Studies Program. March 31, 2023. New ...
  24. [24]
    Liberal Union Seminary Cuts Loose Episcopal Divinity School
    Mar 31, 2023 · Episcopal Divinity School is not a degree-granting institution and relied upon Union for its Master of Divinity and Master of Sacred Theology ...
  25. [25]
    EDS Chooses 'Innovative Credentialing' Over '@Union'
    Apr 5, 2023 · Episcopal Divinity School is stepping away from its residential, degree-awarding program at Union Theological Seminary, and its dean ...
  26. [26]
    Frequently Asked Questions - About Episcopal Divinity School
    As we do this, we are offering non-degree, widely accessible theological education offerings covering a variety of topics. You can explore these offerings ...Missing: ATS accreditation loss
  27. [27]
    Hodges, George - The Episcopal Church
    Hodges was Stone Professor of Homiletics and Pastoral Theology and dean (1894-1919) at the Episcopal Theological School, Cambridge, Massachusetts.Missing: Guthrie | Show results with:Guthrie
  28. [28]
    DEAN GEORGE HODGES — The Cambridge Tribune 31 May 1919
    Rev. Oeorge Hodges, D.D.. dean of the Episcopal Theological School. Cambridge, since 1893, when he was selected as the successor of Rev. William Lawrence, ...<|separator|>
  29. [29]
    Harvey Guthrie Jr., leader during historic period for Episcopalians, dies
    Jan 31, 2018 · He was dean from 1969 to 1974 and dean of Episcopal Divinity School from 1974 to 1985. He also served as chair of the council of deans of ...
  30. [30]
    Edward Harris Obituary (2010) - Legacy Remembers
    Mar 28, 2010 · From 1961-1974, he was Dean of the Philadelphia Divinity School, Philadelphia, PA, and Professor of Biblical and Pastoral Theology. He was ...Missing: G. | Show results with:G.
  31. [31]
    Edward G. Harris Collection - University Archives and Records Center
    After his tenure at the University of Pennsylvania, he became the dean of the Divinity School of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Philadelphia. In 1974 the ...
  32. [32]
    03/30/10, At the Former Philadelphia Divinity School Site
    Mar 30, 2010 · The Philadelphia Divinity School was founded in 1857 by Alonzo Potter, Bishop of Pennsylvania and member of Penn's Board of Trustees from ...Missing: date predecessor
  33. [33]
    Episcopal Church Seminary Timeline - Vicar of the Old North
    Nov 17, 2016 · 1966—Episcopal Theological School Ethics Professor Joseph Fletcher publishes his ground-breaking and controversial work, Situation Ethics.
  34. [34]
    Theological schools report continued drop in master of divinity ...
    Dec 2, 2022 · The projected enrollment for fall 2022 is 28,000 master of divinity students, a 4% decrease from fall 2021 and 9% decline since fall 2018.Missing: Episcopal turnover
  35. [35]
    [PDF] Changes in Seminary Enrollment Patterns
    Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and Episcopal enrollment declines were 40 percent and 31 percent respectively. United Methodist enrollments were virtually ...Missing: turnover | Show results with:turnover
  36. [36]
    Ragsdale appointed 6th President and Dean of Episcopal Divinity ...
    Mar 30, 2009 · Katherine Hancock Ragsdale '97, as Episcopal Divinity School's sixth president and dean. An EDS graduate whose life work and ministry ...<|separator|>
  37. [37]
    Controversial Episcopal seminary dean Katherine Hancock ...
    Jan 7, 2015 · Katherine Hancock Ragsdale announced her decision not to continue as dean and president of Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts ...
  38. [38]
    Episcopal Seminary That Stopped Giving Degrees Amid $7.9M ...
    May 23, 2017 · Last year, Episcopal Divinity School announced that they were no longer granting degrees to students starting in 2017 and that they reported a ...
  39. [39]
    Episcopal Divinity School Names Interim President Following ...
    Apr 5, 2023 · Episcopal Divinity School Names Interim President Following Disaffiliation from Union Theological Seminary ... The Very Rev. Kelly Brown Douglas, ...<|separator|>
  40. [40]
    Episcopal Divinity School Appoints the Very Rev. Lydia Kelsey ...
