The weekend-long celebration was a joint event that combined the City of Hampton’s anniversary with St. John’s Episcopal Church’s 400^th anniversary.  More than 350 St. John’s parishioners and guests from the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia and across the Episcopal Church gathered at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in the heart of downtown Hampton on Saturday as part of the weekend celebration.  Special guests included the Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts-Schori, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, the Rt. Rev. Herman Hollerith, IV, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia, and retired bishop of the Diocese of Delaware, the Rt. Rev. C. Cabell Tennis who grew up in Hampton attending St. John’s.

Performers from St. John's Episcopal Church recreate the history through time travel.

During the St. John’s dinner event the rich history of the church was shared through youth and adults who performed a program of time travel to various times in the church’s past.  Included were visit’s with the first rector of St. John’s, the Rev. William Mease in 1610, the Rev. William Selden in 1710, Mrs. Jane Barron Hope, whose words inspired the restoration of the church following the War of 1812 and Mr. Jacob Heffelfinger, a Union soldier who later became a leading citizen of Hampton and vestryman of St. John’s Church, serving into the early 1900s.  Ian Edgar and Grace Bowen played the teenage travelers who shared the changes and growth of the church and of society in Hampton, Virginia.

“Thee are the rector of St. John’s?” questioned almost all the performers to the Rev. Donna-Mae Siderius, rector of St. John’s who played herself in the play.  The audience laughed and applauded as the first female Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church smiled.

The play was inspired by author and St. John’s parishioner James Tormey who wrote the popular book, “How Firm a Foundation” which tells the 400 year story St. John’s church, commonly referred to as a community icon.

The Rt. Rev. C. Cambell Tennis, retired bishop of the Diocese of Delaware, the Rt. Rev. Herman Hollerith, IV, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia, the Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts-Schori, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, and the Rev. Donna-Mae Siderius, rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church.

Presiding Bishop Jefferts-Schori along with bishops Hollerith and Tennis led the Eucharist service the following day at St. John’s.  The sanctuary and parish house that morning were filled with more than 400 congregants whose voices could be heard on the street by any passersby walking on the sunny day in Hampton.  The exquisite, yet simple, communion silver used was the original silver from 1618 and has the longest history of use in America of any English church silver.

Presiding Bishop Jefferts-Schori’s sermon began:  “I am very grateful for lawyers.”  She refers to the future lawyers mentioned in James Tormey’s history of the church, to the lawyers in the day’s lectionary and to a story told of two boys from St. John’s, one who was trained as a lawyer before becoming a bishop and one “who produced one”.  She talked of the Law of Moses and law as compassion, or mercy.

She reminded the congregation of the primary job of the original St. John’s vestry:  “Taking care of the poor and the orphans, because this was understood to be one community.”   She reminds the congregation that the “alms for mercy-giving came from the whole community”, and that “understanding of mercy is the reason for our existence” and she refers to the 400 years of history seen at St, John’s.

“We’ve gotten clearer over the centuries that the community includes lots of people we didn’t use to think were our neighbors,” Jefferts-Schori said to congregation.  “Samaritans – those foreign infidels?  Well, look at how merciful they can be.  Early Christians weren’t sure that Gentiles were neighbors.  Early American colonists weren’t sure about the slaves they imported, or the local residents they found when they landed.  We still aren’t too sure about foreigners, or people of another sexual orientation.  But Jesus keeps on saying, neighbor, neighbor, neighbor, mercy, mercy, mercy.”

Nowhere is the 400 years of growth that is the Episcopal Church more evident than at St. John’s Episcopal Church.  Happy birthday, St. John’s!

###

Read more:  Below is a copy of the sermon delivered by the Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts-Schori.

St. John’s, Hampton, VA

11 July 2010

400th anniversary, 10 am

The Most Rev Katharine Jefferts Schori

Presiding Bishop and Primate

The Episcopal Church

I’m very grateful for lawyers.  When I meet chancellors on my travels, I thank them for helping to keep bishops on the straight and narrow.  They’re trained to think clearly and move to the heart of the matter at hand.  They tend to ask very good questions.

