Build New Churches t MARCH 2009 t VOLUME 118 t NUMBER 2 Bishop Lee Announces Resignation Plans at 214th Council By Emily Cherry When the Rt. Rev. Peter James bishop suffragan, I am known by and David Colin Jones, have—each Lee finished his Annual Council many in the House of Bishops as in their own ways—been light on Wpastoral address, in which he Peter Lee’s suffragan, and I am very the pathway for me and they have announced plans to resign on proud of that distinction! I am very shaped me in ways that they could October 1, members of Council grateful for the trust Bishop Lee not possibly even suspect. I know Enhance Conference Centers Enhance Conference surged to their feet to recognize and has given me for nearly 14 years that I will always owe something of thank the bishop in a thunderous, with the oversight of missions and my ministry as a bishop to them— t lengthy standing ovation. Bishop church planting. Both ministries something of my spiritual growth Lee stated, “I cannot refer to are very dear to my heart.” The and insight for leadership.” these plans to leave the Diocese of Rt. Rev. Shannon S. Johnston also While Bishop Lee’s resignation Virginia without placing them in recognized with gratitude both was paramount, economics were the context of thanksgiving for you, Bishop Lee and Bishop Jones: “My also at the forefront of many minds the clergy and the lay leadership brother bishops, Peter James Lee at Council. “Based on the total Net of the Diocese of Virginia. I thank Disposable Budgeted Income (NDBI) God daily for you and I am grateful YouTube of our diocese of $65,000,000, an for the privilege of serving among This year’s Annual Council marked average increase of one half of one you.” To read the full text of Bishop the Diocese’s first foray into the world percent of NDBI across the board Lee’s pastoral address, see page 8. of YouTube. Visit www.YouTube.com/ would raise our budget $325,000,” Expand Youth Ministries Expand Youth thediocese to see news videos from noted Bishop Jones. “Just think The Rt. Rev. David C. Jones, in th t his annual report, noted that “While the 214 Annual Council. about what we could do together I am known in this diocese as the / Council continued on page 3 Reach Out to Neighbors in Need t Photo: Emily Cherry The Rt. Rev. David Jones and the Rt. Rev. Shannon S. Johnston (left) join members of Council in honoring the Rt. Rev. Peter James Lee with a standing ovation at the 214th Annual Council. Since Bishop Lee’s consecration almost 25 years ago, he has ordained 235 transitional deacons, 190 priests, and he has received or confirmed 15,982 people. His resignation will be effective October 1, 2009. Strenghten Existing Churches Strenghten Spencer Dibblee, far right, is a member of Parish Youth Ministries. t INSIDE 6 The Way of the Cross 8 Bishop Lee’s Pastoral Address 11 Celebrate Abundant Giving 18 Individuals Contribute to Communal Mission 20 Exploring the Clergy Sabbatical 22 Book Review: The Circle of Imagination News of The Diocese Letter to the Editor Adjusting to Leaner Times is understandable. The newly I read with interest the article unemployed are not likely to be entitled “Faithful Abundance” by focused on “the abundance that is Patricia Bjorling [in the January all around us.” They stand to lose a March 2009 issue of The Virginia Episcopalian]. significant amount of the abundance t VOLUME 118 Overall, I would agree with the they have enjoyed up to now. t NUMBER 2 piece, although I would be cautious Churches, like colleges, universities Circulation 23,000 about item #2, “Teach Abundance,” and many charitable foundations, Published by The Diocese of Virginia in the list of 10 basics. With the will have to adjust to leaner times. unemployment rate now over Bishop seven percent, media “gloom and JIM SANDER S The Rt. Rev. Peter James Lee doom” is not unfounded. For people CHRI S T CHUR C H , ALEXANDRIA who have lost their jobs, anxiety Bishop Coadjutor The Rt. Rev. Shannon S. Johnston New Member of the House of Bishops Bishop Suffragan The Rt. Rev. David Colin Jones by Matt Farr Editor On Friday, February 13, the Diocese Episcopal Church and long-time Henry D.W. Burt II of Southern Virginia celebrated friend of Bishop Hollerith, the Most Othe consecration of its 10th bishop, Rev. Bruce Cameron, preached. Managing Editor the Rt. Rev. Herman “Holly” Formed in 1892 and comprised of Emily Cherry Hollerith IV, at William & Mary 115 parishes, the Diocese of Southern Hall in Williamsburg. The Most Rev. Virginia extends from the south Design/Layout Katharine Jefferts Schori, presiding side of the James River to the North John Dixon bishop, served as the principal Carolina border and stretches from consecrator, along with the