eFormation is a learning community for ministry in a digital world. Culturally savvy, digitally literate leadership skills are essential in every congregation, and such skills are best learned by active participation in a community of practice. eFormation is another avenue where Lifelong Learning is serving as a continuous resource for clergy and lay leaders. The eFormation learning […]
Nine years ago (plus one month – it was September 9, 2011), we first opened Cafe 1823. I wrote in the Commentary, “Finally, this evening 1823 officially opens its doors.” Since then, many a conversation has been shared. Many prospective students have learned about VTS. Community has been served by this space. Last night, we […]
Yesterday, I did my first adult education teaching at Grace Episcopal Church. The pandemic has led to numerous cancelled events, which, in a weird way (at least in this respect) has made things easier for me. However, I am very conscious that this is not true for all my colleagues. The Rev. James Farwell, Ph.D., […]
Yesterday I participated in a gathering of Clergy in the Order of Saint John (USA). This Order is best known for its support of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem. The Priory Sub-Prelate, the Rev. Dr. Russ J. Levenson, Jr., Rector of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston, had asked me to be a […]
There have been three recent resignations from the Seminary that I want to share with the community. We are grateful to all three of these employees for their service and hard work at the Seminary. First, in Institutional Advancement, Margaret Messenger, has decided to move on. Margaret became a familiar and popular face behind the […]
As you’ll recall, previous commentaries have highlighted the work of TryTank, which “offers inventive approaches to the challenges facing the Episcopal Church.” Sometimes this is by design, and sometimes, inspiration hits. In 2019, data suggested that the new “norm” for church attendance is once every four to six weeks, which means that if […]
Today I want to recognize and honor all those young people, under the age of 18, who are doing school remotely and living with their parents. This includes the teenagers and children of students, staff, and faculty. What started, perhaps, as a novelty has become a routine. Friendships are harder and entirely on-line. School work […]
How do you serve the Church in the midst of a pandemic? I am excited and impressed by the impact that Lifelong Learning is having. They use a variety of tools to reach the Church, and I was especially impressed by this webinar: Hope Incarnate: Planning Worship for Advent and Christmas. It took place on […]
Last night, Institutional Advancement held a virtual event for friends to relaunch our capital campaign. Vice President Linda Dienno navigated (after some instruction from Jeff Harre) the complexities of the zoom; the Rev. Dr. Barney Hawkins and I hosted the event; we had over thirty guests attending; and we used it as an opportunity to […]
As Lifelong Learning settles into their new home, I was so impressed by this delightful video that provides a tour of the new space. Josh Brown shows you each office, says hello to each office occupant, and shows you how easy it is to move the blinds up and down. One feels how this space […]