Colleges and Universities of the Anglican Communion - CUAC

Here we are representing CUAC at the 81st general convention of The Episcopal Church in Louisville Kentucky!

"All in a day's work at CUAC!"
What a joy to welcome Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and his spouse Caroline Welby to The Episcopal Church Center during an exhilarating first week of the United Nations General Assembly in Manhattan. An engaging Q&A on the promise and power of reconciliation brought the Archbishop together with young UN-associated leaders from diverse countries and religious identities exploring what it means to "learn to disagree well," in Archbishop Justin's memorable words. Pictured from left: the Rev. Richard and Katharine Burnett, Caroline and Archbishop Justin Welby, the Very Rev. Dr. Michael and Julia DeLashmutt, the Rev. Canon Jamie Callaway.

New General Secretary Revd Richard Burnett visits Aotearoa New Zealand.
https://www.anglicantaonga.org.nz/news/the_communion/cuac2023?fbclid=IwAR2U1QWfRRfuqNh2X2g3WKHG43ItnaJEo8j54rAJcO6PH-akMa8Lb5VEAJs_aem_AQ138balkwx2Pj59to_HSDwTfi8x8W5TX5n1SV2Y4zQYPk0RZguyleKy1gdgqsJ7bzk

Eighty delegates from fifty-five Anglican colleges and universities gathered from the four corners of the globe at Trinity College and Janet Clarke Hall in Melbourne for the CUAC's XI Triennial Conference, the first after a six-year hiatus, thanks to the pandemic. The colleges’ co-sponsorship was masterfully led by the Revd Dr Robert Derrenbacker, Dean of the Theological School at Trinity and former board chair. The theme of Rediscovering Community addressed what it means on campuses to return in person, though with lingering effects from isolation.

Dean Jeremy Law of Canterbury Christ Church University, who presented on Discerning Truth, noted “for the five days we lived together, rediscovering community was not just an abstract theme, but a lived reality. Enriched by global perspectives from five continents we committed ourselves afresh to education that seeks after truth, fulfils human potential and serves the wellbeing of our delicate community of creation.” He was joined by Dr Esther Mombo, professor of theology at St. Paul’s Limuru, Kenya, who presented on Deepening Learning in a post-modern context. The Revd Ray Minniecon, Pastor at Sacred Trees Indigenous Ministries in Sydney, richly grounded the conference with the Aboriginal perspective, as well as presenting on Enhancing Community.

The Revd Canon James Callaway, who retired as General Secretary after twelve years, told the conference, “What I treasure most are the dreams and fears that members have shared, whether principals, chaplains, or students. I have been amazed by the commitment and imagination that our members bring to finding creative solutions.” He is succeeded by The Revd Richard Burnett, longtime rector of Trinity Church, Columbus, Ohio, founder of a capital cities network in the U.S., who told the delegates, “CUAC gathered together in its 30th year in a week marked by a wonderful spirit of shared learning, empowering worship, and mutual understanding that promises to grow in significant and sustained ways. I thank God for the founding of, the purpose for, and the lasting community of faith that shines through CUAC, a network worth following closely and getting to know well in a world where community and mutual understanding is never optional!”

Dr Lilian Jasper, President of Women’s Christian College in Chennai, India, was elected chair, joined by the Rt Revd Martin Wharton, retired Bishop of Newcastle, UK as vice chair, Dr. Gisela Luna, President of Trinity University of Asia in Manila, as secretary and Dr. Joel Cunningham, Vice Chancellor Emeritus, University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee, as Treasurer.

At the concluding banquet two CUAC Distinguished Fellowships were inducted. The Revd Nita Byrd, Dean of Spiritual life at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva New York was recognized for her leadership among Episcopal colleges and in convening CUAC chaplains. The Revd Dr Mark Garner, former head of Whitelands College, London, was cited for his leadership e in making the college as a vital resource to clergy and laity in the Diocese of Southwark, and as founding editor of Occasional Papers on Faith in Higher Education.

Colleges and Universities of the Anglican Communion is a worldwide network of Anglican colleges and universities which exists for the mutual flourishing of its members through engaging each other, their churches and societies as they seek to enable their students, staff, and faculties to become active and responsible citizens in God’s world. Details at www.cuac.org.

The Archbishop of Canterbury honors Pastor Ray Minniecon, who is speaking at CUAC’s forthcoming Melbourne Triennial,
Rediscovering Community in July 2023

The Archbishop awarded Pastor Minniecon with the Hubert Walter Award for Reconcliation and Interfaith Cooperation in celebration of his profound leadership, bringing together Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in the face of a tumultuous and divisive history.

