News from the Hill

VIRGINIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

Alexandria, VA June 2010

The Rt. Rev. Peter James Lee:

Portrait of a Leader
Leader

PFLAG Honors VTS 5

Commencement Photos 6
Welcome to the Family 17
 Message from the Dean

The Future of Our Church:

Hope Through a Difficult Season

I
t is very easy to despair about theological education and the Episcopal Church.
We imagine that we are up against unstoppable sociological forces. We have all
heard about the growing evangelical megachurch and that the mainline denomi-
nations are declining - indeed, many talk about our post-denominational age. Some
are claiming that the Episcopal Church is losing 100 members a day; inevitably, it is
sad to see some congregations leave the Episcopal Church over the issue of human
sexuality.

One joy of being on the Holy Hill is that the world looks very different. The Refec-
tory is full of twenty-somethings who have given their lives to Christ and are ready
and willing to serve; the mature student is now the leven in the loaf rather than, as
was the case some years ago, the entire loaf; and students of color are now a significant presence.
Talk of “Emergent Church” is heard around the campus. Talented students who have lots of
career options are choosing to train for the Episcopal Church.

These students are not persuaded by the prophets of doom. And they are right not to be. One
mystery of the 1990s is why the Episcopal Church proved so resilient, while other mainline de-
nominations were struggling. C. Kirk Hadaway points out that,“Cumulative average attendance
grew by 6,823 persons from 1991 to 2002—a gain that would have been much larger without the
decline of 11,926 in attendance during 2002” (C. Kirk Hadaway, Is the Episcopal Church Growing
[or Declining]? at www.culcanhammer.org.) The point is that there is nothing inevitable about
decline. There are many illustrations of congregations learning, growing, and making available
the rich resources of the Anglican liturgical tradition.

At Virginia Theological Seminary, we are working hard to produce graduates that can make a
difference to the strength and vitality of the Episcopal Church. They have all learned a biblical
language and have benefited from our department of five Faculty in Bible. At the same time, they
have all learned how to reflect theologically on human experience, be pastorally present, and to
manage a congregation. Many of them have spent time overseas learning about the Communion
from Anglicans in places as far apart as Tanzania and Jerusalem. All have learned that living with
disagreement is part of the Anglican way and all have learned that spending time with God on a
daily basis is an imperative that ensures faithful living.

The future can be different from the immediate past. This difficult season will pass. There are
students coming out of Virginia Theological Seminary ready to take advantage of the opportu-
nities, which will arise. Please support this Seminary - these men and women who are giving
themselves to the journey of service for the Episcopal Church - with your prayers and your gifts.
We need this support to make a difference to the Church that we love.

2 News from the Hill · June 2010

Virginia Theological Seminary
OFFICERS
Campus Shots
The Rt. Rev. James J. Shand
Chairman of the Board
Ms. Sissy Poland
Vice Chairman of the Board
The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D.
Dean and President
Mr. Timothy F. Sedgwick, Ph.D.
Vice President
The Rev. J. Barney Hawkins IV, Ph.D.
Vice President
Ms. Heather Zdancewicz
Vice President, Assistant Treasurer &
Assistant Secretary
Dr. David H. Charlton
Secretary/Treasurer

BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The Rt. Rev. James J. Shand
Mrs. Auguste J. Bannard (2011)
David B. Beers, Esq. (2015)
Ms. Ana-Mita Betancourt (2015)
Mr. Julian M. Bivins, Jr. (2012)
The Rev. Catherine M. Campbell (2014)
The Rt. Rev. John Bryson Chane
Dr. David H. Charlton (2011)
The Rev. Canon Thomas G. Clarke (2012)
The Rev. Dr. Harold J. Cobb, Jr. (2013)
The Rev. Carlotta A. Cochran (2014)
Dr. Lynwood D. I. Day (2013)
Mr. W. Carter Doswell (2013)
Mr. A. Hugh Ewing III (2013)
Mrs. Martha W. High (2014)
The Rt. Rev. Herman Hollerith IV
Ms. Elizabeth Cabell Jennings, CFA (2014)
The Rt. Rev. Shannon S. Johnston
The Rev. R. Kevin Kelly (2013)
The Rt. Rev. William (Mike) Michie Klusmeyer
The Rev. Thomas M. Kryder-Reid (2012)
The Rev. Thomas A. Lacy II (2011)
Mr. James R. Lowe, Jr. (2013)
The Rev. Dr. Andrew J. MacBeth (2012)
Mr. M. Lee Marston (2014)
Ms. Sissy Poland (2012)
The Rt. Rev. F. Neff Powell
The Rev. Dr. Stanley W. Sawyer (2014)
The Rev. Dr. William R. Shiflet, Jr. (2013)
The Rt. Rev. Eugene T. Sutton
The Rev. Allan B. Johnson-Taylor (2014)
Dr. William G. Thomas III (2015)
The Rev. Christine R. Whittaker (2013)
The Rev. Dr. J. Douglas Wigner, Jr. (2014)

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS Top Photo: Middler, Evan Clendenin (left,) and faculty member, Dr. David Gortner,
dig up ground that will serve as a new community garden; choir members (from left to
The Rev. Matthew R. Hanisian
The Rev. Angela S. Ifill right) Narcis Sebikwekwe, Elizabeth Lowe, and Susan Hartzell, bottom photo.

FACULTY REPRESENTATIVES
The Rev. Robert W. Prichard, Ph.D.
The Rev. Dr. William B. Roberts
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE
Ms. Rebecca Edwards (‘11)
Student Body President
News from the Hill is published three times per year (March, June, and December)
for alumni and friends by the Office of Public Affairs, Virginia Theological Seminary,
3737 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA 22304. Editorial comments should be directed to
editor@vts.edu.
On the Cover: The Rt. Rev. Peter James Lee, retired bishop of Virginia and former
chairman of the Board of Trustees at Virginia Seminary, at the unveiling of his portrait
by North Carolina artist, Richard Fennell. (Photo: Susan Shillinglaw)

News from the Hill · www.vts.edu 3

Roger Ferlo is Baccalaureate Book on Ordained Women of
Speaker at Colgate University Virginia Seminary in the Works

