As soon as the latest issue of Virginia Theological Seminary Magazine appeared, the emails started coming in. On page 29, right next to a remarkable article entitled “Quartet for the End of Time,” there is an announcement. It reads: “The Rev. A. Katherine Grieb, Ph.D. ’83 will be retiring from the faculty on December 31, […]
Experience does make things easier. Once one has faced a challenge, it is much easier to handle that challenge when it comes around again. The first time is always the hardest. This is important to remember as VTS navigates the pandemic. We are all doing this for the first time. So please be gentle, as […]
As we continue to celebrate the upcoming retirements of those who have served the Seminary so faithfully, we also pause to celebrate those who are taking on new roles. Please join me in congratulating the following staff members on their new positions effective Monday, October 26, 2020. Cassandra Gravina – After serving as the […]
Ten years ago today, the 1881 Chapel went up in flames. It was a Friday; the weather was warm and hot. The story has been told a thousand times: flames were noticed in mid-afternoon; the first responders did amazing work as they made sure that the fire did not leap to Meade Hall and cause […]
Two weeks ago, Lesley, Luke, and I went and voted in the 2020 election. We made the journey to Old Town, went to 132 North Royal Street, Suite 100, walked in, and cast our ballots. Our decision for this year’s election has been made. Our votes are in the system. There were no lines; it […]
October 10, 2010, was the date of the first post for the Building Faith website. Ten years later the site is on its fourth iteration and is home to thousands of articles on Christian formation and discipleship. Have a look at the team’s own reflections on this milestone in this article. Leadership of Building Faith has changed over the years, […]
The Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, along with Lifelong Learning at VTS, will host a Gathering on Liturgical Formation, a formation opportunity on the liturgy of the Episcopal Church. This event will be held online via Zoom teleconferencing today and tomorrow. The purpose of this symposium is to: -Articulate current initiatives of the SCLM […]
Yesterday we celebrated our founding in 1823 by inviting all of our friends and alumni to participate in our annual Giving Day tradition! By 4:00 yesterday, this 24-hour event had raised more than $28,000 for renovations to the Bishop Payne Library through the Bicentennial Campaign. Hundreds of alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends shared messages […]
Preparing our students to understand the rich history, literary genres, and theological contexts of Scripture has been a priority of VTS from its inception. A vital tool in this endeavor is the study of the original languages of the Bible, particularly Hebrew and Greek. VTS remains committed to this preparation by requiring all M.Div. and […]
As the adage goes, once a part of VTS, always a part of VTS. The Rev. William (Bill) Roberts recently let me know about a little book from 1999 about a Primitive Baptist hymnal, The Primitive Hymns, compiled in 1841 in Alabama by Benjamin Lloyd. The folklorist who meticulously traced its editions (it is still […]