Virginia Theological Seminary Newsletter, Spring 2009

News From the Hill Spring 2009 1

News from the HillNews from the HillV I R G I N I A T H E O L O G I C A L S E M I N A R Y ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA SPRING 2009

LOOKING AHEAD: Charting a Course forthe 21st Century

CACS: SupportingWomen in theAnglican Communion

Page 4

Barney Hawkins on“Learning in a Time of Crisis”

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Lettie Pate EvansAward Goes to SouthCarolina Doctor

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> Page 6-7

News From the Hill Spring 20092

Virginia Theological SeminaryOFFICERS BOARD OF TRUSTEES

The Rt. Rev. Peter James LeeMr. A. Marshall Acuff, Jr. (2009)Mr. Mark G. Anderson (2010)Mrs. Auguste J. Bannard (2011)Mr. David Booth Beers (2010)Ms. Ana-Mita Betancourt (2010)Mr. Julian M. Bivins, Jr. (2012)The Rt. Rev. John Bryson ChaneDr. David H. Charlton (2011)The Rev. Canon Thomas G. Clarke (2012)The Rev. Dr. Harold J. Cobb, Jr. (2013)The Rev. Carlotta A. Cochran (2009)The Rev. Dr. Robert S. Dannals (2010)Dr. Lynwood D. I. Day (2013)The Rt. Rev. Jane Holmes Dixon (2009)Mr. W. Carter Doswell (2013)Mr. A. Hugh Ewing III (2013)The Rev. Dr. M. Douglas Girardeau (2010)Mrs. Martha W. High (2009)The Rt. Rev. Shannon S. JohnstonThe Rev. R. Kevin Kelly (2013)The Rt. Rev. W. Michie KlusmeyerThe Rev. Thomas M. Kryder-Reid (2012)Ms. Angelica D. Light (2012)

Mr. James R. Lowe, Jr. (2013)The Rev. Dr. Andrew J. MacBeth (2012)Mr. M. Lee Marston (2009)Mrs. Sissy Poland (2012)The Rt. Rev. F. Neff PowellThe Rev. Canon Saundra D. Richardson (2011)The Rev. Dr. Allen F. Robinson (2010)The Rt. Rev. James J. “Bud” ShandThe Rev. Dr. William R. Shiflet, Jr. (2013)The Rt. Rev. Eugene T. SuttonThe Rev. Janet E. Tarbox (2009)Dr. William G. Thomas III (2010)The Rev. Christine R. Whittaker (2013)The Rev. J. Douglas Wigner, Jr. (2009)

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS

The Rev. Thomas A. “Lonnie” Lacy IIThe Rev. Robin K. Gulick

FACULTY REPRESENTATIVES

Dr. Mitzi J. BuddeThe Rev. Dr. A. Katherine Grieb

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVEMr. Charles L. Fischer III (‘09), Student BodyPresident

he start of 2009 has been difficult for the Seminarycommunity. The dramatic fall inthe endowment was 50 milliondollars (as of December 31, 2008).The Finance Committee of theBoard instructed the administrationto save a million dollars in salaries.Savings were made by not fillingvacancies as they arose; the earlyand good retirement programsmeant that some staff had alreadydecided that they wanted to retire.But even with all this, therestructuring meant that otherswere asked to leave the community.

DIFFICULT DECISIONS, DIFFICULT GOODBYES

T This has been deeply painful. Thecommunity is hurting. Friends andcolleagues over many years had tearfulgoodbyes. As we come to terms withthis moment, we celebrate and givethanks for the years of service of thefive most affected by the restructuring.

My distinguished colleague, the Rev.Dr. Marge McNaughton, is taking earlyretirement after a year’s sabbatical. Shehas served the Seminary with energyand compassion for almost 15 years.Many students and alums have, overthe last few weeks, sent me notes andemails which have given me a sense ofthe impact and depth of her ministry ofleadership formation, spiritualguidance, crisis intervention andpastoral care. Marge’s ministryhas been shaped by a deep commitmentto Social Justice, culminating in theemergence of a program at theSeminary in racial and ethnic ministry.As we outsource InformationTechnology, Mr. Mark Rivenburg

also leaves us. In a time whenkeeping any IT system operationalis difficult, Mark has led a team thathas kept the Seminary connected overthe last eight years. Mr. Joe Pinderhas been responsible for the mailroom for the last 22 years and hasbecome a much-loved institution.In the Butterfly House, we saygoodbye and thank Robin Brokmeyer,who had served as Director for almosta year. And finally, in Housekeeping,Victoria Cuenca is moving on aftera year’s service at the Seminary. TheSeminary has attempted to be asgenerous as possible as people makethese transitions.

