We are excited to invite you back to the Close for Alumni Week!

Alumni Week will run from June 9 to June 12, and include a retreat, the 2025 Paddock Lectures, and the Alumni Memorial Eucharist with the conferral of the Distinguished Alumni Award.

Sunday June 8, alumni staying on the Close are welcome to arrive after 12:30pm and before 9:00pm. Said Evening Prayer will be held in the Chapel of the Good Shepherd at 5:30pm

Monday June 9 – Wednesday June 11 at 12:00, Join fellow alumni from June 9 to 11 at General Theological Seminary for “Learning How to Live Our Life,” a reading retreat led by the Rev. Dr. Luigi Gioia. Through guided reflections on Marilynne Robinson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Gilead, we’ll explore themes of grace, self-awareness, interiority, and spiritual authenticity, rediscovering how novels can enrich our faith, broaden our humanity, and deepen our joy in everyday life. The retreat begins at noon with the Eucharist on Monday June 9 and goes through to noon on Wednesday June 12. Each day, said Morning Prayer will be held in the Chapel of the Good Shepherd at 8:30am, Eucharist at noon, and Evening Prayer at 5:30pm.

Wednesday June 11th, 3:00pm to 4:30pm, the 2025 Paddock Lectures delivered by the Rev. Dr. John J. Thatamanil, Professor of Theology and World Religions at Union Theological Seminary.

5:30pm, Choral Evensong and the reading of the necrology followed by a light drinks reception on the lawn.

Thursday June 12th, 3:00pm to 4:30pm, the 2025 Paddock Lectures delivered by the Rev. Dr. John J. Thatamanil.

5:30pm, Alumni Memorial Eucharist with the conferral of the Distinguished Alumni Award.

6:30pm, a banquet in Hoffman Refectory

The cost of attending the retreat is $250 per person (non-refundable). We have space for 20 people to sleep on the Close in Dodge. There is no additional charge for this accommodation, but rooms will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. You can sign up for the retreat here.

There is no charge for attending the 2025 Paddock Lectures, Choral Evensong, Alumni Memorial Eucharist with the conferral of the Distinguished Alumni Award and the banquet, but please register here for a free ticket so that we know how many people are coming.

We hope you can join us for as much of the week as possible!