Date: August 31, 2026
Today we welcome a group of Chancellors to the Seminary. These are key people in the church who advise Bishops on all matters legal pertaining to their diocese. We are gathering to think about the concept of a ‘peculiar’. Although this word is not found in the polity of the Episcopal Church, it is often applied to the seminaries. The goal of this conference is to think through if there is an appropriate way to incorporate such language (or at least a concept equivalent) into our polity.
I am very grateful to the Rev. Dr. Barney Hawkins who is contributing an historical perspective to the conference. Anaya Gayle is handling many of the logistics. Taryn Habberley has been behind the scenes organizing it all. Thank you to them all.
However, my biggest debt of gratitude goes to Associate Dean Rachelle Sam. Last week I learned that I was called for jury service. Even though one can defer, they provide a limited number of weeks later in the fall. I knew those weeks could be even harder. So I rolled the dice. The chances are I would not be called on Monday. However, I have been. So, Rachelle has graciously agreed to be available to present my talk. She is truly the best.
The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D.
Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary and the President of The General Theological Seminary.