As the nation observes the anniversary of the Hurricane Katrina disaster, parishes in the diocese may decide to use the occasion to prepare disaster plans for themselves for unforeseen catastrophes.
So far, the diocesan office and ten diocesan churches have created disaster plans so they will be ready to act on short notice.
“We know people turn to the churches in their communities during times of need,” said diocesan disaster coordinator Bill Lindsay. “And clergy will have their hands full and will need a plan for assistance.”
When the James River flooded June 27, members of Trinity, Buchanan acted quickly to prepare food and shelter for any who might need it. They have acted many times previously as a temporary emergency shelter including during flooding in 2004 and the flood of 1985 where some evacuees stayed at the church over two weeks.

By Christie M. Wills

The Ad Hoc Committee created by Council to make recommendations about the budget process has released its report.
“Like the Windsor Report was part of a process, we see the release of this report as part of a process,” said the Rev. Doug Wigner, chairman of the committee. “The report is a working paper,” he said.
The report acknowledges the severity of the current diocesan budget situation as part of an ongoing problem:
“There was a general sense of frustration [among the committee] that the diocese asks each year for more money, but the funds at the local level are limited and the perennial issue of ‘why give it to the diocese when there is so much that needs to be done at the local level?’… it seemed to be a clear statement that we had no main vision for the diocese that bound us in a common vision of ministry.”

By Christie M. Wills

When Beth Crow became diocesan youth coordinator in 2000, she inherited a youth program that occasionally showed signs of liveliness but largely consisted of just two events: Youth at Council and the Bradford Exchange program.
Previous youth coordinators had helped create the Youth Ministries Team in 1998 as a joint youth and adult leadership group for diocesan activities but it had attracted only 10-15 participants.
Since Crow started working with the diocese, the once anemic youth program has blossomed into a vigorous network of youth and adults holding regular events.