News Room

One of America’s best-known spokespersons for an open, scholarly and inclusive Christianity, Bishop John Shelby Spong, died Sunday, September 12, 2021 at his home in Richmond, Va., after a period of declining health.

By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. Proverbs 24:3-4

Haiti, home to more than 93,000 of our Episcopalian siblings, is again a scene of tragedy and suffering. Having recently endured a coup, the nation was hit Saturday by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake; the death toll has surpassed 1,300, and the destruction of buildings and infrastructure is devastating.

After several Zoom meetings this spring, our committee gathered last Saturday at Roslyn. Our day-long meeting was characterized by joy, gratitude, and optimism: joy, at our first chance to be together in person, to make small talk during coffee breaks, and to share a meal.

If we missed that message in the stories of the Old Testament and in the words of the prophets (it’s hard to miss, but sometimes we do), Jesus drives the message home over and over again.

Our faith teaches us that we are our siblings’ keeper.  Because we believe that all lives are interconnected, we promise in the vows we make a baptism to respect the dignity of every human being.

On Friday morning, I drove back to Richmond after spending a few days with our summer camp staff at Shrine Mont. Route 81 can be a challenge on any day in any season; on a rainy Friday morning of a long Fourth of July weekend, the trip could be painfully slow.

It’s so easy to forget who we are and why we are here. Even as Covid 19 diminishes, the habits we have developed about social distancing, masks, and limiting exposure don’t disappear overnight.

The Executive Board of the Diocese met today via Zoom for a regularly scheduled meeting.

Submitted by the Haiti Advocacy Ministry, which supports parishes and schools within The Episcopal Diocese of Washington and the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia in their efforts to assist the Haitian people. Why is Haiti unique to our church in the United States?...