Seminary Journal 2008 (August) - Virginia Theological Seminary

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had sent a deacon and a deacon’s assistant. I didn’t know what a deacon’s assistant did. The deacon’s assistant didn’t talk a lot. He wore a suit coat and dark glasses. I didn’t know what a deacon’s assistant did until his coat fell open and I saw it. It occurred to me that this is what we need in the American Church—an armed diaconate. [laughter] Anyway, Church folk picked us up and took good care of us. We went to the hotel and various receptions and occasions that were held around the enthronement of Bishop Bernard, who is a dear and wonderful and holy man. He welcomed us and embraced us as his brothers in Christ. We spent two whole days in the ceremonies surrounding the enthronement. The enthronement was in the soccer stadium. We walked in procession into the stadium guarded by militia made up of both Tutsi and Hutu. The Archbishop of Canterbury was there to support Burundi as it was trying to rebuild. We processed from the diocesan house, which was named Peace House and which was built with funds from the United Thank Offering. (Don’t underestimate those little blue boxes…they go where we don’t often go.) The service was about four hours. It was in the local languages, so the only person I understood was the Archbishop of Canterbury and he’s British, so I barely understood him. [laughter] I was sitting next to a Bishop from Rwanda, and he was translating a little bit. “We processed from the diocesan house, which was built with funds from the United Thank Offering. Don’t underestimate those little blue boxes… they go where we don’t often go.” We were carrying on a conversation as the service went on. In those situations you talk about a variety of things. I showed him pictures of my kids and grandkids. He showed me pictures of his kids and grandkids. At some point, I discovered that he was a Hutu from Rwanda…I discovered he was a member of the Hutu tribe …of the tribe that slaughtered Tutsis. I discovered that as a Hutu he refused to take up a sword against his brothers…I discovered that as a parish priest he gave sanctuary to a Tutsi. I discovered he was part of the underground railroad…I discovered that he had saved many lives until he was forced to fl ee. I asked my brother, “How did you do that?” and he said, “My brother, I do not know. I’m no different from anyone else. In the end you must trust God. And do what you believe is right. Remember that we follow Jesus, not the crowd.” That is real and radical discipleship. And that is prophetic leadership. Prophetic leadership that is the fruit of real discipleship will change the world. It always has, and it always will. God love you. God bless you. May the Almighty God and loving Creator uphold you… strengthen you… and send you forth in God’s love in this world. Amen. While there was a manuscript of Bishop Curry’s address, the Journal is presenting an edited transcript of the audio recording he actually delivered. 16 VIRGINIA SEMINARY JOURNAL AUGUST 2007
A Refl ection on the VTS Racial and Ethnic Diversity Initiative Since 2003, Virginia Theological Seminary has intentionally embarked on an effort to recognize and address issues of race and diversity through the Racial and Ethnic Diversity Initiative (REDI). Issues relating to race and diversity and equality continue to play a major role in our every day life. Some believe that in this day and time we no longer need to talk about race and diversity and equality because we have overcome the major issues related to them. The fact is that racism and inequality are operative on every level of society and in the church, whether consciously understood or not. Through a generous grant from the Carpenter Foundation and funds raised by VTS for this initiative, the Seminary has been able to offer programs, lectures, worship services, and special events that assure that the REDI is woven into the fabric of our community. A signifi cant aspect of my work is coordinating the Racial and Ethnic Diversity Initiative. After almost three years in my ministry at the Seminary, I believe we have established a solid foundation for this endeavor upon which we can build in years to come. Continuing to foster an awareness of racial and ethnic diversity issues in a constantly changing community requires intentionality in our prayer, worship, study, and communal life. As an institution it is critical that we continue to advocate and provide resources for a diversity of voices within the faculty and the curriculum, while we actively recruit racial and ethnic minorities to matriculate at VTS. We have sponsored community events, lectures, and forums that promote racial and ethnic awareness. Our cornerstone event of the REDI is the commemoration of the martyrdom of The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on April 4 th of each year. In 2005, the faculty voted to designate April 4 th as a day dedicated to VIRGINIA SEMINARY JOURNAL AUGUST 2007 by the Rev. Joseph Constant Assistant for Admissions and Community Life When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it fi lled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fi re, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were fi lled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language?” Acts 2:1-8 NSRV observing the remembrance of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the principles upon which his mission and ministry were based. Over the past two years, VTS has observed the day by offering lectures and a Eucharist at which a guest is invited to preach. Dynamic speakers and preachers have included the Rev. Harold Lewis of Calvary Episcopal Church in Pittsburgh, the Very Rev. Robert Wright of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Atlanta, and the Rt. Rev. Michael Curry, Bishop of North Carolina. Towards the end of the academic year 2006-7, the Racial and Ethnic Diversity Committee, which is comprised of faculty, staff, students, and alumni, identifi ed Acts 2 as the foundation of the work that we as a seminary community and church are called to engage in as we envision the future. For this effort to continue to bear fruit, it requires the cooperation of VTS faculty, students, and staff, coupled with the partnership of VTS alumni, dioceses, and local churches to work together as we keep the many issues pertaining to race and diversity and equality at the forefront of our on-going conversations in our work and ministry. We will continue to live into the mission of this initiative while we continue to discern new ways to achieve our goals. The result of such work is not always readily visible, yet we believe that God is in the midst of it. I am pleased with the support that we have received from so many people over the past few years to make this initiative a reality. I am grateful to Dean Martha Horne for her vision of a seminary that is welcoming to people from every race, language, and culture. It is my prayer that the Spirit of Pentecost will continue to empower, strengthen, and guide us in our journey to live as brothers and sisters in Christ. 17
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Page 5 and 6: VTS as our next Dean and President.
