HoCo is in Transition

First row left to right: Deb Love, former member and Senior Warden, Peggy Hombs and Brian Davis, Co-Chairs
Back row: Phoebe Winter, Joella Rhoades, Claire Everett and Frank Castellon

Where We’ve Been

The Church of the Holy Comforter dates to 1902 and is located in the City of Richmond and the Diocese of Virginia. Our 123rd year as a Parish has been one of transition, as we started the search for a new Priest.

While the Discernment Committee was originally charged to seek the next Rector, our direction was altered to instead seek a Priest in Charge with an interest and skill set in ministry development.

We reached this conclusion after:

• Review of 10 years of Parochial Reports and fiscal data.

• The results of a Congregational Vitality Assessment conducted by the Vestry.

• Conversations with Diocesan staff in the office of the Bishop of the Diocese of Virginia and review of materials from similar Parishes recently in search.

• Facilitated table discussions at our Parish Annual Meeting.

• Individual conversations with and feedback from Parishioners.

The profile was posted on May 8, 2026.

• The Discernment Committee will identify a final candidate after thoughtful prayer and deliberation.

• The Committee will consult with the Transition Minister at the Diocese of Virginia and the candidate before forwarding the final recommendation to the Vestry.

• The Vestry will have an opportunity to meet and talk with the recommended candidate and then discern a call.

• If the Vestry affirms the recommendation, two votes would occur: (1) To call the recommended candidate as Priest-in-Charge and (2) To authorize the Senior Warden to negotiate a Letter of Agreement with the called Priest.

• Any questions can be directed to hocodiscernment@gmail.com.