Virginia Episcopalian Magazine Winter 2012 Issue | Page 6

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2011, Jones led a two-day retreat for the
bishops of the Episcopal Church of Sudan
before attending the Synod, a meeting
of Sudanese bishops and church leaders
that takes place every five years.

“As a bishop, I’m bishop for the
whole Church, and that’s beyond the
Episcopal Church,” said Jones. “The
burdens shared by my brother bishops
in Sudan are also burdens that I know
and carry in my heart.” He added, “I
feel an obligation to tell that story, and
to communicate that. I’ve received
far more than I’ve ever been able

to give: to experience the depth of
faith and gratitude by people whose
circumstances are desperate moves me
at a very deep level. I’m going to continue
to advocate for the people of Sudan.”

Jones’ other plans for the future
are not set in stone, aside from some
vacation time with Kay. “I’m looking
forward to leading vestry retreats,”
said Jones, in addition to doing some
visitations for Bishop Johnston.

“I look forward to a more balanced
life, where I have time for exercise,
time for friends, time to engage in
work that I find meaningful.” And, it

goes without saying, time for family –
including grandkids Harrison, 11, and
Carter, 8, sons to Liz and Mark DeVoll;
and Kennedy, 9; and Colin, 7, children of
Tee and Celeste Jones. “One of the real
satisfying parts of my life is my children
and family,” said Jones.

Jones will remain part of the
diocesan family, as well. He and Kay will
stay in Virginia, near their family, splitting
their time between homes in Kilmarnock
and northern Virginia. After 43 years of
ordained ministry – 26 as a priest, 17 as a
bishop and 33 in the Diocese of Virginia –
it will be a rest well deserved. t

Reflections on Ministry: David and Kay Jones
I am always impressed by Bishop Jones’ ability to tackle
a difficult situation with aplomb and skill. He is superb at
clarifying the issues, bringing the needed resources to bear
and eliciting a positive response from all involved. This is a
rare set of strengths, and the Diocese will miss his use of
them dearly.
–The Rev. Jenks Hobson

The dream of having a free standing Latino congregation
came to fruition through the work of many people, but
instrumental in that work, through encouraging others,
looking for funds and lifting up the need for the important
ministry on a diocesan level, was Bishop David Jones.

Not only did he work hard to establish La Iglesia
de Santa Maria, but he maintained a strong desire to
support and empower all of the Latino congregations in
the Diocese. This wonderful commitment and passion
for Latino ministry is manifested in the mutual affection
between the Latino congregations and himself.

One of the greatest signs of his commitment to Latino
ministry was his wish to learn Spanish. In midst of the busy
schedule of a bishop he took classes at NOVA and listened
to tapes as he drove to meetings and on visitations. He
rightfully took great pride in getting to the point where he
could preach in Spanish and he did his best to communicate
in the language of the people. The Latino congregations
that he visited were deeply touched by his efforts and his
gentle and caring heart.
–The Very Rev. Catherine M. Campbell

In Thailand, where I now reside, the Thais use the word
jaidee to describe a person with a good heart. It is a high
compliment. That is the word I believe best describes you,
David: a man with a good heart, jaidee.

It was 34 years ago this December that our paths crossed
in Beckley, WVa. I was visiting my friend, and your assistant,
Tom Seitz, and you and I hit it off right away. Shortly after that
you were called to be the rector of the Church of the Good
Shepherd in Burke, and seven months later you were standing
with me in Trinity Cathedral, Pittsburgh, Pa. as I was ordained
a deacon by Bishop Appleyard and was about to be your parttime deacon. Seventeen years later, again we stood together.
This time I was invited by you to join you at the altar at the
Washington National Cathedral as you celebrated the Holy
Eucharist as the bishop suffragan of the Diocese of Virginia.
What an honor.

By the time you read this you will be about to retire and to
start the final chapter in your life. I would like to remind you of
the advice you gave me one day at lunch a few weeks before
I retired. I was still director of chaplaincy at Goodwin House.
You said, “Don’t spend too much time at your home.” At the
time I thought it was the strangest thing I ever heard. However,
I realized after I had been retired for a while that those words
rang out to be quite true. I still think about that statement from
time to time and chuckle. Thanks, you were right.

Dave, now that I am at the end of my life, I find myself at
times unconsciously taking stock of things past, and am amazed
how things pop into my mind with such clarity…things that
I haven’t remembered in years. I must tell you that there are
many pleasan Ё