Category: Dean’s Commentary

Thank you Traditional Worship Team

Many different types of services could have worked for Shrove Tuesday. Perhaps the Praise Band would have been a fitting climax to the season of Epiphany and the preparation for a holy lent. But as it happens it was the Traditional Worship Team. The service was taken from the American Missal, which was published in […]

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Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday is one of those occasions when we make two trips to the altar. One to receive the ashes; the other to receive the sacrament. It is a solemn day as we start our season recognizing the hard work of repentance and invite God to work on our lives in this season. 2025 is […]

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Shrove Tuesday – Prepare for a Fast Day

Shrove Tuesday is a significant day. It is the day we use to prepare for Lent. It is a day when we indulge a little as we recognize that we are entering a season when we will deliberately deny ourselves those things that we could easily have. Tomorrow is one of two days recommended for […]

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The Holy Act of Remembrance

The act of remembrance is central to the Scriptures. The Eucharist is an act of remembrance, explains Paul to the Church of Corinth. The Jewish people are obligated in Deuteronomy to “remember the commandments” and various strategies are explicated to ensure that happens. The reason why remembrance is so important is because with memory things […]

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Bishop Rose’s review of VTS

I woke up this morning early. I was having breakfast with Bishop Rose Okeno. She is the first diocesan Bishop in the Church of Kenya. I listened and marveled as she shared her journey – both the joys and challenges of her ministry. I was especially touched by the moving affirmation of the community’s welcome. […]

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More Shout Outs

Our Director of the Butterfly House sends this Shout Out: “To the Amazing Assistant Director and Teaching Team at the Butterfly House, I just wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt appreciation and admiration for all that you do! Your tireless efforts to provide a nurturing, engaging, and safe environment for the children […]

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The African American Episcopal Historical Collection Exhibit

The African American Episcopal Historical Collection (located on the lower level of the Bishop Payne Library) has curated an exhibit now on display in the Commons of the Library. It celebrates Black History Month (annually, in February), although the exhibit will continue to be on view after the end of February. The title this year […]

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At the Episcopal Parish Network

Today is a full day, which culminates in a flight to Kansas to be present at the Episcopal Parish Network. My calendar is full: meeting with the deans of the other seminaries, a lunch with Dr. Matthew Price from the Church Pension Group, a breakfast with the Rev. Dr. Charles Robertson from 815, as well […]

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Women Mentoring Women Conference

This is an exciting week to be on campus. The Center for Anglican Communion Studies is hosting more than 40 leading women from around the globe. The Women Mentoring Women Conference, at Virginia Theological Seminary from Tuesday – Friday, is a closed event to allow for greater collaboration and connection among the participants. However, our […]

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Dean’s Scholar In-residence

Virginia Theological Seminary offers The Dean’s Scholarship to academic professionals conducting research in ground-breaking fields. Our current Dean’s Scholar is the Rev. Dr. Yazid Said, from Liverpool Hope University. He arrived on January 31 and will be on campus through mid-March.   Dr. Yazid Said is originally from Nazareth. He received bachelor degrees from Hebrew University […]

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