If the endowment were still at $144million, then these importantmembers of our family would stillbe with us. It is with deep sadnessand with our prayers that we say ourgoodbyes.

Ian MarkhamDean and President

MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN

On the Cover: Middlers Meredith Holt,Drew Foisie, and Jessica Knowles(seated) on the Sea of Galilee this pastJanuary. Photo by Krista DeVaul.

The Rt. Rev. Peter James Lee Chairman of the BoardMrs. Sissy Poland Vice Chairman of the BoardThe Very Rev. Ian S. Markham Dean and PresidentDr. Timothy F. Sedgwick Vice PresidentThe Rev. Dr. J. Barney Hawkins IV Vice PresidentMs. Heather Zdancewicz Vice President, Assistant Treasurer & AssistantSecretaryDr. David H. Charlton Secretary/Treasurer


On the Holy Hill

Morehouse PublishingPicks Prayers of Two fromVTS for Book on Women’sPrayer

MorehousePublishing hasaccepted theprayers written byJenny O’Rourke(VTS WelcomeCenter, picturedleft) and SandraSeaborn (VTS ’09)

for a new book, LiftingWomen’sVoices: Prayers to Change the World,due out in May. This stunningcollection of prayers from womenthroughout the AnglicanCommunion is organized accordingto themes of the U.N. MillenniumDevelopment Goals. Members ofthe editorial board include JaneWilliams, Phoebe Griswold, pluswomen from Asia, South America,and the Middle East.

Lamentations and ObadiahAdded to VTS’ Bible BriefsCollection

VTS has added thebooks of Lamentationsand Obadiah to itsonline Bible Briefscollection,a series of readablepamphletsintroducing thebooks of Scripture.Offered incollaboration withForward Movement,Bible Briefs is a long-term project that aimsto produce texts to all66 books of the Bible.Lamentations is written by the Rev.Dr. Christian M.M. Brady, dean ofthe Schreyer Honors College at thePennsylvania State University;Obadiah is written by Dr. Jim West,adjunct professor of Biblical Studiesat the Quartz Hill School of Theologyin Petros, Tennessee.

Students CompleteLearning Course at LocalHomeless Shelter

The Carpenter’s Shelter for the home-less in Alexandria partnered with VTSrecently to provide a service learningcourse for students. For two weeks,Blake Woods (‘11), James Livington

(‘11), Linda Lanam (MTS), andLois Cecsarini (PT special stu-dent) cleaned, assembled mail-ings, manned the front desk,helped administratively, andplayed with the children. In theirmost recent newsletter, TheCornerstone, the Shelter wrote,“We are so grateful for [thestudent’s] service and to theSeminary for prioritizing commu-

nity service in their curriculum.”

The Seminary’s Weight Watchers“At Work” program is going verywell! Members of the group--whichinclude faculty, staff and students--have already seen the results fromtheir efforts. Weight Watcher’s is oneof the ways in which the Seminary ishelping the community to get/stay inshape and increase energy levels.

Weight Watchers a Hit!

Barbara Harris to PresentCommencement Address

The Class of 2009announces withjoy that BishopBarbara Harriswill give theCommencementAddress on May21, 2009. Whenshe was conse-crated as bishopin 1988, BarbaraHarris becamethe first AfricanAmerican woman to be ordainedbishop in the Anglican Communion.Harris previously served as BishopSuffragan in the Diocese of Massa-chusetts before retiring in 2002, andshe served as an Assisting Bishop inthe Diocese of Washington followingretirement. (Photo by TimothyGreenfield-Sanders, with permission.)

Symposium on MissionWill Honor Rich Jones

On May 8, 2009 a Symposium onMission that will honor the Rev.Richard J. Jones, professor of Missionand World Religion, will be held atthe Seminary. Stay tuned for moredetails in the April alumni eNews.

ProfessorRich Jones.

VIRGINIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY


CENTER FOR ANGLICAN COMMUNION STUDIES

The Rev. Dr. JudithMcDaniel and Ms. LeslieSteffensen of the Centerfor Anglican CommunionStudies represented VTSat the first “AnglicanWomen in TheologicalEducation Network”conference this pastFebruary in Canterbury,England.

