Bishop Susan B. Haynes
The Diocese of Southern Virginia elected the Rt. Rev. Susan Bunton Haynes as its 11th Bishop at Special Diocesan Council in Dinwiddie on September 21, 2019.
Susan Bunton Haynes (born 1959) is the 11th bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia, the first female diocesan bishop of the diocese.
Born in Tampa, Florida and raised in South Carolina, she received a bachelor’s degree from the University of the South in 1981 and a master’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University in 1989 and M.Div. from Vanderbilt University Divinity School in 1993. She married fellow Floridian Thomas E. Haynes in 1982 and he taught at the Culver Academies before being ordained a priest in 2010 and serving as priest in charge of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Plymouth and pastor of St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church in Culver, both in Marshall County, Indiana. They have two children.
Ordained as a deacon by Bishop Edward S. Little II of the Diocese of Northern Indiana on December 21, 2004, Haynes was ordained to the priesthood on June 24, 2005, and became an associate priest at St. James Cathedral in South Bend, St. Joseph County, Indiana, rising to become the priest in charge before accepting a position as rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Mishawaka (also in St. Joseph County), where she served for 11 years.
On September 21, 2019, Rev. Haynes was elected to become the 11th bishop of the Diocese of Southern Virginia, the seat having been vacant following the retirement of the Rt. Rev. Herman Hollerith IV in January 2019. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry presided at her consecration to the episcopate on February 1, 2020, in Williamsburg, Virginia and Bishop Edward S. Little II preached.
Bishop Haynes’ Ordination & Consecration Service on Feb. 1, 2020 was live-streamed and recorded. You can view video here.
Lots of photos of the service can be found on our Facebook page.
Click here to view the Ordination & Consecration program booklet.
Click here for the Eucharistic bread recipe.
Click here for Bishop-Elect Haynes’ message “The Name of Jesus”, January 2020
Click here to read 2019 Advent message from Bishop-Elect Haynes, December 2019
Messages from Bishop Haynes
We don’t know, of course, what the summer of 2022 will bring. The landscape of our world is changing and taking unpredictable turns that leave us trying to catch our breath. However, currently bishops in the Anglican Communion are planning to gather at Lambeth Palace in England next summer for a conference that happens only every ten years. It was scheduled to happen in the summer of 2020 but was postponed due to Covid.
To prepare for our time together, Archbishop Justin Welby has organized a series of Bible studies and conversations around the book of 1 Peter. The theme of the conversations is “God’s Church for God’s World.” Yesterday, I was blessed to gather virtually with about 12 other bishops to discuss I Peter 1:3-9. We were from all over the world (in fact, I was one of only two American bishops on the call) and from many different time zones. Our greetings to each other ranged from “Good Morning!’ to “Good Evening!” We didn’t know each other but we quickly found brother- and sister-hood in the words of Scripture which we were studying together.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you…(1 Peter 1:3-4)
The question that we were charged to center our conversations around was: “How does the church proclaim Good News in the world when there is so much bad news in the world?” We discussed our different contexts and the bad news that assailed all of us – some were in countries where there is unrest and unstable government, one was from Canada where recently burial grounds were unearthed containing the remains of indigenous residential school children who never returned home, many were confronting the remnants and scourge of slavery, one was facing a suicide pandemic among youth in his diocese, some were facing natural disasters. All of us struggled with the deaths resulting from the pandemic. What, in fact, IS the good news in the face of such bad news?
By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope! Our focus is Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the LIVING hope. He is the one that confronts our death-dealing world and conquers it. We must maintain our focus on this living hope. As one indigenous bishop described it – we create a Sacred Circle and put Christ in the middle where everyone can see Him and focus on Him. This is our inheritance. It is undefiled, imperishable, unshakable, unfading. And it is kept for us because we are God’s children. This is good news in the face of bad news. We are not defeated – perplexed perhaps, slowed down, stymied a little, but certainly not defeated. The Church is God’s Church for the world and we have a mandate from Christ Himself to keep Him first and foremost in the eyes of the world. Jesus Christ is the living hope and death is not the victor. Praying for all of you as you help your church to become God’s church for God’s world.
Blessings and peace in Christ,
+Susan
LENT: A SEASON TO RESTORE AND RECONNECT
The Rt. Rev. Susan B. Haynes February 16, 2021
In the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens…then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being. (Genesis 2:4, 7)
Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return. (Book of Common Prayer, p. 265)
Now, as the days begin to lengthen, we enter the season of Lent wherein we remember our mortality. God created humankind from the dust and dirt of the Earth. At our death, we will return to that point of creation. It is a good spiritual discipline to keep in mind our connection to the Earth and the dirt from which we were fashioned.