James Tormey tells a story about future lawyers in his history of this parish.  It relates to that same story you heard last night about Fr. Carter Harrison and his cabin.  “Two young boys who had been troublesome to their Sunday school teacher were invited to his cabin where an appeal was made for their cooperation.  One was Frank A. Edgar, Sr. who later became Senior Warden of St. John’s Church; the other was C. Cabell Tennis who later became Bishop of Delaware.”[1] Bp. Tennis trained as a lawyer, and Frank Edgar produced one.  Some people think all lawyers are troublesome, even when they grow up, which is the origin of most lawyer jokes.

The readings this morning are filled with law and lawyers, who all get a good report.  Law is at the heart of what Moses is telling his people.  ‘God will delight in you when you observe the law, because you turn toward him with your heart and mind and soul.’  And it’s not so hard, says Moses, ‘the word of the law is so close at hand it’s in your heart and on your tongue.’

The two lawyers in this morning’s gospel ask important and probing questions, like any two effective courtroom attorneys.  The other lawyer and Jesus have at it with their questions:  “What do I have to do to inherit eternal life?”  What is written in the law?  What do you read there?”  We hear the same answer that Moses gave, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.”  That is the heart of God’s law, and as another early rabbi (Hillel) said, all the rest is commentary.

Jesus’ parable about the Samaritan is a powerful piece of commentary.  It moves us from an intellectual response to law to understanding that law as compassion, or mercy.  The punch line of the parable says that loving our neighbors means showing mercy, or being mercy – becoming mercy incarnate.

That’s a fascinating word, mercy.  We actually say it a lot around here – Lord, have mercy, Kyrie eleison, Christ have mercy, christe eleison.  Eleos, the Greek word, has nuances of meaning like blessing, generosity, compassion, and even rescue, kindness, and strength.[2] Alms (giving) comes from the same root.  In English, mercy has its origins in an Etruscan word, that lies behind the Latin, merc, from which we get all those commercial words, merchandise, mercantile, merchant.  It means “exchange” or “connection.”  The Latin and Spanish version, misericordia, means a compassionate heart.

When we talk about the law of the gospel, do we mean rescue, blessing, connection, or compassion?  When we try to live the law of the gospel, is that what we exemplify?

There’s a trend in Christianity, and indeed, in all religious traditions, to concretize the law, to set it out in details and requirements.  That’s what Jesus confronts over and over again.  We all have a tendency to say, ‘well I just have to do X and that will be enough.’  But the response over and over again, is that it’s not about limits or details, it’s about making mercy and compassion real.

The two guys on the Jericho road who ignore the robbery victim do so out of righteous, religious expectations.  They’re afraid that he’s already dead, and if they slow down long enough to find out, they’ll be polluted and unable to observe their other religious obligations.  Have you ever avoided somebody because he smelled bad or had been drinking, or just looked a bit odd?  There are plenty of Christians who want to dictate the terms on which others should be Christian, and often won’t associate with them if they don’t comply – like alcohol users, people who’ve been divorced, smokers, or even as I discovered in Liberia, women who wear pants to church.  Jesus’ response to all such attitudes is along the lines of, ‘well, if you want to talk about purity in terms of obeying all the little laws, well, forget it – you’re all filthy.  But let’s talk about the law of compassion.  That’s what God is really interested in.’

The history of this parish is enthralling.  In the early years everybody was required to go to church – this one.  People who were found guilty of staying away had to pay fines – in so many pounds of tobacco.  Apparently, other interesting things were going on at the same time as church – like horse racing or pirate festivals.  We have never been able to legislate holiness, because holiness and compassion come from inside, not by imposing laws from the outside.

The law of compassion is born out of a transformed heart.  That’s why we’re all here, and it’s why St. John’s is still here.  There’s still work to do, inside and outside this building.  This congregation is here to hold up the reality of merc – that we are all connected, and that if we love ourselves we’re meant to love everybody else, because we are all connected.  St. John’s is actually here to make that kind of lawyer – people who do mercy.

