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Contact Information:
Office of Mission and Ministry 108 Healy Hall 37th & O Streets, NW Washington, DC 20057 Phone: (202) 687-1395 |
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Path: Main / News and AnnouncementsLetter from Rev. Boroughs announcing changes to be implemented to affiliated Protestant ministries. Letter from Dr. Terrence Reynolds, Chair, Advisory Committee on Protestant Ministry (ACPM) outlining recommendations about affiliated Protestant ministries. May 6, 2007 Dear Members of the University Community, I write today to update you on the status of Affiliated Protestant Ministries at Georgetown University. As you may remember, last fall, following Campus Ministry's decision not to renew covenant agreements with six Affiliated Ministries, I appointed a University Advisory Committee on Protestant Ministry to review the concerns which had led to this decision and to suggest how we might more effectively serve the needs of our Protestant students on campus. I recently received the committee's recommendations and I am deeply grateful for the thoughtful approaches they suggest. Over the course of the past year, this highly diverse working group engaged openly and honestly the issues within Protestant ministry at Georgetown and has come to unanimous agreement in suggesting several steps we may take to move forward. In response to the committee's recommendations, I am pleased to approve the formation of a Council of Affiliated Protestant Ministries. This Council which will begin this fall, is designed to be a self-governing body comprised of representatives of Affiliated Ministries as well as Campus Ministry Staff, who will work collaboratively to meet the needs of our Protestant community. It is my hope that this new framework, like the collaborative committee process that recommended its creation, will continue to foster inclusivity and respect for our various theological and liturgical perspectives. In order to facilitate an effective transition, an Organizing Committee for the Council of Affiliated Protestant Ministries will begin work immediately to develop guidelines for the consideration of new affiliations. The Director of Campus Ministry has indicated that letters of inquiry from new groups seeking affiliation will be welcomed as of June 15, 2007. Instructions and application materials will be available at that time on the Campus Ministry website at campusministry.georgetown.edu. Secondly, I support the creation of a new Protestant Student Forum which will provide the students of our Affiliated Ministries and students associated with our Protestant Chaplaincy opportunities to cooperate in calendaring, programming and event planning. I am immediately providing programming funds to support the establishment of this group. Finally, I approve the revisions made to our Covenant Agreement for Affiliated Ministries (.pdf) which describe the privileges and responsibilities of Affiliated Ministries within Campus Ministry. In addition to these improved organizational structures, Campus Ministry also will address a series of personnel needs over the next three years. This summer we will begin a hiring process to fill the current one and one half staff vacancies in the Protestant Chaplaincy. Next winter we will initiate a hiring process for an additional full-time position for a Protestant Chaplain to meet the particular needs of graduate students on all our campuses. The following year we will reassess staffing needs after our new hires have a chance to begin their work and determine whether a full or part-time Chaplain is best to address any unmet needs in our Protestant Chaplaincy. With this new framework in place, I am confident that Georgetown's Protestant Chaplaincy is entering into a new season of effective communication, collaboration and service to our community. I am most grateful for the leadership of Professor Terry Reynolds, Chairman of the Advisory Committee, and the hard work and thoughtful dedication of the students, faculty members, campus ministry staff and representatives of previously Affiliated Ministries whose ongoing dialogue helped to guide us through this difficult but ultimately healing experience. Their collaborative spirit models for us how together we can best serve the needs of Georgetown's Protestant students. I look forward to working with members of the University community in the years ahead to implement these changes and provide support that will enhance our Protestant Chaplaincy and all of Campus Ministry. Sincerely, Philip L. Boroughs, S.J. |
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