The 213th Annual Council - Diocese of Virginia

Annual Reports
The Commission also sponsored successful conferences such as Vestry Education
Day and the “Healthy Congregations” workshops for clergy and lay leaders. Other
events, such as the Magnetic Church Conference and “Beyond Sunday,” had lower than
anticipated registrations and the Commission is now exploring other avenues to help us
better serve the Diocese through congregational development.
The Commission sponsors the “Church Tool Box” Web site and is currently studying
ways to build up the Web site (www.churchtoolbox.org). We are also working to assist the
deployment office and parishes with the Percept programs. The Commission is working
with diocesan staff to set up a new network of congregational consultants to help clergy
and vestries with strategic and long range planning and other areas of administration
and organization. The Commission is also reviewing other ways to offer programs,
training, consulting, and basic development information.
In September, the Rev. David Keill stepped down as chair. The Rev. Webster Gibson was
appointed chair. Carolyn Chilton is the diocesan contact to the Commission.
Commission on Congregational Missions
The Commission on Congregational Missions (CCM) assists the bishop suffragan in
his oversight of diocesan missions. There are 17 lay and clerical members, appointed by
Bishop Jones, each of whom serves as liaison to one or more mission churches.
In order for the liaisons to become more familiar with the issues and successes of the
mission churches, each meeting takes place at a different mission church where the
Commission hears from the leadership of the host church. The liaisons report on their
assigned parishes. Each liaison participates in the preparation of the individual church’s
budget and request for funds.
The Latino Task Force, a subcommittee of CCM and Church Planting, will present a fiveyear
plan to the Executive Board during 2008 and to Council in 2009.
Again, CCM will host a Small Church Day to which vicars and lay leaders of all small
churches in the Diocese are invited. Attendees will have the opportunity to talk with and
listen to Bishop Johnston and to visit and learn from each other.
During 2008, CCM will partner with the diocesan Stewardship Committee to assist
churches in developing and implementing long range stewardship programs.
Su b m i t t e d b y Ri c h a r d Sh i r e y, Ch a i r
Ecumenical and Interfaith Commission
In fulfillment of our mission to respond to the ecumenical imperative of our Lord Jesus
Christ’s prayer that we all may be one and to nurture interfaith relationships of respect
and understanding, the Diocesan Ecumenical and Interfaith Commission (DEIC) was
engaged in the following activities in 2007.
A major focus of our time has been spent in meeting with Lutheran representatives for the
planning of a Joint Lutheran/Episcopal Clergy Conference for the Commonwealth which
will take place at Shrine Mont April 7-9, 2008. In keeping with our commitment to Full
Communion with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, this conference will help
clergy understand the doctrine and practices of our respective denominations and equip
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The Diocese of Virginia t Journal of the the 213 th Annual Council