February 28-29, 2020 at the Williamsburg Lodge in Williamsburg, VA.
Click here for the text Bishop Susan Haynes' Address to Council.
Click here to listen to audio of the Bishop's Address.
Click here for a PDF of the five baptismal promises.
Council Eucharist Offering to Episcopal Relief & Development was $2525
Elections at Council
- Standing Committee: The Rev. Andie Rohrs; Rusty Bishop
- Disciplinary Board: The Rev. Jacqueline Soltys; The Rev. Grant Stokes; Carolyn Kelly
- Provincial Synod: Rusty Bishop
- General Convention: Sam Webster; Pam Pringle; Helen Sharpe-Williams; Alice Webley; the Rev. Cathy Boyd; The Rev. Carter Sinclair; The Rev. Jennifer Andrews-Weckerly; The Rev. Ron Ramsey (Head of Deputation)
Resolution CON-1 and Resolution C-1 were both approved by Council.
The proposed Diocesan Budget was approved as presented.
Keynote speaker: The Very Rev. Cynthia Briggs Kittredge, Th.D.
The Very Rev. Cynthia Briggs Kittredge, ThD, is our keynote speaker for this year's Council. Her talks at this year's Council will be:
- Baptized into the Cloud and the Sea: Immersion and Improvisation
- Can God Set a Table in the Wilderness? Mission on the Edge
Kittredge is dean and president of Seminary of the Southwest. The focus of Kittredge’s leadership is the formation of Christian leaders in community for the vitality of the church and to advance God’s mission of reconciliation. She believes that critical engagement with scripture, tradition, and context, energized by imagination, and grounded in prayer is the center of formation for mission. Read more here.
Registration
Online registration is now closed.
Early registration through January 26, 2020 is $125 per attendee; clergy spouses/partners may register at the $50 rate. Payment is due no later than Sunday, January 26 to avoid a $25 late registration fee. The registration fee covers the expense to convene Council. Scholarship funds are available. Contact Susan Allen at sallen@diosova.org or 757-213-3391 for more information about scholarships or for assistance with Council registration.
You may register individually or you may register your entire delegation at one time. You may pay by credit card or check. Credit card payments are processed through PayPal. You do not need a PayPal account to make a credit card payment. Please make checks payable to Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia with “2020 Annual Council” on the memo line. Checks should be mailed to: Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia, 11827 Canon Blvd. Ste. #101, Newport News, VA 23606-3071
Refund of Registration Fee: Cancellations through February 14, 2020 will receive a full refund. Cancellations received after February 14, 2020 will not be refunded. Non-refundable registration fees are transferrable to another participant.
Scholarships: Scholarships are available for Council registration, as they are for all Diocesan events. Contact Susan Allen at sallen@diosova.org or 757-213-3391 for information.
Exhibitors
Click here for exhibitor information. Registration is closed.
Hotel Reservations
Attendees will need to make their own hotel room reservations with the Williamsburg Lodge or Williamsburg Woodlands. Reservations must be made on or before January 26, 2020 in order to be guaranteed the discounted Council rate. Reservations may be made by calling 800-261-9530 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You will need to reference "Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia" in order to receive our group rate.
Pre-Council Convocation Meetings
- Convocation 1 - Sunday, January 26, 4 p.m. at Holy Trinity, Onancock
- Convocation 2 - Sunday, February 23, 2 p.m. at Emmanuel, Virginia Beach
- Convocation 3 - Sunday, February 16, 2:00 p.m. at St. Andrew's, Norfolk
- Convocation 4 - Sunday, January 26 at 4:00 p.m. at St. Paul's, Suffolk
- Convocation 5 - Tuesday, January 28, 7:00 p.m. at St. Cyprian's, Hampton
- Convocation 6 - Thursday, January 23, 7 p.m. at St. Paul's, Petersburg
- Convocation 7 - Tuesday, January 21, 7 p.m. at St. Matthias, Midlothian
- Convocation 8 - Sunday, January 26, 2 p.m. at Johns Memorial, Farmville
- Convocation 9 - Sunday, February 16, 2 p.m. at Christ Church, Danville
Delegate Materials
Delegate materials are posted here as they become available.
Worship at Council
Worship at Council - including Council Eucharist and the minor liturgies - will be projected on the big screens. If you prefer to download to a device or print copies, they are available here:
The offering at the Council Eucharist will go to Episcopal Relief & Development's Syrian Crisis Response.
IMPORTANT: Clergy seating during the Eucharist will not provide a view of the screens, so clergy should plan to download or print the service booklet for the Eucharist. Clergy will vest for the Eucharist: cassock, surplice, purple stole.
Nominations for Elections at Council
The following elections will take place at Annual Council: Standing Committee (one lay and one clergy); Disciplinary Board (one lay and two clergy); Provincial Synod (one lay), and General Convention 2021 (4 clergy deputies, 4 lay deputies. Note: Alternate deputies will be elected in 2021). Click here for more information about these positions and their requirements. Nomination Form available here.
Youth Delegation Application
Every year a special delegation of 12 youth in grades 9-12 are invited to attend Diocesan Council. This weekend is a fantastic opportunity to learn about the Episcopal Church, to find out more about the life of our diocese, to participate in and help to lead worship, to hear inspiring keynote speeches, to meet new friends, and to serve the church. Click here for an application form. Applications must be postmarked by Feb. 11.
Two adult leaders are selected to serve as advisors for the youth delegation to help them engage in and process Council. Click here for details and an application form. Applications must be postmarked by Feb. 11.
Communicator Credentials Application
Church communicators are an integral part of connecting their Convocations and congregations with Council while it is in session and, afterward, through their reporting. Credentialed communicators (volunteers and church staff) have their registration fee waived. For more info and to apply for credentials, click here. Applications must be received by Feb. 10.
Certificate of Lay Delegates & Alternates
Elected delegates and alternates serve for an entire conciliar year beginning July 1, 2019 and ending June 30, 2020. Click here for instructions and the form for sending in the name(s) of delegate(s) and alternate(s) elected by your vestry for Council year 2019-2020. Important! Parochial Report submission is required prior to submitting your Certificate of Lay Delegates & Alternates.
Disclaimer: The Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia reserves the right to cancel any event. In the event of cancellation, registrants will receive a full refund. We also reserve the right to substitute event presenters and modify dates and programs.
Special Needs: The Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia serves the entire community and welcomes people with special needs. Please contact Susan Allen at sallen@diosova.org or 757-213-3391 at least one week prior to the event with special needs requests.
