Two Southern Virginia Episcopalians are LPM students this year

Two Southern Virginia Episcopalians are among the twelve students in Central Virginia's Leadership Program for Musicians (LPM), which began its 2012-2013 year of classes last weekend. Enrolled are Augusta Arthur from Johns Memorial, Farmville and Bruce Dersch from Christ and Grace, Petersburg.

In all this year there are six Episcopalians, four Lutherans, and two United Methodists. LPM is a continuing education program in church music, worship, and liturgy open to people in all denominations who love church Music and want to learn more about it. In the classes you'll find professional church musicians, choir members, people on Worship and Music committee, Clergy, and, well, enthusiastic members of congregations. At the completion of the two year program, students receive a Certificate of Church Music from the National LPM organization.

Classes meet monthly for five months on a Friday night and all day Saturday for this year's four courses - Leading Congregational Song, Resources for an Effective Music Ministry, Hymnody of the Christian Church, and Philosophy of Church Music. LPM is sponsored by the Episcopal Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Find complete details of the program at www.lpm-va.org.

Southern Virginia contributes over $27,000 to Rebuild Our Church in Haiti

By Teresa S. Mathes, Program Director, Episcopal Church Foundation 

As Rebuild Our Church in Haiti transitions to the Church Development Office, I'm taking the opportunity to thank people for their leadership and support, but this email is high up on my list of favorites. As of September 7, Episcopal Church Foundation had received $27,716 in gifts from the Diocese of Southern Virginia.  

This project has been a gratifying experience of collaboration between clergy and laity, between the church's organizational structures and the imaginative parishioner in the pew. It represents the Episcopal Church at its best. Thousands of congregations and individuals from 92 dioceses have contributed over $2.8 million, mostly in small gifts. About 60 dioceses ran active campaigns for the project, many like Southern Virginia while doing other significant work as well. The remaining support came through the open source nature of the project, which made it available to anyone with a phone and internet access. The funds we have raised will be transferred to the Episcopal Church office, where they will be disbursed according to a written protocol developed in collaboration with Bishop Duracin.

Clearly, there will be much to do in Haiti for years to come, but you have helped to lay the foundation on which they will rebuild. You can follow the progress of our project here.

Editor's Note: A very grateful thanks is extended to Barbara Byers of Good Shepherd, Norfolk, for spearheading and coordinating the very successful fundraising effort for Haiti here in Southern Virginia.

22nd Annual LARCUM Conference in Richmond

LARCUM (Lutherans, Anglicans, Roman Catholics and United Methodists in Covenant) will hold its twenty-second annual conference in churches in the Lakeside area of Richmond November 30 and December 1. John Borelli, Special Assistant for Interreligious Activities at Georgetown University will speak about the significance and continual ecumenical influence of the Second Vatican Council. Also present will be our bishops who will lead us forward in living out the LARCUM Covenant. Further information, schedules and registration forms may be found on the diocesan website or by contacting the Rev. Paul Phillips at phpccity@verizon.net.

Seminar: The Babylonian Captivity of the Gospel

On October 16, 7 p.m. at the ODU Canterbury Center, Michael Hardin will provide a seminar entitled, "The Babylonian Captivity of the Gospel."  Hardin is a theologian and author of The Jesus Driven Life: Reconnecting Humanity with Jesus.  Hardin is a founder and Executive Director of Preaching Peace, a non-profit organization dedicated to "Educating the Church in Jesus' Vision of Peace."  He is co-editor of the books Stricken by God?, Peace Be With You and  Compassionate Eschatology.  Hardin is one of the earliest members of the Colloquium on Violence and Religion and co-founder of Theology and Peace.  Additionally, he is a featured participant in the movie HELLBOUND?. Hardin will lead a discussion of the movie following a screening on Wednesday evening, October 17 at The Naro Expanded Cinema in Norfolk. Click here for more information.

Register now for these upcoming youth events!

Stop Hunger Now meal packing event   

Oct. 7, 1:00 p.m.to 4:00 p.m. at Eastern Shore Chapel, Virginia Beach

 Join us for a special Stop Hunger Now meal-packing event.  All youth and their advisors are invited to participate. Stop Hunger Now is an international hunger relief organization that coordinates the distribution of food and other life-saving aid around the world.  At our event, we will assemble more than 10,000 highly nutritious meals to be used in crisis situations and in school feeding programs in developing countries. The event will conclude with a celebratory Eucharist. Click here for more information and registration.

October Weekend 2012: Universal Connexion

Oct. 12-14 at Chanco on the James

Visit Chanco on the James for a weekend in the woods with teens from all over our diocese!  October Weekend  features great music, small groups, socials and games, meaningful discussions, a dance, and really incredible worship experiences. Come experience the presence of God in community! Open to all youth grades 8-12 and their adult advisors. Hurry - registration closes Oct. 1. Click here for more information and registration.  

