End of year commentary from Dean Markham of Virginia Theological Seminary

End of year commentary from Dean Ian Markham of Virginia Theological Seminary. Read the Dean's Commentary HERE

~ Rev. Peter M. Carey

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12/23/2008

The Commentary is not written when the Seminary is closed. So this is the last day for the Commentary until January 2 2009. As 2008 comes to a close with the annual celebration of Christmastide, it is worth pausing to reflect on this year.

Much has been accomplished. The Strategic Planning Process came to a culmination with the Board’s adoption of a four year plan at the November board meeting. Thanks to the hard work of the maintenance team, the Seminary was a winner of the Alexandria Beautification Award. William Roberts, David Gortner and Jonathan Gray joined the Faculty, while George Kroupa and Ed Hall moved on. Three Foundations supported the Seminary with significant grants – the Henry Luce Foundation provided the Center for Anglican Communion Studies with a grant for ‘Interreligious’ work, the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation provided funding for our work in the area of Ethnic Ministries, while the Lilly Endowment provided the start up funds for the Second Three years program. Virginia Theological Seminary was the only Seminary in the Anglican Communion with a booth at the Lambeth Conference of 2008, beautifully captured in the Fall issue of the Journal. Over 250 people came to our dinner, which was held there. Meriwether Godsey served countless outstanding meals in the Refectory and at the Deanery. Kathy Grieb continued her hard work on the Covenant for the Anglican Communion. Stephen Cook and Joyce Mercer both published important books. And of course, lots of students graduated and many more arrived.

We enter 2009 with some concerns. The dramatic fall in the value of the Seminary’s endowment will need some careful management. The Episcopal Church continues to face the challenges of disagreement both internally and across the Communion. All of this will make 2009 a testing time.

Yet Christmas is almost upon us. The Christchild is here: once again we remember the disclosure of divine love in a baby in a manager. For this moment, we give thanks. And we offer to God our worries, trusting that God’s grace is sufficient for every challenge the Seminary will have to face.

The Very Rev Ian Markham
Dean and President

Remembering Adam at the Dean's Commentary

From Dean Ian Markham's "Dean's Commentary" today from www.vts.edu

From time to time, a gift is made to the Seminary in honor of Adam P. Goren. And often I meet alums who describe and talk fondly on this remarkable young man. So today we remember Adam Goren, a member of the Class of 2005 who died unexpectedly on December 14, 2004. Appropriately, Adam’s classmates chose to honor his life and presence among them through the purchase of two benches which are in Trotter Bowl and by establishing the Adam P. Goren Scholarship Fund to benefit students pursuing chaplaincy. Since the fund was established, close to 100 classmates, fellow students, friends and family have contributed over $25,000 in Adam’s honor.

At the time of the dedication of the two benches Dean Martha Horne remembered Adam as one who embraced this seminary and his friends with an exuberant and extravagant love. Adam had a distinctive and resonating laugh that brought joy to those who heard it. Adam was a person of many interests and abilities who delighted in coaching the Fighting Friars football team that practiced each week on Trotter Bowl. On the day the seminary community celebrated Adam’s life in the Seminary chapel, the Texas State flag and Adam’s cleats hung from the flagpole on the Aspinwall Tower. At the Commencement service in May 2005 when Adam’s classmates received their diplomas, Adam’s mother was present to receive a special certificate of work accomplished in Adam’s name.

Adam has a special place in the life and memory of this Seminary.

The Very Rev Ian Markham
Dean and President

From Dean Ian Markhams's "Dean's Commentary" at VTS

From Dean Ian Markham's "Dean's Commentary" from Virginia Theological Seminary (my alma mater) in Alexandria, Virginia...

