Union of Black Episcopalians meeting on Nov. 10

The James Solomon Russell chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE) will meet on Thursday, Nov. 10 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. For more information contact David Flores, drf71137@gmail.com.

United Thank Offering: Grant applications available Dec. 2; Fall ingathering monies due by Dec. 10

Grateful hearts are the reason the United Thank Offering (UTO) is able to continue to award grants which are gifts of love, and which change lives. They are also the reason the UTO is a vital mission arm of the Episcopal Church.

Fall Ingathering due by Dec. 10
Churches held their UTO Fall Ingathering was in October. Churches should submit their donations before Dec. 10. Make check payable to United Thank Offering and mail it to our Diocesan UTO Coordinator Helen Sharpe-Williams, 2343 Locks Landing, Chesapeake, VA 23323.

UTO Grant materials available Dec. 2
Annual United Thank Offering grant materials and application forms will be available Dec. 2. Please make sure to note that grant applications are due March 3, 2017. This is the deadline for the Bishop's office to submit the approved grant application. All UTO grant applications must be submitted to the Bishop's office no later than Feb. 17, 2017.

Clergy transitions

The Rev. David Teschner will retire as rector at Christ and Grace, Petersburg, on November 20, 2016.

The Rev. Anne Kirchmier will leave St. George's, Newport News (Nov. 2016) and will begin as rector of St. Andrew's, Newport News (Feb. 1, 2017)

Meredith Melo joins Jackson-Feild

Jackson-Feild Behavioral Health Services (JFBHS) is pleased to announce that Meredith Melo will be the Assistant to the Vice President of Advancement in their development office.

 

Meredith is a native Virginian from Yorktown. She earned her B.S. in Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise from Virginia Tech and recently earned her Master of Public Health from George Mason University.She served as a student intern with the Office of Congressman Rob Wittman in his Washington office.She also interned at the American Heart Association in Arlington helping with development responsibilities managing their weekly newsletter and assisting with database operations. She also worked with community groups and assisted with volunteer coordination.

 

Meredith replaced Ann Chaffins who retired after twenty faithful and successful years of service to Jackson-Feild and the children it services.

Applications accepted for grants focused on climate change and creation

Applications are now accepted for grants that focus on local faith-based projects for mitigating climate change and safeguarding the integrity of Creation. The Episcopal Church Advisory Council for the Stewardship of Creation, enabled by Resolution A030, Create Task Force On Climate Change, approved at General Convention 2015, will make recommendations for grants up to $10,000. Only Episcopal institutions (parishes, dioceses, provinces, schools, seminaries, monastic communities, Episcopal organizations and other Episcopal affiliated entities) are eligible to receive these funds. Partnerships with non-Episcopal entities are welcome and encouraged, but an Episcopal entity must serve as the project leader, active manager, and reporting agent. Deadline for applications is Dec. 31, 2016. Application information is here.

Administrators & Treasurers to meet Nov. 17

The Administrators & Treasurers Lunch Group will meet on Thursday, Nov. 17, 12 to 1:30 p.m. at the Diocesan Office in Newport News. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet with other parish administrators and treasurers to talk about common issues. Bring your own lunch; beverages will be provided. There's no agenda for this gathering - just an opportunity to get together, share, encourage, support, and ask questions. RSVP to Nancy James, njames@diosova.org. 

CE-Net meeting on Nov. 10

CE-Net (Christian Educators Network) will meet on Thursday, Nov. 10 from 9:30 to noon at the Diocesan Office in Newport News. Would you like to learn how you can continue formation at home? Or how would you like to send weekly updates on what you covered in formation so parents have an idea of what to talk to their kids about? If these questions interest you, CE-Net would like to invite you to a working session with diocesan Communications Officer Ann Turner who will walk us through how to set up a blog and how to use a recently added feature to the diocesan website. Bring your laptops and your questions. Lunch will be provided. Ann will also be available until 2 p.m. to answer any individual questions. Please RSVP by Nov. 8 to jenny.nauroth@cox.net. 

Clergy Compensation Guidelines for 2017

The Executive Board approved a 1% cost of living increase for 2017. The  2017 Clergy Compensation Manual is now available on our website. The manual includes a review of diocesan and national canonical requirements, federal regulations, traditional and generally accepted personnel practices. The manual may be used as guidelines in discussions between vestries and clergy in the Diocese of Southern Virginia. Additional consultation is available from the Canon for Administration Ed Tracy,  etracy@diosova.org, 757-213-3378 or 800-582-8292.

