Virginia Episcopalian Magazine Fall 2012 Issue | Page 4

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Emily Cherry

On Saturday, July 28, Susan Ellyn Goff was
consecrated bishop suffragan of the Diocese of
Virginia at St. Paul’s Church in Richmond. Over 700
people gathered to celebrate the consecration of
Virginia’s first female bishop.

The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, presiding
bishop, was the chief consecrator. Co-consecrators were
the Rt. Rev. Shannon S. Johnston, bishop of Virginia; the
Rt. Rev. Edwin F. Gulick Jr., assistant bishop of Virginia; the
Rt. Rev. Peter James Lee, retired bishop of Virginia; the Rt.
Rev. David C. Jones, retired bishop suffragan of Virginia; the
Rt. Rev. Laura J. Ahrens, bishop suffragan of Connecticut;
and the Rev. James Mauney, bishop of the Virginia Synod,
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The preacher
was the Rt. Rev. Richard Blackburn, Bishop of Warrington,
suffragan in Liverpool in the United Kingdom.

In his sermon, Blackburn addressed the reading from
Isaiah 42:1-9 about how the Church is called to be a servant.
“Turning passion into compassion is something that I sense
is very much Susan’s own trademark,” said Blackburn. “And
displaying loving passion as compassion is surely the hallmark
of a bishop.”

Most recently, Goff served as canon to the ordinary
of the Diocese of Virginia, working with Johnston on such
matters as the ordination process and disciplinary matters.

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Virginia Episcopalian / Fall 2012

Photo: Brandon Martin

Goff receives the congregation’s congratulations upon her
consecration as bishop.

A graduate of Douglass College, New Brun