Executive Board hosting conversations about stewardship

The Stewardship Focus Group of the diocesan Executive Board is once again hosting informal gatherings for parish wardens and stewardship/finance chairs to share successes and challenges with our parish giving programs. Anyone interested in parish stewardship is invited and encouraged to attend.

• Saturday, November 22, 10 to 11 a.m. at St. John's, Chester. Contact the Rev. Gini DiStanislao if you plan to attend the gathering at St. John's, gini@bonairtitle.com.
• Saturday, December 6, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Ascension, Norfolk. Contact Bob Motley if you plan to attend the gathering at Ascension, bobmotley46@gmail.com.

Plans are underway for additional gatherings this year in Hampton and Virginia Beach. Watch the eNews for dates and locations.
Plans are underway for additional gatherings this year in Hampton and Virginia Beach. Watch the eNews for dates and locations.

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori will not stand for re-election in 2015

Below is an excerpt from Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori's message to the Episcopal Church. Click here to read the full message.

"I have spent many months in discernment about how I am being called to serve God's people and God's creation in this season. I have resisted the assumption by some that presiding bishops can only be elected to serve one term, knowing the depth of relational work and learning that is involved in this ministry. There is a tradeoff between the learning curve and the ability to lead more effectively as a result of developed relationships both within and beyond this Church. At the same time, I recognize that standing for election as Presiding Bishop carries the implicit expectation that one is ready to serve a full term. I do not at present believe I should serve and lead in this ministry for another nine years.

I believe I can best serve this Church by opening the door for other bishops to more freely discern their own vocation to this ministry. I also believe that I can offer this Church stronger and clearer leadership in the coming year as we move toward that election and a whole-hearted engagement with necessary structural reforms. I will continue to engage us in becoming a more fully diverse Church, spreading the gospel among all sorts and conditions of people, and wholeheartedly devoted to God's vision of a healed and restored Creation.

I will continue in discernment about the ministry I may be called to in the coming years, but my present focus is and will remain on being the vigorous and faithful leader I believe I am called to be."

Administrators & Treasurers lunch group to meet in Hampton

Lunch group meeting at Eastern Shore Chapel, Virginia Beach.

The next Administrators and Treasurers lunch will be Thursday, October 16, noon to 1:30, at Emmanuel, Hampton (179 E. Mercury Blvd, Hampton). This is a wonderful opportunity to meet with other parish administrators and treasurers to talk about common issues. Bring your own lunch; beverages will be provided. There's no agenda for this gathering - just an opportunity to get together, share, encourage, support, and ask questions. RSVP to njames@diosova.org.

Jump Start Workshop: Pursuing Renewal and Vitality in the Midst of Change

Saturday, October 4

9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Richmond 

The Diocese of Virginia, in conjunction with the Episcopal Church Building Fund and Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Richmond, invites you to a one-day workshop to address how your congregation can Jump Start itself to a more vibrant, vital, and authentic community of faith.  

Cost is $25 and includes lunch. Click here for more information and registration. Emmanuel Episcopal Church is located at 1214 Wilmer Ave., Richmond.   

Biking for a Better World raises over $5000

The Biking for a Better World event held in Williamsburg on Sept. 13 raised over $5000 for Chanco on the James and Episcopal Relief & Development. Many thanks to the Very Rev. Keith Emerson, Rector of St. Paul's, Suffolk, and our diocesan liaison for Episcopal Relief & Development, for coordinating this event. Thanks also to St. Martin's, Williamsburg, for their hospitality as the starting location for the event.

"It is difficult for me to express how gratified I am that 22 riders garnered so much support. We will have to use our imaginations to understand how this meager effort will change the lives of future Chanco campers as well as those whose life life is touched by the immeasurable efforts of Episcopal Relief & Development," Emerson posted on our Facebook page. "I can't wait for the 'second' annual Biking for Better World and am also wondering of there are 5K runners out there who are ready to make their contribution."

Resource for November liturgies on healing the sin of racism

A Reconciliation Resource for November Liturgies on healing the sin of racism is now available from the Repairers of the Breach. Following the format of Holy Women, Holy Men, the booklet offers several options for readings and psalms. It is available on the Repairing the Beach page of our website. The Reconciliation Service from November 2, 2013 is also available with anthems and hymns that are suitable for parish use.  

Annual Council Resolution R-1 resolved that "November 2, 2014, All Souls Day will be designated as the 'Day of Repentance and Reconciliation' in the Diocese of Southern Virginia and parishes will annually hold this observance during the octave of All Saints." If you need further assistance or have questions, please contact Canon Caroline Black,  cblack@diosova.org or 757-213-3377.  

Observances of a Day of Repentance and Reconciliation: 

St. Martin's, Williamsburg 

The spirit of reconciliation and repentance for the sin of racism will be prayerfully honored at Saint Martin's on November 1 at 5pm as we acknowledge our transgressions of the past and repent for those sins against our brothers and sisters in Christ that we have committed as an institution and as individuals. The service will conclude with the celebrating of Holy Eucharist where we will acknowledge our reconciliation with Christ, as well as the entirety of the Body of Christ. The evening will then conclude with a meal of thanksgiving that will acknowledge the gift of reconciliation that God so bountifully provides to us. The meal will be served in Miles Hall at approximately 6:15 p.m.

  

St. John's, Chester

Contemplative Evening Prayer for Reconciliation and Healing  on Sunday, Nov. 2 at 5 p.m.

Good Shepherd, Norfolk and Mission of the Holy Spirit

On Wednesday, Nov. 5 at Good Shepherd there will be a dinner at 5:30 p.m. followed by a Service of Repentance at 6:30 p.m. 

  

St. James', Accomac

Service of Reconciliation and Healing, Friday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. 

Bruton Parish, Williamsburg 

On Nov. 5, 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Bruton Parish, there will be a screening of "The House I Live In," a documentary that explores the moral failure of the war on drugs and particularly looks at the role that racism has played in incarceration and mandatory minimums. The Rev. Charles Robinson, Vicar of Bruton Parish and Jan M. Brown, Founder and Executive Director, of SpiritWorks Foundation, will facilitate a conversation following the film. On Nov. 7 at 5:30 p.m., the monthly First Fridays Eucharist will weave together the themes of repentance, reconciliation and recovery. The Rev. Chris Epperson, Rector of Bruton Parish, will be the celebrant. Parking is available on Duke of Gloucester Street during the service.  

Nominations now being accepted for Annual Council elections

The 123rd Annual Council will be held February 6-7, 2015 at the Williamsburg Lodge Convention Center. You can find the latest information on the Annual Council page of our website. Registration will begin in December.

The following elections will take place at the 2015 Annual Council:

Standing Committee: 1 Lay, 1 Clergy

Disciplinary Board: 2 Lay, 1 Clergy

General Convention Deputation: 1 Lay Young Adult Alternate

Information about each position and a nomination form can be found on our website.