The details of the law are important, but they’re not the easy details like what sort of people we’re supposed to be merciful to.  They’re the incarnate details of answering the person in front of us with the kind of mercy that s/he most needs.  The details of our connectedness have to do with the details of our lives.  That guy on the road to Jericho needed food, shelter, and a bed in which he could recover from his beating.  He also needed to know that somebody cared about him.

The details of the law are of immense importance.  Hungry or thirsty – mercy looks like food and drink.  Nakedness needs clothing.  Prisoners need visitors and justice.  The sick need healing, even the minimal sort called “health care.”  Migrants – those people the Bible calls aliens and sojourners – need hospitality.

We’re all meant to be the sort of lawyer who can answer the big question, “Who is my neighbor?” and then go and become mercy to that neighbor.

Do you know what the primary job of the first vestry was in this place?  Taking care of the poor and the orphans, because this was understood to be one community.  It’s also why everybody was supposed to come to church, and why everybody here was taxed.  The alms for mercy-giving came from the whole community.  That understanding of mercy as the reason for our existence has 400 years of history here.  It goes back to the earliest strands of our Judeao-Christian tradition, and it represents the best of the founding insights of this nation.  We’ve gotten clearer over the centuries that the community includes lots of people we didn’t use to think were our neighbors.  Samaritans – those foreign infidels?  Well, look at how merciful they can be.  Early Christians weren’t sure that Gentiles were neighbors.  Early American colonists weren’t sure about the slaves they imported, or the local residents they found when they landed.  We still aren’t too sure about foreigners, or people of another sexual orientation.  But Jesus keeps on saying, neighbor, neighbor, neighbor, mercy, mercy, mercy.

Will you be a lawyer, a gospel lawyer?  It’s an honorable profession.

[2] Jennifer Lord, Christian Century 29 June 2010 p 19

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The committee recognizes that many from outside of the Norfolk area would like to also express their thoughts and ideas relating to how to best utilize Talbot Hall before any decisions are made.

Bishop Hollerith’s statement on the future of the Talbot Hall property:

In recent weeks, there have been several articles in the Virginian-Pilot about the future of the diocesan property at Talbot Hall in Norfolk.  Some in the neighborhood surrounding Talbot Hall have misinterpreted prudent diocesan evaluations of all our property assets as a decision to “sell Talbot Hall.”

Here are the facts:

When I became bishop, I embarked on a process of evaluating our property assets to assure that we are using them in the way that supports our mission to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.  We spend millions of dollars on our properties every year and it is a responsible business practice to monitor them to assure they are meeting our mission obligations in a way that is financially sustainable.

Since our properties affect the entire diocese from the Eastern Shore to Danville, I appointed a geographically diverse 11-member committee made up of professionals from all over the diocese who bring different types of expertise and understanding to the work at hand.  The members of the committee are listed here (link).

I realize we should have done a better job of communicating the scope and purpose of the committee’s work because when some concerned citizens and communicants learned about it, three fundamental questions began to surface.  I answered these questions at a community forum at Church of the Ascension on Thursday, July 15.

Is the discussion of the future of Talbot Hall a veiled attempt to move the diocesan headquarters?

No.  The future of the diocesan headquarters is not presently on our radar.  But should it ever be, we will conduct that discernment process within our governance structure and according to our canons.  The future of the Talbot Hall property and the headquarters of the diocese are two separate issues.   At hand today is the degree to which our current use of the Talbot Hall property meets our mission obligations and the best use of the property within those parameters.

Do you want to sell the property because you chose to live in Williamsburg and not move into the Episcopal residence?

No.  My office is on the road from the Eastern Shore to Danville.  Wherever I live, I will be in the car.  We chose to live in Williamsburg because we have owned a home there for more than 10 years and we hope to retire there.  Our 13-year old daughter understandably wanted to continue into middle and high school in the place she knows and loves.

I can see how this misunderstanding developed, though.  For several years now, in an effort to find places to meet that are geographically fair to all participants, there has been increasing use of meeting space in the Williamsburg-Toano corridor.  That unrelated development combined with my living in Williamsburg may have created an incorrect perception.

The sale of Talbot Hall is a done deal and there is already a buyer who’s been promised the property.

