Congratulations to the 2016-2017 EYC Board!

Pictured clockwise from top left at their first meeting on Sunday, June 5 at the diocesan office: Jimmy, Alex, Trafton, Anthony, Audre'ana, Clare, Courtney, and Dan.

Each year at May Weekend, nine teens are elected democratically by their peers to the Episcopal Youth Community Board. These teens represent the youth of the diocese as advocates and plan and lead our EYC weekends at Chanco. The following individuals were elected this year on May 22:

 

Trafton Addison- St. Andrew's, Norfolk

Anthony Alfano- St. Christopher's, Portsmouth

Dan Barnum- St. Andrew's, Norfolk

Alex Ellis- St. Andrew's, Newport News

Audre'ana Ellis- St. Andrew's, Newport News

Clare Harbin- St. John's, Portsmouth

Courtney Mason (President)- St. David's, Chesterfield

Jimmy Murphy- Emmanuel, Hampton

Stephen Peabody- Emmanuel, Hampton

News from Mission of the Holy Spirit

By Keith A. Josey, Lay Pastor, Mission of the Holy Spirit

	Easter Day at Mission of the Holy Spirit.

I would like to take a moment and say thank you to every individual and church that embarked on a journey with us to systematically lift up the lives of the people we serve. This process required our gathering resources and scattering seeds of hope. This meant that we had to be intentional about establishing relationships with individuals and churches that would not only support our efforts with volunteers, finances and other vital resources, but we also needed to implement programs that would bear fruit over time.

We have begun to see the fruit of our labor, thanks to everyone who has taken the risk and heard the call. Through your giving, we have had many triumphs over the years. Recently, four of our long-term members have graduated from college. Several others are continuing their education, and many of our families' lives are becoming stable. Although there are many challenges, we are confident that our purpose in the communities we serve remains vital.

I'm asking each of you to continue to support this ministry and to help us provide opportunities for the families we serve. As summer begins, many of our young people will find themselves searching for activities that will give them safe and new experiences. Every summer we strive to provide just that, and your gifts and support makes it possible. In order to continue to provide quality services that include Sunday worship, tutoring, music and arts, health programs and life skills groups for our adults, we need your help. Your commitment to support the Mission of the Holy Spirit allows us to be a very helpful presence in a truly hurting community. Too often we hear or read about violence in our communities. Every child, adolescent and adult that we are able to serve has not only the ability but also the responsibility to share the good news to those around them. 1 John 3:17 says, "But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?"

Each of you shares the love of God when you find it in your heart to give, thus ensuring that new seeds will be scattered and more lives will be changed. 

For more information contact the Mission at 757-858-0010 or info@missionoftheholyspirit.org. www.missionoftheholyspirit.org.

Redeemer, Midlothian, hosts ECW Spring Annual Meeting

Boys Home Graduates Receive ECW Love Gifts

By Nancy Polick Sands, ECW President, Diocese of Southern Virginia

	Left to Right: Nancy Polick Sands, ECW president, Diocese of Southern Virginia; Jo Anne Simpkins, ECW president, Redeemer, Midlothian; Megan-Drew Tiller, Church Relations, Boys Home of Virginia and the Rev. D. Donald Dunn, III

On Saturday, May 21, we had our Diocesan ECW Meeting at Redeemer, Midlothian. I want to thank Mrs. Jo Anne Simpkins, Redeemer's ECW president and the ECW members for hosting a wonderful meeting. Despite the rainy weather and getting stuck in traffic on I-64, we had 40 members present for the meeting - the biggest ECW meeting that we have had so far these two years I have been president. As each member registered we were asked if anyone had told us how important we were, and we were given a long stem rose. What a wonderful treat! Lunch was great, and a special thanks goes out to the Rev. D. Donald Dunn, III for having a wonderful church service and helping us celebrate Louisa Taylor Letcher Day in memory of our founder.

