“The theme “LOVE JESUS. EMBODY JUSTICE. BE DISCIPLES” defined, shaped, and animated The 230th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia held Nov. 7-9, 2024, at the Convention Center in Fredericksburg.
Thursday, November 7, 2024
A new feature of Convention this year was that The Rt. Rev’d. E. Mark Stevenson delivered his Pastoral Address during the Nov. 7th Evensong service at the St. George’s Church in downtown Fredericksburg.
The service and Stevenson’s address provided powerful moments of reflection, worship, and community.
Stevenson delivered a poignant pastoral address drawing from personal experiences, societal challenges, and progress within the Diocese.
The Bishop began his homily by invoking the Trinity and quoting the prophet Micah, encouraging attendees to “go up to the mountain of the Lord.”
Stevenson then expressed gratitude for the support he received after the recent passing of his wife, Joy, highlighting her profound impact on his life and faith.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been so kind to me following the death of my wife Joy a week ago yesterday morning. I have felt truly consoled and strengthened by the prayers that I know are being offered. Anybody that doesn’t think prayer works is not paying attention.
“Joy was a wonderful person without whom I would not be who I am. She has been the love of my life. She would never put up with any of my nonsense. She helped deepen my faith, and she taught me how to love. Really love. I’m so sorry that most of you in this room never had the chance to meet her. She would have loved being with you, and she would have been one terrific bishop’s spouse. And I’ll tell you, y’all would have been much happier seeing her on Sunday morning than seeing me.”
Stevenson thanked numerous groups and individuals for their contributions, including the Diocesan staff, the Diocesan Committee on Liturgy and Music, St. George’s congregation, and Bishop Ted Gulick for his pastoral care and support.
“I want to thank Bishop Ted Gulick. I want to thank him for his pastoral care and his care across this Diocese, yes, but even more so for his care of me personally. His counsel to me professionally and personally always helps to get my head, my heart, and my soul in a better place,” Stevenson said.
Addressing current challenges and societal contexts, Stevenson spoke against the political and social divisions resulting from the contentious national election. He acknowledged the heightened polarization, strained relationships, and toxic environments within social media and partisan news.
“We now live in the days immediately after one of the most contentious national elections in my 60 years of living memory. These last few months, these last few years, have turned friend against friend, family member against family member. States have been relegated to being known only as one color or another, blue or red, red, or blue. None of us really knows how things are going to go in the coming years. And yet I implore all of us to remember, regardless of who we voted for, that we are Christ’s and we are beloved children of God,” he said.
Additionally, he discussed anxiety surrounding racial justice and reparations efforts. The Bishop admitted that the $10 million goal outlined in the 2021 Convention’s R10A resolution remains unmet, but called for patience.
“Injustice did not get deeply ingrained in our system and culture overnight, and it will not be rooted out overnight either. When we make a mistake, we will learn from it. We are learning. This I promise you.” he said.
“And as to the $10 million, I must say two things – first, we are working on it diligently. I had hoped to be able to make a major announcement at this convention about a substantial amount of the goal, but negotiations are such that I am told that I may not. But stay tuned. But second, I must say this – we have allowed ourselves to be sidetracked. by this $10 million dollar directive. It has made this work one of transaction instead of transformation. One of “if we just do this, if we just raise and spend this, then we will have done something” instead of “we must reach deeply into our hearts and souls and seek the kind of redemption and change that will make it possible to raise $100 million at the drop of a hat for the work of repair.”
Stevenson also highlighted achievements within the Diocese, including a recent $1.3 million grant from the Lilly Endowment to fund the Diocese’s Pathways to Prayer and Practice Program for engaging children aged 10 and under in corporate worship.
“Lilly is encouraging us to experiment – to learn from our mistakes as well as our successes. When I think about this opportunity to reach whole new generations, I feel tremendous excitement.” he said.
Another was the multi-year strategic review of camp, youth, schools, and college campus ministries.
