Dick Rutledge '51 and Episcopal's Theologian-in-Residence Program

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DICK RUTLEDGE ’51 on the Theologian-in-Residence Program

Dick’s wife of over 60 years, the Reverend Fleming Rutledge, became one of the first ordained female ministers in the United States in 1975, and Dick originally established the program in her honor. Despite her life’s work and deep faith, she was surprised to hear that Dick had, unbeknownst to her, approached Ainslie about such a program. Deeply touched, she embraced it wholeheartedly and has since been both a Theologian-in-Residence on campus and also a Portrait in Faith speaker — another program inspired by the Rutledge family’s commitment to fostering faith at Episcopal. Portrait in Faith was made possible through a generous gift to the School from Dick’s close friend, Henry Burnett ’44.

Dick did not just conceive of and help to fund both the Theologian-in-Residence and Portrait in Faith programs. For the first decade, he meticulously studied and helped choose the participants who were ultimately invited to campus for the week, getting to know Episcopal’s chaplains very well in the process, and continuing to make an indelible mark on the School. This hands-on work was certainly not new to Dick. During an impressive career in marketing, which included 27 years at IBM, he started Faith on Fire, a passion project at Christ Church in Greenwich,

When Dick Rutledge ’51 approached then Headmaster Sandy Ainslie ’56 about establishing the Theologian-inResidence program in the early nineties, the alumnus had one specific goal in mind. Impact. How might this program impact the lives of Episcopal students and further highlight the gospel of Jesus Christ on campus? True to its mission, the program has brought a wealth of theologians to campus since its founding in 1993, enriching the spiritual lives of countless High Schoolers.

Dick ’51 and Fleming Rutledge with Theologian-inResidence Rev. Dr. Esau McCaulley in Callaway Chapel

Rutledge From the 1951 Whispers

Conn., that arranges for transformational messages from distinguished ministers, priests, and seminary professors. That experience would prove to go hand in hand with his work on the Theologianin-Residence program.

Through Faith on Fire, Dick would research every single speaker he would suggest or invite to the monthly program, ensuring that their messaging would resonate with the audience members. “He would not invite anyone unless they already had the gifts to make a compelling presentation,” said Fleming. In keeping with Dick’s vision for the Theologian-inResidence program, Episcopal always strives to introduce exciting spiritual leaders to The High School whenever possible, which has helped the programs last and thrive all these years.

“The vision of these programs,” wrote Dick in the Spring 2014 issue of EHS: The Magazine, “was to bring, twice a year, powerful preachers and teachers who would capture the attention, and

The vision of these programs was to bring, twice a year, powerful preachers and teachers who would capture the attention, and then the heart and soul, of the student and adult community.”

then the heart and soul, of the student and adult community.” He hopes that the Theologian-inResidence and Portrait in Faith programs bring every community member at Episcopal closer to God and the gospel. “I believe God is seeking those He loves,” he said in the closing of his article, “which includes all of the students, faculty, and staff at Episcopal High School.”

In January, the Rutledges visited campus to hear the 2022-23 Theologian-in-Residence, the Rev. Dr. Esau McCaulley, preach at the School’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Vespers service. While she rarely weighs in on who she believes would make a good guest, Fleming had been following McCaulley’s rapidly rising star in the past few years and knew that Episcopal needed to hear his gospel. “I love to follow young, compelling preachers who know the gospel,” she told us. “I said to Dick, ‘this is somebody we’ve got to invite.’”

Before meeting in person, Fleming and McCaulley were both admirers of each other’s work, and they now are each contributing volumes in a six-part series from InterVarsity Press on the church year called “The Fullness of Time,” which will be edited by McCaulley. His recent book, “Lent: The Season of Repentance and Renewal” is already on the market, and Fleming’s book on Epiphany will be published later this year.

As McCaulley told Head Chaplain Rev. Betsy Carmody when she asked what made him say yes to Episcopal, “No one says ‘no’ to Fleming Rutledge.”

When speaking to Dick, it is apparent how much of an influence Episcopal had on him as a young man. To him, honor and integrity remain the biggest pillars of his time on The Holy Hill. “Those ideals are in the water at Episcopal,” Dick said.

While on campus in January, he recounted a story of a slow start to his ultimately long career at IBM. Newly married to Fleming and just starting out in sales, he was floundering during a department-wide training, and a colleague suggested he might cheat on a test they all needed to pass to continue with the company. “I thought about it for a moment, but then I thought about EHS,” Dick said. Mr. Ravenel’s voice entered his head, and Dick immediately knew the right path forward. Following his moral compass, Dick passed and went on to enjoy a strong career at IBM, thanks to both Episcopal and Mr. Ravenel.

After all, if you ask the Rutledges, it all comes back to impact

Seminarian Intern Enriches Campus Life

For over a decade, Episcopal has welcomed students from Virginia Theological Seminary to fulfill their field education requirements. This year, Episcopal was excited to have our neighbor, thirdyear student Mitchell Felton, join our community during the month of January.

During his time at Episcopal, Felton lectured in various classes, preached a homily during Chapel, and joined the community to celebrate the seventh annual MLK Symposium. He quickly became a valued member of EHS, working alongside Head Chaplain Rev. Betsy Carmody and Assistant Chaplain Rev. Richmond Jones, whom he described as authentic, transparent, and reliable.

He also shared campus for a short time with Episcopal’s 2022-23 Theologian-in-Residence, Rev. Dr. Esau McCaulley. Felton described his time with Rev. McCaulley as a true gift: “It was such an amazing opportunity to be around him,” he said. “As someone who has read his book, I was excited to spend time with him and learn from his wisdom.”

Felton was just as impressed as McCaulley with Episcopal students. “I have to add that Episcopal students are just so awesome,” he said. “They are curious, willing to learn, and they are so loyal to this place.”