Category: Dean’s Commentary

Making VTS a place to visit

We want guests on this campus. We want people who discover the countless gems on the campus: we have civil war graffiti on the walls of Aspinwall Hall; we have an extraordinary set of exhibits in the Welcome Center; we have a set of Bicentennial displays in the Bishop Payne Library; we have a 90,000 […]

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Enjoy the Quiet; keep the Quiet

Quiet Day descends upon us. The idea is that between the two services complete silence is kept. You speak to no one. Lunch is taken in silence. You use it to commune with your own thoughts and to offer those thoughts to God. Silence for six hours or so is hard. Many of us will […]

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Has the Anglican Church in South Africa Lost her Prophetic Voice?

We have been delighted to have The Reverend Canon Natalie Arendse at VTS for the past week as a Communion Sabbatical visitor with the Center for Anglican Communion Studies (CACS). Today she will share with us “Has the Anglican Church in South Africa Lost her Prophetic Voice?” in a forum in the Lettie Pate Evans Room […]

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PRRI Study

One gift of the social sciences is that we can learn a little about ourselves that we don’t necessarily know. This recent study from the PRRI is rich, textured, and interesting. We learn that politically, we are overwhelmingly liberal (both as clergy and as members of congregations); we learn that of all the mainline denomination, […]

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Make Miter and win a prize

The Welcome Center is now open. We are blessed to have John Kraynak serving as the VTS receptionist. And I am please to announce that starting Monday, September 25, we are inviting you to “Make a St. Nicholas Miter.” This miniature miter will remind you of the wonder of this generous Gift Giver, Bishop and […]

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Welcome to the Episcopal Cursillo Ministry

We are delighted to welcome the Episcopal Cursillo Ministry to Virginia Theological Seminary. This is a key group in The Episcopal Church. They invite Christians to live a “rule of life” of faithfulness and discipleship. Today at 5:15 pm, there is a Eucharist in the Chapel, to which you are all invited. I will have […]

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Grateful for a senior sermon

I love all the senior sermons. As each senior walks into the ambo, I watch as they preach from the place were Archbishops Williams and Welby have preached; I think of Presiding Bishops Griswold, Jefferts Schori, and Curry – all of whom have stood in that place. Just last week, the Rev. Canon Dr. Mark […]

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Congratulations to the Rev. Oran Warder

I am delighted today to announce the publication of Rebuilding Zion: William Holland Wilmer and the Rebirth of the Episcopal Church in Virginia, 1782-1827 by the Rev. Oran E. Warder. This is the second book to be published that marks the Historic Bicentenary. This one focuses on our key founder. The story is told in rich […]

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Welcome Natthaphon Foithong

In the digital age, an institution’s website often serves as the initial point of contact for people wanting to find out more about it. An effective website should be informative, up to date, visually pleasing, easy to navigate, and reflect the values and ethos of the institution it represents. As we continue to enhance VTS’ […]

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Two searches start

Today two search committees gather. At 9am, we have the search committee for a new professor of ethics. At 4.30pm, the search committee meets for a new professor of history. It is serious work. We need to find a person who supports the mission of VTS, has expertise in the field, and can contribute effectively […]

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