Forty-five women from all over theworld were invited to participate inthis committee developed by theoffice of Theological Education in theAnglican Communion (TEAC.)

The common thread among thewomen was the intense commitmentto theological education. When theArchbishop of Canterbury, Dr. RowanWilliams addressed the group, he saidthat “theology is owning the Christianstory as [one’s own] story.” It is not aluxury for the Church, it is anessential.

Yet, the call for women to fully liveinto their life in Christ is currentlynot being heard in most parts of theAnglican Communion. In someregions, women do hold leadershiproles in secular offices and in otherprotestant churches, but are notvalued in the Anglican Church. TheGospel that is supposed to transformsociety and culture is used to limitand marginalize.

During the conference, eachparticipant was asked to make aten-minute presentation about theircontext and experiences as a womaninvolved with theological education.The presentations were heartbreakingand inspiring. Women around theworld face many obstacles justmaking it from one day to the next.They risk everything to follow theircall to teach, build the Church, andto minister in cultures that demandsubmissiveness from women. This

CACS: Supporting Women inTheological Education

new network is essential for them:they must know that their efforts arevalued and that they are loved andprayed for by a larger community.The participants were charged withcoming up with some central issuesand a plan for addressing them. Thegroups focused this year’s work on:

• Raising and publicizing the under-representation of African, Asian, LatinAmerican, and Oceanian Anglicanwomen as leaders in theologicaleducation roles.

• Affirming and supporting womencurrently in theological education byproviding a networking opportunityfor sharing concerns and interests.

• Gathering together women withtheological leadership potential formentoring.

• Working together as a group as anongoing resource for the AnglicanCommunion.

• Launching an informal network ofinstitutions/colleges which arecommitted to the development ofwomen theological educators.

Please contact Leslie Steffensen [email protected] if you would liketo learn more about Anglican womenin theological education.

Liberian Episcopal Clergy in the USA

n organization dedicated to coordinating support for theChurch in Liberia met on the VTScampus April 17-19 to celebrate theirfourth annual gathering. Themembers of LECUSA are expatriateclergy, many of whom fled theirhomeland during the Liberian civilwars (1989-2003.)

VTS has a long history with Liberia.The Liberian Episcopal Church wasfounded by VTS graduates. The Rt.Rev. John Payne, for whom our librarywas named, was the first bishop of theLiberian church in 1851. It will be agreat honor to receive these guests inour midst.

A

Pictured upper left corner: The Archbishopof Canterbury with Leslie Steffensen,administrative coordinator for the Centerfor Anglican Communion Studies.


he Doctor of Ministry programs at Virginia Seminary are unlikeany other in the United States. Overthe years, VTS has created a uniqueenvironment for mutual learning,deeply integrated reflection onministry and leadership, and thetesting and application of conceptsand skills in the contexts of ministry.We seek to foster habits of wise actionand reflection through an integratedthree-pronged focus:

- Actual lived experiences, events,and concerns in our various contextsof ministry

- Best insights and practices fromorganizational, developmental,educational, and behavioral sciences

- Biblical, theological, and ethicalreflection on our actions, purposes,and desired ends.

The power of this deep reflection – apractice in leadership development

INSTITUTE FOR CHRISTIAN FORMATION AND LEADERSHIP

Innovative Leadership for the future of the ChurchDoctor of Ministry:

T

Getting a DMIN

“ ”VTS understands the demands thatoccupy your time and energy. Ratherthan add to your burdens, the DMINprograms are designed to re-energizeyou and your community of faith byproviding some time-out to reflect,review, read, and rest.

Contact The Rev. Dr. David Gortner,to discuss how a DMIN might fit into

your future. Tel: 703. 461.1758 or email [email protected].

The DMIN yearly schedule involves:

Year 1, Mid-January: two-weeksYear 2, Mid-January: four daysYear 3, Summer: three weeksYear 4, Summer: three weeks

Getting a DMIN

used across many fields includingbusiness, non-profit leadership,nursing, education, and collegiateservice-learning – is that it changespeople’s practices of ministry andleadership. You enter situationsdifferently. You have more frame-works and insights from which to

At the heart of theDMIN programs is thecase study method.

draw. You make different choices ininteractions and planning. In short,you develop a kind of habitus (ahabitual spiritual practice) of leader-ship. You become clearer, morefocused and reflective, more proactiveand less reactive, more intentionallyinstructive, and more consistentlydevoted to the development of peopleand the institutions and communitiesthey inhabit.

