President's Update 4.3.20
Dear Knox Family,
I want to begin by saying how deeply grateful I am for you. In recent weeks I’ve had the opportunity to communicate with a number of our students, and each time I’m struck by your commitment to your ministry calling. We have Knox students at the epicenter (NYC), in major hot spots around the world, and in communities large and small that have been rocked by this pandemic.
As the family of God, and as a seminary family, let us pray for those in our community who are caring for those with the novel coronavirus or have tested positive themselves. May we remain faithful to declaring and demonstrating the good news in the midst of a world brimming with the opposite. And may we remember that our God is faithful, that he casts our fear, that he listens to our prayers, and that he is Lord over all.
Here is the most recent Knox update regarding our response to the Corona Virus.
As of 4/3/2020:
The health of our students, faculty, and staff is of primary concern. Because FortLauderdale is now under local and statewide mandates to shelter in place, theKnox campus is closed to students and employees until April 30.
o Residential students are now required not to return to campus. All residential courses continue to be live broadcast for the rest of the semester.
o All Knox employees whose work on the campus is not considered “essential” should remain off site. Employees who are unsure whether they can return to the Knox campus should check with their supervisor.
o Anyone seeking to return to campus with permission must still adhere to previously stated restrictions (see update from 3.13.20, below).
All local Knox events are either postponed or will be made available via live or recorded video:
o Weekly chapel services continue eachThursday at 11:30 through live stream
o The May 15 Commencement has been postponed; alternative plans will be communicated in the near future
A determination will be made regarding if and how to offer the scheduled summer intensive courses at least one month prior to the course offerings.
At any time, conditions may require us to amend these restrictions without any prior notification.
We will continue to monitor new developments related to the Corona Virus and keep you updated with any changes that may arise from this ever-shifting situation.
As the Knox family comes together to pray and petition our Father, we also rest in the peace He promised, which surpasses all understanding and guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
In Christ,
Scott Manor
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As of 3/13/2020:
• Both intensive sessions to be taught by Dr. Bryan Chapell are cancelled, (this includes the class AT-502 Introduction to Homiletics and the Hardest Sermons lectures). If you are enrolled in the residential, intensive homiletics course, look for additional email communication from us regarding an online version of the class in a special session so you will be able to remain enrolled and receive credit.
• DM-888 Pastoral Ethics for Ministry will be offered March 23-27 as planned, since no online version of this required course is available. However, a live broadcast will be offered via Zoom and students are encouraged to attend remotely. Look for further details next week.
• All residential courses will be available via Zoom for live broadcast for the rest of the semester. Students are encouraged (but not required at this point) to attend remotely.
• Campus will reopen to faculty, staff, and students following Spring Break on March 23rd with the following restrictions:
o any member of the community who has symptoms consistent with the common cold, influenza, or coronavirus/CoVID-19 is required to remain off campus until 14 days after all symptoms have subsided.
o any member of the community who has traveled internationally is required to remain off campus until 14 symptom free days following international travel.
o any member of the community who has been in close contact with anyone who has traveled internationally and/or been on a cruise within the prior 14 days, or who has symptoms consistent with the common cold, influenza, or coronavirus/CoVID-19, is required to remain off campus until 14 days after the potential exposure.
o Any member of the community who has an underlying health condition that may increase your risk due to infection is asked to remain off campus. Faculty and Staff should coordinate with their superior about remote working arrangements.
• A determination will be made regarding if and how to offer the scheduled summer intensive courses at least one month prior to the course offerings.
• At any time, conditions may require us to amend these restrictions without any prior notification.
There is no playbook for this situation, so we ask everyone to be patient amidst a changing situation. We will do our best to ensure you have every opportunity for your education to continue uninterrupted. We are grateful that we already have in place the flexibility of our existing online platform, allowing for smooth continuity of learning. And yet, we anticipate the possibility of some technical challenges for this unexpected, immediate switch to live broadcast education for residential classes. Please bear with us as there will be costs for everyone associated with the interruptions to normal life, with no way to alleviate every loss.
We can, however, take preventative measures and arm ourselves with the most up to date information. We encourage students, staff, and faculty to continue to monitor information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including information on:
• Understanding symptoms of Corona Virus
• Prevention and treatment measures
• Other Frequently Asked Questions
We will continue to monitor new developments related to the Corona Virus and keep you updated with any changes that may arise from this ever-shifting situation. The health of our students, faculty, and staff is of primary concern, just as students’ education and formation are central to everything we do at Knox.
As we respond and prepare, we also remember the Lord’s faithfulness and rest in His grace. Paul, in Philippians 4:5-7, reminds believers that the Lord is near, so we should be anxious about anything. Rather, in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving we should let our requests be made known to God.
As the Knox family comes together to pray and petition our Father, we also rest in the peace He promised, which surpasses all understanding and guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
In Christ,
Scott Manor
