SPRING 2019

The Funerals of George H.W. Bush

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VTS Spring 2019 .indd 1 5/15/19 6:36 AM Table of Contents RATHER CURTIS PHOTO:

The Rev. Kim Jackson ’10, the Rev. Sandra Wilson, the Rev. Caron Gwynn ’06, the Rev. Canon Paula Clark ’04, the Rev. Canon Dr. Rosemarie Duncan ’05, ’13, the Rev. Judy Fentress-Williams, Ph.D., the Rev. Kim Coleman ’01, the Rt. Rev. Phoebe Roaf ’08, and the Rev. Canon Dr. Michele Hagans attending the Martin Features Luther King Jr. commemoration.

10 Dr. Timothy F. Sedgwick Retires 14 History of the Dean’s Cross Dr. Sedgwick’s impact on VTS and the Episcopal Since 2009 VTS has honored 30 “servant leaders,” Church is recognized. including ordained and lay, authors, and a First Lady.

18 MLK Jr. Commemoration 26 Interview with Russ Levenson Every April for the last 13 years, Virginia Seminary The Rev. Russ Levenson Jr., D.Min. ’92 offers a comes together to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin unique historical perspective of faith interpreting Luther King, Jr. politics at the services for former President Bush.

Virginia Theological Seminary Magazine is published three times per year (January, May, and September) for alumni and friends by the Communications Office, Virginia Theological Seminary, 3737 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA 22304. Editorial comments should be directed to [email protected].

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VTS Spring 2019 .indd 2 5/14/19 4:10 PM PANOX-LEACH ELIZABETH Table of Contents PHOTO: 14 In 2014, the Rt. Rev. James (Bud) Shand awarded former Secretary of State, the Honorable Madeleine K. Albright, with the Dean’s Cross for Servant Leadership in Church and Society.

Students and friends honor Dr. ‘14

Sedgwick after his final class of PITTS the 2018/19 academic year. 10 KRISTEN PHOTO:

Departments 4 Dean’s Message 6 Faculty News 17 On Holy Hill 20 Academic Affairs and Student Life ON THE COVER The casket containing former President 22 Bicentennial Celebration George H.W. Bush arrives for his funeral service at the National Cathedral in 24 Scene at VTS Washington, D.C. on December 5, 2018. The Rev. Russ Levenson Jr., D.Min. ’92, 36 Center for Anglican Communion Studies rector of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas, preached at the service. 38 Lifelong Learning Photo by Bonnie Jo Mount/The Washington Post via Getty Images 40 Advancing VTS 42 Alumni News & Notes 47 Board of Trustees

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Current VTS students, from all degree programs and all classes, gather on the Moore Terrace outside Immanuel Chapel’s north entrance.

TRAINING FOR THE 21ST CENTURY: Resisting the Temptation to Be too Trendy or too Traditional

The Rev. Melody Knowles, Ph.D., “dilute” the purity of the program. Meanwhile, the vice president of Academic Affairs progressives want a radical, new alternative curriculum. and associate professor of Old Virginia Theological Seminary has decided to avoid these Testament, allowed herself a smile two extremes. Instead, a classic via media emerged. This is a as the faculty finished voting on the curriculum that makes Christ central and equips graduates revised Master in Divinity (M.Div.) to serve the Church effectively. These are the key features of curriculum. It was the culmination the new M.Div.: of a three-year process that • A grounding in the classical subjects—a Biblical included input from alums, current language is still required (it is so important that students, members of the Board of Trustees, and Contextual graduates realize the distance the text traveled when Ministry supervisors. Mitzi Budde, D.Min., head librarian, translated); foundational courses in Old and New had been leading the process; the Rev. James Farwell, Testament have been enlarged; and Theology, Ethics, Ph.D., professor of Theology and Liturgy, had progressed it and History are all still central. during Vice President Knowles sabbatical in 2018. Finally, • An imaginative middler year that makes Field Education at the January 2019 faculty retreat the votes were taken; central. No longer is Field Education just for Sunday the chief academic officer of the Seminary, Melody, had a morning; students are now expected to commit to 24 result. Faculty colleagues had come together; there was a hours a week at their ministry site. consensus about the shape of the curriculum. • An extensive array of contemporary courses. Skills in Christian Education, Pastoral Theology, Mission, and The temptations of our time are the extremes. The Congregational Studies are required to be taught. traditionalists do not want any change. One inch will • Tracks that create options, including two tracks that

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VTS Spring 2019 .indd 4 5/9/19 7:47 AM FROM THE DEAN ’91 MATHES JAMES REV. RT. THE PHOTO:

enable specialization. For the church planter, we have residential theological education. Our placement rates a New Mission Practices Track; for those who want hover at 100%. As the faculty did this important work, to engage with the “nones” (spiritual but not religious we realized that we have an important responsibility. The crowd), we have the Spirituality Track. future of our tradition depends on getting this right. • And an incredible array of electives. We make sure that those interested in specialized questions have space to As this work was finished, I couldn’t help but think take a class in that area—from interreligious (we have of Johann Sebastian Bach. At the end of his musical a Muslim faculty member) to interdisciplinary (from art manuscripts, Bach would add the initials SDG–Soli Deo to community organizing) to cross-cultural engagement Gloria–For the Glory of God Alone. In the end, this is programs (many overseas). always our prayer. May God give us the wisdom to get it right, and may our work glorify God. We remain committed to the work of formation in residence. It is the environment of study that makes all the difference. Yours in Christ, Edges are rubbed off as one shares table fellowship every lunch time; the discipline of daily worship creates a habit that lasts a lifetime; and the network, we know from the Church Pension Fund, creates connections that forge The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D. opportunities both upon graduation and later. Dean and President

Virginia Theological Seminary is currently providing over 25% of the clergy in the Episcopal Church who undergo

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VTS Spring 2019 .indd 5 5/9/19 7:47 AM FACULTY NEWS

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT: MARK JEFFERSON

In celebration of Virginia Theological Seminary’s Bicentennial countdown, the Rev. Mark Jefferson, Ph.D., promoted by the Board of Trustees this May as the full-time assistant professor of Homiletics, accepted Dean Markham’s challenge to preach 200 sermons between October 2018 and October 2023. Here he is in his own words. ’19 EVELYN SHAWN PHOTOS:

THE CHALLENGE: I love to preach, I strategic areas in the country and different places around the world, believe in the teaching of preaching, building relationships with preachers. multiplying our efforts to help and so I was excited that my dean and We have a Lilly Foundation grant strengthen preaching. president had enough confidence in that allows us to build peer-based what we were doing as a homiletics cohort groups. And out of those THE MATH: The math is 40 sermons a department to give me the chance to cohort groups, we’re going to create year. If a church offers two services do this. maps of clergy care that allow people each Sunday, that’s 20 Sundays, and to strengthen their preaching. And so 40 sermons times five is 200. My goal WHY 200 SERMONS: Number one, I’ll visit these places, and then people is that we’ll exceed 200, which means we want to champion preaching have already recommended places that I will have to preach more, but excellence across the Episcopal they hope that we would travel and that’s a joy and not a big deal. tradition and throughout the world. come share the gospel. And then out We hope to do that by going to of that, we will teach preaching in

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BACKGROUND: I’m ordained Baptist. I grew up Pentecostal in different forms of nondenominational. I went to a Methodist Seminary, and I have taught at Baptist, UCC and Presbyterian seminaries. The Episcopal Church is a wonderful experience because it is something that is so different from my general walk of life in terms of my faith commitment. It’s a joy to learn more

about the tradition, which has also ’19 connected me to American history and global history through the BURGESS Anglican tradition. PETE

COMING TO VTS: I was recommended PHOTO: by a homiletics colleague of mine, The Rev. Mark R. Jefferson, Ph.D., the Rev. Allison St. Louis, Ph.D. ’00, the Very Rev. Ian and it just seemed to work out from S. Markham, Ph.D., and the Rev. A. Katherine Grieb, Ph.D. ’83, participated in a lively there. In 2016, VTS was looking discssion at the kick-off of the Continuing Education series in September 2018. for someone to fill in for a professor who served well here and went on to to Pastor Richard Wills. I’ve been urges us to continue to transform and another school. My name was passed around great preachers in terms change through the power of Christ. along and I had an interview, and of practice. Tom Long, Theresa And that’s something I hope that people seemed to like me and here I Fry Brown, and Ted Smith helped we share with preachers around the am. I believe deeply in the mission of shape me academically, so I’ve had world. Not just the preaching, but also the Seminary. I believe in the power an interesting mix of homiletic and the teaching of preachers multiplies of this tradition. I believe in the preaching influences. I just try not to their gifts and talents exponentially. capacity for it to change itself and to shame them. change the world. It has been a joy to AFTER THE 200: I hope that after those see students matriculate through the CHALLENGES: One of the largest 200 sermons, there will be 2,000 entire experience. As a professor, you areas of concern for me is the lack more or 20,000 more. I hope that get a chance to observe your work of confidence in preaching, not the opportunity to share God’s Word, over time and, hopefully when you necessarily by the lay people, but to share hope and to challenge evil get a chance to form students, it by the actual clergy preaching. wherever we find it doesn’t cease after goes well. Unfortunately, I find that for too many 200 or after 500. But I’m committed students and those who practice the to this until the casket drops. INFLUENCES: I had a conversation craft on a weekly basis, because of the with my grandmother last night, repetition and because of the grind To follow Mark’s journey, and to and I told her that she was my first of life, and because of the way in see other opportunities being made homiletics teacher because growing which people are engaged in this kind available during our “Countdown to up with my grandparents early in of secular age, preaching has lost its 200,” please visit www.vts.edu/200. life, my grandmother was in church transformative edge. It becomes more four and five days a week. I’ve had of a form of institutional maintenance. If you would like to have Mark preach great family members, such as my And that is not the purpose of for your congregation, please reach uncle and my grandfather, who have preaching anywhere in the biblical out to Shelagh Casey Brown, director given me more personal mentorship text. My hope and my desire is to be of Alumni and Church Relations, at in terms of the family dynamic. And able to teach preachers and encourage [email protected]. I’ve had the great benefit of being preachers that they have something around world-class preachers from to offer from a transformational Bishop Amos to Pastor Dewey Smith perspective. The Gospel pushes us and

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VTS Spring 2019 .indd 7 5/9/19 7:47 AM FACULTY NEWS The Lasting Impact of the Rev. David Gortner, Ph.D.

By Curtis W. Prather Director of Communications

One of the strengths of Virginia Theological Seminary is our faculty. For 11 years, the Seminary has been blessed with one of the most respected voices in the academy, the Rev. David T. Gortner, Ph.D., who this summer leaves VTS a stronger institution, as he relocates with his family from the Holy Hill to the west coast.

Gortner arrived at VTS in the fall of 2008 after he was appointed the director of the Doctor of Ministry Program and professor of Evangelism and Congregational Leadership. During his nine years in this role, he played a key role in designing a new doctoral degree (the D.Ed.Min.) and increasing the number of doctoral students. “VTS has been enormously enriched by the expertise that David has brought in the areas of Congregational Studies, Leadership, and Evangelism to both our doctoral and master’s-level programs,” said the Rev. Melody Knowles, Ph.D., vice president of Academic Affairs.

A psychologist and priest, Gortner received his Ph.D. in Psychology and Human Development from the University of Chicago; his M.Div. focus in theology from Seabury- Western Theological Seminary; his M.A. in Psychology from Wake Forest University; and his B.A. in Psychology from Wheaton College. Prior to his arrival at VTS, he was the assistant professor of Pastoral Theology and director of the Center for Anglican Learning and Leadership at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific.

In 2015, Gortner became associate dean of Church and Community Engagement at VTS, opening the Seminary up to the local community. Some of his most notable accomplishments in this role include working with Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement (VOICE) to bring people together across religious, racial, ethnic, economic, and political party affiliations to build a stronger Northern Virginia, and partnering with local law enforcement on Police and Clergy breakfasts at VTS. In the summer of 2018, Gortner led VTS’ partnership with nonprofit leaders in the City of Alexandria to launch the

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“Living Wage Program,” an economic justice effort to certify and encourage employers in the city of Alexandria to pay workers about twice the hourly wage required by federal law.

