An invitation to Cursillo

By Ronda Toll, Christ the King, Tabb

Cursillo is a Spanish word meaning "short course"; the topic of this course is Christianity. During a Cursillo, you are introduced to a method that emphasizes the importance of a balanced life of piety, continued spiritual study, and action. You will encounter Christ on a journey that begins with a three-day weekend.

The Cursillo weekend begins on Thursday with a retreat, allowing everyone to slow down and begin to listen to what God may be trying to say. The next three days are filled with worship, singing, and short talks. There is a clergy team on each weekend to provide sacramental ministry and teaching. After each talk, there is time for discussion, reflection, and to enjoy the beauty of Camp Chanco. The food is legendary and the experience of Christian community and love will touch your heart in a meaningful way.

A Cursillo weekend invites us to dive deeper into the well of our faith and personally connect with God's unlimited love.  Once the weekend is over, Cursillo is an invitation to a pilgrimage which is lived every day for the rest of our lives - in every place that God chooses to plant us. The Cursillo method enables you to:

• Expand your prayer life.
• Spiritually grow through an ongoing formation process that increases your knowledge about God's Word and your faith.
• Form a closer relationship with our King and Savior, Jesus Christ.
• Spread God's Word in a natural way to the people you interact with in the very environments in which you live.

Cursillo is for anyone (including clergy) who wants to go deeper into their spiritual life through teaching and the personal experience of both Christian community and the Holy Spirit. It is ideal as preparation for leadership and lay ministry.

Consider this an invitation should you feel the Holy Spirit calling you to begin the Cursillo Journey. The next Cursillo weekend in Southern Virginia is October 13-16 at Chanco on the James.

Please contact Ronda Toll, rtoll@cox.net or 757-869-8873, to learn more about this amazing experience.www.cursillodiosova.org. 

Online diocesan resources you should check out

Southern Virginia has a few online resources - communities, really - that can be a terrific support for your church leadership:

Diosova Admin email listserv - This is an email listserv for parish treasurers and administrators. You can share ideas, ask questions and join in conversations relating to the financial and administrative work that you do for your parish. To learn more or to be added to the listserv, contact Comptroller Nancy James, njames@diosova.org.

Diosova Communicators Facebook group - This is a private Facebook group where folks involved in church communications can ask questions and share resources. Diocesan Communications Officer Ann Turner moderates the group and posts helpful articles and resources there. Since this is a private group, only group members see your posts.

Formation in Southern Virginia Facebook group - This is a public Facebook group for folks involved in Christian formation. It's especially helpful if you aren't able to attend CE-Net meetings. This is a way you can reach out to your peers with questions and get excellent resource recommendations from the diocesan Canon for Formation Caroline Black.

IMPORTANT! To make sure you don't miss any posts from your Facebook groups, be sure to click the "Notifications" button near the top right of the group page and select "All Posts". This way, when you visit your Facebook page, you'll see the posts listed in your notifications.

Advisory Council on Stewardship of Creation offers report

The Advisory Council on the Stewardship of Creation met in New York City July 20-22 to discern the Church's ongoing response to environmental issues.  The Advisory Council members were appointed by the presiding officers as called for by Resolution A030 adopted at the 78th General Convention. Click here to read the report.  

UBE Sunday is September 4

Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE) Sunday is September 4. The UBE invites all Episcopalians, regardless of race, to join them in their mission of fighting racism and encouraging the involvement of Black people in the total life of the church. Congregations are invited to take a special offering for UBE on Sept. 4.

The James Solomon Russell chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE) meets on the second Thursday of each month at 10:30 a.m. at Grace, Norfolk (1400 E. Brambleton Ave., Norfolk). All Episcopalians in the Diocese of Southern Virginia are invited and encouraged to join the UBE and become members of this diverse and concerned group. Annual dues are $70 for individuals, $60 for retired, and $105 four couples. For more information contact David Flores, drf71137@gmail.com.

Clergy transitions

The Rev. Dick Budd began as interim rector at Christ the King, Tabb, on August 7, 2016. 

