The 129th Annual Council is VIRTUAL February 22-27, 2021.
Click here for the text of Bishop Haynes' Address to Annual Council. Click here to watch the Bishop's address.
The Council's business meeting on Feb. 27, 2021 was livestreamed to YouTube. A recording can be viewed here.
Council Election Results
- Standing Committee: Alice Webley (Lay); the Rev. Samantha Vincent-Alexander (Clergy)
- Disciplinary Board: John Rector (Lay); The Rev. Mark Riley (Clergy)
- General Convention Alternates - Lay (in order): Toni Hogg, Faye Felton, Madeline Hanlon (Young Adult deputy), Hunter Phillips
- General Convention Alternates - Clergy (in order): the Ven. Jan Brown, the Rev. Charlie Bauer, the Rev. Frederick Walker, the Rev. Les Ferguson.
- Proposed 2021 Diocesan Budget - approved
Council Week Schedule, Reports & Event Recordings
Click here for the Council Week schedule, daily reports and event info. Every day during Council Week an email will be sent from the Diocesan Office with both on-demand reports that you can watch/read at your convenience, and an invitation to join us for one of that evening's live virtual events on Zoom. The week’s live events begin at 7 p.m. each evening and are open to everyone. Log in details will be provided via email and here on our website the morning of each event.
Keynote Speaker: Jerusalem Greer
Friday, February 26 at 7 p.m. -- “Rooted in Love: Where Good News, Spiritual Practices and our Baptismal promises meet” Click here to watch a recording of this presentation. Click here for the slides used during the presentation.
How does our baptism inform our ministries and our lives? What does Good News sound like? What exactly is the purpose of formation? Join Jerusalem Greer, Staff Officer for Evangelism for Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, as she shares about the Way of Love, Episcopal Evangelism, Discipleship, and why our "why" matters most of all.
Jerusalem Greer is the Staff Officer for Evangelism for The Episcopal Church in the Office of the Presiding Bishop. She is also a member of the Way of Love creation and leadership team and serves on Episcopal Relief & Development’s Council of Advice. Jerusalem has authored two books and a host of curricula. She lives with her family on hobby farm in rural Arkansas, where they are attempting to live a slower version of modern life. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t.
Registration for Council Business Session
Only voting clergy and lay delegates should register. Click here for information and registration. Registration for Council closes on January 31 has been extended to February 5, 2021 is CLOSED.
Delegate Materials
Click here to obtain materials clergy and lay delegates will need for participation in Annual Council.
Virtual Exhibit Hall
Visit the Virtual Exhibit Hall which features some of our favorite Annual Council vendors. Check back often as exhibitors will be added until the opening of Council Week.
Pre-Council Convocation Meetings
Click here for a schedule of Pre-Council Convocation Meetings. Delegates should plan to attend their Convocation's meeting in order to prepare for participation in this year's Annual Council and to elect Executive Board representatives.
Virtual Hymn Recording for Annual Council
For Annual Council we’ll be recording Hymn 25, O Gracious Light. You - and your friends and family! - are invited to be a part of the recording! Click here for complete details and instructions. Recordings must be submitted by Monday, February 8 Saturday, February 13. Submissions are CLOSED.
Nominations for Elections at Council
Please note that self nominations are welcome. Nominations must be received no later than December 29, 2020. Positions to be elected at Council are: Standing Committee (1 laity, 1 clergy); Disciplinary Board (2 laity, 1 clergy); General Convention 2021 (4 clergy alternates and 4 lay alternates. Note: deputies were elected at Council 2020). Click here for information about these positions. Click here for the nomination form. Nominations are CLOSED.
NEW Certificate of Lay Delegates & Alternates required
Because of the change in format to a virtual Annual Council in 2021 we are requesting that all churches submit a new Certificate of Lay Delegates and Alternates. More information is here. Certificates are due by December 1, 2020. Click here for the new form.
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.
