Dear Members, Associates, and Friends,
Chances are that at some point in your life George Dole has influenced you through his books, talks, sermons, filmscripts, and conversations. Perhaps you’ve been blessed by ministry through one of his many students, or possibly you yourself are a spiritual leader educated by him. Maybe you’ve been helped by one of his revolutionary translations of Swedenborg’s works to grasp new understanding and insight. Possibly you even were fortunate to have been part of a congregation where Rev. Dole served as minister. You may also be a friend, neighbor, or relative.
It is challenging to capture the widespread and deep inspiration Dr. Dole has had on our denomination and on so many of us. His presence of thought and vision is alive and working through so many publications and the work of those whom he helped shape. His reach has been so wide as well as deep, that we wish to create an honor that will be fitting and long-lasting.
This humble but spirited leader will soon celebrate 60 years of ordained ministry performed as a scholar at our theological school and as a congregational leader. In recognition of his immeasurable contributions to CSS, we are establishing a named chair to be launched at the upcoming 2020 convention in Bridgewater, Massachusetts—the summer of his 90th birthday.
We need your support.
As a named chair, we do not have a requirement for the amount of your contribution, although of course our goal is to raise as much as possible. But since this is a loving tribute to a very important person in our tradition, we need for you to join us in seeking the widest possible participation.
For this special purpose, we are putting donations into a restricted fund for the purpose of funding the George F. Dole chair for the long-range future. Using only the interest generated each year, your gift will keep on giving for a very long time.
For those who would prefer to donate to the general fund or other projects, these options are also available.
So please contribute an amount that is feasible for you. If you cannot contribute immediately, please pledge an amount that you can contribute prior to June 30, 2020. We will be publishing all the names of those giving to the George F. Dole chair to represent the loving community he has nurtured so well for so long.
The CSS Board of Trustees
Robert Carr, Jenny Caughman, Terrie Crenshaw, Jim Lawrence, Jennifer Lindsay, Gard Perry, Lewis Shaw, Jane Siebert, John Titus, and Anna Woofenden