In 1952, Bishop John Hines – then Bishop Coadjutor of the diocese of Texas – established the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest. Hines, who would go on to be Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, had a vision for a “new kind of seminary…for the whole church.”
Bishop Hines’ vision was on broad display this past October 5th when students, faculty, trustees and supporters gathered for the annual celebration of Southwest’s founder, John Hines Day. The noonday Eucharist was was presided by the Rt. Rev. Kathryn Ryan (class of ’92), bishop suffragan for the western region of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas and chair of the Southwest Board of Trustees. The Rev. Morgan Allen (Class of 2003), rector of Trinity Church Boston, gave a rousing sermon.
“What a thrill it was to celebrate John Hines Day in Christ Chapel!” said the Very Rev. Cynthia Briggs Kittredge, dean and president. “Morgan Allen preached the occasion with passion, humor, and significant moral challenge in the true spirit of John Hines. The chapel rocked with music, laughter, and prayer as we celebrated the seminary’s history and mission.”
The service marked a return to Christ Chapel for the annual event. Each year in early October, Southwest marks the legacy of its founder, the Rt. Rev. John E. Hines, with a special worship service and festive luncheon. Faculty and staff enjoyed the return to the traditional way of celebrating Bishop Hines after a year away.
The event also serves as a time to honor some of Southwest’s most avid supporters, members of the John Hines Legacy Society. Members of the society are those who have remembered Southwest in their estate plans or wills. To learn more about the John Hines Legacy Society, contact Wally Moore at [email protected].