The Rev. Roger The Rev. Judith McDaniel, Ph.D., the

Ferlo, Ph.D., the Howard Chandler Robbins Professor
Seminary’s asso- of Homiletics at Virginia Seminary, is
ciate dean and di- working on a new book, Grace in Mo-
rector of the Insti- tion, which will look at the history of
tute for Christian ordained women from VTS. This will
Formation and be the third in a
Leadership, was series of works
this year’s bacca- published by
laureate speaker VTS that looks
at Colgate Uni- back at the
versity. During the ceremony, Ferlo, a Seminary’s
graduate of Colgate (‘73), also received unique history.
an honorary degree. Ferlo has served
on Colgate’s Board of Trustees since
On the Holy Hill
McDaniel,
2003 and is Chair of their Academic who has
Affairs Committee. Funds Raised for Myanmar served on the
VTS faculty
For Goodness Sake This past April, the VTS Myanmar since 1990,
Mission Team and the Missionary is the first
The Rev. Mpho Tutu, executive direc- Society raised $1,280 towards the pur- female Episcopal priest
tor of the Tutu Institute for Prayer and chase of two toilets for St. Michael’s to hold a tenured faculty position at
Pilgrimage in Washington, D.C., held Church in Hma’wbi, Myanmar. the Seminary.
a booksigning at Cokesbury Bookstore
last month, for Made for Goodness, the The request for the toilets came during The Class of 2010 has provided the
book that she co-wrote with her father, the Seminary’s 2009 January mission seed money for this important and
Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Bishop trip. The rural parish, which only had timely project as the Church marks in
Shand was on hand to buy his own one outhouse to serve their grow- 2011 the 35th Anniversary of the Ordi-
personalized copy. ing congregation of nation of Women to the Priesthood.
150+ people, hoped
to build a solid
restroom structure
with two toilets,
real plumbing,
and a septic tank.

Jumping at the
opportunity to
help, mission
team members
Rebecca Ed-
wards, Sandy
Webb, Chris-
tine Faulstich,
Tim Baer,
Kirsten Baer,
Chase Dan-
ford, Katie
Nakamura, Wiley Ammons,
Brian O’Rourke, and Geoff Evans,
asked VTS community members to
each pitch in $10 toward the $1,100 Above: Members of the 2009
cost of the project. Myanmar mission team.

4 News from the Hill · June 2010


PFLAG Honors VTS with Faith in Action Award
Virginia Theological Seminary noted for its inclusive atmosphere by nationwide
organization of parents, family, and friends of lesbians and gays
O
n April 10, at its 13th Annual
Honors Gala, the Metro DC
chapter of PFLAG (Parents,
Family, and Friends of Lesbians and
Gays) awarded Virginia Theologi-
cal Seminary (VTS) with its Faith in
Action Award for its twenty-year
commitment to the inclusion of ho-
mosexual students, faculty, and staff.
The award is given to those members
of a particular faith or place of wor-
ship that have shown commitment
and affirmation to the LGBT commu-
nity as well as to their parishioners.
“I am very proud that Virginia has
been given this award this year,” said
Bill Briggs, executive director of the
Metro DC chapter of PFLAG, the larg-
est chapter in the nation. “They have
shown their commitment through
strong love to LGBT people both lo-
cally and nationally. This love comes
naturally from the heart and without
strings.”
Photo by David Hoover
Stated VTS Middler, Chase Danford, I was told,
“The Seminary is committed to the full ‘you won’t
inclusion of LGBT individuals… we be comfort-
have a strong LGBT student orga- able there,
nization; a chapel team last October it’s not an
designed a worship service honoring inclusive
LGBT Anglican voices; and this past space.’ That
March, Dean Markham invited the reputation
President of Integrity USA to speak to was outdat-
the community.” ed and inac-
curate… it
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbi- is a story of
ans and Gays (PFLAG) is the nation’s resurrection
foremost family-based organization to which I
committed to the civil rights of gays, can only say: alleluia.” q
lesbians, bisexual and transgender
persons. Founded in 1973 by mothers Pictured above (left to right): Dr. Timothy
and fathers, PFLAG has 200,000 mem- Sedgwick (VTS faculty), Middler, Mike
bers and supporters in more than 500 Angell, Anne Harlan, and her husband,
chapters throughout the United States. the Rev. Roger Ferlo (VTS faculty); Above
right: The Rev. Ann Gillespie (VTS ‘07),
“I almost didn’t apply to VTS,” noted this year’s gala moderator, is pictured
VTS Middler Mike Angell, “because with PFLAG board member and friend,
I had heard terrible stories about the David Hoover.
way LGBT people were treated here.
News from the Hill · www.vts.edu 5
Commencement

Class of 2010
V
irginia Theological Seminary’s 187th Commencement ceremony was held on May 20,
2010, awarding 54 students with degrees of either Master in Divinity, Master in Theo- Clockwise from top left
logical Studies, Master of Arts in Christian Education, Doctor of Ministry, Post-Graduate corner: the Rev. Brian
Diplomas in Anglican Studies, or the Degree of Licentiate in Theology. The commencement McLaren giving the
address was given by the Rev. Brian D. McLaren, author, speaker, pastor, and networker among commencement address;
innovative Christian leaders, thinkers, and activists. an appreciative applause
for Mr. McLaren’s remarks;
For the third year in a row, the commencement ceremony was streamed live through the VTS
the Rev. Susan Sowers,
website, attracting viewers from 27 states and from several countries spanning four continents
including England, South Africa, Mexico, France, Saudi Arabia, and Jamaica. An archive of the recipient of the 2010 Ford
ceremony can be viewed by visiting www.vts.edu. Chair; the Rev. Sara Palmer
joyfully receives the Harris
The recipient of the 2010 Virginia Seminary Ford Chair, a gift of Susan Ford to a member of the Award; Doctor of Ministry
graduating class who has exhibited a strong commitment to the community life and mission of student, Joy Ann Rose, is
the Seminary, was Susan Sowers (Diocese of Virginia); the recipient of the Harris Award, given hooded; the Rev. Canon
each year to a candidate for Holy Orders who has demonstrated academic excellence and Nelson Pinder receiving the
leadership ability, was Sara Palmer (Diocese of North Carolina), who also received the Dudley Doctor in Divinity, honoris
Speech Prize for excellence in public reading of Scripture and Liturgy. The St. George’s College causa; from left to right,
Prize for study at St. George’s College in Jerusalem was given to Susan Moore Prinz (Diocese of
the Rt. Rev. Scott Benhase,
Upper South Carolina.)
Marian Humphrey, Lynn
This year, the Seminary conferred the degree of Doctor in Divinity, honoris causa upon the Campbell, Gillian Barr, Janis
Jerome W. Berryman, Episcopal priest, theologian, and developer of Godly Play; the Rev. Yskamp, and Janis Shook,
Canon Flora Jane Louise Winfield, the Secretary for Anglican Relations and the Archbishop of signing the closing hymn
Canterbury’s Personal Staff; the Rev. Brian D. McLaren, founder of the Cedar Ridge Community during the ceremony.
Church in Maryland and one of the founders of the Emerging Church movement; and the Rev.
Canon Nelson W. Pinder, D.D., the 15th president of the Union of Black Episcopalians (2004- Photos by Cayce Ramey and
2007) and priest in the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida. Susan Shillinglaw.

