Date: September 1, 2026
Today we have the sculpture dedication, which honours Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, the Bishop of Washington. There will be in evening prayer in the chapel, followed by the dedication at the sculpture, and then evening prayer, a reception to which all are invited in the Welcome Center, followed by the launch of a collection of essays entitled “Have Mercy”.
The theme of this afternoon is the remarkable sermon by Bishop Budde. It was a moment when the church appropriately confronted the state. The images and the language were all biblical. The message was core to the message of Christ. The discourse was respectful. The impact was profound. The words needed to be said then. In many ways, they need to continue to be said. It is a model that can continue to shape our shared life together.
Do please join me tonight at the Sculpture dedication.
The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D.
Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary and the President of The General Theological Seminary.