Bloy House is the Episcopal Theological School at Claremont School of Theology, 35 miles east of Los Angeles. Claremont School of Theology is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and moved to the campus in 1957.
The Very Rev. Sylvia Sweeney, dean and president of Bloy House, has written this letter on possible responses if Claremont relocates:
A number of you may have received in the last couple of days (or heard about) a letter from President Jeffrey Kuan addressing current economic and physical challenges facing Claremont School of Theology at a time when their enrollment has concurrently reached record highs. I do not have to tell any of you how much delayed maintenance there is on the CST buildings and grounds. In that letter one option President Kuan mentions that they are exploring is the option to relocate. I can only imagine that many of you are wondering what the impact of a relocation would be on Bloy House if that is the option that is chosen.
If CST chooses to stay in its current location, we will stay as well and make needed adjustments along with the CST student body and faculty to address any temporary inconveniences that might arise from building renovations. If CST relocates here in Southern California and it is feasible to move with them: that is an option we would look at. But we would also look for an option that would allow us to remain in the Claremont area and offer minimal adjustments for our faculty and our students from across the diocese.
Please know that no matter what scenario plays out, Bloy House classes will continue uninterrupted and our MDiv. partnership with Claremont School of Theology will also continue. Any of you who are in the midst of MDiv programs with CST should expect that no matter what, the courses you need will be available to you in the same time frame you have planned for — with no hiatus. I cannot imagine there will be any impact at all in the 2017-18 academic year, and perhaps even beyond that.
The next several years may bring some disruption of routine, re-imagining, and adjustment for us all. But Bloy House is an entirely separate entity from CST, and our future is in the hands of the bishop, the board of trustees, and the president of Bloy House. We are all vitally committed to Bloy House’s continuing mission and ministry here in the Diocese of Los Angeles. Rest assured that we will do everything in our power to make any upcoming transitions as easy and manageable as possible for all of you.
I, like you, will be awaiting any further announcements from CST regarding their future plans. In the meantime know that all is well and all will be well regardless of any large or small changes at CST that may take place. If you have questions, I probably don’t yet have answers for you, but I’m happy to hear your questions or concerns and address them as I am able.