“We are working to connect youth ministries, Episcopal Church Schools, campus ministries and Shrine Mont Camps in a sustainable way that benefits all parties” Stevenson said.
“Shrine Mont Camps has had several successful post-pandemic summer sessions now, with numbers of attendees stabilizing, and youth and adults alike being transformed by the experience that only this historic and faithful program can offer.”
Shrine Mont’s 100th anniversary will be celebrated August 6th, Stevenson said, adding: “For the celebration liturgy at the Shrine on August 6th, I have convinced a recently-out-of-work itinerant preacher to come and be our homilist – former Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has said ‘yes’ to my request. So, mark your calendars now.”
The Diocese’s Connecting in Ministry program for newly ordained clergy and priests new to the diocese is another success, Stevenson said.
“We are networking to attract the best clergy in the Episcopal Church to come here to Virginia because why would they want to serve anyplace else?”
Our Treasurer and Canon to the Ordinary have created what they refer to as the “Ted and d’Rue roadshow” – a series of gatherings across the state to provide resources and best practices for congregations.
Stevenson also gave thanks for a newly commissioned hymn centered on the diocesan vision statement and 230th Annual Convention theme: “Love Jesus. Embody justice. Be disciples.” The hymn, a co-creation of diocesan leadership and hymn composer Carl Daw, was written in a month. The hymn was sung during Evensong and Friday during Morning Prayer.
Encouraging continued engagement in these initiatives, Stevenson returned to the importance of love, justice, and discipleship within the Diocese of Virginia in his closing.
“My dear friends in Christ, come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of David, that he may teach us his ways, that we may walk in his paths. Love Jesus. Embody justice. Be disciples. For we are the Diocese of Virginia.”
Friday, November 8, 2024
Convention started with Morning Prayer followed by announcements and the first keynote session delivered by The Rev. Dr. Luke A. Powery, Dean of Duke University Chapel and Professor of Homiletics and African and African American Studies.
About The Keynotes Delivered by The Rev. Dr. Luke A. Powery
The Gospel and the Gift of Tears
Key Points:
- Embracing grief as an integral part of the Christian experience and spiritual repertoire. Powery said the avoidance of lament leads to a shallow understanding of the Gospel.
- Healing through tears is a natural and healthy response to stress and grief. He encouraged people to allow tears as a form of emotional detox.
- Grief was a tool for prophetic resistance against societal injustices. Tears symbolize a torn heart, but also a path toward hope and restoration. Jesus weeping as a model of solidarity with human suffering. His tears signify both mourning and righteous indignation against death.
Watch The Recording of This Session
The Gift of Song
Key Points:
- The Gospel is not only spoken, but also sung, embedding the story of Christ in hymns.
- Maya Angelou’s insight: “The bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song.”
- Spirituals are considered songs of the Spirit, believed to be divinely revealed.
Following the keynote, delegates had time to visit numerous exhibitors representing the Diocese and from across The Episcopal Church. After lunch, delegates got to participate in workshops.
Convention workshops covered a range of topics crucial to the Diocese’s vision and ministry. Each was led by subject experts who equipped participants with the knowledge and skills needed to advance the Diocese’s mission and vision in practical and impactful ways.
About Afternoon Workshops
Descriptions:
Constitution and Canons 101 provided an understanding the governing documents of The Episcopal Church to help clergy and lay leaders navigate church operations effectively.
Love Jesus. Embody Justice. Be Disciples covered ways to align with the Diocese’s vision of being a community of disciples committed to racial justice and reconciliation.
Caffeinated Church offered ways of enhancing church communications and administration supporting the Diocese’s goal of effective ministry and community engagement.
A Door to Hope opened discussions on themes of justice and humanity fosters a deeper understanding of faith and its role in social justice.
Small Churches Can Be Strong Churches recognized the vitality of small congregations and offered help in nurturing and sustaining them.
Reimagining Global Mission engaged participants by explaining how they can take part in global mission work reflecting the Diocese’s commitment to being a transformative presence in the world.
