As it happens Luke my son received the news that yesterday he has tested positive for COVID. He is feeling fine; his symptoms are confined to the effects of having an allergy. However, this does pose the question: What should I do? The CDC guidelines are clear. A person fully vaccinated and boosted is permitted […]
When I was training for the priesthood, I remember vividly my first Holy Week at my contextual ministry site. On the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, I was responsible for leading a group of parishioners in the Evening Office. On Thursday, I was washing feet. On the Friday, I had a lunchtime service and then an […]
Today is Maundy Thursday – the Last Supper; the moment of betrayal and the arrest occur on this day. We are now getting ready for the tragedy of Good Friday. Etymologically, the origin of Good Friday is from “God’s Friday.” In much the same way that Goodbye is from “God be with you,” tomorrow is […]
Thinking through imaginative ways of cultivating our devotional lives is a key part of our work at Virginia Theological Seminary. So I was excited to learn that, in collaboration with the Rev. Patricia Lyons, D.Min., the Rev. Lorenzo Lebrija of our TryTank has 750 people signed up for the Holy Week experience. This was the […]
One joy of Seminary is that there is a real opportunity to live into Holy Week. It is an extraordinary week. These are the days when we walk with our Lord. The growing opposition, the confusion of expectation (is Jesus a political ruler or not?), and the imaginative and profound teaching shape the Monday and […]
Careful readers of the Commentary know that conversations with General Theological Seminary continue. At the end of March, we signed an MOU that creates a potential framework for an agreement that we hope to bring to the Board in May. Now we are starting to think about budget, logistics, and organization. So today, we welcome […]
The Eucharist last night was very moving. The music was powerful; the chance to gather and receive the Eucharist in both kinds was good, and the sermon was vitally important. Our preacher, the Rev. J. Lee Hill D.Min., missioner for racial justice and healing, from the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia, weaved together a careful reading […]
Last night the Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers, canon to the Presiding Bishop for evangelism, reconciliation, and creation care, explored the theme of kenosis in a riveting talk that combined singing with audience conversation. It was an appropriate challenge to the Seminary: What does it mean for the Seminary to live the values of the Gospel? […]
The February 2022 issue of the Anglican Theological Review arrived in my office on Tuesday. I browsed the contents. This is a fascinating collection of essays brought together by our own Rev. Dr. James Farwell on the theme of “sacramental theology in the wake of the pandemic.” Contributors include Jim Turrell, Juan Oliver, Lizette Larson-Miller, Matthew […]
Dinner with David Booth Beers was always delightful. He was funny, thoughtful, resolute, and sharp. He always had a story, illustration, a pointed question, a wry laugh, that made the conversation rich and memorable. On Sunday, he was received by the saints into glory. He leaves behind a significant legacy of service. David Booth Beers […]