Dear Siblings in Christ in the Diocese of Virginia,
I write to inform you that James Williams, Director of Shrine Mont Camp, has submitted his resignation to take effect at the conclusion of this summer 2024 camping season to embark on the next chapter of his career. He is currently hard at work at Shrine Mont Camp leading a staff of nearly 70 counselors, nurses, chaplains, and administrators while shepherding hundreds of campers. James has faithfully led our diocesan camping ministry since September 2022 and his last day on diocesan staff will be August 30.
James generously gifted us with significant notice of his plans which provides us the invaluable opportunity to proceed strategically as we continue to steward the mission and ministry of Shrine Mont Camps. There is too much at stake to rush this search process or neglect the essential ongoing work of planning for summer 2025. For these reasons, I’m delighted to announce I have invited a team of ministry consultants from Ministry Architects to partner with us as we navigate this staff transition and the ongoing work at hand. On the team from Ministry Architects is Mary Beth Abplanalp, a long-time lay professional in our Diocese, a former Shrine Mont board member, and good friend of Shrine Mont Camp. Mary Beth and her colleagues will work closely with an appointed search committee to facilitate the search process for the next Director of Shrine Mont Camps. They will simultaneously support program planning for summer 2025 and the development of essential operating systems for our camping program. Updates about this process will be provided via our diocesan e-Communiqué newsletter.
The summer 2024 Shrine Mont Camp season is already underway and will continue as planned for the remainder of the season. I just had the privilege of spending a few days on the mountain sharing joyful fellowship with our campers and camp staff, and Bishop Ted Gulick is currently there serving as one of the chaplains. The Holy Spirit is undeniably present in our camps.
I am extremely grateful for James’s ministry among us and ask your prayers for James, our camp staff, and our entire Shrine Mont Camp community. May God bless us all in this season of Pentecost, remembering that we are called to love Jesus, embody justice, and be disciples.
Yours in Christ,
The Right Reverend E. Mark Stevenson, Bishop of Virginia