Youth Events: Register now for October Weekend and Happening #65

October Weekend: You Could Be a Hero
Oct. 7-9 at Chanco on the James
Join us for our annual fall retreat for teens at Camp Chanco!  The event includes a variety of activities and opportunities to make new friends, including zip lines, small group conversations, music and singing, a dance, and so much more! Click here for details and registration.

Happening #65

Nov. 11-13 at Chanco on the James
Happening is an experiential weekend retreat developed by teens for teens. Come and see what it's like to be transformed by God's love! Open to all youth in grades 10-12 and adults who have never attended a Happening program. Click here for details and registration. 

Mark you calendar now and plan to participate in all of the 2016-2017 diocesan youth events. More info events and registration coming soon to www.diosova.org/youth.

• October Weekend (grades 8-12) - October 7-9, 2016 at Chanco on the James. Click here for details and registration.
• Pre-Happening Staff Weekend - October 29-30, 2016 at Chanco on the James.
• Happening #65 (grades 10-12) - November 11-13, 2016 at Chanco on the James. Click here for details and registration.
• November Weekend (grades 6-9) - November 18-20, 2016 at Chanco on the James.
• Winter Camp at Chanco - January 13-15, 2017 at Chanco on the James.
• Annual Council - February 9-11, 2017. Be a part of the official Youth Delegation to Council.
• Pre-Happening Staff Weekend - February 25-26, 2017 at Chanco on the James.
• Happening #66 - March 10-12, 2017 at Chanco on the James.
• May Weekend (grades 6-12) - May 19-21, 2017 at Chanco on the James.
• Episcopal Youth Event (EYE17) - July 10-24, 2017 on the campus of University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, OK.

 

Southern Virginia to host Gathering 2016 of the Recovery Ministries of the Episcopal Church

Southern Virginia is pleased to be hosting the 2016 Gathering of the Recovery Ministries of the Episcopal Church. Gathering 2016 will take place Nov. 3-5, 2016 at Bruton Parish, Williamsburg. This year's theme is "Called to Transformation: The Church's Response to Addiction in the 21st Century". Keynote speaker will be Kevin McCauley. Event includes an optional half day seminar by Tom Ryan, author of Ashamed No More. Click here for complete information and registration.  

 

GraceInside prison ministry

If you're looking for a way to answer Christ's call to visit those in prison, be sure to check out GraceInside, www.graceinside.org. For nearly a century this unique ministry has changed the lives of thousands of offenders throughout Virginia.

By distributing Bibles, conducting worship services, providing counseling and coordinating volunteer programs, GraceInside's chaplains are like lighthouses beckoning toward a new port for the 30,000 currently incarcerated in Virginia's state prison system. Prisons can be treacherous seas, but they can also be transformative ones.

Virginia is unique in that chaplains are not state employees. Chaplains are privately funded by caring individuals, churches, denominations, foundations and businesses. GraceInside's mission is to provide full-time chaplains in all of Virginia's state adult and juvenile prison facilities.

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry statement in support of the people of Standing Rock Sioux Reservation

Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael Curry has issued a statement in support of the advocacy of the people of Standing Rock Sioux Reservation.

"Water is a gift from the creator, respect it, and protect it."  I was deeply moved by these words printed on the sign of a person standing with hundreds of others to protect the Missouri River.  In the Episcopal Church, when we baptize a new follower of Jesus Christ, we pray these words over the water of baptism.  "We thank you, Almighty God, for the gift of water." We then recall how God used water to bless his people in the Bible, from the story of creation in Genesis, the emancipation of Hebrew slaves in Exodus, to the baptism of the Lord Jesus in the River Jordan.  Indeed, "Water is a gift from the creator." To sustain it and to protect it is to "safeguard the integrity of God's creation," and therefore to protect human and other forms of life created by Almighty God.  That work warrants our full and prayerful support. Click here to continue reading. 

Upcoming Safe Church training

There are two upcoming Safe Church classroom trainings:

• Sep. 17, 2016 - Galilee, Virginia Beach. Register here.
• Oct. 1, 2016 - St. Augustine's, Newport News.  Register here.

Mission of the Holy Spirit online fundraiser

Mission of the Holy Spirit, Norfolk, invites you to support them by doing something you already do - shopping online. The Mission's online fundraiser with Mixed Bag Designs runs now through Dec. 31. Shop for Christmas gifts, birthday gifts and for yourself! The online shop offers gifts, tote bags, accessories, gift wrap, housewares and more. Prices start at less than $10, orders over $75 ship free!

Go to www.mixedbagdesigns.com/?fundraiserid=587652. Make sure our ID# 587652 is at the top of the website before shopping.

Please share with family and friends!  Click here for a flyer you can post at your church or office. Thank you for your support!

Leadership Program for Musicians Fall Workshop

The Richmond chapter of the Leadership Program for Musicians (LPM) is pleased to announce what promises to be an amazing fall workshop, led by St. James Music Press president and editor Mark Schweizer.

 

The workshop will take place on Saturday, October 8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Richmond, VA. Participants will read through music from St. James Press and have a chance to glean some church music wisdom from Mark's considerable experience. Snacks and beverages are included.

 

The cost is $45 per person, and the deadline to register is October 1. To register use the PayPal button on the LPM website: www.lpm-va.org and email your name, address, phone number, and church name to lpmvacoordinator@gmail.com. Click here for a brochure and registration form. 

 

Don't let this pass! Make the most of this opportunity to meet Mark Schweizer, discover new music, and support your local LPM chapter.