At the heart of the VTS DMINprograms is the case study method.Our students bring situations thathave taken them to the borders oftheir own competency andunderstanding, and present them totheir peers and faculty leaders. Incaring, honest, and directconversation, we bring the situationinto conversation with our collectivewisdom and the insights we can drawfrom the organizational andbehavioral sciences, education andhuman development, theology,scripture, and ethics.

Our greatest aim at VTS is to provideexcellent DMIN programs for thedevelopment of wiseleaders, which in turn,contribute to therenewal, strengthening,and new awakening ofChristian communitiesnationwide.

Right: Dr. David Gortner

by the Rev. Dr. David Gortner


LOOKING AHEAD: A Seminary for THE 21st CENTURY

From time to time, organizations need to think afresh about their structure.Over the last eighteen months, the Seminary has changed as a result of myappointment as Dean and President, the adoption of a Strategic Plan, and, ofcourse, the more recent economic challenges.

At the heart of VTS is formationin community for 21st centurychurch leaders. The communityshapes our lives through “class,chapel, and lunch” withthoughtful attention to the lifeof the mind and the life of faith.

Maintaining formation in communityis expensive: it is important that weprovide residential accommodation(so the Maintenance departmentcontinues) and meals in the Refectory(so we continue to work withMeriwether Godsey, our food servicecontractor). To make educationaccessible to students with youngchildren, we provide the ButterflyHouse with its excellent day care foryoung children. Although the staff inthese departments has been reduced,we have madesure that we havesufficientpersonnel todeliver a servicethat provides forthe very bestresidentialexperience.

The work ofpastoral care remains a high priority.The Rev. Joseph Constant is the

The faculty continues to have respon-sibility for the academic programs.Under a new Office of AcademicAdministration and Student Life, ateam is emerging that takes care ofthe students from inquiry to com-mencement. Under the leadership oftwo AssociateDeans (Dr. TimSedgwick andDr. Amy Dyer), theDirectors ofAdmissions, EthnicMinistries andStudent Life, andFinancial Aid teamup with theRegistrar, the Educational TechnologySpecialist/ Departmental Staff Officerand a Department Assistant to ensurethat the full range of formation andacademic issues are effectivelyintegrated and supported.

The Institute for Christian Formationand Leadership is home to severalmajor programs, including the newSecond Three Years project thatsupports continuing priestlydevelopment for our most recentgraduates. In the Institute we makeclear that we are committed to life-long theological education for clergyand lay people of all ages, includingan expanded Evening School ofTheology. The Directors of the Doctorof Ministry Program and the Center

Above: Middlers Meredith Holt, DrewFoisie, and Jessica Knowles (seated) on

the Sea of Galilee this past January.Photo by Krista DeVaul.


by the Very Rev. Ian S. Markham

Director of Ethnic Ministries andStudent Life and will providecomprehensive care to their advisees.The faculty will continue to makethemselves available to those whoneed a listening ear and wise counsel.Given that we believe in “formation incommunity,” it is appropriate thatmany members of the community--both lay and ordained-- step forwardin the ministry of pastoral care.



Pictured from far left clockwise:the Rev. Joseph Constant, director of

Ethnic Ministries and Student Life; theRev. Dr. Roger Ferlo, associate dean anddirector for the Institute for ChristianFormation and Leadership; the Rev.

Dr. Barney Hawkins, vice president forInstitutional Advancement and the

associate dean for the Center forAnglican Communion Studies;

Dr. Timothy Sedgwick, associate deanfor Academic Affairs; Dr. Amy Dyer,

associate dean of Students;and Ms. Heather Zdancewicz,

vice president for Administrationand Finance.

for the Ministry of Teaching will, inthe new structure, be joined by theDirector of Field Education and theSecond Three Years. Under theleadership of the Rev. Dr. Roger Ferlo,the Institute can build links acrossthese programs and others, therebyensuring that quality Instituteofferings will foster continuingtheological and spiritual growth forall the baptized who minister in ourchurch.

Our growingservice to theAnglicanCommunioncontinues with theCenter for AnglicanCommunionStudies. BishopMark Dyer is nowserving as Senior Consultant to theCenter. The Interreligious Officer,funded by a Luce grant, will help uscontinue our conversation withothers; and the AdministrativeCoodinator for the Center willsupport our international students bycoordinating this as well as otherimportant programs that continue ourengagement with the larger AnglicanChurch.

