Daughters of the King sponsor Quiet Day for women

February 27, 8:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Christ the King, Tabb

Daughters of the King Diocesan Chaplain, the Rev. Jack Lynch will lead a Lenten Quiet Day sponsored by the Daughters of the King of the Diocese of Southern Virginia. The day is open to all women. Contact Ronda Toll at rtoll@cox.net for more information.

Saint Augustine's University discusses plans to acquire Saint Paul's Collge

The Executive Committee of the Saint Augustine's University Board of Trustees met with the Executive Committee of the Saint Paul's College Board of Trustees to discuss an acquisition of Saint Paul's College located in Lawrenceville, Virginia. Founded in 1888, Saint Paul's College is one of three historically black colleges affiliated with the Episcopal Church. Saint Augustine's University and Voorhees College are the other two. Saint Augustine's University is located in Raleigh, NC.

Both boards agreed to move forward with joint management of the Saint Paul's College operations beginning January 1, 2013. The joint management agreement will allow Saint Augustine's University to complete its due diligence on the proposed acquisition while providing support to the Saint Paul's College campus. A plan is being developed that will create a campus of Saint Augustine's University at the Saint Paul's College site.

Saint Augustine's University is committed to preserving the legacy and history of Saint Paul's College. This strategic decision by both boards will allow for enhanced educational opportunities for the students currently enrolled in both institutions and will support the vision of the greater Lawrenceville community.

"There continues to be a number of unknowns; however, we are excited about the possibilities as we move forward in a cautious and responsible manner. Our main responsibility continues to be the on-going health, and viability of Saint Augustine's University. We have a tremendous opportunity ahead of us - a chance to create a model for other institutions with challenging circumstances. And, a chance for both of these fine institutions to leave their footprints on the future," said President Dianne Boardley Suber. 

Seeing the Episcopal Church in a new way

by Rick Cole, St. Luke's, Powhatan

I have concluded a three-year term as our Convocation 7 lay representative on the Executive Board of the Diocese of Southern Virginia. Though it was a step outside my comfort zone and it did take time and work, I received far more from the experience than I gave. 

• Learning - I knew I had a lot to learn, but I did know how much I did not know. I became more informed about Diocesan programs and ministries, staff, procedures, budget, and church governance. Most importantly, I came to the realization that the Diocese is not us and them. It is only "us" and it is made up of regular people working unselfishly to do God's will and support each other (not some mysterious entity or bureaucracy that exists only to perpetuate itself).
• Inspiration - You cannot help but be inspired by the amazing people and amazing ministries in our midst.
• Networking - You work with and get to know fellow Episcopalians who face many of the same challenges you do. You formally and informally share and brainstorm strategies for dealing with those challenges.
• An opportunity to serve - God has given each of us gifts to share and grow. Serving the larger church is one way to serve God's people and his church.
• A broader perspective - being around people from the different areas of the diocese with different viewpoints and priorities helps give you a greater appreciation for the needs and assets of our diocese.
• New friends!

I conclude my time as an Executive Board member as a better advocate for who we as a Diocese and with a greater appreciation of the boundless potential that we have when we take advantage of opportunities to work together. I encourage you to prayerfully consider the opportunities to participate in Diocesan activities and on committees or boards.

The Episcopal Church in Southern Virginia is a diverse Eucharistic community, committed to the Gospel, collaborating for strength, innovating for growth, equipping each other to live in the world as disciples of Jesus Christ. -- Diocese of Southern Virginia Vision Statement

Presiding Bishop's Lenten message

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori presents a challenge in her Lent Message 2013 to pray, fast, study and give alms. "As you engage this Lent, I would encourage you to pray, to fast, to act in solidarity with those who go without," she offers.  "Learn more, give alms, share what you have." Click here for video. Click here for text.

Lenten resources available online

Episcopal Church Foundation's Vital Practices blog provides this list of Lenten resources:

• A Lenten Carbon Fast resources developed by  Earth Ministry and Washington Interfaith Power & Light  
• Episcopal Church in Minnesota's  Mission Project 2013: Seeds & Scholarships, Planting Promise, Harvesting Hope 
• Episcopal Relief and Development's  2013 Daily Lenten Devotional focuses on Hunger, Healing
• Lent 2013:  Formation Ideas, Activities & Resources for Children, Youth & Adults from Church Publishing
• Lent Madness 2013 
•  Love Life Live Lent developed by the Church of England 
•  Praying Our Lives: This Lent join the Brothers of SSJE on a daily journey into the heart of God in prayer
• Tread Lightly for Lent a program of the Presbyterian Church
• The Text this Week http://www.textweek.com/lent.htm  
• From 2012: Lenten resources on the Episcopal Church's website  

Christ Walk: A unique Lenten resource

A unique Lenten resource is the Christ Walk program created by Anna Courie, a former member of Emmanuel, Hampton. Anna created the program and used it during Lent at Emmanuel. The program integrates exercise (walking) with scripture and meditation. Anna calculated the distances between various sites in the Holy Land (Jerusalem to Bethlehem, Jerusalem to Damascus, etc.) and used these distances as goals for individuals (or teams) to walk during Lent. Anna's book, Christ Walk: A 40 Day Spiritual Fitness Program, has just been made available on Amazon. You can contact Anna at christwalk@courie.com to learn more and ask questions about the program. You can also follow Christ Walk on Facebook. "Christ Walk is a really good program for those who would like to do something more than just embark on a spiritual discipline for Lent as it integrates spirituality with physical exercise," says Boyd Duncan, a member of Emmanuel, Hampton who has participated in the program.

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.