“David Gortner is that lovely blend of an evangelical background with a deep commitment to community activism,” said the Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D., dean and president. “Not only was he the perfect first associate dean of Church and Community Engagement, but he laid the foundation for the TryTank Experimental Lab. All in all, he was impressive and leaves a major legacy for the future.”

Gortner is the author of Transforming Evangelism (Church Publishing, 2008), Varieties of Personal Theology: Charting the Beliefs and Values of American Young Adults (Ashgate, 2013), and “Around One Table” (CREDO and College for Bishops, 2009), an online report on a nationwide study of Episcopal identity. He is also the co-producer of the documentary A Feast in the Desert about young adult ministry approaches. Mitzi Budde, D.Min. Receives David is married to the Very Rev. Heather VanDeventer, dean of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Spokane, Prestigious Ecumenism Award Wash. They have two daughters (pictured left).

On Wednesday, February 27, Mitzi Budde, D.Min., head librarian for the Bishop Payne Library and former president of the North American Association of Ecumenists, received the consortium’s annual Ecumenism Award for 2019 and delivered this year’s Figel Address on Ecumenism titled “Communing with God and One Another: A Theological Apologia for Lived Ecumenism.”

“I am so proud and pleased she will be honored tonight,” said the Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D. in his Dean’s Commentary on February 27. “This lecture will challenge attendees to explore aspects of ecumenism that will deepen every Christian’s life and every congregation’s practice.”

Budde is a leader in National Council of Churches projects on racism and mass incarceration and co- editor and author of numerous books and articles on ecumenical dialogue, ethics, and congregational practice. Before joining the faculty at VTS in 1991, she served as the library director at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary. She is a deacon of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and serves under the call of the ELCA to ecumenical ministry at VTS.

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VTS Spring 2019 .indd 9 5/9/19 7:47 AM In an age of academic overspecialization, Professor Tim Sedgwick has modeled for us another way—an Anglican way—in which the sub-disciplines of theology are integrative and holistically related with one another, even as they draw on the best of anthropology, philosophy, and social theory.

Liturgical ordo and ascetical practices shape the Christian imagination and enact the fundamental virtues of a Christian life; moral theology describes and attests to those virtues; and Scripture and theology attest to the Holy One who calls us out of our small circles of concern into a community of hope. Ethics, before it is about cases and contested goods, is about the formation of capacities for moral discernment in the light of God’s call to a holy life. I am deeply indebted to Tim, my colleague and friend, for this exemplary integration that he has lived out in his long service to theological education.

We are all indebted to him for the cultivation of a superior faculty made up of individuals whose gifts and talents he can enumerate with ease and genuine appreciation. At his retirement, he will be followed by another with his or her own gifts and talents…he will be followed, but he will not be replaced.

THE REV. JAMES W. FARWELL, PH.D. Professor of Theology and Liturgy

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VTS Spring 2019 .indd 10 5/9/19 7:47 AM PRATHER A scholar, a teacher, and a friend:

CURTIS Dr. Timothy F. Sedgwick retires from VTS. PHOTO:

The Academic Journey of TIM SEDGWICK, PH.D. By the Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D. Dean and President

It was sound advice. Dean Martha Horne counseled me served on the Anglican-Roman Catholic (ARC) USA that Dr. Sedgwick would be the perfect appointment as bilateral discussion. And he has been a tireless advocate, the academic dean for Virginia Theological Seminary. supporter, and board member for the Anglican She was right. For the next six years, he made several Theological Review. faculty appointments, took the Seminary through a highly successful self-study and Accreditation visit, and Tim’s academic journey started at Albion College in made sure that this rather ‘green’ dean did not make too Michigan; he then studied for his master’s and Ph.D. many missteps. at Vanderbilt University. His training brings the gift for interconnectivity across disciplines. His scholarly Tim is that perfect combination. He loves the church; work has pioneered the argument that the heart of he loves theological education; and he loves the ethical formation in the Christian (and, in particular, Seminary. He is an important reminder that you don’t the Anglican) tradition is liturgical practice. In his need to be in holy orders to make a difference. In his classic, Sacramental Ethics: Paschal Identity and time, he has been on a vestry and served as a junior the Christian Life (Fortress, 1987), Tim argues that and senior warden (1978-97); he was Vice-chair of the properly understanding the movement of the Eucharist Council for the Development of Ministry (1980-84); he is ethically transformative. The four-fold movement is was involved in the Seminary Consultation on Mission key—proclamation, offering, Great Thanksgiving, and (1982-84); and he served on various task forces—Total dismissal. We hear the Word proclaimed; we respond Ministry (1986-89), Lay Professions (1984-1987), to the Word by offering our prayers, our gifts, and, in Sexual Harassment (1998-2000), End-of-Life Task so doing, ourselves; in the Great Thanksgiving, our Force (1998-2000), Genetics and Ethics (2001-03), and offering is accepted by God; and then as a redeemed CREDO (2003). He has served the academy, rising to people we are dismissed into the world. Our liturgy some prominence in the Society of Christian Ethics. forms us. Our liturgy shapes our self-understanding of His resume also has ecumenical service listed; he our place with each other and with God.

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VTS Spring 2019 .indd 11 5/9/19 7:47 AM As one reads Tim’s academic work, one can see why he is so reads extensively. And he will discuss the nuance of an passionate about theological education. If the world is going argument with anyone. He can be animated, even forceful, to change for the better, then the practice of the Church but there is always a joyful playfulness. The intellectual has a vitally important role to play. Apart from those initial exchange is a privilege. He wants to understand how others three years working in liberal arts colleges (from 1975-78), are reading, say, Charles Taylor’s The Secular Age. And as the rest of his service has been in just two seminaries. From one responds, he will locate or cross-connect the text with 1978 to 1997, he was the professor of Christian Ethics and another, for example, Robert Bellah’s Religion in Human Moral Theology at Seabury-Western Theological Seminary. Evolution. One leaves a conversation with Tim with an During this season, he worked closely with Garrett- extended reading list and with one’s view helpfully modified. Evangelical Theological Seminary. And from 1997 onwards, he was the Clinton S. Quin Professor of Christian Ethics Process matters to Tim. Bringing people along is really here at Virginia Theological Seminary. important. He believes in data-driven decisions. There is a deep wisdom here, even if, I confess, the Dean sometimes His season of service at Virginia Theological Seminary felt that this was needlessly slowing decisions down. But in coincided with intense and heated debates in the Episcopal the same sense in which he is a conscientious scholar, he is Church over human sexuality. Tim took the view that the also a conscientious administrator. He is thorough. He is a affirmation of same-sex intimacy was a legitimate and great believer in striving to get things right the first time. appropriate Christian position. However, he also took the view that the conversation with those who disagree was also Tim would be the first to admit that he owes a deep debt important. A key text that appeared in 1992 was the edited to his wife Martha. They are a delightful couple. They collection of essays entitled The Crisis in Moral Teaching love their daughters; they are enjoying being grandparents. in the Episcopal Church. Tim’s co-editor was Philip Turner, They are both looking forward to this change of pace and a scholar who advocated for the traditional Christian focus. The time has come to move on. This is a transition of position on human sexuality. Two friends across the most celebration. Tim has graced Virginia Theological Seminary contentious divide of the moment came together to clarify for decades. I am one of many in the Seminary (and not just the questions and issues for the Church. Faculty, but students, staff, friends of the Seminary, and countless alums) who want to salute a truly great scholar, This speaks to an important truth about Tim. Friendship teacher, and friend. can transcend disagreement. He loves conversation. He

From the first moment I met Tim a class that they didn’t understand Student Life. All of those we started Sedgwick, I experienced a man who what Dr. Sedgwick was saying. I would with have retired or moved on to other knew what was important in life—family always smile to myself, because I did positions at VTS and elsewhere. “We and faith are foremost, then scholarship understand. Tim is the quintessential did great work,” he said. and cycling. He is always willing to ethicist. He is always thinking about hear what you have to say and is eager all aspects of a topic. The key is to pay Tim will always be one of my dearest to learn from you. It is what makes attention, to listen for the shift, and to friends. We have shared joys and him a wonderful colleague and great not let your mind wander for a second. tragedy, chaos and fun. We have dinner companion, especially if you are Discussing anything with Tim helped figuratively and literally gotten lost and fortunate enough to be invited to a meal me see the many sides of an issue and found our way back. It has all been a with Tim and Martha—great food and I made better decisions after talking blessing. even greater conversation. Tim’s life is things over with him. grounded in his faith in God’s presence AMELIA “AMY” DYER, PH.D. by his faithfulness to the Daily Office. Tim speaks with fondness and respect James Maxwell Professor Emerita of for the wonderful team we had during Christian Education and I often heard students comment after our seven years in Academic Affairs and Pastoral Theology

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VTS Spring 2019 .indd 12 5/14/19 4:10 PM DORR ALIX PHOTO: Tim’s accomplishments and gifts to academia and the church are innumerable and he is deserving of all the recognition he has received; he is also very deserving of recognition as a person and friend. My introduction to Tim and his wife Martha came from my parents many years before I actually met them. According to my father, Tim could successfully park a car in a space that no other human being would even consider. And my mother relished her friendship with Martha.

My own friendship with Tim began first as I sought his counsel and support as I struggled with the light fading from my mother’s mind. Tim knew my parents in a way that I did not, and his ability to use both his theoretical

SHILLINGLAW and experiential knowledge and understanding of the end of life helped both me and my sister through the hardest SUSAN moments with my mother’s dying, and then again as my

PHOTO: father began to leave behind the vital and energetic man we knew.

I will forever be grateful to Tim for bringing Linda Lanam and me together in the 2013 reaccreditation process, for out of that work has grown a deep and abiding friendship.

KATHRYN GLOVER, M.P.A., SHRM-SCP Vice President for Administration and Institutional Effectiveness

Out of the many legacies that Tim the VTS faculty assemble a portfolio surprise and appreciation for our Sedgwick leaves at VTS, the one that of their recent work and invite a process that takes so seriously the ultimately may be the most substantial, senior colleague in the field to come ongoing vocational growth of our might also be the least visible. Hidden to campus for one to two days of tenured faculty. No other school does in the middle of the faculty handbook is conversation about teaching, vocation, the post-tenure review as well as we the description for a post-tenure review and service to the church. Once the do at VTS. Truly, ours seminary and process, designed by Tim when he external conversation partner submits a the Church is strengthened by this served as vice president for Academic written report, the faculty member then thoughtful process that engages the Affairs. writes a reflection on all that has been Faculty in their vocational development learned, and sets in motion the projects at such a deep level. I’m proud and Anyone reading the description in that have been discerned to be most grateful for this gift that Tim leaves at the Faculty handbook will recognize significant for the years ahead. VTS—one that will continue to bear Tim’s emphasis on good process, deep much fruit in the years to come. conversations, and reflection aimed to I have come to expect that, while promote growth. Once every seven years, visiting on campus, the external THE REV. MELODY KNOWLES, PH.D. the most senior members of reviewer will turn to me to express Vice President of Academic Affairs

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VTS Spring 2019 .indd 13 5/9/19 7:47 AM The Ten Year History of the Dean’s Cross

By Linda Dienno Vice President for Institutional Advancement

The Rev. J. Barney Hawkins IV, Ph.D. Co-Director of the Bicentennial Campaign and The Arthur Carl Lichtenberger Professor Emeritus of Pastoral Theology PRATHER CURTIS PHOTO:

The Rev. Prof. Mark A. McIntosh (center), 2018 Dean’s Cross recipient, surrounded by his family at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Evanston, IL.