This is categorically and absolutely untrue.  Let me be very clear.  No decisions have been made.  The committee was created to explore options and make recommendations to the Executive Board.

Because the Talbot Hall property has been used as an informal park by the neighborhood for generations, there is understandable anxiety about the prospect of change and a genuine interest among many to find a solution that works for everyone.  That is certainly my intention as well.

Because there are a number of creative and innovative possibilities bubbling up, I announced at a community meeting on Thursday, July 15, the creation of a task force to evaluate these ideas and forward for consideration to the Property Committee those that are viable.

Obviously, these ideas must be detailed, resourced, measurable and specific.  Such research takes time and we want to be sure everyone is heard so I will be asking the task force to complete its work by the end of 2010.  Any other timeframes in the process will be established upon the completion of the task force’s work.  The task force will be formed in the coming weeks and we will post the roster and contact information at www.diosova.org.

I am certainly aware that many Norfolk residents have been disappointed in the results of some land-use issues in recent years.  But I hope that those of you who care so passionately about this property, as I do, will approach these deliberations with an assumption of diocesan goodwill and not the anxiety that comes from a stance of suspicion.  For more than 50 years, this diocese has graciously welcomed the neighborhood to its private property at no cost and with few restrictions.  This same spirit of generosity will shape our conversations about its future.

The Rt. Rev. Herman Hollerith, IV, Bishop of Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia

Click here to go to the news page to read stories published relating to the Talbot Hall property

Or you can access these quick links from the local news source:

http://hamptonroads.com/2010/07/talbot-hall-future-gets-another-look-norfolk;

http://www.altdaily.com/blogs/news-blogs/opinion-blogs/op-ed-talbot-hall-a-norfolk-treasure-but-for-how-long.html;

http://hamptonroads.com/2010/06/residents-rallying-preserve-norfolks-talbot-hall

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[July 6, 2010] Prayers and liturgical resources focusing on the Gulf oil spill disaster are available from The Episcopal Church: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/119103_123121_ENG_HTM.htm .

Michael Schut, Episcopal Church Economic and Environmental Affairs Officer, gathered the resources as Americans look to prayer and healing for the damage that has occurred.

“The disaster in the Gulf of Mexico brings into focus our calling as a church and a people of faith,” Schut says.  “As time passes, I have heard more and more cries of grief in response to the Gulf oil spill disaster. The grief is a good sign – it reveals the depth of our connections to the people, the families, the pelicans, the ocean’s waters, the turtles. One of our calls is to provide worship, theology, time, openness and space to nurture these connections. And when we grieve, we are called to provide a place and a context for healing.”

Among the prayer and liturgical resources are:

- “For the Beauty of the Earth”: A Christian Vigil in Thanksgiving and Lamentation for Our Planet Home from St. John’s Episcopal Church in Charlotte, NC

- National Council of Churches’ “Prayers for the Gulf”

- Litany for the Deepwater Horizon Disaster created by the Mission of St. Clare

- “A Lesson from the Gulf Oil Spill: We Are All Connected,” commentary from Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, first published in the Huffington Post

- “Addicted to Oil and the Love of Life,” a sermon by Schut

Also available is a link to the Episcopal Public Policy Network to add voices to those speaking up for more effective policies related to the disaster.

For more information contact Schut at mschut@episcopalchurch.org.

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(posted June 29, 2010) Jay Magness was consecrated as Bishop for Federal Ministries on June 19, 2010.  The Standing Committee of S VA previously consented to his episcopate by unanimous vote in May…. But since that meant Jay would be leaving S VA, we were very conflicted about it.

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(posted June 17, 2010)  Bishop-Elect John Smylie has successfully completed the consent process to become the next Bishop Dioscean in the Diocese of Wyoming.  The Standing Committee of  Southern Virginia approved his consent by a vote of 4-0, at our meeting on May, 13, 2010.

