Elspeth Kernebone
10 July 2023
International Anglican educators have explored how to rebuild community in theological colleges and universities post-pandemic at a recent Melbourne meeting.
Teaching academics met at the Colleges and Universities of the Anglican Communion 2023 conference last week, hosted by Trinity College and Janet Clarke Hall.
Trinity College Theological School dean the Reverend Canon Dr Bob Derrenbacker said returning to face-to-face learning had been a challenge for many post-pandemic, but it was an important part of theological education.
Canon Derrenbacker said those in the West with an individualised, privatised view of the society could particularly learn from fellow Anglicans in other parts of the world.
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“As human beings we are people designed by God to live in community. The convenience of Zoom, and sometimes the convenience of online education works against that,” he said
“I think as Christians we’re called to push back against that.”
Delegates joined the conference from India, several African nations, North America, Japan, the Philippines, Jamaica, Barbados, New Zealand and Australia.
It’s the first time the group has met in six years, after the 2020 conference was cancelled.
CUAC general secretary the Reverend Canon Jamie Callaway said delegates themselves were rediscovering community after so long without a gathering, at which they connected with and engaged member institutions.
Canon Callaway said community was vitally important as a forming force for those studying at Anglican higher education institutions. He said many students returning to study weren’t coming from the culture of being in community, and were sometimes timid about it.
This meant rebuilding community could be a dance between reestablishing expectations and comfort.
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But Canon Callaway said formation as a person was an important part of Anglican tertiary study.
“In Anglican higher education … the individual comes together formed by community and discovers who they are and who they’re called to be,” he said.
“The learning helps form the person who’s then launched into the world, and become the kind of person they’re able to be.”
Canon Derrenbacker said the week had also been a wonderful chance to be united with 75 delegates that reflected different cultures around the world.
“It allows us as members of the Anglican Communion to come together under a common theme. Despite differences around the world we’re able to come together and live together for a week, and worship together, and eat together,” Canon Derrenbacker said.
“That’s a very important message for the Communion. We come together under a common theme as educators. I think it’s a really exciting opportunity for union in the Communion.”
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