Ridley Scholarship applications due June 20

Through the great generosity and charity of Miss Roberta Ridley, an endowed trust was established many years ago to provide financial support for continuing education for qualified members of the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Southern Virginia and for residents of Southampton County and the City of Franklin. Scholarships are based on academic excellence and financial need. In addition to the application forms and transcripts, students also submit tax records for themselves and/or their parents, a copy of the FAFSA Student Aid Report, and letters of recommendation from the clergy of their parish. Applications are due by June 20 or consideration for the fall semester. Click here for more information and application forms. 

Report from Province III Synod

Scott Norris elected vice president; Joyce Douglas elected to Provincial Council   

The Province III Synod meaning was held April 25 in Martinsburg, WV. The Rev. Frederick Walker and Andrea Morgan were in attendance as deputies from Southern Virginia. Joyce Douglas and Scott Norris were also present.

Scott Norris is a member of the ad hoc committee formed last year to formulate a proposal for revitalizing our Province, which was presented at this meeting. In addition, Norris was elected to fill the vice president position that would became vacant when Bishop Mike Klusmeyer was elected President.

Under the Ordinances of Province 3, the members of the Provincial Council are elected by the Synod and need not be Synod deputies. Our deputies selected Joyce Douglas to be our Provincial Council member, and her selection was approved by the Synod.

eFormation: A conference on ministry is a digital world

Is your congregation getting serious about its online presence, or hoping to take it to the next level? Would you like to learn with other ministry practitioners using technology in faith formation, communication, and other ministries?

 

If so, jump-start your learning with hands-on training and big-picture inspiration at e-Formation 2016. Join our supportive learning community June 6-8 at Virginia Theological Seminary near Washington DC for just $289 or by webinar for just $89. Limited Spanish interpretation and inexpensive evening programing in Spanish and in English are also available.

Explore the full program,  webinar schedule, and registration options  at  eformationvts.org. You can join the conversation using #eform16.

Lay Eucharistic Ministry 101 and other new courses from ChurchNext

ChurchNext has just launched three new courses. For those interested in training and working in Eucharistic Ministry in a congregational setting, Lay Eucharistic Ministry 101 offers training in the practicalities of offering the chalice to communicants, but also offers a great deal more. Another new course, How to Become a Christian, discusses the journey towards becoming a Christian and practicing Christian faith. Finally, there's a very inspiring course, My Church is Not Dying: finding Hope in the Mainline Church, offers a sobering and practical view of just how well poised mainline churches are to address the spiritual needs of a new generation.

ChurchNext is a website where you can learn from expert teachers in scripture, liturgy, and important Christian topics. Students can interact in a safe, online environment that's convenient, engaging, and affordable. Classes are available for both groups and individuals.

2016 Episcopal Health Ministry Conference September 15-17 at St. Christopher's Church in Carmel, IN

"Love Your Neighbor as Yourself" - the 2016 Episcopal Health Ministry Conference - will be held September 15-17 at St. Christopher's Church in Carmel, Indiana. Keynote speaker will be the Rev. Melford E. (Bud) Holland Jr. Holland has been assisting groups and individuals to understand more fully the complexities of transitions and their gifts and assets to work effectively within them. He was involved in the early organization of National Episcopal Health Ministries. He has worked with dioceses, the wider church, urban to suburban congregations, and groups that were seeking to discover new ways in their work, and individuals seeking to strengthen their vocations. Click here for more information and registration.

Zumba keeps the kids at Jackson-Feild Behavioral Health Services moving

On any given Monday or Wednesday afternoon, the gym at Jackson-Feild Behavioral Health Systems is practically alive. The music is loud, and the beat is heavy. What is it? It's ZUMBA!

Darlene Reed, a licensed Zumba instructor and a personal fitness instructor whose studio is in South Hill, is teaching the boys and girls at JFBHS, and they are loving it! With an average class size of 20, Darlene allows the participants to choose the music and spend the first 15 minutes warming up. After that, it's all high energy, intense physical activity that builds strength, encourages motion, and improves posture all while having fun.

"I'm very impressed," Darlene says, "with all the students, especially the boys. It's not often that I have guys in my classes, and it's very gratifying to see how much they enjoy the music and dance."

She loves what she is doing in getting the kids and staff up and moving to burn 600 calories with cardio and toning. Her goal is to have them become healthy and fit.

 

News from The Episcopal Church

General Convention 2018: July 5-13 in Austin, TX

The General Convention Office has announced the nine legislative dates for the 79th General Convention of The Episcopal Church: Thursday, July 5 to Friday, July 13, 2018.

General Convention 2018 will be held at The Austin Convention Center,  Austin, Texas (Diocese of Texas).

"The Joint Standing Committee on Planning and Arrangements and the General Convention Office are already hard at work to plan and enhance our meeting In Austin for the 79th General Convention," noted the Rev. Canon Dr. Michael Barlowe, Executive Officer and chair of the committee. "Building upon the successful innovations in Salt Lake City, and guided by the evaluations we received, the Committee is excited about our meeting in 2018."

The Episcopal Church's General Convention is held every three years, and is the bicameral governing body of the Church. It is comprised of the House of Bishops, with upwards of 200 active and retired bishops, and the House of Deputies, with clergy and lay deputies elected from the 109 dioceses and three regional areas of the Church, at more than 800 members.

Campus ministry grant applications accepted for 2016-17 academic year

Applications are now accepted for grant proposals for the 2016-2017 academic year from dioceses, parishes or community colleges/colleges/universities for new as well as current campus ministries in higher education institutions located throughout The Episcopal Church.

"These grants are intended to provide funding for an Episcopal ministry (or ecumenical ministry with an Episcopal presence) in a diocese, congregation or community college/tribal college/university campus who are doing or seek to do ministry with young adults on and off college campuses," explained the Rev. Shannon Kelly, Episcopal church Missioner for Campus and Young Adult Ministries.  "The proposals for grants are meant to assist in the start-up of new ministries or the restart of dormant ministries for young adults on and off college and university campuses."

Click here for more information and to submit a proposal. Applications must have the approval of the diocesan bishop and must be submitted online. Deadline for submitting proposals is May 23.