It isn’t the same. Normally, the deans and the academic deans of all the Episcopal seminaries gather at one of our seminaries and share a program together at this time of year. But yesterday, it all took place on Zoom. Still the conversations were rich and thoughtful. We had the privilege of the presence of […]
Last week, during the snow storm, and with her canonical examinations looming, Nurse Julia Domenick tested hundreds of people. We are very grateful to Julia. It is truly a ministry of the moment. With the holidays, we knew reentry would generate some cases. We had been fortunate in the Fall; apart from one spouse, we […]
This is definitely the quiet season. The campus has been relatively empty over the holidays, and those who are on the campus have been focused on taking their GOEs. It is cold, so the terrace is less inviting. Neighborhood guests are few. The result is a very empty 1823. Two days ago, I dined on […]
OK I admit it. I am worried. This ancient celebration of the visit of three wise men to Bethlehem might be displaced by the anniversary of the “insurrection” or the “attack on democracy” or “the Capitol attack” or “the riot.” Naturally what took place deserves to be remembered and analyzed. It was a serious moment […]
Professional examinations are not uncommon. The examinations to be a lawyer or a tax accountant are serious. And so, the Episcopal Church has its own process. The General Ordination Examinations are designed as the mechanism to determine whether the postulant has sufficient knowledge of the canonical areas. Three-hour examinations in such topics as Church History, […]
It was early afternoon on January 2 that I learned that the weather forecast for Alexandria was snow. It was still warm. Christmas Day had almost been shorts weather. The prospect of snow sounded utterly implausible. But thanks to the hard work of the Associate Dean of Students, the Rev. Dr. Ruthanna Hooke, and the […]
I will be honest with you, I expected 2022 to be easier. I was expecting vaccinations to have held COVID at bay; I was expecting even greater normality in terms of travel and presence, and I was expecting a Seminary community ready to focus on the hard work of formation for the sake of the […]
Today, Virginia Theological Seminary honors the memory of the Most Rev. Desmond Tutu D.D. '98 (H).
Life is puzzling. Here we all are – persons with the remarkable gift of consciousness who are able to laugh and love – living in this vast cosmos. The question at the heart of faith is this: why does all this exist? The Christian claim is that this universe is a result of intention and […]
Today I wish to address the staff. I want to start by expressing my gratitude for everything you do. While students come and go, you are the people who stay and keep everything going. You are the ones who make your way to the campus every day; you are the ones who take care of […]