The Archbishop of Canterbury has asked the Virginia Theological Seminary to invite ACNA representatives to the dedication ceremony of the school’s chapel.
The Archbishop of Canterbury has asked the Virginia Theological Seminary to invite representatives from seminaries affiliated with the Anglican Church in North America to attend, on an equal basis as representatives from seminaries of the Episcopal Church, the dedication of the school’s chapel. On 13 Oct 2015 the Most Rev. Justin Welby will dedicate Immanuel Chapel on the VTS campus and preach at the 10:00 service with the current and future Presiding Bishops of the Episcopal Church, the Most Revs. Katharine Jefferts Schori and Michael Curry, co-celebrating the Eucharist. At a choral evensong scheduled for 4:00 pm later that day Archbishop Welby and former Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold will dedicate the chapel’s change ringing bells. A lecture by chapel architect Robert A.M. Stern will follow. On 22 Oct 2010 the Nineteenth century chapel was badly damaged by fire at the Alexandria, Virginia theological college. The Very Rev. Ian Markham, dean of VTS, said he this was an “exciting time in the life of” the school. “More than a thousand guests will be here to join the trustees, faculty, staff, and students for this historic occasion offered to the Glory of God.” Student and faculty representatives from each of the Episcopal Church’s seminaries will be present at a dinner hosted by Dean Markham the previous evening, as well as representatives from the ACNA. A spokesman for the Archbishop told Anglican Ink: “I can confirm that The Dean of VTS is hosting a dinner at The Archbishop of Canterbury’s request to which the Dean/Director plus a senior student of all those seminaries investing in the education and formation of Episcopal and other Anglican future clergy in North America are invited, on Monday October 12.. This includes Reformed Episcopal Seminary.” Dean Jonathan Riches and student Peter Joslyn are scheduled to attend the gathering on behalf of the Reformed Episcopal Seminary.
