212th Annual Council |
| |
|
Courtesy Resolutions CR-1: The Rev. Dr. Genevieve Murphy (ADOPTED) R-1: Day Laborers (ADOPTED) CR-1 The Rev. Dr. Genevieve Murphy - ADOPTED: TEXT PENDING FINAL REVIEW Whereas, The Rev. Dr. Genevieve M. Murphy has faithfully fulfilled her duties as Rector of Buck Mountain Episcopal Church, Earlysville, Virginia; and Whereas, Dr. Murphy has continually guided the spiritual lives of our congregation; and Whereas, Dr. Murphy has worked diligently to fulfill our mission: “to restore all people to unity with God and to each other in Christ;” and Whereas, Dr. Murphy has consistently preached on what Christian love truly is; and Whereas, Dr. Murphy has been our friend, an important part of our Buck Mountain Church family, and is loved and respected; now therefore be Resolved, that the 212th Council of the Diocese of Virginia joins with the vestry and congregation of Buck Mountain Episcopal Church, Earlysville, Virginia in expressing its profound thanks and gratitude to the Rev. Dr. Genevieve Murphy for her ministry and exemplary service to this parish and the Episcopal Church; and be it further Resolved, that we honor her presence among us, and extend our love and best wishes for a long, healthy and happy retirement.
CR-2 The Rev. Dr. Rufus Womble - ADOPTED: TEXT PENDING FINAL REVIEW Whereas, The Rev. Dr. Rufus J. Womble, departed this life on November 15, 2006 at the age of 94, and Whereas, Dr. Womble attended the Virginia Theological Seminary, receiving his Master’s degree in 1940, ordained to the Diaconate on June 16, 1940 and became a priest in 1941, serving St. Mark’s Church in Roxboro and Christ Church in Milton, North Carolina; and Whereas, Dr. Womble served as a chaplain during World War II and then as Rector of The Church of the Epiphany in Richmond from 1945 to 1958, when he was called to Little Rock, Arkansas serving as Rector of Christ Church until 1980 and as rector emeritus until his passing. During that time, he had a daily television show for more than 20 years; and Whereas, Dr. Womble became part of the staff and a member of All Saints Episcopal Church in Richmond for over 25 years, serving as Priest in Charge of its Healing Ministry, having become involved with this ministry after being healed of arthritis at age 39, following a diagnosis that he would be confined to a wheelchair and would never walk again; and Whereas, Dr. Womble was Chaplain of the International Order of St. Luke the Physician and from 1978 to 1983 serving as head of the OSL and its 7000 worldwide members and thereafter served as Warden Emeritus, conducting more than 650 healing missions in 38 states and 10 foreign countries; and Whereas, Dr. Womble wrote Wilt Thou Be Made Whole, selling over 25,000 copies and also authored 11 additional booklets, which have sold more than 200,000 copies; now, therefore, be it Resolved, by the 212th Annual Council of the Diocese of Virginia, that the Council hereby notes with great sadness the passing of the Rev. Dr. Rufus J. Womble, an outstanding servant of God who contributed significantly to the wellbeing of the citizens of the Diocese of Virginia, and a fine Virginia gentleman.
Whereas, The Reverend Roma W. Maycock faithfully served as rector of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Catlett, and provided leadership in the Diocese of Virginia and Region XIII for 20 years; and Whereas, Served as spiritual leader during 1985 – 1989 at St. Stephen’s in Catlett and Grace in Casanova, and then full time priest at St. Stephen’s until retirement, June 2005; and Whereas, During tenure at St. Stephen’s, the Rev. Roma W. Maycock was recognized throughout the parish for her ministry to youth and the family unit worshiping together; and Whereas, From starting a successful preschool, a before and after-school program, and making the parish hall available for community activities, resulting in a recent doubling of the size of the parish hall; and now therefore be it Resolved, That this 212th Annual Council of the Diocese of Virginia joins the congregation and vestry of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Catlett in expressing its sincere appreciation with deepest thanksgiving and extends to the Rev. Roma W. Maycock best wishes for a long happy retirement and God’s blessings. Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be sent to her and printed in the 212th Annual Council.
