Virginia Episcopalian Magazine Summer 2014 Issue | Page 29

DOV Q&A
Diocesan staff provide answers to frequently asked
questions about life in the Diocese of Virginia.

Mitchell Sams, Bishop’s Clerk
Photo: the Rev. Cayce Ramey

Q: Who are you?
A: This is the most common question I receive as Bishop
Johnston’s clerk. I serve as the bishop’s right-hand man,
attending his Sunday visitations as well as his various
committee and governance meetings throughout the week.
Other fun titles I’ve been called while out and about in
the Diocese include: the bishop’s son, bishop’s chauffeur,
bishop’s apprentice (my personal favorite), the crosier
assembler and bishop’s manservant.
Q: What do you do with the rest of your time?
A: As soon as people find out this is a full-time job, they
want to know what I do with the rest of my week. I spend
the rest of my time at the diocesan offices at Mayo House
fulfilling the “clerk” portion of my title. I manage the files
in Bishop Johnston’s office, update our database, help the
bishop’s assistant prepare for Sunday visitations, fill out
paperwork for various licenses, and serve as registrar for the
Sexual Misconduct Prevention Training. In addition to these
tasks, my unofficial job description also contains the clause,
“and other duties as assigned.” This means anything from

changing flat tires to researching topics for other
staff members.
Q: Are you a seminarian or are you discerning a ministry?
A: Another common question, and one which I respond,
“Aren’t we all discerning our ministry?” While many clerks do
leave this position to head to seminary, I am not discerning a
call to the ordained life.
Q: What is your favorite part of being clerk?
A: Having a spontaneous and varied work environment. I
thrive on a hectic, irregular work schedule. I wake up each
morning with little idea how my day will unfold.
Q: What is your least favorite part of being clerk?
Having a spontaneous and varied work environment. I have
to be prepared for anything, from early Sunday mornings to,
as Bishop Johnston puts it, “the parking lot that is I-95.” I may
never know where I will wind up at the end of the day. I have an
overnight bag always packed and ready at my apartment. t

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Summer 2014 / Virginia Episcopalian

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