Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Open Enrollment for healthcare and dental plans is Oct. 31-Nov. 21

2014 Open Enrollment for clergy and lay employees participating in medical and dental plans is October 31 through November 21. During the Medical Trust's Open Enrollment period:
  • Current plan members may change their plan selections for the following year
  • Eligible non-participating employees have the option to join a plan
  • Eligible non-participating dependents may be added to a member's plan without the need of a qualifying event
Click here for complete information, including costs and plan comparisons.
 
If you have questions about Open Enrollment, please contact Canon for Administration the Rev. Canon Ed Tracy, 757-213-3378 or etracy@diosova.org

Your diocesan pledge makes it possible: Transition Ministry

What is "Transition Ministry?" Every church goes through times of change - growing or declining, finding new energy, developing new ministries, seeking God's will for the future. When there is a change in clergy leadership, the diocese engages in a discernment and assessment process to assist in moving forward toward continued health and vitality, to help weather the normal anxiety that emerges from a new situation, and to provide stability in the interim time between the leaving of one priest and the arrival of another. As a part of this process, lay and clergy consultants or "coaches" are used to be companions to vestries and search committees. Here is how two members of parish committees experienced the ministry provided by the Diocese in their own recent transitions.

Eastern Shore Chapel, Virginia Beach - By Elise Balcom
I found myself on the newly-formed Eastern Shore Chapel Discernment Committee in January, 2012. Picking a new rector - how hard could that be for our savvy group of 10 parishioners? But, then, I wondered, where do we start? Do we post a want ad somewhere and wait for resumes? How would we pick the "one"? Hmmmm. Enter the Transition and Pastoral Consultant, and the Canon for Transition Ministries and Clergy Development. We learned there was a method to finding a new rector, and the hard work was just beginning.  

The process started with discerning what the parish wanted for the future of ESC. This gave the Discernment Committee what it needed to post both its online profile on the ESC webpage, and to write what became a kind of want-ad. All of this formed the basis for the questions we would later ask of candidates, both in Skype interviews, and in person for the finalists. Without this orderly process, it is unlikely we would have had our new rector in just one year. It is also possible we might not have found a rector who was like-minded and had a skill set matched to what we need. Without the leadership provided by the Diocese, we likely would have floundered in trying to figure out how to proceed.
 
No process is perfect, and we certainly encountered our share of bumps in the road, but we called our new rector. Our parish is now working with him to reach our long term goals set forth by the congregation in its discernment process a year and a half earlier. Time will tell how good the match is, but the process used, and the help of the consultant and the Diocese were certainly valuable to ESC in its search.

St. Augustine's, Newport News - By Joyce Douglas

My experience as a member of the Discernment Committee was both challenging and rewarding. I learned to listen to the parishioners and to give them the feedback that engendered a relationship of trust and respect. Because I learned so much about the Episcopal Church, our parish, and the process, my question was, "How may I use my experience to help parishes going through transition?"

The assistance of a knowledgeable, patient, and caring consultant was essential to our success. He guided us through the steps of the search process, which made me a believer because it works! In addition, our diocese made sure that we were financially stable, that our profile was a reflection of our parish, and that we were prepared for the interview process. As a result, we were able to call a priest who was (and still is) an answer to our search prayer.

Your Diocesan budget supports the training of our consultants and diocesan staff who focus in this important area of church life and mission.

Supporting Episcopal Relief & Development: Johns Memorial, Farmville

Congratulations to the young people at John's Memorial, Farmville for raising over $515 for Episcopal Relief & Development. They raised this money by hosting a Coffee Hour after church. People were encouraged to give a donation for a treat and every person who made a donation was entered into a raffle drawing. I hope their witness and example will inspire others in the diocese to undertake simple and creative ways to help fund one of the most important ministries of the Episcopal Church.  -  The Very Rev. Keith Emerson, Diocesan Representative for Episcopal Relief & Development

CE-Net Speaker Series: Formation on Facebook

CE-Net (Christian Education Network) invites you to join them at Hickory Neck Church, Toano, on November 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the next installment in their speaker series - Formation on Facebook, led by diocesan Communications Officer Ann Turner. There are a myriad of digital tools available to Christian educators. Making use of the social network giant Facebook can help you engage an audience beyond your congregation, and to reach a generation of social media natives. We'll talk about what Facebook is and what it isn't; curating your page; and ways to engage participation. Please note that participants should already be somewhat familiar with Facebook. This workshop will NOT cover basic Facebook use. Click here for details and registration.

