You're invited! Boys Home to celebrate Donnie Wheatley's 30 years of service

Boys Home of Virginia will be holding a luncheon celebration for Donnie Wheatley's thirty years of service on September 11, at 1 p.m. Read more here.

Tri Diocesan Council on Aging will hold Fall Camp Oct. 26-29 at Shrine Mont

The Tri Diocesan Council on Aging will hold their annual Fall Camp Oct. 26-29 at Shrine Mont in Orkney Springs, VA. Fall Camp is an opportunity to spend time in the mountains of Virginia with other seniors (but there is no an age limit) from across the Commonwealth and from other states.  The Camp is an attempt to take seriously the spiritual needs and journeys of primarily retired people. Fall Camp attempts to challenge participants through keynote speakers, workshops, worship and interaction with one another. Click here for more information.  

RVA Races Together

RVA Races Together is a small movement to encourage Richmond's churches, faith communities and other local organizations to partner across racial and ethnic lines to build bridges of understanding and make a tangible positive impact on our city through volunteering and preparing for the UCI Road World Championships in September 2015 and beyond.

RVA Races Together started as an idea between St. Michael's, Bon Air (a mostly white church) and Fourth Baptist Church in Church Hill (a mostly black church). Our two churches are working together on a clean up project on Aug. 29, then doing pulpit exchanges in October, and building from there.

You can be a part of RVA Races Together. Simply like their Facebook page and/or join the MeetUp Group, and come on out to help the Civic and Community organizations. Or, if you want to make a greater reach, gather a group from your own church or organization, then reach out to another church or organization that is culturally / ethnically different than your own to partner on:  one event to help prepare for the UCI Race; one of the MeetUp events scheduled; one of the IMPACT cleanup sites to join with; participate in one of the areas of need identified by the city's Neighbor to Neighbor program; and more.

As the eyes of the world turn toward Richmond, the double meaning of "Races Together" will become a visible witness to the wider city and the world. In light of the recent racist shooting in Charleston, and Richmond's own challenging history with slavery and race relations, RVA Races Together encourages black and white churches to partner together for clean up and beautification projects along the race route, and local community organizations of all ethnic backgrounds to intentionally reach out across ethnic and cultural lines to form volunteer teams to help with other needs of the city to prepare for the race.

Our hope is that the cross-cultural partnerships formed in the next few weeks leading up to the race will continue afterwards in programs of mutual understanding and tangible outreach to help our city and region as a whole and build friendships.

RVA Talks @ St. Mark's - A series on race, reconciliation and healing

On the anniversary of Michael Brown's death, it seems the country has lapsed into a tragic cycle of violence across the nation.  What can we do to break this cycle?  What can we as members of a faith community do to help promote justice, healing, and reconciliation?

In St. Louis the community of Christ Church Cathedral asked itself and stepped out to help answer this question. Under the leadership of the Very Rev. Mike Kinman, members of the Cathedral community joined with members of other area congregations to press for justice, to work for peace and to begin the long hard job of racial understanding and reconciliation.  They continue as a community to work today to promote justice, healing, understanding, and peace.

The Rev. Mike Kinman will be at St. Mark's on October 18 at 6 p.m. to share with us and those who gather in this place his experience of Ferguson, his lessons learned and his observations on what we as members of a faith community can do to end the cycle of violence, death and destruction.

This presentation is part of a series in celebration of the 150th anniversary of St. Mark's, Richmond (Diocese of Virginia). St. Mark's has long been an inclusive and welcoming church, advocating for social justice and equal rights for all people.  

St. Mark's is located at 520 N. Boulevard, Richmond.  There is ample free surface parking behind the church.  For more information visit our website: www.stmarksrva.org, or call the church, 804-358-4771.

For a Better World: Pedal, paddle, picnic, run or walk to benefit Chanco and Episcopal Relief & Development

Pedal, paddle, picnic, and put one foot in front of the other For a Better World on October 3, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Chickahominy Riverfront Park, Williamsburg. For a Better World raises awareness about the ministries of Chanco on the James and Episcopal Relief & Development, as well as raises funds to support their work. Register to participate in either biking, kayaking, running or the walking event - there's something for everyone, even those who just want to hang out at the shelter and enjoy a picnic lunch! 

Biking event will be on paved paths. Runners and walkers will explore historic Jamestown island. Kayakers can choose their challenge. Picnickers can relax in the shade. All events will begin from Chickahominy Riverfront Park in Williamsburg. Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m. Events run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch is provided. $25 per person.  Click here to register.

Mark your calendar for 2015-2016 diocesan youth events

Dates for 2015-2016 diocesan youth events are here! Look for more information and online registration coming soon.

• October Weekend for grades 8-12 - October 2-4, 2015
• Pre-Happening Staff Weekend - October 24-25, 2015
• Happening for grades 10-12 - November 6-8, 2015
• November Weekend for grades 6-9 - November 13-15
• Youth Delegation to Diocesan Council - February 4-6, 2016
• Pre-Happening Staff Weekend - February 27-28, 2016
• Happening for grades 10-12 - March 11-13, 2016
• May Weekend - May 20-22, 2016

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. James', Cartersville  

Almighty God, Creator and Sustainer of all that is, we give you thanks for life and health and most especially for the community of St. James' in Cartersville. We ask that you keep us aware of the pain of humankind: poverty, illness and especially racial and religious divides which result in violence toward our brothers and sisters in the world. We ask that you strengthen our resolve and empower us to do whatever we are able to bring about healing, both at home and in the world; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.   

Glebe, Suffolk  

Almighty God, you order all things in Creation, provide your people a plentiful harvest of good will, that being in love and charity with all our neighbors we may boldly proclaim your name as we seek justice and peace where there is strife and rancor, and guide us to become a beacon of hope for those who are lost in our world. All this we ask for the sake of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.