Convention Booklet 2023

104th Annual Convention

John Vandervelde, Ascension, Amherst Over the past 40 years, I have been a member of Christ Church - Blacksburg, Ascension Church - Amherst, and Holy Comforter - Richmond. At these parishes, I have served in youth and adult Christian Formation, mentored an EFM group, served on vestries and a search committee, and built and repaired various things in and around the church buildings. I am currently on the vestry at Ascension Church. I live in Amherst with my wife, Brooke, but I am frequently out sailing on the Chesapeake Bay.

Peggy Weston, Christ, Pulaski My candidacy for the Disciplinary Board engages my background as a professional administrator. I am a member of Christ Church, Pulaski and the spouse of a retired Episcopal priest. My experience includes involvement as EFM mentor, member of a rector search committee, and eight years as parish administrator for a large Episcopal congregation in Scottsdale, AZ. As a grief counselor, I became trainer then coordinator for the Episcopal Church’s program “Walking the Mourner’s Path.” I’ve served in leadership supporting women’s ministry groups, particularly Kairos Outside Prison Ministry. My background in administration and human resources for hospital inpatient and outpatient settings includes managing physicians’ medical practices, residency teaching clinics, and clinically in psychiatry and drug/alcohol treatment. I’m sensitive to requirements of canonical structure and the church’s polity and would support and uphold the concerns of this obligation as member of this board.

Brian Loop, St. John’s, Roanoke For most of the past 15 years, I have been involved with the Diocesan Youth Mission Team (YMT) to facilitate youth events throughout the year. I have also been involved with our Diocesan link with the Diocese of Leeds. We are working on re-establishing our parish links, and coordinating, hosting, and chaperoning the Leeds Youth Exchange Program. At St. John’s, I have been very active in the youth programs, working with high school and middle school youth groups, teaching confirmation classes, and serving as Verger working with our Acolytes. I have worked streaming services since the beginning of Covid, and we’ve continued this offering ever since. I have worked in the Electrical Distributor business for the past 29 years. My wife Jocassa and I have two children, Christian and Hatley, and our basset hound Rosie.

Disciplinary Board, Clergy Member

The Rev. John Church, The Appalachian Alliance I would be honored to serve The Diocese of Southwestern Virginia in any office to which I have been nominated. I will bring the experience of my two-year Curacy in the Appalachian Alliance. I am also coming up on my first year as Priest-in-Charge of the Alliance. I have extensive experience working with Grace House, Binns-Counts Community Development Center, and Neighbors Aid. I will bring a unique voice from far Southwestern Virginia, highlighting the experiences and needs of parishes located in the area. I have served several times on the Executive Board and look forward to serving the Diocese in the future.

19