Celebration of the Feast of Absalom Jones

The Joint Service of Churches in the Diocese of Southern Virginia celebrating the Feast of Absalom Jones, the first African American priest of the Episcopal Church, will be held on Sunday, February 24, at 4 p.m. at St. Stephen's, Petersburg. The Rev. Isabel Steilberg, rector of St. Paul's, Newport News, will preach.

Absalom Jones was an African-American abolitionist and clergyman. After founding a black congregation in 1794, in 1804 he was the first African-American ordained as a priest in the Episcopal Church of the United States.

Training for new vestry members

New to the vestry of your church? Then you should plan to attend our upcoming "Who's on First? Equipping & Guiding New Vestry Members" workshop. It will be offered on Saturday, March 2 at Emmanuel, Hampton, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and again on Saturday, March 23 at St. Paul's Petersburg, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 

Healthy, skilled vestries who understand their role in the life of the church and their relationship to the clergy and congregation are essential in creating and maintaining vital congregations. This workshop is designed for new vestry members, and will include: presentations on the role and duties of the vestry; best practices; discussion of common challenges that vestries face. Presenters will be: Caroline Black, Canon for Formation; the Rev. Canon Jeunee Godsey, Canon for Congregational Development; the Rev. Canon Michael Spear-Jones, Canon for Transition & Clergy Development.

Click here to register for March 2 in Hampton.

Click here to register for March 23 in Petersburg.

Mission of the Holy Spirit seeking recipes for their new cookbook

The Mission is collecting recipes so we can put together a cookbook. They would like to be able to include a recipe from every church in Southern Virginia.  Recipes should be e-mailed to info@missionoftheholyspirit.org, and we'd like to have the name and home church of each recipe author.

2013 UTO Grant applications being accepted

Applications for 2013 United Thank Offering grants are now being accepted. Click here for more information about the grants and application process. Applications are due to our Diocesan UTO Coordinator Cindy Dillon (955 Bolling Avenue, Unit 302, Norfolk VA 23508 or cbdillon@cox.net) no later than February 22. 

Planning team nominations now being accepted for Episcopal Youth Event 2014

Nominations to serve on the Episcopal Youth Event 2014 (EYE2014) Mission Planning Team are now being accepted through February 16. Nomination forms are available here. Drawing hundreds of youth from throughout the Episcopal Church, EYE 2014 will be held in July 2014. Location will be announced shortly. To be eligible for the Mission Planning Team, youth applicants must be currently enrolled in grades 9 - 11 and must be a communicant of an Episcopal Church congregation. Adult applicants must be at least 25 years old, a communicant of an Episcopal Church, and have experience working with high school-aged youth. 

Lenten lock-in for middle schoolers

On March 1-2, there will be a Lenten Lock-in for middle school students at Eastern Shore Chapel, Virginia Beach. As Lent begins middle school youth are invited to travel briefly on the road with Jesus. This reflective evening offers large group activities and small group workshops. (Art, music, drama and prayer.) Eucharist will be celebrated. This lock-in will help middle school youth to focus on Lent through a series of "fun-but-reflective" activities.  There will also be time to play and get to know each other. Groups have the option of leaving after Eucharist (around midnight) or spending the night. 

Jesus said "take nothing for the journey" but please bring sleeping bags, toiletries, and $5 for breakfast and supplies. Each church is asked to send at least one adult leader. Click here for this event on Facebook. Share it! Click here for an event flyer.  

High School lock-in on February 1

Don't miss the High School Lock-In on February 1, 7 p.m. to midnight, at Galilee, Virginia Beach. Co-hosted by Galilee, Old Donation and Eastern Shore Chapel, this event offers games, worship, new friends and lively discussion. Don't miss it! 

RSVP to ian@galileechurch.net or to your youth leader by Jan. 30. Bring a snack to share and a non-perishable food for the food pantry.