03/10/20
Dear Seminary Community,
In the midst of the uncertainty surrounding the spread of COVID-19, what remains certain is the Seminary’s commitment to your wellbeing and the wellbeing of our broader community. I am grateful to the team of dedicated colleagues that have been working diligently on our behalf to plan and respond to this rapidly-evolving public health issue.
There are no known cases of COVID-19 on campus. At this stage, the best thing that we can do to prevent the spread of the virus is to take proactive measures to limit the occasions for potential exposure by reducing the number and size of gatherings within our community. These measures of “social distancing” are important not only for our own campus, but to do everything we can to slow the spread of infection in order to serve the public good as citizens of a global community.
For this reason, we are taking several measures:
This represents a considerable disruption for our residential community. Yet we are called to adapt in order to care for our neighbors and practice stewardship of public health, mindful that our decisions have consequences far beyond our campus.
You will be receiving additional information in the days ahead, and you can always refer to the alerts page. We have an exceptional team of people, representing every department in the Seminary, that is convening daily and working diligently to ensure that our essential operations will continue and that the educational experience will remain of high quality. The chapel office and student counseling office also stand ready to support your spiritual health.
We can have confidence in these plans, yet our faith rests in the peace that comes only from Jesus Christ. In these Lenten days, we remember that we do not need to dwell in the fear that fills our anxious world, but can abide in the promise that God’s perfect love is enough for us and for the world that God so loves.
Grace and peace,
M. Craig Barnes
President
“My call as a pastor centers on shaping a community where people can connect and be real with each other and God.”