DC Rally4Refugees on August 28

The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations is encouraging Episcopalians to participate in the DC Rally4Refugees on Sunday, August 28, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. In the midst of the greatest refugee crisis since WWII, volunteers and advocates from across the country will gather at the outdoor Sylvan Theater at the Washington Monument on the National Mall in Washington, DC (rain or shine). The rally will raise awareness about the magnitude of the global refugee crisis, encourage advocacy and U.S. action to alleviate suffering through relief efforts and support, and stand in solidarity with refugees and displaced people worldwide. To learn more the rally, watch refugee stories, find resources and ways you can help, even if you can't attend the rally, go to www.dcrally4refugees.org and visit the Facebook page. 

News from Chanco on the James

Family Camp - the affordable family vacation 

Have you been working hard all summer and trying to figure out an affordable family vacation? Or was your vacation early in the summer and you are wishing for one last family hurrah before school is back in session? We have the answer for you! FAMILY CAMP! This session is being held August 18-21 and offers campers of all ages a chance to enjoy Camp Chanco together. It includes many of the favorite traditional camper activities including zip lining, rock wall climbing, boating, swimming and bonfires. Relax by the pool or river with a book or be active all day - you choose how to spend your day! Choose to stay in chalets or pay a bit more and stay in our motel lodges. This session is the perfect opportunity to introduce a new camper to Chanco before attending a full session next summer or a great way to reunite with camp friends. It is an incredible, affordable family vacation! For more information or easy on line registration visit www.chanco.org.  Questions? Contact us at 888-7CHANCO (888-724-2626) or hospitality@chanco.org. We look forward to welcoming your family this summer!

YASC Mission to Tanzania: Good to be back!

By Andy Russell, Bruton Parish, Williamsburg

Andy Russell, a member of Bruton Parish, Williamsburg, just completed a year in Tanzania as part of the Episcopal Church's Young Adult Service Corps. You can read his mission blog here.

If you ever have the chance to visit Tanzania, probably one of the first Swahili words you will hear is karibu (care-ri-boo). The word means "welcome" and you literally hear it everywhere: when you enter someone's house, when they offer you food or a seat, when you arrive in a new place, when you give thanks to someone for something.

The use and meaning of karibu in Swahili, especially in Tanzania, is one of those instances where the language reflects the culture of the people who speak it. In other words, the widespread use of karibu in Swahili is  a reflection of the extreme hospitality with which Tanzanians treat visitors (and one another). You cannot help but feel welcomed in Tanzania; I certainly could not help feeling welcomed in Tanzania. Now I would like to extend a welcome to you!

On Sunday, August 7, from 3 to 4pm in the Bruton parish hall, I will be giving a small presentation (including time for questions and answers) on my time in Tanzania. I want to share the excitement, the struggles, the triumphs, and the feelings of God's presence I have experienced with you all, the people who helped make my YASC mission in Tanzania possible.  So my brothers and sisters in Christ, karibu! Hope to see you soon.

ODU Canterbury staying active this summer

There's been no summer vacation for the ODU Canterbury Center. Students have gathered for Eucharist. Last week they also met for lunch to welcome back students who traveled abroad this summer and to say farewell to those going on to graduate school in the fall. ODU Canterbury Center's mascot, Kuma the dog, joined in the fun!

Register now for Tri-Diocesan Fall Camp Oct. 24-27

	Barbara Cawthorne Crafton

This year's Fall Camp, Oct. 24-27 with keynote speaker Barbara Cawthorne Crafton, promises to be another opportunity to gather at Shrine Mont with over 125 folks from all three Episcopal Dioceses in Virginia. Fall Camp is an opportunity to spend time in the mountains of Virginia with other seniors (but we don't have an age limit) from across the Commonwealth and from other states.  The Camp is an attempt to take seriously the spiritual needs and journeys of primarily retired people. We attempt to challenge participants through keynote speakers, workshops, worship and interaction with one another. We worship together in daily sessions, explore various issues, and participate in one or two session workshops (each session is an hour and a half) on a variety of topics. Click here for a list of this year's workshops. In addition to the scheduled activities, there is plenty of time to sit on the porches, visit with friends, relax, and enjoy the amazing scenery and to explore the surrounding area.  Click here for a Welcome Letter, with lots more info, from the Tri-Diocesan Planning Committee.  Click here for a brochure with registration information.