Page 7 and 8: ing this commemoration on the day o
Page 9 and 10: “I am convinced that the moral ar
Page 11 and 12: “If you continue in my Word you a
Page 13 and 14: speak—that silence was complicit.
Page 15 and 16: while Gandhi gave us the method.”
Page 17: and said, “Where is Burundi?” [
Page 22 and 23: Isaiah 40:6-8, 21-24, 28-31 Psalm 7
Page 24 and 25: The prophet Isaiah acknowledges tha
Page 26 and 27: I met Martha Horne in front of Aspi
Page 28 and 29: This has been a very wonderful fami
Page 30 and 31: “There should be something in the
Page 32 and 33: A Celebration in Thanksgiving for t
Page 34 and 35: Julia and Malina Cochran, daughters
Page 36 and 37: The Water of Life 34 VIRGINIA SEMIN
Page 38 and 39: “Designer water at $100 a bottle
Page 40 and 41: St. Francis’ perspective on water
Page 42 and 43: around God does not need to devasta
Page 44 and 45: The Need for a Theology of Water: T
Page 46 and 47: “Who gets the water is a matter o
Page 48 and 49: federal government could prepare an
Page 50 and 51: deal with than surface water, after
Page 52 and 53: “The change in vision that we nee
Page 54 and 55: Preaching is a privilege. I thank y
Page 56 and 57: changing of direction. I went back
Page 58 and 59: device ever invented—and it is th
Page 60 and 61: When the Rivers Run Dry: Water, the
Page 62 and 63: else of water and to empty rivers a
Page 64 and 65: serves. I am old enough to remember
Page 66 and 67: purposes, such as fi lling the taps
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Commencement Address to the Class o
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daughter on the eve of All Saints
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even, it is okay. It means that you
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Newland F. Smith 3rd Librarian Seab
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COMMENCEMENT 2007 continued The Rev
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Isaiah 25:6-9 Psalm 121 Romans 8:14
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and I know that even now God will g
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A Sermon for Maxine Shelly Turner (
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Michael Battle and Stephen Edmondso
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Betty M Glover Priest-In-Charge Tri
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Dr. Chris McConnachie, who is an or
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Good morning. Separation of church
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when I heard him tell the chaplain
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media’s fault? Yes, to some exten
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Virginia Seminary Welcomes Its New
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Seminary, sharing their life storie
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ANNUAL GIVING Annual Giving is a co
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Your generosity also helped the Sem
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Help provide for the financial futu
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The Rev. Ronald G. Abrams The Rev.
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Dr. and Mrs. William G. Thomas III
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The Henry St. George Tucker Society
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Mr. and Mrs. Richard G. Abbott, ‘
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The Rev. S. F. James Abbott, ‘66
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The Rev. Catherine M. Thompson, ‘
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The Rev. John R. Frizzell, Jr., ‘
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Anita Wheatcroft The Rev. G. Richar
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The Rev. A. Moody Burt The Rev. Dr.
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The Rev. William H. Burk The Rev. J
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The 14th anniversary of my ordinati
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Kreitler Environmental Fund The Kre
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St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Ne
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The Rev. and Mrs. Gary L. Abbott, S
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Mr. and Mrs. James C. Hamilton, Jr.
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Mr. Emil M. Sunley The Rev. and Mrs
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volume weave together the familiar,
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and in “Throwing the things away,
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and American Evangelicals: Friends
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The Center for Lifetime Theological
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Seminary Journal 2008 (August) - Virginia Theological Seminary

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