Dear members of the 2020 graduating class,
August 22, 2020
The 麻豆视频 faculty wrote this letter of support to the graduating class of 2020. In truth, this letter speaks to all of us on our own journeys during this trying time.
We, the faculty of 麻豆视频, extend to each of you our heartfelt congratulations on this significant achievement, and we look forward to embracing you as you move forward in the work of ministry.听
The final term of your journey toward your degree was marked by intense disruption including widespread loss of life to a global pandemic, ongoing reminders of the brutality of anti-black racism, and righteously angry protests against the violence of anti-black racism. It is an understatement to say that this has been a difficult semester.听
In times like this the reign of God can seem far away, even impossible. This seeming impossibility is a grim reminder to us of the 鈥渂ut not yet鈥� part of the common 鈥渁lready but not yet鈥� description of the coming reign of God. In the face of a global pandemic and overwhelming loss of life, especially of those we love and hold dear, we were brutally reminded, 鈥渂ut not yet.鈥� In response to the horrific images of brutal anti-black racism on our screens and in our communities, we cry out, 鈥渂ut not yet.鈥� When the threats of violence by the state, looming fascism, and authoritarian consolidation of power seem ready to crush us, we are glimpsing the 鈥渂ut not yet.鈥�听
However, even in the trauma, urgency, and intensity of these brutal reminders of 鈥渂ut not yet,鈥� we have seen glimpses of the 鈥渁lready,鈥� that give us hope in the possibility of the coming reign of God. We have felt the 鈥渁lready鈥� as we witnessed medical workers and other essential workers laboring at potentially great cost to themselves to care for the ill and serve their wider communities. We have digitally seen the 鈥渁lready鈥� as we watched our ministers, who hastily reoriented themselves to a digital world, pour themselves into digitally caring for their congregations. We have heard the 鈥渁lready鈥� in the insistent shouts of protestors that 鈥淏lack lives matter!鈥� We have smelled the 鈥渁lready鈥� in the riotous smoke and flames that burned down manifestations of an economy meant to exclude entire groups of people. We have glimpsed the 鈥渁lready鈥� in the pivotal moments of learning with you this term. And in the midst of all these glimpses, we also confess that the divine peace of reconciliation and the cosmic victory over injustice was 鈥渁lready鈥� proclaimed in Christ鈥檚 life, death, and resurrection (Luke 4:18-21;听1 Cor. 15:54-57; Col. 1:15-20). 听
In this season of brutal reminders of 鈥渂ut not yet,鈥� of the seemingly impossible, we celebrate you. Amidst the 鈥渂ut not yet鈥� of this time, we see in you the 鈥渁lready,鈥� the possibility of the coming reign of God.听
You have worked hard for this moment. At times, you may have felt that 鈥渂ut not yet鈥� also described the seeming impossibility of your long and arduous journey toward a theological degree. But here you are, 鈥渁lready鈥� to graduate.听
As you enter into this world of 鈥渂ut not yet,鈥� we pray that the world will see the 鈥渁lready鈥� in you. We pray that in this world of seeming impossibility that you will remind us and the world of the presence and possibility of the coming just and expansive reign of God.听
With great expectations for you and your ministries,听
The Faculty of 麻豆视频听
Willard Ashley
Jaeseung Cha
Michael Granzen
Nathan J茅r茅mie-Brink
Jinhong Kim
Micah McCreary
Janice McLean-Farrell
Patrick Milas
Jeffrey Pettis
Raynard Smith
Terry Smith
Beth Tanner
Faye Taylor
Andrew Wymer