Mission of the Holy Spirit needs school supplies

Education is one of the most important tools Mission of the Holy Spirit youngsters have to improve their lives and break the cycle of poverty that has plagued their families for generations. Please help the Mission collect school supplies so the kids can start back to school with everything they need for a successful school year. Backpacks for boys and girls of all ages are especially needed. Supplies are needed by August 24 to allow time to sort and pack supplies in backpacks. Call Mission of the Holy Spirit at 757-858-0010 to arrange drop-off or pick-up. Office hours are Monday through Wednesday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  

Double your donation! Matching grant opportunity at Boys Home

Boys Home is in the midst of a capital campaign called The Journey Continues which will ensure that Boys Home is equipped to continue to serve young men and point them toward success for generations to come. Some of the projects funded by The Journey Continues include cottage and common space renovations, educational upgrades, staff housing renovations, and program marketing initiatives.

You have a unique opportunity to double your donation to Boys Home. The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation has awarded Boys Home a $100,000 Matching Grant to go toward The Journey Continues. This means that until the grant amount is met, all new donations and pledges to The Journey Continues will be matched dollar for dollar.  Click here for more information and learn how to make your donation.

Jackson-Feild promotes Katherine Turner

Jackson-Feild Behavioral Health Services is pleased to announce that Kate Turner has been promoted to the position of Director of Utilization Review. Ms. Turner has held several positions at Jackson-Feild most recently serving as a therapist for residents.

           

The Director of Utilization Review ensures that children are receiving effective and appropriate treatment services. It is a key position that focuses on ensuring that quality services are provided to residents and that Jackson-Feild is complies with best practice for risk management, performance quality improvement goals, HIPPA requirements and Council on Accreditation standards.

 

Turner provides oversight of the case management services for children's records. This position interfaces daily with managed care organizations, external reviewers and regulatory entities. She works closely with Virginia's managed care vendor, Magellan, regarding the funding of children's services and issues related to funding.

 

Turner received her undergraduate degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and her Master's Degree from Liberty University. Her education and experience makes her well qualified to fulfill the responsibilities of her new position.

Jackson-Feild elects new officers and board

Jackson-Feild Behavioral Health Services is proud to announce the election of new officers and two new board members.

	James M. Cox

James M. Cox, Vice President and Partner of Manry Rawls Insurance headquartered in Franklin was named board chair. Mr. Cox is a VMI graduate and received his M.B.A. from William & Mary and is a highly respected executive in the insurance field. He is active in the Franklin community.

 

M. Stuart Bolton, Jr. will serve as Vice-Chair. Mr. Bolton retired from Dominion Resources as a Senior Vice President. He has served on a number of civic and charitable organizations, and is a proud alumnus of the University of Virginia where he received his accounting degree.

 

T. Darnley Adamson, III was re-elected as Secretary of the Board. Mr. Adamson has many years of experience in both the insurance and real estate fields and currently owns and operates Green Solutions, LLC, with his son. Mr. Adamson attended Hampden-Sydney College, and is active in charitable and conservation causes.

 

Craig A. Tilley was re-elected as Treasurer of the Board. Mr. Tilley has had an extensive career in the finance field working for major banks and corporations in Richmond and is currently a Director of Credit at Owens & Minor. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina where he received his degree in economics.

 

Laura Y. Peery is a newly elected member to the Board of Trustees. Ms. Peery currently is a sales associate for Sotheby's International Realty. After a successful career in marketing and communications, she returned to school to obtain her music therapy certification. For several years, she was a music therapist working with active duty military personnel suffering from combat-related stress. She received Bachelor Degrees from the University of Virginia in psychology and Virginia Commonwealth University in music.

 

The Rev. Judy W. Davis is assistant rector of All Saints Episcopal Church in Richmond. She was a life-long Episcopalian and was called to the priesthood many years ago. She returned to Virginia Theological Seminary after raising her two children. She was ordained in 2014 and was called to All Saints shortly thereafter.