Happening Alumni Reunion

Nov. 10-11 at Chanco on the James

Join Happening alumni from all over our diocese for a weekend of reconnection, relaxation and refreshment! Learn more about exciting developments in the Happening program, share memories and experience great worship and activities. Click here for more information and registration. 

Deadline for Mission Initiative Grant applications is Oct. 1

The Mission Network is again making available grants of up to $1000 per Convocation to be used in an Evangelistic Mission Initiative. You know your context and culture best, so we are allowing you to use the money in a way that makes the most sense for your situation. Be creative! How can you raise the visibility of the Episcopal Church in your area? How could you better equip the congregations in your Convocation to be more inviting and welcoming? Get more information on our website. Deadline to apply is Oct. 1, 2012.

Educational opportunities around the country

The Value of the Small Church

October 1-3, Union Seminary, Richmond

Many small congregations suffer from low esteem, and yet there is wonderful ministry going on in small churches.  This practical and participatory workshop will look at small church basics, with an emphasis on the positive attributes of the congregation of fewer than 100 worshippers on an average Sunday. Leader is Marilyn Johns is director of program development for the Leadership Institute at Union Presbyterian Seminary, and former leader of two significant grant projects related to the small church. Got to  www.upsem.edu/leadership_institute/ for more information. Scholarship funds may be requested by contacting Caroline Black at cblack@diosova.org. 

Claiming the Episcopal Future: Practical leadership skills for ministry  

September 27-29, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL  

The Anglican tradition and the Episcopal Church have much to offer the 21st century, but to realize the future that is within our grasp, laypeople and clergy must be effective leaders, sound administrators, and inspiring teachers. This innovative conference, featuring Diana Butler Bass,  will sharpen the skills we need to lead the Episcopal Church in today's world. Click here for more information.   

Praying Shapes Believing

Online work from September 4 through December 11 and three intensive weekends:  October 12-13, November 9-10, December 7-8 at Seabury Western Theological Seminary, Chicago 

Lay people and clergy are invited to join Bishop Frank Griswold at Seabury to explore Anglican spirituality and the rhythm of our worship. Praying Shapes Believing will include reading and reflection with a community of students led by Bishop Griswold, former Bishop of Chicago and former Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. Click here for more information.

Southern Virginia contributes over $27,000 to Rebuild Our Church in Haiti

By Teresa S. Mathes, Program Director, Episcopal Church Foundation 

As Rebuild Our Church in Haiti transitions to the Church Development Office, I'm taking the opportunity to thank people for their leadership and support, but this email is high up on my list of favorites. As of September 7, Episcopal Church Foundation had received $27,716 in gifts from the Diocese of Southern Virginia.  

This project has been a gratifying experience of collaboration between clergy and laity, between the church's organizational structures and the imaginative parishioner in the pew. It represents the Episcopal Church at its best. Thousands of congregations and individuals from 92 dioceses have contributed over $2.8 million, mostly in small gifts. About 60 dioceses ran active campaigns for the project, many like Southern Virginia while doing other significant work as well. The remaining support came through the open source nature of the project, which made it available to anyone with a phone and internet access. The funds we have raised will be transferred to the Episcopal Church office, where they will be disbursed according to a written protocol developed in collaboration with Bishop Duracin.

Clearly, there will be much to do in Haiti for years to come, but you have helped to lay the foundation on which they will rebuild. You can follow the progress of our project here.

Editor's Note: A very grateful thanks is extended to Barbara Byers of Good Shepherd, Norfolk, for spearheading and coordinating the very successful fundraising effort for Haiti here in Southern Virginia.

Two videos address domestic poverty; appropriate for congregation discussion groups

from Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs 

Circle of Protection, an ecumenical alliance of Christian leaders of which Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori is an original member, has released videos from the presidential candidates that can be utilized by groups, congregations and dioceses to discuss the pervasive issue of poverty in the United States.

The Episcopal Church, as a member of National Council of Churches (NCC) and the Circle of Protection, encourages the use of the two videos - one from each of the presidential candidates - in congregational discussion groups and adult forums as an opportunity for congregations to talk about poverty and how it is woven into the discussions of the upcoming national election.

Both videos are available at  http://www.circleofprotection.us/.

Pilgrimage Studies Symposium and the Dalai Lama coming to William & Mary

The Annual Symposium for Pilgrimage Studies sponsored by the Institute for Pilgrimage Studies at the College of William & Mary and the International Consortium on Pilgrimage Studies will be held October 12-14. Highlights include a special guest speaker and a concluding dance performance "Outer Pathway/Inner Journey" to enhance our understanding and interpretation of pilgrimage studies.  Speakers from a broad range of disciplines such as religious studies, anthropology, Hispanic studies, art history, kinesiology, classical studies, medieval history, and sociology are expected. Click here for more information and registration.
 

