Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Hyppolite recognized by VCU School of Social Work

Marie Hyppolite, Senior Clinician for Jackson-Feild Behavioral Health Services was honored by Virginia Commonwealth University' s School of Social Work with their 2016 Amy Rosenblum Award.
 
This award is given to field work instructors who supervise undergraduate and graduate social work interns during their field placement with a human/behavioral health organization. It embodies excellence in teaching and supervising students in an on-going collaboration with the School of Social Work. It the School of Social Work's most prestigious award. The recipient receives a monetary honorarium.
 
Ms. Hyppolite has guided many students in their development as professional social workers and the school was very happy to accord her this honor for 2016. She was recognized at an appreciation luncheon for all field instructors.
 
Ms. Hyppolite began her career at JFBHS in 1993 as a case manager at the Eleventh House which was a community-based group home operated by Jackson-Feild to prepare residents for independent living. She was later named director. She moved to Walnut Grove in 2009 to serve as a therapist and was later promoted to senior clinician.
 
She received her undergraduate from Oral Roberts University and her Master of Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is forever working to improve her skills and is currently working toward certification for EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) which is an effective psychotherapy to treat children with posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms.
 

Thursday, June 23, 2016

Help students get connected to campus ministry

In an effort to increase outreach to those headed off to colleges in our diocese, click here to submit the names and any information you have on your college-bound students. The diocesan-sponsored Canterbury ministries at the College of William and Mary, Old Dominion University, and Hampden-Sydney/Longwood Universities are eager to welcome new students. Please fill out the survey for anyone headed to a college within our diocese, even if it is not one of the aforementioned universities. We want to make sure students are able to get in touch with a ministry wherever they go!

You can find a link to the form and much more information on campus ministry on the diocesan website, www.diosova.org/college.

UBE planning bus trip to Virginia Theological Seminary


The James Solomon Russell Diocese of Southern Virginia Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians is planning a bus trip to Virginia Theological Seminary on Saturday, September 17. The group will enjoy a private tour of the seminary, particularly the African-American historical collection, which includes contributions from John Harris, past national president of UBE and a chapter member. Cost will be $40 per person. Please contact David Flores ASAP if you would like to participate, drf71137@gmail.com

Summer opportunities for feeding children

Virginia Feeds Kids is an interfaith and interagency initiative of the Virginia Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The Virginia Feeds Kids website provides a repository of ideas and lessons learned to help Virginians find and feed hungry children.

There are some upcoming opportunities for kids to get a meal in Hampton, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach and Norfolk. Click here for information. For opportunities in the Richmond area, click here. Please help spread the word!

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.   
 

Friday, June 17, 2016

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.