The willingness of colleagues to beflexible in this time has enabled us tomaintain our important programs.The Rev. Dr. Barney Hawkins servesnot only as the Associate Dean for theCenter for Anglican CommunionStudies but also as Vice President forInstitutional Advancement, havingbeen recently elected by the Board ofTrustees. The team in InstitutionalAdvancementremainsresponsible for allour developmentefforts and for ourpublic relationsand identityprofile. This is avitally importantarea for the future.The dramatic dropin our endowment has made usrealize that we need the Annual Fund

to be the major income stream tosupport all our activities.

Given the financial difficulties, plansto build an addition to the WelcomeCenter will be placed on hold.However, we are living into theWelcome Center in its current form.Signs direct guests to this space,where we seek to model the gift andobligation of hospitality, an importantflagship theme in the Strategic Plan.As a result, the Hospitality Team willbe under the supervision of theDean’s Office, where Katie Lasseronwill oversee this departmentincluding the details around guesthousing.

Another area of change is in Infor-mation Technology. Educationaltechnologies are increasinglycomplicated. Currently, the Seminaryhas a range of external contracts tosupport the different IT elements ofthe school. Over the next few months,we will finalize an external set ofconsultants to provide comprehensivesupport for this important area.

Every part of theSeminary has feltthe restructuring.So, the leadershipteam, or the Dean’sCabinet, is nowsmaller. Just asBarney Hawkinsnow oversees twoareas, Amy Dyer isalso overseeing two areas in thenewly formed Office of AcademicAdministration and Student Life. Sofrom a high of seven, we are reducedto a team of five.

One cannot reduce the size of aleadership team without runningsome risks. So underpinning eachmember of the leadership team willbe a staff officer. This is an‘operations’ person – a person whoensures that the vision or program isrealized. With Katie Lasseron,assistant to the Dean, as Chair of thisgroup, they will meet regularly toensure cross-department

communication,cooperation andeffective deliveryof the variousprogramcommitments.

Let me alsoaddress my ownrole in this newstructure for the 21st century. As Deanand President, I wear two “hats” andhave overall responsibility for theday-to-day administration of theSeminary, along with the Board ofTrustees. The Associate Dean forAcademic Affairs, who is the ChiefAcademic Officer of the Seminary, hasthe responsibility for the leadership ofthe Faculty. Thus I am freed up to livemuch more into the presidential roleand the challenge of finding andcultivating alternative streams ofincome for the Seminary.

The Seminary has been forced tochange. However, it is important notto overstate the degree of change. Weare still a community committed toChrist: we are still in the business of‘formation in community’; we are stillseeking to serve a range of consti-tuencies so that congregations maythrive; and we are still changing livesso that they can serve God and theChurch effectively.



Dean’s Cro

From left to right: The Very Rev. Ian Lewis, Mrs. Octavia Wood Cooper

Left: The Rt. Rev.John Hines

O

he Rev. Gary Manning (VTS ’02), rector of Trinity Church in Wauwatosa,Wisconsin was named as the 2009 recipientof Virginia Theological Seminary’s JohnHines Preaching Award.

The John Hines Preaching Award is givenannually by Virginia Seminary to theoutstanding preaching entry “whereprophetic voice is central within thesermon.” Named in honor of the formerPresiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church,John Hines (VTS ’33), the award celebratesthe ministry of preaching and itsimportance in our Church by recognizingoutstanding sermons that are deeplygrounded in scripture and focused on theseen and unseen needs of the worshippingcommunity, the nation and the world.

Preaching on the 6th chapter of Romans,Manning focuses his remarks on sin’s powerat work in the world and on God’s gracewhich frees humankind from sin’s strongholdand enables us to pursue God’s mission.“Grace breaks the shackles of sin and securesus in the shackles of God’s righteousness,”says Manning, “and in bondage to God, weare engaged in the mission of God in theworld.”

Continues Manning, “God’s grace is not agrace that merely assuages our guilt orenables us to feel better about ourselves. Itis a grace that pursues us with God’s love,a grace that parts the flood-waters of sinand opens for us the way that leads to anew way of being – the way of God’s life…and God’s mission begins now! God’smission is here!” Manning’s award-winning sermon can be found at on theVTS Web site at www.vts.edu.

