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Miscellaneous

A Word on the Loosening of Covid Restrictions

May 20, 2021 by epiphanynorfolk Leave a Comment

From Bishop Haynes… In March of 2020 as the pandemic mounted its assault on our way of life, I faced the difficult challenge of placing restrictions on the ways in which we gathered – on the ways in which we continued “in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the … [Read more…]

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Episcopal Church of the Epiphany
2 days ago

This was read at the 2026 Convention of the Diocese of Southern Virginia. He was our prior rector.

The Reverend Richard Oliver Bridgford

WHEREAS, it has pleased God to call Richard Bridgford to his heavenly home on
December 31, 2025; and,
WHEREAS, he was born on November 12, 1941, in Chicago, IL, the son of Archie and
Helen Bridgford; and,
WHEREAS, Richard earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Old Dominion University
in 1965; and,
WHEREAS, he answered God’s call to the ordained ministry and enrolled in The
University of the South’s Theological Seminary, from which he earned a
Master in Divinity degree in 1968; and,
WHEREAS, he was ordained a Deacon in the Episcopal Church on June 22, 1968, by
The Rt. Rev. George P. Gunn, who then ordained him to the Priesthood on
June 2nd the following year; and,
WHEREAS, Richard served as the Assistant to the Rector at the Church of the Good
Shepherd, Norfolk from 1968-1974; and,
WHEREAS, he utilized his considerable pastoral and leadership skills to guide
congregations in our diocese through periods of transition, serving as an
Interim at St. Aidan’s, Virginia Beach from 1978-1979, St. John’s,
Chuckatuck from 1979-1980, St. Stephen’s, Norfolk from 1981-1982, St.
Mark’s, Hampton from 1982-1983, St. Thomas’, Chesapeake from 1983-
1985, St. James’, Portsmouth from 1985-1986, the Church of the
Epiphany, Norfolk from 1988-1989, and the Church of the Holy Apostles,
Virginia Beach from 1990-1992; and,
WHEREAS, in 1993 Richard accepted a call to serve as Priest-in-Charge of Epiphany,
Norfolk, a position he held for more than 32 years; and,
WHEREAS, he is remembered as being a faithful pastor who tended to his flock
through life’s many joys, challenges, trials, and sorrows; and,
WHEREAS, the parish published a collection of his beloved newsletter articles in a
book titled Clergy Clatter which features a treasure trove of material
revealing his thoughts on “history, humor, nature, travel, and wacky
experiences”, including the following New Year’s Resolutions in January
2000:
• I’ll clean and straighten my desk to keep Merle happy.
• I’ll mention Jesus more in my homilies to keep Gertrude happy.
• I’ll start services on time to keep Alvah happy.• I’ll pick hymns way ahead of time to keep Mary happy.
• I’ll stop referring to God as “He” to keep Frankie and Susie happy.
• I’ll attend the Adult Class to keep Steven happy.
• I’ll use more incense to keep Audry and Fay happy.
• I’ll use less incense to keep Nell and Evelyn happy.
• I’ll use fewer dish towels as paint rags to keep Olive happy.
• I’ll chant less to keep everyone happy; and,
WHEREAS, Richard served as the Dean of our diocese’s Convocation III from 2005-
2011, a position through which he mentored and pastored area clergy
while offering input and feedback to our diocesan bishops; and,
WHEREAS, Richard was deeply involved with the Norfolk Urban Outreach Ministry
(NUOM), serving for years as its executive director; and,
WHEREAS, this ministry, working in conjunction with the United States Department
of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), developed four low-income
elderly housing complexes, two in Norfolk, one in Suffolk, and one in
Emporia, with a total of 267 units between them; and,
WHEREAS, Richard lived out his baptismal covenant and priestly vows through
NUOM’s mission “To meet the needs of the people of the greater urban
community whose needs cannot be met by existing agencies
and resources”; and,
WHEREAS, he worked diligently to fund this effort by applying for numerous grants
and soliciting gifts from individual donors and congregations; and,
WHEREAS, he advocated fiercely for the needs of the residents of NUOM’s housing
units, advocating for funds necessary for the upkeep of the facilities and
the ability to adapt to the changing needs of those they serve; and,
WHEREAS, in 2005 the University of the South in Sewanee bestowed on Richard its
prestigious Dubose Award for Service Excellence, which recognizes
“individuals who have served in various capacities and have
demonstrated selfless dedication and service” and serves as “a
testament to the individual’s commitment to their communities and
their ability to make a positive impact on the lives of others”; and;
WHEREAS, Richard was preceded in death by his sisters, Mitzi N. Van Horn and
Sandra Diane Bridgford; and,
WHEREAS, he is survived by his niece Virginia Lee Van Horn; now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that this 134th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Southern Virginia
gives thanks for the lifetime of dedicated service, including fifty-seven
years in the ordained ministry, offered to God’s glory by The Rev.
Richard Bridgford; and be it furtherRESOLVED, that this Convention extend its heartfelt sympathy to his family and
friends; and be it further
RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be spread across the minutes and books of
Convention and that a copy be sent to his niece
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