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(posted June 10, 2010)  Part of the democratic polity of the Episcopal Church USA, is based on the manner in which we hold, elect and affirm the elections of bishops who will serve, not only their particular diocese, but the church at large.  In each diocese, bishop candidates  and their qualifications are openly published for all to see.  This can be obtained through diocesan websites as they progress through each step and narrow their list of candidates.  You can read each candidate’s bio, where he/she has served and even answers to questions posed by the search committee.  You can find out who is a member of the election committee and so on.   Once a diocesan or suffragan bishop has been duly elected by the diocesan delegates, the House of Bishops and Standing Committees across the country, receive notification that the election has been properly conducted.  We are notified that all proper paperwork has been recorded.  This includes:  1. The certificate of election 2.  Evidence of ordination as deacon and priest, (that would seem self evident, but I guess it never hurts to be sure!!)   3. The testimonial required by Canon, signed by a constitutional majority of that particular diocese, and  4. A medical certificate of fitness.  It then becomes the duty of the House of Bishops and Standing Committees to indicate their consent or non-consent for that election.  This seems a long and laborious task, but for me, it’s an honor to be part of the course of events.  It is not taken lightly.  Living as part of a democratic church is one of the things I love best as an Episcopalian.

The Standing Committee of Southern Virginia recently adopted a standard concerning the communication of our decisions regarding any bishops-elect to the people of Southern Virginia.  This policy will be in place for all elections, the very few that receive much publicity and those (most) that do not. Our desire is to communicate the votes of your Standing Committee to you in an open and concise manner.

So, here goes!  Once a bishop election takes place within a diocese, there is a 120 day time period in which the House of Bishops and all Standing Committees in the Episcopal Church receive the paperwork, meet together for discussion, record the results of their voting and then notify the proper authoritative body, typically the Standing Committee of the diocese for which the election is conducted, of their decisions.  Our collective vote will not be published until the number required (simple majority) of BOTH the House of Bishops and all Standing Committees have been met.  This process may command the entire 120 day period OR it may be met within 120 days.  We do this with the intent to honor the integrity of our Episcopal election process and the decisions other  Standing Committees must make.  We feel it is important that their decisions have not been influenced in any way.  We will publicize our vote count, (6-0, 4-2, etc) but members will not be identified by name.  This guideline is NOT canon nor is it practiced by all Standing Committees.  Each diocesan Standing Committee is free to determine its own method.  Membership of the Standing  Committee of S VA changes each February and reserves the right to revisit this policy as they see fit.

We welcome the opportunity to communicate our protocol and the rational in order that future information will be read with contextual understanding.

Since February, the following men and women have been voted upon by The Standing Committee and the consent process has been completed.  Of course, several of these are no longer bishops-elect!!!    But from now on, you will be able to access this information through the website and/or SoVa Media as soon as it is feasible.

• W. Andrew Waldo, Upper S. Carolina:  Approved 6-0
• Morris King Thompson, Jr., Diocese of Louisiana:  Approved 6-0
• Diane M. Jardine Bruce, Diocese of Los Angeles (Suffragan):  Approved 6-0
• Mary Douglas Glasspool, Diocese of Los Angeles:   Not Consented 3-3

The results for the elections of the Bishop of Navajoland Area Mission , Bishop Suffragan for Federal Ministries, Bishop Diocesan of the Rio Grande  and Bishop Diocesan of Wyoming will be published  as soon as each diocese is able to record their results.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email /call Deborah Quam, 2010 Standing Committee president.   (dquam@easternshorechapel)  757-439-5571

Deborah Quam

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I write to share the bittersweet news that, after almost eight years on the diocesan staff, the Rev. Canon Win Lewis, Canon to the Ordinary and Transition Officer for the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia, has been called unanimously by the Vestry of Christ and St. Luke’s, Norfolk, to become its Rector, Time-Certain.

I have great respect for Win with whom I have had the pleasure of sharing a strong collegial relationship.  At the same time, I am delighted that one of the major parishes of the diocese will be guided by someone of Win’s skill and experience.

As I was considering names to submit to the Vestry of Christ and St. Luke’s for the Rector, Time-Certain, position, Win asked me if I would be willing to include his name as one of the candidates for this position. Win explained to me that, as he had been working with the parish during its recent period of stress, he experienced a strong passion for their healing and redevelopment. Out of this passion emerged a sense of call to help the parish navigate this difficult period and set a new foundation for the future. He believed that what he had learned as he helped lead the diocese through a period of crisis and transition, as well as his experience in congregational redevelopment, might be helpful in leading Christ and St. Luke’s at this critical time in its history.

