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2021 SPECIAL SESSION II

21300035D
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 713
Offered August 3, 2021
Commending the Reverend Keary Kincannon.
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Patrons-- Surovell and Ebbin
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WHEREAS, in June 2021, the Reverend Keary Kincannon retired as pastor of Rising Hope United Methodist Mission Church after 26 years of service to members of the Mount Vernon community; and

WHEREAS, Keary Kincannon grew up in Alexandria and graduated from the former Fort Hunt High School; in young adulthood, he converted to Methodism and answered the call to the ministry, earning a doctoral degree from Wesley Theological Seminary; and

WHEREAS, with a background as a community organizer, Keary Kincannon was motivated to serve people in the greatest need, such as low income families or the homeless; he worked with the Alexandria District of the United Methodist Church to establish a mission church focusing on ministry to the “least, lost, lonely, and left out”; and

WHEREAS, Keary Kincannon initially held services from the trunk of his car, traveling to low-income housing complexes, shelters, camps, and local businesses to find and build his congregation; Rising Hope United Methodist Mission Church moved between several borrowed spaces until 2005, when Edwin and Helen Lynch donated funds to purchase a permanent location; and

WHEREAS, Keary Kincannon helped Rising Hope United Methodist Mission Church grow into a diverse and welcoming fellowship where all members are loved, accepted, and given opportunities to serve the community; and

WHEREAS, under Keary Kincannon’s leadership, Rising Hope United Methodist Mission Church has offered Sunday worship services, short weekday services and lunches, a food pantry that supports more than 300 families, a clothes closet, and a winter hypothermia shelter, as well as spiritual counseling and other services; and

WHEREAS, Keary Kincannon cultivated strong community partnerships with other churches, local civic and service organizations, businesses, and private donors to help support Rising Hope United Methodist Mission Church; the church fulfills its mission with the help and hard work of 10 full-time staff members and more than 30 volunteers each week; and

WHEREAS, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Keary Kincannon and Rising Hope United Methodist Mission Church stayed connected to its congregation by providing food pantry items and hot meals at outdoor tents to allow for social distancing, holding online worship services, and facilitating trips to vaccination centers; and

WHEREAS, Keary Kincannon preached his final sermon as pastor of Rising Hope United Methodist Mission Church on June 27, 2021; he will continue to serve the community as an advocate for affordable housing along the Route 1 corridor; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That the Reverend Keary Kincannon hereby be commended on the occasion of his retirement as pastor of Rising Hope United Methodist Mission Church; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Reverend Keary Kincannon as an expression of the Senate of Virginia’s admiration for his legacy of contributions to the Mount Vernon community.