Date: November 17, 2022
In celebration of Theological Libraries Month last October, the Library Committee received over 51 creative submissions for their six words contest. Congratulations to Carolyn Hart Melody & Aaron Dillon for receiving the First-place awards, Christopher Poore for the Second-place award, and Jackson Davey for the Third-place award. Congrats also to our Honorable Mention, Chris Micklewright, Tom Benson, Joshua Waits, and Adam. And a Big thank you to those who work at the Bishop Payne Library and to our Library Committee as it is of great value that we continue to have resources and staff that serve our theological and religious endeavors here at VTS.
The American Theological Library Association designated the month of October as Theological Libraries month to generate awareness of this significant space. It’s a place for you not just to hear voices of a variety of backgrounds but to reflect, to learn, and to go deeper in your calling as you engage with it. Our contestants wrote six words describing what the Bishop Payne Library meant to them, and our honorable mention Adam described it as “Heaven, Hell, and Every Commentary In-Between”. Melody and Aaron Dillon said “No [Bishop] Payne, no [knowledge] gain!”.
However, you relate to our library here at VTS, I hope it brings you joy and substance to be able to access a plentitude of materials for academia. Thank you for your continued hard work and dedication to your academic work. Thank you again to our staff at the Bishop Payne Library and to our Library Committee for walking alongside us in this journey.
The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D.
Dean and President