One important role of this position is to leave the Holy Hill and spend some time with our alumni in ministry. So, I was delighted to accept the opportunity to go to Church Church Ponte Vedra in Florida. I am the keynote speaker for the Bridge Institute, addressing the theme “Life Together”. I leave early […]
The journey to LGBTQ+ inclusivity for VTS has been a long one. For those who enjoy our LGBTQ+ friendly environment, it is perhaps hard to imagine how difficult it was in the past. But, sadly, for many LGBTQ+ persons their experience at VTS was a difficult, painful, and often brutal experience. In October, in my […]
Last night was a special evening. We gathered for a book launch. The Rev. Canon Samuel Van Culin had written this extraordinary book called A Memoir. Sam, as he is affectionately known by his many friends, was the first Secretary General of the Anglican Communion. In this role, Sam’s achievements are considerable. Many of the institutions […]
From time to time, I use the commentary to write into the record of the Seminary a piece of information that the future would appreciate knowing. Today I wish to document the gift of a fireplace set to the Seminary, which lives in the Deanery. The gift comes from William Blair. William is the son […]
Slowly, 2024 is coming to an end. And today we honor and celebrate the remarkable service of Vice President Linda Dienno. Linda is retiring at the end of this month after 12 years at Virginia Theological Seminary. We will miss her. During her tenure, she played a significant role in raising $63 million in VTS’ […]
It is a fundamental Biblical theme. Learning to be grateful is a vitally important skill. There is always something that would make one’s life better, but this ignores the many ways in which life is already good. So, once a year, we pause and give thanks. There is a simplicity about this occasion. The focus […]
VTS has always had a journal. The VTS Journal is now home to our “state occasions”. So, you tend to find the Costan Lectures, the Reinker Lecture, and the Commencement Address in the Journal. It provides the historic record of the present and makes that record available to the future. I am delighted to share […]
As we enter Thanksgiving week, I am anticipating the Seminary closure days – from Wednesday lunchtime to Monday – and the fact that the Seminary will reopen on Monday December 2. It is a little strange. With Thanksgiving being so late, we find ourselves ready to open our Advent calendars and start the journey to […]
It is always the weekend just before Thanksgiving. The two largest religion organizations in the Academy gather for their annual meeting. Literally thousands of religion professors descend on an American city. Numerous publishers gather. Various organizations turn up to advocate and lobby. Endless papers are delivered. It is an extraordinary event. Suddenly Virginia Theological Seminary […]
In many ways I have been blessed. The combination of genes and luck has kept me relatively healthy. I have managed to avoid broken bones or major illness. For all this I am grateful. Yet, some medical complexity comes to all of us in time. So, yesterday, I had a minor procedure and I am […]