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7:47 AM ON HOLY HILL

DEAN’S CROSS RECIPIENTS Listed here are the 30 servant leaders December 8, 2013 who have been honored by Virginia Dr. Eben Alexander III Theological Seminary to date. The Rev. Dr. Canon Michele V. Hagans February 15, 2009 Mrs. Octavia “Tay” Wood Cooper December 7, 2014 The Rev. Canon Harold T. Lewis, The Honorable Madeleine K. Albright Ph.D., D.D., D.C.L Mr. Wendell Berry VTS CAMPUS OPENED UP Fr. Jesus Antonio Rojas DURING GOVERNMENT December 6, 2009 SHUTDOWN The Rt. Rev. Carolyn Tanner Irish ’83, December 6, 2015 During the partial government ’97 Mrs. Barbara Bush shutdown this winter that impacted Mr. David R. Pitts Mr. Robert E. Frye thousands across the country, Mr. Stanley B. Hubbard Jr. Virginia Theological Seminary December 5, 2010 offered space for respite and Mr. Alfred Rives Berkeley III January 6, 2017 rejuvenation for all furloughed Mrs. Muriel Van Dusen Berkeley The Rev. Douglas Hiza ’63 federal employees by inviting Mrs. Phoebe W. Griswold Mrs. Joan Hiza them to come visit and worship in Archbishop Paul Kwong our chapel, study and read in the December 11, 2011 Heather Zdancewicz Bishop Payne Library, and enjoy a Mr. Rowan LeCompte free lunch in our Refectory. The Rev. Dr. Joseph Walter Lund ’91 December 3, 2017 Ms. Sissy Poland Maj. Gen. Charles Frank Bolden Jr. “Virginia Theological Seminary Mr. Lonnie Hamilton has long been known as a place December 9, 2012 for quiet reflection, healing, and The Rev. Dr. Russell J. Levenson Jr. December 9, 2018 spiritual growth,” said Dean ’92 David Booth Beers, Esquire Markham during the announcement The Ven. Charles B. Tachau ’63 Susan Howatch in January. “We gladly invite all Ms. Delois Burney Ward The Rev. Prof. Mark A. McIntosh affected by the shutdown to join in our communal daily life and receive nourishment of body and soul.”

In addition to opening up the campus during this time, VTS was in communication with the network of services in the local area and supported efforts to provide rent relief, utility payments, and medical bill assistance. Instrumental in VTS’ efforts was the Rev. Jon Musser, program assistant for the Office of Church and Community Relations.

The Rev. Ian Lasch ’18, the Rev. Ragan Sutterfield ’16, Wendell Berry (2014 Dean’s Cross recipient), the Rev. Robin Denney ’17, and Dean Markham.

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A Two Woman Hamlet By the Rev. Ann Gillespie ’07 Consultant for Ministry and the Arts ’19 As the Consultant for Ministry and the Arts, I was tasked by Dean Markham to use our beautiful seminary BURGESS spaces in creative and welcoming ways as well as to bring

PETE more art to campus. In the fall of 2018, we brought in a world-premiere theatrical production from Durham, PHOTO: N.C. called Lady Misrule which was staged in the Lettie Pate Evans Multi-Purpose Room. On March 1 and 2, we presented the second dramatic offering of the program year, A Two Woman Hamlet.

No matter how many different versions of Hamlet you’ve seen, you’ve never seen it like this: Two women, actresses Hannah Day Sweet and Nicola Collett, armed with nothing (L-R): Director Mara Sherman with actors Nicola Collett and but a fake skull, a real shovel, and a lot of imagination, Hannah Day Sweet during the post-performance Q&A. brought fresh life to Shakespeare’s classic play. Conceived along with the actresses, this version of the script was directed by our very own Mara Sherman, administrative “Ingenious... a production coordinator of Doctoral Programs. We’re so glad that VTS is her day job as we were the beneficiaries of her inspiration whose approach is all and talent transforming Scott Lounge into a versatile theater space with great acoustics and its own pub. By assigning about turning limits into props and pieces of clothing to signal different characters, the two women portrayed the entire tragedy with gravitas opportunities.” and hilarity.

—The Washington Post Both shows delighted students, faculty, and the community with sell-out crowds. Stay tuned for more information about what’s next. The play’s the thing!

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’19 The VTS MLK Chapel team, including the Very Rev. Kelly Brown Douglas, Ph.D. (second from left), before the service on April 4. BURGESS PETE PHOTO:

VTS Commemorates the Martyrdom of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. For the 13th year, VTS commemorated the martyrdom of Fentress-Williams offered a definition of “intersectionality” the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a series of events as “the recognition of the simultaneity of multiple social designed to celebrate and honor his life and legacy. identities within interlocking systems of oppression.... People experience all ways and at once their gender, race, “The themes of this annual two day commemoration are sexual identity, ability, age, social class, nation, and always important, but perhaps at this time in American religion. These are intertwined identities, and they locate history they are more important than ever,” said the Very us in relation to structures of power and domination.... Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D. “The Seminary recognizes that Intersectionality is a problem solving approach that this work of justice is fundamental and completely gospel. highlights multiple identities. Which means, at any given We have two exceptional speakers who will invite us to time we have multiple relations to power—that we can be think ever more deeply about ourselves, our church, and the oppressed and the oppressor at the same time.”1 our country.” She continued, “You are never just a woman. You are never Organized by the Office of Multicultural Ministries at just a person of color. You are never just queer. You are VTS, the commemoration began on Wednesday, April never just poor. You are always all of these things.” 3, with keynote speaker, the Rev. Judy Fentress-Williams, Ph.D., professor of Old Testament at VTS and director Author of Ruth (Abingdon Press, 2012), Fentress-Williams of Christian Education at Alfred Street Baptist Church in received her Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible from Yale University Alexandria, Va., with her powerful and provocative lecture in 1999. She earned her master’s from Yale Divinity School “Remembering Dinah and her Sisters: The Black Church and in 1990 and her A.B. in English from Princeton University the ‘Me Too’ Movement.” with certificates in African-American Studies and American Studies in 1984. Prior to her appointment at VTS, she was In discussing what it means to read ancient text through a member of the faculty of Hartford Seminary from 1994- the context of black feminists and Womanist Theology, Dr. 2002 as professor of Hebrew Bible.

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Kelly Brown Douglas Judy Fentress-Williams PRATHER CURTIS PHOTOS:

The Rev. Kimberly Jackson ’10, from the diocese of Atlanta, asks a question during the lecture on April 3.

VTS Commemorates the Martyrdom of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. On Thursday, April 4, VTS offered a special community away—‘you who are without sin,’ he said, ‘cast the first Eucharist observing the Feast of Dr. King on the 51st stone’—indeed his ministry was defined by what it meant to anniversary of his martyrdom. The Very Rev. Kelly Brown be a stone catcher for he was a stone catcher for Samaritans, Douglas, dean of the Episcopal Divinity School at Union lepers, the blind, the lame, all those whose sacred humanity Theological Seminary and professor of Theology at Union, was assaulted.” was our guest preacher. Ordained as an Episcopal priest in 1983, Douglas holds Douglas serves as the canon theologian at the Washington a master’s degree in theology and a Ph.D. in systematic National Cathedral and theologian in residence at Trinity theology from Union. She is also the author of five books Church Wall Street. Prior to Union, Dean Douglas served including Sexuality and the Black Church: A Womanist as professor of religion at Goucher College where she held Perspective (Orbis Books, 1999) and Stand Your Ground: the Susan D. Morgan Professorship of Religion and is now Black Bodies and the Justice of God (Orbis Books, 2015). professor emeritus. Before that, she was associate professor of Theology at Howard University School of Divinity and This fall, VTS Press will publish a special journal assistant professor of Religion at Edward Waters College. highlighting several important lectures and sermons delivered during the 2018-19 academic year, including “In this world and nation that is ours, stones are constantly both from this year’s MLK commemoration. For more being cast, even from the highest offices in our land,” said information, please email [email protected]. Douglas. “To be a people who bear the cross, is to be not a people who cast stones, but rather a people who catch stones, a people who catch the stones that are hurled against the sacred dignity of our very humanity…VTS community, Jesus was a stone catcher for the woman 1 Intersectional Theology: An Introductory Guide (Fortress Press, who was attacked for adultery as he turned her attackers Minneapolis, 2018) by Grace Ji-Sun Kim and Susan Shaw. “

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VTS Spring 2019 .indd 19 5/9/19 7:47 AM ACADEMIC AFFAIRS & STUDENT LIFE MAZE BRIAN PHOTO:

Pathway to Ministry By Derek Greten-Harrison, Director of Admissions and Financial Aid

Virginia Theological Seminary is • participate in a structured or Diploma). Any of these three proud to announce the launch of program of discernment; degree/diploma options is open to any Pathway to Ministry, a new academic • are eligible to receive the Diploma student in the program regardless of program offering one tuition-free year in Theology at the end of one year, canonical status. of study to students who have not with the option to continue for yet engaged a discernment process a second year (earning a Master Pathway to Ministry is tuition-free but wish to pursue formal theological of Arts degree), or stay for a for the first year and includes an education in an academically rigorous third year (earning the Master in additional $5,000 stipend. If a student and spiritually nurturing environment. Divinity degree). wishes to continue for a second or third year, he/she may apply for VTS “This is a way of ‘putting your toes’ During their tenure at VTS, Pathway financial aid following the standard into the waters of academic training,” to Ministry students will have guidelines for all other master’s-level said the Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, the option of engaging a diocesan programs. The program is limited to Ph.D. “We want to provide a space ordination process. If through this a maximum of eight students per year. to enable people to discern about work a student and diocese determine Applications will be considered on a God’s plans for their lives. This is the a call to ordained ministry, the student rolling basis. Seminary’s gift to the hard work of can move through the rest of the discernment.” ordination process and complete For more information or to the Master in Divinity degree in apply, please contact the Office of During this year at VTS, students: three years. If a student and diocese Admissions and Financial Aid at • enroll in a selection of courses conclude that ministry will be as [email protected]. that provides a well-rounded a lay person, the student may then foundation of theological choose how best to move forward knowledge; with formation (i.e., M.Div., M.A.,

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VTS Spring 2019 .indd 20 5/9/19 7:47 AM ACADEMIC AFFAIRS & STUDENT LIFE

EXPANDED FINANCIAL AID: Free Tuition, Free Housing, Free Meal Plan

Virginia Theological Seminary is delighted to announce “With this step, VTS has made it possible for students to an expanded and simplified financial aid application and attend seminary without taking out educational loans to award process that will allow anyone with assets less than cover tuition, room, or board,” said the Rt. Rev. James R. $200,000 (excluding one’s primary home and retirement Mathes, associate dean of students. “Most students should savings) to have the costs of education covered. be able to graduate from VTS debt-free.”

“Expanding and simplifying our financial aid packages is Students must apply for financial aid to be considered for an investment in the future of the Episcopal Church,” said this award package. Assets to be considered for the Cost Dean Markham. “Many institutions are going tuition-free, of Residency requirement are: cash and cash equivalents, but we are going tuition-free, housing-free, meal plan-free, stocks, bonds, and real estate holdings. Primary residence and making a substantial contribution to health care.” and pension/retirement accounts will not be considered. Cost of Residency categories are defined as follows: This move, effective immediately, will help the Seminary • Single students: $24,200; reach its goal of making theological education accessible to • Students living in a one-bedroom apartment: $34,100; all. Every full-time student applying for financial aid for Fall • Students living in a two-bedroom apartment: $36,500; 2019 with a combined adjusted gross income (single/family) • Students living in a three-bedroom apartment or house: less than $150,000 annually and combined assets less than $38,900; eight times the respective Cost of Residency category (see • Students who cannot live on campus and live in rented below) will receive a package that includes: off-campus accommodations: $41,300. • tuition; • housing; “We are thrilled to be able to offer such comprehensive • meal plan; and scholarship packages to our students and to make • a maximum contribution of $4,000 towards health theological education accessible for all,” said Jacqueline care costs for those selecting the VTS-sponsored health Ballou, CPA, M.B.A., vice president for Finance and insurance plan. Operations.

Any student electing to live off campus when on-campus housing is available will not be eligible for housing accommodation but will be eligible to receive an award to cover tuition, fees, and meal plan. Each student will be required to present an annual budget of living expenses.

“Student debt has become a multi- generational burden,” added Dean Markham. “VTS is in a fortunate position to make a difference. This is the right thing to do.” MAZE

BRIAN For more information, please reach out to our admissions office at [email protected]. PHOTO:

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VTS Spring 2019 .indd 21 5/9/19 7:47 AM BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

This is an exciting time at VTS. The future is under construction!