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, considered one of the world's most influential spiritual leaders and winner of the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize, will speak at William & Mary on October 10 at 2 p.m. The Dalai Lama is expected to deliver a lecture focused on the virtues of human compassion. Ticket information is available here.

October is UTO Ingathering month

By Rosalyn Neal, Diocesan UTO Coordinator 

Thanks to all who were able to send in the Spring Ingathering Collections in a timely fashion. Parishes responded generously despite the fact that confusion may have occurred during the change of coordinators this year. Regretfully, I must resign this post after such a brief period because of personal, family and health concerns. I will continue to work with the Diocese in this position until mid-November.

October has been designated as UTO Ingathering Month for the Fall. To this end, I am asking that you work as hard as always, and send your Fall collections to me through the month of November. Checks should be made out to United Thank Offering. Mail collections to: Rosalyn Neal, 4661 Truman Lane, Virginia Beach, VA 23455. For more information please contact me at 757-363-0516 or rmneal@verizon.net. 

Healthcare open enrollment & clergy compensation

2013 Open Enrollment for clergy and lay employees participating in medical and dental plans is October 10-31.  Click here for complete information.

 

The  2013 Clergy Compensation Manual is now available on our website. The Executive Board has approved a 1.7% cost of living increase for 2013. 

 
If you have questions about Open Enrollment or Clergy Compensation, please contact Canon for Administration the Rev. Canon Ed Tracy, 757-213-3378 or etracy@diosova.org. 

Appreciative Inquiry for Vestries & Church Leaders

Saturday, October 13, 2012. 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
St. Michael's, Bon Air
In this program you will: learn the essentials of appreciative inquiry; learn how to ensure change is a sustainable blessing and not a curse; discover appreciative strategies for dealing with problems. Cost: $55 per person with a cap of $250 per parish. Lunch will be provided. For more information go to www.clergyleadership.com. Click here to register.

Chanco announces new structure

A Vision for Chanco 

"I envision Chanco being everything it currently is and much, much more. I see it as a place with the potential to be the true spiritual heart of Southern Virginia - a place where people come from all over for spiritual formation, refreshment and worship, a place characterized by Christian hospitality. I see the summer camp as a place for our young people to grow in their spiritual awareness and to begin to find their place in the community of the baptized.   And finally, I see it as a place that draws in people from both inside and outside our Church, giving us an opportunity to share with them God's love as revealed in the beauty of creation." 

+H. Hollerith IV, Bishop of Southern Virginia

In order to move forward towards the Bishop's vision of what Chanco can be, and following recommendations from the Episcopal Camp and Conference Center assessment of Chanco, the Board of Directors has implemented the following staff changes:

• A Full Time Executive Director (Currently in search)
• A Full Time Chanco Administrative Coordinator (Stacey Richards)
• A Seasonal Camp Director (Will recruit in early 2013)
• A Full Time Facilities and Property Keeper (Robbie Matthews)
• A Full Time Housekeeping Attendant (Shanna Matthews)
• Marketing and Development Contractor (Talley Banazek)
• Support staff as budgeted and necessary

Sadly, to implement this decision, it was necessary to eliminate the position of a year-round Camp Director. The off-season responsibilities will shift to the Executive Director, who will also conduct a search for a newly-created Seasonal Camp Director.

The Board of Directors would like to thank Jim Sitzler for his years of service to the camp program, and wishes him all the best in his future endeavors.

For additional information, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions here or on the Chanco website.

Walk and Be Well program begins October 1

From Episcopal CREDO 

Jesus spent much of his ministry walking. From town to town across Galilee, Samaria and Judea, he walked and talked, in the company of his disciples, his followers and God.

CREDO's Walk and Be Well offers a way to follow Jesus both in words and action, with a walking program attuned to both body and soul. For four weeks beginning October 1, CREDO will provide daily Walk and Be Well reflections in both text and audio that can motivate, encourage and educate you on the benefits of walking and help you commit to 28 days devoted to better wellness. You'll begin your daily walk with a reflection from one of three CREDO writers and faculty members: Jackie Cameron,  Elizabeth Moosbrugger or Bill Watson. Each writer starts and finishes his or her reflection with the same scriptural anchors, but along the way approaches walking from a unique perspective. The entire series weaves together a very broad and holistic look at health and wellness.

Reflections can be downloaded as podcasts, streamed from the CREDO website and printed as PDFs; use them while walking solely or share them with your walking partner or group. And if you would like to receive your daily reflection by email, just sign up and we will send it to you in the early morning.

Walk and Be Well begins on September 30, with an introduction from Jackie Cameron. October 1 begins the walking days, which continue through October 28.  The distance and pace is up to you. Walk and Be Well is your opportunity to join other CREDO participants, whether they're in your area or they live far away, in committing to four weeks of walking as a benefit to your physical and spiritual health and well-being.

