The Rev. Canon Mark Stevenson Elected 14th Bishop Diocesan of the Diocese of Virginia
From the Diocese:
More than 450 lay and clerical delegates gathered June 4 at St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Va. for a special convention to elect the 14th Bishop Diocesan of the Diocese of Virginia. The delegates elected the Rev. Canon Mark Stevenson on the second ballot. (ballot details) The other nominees were:
- The Rev. Joseph H. Hensley, Jr., Rector, St. George’s, Fredericksburg, VA
- The Rev. Canon Alan C. James, Interim Canon Missioner, Diocese of Western Michigan
- The Very Rev. Gideon L. K. Pollach, Rector, St. John’s Church, Cold Spring Harbor, NY
Prior to balloting, a motion was made on the floor of Convention to amend the rules of election to allow for a nomination from the floor of a petition candidate for whom a background check had been completed. This motion was defeated.
Following the completed election, Canon Stevenson joined the Convention remotely via Zoom to address the delegates. “You have honored me greatly. I am overwhelmed with deep joy over the journey that you have invited me to be a part of with you over the coming years,” said Canon Stevenson. “There’s so much Gospel hunger, Gospel drive in Virginia. It’s simply awe inspiring…. My prayer today is that God will grant us joy-filled day after joy-filled day as we start this new journey with each other and with God.”
The Rev. Canon E. Mark Stevenson is the Canon to the Presiding Bishop for Ministry Within The Episcopal Church. He is the principal liaison between Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and the House of Bishops, the various dioceses, and many of the governing bodies of The Episcopal Church.
Before being called to this role in September 2018, Canon Stevenson was the Director of Episcopal Migration Ministries, leading a dedicated team in executing a national program of refugee resettlement. Previously, he served as Domestic Poverty Missioner for The Episcopal Church.
Canon Stevenson served as Canon to the Ordinary in the Diocese of Louisiana from August 2005 until September 2013. Following hurricane Katrina, Canon Stevenson worked closely with local, regional, national, and international leaders and groups to put into place the processes for effective relief and other ministry. He was the Rector in two parishes: the Church of the Annunciation in New Orleans, and the Church of the Good Shepherd in Maitland, Florida. His time at both churches focused on developing ministries with youth and revitalizing ministries of stewardship, Christian education, and community outreach.
Canon Stevenson and his wife of twenty-seven years, Joy, reside in Louisville, Kentucky, with their Border Collie, Franklin.
According to the Canons of The Episcopal Church, the majority of Bishops and Standing Committees of the 109 Episcopal dioceses must consent to this election. Pending the consent of the bishops and dioceses, Canon Stevenson will be ordained and consecrated a bishop in the Episcopal Church on Saturday, December 3, 2022, 11:00 a.m. at The Saint Paul’s Baptist Church, located at 4247 Creighton Road, Henrico, VA 23223.
Canon Stevenson will become the fourteenth Bishop Diocesan of the Diocese of Virginia. He succeeds the Rt. Rev. Shannon S. Johnston, who retired in 2018. The Rt. Rev. Susan E. Goff, Bishop Suffragan, has served as the Ecclesiastical Authority since Johnston’s retirement. Bishop Goff will retire at the end of this year.
ST. ANDREW’S RUMMAGE SALE
The sale last Saturday was a success, raising $2,087.80 for local charities. The Guild did a wonderful job setting up the sale, running it and cleaning up everything after with leftovers being donated to Search here in Mt. Jackson.
GAP BACK TO SCHOOL DONATIONS
Even though has just begun, Shelia Helsley is hard at work planning to make sure the GAP kids are set for back to school. She’s collecting lunch box snacks and school supplies from now until July 17 to ensure each kid gets a bag of what they need this fall. If you’d like to donate items, please contact Shelia.
BIBLE STUDY ON SUMMER BREAK
The Bible study group with the Episcopal churches in our region is currently on summer break. It will resume in the fall.
EMMANUEL’S TABLE FOOD PANTRY
Emmanuel’s Table is open every second and fourth Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The next date is June 28.
If you know of anyone, including teens, who would like to volunteer on Tuesdays to help hand out food or on Monday afternoons to help unload and bag items, please speak with Tillie Kaufmann.
EMMANUEL ALTAR FLOWERS
If you would like to dedicate altar flowers in memory or honor of a friend, loved one of special occasion, you’re welcome to do so. Your dedication is included in the bulletin for two weeks. Flowers are $60 and are ordered by the church. If you are interested in doing this, please email Melissa to make arrangements.
PRAYER LIST
One of the greatest gifts we have to offer each other as a parish family is our prayers for ourselves, our families and our loved ones. You’re invited to sit with your parish directory and each day, lift up a section or page of names a day. Let’s continuously hold each other in prayer. Let us pray: God of grace and comfort, enfold our parish-members, family and friends with your mercy. Strengthen each one with a shield of faith and enable them to accept what is to come, heal them and bear their pain, keep them in peace, and fix their hearts on you through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
Our prayer list can be found on our website. If you have folks you’d like added to the prayer list, please email their names to Melissa.
WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
WEEKDAY SERVICES
NIGHTLY COMPLINE
Sunday through Thursday, 8 p.m. Compline on Facebook Live and Zoom
WEDNESDAY EUCHARIST
12 p.m. at Emmanuel
SUNDAY SERVICES
8 a.m. Emmanuel
9:15 a.m. St. Andrew’s and Facebook Live
11:15 a.m. Emmanuel and Facebook Live
The full bulletin is available on our website.
All weekly and Sunday services are available to view on Facebook and our website after the services, when available.