9 December 2005

 

EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF VIRGINIA

 

REGION IX

 

ANNUAL REPORT

 

2005

 

We had a very successful and productive year in Region IX.  The Region IX Staff consists of Dr. Stephen von Hitritz of St. Peter’s New Kent, President, Ms. Carol Johnson of St. Peter’s New Kent, Secretary and Alternate, and Ms. Laura Harris of Westover Church, Charles City, Treasurer.  Very Rev. Bruce Gray of St. John’s Richmond remained as Dean of the Region and Ms. Miffy Hall was elected as the Region IX representative to Executive Board in February 2005

 

The Region met four times during 2005.  In February, we met at Trinity Church, Highland Springs.  In May, we met at Westover Church, Charles City.  In September, we met at Richmond Hill Retreat Center, Richmond, and finally in November, we met at St. Peter’s Parish, New Kent.

 

Currently there are 4 clergy vacancies in the Region:

-        St. Peter’s Richmond, Rev. Simeon Newbold departed in July to St. Paul’s College, Lawrenceville

-        St. Peter’s New Kent, Rev. Geoff Price continues as Priest in Charge

-        St. Paul’s Richmond, Rev. Bob Hetherington announced his retirement effective  30 June 2006

-        Varina, Rev. Mike Hadaway, departed in November to St. John’s Kingsville, MD

 

At Historic St. John’s Church, Rev. Bruce Gray continued his ministry.  A new handicap accessible elevator and a new visitor’s center were completed in 2005 and dedicated by Bishop Lee on November 6.  During the construction, human remains were discovered.  A burial service was held and the remains blessed and reburied.  Fall festival raised $8,000.  The Sunday School had a lemonade stand with proceeds going to Hurricane Katrina relief; they made almost $400.  Rev. Gray attended a training of Evangelism for Episcopalians.  The Kennedy family visited St.  John’s in 2005.  Senator Kennedy wrote a personal “thank you” note with a monetary gift.  The church’s web address is http://www.historicstjohnschurch.org/

 

At St. Paul’s Richmond, Rev. Bob Hetherington continued his ministry assisted by Rev. Holly Antolini, associate rector.  Rev. Hetherington announced his retirement effective June 30, 2006.  The Lenten services with nationally recognized guest speakers are always well attended in Richmond.  A change to Outreach procedures took place in 2005.  “Eyes on Richmond” occurred weekly with interesting speakers and topics.  Among the guest speakers was Richmond mayor Douglas Wilder.  Rev. Robillard of Trinity and Rev. Hetherington met at Richmond Hill with Rev. Ben Campbell to discuss the program of prayer for the city, where prayer energy will be focused on a particular area.  The Diocesan annual ECW meeting was held at St. Paul’s.  St. Paul’s offers a wide spectrum of programs and services to both the community and to the congregation.  Their web address is http://www.stpauls-episcopal.org/

 

At St. Peter’s Richmond, Rev. Simeon Newbold announced in June that he would be accepting the Chaplaincy of St. Paul’s College, Lawrenceville, VA in July.  We will all miss Simeon.  He worked tirelessly for St. Peter’s and for Peter Paul Development Center.  Prior to his departure, he received his Doctorate of Ministry from Virginia State University.  Rev. Osei was named interim minister.  A Valentine’s Day dinner dance was held in February.

 

At St. Peter’s Parish, New Kent, Rev. Geoffrey Price continued his ministry as Priest-in-Charge.  The church sponsored Oyster Roast was the largest yet with over 600 attending in October.  St. Peter's supports an outreach program called Matthew's Haven, which contains clothing, etc. for the needy of New Kent.  In addition, St. Peter’s is the focal point for the countywide Meals on Wheels program.  The 4th Annual Golf tournament to benefit the youth mission trip raised $1,600.  Their web address is http://www.geocities.com/stpeterstc/

 

At Trinity, Highland Springs, Rev. Roger Robillard continued his ministry.  They recently had 3 confirmed, 3 baptized, and 3 burials.  A new youth group was formed.  Church assisted Sandston Baptist Church in preparing food for Caritas.  The youth will get contributions on Super Bowl Sunday to help feed the needy in the area.  Our Lenten studies, “You Only Die Once” had great participation.  Selected activities were the annual Easter egg hunt, blessing of the animals and UTO breakfast.  Necessary electrical and plumbing work has been completed.  The bell from the Sandston Church was installed.  The ECW had a successful yard and bake sale in June.  A blue grass band entertained when Bishop Lee visited.  Vacation bible school was a success.  Ongoing events included food and fun nights held monthly and Trinity seniors meeting once a month.  Displaying quilts made by our quilting group is now an annual event.  We welcomed our new organist Sandra Mauney who started on October 2. Recent events were the UTO Fall Ingathering with breakfast and vestry elections.  Upcoming events include Pledge Sunday, the ECW Fall Food Festival, our seniors meeting focusing on the new drug cards and a salute to all veterans with input from veterans within our congregation. Trinity will be hosting the Community Thanksgiving service.  The annual turkey dinner with a concert by the Corinth UMC Choir was held on December 4.  Their web address is http://www.trinityhighlandsprings.com/

 

At Varina Church, Rev. Michael Hadaway announced in October that his last service would be November 13, 2005 at Varina.  He was named as the rector of St. John’s, Kingsville, Maryland.  We will all miss Mike.  He stepped in when needed and served the Diocese and the Region as Executive Board Representative from 2003 to 2005.  The church also sponsored its annual golf tournament to raise money for their general fund.  Varina has a Prayer Guild. World Day of Prayer service was March 4.  There was a Spring Garden Show May 15.  On May 17 Jim Donati, Varina District Supervisor, spoke to the congregation about growth in the county.  A blood drive was conducted.  Outreach collected food for the food bank and shoe boxes with gift items for a boy or girl.  A Joint Thanksgiving Eve Service was held at St James Baptist Church.  An ECW Advent luncheon was on Dec 7.  Their web address is http://www.varinachurch.com/. 

 

At Westover Church, Rev. Virginia Heistand-Jones continues her ministry and celebrated her 5th year there.  Rev. Heistand-Jones is a member of the Charles City Clergy Council.  September was their Autumn Pilgrimage to visit plantations and homes and it was very successful, raising more than $25,000, all of which is used in their outreach program.  Westover is the staging area for Meals on Wheels in Charles City County, so some of the money will go to that program.  The parish assisted in a county Habitat for Humanity effort program. There are currently three EFM classes.  Their web address is http://www.westoverparish.org/index.html

 

The Region provided financial support to the Richmond Hill Ecumenical Retreat Center, the Peter-Paul Development Center at St. Peter’s Richmond, an unrestricted Diocesan Pledge, Region IX Clericus, and the Episcopal Relief and Development Fund for Hurricane Katrina and Rita relief.

 

The Region also made its initial deposit into the Diocesan Trust Fund.  This saving account will be used in the future to assist our potential church plant.

 

The Region IX church plant effort in Providence Forge is on hold pending a permanent rector assignment at St. Peter’s New Kent.

 

The Region IX Web site was completed in 2005.  That address is http://region9.thediocese.net/

 

Very respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

 

Dr. Stephen R. von Hitritz

Region IX President