Mission Real Estate Development helped demystify utilizing church property for financial stability and ministry enhancement supports long-term sustainability.
Discernment explored ways to nurture spiritual listening and discernment are essential for personal and communal growth in faith.
A full list of workshops is available here.
Afternoon Holy Eucharist
An historic service took place that afternoon when The Rev. Dr. Luke Powery preached and Assistant Bishop Gayle Harris presided over Eucharist.
Saturday Morning, November 9, 2024
Convention resumed with Morning Prayer. Afterward, Bishop Stevenson opened the Saturday business session with an invocation for heavenly presence, an emphasis on glorifying God and furthering the Gospel, requests for charitable discussions and fruitful conclusions an appeal for the Holy Spirit’s guidance and a desire to end the meeting on time with Kingdom advancement. The morning session also included reports, discussion, and voting.
About the Reports from Committees on Constitutions and Canons, Resolutions, and Budget
Business sessions included election of Standing Committee members, reports from Diocesan committees on Constitution and Canons, Resolutions, and Budget and others.
Budget, Achievements, and Future Plans
Committee on Constitution and Canons
Chair Mr. J.P. Causey, St. John’s, West Point said a working group led by Scott Calkins reviewed the Constitution and Canons, the results of which were outlined in C-1a and C-2a which were placed on the Consent Agenda and approved.
An amendment to Canon 7.1 to include the Assistant Bishop as a voting member of the Executive Board was approved by a 2/3 majority.
An amendment to Canon 4, providing that General Convention Deputies will choose a Deputation Chair and Vice-Chair from among themselves, one a Lay Deputy and one a Clergy Deputy, was approved by a 2/3 majority.
Resolutions Committee
The Rev. Dina Widlake, Epiphany, Oak Hill, chair of the Resolutions Committee announced that all three resolutions proposed by her committee passed on the consent agenda.
Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer Ted Smith provided a financial overview, including the following items related to the Church Pension Group.
- Church Pension Group Benefits Payout: Total: $460 million Medical Claims: $232 million Net Assets for Benefits: $17.5 5 billion (2.35 times future pension obligations)
- Investment Performance: Goal: 4 percent over inflation (7.3 percent annual rate over 10 years) Achieved: 7.6 percent average annual return over the past ten years.
- Cost of Living Adjustments for 2025 will be announced in December.
- 2023 Clergy Defined Benefit Pension Plan increased by 3.2 percent. There was no increase for participants in the Lay Defined Benefit Plan.
- Episcopal Church Related income for retired clergy in 2025 will be capped at $44,500.
He then discussed the 2023 Statement of Activities which was favorable to budget by $12,000 (0.2 percent). Parish contributions closely track the budget so far in 2024 with a slight surplus projected for the year.
Among notable events in the current year, Smith cited a Lilly Foundation five-year Grant of $1.25 million which has been paid in one installment, and announced plans to earn additional interest on the grant.
Smith also reported the receipt of funds from a trust for the benefit of the Diocese. He said funds have been placed in an interest-bearing vehicle pending final settlement of the trust.
The Trustees of Funds performed well over the past twelve months; the: Balanced Fund returned 22.8 percent vs. benchmark of 21.3 percent and CPI + 4.5 percent (7 percent). The TotF Board added new advisors with expertise in institutional investing and cybersecurity. The Trustees of the Funds offices are now located within the diocesan office.
Smith also stressed the importance of parochial filings not only for the Covenantal Giving process but also for relational work on behalf of congregations.
Budget Committee Report
Chair Ms. Deb Gandy, St. Mary’s, Arlington thanked committee members Mr. Harry Dickinson, Ms. Mickie Jones, The Reverend Gene LeCouteur, The Reverend Amanda Kotval, Ms. Kat Turner, and The Reverend Sarah Colvin. Gandy reported a proposed budget balanced at $6.529 million, based upon income increases driven by the final Covenantal Giving Plan step-up to 10 percent. The committee granted 31 exceptions to the Plan, totaling a $495,611 reduction in revenue and that the average parish pledge of parishes receiving an exception was 6 percent.
