We welcome gifts in honor of the ordination and consecration of the Rev. Karin MacPhail, Bishop-elect of the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia. The funds collected here will be used for the traditional episcopal gifts: vestments, ring, crozier, and the other accoutrements of the office of bishop. She will use these gifts weekly as she travels among the churches of the Diocese and represent us in the wider Episcopal Church.
Bishop Karin’s ordination vestments, crozier, pectoral cross, and ring are all to be adorned with dogwood blossoms. “The Legend of the Dogwood Tree” tells the story that flowering dogwoods used to be large, mighty trees with big, straight branches used in construction. The cross on which Jesus was crucified was made from the wood of a dogwood tree, but this caused the tree great anguish. Jesus had compassion for the dogwood tree, and he blessed it by giving it blossoms that would burst forth every spring, just in time for Easter. He also transformed the dogwood into a much smaller tree, with narrow and crooked branches, so that its wood could never again be used in a crucifixion. Bishop-elect Karin’s vestments, crozier, pectoral cross, and ring are still being hand crafted, so we aren’t able to share pictures yet.
Learn more about the symbolism behind the Dogwood at the Ordination and Consecration service!
If you, your parish, or another group plan to make a gift, please fill out the form no later than May 27th so that we can acknowledge you in the ordination bulletin. If you plan to send a check, you can do so after May 28th and still be included as long as you fill out the form in time.
Please use the form below if you would like to make a donation. If you have any questions, please contact the Rev. Ben Cowgill, Chair of the Transition Committee, at transitioncommittee@dioswva.
Please include “Bishop-elect Karin Gift” in the check memo and mail to: The Episcopal Diocese of SWVA, PO Box 2279, Roanoke, VA 24009.