JULY 27, 2006

Bishop's Letter

Dear Friends,

At many levels in the Diocese of Virginia, we are engaged in changes that mean a renewal of leadership. With the announced retirement of Dean Martha Horne next year at Virginia Seminary, I have appointed a search committee for a new dean and president. Gussie Bannard, the head of St. Catherine’s School, Richmond, has announced she is stepping down at the end of the 2006-2007 academic year. Kevin Moomaw will become the new director of Shrine Mont on January 1, 2007 after the retirement of his father, Dick, and his uncle, John, as director and assistant director. The Nominating Committee for the Bishop Coadjutor is at work, aiming towards an election at the Council in January 2007. The Diocese has received a grant from the Jessie Ball duPont Fund for the development of leadership training for lay leaders and clergy, especially for the development of vocational deacons.

Bishop Jones and I spend much of our time working with vestries and search committees as they seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in discerning what kind of leadership is needed in their particular congregations.

Leadership in the church is more than management or administration. It involves collaboration with others so that the gifts of the whole community are affirmed and released. The collect for St. James’ Day (July 25) asks God to “pour out upon the leaders of your Church that spirit of self-denying service by which alone they may have true authority among your people.” Leadership, in Christian terms, is linked to service. Authority comes from the authenticity of service, not from position or power. Servant leadership does not mean conforming to the lowest common denominator upon which most people can agree. A true servant of a community will have a vision of what that community needs in the long run and will work to enlist others in building that long-term future.

The bishops and staff of the Diocese of Virginia are committed to servant leadership. We see our ministry as strengthening and encouraging yours. Sometimes that requires reminders that may seem burdensome, e.g., audit deadlines and parochial reports. But put those requirements in the context of serving the whole body and they make sense.

The changes in leadership in churches, schools, conference centers and in the episcopate remind us that no one is indispensable and that all of us are called to share our gifts for the good of the body. I encourage your prayers and support in the important months of transition before us.

Faithfully yours,

Peter James Lee
 
News & Events

UBE Conference coming to the Diocese of Virginia
The Diocese of Virginia will host the 38th Annual Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE) annual conference and business meeting for the first time on July 31-August 4, 2006, at the Omni Hotel, Richmond. Let us extend a warm welcome to those whose historical roots to our Anglican Communion date as far back to the 17th Century.

Conference Highlights:
Monday: Opening Eucharist at St. James’s Church, Richmond; Celebrant, Bishop Lee; also a Mass Choir event celebrating the 10th Anniversary of “Lift Every Voice & Sing II,” with Dr. Carl Haywood. Open invitation for singers, for rehearsal times Contact Dr. Haywood at CarlHaywood@aol.com
Tuesday: Lunch with Bonnie Anderson, new President of the House of Deputies
Wednesday: “Traces of the Trade: A Story From the Deep North” details how the economies of the Northeast and the nation as a whole depended on slaves and the story of the De Wolf Family of Rhode Island and their personal journey in learning of the historic slave trade.
Thursday: Music-Fest Gospel Concert

For more conference info visit www.ube.org

A Call for Me?
A spiritual retreat for the Diocese of Virginia sponsored by the Episcopal Church Women and open to all. Christ Church, Spotsylvania, Sept. 21, 2006, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; $25 payable in advance or at the door.

This annual retreat for the Diocese of Virginia features noted spiritual leader and author Marjory Zoet Bankson. Ms. Bankson is author of The Call to the Soul and also currently is editor of the magazine Faith @ Work (www.faithatwork.com). She is a regular teacher and preacher at The Seekers Church, a worshipping community of Church of the Saviour, Washington, DC and lives in Alexandria. For more information about the retreat or to register contact Carolyn Davis, jfd@bealenet.com or call 540-742-5654. Program flyer also available at http://ecw.thediocese.net under upcoming events.

Church Appreciative Inquiry Training and Appreciative Inquiry Search Training

October 17-21, 2006
Join Rober Voyle of the Clergy Leadership Institute to gain practical, insightful and, at times, humorous insight on the appreciative inquiry method for religious systems.

1 p.m., October 17 – noon, October 21, Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center, Roanoke, Va. To reserve space please contact the Rev. Gene R. Anderson at 800/346-7982 or ganderso@dioswva.org.

EFM Forming in Gloucester
Education for Ministry (EFM), the intensive, distance theological education course for lay persons offered through the School of Theology at the University of the South at Sewanee, has added another site to its fall roster of locations. Groups are now forming for the fall in several areas around the Diocese of Virginia including Alexandria, Goochland, North Richmond, King George, Richmond and Gloucester. For more info, contact diocesan EFM coordinator, the Rev. Jo-Ann Murphy, 804-334-7821 or joannrmurphy@aol.com .

Allen Organ Up for Donation
An Allen organ is available for donation. The organ is about 13 years old and is in very good condition. The item has been used for home practice but is suitable for a church setting and is full-fledged church instrument excellent for a small church, church with a chapel of an auditorium. Contact Kurt Karlsson at 202-462-0291 (evening) or 202-690-4983 (day).

Other Links

Calendar: a full listing of Diocesan events.
General Convention : Official website of the 75th General Convention.
Employment: the latest information on ministry opportunities in our various churches.

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