Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Saint Paul’s College Board Determines to Close While Pursuing Options to Continue Mission



 Following the unexpected termination of a proposed merger with another HBCU (Historically Black College or University), the Board of Trustees of Saint Paul’s College has determined to close the College temporarily to pursue other strategic opportunities consistent with its purpose and mission.  As a result, Saint Paul’s will relinquish its accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and implement a plan to complete instruction and transfer student enrollment in cooperation with SACSCOC and the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV).

Dr. Oliver Spencer, Chair of the Saint Paul’s College Board of Trustees, expressed disappointment on behalf of the Board and the College.  “The time deadlines associated with our accreditation issues with SACSCOC and the termination of the proposed merger require our Board to take this action in the best interests of our students.  This is especially disappointing in view of our very successful completion to the 2012-2013 academic year and the graduation of 51 students just weeks ago.  Nevertheless, our Board is committed to exploring all solutions that will allow the continuation of the historical mission and purpose of Saint Paul’s College on its campus in Lawrenceville, Virginia.  In pursuit of that goal I call on all members of the Saint Paul’s community to come together to guide and support the College in the next phase of its life in service to the many thousands of students deserving of the very special educational opportunities that Saint Paul’s College can offer.”

The Board of Trustees has implemented a plan to preserve the physical and financial assets of the College during the process of exploring its options. 

Monday, June 3, 2013

Donations for Oklahoma tornado recovery

Donations for Oklahoma tornado recovery can be sent to Diocese of Southern Virginia with "Oklahoma Tornado Relief" in the memo line. Funds collected will be sent to the Diocese of Oklahoma to provide direct assistance to those in need. The Diocese of Oklahoma includes 70 congregations representing about 25,000 Episcopalians and encompasses the entire state.

New Safe Church policies available online

Newly updated and revised Safe Church policies are now available on the Creating Safe Churches page of our website. Please contact Canon for Formation Caroline Black if you have any questions, dblack@diosova.org or 757-213-3377.

ECW awards 14 Elise Holladay Scholarships

By Nancy Smith, St. Aidan's, Virginia Beach 

Episcopal Church Women (ECW) awarded Elise Holladay Scholarships to fourteen young men and women in the Diocese of Southern Virginia in May. The ECW Student Work committee, with members from St. Mark's, Suffolk and Good Shepherd, Norfolk, and chaired by Deborah Austin, St. Mark's, Suffolk, reviewed applications and all applicants received a scholarship.

Established as a memorial to Elise Holladay, an early Diocese of Southern Virginia ECW president, the scholarships are available to young men and women who want to further their education after high school. The scholarship is funded through contributions from parish ECWs, the Book of Remembrance and the Penick Fund.

Alexis Green - Grace Episcopal, Norfolk, Salem High School
Margaret Thomas - Christ Church, Amelia, Cosby High School
Steven Oake - Christ Episcopal, Danville, Danville Community College
Kelsey Bisker - Hunger Episcopal Church, Northampton High School
Amanda Brandenburg - Church of the Ascension, Granby High School   
Angelica Garcia - St. James, Accomac, Eastern Shores Community College
Patrick Mahley - St. Andrew's, Newport News, Woodside High School
Judy Wyche - St. Thomas', Freeman, Paul D. Camp Community College
Kiara Nicholson - St. Andrews's, Norfolk, Mary Baldwin College
Nicholas Sarandia - St. John's, Portsmouth, Churchland High School
Ryan Watson - St. Mark's, Suffolk, Nansemond River High School
Robert Davenport - Church of the Good Shepherd, Hobart College
Molly Colski - St. Andrew's, Norfolk, Maury High School
Elizabeth Gilliher - St. Andrew's, Norfolk, Maury High School

News from our Diocesan ECW

By Barbara E. Taylor, ECW President 

Many Thanks to those who attended our ECW Diocesan Spring meeting at Christ Church, Danville. A special thanks to Nancy Sands our First Vice President and the Women of Christ Church who were our host. We also thank the Rev. Helen McKee who was our celebrant and installed our new Diocesan UTO Coordinator, Joyce Douglas, of St. Augustine's, Newport News.

