Report from Diocesan Convention 2025
11/12/2025
[Read the official diocesan recap HERE.]
The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia convened the three-day 231st Annual Convention at the Expo and Conference Center in Fredericksburg, Virginia from November 6-9, 2025. St. John’s, Centreville’s contingent included Priest-in-Charge Fr. Kevin Laskowski, Deacon Steve Busch, and Lay Delegate Walt Cooner.
Visit the convention website for more information, and watch the convention on the Diocese's YouTube channel.
The convention continued the diocese's renewed focus "Love Jesus, Embody Justice, Be Disciples," emphasizing discipleship this year: "Telling Our Stories-Sharing Our Gifts."
The convention included business sessions, interest group gatherings, and daily worship services, the highlight of which was the opening day’s Evensong. At that Evensong, Diocesan Bishop Stevenson gave his Pastoral Address, a sort of episcopal "State of the Union," announcing his upcoming wedding; highlighting the diocese's efforts around discipleship, Shrine Mont Camps, and congregational vitality; and reporting on the diocese's progress on racial reconciliation and reparations. He spoke of the need for the church to step in to correct the "distortions" of the Gospel "in our society, our culture, and our country" brought about by "a lust for power at the expense of persons who the privileged can easily and quickly label as 'the other.'" These "distortions of 'the dream of God'" require a recentering in Jesus Christ and churches that are "not only safe spaces...but brave spaces" that speak the truth, "start[ing] with the words in red."
The keynote speaker on the second and third days of the Convention was Dr. Elisabeth M. “Lisa” Kimball, Ph.D., Vice President for Lifelong Learning and James Maxwell Professor Chair of Lifelong Christian Formation at Virginia Theological Seminary. In "Baptized for Life," she warned of a church that requires three years of seminary for ordination but only 30 minutes of baptismal prep, puts the unconverted in charge of conversion, requires vows one isn't shaped or prepared to perform, and baptizes by committee. She spoke to the need for lifelong formation in creating disciples capable of joyfully living out their baptismal vows. As she concluded on day one in the words of Bishop Barbara Harris, "We do not half-ass baptize people."
Key resolutions and actions included the first reading of several constitutional and canonical amendments, and discussions on the 2026 budget:
- Constitutional and Canonical Amendments: The Chair presented first readings of several significant amendments to the Diocesan Constitution and Canons. These included efforts to remove obsolete provisions and adopt gender-neutral language (e.g., "clergyperson" instead of "clergyman"). One proposed change provides more flexibility and support for youth delegates to the convention.
- Budget: The proposed 2026 budget was presented and discussed. Previously approved by the Executive Board (EB), it included funding for various ministries and diocesan operations, with an emphasis on conservative income estimates and commitments to camps and college ministries. The committee chair shared that we had not only ended the year under budget but added that our investments continue to reap dividends ahead of inflation and the national average.
- Property Use: Discussions and workshops were held on "Re-Imagining the Gift of Underutilized Church Property," exploring new uses for church land and buildings for mission and financial sustainability.
- Appointments and Elections: New members of the Executive Board were welcomed, and several individuals were reappointed to their positions. The convention also consented to the election of bishops in other Episcopal dioceses (West Texas, West Missouri, Cuba, and Dallas).
- Social Justice Advocacy: The Executive Board noted that in 2025 the Diocese continued to advocate for social justice in Virginia, including calls for paid sick leave standards, ending the use of solitary confinement, and establishing a pilot program for homeownership reparations. Resolutions were adopted to respond to war in South Sudan and to support threatened Latine and other immigrant communities and ministries.
In addition to discussions on church business items, workshops at the 231st Annual Convention covered a range of topics, around "Telling Our Stories-Sharing Our Gifts," including:
- Hiring and Retaining Quality Staff: A panel discussion on best practices for finding and keeping quality lay and clergy employees.
- Vocational Discernment (Steve and Walt attended): The Rev. Sarah Kye Price explored the idea that all baptized Christians are called to use their gifts, skills, and experiences to serve the church and the world, as well as ideas on how best to discern this ministry in various roles parishioners might play.
- Engaging Children in Worship (Fr. Kevin attended): An interactive session to gather perspectives and strategies for involving children more deeply in church services.
- Storytelling and Congregational Vitality (Fr. Kevin attended): Exploring how the evolving story of a congregation can help in the rediscovery of its identity and vocation.
- Financial Stewardship and Investments: Guidance on aligning the investment of church funds with Episcopal values, such as avoiding investments in for-profit prisons and "blood diamonds".
- Racial Justice and Healing: Providing a historical overview of the Ministry for Racial Justice and Healing and offering tools to recognize and confront systemic racism.
- Global Mission: Shirley Smith Graham, Diane Wright, and Deacon Nancy Searby shared stories of global mission efforts that strengthen Episcopal church mission outreach efforts. Walt attended this one, reconnecting with colleagues who are working Anglican-Episcopal initiatives in South Sudan, Liberia, Tanzania, Belize, and Haiti.
- Youth and College-aged Discussion: An informal gathering for younger delegates to discuss issues and fellowship. Indeed, Bishop Stevenson has made it known that he enthusiastically endorses efforts to promote even greater youth involvement at future Diocesan Conventions.