6 News from the Hill · June 2010

News from the Hill · www.vts.edu 7
 Indaba
Center for Anglican Communion Studies
Anglican Endeavors:
O n April 29-30, the Center for
Anglican Communion Studies
hosted the first “Resource Hub” in
North America for the Continuing
Indaba Project, an initiative of the
Anglican Communion Office. Headed
by the Rev. Dr. Phil Groves, the pro-
gram seeks to continue the conversa-
tions on topics brought forward to the
bishops’ small groups during Lambeth
’08. Theologians and lay leaders meet
over two days at each “hub” to discern
what materials would be useful to
encourage wider dissemination of the
topics into the diocese and parishes.
Through the “hub,” the conversation
becomes contextually relevant while
maintaining the broader Anglican
theological view.
VTS hosts, the Rev. J. Barney Hawkins,
Ph.D., and the Rt. Rev. Mark Dyer,
D.D., welcomed:
The Rev. Judith Alexis, Diocese of
Connecticut; the Rev. Simón Bautista,
Diocese of Washington; Mr. Buck
Blanchard, Diocese of Virginia;
the Rev. William J. Danaher, Ph.D.,
Huron University College Faculty of
Theology; the Rev. Wendy Fletcher,
Ph.D., Vancouver School of Theology;
8 News from the Hill · June 2010
the Rev. Walter Brownridge, School of
Theology, University of the South;
the Rev. Ephraim Radner, Ph.D.,
Wycliffe College; the Rev. A. Katherine
Grieb, Ph.D., the Virginia Theological
Seminary.
The facilitators for the VTS hub were
the Rev. Canon Titus Presler, Th.D.
and the Rev. Canon Jonathan Draper,
Ph.D., Canon Theologian at York
Minster.
The Continuing Indaba Project is be-
ing observed by an ecumenical team
based at Fuller Theological Seminary,
Pasadena. The Rev. Deborah Mullen,
Ph.D., McCormick Theological Semi-
nary and the Rev. Young Lee Hertig,
Ph.D., Azusa Pacific University and
Fuller Theological Seminary, observed
the proceedings but did not partici-
pate.
The VTS hub will produce theological
papers to be used as resources for di-
ocesan and parish settings. This work
will be published on the Anglican
Communion Office website in the fall.
Leslie Steffensen
CACS Coordinator
CACS FELLOWS
VTS has formed a board of advisors to
be known as the “The Fellows of the
Center for Anglican Communion Stud-
ies.” In May, the Fellows visited the cam-
pus for three days. Participants shared
concerns and challenges faced by the
institutions and provinces they serve
and how they are coping in this time of
uncertainty and discord in the Commu-
nion.
The Rt. Rev. Peter James Lee will serve
as Chair of the CACS Fellows project,
assisting Dean Markham, the CACS
Associate Dean, the Rev. Dr. J. Barney
Hawkins, and the CACS Senior Advisor,
the Rt. Rev. Mark Dyer.
The Fellows included the Rev. Dr. A.
Katherine Grieb and the Rev. Dr. Robert
Prichard, from VTS; the Rt. Rev. God-
frey Mdimi Mhogolo of the Diocese of
Central Tanganyika, Tanzania; the Rt.
Rev. Duleep de Chickera of the Diocese
of Colombo, Sri Lanka; the Rt. Rev. Saw
John Wilme of the diocese of Toungoo,
Myanmar; the Rt. Rev. Harold William
Godfrey, Peru; and the Rev. Canon Bill
Domeris, principal of the College of the
Transfiguration, South Africa.
Interfaith Conference,
East Africa, June 29
Please pray for the VTS team travelling
to Dodoma, Tanzania for the conference:
The Rev. J. Barney Hawkins IV, Ph.D.; The
Rev. Dr. Judith McDaniel, Ph.D.; the Rev.
Robin Gulick; Ms. Leslie Nuñez Stef-
fensen; DMin candidate, Susan Lukens,
and Mr. James Livingston (VTS ‘11.)
The Conference, sponsored by the Luce
Grant, will bring together Christian and
Muslim leaders from throughout East
Africa to share practical strategies for
building strong interfaith communities.
 Portrait of a Leader: the Rendering of Bishop Peter J. Lee
In May of 2010, the official portrait of the Rt. Rev. Peter James Lee, retired bishop of Virginia
and former Chairman of Virginia Theological Seminary’s Board of Trustees, was unveiled. This stunning
rendering by artist Richard Fennell captures the wisdom and experience of a man who led the Episcopal Church’s
largest seminary and who skillfully navigated through years of complicated diocesan issues.

About the Artist

Richard Fennell received his Bachelor of Fine Arts

degree from East Carolina University and a Master
of Fine Arts degree from the University of North
Carolina at Greensboro. Fennell’s work can be
found in the permanent collection of the North
Carolina Museum of Art as well as numerous
private and corporate collections nationwide. His
intense landscapes of his surroundings in the pied-
mont region of North Carolina reflect a careful
placement of color, which he uses to translate the
essential structure of nature.

Fennell was also

trained as a sculp-
tor which helped to
transition his work
from nature to portrait
painting.

Fennell’s strengths
are his understanding
of a particular place,
its seasons, and the
time of day. Fennell
states, “I try to deal and attempt to solve problems
that arise through visual contact with nature. The
answers to problems such as how to create a bal-
ance of color, how to create the illusion of three-di-
mensional forms, and how to arrange these colors
and forms in a convincing space, I believe, exist in
nature. What one has to do it look and observe.”

Fennell has also been commissioned to paint the

portrait of the Rev. Lloyd A. “Tony” Lewis, Jr.,
Ph.D., the Seminary’s Molly Laird Downs Profes-
sor of New Testament. Lewis has served on the
VTS faculty from 1978 through 1991 and from 2000
to the present. q

Above right: the formal portrait of Bishop Lee;

below right, two of the original sketches by the art-
ist; above left: self-portrait of artist Richard Fennell.

