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Guest Preacher and Adult Forum Guest Teacher, The Rev. Canon Willis R. Foster – December 11, 2022
December 11, 2022 @ 9:00 am - 11:30 am
The Rev. Canon Willis R. Foster, Canon for Diversity in the Diocese of Southern Virginia will be our guest preacher for both the 8:00AM and 10:00AM services.
Fr. Foster, will also be our guest teacher for the Adult Forum on Sunday, December 11 at 9:00AM in the Wilkinson Center. Fr. Foster will answer questions about his role in this position and how he feels that he is really the Canon for Transformation in the Diocese.
Fr. Foster was appointed as the Canon for Diversity in the Diocese of Southern Virginia in July of 2021.The Rt. Rev. Susan Haynes established the Canon for Diversity for the Diocese of Southern Virginia, as a new staff position that will enable the diocese to live into being God’s beloved community. One of the primary goals of this position is to help the diocese to understand that social diversity and social justice are two sides of the same coin. They cannot be separated and both are needed to defeat the sins of inequality, oppression and social injustice.
Prior to his retirement in December 2020, Fr. Foster was the Rector of St Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Petersburg, Virginia for over 10 years. He is presently working with the James River District of the United Methodist Church to develop an ecumenical/interfaith center called “The Gathering” in Petersburg. The purpose of this center is to work alongside the community to empower individuals and the community to thrive.
After 30 plus years of military service, he retired in 2000 and joined the faculty of Regent University’s Center of Leadership Studies as an Assistant Professor. After leaving Regent University, Fr. Foster was employed as a civilian consultant to the Department of the Navy and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He holds an undergraduate degree is in Sociology. He also holds a Master of Science Degree in Management from Troy State University, a Master of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary and post graduate work in Higher Education Administration from Old Dominion University.