Center for Sacred Music at Virginia Wesleyan College hosts hymn festival

The Center for Sacred Music at Virginia Wesleyan College will host a hymn festival, "Let Heavenly Music Fill This Place," on Thursday, July 30, at 7:30pm at First Presbyterian Church, 300 36th Street, Virginia Beach. 

Co-sponsored with the Tidewater Chapter of the American Organists Guild, it features organists Dr. Martin Sunderland  (Eastern Shore Chapel, Virginia Beach), Aaron Renninger (St. Bede's Catholic Church, Williamsburg), Holly Sunderland (St. Michael Lutheran, Virginia Beach),  Carina Sturdy (North Carolina School of the Arts), and Dr. Antoinette Anglin (First Presbyterian, Virginia Beach), with the Wesleyan Festival Brass, and the combined choirs of Eastern Shore Chapel Episcopal Church, St. Michael Lutheran Church, and First Presbyterian Church, along with FPC's Handbell Choir.

Hymn festivals celebrate and promote congregational singing and include preludes based on hymn tunes, with introductions followed by an opportunity for the congregation to sing the hymn.   In addition, the combined choirs will lead in several "concertatos" which are anthems for choir, congregation, brass and bells.

All are welcome to this great evening of singing which is offered as part of Virginia Wesleyan's week-long "2015 Worship & Music Conference."   Donations will be accepted to support the work of both the CSM and the AGO chapter. For further details, call 757-455-3376.  For further details on the conference, see www.vwc.edu/csmsummer.

Governor McAuliffe signs proclamation noting Jackson-Feild's 160th anniversary

Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe authorized and signed a proclamation noting Jackson-Feild's 160th anniversary. Presented to President and CEO Tricia Delano by Mrs. Sharron Kitchen Miller (wife of Virginia Senator John Miller), this official document recognizes our longevity and success.

Gubernatorial proclamations are issued in order to call to the attention of Virginians the special honors, milestones and events, and to create awareness of the good works done by the recipients.

We are pleased and proud to receive this proclamation commemorating our 160th anniversary, and we look forward to continuing our excellent service to children with behavioral health issues.  

Bishop Hollerith's report on General Convention

Click here for Bishop Hollerith's report on the 78th General Convention of the Episcopal Church. His report is also available on our website.

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.

Epiphany, Norfolk

Holy and Living God, you have revealed your loving kindness in your Christ; ever deepen our congregation in Christ's Spirit, through gratitude, mindfulness, compassion and service, in the name of the Trinity, One God.  Amen

St. Matthew's, Chesterfield

God of generosity and compassion, you pour upon all your people abundant gifts and call them in every generation to offer and spend their talents gladly in the service of your love. Guide us to discern your voice afresh and become ever more aware of the call you invite us to share at this time, and in this place. Help us to recognize and affirm each other's unique gifts. Keep us constant in our prayers and give us clear vision, creative imaginations, and the fearless daring to perceive true needs and persevere in practical and lively ministries of loving service. And as we are fed here at your altar, may we faithfully go forth, knowing that you are ever with us, and that in carrying out your mission, we are doing your holy work. We ask these things in the Name of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Clergy transitions

The Rev. R. Christopher Heying will leave Emmanuel, Chatham for Diocese of Western Louisiana, 8/1/2015

Learn more about Boys Home!

Megan-Drew Tiller, who works in Church Relations for the Boys Home of Virginia, would like to visit your church. Learn more about this 109-year-old Episcopal ministry which was founded in the Diocese of Southern Virginia, and explore some ways your church can get involved! To schedule her for an adult forum, homily, outreach event or youth group activity, please contact Megan-Drew at mdtiller@boyshomeofva.org or 540-958-2455.

Enneagram Conference at Kanuga

Harmony in a Discordant World is the topic of this year's Enneagram Conference at Kanuga Conference Center in Hendersonville, NC.  Participants will learn skills to better know themselves and enrich their relationship with God while considering such questions as how to be agents of peace in a violent world and dealing with conflict in the family, church and workplace.  Dates are October 4-7.  To learn more, visit www.kanuga.org/enneagram.