My choice would be to have Win continue forever as my Canon to the Ordinary. Nevertheless, I respect his sense of call to this new and challenging ministry.  He departs with my blessing and affection as well as the affection and prayers of the people of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia. While I will miss him as my Canon, I look forward to our continued collaboration in his new ministry.

Given the respective calls of both Jay Magness and Win Lewis, I have been planning a reconfiguring of these positions and have begun interviewing potential candidates. In the meantime, Win is completing a transition plan which retains his designation as Diocesan Transition Officer. This will be especially crucial over the next few months as the Office of Transition Ministries (formerly Church Deployment Office) of the Episcopal Church will be rolling out the new clergy profile format.

Win’s last day in the office will be July 15. Following his earned vacation and one month of the three month sabbatical to which he is in entitled, he will take up his new duties on September 15.

Faithfully,

+Holly

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From the Rev. Canon Win Lewis

Dear Friends:

I appreciate so much the Bishop’s kind words. He expresses well the process of discernment in which I have found myself engaged over the past few months.

The ministry of Canon to the Ordinary remains a very joyful and satisfying one for me, and I would be very happy to continue in this ministry in this diocese which I love so much.  Yet, despite my satisfaction in this ministry as well as my deep affection for Bishop Holly, the Holy Spirit seems to have other ideas, drawing me to the leadership of a congregation for which I feel a great sense of care.

Although the details of the transition plan for all the areas covered by my position are yet to be finalized, I can assure you that everything will be covered with care and diligence.

Here is a rundown of the transition plan so far:

Transition Ministry: I will continue in an advisory capacity until the appointment of the new Transition Officer. I will be available to perform anecdotal background checks, sign search requests, and screen candidates. Ms. Lindsay Ryland, Transition Officer for the Diocese of Virginia, has also agreed to be available as a consultant for my assistant, Judy Rieken.  Lindsay and I have worked very closely over the past eight years, and she is well aware of the parishes in transition in this diocese. I am also asking the Bishop to appoint two “transition deputies” from the Transition Pastors and Consultants of our diocese.  These will be available as his representatives to congregations in transition, providing mutual ministry review leadership, and guidance to the interim rectors, consultants, vestries and wardens of these congregations.

Crisis Ministry and Pastoral Response: The Bishop has been meeting with a pastoral response coordinating committee for two years. This committee will continue to provide guidance and support, as well as consultation in crisis prevention, response, and post-crisis healing. In the interim, this group will also advise the Bishop on clergy/congregational coaching needs.

Ordination Process: Paperwork and records overseen by my assistant, Judy Rieken, and the Bishop’s Assistant, Leah Sicignano. Ordination Exploration inquiries will go to Judy Rieken. The Bishop has asked me to fill an open, one year position on the Commission on Ministry. In this capacity I will continue to work closely with the chairs, the Rev. Bob Randall and the Rev. Susan Grimm, in facilitating the process of ordination revision. Applications for the Ordination Exploration Process are being accepted, but will be held until the revision of the OEP is completed in 2011.

Fresh Start for Clergy: The new coordinators: the Rev. Michael Spear-Jones, the Rev. Elizabeth Felicetti, and the Rev. Nancy Meck, have the program for 2010 – 2011 well in hand. They have set up an opening retreat for August 2010.

Transition Pastors and Consultants: The Bishop will appoint an interim convener to organize meetings and programming. The calendar of meetings has been set for the next fifteen months. I will have program speakers finalized by July 15.

Mutual Ministry Review Leadership: A list of those trained to lead mutual ministry reviews is available through Judy Rieken (jrieken@diosova.org).

Clergy Conferences: The speaker for the Fall Clergy Conference has been arranged. A coordinating committee will complete plans. I am available for consultation. The brochure for the fall will be completed and online by July 15. The Nag’s Head Conference is under review.

