From top left to bottom right: The Rev’d Dr. Tammy Lewis, The Rev’d Dr. Sarah Kye Price, The Rev’d Shirley Smith Graham, and The Rev’d William “Will” Dickinson
Following a comprehensive review of diocesan needs and feedback from across the Diocese of Virginia, the Rt. Rev’d E. Mark Stevenson, Bishop of Virginia, has announced strategic, expanded calls for four diocesan staff.
This realignment is designed to optimize internal expertise and gifts, increase administrative efficiency, and deeply expand the breadth and depth of support offered to local churches.
“From the beginning of my ministry as bishop, I have maintained that the pillars of justice and discipleship are key to everything we do,” Bishop Stevenson said. “We are continuing to look at how our staff is organized so that we can empower work across the diocese along those lines. This comprehensive approach utilizes the immense gifts already present on our team, retooling our focus to put energy exactly where God is calling us to put it today.”
These expanded roles are designed to directly empower clergy and lay leaders in their everyday church contexts, making diocesan resources more agile and accessible.
The four diocesan leaders stepping into expanded profiles are:
The Rev’d Dr. Tammy Lewis – Diocesan Ministry for Racial Justice and Healing
The Rev’d Dr. Tammy Lewis has been promoted to the position of Minister on the Bishop’s Staff. As such, she will assume greater, elevated responsibilities within the Diocesan Ministry for Racial Justice and Healing. She will be working in the ministry overseen by the newly named Canon to the Ordinary, the Rev’d Canon Dr. J. Lee Hill, Jr., who also is now Dean of the Diocesan Ministry for Racial Justice and Healing.
“Tammy’s leadership has continued to grow in remarkable ways, and her recent completion of her Doctor of Ministry degree reflects her deep commitment to this work,” Stevenson said. “I am excited to see how her gifts will further enrich this important ministry.”
Lewis has been serving as the Administrative Assistant for Racial Justice and Healing for the diocese since 2024.
As a further expansion of this priority, the diocese will soon be calling a minister for Latino and Hispanic communities, Stevenson said.
The Rev’d Dr. Sarah Kye Price – Vocations and Clergy Wellness
The Rev’d Dr. Sarah Kye Price has been promoted to the position of Canon, and will handle expanded responsibilities within the area of vocational development, including canonical matters of clergy conduct (Title IV) issues.
“Sarah’s experience, wisdom, and pastoral heart have earned the respect of clergy and lay leaders throughout our diocese,” Stevenson said. “Her commitment to reconciliation and healthy relationships will serve our diocesan community well in this Canon’s level role.”
Kye Price has been serving as Vocations Minister for the diocese since 2023.
The Rev’d Shirley Smith Graham – Congregational Vitality
The Rev’d Shirley Smith Graham has been promoted to the position of Canon and is taking on an expanded portfolio dedicated to helping local churches assess vitality and promote growth.
“Since assuming leadership as Minister for Congregational Vitality, Shirley has helped congregations across our diocese imagine new possibilities for ministry and mission,” the Bishop noted. “This appointment as Canon reflects both the importance of congregational vitality in our common life and the exceptional leadership she brings to this work.”
Smith Graham has been serving as Minister of Congregational Vitality for the diocese since 2024 and previously served as the Transition Minister for this diocese from 2022.
The Rev’d William “Will” Dickinson – Clergy Transitions and Formation
The Rev’d William “Will” Dickinson has been promoted to the position of Canon, expanding his role in clergy transitions to include additional leadership formation for clergy. He will guide clergy through crucial chapters of personal discernment and coordinate the Connecting in Ministry program, which anchors newly ordained clergy or those entering unfamiliar ministry settings.
“Will’s gifts for formation, encouragement, and accompaniment make him particularly well-suited for this ministry,” Stevenson said.
Dickinson has been serving as Transition Minister for the diocese since 2024.
Looking Ahead
This collaborative alignment ensures that crucial canonical and pastoral needs—from conflict resolution to empowering the work of congregations to continuing formation and education for clergy—have dedicated, expert managers. Titles, descriptions, and structural logistics of these expanded positions are currently being finalized by the Bishop and those assuming the new roles.
“I thank God for Tammy, Sarah, Shirley, and Will,” Bishop Stevenson added. “I believe their expanded calls will strengthen our common life, drawing us deeper into loving Jesus, embodying justice, and being disciples. Join me in praying for them as they step into this vital work.”