Virginia Episcopalian Magazine Spring 2013 Issue | Page 5

Staff Transitions On March 25, the Rev. Deacon Ed Jones joined the diocesan staff as secretary and chief of staff. Ed is a longtime member of St. George’s, Fredericksburg. He was recently ordained to the vocational diaconate after serving his practicum at St. Mary’s, Colonial Beach, where he now serves as deacon. As secretary, Jones will manage the governing bodies of the Diocese, including Annual Council, and will provide oversight of communications and public relations in the Diocese. He will also serve as senior adviser to the bishops and as point of contact for the legal team on issues pertaining to litigation, employment and real estate. As chief of staff, Ed will supervise and support 22 diocesan staff members. Jones is a career newspaper-man, having spent his 40-year career at the Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star, where he has served as editor for 12 years. Before his role as editor, Jones was also managing editor, editorial page editor, film critic, radio host, political reporter and columnist for the award-winning newspaper. At the diocesan level, Jones has served as editor of Center Aisle, the Diocese of Virginia’s daily opinion journal given as a gift to General Convention, since 2000. He recently completed a term as president of Region I, and has also served as chair of the diocesan Task Group on Same-Gender Blessings, chair of the diocesan Resolutions Committee, a member of the Committee on Priesthood and a member of the Young Priests Initiative. At St. Council continued from page 2 Christopher, founder of Horizons Stewardship Company, spoke to that theme in his keynote addresses. Addressing Council members in two plenary sessions, Christopher preached a message of abundance in the messaging of the Church. “When we do what Christ called us to do, we don’t have stewardship issues, because you can’t help but give when you love Jesus,” said Christopher, who also pointed out that the church is receiving the lowest percentage of giving to nonprofits in history. “Our giving to religion continues to slide in a direction that is not healthy and good, and is certainly not good for the Kingdom of God,” said Christopher. “If we are to be the hands and the feet … we are going to have to have the funds to do it.” With large numbers of nonprofits vying for a finite amount of money that individuals are willing to donate, he explained, competition is George’s, Jones has served as senior warden and as chair of the Rector Search Committee, the Outreach Committee and the Adult Education Committee. He received his B.A. from Harvard University and his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law. He and his wife, Jones Peggy, live in Fredericksburg, and Photo: The Free Lance-Star Jones works out of the diocesan offices at Mayo Memorial Church House in Richmond. “Ed brings a unique set of gifts to the diocesan offices, including remarkable leadership experience and firstrate communications skills,” said the Rt. Rev. Shannon S. Johnston, bishop, in a letter to the Diocese. “In his time as a candidate for the vocational diaconate, Ed built a bridge ministry around reconciliation, and I know that this particular focus will be a great asset to our diocese. I very much look forward to welcoming Ed to the staff, and hope that you will join me in doing the same.” Jones succeeds Henry D.W. Burt, who served as secretary from 2008 through January 2013 and who now works as office administrator at Troutman Sanders. As this magazine went to press, the Diocese was also conducting a search for a new staff officer for stewardship and congregational development. Stay tuned to thediocese.net for more details on that search. t fierce. “The question we need to move from is not, ‘Why give?’ but ‘Why give to you?’” Christopher explained. “The number one reason why we give is a belief in the mission of the institution.” The Rt. Rev. Susan Goff, bishop suffragan and chaplain, also focused on “Setting God’s Table” in a variety of ways. In her sermon at the Council Eucharist, Goff reported on the vast number of congregations involved in food and feeding ministries. “In these ministries, Christ is present,” said Goff. “May your joy be complete as Christ breaks you open to set God’s table and feed the hungry, to serve side by side with those who are in need, and to be the body of Christ that you receive in the Eucharist.” Council business included the adoption of resolutions celebrating 50 years of Shrine Mont Camps, responding to gun violence and supporting peace in South Sudan. Members of Council also adopted a budget of $4.3 million and elected a new class to the Standing Committee. Council joined in celebration when 150 members of St. Peter’s in the Woods, Fairfax Station, all decked in red, processed into the Council hall to celebrate their achievement of full church status. “It’s just an honor and a privilege to be standing before you with this group of people,” said the Rev. Dede Duncan-Probe, rector. “This is the most faithful, brave, honest, caring group of people, who are absolutely dedicated to living out the Gospel of Jesus Christ … and who are very much strong supporters and look forward to being part of the Diocese as adult members.” t Visit the Council website for audio recordings and transcripts of the bishops’ addresses, plus Dr. Christopher’s presentations: thediocese.net/Governance/Council/2013. Spring 2013 / Virginia Episcopalian 3