9/26/2008 Some people just are special. Last night over 180 people participated in a sit-down dinner in the Refectory and celebrated the Ed Hall years at Virginia Theological Seminary. With outstanding music, a video capturing scenes of people and images from around the Seminary, presentations from Bishop Peter James Lee, Lee Marston, Katharine Hall, and letters, which were read out, from Senator Joe Biden and Dean Martha Horne, it was a special evening. We all saw Ed in his richness. He is a man of wit, thoughtfulness, and passion. Several speakers referred to his wise counsel. He is a man of faith – who expresses it in the way he lives. He is a man who likes single malt whisky. He is a man who served both his country in the Senate and the Seminary with distinction. When Ed spoke he asked his family to join him on the stage. He spoke warmly about his children. And he spoke movingly about his love for his wife Sherry. As Sherry and Ed move on to the next stage of their life together, we wish them all the best. Last night was a testimony to his place in the broad narrative of Virginia Theological Seminary. We are deeply grateful for his service. The Very Rev Ian Markham Dean and President

a letter from Ed Hall:

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE WITH GRATITUDE

As I leave the Seminary September 30 after six years as Vice President for Institutional Advancement, and prior to that for seven years on the Board of Trustees, I am thankful for the strong philanthropic support our alumni and many friends have provided the Seminary.

I am pleased to report that this past year overall Annual Giving by alumni, friends, and parishes, exclusive of foundation grants and bequests, reached $1,145,951, exceeding $1 million for the third year in a row, and undesignated giving to the Annual Fund reached a new high of $720,000. Overall Annual Giving for the year, including foundation grants and bequests, was $2,137,686.

These positive results are due to the generosity of so many alumni and friends of VTS, and the dedication, leadership and hard work of our trustees, faculty and staff. Thank you all, with a special thanks to the dedicated staff in the Office of Institutional Advancement! I regret that this will be my last Annual Report of the Seminary’s Annual Giving, but am pleased it is a positive one.

The Seminary’s Annual Giving and endowment must continue to grow to keep pace with the cost of its timeless mission and the expanding commitment of VTS to our students and the Church. Your strong philanthropic support clearly has an impact far beyond Virginia Seminary. Since seminaries of the Episcopal Church receive no financial support from the national church, gifts to Virginia Seminary are, in the end, gifts to our churches, communities and the wider Anglican Communion.

As the Seminary moves forward under the strong leadership of Dean Markham into the next stages of its strategic planning for the future, it does so with confidence and strong momentum, made possible through the generosity, and enduring commitment, of many graduates, friends, and parishes.

I am truly grateful for the privilege of having served Virginia Seminary, and will miss my friends on the Holy Hill, as well as so many of you, alumni and friends of VTS, who have extended your own personal friendship to me, as you have supported the philanthropic goals of the Seminary over these past six years.

For this faithful enterprise on the Holy Hill to thrive and meet the challenges and opportunities of the years ahead, the Seminary will depend on the increased philanthropic support of all our friends and alumni.

Thank you for your friendship and generosity. It does make a difference!

Ed Hall

Important Op-Ed by David Abshire and Ian Markham in the Washington Post

With all the turmoil, vitriol, hurt, and anger happening in our Episcopal/Anglican Church, I found this piece by David Abshire and Ian Markham to be an important contribution, as it does not tread the same worn pathways that the strident liberals and the strident conservatives have been walking. Do read it all at the Washington Post website.

~ Rev. Peter Carey

David Abshire and Ian Markham

Anglicans Can Find Common Ground at the Cross

The boycotting of the Lambeth Conference in July by more than 200 Anglican Bishops worldwide has once again drawn attention to the divisions within the Anglican Communion. As mainstream Episcopalians, we are saddened by the rifts in the Church, especially because we believe them to be rooted, to a large extent, in misperceptions and misrepresentations. In addition, we lament the lack of civil dialogue around the divisions in the Church. We seek to remedy some of those misperceptions and advance a civil public discourse on these issues.

