Join Dr. Garwood Anderson, Dean of Nashotah House, and Nashotah House friends and alumni at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Tampa, Florida. Hosted by Nashotah House and the Rev. Christian Wood (‘16), rector at St. John’s, this will be an evening of fun, fellowship and sharing with you the good things happening at the House! Light food and beverages will be served. Feel free to share and invite friends or colleagues! We look forward to seeing you there! March 29th >> RSVP here!

The Rev. James Lloyd Edwards (‘74) died at his home on Monday, February 22, 2022, after an extended illness. Fr. Edwards studied at Nashotah House and graduated with an M.Div. in 1974. He was ordained to the diaconate in 1974 and to the priesthood in 1975. He served at St. George’s Episcopal Church, Nashville, Tennessee; St. Thomas’s Episcopal Church, Knoxville, Tennessee; Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Columbia, South Carolina; and retired from Church of the Cross, Columbia, South Carolina.

By the Rev. Dr. Greg Peters, Servants of Christ Research Professor of Monastic Studies and Ascetical Theology

When one hears the phrase “priestly spirituality,” it is unlikely that the name Richard Baxter comes immediately to mind. John Chrysostom, Gregory the Great, George Herbert, and Michael Ramsey are more likely to come to mind than a Puritan like Baxter. But Baxter’s The Reformed Pastor is a classic text for priestly ministry. J.I. Packer wrote that “Baxter was a poor performer in public life . . . his combative, judgmental, pedagogic way of proceeding with his peers made failure a foregone conclusion every time.” Nonetheless, Packer is also quick to give credit where credit is due: “As a pastor, however, Baxter was incomparable.”

By the Rev. Canon Dr. Justin S. Holcomb

The word “apologetics” comes from the Greek word apologia, which means “the act of making a defense.” In Philippians 1:7, 16, apologia refers to a defense of the gospel, and in 1 Peter 3:15 it refers to a defense of the hope Christians have.

Apologetics is the study, discipline, and practice of showing that the gospel message is true. It includes defending the Christian faith against criticisms, distortions, and challenges as well as offering reasons for its credibility and our hope. Theologian Alister McGrath explains: “Christian apologetics represents the serious and sustained engagement with ‘ultimate questions’ raised by a culture, people group, or individual aiming to show how the Christian faith is able to provide meaningful answers to such questions.”

Now, with four weeks of Ordinary time between Candlemas and Ash Wednesday, those of us in charge of the music in chapel have the chance to look a little further ahead. We will be making a professionally produced recording in March for Affetto Records. This is inspired by an iconic LP vinyl made here in the 1970s with Fr. Louis Weil, entitled Alleluia, Sing!

This video is a brief introduction to approaching Lent in our Chapel of St. Mary the Virgin and some of the musical and liturgical choices we make according to our Customary. 

The Rev. R.J. Johnson, (‘98) has returned to the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio to serve as the rector of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Canton.

The pandemic has been a strange time to enter a new community; Fr. Johnson said, “It has presented some unique challenges as we have not been able to do many of the things we would normally do during a transition. At the same time, it has provided opportunities to meet new people in smaller groups where we can have longer conversations.”

By Elisabeth Rain Kincaid, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Ethics and Moral Theology at Nashotah House

Is the ruler or head of the executive branch subject to limitations placed on his actions by the law? This question has become more relevant since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, as the presidents of the United States have claimed a widening swath of executive privilege and broader exemptions from civil and international law.

Nashotah House is pleased to announce scholarships are now available for the summer courses in 2022! Please note scholarships are not offered for conferences. For more information and how to request a scholarships, please click the image above!

The Rev. John Dale Walker (‘83) was born on April 6, 1954 to Harold Ellsworth Walker II & Audrey Holly Reed Walker on a Navy base in Balboa, Panama. Since he grew up in a military family, he had all kinds of adventures in his early life. The fun stories of his childhood were so outlandish, we never really knew if he was embellishing or not.  We will have to ask his sister, Leann Walker GIbberson, if we want to really know the truth.