Whereas, Mrs. Mildred C. Jamison was active throughout her life in numerous civic and charitable organizations, including The Historic Fredericksburg Foundation, The Fredericksburg Forum, The Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts, and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts;
and
Whereas, Shrine Mont, The Cathedral Shrine of the Transfiguration and a retreat center of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia, is "a place apart," provided by the Diocese, "for rest, devotion, fellowship, learning and education, where all may grow in the grace of God"; and
Whereas, The Reverend David Poist retired on June 30, 2006, after 29 years of service as Associate Rector and Chaplain, Priest in Charge, and Rector and Chaplain of St. Paul’s Memorial Episcopal Church in Charlottesville; and Whereas, during his tenure, he served as the principal chaplain for the Diocese of Virginia to the student body of The University of Virginia, as well as Rector of a parish that embraces not only students of the University, but also members of the faculty and staff of the University and their families, as well as numerous other members of the larger Charlottesville community; and Whereas, he has demonstrated by his leadership in parish, Diocesan and community activities that the love of God embraces and welcomes all people; and Whereas, he has left a growing and diverse congregation capable of living in community and fellowship without regard to personal preferences or perspectives; and Whereas, he has been more than ably assisted by his wife Betsy Williams Poist, who has added immeasurably to the strength of the parish; and Whereas, the Vestry of St. Paul’s Memorial Church, in proposing this resolution to the 212th Council of the Diocese of Virginia, attests its deep affection and high esteem for both David and Betsy Poist; Resolved, That the 212th Council of the Diocese of Virginia expresses its gratitude to the Rev. David and Betsy Poist for their 29 years of capable and devoted leadership at St. Paul’s Memorial Church, Charlottesville, and through it to the Diocese of Virginia and the greater church, thanking God for their service.
Whereas, Holly Reid Semple has been a faithful member of the body of Christ throughout her life, and has served the church in many ways, both formally and informally; and Whereas, her service to the church, while living in recent years in the Diocese of Virginia, included membership on the Vestry of St. Paul’s Memorial Church, Charlottesville, service as that parish’s representative to Region XV, where she was Vice President, and as delegate to Diocesan Council; and Whereas, she served faithfully as a member of the Standing Committee of the Diocese; and Whereas, she continued to strengthen the hearts and wills of her friends and fellow parishioners in Charlottesville while coping with serious illness in recent years, continuing to make significant contributions to her church and her community in spite of the barriers created by that illness; and Whereas, Ms. Semple entered into eternal life on the night of January 9, 2007; Resolved, that the 212th Council of the Diocese of Virginia expresses its thankfulness for the life of Holly Reid Semple, and for the joy she so freely shared with us. [TOP] Whereas, We congratulate St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Petersburg, a traditionally African American parish, established in 1867 in what was then part of the Diocese of Virginia, on its 140th Anniversary; and Whereas, We honor St. Stephen’s for its critical role as the location of the establishment in 1878, and for its years of nurture and effective support of the Bishop Payne Divinity School, the primary seminary of the Episcopal Church devoted to the training of African American Episcopal Clergy until its merger in 1953 with Virginia Theological Seminary; therefore be it Resolved, that we thank St. Stephen’s for its vision of incorporating revitalization of the memory and heritage of the Bishop Payne Divinity School as a part of the parish’s natal celebration, its effort to erect historical markers at the location of its final campus in the 400 block of South West Street, Petersburg, Virginia, and its goal of preservation of the chapel, the sole remaining building of the Bishop Payne Divinity School, to be a memorial to that Seminary, its graduates, and African American clergy of the Episcopal Church; and be it further Resolved, we commend to our clergy and people St. Stephen’s celebratory events honoring the Bishop Payne Divinity School on the weekend of February 3-4, 2007 in Petersburg, Virginia, where we have been assured a warm welcome. CR-9 The Rev. Lauren Stanley - ADOPTED: TEXT PENDING FINAL REVIEW Whereas, the Rev. Lauren R. Stanley, our missionary to the Sudan, has effectively proclaimed the Gospel and demonstrated our support for fellow Christians through her:
