Mission of the Holy Spirit Christmas Gift Book Project

 

This year The Parish Book Store, inside Eastern Shore Chapel, Virginia Beach, will join with the Mission of the Holy Spirit for a Christmas Gift Book Project. The Episcopal Mission of the Holy Spirit serves the at-risk community of Norfolk, particularly focusing on the children and youth.

Inside the Parish Book Store is a Christmas tree with "decorations" providing the gender and age of a child. Visitors to the store can take a decoration from the tree and choose an age appropriate book from the various children's books available in the store. The book, with the decoration attached, will be placed in baskets around the tree. On December 4, the books will be picked up to be taken to the Mission and distributed to the children.

For more information, contact the Parish Book Store, books@easternshorechapel.org or 757-425-0114. 

Episcopal Church Young Adult Service Corps accepting applications

The Episcopal Church offers untold opportunities for young adults to provide service and share their expertise worldwide through the Young Adult Service Corps. Commonly known as YASC, applications for 2014-15 are now being accepted for the Young Adult Service Corps from young adults between the ages of 21-30.

"YASC provides an opportunity for young adults to explore their faith in a new capacity and to live out the Baptismal Covenant by seeking and serving Christ in all persons," noted the Rev. David Copley, Mission Personnel Officer. "Applicants must have a high degree of maturity and possess a faith commitment and the willingness to be a humble guest, and the ability to be an authentic companion."

The application is available here . The application deadline is January 3, 2014.

Where are the YASC?

Current YASC members can be found throughout the Anglican Communion. They are working in administration, agriculture, development, education, and technology. They are serving in Brazil, Cuba, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Panama, the Philippines, South Africa, South Korea, and Tanzania. Read their thoughts and reflections on their blogs here. 

Among the possible placements for 2014-15 are Brazil, Burundi, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Mexico, Panama, the Philippines, South Africa and Taiwan. For more information contact Grace Flint at gflint@episcopalchurch.org.

EfM Mentor Training January 16-18

Education for Ministry (EfM) Mentor Training has been scheduled for January 16 through 18 at Chanco on the James. At present, both Basic In-Service and Formation training are planned. Those who successfully complete the weekend will be accredited as Mentors by the University of the South. Click here for more information.  

Advent app from Church Publishing, Inc.

 

Walk, don't run, through Advent with "It's Advent!" This new daily devotional app from Church Publishing is suitable for all ages and features the artwork of renowned cartoonist, Jay Sidebotham. Scripture readings and the Sermon on the Mount bring the anticipation of Advent to life. Compatible with all iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices running iOS 7.0 or greater. Click here for more information. 

Presiding Bishop's address to groundbreaking public forum on racism

 

"Let us dream of a world where every family, language, people, and nation is gathered in the commonwealth of God," Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori said at the groundbreaking public forum Fifty Years Later: The State of Racism in America. "Learn vigilance, teach and work for justice, that we might become the beloved community of God's rainbow people - every family, language, people, and nation gathered before the Lamb, himself one of the lowly and rejected.  Dream that world into being here on earth, and drive out hell to bring it to birth!" Click here to read the address. 

Fifty Years Later: The State of Racism in America, presented on November 15, explored racism in today's society and was sponsored by  The Episcopal Church and the Diocese of Mississippi. The on-demand video of the forum will be available on the Episcopal Church's website later this week.

Registration now open for New Community Gathering, March 13-16

Registration is now open for the popular Episcopal Church New Community Gathering, March 13-16, 2014. The theme for event is "Together, Advancing the Sacred Dream." Sponsored by the Episcopal Church Diversity and Ethnic Ministries Team, plenary and workshop topics will provide opportunities for clergy and lay people to explore advocacy and mission in ethnic ministries. Also included will be ethnic-specific meetings, inter-ethnic and cross cultural conversations, and multicultural banquet and worship celebrations.

The event will be held at Kanuga Conference Center, Hendersonville, NC. Registration is available here. Registration does not include transportation to Kanuga. Registration deadline is February 3. Scholarships are available to ethnic delegates on a first come, first served basis; check the registration information.

For more information:
The Rev. Winfred Vergara, Asiamerican Missioner (wvergara@episcopalchurch.org);
The Rev. Angela Ifill, Black Ministries Missioner (aifill@episcopalchurch.org );
The Rev. Anthony Guillén, Latino/Hispanic Missioner ( aguillen@episcopalchurch.org);
Sarah Eagle Heart, Indigenous Missioner (seagleheart@episcopalchurch.org ).

Reclaiming the Gospel of Peace: An Episcopal gathering to challenge the epidemic of violence

Registration is now open for Reclaiming the Gospel of Peace: An Episcopal gathering to challenge the epidemic of violence April 9 - 11, 2014 at the Reed Center and Sheraton in Oklahoma City, OK (Diocese of Oklahoma). Registration and more information is available here

At Reclaiming the Gospel of Peace: An Episcopal Gathering to Challenge the Epidemic of Violence, Episcopalians will come together to renew their commitment to the Gospel call to make peace in a world of violence. Through deep conversation, prayer, and skill-building the event will empower the participants to address violence and reclaim their role in society as workers for nonviolence and peace. Reclaiming the Gospel of Peace is focused around four pillars: advocacy, education, liturgy, and pastoral care. These four areas are key avenues to address the culture of violence within and outside of the Church and will be woven throughout all aspects of the event including plenary time, workshops, small group conversations, and worship.