Principal's Perspective: What Does Change Ask of Us?

^{Photo by Neil Gaikwad.}

This year, we celebrated the convocation of 52 graduates. In moments like these, what stands out is not only achievement, but also anticipation. Our graduates are stepping into roles in congregations, public organizations, the spiritual care sector and various communities that will ask much of them. In a world marked by profound and, some would say, devastating change, we need caring, courageous leaders who can navigate complexity with clarity.

Change is never easy, but it is inevitable. It can also bring new energy. It invites us to reflect on where we have been, discern what comes next and decide how we will respond.

What does change ask of us? Ultimately, it calls us to consider fundamental questions: Why do we do what we do, and why do we do it the way we do? I find myself returning to these questions as Emmanuel College enters a season of change.

First, we are saying goodbye to Victoria University President Dr. Rhonda McEwen. On behalf of the entire Emmanuel College community, I thank her for her leadership, which was bold and approachable. She has been a visionary leader. I thoroughly enjoyed working with her as we began our roles here at the same time. I wish her well in her next appointment as president of the University of Victoria in British Columbia. She will be deeply missed.

Also, we are busy working on some exciting initiatives around lifelong learning and mirocredentials that we will be announcing in the fall. This is something alumni have been asking for and we have heard from other leaders at the grassroots level.

We are also part of not one but three grants from Lilly Endowment Inc.! The first, which we announced last October, is a $1 million grant to strengthen our Master of Divinity program and launch a new continuing education centre.

We are also part of a Lilly grant with the Toronto School of Theology to address challenges and opportunities for strengthening Master of Psychospiritual Studies and pastoral education. Finally, we are also part of the Lilly collaborative grant, working with theological schools of the United Church of Canada.

June is also a fitting time to welcome the turning of the season as we mark the solstice and the beginning of summer.

I invite us to pause in these pivotal moments, take a breath, and consider what these changes and others may be asking of us.

 — Principal HyeRan Kim-Cragg