Virginia Episcopalian Magazine Winter 2014 Issue | Page 2

A Note from the Editor Who We Are Stretch The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia For Christ. For this time. For all time. It’s an exciting time to be in the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia. As you’ll see in these pages, our congregations are finding new and creative ways to engage in community, to further mission and to promote outreach. Amidst this excitement and energy, we face challenges. Some churches are battling with declining numbers, while others face budget and building woes or employment challenges. But here, in this special issue of the Virginia Episcopalian, we invite you to look at these commonly shared obstacles not as stumbling blocks, but as opportunities. In short, we invite you to stretch with us. Let’s stretch out of our comfort zones as we explore new ways to “do” church in our Diocese. Let’s look, with fresh eyes, at the road before us. Let’s consider what unique gifts and talents we can bring to bear in Virginia and beyond. We’ve called this Winter 2014 issue of the magazine “Stretch.” It’s a new year, full of new energy and new opportunities. We hope these pages equip you with the ideas and inspiration you need to keep stretching, keep reaching, keep growing in faith here in the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia. Emily Cherry Editor Letter to the Editor ‘Gun Free’ Zones Not the Answer With reference the Fall 2013 article, [“Looking Back, Looking Ahead: General Convention”] of the Virginia Episcopalian, I must take issue with the whole concept of declaring “gun-free” zones as an answer, or even a mitigation, to gun violence. Regardless of one’s feelings, pro or con, about gun ownership and firearms laws, gun-free zones are no solution. Virtually all of the mass shootings in this country have occurred in so-called “gun free” zones – theaters, schools, universities, shopping malls, churches, etc. Would-be shooters deliberately target gun-free zones because such zones permit them a much longer interval to kill and maim before someone – yes, with a gun – shows up to stop them. Far from being safer in a gun-free zone, I feel at higher risk. If the rule makers simply want to feel good about themselves, let them proclaim gun-free zones, but it is a delusion that puts us all at risk. Ted Williams Ware Parish, Gloucester The Mayo Memorial Church House: 110 West Franklin St. 800-DIOCESE Richmond, VA 23220-5095 804-643-8451 Fax [phone] The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia is a part of the worldwide Anglican Communion and the Episcopal Church. We are a community of more than 80,000 baptized members and 425 clergy in 38 counties of central, northern and northwestern Virginia, serving the world through 182 congregations, six diocesan schools, two diocesan centers and six diocesan homes, and home to the largest Anglican seminary in the world. Our episcopal seat is the Cathedral Shrine of the Transfiguration, Orkney Springs. Organized 1785. How to Reach the Diocesan Staff: Paris Ball, Director of Christian Formation: [email protected] ext. 1042 Buck Blanchard, Director of Mission and Outreach: [email protected] 1016 Mary Anne Bryant, Assistant, Mission and Outreach: [email protected] 1017 Joy Buzzard, Financial Administrator: [email protected] 1022 Emily Cherry, Communications Director: [email protected] 1021 Laura Cramer, Benefits Administrator: [email protected] 1040 Stephanie Higgins, Assistant, Development & Stewardship: [email protected] 1029 Edward W. Jones, Secretary of the Diocese, Chief of Staff: [email protected] 1030 Wilbert “Skeet” Jones, Sexton 1028 Ed Keithly, Assistant to the Canon to the Ordinary: [email protected] 1015 Michael J. Kerr, Treasurer: [email protected] 1020 Mildred Lofton, Bookkeeper: [email protected] 1023 Bill Martin, Assistant to the Secretary: [email protected] 1025 Kendall Martin, General Adminstrative Assistant: [email protected] 1029 Lindsay Ryland, Transition Ministry Officer: [email protected] 1013 Mitchell Sams, Bishop’s Clerk: [email protected] 1038 Meg Schwarz, Assistant, Christian Formation: [email protected] 1043 Julie Simonton, Staff Officer for Congregational Development & Stewardship: 1035 [email protected] Karen Smith, Receptionist/Assistant: [email protected] 1010 Megan-Drew Tiller, Mission & Outreach Intern: [email protected] 1019 Michael Wade, Asst. to the Director of Christian Formation: [email protected] 1027 Kate Wettstein, Assistant to Bishop Gulick: [email protected] 703-241-0441 Amy Williams, Assistant to Bishop Johnston: [email protected] 1012 The Rev. Canon Pat Wingo, Canon to the Ordinary: [email protected] 1024 Virginia Episcopalian winter 2014 Volume 123 Issue 1 Published by the Diocese of Virginia – Circulation 19,800 Bishop: The Rt. Rev. Shannon S. Johnston Bishop Suffragan: The Rt. Rev. Susan E. Goff Assistant Bishop: The Rt. Rev. Edwin F. Gulick Jr. Editor: Emily Cherry Design/Layout: John Dixon Advertising Assistant: Kendall Martin Virginia Episcopalian (ISSN 15353621, USPS 019711) is published quarterly by the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia, periodicals postage paid in Richmond, 23232-9998. Copyright 2013. Contact the editor for reprint permission. Views expressed in t