News from the Hill · www.vts.edu 9


Institute for Christian Formation and Leadership
Doctor of Ministry: Transforming Lives
DMin Update
The 2009-2010 school year proved to
be a wonderful year of forging new
partnerships, refining the DMin pro-
grams, and expanding our reach. It
has also been a great year for church
and school leaders who have com-
pleted remarkable context-of-ministry
studies and project theses, some of
which have garnered national atten-
tion.
New Partnerships
Last year, we embarked on an experi-
ment with the Episcopal Diocese of
Washington (DC) by inviting dioc-
esan leaders to select and recruit
clergy who were already showing
signs of strong leadership to enter
the VTS Doctor of Ministry program
in Ministry Development. Bishop
Chane and other leaders identified a
group of eight clergy. Four of these
clergy entered the program. Together,
they formed a cohort within their
class, focusing together not only on
strengthening their congregations and
surrounding commu-
nities, but on ways
News from the Hill · June 2010
to strengthen ministry in the whole
diocese.
Expanding on the great success of this
“pilot project,” we are inviting other
dioceses, judicatories, and networks
of leaders to help create mini-cohorts
that are dedicated to strengthening
ministry and leadership within and
beyond the walls of their individual
institutions. This is one way to bring
more enduring change to the Church
and for dioceses to invest in their
strongest rising leaders.
A similar partnership is emerging
with the new Urban Schools Alli-
ance, a subgroup within the National
Association of Episcopal Schools
(NAES), that represents schools of-
fering religiously-based independent
education in settings often deprived
of such opportunities. This builds on
a strong relationship that we already
have with NAES. We are also begin-
ning to work with networks of college
and university chaplains. And we are
in the process of fostering a unique
partnership for DMin education with
Anglican dioceses abroad – we hope to
begin with school and church leaders
in Hong Kong.
&
Com
Stories from Our DMin Students and
Graduates
This year, five DMin students suc-
cessfully completed and defended
their project theses. In May, these five
(pictured below, from left to right) –
the Rev. Sean Wead (U.S. Army), the
Rev. Joy Rose (Diocese of Washington),
Ms. Anne Cooper (Anglican Diocese of
Tunisia), the Rev. Michael Ciba (UCC),
and the Rt. Rev. Scott Benhase (new
Bishop of Georgia) – received their
doctoral hoods and diplomas.
Their projects and interests ranged
widely, from parish-based programs
focused on deepening discipleship
among high-powered professionals to
fostering a new spirit of community
among people over age 55, to educa-
tional programs aimed at increasing
understanding of religious diversity
among Arab Christians or of ethical
concerns soldiers face on the battle-
field, to judicatory efforts at fostering
a willingness among congregations
to engage in mutual ministry review.
They are the culmination of student’s
work on the core ques-
tion, “What is the
vision God has
given us of trans-
formation - for
individuals, faith
Photo: Cayce Ramey
&
ommunities
communities, and societies?” Some
of their important insights will be fea-
tured in the VTS Journal this fall.
Many of the projects DMin students
have launched have had lasting
impact. Joy Rose’s work with people
over 55 is opening new ways of
understanding our ministry with the
increasing numbers of healthy, vibrant
“seniors.” Marianne Ryan, as assistant
head of The Gooden School in Cali-
fornia, has launched a school-wide
project of a community garden, which
recently grabbed national attention
in Episcopal Life. Patricia Lyons (‘08)
recast her project thesis as a book, The
Soul of Adolescence: In Their Own Words
(Morehouse.)
This Summer
This summer we are offering compel-
ling courses and evening lectures,
including:
• Human Emotion and Ministry
• History and Philosophy of Religion
& Education in America
• Religious Diversity
• Usefulness of St. Paul for Churches
in Times of Conflict
• Holistic Environments of Faith &
Learning
Three leaders in ministry and educa-
tion will serve as instructors in the
Doctor of Ministry program: the Rev.
Dr. Margaret (Sam) Faeth, the Rev. Dr.
Alvin (Al) Johnson, and the Rev. Dr.
Daniel (Dan) Heischmann. They con-
tribute integrally to our two unique
programs and will be featured in the
December News from the Hill.
Apply now to this exceptional pro-
gram. Come refresh, renew, and
strengthen your ministry! Intensify
your leadership skills for the sake of
transforming lives and communities in
witness to the living Christ. q
Photo: Cayce Rame
The Rev. David Gortner, Ph.D.
Director of the Doctor of Ministry
Program
Center for the Ministry of Teaching
New MA Degree at VTS to Be
Rigorous, Responsive, Flexible
Have you ever considered earning a Master’s degree to
deepen your ministry or strengthen your professional résumé?
I
n response to increased demand for
more specialized and interdisciplin-
ary studies, the VTS faculty recently
approved a new Master of Arts degree
that is built on the proven strengths
of the Master of Arts in Christian
Education (MACE) and the Masters in
Theological Studies (MTS).
The new Master of Arts program is an
academic Master’s Degree under the
accreditation standards of the Associa-
tion of Theological Schools (ATS). It is
intended to prepare students for com-
petent Christian theological engage-
ment and leadership in a variety of
settings including Christian education/
formation, camping programs, and
teaching in Christian schools.
As change is a constant in the life of
the Church and the realities of peoples’ lives, the program is designed to be
rigorous, responsive and flexible. The 48-credit degree will allow students to
design personalized plans of study to match their academic backgrounds, the
needs and expectations of the Church, and their vocational and professional
goals. Courses will be offered year-round with options for full- and part-time
residency including expanded online (hybrid) offerings.
Foundation Courses
A creative series of foundation courses will be available for students seeking
their first theological degree. Courses in scripture, theology, and church his-
tory will provide the groundwork to help students focus in areas of concentra-
tion such as theological studies, Christian education and formation, scripture,
Christian ethics, or congregational development.
Application Process
Pending approval from the seminary board and authorization from the ATS
accrediting body, application materials for the new Master of Arts program
will be made available by September 2010 for admission in the summer and
fall of 2011.
If you are interested in knowing more about this degree and how it might en-
rich your future, please contact the seminary Admissions Director, Jan Sienkie-
wicz (jsienkiewicz@vts.edu; 703-461-1706) or the Director of the Center for the
Ministry of Teaching, Lisa Kimball (lkimball@vts.edu; 703-461-1887). q
11
 Student News
Student Body President
A
s the academic year
winds down many
of us on campus find
ourselves in a liminal mo-
ment caught between the end
of something familiar and the
beginning of something new.
It is an appropriate time to take
stock of the year and to look
ahead and do a bit of wonder-
ing into what God will place
us and in which direction the
Holy Spirit will lead us.
To be sure, large events in our
common life together shape us
and mold us—at times try us
and even test us. The student
body had several large events
this year. We endured record
snow storms, surviving with-
out heat or power; we all felt
News from the Hill · June 2010
the grief, sorrow and loss over the
devastation that occurred with
the earthquakes in Haiti; and
we mourned the passing of a
number of seminarian family
members. But the wonder-
ful thing about Christian
community, and especially
the close community here at
the Seminary, is that in these
moments of crisis and loss we
come together as Christians to
comfort those who are in pain and
to mourn with them.
And, yes, we had fun. This year
we had several community events
that brought the community
together in new and entertaining
ways. In the midst of the snow,
we had a beach party. At the start
of the year, it rained on our picnic
so we made a 200’ long slip and
slide and played in the rain. The
humor and hilarity of the Variety
Shows were unmatched this year
as we came together to poke fun at
ourselves. And we finished off the
year with something we Chris-
tians do best—we came together
for a meal, this time with over 300
pounds of crawfish at a fantastic
crawfish boil.
This year also saw the introduc-
tion of a brand new student body
constitution, something that had
not been done in many years.
This wonderful new document
will serve the Seminary communi-
ty for years to come. Throughout
all of these events and happen-
ings, votes, and peals of laughter,
there were connections made be-
tween students, faculty, and staff.
We learned together, worshipped
God together, and grew together.
Throughout all of these events we
have been shaped and formed by
our common experience of being
here on this Holy Hill. And it has
changed us.
Now, looking forward, we seniors
are eager to be commissioned and
sent off into the world to lead and
spread the Good News of Christ
around the country and the globe.
However, for many seniors, there
is continued uncertainty—at the
writing of this article, just over
50% of the seniors have firm job
commitments with many more
still in the process of discerning a
call.
It has been my distinct pleasure
and honor to serve as the Student
Body President this past year.
Great things are being done at
Virginia Theological Seminary
and it has been a joy to be a part of
this exciting work. I look forward
to the leadership and vision that
next year’s newly elected Student
Body President, Rebecca Edwards
(Diocese of East Tennessee) will
bring. I am confident that under
her leadership the student body
will continue to come together in
new and interesting ways and be
formed by the community of this
holy place.
The Rev. Matthew R. Hanisian
Friends for life: the Rev. Kimberly
Jackson (left) the Rev. Lauren Kilborne
(middle) and the Rev. Willis Foster
join in on a group hug one last time
before commencement.
 Annual Spring Picnic
and Farewell to the Senior Class