Free class on politics and faith with Parker Palmer

Registration is now open for the latest free ChurchNext course: Bridging the Political Divide with Parker Palmer which can be taken anytime between September 5-19.

As we know, we are in the midst of what may be the most polarizing and contentious elections in recent U.S. history. Many observers note that the political rancor and rhetoric has reached all time highs, injecting unprecedented fear, division, and unease into our culture. How do we make sense of this? How do people of faith respond? How do we remain calm and centered amidst our difference and tension, taking our roles as peacemakers and even prophets, seriously? Educator, author, and activist Parker Palmer has written extensively on faith and democracy issues. In this course, he offers thoughtful insight into how we might approach divisive political issues with grace and grit.

Register for free by clicking here or go to churchnext.tv, click on the Menu select The Big Class.Once registered, the course can be taken for free from September 5-19. It will take an average student 45 minutes to complete. No special software is required. Want to take this class with your congregation or small group? Here are some support materials.

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry offers video election message - voting is "a Christian obligation"

"Voting and participation in our government is a way of participating in our common life," Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael Curry said in a video election message.  "And that is a Christian obligation.  Indeed, we who follow in the Way of Jesus of Nazareth are summoned to participate actively as reflections of our faith in the civil process."

The Presiding Bishop's video election message is here. Closed-captioning is available in English and Spanish. Click here to read the text of his message.

New lunch group and email listserv for parish secretaries and communicators

Diocesan staff have been hosting monthly lunch groups and an email listserv for church staff and volunteers involved in parish administration. Over time this group has focused more and more on financial issues, becoming less useful to parish secretaries and communicators.

For that reason we're exploring the possibility of an additional lunch group and email listserv that will focus on secretarial and communication issues.

The monthly brown bag lunch gatherings are very casual. There's no agenda, just come with whatever questions you have, or just to socialize. It's a great way to connect with and learn from colleagues and share frustrations with folks who understand. The listserv offers easy email access to a peer group to share resources or get answers to questions.  

If you are a church staff person or volunteer involved in these areas, we want to hear from you. Contact Communications Officer Ann Turner if either of these opportunities would be of interest to you, aturner@diosova.org or 757-213-3388. 

 

Mark your calendar for 2016-2017 Youth Events

Mark you calendar now and plan to participate in the 2016-2017 diocesan youth events. More info and registration coming soon to www.diosova.org/youth.

• October Weekend (grades 8-12) - October 7-9, 2016 at Chanco on the James.
• Pre-Happening Staff Weekend - October 29-30, 2016 at Chanco on the James.
• Happening #65 (grades 10-12) - November 11-13, 2016 at Chanco on the James.
• November Weekend (grades 6-9) - November 18-20, 2016 at Chanco on the James.
• Winter Camp at Chanco - January 13-15, 2017 at Chanco on the James.
• Annual Council - February 9-11, 2017. Be a part of the official Youth Delegation to Council.
• Pre-Happening Staff Weekend - February 25-26, 2017 at Chanco on the James.
• Happening #66 - March 10-12, 2017 at Chanco on the James.
• May Weekend (grades 6-12) - May 19-21, 2017 at Chanco on the James.
• Episcopal Youth Event (EYE17) - July 10-24, 2017 on the campus of University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, OK.

How you can help flood victims in Louisiana

Extreme weather has caused catastrophic flooding in the south, especially in Louisiana. Residents were caught off guard by the severity and speed of the weather. The extent of the flooding and damage is still being assessed. The Diocese of Louisiana is coordinating relief efforts through Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD), as well as communicating with the parishes to match need with relief assistance. The Diocese has assurance of immediate short-term funding from ERD for $20,000. This will be a significant help to meet the needs of some of the most vulnerable victims.

The Diocese of Louisiana has complied a list of the best ways you can help with relief efforts. No donation is too small and all donations will have a positive impact on those will be facing the difficult task of rebuilding their lives.

 

Episcopal Relief and Development US Disaster Relief Fund

The Diocese will soon receive an emergency assistance grant from Episcopal Relief and Development so our churches in the flood area can assist the most vulnerable people in their communities. Please consider making a donation to support this important work. Click here to donate. 

 

Bishop's Discretionary Fund

The Bishop's office is accepting donations (cash only) to assist flood victims. Please make your checks payable to The Bishop's Professional Fund earmarked 2016 Flood Relief. You can send them to: Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana, 1623 Seventh St., New Orleans, LA 70115

More ways to help

You can assist people in shelters is by making a donation to any of the following:

• The American Red Cross in Louisiana (http://www.redcross.org/local/louisiana)
• Baton Rouge Area Foundation (http://www.braf.org/louisiana-flood-relief)
• United Way (http://www.unitedwaysela.org/flood)
• Second Harvest Food Bank with Rouses (https://give.no-hunger.org/checkout/donation?eid=91198)
• Episcopal Relief and Development (http://www.episcopalrelief.org/what-you-can-do/donate-now/individual-donation)

Social Media Sunday is Sept. 25

"Christ has no online presence but yours, no blog, no Facebook page but yours."

September 25, 2016, is Social Media Sunday - a day to encourage people of faith to share the gospel and be the church online. It's a day to help people get beyond their fear of using digital media and understand that these are just tools that we can use to do what we are already doing: inviting others, showing care and concern for people, telling friends about our church and showing them Jesus. Social media, when done right, is really about relationships, not technology. Click here to learn more. 

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.