    Lydia Kelsey Bucklin as the new President and Dean. President Bucklin, a 2015 EDS graduate, most recently served as the Canon to the Ordinary in the Episcopal ...
  41. [41]
    https://episcopalnewsservice.org/pressreleases/episcopal-divinity-school-appoints-the-very-rev-lydia-kelsey-bucklin-as-new-president-and-dean
  42. [42]
    Constitution & Canons
    Study the needs and trends of discernment and vocational opportunities for ordained leaders and lay professionals within the Church and the appropriate ...
  43. [43]
    The Power of God-with-Us - Religion Online
    Carter Heyward, one of the first eleven women ordained Episcopal priests in 1974, teaches theology at Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Mass. A ...
  44. [44]
    Episcopal Divinity School Pursues Union Merger - Juicy Ecumenism
    Feb 24, 2017 · One of ten seminaries educating students for ministry in the Episcopal Church, EDS announced in July that it will cease granting degrees at the ...
  45. [45]
    [PDF] The Standing Liturgical Commission - Digital Archives
    As a result of the report on inclusive language given to the Standing Liturgical ... meeting in February, 1982, at the Episcopal Divinity School, Cambridge, MA.
  46. [46]
    1967 and the Unraveling of the Episcopal Church - The Anglican
    May 20, 2025 · But, as I have described in The Christ Church Stories, the Episcopal Church embraced a theology of progressive liberalism and thus a trajectory ...Missing: Divinity | Show results with:Divinity
  47. [47]
    The Episcopal Church: a case study of the link between liberalism ...
    Aug 1, 2012 · The Episcopal Church looks roughly how Roman Catholicism would look if Pope Benedict XVI suddenly adopted every reform ever urged on the Vatican by liberal ...<|separator|>
  48. [48]
    [PDF] New FACTs - The Episcopal Church
    have been in decline since the mid-1960s. The Episcopal Church was something of a mainline anomaly from the early 1990s through. 2001 when consistent growth.
  49. [49]
    [PDF] The Women Priests One Year Later - Digital Archives
    In her first homily as a member of the Episcopal Divinity. School faculty, Suzanne Hiatt mentioned that no one had asked her why she had been led to be ordained ...
  50. [50]
    Ordination of Women - The Episcopal Church
    After the 1976 vote, most dioceses accepted the ordination of women, and ordinations of women proceeded at a rapid rate. The 1997 General Convention revised ...
  51. [51]
    The Journey to Women's Ordination - News - Episcopal Divinity School
    Dec 27, 2023 · December 15th marked the 50th anniversary of five women deacons presenting themselves for ordination to the priesthood at the Cathedral of ...
  52. [52]
    [PDF] Whither Thou Goest - Church Pension Group
    While the data tend to support the proposition that Episcopal seminary attendance is declining, there is little evidence to support a related educational ...Missing: turnover | Show results with:turnover<|control11|><|separator|>
  53. [53]
    Women are joining the House of Bishops at unprecedented rate
    Jul 1, 2019 · They make up 18.9 percent of the total. If women and men elected but not yet ordained and consecrated are included, the count increases to 27 ...
  54. [54]
    Why Women's Ordination Cannot be Tolerated
    Jan 27, 2023 · However, I believe that if we follow Scripture faithfully and assent to the Anglican Formularies, then women's ordination cannot be tolerated; ...
  55. [55]
    ACNA is fatally flawed - Virtue Online
    Jul 31, 2025 · For ACNA women's ordination is its hot button issue. The bishops are deeply divided on the scriptural, spiritual and theological pros and cons.<|control11|><|separator|>
  56. [56]
    Seminarian followed an unplanned path into civil rights activism
    Feb 24, 2012 · The Rev. Judy Upham didn't intend to go to Selma, Alabama. She was studying at the Episcopal Theological School (now Episcopal Divinity School) ...
  57. [57]
    Daniels, Jonathan Myrick | The Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and ...
    Jonathan Myrick Daniels, a seminary student, participated in the Selma to Montgomery March and was killed by a deputy sheriff in Hayneville, Alabama.