A Crawfish Boil
Jumpin’ crawdads! Clockwise, from top left
corner: Jimmy Abbott (‘10) enjoys a few crunchy
crawdads; Raphael Buisson, son of MTS stu-
dent, the Rev. Pierre-Henry Buisson (‘10) isn’t
afraid of the creepy critters; students, Norman
Whitmire (‘11) and Lwin Thida Myint (‘10), try
to figure out how to eat the crawdads graceful-
ly; Carson Ramey, son of MDiv student, Cayce
Ramey (‘12), is determined to knock the candy
out of the pinata; Kirsten Baer (‘11) with her
dog; Reggie Simmons (‘10) with his son, Win-
ston; Leo Loyola (‘12) and his wife Melody.

(Photos by Cayce Ramey, Peter Doddoma, and

Gary Taylor.)
 Office of Alumni Affairs
DIRECTOR’S
NOTE
Charles L Fischer III
T
here is the challenge
in saying “good bye”
to our VTS students.
A class has completed its
studies and are well pre-
pared to “go Ye into all
the world and preach the
Gospel;”other classes will
be leaving, only to return
at the end of the summer
full of new experiences;
and there will be a new
class that enters in August
that will be wide eyed and
prepared to embark on the
journey known as theologi-
cal education.
Virginia Theological Semi-
nary is blessed to be able to
anticipate these occurrences.
Our students are more at
ease than at other divin-
ity schools because they
know that
SAVE THE DATES
Alumni/ae Convocation
14 News from the Hill · June 2010
The Rev.
their Seminary will be there
when they return. It has
become almost a given for
over 180 years. Yet, all is
not guaranteed without the
help and assistance of so
many people that have ma-
triculated from this institu-
tion or have become famil-
iar with VTS because of the
caliber of leaders that are
formed on these 80+ acres.
Each of you who are read-
ing this issue of News from
the Hill are aware of the
challenges that await our
most recent graduating
class. Society too often re-
minds us of the state of the
economy. It has not been
favorable to many. We can
dwell on how the economy
has negatively affected our
own parishes, institutions
October 5 & 6
The 2010
with special guest:
Phyllis Tickle
From left to right: Dr. Harold Morse, a South Carolina physician
and recipient of the 2009 Lettie Pate Evans Award, receives his
certificate from the Rev. Charles L Fischer III at Holy Trinity Epis-
copal Church in the Diocese of Upper South Carolina. The award
celebrates the vitally important ministry of the laity in the church
and beyond.
and ministries. But we also educators, theologians, chap-
know that in a land that has lains and recent ordinands
been characterized by abun- more than ever before.
dance and material desires,
there is a great need for in- They have been held in
dividuals, men and women God’s loving embrace
alike, who are prepared to throughout their studies,
enter communities across they have weathered the
this nation and the world storm of challenging theo-
with a word of hope. logical arguments, exegeting
difficult biblical texts, and
I have heard the honest they have written papers on
concerns of some members the historical events of the
of the senior class that have Church’s past. And now
had a difficult time answer- parishes, students in schools,
ing a call that would allow patients in hospitals and the
them to earn a respectable stranger on the street is wait-
wage. Our graduates were ing for them to assure them
filled with anxiety because
the world that they are en-
that there is a brighter future
ahead.
tering is not filled with the
prospects of ministry that To the Class of 2010, I will not
were “promised” to them say “good bye” but “God-
when they enrolled at Vir- speed.” Live into the ministry
ginia Theological Seminary. that you have been called to,
We must remind all of our never forgetting that you are
graduates to not be discour-
aged. There is a world that
being held in the loving em-
brace of our Lord and Savior,
needs the Church’s newest Jesus Christ. q
degree holding Christian

