Episcopal Press and News
SOUTHERN VIRGINIA: Council urged to look to the future
Episcopal News Service. February 23, 2007 [022307-04]
Mary Frances Schjonberg
The Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia, meeting February 9-11 in its 115th annual Council, heard its interim bishop urged them to prepare for the future.
Bishop John Buchanan, who was appointed by the diocesan Standing Committee after the retirement of David C. Bane, told the Council that he believes "the people of this diocese are coming to an understanding that it is time to take on [the] very important work" of electing a new bishop.
"It will be a demanding task – demanding of time, energy and much prayer," he said.
The Council later approved a resolution from the Standing Committee to commence the process of electing a new bishop.
Buchanan urged the diocese to improve its stewardship. "Forgive me for being direct, but voluntary giving in this diocese is not working," he said. "Some congregations give bigheartedly, some ungenerously, and some none at all."
"A simple mandatory apportionment, which is fair and equitable, must soon be put in place in the Diocese of Southern Virginia, so that the work and ministry to which God calls us will be adequately funded. Ideally, this should take place before you choose a new bishop," Buchanan said. "You simply cannot put a new bishop in that catch-22 position."
The complete text of Buchanan's address is available here.
Among the resolutions passed by the Council were ones to:
- reaffirm support and commitment to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs);
- reaffirm support and commitment to anti-racism efforts in the diocese;
- pursue the implementation of mandatory apportionments and to encourage immediate congregational tithing;
- explore alternative models of ordained leadership.
A resolution to reaffirm the value of the Windsor Report; to encourage Buchanan's "active endorsement"; and to encourage the Presiding Bishop to exercise power to enact Windsor recommendations was amended and then failed to pass on a vote by orders.
The Council also passed a number of changes to its canons based on a study aimed at updating them.
Complete Council details are available in the convention report on the diocese's website.
The Diocese of Southern Virginia comprises approximately 34,000 Episcopalians worshipping in 118 congregations.