121st Annual Council – Day 1 highlights

Bishop's Address to Council

 The day opened with Bishop Hollerith’s Address to Council. “Today, I find that I am especially thankful and feeling more joyous about our common life in Southern Virginia than ever before,” said Bishop Hollerith. “Something is different in our diocese.  We seem to be turning a corner!  And for that I give God thanks and praise.  All of my remarks this morning will be framed by a deep sense of hope that is developing in my heart about our future.”  Click here for the full text of Bishop Hollerith’s address.

Chanco

As the Bishop noted in his address, "I believe that Chanco has the potential to be a kind of special cathedral for our diocese -- a place that acts as a true spiritual center for our common life.”  Vital to the mission and ministry of Chanco is its new Executive Director, Gareth Kalfas, who was introduced to Council this morning. Gareth began his work at Chanco just weeks ago. He comes to the diocese from Camp All Saints in Dallas.

Elections & Appointments

Results of Executive Board elections at the pre-Council Convocation meetings were reported. You can find a roster of our new Executive Board here. 

The appointment of our Convocation deans was also announced. You can find a roster of our new deans here. 

Elections were held. Elected to Standing Committee were the Rev. Bob Randall (Old Donation, Virginia Beach) and Dr. Angela Parker (St. Paul’s Memorial Chapel, Lawrenceville). Elected to Disciplinary Board were: Ms. Tracy Martin (St. John’s, Halifax), the Rev. Conor Alexander (St. Francis, VB), and the Rev. Anne Kirchmier (St. George’s, Newport News). Elected to the Provincial Synod were Mr. Scott Norris (Emmanuel, Jenkins Bridge) and the Rev. John Boucher (St. Matthias, Midlothian).

Resolutions

Constitutional Resolution 1 (Status of Parishes & Missions) and Canonical Resolutions 1 (Commission on Ministry), 2 (Discipline Structure) and 3 (Discipline Structure) were all passed. Click here for text of resolutions.

Reports

Reports were received from the Rev. Susan Grimm, president of the Standing Committee; the Rev. Conor Alexander, president of the Chanco board; the Rev. Keith Emerson, chair of the Leading a Holy Life Task Force; Bud Schoolar, chair of the Talbot Hall Property Committee; and the Rev. Jeunee Godsey of the Mission Network.

Keynote Speaker

Definitely the highlights of the day’s events included two talks given by our keynote speaker, Dr. Lisa Kimball on “The EPIC Adventure of Being Church.” “As human beings we are hard-wired for Epic meaning,” she said. “Across time and cultures, we are a people of story. We search for stories that help us live lives of meaning.” Facebook, Harry Potter, multi-player online role-playing games – all extraordinarily popular secular epic narratives – challenge and instruct the church when it comes to the way we share our epic story. “At its core, Christianity is an epic journey and if we’re not communicating it as an epic into which every single individual is invited for a leading, transforming role, then we’re not communicating it.”   

Diaconal Ordination Exploration Program accepting applications

The Diaconal Ordination Exploration Program in the Diocese of Southern Virginia is accepting applications now through May 15. Applicants will interview with the Commission on Ministry for postulancy in the fall of 2013. Those granted postulancy will receive formation and training in the new cross-diocesan school for deacons. The school is a joint effort of the Episcopal Dioceses of Southern Virginia and Virginia. We expect the instructional phase to begin in January of 2014.  During the two year course, classes will meet one weekend per quarter with assignments in between. Click here for more information. 

Mockingbird: an innovative, online spiritual community

Mockingbird is an innovative spiritual community of Christians mostly in their 20s and 30s that is online, virtual, and thriving. This pioneering concept is explored in a new video produced by the Episcopal Church. "Mockingbird is showing how to meet people where they are in a non-threatening way," explained Mike Collins, Episcopal Church Manager of Multimedia Services.  "They allow people to explore their faith through pop culture."

According to Episcopalian David Zahl, "Mockingbird was started in 2007 in NYC, by a bunch of friends and colleagues who were interested in reaching out to young adults who had been "burned by the church." Many of us had grown up in mainline churches and had watched our friends drift away, or in some cases, get pushed away. We noticed that many of them ended up in New York, a place we love (my hometown). Anyway, it soon morphed into something else altogether, something much more exciting and larger in scope." Zahl added, "Mockingbird is a non-profit organization devoted to connecting the message of God's grace with the realities of everyday life in fresh and creative ways. We do this primarily, but not exclusively, via online resources, publications and conferences."

Mockingbird focuses on things "people are already thinking about," whether its science, theology, social science pop culture.  The five-year-old movement, according to its website, "seeks to connect the Christian faith with the realities of everyday life in fresh and down-to-earth ways."

