In Houston

As you can see from the picture, yesterday, the Rev. Dr. Barney Hawkins and I visited St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Houston. This is the largest Episcopal Church in the country; and the visit afforded me the opportunity to thank the congregation for their leadership gift in making St. Martin's Deanery possible.

Last night, we held a "Marking the Moment" event, where VTS alums gathered (mainly those less interested in the Superbowl) and we talked about the Historic Bicentenary, the construction, and the affiliation with General Theological Seminary.

Today is the first day of the Very Rev. Dr. Michael DeLashmutt's much deserved sabbatical. I am grateful for the work that he has done. He has some exciting plans for his sabbatical, from the writing of a book on the virtues to the joys of creating teapots out of clay. Michael please enjoy the gift of this pause in your professional life.

The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D.
Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary and President of General Theological Seminary