By the Rev. J. Barney Hawkins IV, Ph.D., Co-Director of the Bicentennial Campaign and The Arthur Carl Lichtenberger Professor Emeritus of Pastoral Theology

The Board of Trustees, in consultation with the inequality, that injustice. While the employees of the VTS Administration, has decided that our two remaining kitchen are not VTS employees, we should at least provide Assyrian Reliefs, along with the replica Relief of the the best working conditions possible for these faithful souls. Bearded Genius (for which Christie’s Auction House paid This renovation will insure such a venue for work and food as part of their contractual agreement with the Seminary), preparation. will be housed in Key Hall. These priceless treasures of our world’s heritage deserve a place of honor. Key Hall will not What Is Going on Now? become a museum. Rather, it will be a place of beauty for Key Hall construction is underway. The old, original floor classes, lectures, workshops, special conferences, liturgics did not have adequate structural integrity to support the practicums, and special events. It is likely that Key Hall will two original Reliefs and the replica Relief. Likewise, the old be renamed “Bicentennial Hall” as the Seminary prepares floor could not carry the weight of the Reliefs as they are for its 200th birthday and a new century of leadership in moved into the building. The old floor has been removed Christ’s name. and replaced with a structurally sound, poured-concrete floor. That floor was poured in mid-March and scaffolding The Addison Academic Center is an outdated educational has been installed on top of it to allow for the remainder of hub. Teaching has changed dramatically over the last 50 the interior renovation work. At the same time, the exhibit years. Our renovated Addison, within the existing footprint, fabricator has been hired and they are engineering the will accommodate new methods of teaching, new models complicated, secure case for the two original Reliefs. We are of technology, and the reality of the worldwide internet. targeting a late-fall 2019 project completion. Work will commence as the Doctor of Ministry program concludes this summer. We hope to be back in Addison by The Refectory/Scott Lounge/1823/Kitchen renovation is the spring of 2020. Lifelong Learning will have a brand- nearly ready for construction. Bids are in, and they are new home and our classrooms will have a helpful facelift. within budget. Plans are with the City of Alexandria permit Our new Immanuel Chapel reminds us daily that the “life office. The general contractor, WhitingTurner (which also of faith” matters. The newly outfitted Addison Academic built the Chapel), is ordering materials so that construction Center will remind us in the days to come that the “life of can start at the end of the spring semester. The the mind” in Anglicanism can never be taken for granted. Refectory/Scott Lounge/1823/ Kitchen is currently scheduled The Refectory/Scott Lounge/1823/Kitchen will also receive for completion in October 2019, a much-needed facelift. Actually, the worn-out kitchen will and we will pin down that date be totally new, modern, and well-equipped to serve the once we have a permit and hospitality and residential needs of VTS. In many ways, begin work. updating the kitchen is a justice issue, pure and simple. For too long, the lowest-paid workers on campus have had the worst working conditions. It is time to rectify that PHOTO: ROBERT AM STERN ARCHITECTS PHOTO: ROBERT

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The TryTank Announces First Success This is an exciting time at VTS. The future is under construction! with the Episcopal Prayer Alexa Skill

By the Rev. J. Barney Hawkins IV, Ph.D., Co-Director of the Bicentennial Campaign and Virginia Theological Seminary announces this The Arthur Carl Lichtenberger Professor Emeritus of Pastoral Theology spring the first “success” with the TryTank Experimental Lab: the Alexa Skill Episcopal Renovation work for the Addison Academic Center is just a Prayer app. halfbeat behind the Refectory. Construction documents are underway, going to permit and bid last April. Classes will A joint project with General Seminary, the continue until early July; then, the Flamingo will move to TryTank initiative works to help identify its temporary home (the Wilderness) and construction will creative ways to equip future leaders to begin. Occupancy is tentatively scheduled for spring 2020, reinvigorate the church. The Episcopal Prayer but again, we will know more once we have a permit and a Alexa Skill will greet and then guide participants through the general contractor under contract. prayer for the day once it is downloaded and activated with the greeting, “Alexa, open Episcopal Prayer.” What Does all this Construction Mean for our Community Life? “Research proves that people who engage with scripture We are determined to keep our community informed as we regularly (at least four times a week) are happier, more go through this confusion, chaos, and change. There will generous, and even more civic-minded citizens,” said Dean be an unavoidable stress upon the “system.” We pray that Markham, regarding the theory behind the Alexa Skill. “We regular communication will help. To that end, please note hope that it also translates into more church attendance. these important dates: And it is pretty cool that the Episcopal Church can claim a place in this high-tech landscape.” The last day of operation during renovations for 1823 was May 15, with an event at 1823 on May 10 for friends, The TryTank, led by the Rev. Lorenzo Lebrija, currently has neighbors, and the VTS family to mark the transition and 16 experiments in different stages, including a total of nine construction. 1823 has become a venerable institution of in active mode, four in development mode, one in post- VTS. It will return post-construction! experiment evaluation mode, and two on hold. With all of the announced experiments, they anticipate working with The last day of operation for the Refectory for the some 180 congregations across the country. community was May 16. There will be no lunch provided for employees from Friday, May 17, to Sunday, August 4. You can see the full list of experiments on the TryTank Lunch services will resume Monday, August 5, for students, website (www.trytank.org), and you can see their progress faculty, and staff in an alternative location on campus. each week by subscribing to their newsletter on the same site. Every Monday, subscribers get an insider’s view of Updates will continue in future issues of the Virginia their work. Theological Seminary Magazine and online at www.vts.edu/200.

Construction within Key Hall

www.vts.edu PHOTO: SEAN M. REGAN, MANAGING DIRECTOR, REGAN ASSOCIATES LLC 23

VTS Spring 2019 .indd 23 5/9/19 7:48 AM SCENE AT VTS

AUGUST / Labor Day Picnic SEPTEMBER / Beginning of academic year

OCTOBER / Prayer & Praise band / Halloween Parade posing / Alumni Dinner piano playing PICTURES IN

Fall Visit Day / Baptism DECEMBER / Lessons and Carols / Employee Christmas Luncheon party YEAR A

JANUARY / Lifelong Learning spiritual retreat / Doctoral Thesis Defense MARCH / The Ordination of Rev. Guimond Pierre Louis

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VTS Spring 2019 .indd 24 5/9/19 7:48 AM SCENE AT VTS A YEAR

SEPTEMBER / Beginning of academic year TheoCon

IN

OCTOBER / Prayer & Praise band / Halloween Parade posing / Alumni Dinner piano playing NOVEMBER / CCEPs (Cross-Cultural Exchange Programs) Eucharist PICTURES

DECEMBER / Lessons and Carols / Employee Christmas Luncheon party

MARCH / The Ordination of Rev. Guimond Pierre Louis APRIL / Martin Luther King Jr. remembrance

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VTS Spring 2019 .indd 25 5/9/19 7:48 AM CATHEDRAL NATIONAL WASHINGTON / THOMAS E. DANIELLE PHOTO:

The Unique, Historical Perspective of Russ Levenson ’92

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VTS Spring 2019 .indd 26 5/9/19 7:48 AM The Unique, Historical Perspective of Russ Levenson ’92

By the Rev. J. Barney Hawkins IV, Ph.D. Co-director of the Bicentennial Campaign and the Arthur Carl Lichtenberger Professor Emeritus of Pastoral Theology

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VTS Spring 2019 .indd 27 5/9/19 7:48 AM Most of us who offer pastoral care and who also preach struggle with the potential confusion of roles between pastoral office and political power. There is, of course, in the Church the “freedom” to challenge or resist political authority. How does one wear well the exercise of that freedom? Does that “freedom” need always to be confrontational?

The Collect for The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist in the Book of Common Prayer is helpful as we understand the intersection of faith and politics.

Almighty God, by whose providence thy servant John the Baptist was wonderfully born, and sent to prepare the way of thy Son our savior by preaching repentance: Make us so to follow his doctrine and holy life, that we may truly repent according to his preaching; and after his example constantly speak the truth, boldly rebuke vice, and patiently suffer for the truth’s sake; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit one God, for ever and ever. Amen

The Rev. Russ Levenson, Jr., D.Min., Class of 1992, stood in the Canterbury pulpit of the Washington National Cathedral to honor George Herbert Walker Bush and to preach the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. It was a pristine example of pastoral office meeting political power, of faith interpreting politics. When Russ preached at the “family” service at St. Martin’s in Houston, he offered a less formal “truth.” In both sermons and over that week of remembrances, Russ kept in mind the things which matter. He was a pastor to a family which has given a great deal to our nation. He was ministering to people who went to church! Yet, it was indeed a political moment full of political power.

George Herbert Walker Bush was named for the Anglican Divine George Herbert. Perhaps Russ was well-served as he recalled the centrality of Christ in his pastoral office and with the political power of the occasion. It was Herbert who said in the poem “Aaron:”

Christ is my onely head, My alone onely heart and breast, My onely musick, striking me ev’n dead; That to the old man I may rest, And be in him new drest.

Thank you, Russ, for your reflections, for your witness, for your faith.

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VTS Spring 2019 .indd 28 5/9/19 7:48 AM The Most Rev. Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop, center; Washington National Cathedral Dean The Very Rev. Randy CATHEDRAL Hollerith, second from left; and the Rev. Russell Levenson Jr., D.Min. ’92 far right, rector of President George H.W. NATIONAL Bush’s Houston congregation, perform the commendation near the end of Bush’s Dec. 5 funeral. The Rev. Canon

WASHINGTON Rosemarie Logan Duncan ’05, far / left, the cathedral’s canon for worship, holds the crozier for Washington Bishop

THOMAS Mariann Budde ’88, who cannot be E. seen between Hollerith and Curry. The Rev. Canon Charles Robertson ’93, canon to the presiding bishop for DANIELLE Ministry beyond the Episcopal Church, stands between Curry and Levenson PHOTO: holding the presiding bishop’s primatial staff.

You will remember 2018 as the year of “state” funerals. and how he and Barbara would personally “take care” of You had the distinct honor of preaching and commending us. That proved to be true. When my mother died a few former First Lady Barbara Bush to God’s safekeeping; years later, one of the first notes I got was an email from the and then twice you preached at the funerals for former President in which he reminded me, “The strife is over, the President George Herbert Walker Bush. Please set this in battle won.” context for us. Why were you chosen? In what way did you know the Bush family? This gets to your role as pastor Once we moved to Houston, we were invited to the Bush’s before preacher. The Bushes were Church people, not home many times, out to eat. I recall on our first time out Christmas/Easter fans. to dinner, at a local Houston restaurant, I will confess I was a bit star struck. I kept asking Laura, “What are we doing Before I was called to St. Martin’s in 2007, here?” Within 30 minutes, they put us at ease. Toward the RL: Laura, our three children, and I were living end of dinner, Laura and Bar were dipping their spoons in Pensacola, where I was finishing out my days as Rector together into a shared dessert. They had us as guests for of Christ Church Parish. As with any call, this one came concerts, the theater, and movies. Our children and Laura with some mixed feelings as we were geographically very and I were their guests in Kennebunkport several times over close to our parents, many family members, and lots of the years. I think it is fair, and honest, to say we became lifetime friends. I was leaving the house one morning, when friends. I suppose between Laura and me, we have dozens I got a call at home. It was President Bush welcoming my and dozens of letters and emails from the President and wife, our children, and me to my new role. Somehow he Barbara. I should note, she did not like to be called “Mrs. learned that the move meant pulling away from an area of Bush,” and required that we call her either Barbara or “Bar.” the country where we had loved ones. Within weeks, he I never called the President by his first name, unless I was had handwritten letters to both sets of our parents, telling praying with him or for him—it was always Mr. President— them how happy he was that we were moving to Houston he did not make any adjustment to that!

