Find a Church » Subscribe » Donate »

Find a Church » Subscribe » Donate »
The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia

THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF VIRGINIA

The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia

THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF VIRGINIA

« Governance

Standing Committee

The Standing Committee is a 12-member elected council of advice to the bishop.  The Standing Committee is involved in a number of matters including church indebtedness and the ordination process. Four members (two clergy and two lay) are elected to three-year terms each year by the Annual Convention. In certain circumstances (see the diocesan Canons), the Standing Committee is the ecclesiastical authority of the Diocese of Virginia in the absence of the Bishop.

Contact the Standing Committee via Email.

Standing Committee Update, September 2025

Standing Committee for 2026

Mr. Harry Dickinson
Trinity, Fredericksburg
Term Ending 2028

Ms. Deborah Gandy
St. Mary’s, Arlington
Term Ending 2028

The Rev. Rod Gordon
St. Peter’s, Oak Grove
Term Ending 2028

The Rev. Laura Minnich Lockey
Canterbury Campus Ministry, Harrisonburg
Term Ending 2028

Ms. Lauren Breeden
The Falls Church, Falls Church
Term Ending 2027

The Rev. Daniel Johnson
Christ Church, Spotsylvania
Term Ending 2027

Ms. Margaret “Mickie” Jones
St. Mark’s, Richmond
Term Ending 2027

The Rev. JT Thomas
Emmanuel, Greenwood
Term Ending 2027

Ms. Christine (Chrissie) Crosby, Secretary
Grace Church, Alexandria
Term Ending 2026

Ms. Susan Magill
Christ Church, Alexandria
Term Ending 2026

The Rev. Kristen Farrington
Christchurch School, Christchurch
Term Ending 2026

The Rev. Weston Mathews
St. Francis, Great Falls
Term Ending 2026

Standing Committee and the Approval of Church Debt

There are two Virginia Canons that speak directly to the obligations of a church when considering the question of debt and the encumbering of church property: Canon 14 (Creation of Church Debt) and Canon 15 (Church Property). Please read these Canons and if you have any questions, please call the diocesan office at 1-800-DIOCESE and ask for the treasurer of the Diocese. You may also email questions to Ted Smith.

Procedural Documents

The Standing Committee takes its canonical duties very seriously with regard to the approval of church debt. Please see the links below for all relevant information.