Virginia Episcopalian Magazine Winter 2014 Issue | Page 17

St. Peter’s work is part of a larger,
evolving vision for the Episcopal
Church in Richmond’s East End – and
that vision is an interesting model to
consider. The Diocese has partnered
with St. Peter’s as the foundation
of this work, so it can serve as the
“sacred center” for a number of varied
ministries to the East End community,
explained the Rt. Rev. Shannon S.
Johnston, bishop.

The East End is home to high
poverty levels and high levels of need
to match. “As we cast this new vision,
it is going to bring great change on
the ground,” said Johnston. Already,
the Episcopal community has several
anchor points in the East End. In
addition to the Peter Paul Development
Center and St. Peter’s, the Church Hill
neighborhood is home to the Anna
Julia Cooper Episcopal School, a tuitionfree middle school for families of
limited resources, as well as St. John’s
Church. “Together, these organizations
provide the bedrock for a vibrant,
socially conscious and far-reaching
Episcopal community based on faith
and outreach,” added Johnston.

Episcopal congregations from across
the Richmond area are also involved
in volunteer efforts in the East End. In
December, Johnston toured the nearby
Armstrong High School to explore the
concept of partnering with the school
in a mentoring program.

The Rt. Rev. Susan E. Goff, bishop
suffragan, is working with Johnston
and the East End ministry team to
coordinate the efforts. “There’s a
new, fresh wind of the Holy Spirit – a
growing energy – that’s present in this
East End work,” said Goff.
But the work being done here
extends beyond the East End in
scope. “Our hope is that the work we
do here will be a model for how we
as a diocese approach this type of
revitalization,” said Goff. “There are
other congregations encountering
similar struggles – congregations that
want to find new life and to engage
with their communities in creative and
faithful ways. Whatever we learn here
will be directly applicable in so many
other places.” t
Learn more about the Episcopal
organizations in Richmond’s East
End neighborhood.
Anna Julia Cooper Episcopal School
annajuliacooperepiscopalschool.org
Peter Paul Development Center
peterpaulcenter.org
St. John’s Church
historicstjohns.org
St. Peter’s Church
stpeterschurchhill.org

At St. Peter’s neighborhood fish fry, members of the congregation invited the community to take
part by distributing free tickets.

Winter 2014 / Virginia Episcopalian

15