Date: December 3, 2021
When my wife worked for the North American Committee for St. George’s College in Jerusalem, the end of the year was an important time. The mail would arrive: countless $10, $50, $100 gifts would pour in. For many friends of St. George’s, these modest amounts were all they could afford. But as each gift arrived, it was combined with other gifts, and together these gifts became a significant part of the total funding for the year.
The same thing happens here at VTS. It would be very easy to imagine that a modest gift will not make a difference — that in the end, the Seminary is only interested in major gifts. But this is not true. America has learned, especially through political campaigns, that modest gifts are actually the key. Get many people making modest gifts, then suddenly the major gift has arrived.
So today, I want to celebrate those givers who cannot do much more than $50 or $100. A big thank you to you. You make a difference in ways that you cannot imagine. As you think about your year end giving, it is good to remember your parish church, the program for the homeless, Episcopal Relief and Development, or other ministries you support. And if you are able to make a modest gift to VTS, then thank you in advance.
The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D.
Dean and President