Class Notes
Please share your news
with us!
Write: The Rev. Charles L
Fischer III, 3737 Seminary
Road, Alexandria, VA 22304
E-mail: alumni@vts.edu
Call: 703-461-1711
Fax: 703-370-0138
Email Address Changes to:
manderson@vts.edu
‘56
The Rt. Rev. George N. Hunt III,
priest-in-charge, Trinity Episcopal
Church, Sonoma, CA.
‘58
The Rev. Herbert K. Lodder,
executive director, Pastoral
Counseling Services of Maryland,
Baltimore, MD.
‘60
The Rev. Dr. Robert H. Crewdson,
Chaplain of the Canterbury
Fellowship for students and
cadets (Washington & Lee Uni-
versity and Virginia Military Insti-
tute), R. E. Lee Memorial Church,
Lexington, VA.
‘64
In February 2010, at the St. James
Cathedral in Chicago, the Rev.
Canon Henry L. Atkins Jr. was
presented the Hugh White Award
for outstanding work in the field
of worker justice by the Episcopal
Network for Economic Justice.
‘65
The Rev. W. Pegram Johnson III
retired in February as priest-in-
charge of St. Asaph’s, Bowling
Green, KY.
‘67
The Rev. Frederick J. Kuhlmann,
priest associate, St. Paul’s
Episcopal Church, Woodbury, CT.
‘73
The Rev. Hartshorn Murphy has
retired as Rector of St. Augustine
by-the-Sea in Santa Monica, CA.
‘77
The Rev. Douglas S. Cadwallader,
assistant rector at St. Thomas’,
Houston, TX, has retired from
active ministry.
The Rev. Murray R. Powell, is
retiring as assistant rector of
Trinity, Houston, TX, and will
serve as priest-in-charge of Lord
of the Streets, Houston.
‘84
The Rev. Caroline Smith has
retired as Rector of Grace Church,
The Plains, VA.
‘86
The Rev. Charlotte D. Cleghorn
has retired as Executive Director
of the Centers for Christian Stud-
ies in Ashville, NC.
‘92
The Rev. Jane Wallace Barr,
interim rector, St. James’,
Woodstock VT.
‘98
The Rev. Charlotte D. Cleghorn
has retired as Executive Director
of the Centers for Christian Stud-
ies in Ashville, NC.
The Rev. Stacey Fussell, rector,
Church of the Ascension, Brad-
ford, PA.
‘00
The Rev. Daniel S. Meck III,
chaplain, St. Paul’s School,
Brooklandville, MD.
‘01
The Rev. Connie Wolfe, chaplain,
St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital,
Houston, TX.
‘03
The Rev. Shearon S. Williams,
interim vicar, St. Gabriel’s
Episcopal Church, Leesburg, VA.
Office of Alumni Affairs
‘04
The Rev. Rachel Nyback, rector,
St. Cross by-the-Sea Church,
Hermosa Beach, CA.
The Rev. Adam T. Trambley, rector,
St. John’s Episcopal Church,
Sharon, PA.
‘05
Keeping
The Rev. Barbara C. “Bambi”
Willis, interim rector, St. Asaph’s,
Bowling Green, KY.
In Touch
The Rev. Anne Marie Richards,
rector, Trinity Episcopal Church,
Newport, RI.
The Journal
‘06 The Seminary’s magazine
The Rev. Debra M. Brewin-Wilson, for alumni and friends.
rector, St. Thomas’ Episcopal Once per year, in September.
Church, Upper Marlboro, MD.
News from the Hill
‘07 The Seminary’s newsletter
The Rev. Ronald C. Byrd, priest-
for supporters of VTS.
in-charge, St. Katherine’s Episco-
pal Church, Williamston, MI. Three times per year, in March,
June, and December.
The Rev. Timothy Grayson,
rector, Church of the Messiah,
Baltimore, MD. The eNews
Email updates about
The Rev. Bingham Powell, priest-
happenings at VTS.
in-charge, St. Mary’s Episcopal The first day of each month.
Church, Eugene, OR.
The Rev. Joseph M. Rushton, The Dean’s Commentary
interim rector, Church of the Holy
Comforter, Lutherville, MD. Daily Seminary updates
from Dean Markham and/or
The Rev. Fletcher M. Wells, other guest contributors.
assistant rector, St. James’ Parish, Monday-Friday.
Wilmington, NC.
Alumni Convocation 2010
‘08
Ms. Beth Bojarski, youth pro- Annual conference for
gram director for the Diocese of graduates of the Seminary.
Kentucky, has just published a This year: October 5 & 6.
new book, To Serve and Guard the
Earth, available through Church
Publishing. You can also find us on:
‘09
The Rev. Robert Black, assis-
tant rector, St. Francis Episcopal
Church, Greensboro, NC.
(continued on Page 16...)
News from the Hill · www.vts.edu 15
 Office of Alumni Affairs

... Class Notes, continued from page 15

‘09
The Rev. Dr. Kurt J. Gerhard,
rector, St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church,
Washington, DC.

The Rev. Mary Brennan Thorpe,

priest-in-charge, Church of the Epiphany,
Richmond, VA.

‘10
The Rev. Jimmy Abbott, assistant rector,
St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, Waco, TX .

The Rev. Kathi Babcock, priest, Church of

the Epiphany, Independence, KS.

The Rev. Pierre-Henry Buisson,

assistant rector & Day School chaplain, St.
Martin’s in-the-Field Episcopal Church & Day
School, Severna Park, MD.
VTS Alums, Houston Chapter: Several alumni attended the Houston meeting this past May
including (from left to right): the Rev. Gerald Hyche (‘04), Dr. Judy Fentress-Williams (VTS Fac-
The Rev. Phil DeVaul, chaplain,
ulty member), the Rev. J. Barney Hawkins IV, Ph.D., the Rev. Connie Wolfe (‘01), the Rev. James
St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church & School,
Grace (‘05), the Rev. Patrick Hall (‘07), the Rev. Ed Stein (‘72), and the Rev. Charles L Fischer (‘09).
San Juan Capistrano, CA.

The Rev. Geoff Evans, assistant to the Rector,

St. Mary’s on the Highlands, Birmingham, AL.
The Rev. Christine Faulstich, curate,
St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Austin, TX.
Les Ferguson, Ordination to the Diaconate:
June 12, 2010 in Virginia Beach, VA.
The Rev. Drew Foisie, curate, Old Donation
Episcopal Church, Virginia Beach, VA.
The Rev. Willis Foster, deacon-in-charge, St.
Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Petersburg, VA.
The Rev. Christopher Garcia, assistant to
the rector, Christ Church (Georgetown),
Washington, DC.
Catherine Hicks, Ordination to the Diaconate:
June 5, 2010, in Charlottesville, VA.
Sayama Naw Lwin Thida Myint, lecturer ( OT),
Holy Cross Theological College, Yangon,
Myanmar ( Burma.)
The Rev. Sara Palmer, assistant rector,
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, High Point, NC.
Susan Prinz, Ordination to the Diaconate:
June 3, 2010, in Columbia, SC.
The Rev. Narcis John Sebikwekwe, Diocesan
education director, Ngara - Kagera, Tanzania.
Julie Simonton, assistant for Family Minis-
tries, Grace Episcopal Church, Alexandria, VA.
The Rev. Susan Sowers, associate rector,
St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church,
Pensacola, FL.
The Rev. Richard Tucker, St. Andrew’s
Rectory, Gilnock, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica.
The Rev. Brian Turner, assistant rector &
Episcopal chaplain, University of Mary
Washington, Trinity Episcopal Church,
Fredericksburg, VA.
The Rev. Matthew Venuti, assistant rector,
The Episcopal Church of the Nativity, Dothan AL.
The Rev. Alexander “Sandy” Webb, curate,
St. John’s Episcopal Church, Roanoke, VA.
The Rev. Janis Yskamp, Ordination to the
Priesthood: June 12, 2010, in Lewisburg, PA.

