Update on the status of our partnership with VTS

I am pleased to be able to provide this update on the status of our partnership with VTS.

The Executive Committee of our Board recently approved the final draft of our Memorandum of Understanding with Virginia Theological Seminary.  Last week, Dean Markham and I executed the agreement, entering us into a formal process of affiliation!

This is a truly exciting moment, not only for General and Virginia, but for the entire Episcopal Church!  I am reminded of the first verse of Psalm 133 - "How good it is when siblings dwell together in unity."  

Between now and our Board meeting in May, a small group of trustees from VTS and GTS will work together on the "Definitive Agreement" which will outline the mechanics of our affiliation.  Much of this has to do with the formal legal structure of the affiliation and the form of governance that will be adopted between the two schools.  Our hope is to approve this agreement in May, involve the General Convention in July, then execute the formal process of affiliation by August.

One of the major benefits of the affiliation with VTS is the chance to combine resources and improve services for students on both the VTS Alexandria campus and the GTS Chelsea campus.  Dean Markham and I are working together closely to identify areas where collaboration between departments can most naturally occur.  As concrete plans emerge, we will be sure to keep everyone involved in the loop.

I believe that this partnership has effectively secured the legacy of General Seminary for many decades to come.  I pray that God blesses our third century of shared mission and ministry with our new partner, VTS.