Prior to his arrival at Trinity ChurchWauwatosa in 2004, Manning served asAssociate to the Rector at Christ and St.Luke’s Church in Norfolk, Virginia.Manning received his M.Div. degree (cumlaude) from Virginia Theological Seminaryin May, 2002. For the past three years, hehas been a trainer for the ChurchDevelopment Institute (CDI) in the Dioceseof Milwaukee. He recently completedadditional training through the Institutefor Personal Empowerment Coaching andfrequently serves as a consultant toparishes, working with clergy and vestriesto foster synergistic relationships andclarify congregational mission strategies.

VTS invites all preachers – bishops,priests, deacons and laity of the EpiscopalChurch in America – to submit sermons forthe John Hines Preaching Award. Thedeadline for submission is December 15.Visit the Seminary’s Web site for moreinformation.

2009 John Hines PreachingAward Goes to VTS AlumGary Manning

T

n February 15, 2009 the very firs in Church and Society award wasCooper, a lifelong servant leader in chCanon Harold T. Lewis, Ph.D., D.D., Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Established in November 2008, the outstanding leaders who embody thjustice and peace among all people human being.” Selected annually bconsultation with the Chair of the Bhandmade silver cross, modeled aftand a certificate.

Cooper, was recognized for her tiretheological education through The Knowledge (SPCK) which providesseminaries in the Anglican Commuthe Rev. Dr. James H. Cooper, rectoNew York City, recognized early oneducation and the attendant desperworldwide.

Dr. Lewis was honored for his Gosto the genius of Anglicanism with and openness. Author of A Church Crucible for Anglicanism in a New CSouth African Church from its roleto the present day.



Lettie Pate Evans Award Goesto South Carolina Doctor irginia Seminary has awarded the 2009 Lettie Pate Whitehead Evans(LPWE) Award to Dr. Harold G. Morse,a South Carolina physician and activemember of Holy Trinity Episcopal Churchin the Diocese of Upper South Carolina.

The award is given each year by theSeminary to honor an Episcopal laypersonwho, over a significant period of time, hasgiven leadership and unique witness to theGospel of Jesus Christ within his or hercongregation, community, diocese and inthe world.

Dr. Morse, who was nominated by hisrector, the Rev. John S. Nieman, wasselected by the LPWE Committee becauseof his lifelong dedication to providingmedical care to the underprivileged,locally, nationally, and internationally.Early in his career, Morse led the effort toestablish the Anderson Free Clinic which,after 25 years, continues to servethousands of underprivileged patients.Later, Morse established the Clemson FreeClinic, which provides free essentialhealthcare services to the indigent anduninsured of Anderson and PickensCounties. Both clinics continue to be led byDr. Morse and are run with a staff ofdedicated volunteer doctors, nurses,dentists, and pharmacists.

For more than 20 years Dr. Morse hasalso led a broad project to improve thelives of residents of the small Haitianvillage of Cange by helping to fundand build a health clinic. Now, Cangehas a full-service hospital, whose servicesinclude primary care, women’s health,surgery, dentistry, ophthalmology, anda treatment center for HIV and TB.

After helping to train Haitian medicalpersonnel to run the hospital, Morsefocused on broader community efforts

including watersecurity and long-termdevelopment issues.Morse has beeninstrumental inhelping Cange andother communities in Haiti improvesanitation, farming, and in startingincome-producing manufacturing plants,a school, an Episcopal Church, and otherprojects.

Is there someone in your community whoshould be nominated for the Lettie Pate EvansAward? Candidates for the award must beactive laypersons in an Episcopal congregationand must live in Alabama, the District ofColumbia, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana,Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, SouthCarolina, Tennessee, Virginia or West Virginia.Nominees for the 2010 award must besubmitted by December 15, 2009. Application forms can be found at

www.vts.edu or by calling calling 703-461-1736.

Right: Dr. Morse was instumental increating a school for the children

in Cange, Haiti.

V

oss Award

Markham, the Rev. Canon Harold T.r, and the Rt. Rev. Peter James Lee.

st Dean’ s Cross for Servant Leaderships given to Mrs. Octavia “Tay” Woodhurch and society, and to the Rev.D.C.L, rector of Calvary Episcopal

Dean’s Cross award recognizesheir baptismal vows to “strive forand respect the dignity of everyy the Seminary Dean in

Board, the Honorees receive ater the Seminary Chapel cross,

eless and critical work promotingSociety for Promoting Christians books and other resources to

union. Cooper, whose husband isr of Trinity Church Wall Street in

n the importance of theologicalrate needs in Anglican Seminaries

spel values and powerful witnessits respect for learning, tolerance,for the Future: South Africa as theentury, Lewis tells the story of the

e in the first Lambeth conference


ALUMNI NEWS

I have traveled throughoutthe United States and evento England last summer inan effort to enhance theseconnections.

