The Feb. 13 consecration and ordination of the Rev. Herman “Holly” Hollerith IV as Bishop of Southern Virginia included a link to the beginning of the Episcopal Church’s succession of bishops. The Most Rev. Bruce Cameron, Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney and the retired Primus of the Episcopal Church of Scotland, served as one of the consecrating bishops and also delivered the sermon.
 
Samuel Seabury, the first Bishop of the American line, was consecrated Bishop of Connecticut by Bishop Cameron’s predecessor in 1784. The Diocese of Southern Virginia includes the Jamestown Colony, the location of the first Anglican church in the Western Hemisphere.
 
The excitement and enthusiasm in William and Mary Hall on the campus of the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg was palpable. Approximately 2,000 people gathered to witness the long-awaited consecration. Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori led the service; co-consecrating bishops included diocesan bishops from the other two Virginia dioceses as well as many retired and assisting Virginia bishops. The list of co-consecrators also included two of Bishop Hollerith’s predecessors in Southern Virginia: the Rt. Rev. David C. Bane, Jr., and the Rt. Rev. C. Charles Vaché.
 
In a recent interview, Bishop Hollerith discussed his plans to concentrate on the development of diocesan leadership and helping parishes to connect and work together. He said his top priority will be to build working relationships between the 115 parishes and the diocese.
 
“Vision grows out of relationships and community,” he said. His concerns about outreach include the smaller, less-resourced parishes in the diocese as well as people across the country and overseas.
 
The Diocese of Southern Virginia has been a diocese in transition. Following the controversial retirement of Bishop Bane in February 2006, the diocese has been engaged in a process of healing and discernment. Bishop Hollerith was one of six candidates for the position, the only one from within the diocese. He has served as rector of historic Bruton Parish in Williamsburg for nine years. Prior to that, he served congregations in Roanoke and Lynchburg, Va., and Georgetown, S.C.
 
“We have come a very long way in Southern Virginia,” he said during his address to the annual council the following day. “Not all wounds are healed. Not all of our brokenness is mended. Not all fears have been relieved. But, by the grace of God, we are blessed with some light at the end of this tunnel.”
 
During his address, Bishop Hollerith also spoke of his dreams for the diocese, an ambitious agenda which includes clergy wellness and congregational development. He made the correlation between clergy wellness and congregational wellness and pointed out that “a system is never any healthier than its leadership.” He accepted the responsibility to “make sure that our clergy are well cared for and living healthy balanced lives.” In the area of congregational development, he noted that as a large diocese, communication and connection will enhance every congregation.
 
As with churches and dioceses across the country, Southern Virginia has been hit hard by the current economic situation. Cutbacks by companies such as Circuit City, Wachovia, and others have had an impact. As a result, the diocese has several smaller struggling congregations. Bishop Hollerith vowed to explore strategies and partnerships for collaborative ministries to help these congregations.
 
Youth involvement and the nurturing of faith of young people is also a challenge. “If we are not intentional about nurturing the faith of our young people, we will be one of the final generations to fill the pews of our churches,” he stated. Bishop Hollerith, himself a product of youth ministry, reminded the audience that “if my home parish had not committed itself to an active program for young people, I would not be standing here today … Programs that equip our youth in the faith of Christ and the traditions of the Episcopal Church are critical.”
 
The bishop, 53, and his wife, Lizzie, a homemaker and artist, have three children.
 
In addition to hearing the new bishop’s first episcopal address, the council passed a $2.26-million budget and elected members of the standing committee, the ecclesiastical court and the provincial synod. The approved budget represents an increase of approximately 9 percent over the 2008 budget.
 
Carlyle Gravely
 
Save over 40% on a one-year subscription to The Living Church by choosing the online edition. It’s the fastest way to get your copy every Friday, and it’s just $24.50 for a full year! Click here  for complete details.