The focus throughout the annual council of the Diocese of Virginia, including Bishop Peter Lee’s Friday address, was the budget. The proposed budget was cut an additional $66,000 during discussion prior to approval during the Jan. 25-26 meeting at a hotel in Reston.
 
Most speakers who took the floor to ask that the budget be reconsidered did so to request more money for the diocesan camp, Shrine Mont. The proposed $6,790 cut in funding for Shrine Mont meant that tuition for youth camps would be increased. Most participants felt this area should not be cut. Some said that this message had to be taken back to each parish so that the communicants would realize the cuts harmed significant programs. One speaker suggested that a collection be taken from the floor in order to make up the loss. Bishop Lee said the proposal was unusual, but agreed to take up a collection that raised approximately $20,000 in cash and pledges. After additional debate, the entire amount was designated for the camp.
 
Council approved a number of resolutions, covering areas such as the recognition of Virginia Native Americans (and requesting the federal government to grant recognition), a call for the diocese and its parishes to recognize and act on the need for environmental protection and a reduction of those things which impact climate change, and a request that the state legislature call for divestment from any companies which support the government of Sudan. 
 
A resolution calling for a just and humane immigration policy met a brief stumbling block as a number or delegates wanted the addition of the word “legal” into the resolution. A vote left the word out by a vote of 287 to 160.
 
The council referred to a special committee resolutions seeking permission for same-sex blessings and the ordination of partnered gays and lesbians. Bishop Lee will appoint members to a “Windsor Dialogue Commission,” which will be charged with determining “in light of the emerging experience of our church” whether “local option for the blessing of same-gender unions” is permissible and another resolution committing the diocese “to a process of discernment and reflection on the ordination and service of deacons and priests living in same-gender relationships.” The resolution on “local option” was presented by a task force appointed by Bishop Lee after the annual council last year. The resolution on ordination was amended prior to approval.
 
Elizabeth Hudgins and Steve Waring
 
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