Matriculation

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Hello New Students!

It is time to formally welcome all of you to the General Seminary Community during the Matriculation Ceremony to be held on Thursday September 28 at 5:30 pm Evensong. This tradition of signing the Matriculation Book dates back to 1822!

We do need to rehearse before the ceremony. Please arrive promptly at 4:45 pm on Thursday the 28th.  We will begin on the chapel steps with a photograph of the entire class; we want all of you to be in the photo!  Then we will head into the chapel for rehearsal and if everyone arrives on time this will only take 15-20 minutes. You will be given a seating chart when you arrive.

If for some reason you are unable to attend the matriculation ceremony please let me know by the end of the day, Friday September 22th. Otherwise I am going to assume that those of you I have not heard from are indeed coming. There will be an assigned seating chart for students who are matriculating and your absence will make a difference in the assignment of seating.

Guests are invited to attend and are invited to sit in any of the non-assigned seating.  There is a festive dinner in the Refectory to celebrate immediately after the ceremony. Remember to RSVP to at https://matriculationdinner2017.eventbrite.com/!

FAQ:

  1. What should I wear?  This is an opportunity for you to wear your “Sunday Best”.  Please come to the rehearsal prepared for the service since there will not be time to leave and come back between the rehearsal and the ceremony.
  2. Can I use my own pen? No. We take precautions to preserve the book and I will have the pen with acid free ink that needs to be used.
  3. Here is the Matriculation Vow the Dean will read to you:

 

“We, the subscribers, students of The General Theological Seminary of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, do solemnly promise with reliance on divine grace, loyalty to observe the Statutes and Rules of the Seminary; and furthermore, to set ourselves to cultivate the moral and religious character which befits candidates of Sacred Ministry.”

Thank you all for helping to make this a special and memorable event for everyone.  I look forward to being there with you as you sign the book!