Category: Dean’s Commentary

Board Committee Work

Yesterday two committees of the Board of Trustees met. It was the Finance Committee and the Executive Committee. Our practice now is to gather on zoom. This has been one learning from our pandemic season: certain things are good on zoom. We try hard to keep committee meetings to the hour: attendance is excellent (zoom […]

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An Exciting Week

OK I freely admit it. I am using the commentary to highlight the number of events that we are holding in the Deanery. The Deanery is spectacular; it is beautiful. And I want to make sure that the space is used. So since it formally opened, we have held events and dinners galore in the […]

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The (possible) Future of the Church

Our TryTank Experimental Lab has produced a short documentary about the future. They have used strategic foresight to determine three plausible scenarios for what the church might be like in 10 years. It is fascinating and sobering. When I first saw the film, I wondered what it would mean for our alumni in ministry and […]

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Welcome to the Rev. Dr. Emma Percy

One joy of Virginia Theological Seminary is that some of the most remarkable scholars make their way to the campus to progress a project and learn about the Episcopal Church. These guests really enhance our shared community life. I am delighted today to welcome the Rev. Dr. Emma Percy to the campus. Emma served as […]

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Events and the Budget

It was perhaps inevitable. After all, COVID reduced the number of events to virtually zero – or to be more literal ‘events became virtual which had virtually zero cost’. And as vaccinations became more widely available, in person events became the norm, and travel resumed. Add in the inflationary pressures (especially in respect to travel), […]

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In New York for an ATS Visit

With the affiliation with General Theological Seminary slowly taking shape, the Association of Theological Schools is visiting the campus to discuss with the leadership the impact of the affiliation on their degree programs. Vice Presidents Melody Knowles, Jacqui Ballou, and Linda Dienno are joining me in New York to discuss the affiliation with the ATS […]

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Poems and a Play

I think Sunday night was my favorite performance of the play. Many of those participating in our Reparations Programs were present both for the dinner at the Deanery and for the play. Amazingly (providentially dare I say) the weather held: it was dry for the entire performance. The acting was strong (probably the best of […]

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The VTS Shop is now Online

We are proud to announce that the VTS Shop has gone virtual. Community members can now purchase VTS swag at anytime and not just when you come to campus. The designs for the merchandise were created with seminarians, alumni, faculty, and friends in mind.  We have bestselling shirts, hoodies, hats and more. The shop is […]

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Today is Giving Day

Today we celebrate our annual Giving Day to raise money for the mission and ministry of VTS through the Annual Fund. On campus and online, we come together to celebrate an important truth: God calls us to accomplish together what we could never do alone. Today your gift of any size has even more impact […]

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The Gift of Elizabeth Panox-Leach

Saying farewell to a member of the VTS community is never easy. Especially for someone so integral to the Seminary as a whole. Please join me in wishing Elizabeth Panox-Leach a fond farewell as tomorrow is her last day before she begins her new role at Dumbarton Oaks, part of Harvard University’s Faculty of Arts […]

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