Convention Booklet 2023

104th Annual Convention

2023 CONVENTION NOMINEE PROFILES Delegates will elect new members to positions of diocesan leadership. All nominees were invited to provide a digital photo and to respond to the following question: In 150 words or less: If elected, I would bring the following strengths to this position. Standing Committee, Lay Member

Heather Wamsley, All Saints, Norton As a member of All Saints, I have served as the vestry clerk, the youth Sunday School instructor, and as a delegate to convention several times. I’m honored to be nominated, and if elected to serve, I want to bring more focus to the Appalachian Alliance in far Southwest Virginia, especially the youth of this area. I will bring to the committee my strong communication skills and my ability to plan and organize efficiently and effectively. I am a mom to three children ranging in ages from teen to toddler. This will lend a unique and much-needed voice to the Standing Committee as we look to attract more families in the Diocese. I am able to lend a unique perspective to the committee being a part of the Appalachian Alliance. All decisions, however, must not be made without first invoking our Almighty Father of all.

Muffie Newell, Trinity, Staunton I would be honored to serve on the Standing Committee. I am a lifelong Episcopalian. I have been a member of Trinity, Staunton since 1989. Through the years, I have been very involved with Christian Formation serving as committee chair, co-chair, youth leader, and Sunday school teacher. In 2013, I was hired as the Assistant for Formation and Pastoral Care under the Rev. Paul Nancarrow coordinating children, youth, and adult formation along with facilitating a pastoral ministry called Trinity Cares. In October 2022, I became the Director of Pastoral Care under the Rev. AJ Heine. For DioSWVA, in 1999 I served a term on the Christian Education Consortium committee under Pam Wiegandt and Dorothy Powell. In 2018, I served as a mentor for LLJG (Living Local Joining God) for St. James, Roanoke. If elected, I will bring to the committee commitment, creative thinking, teamwork, and a sense of humor.

Jim Ackley, St. Paul’s, Lynchburg As a lifelong member of St. Paul's, Lynchburg, where I’ve served in many lay leadership capacities, as well as a former President of the Lynchburg Convocation, nine-year member of the Diocesan Executive Board, three-year member of the Standing Committee, and a member of the Diocese’s most recent Bishop Search Committee, I am very aware of the Diocese and its goals for the future, and feel well prepared to assist the Bishop in developing and implementing a plan to reach those goals.

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