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VTS Spring 2019 .indd 29 5/9/19 7:48 AM They were extraordinarily involved in the life of St. Let us talk about the ways you prepared for these great Martin’s. It was their home parish for over 50 years. The occasions. Let us start with Barbara Bush. How was that President and Barbara both taught Sunday School. Their service constructed? How did you prepare to write the children were active in Sunday School, in the Acolyte sermon? In some ways, this invites you to think about your Corps, in the Children’s Pageant (though Barbara liked own spiritual life. to say they got picked because the President had just been elected to his first term as vice president!). The I will confess to you that in my 11 years President served as an usher and was often serving coffee RL: of service, I saw the President and Barbara to members on Sunday mornings. Barbara was deeply bounce back from severe illness more times than I could committed to our “Saintly Stitchers,” (really until weeks count. I began to think that serving at their funeral services before her death). This group hand stitches the covers would fall to my successor. But because of the many details for virtually all the pews at St. Martin’s (a work still in associated with both services, planning began almost as process). When I was instituted in January of 2008, they soon as I arrived at St. Martin’s. One time, I was meeting were heavily involved. But as it came together, I also with members of his staff at his office in Houston, and he realized it was their wedding anniversary (January 6). I came in and said, “So, are you all planning for my death! publicly shared that surely they had something better to do Well, don’t get out your harps anytime soon!” As the years than go to Church on their anniversary. By their presence, increased, we gave greater attention to the details—lessons, they proved otherwise. hymns, music, eulogists, readers. Things changed much over the years (some things were shifting only weeks before their Several years ago, when we began a $25 million building deaths). But I think it is important to say that they wanted campaign to expand our facilities and broaden our service a straightforward Episcopal burial office. I had no piece to the community, I started with a visit to the Bush home. in the planning of many of the “state” and/or “military” Laura came along and when we arrived, the President portions of the services, but working with the Bushes, and greeted us. He said, “Barbara will join us later...she hates also President Bush (43), it was my privilege to design talking about money things!” I gave a full explanation both the liturgies for the services at National Cathedral and then asked if he and Barbara would be willing to and, of course, here in Houston. One of my real privileges serve as honorary co-chairs. He said, of course they would, was working with the staff at the National Cathedral—the then smiled and added, “So who will be asking me for Dean, his Vicar, and Canon for worship were all intricately the money?” I said, “Well, I guess that would be me, Mr. involved—and I think we all knew the importance of this President!” He laughed and said, “We’re in!” moment and opportunity that was being entrusted to us.

They did not wear their faith on their sleeves, but they I have actually developed distant friendships with the were neither reticent for it to take center stage. I was Rev. Robert Certain who preached at President Ford’s often invited by the President to offer a prayer at special memorial service and Senator John Danforth, who is also occasions associated with his presidency, including the an Episcopal priest, who preached at President Reagan’s 10th anniversary of his Presidential Library and the 20th service. I had consulted with both of them numerous times anniversary of the Liberation of Kuwait. over the years for their insight.

That is how they treated their life at St. Martin’s. They were As for the sermons (one for Barbara in Houston, and the always “in,” and always supportive. They attended virtually two for President Bush in D.C. and here in Houston), I every week, unless travel or their health got in the way. And, began with prayer. I think it is fair to say that I soaked them of course, when their health declined, I would visit with in prayer. They both had significant health challenges in the them at home or the hospital. Laura would join me most winter of 2016, so I actually took three days off, traveled to times, and we would talk, share communion, and I would the beach, and wrote my first drafts there. Once they were always anoint their heads with oil and pray for their health. complete, I shared them with President Bush (43), Secretary Serving as their pastor has become one of the greatest James Baker, and Secretary Baker’s speechwriter, a fellow privileges of my life. The most amazing thing to me? It named John Williams here in Houston. I asked for feedback seems everyone who knew them felt the same way—they not so much on content, but on length and quality. They treated everyone with the utmost respect. I think everyone gave me great direction. thought they were their best friend—and perhaps they were—they just had a million best friends. I knew others would be speaking about their roles as family members and as civic and national leaders. I felt it fell to me

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VTS Spring 2019 .indd 30 5/9/19 7:48 AM The flag-draped casket of former

HUMPHREY President George H.W. Bush is carried by a joint services military honor guard to a hearse during a funeral for the former president at St. Martin’s PHOTO/MARK Episcopal Church on Thursday, Dec. 6, AP 2018, in Houston. PHOTO:

to speak primarily of their faith. And since I witnessed that their faith and the certainty both of them had in what rests faith so much over the years, the challenge was not finding beyond the grave for the followers of Jesus. things to say, but working to say less, while at the same time saying more. They both loved humor so I did not shy Now, we come to the sermon in the Canterbury Pulpit at away from including some of that in the sermons. the Washington National Cathedral. You had the eyes of the world on you. How does one prepare for that moment? But they loved their church—the Episcopal Church. They You were speaking to the “powers and principalities” of loved their Lord and they knew the Lord loved them. I was this world. What was going through your mind? Perhaps with both of them at the time of death—and they were both the most touching moment was the sharing of the story of so ready. I felt it was an important opportunity to speak of Secretary Baker and former President Bush. It was very

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VTS Spring 2019 .indd 31 5/9/19 7:48 AM moving. Were you aware when you wrote those sentences their wings, and have become dear friends. We too, have that they would be so powerful? The words were truly witnessed their commitment to the church and their faith, inspired. For Christians, your words brought to life the and he has served as a counselor to me and a special advisor time Jesus washed the feet of the disciples. to the vestry during my entire tenure. He and his wife are very special friends to us and, frankly, we hold them both It was a tremendous honor, but I have a deep in the highest of esteem. They are truly fine, wonderful, RL: trust in the power of prayer. I had only two Christian people who, like the Bushes, love their Church, primary purposes in mind—to lift up and celebrate the life the Episcopal Church, and their Lord. and faith of President Bush, and to lift up the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His love for us. I had asked many of my A few days before the President died, we had what could friends to pray that I would do that—only that. You, Barney, be called a “scare.” Several of us went to the house and were one of those friends, as was Ian Markham. Fleming were there for probably four or five hours and then (as he Rutledge has become a friend and mentor to me over the often did!), he rallied. But Secretary and Mrs. Baker were years, and I asked for her prayers and also counsel. But I there the entire time. Two days later, however, I received a had scores of friends and family members praying for me. call from Evan Sisley, who had served as chief medic and personal aide to President and Mrs. Bush, telling me we You may recall that during the service, I held up a plaque were now at the end. When I arrived at the home, Susan that President Bush gave me years ago with Francis’ words, Baker was sitting next to the President with her eyes closed “Preach Christ at all times, if necessary, use words.” I and her hands on his arm, praying for him. This she did for could feel Paul’s injunction on my heart, “Woe to me, if hours. I do not preach the Gospel...,” (I Cor. 9:16). If I did not take that opportunity at that moment, I think I would As I shared in my homily, I sat with Secretary Baker on have failed in my role as an Episcopal priest, and I would a nearby sofa for some time. He pointed at the President have squandered an opportunity to lift up our great and said, “That man changed my life.” And he went on to denomination, and our faith. A few moments before we recall not only the President’s “tapping him” to serve in his processed in, the Presiding Bishop pulled me aside and said, administration, but also their lifelong friendship and how “I want to pray for you...“ He made the sign of the cross on both helped Secretary Baker come out of a deep season of my forehead, then laid his hands on my head and prayed sadness after the death of his first wife, Mary Stuart, to for me, and then he said, “Now...go preach the Gospel.” As cancer. we were lining up to come in for the procession, I saw that Bishop Budde had stepped up behind me, was bowing her Shortly after that is when he got up and just stood at head and holding out her hand behind my back, praying the foot of the bed, rubbing and stroking the President’s for me. No preacher could ask for any more confirmation feet. And as I said in my homily, all I could think of was about the task before him or her at that moment. I had no Jesus washing His disciples’ feet. Here was a “sermon in other option but to do what I felt called to do. During the action;” no words—just doing exactly what Jesus told His anthem before my homily, I knelt on the bottom step below disciples to do—serve others. As I said in the homily, I was the pulpit and prayed that I would be faithful, and thanked witnessing a world leader who was serving a servant who God for the prayers being offered for me at that moment. had been our world’s leader. It truly was a moment I will never forget. Needless to say, that was added to the homily As for the moment with Secretary Baker, I think perhaps, after I had prepared my text. But I called Secretary Baker Barney, that was one of the most moving moments in my and asked him permission to share the story. Honestly, I do life. Allow me to preface my response by sharing just a few not think either of us thought it would have the impact it things. My mentor, John Claypool, used to say, “History did. But I am very grateful that he allowed me to share it. turns on slim hinges.” During my seminary days (1989- 1992), I was serving at Christ Church in Old Town with When it became apparent that we were right at the end, the Mark Anshutz. One morning between services, a black family, members of the staff and Secret Service, Evan, the limousine pulled up and out came Secretary Baker (then President’s family physician, we all—all of us— knelt. I was serving as Secretary of State under President Bush). I was next to Secretary Baker and he was holding the President’s the only one in the churchyard and he came up and said, hand. I anointed his head with oil and offered prayers at the “I’m here for the baptism of my grandchild!” It was our first time of death. We were all very quiet as he left this life for and only meeting until I came to Houston. Since that time, the next. Barney, it was one of the saddest moments of my he and his wife Susan, much like the Bushes, took us under ministry as this world lost an incredible man who, frankly,

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had changed not one life, but untold millions. At the and to make sure it was in line with what they had hoped same time, it was a peaceful, gentle death and a beautiful would be said. I also gave the final version to my best and beginning to his new life. favorite critic—my wife.

One challenge in these moments is to make sure that For the last 11 years, in planning for these services, I you don’t overlap with all the other remembrances being have worked very closely with Jean Becker, President offered. Was there any behind the scenes collaboration Bush’s chief of staff, who has become a dear friend. My around texts? Did you have to share your text with contact with the government was Mike Wagner, who anyone? Who was the contact person in government and at is the chief of national events planning for Joint Force the National Cathedral? Headquarters, and who coordinated musical support for President Nixon’s State Funeral in 1994 and coordinated Yes...actually. I do not mean to be distasteful, all military support for the State Funerals of Presidents RL: but I knew in the service for Barbara, and Reagan in 2005 and Ford in 2006. And, of course, we had also the services for President Bush, that I was last up to a tremendous amount of coordination on issues around bat. So I submitted my remarks to members of the staffs of security, so members of my staff and I would meet with President Bush 41 and 43, all of whom did have a role in members of the Secret Service and local law enforcement the details around the services. Interestingly enough, there agencies on a regular basis over the last decade. At the were only one or two places where my remarks overlapped service at the National Cathedral, I worked closely with and I deleted those. A lot of wonderful friendships have Dean Randy Hollerith; the Vicar, the Rev. Canon Jan sprung out of our friendship with the Bushes and that Cope; and the Canon for Worship, the Rev. Canon Rose includes with the President’s children—Neil Bush, Governor Duncan. All of them were so warm, welcoming and Jeb Bush, and his daughter, Doro Koch. I shared my helpful. It was just a real blessing to serve alongside them. remarks with them prior to the services for any feedback

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VTS Spring 2019 .indd 33 5/9/19 7:48 AM Once back home in Houston, you preached again for President Bush, who was considering how to respond to the President. How does one write two different sermons Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait, “Remember George, for the same person? In many ways, the sermon at the this is no time to go wobbly.” Fleming said the same to National Cathedral was very public; the other sermon at me—that I was being given a unique opportunity to lift up St. Martin’s was very much for the family and for their our faith to a watching world. I thought of that also as I many friends. Which was the more difficult sermon to climbed into the pulpit. Her email of affirmation was one of write and give? the first I received when the service was over.

