Geoffrey Black, General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ

Dedication Weekend

We are thrilled and proud to announce that, after much anticipation, we dedicated our new building at 1407 E. 60^th Street on Friday, October 21, 2011 at 2:00pm, thus marking one of the most significant days in the history of the Seminary. We are immensely grateful to all who were present during the Dedication Weekend (October 20-23), to those who sent their greetings and well-wishes from afar, to those who worked hard to plan for these events, and to the generous donors who supported and made this endeavor possible. We look forward to welcoming all of you – and more of you – as we settle into our new home, starting with our move in January 2012.

Gloria Hopewell, M.Div. 1996

The Dedication Weekend began on Thursday evening with a Scholarship Concert at Rockefeller Memorial Chapel by internationally renowned African American female a capella group Sweet Honey In The Rock. Their luscious sound and message of social justice set the atmosphere for a transformative weekend, both providing hope and excitement, as well as a musical reminder of what CTS stands for. All net proceeds from the concert will directly support student scholarships and thereby help nourish our future leaders, transforming society toward greater justice and mercy.

Sweet Honey In The Rock performed again the following day, their words of song and rhythms artfully woven into Dedication Ceremony itself. Thanks to the vision of Master of Ceremony Scott Haldeman, Associate Professor of Worship, the ceremony of 350+ people was an elegant and moving service that honored our past, voiced our continuing commitment to the mission and vision of CTS, and led us into the future. The ceremony included song, invocation, remembrances (including some humorous ones), reading from sacred texts, blessing and thanks, and charges from community stakeholders including Alderman Willie Cochran of the 20^th Ward, which includes Woodlawn, our new neighborhood. Other Ceremony highlights included addresses by The Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Black, General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ, The Rev. Dr. Alice Hunt, President, Don Clark, Chair of the Board of Trustees, as well as select faculty, staff, students, and alumni/ae. Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr., an alum of CTS, was present at the ceremony, and spoke at the pre-ceremony Luncheon for Trustees, Members of the Visiting Committee, Faculty, and Special Guests of the President.  Following the ceremony, there was a ribbon cutting, a tour of the new building, and a festive reception with musical entertainment and a chance to soak in our new environs over refreshments and conversation.

The Rev. Dr. Barbara “Bobbie” McKay, Member of the Visiting Committee

Friday’s events also included a Brunch for Alumni/ae and Friends, providing CTS community members from near and far the opportunity to gather together and reminisce, and also forge new inter-generational relationships. The Brunch was followed by a poignant address presented by W. Dow Edgerton, Professor of Ministry, whose words regarding the significance of our transition moved some to tears. Professor Edgerton has been a Faculty member at CTS for more than 30 years, and many of the alumni/ae who gathered held fond memories of learning with him. A post-lecture Meet and Greet was held in George Commons at 5757 S. University, where attendees could experience their old home one more time before heading over to the new building for the Dedication Ceremony.

One of CTS’ commitments, and indeed one of the charges we have received from Alderman Willie Cochran, is to be good neighbors in Woodlawn, a neighborhood in Chicago which has been “long under siege and tirelessly engaged in a struggle for justice and opportunity on their own terms” (Covenant of Continuing Commitment). On Saturday, October 22, the day after the Dedication, we began our journey as members of the community with a Woodlawn Community Tour and Engagement, during which time attendees had the opportunity to meet staff of two local social justice organizations, MAGIC, Inc. (Metropolitan Area Group for Igniting Civilization), and Sunshine Gospel Ministries. Alderman Cochran returned to speak again, this time including details about the history of Woodlawn, his vision for the future of the community, and exciting opportunities, initiatives, and transformations that are taking place.

Esther Baruja, M.Div. Student*

The weekend provided us a taste of our new state-of-the-art, LEED-Silver Certified Building, with ample space for learning and worshiping, and technological enhancements. We can’t wait to move in January, and to share our new home with all of you. Though we are deeply enthusiastic and hopeful about the opportunities that this new building will make possible, a sentiment echoed by speakers and guests throughout the weekend is that a building is not the Seminary; rather, the Seminary is a community. Or as President Alice Hunt eloquently put it, “we worship not bricks and mortar but a God who leads us on a journey to new lands, new visions, new theologies, new readings of texts and times of yesterday, today, and tomorrow, new laughter, new dances, new forms of community, and new ways of leadership.”

We invite you view or download the Dedication Ceremony Program Book. View photos from the Dedication Weekend below.

Thank you again for celebrating with us! Transitioning into our new space is a time for envisioning new possibilities for transforming society toward greater justice and mercy. Though the Dedication Ceremony has come and gone, we continue to need support, both now and after our move in January 2012. Special naming and recognition opportunities will continue to available. Visit our New Building Initiative for more information.

*Read Esther Baruja's complete charge

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