We only have a limited number of Christmas days in a given life. So, we all reach another landmark. Christmas 2024. It descends upon us and passes quickly into the new year of 2025. For parents, it is another moment when children are excited, looking forward to their gifts from Santa. For families, it is […]
On Friday, the Seminary will close at lunchtime. And it will not open again until the New Year. But of course we do need a team of people who are available if there is a crisis. Today, I want to honor the on-call rota of the Facilities team. They rotate around the team the responsibility […]
On Friday December 6, an alumnus had their car damaged. I shared the news in an email on December 9 and promised a full investigation. Fortunately, we did have a camera that had the damaged car prominently in view. The video footage was reviewed carefully for the entire night. Although there was a lot of […]
I have spent much of the last twenty-four hours signing Christmas cards. Each one is a special moment. I pause, think of the person’s connection to the Seminary, and then seek to write a suitable note. As I worked through the cards this year, I found myself aware that for more people than normal this […]
On Friday, the semester formally came to a close. Some students will be heading out to celebrate the rest of Advent and the Christmas season. The campus will be quieter. As I was reflecting with the Faculty last week, this has felt like a regular semester. We have had so much additional activity for a […]
It has been a joy to be in Dallas Texas. Dallas has supported the Seminary for many years. Last night, the team of Vice President Linda Dienno, Vice President Nicky Burridge, Director Shelagh Casey Brown and I were at Saint Michael and all Angels. It was an opportunity to share the news about our work. […]
Yesterday morning, I was delighted to listen to Dr. Stephen Cook weave together art and theology in a deeply imaginative and inspiring way. The dance was the theme: from the poetry of Isaiah to the art to the music of Jazz, Dr. Cook moved thoughtfully through these three worlds inviting us all to participate in […]
These last few weeks have been busy. Last week I was in Florida at one of the largest congregations in the Episcopal Church. On Monday night, VTS had a table at the Diocese of New York Episcopal Charities Gala, which was held in the stunning setting of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Then […]
The Rev. Neal Goldsborough has been a hardworking Board member for many years. And when he shared the news that he was to be a presence in a play called “Someone Will Remember Us”, I thought it would be lovely to share the news with readers of our Commentary. Neal served as a military chaplain. […]
The Advent Service of Lessons and Carols is one of my favorite moments. It weaves together the beauty of Scripture with some extraordinary Advent Carols. It is the Immanuel Chapel at its best; the perfect blend of word and music. Last night was historic. It was not simply that we honored the Rev. Canon Jerry […]