As we headed “back home,” I think the Finally, it is clear that you had the Book of Common RL: intensity of the week began to subside a bit. By Prayer (BCP) as your companion in the liturgies which then, Laura and I had been with the family for days, and were constructed. We believe that the rite for The Burial we had a number of military services associated with the of the Dead in the BCP is one of the great gifts of our coming and going of the president’s coffin. It is hard for tradition. Would you agree with this? people to fully grasp how much President and Mrs. Bush were loved here in Houston, so I knew I was coming not This is a great question. I have a former vestry just “home” but to the bosom of a city and state that loved RL: man who calls our Burial Rite “condolence in this man. I knew it would be a moment where one could action.” Between Barbara’s service and that of the President, almost palpably feel the love. That was a source of strength I have received perhaps close to 1,000 letters and/or emails. as we came to the service, but emotionally, it was the more It is not hyperbole to say that 99% of them speak of how difficult sermon to deliver. I very much loved this man touched they were by the services and specifically, how the and so I was not just preaching at a public event, or for a liturgy spoke to them. I have personally responded to every member of the parish, but for someone for whom I deeply one. Many who are not familiar with our Episcopal way cared and who had deeply cared for my family and for me. asked, “Where can I find the service?” Many more asked for (and I sent) copies of the bulletin. Each of your sermons was about Jesus and our Christian faith. Were you tempted (and we mean that quite literally; But there were even more stories. I actually just received we think it would be a temptation) to reduce the focus one yesterday from a woman who said, “That service got on Jesus and be perhaps more Unitarian or interfaith? If me back to church. I have been disabled and used that as tempted, you resisted. You provided a Trinitarian context an excuse for not going to Church so I have not gone in for the Eternal Word made flesh. years, but I am going back starting this Sunday!” The letters came from all over the U.S. and the world—Canada, Africa, I was not tempted to do so, but, of course, in India, Israel. One hand-written letter—about three pages, RL: today’s world of social media, I guess I was came from a retired Anglican priest living in Jamaica. He wondering if someone would pick up (or pick out) only wrote, “I just cannot go to sleep without writing you to tell one or two things and focus only on them. When I said you how inspired I was by that service. I have just watched that while Jesus was at the heart of President Bush’s faith, it twice and have to tell you how touched I was.” Another that he had a deep respect and friendships with people of person wrote to me after Barbara’s service and said that he every faith and political persuasion, I suspected someone or she had been considering attending a Lutheran seminary might write me about that. Interestingly, indeed, I had for years, and that after her service, he or she applied to, one letter where someone scolded me for not nailing the was accepted at, and will be enrolling in the seminary this point home that Jesus was the “only way” to salvation and fall. Still more wrote of how they were moved to tears and another who scolded me for mentioning Jews, Muslims, how their faith was renewed. Many said they would be Buddhists, and Sikhs, but failing to mention Hindus, so, seeking out a church or returning to church after a long well, what are you going to do? I like the reminder C.S. absence. That alone speaks to the evangelical power of our Lewis gave us, that just because you are a Christian, that beautiful Episcopal Liturgy. does not mean you have to believe everything everyone else believes is wrong—that basically all religions, even some of Did the Bush Library request your texts and were they the most odd, have hints of the greater truth to which we handwritten? hold in the Christian faith. I was asked to send copies to the Bush Office, The night before, I got an email from Fleming Rutledge, RL: and Jon Meacham also asked for copies. and she reminded me of the time Margaret Thatcher told

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VTS Spring 2019 .indd 34 5/9/19 7:48 AM The awarding of Barbara Bush’s 2015 Dean’s Cross in St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas.

What will you miss about your relationship with this members. They crammed so much life into their years on remarkable family? What are your takeaways from serving planet earth. as their pastor and serving in these two unique services? Takeaways? They really did believe what they said, and Well, that is easy and hard—easy because they lived what they believed. As we like to say in the RL: I know what I’ll miss, and hard because I Episcopal Church, “Praying shapes believing.” They were grieve at the changes. I have several friends in the former faithful in their prayers, in their worship, in their service to president’s office, which is in the process of now closing others. They were organic in their lives and their faith. They down. Most of them will retire now or move onto other were trying new things until the end of their days and still jobs. Many of the Secret Service team members have asking questions about their faith until there was no reason become friends and they have already been moved onto new to ask any more—because they had stepped from this life posts. For the last several years, I checked in almost daily to the next. They were an inspiration...and being around (sometimes several times a day) with the former president’s them made me reflect on and consider the authenticity and chief medic, Evan Sisley, who I mentioned was the one who integrity of my own faith journey. called me as both Barbara and the President came to the end. Before coming into that post, he served courageously And, as to the services, I suppose my takeaway is that as a Navy corpsman who served with Marine infantry what we do as pastors, priests, and preachers really does from 2009 to 2015. He and his husband, Ian, have become matter. In small things and grand, it matters, and what an great friends, and I will miss him very much as he leaves to incredible opportunity we have to help lift the veil so that pursue his medical career elsewhere. others can see the hope of the Good News and the Love of our Lord Jesus. But, of course, Laura and I will miss our friendships with these incredible people. They were friends, counselors. In Thank you for sharing with the VTS community your every sense of the word, they were consummate church unique national vantage point. Your name and words are now woven into American history.

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VTS Spring 2019 .indd 35 5/9/19 7:48 AM CENTER FOR ANGLICAN COMMUNION STUDIES

Robert Heaney at Trinity Cathedral and leading a training day for diocesan leaders on “Anglican identity.”

Towards Intercultural Peacebuilding

By the Rev. Robert S. Heaney, Ph.D., D.Phil. Associate Professor of Christian Mission and Director of CACS

As highlighted by Ebonee Davis on page 37, Building Dialogue in this oldest African republic (1847). By the end of our is an international project that Virginia Seminary is engaged in work together, Building Dialogue will produce a workbook with partners from West Africa, East Africa, and the Middle designed for local communities and for community East. Each of these four contexts is marked and marred by peacebuilding centered on scripture, liturgy, and storytelling. conflict. The teams have identified specific contextual conflicts To that end, the teams will meet for a writing workshop for analysis including land rights, polarization, discriminatory at St. George’s College, Jerusalem in June. In a series of legislation, and cultural identity. The VTS team is Hartley paper presentations, small group seminars, and editorial Wensing, director of Communion Projects at CACS, the Rev. meetings, it is our hope that a rough draft of the book will John Yieh, Ph.D., the Molly Laird Downs Professor in New be produced before we depart the holy city. Do keep in Testament, Ebonee Davis, Vanessa McCormick, Jon Musser, touch with us via Facebook, Twitter, and the VTS Weekly Jean Cotting, Chris Cole, and Stephen Crippen. As with the Communiqué for further updates. other teams, this group has been asking three questions. First, how do people of faith understand conflict? Second, how do Building Dialogue does not privilege any one understanding people of faith envision peace? Third, given analyses of conflict of conflict, community, or conciliation. Rather, contextual and visions for peace, what priorities do people of faith and intercontextual testimonies of pain, songs of joy, and identify and embody in practices of formation and ministry? icons of the kingdom are invited. Central to our work together is a foundational theological commitment. God In December, I was in Liberia visiting with the Building has come to us. God is with us. The God of shalom and Dialogue team and teaching in the diocese and at the imperfect glimpses of an in-breaking kingdom are Cuttington University. The team is led by the Rev. Anne not found first in disembodied ideas, enchanting rhetoric, Fredericks Cooper, D.Min. ’04, ’10 and includes the Rev. Dr. or well-honed methodologies. God and God’s peace are Herman B. Browne, Mrs. Julia Duncan Cassell, the Rev. not found above community but in the very midst of the Allen Gaye, the Rev. Sedie Williams, Mr. Kofi Ankrah, and promise and predicament of intercultural listening, walking, Dr. C. Patrick Burrowes. and witnessing. Amidst concord and discord such work trains our ears to listen for the anthem of God’s future (Rev. The Rev. Cooper’s team evidences a sensitivity and 21:24) echoing back through time like a beacon calling us commitment to face the complex histories and layers of hurt home and calling us to remake home.

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VTS Spring 2019 .indd 36 5/14/19 4:10 PM CENTER FOR ANGLICAN COMMUNION STUDIES

Cultural Intelligence

By Hartley Wensing Director of Communion Projects, CACS

Cultural intelligence (CQ) is the capability to function effectively across cultural difference. The research is clear. It is not enough to be aware; we must adapt our actions.

During CQ training in March for certification as a Level 1 and 2 facilitator, I spent a lot of time reflecting on my own abilities and the continual need for improvement. Alongside this self-study, I also reflected on our setting at VTS and Building Dialogue in Tanzania the call to practices that make for an intercultural community. By Ebonee Davis, Archivist, African American Episcopal Historical Collection Many of our cultural values (for instance, where we fall on the individualism versus In February I had the privilege to travel to Msalato collective dimension, or the spectrum of Theological College in Tanzania. My visit was part direct versus indirect communication) of the Center for Anglican Communion Studies’ are influenced not only by our cultural Building Dialogue Across Conflict project, a joint backgrounds but also by our professional endeavor funded in part by Trinity Wall Street. The areas of work or even the culture within project’s goal is to develop theological and cultural our teams. Problems arise when we resources for reconciliation with teams from take the way we operate for granted and Virginia Theological Seminary, Msalato Theological assume it works for everyone. College, St. George’s College in Jerusalem, and Cuttington University in Liberia. While at Msalato I worked with members of the Building Dialogue Considering deeper team, led by the Rev. Ernest Ndahani ’16, consulted in the library, met with cultural values and the Rev. Canon Hilda Kabia, the first female president of the college, and dined intentional cross- with the Bishop of the Diocese of Central Tanganyika, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Dickson cultural practices Chilongani. I was welcomed warmly and engaged deeply in each of these is not easy work. conversations. However, it was my time spent with the students and in the town Yet, it is, as Dr. of Dodoma that made this journey to East Africa one I shall never forget. Soong-Chan Rah (pictured), professor On my second day, I spoke to a class of second year students about cultural of Church Growth continuity and identity within the Black Diaspora. Our discussion was honest, and Evangelism at North Park University, exciting, and stimulating. Afterwards, one of the students took me into town to her explains, God’s call to us “to move into family’s home where I spent time with her aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother this incredible picture...of an authentic and cousins. They each welcomed me like I was one of their own, and before I multi-ethnic community.” It is urgent work knew it, we were all laughing and enjoying ourselves in a way that was nearly especially for those of us who belong to identical to the many family gatherings I’d had back home. For me, a Black woman dominant cultures. traveling from the U.S., carrying the responsibility of connecting to a land I once called my own, having the chance to exchange time, space, and joy with my “extended family” was an extreme honor and the absolute highlight of this trip.

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VTS Spring 2019 .indd 37 5/9/19 7:48 AM LIFELONG LEARNING

Introducing the Confirmation Collaborative of the Episcopal Church

By Sharon Ely Pearson ’03 Editor and Christian Formation Specialist with Church Publishing Incorporated

What impact does a healthy confirmation process have on a congregation? What does the adolescent practice of reaffirmation of baptism really look like? How does the Episcopal Church need to fully live into confirmation in our congregations in today’s world and reality? Such provocative questions brought a diverse group of Christian formation leaders representing all orders of ministry together at Virginia Theological Seminary in early March 2019. One purpose of the gathering was to review the research and findings of “The Confirmation Project” (a “Christian Youth: Learning and Living the Faith” grant provided by Lilly Endowment Inc.), and develop a meaningful response of that study to the Episcopal Church. Lisa Kimball, Ph.D., VTS’ associate dean of Lifelong Learning, was the Episcopal Church’s representative in this five-year research project along with research assistant, the Rev. Kate Harmon Siberine ’17, which sought to learn the extent to which confirmation and equivalent practices are effective for strengthening discipleship in youth in five Protestant denominations.

The results were eye-opening, offering much for the Episcopal Church to build upon in strengthening how local communities support adolescents in their faith journeys. A few particular parts of the study examined the age and duration of confirmation preparation, of which the Episcopal Church fell far behind and stood

Duration of Confirmation Duration apart from the other denominations Episcopal ELCA PC (USA) UMC Preparation (Months) (PCUSA, UMC, ELCA, and AME). Denominational 0–3 40% – 31% 42% Who “taught” and what the content Differences 4–6 27% 2% 28% 29% was varied in scope and application, 7–12 24% 9% 28% 22% with no unified focus in the Episcopal 13–24 7% 51% 4% 6% Church. What the research did find was that confirmation can be a unique >24 2% 38% – 1% opportunity for young people to Median (Months) 5 24 6 4 strengthen their understanding of

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the Christian faith, deepen their experience of Christian community, and discern their call to join God’s mission in the world.

