The 213th Annual Council - Diocese of Virginia

Proceedings
we only give our selves a little bit, we tend to get more resentful. Odd, but true.
So let me end with an example of someone who I think truly has lived that four-fold
action of taking, blessing, breaking and giving, and that’s Nelson Mandela. Sometime
after he was released from prison, he was interviewed, and one of the questions was
quite to be expected: “Tell me, Mr. Mandela, having spent over 20 years in prison, and
having come out, surely you carry within yourself a level of resentment. Surely, even
though you’re smiling and you’re gracious, there must be anger.” His answer was, “No,
there’s none of that. And if there was, you see, I’d still be in prison.”
The North American church is caught up in many imprisonments. What Christ invites us
to is a deeper freedom, but also a service that is perfect freedom. Amen.
Report of the Bishop Suffragan
Bishop David Jones offered the Bishop Suffragan’s Report.
Bishop Lee, Bishop Johnston, Bishop Matthews, Members of Council,
It is a delight to for me to be serving again as one of three bishops. This is my first public
opportunity to welcome Bishop Johnston. He knows already how pleased I am that he
has been called to Virginia. I know that he will enjoy the support and affirmation that so
many of you have given me and Bishop Lee. It is indeed a privilege to serve among you.
On a number of my Sunday visits, I am asked about the state of our Diocese and the
health of our congregations.
In response, I have pointed to the extraordinary outpouring of energy for mission that
has pervaded our diocese. Mission trips abound from every corner of our diocese. And
as a result, lives and congregations are transformed.
This missionary emphasis contrasts sharply with continuing litigation. It is terrible for
all of us. But it is necessary. Episcopal Church property is held in trust for all of us,
especially for our grandchildren and great grandchildren.
The contrast is especially striking when our congregations are doing so well, when so
few find themselves experiencing internal conflict, and when so many enjoy excellent
clergy leadership. As I listen around the Church, the one consistent theme that I hear is
that clergy want to be in the Diocese of Virginia.
I find it very disconcerting to read disparaging comments about us from our former
members. Labels have been applied to us that have no connection with reality. To
say that we have abandoned Scripture is blatantly not true. I am proud that we have
not responded in kind. Our effort to secure Episcopal Church property for future
generations is not a political campaign and we are not on the attack. We are the Church.
We’ve been here 400 years and will be here for many more years to come.
Thirteen years ago, Bishop Lee assigned me responsibility for church planting and
oversight of our mission congregations. This has been a very satisfying assignment.
In church planting, our efforts have emphasized reaching those who have no
congregation. It has been immensely gratifying to see lives changed through intentional
evangelism. And is has been even more rewarding to see new Christians engage in
The Diocese of Virginia t Journal of the the 213 th Annual Council 101