Today we have the Alumni Executive Committee meet. This is one of the most important organizations in the seminary. It is the bridge between the present and the past. Our effectiveness as an institution is heavily shaped by our alumni. It is the alumni who were formed by this place and are now out in […]
Today we have the convocation lectures on the theme of artificial intelligence. We will hear from two contrasting voices, one skeptical and one affirmative. From the skeptical end of the spectrum, we have the Rev. Emily Garcia. She came to prominence as a result of her campaign to encourage clergy to promise never to use […]
Today is the start of our annual convocation, and we welcome class stewards to the campus. The class stewards are persons who represent each of their classes to the seminary, working closely with Shelagh Casey Brown. They will learn about what’s happening in the seminary and commit afresh to supporting the seminary with their prayers, […]
I have one request of our students. Please continue to greet the stranger who suddenly appears in the Refectory for meals. Please sit with them, please ask them questions, and yes please help them find the right building and room. We have a great reputation for welcoming the guest. I have lost count of distinguished […]
On Wednesday, October 7, 2026, VTS’s Department of Lifelong Learning and the Godly Play Foundation marked the opening of the Jerome W. Berryman Special Collection and Archive. Housed in its own room within the Lifelong Learning offices, the collection is open to those wishing to explore the sources that informed Berryman’s work. Thanks to the […]
Fall is a season of cooler temperatures, warm tea, and American football. Also, as Seminary Hill begins its search for changing tree colors, we welcome many different visitors to worship, learn, and discover new ways to serve the wider church and the world. This week, along with our wonderful bishops from across the Anglican Communion, […]
From October 5–8, Virginia Theological Seminary welcomes women bishops from across the Anglican Communion for Shepherding Together. Hosted by the Center for Anglican Communion Studies with funding from Trinity Church Wall Street, the conference builds on the Women Mentoring Women Conference held at VTS in 2025. This gathering was inspired by Abp. Marinez Bassotto of […]
I want to use today’s commentary to lift up the gift of Dr. Christopher Southgate. Chris is both an accomplished specialist in science (and written extensively on science and religion), but perhaps he is best known as a poet. We have a Deanery evening on Monday with an opportunity to engage with this remarkable and […]
Travel is an intrinsic and important part of this job. So I head out today to Atlanta to visit with friends and alumni. I travel with the Senior Vice President for Communications and Institutional Advancement, Ms. Nicky Burridge. Then tomorrow I will return to only head down to Madison (my retirement home) with my wife […]
Many of you will have had the pleasure of meeting the Rev. Dr. Andrew McGowan during his time on campus this fall. He and his wife, Dr. Felicity Harley-McGowan, have been here as Dean’s scholars after Andrew recently concluded twelve years as Dean and President of Berkeley Divinity School at Yale. Before he leaves, Dr. […]