Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia
129th Annual Council
Will you continue in the Apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
During the past year, with all the curve balls thrown to us by the COVID-19 pandemic, answering our first Baptismal promise has been challenging. Thanks to many creative spirits, including the creative movement of the Holy Spirit, we have found ways to do that. Now as we are approaching the 129th Council of the Diocese of Southern Virginia, we are being challenged yet again to find new ways to continue in the teaching, fellowship, prayers and councils of the Church.
Are we going to have Council this year? YES!
Is it going to be different? YES!
Below you will find a schema for our first entirely Virtual Council. Rather than spend a day and a half on Zoom, our Council Week will begin on Monday, Feb. 22, offering you daily on-demand reports and live events via Zoom. On Friday evening, please plan to join us for an engaging presentation by Jerusalem Greer, Staff Officer for Evangelism for Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. Jerusalem will be pointing the way to how we can answer the demands of our third Baptismal Promise, “Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of Jesus Christ?” The title of her presentation is “Rooted in Love: Where Good News, Spiritual Practices and our Baptismal promises meet.” Council Week will culminate with the business meeting of clergy and lay delegates on Saturday morning.
We are excited about this year’s Council and offer this announcement so as to ignite your enthusiasm and to encourage you to save the dates on your calendar.
For where two or three are gathered in my Name, I am there among them.
Matthew 18:20
--- Bishop Haynes
Complete Annual Council information, including delegate materials and Convocation Meetings, can be found on our website here, and at www.bit.ly/diosova129
Council Week Schedule
Every day during Council Week you will receive an email with both on-demand reports that you can watch/read at your convenience, and an invitation to join us for one of that evening's live virtual events on Zoom. The week’s live events begin at 7 p.m. each evening and are open to all. Log in details will be provided the morning of each event. Please note that registration for Council’s business session on Saturday is limited to clergy and lay delegates. The business session will be live-streamed on the diocesan YouTube channel.
Monday, February 22
On-demand reports:
- Welcome to Council Week from Bishop Haynes
- Standing Committee Report
- Status of Parishes & Missions Report
Live event:
- Zoom and digital voting practice session, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, February 23
On-demand reports:
- Proposed Diocesan Budget for 2021
- Christian Formation
- Addictions & Recovery Commission
Live events:
-
Spotlight Focus on Formation, 7 p.m. Join us as we explore three free formation opportunities available for use in your community: Sacred Ground, Bible Project, and Embracing Evangelism. We will share insights learned, facilitation suggestions and, highlight the flexibility afforded by these programs to be lay or clergy-led and delivered via Zoom or in-person.
- 2020 Financial Report & 2021 Budget Presentation and Q&A, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, February 24
On-demand reports:
- San Miguel Ministry for Latino/a/x Community
- Chanco on the James
- Episcopal Church Women
Live event:
- Join Latino/a/x Missioner, the Rev. Mario Melendez, for a discussion of Ministry in a Time of Pandemic, 7 p.m.
- Chanco on the James: Your Camp and Retreat Ministry, 7 p.m. Join Chanco Director Gareth Kalfas to learn more about Chanco, take a look at their new facilities, hear how they weathered 2020 and get info on the 2021 Summer Camp schedule. There will also be time for Q&A. Join us!
Thursday, February 25
On-demand reports:
- Episcopal Youth Community
- College Ministry
Live events:
- EYC Hang Out: Council 101 and Compline, 5 p.m. (an event for youth)
- College Ministry Gathering: Council 101 and Compline, 7 p.m. (an event for college students)
Friday, February 26
Join us at 7 p.m. for “Rooted in Love: Where Good News, Spiritual Practices and our Baptismal promises meet” -- How does our baptism inform our ministries and our lives? What does Good News sound like? What exactly is the purpose of formation? Join Jerusalem Greer, Staff Officer for Evangelism for Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, as she shares about the Way of Love, Episcopal Evangelism, Discipleship, and why our "why" matters most of all.
Saturday, February 27
Business Session of the Annual Council, convenes at 9:30 a.m. (Limited to voting clergy and lay delegates.)
Registration for Council Business Session
Only voting lay and clergy delegates should register. There is no need for lay alternates, non-canonically resident clergy, spouses, or visitors to register. Registration for Council closes on January 31, 2021. The business session will be live-streamed for non-registrants to watch.
