Date: May 19, 2023
Recently, I have had two meetings; in each meeting, we did the same exercise. We walked slowly through the academic year. It was fascinating. As we journeyed through each month, certain moments came quickly to the fore, other moments took much longer.
Reflecting with some intention on the shape of the year is a good exercise. The act of remembering has its own power. It brings to recollection sad moments and good ones. It enables one to see the total journey: what seemed overwhelming in the moment slowly gets resolved. The big advantage of the exercise is that one knows how the ending actually was.
As a Seminary, we are half way through our Bicentennial year. There is much to give thanks for. Again, the act of remembrance can facilitate that sense of gratitude. I invite departments and groups to do this exercise; it is good and helpful.
The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D.
Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary and the President of The General Theological Seminary