I think coming out of the pandemic (assuming that we are coming out of the pandemic) is probably harder than going in. At least going in, we simply kept our distance and lived in our bubbles. Coming out requires a little more balancing. We have always had some on one end of the spectrum who […]
It all started as a suggestion in the staff check-in yesterday. Temperatures in Alexandria have been below freezing. We still have some snow lingering from the storm. This is virtually unprecedented. Normally, the snowfall comes; subsequent days are warm; and the snow melts. But this year, it has been bitterly cold. So, we are pretty […]
Today at 9:15 a.m., all the staff are invited to gather in the Flamingo. Coffee will be on the house. We will then go into the Lettie Pate Evans Room for our first “monthly check-in.” It will be an opportunity to share important documents: so, tomorrow, for example, we will be bringing copies of the […]
On the first day of spring semester 2022, it is a delight to welcome two scholars to the VTS community. The first is the Rt. Rev. Kirk Stevan Smith, V Bishop of Arizona (retired) who will teach a class on mysticism and serve as a Bishop-in-Residence this spring. After earning his Ph.D. in medieval church […]
One strategy we have used throughout this pandemic is to constantly test the community. There is a significant percentage of students and faculty who rarely leave the campus (which, incidentally, probably isn’t that healthy – but that is for a different commentary on a different day). Naturally, staff come and go. But being a residential […]
My son and I sat in 1823 last Wednesday. “So, Luke,” I said, “We need some pictures on the wall. What would you recommend?” We use to have 19th century prints of church leaders. However, diversity was not one of their strengths. So Luke and I had an interesting conversation. Luke quite liked a sports […]
The Rev. Dr. Richard Burridge is a good friend of Virginia Theological Seminary. If you look at his publications over the years, you will see that we are often given credit for a being a place where there is space and opportunity to write. He made several plans to visit us in 2021, but a […]
It is true that the formal exception of one corporate act of worship does not start until the formal semester starts. The provision of chapel services in January is focused on those enrolled in January term classes and those who wish to keep the practice going in between semesters. So attendance is not required; however, […]
The Faculty all got tested for COVID, and I am pleased to report that we all tested negative. So we started our traditional January retreat. It is an opportunity to think about our work together. We were blessed with the presence of Dr. Roger Nam from Emory (a consultant on teaching whose visit was made […]
It was my privilege to deliver a lecture yesterday at High Point University. The topic was “Theodicy Revisited: The Atonement as Penance.” It took place in a window between two snow storms. It was lovely to meet such an energetic and strong department of religion and philosophy. And it was lovely to see John Wesley […]