During our meeting we had two speakers. The first was Dorothy "Dottie" Arthur, Province III National Board Representative. She had much information and was inspiring regarding the plans for the Triennial in 2015 in Utah. !Celebremos! We also heard from Janet Lemmer, Director of the Boys Home in Covington, Virginia. She spoke of the home's history, their efforts, their successes, and their needs.

The women of the ECW decided to take on the following charitable outreach projects. We will attempt to raise $10,000 over the next two years for the Women To Women project. A ministry between women of the Diocese of Southern Virginia  and the Mothers Union of the Diocese of Bukavu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We will be working with the Diocese of Virginia who have been involved with this project for some time. They have been sending groups and money for some time but more is still needed. We will also try to fulfill The Spring and Winter Wish List for The Boys Home of Covington, Virginia

Thanks to Deborah Austin, Student Work Chair. Her group awarded 14 scholarships to students in the
Diocese.  

New Province III UTO Coordinator 
On April 27, a new Province III ECW UTO Coordinator was elected at the ECW Province III Meeting in Martinsburg, West Virginia. She is Dena Lee, 295 Braxton Ridge Road, Amherst, Virginia 24521. 434-946-7611, dglee7880@gmail.com.

New Diocesan UTO Coordinator 
On May 18, Joyce Douglas was installed as our new Diocesan UTO Coordinator. Joyce is a very active member of St. Augustine's, Newport News. Joyce Douglas, 4608 Coronet Ave., Virginia Beach, VA 23455. 757-496-0192, amielonie@aol.com

Sign up now for the Annual Open Planning & Strategy Workshop for Youth Leaders

The annual Open Planning & Strategy Workshop for Youth Leaders will take place on Saturday, July 20, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Emmanuel, Hampton. There is no fee to attend. Lunch is provided. Open to all adults who work with youth in the Diocese of Southern Virginia, this annual event provides an opportunity to network with other youth leaders, problem-solve common issues in youth ministry, and get up-to-date information on resources and programs. There is no deadline to register. So that we can plan for lunch, please contact Ashley Scruggs, Youth Missioner, at 757-213-3393 or ascruggs@diosova.org.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

St. Matthias' youth support Jackson-Feild

Lisa Rose, Youth Coordinator at St. Matthias’, Midlothian, is passionate about helping her sixth and seventh grade youth appreciate their blessings and to be concerned about the plight of those less fortunate.She has many creative ways to help her children appreciate the effect of money and how we choose to use it and especially what it can do for others. One of her exercises involves freezing money in ice cubes in order to work to get to it. Rose’s efforts led to a fund raiser to help children their own age who have experienced misery and pain.  

Over the course of several Sundays, the youth collected jewelry from their families and members of the church. The items were then sold with the proceeds being given to Jackson-Feild Homes at the suggestion of Rose’s mother who has been a loyal supporter of the Home.

On May 9, The Rev. John Boucher presented a check to Jackson-Feild in the amount of $350 during the awards ceremony of the 18th Annual Golfing for the Kids tournament at The Country Club of the Highlands. The Homes’ staff was humbled by this gift and are most thankful for these special youngsters and their youth coordinator.

Representatives from Jackson-Feild hope to be able to meet with St. Matthias' youth group when they reconvene after the summer. The youth group is also interested in doing some "hands on" projects in the future.   

Jackson-Feild Homes provides innovative, intensive therapeutic services using best practice trauma models for boys and girls in residential care and community- based services. All programs work with each youth individually and involve each youth’s family to ensure success. The goal is to return the child to their community as soon as possible. Jackson-Feild works to educate, equip and empower youth to become healthy and confident young adults.