The Rev. Meredith Holt, curate, St. Mary’s
Episcopal Church, Cypress, TX.
Lauren Kilbourn Gaudette, Ordination to
the Diaconate: June 19, 2010, in Raleigh, NC.
NOTICE: Seeking Guest House Furnishings
We had a wonderful response to our first request for
guest house furnishings, but would welcome additional
donations.

Jessica Knowles, Ordination to the Diacon-
ate: June 19, 2010, in Baltimore, MD.
The Rev. Catherine Lemons, Ordination to the
Priesthood: July 29, 2010, in Minneapolis, MN.
If you would like to donate antiques, paintings, objets
d’art and rugs to the Seminary, we will provide you with
a letter which will state that these “gifts in kind” are fully
deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Julia Messer, Ordination to the Diaconate: Please respond to Ray Sabalis, Director of Development,
June 12, 2010, in Virginia Beach, VA. at 703-461-1717 or rsabalis@vts.edu.

16 News from the Hill · June 2010

 Welcome to the Family
Former faculty member Dabney Carr’s daughter reflects on growing up at Virginia Seminary
T his past May marked the 187th commencement at the
Virginia Theological Seminary as a new batch of Epis-
copal ministers set sail to “preach the Gospel.” The
Rev. Brian McLaren, pastor of Cedar Ridge Community
Church in Baltimore, gave the address on the importance
of forming lasting friendships so that the whims of others
have less sway.
My late father took that same path back in 1959 shortly
before I was born and in the pictures of him marching to-
ward the chapel for commencement he looks overjoyed and
hopeful about the possibili-
ties. Apparently, even then
I caught onto the sharp
turn our family path was
taking and four months
later I was born on an early
Sunday morning.
Dad was already in his first
parish and had to work
that day. He set up my
three older sisters, Diana,
Linda, and Cary in the
front pew where he could
keep an eye on them. My
younger brother, Dabney,
or as my sisters and I referred to him, the heir, would come
along a year and a half later when we were all ensconced in
Little Washington, Virginia among the foothills of the Blue
Ridge Mountains.
In 1970 when I was just 10 years old my father joined the
faculty and we all moved on to the sprawling grounds.
Immediately an entire crowd of people enveloped us as
family.
However, even more important to me was the network
of faculty children that in those days was plentiful. The
Blood’s, the Woolverton’s, the Allisons, the Goodwin’s and
others all had a few children to throw into the mix. In those
days there were so many of us it became necessary to add
a sign right behind the magnificent enormous entrance that
said, ‘slow, children at play’.
The other preacher’s kids quickly let us in on a little known
secret about the staid place. The students were also grown
men from diverse backgrounds, sometimes other careers
and had a lot of talents plus a sense of service to the com-
munity. In other words, the new students were a gold mine
and ripe for the picking.
Once a week the entire Seminary had dinner together at
the refectory. After the children had said a polite hello to all
of the adults and answered a few benign questions about
school and sports the kids would huddle together in knots.
We were exchanging dirt on which divinity students had
hobbies worth exploiting for the three years we held them
captive at VTS.
For the first few years I lived on the grounds I regularly
participated in square dancing in front of Aspinwall,
learned judo from a former Marine and a few good magic
tricks from a former hippie
who wouldn’t wear shoes
and left first floor classes
via the tall windows.
It was as if I had fallen into
a magical land of possibili-
ties.
It was also always im-
mensely easy to put togeth-
er a random softball game
on the circle of ground that
in those days had no trees
to block the bases. The stu-
dents’ selfless acts of service
to the otherwise invisible third population of the Seminary
(behind the faculty and students) left me with a permanent
sense that on balance the world is a friendly place full of
lots of weird and fun things to do. Stay open to all of it.
I recently moved to Chicago and live in a large apartment
building where I already know most of my neighbors, and
then some. Others have noted my amazing ability to not
only say hello to anyone but ask their name, their profes-
sion and just how they’re doing today. I learned a lot of that
as a PK and through a childhood growing up with an ever
changing roster of unofficial uncles and in the late ‘70s, fi-
nally, aunts when women were at last admitted as students.
The wisdom they inadvertently passed on was that every-
one you meet has something interesting to share if I just
remain willing to ask and don’t mind looking a little silly
once in awhile while I figure it out. Welcome to the new
crop of students! May you leave a life-long impression of
fun and goodwill on a new generation of PK’s. q
Martha Carr’s latest book is the memoir, “A Place to Call Home.”
Email Martha at: Martha@martharandolphcarr.com or visit
www.MarthaRandolphCarr.com.
News from the Hill · www.vts.edu 17
 HAITI: EARTHQUAKE UPDATE
O
n Saturday, May 8, 2010, I traveled to Haiti with a
small group of volunteers including Robin Taylor,
a VTS Master in Divinity seminarian (Diocese of
Maryland.) During our five-day trip, we travelled from
Port-au-Prince through the central plateau of Mirebal-
ais, encountering both a country devastated by a terrible
earthquake and a people determined to rebuild their lives
around and on top of crumbled buildings and death. These
people, God’s people, need our help.
Standing in front of the rubbles of Holy Trinity Cathedral,
the place where I worshiped five years before coming to
the United States, I was filled with grief and sadness. From
there, we could see the tent cities, which shelter hundreds
and thousands of people scattered throughout Port-au-
Prince and the surrounding towns. And we were there just
at the start of the rainy season. Typically, the tent cities are
next to little rivers and waterways; with water pounding on
these people during the upcoming hurricane season, their
situation is desperate, another tragedy waiting to happen.
While the remains of Church, schools, and government
buildings were striking, one could not escape the reality
of the death toll and the numerous injured. The quake sur-
vivors are struggling to put their lives back together.
When we first arrived, we travelled to the US Embassy
where we met with the USAID personnel to hear of their
efforts and priorities. We also met with Bishop Jean Zaché
Duracin and the Very Rev. Ogé Beauvoir, dean of Haiti’s
Episcopal. In our meeting with Bishop Duracin, he em-
phasized that while the Episcopal Church has lost many
Church buildings, the people who are the Body of Christ
remain strong and defiant.
The Bishop’s words were affirmed during our Sunday in
Mirebalais where we joined the congregation of St. Peter’s
Episcopal Church for worship. Amidst the overwhelming
18 News from the Hill · June 2010
challenges, the Haitian people gather regularly to worship
God, the source of their strength and courage.
St. Peter’s Church had been hosting a group of 60 young
people from Episcopal Churches all over Haiti. This youth
conference was designed to provide formation to young
leaders, the future of the Church in Haiti. Led by the
young people, the all-Haitian Creole service was vibrant
and full of life and hope. The Rev. Jeannot Joseph, priest
at St. Peter’s, encouraged the packed Church to hold on to
their faith and trust in the abiding goodness of our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ. Jeannot’s message offered words
of courage to a people living in constant fear and uncer-
tainty.
Our trip included several visits with the children in the
Haiti Micah Project. Since the earthquake, Haiti Micah
Project has tripled its feeding program, providing food for
almost 500 children on a daily basis and permanent hous-
ing for 17. Robin Taylor spent an entire day providing
medical care to children belonging to the Haiti Micah Proj-
ect and other children in Mirebalais, many of whom had
no access to medical care since the earthquake. The daily
challenges facing many children with little access to food,
clean drinking and bathing water is heart breaking.
The suffering of the Haitian people continues to touch the
hearts of Christians everywhere. I want to offer my heart-
felt thanks to all of God’s people who have donated of their
time and resources to bring relief to our brothers and sisters
in Haiti. Please keep praying for Haiti.
The Rev. Joseph M. Constant
Director of Ethnic Ministries and Student Life
Above left: Robin Taylor gives medical care to the children in
Mirebalais; center, Bishop Duracin (center), Joseph, and Robin
at the Diocesan office; Robin with a young mother and her child.

