The Rev. Barney Hawkins and I had originally agreed to be the speakers at the Convocation of Europe Clergy Gathering back in 2020, but along with everything else, it was postponed. Instead, the gathering is taking place today. So I find myself in the Austrian town of Salzburg. The Convocation of Europe is an extraordinary […]
The Christian Century magazine is the magazine of the American mainline. It is a significant achievement to get attention in this magazine. We rightly celebrated the appropriate recognition of the Rev. Kate Sonderegger, Ph.D.‘s interview in the magazine. So it is extraordinary to find ourselves lifting up another colleague who is honored by both an article and by […]
It was the Board of Trustees in 2016 that mandated the Intercultural Competency Course for every employee and every student. Last week, I cleared my Wednesday to be fully present. I had not done the program for four years. It was riveting. From “I really did just think there were seven Fs in the sentence” […]
Tuesday was a good day. At least, it was for me. We began the day with a community Eucharist, where we shared a meal and focused afresh on God. Then classes started up. I had the joy of teaching two 1.5 credit classes in succession. Leaving aside that I wasn’t sure what time the first […]
September marks two years since the Seminary announced the creation of an endowment dedicated to the payment of reparations, and the intent to research, uncover, and recognize Black people who labored on campus during slavery, Reconstruction, and segregation under Jim Crow laws. The Office of Multicultural Ministries has created a TEDTalk-style video explaining the work […]
I have enjoyed the summer of reading the contributions of others in the community in the Dean’s Commentary. The spread of thoughts and views has been fascinating. Perhaps the highlight was the return of the Bishop Payne Library into a newly renovated building (read here: 1, 2, 3), but that was a highlight among many […]
One of the many aspects I appreciate about Virginia Theological Seminary is its focus on education. Well, right, this is a Seminary, and our mission is training ordained and lay leaders for the church, so one might say “duh!” about VTS’ focus on education. Here though, I’m addressing the educational needs of the staff and […]
Ten years ago this week I began my role as the Director of Alumni and Church Relations. I felt then and continue to feel that it is a privilege to work with the remarkable group of individuals who are the VTS alumni. Over 3,300 strong, they are the heart and soul of the Seminary. They […]
On my bookshelf is a book my grandmother gave me titled Spring Is A New Beginning. However, for most of my life, because I have been in school or in situations where an academic calendar determined my schedule, fall has always heralded new beginnings. When I arrived at the Seminary nine-and-a-half years ago, I quickly […]
Here in Institutional Advancement, summer is always a time to review and prepare. The fiscal year ends on June 30, and on July 1 we turn our thoughts to how we can make our new year even better for our donors and our whole community. Lately, I have especially been thinking about all the donors […]