Date: May 5, 2023
Last night the Refectory was humming. We had enjoyed the Commissioning of Spouses and Families service (one of my favorite occasions in the year); and then we moved to the Refectory.
There must have been a thousand conversations happening as I walked in and joined the back of the line. Everyone was talking about everything – plans for the summer, searches for seniors, the looming finals, and those papers that still needed writing. Children were moving from table to table. It was a community moment.
Sometimes communities are hard work. There is nothing easy about “loving your neighbor” – and come to that “loving your enemies” is even harder. Sometimes we get frustrated. Sometimes “the Seminary” seems so inept and mistaken. And I get that. But the key is to stay in relationship – the key is to continue to talk, to be with, and to ask questions. I was grateful last night for all those committed to the challenge of community. Thank you.
The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D.
Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary and the President of The General Theological Seminary