Virginia+, CRC

Virginia is one of the Episcopal Church's first women priests; she has served congregations in New Mexico, Tennessee, and Missouri, and is now Priest in Charge at St. Mark's, Kimberling City.  She is also responsible for the George Herbert Institute of Pastoral Studies, the Diocese of West Missouri's seminary-alternative program for people preparing for priestly ordination.

She writes, "I'm convinced of the importance of communities who try to live out and make visible an alternative to the prevailing culture, especially its darker side.  I continue to reflect on the power and potential of the 'evangelical counsels' of poverty, chastity and obedience to challenge, subvert and heal ills of our own time.

"A continuing challenge is discerning the interplay of the twin goods of 'waiting patiently upon the Lord' and 'holy daring'.  There are times and seasons, both in our own personal lives and in the life of communities, to wait and watch and pray--like Mary, quietly cherishing the hidden life of Christ being formed within her, or the disciples after the Ascension... and there are times to go forth into the world trusting in the power of God 'working in us, which can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine'."

Virginia retired as Guardian of the Rivendell Community in May 2009.