Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest : 2005 Seminar
Address:
606 Rathervue Place
Austin, TX 78705
Phone: 512-472-4133
Fax: 512-472-3098
Key Contacts:
Titus Presler, Dean and President
e-mail: tpresler@etss.edu
Alan P. R. Gregory, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
e-mail: agregory@etss.edu
Margaret Izutsu
Cynthia Briggs Kittredge
Susan Dolan-Henderson
Charles James Cook
The mission of the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest is to prepare lay and ordained leaders who will equip the church to carry out God’s mission in a culturally diverse world, both perceptively and courageously, in the name of Jesus Christ.
CORE VALUES
- A hospitable community life that embraces diversity and ensures that all voices are heard.
- A collaborative learning environment that values each student’s expertise, promotes mutual inquiry, and builds on structured common experiences.
- Spiritual formation in the Anglican tradition that nourishes a rule of life rooted in worship, prayer, study, creativity, and service.
- Preparation for ministry through rigorous study in the seven canonical disciplines and the practice of justice.
- Multicultural and global awareness and competence acquired primarily through the Hispanic experience in the Southwest, as well as engagement with world Christianity.
- Mission orientation and passion for living and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed with those outside the church.
- Development of effective servant leaders who practice integrity and who advocate for ministries that transform lives.
VISION
The vision of the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest is to be a seminary for the whole church. We will grow to meet the leadership and mission needs of the Episcopal Church. To accomplish this vision we will:
- Be an inclusive community in ethnicity, race, gender, and theology as disciples of Jesus Christ.
- Integrate leadership formation throughout our curriculum.
- Establish Hispanic studies and ministry as a major emphasis in the seminary, recruit Hispanic students, and intensify our collaboration with Hispanic institutional partners.
- Expand global awareness and engagement through course offerings, curricular integration, international mission internships, and recruiting Two-Thirds World students.
- Strengthen the homiletic and formational preparation of our students through full time professorships in preaching and Christian formation.
- Expand continuing education programs to support and strengthen lay and ordained leaders of the Episcopal Church.
- Solidify the ecumenical partnership of ETSS and the Lutheran Seminary Program in the Southwest.
- Secure the resources to ensure financial stability, diversity, outstanding faculty, and excellent facilities.
These statements were adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest in February 2004, following a process of discussion and development that sought the input of hundreds in the seminary community.
The Mission is a statement of why we exist.
The Core Values are our unique, foundational attributes. They say “This is what we stand for. This is what we strive to offer as a seminary.”
The Vision is a picture of our desired future — “The Seminary We Aim to Become.”