  58. [58]
    Past Programs - Programs - Episcopal Divinity School
    The Rev. Canon Ed Rodman was a civil rights activist, the founder of the Union of Black Episcopalians, an esteemed professor at Episcopal Divinity School, and a ...Missing: involvement | Show results with:involvement<|separator|>
  59. [59]
    APARTHEID, DIVESTt1ENT, AND VIRGINIA SEMINARY: TOWARD ...
    Leaders of "legittmate" anti-apartheid groups in South Africa have ... Episcopal Divinity School and the School of Theology at. Setl!.3.nee have de1 ...
  60. [60]
    Is Political Activism Responsible for the Decline of the Episcopal ...
    Sep 5, 2019 · The evidence of their social and political activism, if not their theological tergiversation, can be plainly seen in both the sermons and the ...
  61. [61]
    Carter Heyward - LGBTQ Religious Archives Network
    In January 1975, Heyward and fellow priest Suzanne Hiatt were hired at Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. As a professor, Heyward's ...
  62. [62]
    Rev. Dr. Carter Heyward - LGBTQ Religious Archives Network
    At the General Convention of 1976, the Episcopal Church officially approved the ordination of women into the priesthood. ... Episcopal Divinity School in ...<|separator|>
  63. [63]
    Gay Rites Movement - The American Prospect
    and gay ... Ian Douglas, a professor at the Episcopal Divinity School in ...
  64. [64]
    OPENLY GAY MAN IS MADE A BISHOP - The New York Times
    Nov 3, 2003 · Gene Robinson was consecrated the next bishop of New Hampshire and the first openly gay prelate in the Episcopal Church U.S.A. on Sunday, laying ...
  65. [65]
    Seminary Teaching - Fr. Patrick S. Cheng
    ​Instructor, "Queer Theologies" (Fall 2016) (online) | Syllabus. Instructor, "Queer Theologies" (Fall 2015) (online) | Syllabus. Episcopal Divinity School.Missing: curriculum | Show results with:curriculum
  66. [66]
    https://www.shoparrayed.com/blogs/news/queer-theologians-to-know-for-pride-month
  67. [67]
    Statement Condemning DOJ's Anti-Trans Bigotry
    Oct 11, 2017 · Union and Episcopal Divinity School at Union Condemn the DOJ's Anti-Trans Bigotry. Categories: EDS at Union, Press Releases. By Rev. Dr ...
  68. [68]
    Episcopal Church approves same-sex blessing service - CNN
    Jul 10, 2012 · Episcopal priests will be allowed to conduct services blessing same-sex relationships under a policy approved Tuesday at the church's national convention.Missing: Divinity School
  69. [69]
    Stances of Faiths on LGBTQ+ Issues: Episcopal Church - HRC
    In 2018, the Episcopal Church's General Convention approved Resolution B012, expanding marriage rites for same-sex couples to all dioceses.Missing: School | Show results with:School
  70. [70]
    Sexuality Conflict Roils ACNA - The Living Church
    Feb 26, 2021 · The Anglican Church in North America (ACNA), which split from the Episcopal Church (TEC) more than a decade ago in part because of disagreement over human ...
  71. [71]
    Sexuality and Identity: A Pastoral Statement from the College of ...
    Jan 19, 2021 · As spiritual fathers we want to communicate our love for the many within the Church who live with same-sex attraction.
  72. [72]
    Episcopal Divinity School dean to step down | The Christian Century
    Feb 18, 2015 · In 2013, Ragsdale received a vote of “no confidence” by faculty after she proposed changes to the traditional residential seminary model. — ...
  73. [73]
    Conflicts Halt EDS Review - The Living Church
    Jun 26, 2014 · Conflict at Episcopal Divinity School (EDS) has derailed a core piece of an incipient strategic review aimed at making the seminary ...Missing: leadership disputes 2015
  74. [74]
    Another Episcopal Seminary Meltdown? - Juicy Ecumenism
    Sep 30, 2014 · Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts sold property worth over $30 million to neighboring Leslie University and more ...Missing: 2015 | Show results with:2015
  75. [75]
    “High Priestess of Abortion” Speaks at General Convention of ...