 

Our speaker, Megan-Drew Tiller, church relations, Boys Home of Virginia, brought us up to date on activities at the Boys Home. She expressed thanks for ECW's continued support and especially for our recent love gifts to the Boys Home graduates. It was my pleasure to attend the 2016 Boys Home of Virginia Award Banquet where I presented each of the eight graduates with a $100 gift as part of our God Bless the Children Outreach Project. Many thanks to everyone who contributed to the gifts. Megan told us that Mr. Donnie Wheatley, Boys Home executive director, cannot remember a single year when ECW did not support the Boys Home. See more on the God Bless the Children graduation gift in the next issue of The Diocesan Connection newsletter.

Zika virus fact sheet from Episcopal Relief & Development

Across the US, Episcopalians are gearing up for summer activities like VBS, mission trips and summer camp. But this summer, with concerns about the Zika virus moving north into the continental US, new questions are popping up. Responding to these concerns, Episcopal Relief & Development assembled a taskforce of experts in public health and safety, disaster response, church programs and communications to sort through the information floating around about the Zika virus, and to create a resource that would help Episcopal churches in the United States to respond appropriately.

 

Click here for a copy of Episcopal Relief & Development's Zika Fact Sheet.

The overall message is that while Zika is a concern for women who are pregnant or could become pregnant, most people who are infected with Zika do not become sick, and there is a low chance that there would be an epidemic in the continental United States. As long as normal mosquito bite prevention is practiced (protecting skin with clothing or repellent, using window screens or mosquito nets), there is no reason to cancel summer camp or mission trip plans - unless you are part of a couple that is currently pregnant or planning to be. 

James Solomon Russell chapter of UBE meeting

The James Solomon Russell chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE) will meet on Thursday, June 9, 10:30 a.m. at Grace, Norfolk (1400 E. Brambleton Ave., Norfolk).

This chapter of the UBE meets the second Thursday of every month at 10:30 a.m. at Grace, Norfolk. All Episcopalians in the Diocese of Southern Virginia are invited and encouraged to join the UBE and become members of this diverse and concerned group. For more information contact David Flores, drf71137@gmail.com.

The mission of the UBE is to unite the diverse cultures, concerns and gifts of black Episcopalians. By providing preparation and encouragement for living the Baptismal covenant and fully participating in the mission and governance of the Episcopal Church. 

Election Toolkit helps Episcopalians engage in nonpartisan activities

The 2016 election in the United States remains the top of the news in media outlets, and it is inevitably a topic in personal conversations. To provide education about the election as well as assisting in being prepared, The Episcopal Church has developed an online toolkit with a webpage that outlines how individual Episcopalians and congregations can participate in the electoral process through a number of nonpartisan activities.

Through the Episcopal Public Policy Network (EPPN), information is also available on an important initiative, the Episcopal Pledge to Vote.  The EPPN is calling on all Episcopalians to pledge that they will cast a vote in the general election. You can make your pledge to vote and find the toolkit which is designed to assist Episcopalians in being informed and engaged voters on the EPPN election webpage.

Among the possible non-partisan activities offered are: engaging young adults who are eligible to vote for the first time; hosting a candidate forum; advocating for voting rights legislation; and hosting Get Out The Vote campaigns.

In search of an affordable family vacation? Family Camp, Aug. 18-21

Is summer looming and the hotel, dining and travel costs of a family vacation have you down? We have the answer for you! Family camp is perfect for all generations as there is something for everyone and you can be as active or relaxed as you wish. Campers ages 0-100 can come and laugh, sing, play and pray together. Enjoy our NEW paddle boards, swimming, boating, archery and the adventures of our zip lines and rock wall or simply relaxing by the pool or river. Family Camp is also a fantastic way to introduce a younger child to camp before attending on their own. With all meals and activities included, Family Camp is a bargain at $125 per person to stay in chalets or $225 per person for motel lodges. Questions? Contact us at 888-7CHANCO (888-724-2626) or director@chanco.org. Visit www.chanco.org for more information and easy on line registration.