Clergy Development and Continuing Education: Canon Caroline Black will serve as staff liaison to a task force looking at ongoing clergy development plans and opportunities.

Clergy Vocational Coaching: In the interim I am asking Lindsay Ryland from the Diocese of Virginia to be available. Lindsay’s office is at Mayo House in Richmond.

National Commitments: Either Lindsay or I will be presenting clergy and congregations in search at the September meeting of the Transition Ministry Conference taking place in Richmond, VA. I am resigning as Convener of the Transition Ministry Conference effective September 15.

I will complete all prior commitments to parishes, vestries and clergy by July 15, to the best of my ability. If you are in a parish with a recently departed rector, I will be sure you have a plan and a liaison with the Bishop’s office by the time I depart. Anything promised, such as notes from a meeting, application for help, deployment assistance if you are a seminarian, will be addressed. You will not be left comfortless or without a resource. Be not anxious! If you are anxious, please send me an email and I will work to address your concern or questions, or direct you to someone who can.

Finally, it has been the greatest privilege to minister as Canon to the Ordinary in a wonderful diocese like ours. We are not perfect, but week after week I have been profoundly moved by the beauty of our churches, the warm welcome of our communities, the faithfulness of our clergy, the commitment and courage of our lay and ordained leaders, and the care and hard work of diocesan staff members who have come and go during my almost eight years on the staff.

I have also valued the five bishops for whom I have worked.  Even in the darkest days, I have appreciated the gifts that each brought to the diocese and never ceased to love and learn from each of them. I have also appreciated my colleagues nationally who have been my mentors, counselors, and guides. No one will ever realize the long and often lonely hours they work, how much their families sacrifice, and how invisible they are. Yet my colleagues in other dioceses are extraordinarily devoted to their ministries, to this church, and to the health of congregations and dioceses.

I have been in this diocese for forty years – ten as a lay person/student and thirty as an ordained person. These past eight years have been hard for us and for the church at large. Great times of change are hard times. Yet I am a man deeply blessed by the opportunity to serve in this capacity – blessed by the myriads of vestry members, clergy and congregants I now count as friends across the diocese – blessed by the thousands of miles I have driven back and forth across our beautiful landscape – blessed by challenging and immensely rewarding labor – blessed by the privilege of working with you all.

I thank Bishop Bane for calling me to this position; Bishop Holly for retaining me on staff while showing me such immense generosity and encouragement; I thank my colleagues on staff, especially Canon Caroline Black, for being such a great partner in ministry and teacher; I thank Samantha Horrocks, my partner in ministry and support for most of this period, and I thank Judy Rieken, my assistant, for her forbearance in my states of perpetual motion. Most of all, I thank you for your patience when I have let you down and for your ever warm welcome, your care and your wisdom. I leave this position and this ministry so much better for the time I have had the privilege of serving the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia. I am glad I will remain a part of this family.

Blessings and love to you all,

Win+

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Nancy James, who has served the diocese as comptroller for more than four years, will continue to administer the day to day financial management of the diocese reporting to Bishop Hollerith and the Executive Board. James has more than 18 years of experience in church administration and finance. An interim treasurer will be named while the Executive Board searches for a new treasurer.

Letter from Bishop Hollerith:

Dear Sisters and Brothers of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia:

It is with sadness that I inform you of the resignation of Mr. Art Spooner as the Treasurer of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia. Art submitted his resignation to me on Tuesday, June 15.

Art has served this diocese faithfully and with distinction. At a critical moment his expertise and commitment brought financial clarity and so rebuilt a sense of trust between the clergy, people and parishes of the Diocese of Southern Virginia.  I want to assure you that the ongoing financial management of the diocese is in very good hands. I will be working with the newly assembled, and I believe talented, Program, Budget & Review Committee and their chairman, the Rev. Larry Crowell, to plan a way forward. In the meantime, our competent Comptroller, Ms. Nancy James, continues to maintain the regular financial affairs of the diocese.

While transitions are always difficult, our faith tells us that such times, as painful as they are, can with the blessing of the Holy Spirit serve as new beginnings.

