Virginia Episcopalian Magazine Winter 2013 Issue | Page 7

Burt Resigns as Secretary
Emily Cherry
Henry D.W. Burt, secretary of the
Diocese since 2008, will resign from
his position on January 11, 2013 to join
the staff of Troutman Sanders as office
administrator.

A graduate of the University of the
South at Sewanee, Henry first joined
the staff of the Diocese in 1987, when
he served as the first bishop’s clerk.
He returned to serve as deployment
officer from 1992-1999, when he left to
earn his law degree from the College of
William and Mary. After three years as
an associate at Troutman Sanders and
three years as corporate counsel and
government affairs manager at CarMax,
Henry again returned to the bishop’s
staff as secretary.

As secretary of the Diocese,

Henry has served as chief of staff,
in addition to providing valuable
oversight and guidance throughout
the recent litigation process. His
duties have also included providing
support for the diocesan governance
organizations. A longtime member of
the Diocese of Virginia, Henry grew
up as a member of the Falls Church
Episcopal and is now a member of St.
Paul’s, Richmond. He stays actively
involved in life at Shrine Mont.

“It is with mixed emotions that
I leave the diocesan staff,” said Burt.
“It is a tremendous honor to serve as
secretary of the Diocese of Virginia. I am
ready to begin a new chapter personally
and professionally, and I am absolutely
convinced that it is time for fresh

leadership with new and different skills
in the role of secretary.” 

The bishop is currently considering
options in a search for a new secretary.
“Henry’s expertise, strong leadership
and humor are going to be sorely
missed at Mayo House,” said the Rt. Rev.
Shannon S. Johnston, bishop. “For the
past years I have been most grateful to
Henry as he helped me personally with
my transition from bishop coadjutor to
diocesan bishop, and as he supported
the entire diocese more broadly during
the difficult property dispute. He has
served as in-house counsel, confidante,
leader, communicator, public relations
manager and very good friend. We
wish him the very best as he enters an
exciting new chapter.” t

Mustard Seed Fund Grants
Each year, diocesan grants from the Mustard Seed Fund fuel mission and ministry
across Virginia and beyond in the areas of youth and college ministries, local
outreach, world mission, and strengthening our congregations. Mustard Seed
Grants have helped our churches better serve their communities – through
cooling centers, through community gardens, through programs for families
and more.

This year, we invite your congregation to consider submitting an
application for a Mustard Seed Grant. A one page preliminary outline
must be submitted by February 15, and the
final application is due by March 5. The grant
guidelines and application are accessible
online at thediocese.net/Ministries/
MissionOutreach.

Winter 2013 / Virginia Episcopalian

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