Date: August 13, 2026
One of my favorite lines by the Rev. Dr. Trecia Lyons who was talking about her wife Dr. Lisa Kimball was, “Lisa was always in chapel because she knew it was easier to make the decision once to go to chapel every day than to walk up every day and decide whether or not to go to chapel.” It was a sentiment that I both loved and appreciated. Habits born of discipline is the heart of Christian discipleship. In the end we want to serve a congregation who gets that attendance is the thing to do; you don’t suddenly decide to go to Starbucks instead.
So, tonight, you are invited to the Community Eucharist. But I invite you to go further. Make the decision once to always go to Chapel. Create the rhythm. Make corporate prayer your discipline. Make the decision once and then just go. It really is much easier.
The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D.
Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary and the President of The General Theological Seminary.Â