In May, Os Guinness posted a column to "On Faith" entitled "Evangelicals Reach Out." The piece referenced his Evangelical Manifesto and the prominent Americans that had supported it. It was superbly written, and subsequently Newsweek carried it in print. It was an affirmative statement of belief, which we endorse. But it stands in stark contrast to others of Guinness' public comments and the positions of some of the congregations and clergy with whom he has aligned himself. A year ago, Guinness and the Reverend John Yates wrote a piece carried in the Washington Post entitled "Why We Left the Episcopal Church." We respectfully but strongly disagree with its depiction of the American Episcopal Church, as strongly as we endorse the message of the Manifesto.

read the rest HERE

Citizens of two countriies, ... reflections on Ian Markham's sermon

From the Dean's Commentary today, read it HERE.

7/7/2008
Dr. Timothy F. Sedgwick

Friday we celebrated the 4th of July, beginning with a morning Eucharist. To the musical setting “Finlandia” by Jean Sibelius, we sang “This Is My Song” with the words, “This is my home, the country where my heart is; here are my hopes, my dreams, my holy shrine; but other hearts in other lands are beating with hopes and dreams as true and high as mine.”

The Dean, the Very Rev. Ian Marham, reminded us in the sermon that we have dual loyalties. Just as we have special obligations to members of our family while also being brothers and sisters in Christ, so we are citizens of particular countries while called to serve all people. The particular and the universal: it’s a matter of “both-and”.

The relationship between the human city and the city of God is complex. The nation is a school of virtue and yet also but a shadow of our heavenly calling, sometimes a Jerusalem, sometimes Babylon. As a daily worshiping community—now in full session with students in our D.Min. programs and MACE program—we cannot escape the particularity of lives. Our worship itself is particular, even as it both signs and is juxtaposed to the mission of God. It was just right to begin the 4th of July with a Eucharist to celebrate the nation’s birthday under the sign of the cross and in the breaking of the bread.

Dr. Timothy F. Sedgwick

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Virginia Theological Seminary

Rev. Churchill Gibson, Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory

From the VTS Alumni Office:

IN MEMORIAM:

Rev. Churchill J. Gibson, Jr. (1931-2008)
Virginia Theological Seminary mourns the death of the Rev. Churchill J. Gibson, Jr. (VTS ‘56), former chaplain at VTS and St. Stephen’s School. Churchill is the grandson of two bishops: Robert Atkinson Gibson (Bishop of Virginia, 1902-1919) and Arthur S. Lloyd (Bishop Coadjutor of Virginia, 1909-1910). His father was a much beloved rector of St. James's Church in Richmond for many years, his son Webster is the rector of Christ Church, Winchester, and Joe Pinder, VTS Development Officer for Communication Services, is Churchill's nephew.

Looking back, Churchill has joked that he spent most of his life on Seminary Road. He attended Episcopal High School and, following graduation from the University of Virginia, attended VTS where he earned an M.Div. in 1956. Later he served as chaplain at St. Stephen’s School from 1966 until he joined the VTS faculty in 1977. Concurrently, he served as a chaplain at the diocesan camp at Shrine Mont (1964-84) and as an assistant rector at Emmanuel on Russell Road (1962-95). Professor Tony Lewis remembers Churchill as his 10th grade English teacher and high school chaplain at St. Stephen’s. Many of Churchill’s former students look upon him as being one of the most influential people in their maturation, having treated them with respect, utter honesty, and complete integrity.

Earlier this year the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees unanimously voted to confer upon Churchill Gibson, Seminary Chaplain from 1977 to 1996, the title of Professor Emeritus, as of February 28, 1996. The designation of Emeritus status was made in appreciation of and in thanksgiving for Churchill’s many years of service and many contributions to the Seminary Community.

Said the Rev. Bob Prichard, professor of Church History at Virginia Seminary, “It is Churchill’s wit and his deep and abiding concern for matters of social justice that people most admire and revere. Churchill Gibson could make and still does make the Christian enterprise believable and oh so much more delightful. According to Churchill, 95% of ministry is just showing up!”

