03/18/20
Dear Seminary Community,
Every day brings escalating news of the spread of COVID-19 in our region, and these reports call us to respond rapidly and faithfully as responsible citizens and neighbors. We face increasingly significant restrictions on even local travel and basic public activities in the days ahead.
In order to promote the health of our students, employees, and the broader public, the Seminary will move to a state of partial campus closure beginning this Friday at 5:00 p.m. and lasting until at least April 6. For details, FAQ, and up-to-date information, continue to check the alerts site.
We remain focused on fulfilling our academic program online, while closing as much of the campus as possible so that the virus does not have an opportunity to spread here. This is yet another step to promote social distancing and to ensure that we have the least number of people on campus as possible, which in this public health crisis is good not only for our community but for the larger region.
This means:
The following buildings will be closed:
We are closely following the discussion among government leaders and will be prepared to move to this status earlier than Friday if necessary.
These changes are disruptive for all of us. But they are critical not only for the health and well-being of our community, but also for our neighbors across the region. As the virus escalates, we have no choice but to take the most proactive measures possible to slow its spread.
Amidst all of these changes, here is what does not change: we remain committed to one another and joined in one community, even as we face unprecedented challenges. This is because the center of our common life is Jesus Christ, and Christ will hold us fast.
Please be generous with one another and gracious with yourselves. We will find new rhythms in this season and new opportunities to extend expressions of care. You will be hearing more from Jan Ammon and the chapel team in the weeks ahead about ways that you can participate in acts of care and worship opportunities throughout the semester. As always, if you have questions or concerns, please reach out. We all need to support each other in this season.
In all seasons, it is the God of grace and love that will keep us.
I will stay in touch,
M. Craig Barnes
President
“Through my field education placement at Trinity Presbyterian Church in East Brunswick, New Jersey, I discovered my gift to minister to all age groups.”