Bishop Vache Scholarship applications being accepted

Applications for the C. Charles Vache Scholarship are now being accepted. Applications are available on our website. The Bishop Vache Scholarships provide funds to assist low-income and minority college students in the Diocese of Southern Virginia. First year students as well as returning college students are welcome to apply. Scholarship awards range from $1000 to $5000 per academic year. Applications must be postmarked by June 30. Notifications will go out by July 15, and awards will be made by August 1.

Diaconal Ordination Exploration Program application deadline is May 15

The deadline for applications to the Diaconal Ordination Exploration Program in the Diocese of Southern Virginia is May 15.  Applicants will interview with the Commission on Ministry for postulancy in the fall of 2013. Those granted postulancy will receive formation and training in the new cross diocesan school for deacons. The school is a joint effort of the Episcopal Dioceses of Southern Virginia and Virginia. For more information, click here.

ECW Annual Spring Meeting will be May 18

The ECW Annual Spring Meeting will be held May 18 at Christ Church, Danville. For further information and registration, please to go ECW News & Events page on the diocesan website.

News from Mission of the Holy Spirit

By Keith Josey, Chaplain

 

Thank you for your continued support of the Mission of the Holy Spirit; it is through caring individuals like yourselves that lives are being changed. I would like to take a moment to share with you some of the amazing accomplishments that have occurred over the past several months. 

 

Our most recent achievements have been the development of a Monday evening GED program and a teenage health and wellness class. We have had several adult students take and pass the GED test. Our teens look forward to coming out and learning about health and nutrition as well as participating in exercise class and enjoying a healthy meal.    

 

Since September, we have enjoyed helping our young people with their academic studies through our enrichment and tutoring program. Thank you to all the volunteers who assist in supporting the educational needs as well as providing meals for our Tuesday and Thursday evening programs. The average attendance is around 25 children and adolescents for each program, and we have seen a steady increase in their overall progress in school.    

 

We have increased our community outreach and evidence of its effectiveness has been shown in the steady rise of our attendance on Sunday. As our worship service has grown, our adult members are requesting additional services such as Bible study. To meet that need, we have begun a community conference call Bible study on Wednesday evenings. This is turning into a huge success as each week more adults are calling in and listening to a lesson that is reshaping their lives. None of this would be possible without the support of individuals like you and the support of our local churches. As we move forward, it is vital that you continue to support the Mission of the Holy Spirit.

We have partnered with the Yes! Dare2Dream! program, a faith-based initiative program that allows many of our members to become trained group facilitators in areas like career development, abstinence, and self-esteem. As we begin to market these programs to the community and draw more young people to the Mission, we will need additional support from you and our partner churches. Our goal is to find positive ways to impact the lives of the families we serve and move them forward.   

Your gifts go directly towards the improvement of our programs and the changing of people's lives. We are counting on you to assist our efforts to relieve the stressors that our families go through by connecting them to a strong faith community, and continuing to offer hope through our quality programs. Thank you!

Learn more about Mission of the Holy Spirit and how you can support their ministry here. 

here.

Diocesan news from Episcopal Relief & Development

By The Very Rev. Keith Emerson (St. Paul's, Suffolk) Diocesan Coordinator for Episcopal Relief & Development

During the first quarter of 2013, congregations throughout the Diocese of Southern Virginia contributed $13,548.80 to Episcopal Relief & Development. $4,789 was designated for Hurricane Sandy relief with the remaining amount donated to the general fund. I am grateful to the following congregations and groups for their gifts:

• Church of the Advent, Norfolk
• Eastern Shore Chapel, Virginia Beach
• Emmanuel Church, Hampton
• Emmanuel Church, Virginia Beach
• Emmanuel Church, Cape Charles
• Grace Church Women, Yorktown
• Old Donation Church, Virginia Beach
• Church of the Redeemer, Midlothian
• The Diocese of Southern Virginia
• St. James' Church, Warfield
• St. John's Church, Hampton
• St. Martin's Church, Williamsburg

Episcopal Relief & Development has launched a new website. You can find it at www.episcopalrelief.org. It provides great information about various projects and efforts as well as helpful resources you can use in the parish. Donating is easier than ever. Please check it out and share the site with friends.

Leadership Program for Musicians announces 2013-2014 classes

The new Leadership Program for Musicians (LPM) program year begins September 13-14. LPM is a national program for church musicians, "trained" musicians AND enthusiastic amateurs - choir members, clergy, Music & Worship Committees, and anyone who loves church music. This year's courses are: Liturgy and Music: Foundations for Christian Worship;  Principles of Choral Leadership; Teaching New Music to the Congregation; and Philosophy of Church Music.  Take all four courses or one at a time. Register before September 1 and save $50. Click here for details and registration information.

Volunteer Program for churches seeking to participate in Hurricane Sandy recovery

Volunteers are the key to recovery and renewal for communities along the East Coast devastated by Hurricane Sandy. Episcopal Relief and Development and the Dioceses of NY, New Jersey, Long Island & Easton, MD have set up a Volunteer Program to help your church participate in that recovery. The Volunteer Program is structured to provide a deep, meaningful experience that take volunteers beyond just having a hammer in their hand to a place of better understanding how service, learning and reflection can truly transform all involved. Through this opportunity of community service volunteers have a chance to effect change in their own lives while serving the vulnerable along the Eastern Seaboard.     

We have added a Hurricane Sandy Recovery page to our website to help the churches of Southern Virginia learn more about the Volunteer Program and to connect with each other in planning trips to assist with recovery. If your church is planning to participate in the program and would like to invite individuals to join you, we will post your upcoming trip on our website. After you return, we invite you to share your story and pictures to encourage others to join in this effort.