Date: November 20, 2025
One joy of VTS is that you never know who might be sitting near you. VTS is consistently good at welcoming the guest, and I want to commend you all for this. The Rev. Dr. Malcolm Brown has just finished his extended stay, during which he worked on his next book. In his farewell email, Malcolm wrote this: “But the deep value of the time here has been in the openness and friendliness from the student body – a culture of welcome that seems to be part of the fabric of the seminary.” I was so pleased to read this.
Since Monday, we have had Dean Richard Sewell on campus. Richard holds a very challenging position as the current Dean of St. George’s College, Jerusalem. On Monday evening, we hosted the North American Committee (the fundraising arm of the College in the United States) for dinner. He has used VTS as a base for his various meetings both in the region and around the country. We are delighted that he is here, and we value the relationship with St. George’s. It is an important connection for the Seminary.
Do please continue making the guest welcome. This is a vitally important skill that every congregational leader needs to learn.
The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D.
Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary and the President of The General Theological Seminary.Â