Smith provided a detailed walk-through of income and expense increases. He emphasized that the proposed income was based upon conservative estimates. Smith also detailed the progress in Covenant Giving participation.
There were expense increases from commitments to camps and college ministry in addition to the full-year impact of additional staff, she said.
Smith further discussed increases to Convention expenses, church insurance, audit fees, and support for the diocesan archivist..
The budget passed in a voice vote.
During the Questions and Comments period a delegate rose to thank congregations for participating in Covenant Giving. A delegate posed a question about Campus Ministries funding and the status of campus ministry positions. Smith responded that there will be ongoing reviews about funding restoration by Diocesan contractor Ministry Architects.
Elections to the Standing Committee
This year, Members of Convention elected two clergy and two laypeople to serve on the Standing Committee. Ms. Lauren Breeden, of The Falls Church, Falls Church, was elected in the lay order on the first ballot, followed by the election of Ms. Margaret Jones, St. Mark’s, Richmond, on the second ballot. The Rev. Daniel Johnson, Christ Church, Spotsylvania, was elected in the clergy order on the third ballot, and the Rev. JT Thomas, Emmanuel, Greenwood, was elected on the fourth ballot. Read about the new members of the Standing Committee.
More About Those Elected
Ms. Lauren Breeden
The Falls Church Episcopal
Falls Church, Virginia
With a passion for nurturing the spiritual formation of children and advocating for the dignity of lay professionalism, I have worked for the Episcopal Church for over twelve years. I currently serve as the Director of Children and Family Ministries at The Falls Church Episcopal. Throughout my time at The Falls Church, I have worked to create innovative programs that equip and empower children’s leadership both at the parish and in the Episcopal Church at large. I am dedicated to the dignity of quality spiritual formation for all ages and creating church spaces where all generations have a voice.
I am currently working on Masters in Divinity as a non-postulant at Virginia Theological Seminary where I am honored to work alongside VTS as an advocate for lay professionals. In conjunction with VTS Lifelong Learning and FORMA, I have worked to help create spaces that promote mutual ministry, provide lay professionals with professional development opportunities and advocacy.
Before working for the Episcopal Church, I spent over a decade fighting sex crimes, focusing primarily on domestic minor sex trafficking. This background fuels my deep commitment to creating a church that is equitable and safe. I have worked to help churches create Child Safety Policies and have been a Safe Church certified trainer for over six years.
My unique experience fighting injustice, coupled with my work for the Episcopal Church, can be leveraged by the Standing Committee as a voice for the dignity and rights of church members and staff of all ages and backgrounds. I am also deeply creative and believe our Diocese could benefit from imaginative thinking. Similarly, I believe my background as an advocate can help to open our ears to voices we may have overlooked. I want to invite diverse voices to the table as we discover what God is doing amongst us. I especially want to hear from our youngest members about their callings and how we can empower them to lead us, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.
Ms. Margaret Jones
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
Richmond, Virginia
I am a lifelong Episcopalian, and have been an active member at St. Mark’s Episcopal in Richmond for more than 25 years. I have served several terms on the Vestry, and have been both Junior and Senior Warden. I am currently active in our Parish Life and Justice and Advocacy Ministries, as well as serving as the Vice President for the Central Richmond Region of the Diocese. I am the Regional Lay representative to the Executive Board, a term that ends in December of this year, and was honored to represent our Diocese as one of the Deputies to the General Convention.
I retired 2 years ago after a 36-year career in Virginia State Government, where I worked in capital project and facility support administration and management. My retirement has enabled me to commit my time and talents to the joys in my life, including the Episcopal church.
I have good communication and organizational skills, and an appreciation for administration. Throughout my career I provided “advice and counsel” to members of state government, and understand the need for informed, respectful discussion, and careful consideration during the decision making process.
I feel my experience, faith, and love of the Episcopal church will allow me to contribute as a member of the Standing Committee.
