We are happy to report we have held our first organizational meetings and are diving head first into the work before us. We were blessed to come together (via Zoom) for a retreat on May 7 and 8. The retreat allowed us to get to know each other, learn more about the path ahead for the search, and pray and reflect on where the Holy Spirit is leading the Diocese of Virginia.
We resolved to meet twice a month going forward. We are also hoping to engage together in training on racial reconciliation and healing. This aspect of our common life together is very important to us. None of us needs reminding of how integral slavery and segregation were to shaping not just The Episcopal Church in Virginia, but American Christianity writ large (or a primer on this subject please pick up a copy of White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity by Robert P. Jones).
Going forward, we pledge to keep you informed as much as we can about the progress of our work. All the people of God are important in this process. Going forward we will solicit input from key diocesan stakeholders to inform our search process. We are the church, the Body of Christ. Every member of the body has a seat, and a voice, at the table. We are committed to listening deeply to the hopes, fears, dreams, and concerns of the saints as we engage in this sacred responsibility.
Most importantly, we ask you to pray: pray for the search committee, pray for the Diocese of Virginia, pray for The Episcopal Church, pray for your own parish family, and pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance as we discern God’s will for us as a people of faith.
The Bishop's Search Committee
The Rev. Deacon Emmetri Beane, St. Stephen’s, Culpeper
Brad Davenport, Grace & Holy Trinity, Richmond
The Rev. Will Dickinson, St. George’s, Fredericksburg
Francisco Escobar, St. Mark’s, Alexandria
The Rev. Deacon Christine Garcia, Christ Ascension, Richmond
The Rev. Deacon Frederico Garza, St. Philip’s, Richmond and Food for the Poor
Maggie Keller, St. John’s, McLean
Carolyn Lanier, St. Philip’s, Richmond
The Rev. Will Peyton, St. Paul’s Memorial, Charlottesville
The Rev. Scott Parnell, Ware Church, Gloucester
The Rev. Elizabeth Rees, St. Paul’s, Alexandria
Rebecca Shannon, Canterbury, Harrisonburg
The Rev. Rosemari Sullivan, Immanuel Church on the Hill, Alexandria
Rushad Thomas, Grace, Alexandria