James Solomon Russell celebration Mar. 29

Please join the James Solomon Russell Commemoration Committee at the RZUA Conference Center in Lacrosse, Virginia for the celebration of the life and legacy of Archdeacon James Solomon Russell. This festive Evening Prayer service will take place on March 29 at 3:00 pm and a reception will follow in the parish hall of Trinity, South Hill. Bishop Hollerith will officiate. The Rev. Dr. John L. Ghee, Presiding Bishop of Reformed Zion Union Apostolic Churches of America will preach. Music by Sharon Baptist Church Choir. Please invite and encourage your clergy, parishioners, and friends to attend. You may also bring your church banners and flags. (Episcopal Clergy: Full Choir Vestments) We bid your prayers for us, for this celebration and for our future endeavors. Contact: Mrs. Annie F. Walker, 434-447-4097

Praying for the churches of Southern Virginia

As part of our liturgy at Annual Council 2015, each delegation wrote a prayer for their parish. We are sharing these prayers each week in the eNews so that we all can support one another in the upcoming year.

St. Peter's, Norfolk

Heavenly Father, we give you thanks for your faithfulness and for the blessings you have bestowed upon our parish family. Keep us faithful in celebrating the new life we have through faith in your Son Jesus Christ; strengthen us to proclaim that new life through word and deed; and help us be a loving and caring church family that draws people to Jesus and equips them to serve him. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

St. Aidan's, Virginia Beach

Gracious and loving God; we thank you for the abundance of gifts that you have given to St. Aidan's and the Diocese of Southern Virginia. We pray that you will lead us and help us to use those gifts to reach those who sit in darkness, those who have never known you, and those who have been hurt by the church or by those claiming to represent the Church. Help us to call those people back into a relationship with you, heal their hurts, open their minds and hearts so that they may know and love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever amen.

Survey results provide overview of Episcopal congregations

The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society has posted the results of the 2014 Survey of Episcopal Congregations, conducted in conjunction with the Faith Communities Today (FACT) ecumenical/interfaith survey project. Named New Facts on Episcopal Church Growth and Decline, the document is located here.

New Facts on Episcopal Church Growth and Decline examines the dynamics of growth and decline in Episcopal congregations. According to C. Kirk Hadaway, Ph.D., Officer for Congregational Research for the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society, the findings are based on 2013 Parochial Report data and the 2014 Survey of Episcopal Congregations, "which was completed by 762 congregations of an initial sample of 1,100.  Churches were weighted by size, as measured in 2009, and represent the size distribution of all Episcopal churches in the US," he said.  

With growth measured by change in Average Sunday Attendance (ASA) from 2009 to 2013, New Facts on Episcopal Church Growth and Decline examines factors associated with growth and decline, such as what makes a congregation thrive or experience loss. Among the many sources of congregational growth and decline, Hadaway said, are the location and demographics of a congregation; the congregation's identity; the congregation's worship style and number of services; the congregation's programs and activities; and the leadership of the congregation.

Hadaway pointed out New Facts on Episcopal Church Growth and Decline is an update to the 2005 FACTs report, located here. Other information for use by congregations and dioceses is available on the Research and Statistics page here. For more information contact Christine Kandic, Congregational Research Assistant for the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society, at ckandic@episcopalchurch.org.

#WashDay15 - Anglican global Lenten movement

A new global movement - #washday15 - provides a means for participating in a worldwide Lenten discipline through social media postings on Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, and Facebook. Initiated by the Diocese of Oxford in England, the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society is joining with the Church of England and other provinces throughout the Anglican Communion in #washday15.

The effort was inspired by the video Laundry Love - which was viewed at Southern Virginia's 2015 Annual Council last month. The video features an Episcopal congregation in Santa Monica, CA (Diocese of Los Angeles) that meets at a laundromat once a month to do laundry with the homeless. The goal of #washday15 is to engage people in a Lenten practice, culminating on Holy Thursday, the traditional day for foot washing.

"#Washday15 is all about loving service to others, an ancient Lenten discipline like fasting and prayer that could not be more relevant to the soul of the Church today," noted Alexander D. Baumgarten, Director of Public Engagement and Mission Communication for the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society.  "In loving service to others, we experience a kind of repentance and conversion - a pivot to a new manner of being - that prepares us to walk in the abundant life of Easter."

According to the website: "#washday15 is a way of encouraging people to make a difference to their communities this Lent through some kind of washing-related activity. The washing element is a way of re-enacting Jesus' washing of the disciples' feet at the Last Supper."

"Wash something with someone and make a difference in their day-to-day life or in your  community. Then share your photos, tweets and posts." noted Anne Rudig, Director of Communication. "#washday15, like Laundry Love, is modern-day foot washing."

For more info contact Rudig at arudig@episcopalchurch.org

  

#WashDay15 school resources available here.  

Men's Cursillo Weekend #156 - Don't miss it!

Cursillo is an adult retreat held at Chanco three times annually and the Men's Weekend is coming up April 9-12, 2015. Cursillo is an adult retreat designed to help us discover ways we can live our faith more intentionally and connect with Christian friends from throughout our diocese. The Men's Weekend is seeking participants for their retreat. If you are a Cursillista, please consider who you can invite to the weekend. "It's too good not to share!" If you are someone interested in attending the weekend, please contact the Rector Richard Haus of Christ the King, Tabb at rhaus25702@aol.com. For more information on Cursillo or to apply to be a candidate, please visit the Cursillo website at  www.cursillodsv.org.

Chanco Open House

Have you wondered what all the "buzz" is about for Chanco on the James?  Have you heard kids talking about amazing summer camp experiences but your own child is hesitant? Do you have a first time camper who would like to visit and see where they would be staying before they are dropped off for overnight camp in June? Then we have the event for you!  On March 22 from 1 to 5 pm, Chanco will be open to welcome you!  Come meet our Executive Director and camp staff while taking a tour of the facility, flying along a zip line, climbing our rock wall, and enjoying face painting, hayrides, and refreshments. Join us for a fun day of festivities and an opportunity to introduce your child to our summer camp, voted "Best of Virginia" in 2014 by Virginia Living magazine. To learn more, visit our website at www.chanco.org, call us at 888-7CHANCO or click here for the all NEW 2015 Chanco on the James video!

New Camino: Re-imagining Latino/Hispanic Ministry in Southern Virginia

May 8 & 9

St. David's Episcopal Church

1801 Camborne Road, Richmond 

Many church leaders (both clergy & lay) are interested in growing with and being responsive to their Latino/a neighbors. They think it is impossible because they don't speak Spanish.

Come to the New Camino Seminar. Come learn how Latin@/Hispanic Ministry has changed from old bifurcated Spanish only/English only model.  

Led by The Rev. Anthony Guillen, Episcopal Church Officer for Latin@/Hispanic Ministries, and practitioners from across the country, this seminar explores the changing face, cultural backgrounds, interests and needs of Latino/a communities, and how we can welcome, serve and involve these communities in our Congregational Life and Ministry.

Clergy, vestry, and lay leaders who want a growing and vital church will join us at New Camino.

We encourage teams of at least 3 people from each congregation.

Click here for more information and registration. 

Conference is a joint effort of The Diocese of Southern Virginia, Convocation 7, and the Episcopal Church Center. Contact: The Rev. Canon Jeunée Godsey, Canon for Congregational Development, jgodsey@gmail.com.