The Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston, president and dean of Episcopal Divinity School (EDS) has announced the election of the Rev. Dr. Sheryl Kujawa-Holbrook to a three-year renewable term as the seminary's new Academic Dean, effective July 1, 2005. Kujawa-Holbrook will succeed Dr. Joanna Dewey who is retiring at the end of the 2004-2005 academic year.
Kujawa-Holbrook joined the EDS faculty in 1998 as associate professor of Pastoral Theology and in September 2004 was installed as the first holder of the Suzanne R. Hiatt Professorship in Feminist Pastoral Theology and Church History. She is the author of numerous books and articles in the fields of pastoral theology, church history, congregational development, and ministries with young people. Her recent books include: Freedom Is A Dream: A Documentary History of Women in the Episcopal Church; A House of Prayer for all Peoples: Congregations Building Multiracial Community; "By Grace Came the Incarnation": A Social History of the Church of the Incarnation, Murray Hill, New York, 1952-2002, and with Fredrica Harris Thompsett, Deeper Joy: Laywomen and Vocation in the Twentieth Century Episcopal Church. A 1983 graduate of EDS, Dr. Kujawa-Holbrook serves the church as a leader in antiracism and congregational development efforts on the local and national scene, and has served as the chair of the Antiracism Committee of the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church since 1998. She lives on campus with her husband Paul and her two cats, Moosie and Tasha.
In making this announcement, Dean Charleston said, "I am pleased that Sheryl has accepted this appointment. This is an exciting time at EDS; we are exploring new alliances and new opportunities which will allow us to continue our historic identity as one of the premier seminaries of the Episcopal Church. Sheryl has a deep passion to work with those engaged in ministry and has made a commitment to help make EDS an even more prominent source of theological education, congregational development, and spiritual formation for the next generation. I commend and thank her for her willingness to accept such a challenge."
Charleston continued, "I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Joanna Dewey for her dedicated service and leadership as Academic Dean and as a member of the senior administrative team. Her loyalty and love for EDS, her constant concern for the welfare of our Faculty, her forthrightness, and her outstanding academic gifts have been blessings for our school and for me, personally."
Episcopal Divinity School is a respected center of study and spiritual formation for lay and ordained leaders with a strong commitment to justice, compassion, and reconciliation. Formed in 1974 with the merger of Philadelphia Divinity School and the Episcopal Theological School, EDS offers doctor of ministry and master's degrees, as well as certificates in theological studies. Located on an eight-acre campus just a few blocks from Harvard Yard, EDS is a member of the Boston Theological Institute, a consortium of nine eminent theological schools, seminaries, and departments of religion.
