Discernment Committee Update

October 29th, 2025

The Discernment Committee received the aggregated results from our Parish Survey. This is an indispensable accomplishment, made possible by all of you who responded with your thoughts about St. Matthias’, and with the gracious assistance from the Diocese of Southern Virginia.

The information and insights derived from our compiled responses will assist the Committee in developing a profile for our Parish, which will eventually be published by the Diocesan Office of Transition Ministry. Along with other resources, the documents will provide the St. Matthias’ story to the community of clergy who are open to transition.

On Saturday, Oct. 4, the Discernment Committee met for several hours with the Director of Transition Ministry, Liz Villanueva. Together, we reviewed the results of the Survey and discussed how to proceed with the next steps in the transition process. Though there may be some areas for additional discussions, the Committee is moving through the process with a timely focus. In the meantime, we will continue to provide updates as appropriate.

Please pray for the people of St. Matthias’ and the Discernment Committee as we proceed through this time of transition.

July 7, 2025

The Discernment Committee has been busy and we have the following progress to report:

  • The full Committee has met 7 times through June.
  • The Chair & Vice Chair met with Diocesan Director of Transition
  • The Diocesan Director of Transition met with Full Committee in June
  • We spent weeks developing and drafting the Parish Survey
  • Our Parish Survey is now in production and preparation for distribution

Coming Soon:

The Parish Survey will be mailed to the St. Matthias’ Family in mid July!!!

A word about our Parish Survey:

  • We are looking for your observations
  • We value your feedback
  • We hope to receive your views for the future of our Parish
  • We want to hear your voice

Please watch your mail and when you receive your Survey, We ask that you prayerfully consider the questions, complete the survey, and return it by 4:00 pm on August 7th, 2025.

May 12, 2025

Since their appointment by the Vestry, the members of the St. Matthias’ Discernment Committee have met 4 times, beginning with its inaugural meeting on March 24th. The Committee is using The Reverend Mary Thorpe’s book pertaining to parish transitions On the Emmaus Road as our guide. Using the “Emmaus” transition process, we will learn from our history as a parish, assess our current ministry focus, and discern where God is leading us in the future - and, ultimately seek God’s guidance in the call of our next shepherd and spiritual leader.

As we are walking through the transition process, our Committee has approached several milestones in our short time together.

First, we have written our Discernment Prayer, which we ask to be prayed at all worship services and gatherings across the parish, throughout our transition.

Currently, we are developing a parish-wide survey instrument to enlist the thoughts and observations of all parishioners. Assembling such a far-reaching document takes quite a bit of time; but we are working diligently to complete it. We will meet again this month to continue this work and hope to have a report on the survey’s status soon.

There are many other research and logistical goals to address and meet over the coming months. Each goal is important in its own way, and we will work toward timely completion by following our transition process.

The Discernment Committee will update you on our progress as we reach critical milestones, and as we are able to share information. As you know, as we undergo certain work, confidentiality will be paramount.

Throughout our work, we ask that you keep St. Matthias’ Church, its Vestry, the people and our Discernment Committee in your prayers.

Donald C. Williams
Chairman
St. Matthias’ Discernment Committee

Members of the St. Matthias’ Discernment Committee

Martin Beekman
Michelle Henry
Veronica Kirkland
Rick Kolster, Vice Chair
Tom Napier
Herbert Norman
Marcia Oglesby
Tim Pearrell
Scott Vollmer
Donald C. Williams, Chair

Parish Discernment Prayer

Gracious God, we are grateful for the blessings bestowed upon St. Matthias' Episcopal Church that have laid the foundation for us and our Parish. We pray for Your guidance with open hearts and minds. Grant the Discernment Committee the wisdom, faith, and trust in Your will. Be with us as we seek a shepherd who will be a strong spiritual leader for our congregation, and to help us to share Christ's light in our world. In Jesus' name we pray.

Amen.