    Jul 15, 2009 · Ragsdale came under heavy criticism two years ago for her statements in a speech at an Alabama abortion clinic that “Abortion is a blessing.” ...
  76. [76]
    Abortion is a Holy Work Says Anglican Priest | thebereancall.org
    May 11, 2009 · The Rev Katherine Hancock Ragsdale also thinks that the people who run abortion clinics are "heroes" and even "saints". Ms Ragsdale ...
  77. [77]
    High Priestess of Abortion | USA News and Politics
    May 8, 2009 · High Priestess of Abortion ... The Rev. Katherine Ragsdale will soon become the first female president of Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, ...
  78. [78]
    Episcopal Church's funding down as some conservatives withhold ...
    A new report says giving by local dioceses to the national Episcopal Church dropped roughly $4 million last year ...
  79. [79]
    Changes in Seminary Enrollment Patterns, 2000-2020 | Part 1
    Oct 11, 2022 · The decline in the Professional M.A. was from 114 in 2000 to 109 in 2020, a 4 percent decline. Master of Divinity. Of the reviewed denominations ...
  80. [80]
    Episcopal Divinity pursues affiliating with Union in New York
    Mar 29, 2017 · Episcopal Divinity School is planning to move to New York City. Its leaders are negotiating an affiliation with Union Theological Seminary ...Missing: relocation | Show results with:relocation
  81. [81]
    The Future of Anglican Theological Education: A Dean's Diagnosis
    Jul 5, 2023 · Div. students at member schools in 2003-04 compared to 531 in 2022-23 (a 53% decline). There is a proportional decline in the total ...
  82. [82]
    Episcopal Seminary Funeral March Underway? - Juicy Ecumenism
    Jul 21, 2016 · The Board of Trustees of Episcopal Divinity School has voted to cease granting degrees at the conclusion of the 2016-2017 school year.Missing: decline | Show results with:decline
  83. [83]
    Partnership Ensures Survival of a Smaller GTS - The Living Church
    Dec 7, 2022 · In 2013, Seabury-Western merged with Bexley Hall to form Bexley Seabury. The downsizing of the Episcopal seminary structure has been inevitable ...
  84. [84]
    Programs - Episcopal Divinity School
    In this virtual six-week course with Dr. Catherine Meeks, students are invited into a courageous journey inward and outward. Drawing on Jungian psychology, ...Missing: early curriculum ethics<|control11|><|separator|>
  85. [85]
    Mission & Vision - About Episcopal Divinity School
    Core Values · Social Justice: EDS believes that social justice is central, not ancillary, to theological inquiry and the practice of Christian faith. · Leadership ...Missing: emphases | Show results with:emphases
  86. [86]
    Grant applications open to screen 'SUGARCANE' and deepen truth ...
    Oct 14, 2025 · Grant applications open to screen 'SUGARCANE' and deepen truth-telling around Native American boarding schools. Episcopal Divinity School.Missing: 2024 | Show results with:2024
  87. [87]
    Dr. Kwok Pui Lan to join Episcopal Divinity School as Distinguished ...
    Dec 18, 2024 · Kwok Pui Lan to join Episcopal Divinity School as Distinguished Scholar for 2025-2026. Episcopal Divinity School. Dr. Kwok Pui Lan delivers ...Missing: residency | Show results with:residency
  88. [88]
    Episcopal Divinity School Launches Inaugural Fellows Program ...
    Jul 24, 2025 · This fellows program seeks to empower women leaders from the Global South and foster a more polycentric, globally representative Anglican ...Missing: clergy training<|separator|>
  89. [89]
    Episcopal Divinity School and Seminary of the Southwest Civil ...
    Sep 26, 2024 · The Episcopal Divinity School (EDS) partnered with the Seminary of the Southwest (SSW) on the annual Jonathan Myrick Daniels Civil Rights Pilgrimage.Missing: partnerships Law
  90. [90]
    Episcopal Divinity School partners with Columbia Law School's Law ...