The schedule of events celebrating Churchill Gibson’s life include:

• Friday April 11, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm: the family will receive friends at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 1608 Russell Rd, Alexandria, VA

• Saturday April 12, 11:00 a.m.: A memorial service in the Seminary Chapel at 11:00 a.m. followed by lunch in the Deanery. The Rt. Rev. Peter James Lee will preside at the service; the Rt. Rev. Ted Gulick will preach.

• Monday April 14, 11:00 am: Interment at Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia.


From Dean Ian Markham's Commentary:

Thursday, April 10, 2008

4/10/2008

On this day, it is my duty to inform the Seminary Community and its friends of the death yesterday morning of the Rev. Churchill J. Gibson, Jr., a member of the Class of 1956 and Chaplain Emeritus of the Seminary. He was 77 years old.

Parish priest of the Diocese of Virginia, Chaplain at Saint Stephen's School and at Shrine Mont, the Virginia Diocesan camp, he served as a much loved Chaplain of the Seminary, shaping generations of students here at Virginia Theological Seminary. He was a wise and caring pastor who touched the lives of many students with his love of the Lord and his care of God's people.

He is survived by his wife Dorothy, his four children, and many other relatives and friends.

The funeral for the Reverend Churchill J. Gibson, Jr. will be held at the Seminary's chapel on Saturday April 12, 2008 at 11 a.m. followed by a reception, which will be held in the Deanery.

Please join me in keeping the Gibson family in your prayers and in giving thanks for Churchill's life and ministry.

May he rest in peace and rise in glory!

The Very Rev Ian Markham
Dean and President, VTS

From the Washington Post

Read it HERE.

GIBSON CHURCHILL J. GIBSON, JR. On April 9, 2008 in his home. Survived by his wife Dorothy S. and children Churchill J. Gibson, IV of Alexandria, VA; Dorothy B. Gibson of Seattle, WA; Webster S. Gibson of Winchester, VA; and Gay L. Gibson of Mechanicsville, VA and ten grandchildren and his sisters, Susan Stuart Gibson Davenport of Prospect, KY and Gay Gibson Pinder of Melfa, VA. Family will receive family and friends on Friday, April 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 1608 Russell Rd, Alexandria, VA. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 12 at the Virginia Theological Seminary, Alexandria, VA. Interment will be 11 a.m. Monday, April 14 at Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, VA. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Shrine Mont, Orkney Springs, VA 22845 or a charity of choice.


Published in The Washington Post on 4/10/2008.

You can also access the Washington Post Guestbook HERE.

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Churchill Gibson's Memorial Service at VTS, April 12, 2008

The Rev. Churchill J. Gibson, Jr. (1931-2008)
Virginia Theological Seminary mourns the death of the Rev. Churchill J. Gibson, Jr. (VTS '56), former chaplain at VTS and St. Stephen's School, who died Wednesday, April 9.

On Saturday, April 12, a Memorial Service was held in the Seminary Chapel. The Rt. Rev. Peter James Lee presided; the Rt. Rev. Ted Gulick preached.

Click here to watch Bishop Gulick's sermon (.wmv)
- Opens and plays in Windows Media Player -

Click here for an audio version of the service (.mp3)
- Allow time to load -

Click here for the Service Program (.pdf)

New Facebook group:
"Pray for the Rev. Churchill Gibson," click HERE.

