A team from the Association of Theological Schools is now on the Close in Chelsea. The General Theological Seminary has accreditation by virtue of the affiliation with the Virginia Theological Seminary. Part of our work during this visit is to explain how VTS has helped GTS flourish. The news from GTS is good. The program […]
Last week at the Dean’s Table, a film crew turned up. The project is to create a ninety minute documentary on our Reparations Program. They have been filming for almost a year now. They have met with descendants, and the administration. They are planning to be present at the Board plenary in early November so […]
Bishop Julia E. Whitworth was ordained and consecrated on Saturday as the new bishop of the Diocese of Massachusetts. Representing both Virginia Theological Seminary and The General Theological Seminary, I was present. Held in Trinity Church, Copley Square, it was a stunning occasion. The music, preaching, and enthusiasm were all good. Alums of the two […]
I have been thinking a great deal about “memory”. As we navigate the challenge of “remembrance” at the Seminary in respect to those enslaved and treated under segregation, I am persuaded that the need to exercise memory is at the heart of the Christian Gospel. Then Tim Sedgwick, our recently retired professor of ethics, sends […]
It definitely takes a village. So, many worked in so many ways to make convocation a success. The gathering of the VTS family is important. Our alumni and friends have traveled long distances to be present. They gather to reconnect with each other; and they gather to learn afresh about what is happening here at […]
One joy of Virginia Theological Seminary is that there are moments when you are invited to participate in and learn from scholars who are simply exceptional. They have an international reputation; they are pioneers in their field. Today, anyone in the Seminary has the chance to engage with two distinguished scholars: at 9.30am, everyone is […]
A rich day looms today. We start at 8:15am with a Eucharist and Bishop Emily Onyango, Ph.D., as our preacher. Then in the afternoon, we have the Inaugural Lecture for the Dodge Chair from the Rev. Judy Fentress-Williams, Ph.D. Then at 5.15pm, we have the Convocation Evensong and Awarding of Honorary Degrees. An Inaugural Lecture […]
This week we celebrate our wonderful alumni as we prepare to welcome them “home” for Class Reunions and Alumni Convocation. The Convocation keynoter is our very own Dr. Judy Fentress-Williams, Dodge Professor of Biblical Literature, and her keynote address on Tuesday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. — “Find Your Way Back”: Forming an Ancestral Identity — […]
For today’s commentary, I am sharing the email below which went to friends and alumni of VTS yesterday. Given Faculty, staff, and students do not see those emails, I thought it would be appreciated to see what I said on behalf of the VTS Community. Dear Friends and Alums of VTS, First it was Helene; […]
Some of the most important work that VTS does is found in Lifelong Learning and is funded by the Lilly Endowment Inc. Today, we are able to let friends know that we have been awarded a new grant dedicated to child-centered practices in worship. The initiative is called “Roots & Wings” – Intergenerational Formation Collaborative. […]