It is a joy to be here in Austin Texas. Once a year all the Deans of the Episcopal seminaries gather. It is an opportunity to reflect on the state of theological education, to share trends in our respective institutions, and to enjoy some fellowship together. This year, the agenda is supplemented by the presence […]
Our fundamentalist friends have shown us the way. If you want to impact culture, then you release a movie. Back in 2014, God’s Not Dead was made: a $2 million budget and it grossed over $62 million. A key theme was the academy is anti-God; Christians have a hard time at university. It was a […]
Today I am pleased to celebrate another book published out of VTS Press. The Rev. Dr. Russell J. Levenson Jr., was asked to deliver the 177th Commencement Address at Nashotah House. When he sent me a copy of the text, I was impressed. Here is the Rector of the largest Episcopal Church in the United […]
A key part of our Historic Bicentenary preparations was the commissioning of a play called Dust by the international award-winning playwright and screenwriter, Non Vaughan-O’Hagan. It was performed to full houses over the course of a week in October 2022. Telling a story about the past that includes both sin and grace, flaws and faithfulness is hard. […]
It was a lovely moment. I was coming out of the pew at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Old Town Alexandria on the New Year’s Eve service, when I was stopped by Ms. Barbara Warder, the Treasurer for the fundraising arm of St. George’s College, Jerusalem. “Thank you” she said, “the gifts from your appeal […]
2024 has arrived. I pray, trust, and hope that the pause over Christmas and the New Year has been gift to us all. For our seniors, many of whom are taking the General Ordination Exams, this has not been a relaxing pause. Inevitably, these are the “professional examinations” that clergy are required to take. As […]
Today, we close the Seminary after the Holiday Party at the St. Martin’s Deanery. All the staff and the faculty are invited to the Deanery to share the final lunch for 2023. The Seminary reopens on Tuesday January 2. The commentary will restart on that day. 2023 will be remembered as a special year. It […]
Last night I was at The General Theological Seminary. It was an opportunity to participate in an important moment for the affiliation. Our sister seminary was having its own 200 year anniversary. The person who donated the land for the Seminary, and then served as a professor for several years, was also the poet behind […]
My wife and I at the end of the semester host the “Senior Tea”. This is a decades old practice where Deans have had a moment to prepare seniors for their last semester at Seminary. We reflect with the seniors on what really matters. I think perhaps I am the first Dean to discover that […]
The Chapel was full. The Refectory looked stunning. The music was sublime. The occasion was special. Last night, we had Lessons and Carols and the conferral of the Dean’s Cross on Ms. Ellen Hawkins. So many people worked so hard. The Rev. Dr. Shawn Strout and Dr. Marty Burnett were responsible for the service; it […]