Virginia Episcopalian Magazine Fall 2013 Issue | Page 5

Dayspring Fever
Emily Cherry

The Dayspring initiative is beginning to grow beyond its first phase to become what the
Rt. Rev. Shannon S. Johnston, bishop, hoped it would be: An infusion of new energy
and fresh ideas for the entire Diocese. Since its inception in the beginning of 2012,
Dayspring has taken many forms. Its primary purpose – to discern vision surrounding
the properties returned to the Diocese following the litigation – has been realized:
Members of Church of the Epiphany, Oak Hill; St. Margaret’s, Woodbridge; St. Stephen’s,
Heathsville; and The Falls Church, Falls Church, have celebrated returning to their own
church buildings, and the congregation of St. Paul’s, Haymarket, has reconstituted. But
beyond that, the spirit of Dayspring continues to grow.
At a September 2013 meeting of the Dayspring congregations and leadership
team, participants joined
together to discuss joys and
challenges, and to explore
how this Dayspring spirit
might continue to expand
beyond the initial congregations. The Rt. Rev. Susan
E. Goff, who is responsible
for overseeing this initiative, described “a vision
of Dayspring as, sooner or
later, being a model for the
entire Diocese and wider
Church of how we do new
work in ministry, about how
Photo: Emily Cherry
we catch a new vision in a
Members of the Dayspring team and congregations gathered at Aquia, Stafford, in September to
time of rapid social change
share stories and discuss a vision for the future.
and in this time when the
place of church in society is
changing so quickly.”
numbers,” said Goff. “What [the Dayspring congregations]

It’s a spirit that’s been identified in many ways
learned from this process, we anticipate is going to be a
throughout the Diocese. Most recently, Church of the
helpful model for other churches in the Diocese.”
Resurrection, Alexandria, joined with the Episcopal Church
Foundation and the Diocese of Virginia to host Jump Start,
a one-day conference to equip churches with new ideas for
In the meantime, the Dayspring congregations continue
ministry in the face of common challenges.
to mark their progress. Members of St. Paul’s, Haymarket,

Many of those challenges have been encountered by
celebrated their recognition as a congregation of the
Dayspring congregations. And, as Goff explained during
Diocese, along with the new ministry of their priest-inthe September meeting, those congregations are well
charge, the Rev. Sean Rousseau, on September 28. The
positioned to be leaders and storytellers in this effort to
congregation of St. Margaret’s welcomed its priestshare “Dayspring fever” with the Diocese. “The Dayspring
in-charge, the Rev. Kathy Guin, and celebrated its 50th
congregations are clearly not the only congregations in
anniversary – and seven baptisms – this fall. At Church of
the Diocese of Virginia that are facing financial difficulties,
the Epiphany, plans have been underway for a young adult
that are facing difficulties with deferred maintenance, that
are facing difficulties building up ste ݅ɑ͡