Whereas, she has persevered through:
Resolved, that the 212th Annual Council of the Diocese of Virginia heartily thanks the Rev. Lauren R. Stanley, of the Diocese of Virginia, for her missionary service with our brothers and sisters in the Diocese of Renk, Sudan, and be it further Resolved, that we give thanks to God for her courage, hard work, ability, tenacity, and deep faithfulness to Our Lord Jesus Christ and assure her and our colleagues in the Diocese of Renk of our continued prayers, love, and support. CR-10 Donna C. Blackistone - ADOPTED: TEXT PENDING FINAL REVIEW Whereas, Donna C. Blackistone, member of The Church of the Messiah, Chancellor, has served for 15 years on the Commission on Ministry of the Diocese of Virginia; and Whereas, she guided the Commission’s work for eight years as its Chair, coordinating the many faceted process of discernment for aspirants and formation of priests in this diocese; and Whereas, she helped shape the ordination process in the Diocese of Virginia, being responsive to both the concerns of aspirants and the needs of the Diocese, bringing gifts of organization, compassion, energy, dependability, and thoughtfulness to this job; and Whereas, as Chair, she also served the Diocese and the Province in other capacities, giving generously of her time, talent and treasure for the sake of God and the church. Therefore, be it Resolved, that this 212th Annual Council of the Diocese of Virginia thank God for the leadership of Donna C. Blackistone on the Commission on Ministry, and extends our love and appreciation to her for her faithful ministry in our midst. CR-11 The Rev. Canon John Frizzell- ADOPTED: TEXT PENDING FINAL REVIEW Whereas, The Rev. Canon John Frizzell died on December 12, 2006, at the age of 86 at Goodwin House, Alexandria, Virginia, following a life of devoted service to his Lord and to all humanity; and Whereas, he was born in New York and educated at Episcopal High School, Alexandria, and at the University of Virginia; thereafter he served his country as a radioman in the Army Air Force in the South Atlantic Theater during World War II; and Whereas, he never lost his interest in flying since first going on a barnstorming ride at a Charlottesville county fair at age 11, and later earned his pilot’s license; in 1970 he organized what is now the Flying Circus Aerodrome & Airshow and became known as the “Flying Father”; and Whereas, while at choir practice one Lent, he was struck by the Biblical directive to serve God “not only with our lips, but in our lives” and thereafter enrolled at Virginia Theological Seminary from which he was graduated and subsequently ordained deacon and priest; and Whereas, in 1958, after serving at St. Paul’s, Ivy, and Trinity Church, Washington, he was called to be the rector of a new parish, St. Alban’s Church, Annandale, and served in that position for 28 years where he was held in great esteem; and Whereas, he was the founder of the St. Alban’s Housing Corporation which provided a low-income housing facility in Arlington known as Lockwood House; and Whereas, he served on the Executive Board and the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Virginia and in various other positions of leadership, including the chairman of the nominating committee which selected Peter James Lee as a nominee for Bishop of Virginia; and Whereas, he felt strongly about social issues in the Church, including favoring the ordination of women, and even resigned from the Standing Committee to protest a failure to recognize women priests, saying “Did God make inferior persons?. . . The Gospel says no, He didn’t”; and Whereas, following his retirement as rector of St. Alban’s Church, he was appointed Canon to the Ordinary in The Diocese of Washington and served as a member of the Commission on Peace of that diocese; and Whereas, he felt strongly about protecting the innocent and vulnerable, while a member of the Commission on Peace, he chaired its subcommittee on violence, co-sponsoring the annual national End Handgun Violence conferences which sought to bring together community based groups to reduce gun violence across the country; and Whereas, he chaired the Task Force on Violence against Women for the Commission on Peace which produced a brochure entitled “Is this your life?” to assist victims of domestic violence and produced other resources for clergy and laity addressing the issues of violence against women; now therefore be it Resolved, that the 212th Council of the Diocese of Virginia pause to give grateful thanks for the life of The Rev. Canon John Frizzell, and for his service to his fellow men and women throughout the Church and elsewhere, while