Exploring Gifts for Ministry in Daily Life

Saturday, November 10, 8:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Church of the Ascension, Norfolk

Cost: $25, includes materials and lunch

The Commission on Ministry for Ministry of the Baptized (COM-MB) is pleased to sponsor a second workshop designed especially for laity to assist them in identifying their spiritual gifts and to begin discovering new ways to use these gifts to glorify God. As space is limited, we ask that all participants pre-pay either by PayPal or by mailing a check to the diocesan office.  Registration will close on Friday, October 27 to allow adequate time for ordering materials for all attendees. The registration fee is non-refundable, but transferable. Click here for more information and registration.

Church Media Conference in Norfolk

Want to know more about how today's media intersect with our Christian faith and Church? The Lutheran Conference in Tidewater invites you to join them for a Church Media Conference on September 22 at St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Norfolk from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with optional field trip to follow. This conference is a chance for you and anyone from your church to learn about the many ways media can be used for building up of Christ's Kingdom. This is a great opportunity for pastors, secretaries, worship planners, musicians, council members, Sunday School teachers, lay people, and others to come and see ways to enrich their programs, get new ideas to help encourage new growth in your church, and to work more efficiently doing Christ's ministry. Topics include: webpages, QR codes, social media, administrative assistant and secretary ideas, marketing and advertising, worship media, smart phones and tablets, video conferencing, e-mail coordination and more! Contact Lenae Osmondson (synodeast@vasynod.org or 757-622-9421) for more information and to register; there is still room available! -OR scan the QR code for the registration flyer.

ECW holds Day of Reflection

The annual Day of Reflection will be held Thursday, November 15 at St. Mark's, Suffolk. The program begins at 9:45 a.m. and ends at 1:45 p.m. Holy Eucharist will be celebrated. Registration is $10 and includes lunch. Click here for a registration form.

Cursillo #149 to be held at Chanco

Cursillo #149 will be held October 4 through 7 at Chanco. Cursillo is a movement within the Episcopal church. It's a method to help us grow closer to Jesus Christ. It's also a community where we're encouraged to live joyfully and serve faithfully in grace. Go to www.cursillodsv.org for more information and for an application.

Exploring Gifts for Ministry in Daily Life

Saturday, November 10, 8:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Church of the Ascension, Norfolk

Cost: $25, includes materials and lunch

The Commission on Ministry for Ministry of the Baptized (COM-MB) is pleased to sponsor a second workshop designed especially for laity to assist them in identifying their spiritual gifts and to begin discovering new ways to use these gifts to glorify God. As space is limited, we ask that all participants pre-pay either by PayPal or by mailing a check to the diocesan office.  Registration will close on Friday, October 27 to allow adequate time for ordering materials for all attendees. The registration fee is non-refundable, but transferable. Click here for more information and registration.

Fall Clergy Conference

The Fall Clergy Conference will be held Tuesday, November 13 through Wednesday, November 14 at Chanco on the James. An optional Quiet Day will precede the conference on Monday, November 12. More information and registration coming soon.

Hope & Action: A Small Church Growth Strategies Handbook

The Episcopal Church Office for Congregational Vitality has released a new small church growth strategies handbook, "Hope and Action: Abundant Small Congregations." The handbook features the stories of creative and generative ministries being carried out by small congregations across the country and a wealth of resources. Included is the Western Bayside Churches United project of our very own Good Samaritan, Virginia Beach (page 54). You can download a copy at www.episcopalchurch.org/vitality. Click on "Hope and Action" located under the Useful Links header.

EfM mentor training comes to Chanco in January

EfM (Education for Ministry) Mentor Training is scheduled for January 17 through 19, 2013, at Chanco on the James. At present, both Basic In-Service and Formation training (Transition in the midst of a Changing World) are planned. If you are interested in attending this training, please contact Ann Meyer, Diocesan EfM Coordinator, immediately. Please be aware that certification as an EfM mentor is not automatic. An important part of the trainer's role is to discern when mentor-trainees are appropriately prepared to lead an EfM group. Once certified, you will be able to enroll an EfM group through the School of Theology at the University of the South. This training alone will enhance your other ministries in significant ways, so you are encouraged to participate whether or not you plan to mentor!

 

If you need any additional information or have any questions, contact Ann Meyer at 757-229-1111 or ann@stmartinswmbg.org. Click here for more information and registration form.

Tidewater Cursillo Ultreya

Ever wonder about Cursillo? Come to the Tidewater Ultreya on Sept. 14 at St. Christopher's, Portsmouth. You'll meet the people that have made a Cursillo and can learn all about it. Pot luck dinner starts at 6:30 pm. If this is your first, just come! To learn more, go to www.cursillodsv.org.