Class Stewards are also atremendous resource inencouraging connectionsbetween classmates andthe Seminary. Blake Rider(’04) and Lauren Kuratko(’05) now serve as co-chairsof the Class Stewards. Oneof my goals has been torecruit at least one alumnusto represent every Seminaryclass. Now, every classfrom 1959 through 2008has a Class Steward. Ihope you will frequentlybe hearing from yoursteward throughout theyear.

ccording to some national studies, oneof every four persons inour pews has been abusedor will be abused while ina relationship with an

intimatepartner.Lastyear,morewomendied atthehandsof their

abusers than were killed inthe war in Iraq. Yet, manyclergy assume thateveryone in their church is,generally speaking, not avictim of abuse. Wecouldn’t be more wrong.

Myths abound aboutdomestic abuse, andalthough most clergy areaware that abuse is muchmore than physical, weoften discount the spiritualand social toll, as well asthe historical complicity ofthe church.

Anne Weatherholt (VTS ‘78)has released her book,Breaking the Silence: TheChurch Responds to DomesticViolence (Morehouse, 2008),a guide for clergy andchurch leaders to help themteach the cycle of abuse,uncover the myths andprovide a host of resourcesfor their members that caneasily be adapted for use inany ministry setting. ABible study is included,

Director’s Note

providing four scriptures toground the subject in ourholy history, as well asteach a method-odologythat may help prevent themisuse of scripture.Sections on how to assistvictims and how to teachyouth to recognize abusivebehaviors may be used inChristian formation. Thefinal chapter includes a listof suggestions that can beused immediately to breakthe silence and address thistopic in worship and action.

The Episcopal Church hasbeen addressing the issueof domestic abuse in theirconvention legislation forover 30 years. At the lastGeneral Convention, aresolution that would bring

training for clergy on thisissue was put “on hold”due to other issues facingthe Anglican Communion.Due to come back to thefloor this summer, the newresolution strengthens theexisting resolutions that arenoted in the book. Thisshort, concise book presentsa message of hope: thechurch can act to save andchange lives!

Since October of2006, I haveencouraged ourwonderful alumnito keep connectedwith each otherand with ourbelovedSeminary.

By now, you should havereceived a ballot to elect fouralumni to represent you onthe Alumni AlumnaeExecutive Committee(AAEC.) Please prayerfullyconsider who shouldrepresent our constituencyand return your ballots assoon as possible. Your AAECis currently blessed with thecapable leadership of LonnieLacey (’06), AAEC president,Neal Goldsborough (’81),vice president, and TedEdwards (’77), secretary.

Next month, we will welcomethe newest group of alumni,the Class of 2009. This is anincredibly dynamic group offuture leaders in the Church,who will be serving aroundthe globe after Commencement

on May 21. Please pray for allof them as they begin theirministries.

Thank you for the honor ofrepresenting you asDirector of Alumni Affairsand Church Relations. OnMay 1, I will begin a newministry as Interim Rectorat St. Paul’s EpiscopalChurch in Wilkesboro,North Carolina in theDiocese of Western NorthCarolina. I look forward tostaying connected with allof the alumni I have met,and look forward to seeingyou again on the “HolyHill.”

Faithfully,Pam Webb +

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: The Rev. Anne O. Weatherholt

A


he Rev. Jim Wallis spoke recently at the Washington National Cathedral about thepresent economic crisis. This publictheologian and advisor to PresidentObama said “a crisis is a horriblething to waste.” Wallis said manypeople are saying: “When will we getback to business as usual?’ Of course,he quickly noted that it was businessas usual that got us where we aretoday! He opined that many peopleare saying: “When will we getthrough this crisis?” He said the rightquestion for Christians is: “How willwe be changed by this crisis?”Finding an answer for such atheological and right question is notat all easy.

As of late, I have been very aware thatthe crisis precipitated by the fall inour endowment is a “horrible thing towaste.” How VTS will be changed bythis crisis is a question we should beasking. We may not have the answersnow but the question must be asked.

For me, the more important questionto ask is: How will our students bechanged by this crisis at VTS? Thereare those who would like to move on.There are others who recognize thatthe grief caused by layoffs andretirements is a stage to live in not tomove through. Some are not ready toput aside anger, resentment and hurt.Others see this as a time of Seminarytransition which is more aboutrestructuring and “systems” thanabout people and feelings.

