Category: Dean’s Commentary

IA in Atlanta

Today, I am joining Nicky Burridge and Shelagh Casey Brown in Atlanta. This is a friend making trip. We will gather both VTS and GTS alumni and friends and share with them the exciting news about the state of the two seminaries. These trips take considerable coordination. Invites need to go out. A venue needs […]

Read More

VTS and our moment

The start of the semester sermon is now up on our YouTube channel. You can find it here. In the sermon, I explain why we issued the statement in support of Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde. We were getting various letters, emails, social media posts, and phone calls accusing VTS of educating a marxist woke Bishop […]

Read More

Supporting our International Students

It was my mistake. As I set out the VTS position for the calendar year in my start of the semester sermon, I should have highlighted our support for our international students. In a season where “deportation” is a key word, it is not surprising that our international students are concerned about both harassment and […]

Read More

The Spring Semester Arrives

The break from Christmas to the end of January is a delight. However, for many staff and faculty, January has been busy. We have had intensives on the campus. Many of the seniors had the General Ordination Examinations. For many departments, there has been some travel. It has been a busy time. Yet this morning […]

Read More

Faculty on Retreat

On Wednesday afternoon, the faculty made the journey to Meadowkirk at Delta Farm. We are spending two night and one complete day together. It is an opportunity to refresh, connect, and build on our relationships as Faculty sharing responsibility for this remarkable place. VTS is a strong institution for many reasons. However, one element that […]

Read More

Congratulations to Stephen Redmon

“Christ Moves Now” is a “faith-based holistic wellness practice.” So, the back cover of Dr. Stephen Redmon’s book explains. It is an intriguing book. Using the QR code, you are taken to a video where you can exercise, stretch, and participate in basic Yoga. Then there are a variety of other faith based exercises that […]

Read More

Installation of Dr. Scott Bader-Saye

Yesterday I was delighted to represent VTS and GTS in the installation of the new Dean and President of the Seminary of the Southwest. Seminary of the Southwest based in Austin, Texas, is an important, strong, and vibrant seminary. Under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. Cynthia Kittredge, the Seminary flourished. And now Dr. Bader-Saye, […]

Read More

Welcome to the Episcopal Latino Ministry

It is a joy, this week, to welcome to campus instructors and participants for the Episcopal Latino Ministry Competency Course (ELMC). This weeklong intensive course (Jan. 18 – Jan. 24) is led by Director of Ethnic Ministries and Missioner for Latino/Hispanic Ministries for the Church, The Rev. Canon Anthony Guillén. The class invites students to […]

Read More

In Lake Forest

A busy weekend looms. There is the book launch of my co-written book, with Anne Searle Bent, called Art and the Experience of the Divine. There is some friend-making as we seek to promote the VTS pilgrimages and invite others to learn about the Seminary through a journey to thin spaces around the world. And […]

Read More

GTS and VTS students meet up

Last week there was a proposed snowball fight between GTS and VTS. The winner would get to keep the very popular the Rev. Dr. Bob Flanagan. GTS responded to the offer in Latin and offered peace terms. This week, the GTS suggested that the VTS students come over to the Deanery for some sharing. So […]

Read More