Summertime...

Our blog has been quiet for a few months as we have been closing down the last academic year and preparing for the new--and taking vacations. My vacation was wonderful; and now I'm alone in the office this week while Marguerite and Fr. Crossin are out, but this relaxing state of affairs will not last long. The first autumn orientation is next Monday at the Virginia Theological Seminary, where Fr. Crossin will be giving his first talk to the seminary's Class of 2011.

Coming up at the Consortium this fall you can expect to see many of our usual activities, such as the New Student Orientation on September 6th and the Faculties' Convocation on September 24th, but there will be much that is new as well. Our updated website is nearly ready to upload and should be ready by the beginning of classes. Our new Certificate Program in Muslim-Christian Studies will begin, joining our recently-launched Certificate in Ecumenism. The Shalem Institute will host the Consortium's Spirituality Day October 20th. At the direction of the Council of Academic Deans, our observance of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will be considerably expanded. And I'll be sending reminder notices to the schools as these events approach, with the hope that many will take advantage of these unique opportunities for ecumenical and interreligious dialogue.

So enjoy the last few days of summer, preferably in air-conditioned comfort, and please remember to keep us in your prayers as we make the final plans for our coming year together.