Normally, Lent is a time when we “give up” something. Often Lenten disciplines ask us to give up something meaningful in order to remind us of our dependence on God. But we have had more than enough of “giving up,” haven’t we? Over the past year we have given up so much – our church buildings, our familiar forms of worship, our frequent face-to-face contact with each other. Perhaps now, as we enter our second Lent during this pandemic, it seems exhausting to contemplate giving up anything else. In this state of exhaustion, we are mindful of our own deep need and longing to be restored and reconnected.
And perhaps that’s what this Lent should be – a season of restoration and reconnection. As we contemplate our origin from and ultimate return to the Earth, perhaps we might be best served to use the 40 days of Lent as a time consciously to reconnect us with that Earth. Why not spend this Lent looking for ways to connect with creation and for ways to steward and care for it? Become mindful of all of the living things God created – all creatures (animals and insects, plants and trees) as well as that gorgeous creation of our brothers and sisters. Connect with them by caring for them – by caring for the Earth and by caring for each other. Research ways to care for the Earth – to be a good steward of Creation. (Incidentally, if you google “40 Lenten observances for care of creation, you will find some suggested Lenten disciplines along those lines).
Continue in your prayers and in your diligent study of Scripture. Let your chapel be the outdoors as you wonder in God’s creation. Look for safe ways to stay connected with your brothers and sisters in Christ, caring for them in ways that you would enjoy receiving care. This pandemic is not going to last forever. We WILL return from this exile. Even now, we are seeing hopeful signs of its abatement. Hear the prophet, Jeremiah, who reminds us, For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
Yes, let us indeed remember that we are dust. People of the dust are beloved people, connected people – beloved of God and connected to Him and to each other. Let us use this Lent to celebrate and restore ourselves to that connection.
Lectionary Reflections
Lent 4 - March 22, 2020
Lent 5 - March 29, 2020
Palm Sunday - April 5, 2020
Easter Day sermon – April 12, 2020
Easter 2 - April 19, 2020
Easter 5 - May 10, 2020.
Click here for video reflection.
Easter 6 - May 17, 2020
Easter 7 - May 24, 2020
Trinity Sunday - June 7, 2020
Proper 6, Year A - June 14, 2020
Proper 7, Year A - June 21, 2020
Proper 10, Year A - July 12, 2020
Proper 12, Year A - July 26, 2020
Proper 13, Year A - August 2, 2020
Proper 15, Year A - August 16, 2020
Proper 16, Year A - August 23, 2020
Proper 17, Year A - August 30, 2020
Proper 19, Year A - September 13, 2020
Proper 20, Year A - September 20, 2020
Proper 21, Year A - September 27, 2020
Proper 22, Year A - October 4, 2020
Proper 23, Year A - October 11, 2020
Proper 24, Year A - October 18, 2020
Proper 25, Year A - October 25, 2020
All Saints Day, Year A - November 1, 2020
Proper 27, Year A - November 8, 2020
Proper 28, Year A - November 15, 2020
Proper 29, Year A (Christ the King) - November 22, 2020
Advent 1, Year B - November 29, 2020
Advent 2, Year B - December 6, 2020
Advent 4, Year B - December 20, 2020
Epiphany 1, Year B - January 10, 2021
Epiphany 2, Year B - January 17, 2021
Epiphany 3, Year B - January 24, 2021
Epiphany 4, Year B - January 31, 2021
Epiphany 5, Year B - February 7. 2021
Last Sunday of Epiphany, Year B – February 14, 2021
First Sunday in Lent, Year B – February 21, 2021
Second Sunday in Lent, Year B – February 28, 2021
Third Sunday in Lent, Year B – March 7, 2021
Fourth Sunday in Lent, Year B – March 14, 2021
Fifth Sunday in Lent, Year B – March 21, 2021
Palm Sunday, Year B - March 28, 2021
Second Sunday of Easter, Year B - April 11, 2021
Third Sunday of Easter, Year B - April 18, 2021
Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year B - April 25, 2021
Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year B - May 2, 2021
Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year B - May 9, 2021
Seventh Sunday of Easter, Year B - May 16, 2021
The Feast of Pentecost, Year B - May 23, 2021
Trinity Sunday, Year B - May 30, 2021
Proper 5, Year B - June 6, 2021
Proper 6, Year B - June 13, 2021
Proper 7, Year B - June 20, 2021
Proper 8, Year B - June 27, 2021
Proper 9, Year B - July 4, 2021
Proper 10, Year B - July 11, 2021
Proper 11, Year B - July 18, 2021
Proper 12, Year B - July 25, 2021, Guest lectionary reflection by the Rev. Andrew Buchanan
Proper 13, Year B - August 1, 2021, Guest lectionary reflection by the Rev. Andrew Buchanan
Proper 14, Year B - August 8, 2021
Proper 15, Year B - August 15, 2021
Proper 16, Year B - August 22, 2021
Proper 17, Year B - August 29, 2021
Proper 18, Year B - September 5, 2021
Proper 19, Year B - September 12, 2021
Proper 20, Year B - September 19, 2021
Proper 21, Year B - September 26, 2021
Proper 22, Year B - October 3, 2021, Guest lectionary reflection by the Rev. Timothy Jones
Proper 23, Year B - October 10, 2021
Proper 24, Year B - October 17, 2021
Proper 25, Year B - October 24, 2021
Proper 26, Year B - October 31, 2021
Proper 27, Year B - November 7, 2021
Proper 28, Year B - November 14, 2021
Proper 29, Year B - November 21, 2021
Advent 1, Year C - November 28, 2021
Advent 2, Year C - December 5, 2021
Advent 3, Year C - December 12, 2021
Advent 4, Year C - December 19, 2021
Epiphany 1, Year C - January 9, 2022
Epiphany 2, Year C - January 16, 2022
Epiphany 3, Year C - January 23, 2022
Epiphany 4, Year C - January 30, 2022
Epiphany 5, Year C - February 6, 2022
Epiphany 6, Year C - February 13, 2022
Epiphany 7, Year C - February 20, 2022
Last Epiphany, Year C - February 27, 2022
Lent 1, Year C - March 6, 2022
Lent 2, Year C - March 13, 2022
Lent 3, Year C - March 20, 2022
Lent 4, Year C - March 27, 2022
Lent 5, Year C - April 3, 2022
Palm Sunday, Year C - April 10, 2022
Easter Day, Year C - April 17, 2022
Easter 2, Year C - April 24, 2022
Easter 3, Year C - May 1, 2022
Easter 4, Year C - May 8, 2022
Easter 5, Year C - May 15, 2022
Easter 6, Year C - May 22, 2022
Easter 7, Year C - May 29, 2022
Day of Pentecost, Year C - June 5, 2022
Trinity Sunday, Year C - June 12, 2022
Proper 7, Year C - June 19, 2022
Proper 8, Year C - June 26, 2022
Proper 9, Year C - July 3, 2022
Proper 10, Year C - July 10, 2022
Proper 11, Year C - July 17, 2022
Proper 12, Year C - July 24, 2022
Proper 13, Year C - July 31, 2022, Guest lectionary reflection by the Very Rev. Andrew Buchanan
Proper 14, Year C - August 7, 2022, Guest lectionary reflection by the Rev. Conor Alexander
Proper 15, Year C - August 14, 2022, Guest lectionary reflection by the Rev. Lisa Green
Proper 16, Year C - August 21, 2022
Proper 17, Year C - August 28, 2022
Proper 18, Year C - September 4, 2022
Proper 19, Year C - September 11, 2022
Proper 20, Year C - September 18, 2022
Proper 21, Year C - September 25, 2022
Proper 22, Year C - October 2, 2022
Proper 23, Year C - October 9, 2022
Proper 24, Year C - October 16, 2022
Proper 25, Year C - October 23, 2022
Proper 26, Year C - October 30, 2022
All Saints’ Sunday, Year C - November 6, 2022
Proper 28, Year C - November 13, 2022
Proper 29, Year C (Christ the King) - November 20, 2022
Advent 1, Year A - November 27, 2022
Advent 2, Year A - December 4, 2022
Advent 3, Year A - December 11, 2022
Advent 4, Year A - December 18, 2022
Christmas, Year A - December 25, 2022
The Holy Name, Year A - January 1, 2023
Epiphany 1, Year A - January 8, 2023
Epiphany 2, Year A - January 15, 2023
Epiphany 3, Year A - January 22, 2023
Epiphany 4, Year A - January 29, 2023
Epiphany 5, Year A - February 5, 2023, Guest lectionary reflection by the Rev. Samantha Vincent-Alexander
Epiphany 6, Year A - February 12, 2023, Guest lectionary reflection by the Rev. Lauren McDonald
Last Sunday of Epiphany, Year A - February 19, 2023
Lent 1, Year A - February 26, 2023
Lent 2, Year A - March 5, 2023
Lent 3, Year A - March 12, 2023
Click here to access official portraits of Bishop Haynes that can be used in digital and print media.
