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Bexley Hall students are exposed to a wide ecumenical education because of our membership in Columbus Theological Consortium. This means we share our encounter with God with persons from traditions from the liberal Protestant of Lutheranism, to the "confessional side", to the pietistic side. And if you’re at the Josephinum or Methesco, you encounter the Roman Catholic and liberal Wesleyan traditions in a robust form. This yeasty mix means that your classes, your lunches, and your conversation in the corridors include students and faculty members from denominations other than Anglican. We
mix up up the context.  As you would expect in a small seminary, Bexley students, faculty, staff, and their families are close and enjoy socializing with each other and with the larger community. The Thursday night Bexley social hour and dinner is always popular, well-attended, and a good chance to talk to Lutheran friends, who frequently stop by. Some of our students are commuters and some reside on campus, where there are ample apartments and studio flats at under-market prices. The weekly Anglican formation and community mass is scheduled on Friday morning, and all attend, whether commuters or residents. Some courses are taught in a seminar format (i.e. once a week in the evening, which is desirable for commuters), and some are taught in a traditional daytime Tuesday/Thursday, or Monday/Wednesday “split”. The
Bexley Society, for Anglican students, faculty, and staff, meets
regularly for programs, discussion, fellowship, and mutual
support—and
for picnics, parties, and outings through the year. Every Wednesday, as many
Episcopal students as can meet at 11:00 a.m. to review the upcoming calendar,
and to prepare for the Friday Sung Eucharist. Formal
Bexley Hall gatherings include receptions to welcome new students and
their families, to honor visiting lecturers and graduates, and to
celebrate with graduates following commencement. |
This
education isn't “less Anglican.” Nor is the liturgy
“blended”. Rather, each denomination attends the
other’s liturgies, which are done with their own internal
integrity. As a result, you’ll begin to
understand the nature of the Anglican Communion even more clearly than
you would at a seminary where there were only other Episcopalians.
You’ll be more adept at knowing and articulating what you
believe and
why. Each encounter becomes a chance to witness to the Anglican
tradition within Christianity, and, in a world where there is often
distinct confusion about the Episcopal Church, what could be better?