at the same time noting his passing with sorrow; and be it further Resolved, that a copy of this Resolution be sent to his widow, Sarah Buford Frizzell, of Alexandria, and to his three children, Sarah Williams, Hazel Cross, and John Frizzell, III. CR-12 Ms. Phebe Hoff - ADOPTED: TEXT PENDING FINAL REVIEW Whereas, Phebe Hoff entered eternal life on June 30, 2006, after over fifty years of distinguished ecumenical leadership in our Diocese, Commonwealth and Nation, Whereas, in her life and relationships she embodied the words of our Lord Jesus Christ who prayed that we all might be one so that the world might believe in the one who sent him, Whereas, her leadership beyond her parish was nourished by her most active membership in St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Goochland, where she served as vestry member, teacher, Altar Guild leader, ECW leader and Regional representative, Whereas, for over thirty years Phebe served as Ecumenical Officer for our Diocese and was instrumental in the formation of our statewide Anglican Roman Catholic Conference (ARC), later to become LARC when the Evangelical Lutheran Church joined our statewide LARC Covenant in 1990, Whereas, nationally she was valued member of the Consultation on Church Union which has now become Churches Uniting in Christ, Whereas, she also helped create the National Workshop of Christian Unity as well as the Episcopal Diocesan Ecumenical Association and served on the Standing Committee on Ecumenical Relations of TEC, Whereas, the recognition of her leadership in the receiving of the first Episcopal Diocesan Ecumenical Officers Award for excellence in leadership and the Faith in Action Award of the Virginia Council of Churches has brought honor to our Diocese, and Whereas, her exceptional ministry in the Virginia Council of Churches is now being recognized with the creation of the Phebe M. Hoff Memorial Fund to honor her and to finance programming which she envisioned, therefore be it Resolved, that this 212th Annual Council of the Diocese of Virginia gives thanks to God for the faithful life and ministry of Phebe M. Hoff and her exceptional witness for the unity of the church. CR-13 In Thanks for the Ministry of the Rt. Rev. John Paterson as Chaplain to the 212th Annual Council - ADOPTED: TEXT PENDING FINAL REVIEW Resolved, The 212th Annual Council of the Diocese of Virginia gives thanks for the service as chaplain to this council of the Rt. Rev. John Paterson, Bishop of Auckland and chair of the Anglican Consultative Council. We are thankful for the presence of Bishop Paterson and his wife, Marion, and wish them safe travel home and express our sympathy for the death of Bishop Paterson's mother. CR-12 In Thanks for the Four Candidates Willing to Stand for Election for Bishop Coadjutor - ADOPTED: TEXT PENDING FINAL REVIEW Text is forthcoming for this resolution. R-1 Day Laborers - ADOPTED: TEXT PENDING FINAL REVIEW Whereas, a large group of laborers were congregating in an unorganized fashion in a business district of Herndon, Virginia, while seeking employment for the day; and Whereas, a number of these immigrant laborers were hired by contractors, some of whom refused to pay them their agreed upon wages at the end of the day; and Whereas, the Mayor and Town Council of Herndon saw fit to act by establishing an Official Workers Site to address these issues; and Whereas, on March 27, 2006, the Vestry of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Herndon, taking note that some laborers in Herndon were being exploited, contrary to the teachings of our faith, passed a resolution commending the actions of the Herndon Mayor and Town Council; and Whereas, on October 2, 2006, the Region V Council passed a similar resolution commending the actions of elected officials and community leaders; and Whereas, similar worker support sites exist in other communities in the Diocese of Virginia; therefore be it Resolved, that the 212th Annual Council of the Diocese of Virginia, being supportive of the immigration laws of the United States, commends the actions of elected officials and community leaders who have established and are establishing sites at which day laborers are treated fairly and in a manner which benefits their communities; and be it further Resolved, that the 212th Annual Council will forward a similar resolution to the General Convention of the Episcopal Church for its support and adoption. R-2 Resolution Process - REFERRED: Constitution & Canons Resolved, That the process for presenting and considering resolutions at Council be revised to follow a six-step process which includes a sliding scale vote on proposed resolutions taken at Pre-Council meeting(s) to inform the work of the Committee on Resolutions; and be it further Resolved, That