Category: Dean’s Commentary

Science and Religion

Thanks to Dr. John Knight, our director of research, we managed to obtain a grant from AAAS (American Association for the Advancement for Science) to explore the relationship between science and religion. A group of faculty will be on a 24 hour retreat to explore possible synergies and potential program initiatives. As students in my […]

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Board Meeting of General Theological Seminary

Last night, the first Board meeting of General Theological Seminary was held under the recently signed affiliation agreement. I was elected President of General Theological Seminary; and the Very Rev. Dr. Michael DeLashmutt became the Senior Vice President of General Theological Seminary and Dean of the Chapel of the Good Shepherd. It was a good […]

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Mission not Proselytization

This week, the Mission Society host Professor Stephen Bevans SVD. Dr. Bevans will be in conversation with students and faculty today at a 1pm forum entitled, “Mission not Proselytization” (Addison 101). He will also visit a number of classes across a number of subject areas. On Wednesday morning, Dr. Bevans will be the preacher at […]

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Dr. Laura Natta Receives Fontaine Sermon Award

I want to honor our senior Dr. Laura Natta and give thanks for her continued good work in the Jesus movement. Although not her sending diocese, Laura had the opportunity to work with the Diocese of Minnesota this past summer and have built a strong relationship with them. She was given the endowed Fontaine sermon […]

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Grateful and a noon closing

I am grateful today. I am grateful for the hardworking staff who keep VTS going; I am grateful for my Faculty colleagues who are at AAR and SBL and are moving the frontiers of knowledge forward in their respective disciplines; I am grateful for the students who relish the challenge of a 35% dip in […]

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The GTS and VTS Charter of Values

As we ease into Thanksgiving week, Virginia Theological Seminary will sign the affiliation agreement with General Theological Seminary. The affiliation is now confirmed. Now the important work of working together will begin. At the November Board meeting, there was a plenary where both Boards gather to reflect on the appropriate values that shape this affiliation. […]

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The new Director of Unity, Faith and Order

OK I am a fan of Dr. Christopher Wells. I first met him just after he became Executive Director of the Living Church Foundation. I was a subscriber of the magazine back in 2007; it was a good source for news, but tending to be rather unimaginatively polemical and very focused on the developing schism […]

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Key Board Decisions

It is my practice to summarize certain Board decisions in the week following the Board meeting. However, this week we have had so much happening on the campus, it has not been possible. Given the blood drive and the EES matter, it is right that these dominate the commentary slots. So, I will focus on […]

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Theological Libraries Six Word Contest

In celebration of Theological Libraries Month last October, the Library Committee received over 51 creative submissions for their six words contest. Congratulations to Carolyn Hart Melody & Aaron Dillon for receiving the First-place awards, Christopher Poore for the Second-place award, and Jackson Davey for the Third-place award. Congrats also to our Honorable Mention, Chris Micklewright, […]

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Evangelism Society Visits Campus

Since 1862, the Episcopal Evangelism Society (EES) has supported Episcopal seminarians financially in their formation to serve Christ’s church. Like most Episcopal institutions, the EES mission has evolved, even pivoted, over the years. Today they award grants to seminarians, faculty, staff and their spouses and partners to implement ministry projects that will help develop the […]

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