Date: October 25, 2021
It was at Deans’ Table (and yes the plural for Deans is deliberate – several attend) last week that the question came up. Who exactly is the chaplain with a focus on pastoral care at the Seminary?
It is true that no one carries the title at the Seminary. The Rev. Dr. Ruthanna Hooke is the Associate Dean of Students who has oversight of pastoral care. In addition, we encourage every seminarian to have a spiritual director; there are student chaplains who are available as a listening ear; every member of the faculty is pleased to sit with seminarians who are handling the complexity of living and life; and we provide resources for students to work with a counsellor as needed. Please contact Dr. Hooke or visit the VTSHub for more information about these resources.
Our goal is to provide pastoral support that meets people in different places. In institutions where there is one person designated as “chaplain,” some find that person really helpful and others less so. This is inevitable. People connect with different people. In addition, as we leave Seminary, there will be an obligation on us all to create our own pastoral network. Those going into the priesthood will find the Bishop very busy; so we all have to create our own support networks.
The crucial point of this commentary is this: if you need help, please do reach out. There are many mechanisms of support. And we want you to thrive at Seminary. There are many chaplains at Virginia Theological Seminary; it is just that no one actually carries the title.
The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D.
Dean and President