Pastor Minniecon has dedicated his life to supporting members of the Stolen Generation who were forcibly removed from their families by government agencies and church missions from the late 1800s. Minniecon, who grew up in Gureng Gureng Country in Queensland, evaded capture as a young boy and considers himself one of the lucky few. His life’s work has flowed out of this hope and has included pioneering an Indigenous Theological Studies Community, a Christian community in Glebe called Scarred Tree Ministries, and Gawura, located in Sydney's CBD.

At CUAC’s Melbourne Triennial, Pastor Ray will give his Aboriginal’s context to Australian life and drawing from his unique experience as a community builder, will give the keynote on the theme of Enhancing Community on CUAC campuses.

Registration opening soon on www.CUAC.org

The Colleges and Universities of the Anglican communion marks the death of Queen Elizabeth II, to our members in the Commonwealth and beyond:

--Whose life of dedicated service to the people of the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and the world shaped our era;

--Whose Christian faith formed her understanding of her role as a vocation given to her by God.

As the Anglican Communion itself is formed by bonds of mutual affection, we have been linked by her witness as a person of deep faith and commitment.

In one of her last acts as Supreme Governor of the Church of England in August she sent a message to the Lambeth Conference bishops noting that in 1920 “the bishops of the Anglican Communion set out a path for an ongoing commitment towards Christian unity in a changing world; a task that is, perhaps, even more important today, as together you look to the future and explore the role of the church in responding to the needs of the present age.”

As we remember her in prayer, may we and our colleges and universities receive and carry out a double measure of her good spirit.

Godspeed,

Jamie Callaway
GENERAL SECRETARY

Huron University College is seeking a Chaplain!
https://huronatwestern.ca/job-board/chaplain/

'What is Truth?' by The Very Revd Dr Robert Derrenbacker, Dean of Trinity College in Melbourne, Australia - January 2022 Trustee Indaba https://cuac.anglicancommunion.org/blog.aspx

Don't miss the video and resources from our latest Online Seminar V: COP26, Climate Change and Christian Universities!
https://cuac.anglicancommunion.org/events/online-events/online-seminar-v-cop26,-climate-change-and-christian-universities.aspx

A message from the President of Huron University College about today's tragic event in London.

Termination Threat to Thorneloe University?

Vice-Chancellor Dr John Gibaut shares:
Laurentian University was created in 1960, after a French- speaking Jesuit province, a United Church of Canada presbytery, and an Anglican diocese collaborated in what was then a wholly unexpected holy alliance. Together they petitioned the Province of Ontario to create a non-denominational, bilingual, publicly funded university in northern Ontario. Thorneloe offers popular programs and electives in Women, Gender and Sexuatity Studies, Ancient Studies, and Religious Studies, all within the Faculty of Arts at Laurentian.

Now, Laurentian seeks to terminate its agreements with Thorneloe and the others, as part of a restructuring process to address its massive insolvency crisis. Already 100 Laurent professors have been laid off, with significant departments and faculties suspended. Thorneloe maintains that it is not the cause of Laurentian's financial problems which have been well known by the Laurentian administration and the Government of Ontario. Thorneloe and the programs it offers play an important role with Laurentian and the northern Ontario communities it serves. Thorneloe rejects Laurentian's unilateral decision to terminate its long standing federation agreement, which it will challenge in open court.

For more information see this Press Release:

Thorneloe University Will Seek Remedy in the Court to Block Attempt by Laurentian University to Terminate 60-Year Old Federation Agreement /CNW/ - Thorneloe University has announced that it will apply to Court to block an attempt by Laurentian University to unilaterally terminate the 60-year old...

Witness against anti-Asian Violence

Today at the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine there was a service of witness on the front steps, featuring Bishop Allen Shin, Suffergan Bishop, following the shooting deaths in Atlanta. “As an Asian-American bishop, I am mindful of bringing too much attention to Asian concerns and issues lest people see me as a bishop only for Asians. But I can no longer remain silent. I feel compelled to speak up against the rising anti-Asian hate crimes in our communities....

Despite the fear and anxiety, however, one thing I have learned in this pandemic is to be grateful for life and not take it for granted. I’ve learned the joy of being alive through simple things. Earlier this year feels so much more meaningful because of that. I have learned the power of gratitude, compassion, and justice.”

I reminded him that CUAC has twenty colleges in Asia, including his native South Korea, who stand for “transforming unjust structures in societies to pursue peace and reconciliation.” We all have much to do to bring real change.