Having studied the research and its outcomes, the newly formed Confirmation Collaborative of the Episcopal Church states, “We believe, and the research confirms, that confirmation is the claiming of baptism and an invitation to a life of deeper discipleship lived in community. When confirmation preparation is done intentionally and done well on the local and diocesan level as baptismal affirmation, it has an impact on the spiritual lives of youth as part of a lifelong call to discipleship. It can transform ourselves, each other, and the entire Church.”

Lisa Kimball shared, “The Collaborative will be sharing resources, best practices, rites of passage liturgies, and models for baptismal affirmation in partnership with Virginia Seminary’s Baptized for Life initiative, funded through a grant provided by Lilly Endowment Inc.” These will include the importance of intergenerational and community involvement in confirmation preparation, examples of good practice and strategies that are effective in helping young Christians grow as disciples of Jesus Christ, The steering team of the Confirmation Collaborative. and how to recognize that confirmation in the Episcopal Church is a pastoral and theological time for affirmation of one’s baptism. the mystery of our faith? Confirmation can be a catalyst for Confirmation preparation for adolescents in our Church all this and much more if we claim all the resources that we today needs to be part of a lifelong ecology of formation already have, including our bishops. This opportune time in including all generations in a worshiping community. We the life of our young people can also lead to renewal for the need to unpack the language we use in confirmation, such rest of us. as dropping “becoming an adult member” and emphasizing becoming a faithful disciple of Christ. Confirmation should Co-sponsored by Virginia Theological Seminary and Church be a time of ministry discernment and learning how to Publishing Incorporated, the Confirmation Collaborative practice baptismal living. will convene critical conversations on the practice of confirmation, commend best practices of confirmation and The time is right to discuss the “confirmation ecology” at reaffirmation practices, and build upon the strengths of the all levels of our church. Where does the rite of confirmation Episcopal Church’s history and lived experiences in order to belong in prayer book revision? How are our many newly support formation and discipleship leaders in our Church. consecrated bishops engaged in conversation about what We invite the larger church to participate in these virtual their role is in confirmation besides laying-on-of-hands? How meetings to take place seasonally over the next 12 months can our diocesan camps be holy spaces for confirmands to with a special invitation to other formation leaders (lay meet each other across parish lines? How are we helping and clergy), diocesan camp directors, theologians, liturgists, those who seek a relationship with Christ take up the Way of and youth ministers. To join the conversation with the Love and adopt a rule of life? How do our churches embrace Confirmation Collaborative, please contact Lisa Kimball at those who are newly confirmed to continue going deeper into [email protected] or Sharon Ely Pearson at [email protected].

Sharon Ely Pearson, MACE ’03, is an editor and Christian Formation Specialist with Church Publishing Incorporated. Among her several books is Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Theologies of Confirmation for the 21st Century (Morehouse Publishing, 2012). She served on the Alumni Association Executive Committee (AAEC) from 2014 to 2017, is an active member of Forma, and lives in Norwalk, Conn.

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VTS Spring 2019 .indd 39 5/14/19 4:10 PM ADVANCING VTS

The 2023 Legacy Society By Linda Dienno, Vice President for Institutional Advancement

Since our 1823 founding, fiscal year, 1,538 donors Society members and marriage, when we owned Virginia Seminary has been gave $827,000 to the we would be honored to precious little of material blessed with a tradition of Annual Fund. include your name. If you worth. I carefully packed generosity. This has enabled wish to talk with any of us the sterling silver flatware VTS to become strong and Planned giving encompasses about legacy giving, or if received for wedding gifts financially stable, poised a variety of ways that you would like a forum in in a shoebox and carried and prepared to train lay gifts can be made from your parish on this topic, that box in the car as we and ordained leaders for the accumulated resources. It please contact us at traveled cross country. I twenty-first-century Church. leads to legacy and lets [email protected]. was not about to trust the anyone concerned with silver to the professional By including VTS in their the wise use of his or her A message from movers. As time went on will or trusts or by having personal resources make Mary Lewis Hix and children arrived, the car made life income gifts to a considered choice about Priorities shift as our life was packed with favorite the Seminary, many alumni their ultimate disposition. circumstances shift. A recent toys and tricycles, so that and friends have helped conversation with a friend the children could have ensure our long-term Those who have let VTS who is moving from a large their prized possessions no health. Through planned know of their estate plans home into a “retirement” matter where we lived. As giving, these friends and are members of the 2023 condo prompted me to the children grew older, alumni often make their Legacy Society, which is co- reminisce about the many photograph albums were largest gifts. In fiscal chaired by Mary Lewis Hix moves I’ve experienced and the valued possession and year 2018, VTS received and the Rev. James (Jimmy) the priorities associated so were carefully packed approximately $600,000 M. L. Grace ’05. Their wise with each move. My into the car for a move. through 10 bequests; the counsel and deep conviction husband was in the Army Priorities continue to lifetime Annual Fund around legacy giving are for the first 25 years of our shift. Material possessions giving from those same invaluable. marriage, which meant are less important, and I alumni and friends totaled frequent moves from one ponder ways to ensure that approximately $50,000. By Our Annual Report features assignment to the next. I my beliefs and values have comparison, in that same a list of the 2023 Legacy recall the first move of our lasting benefit. Might legacy

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The Rev. James (Jimmy) M.L. Annual Fund Grace ’05, Linda and Mary Lewis Hix. Dienno, The 2023 Legacy Society By Linda Dienno, Vice President for Institutional Advancement By Jennifer Wade Greiner, Annual Fund Director

giving to VTS be a part of it as a privilege to name Virginia Seminary treasures the opportunity to your current priorities? the Seminary in my will connect with you through the ministry of the as a beneficiary since Annual Fund. Because we know how rewarding A message from the the Seminary provided a it is to make a difference in ways that matter so Rev. James (Jimmy) theological foundation that deeply to us, it is a joy to invite you to invest in M. L. Grace ’05 continues to serve me well the vision we share for the future of the Episcopal As co-chair for the 2023 through nearly 14 years of Church. Legacy Society, it is probably ordained ministry. There are a bit ironic that I am rector many ways to make a long- Whether that future is realized through the of a parish (St. Andrew’s, lasting gift to the Seminary formation of a student, the impact of an alumni Houston) that does not that will perpetuate its ministry, or the resources we provide for church have a formally established existence well into the future. leaders and institutions around the world, your endowment at this time. Designating the Seminary as gift to the Annual Fund is a critical building block. Establishing one is part of a beneficiary in an insurance When you give to the Annual Fund, God brings us a necessary growth process policy, will, or annuity are together to do more than we could do alone. for the parish, and we are three practical ways to working to do that. Part of consider making a gift to A strong Annual Fund at VTS means that we can the impetus for St. Andrew’s the seminary. But there are continue to form students, support alumni, and to establish an endowment is many others. Linda Dienno invest in the future. Your gift joins with more to provide for and insure the or the Rev. Barney Hawkins than 1,500 others to bring about the future of future of the parish through are available to assist you the Church. Join us this fiscal year as we grow uncertain economic times. as you prayerfully consider the Annual Fund to meet the needs of a changing a possible legacy gift to the Church. Let us see how God will transform us I am grateful for the wisdom Seminary. through our collaboration, making a difference of key leaders at Virginia that is even greater than we imagine. Theological Seminary who had the foresight to Our fiscal year ends June 30, 2019. Your gift on or do just the same. I count before that date will count as a fiscal year 2019 gift.

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VTS Spring 2019 .indd 41 5/14/19 4:10 PM ALUMNI NEWS & NOTES

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Harrison Owen ’60 and the Tools of the Storyteller

By Kathryn Glover, M.P.A., SHRM-SCP Vice President for Administration and Institutional Effectiveness

In this issue’s Alumni Spotlight, we are pleased to highlight Harrison Owen ’60 and his innovative approach to tackling complex organizational issues.

When was the last time your parish, about being open, about letting go of vestry, or rector was preoccupied with control, and providing space for what an intractable question or problem is meant to happen. Most of us when that seems to have everyone stuck, we are honest would say that this is conflicted, mad, and ready to give up? easier said than done. Open Space A friend of mine with a sarcastic sense Technology (OST) may provide us of humor responded to that question with the guidance we need to let go of saying “any day that ends in y.” control.

Well that may be a bit of an OST is the brainchild of Harrison exaggeration, but groups of people, Owen, VTS graduate of the class parishes, and organizations often of 1960 and author of numerous find themselves in situations where books and articles on leadership there seems no clear path, no clear and organizational culture and Other books by Harrison Owen ’60 vision and a growing sense that there transformation. Owen lives part of include The Power of Spirit, The Spirt is not much hope that there will be the year in Maryland and “his office” of Leadership, and Wave Rider. clarity any time soon. For many, the is the Irish Inn in Glen Echo, Md. I path of discernment is uncomfortable have met Owen twice, both times over because we like to be in control. We lunch in his office. And it really must like to know where we are going, and be his office because both times we ate we like to know how we are going at the same table. to get there. And most of us want reassurance that we aren’t simply on a In his book The Power of Spirit, path, but that we are on the right path. Owen states that he is not an academic That where we are going is where we or scholar—although he fully are meant to go, and all will be well intended to be an academic—but that when we get there. Discernment is “storyteller” is the best representation

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of how he works.1 If not the best where leaders are open to allowing representation of how he works, it others to find answers and embrace certainly describes the Harrison Owen the ideas others believe are important I have met. According to Owen, when and want to discuss. Surprisingly, and once asked his profession by a border wonderfully, these may or may not be control employee he responded, “I the answers, solutions, or ideas that think, I talk, I write.” the leaders had envisioned. That’s the beauty of OST: it allows for Staying Connected At age 83, Owen remains curious solutions and ideas that grow directly www.vts.edu as well as committed to learning from those involved—instant buy-in The official website for Virginia and living; his approach may seem from those who help to develop the Theological Seminary. unconventional to many. He is solutions. currently leading a study group Virginia Theological Seminary through The Osher Lifelong Learning Owen’s book, Open Space Magazine Institute at American University Technology: A User’s Guide, provides The Seminary’s magazine for entitled “Death, Dying, and Life: A more details on how to set up space supporters of VTS. Published three Conversation.” Owen is not teaching for OST, as well as how to invite times a year: January, May, and the class, but instead is using Open people to participate, and some September. Space Technology as a means of rather pointed indications about opening up a space for the people to how to get out of the way and let The Annual Report explore the topics and conversations things happen as they are meant to The Seminary’s annual report is of interest to them. happen. One element of the simplistic published once per year for alumni and fundamental set-up for OST is and friends. Published each OST is a powerful and effective the circle which, as Owen states is December. strategy for addressing real and highly “the fundamental geometry of open complex issues involving a diversity of human communication.” As Owen The eNews people and points, real passion—and reminds us, “we do not have a square Monthly updates about happenings at probably conflict—and who have a of friends…it is nice to be part of the VTS. The first day of each month. pressing need to resolve the issue at family circle.”3 hand. These are what Owen describes The Dean’s Commentary as the “conditions for use.”2 Owen does not “sell” Open Space Daily updates from Dean Markham Technology as a spiritual practice. and/or guest contributors. Daily, Before you think you’ve found the He does not describe the process as Monday–Friday. silver bullet, however, one must one that invites the Holy Spirit to be absolutely give up control. That present and to guide. Yet Owen does Online Resources means not just control of the outcome, write about Spirit in more general www.buildfaith.org but control of even who shows up terms which he believes “is the most www.eformationvts.org and what gets discussed. OST only important ‘thing’ in any organization” www.trytank.org works in situations where the system and that “in its presence there is www.baptizedforlife.org itself and the people involved are excitement, innovation…inspired www.deepcallstodeep.org open to being part of the process; performance.”4 www.vts.edu/thriving

1 Owen, Harrison, The Power of Spirit: How Organizations Transform. San Francisco: Berrett- Koehler Publishers, Inc., 2000. You can also find us on: 2 ––, Open Space Technology: A User's Guide. Oakland: Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc., 2008. 3 (Owen, Open Space Technology: A User’s Guide) 4 (Owen, The Power of Spirit: How Organizations Transform)

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VTS Spring 2019 .indd 43 5/9/19 7:48 AM ALUMNI NEWS & NOTES Notes from the Alumni Office

by Shelagh Casey Brown, Director of Alumni and Church Relations

The Class of 2019 was sent forth on May 16 from AAEC Officers and AAEC Election Immanuel Chapel, processing out of the Chapel under I am delighted to share the names of the Alumni Association the iconic words “Go Ye into All the World and Preach Executive Committee (AAEC) officers for the 2019–2020 the Gospel.” Like all VTS classes before them, they are academic year: headed to a variety of ministry settings in locations around the U.S. and internationally. Many return to their sending President: The Rev. Canon Loren Lasch ’08, Canon dioceses but increasingly many engage in job searches for Christian Formation, Diocese of Missouri around the Church. The placement process often takes some unexpected turns as our graduating students discern Vice President: The Rev. Canon Leslie Nuñez their first calls. VTS offers support along the way through Steffensen ’12, Canon to the Bishop for Armed Forces resume workshops and coaching, forums around issues and Federal Ministries, The Episcopal Church related to transition, opportunities for conversation and guidance, and arranging visits from rectors and deans who Secretary: The Rev. James Stambaugh ’17, Rector, are interviewing for open positions. Church of the Holy Apostles, Wynnewood, Pa.

