Discernment takes many forms. Sometimes the discernment takes place prior to the journey. Shall I book a summer vacation and if so, where? Shall I join this church or apply for this position? This discernment determines a trajectory – a direction. Then, at other times, the bulk of the discernment takes place on the journey. […]
Communication, communication, communication. When people are left out and don’t know what is happening, they get understandably frustrated. So today I have two important meetings. The first is a staff meeting; the second is with the student body. I encourage everyone to attend these meetings. I appreciate that it can be difficult to fit the […]
For the next week or so, you’ll find me in Bohlen 202. After thirteen years, the furniture in the Dean’s Office had faded, become impossible to clean, and was clearly coming to the end of its life. The Board had approved a budget; as a capital purchase, it will not be recurrent and therefore is […]
We begin this week with another silver lining of this pandemic season. Normally on this day in January, a dozen or so students and a faculty adviser would be embarking upon a pilgrimage in Jerusalem through our partnership with St. George’s College. This annual program is very special and, of course, is not happening in […]
Last night those students who had taken the General Ordination Examinations gathered for a physically distanced, mask-wearing gathering. The relief was palpable. Conversations bubbled around the room as they recall the experience of the week. This is a class that is close; they really like each other and it showed. The Associate Dean of Students, […]
Naturally, we track bishop elections. This is the Episcopal Church after all. And one recent election in December is worthy of special comment. On December 12, 2020, the Rev. Canon Paula E. Clark, VTS class of 2004, was elected the 13th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago. She will be the first African American […]
If you have had even a brief interaction with Ebonee Davis, you know that she exudes tranquility.  If you have spoken with her a while longer, you have also found that she has extensive knowledge of African American history and that she is a woman of deep faith. For all these reasons and more, I […]
The General Ordination Examinations (GOEs) are upon us. Seniors gathered yesterday morning to start the first paper – Liturgy. They looked ready to do the work that they must do over the next few days. It is important to remember all the basics of examination taking. Make sure you sleep well; ensure that you have […]
As 2020 disappears into the rearview mirror, we pause and celebrate afresh the new year. 2020 was a year of discovery. We learned that the normal is very precious. Walking around, smiling, shaking hands, exchanging hugs, sitting with friends, having dinner out, going to the movies — these were all things that suddenly became difficult […]
The holidays are upon us. This strange COVID year is slowly coming to an end. Christmas plans are harder to make: large family gatherings have been canceled; for many, Midnight Mass will not be available; instead, we will celebrate in smaller and more intimate gatherings, and many of us will “just stay at home.” The […]