The 213th Annual Council - Diocese of Virginia

Resolutions
CR-3 Mrs. Mary Saum Jenks
As adopted by the 213 th Annual Council.
Whereas, Mrs. Mary Saum Jenks was born and raised in Alexandria and was baptized,
confirmed and married at Christ Church, Alexandria where she served as a
volunteer beginning at age nine playing the piano for the younger Children’s
Sunday School Class and singing in the Children’s Choir; and
Whereas, Mrs. Mary Saum Jenks moved to Raleigh, N.C., and attended St. Mark’s,
Raleigh where she served as a member of the vestry for three terms and as
senior warden; and
Whereas, Mrs. Mary Saum Jenks relocated to St. Mary’s Whitechapel, Lancaster County,
where she has been a member for more than 20 years, serving as a member
of the vestry, lay Eucharistic minister, acolyte/chalicer, Bible School teacher,
president of the St. Mary’s Whitechapel Episcopal Church Women and choir
director for many years; and
Whereas, Mrs. Mary Saum Jenks has faithfully served Region II as a lay reader and,
most recently, as president of the region; and
Whereas, Mrs. Mary Saum Jenks has continually encouraged the people of Region II
to proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ, to seek
and serve Christ in all persons, and to strive for justice and peace among all
people, respecting the dignity of every human beings; and
Whereas, Mrs. Mary Saum Jenks has contributed generously of her time, energy
and talents to the Diocese of Virginia, serving as a lay member of the
Standing Committee, chair of the Church Status Committee, member of the
Commission on Congregational Missions, member of the Diocesan ECW
Board and delegate to the 2003 Triennial/General Convention; and
Whereas, Mrs. Mary Saum Jenks has worked diligently to fulfill the mission of the
Church to restore all people to unity with God and to each other in Christ;
now therefore be it
Resolved, that the 213 th Council of the Diocese of Virginia joins with the people of
Region II and St. Mary’s Whitechapel Episcopal Church in expressing its
profound thanks and gratitude to Mrs. Mary Saum Jenks for her faithful
ministry and exemplary service to this region, the Diocese of Virginia and the
Episcopal Church; and be it further
Resolved, that we honor her presence among us and extend our sincere love and best
wishes for a long, healthy and happy retirement.
CR-4 The Rev. Morton Townsend
As adopted by the 213 th Annual Council.
Whereas, the Rev. Morton Townsend was the longest ordained priest in the Diocese of
Virginia until his death on October 1, 2007; and
Whereas, Mr. Townsend was a graduate of the University of Richmond (1940) and
Virginia Theological Seminary (1943) and began his parish ministry at
Manakin Church in the Diocese of Southern Virginia in Powhatan County in
1946, after serving as a chaplain in the U. S. Army from 1944-46; and
Whereas, Mr. Townsend began his ministry in the Diocese of Virginia in 1948 and
continued his ministry in this Diocese until his retirement in 1977. During
this time he served as rector of Christ Church Parish in Lancaster County,
including Christ Church, Grace, Kilmarnock, St. Mary’s Whitechapel and
Trinity, Lancaster; as rector of Hanover with Brunswick Parish and St. Paul’s,
Owens, in King George County; as rector of Immanuel, Old Church, St.
The Diocese of Virginia t Journal of the the 213 th Annual Council 125