Category: Dean’s Commentary

First Impressions

I was late for my interview at VTS. Living only 1.4 miles away but being directionally challenged, I gave myself 20 minutes travel time to meet with Linda Dienno in Institutional Advancement. As I pulled onto campus with 10 minutes to spare, I thought I had nailed it! I was struck by the beauty of […]

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It Takes a Village

This week’s Dean’s Commentaries are from Institutional Advancement (IA). Throughout the week, you’ll read about the annual fund from Jennifer Greiner and alums from Shelagh Casey Brown. You’ll also read perspectives from Kate Hurney, a relatively new member of the IA team, and Isabelle DeGaynor, an intern who joined us for a week earlier this […]

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Doctoral Project Thesis Proposals

Today in our doctoral programs, students in their third and final summer residency present their project thesis proposals for approval by VTS faculty. For their theses, students envision and carry out an act of ministry in their context that seeks to transform that place, to make it holier. They then put the results of that […]

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Thank You for Making the Doctoral Residency Possible

This week as we welcome doctoral students, there are so many people and programs that make the doctoral residency possible. Faculty teach and mentor students, including full-time faculty and our dedicated doctoral Senior Lecturers. Many offices across VTS contribute to the residency as well. AASL, IA, and the Dean’s Office have all been involved in […]

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Doctoral Program Worship Services

During the doctoral summer intensive, we will have worship Monday through Friday at noon in the Immanuel Chapel. We have Eucharist on Mondays and Fridays, while Tuesday through Thursday are noonday prayer. Given the interdenominational representation of VTS doctoral programs, services will draw from a number of denominational traditions. All are welcome, please join us! […]

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Welcome VTS Doctoral Students

Today we welcome on our campus VTS doctoral students for their annual summer residency. People often ask what makes VTS doctoral programs distinct, especially compared with other Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) and Doctor of Educational Ministry (D.Ed.Min.) programs. In addition to our  curriculum which focuses around three tracks—Ministry Development, Educational Leadership, and Christianity Spirituality—there are […]

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The Alumni Association Executive Committee of VTS

  This week’s Commentaries have been written by members of the AAEC (Alumni Association Executive Committee). For Commentary readers unfamiliar with AAEC’s work, here is some brief information about their role and activities.   The AAEC is the elected executive body of the Alumni Association of Virginia Theological Seminary. As all VTS alumni are members […]

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A Journey with VTS

  As I look back at my time at VTS, I feel grateful for my experience as a seminarian. Now, as an alum, I am grateful to be on the AAEC. It has been quite a journey from postulant to alum. After being made a postulant, I was concerned about finding a seminary that would […]

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“You are to love and serve the people among whom you work”

  “You are to love and serve the people among whom you work, caring alike for young and old, strong and weak, rich and poor.” From The Examination, Ordination to the Priesthood, Book of Common Prayer 1979, p. 531   After 34 years of ordained life as a priest, and belonging to a lot of […]

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The Ties That Bind: Relationships Built at VTS

  When one is preparing for their seminary journey, spiritual formation and excelling at one’s academic work are top priorities for the incoming seminarian. They leave the comforts of their homes, their sponsoring parishes, and their dioceses and make a new home at VTS with the commitment to do very well in these endeavors. But […]

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