Placement activities are part of the Office of Alumni and AAEC elections are underway as the magazine goes to press. We Church Relations and it has been a privilege to work with look forward to sharing in the next issue the news about the our seminarians in this process. Alumni know first-hand alumni elected to serve three-year terms on the AAEC beginning how stressful this time can be! Each of our students has July 1, 2019. amazing gifts and experience to offer the Church, and it is a joy to see them successfully navigating this first call. Alumni Convocation and Class Reunion Dinner VTS seminarians are in high demand around the Church. Please mark your calendars now for the Class Reunions Frequently a phone call or email will begin “I’m not a VTS Reception & Dinner and Alumni Convocation taking alum but I know I want a VTS alum on my staff!” It is no place October 7–8, 2019. Because of campus construction, surprise that we consistently have close to 100% placement Convocation will be abbreviated. But it will be memorable by graduation or shortly thereafter. with keynoter Willie Jennings of Yale Divinity School and the opportunity to connect with alumni, faculty, and If you have an open position, or know a parish, school, or students. Questions? Please email [email protected]. diocese that does, give me a call or drop me an email. I would be delighted to help you with your process and introduce you As always, this comes with prayers and blessings from the entire to some amazing graduating students or VTS alumni! VTS Community!

The annual Contextual Ministry (formerly Field Education) service, reception, and dinner for seniors and members of their lay support teams, was held April 6. (left, l-r) Carol Jubinski, administrative coordinator for Contextual Ministry; senior KC Robertston ’19; Doris Rudolph,lay committee member from Emmanuel, Alexandria; Chuck Dervarics, lay committee convener from Emmanuel, Alexandria; and the Rev. Jacques Hadler, acting director of Contextual Ministry at the dinner. (right, l-r): Andrew Rutledge ’19, the Rev. Leon Sampson ’19, and Brandon McGinnis ’19 during the reception.

44 Virginia Theological Seminary Magazine | Spring 2019

VTS Spring 2019 .indd 44 5/9/19 7:48 AM ALUMNI NEWS & NOTES Alumni on the Move

1962 The Rev. Patrick M. Hall 2014 The Rev. Jess H. Stribling Rector for The Episcopal Church of Mrs. Mary H. Maxwell Assisting Priest for Christ & St. Luke’s the Epiphany, Houston, Tex. Director for The Preschool at Second Church, Norfolk, Va. Ponce, Atlanta, Ga. 2008 1982 The Rev. Richard M. Humm The Rev. Joshua Messick The Rt. Rev. Gary R. Lillibridge Rector for St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Rector for All Saints’ Episcopal Interim Rector for The Church of Prince Frederick, Md. Church, Grenada, Miss. St. John the Divine, Houston, Tex. The Rt. Rev. Phoebe Roaf The Rev. Eileen O’Brien 1996 The Fourth Bishop of the Diocese of Rector for St. James Episcopal Church, The Rev. Alan C. James West Tennessee, Memphis, Tenn. Austin, Tex. Interim Rector for Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Petoskey, Mich. 2009 2015 The Rev. Christopher R. Duncan The Rev. Nicholas S. Mather 1999 Rector for St. James’ Episcopal Rector for St. Stephen’s Episcopal The Rev. Lou Hays Church, Baton Rouge, La. Church, Longview, Wa. Interim Rector for Church of the Epiphany, Oakville, Ontario, Canada 2010 2016 The Rev. Canon Christine Faulstich The Rev. Mary Lou Divis 2002 Canon to the Ordinary for the Diocese Priest-in-Charge for The Church of Ms. Margaret D. Moore of Texas, Houston, Tex. the Epiphany, Glenburn, Pa. Interim Head of School for The Williams School, Norfolk, Va. 2011 The Rev. Jeremy C. Froyen The Rev. T. Grant Ambrose Rector for The Episcopal Church of St. 2004 Rector for St. Andrew’s Episcopal John the Evangelist, Flossmoor, Ill. The Rev. David P. Culbertson Church, York, Pa. Rector for St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, The Rev. Jaime L. H. Leonard Schenectady, N.Y. The Rev. David Romanik Rector for Trinity Episcopal Church, Rector for Church of the Heavenly Ennis, Mont. 2005 Rest, Abilene, Tex. The Rev. Lucia Lloyd Priest-in-Charge for St. John’s The Rev. Robin T. Teasley Anglican Church, Bowmanville, Rector for Christ & Grace Episcopal Ontario, Canada Church, Petersburg, Va. PLEASE SHARE YOUR NEWS! 2007 2012 The Rev. Ann Gillespie The Rev. David Crosby Write 3737 Seminary Rd. Senior Associate Rector and Director Chaplain for St. George’s College, Alexandria, VA 22304 of the Center for Wellness and Jerusalem Email [email protected] Spirituality for Church of the Holy Call (703) 461-1711 Comforter, Vienna, Va. 2013 Fax (703) 370-0138 The Rev. Fanny S. Belanger The Very Rev. Chip Graves, D.Min. Priest-in-Charge for Christ Episcopal Send address changes to: Rector for Grace Episcopal Church, Church, Clinton, Md. [email protected] White Plains, N.Y.

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VTS Spring 2019 .indd 45 5/9/19 7:48 AM IN MEMORIAM

Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord; And let light perpetual shine upon them.

The Rev. Dr. Alexander The Rev. William S. Clinton Zabriskie Jr. ’56 Pregnall ’58

The Rev. Dr. Alexander Clinton The Rev. William S. Pregnall ’58, “Sandy” Zabriskie Jr. ’56 passed professor of field education at VTS away on Monday, March 4. He from 1973 to 1981, died on Friday, was 89. March 14. He was 88.

Raised on the Virginia Theological Born on March 26, 1931 in Seminary campus by his parents, Mary Ethelynn Tyler and Charleston, S.C., Pregnall graduated from the University the Very Rev. Alexander C. Zabriskie, dean of VTS (1940- of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1952, and received 50), he attended VTS and was ordained an Episcopal priest his Master of Divinity degree from Virginia Theological in 1956, following in the steps of his father, and two older Seminary in 1958. He earned his Master of Sacred brothers, the late George and Philip Zabriskie. Theology and Doctor of Ministry degrees from the School of Theology at the University of the South, Sewanee, Tenn., Sandy served for 12 years in the Missionary Diocese of in 1977. Ten years later, VTS awarded him an honorary Alaska and then for 11 years as rector of St. Mary’s in Doctor of Divinity degree. Anchorage. He was called in 1969 to Trinity Church in Bethlehem, Pa., where he served for 15 years. In 1987 he Following his ordination in 1958, Pregnall served several was called to serve the English-speaking congregation at small churches in South Carolina, and then became rector St. John’s Cathedral in San Juan, Puerto Rico. While in of St. John’s Church in Charleston, W.Va. In 1966, he Alaska he married Marguerite (Margy) Morey Cook, a became Episcopal chaplain at Louisiana State University, widow, and adopted her infant daughter, Katrina. They Baton Rouge. In 1970, he became vicar and later rector of had four more children: William, Paul, John, and Sally. St. Augustine’s Church, Washington, D.C. He was called In 1985, he received a Doctor of Ministry degree from by VTS in September 1973 to be associate professor of Princeton Theological Seminary, writing his thesis about field education. In 1978, he was promoted to the rank of nurturing congregational ministries to advocate for nuclear professor and given tenure. Pregnall left VTS in 1981 and disarmament. spent eight years as the sixth dean and president of the Church Divinity School of the Pacific before going back to He retired to Burlington, Vt. in 1995 after open heart rural parish work at St. Mary’s Parish in Maryland. surgery. In retirement he served in both Episcopal and Lutheran Churches, as well as leading tours with his wife Pregnall and his wife, Joye, had three children: Stuart and around the world. Gabrielle, and Marshall, who preceded his father in death in 2016.

The Rev. B. Bradshaw Minturn ’54 The Rev. Dr. William S. Pregnall ’58 The Rev. William E. O’Connell ’62 3/21/2018 3/15/2019 11/1/2018

The Rev. Dr. Alexander C. The Rev. John D. Alfriend ’59 The Rev. George W. Jenkins ’65 Zabriskie Jr. ’56 5/22/2018 09/27/2018 3/4/2019 The Rev. John A. Furgerson ’76 3/22/2018

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VTS Spring 2019 .indd 46 5/9/19 7:48 AM BOARD OF TRUSTEES

OFFICERS TRUSTEES AT LARGE Dr. David H. Charlton Ms. Kirsten P. Adams Dr. Judith Newman Chair of the Board The Rt. Rev. J. Scott Barker Mrs. Caroline Taylor Norman The Rt. Rev. Phoebe Roaf Mr. David Booth Beers The Rev. Caroline S. Parkinson Vice Chair of the Board Mr. Julian M. Bivins, Jr. Ms. Sissy Poland Ms. Amy L. Curtis The Rev. Catherine M. Campbell The Rt. Rev. F. Neff Powell Treasurer The Rev. Canon Thomas G. Clarke The Very Rev. Dr. Stanley W. Sawyer The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D. The Rev. Dr. Harold J. Cobb, Jr. Dr. William G. Thomas III Dean and President The Rev. Dr. Christopher D. Girata The Rev. Christine R. Whittaker Ms. Linda L. Dienno The Rev. C. Neal Goldsborough The Rev. Dr. J. Douglas Wigner, Jr. Vice President The Rev. Canon Dr. Michele V. Hagans The Rev. Melody Knowles, Ph.D. Mr. Henry Lee Stanton Hobson EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS Vice President The Rev. Angela S. Ifill The Rt. Rev. Susan E. Goff Ms. Kathryn A. Glover, M.P.A. The Rev. Kimberly S. Jackson The Rev. Virginia C. Wilder Vice President and Secretary Mrs. Elizabeth Cabell Jennings Ms. Jacqueline F. Ballou, M.B.A. Ms. Mary Kostel FACULTY AND Vice President and Assistant Treasurer The Rt. Rev. W. Michie Klusmeyer STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES The Rev. Susan A. Lukens, D.Min. The Rev. James W. Farwell, Ph.D. The Very Rev. Troy D. Mendez The Rev. Robert Heaney, Ph.D., D. Phil. The Very Rev. Andrew T.P. Merrow Mr. Jared Grant

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VTS Spring 2019 .indd 47 5/9/19 7:48 AM Nonprofit Org. US Postage PAID Hagerstown, MD Permit No. 93

3737 Seminary Road Alexandria, VA 22304

SAVE THE DATES: October 7–8, 2019

CLASS REUNIONS RECEPTION AND DINNER & ALUMNI CONVOCATION featuring Keynoter Willie Jennings, Ph.D. of Yale Divinity School

Dr. Willie Jennings serves as associate professor of systematic theology and Africana studies at Yale University Divinity School. He is the author of The Christian Imagination: Theology and the Origins of Race. A major figure in theological education across the country, he is known for his contributions on liberation theologies, cultural identities, and theological anthropology.

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