    Oct 22, 2024 · This fall, Episcopal Divinity School (EDS) partnered on two initiatives with The Law, Rights & Religion Project(LRRP), a law and policy ...Missing: Southwest | Show results with:Southwest
  91. [91]
    A New Chapter Begins | September 2024 Updates - News
    Sep 4, 2024 · On October 5, 2024, ​​Join EDS and the Columbia Law School Law, Rights, and Religion Project for an online seminar on how faith leaders can ...
  92. [92]
    Episcopal News Service: Press Release # 110607-01
    Nov 6, 2007 · At EDS, the total fall 2007 enrollment is 85, including 19 new students, 17 of whom are full-time. Of that total, 45 are Masters of Divinity ...
  93. [93]
    Episcopal Seminary Cut Set as Funds and Rolls Lag - The New York ...
    Jan 26, 1970 · In his sermon, Mr. Thorp said the largest seminary had 200 students and the smallest, 32. All 11 of the seminaries, he said, are reduced to “ ...
  94. [94]
    https://www.wsj.com/articles/seminaries-reflect-struggles-of-mainline-churches-1502357400
  95. [95]
    M.A.s abound while M.Div.s decline - In Trust Center
    In 2007, mainline enrollment had dropped slightly to 22,400, but by 2017, mainline enrollment had dropped more dramatically, to 16,300. In 1998, 50 percent ...
  96. [96]
    EDS: Prime Real Estate - The Living Church
    May 26, 2017 · A July 2016 draft analysis [PDF] prepared for the trustees expected the sale to give school assets a $25.5 million boost as of the 2021-22 ...Missing: proceeds | Show results with:proceeds
  97. [97]
    Cambridge's Episcopal Divinity School to stop awarding degrees
    Jul 21, 2016 · Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, facing ongoing budget deficits, said Thursday that it will no longer award degrees after June 2017, ...Missing: enrollment decline
  98. [98]
    Did The Episcopal Church Experience Growth in 2023?
    Dec 2, 2024 · Yet the overall attendance decline remains steep (from 725,000 in 2009 to just 411,000 in 2023). Other metrics are mixed: baptisms are up, ...<|separator|>
  99. [99]
    A Message from EDS's New President and Dean - News
    Aug 5, 2024 · The Episcopal Divinity School (EDS) Board of Trustees announced today the appointment of the Very Rev. Lydia Kelsey Bucklin as the new President and Dean.
  100. [100]
    The Installation of The Very Rev. Lydia Kelsey Bucklin as ... - YouTube
    Oct 28, 2024 · On Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at 7pm ET the Very Rev. Lydia Kelsey Bucklin was installed as President and Dean of Episcopal Divinity School ...
  101. [101]
    November 2024 Updates from EDS - News - Episcopal Divinity School
    ... Episcopal Divinity School in 2013. Monroe co ... EDS and LRRP also launched their Black Religious Liberty Curriculum ... ecclesiology with Dr. Fredrica Harris ...
  102. [102]
    Episcopal Divinity School - Facebook
    Oct 2, 2025 · Please join us in welcoming three new members to the EDS Board of Trustees: The Rev. Canon Randy Kyle Callender '10 is the Canon for Mission ...
  103. [103]
    Liberating Theological Education, hosted by EDS President & Dean ...
    Sep 25, 2024 · EDS is proud to launch the five-part podcast series For Such A Time As This: Liberating Theological Education, hosted by EDS President & Dean ...
  104. [104]
    Episcopal Divinity School and St. Mark's Church-in-the-Bowery ...
    Episcopal Divinity School and St. Mark's Church-in-the-Bowery Launch Online Series for Election Season. August 15, 2024. Episcopal Divinity School (EDS) and St.
  105. [105]
    Choosing Justice & Making Amends in Biblical & Modern Witness
    This course, presented in partnership with the Iona Collaborative at Seminary of the Southwest, ran from February 7 - April 11, 2025 and addressed the ...
  106. [106]
    EDS in Transition | May 2024 Updates - News
    May 7, 2024 · New Address: EDS has relocated its office to the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine. Our new address is Episcopal Divinity School, 1047 ...Missing: administrative | Show results with:administrative