The Rt. Rev. Herman Hollerith IV

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The Talbot Hall Properties Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia is charged with conducting a comprehensive study of the Talbot Hall property. This study includes, but not limited to, usage, location, maintenance needed to improve the property to meet today’s standards and to provide for future strategic goals of the diocese.  Intertwined is the recognition of the long term financial stress of both the diocese and its parishes in having the diocese continue to own and maintain these properties.  The committee’s review includes the original bequeath by the Talbot family, roofing and other major maintenance needs of the Manor House and office buildings, the annual operating costs of owning these properties, neighborhood concerns relating to the property and its use, and the effect on diocesan and parish finances if the property was sold versus continued ownership.

As part of this study, the committee is encouraging interested community and diocesan members to gather at the Church of the Ascension in Norfolk to discuss in an open forum, thoughts and concerns relating to the property in an effort to brainstorm ideas that will meet the needs of the diocese as well as the community of which the diocesan office has been a part.

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EfM at The Church of the Good Shepherd welcomes anyone new to EFM or persons interested in finishing the series after a break.    The schedule is a bit different to work with busy summer and spring sailing and outside activities.  Tricia Mckee, Associate for Christian Formation and Newcomers at Good Shepherd is the mentor for this group.  If you would like to inquire, please contact patricia.mckee@goodshepherdnorfolk.org, or call 423-3230

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By LARRY O’DELL

Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved.

For more published stories on this topic go to Local news on this website or click here.

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Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori will preside at the service. Preacher will be Bishop Edwin F. Gulick Jr. of the Episcopal Diocese of Kentucky.

Chaplains from throughout the Episcopal Church will be attending, along with other invited guests such as Bonnie Anderson, President of the Episcopal Church House of Deputies and bishops of the Church. Slated to join the celebration are international representatives of three Anglican bishops who hold similar positions and ministries in their provinces: the Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas J. Brown, Bishop of Wellington in the Anglican Province of New Zealand; the Rt. Rev. Peter Coffin, Anglican Military Ordinate for the Anglican Church of Canada; and the Rt. Rev. Len Eacott, Anglican Bishop to the Defence Force from the Anglican Church of Australia.

The service will be live webcast through the website of Washington National Cathedral:  http://www.nationalcathedral.org/

The position of Bishop Suffragan for Federal Ministries, formally known in the Constitution of The Episcopal Church as the Bishop Suffragan for the Armed Forces, includes not only the pastoral care and oversight for armed forces chaplains, military personnel and families, but also oversight of federal hospitals, prisons, and correctional facilities, as well as the Eucharist communities related to military installations.

Magness was elected as Bishop Suffragan on March 24. Previously, Magness served as the Canon for Mission and Diocesan Administration in the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia and in parish and diocesan ministry. He retired from the U.S. Navy in 2003 in the rank of Captain, serving as command chaplain of U.S. Joint Forces Command and fleet chaplain for the U.S. Fleet Forces Command. Prior to those assignments, from 1997 to 2000 he was on the Navy Chief of Chaplains’ staff as personnel  manager of the Navy Chaplain Corps.

The Episcopal Church welcomes all who worship Jesus Christ in 109 dioceses and three regional areas in 16 nations.  The Episcopal Church is a member province of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

The Episcopal Church: www.episcopalchurch.org

Episcopal Church Office of Federal Ministries: http://www.episcochap.org/

Washington National Cathedral: http://www.nationalcathedral.org/

Anglican church of Australia: http://www.anglican.org.au/

Anglican Church of Canada: http://www.anglican.ca/index.php

Anglican Province of New Zealand: http://www.anglican.org.nz/

The Episcopal Church: www.episcopalchurch.org

IamEpiscopalian: http://www.iamepiscopalian.org/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/episcopalian

Twitter: http://twitter.com/iamepiscopalian

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/TECtube

Note to media: for media credentials contact Neva Rae Fox, newsline@episcopalchurch.org

# # # #

For more info contact:

Neva Rae Fox

Public Affairs Officer

The Episcopal Church

newsline@episcopalchurch.org

212-716-6080  Mobile: 917-478-5659

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