Region I Annual Report 2006
The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia
Region I Council
Annual Report, 2006
The year 2006 was a banner year for Region I and the Parishes in the Region. We have four meetings scheduled each year, one per quarter and a special meeting in the spring or early summer. For our winter meeting generally held in February, we have three smaller meetings on the same day to allow for sub-Region planning of events just in those areas. Unfortunately, this year due to a heavy snow the morning of these meetings, we had to cancel them. The three regular Region meetings were well attended, the programs were dynamic, and necessary Region I business was accomplished.
This year, we had the wonderful opportunity to help one of our Mission Churches pass a milestone on its way to achieving full Parish standing. The work accomplished by the Vicar, the Reverend James G. Reed, the Vestry, and the congregation reflected a lot of hard work. The Church of the Messiah at Chancellor presented their application to the Region at our April meeting and after a meaningful discussion, the Region unanimously approved their certificate of endorsement. Later in November at their regularly scheduled meeting, the Church of the Messiah’s application was endorsed by the Executive Board. At this year’s Annual Council, the delegates are scheduled to make the final decision to allow full Parish standing for the Church and the Region is looking forward to the celebration.
In May, the Region hosted a Holy Eucharist and dinner at Aquia Church . Bishop Peter James Lee and Bishop David Colin Jones, along with the Reverend Cuthbert Mandell and Reverend Jay Morris from Aquia Church , conducted the service and celebrated the Eucharist. Following the service, we had a marvelous dinner prepared by the Aquia ECW. After the dinner, Bishop Lee spoke about the expectations at the National Convention which was scheduled in June. Bishop Jones brought everyone up to date with recent activities regarding church plantings both in the Diocese and Region I. It was a memorable evening thanks to the hospitality of Aquia Church and the leadership of our Bishops.
The Region had a very active Mission Grant program and awarded several grants worth mentioning. In addition to funding youth trips to Operation Facelift Work Camp and Project Crossroads, the Mission Committee recommended the following grants to the Region and they were approved:
The amount given as grants under this program for 2006, totaled $8,000.
By all measures, 2006 was a good year for the Region I Council and we are planning for a better year in 2007!
Respectfully submitted,
Bill Wick
President, Episcopal Region I Council