Taskforce to Reimagine the Episcopal Church wants to hear from you!

In 2012, the General Convention created a taskforce to reimagine The Episcopal Church for the future. The members of the Taskforce want to hear the memories, hopes and dreams that people have for The Church. We are trying to reach as many people as we can over the next few months. We will use what we hear to help us shape recommendations for The Church's structure, administration and governance. Click here to engage in a group conversation or to post your individual response.  If you would like more information, please contact Caroline Black, cblack@diosova.org, or Ann Turner, aturner@diosova.org.  Remember that your voice is important!

Altar Book seeking a new home

Johns Memorial, Farmville, has an Altar Book that has been in service at the church since about 1980 that was recently replaced. The old book has some wear and some marks, but is still very serviceable. If your church or mission is interested in having the Altar Book, please contact Bob Zupanek, Campus Chaplain & Parish Administrator, Johns Memorial Church, 400 High Street, Farmville, VA 23901, 434-392-5695 or  admin@johnsmemorial.org

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Your diocesan pledge makes it possible


Chanco on the James Camp & Conference Center  

Chanco on the James, our diocesan camp and conference center, is the home for Christian spiritual formation for many youth and adults from around our diocese. This summer, 446 campers attended summer camp. Last year, 62 conference groups utilized our retreat center.

The conference center is home to youth events such as October Weekend and Happening and to adult events such as the Fresh Start clergy program and Cursillo. Numerous parishes within our diocese host annual parish family retreats and vestry retreats often taking advantage of our ropes course for team building activities. Family reunions, not for profit groups, the College of William and Mary and many other businesses take advantage of Chanco's remote, peaceful and beautiful location to rest and rejuvenate while enjoying strategic planning and/or fellowship.

The camp program at Chanco has been running continuously since 1968 and is accredited by the American Camping Association. In 2012, Chanco enjoyed the recognition of being voted "Best Summer Camp" in Virginia Living Magazine's May 2012 "Best Of" edition. In 2013, in absence of a "Best Summer Camp" category, Chanco earned third place as "Best Outdoor Adventure" right behind Busch Gardens! Residential campers enjoy a range of outdoor activities; traditional camp skits, songs, and traditions; along with a structured chaplain program including small group activities with a camp chaplain, worship and Eucharist. Many youth report discovering God in a different way in our relaxed, natural environment. Breaking bread among old and new friends with a priest who has developed a personal relationship with them through their camping experience can be profound and a different awakening to their spirituality than can be found elsewhere.

None of these programs could exist without the diocesan subsidy that Chanco receives annually. For example, Chanco awarded over $16,000 in tuition assistance to camper families in 2013 and Conference Center Lodges B and C have undergone extensive exterior renovations this past summer, with Lodges A and B renovated in 2011 and 2012. Chanco depends on the diocesan subsidy in order to continue this type of scholarship assistance and needed property renovation while keeping costs low to our camp and conference guests. Thank you for being a part of our progress and our future with your support.

Listen to what our camp and conference guests say about Chanco's ministry:
  • "Sending our 13 year old daughter and 10 year old son to Chanco at the same time was so good for both of them - they have a shared experience that I can already see has strengthened their relationship...they are making friendship bracelets together in the back of our van right now! Thank you all!" - Ginger White
  • "We had a great retreat! You are our diocesan retreat center! We tell EVERYBODY (all other Canterbury groups) what a great place Chanco is!" - The Rev. John Maxwell Kerr, Canterbury, William and Mary
  • "I will always carry the Chanco spirit with me no matter how old or far away I am. Thank you for everything you have done for me. By introducing me to Chanco, my life has been changed. I have met great life-long friends and have definitely been brought closer to God." - Jessica Denomme, Redeemer, Midlothian
  • "I am extremely thankful for Christ and Grace's contribution to my scholarship for Camp Chanco on the James. It helped enable me to spend a wonderful twelve days of my summer at a camp where I have made lifelong friends and bonds. Chanco has urged the leader in me to step forward...The lessons I have learned will forever accompany me as I made decisions in my everyday life." - Catherine Poarch, Christ and Grace, Petersburg
  • "We laughed, listened and learned all weekend. Thank you for each, every and all things done to accommodate our group. Every year we say 'This is the best' and then the next year it gets better! You are a shining example of hospitality and it is clear that you are being used by God to further His kingdom as you manage and share His resources. - Annette Irving, St. Gile's Presbyterian Church Women's Retreat