Gordon Divinity School・ゴードン神学院卒業５０周年記念集会報告ーああ、参加できなくて残念だったと改めて。しかし報告をあたかも参加している思いで読むー

Gordon Divinity School・ゴードン神学院卒業５０周年記念集会報告
ーああ、参加できなくて残念だったと改めて。しかし報告をあたかも参加している思いで読むー

Dear Takeo,
It's hard to believe that the “50th” reunion of the last era of Gordon Divinity School is now over five months in the history books. We want to provide an update on the event and follow up with more information for you.

Forty-three members and spouses of the classes of 1965 to 1969, from seven states and three provinces, met for three wonderful days in late September, 2017 to reminisce about “the old days” at GDS. Our most distant alums were Graham and Frieda Roberts (‘67) all the way from New South Wales, Australia. They were joined by fifteen invited guests, including “the best Professor” (by general consensus), Dr. Ramsey Michaels, and Gordon–Conwell’s current President Dr. Dennis Hollinger and his wife Mary Ann.

Wednesday evening’s activities centered on dinner in Alumni Hall, followed by four stories of God's grace selected from those submitted to the committee, a summary of future plans for Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (GCTS) by President Hollinger, the announcement of the Class Gift (more on that later), and a rendition of A. J. Gordon’s hymn, “The King In His Beauty,” sung by alumnus Jonathan Conant (‘17) accompanied by his wife, Jennifer.

Thursday’s program was a tour of North Shore spiritual heritage sites in Ipswich, Rowley, Newburyport, Danvers and Salem. The tour was led by Dr. Garth Rosell, Senior Research Professor of Church History, who taught us well on the impact of events ranging from early colonial times to the Great Awakening to the 325th anniversary of the Salem Witch Trials.

Friday began with us sharing breakfast with several current students in their “Preacher Over Easy Breakfast,” a student gathering with pastors who share insights and answer questions about the work of pastoral ministry and preaching. By 9:30 a.m., we were on the bus for a stop at an apartment complex on campus (more on that later), then on to old Frost Hall on the Gordon College Campus. Frost looks much the same on the outside, but inside it has been almost totally transformed. Gone is the swimming pool in the lobby, and the library stacks that filled the area. The whole ground floor, apart from the President’s office and the lobby, is a rabbit warren of small office cubby-holes that have taken over even the beautiful paneled room that was our old TV lounge. The balcony and the second floor are more of the same, as are the classrooms on the third. The former bed-rooms have been converted into faculty offices, and the dark, steep stairways built into walls still provide "hidden access" to various parts of the building. Some things never change.

After completing our tour we made our way across campus, past the site of Prince Chapel, to the new A. J. Gordon chapel built over the bowl where the old bookstore used to be. Our final meeting, a worship and communion service, was held down front in that 1200 seat building. Dr. Ramsey Michaels shared some of his story with us before the Rev. Ryan Ackerman, Pastor of Cornerstone Church in Manchester-by-the-Sea (formerly First Baptist), and a GCTS graduate from the class of 2012, led us in the celebration of the Lord’s Supper.

Finally, the “more on that later.” That’s one of the main reasons for this letter. One of the strengths of Gordon Divinity School has always been the strong community we shared. For many of us it was the Villa Veranda, Trailerville or the Pine Street Trailer Park that were the center of our family lives and the community we built. But now both the trailer park and the Veranda are history. Some forty years ago, generous donors funded the construction of several apartment buildings on the GCTS campus. These buildings furthered the seminary’s goal to create (or rather re-create) that community spirit which has always marked the seminary from Gordon days to the merged schools of Gordon and Conwell forming what is now Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. A renovation plan targeting 115 apartments has been established to encourage current and future students, many of whom are married and many with children, to have access to affordable, on-site housing.

Funding for 61 apartments has been raised in the ongoing campaign. As it costs about $20,000 to upgrade each apartment, we have taken the commitment to raise that amount from among the members of the classes of 1965 to 1969 between now and December, 2018. Members of classes '65-'69 have contributed $5,675 to date, including gifts received prior to the class gift commitment which was announced at our reunion event. Your help in providing A Welcome Home for these colleagues will make it possible for them to share in the community which is Gordon-Conwell. A gift in any amount will make a significant difference.

Help us reach our goal of $20,000 and provide A Welcome Home to current and future students and their families. You can obtain more information on this project at the 50th Reunion website: my.gordonconwell.edu/alumni/50th-reunion-65-69.
Under the Mercy,
The Reunion Committee
Lloyd Carr ('65), Dean Pedersen, ('66), Rich Weisenbach ('66), Ed Whitman ('66)
P.S. Be sure to see photo memories, class gift information, reunion resources and a video of the Friday breakfast online at: my.gordonconwell.edu/alumni/50th-reunion-65-69.

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