| Committees
and Commissions
The Supporting Ministries of the Diocese of Virginia
The mission of the
Diocese of Virginia is supported and implemented through the work of many
diocesan committees, commissions, task forces, related organizations and
boards and the volunteers who work with them.
In the Diocese of
Virginia:
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A committee is
created by the Annual Council of the Diocese of Virginia or appointed
by the Executive Board
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A commission is
appointed by the Bishop or designated by canon.
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A task force is
created by an act of Council, by the Bishop or by the Executive Board
for a specific task with sunset provisions for its work.
Aging
(top)
The Committee on
Aging believes that aging is a natural human process which God has ordained
as a time for continuing spiritual growth, and not a need or a problem
which should be healed or cured. The Committee is dedicated to fostering
ways to encourage older adults to live out their lives with purpose
in the knowledge that all God’s children—whatever their
age—are sustained by God’s grace. The Committee offers several
events each year including Fall Camp at Shrine Mont, the Fifty Plus
Wedding Celebration, and the Celebration of Longevity. The Committee
also maintains a resource library on aging issues. The group supports
family members of older adults and advocates within local and state
government on behalf of aging issues. Click
here for their website.
Click
here for a copy of "Are your affairs in order? A Planning and Resource
Guide" (.doc)
Chair:
The Rev. Stephen Shepherd
Staff Liaison: Ms. Anna Moncure, 800-DIOCESE x31, amoncure@thediocese.net
Church Planting (top)
Chair:
Staff Liaison: Bishop Jones
Congregational Development (top)
This commission expanded the work of the Vista Task Force assigned to
create a strategic plan and provide resources for congregations in the
development of their mission. Provides resources for annual contract
with Percept, Inc., parish development overnights, consultants and matching
funds for revisioning.
Chair:
The Rev. Webster Gibson
Staff Liaison: Carolyn Chilton
Congregational Missions (top)
Chair:
Mr. Richard Shirey
Staff Liaison: Bishop Jones
Human Need (top)
Chair:
Ms. Martha High
Staff Liaison: Ms. Patsy Bjorling, 800-DIOCESE x16, pbjorling@thediocese.net
Ecumenical and Interfaith (top)
Co-chairs:
The Rev. Christopher Agnew and the Rev. Charles R. Sydnor
Staff Liaison: Bishop Jones
Education (top)
Chair:
Ms. Vicky Koch
Staff Liaison: Ms. Carolyn Chilton, 800-DIOCESE x29, cchilton@thediocese.net
Education for Ministry (top)
Coordinator:
The Rev. Dr. Jo-Ann Murphy
Higher Education (top)
The mission of
this committee is to advocate with and for the ministries of the students
in colleges and universities, and to facilitate the work of the faculty
and parishes involved with them.
Chair:
The Rev. Karin MacPhail
Staff Liaison: Ms. Paris Ball, 800-DIOCESE x27, pball@thediocese.net
.Lay Ministry (top)
The purpose of
this commission is to inform and educate people in the Diocese in a
way that equips and enables them to live into their baptismal covenant
and own ministry in their daily lives.
Chair:
The Rev. Margaret Faeth, Immanuel-on-the-Hill, Alexandria
Staff Liaison: Ms. Linsday Ryland, 800-DIOCESE x13, lryland@thediocese.net
Liturgy and Church Music (top)
Using diocesan
guidelines, this commission plans and implements diocesan worship services
and represents the Diocese at the National Liturgical Conference. Provides
Leadership Program for Musicians.
Chair:
The Rev. Rick Lord, Holy Comforter, Vienna, 703-938-6521
Staff Liaison:
Mental Health (top)
This committee
seeks to live out the reconciling love of Jesus Christ by offering educational
programs and networking resources so that the church may be a hospitable
dwelling for persons living with mental illness. Click here for their website (mentalhealth.thediocese.net)
Chair:
Ms. Barbara Ambrose
Staff Liaison: Ms. Carolyn Chilton, 800-DIOCESE x29, cchilton@thediocese.net
Ministry (top)
The Commission
on Ministry assists the Bishop in determining present and future needs
for ministry in the Diocese, recruiting and selecting persons for Holy
Orders and guiding and examining postulants, candidates and deacons
in training for the priesthood.
Chair:
Ms. Donna Blackistone, Messiah, Chancellor, 540-972-3555
Staff Liaison:
Parish Nursing (top)
Chair:
Ms. Helen Zebarth
Staff Liaison:
Parish Youth Ministries (top)
This committee
strives to enable young people to be full and active participants in
the life of the Church. This committee has three main objectives within
the Diocese of Virginia: 1) to develop and maintain a youth ministry
network; 2) to provide quality programs, planned, facilitated and nurtured
by young people and the adults who work with them; and 3) to encourage
representation of youth on parish, diocesan, provincial and national
levels.
Co-chairs:
Abby Logan, Holy Comforter, Richmond
Ms. Rebecca Brenneis, St. Peter's, Arlington
Staff Liaison: Ms. Paris Ball, 800-DIOCESE x27, pball@thediocese.net
Prevention
of Sexual Misconduct (top)
This commission
provides training to clergy and lay leaders for the prevention of sexual
misconduct and assists the Bishops in responding to individuals and
congregations when misconduct or allegations of misconduct occur.
Chair:
The Rev. Jackie Thomson
Staff Liaison: Ms. Mary Anne Bryant, 800-DIOCESE x15, mabryant@thediocese.net
Prison Ministry Network (top)
The Prison Ministry
Task Force is a network among the three dioceses of Virginia, Southern
Virginia and Southwestern Virginia. "Our need for redemption calls
us to be Christ's presence in proclaiming the Good News to the Captive."
