Charlie Cook Retirement Party Dec. 12
Dec 12, 2008
Charlie with alums & other friends June 08 con educ session
Charlie with Everett Lees -- student phonathon postcard 08
Charlie Cook Retirement Party December 12, 2008
The seminary community will gather the evening of December 12 in Weeks Center to celebrate the almost quarter-century teaching ministry of the Rev. Charles James Cook, professor of pastoral theology and member of the Class of 1974.
“In his 24 years as teacher, mentor and colleague here, Charlie has personified the dedicated, creative and innovative spirit of this school and has embodied the principles of pastoral leadership which he teaches,” wrote faculty colleague the Rev. Dr. Cynthia Kittredge in a recent party invitation letter to the Southwest community.
The Dec. 12 party begins at 6 pm and will include a reception and dinner, a program of story telling and reminiscences, followed by distinctive Austin entertainment.
Book of Remembrances – Send your favorite story, note, photograph, memory or personal reflection of Charlie by December 1 to Cook Retirement Celebration – Seminary of the Southwest – 501 E. 32nd Street – Austin, Texas 78705.
If you plan on attending, please contact Nance Busbey at nbusbey@ssw.edu or phone 512.439.0322.
Charlie’s note to the community last spring –
Dear Friends,
For those who were not at assembly this morning, I want to share my personal news that I have set a retirement date, effective December 31, 2008. I informed the Dean of this decision approximately two weeks ago and then shared this with the faculty.
I have been thinking about this decision for some time and while not easy, it seems like the right moment and opportunity to make this transition, personally and for our family. I also wanted to give the seminary enough time to prepare for the future in the area of Pastoral Theology.
In the meantime, we have some good quality time in which to be together here as colleagues and friends, and I look forward to the days and months ahead.
With every good wish –
Charlie Cook
Charlie’s faculty bio –
The Reverend Charles James Cook
Joe and Jessie Crump Chair of Cultural Research. Professor of Pastoral Theology.
Professor Cook teaches a variety of pastoral theology courses. He also created the seminary’s St. Luke’s, Atlanta, program where students take part in that church’s extensive outreach work during the January Term every year. Professor Cook served in churches in Texas, North Carolina and St. Louis before joining the seminary faculty in 1984. He works frequently with dioceses, parishes and vestries throughout Province Seven and other parts of the country on pastoral and planning issues, in addition to being active in several Episcopal Church groups in the Austin metropolitan area.
He holds the B.A. from Drake University and the MDiv from Seminary of the Southwest.