Seeking Placement, Following God’s Call
O
ne morning in early April after
chapel, one of our seniors la-
mented that she was not having
much success getting a job. Then she
noted, “I know I did not come to semi-
nary to work at a department store
afterwards!”
This gifted woman’s anxiety is under-
standable after three years of prepar-
ing for leadership in our Church. In
past years, the senior class has pub-
lished “Glad Tidings”—the happy
story of job placement. The tidings are
glad this year but placements seem to
be happening later. What’s going on?
Our Church continues to feel the
aftershocks of the 2008 economic
plunge. Parish budgets continue to be
strained, and positions for Assistants
and Associates are not as plentiful.
Even congregations with multi-clergy
staffs are cutting back. So, entering the
job market has become a more peril-
ous moment for graduating seminar-
ians. Bishops are helpful to a point but
increasingly they are releasing their
candidates because they cannot sup-
ply them with work.
VTS has stepped up to the plate in
assisting our seniors with their job
search. A banner on our website an-
nounces our desire to connect our
wonderful seniors with those who are
looking to hire. That “connection” has
worked in a few cases, and we all are
glad!
So, where is God in the anxiety over
job placement? I was quick to agree
with our senior who surmised that
she did not get a theological educa-
tion to work at a department store. It
would be easy to say that the Church
is undergoing a cultural shift or that
the new economic reality in the United
States is not a temporary condition.
Such quick conclusions do not help
the seminarians who left home and
hearth for seminary believing that
God was calling them to leadership in
Office of Institutional Advancement
our Church. In this time of anxiety, as
seminarians leave seminary and cross
the threshold into the “real world”
of the Church, it is well to remember
that lay and ordained leadership in
the Church is more about call than job
placement.
This anxious time for seniors look-
ing for jobs is recalled elegantly in
the second verse of George Herbert’s
AARON:
Profaneness in my head,
Defects and darkness in my breast,
A noise of passions ringing me for dead
Unto a place where is no rest
Poor priest thus am I drest.
When you have spent three years pre-
paring for a calling, it is hard to come
up against a tight job market. Our se- Christ. Leadership in the Church is a
niors ask: is it about me? “Defects and holy calling and jobs will follow for
darkness in my breast!” It’s hard to be God’s hand is on the Church’s future.
centered and at prayer when you are
worried about food on the table: Christ is my only head,
My alone only heart and breast,
“A noise of passions ringing me for dead My only music, striking me ev’n dead;
unto a place where is no rest.” That to the old man I may rest,
And be in him new drest.
Our seniors are not searching for jobs.
They are responding to God’s call and So holy in my head,
God is in the fray with them. Our Perfect and light in my dear breast,
church needs our seniors more than My doctrine tun’d by Christ,
ever. I am constantly amazed at the (who is not dead,
deep faith and high calling I find in But lives in me while I do rest)
our students. They are the most faith- Come people; Aaron’s drest.
ful, the best of their generation. I see in
our students a wonderful Christ-like Yes, come Church for our seniors are
way. I believe that coming to seminary “drest” well for service and leader-
for most of them was about following ship. Their doctrine is “tun’d” by
Christ not about looking for a job. So, Christ. Christ lives in each of these
we hold them in our prayers—know- seniors looking for “jobs” in the par-
ing that the God who nudged them to ishes, schools and institutions of the
say “Here I am” is the God who will Episcopal Church which will be well
lead and go with them into their first served by this new crop of leaders.
jobs. Jobs are part of calling—but only
part. The Rev. J. Barney Hawkins IV, Ph.D.
Vice President for Institutional
In the last two verses of Herbert’s Advancement
AARON, the great Anglican Divine
sets the record straight. Being a priest
(or a lay leader in the Church) is about
News from the Hill · www.vts.edu 19
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Honoring Every Season

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Faculty Transitions:
A t its May meeting, the Board of
Trustees of Virginia Theological
Seminary approved the promotion of
the Rev. William B. Roberts, D.M.A.,
associate professor of Music and Di-
rector of Chapel Music, to full profes-
sor status with tenure.
Roberts, who has taught music at VTS
since 2008, is the author of Music and
Vital Congregations: A Practical Guide for
Clergy (Church Publishing, Inc., 2009.)
Roberts is a composer with works
published by Augsburg-Fortress,
G.I.A., Hope, Paraclete, St. James
Music Press, and Selah. His hymns
appear in several volumes including
the hymnals of the Evangelical Luther-
an Church and the Lutheran Church,
Missouri Synod and various collec-
tions of Church Publishing Inc.
At the same board meeting, in honor
of the retirement of Field Ed Director,
the Rev. Jacques Hadler, the trustees
approved the title, Director of Field
Education, emeritus. Right: The Rev.
William B.
Hadler joined the VTS faculty in 1993. Roberts,
In addition to his Field Ed duties, he D.M.A.
taught in the Departments of Practi-
cal Theology and Global Christianity
as well as Family Systems Theory in
the Doctor of Ministry program. His
lively and interactive nine hour in-
troduction to the Application of Bowen
Family Systems Theory can be viewed
on our website at www.vts.edu.
More about Hadler’s tenure at VTS
and the cross-cultural mission trips he
led, will be featured in the fall Journal.