Opening a renovated 1823 while there is snow on the ground makes perfect sense. After all, one cannot sit on the terrace. So you have to go inside. The new 1823 is a delight. It has moved from olde English style to a contemporary modern one. The art remains the same, but the space has […]
It is my practice to drop a note to alums impacted by disasters. I feel such moments personally. The moment when I watched the VTS Chapel go up in flames in 2010 gave me a sense of empathy with anyone who suffers such loss. Just recently, the need for these notes have come quickly – […]
We use our campus year round. This is good. There is no point having this campus empty; it should be used. Today, I want to lift up the Doctoral Thesis Week intensive, which happened last week. We are incredibly grateful to PJ Hobbs (Acting Director of Doctoral Programs) and to Jenn Baker for all of […]
We gathered as Deans from Sunday through Tuesday this week. I made my way home after two canceled trains late on Tuesday night. Wednesday was my first chance to participate with the GTS students in worship. It was a joy to gather with them in south transept, which was set out collegiate style. The Council […]
On Tuesday, as I joined the Council of Deans talking to the new Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe, I was struck afresh with the significance of the Episcopal Church in the United States. Bishop Rowe mentioned, almost in passing, that he will be presiding at the official state funeral which will be held in the Washington […]
The Chapel was always built to have a portrait in the building. Originally, it was Charlie Price, the remarkable professor of theology. But when the Refectory was renovated, the portrait was moved into the Refectory. A group of alums approached me and asked to have a portrait of the Rev. Dr. Barney Hawkins. They viewed […]
A massive thank you to those who were navigating the complexity of arrangements for Sunday, yesterday, and today. The email chain included James Farwell, Ross Kane, Jacqui Ballou, Bob Flanagan, John Knight, Nicky Burridge, Joe Thompson, Beth Clarke, and John Erbe. A massive thank you to everyone. Facilities did  an amazing job in clearing the […]
I am delighted to share with you the news that Nicky Burridge has accepted the Seminary’s invitation to serve as the Senior Vice President for Communications and Institutional Advancement for both Virginia Theological Seminary and The General Theological Seminary.  Nicky has brought exceptional management expertise to the world of Communications and has raised the profile […]
Our seniors are returning. Those on the MDiv and training for holy orders in the Episcopal Church will have the delights of the General Ordination Examinations. Six three hour exams over several days. Although I passed the GOE, I did not do particularly well. In 2007, the exams were graded out of five with three […]
As the holidays slowly recede, we now start the journey of 2025. We all look back on 2024 with different feelings. For some, it was a good year. For others, it was a transition year. For others again, it was a difficult year shaped by significant loss. As an institution, this was a transition year. […]