Professional Standards and Support (top)
This commission
serves the Diocese by improving standards for clergy and other persons
who are employed by the Church; monitors systems for their support and
recommends improvements in these systems. Implements "Fresh Start," a leadership development program for clergy and lay professionals.
Chair:
The Rev. Jim Papile, St. Anne’s, Reston, 703-438-6530
Staff Liaison:
Race Relations (top)
The mission of
the Committee on Race Relations is to support the diocese, its churches,
committees, commissions and related organizations in eliminating racism
and encouraging cultural diversity, recognizing and incorporating the
diverse & enriching gifts of all races and cultures.
Co-Chairs:
Ms. Karen Salter
Staff Liaison:
South African Partnership (top)
The mission of the Commission on South African Partnership, working closely with the ECW South African Committee, fosters and nurtures a relationship between the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia and the Anglican Diocese of Christ the King in South Africa. Originally stemming from a relationship between Bishop Peter James Lee of Virginia, and Bishop Peter John Lee of Christ the King, the work of the commission has grown to include multiple parish partnerships, sabbatical visits, joint ministry ventures, and educational exchanges of youth, women's groups, clergy and lay leaders.
It is a goal of the South African Partnership to find a partner parish in the Diocese of Virginia for each of the 43 congregations in the Diocese of Christ the King. More information on the South African Partnership, and an application for a partner church can be found here: brochure & application
Chair: The Rev. Jeunée Cunningham
Staff Liaison: Bishop Lee
Standing Committee (top)
Exists by Canon
to help conduct the affairs of the Diocese. It is a board of counsel
and advice to the Bishop. Participates in the process toward ordination,
the giving and withholding of consent for the consecration of new bishops.
In some cases, it may act as the ecclesiastical authority.
President:
The Rev. Dr. Hilary Smith
Staff Liaison: Karen Glasco, 800-DIOCESE x12, kglasco@thediocese.net
Canons (.pdf)
There are two Virginia Canons that speak directly to the obligations of a church when considering the question of debt and the encumbering of church property: Canon 14 (Creation of Church Debt) and Canon 15 (Church Property). Please read these Canons and if you have any questions, please call the diocesan office at 1-800-DIOCESE and ask for the Treasurer of the Diocese. You may also email questions to mkerr@thediocese.net.
Procedural Documents
The Standing Committee takes its canonical duties very seriously with regard to the approval of church debt. Please see the links below for all relevant information:
Stewardship Committee (top)
This Committee is a group of clergy and lay members committed to the teaching and practice of stewardship, the belief that all we have is a gift from a loving and generous God. The committee’s purpose is to support each church in the diocese seeking to strengthen its stewardship ministry. We hope the people of Virginia will grow in their understanding of God’s abundant generosity. Such belief enables us to share generously the gifts which God so freely bestows on us.
The Committee on Stewardship serves the churches of the Diocese of Virginia by:
- teaching the theology and Biblical principles of stewardship
- consultation with Stewardship Committees and Vestries
- assisting in planning and implementing church stewardship programs
- facilitating training for program participants
- leading adult and children’s classes
- preaching homilies
- providing resource information for churches
- leading presentations or retreats for Vestries or Stewardship Committees
- having a liaison for each diocesan region
- assisting in other ways as requested
The Committee presents an annual conference in March, with a featured keynote speaker, discussions, and workshops on leading parish stewardship programs. Conference workshop topics vary from year to year. Topics have included:
- An Overview for Those New to the Ministry of Stewardship
- Year-Round Stewardship
- Assessment of Your Parish Program
- Stewardship of Time and Spiritual Gifts
- Fall Commitment Programs
- Hallmarks of Excellent Programs
- Vestry and Clergy Responsibilities
- Stewardship for Children
- Programs for Different Size Churches
- Vestry and Personal Stewardship Statements
- Narrative Budgets
The Diocese of Virginia is a sustaining member of TENS, The Episcopal Network for Stewardship. Click here for more information on TENS.
Chair: Ms. Ellen Shreve
Staff Liaison: Ms. Patricia R. (Patsy) Bjorling, 800-DIOCESE x16, pbjorling@thediocese.net
Stewardship of Creation (top)
This committee
develops teaching materials and other resources for use at the diocesan,
parish and personal levels to encourage people to identify ways in which
they can become better stewards of the environment.
For more information on their work and for contact please visit their site.
Chair: Ms. Evelyn Wheeler
Staff Liaison: Ms. Patsy Bjorling, 800-DIOCESE x16, pbjorling@thediocese.net
Women in Mission and Ministry (top)
This committee
provides for the spiritual and professional development of lay and ordained
women within the church in the Diocese of Virginia.
Chair:
The Rev. Rhonda Baker
Staff Liaison:
World Mission (top)
This commission
seeks to expand involvement in overseas missions by providing financial
assistance for short-term mission trips by individuals in our Diocese,
in an effort to encourage support and excitement for missions in our
parishes, that the love of Jesus Christ might be spread throughout the
world.
Chair:
The Rev. Jason Roberts
Staff Liaison:Mr. Buck Blanchard, 800-DIOCESE x35, bblanchard@thediocese.net
Young Priests Initiative (top)
Identifies of and
intentionally recruits younger adults considering the ordained ministry
as a vocation.
Contact: The Rev. Laura Lockey
Staff
Liaison: Ms. Peggy Hombs, phombs@thediocese.net
Youth (top)
Chair:
Ms. Kim Glenn
Staff Liaison: Ms. Paris Ball, 800-DIOCESE x27, pball@thediocese.net
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