Administrative & Financial Best Practices conference on Sept. 15

Join us on Thursday, September 15, at the diocesan office in Newport News for a day designed for church financial and administrative personnel.  Whether you are new to your job or have been at it for years, this is a wonderful opportunity to learn, ask questions, and connect with your colleagues in other churches. Register early; space is limited. $15 fee includes lunch. Click here for more info and to register.   

 

Gwaltney School at Jackson-Feild graduates eight students

June 10 was a very special day for eight students who attend the Edna Hayden Gwaltney School at Jackson-Feild Behavioral Health Services. Four students received their standard high school diploma and four received their GED. In addition, seven graduates and undergraduates received their Home Health Care Aide certificate and pin.

 

Dr. Bill Bowling, Director of Education, presided over the ceremony held at the Golden Leaf Commons at Southside Virginia Community College, Emporia Campus. Dr. JoAnn Smart, Director of Clinical Services, was the commencement speaker.

 

Two students addressed the members of their class expressing their thanks to the school and faculty. They challenged their fellow graduates to build upon the education they received at Gwaltney School.

 

Six scholarships were awarded to students to help with college expenses. Nancy Sands, President of the Episcopal Church Women from the Diocese of Southern Virginia, presented each graduate with a $100 honorarium.

 

Over the last eighteen years, 157 students have graduated from the Gwaltney School with either a diploma or GED certificate. Each year, in honor and recognition of the student's work, an anonymous donor has provided a bouquet of roses for each girl, a wallet for each boy, and a gift card for every graduate. Another donor underwrote the cost of class rings which were presented to every graduate.

Spring LARCUM Service is now Christian Unity Service

On Sunday, June 26, at 7:00 p.m., Holy Apostles, Virginia Beach, will host the Christian Unity service featuring Biblical Storytelling. (This service was formerly known as the "Spring LARCUM" service.) The service will focus on Christian Unity through the lens of bible passages; how Holy Scripture demonstrates that unity is part of God's plan for the world.

The centerpiece of this service will be proclamation and illumination of God's word by local members of the Network of Biblical Storytellers. The Network is an international group, both lay and ordained, dedicated to telling Bible stories as authentically as possible. The goal of Network members is to recreate to the greatest extent possible what members of the early churches would have experienced and enjoyed as they heard the word of God. The two tellers at this service will be the Rev. Mark Wilkinson, rector of St. Aidan's, Virginia Beach, and Ellen Clements. As is the tradition at this service, a Question & Answer time will be offered so those attending can have a conversation with the Network presenters.

 

Church of the Holy Apostles is at 1593 Lynnhaven Parkway, ­Virginia Beach. For more information, please email admin@holyapostlesvb.org, call 427-0963, or visit www.holyapostlesvb.org.

   

Cursillistas refurbish Chanco shed

By Mike Nickelsburg, Emmanuel, Virginia Beach   

During the week of June 6, 26 Cursillo volunteers cleaned out and refurbished Chanco's shed, inside and out. While one group unloaded the shed to a POD, inventoried, and cleaned out years of accumulated stuff, the rest of the crew removed the rotten wood, added new siding, caulked and painted, rebuilt the porch, added a roof over the porch, cleaned out the interior, and added new storage shelves. A new roof was installed the following week, and a new HVAC unit will be installed shortly. Many thanks to all those who worked and to those who supported the project through prayer and monetary donations.

Save the date: International Black Clergy Conference in November

Save the date for an important upcoming conference and educational event, the International Black Clergy Conference, scheduled for Wednesday, November 16 to Saturday, November 19 in Houston, TX. The theme of the event is "The Jesus Movement: Embracing Our Call." The pre-conference begins on Tuesday, November 15 with meetings of affinity groups: clergy ordained five years or less; deacons; retired clergy; diocesan leadership staff; New Visions Team; and clergy serving in multicultural and/or white congregations. On Wednesday, the conference keynote address will be presented by Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael Curry on "Embracing the Call." Click here for more information and registration.

Registration opens for Evangelism Matters conference

Evangelism Matters, an Episcopal Church Evangelism Conference held November 18-19 in Dallas, TX, is for anyone who would like to learn more about evangelism and available resources to share our faith. This innovative churchwide event is co-sponsored by Forward Movement and the Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop's Office, and is hosted by the Diocese of Dallas and Church of the Transfiguration, Dallas, where the activities will be held. Among the planned activities are an address by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, plus plenary sessions and workshops by evangelism leaders. A portion of the Saturday events will be live webcast to allow for individual and group viewing during conventions, discussion groups, and local evangelism gatherings. Click here for info and registration.

Litany for Gun Violence Prevention offered for use in Sunday services

A Litany for Gun Violence Prevention written by the Rt. Rev. Stephen T. Lane, Episcopal bishop of Maine, is offered for use in liturgies throughout the Episcopal Church this coming Sunday or at any other time. The litany is available here, and includes downloadable bulletin inserts in English and in Spanish. A full Eucharistic liturgy, prepared by St. Mary's Episcopal Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, is also available.