Highlights

• The 400th anniversary celebrations
• Consecration of the bishop coadjutor
• Expansion of overseas mission
• Largest number of priests ordained in Bishop Lee’s episcopate
• Election of a new Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary
• The loyalty and love evident in the churches and the people
• Continuing litigation required to secure churches occupied by individuals who have abandoned the Episcopal Church
• Continuing congregations: St. Margaret’s, Woodbridge: St. Stephen’s, Heathsville; The Falls Church, Falls Church; and Church of the Epiphany, Herndon
• Grants from the Mustard Seed Fund
• Vouchers for short term mission trips to confirmed youth

            Bishop Lee will go to the Sudan in late March and early April to help dedicate a school which people from this diocese helped build.
            The R-5 Commission renamed Windsor Dialogue Commission to continue the conversation with the gay and lesbian members, remain in relationship with the worldwide Anglican Communion, and follow the recommendations of the Windsor Report.  “The majority of the members of the Commission believe that there is an “emerging consensus” regarding the permitting of “local option” for the blessing of same-gender unions.” However, the Commission acknowledged a multitude of sincere, theologically-based views on the subject and stressed that there is a place for all these views within the Episcopal Church and that they should be regarded with respect. The key recommendation was to continue to develop and discuss theological positions on how best to provide pastoral care and spiritual support to same-gender couples in committed relationships, with the goal of ultimately discerning the will of God. The Commission Chairman’s briefing to the council was well received. In that presentation, he emphasized that their task was to discern the will of God and not, through democratic means, to determine the majority view of the Commission.
            Continue the Triangle of Hope, linking the Diocese of Virginia, the Diocese of Liverpool, and the Church in West Africa.

Diocesan Budget for 2008

•Projected Income of $4,814,464 (6.6% above 2007)
• General Church Budget $858,036 (17.8%)
• 21% of total diocesan income after $100,000
exemption
• Ecumenical Partnerships $94,250 (2.0%)
• Juvenile institutions, prison ministry, refugee resettlement, ecumenical, interfaith
• Support of Youth and Young Adults Ministry
$278,735 (5.8%)
• Scholarships to minorities and economically disadvantaged students, university ministries, Shrine Mont scholarships, youth ministry development
• Missions and Church Planting $706,500 (14.7%)
• New missions, church plantings, San Marcos, mountain missions
• Program Committees of the Executive Board and Diocesan Ministries $75,063 (1.6%)
• Aging, world mission, parish youth ministry (PYM), race relations, stewardship, women in ministry and mission, EFM
• Canonical Ministries and Bishop’s Commissions $194,609 (4.0%)
• Postulancy process, seminarian training, new clergy development, clergy support, young priests initiative, congregational development, lay ministry, executive board
• Non-Administrative Expenses of Mayo House $209,225 (4.3%)
• Conferences, Liability Ins., VE & Communication, R.E. Tax undeveloped land
• Bishops, Communications, Staff, and Support $2,313,046 (48%)
• Peter, David, staff, autos, communications, supplies, etc.
• Micro-Economic Development Projects $15,000 (0.03%)
• Five Talents International
• Interest Expense $70,000
• Paid for by restricted funds (endowment income); repay with sale of undeveloped and unconsecrated property
            Notes:
• The (%) by the amount of dollars is the % this item is of the diocesan budget.
• Diocesan budget continues to suffer.
• This diocese is at the very bottom of the 105 American dioceses when it comes to what % of parochial income is shared at the diocesan level (6% vs. nation wide average of 14.6%).
• Of the five largest dioceses in the U.S., Virginia has the smallest staff.
• Currently, the only full-time ordained persons on the staff are the bishops.
• For over ten years the staff has received the minimum suggested increase for diocesan clergy.  Risk unwanted turnover.
• Some camps at Shrine Mont will have their tuition increase by 9%.
• From the floor at council to support the ministry for young people, raised over $20,000 for Shrine Mont scholarship program. Right on the spot, council members gave cash and checks totaling $11,290.

            Bishop Lee asked the lay delegates and clergy to speak to the Vestries and implore them to raise the percentage of the parish’s pledge for combined efforts.
            “The Diocese of Virginia is not an isolated institution headquartered in Richmond and independent of you. You are the Diocese of Virginia - you and the people you represent. The bishops and staff are here to serve you in your ministries and to assist you in the development and exercise of those ministries.”
            Examples of diocesan support to Pohick:

• Mission vouchers to confirmed youth
• Mustard Seed Grant for the Parish Nurse program
• Assistance to our Planned Giving program
• Advice and counsel to the Senior Warden, Vestry and Search Committee
• Leadership programs: Wardens, Vestries, Outreach, Stewardship, Communications, Evangelism, Discernment, Parish Finance, and Congregational Development
• Shrine Mont camps and retreat weekend
Elected as General Convention Deputies

 

Elected to the Standing Committee Class of 2011

Lay delegates: Don & Darlene O’Connell, John Pasour, Ken Evans (alt.), and Jim Hayes (alt.)

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