VTS celebrates the call and holiness of LGBTQIA+ persons, but the story is unfinished. The full narrative of LGBTQIA+ individuals and their experiences on the Holy Hill needs to be heard. Our archivist, Joshua Waits, has taken up this task and is launching Called and Holy: The Virginia Theological Seminary LGBTQIA+ Oral History Project. Historically, […]
Virginia Theological Seminary is marking its pilgrimage of 200 years in many ways. From plays to sonnets to books to art, we are “marking the moment.” Pilgrimages are also an exciting way to remember that all of us are on a journey. The Rev. J. Barney Hawkins, IV is now leading a Lenten pilgrimage with […]
In The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis, hell consists of quarrelsome neighbors moving ever further way from each other. A quarrel is such a simple thing: it is a disagreement that gets out of control. It is when we become so sure in our righteousness that we are indignant that others can think otherwise. It evolves […]
I am pleased to welcome The Most Reverend Naudal Gomez and his wife Carmen who are staying with us till June this year. Bishop Gomez was formerly the presiding bishop and primate of the Anglican Episcopal Church of Brazil (Igreja Episcopal Anglicana do Brasil – IEAB). He was succeeded by Latin America’s first woman to hold that position, […]
On Friday, we shared the news that Mr. Jonathan Silver is stepping down as of June 30, 2023. I am delighted that we have another five months of his ministry at GTS. He is the keeper of the institutional memory; he is the servant of the Alumni Executive Committee; he is a gracious and fun […]
Mechanisms for communication are important. At VTS, we have the monthly staff meeting, where we gather and learn. Over the many months we have had this practice, we have done everything from “fitness exercises for the workplace” to “understanding your pension”. And always, there is an opportunity to ask questions. In addition, once a month, […]
It was an interesting moment. I was in a conversation with a key person in the GTS orbit (to protect her identity I am not revealing her name) and she said, “could I please ask a sensitive question?” “Always”, I replied. “So, according to a Bishop of the Episcopal Church, VTS has already sold the […]
Lifestyle matters. There is a fundamental Christian obligation to be thoughtful and informed about healthy patterns of living and behavior. A key area is the world of addiction. Understanding for ourselves the importance of the risk and appropriate treatment for addiction is important. In particular, education around alcohol is especially important. We need to be […]
Happy Valentine’s Day. Today I share continuing news from the Board meetings. At VTS, back in 2020, in preparation for our historic bicentennial, we had a good strategic planning process. After lively internal debate, a PowerPoint presentation was sent to all Board and Faculty members. It set out three visions – quiet interior, expansive reach; […]
Yesterday, the Rev. Dr. Barney Hawkins and I visited St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston. This is the largest Episcopal Church in the country; and the visit afforded me the opportunity to thank the congregation for their leadership gift in making St. Martin’s Deanery possible. Last night, we held a “Marking the Moment” event, where […]