While I am painfully aware of thehuman face of this crisis at VTS, Iwant very much for our students totake note of the “habit of priesthood”and the mantle of leadership requiredin such a time of difficult decision-

Learning in a Timeof Crisis

T

“No student at VirginiaSeminary will escape the

jagged emotions and sharpconflict that accompany a

crisis in the Church. ”

The Rev. Dr. J. Barney Hawkins IV

making and its costly consequences.Our students, in the midst offormation for leadership, could easilyget bogged down in all the details ofthe decisions made by the Board andthe Dean. They could easily--andrightly--focus on the exacting humandimension of this time. But ourstudents must also not miss the wayDean Markham and countless othershave led in this extraordinary time.

As Dean and President, Ian Markhamhas stoodbetween theBoard ofTrustees andthe SeminaryCommunityand haslistenedpatiently toevery voice.The Executive Committee of theBoard of Trustees, in consultationwith the Dean, came up with a wayforward, what they believed to be thebest solution possible. Their mutualdiscernment involved a carefulreading of the data at hand; aconsideration of options open tothem; and much prayerfulconversation with each other andGod. The Dean and his counselrealized that courageous leadershipwas indicated—mindful of the tensionbetween judging too quickly anddeciding too late. How does a leaderdecide what is best?

I encourage our students to acknowledgethe mantle of leadership worn by thosewho have lost their jobs and those whowill be retiring. If leadership is aboutliving without easy answers; if it is aboutmaking difficult decisions; if it is abouta generous spirit with a larger view

of the world than our own, then VTSis blessed with a number of leaders.I have always been moved by thedeep loyalty to this institution that Ihave seen in our faculty and staff.Such loyalty has not been absent fromthose most obviously impacted by therequired restructuring. This criticaltime has shown me that leadership ispresent at every level of the Seminary’slife. What is it that brings out the bestin people in a time of crisis?

No student presently at VirginiaSeminary will escape the jaggedemotions and sharp conflict thataccompany a crisis in the Church.For now, I encourage our students tolook at the way in which DeanMarkham has worn his priesthood ina difficult season and the way inwhich he has led when there was no

easy path to take.I encourage them tosee the mantle ofleadership worngraciously by thosewho have been mostaffected by thiscrisis, the lay andordained leaders inour midst. Clearly,leadership is not

about position; rather, it is aboutcharacter and those virtues on whichevery community depends: humility,courage and tolerance. Reading abook is not the best way to learn theart of leadership. The best way is tosee it practiced, flaws and all. Towitness the leadership of women andmen practiced with thoughtfulreflection and deep faith is inspiring,if not transformative. Some leaderswe know by name. Others we knowonly by their actions.

The present economic crisis haspresented Virginia Seminary achallenge which must be met in thedays ahead. We must learn from thismoment, this difficult road before us,this time of the Spirit moving in ourmidst.

OFFICE OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT


he Summer Collegium, a Lilly Endowment project in support of small congregations, has accepted itsfourth class of participants. Twenty-seven clergy, two ofwhom are clergy couples, and their spouses will gatherfrom all over the U.S. and Canada at the end of June fornine days on the campus of Virginia Seminary.

This year’s theme is Body, Mind, and Soul: Celebrating,Strengthening and Sustaining Clergy Wholeness in SmallCongregations, and will feature workshops on spiritual,vocational, financial and physical wholeness and healthyways of dealing with conflict. We are partnering with

theS S S S S UMMEROLLEGIUMCCCCC

CREDO, an Episcopal Church program of wellnesssponsored through the Clergy Pension Fund, for thevocational wholeness workshop. In addition, participantswill be treated to live theater in Washington, D.C., and avariety of other activities designed to build up clergy forcontinued ministry in small churches.

The Small Church Religious Arts Festival, held eachsummer as part of the Collegium, and open to the public,will take place on Saturday, June 7.

The generosity of the Lilly grant enables us to offer theSummer Collegium at no cost to participants. For moreinformation or to be added to our mailing list, contactMarilyn Johns, Project Manager, at [email protected], call703-461-1760, or visit our website, www.vts.edu.T

Nonprofit Org.US Postage

PAIDAlexandria, VAPermit No. 340Virginia Theological Seminary

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Virginia Theological Seminary Newsletter, Spring 2009

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