What Will Our Fall 2020 Semester Look Like?
As back-to-school season approaches quickly, many have been wondering what the fall semester will hold for Asbury Theological Seminary. With so many variables, it is difficult to know for sure what our classrooms and theological training will need to look like in the foreseeable future, but Asbury Theological Seminary’s Coronavirus Response Team has been working hard to establish plans and guidelines to make sure we continue the work Christ has set before us in the midst of uncertainty, even while we seek to keep our community safe and supported as we always have.
There are some adjustments being made for the sake of keeping everyone safe and making sure the work we do continues unhindered. For now, the seminary is planning on resuming in-person classes after Labor Day with several new methods of protection set in place. We have committed to wear masks and monitor symptoms, working with our local and national healthcare professionals and governing bodies to protect the vulnerable in our community. Students will be expected to sit in socially distanced fashions in all classrooms to prevent transmission of illness. After Thanksgiving, classes will continue and finish online through the holidays. For now, we have decided that students will not be coming back to campus for in-person courses after Thanksgiving break. In our Asbury family, we stick together and care for one another so everyone can thrive and remain on mission. We can still bring the best of Asbury Theological Seminary to our community and send Spirit-filled women and men out into the world equipped with the gospel, and that is even more needed in today’s climate.
As the situation changes, and government guidelines change, Asbury Theological Seminary is committed to listening and learning from our experts in medicine and cooperating to ensure our beloved community observes safe practices even as we move forward with the important work of the kingdom of God. As the situation develops, we will use wisdom and discretion in implementing changes as we go.
We continue to find innovative ways to ensure our students, faculty, staff and administrators have the support they need. Check out some of the modifications we have made with worship in our community to support one another during this trying time:
Our God never stops moving, and our worship should never cease. ATS has been encouraging and faithful through this difficult time to continue worship services through live-streaming chapel services, utilizing pre-recorded worship music sessions, and even implementing Zoom calls with professors and students during our corporate worship time. Though the church body cannot presently pack out the pews, the worship and praise of our almighty God has not stopped for one moment at ATS. Take advantage of the resources we have created for at-home worship—please join us in collectively cultivating community and praise!
We have committed to covering this situation, our community, and the world in prayer during this time of difficulty for everyone around the world. We have gathered many of our community members’ prayers here, if you would like to read and pray along with us for healing in this world: Asbury Theological Seminary’s Prayers for Turbulent Times.
Even though we may not always gather physically for worship during this time, you can still worship on Wednesdays at 11am through our livestream feed found here. For more information on what our Chapel Office is doing to support the work and worship of our community, contact chapel@asburyseminary.edu. You can also stay up-to-date by checking us out on Social Media for updates and events:
Chapel from Asbury Theological Seminary on Vimeo.
With so much unknown, we can be tempted toward fear and inaction. We can also be tempted to throw caution to the wind and simply proceed with the way we have always done things. However, our community is known for making decisions soberly, and we will continue to seek the Lord’s wisdom on how to move forward appropriately, with integrity. We are all looking forward to being together once again in community while trusting in the Lord’s goodness and provision. Even in uncertain times, Asbury Theological Seminary will continue, as it always has, to band together in commitment to the call God has placed on our lives. Blessings are abundant, and his grace is still sufficient.
For more information and the latest updates on Asbury Theological Seminary’s COVID-19 guidelines, please refer to our official Coronavirus Response Page.
Good to hear!