Young Adult Service Corps accepting applications for 2017-2018 placements

Young adults (21-30 years old) have an opportunity to transform their own lives while engaging mission and ministry in the Anglican Communion by joining the Young Adult Service Corps. Now, applications are available for 2017-2018 placements in the Young Adult Service Corps, commonly known as YASC. Click here for more info and application.

Currently YASCers are serving throughout the Anglican Communion, working alongside partners in administration, agriculture, communication, development, and education. They are serving in Brazil, Costa Rica, England, France, Haiti, Hong Kong, Japan, Jerusalem, Panama, Philippines, and South Africa. Adrienne Davis of St. David's, Chesterfield, is currently serving in YASC in Hong Kong.

Among possible placements for 2017-2018 are Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, England, France, Ghana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Japan, Jerusalem, Mexico, Panama, Philippines, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, and Tanzania.

Advent devotions offered by heads of Episcopal Church, Anglican Church of Canada, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

	L to R: Presiding Bishop Michael Curry; the Rev. Susan Johnson; the Rev. Elizabeth Eaton; the Most Rev. Fred Hiltz

Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael Curry joined the leaders of the Anglican Church of Canada, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in preparing Advent Devotions for the upcoming liturgical season.

Titled "Liberated by God's Grace" and available here. The weekly devotions were prepared by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, the Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; the Most Rev. Fred Hiltz, Primate of the Anglican Church in Canada; and the Rev. Susan Johnson, National Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. The Advent Devotions can be downloaded for websites, bulletin inserts, church programs, and used as discussion points.

Bishop Hollerith at Washington National Cathedral

L to R:  Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers; Rev. Dr. Rosemarie Duncan; Rt. Rev. Mariann Budde; Rev. Canon Kelly Brown Douglas; Bishop Hollerith; Presiding Bishop Michael Curry; Rev. Canon Jan Naylor Cope; Very Rev. Randolph Hollerith

Bishop Hollerith was at the National Cathedral on Sunday, Oct. 23 - preaching at the morning service and participating in the installation of his brother, the Very Rev. Randolph M. Hollerith, as 11th Dean of the Cathedral. You can watch video of both services on the cathedral website,  www.cathedral.org. 

125th Annual Council Feb. 10-11 in Williamsburg

The 125th Annual Council of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia will be held February 10-11, 2017 at the Williamsburg Lodge Convention Center. Bookmark this page, www.bit.ly/diosova125, where you can find the most current information about the 125th Annual Council, including: Nomination form for elections; Youth Delegation application; Communicator Credentials application; and hotel information. Council hashtag is #diosova125.

Stewardship: It's not about money... It's about relationships
Our keynote speaker will be the Rev. Canon Timothy Dombek, Canon for Stewardship in the Diocese of Arizona. Dombek will give three presentations at Council: Building Relationships = Increased Giving; How to Talk About Money & Pledges; and The Most Overlooked Aspect of Congregational Stewardship.

Registration will begin Nov. 28
Council registration will open on Monday, Nov. 28. You will be able to register individually or you may register your entire delegation. Attendees will need to make their own hotel reservations. Discounted rates will be available at the Williamsburg Lodge and The Woodlands. 

Volunteer Choir

In celebration of our 125th annual Diocesan Council, the opening worship service on Friday, February 10 at 11 a.m. will include a brass quintet and volunteer singers from around our Diocese. Rebecca Davy, Music Director and Organist at Bruton Parish, Williamsburg, will direct the volunteer choir and is looking for singers to participate in this special service.  If you would be interested in singing, contact her at bdavy@brutonparish.org or 757-645-3431.

Dismantling Racism workshop Nov. 5

Virginia Organizing will offer a Dismantling Racism workshop on Saturday, Nov. 5, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Trinity, Portsmouth (500 Court Street). During this workshop, people of different racial and ethnic backgrounds will have the opportunity to reflect on personal experiences, discuss issues, explore theories in anti-racism work, and focus on how to make changes within their organizations and communities. This is an opportunity to talk in an open, diverse, and safe setting about racism and to develop action plans to take home. Click here for more info and registration. Please register by Nov. 3.  

2015 Parish Audits due now

2015 parish audits were due September 1.  We have received 34. If you have not turned in your church's audit, please contact Kellie Riley at the diocesan office, kriley@diosova.org, to let her know the status of the audit.

If you need information about how to conduct an audit, you can go to the diocesan website, www.diosova.org, or contact Nancy James, njames@diosova.org or 213-3386, or Kellie Riley, kriley@diosova.org or 213-3374.