For years, parishioners at Church of Our Saviour in Montpelier tried to come up with a mission statement. Nothing worked—until a recent vestry retreat, when they paid close attention to what they were passionate about, in a conversation guided by The Rev. Shirley Smith Graham, the Diocese of Virginia’s minister for congregational vitality.
“It became clear that what makes us vital and alive as a congregation is our desire to be connected with God and one another,” said The Rev. Emily Krudys, Our Saviour Montpelier rector.
“We now have a focus and direction as we take next steps to look closer at who we are connecting with—unbound by old models of congregational boundaries—and what those connections could become as we seek to be a bring ourselves and others into that nearness with God that we so desire.”
Their breakthrough is only one example of the early effectiveness of the Ministry of Congregational Vitality. Its mission is to help churches of all sizes be faithful, skillful, and joyful congregations that love Jesus, grow disciples, and embody justice.
Reaching that big goal is a dynamic process built on success stories like Our Saviour Montpelier’s. Congregational vitality tools are more than guided conversations; they include listening and developing meaningful action plans; coaching and supporting churches and missions, as well as clergy and lay leaders; and discovering and sharing resources.
“Our churches are full of faithful and talented people. Just the right tool, used at just the right time, helps congregations find an energizing way to live into what God has called them to do,” Smith Graham said.
Case Study 2: St. Andrew’s Richmond
As a small inner-city church in a college neighborhood, St. Andrew’s Richmond sought congregational vitality assistance after decades of “spinning its wheels financially, and pledge and plate income was unlikely to sustain our ministries longer term,” said The Rev. Peyton Williams.
The parish’s work with Smith Graham led to accepting this fact and embracing it.
“We see this reality as an opportunity to deepen relationships beyond our walls and to foster partnerships in our community,” Williams said. “The diocesan ministry for congregational vitality has gifted us with a vision for a more sustainable future … with a plan for us to get there.
“Let me reiterate that latter point: we have formed a plan to get there, not just an idea to act on later—thanks be to God! Shirley has reminded us that we are not called to do this work alone, and we are so grateful that she has invested her time and energy to walk alongside us. Our vestry is now buzzing with excitement, rather than anxiety, about our future.”
Case Study 3: Christ Church Lucketts
Renewing a sense of purpose at Christ Church Lucketts on Jan. 26, 2025. Photo credit: Shirley Smith Graham.
In Leesburg, the leadership of Christ Church Lucketts sought support for identifying the growing and changing needs of their neighbors. Parishes can access free diocesan congregational vitality tools online, and Smith Graham connected this parish with data from Neighborhood Insights. It describes local access to medical care, generational/population segment predominance, poverty rate, population/diversity growth, racial/ethnic makeup, religiously unaffiliated percentage, rent/mortgage burden, unemployment rate, and much more.
This information was shared at the Annual Meeting, and inspired the parish’s “renewed sense of purpose in advancing the ministry of loving service and kingdom building,” said Rev. Fr. Kirtley Yearword Sr.
“The vestry and congregation are intentionally listening with curiosity, openness and wonder to the possibilities brought out by the data,” he said. “A key part of our Lenten discipleship program this year is building upon the principles of congregational development as the foundation to thrive as a community of faith, knowing ‘the fields are ripe for harvesting’ (John 4.35).”
The Listening Tour
Vitality Tour North Fairfax Region hosted by Holy Comforter Vienna, Oct. 17, 2025.
Vision and trust building with St. David’s Ashburn, April 19, 2025.
The Diocese of Virginia established its congregational vitality ministry in 2024 and to manage change, used the Listening-Action-Reflection process.
Listening starts with Smith Graham asking churches in a region questions like, “What sparks your joy?” “What do you do well?” “What challenges you?” and “What do you hope for?”
“As we’re finishing up the Listening Tour, it’s been a blast to hear from churches,” she said.
Smith Graham is gathering the answers, along with existing data, to identify the vitality needs of congregations of various sizes and contexts. The insights will be used to provide an at-a-glance view of parishes and mission churches and to help diocesan leaders understand how to best focus support on their health, sense of mission, and joy.
The goal is to develop a realistic and meaningful plan of action to support congregational vitality, “a diocesan-wide picture that informs what we provide in terms of resources, events, and programs in the future,” she said.
At least one Vitality Listening Tour event created positive synergy already, noted Rev. G. Miles Smith, Dean of Charlottesville Region: “The Vitality Listening Tour event in the Charlottesville Region has helped kickstart a new conversation between small churches in our region for their mutual encouragement and support.”
If your parish would like support or coaching, contact the Reverend Shirley Smith Graham, 804-622-3180.