The 213th Annual Council - Diocese of Virginia

Proceedings
Aside from this issue, the budget work of the Executive Board has revolved, again this
year, around the delicate task of matching limited resources with abundant needs. The
Board receives and reviews regular reports on parish pledging and giving, and members
serve as liaison to churches in their regions.
The working group on program is responsible for reviewing and recommending
appointments to various committees and commissions of the Diocese. Recommendations
from these groups, including recommendations for awards of grants, are received by the
working group. This year, the working group on program outlined a new schedule for
review and conversation with these committees and commissions. Members of the Board
will, with staff assistance, provide for more regular oversight and involve themselves more
closely in the activities of the groups to be of greater support to those faithful volunteers
in their ministry. The larger purpose of this plan is to ensure that the Executive Board and
the budget of the Diocese reflect the priorities and needs of the people of the Diocese.
The Executive Board is responsible for implementing the actions of this Council. Thus, in
the year that follows this meeting, the Board will review the resolutions passed and take
any appropriate action necessary to fulfill the will of Council. The budget adopted here
will be monitored by the Board.
Approximately one year ago, a number of congregations in the Diocese had separated
themselves from this body. The litigation had just then gotten underway. For the
Executive Board, the litigation has been a back drop looming over our agenda. In part,
this is because the duty of Executive Board involves stewardship of money and property;
thus, members of the Board have been keenly interested in the unfolding events. But, the
Board has also been a source of advice to the bishop and staff. In particular, the members
have reported on discussions within their regions and conveyed to member parishes
updates from the Diocese.
It is appropriate for me to report that these discussions among Executive Board Members
reflect that there is continued focus of the Diocese on mission; that the support for the
course of action of this Diocese and for Bishop Lee in particular has been strong; and
that, even in the midst of uncertainty and controversy, a real sense of joy in the work of
the church remains.
I am grateful for the opportunity to have served the Diocese on the Executive Board, and
I commend my colleagues who remain and those who will join them for their dedication,
and I wish them success. And I encourage them to remember that even in uncertain times,
in the words of the hymn, “God is working his purpose out, as year succeeds to year.”
Harriett “Happy” Pullman Award
The president addressed Council:
The Harriet “Happy” Pullman Award honors an individual who has demonstrated
exemplary work in Christian social ministries or outreach programs in the Diocese
of Virginia, and is given in memory of the late Canon Harriet A. “Happy” Pullman
in recognition of her 13 years of faithful ministry to the bishop and the people of the
Diocese of Virginia in support of the mission of the Church. The award is sponsored by
the diocesan Commission on Human Need. Nominations are sought annual, and the
award winner is chosen by the members of the Commission on Human Need.
This year’s Happy Pullman Award winner is Jennifer Ernst.
The Diocese of Virginia t Journal of the the 213 th Annual Council 83