Category: Dean’s Commentary

Appointment of the Dodge Professor of Biblical Interpretation

It is my deep pleasure to announce that, with the support of the faculty, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to appoint the Rev. Judy Fentress-Williams as Dodge Professor of Biblical Interpretation. This is one of the earliest faculty chairs in existence at VTS, and was first held by Joseph Packard (1871-1897) and most recently […]

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Board Meetings

There is always significant business for the November Board meeting. We have to receive the Audit Report. There are honorary degrees to vote; sabbatical reports to receive. Lots of items need to be voted. This Board meeting, however, is different. Our guests from General Theological Seminary will have their own Board meeting. They also have […]

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Two Boards are in town

I think this is the first time that it has happened. We have both the Virginia Theological Seminary Board of Trustees on the campus and, at the same time, the General Theological Seminary Board of Trustees. History is happening today. Naturally, this has everything to do with the affiliation that the Board of Trustees voted. […]

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Being a Pastor to a President

You can pre-order this book on Amazon. And it is worth doing so. I was fortunate I received an advance copy. It is an astonishing, moving, powerful book. It is about a Rector caring for parishioners; it is about the Christian hope and the precious power of the Episcopal liturgy when confronting death and grief; […]

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Long-Term Care Insurance

The promise was that it would take me fifteen minutes to enroll my wife in the long-term care insurance. It took me longer. I had to give her call; there were many details I did not know. However, finally, we connected; we are both now enrolled. I completely understand that staff and faculty just don’t […]

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Fabulous start to the Costan Lectures

Dr. David Ford started the journey of his Costan Lectures for 2022 last night. It was extraordinary. The argument was the particular outlook of the Gospel of John can speak to our cultural moment. This is the Gospel that invites us to encounter the person of Christ; this is the Gospel that makes the themes […]

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The Prophets: Introducing Israel’s Prophetic Writings

The breadth and depth of the writings of VTS faculty never ceases to amaze. Next Wednesday, November 2, 2022 you will have the opportunity to celebrate the book launch of The Prophets: Introducing Israel’s Prophetic Writings by Dr. Stephen Cook, Dr. John Strong, and Dr. Steven Tuell. The prophets remain figures of enduring interest and […]

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Scriptural Reasoning: Why It Matters

Today begins one of the most exciting academic weeks during our school year: the week of the Costan lectures, which are given this year by the theologian David Ford, Ph.D., OBE, on the Gospel of John. Dr. Ford’s presence on campus this year has presented us with a very happy coincidence. In addition to his […]

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The Extraordinary Rev. Dr. Bill Roberts

Last night was a memorable evening. On so many levels, the evening was just a delight. Whenever musicians perform in the Chapel, one cannot help but note how impoverish and inadequate other spaces are for music. The chapel does music really well. Then we had this amazing music for the Eucharist. The Rev. Dr. Bill […]

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Flu Clinic Tomorrow

Wellness is a priority at VTS. We offer spiritual wellness through chapel eucharists and prayer services. Mental wellness via seminary courses, trainings and offerings with Lifelong Learning. Emotional wellness through community and sharing meals and stories in the Refectory.  Physical wellness with opportunities like the Capital Bikeshare program (VTS now offers annual discounts to students). Holistic […]

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