The Rev. Daniel Johnson
Christ Church
Spotsylvania, Virginia
I am currently the rector of Christ Church in Spotsylvania where I have served since graduating from Virginia Theological Seminary in 2019. Prior to ordination, I was a Technical Analyst for the Department of Defense and Department of State, providing technical, infrastructure, and data analysis for the Navy, Marine Corps, diplomat corps, and other allied nations across the globe. Currently, I am pursuing my Doctor of Ministry degree at Nashotah House Seminary and serve on the diocese’s Disciplinary Board. I am also a Spiritual Director for both laity and clergy, a life-professed friar in the Anglican Order of Preachers, and chaplain for the Virginia Chapter of the Society of Catholic Priests. My wife Shannon and I have three children: Logan (22), Aubry (18), and Rhys (8).
I believe my past professional life and my current ordained life have prepared me to listen to a diversity of opinions, observations, and information; interpret those opinions, observations, and information; and provide well-informed and detailed advice, which I believe would be of use on the Standing Committee. I believe in the Church. This is a wounded, fractured, and seeking world. I would like to be a part of working to grow the Episcopal Church in Virginia so as many people as possible can know the abiding and abounding love, grace, peace, and hope of Jesus Christ.
The Rev. JT Thomas
Emmanuel Episcopal Church
Greenwood, Virginia
I stand for election because two friends I love and trust asked me to do so. As the Diocese of Virginia raises me up in ministry, and has supported me in vital ways, I listened and said my prayers. I have experience with small and large institutions, board leadership, and many of the pastoral and practical tensions that arise for leaders of faith. I appreciate the moniker: Standing Committee of the Diocese. This body stands on the shoulders of the Saints, stands with and for our episcopal ministry, and stands firm for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, first and always.
Experience:
In 31 years of ordained ministry, I have been assistant, associate, and adjunct parish clergy, Episcopal School Chaplain, Head of an Episcopal School, interim rector, and rector. Serving in five different dioceses, I have worked as member of the Commission on Ministry, two Youth Commissions, an Ecclesiastical Trial Court, and numerous summer camp gigs. Returning to Virginia six years ago, I serve currently on the Committee on Deacons, and the Board of Governors for Stuart Hall School.
Vitals:
- Baptized, St. Matthew’s, Richmond, Virginia, 1966
- Confirmed, Emmanuel, Athens, Georgia, 1978
- BA in English, The University of the South, 1988
- M.Div., Virginia Theological Seminary, 1993
- Ordained Deacon, 1993
- Ordained Priest, 1994
Personal:
Married for 31 years to Janice Thomas, a nurse and pastoral force of nature. We have two adult children: Emily, who teaches fourth grade, and Sam who is a licensed PGA golf professional. Both children live in Hendersonville, North Carolina. Janice and I live in Nelson County, Virginia with our two exceptionally inclusive Golden Retrievers.
Falls Church Honored for Racial Reconciliation Efforts
The Falls Church, Falls Church was this year’s recipient of the Meet Me in Galilee Award, which recognizes outstanding ministry in the field of racial justice and healing.
Bishop Stevenson commended the church for its efforts in uncovering both known and hidden aspects of their history aiming to address past injustices and promote racial healing within the church community.
Comments from Assistant Bishop Gayle Harris
Assistant Bishop Harris expressed her gratitude for the warm welcome by the Diocese. She also shared that she will be undergoing surgery and requested prayers for her medical team and for successful surgery. Harris said she will be out of the office until early next year. She emphasized the need for commitment to ministry by loving Jesus, embodying justice, and being disciples and said she has been encouraged by the engagement and support of those goals within the Diocese.
Sine die
Bishop Stevenson delivered a final blessing invoking peace and God’s presence and officially adjourned the 230th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Virginia.
With Thanksgiving to God for Diocesan Staff!
See you next year!
The 231st Annual Convention of the Diocese of Virginia will be held at the Fredericksburg Convention Center on Nov. 6-8, 2025.