The Rev. John Kevin Philips of Monterey died Friday, January 21, 2022. His life was one of devotion, kindness, and gentleness. He loved his God, his Church, his family, his friends, and indeed all creatures great and small. Kevin was also an adventurer in that he embraced the world of life with deep love and respect for its beauty and richness. In mid-life he took up scuba diving and it suited him so well. Once, way off the beaten path, we stopped at a village for permission to dive their reef. It was freely given as our group harms nothing. And it turned out that this village was an Anglican community that had not had a visit by a priest in years.

Funeral services celebrating the life of the Rev. Judith C. Dalmasso, (‘06), will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 12, 2022 at Beulah Presbyterian Church, 9221-148th Ave., Orion, Illinois.  Visitation will be 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Friday, February 11, at Halligan McCabe DeVries Funeral Home in Davenport. An additional visitation will be held 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Saturday at the church. As we know many people will want to join the family in celebrating Judith’s life, the family requests that for everyone’s safety and health that masks are worn. In lieu of flowers the family requests a donation to Renewal In Christ Ministries (RICM) or St.Alban’s Episcopal Church.

In this podcast from The Classic Anglican, Fr. Lawrence McElrath, (‘17), considers his study and formation received at Nashotah House. The thoughtful and informative conversation considers the Christian faith and sacramentalism. The sacramental life drives Fr. McElrath’s ministry in the field as an Army Chaplain in caring for soldiers during their darkest times.

By the Rev. Dr. Thomas L. Holtzen, Ph.D., Professor of Historical and Systematic Theology at Nashotah House

The silent sentinels in creation speak to us daily, even though “their voice is not heard.” Who can see a sunrise or sunset and not hear in the silence the voice of God? Who can experience the soul-aching beauty of creation and not understand God’s unspoken language? Truly “the heavens declare the glory of God” when each day pours forth its voiceless speech. Behold the beauty of a storm. Listen to the silence of the falling snow. Feel the rain wet your face. Let the sun warm your skin. Know that God your creator is always present.

By Erin M Diericx, ‘20

Each individual moves about their routines in their own unique way. When an individual gets up, he usually goes to the bathroom, makes coffee, and gets ready for his day. But what happens when you need help to get out of bed and to go to the bathroom? What happens if you cannot move your own body or if your muscles move uncontrollably? How do you navigate throughout your day?

By Heather Poyner, Kenosha News

The Rev. Dave Manley (‘20) is a new priest in every sense of the word. Ordained to the priesthood last June, Manley’s first call to full-time parish service was to St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church. He led his first worship service there on December 12, the third Sunday of Advent. In answering the call to serve St. Matthews, Manley fulfilled a lifelong intention he said in a recent interview at the historic Downtown Kenosha church.

The Chapel of Saints Peter & Paul

Robert E. Armidon, MDiv ‘21

It is well-known among those who have attended, worked, or lived at Nashotah House that the highest point on the campus is occupied by Webb Hall, better known as “the Fort.” This building has seen many uses in its long history as one of the older buildings on campus, serving initially in 1865 as a residence for Dr. Azel Cole, the second Dean of Nashotah House and successor to James Lloyd Breck, and later as faculty housing, dormitory for Carroll College students resident at Nashotah House as part of the Preparatory Department, and currently as both faculty and guest housing. What is far less well-known is that on the east wing of the third floor lies one of the “hidden gems” of Nashotah House – the Chapel of Saints Peter and Paul. 

By the Rev. Matthew S.C. Olver, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Liturgics and Pastoral Theology at Nashotah House

The ways of numbering and counting and commemorating the days of the Christmas and Epiphany seasons are enough to leave one’s head spinning. The evidence seems to be that Epiphany on January 6 arose in the East before the celebration of Our Lord’s Nativity on December 25 (for a summary of the more recent scholarship on all of these questions, see The Origins of Feasts, Fasts, and Seasons in Early Christianity by Paul Bradshaw and Maxwell Johnson). The first English prayer book continued the quite old tradition of following Christmas Day with a sequence of three feasts: St. Stephen, on December 26 (December 27 in the East); St. John the Evangelist on December 27; and the Holy Innocents on December 28. These feasts date quite early (the first two dating at least to the fourth century) and all have clear and explicit biblical warrant.