Virginia Episcopalian Magazine Spring 2014 Issue | Page 24

Where We’ve Been
From stewardship to Christian formation, from
communications to financial resources, from
newcomer welcome to lay leadership development,
Strengthening Our Congregations is a primary
focus for the staff of the diocesan offices. In fact,
you might say that this year’s Council was all about
equipping our congregations to strengthen their
ministries. Church of the Resurrection, Alexandria,

provided a strong example of a parish working
toward a healthier church community, when Betsy
Faga of Resurrection talked about the congregation’s
experience with the Episcopal Church Building Fund.

When it comes to congregational strength,
clergy formation is a pretty good place to start.
During a Q&A with the bishops at Annual Council,
Bishop Johnston explained that continuing spiritual,

educational and vocational formation for clergy was
one of his top goals for 2014. The Bishop’s Spring
Conference for Clergy, Lay Professionals and Spouses
is another opportunity for professional development
and practical resources. And Julie Simonton,
the diocesan staff officer for congregational
development and stewardship, has some other tips
and info to offer.

Staff Q&A with Julie Simonton
In the electronic survey at Annual Council, when asked what poses
the greatest challenge to their congregations, 32.7 percent of
respondents said it was the changing status of church in society.
How can we help our churches face this challenge head-on?

Helping our churches embrace this head-on is a question
about being in community – not only being in community
with other parishes, with the Diocese, and with churches
nationally and internationally, but also about being in
community in their communities. It sounds redundant, but
it’s not. The first phone call I answered after I arrived at
the diocesan offices at Mayo House was from someone at
a parish wanting me to connect them with another parish
using a program they were considering. And what a brilliant
first phone call, because it clearly demonstrated how
churches want to be in dialogue outside of themselves.

The best way to find out practical, clever, inspiring
ideas is still to talk with those who surround us. It’s only
in conversations with each other and with God that we
can discern a way forward together. Hearing about the
abundance of creativity and courage to change that bubbles
around our diocese can liberate others to explore and be
open to their creativity.

Rather than sitting in our parishes, looking out and
deciding what we think our communities need, invite in
the local sheriff, the local police chief, the local school
board president and the local social service agent in. Begin
conversations with them, and ask how they see the church
best integrated into the community.

Even if the trend in folks not attending church on
Sundays is true and continues, the trend for how many lives
the church touches and embraces every day can multiply like
the stars in heaven. And that is the Kingdom!
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Virginia Episcopalian / Spring 2014

What are you excited about in the world of stewardship?

I’m really excited about the collaboration amongst
denominations. Just last week, I was researching a
particular subject and the resources I received from an
Episcopal colleague turned out to be from the Lutheran
and Presbyterian churches. And I’ve just learned about
a Presbyterian conference where the only two keynote
speakers are an Episcopalian and a Methodist. What fun!

We are all children of God and we are all pursuing a
vision of the Kingdom. How we understand our calls through
our different traditions should not be divisions, but rather
catalysts for conversation that faithfully inform and enrich
our lives in Christ together.

Another thing that I’m excited about is the focus on
getting laity and clergy more comfortable talking about
money and faith. In the world of stewardship, even though
we see declining numbers in attendance and pledge units,
the amount of pledges themselves continue to increase. So
even as the numbers decrease, faith is deepening.
How do you see our approach to strengthening our churches
growing and evolving in the years to come? What’s on the horizon?

In the words of my colleague, the Rev. Sven vanBaars,
we are intentionally moving from chasing the sunset
to turning and facing the sunrise. As a diocese, I see
congregations stopping and breathing, taking the time
to reconnect with what is intrinsically authentic about
their community, and embracing our amazing life in the
Kingdom – together! t

For full Q&A, visit thediocese.net/Priorities.