Date: April 22, 2021
Yesterday I arrived back on the campus. Traveling up by train to New York, I had the privilege of delivering the Paddock Lectures at General Theological Seminary. They were founded in 1880. One of my heroes, William Temple, delivered the lectures; last year it was Rowan Williams. The Rev. Dr. Tony Lewis dropped me a line simply noting that it was remarkable that the dean of VTS had been invited to deliver the GTS Paddock Lectures. So it was with some nervousness that I prepared for the occasion.
Travel in COVID times needs to be done carefully. As it happens, the Acela was virtually empty. The hotel was virtually empty. Breakfast was in an empty dining room. And General is very safe – plenty of social distancing and lots of masks. Fortunately I was vaccinated – so this side of the trip felt fine.
My host on this occasion was Dean Kurt Dunkle and the Sub-Dean Michael DeLashmutt. They were gracious, kind, and very present. I enjoyed meeting the Faculty at General and some of the students. It was a delightful visit; I was deeply grateful for the total experience and, in particular, their hospitality.
The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D.
Dean and President