the Secretary of Council take the appropriate next steps to revise the process for presenting and considering resolutions as suggested in the attached chart. Submitted by: Rationale: In response to the request of the 211th Council of the Diocese of Virginia, the Bishop's Task Force on Resolutions has formulated a proposal that addresses many of the concerns that have been voiced about the present process for resolutions. In particular, the proposal is designed to: 1) honor the work of proponents of resolutions by permitting them to frame the wording which will be presented to Council for action; Proposed Changes To The Process For Presenting And Considering Resolutions At Council STEP 1: Proponent prepares resolution with justification/explanation and sends to the Secretary of Council at least ninety (90) days prior to Council. R-3 Millennium Development Goals - ADOPTED: TEXT PENDING FINAL REVIEW Resolved, the 212th Council of the Diocese of Virginia affirms and endorses the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which pledge to:
Resolved, the 212th Council of the Diocese of Virginia urges the apportioning of 0.7% of its future budgets to agencies and ministries working toward the MDGs; and be it further Resolved, the Bishop shall appoint a global reconciliation commission with a charge including (but not limited to) the following actions:
Resolved, the Council endorses “The ONE Campaign” the US movement for the MDGs through the Episcopal Church’s “ONE Episcopalian” campaign, to advocate for the United States government to annually spend an additional one percent of its budget to combat global poverty, and encourages congregations and individuals to join in the ONE Campaign as advocates for this work. R-4 Designation of October 30 as a Memorial for James Markham Ambler - ADOPTED: TEXT PENDING FINAL REVIEW Resolved, That this 212th Annual Council recognizes that James Markham Ambler is worthy of commemoration under the guidelines established by the 1994 General Convention for altering the church calendar, taking particular note of his heroic faith, his love, his selfless devotion to God, and his service to others for Christ’s sake; and be it further Resolved, That this 212th Annual Council permanently designates October 30 as a Memorial for James Markham Ambler in the Diocese of Virginia, and urges all parishes in this diocese to take appropriate steps to recognize such designation using the collect and readings adopted by the Episcopal Church of Leeds Parish; and be it further Resolved, That this 212th Annual Council authorizes the Bishop, or such official as the R-5 "Local Option" Regarding the Blessing of Same-Sex Unions - ADOPTED: TEXT PENDING FINAL REVIEW Whereas, the 210th Annual Council of the Diocese of Virginia recommended that the congregations and regions of the Diocese of Virginia be urged to use the Report of the Diocese of Virginia's Commission on Reconciliation as a vehicle to further theological conversation; and Whereas, the 211th Annual Council of the Diocese of Virginia affirmed that the Lambeth Conference and Windsor Report have called us to acknowledge and respond with compassion and understanding to the pain and suffering of those who, because of their sexual orientation, endure marginalization and rejection in the church and in the world; therefore be it Resolved, that the 212th Annual Council recommends the Bishop appoint a commission to discern a possible "emerging consensus" regarding the permitting of "local option" for the blessing of same sex unions, with the Commission reporting to the 213th Annual Council. R-6 Support for Faithful Episcopalians in Congregations within which a Majority Vote to Leave the Episcopal Church - ADOPTED: TEXT PENDING FINAL REVIEW Resolved, That this Council express support for Bishop Lee's actions toward congregations where a majority have voted to leave the Episcopal Church. Bishop Lee has given and continues to give encouragement and support to those faithful Episcopalians whose will it "is not to leave the Episcopal Church, who will remain Episcopalian and who, with the care and nurturing of all the faithful in the Diocese of Virginia, will form the core of the Episcopal Church in these places as we move forward." R-7 Companion Diocese Relationship Study - ADOPTED: TEXT PENDING FINAL REVIEW Resolved, that the 212th Annual Council of the Diocese requests the Bishop convene a task force to study the establishment of companion diocese relationships with up to four foreign dioceses in the Anglican Communion; and the task force make recommendations concerning potential companion diocese relationships to the Executive Board no later than October 2007, for presentation of possible implementing resolutions to the 213th Annual Council in January 2008.
|