It definitely takes a village. So, many worked in so many ways to make convocation a success. The gathering of the VTS family is important. Our alumni and friends have traveled long distances to be present. They gather to reconnect with each other; and they gather to learn afresh about what is happening here at […]
One joy of Virginia Theological Seminary is that there are moments when you are invited to participate in and learn from scholars who are simply exceptional. They have an international reputation; they are pioneers in their field. Today, anyone in the Seminary has the chance to engage with two distinguished scholars: at 9.30am, everyone is […]
A rich day looms today. We start at 8:15am with a Eucharist and Bishop Emily Onyango, Ph.D., as our preacher. Then in the afternoon, we have the Inaugural Lecture for the Dodge Chair from the Rev. Judy Fentress-Williams, Ph.D. Then at 5.15pm, we have the Convocation Evensong and Awarding of Honorary Degrees. An Inaugural Lecture […]
This week we celebrate our wonderful alumni as we prepare to welcome them “home” for Class Reunions and Alumni Convocation. The Convocation keynoter is our very own Dr. Judy Fentress-Williams, Dodge Professor of Biblical Literature, and her keynote address on Tuesday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. — “Find Your Way Back”: Forming an Ancestral Identity — […]
For today’s commentary, I am sharing the email below which went to friends and alumni of VTS yesterday. Given Faculty, staff, and students do not see those emails, I thought it would be appreciated to see what I said on behalf of the VTS Community. Dear Friends and Alums of VTS, First it was Helene; […]
Some of the most important work that VTS does is found in Lifelong Learning and is funded by the Lilly Endowment Inc. Today, we are able to let friends know that we have been awarded a new grant dedicated to child-centered practices in worship. The initiative is called “Roots & Wings” – Intergenerational Formation Collaborative. […]
We have an expectation of at least one act of corporate worship a day at VTS. My practice is to attend the 8.15am Eucharist. Every occasion is a gift – after all, we are worshiping God and gathering together. However, today, I do want to thank in particular the team responsible for the Bilingual Eucharist […]
VTS has many friends in North Carolina. Indeed we have two members of the Board of Trustees who are trying to navigate the horrendous devastation of Helene. Literally, there are churches that have been swept away. The cathedral in Asheville will need extensive repair. For Bishop José McLoughlin, every day is navigating the destruction of […]
It was last week. I realized that I had the full hour for lunch. I said to Taryn, my chief of staff, “I am going to vote”. I voted in person. There was no line. I had already evaluated the options for president, senator, mayor, and counselors. I did my duty as a citizen of […]
Since Forma, the Network for Christian Formation for the Episcopal Church, became part of Lifelong Learning and the larger VTS community, one of the many dreams has been to reimagine and relaunch the Forma Certificate program. With combined leadership from the Lifelong Learning department and the Forma Leadership Council, the Certificate in Lifelong Christian Formation […]