Although the online community doesn't have a home made of bricks and mortars, Zahl noted, "the majority of our board members and volunteers are members or clergy in the Episcopal Church.  You could say we were born out of and sustained by the ministry of the Episcopal Church. We certainly have a lot of love for (and commitment to) our wonderful denomination!"  

Mockingbird will be sponsoring a conference in April in New York City. www.mbird.com

Presiding Bishop provides testimony on gun violence to Senate Judiciary Subcommittee

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has submitted written testimony to the United States Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights, chaired by Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, for the hearing on Proposals to reduce gun violence: protecting our communities while respecting the Second Amendment.   

"I urge lawmakers to press for comprehensive and universal background checks for firearm ownership, regardless of where and how a gun is purchased; for bans on the availability to civilians of assault rifles and high-capacity magazines; and for policies designed to better regulate the manufacture of guns, the Presiding Bishop states in her testimony. The Episcopal Church also supports the highest level of accountability for violation of all existing laws pertaining to violence in our midst." Click here for the full text of the testimony.

Daughters of the King sponsor Quiet Day for women

February 27, 8:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Christ the King, Tabb

Daughters of the King Diocesan Chaplain, the Rev. Jack Lynch will lead a Lenten Quiet Day sponsored by the Daughters of the King of the Diocese of Southern Virginia. The day is open to all women. Contact Ronda Toll at rtoll@cox.net for more information.

Saint Augustine's University discusses plans to acquire Saint Paul's Collge

The Executive Committee of the Saint Augustine's University Board of Trustees met with the Executive Committee of the Saint Paul's College Board of Trustees to discuss an acquisition of Saint Paul's College located in Lawrenceville, Virginia. Founded in 1888, Saint Paul's College is one of three historically black colleges affiliated with the Episcopal Church. Saint Augustine's University and Voorhees College are the other two. Saint Augustine's University is located in Raleigh, NC.

Both boards agreed to move forward with joint management of the Saint Paul's College operations beginning January 1, 2013. The joint management agreement will allow Saint Augustine's University to complete its due diligence on the proposed acquisition while providing support to the Saint Paul's College campus. A plan is being developed that will create a campus of Saint Augustine's University at the Saint Paul's College site.

Saint Augustine's University is committed to preserving the legacy and history of Saint Paul's College. This strategic decision by both boards will allow for enhanced educational opportunities for the students currently enrolled in both institutions and will support the vision of the greater Lawrenceville community.

"There continues to be a number of unknowns; however, we are excited about the possibilities as we move forward in a cautious and responsible manner. Our main responsibility continues to be the on-going health, and viability of Saint Augustine's University. We have a tremendous opportunity ahead of us - a chance to create a model for other institutions with challenging circumstances. And, a chance for both of these fine institutions to leave their footprints on the future," said President Dianne Boardley Suber. 

Seeing the Episcopal Church in a new way

by Rick Cole, St. Luke's, Powhatan

I have concluded a three-year term as our Convocation 7 lay representative on the Executive Board of the Diocese of Southern Virginia. Though it was a step outside my comfort zone and it did take time and work, I received far more from the experience than I gave. 

• Learning - I knew I had a lot to learn, but I did know how much I did not know. I became more informed about Diocesan programs and ministries, staff, procedures, budget, and church governance. Most importantly, I came to the realization that the Diocese is not us and them. It is only "us" and it is made up of regular people working unselfishly to do God's will and support each other (not some mysterious entity or bureaucracy that exists only to perpetuate itself).
• Inspiration - You cannot help but be inspired by the amazing people and amazing ministries in our midst.
• Networking - You work with and get to know fellow Episcopalians who face many of the same challenges you do. You formally and informally share and brainstorm strategies for dealing with those challenges.
• An opportunity to serve - God has given each of us gifts to share and grow. Serving the larger church is one way to serve God's people and his church.
• A broader perspective - being around people from the different areas of the diocese with different viewpoints and priorities helps give you a greater appreciation for the needs and assets of our diocese.
• New friends!

I conclude my time as an Executive Board member as a better advocate for who we as a Diocese and with a greater appreciation of the boundless potential that we have when we take advantage of opportunities to work together. I encourage you to prayerfully consider the opportunities to participate in Diocesan activities and on committees or boards.

The Episcopal Church in Southern Virginia is a diverse Eucharistic community, committed to the Gospel, collaborating for strength, innovating for growth, equipping each other to live in the world as disciples of Jesus Christ. -- Diocese of Southern Virginia Vision Statement