Deadline is April 11, 2021
Applications are now being accepted for educational scholarships from The Episcopal Church for the 2021-2022 academic year. Read more (In English and Spanish).
Wednesday, March 3, 2021
Tuesday, February 16, 2021
Lent: A Season to Restore and Reconnect
A message from Bishop Haynes
In
the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens….then the LORD
God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his
nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being. (Genesis
2:4, 7)
Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return. (Book of Common Prayer, p. 265)
Now,
as the days begin to lengthen, we enter the season of Lent wherein we
remember our mortality. God created humankind from the dust and dirt of
the Earth. At our death, we will return to that point of creation. It is
a good spiritual discipline to keep in mind our connection to the Earth
and the dirt from which we were fashioned.
Normally,
Lent is a time when we “give up” something. Often Lenten disciplines
ask us to give up something meaningful in order to remind us of our
dependence on God. But we have had more than enough of “giving up,”
haven’t we? Over the past year we have given up so much – our church
buildings, our familiar forms of worship, our frequent face-to-face
contact with each other. Perhaps now, as we enter our second Lent during
this pandemic, it seems exhausting to contemplate giving up anything
else. In this state of exhaustion, we are mindful of our own deep need
and longing to be restored and reconnected.
And
perhaps that’s what this Lent should be – a season of restoration and
reconnection. As we contemplate our origin from and ultimate return to
the Earth, perhaps we might be best served to use the 40 days of Lent as
a time consciously to reconnect us with that Earth. Why not spend this
Lent looking for ways to connect with creation and for ways to steward
and care for it? Become mindful of all of the living things God created –
all creatures (animals and insects, plants and trees) as well as that
gorgeous creation of our brothers and sisters. Connect with them by
caring for them – by caring for the Earth and by caring for each other.
Research ways to care for the Earth – to be a good steward of Creation.
(Incidentally, if you Google “40 Lenten observances for care of
creation, you will find some suggested Lenten disciplines along those
lines).
Continue
in your prayers and in your diligent study of Scripture. Let your
chapel be the outdoors as you wonder in God’s creation. Look for safe
ways to stay connected with your brothers and sisters in Christ, caring
for them in ways that you would enjoy receiving care. This pandemic is
not going to last forever. We WILL return from this exile. Even now, we
are seeing hopeful signs of its abatement. Hear the prophet, Jeremiah,
who reminds us, For
surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your
welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” (Jeremiah
29:11)
Yes,
let us indeed remember that we are dust. People of the dust are beloved
people, connected people – beloved of God and connected to Him and to
each other. Let us use this Lent to celebrate and restore ourselves to
that connection.
129th Annual Council is Feb. 22-27
This
year's Annual Council is completely virtual and will be spread out over
the week of Feb. 22-27. Most of the events during Council Week will be
open to everyone and no advance registration is required. You can see
the full Council Week schedule and the planned live events here.
Complete information about Council Week, and delegate materials, can be found at www.bit.ly/diosova129.
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Way of the Cross free video and reflection guide
The devotion known as the Way of the Cross is an adaptation of a custom widely observed by pilgrims to Jerusalem: the offering of prayer at a series of places in that city traditionally associated with our Lord’s passion and death. This practice is also known as Stations of the Cross. The Department of Lifelong Learning at Virginia Theological Seminary is offering a video version of The Way of the Cross and a reflection guide in both English and Spanish (coming soon). Through scripture, art, and music, the video invites us to walk with Christians of every generation on a virtual pilgrimage, meditating on our Lord’s passion and death. Click here for more information.
New resource: Lent at Home in Community
The Diocese of Southern Virginia has purchased a license for a program designed by GenOn Ministries called “Lent at Home in Community” that can be used by churches and households in the Diocese of Southern Virginia. This six-week resource is centered on the Psalm readings for each Sunday in Lent. Each week participants will focus on one of the following concepts: See, Taste, Hear, Smell, Touch, and Give. The program was designed to be a simple, flexible, in-home resource for households of all ages, sizes and stages to use. A weekly virtual gathering component can be added for those seeking additional small group reflection, but it is not a requirement of the program design. If your church community or household is interested in using this resource please email lfarlin@diosova.org to obtain Lent at Home in Community as well as the distribution/use guidelines.
News from Boys Home
Through their Liaison Links newsletter, Boys Home invites you to stay connected with the spiritual life that takes place behind the scenes at Boys Home. This edition includes the Boys Home Lenten Calendar and the annual Quilt Raffle. Click here for the newsletter. Please take the time to read and share!
Tuesday, February 9, 2021
129th Annual Council is Feb. 22-27
This year's Annual Council is completely virtual and will be spread out over the week of Feb. 22-27. Most of the events during Council Week will be open to everyone and no advance registration is required. You can see the full Council Week schedule and the planned live events here.
Complete information about Council Week, and delegate materials, can be found at www.bit.ly/diosova129.
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"Rooted in Love" - Keynote speaker Jerusalem Greer
Everyone
is invited on Friday, February 26 at 7 p.m. for “Rooted in Love: Where
Good News, Spiritual Practices and our Baptismal promises meet” -- How
does our baptism inform our ministries and our lives? What does Good
News sound like? What exactly is the purpose of formation? Join
Jerusalem Greer, Staff Officer for Evangelism for Presiding Bishop
Michael Curry, as she shares about the Way of Love, Episcopal
Evangelism, Discipleship, and why our "why" matters most of all.
Jerusalem
Greer is the Staff Officer for Evangelism for The Episcopal Church in
the Office of the Presiding Bishop. She is also a member of the Way of
Love creation and leadership team and serves on Episcopal Relief &
Development’s Council of Advice. Jerusalem has authored two books and a
host of curricula. She lives with her family on hobby farm in rural
Arkansas, where they are attempting to live a slower version of modern
life. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t.
Virtual Council includes a Virtual Exhibit Hall
Visit the Virtual Exhibit Hall which features links to some of our favorite Annual Council vendors.
There's still time to be part of the Virtual Hymn Recording!
For Annual Council we’ll be recording Hymn 25, O Gracious Light.
You - and your friends and family! - are invited to be a part of the
recording! Click here for complete details and instructions. Deadline for recordings extended to Saturday, February 13.
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