[Diocese of Southern Virginia]  The Standing Committee of the Diocese of Southern Virginia announced June 21 a slate of four candidates for the 11th bishop of the diocese. The new bishop will succeed the Rt. Rev. Herman Hollerith IV, who retired from the position of bishop diocesan in December 2018.

In a statement, the Standing Committee thanked the Nominating and Search Committee for the diligent performance of their charge. “They have brought to us a slate of priests who have the gifts identified in our Diocesan profile as those we sought for the future of our life together in Christ.”

The candidates are (in alphabetical order):

• The Rev. John T.W. Harmon; rector, Trinity Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C.;
• The Rev. Susan B. Haynes; rector, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Mishawaka, Indiana;
• The Rev. Victoria Heard; rector, Redeemer Episcopal Church in Irving, Texas; and,
• The Rev. Sven L. vanBaars; rector, Abingdon Episcopal Church in White Marsh, Virginia.

Their biographies and Q&A interviews are here.

Walkabouts will be held Sept. 3-14, 2019.

A special council for the election of the 11^th bishop of Southern Virginia will be held Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. A service of ordination and consecration is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020.

A 14-day petition period is currently open, during which additional candidates may come forward. The petition requirements are available here. Nominations by petition may be filed until 5 p.m. EDT on July 5, 2019.

The Diocese of Southern Virginia encompasses 102 congregations from Virginia’s Dan River to the Eastern Shore.