Letter from the Rt. Rev. Peter James Lee to the clergy and churches of the Diocese of Virginia:

April 9, 2008

To: Clergy and Churches of the Diocese of Virginia

From: The Office of the Bishop

The Rev. Churchill Jones Gibson Jr., priest of the Diocese of Virginia, died Wednesday, April 9 at his home in Alexandria. Mr. Gibson was born in Richmond in 1931. After graduating from the University of Virginia and Virginia Theological Seminary, Mr. Gibson was ordained to the diaconate in 1956 and to the priesthood in 1957 by Bishop Goodwin. His family has been an active one in the Diocese: his father, the Rev. Churchill Jones Gibson Sr., served as long-time rector at St. James's, Richmond, and his grandfather, the Rt. Rev. Robert Atkinson Gibson, was bishop coadjutor from 1897-1902 and diocesan bishop until 1919. His uncle and aunt, the Rev. Dr. Edmund Lee Woodward and Frances Gibson Woodward, founded Shrine Mont.

Mr. Gibson had a vital ministry in both parochial and institutional settings. He began his career in Richmond as deacon-in-charge at St. Martin's, Triangle in 1956. He went on to positions as priest-in-charge at St. Martin's; chaplain at St. Stephen's School, Alexandria; associate rector at Emmanuel, Alexandria; rector of Epiphany, Herndon; interim rector at St. John's, Arlington; and his most recent position as associate rector at St. Mark's, Alexandria. He served as chaplain of Virginia Theological Seminary from 1977-1995.

Mr. Gibson was devoted to youth ministry, and was the much-beloved chaplain to a generation of young Virginia Episcopalians. He served as chaplain of the Cathedral Shrine of the Transfiguration from 1964-1984 and continued his involvement in the life of Shrine Mont until shortly before his death. He played a central role in the formation of St. George's Camp and a number of other Shrine Mont camps and programs. Additionally, Mr. Gibson authored several youth oriented works, including Youth in Crisis; A Prayer Book Manual; Sexual Practice & Student Confusion; and The Spiritual Format of Adolescence in the Church Tradition.

Mr. Gibson and his wife, Dorothy "Dottie" Gibson, whom he married in 1957, had four children. Churchill "Kirk" J. Gibson IV, a member of Emmanuel, Alexandria, serves as an Annual Council delegate and Executive Board member. The Rev. Webster S. Gibson is rector of Christ Church, Winchester. Dorothy Gibson Webster lives in Seattle. Gay Gibson May lives in Mechanicsville and is a member of St. James's, Richmond.

A funeral will be held Saturday, April 12 at 11 a.m. at Virginia Seminary Chapel. Clergy are asked to vest and wear white stoles.

Mrs. Gibson can be reached at 2103 Yale Drive, Alexandria, Virginia 22307.

The Diocese of Virginia | 110 West Franklin Street | Richmond | VA | 23220

The Anglican Communion Matters - Commentary by Dean Markham

Each day I read the commentary written by the Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary, today, I appreciated his brief and apt comment about the Anglican Communion and his assertion that it does matter...read the rest below, and read his commentary each day HERE.

Friday, February 22, 2008

2/22/2008

Make no mistake about it, the Anglican Communion matters. My ordination as an Episcopal priest is recognized by 80 million Anglicans worldwide – the third largest group in Christendom (after the Roman Catholics and the Orthodox churches). Many members of the Episcopal church settle in our tradition having come from the West Indies and else where in the Communion: these people want to continue to be in the same church as their siblings. In addition, Christians are exhorted by our Lord to be united – and it is not our place to add to the division. And it is both a privilege and a challenge to live in a global world, required to live with the diversity of culture: in this respect we anticipate the heavenly kingdom.

So it is a great honor to have on the campus today the most senior officer in the Anglican Communion - the Revd Canon Kenneth Kearon. He is the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion Office in London. Born and educated in Ireland, he became a priest in 1982. He was the Director of the Irish School of Ecumenics in 1999 and has an academic interest in medical ethics.

We are delighted that Canon Kearon and his wife staying with us on the campus. He will be offering today a ‘Fridays at the Seminary’ exploration of the Anglican Communion. And last night he participated in a student panel. We are grateful for his willingness to visit and hope and trust that this is the first of many visits to Virginia Theological Seminary.

The Very Rev Ian Markham
Dean and President