Rt. Rev. the Atlantic Ocean westward to Advertising Assistant Peter James Lee of Virginia, the Rt. Appomattox. Bishop Hollerith was Karen Smith Rev. Neff Powell of Southwestern the only Diocese of Southern Virginia Virginia, the Rt. Rev. John C. priest on the slate of nominees. Prior Copyright ©2008 The Virginia Buchanan, former interim bishop to his new position, Bishop Hollerith Episcopalian. No article, column, of Southern Virginia, the Rt. Rev. served as rector of the historic Bruton photograph or illustration in The Clayton Matthews of the Office of Parish in Williamsburg. Bishop Virginia Episcopalian may be Pastoral Development and the Rt. Rev. Hollerith’s ties with the Diocese of reproduced or transmitted in any James Mauney of the Virginia Synod Virginia also run deep: his brother is form without written permission of the Luthern Church. The Rt. Rev. the Rev. Randy Hollerith, rector of St. from the editor. Shannon S. Johnston also participated. James’s, Richmond. t The Virginia Episcopalian The retired primus of the Scottish (ISSN 15353621, USPS 019711) is published by the Diocese of Virginia, located at 110 W. Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23220. It is published bimonthly six times per year. Periodicals postage paid in Richmond, VA 23232-9998. Subscriptions: t $5.00 / year for communicants of the Diocese t $6.00 / year for non-communicants t $1.50 for individual copies Views expressed in this newspaper are not official statements of policy by the Diocese of Virginia. Photo: Carlyle Gravely The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, presiding bishop (left) and the Rt. Rev. Peter James Editorial and advertising policy is Lee of Virginia (right) welcome the newest member of the House of Bishops, the Rt. Rev. set by the editor and Executive Herman “Holly” Hollerith. Board with the advice of the editorial advisory board. Director of Stewardship and Development The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia is seeking a Director of Stewardship and Development to design and implement comprehensive strategic fundraising and stewardship programs for the Diocese. This senior-level position will work closely with the bishops, staff members and key leaders of the Diocese. Please direct all inquiries to Henry D.W. Burt, secretary of the Diocese, at [email protected] or 800-DIOCESE x30. news of The diocese 3 Council continued from page 1 / open are we to what God may look to Jesus, ‘the pioneer and the by raising that percentage by one or be saying to us in Church and perfecter of our faith,’ ‘the Church’s two percent. The best gift we could world, because God speaks to us one foundation.’” During his closing give Bishop Johnston at our next through both?” Archbishop Morgan comments, Archbishop Morgan Council is the budgetary tools he questioned. “How willing are we to also addressed the issue of the will need to lead us. And that will learn? Here, as in so much else, we recently proposed new province in only happen if we give the work we North America. “If there is a move share together a significant priority.” within the Communion to recognize The final budget adopted by council a separate province within this rang in at over $4.7 million. province, then I and others will Bishop Johnston expanded on resist it with every fiber in our the theme of budget priorities: “Our bodies,” said Archbishop Morgan annual operations budget simply to another standing ovation. must provide for a diocesan officer Archbishop Morgan also preached for world mission—a position at the Council Eucharist, where currently funded by a special off- attendees donated over $10,000 New Member of the House of Bishops budget gift that is soon to expire. during the collection to benefit the Buck Blanchard’s work in this has Ahli Hospital and a dental clinic, by Matt Farr proven to be so very powerful for our both located in Gaza. witness and ministry as a diocese. Outreach and mission played This is not of my jurisdiction at an important role in business, present, but I can say that for me too. Council adopted a resolution the position is an essential staffing Photo: Emily Cherry concerning Sudan that had priority. This work is both our The Columbia Pike Community Chorus particular significance: the Monday strength and our healing.” performed a special cantata, entitled “Changed after Council, Buck Blanchard, The Most Rev. Dr. Barry My Name,” inspired by the lives of Sojourner Bishop Jones and the Rt. Rev. Frank Morgan, archbishop of Wales, joined Truth and Harriett Tubman (as portrayed by Gray, former assistant bishop of members of Council as chaplain for the Rev. Kim Coleman, left, rector of Trinity, Virginia and commissary to the the two-day event.