Feb. 1 churchwide webinar: The Episcopal Church Welcomes Refugees

Episcopal Migration Ministries and the Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations are sponsoring an important webinar to discuss the basic root causes of refugee crises and to examine critical questions such as: who is a refugee; how a refugee is resettled to the U.S.; how resettled refugees benefit their communities; and how you can engage with local communities to welcome these new Americans.

The Episcopal Church Welcomes Refugees, a free, one-hour educational webinar, will be held on Wednesday, February 1 at 4 pm Eastern. Registration is required and is available here. The webinar will be available on-demand following the event. Click here for more information.

Episcopal Church Revival in Pittsburgh, Feb. 3-5

The Episcopal Church and the Diocese of Pittsburgh are sponsoring a Revival on February 3-5 in Pittsburgh, PA. The Presiding Bishop's Pilgrimage for Reconciliation, Healing and Evangelism in Southwestern Pennsylvania will feature an ecumenical service of repentance involving local religious and civic leaders, a worship service celebrating Absalom Jones, and other gatherings that invite people across boundaries and into reconciling relationship with each other and with God.

Revivals are multi-day events filled with such elements as energizing worship and prayer services, dynamic preaching, personal testimony and storytelling, topical speakers, offerings from local artists and musicians, engagement with young leaders, intentional outreach with people who are not active in a faith community, and a call to action. Each Revival warmly welcomes neighboring dioceses and ecumenical participation.

Many of the Pittsburgh events will be live-streamed or available on demand. Get more info here.

Theological scholarships available, applications due April 1

The Hampton Roads Community Foundation is currently accepting applications for the numerous theological education scholarships. The 2017-2018 theological scholarship application is due April 1, 2017. Students should go to www.hamptonroadscf.org  to view the list of available scholarships and complete an online application. Scholarships include:

• Barron F. Black Theological Scholarship- For students at Virginia Theological Seminary (Alexandria, VA) who are candidates for the ministry. Students must be residents of the geographic region served by the Diocese of Southern Virginia.
• Richard D. and Sheppard R. Cooke Memorial Scholarship - For students from Hampton Roads attending Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond who are candidates for the ministry. Preference will be given to students from Norfolk churches within the Presbytery of Eastern Virginia.
• William F. Miles Scholarship - For a student from Hampton Roads who is preparing for leadership in a field of religious service.
• Reverend Doctor Joyce G. Moss Theologian Scholarship- For students attending Richmond Virginia Seminary or Regent University School of Divinity with the intent of pursuing a full-time career in Christian ministry.  Preference will be given to full-time graduate students who have at least a 3.0 grade point average. 
• Hy Smith Endowment Fund- For students at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria who are candidates for the ministry. Students must be residents of the geographic region served by the Diocese of Southern Virginia.

 

Pilgrimage to the Holy Land with Bishop Jay Magness and Bishop Hollerith

Join the Rt. Rev. Jay Magness, pilgrimage leader, and Bishop Hollerith on this life-changing trip October 17-28, 2017.

 

Through the assistance of Lightline Pilgrimages, this pilgrimage has been designed just for the Diocese of Southern Virginia. Pilgrims will have the incredible opportunity to walk in the places where Jesus walked and seeing many of the things that our Lord saw.

This pilgrimage is limited to 35 people.  The registration deadline is February 18. After that we will open up the registration to persons outside of the diocese.

Click here for the pilgrimage brochure which includes a detailed itinerary and registration form.

Register now for Vestry Training Days and Bishop's Day with Senior Wardens

	Photo courtesy of John Fountain

Registration for Vestry Training Days and Bishop's Day with Senior Wardens is now open! Click on the links below for more info and registration.

Healthy, skilled vestries who understand their role in the life of the church and their relationship to the clergy and congregation are essential in creating and maintaining vital congregations. Vestry Training Days in  2017 will be: 

• February 18 at St. Timothy's, Clarksville
• February 25 at St. David's, North Chesterfield
• March 4 at Eastern Shore Chapel, Virginia Beach

Bishop's Day with Senior Wardens will be held March 4 at Eastern Shore Chapel, Virginia Beach (concurrent with Vestry Training Day).

Save the date: Spring youth events

Mark you calendar for these great Spring youth events:

• Happening #66 - March 10-12 at Chanco on the James. Open to all youth in grades 10-12 and adult advisors who have never attended a Happening program.
• May Weekend - May 19-21 at Chanco on the James. For grades 6-12 and their adult advisors. Join teens from all over the Diocese for a spring retreat at Chanco! EYC Board elections will also take place during this weekend.

For more information about these events, contact Youth Missioner Ashley Scruggs, ascruggs@diosova.org or 757-213-3393.

Save the date: Stewardship Conversations

The Stewardship Commission is hosting informal gatherings for parish stewardship lay leaders to share successes and challenges with parish giving programs. The schedule for the first quarter of 2017 is:

• March 11 - St. Matthias, Midlothian
• March 18 - Old Donation, Virginia Beach
• March 25 - St. James/St. George - Eastern Shore
• March 25 - Good Shepherd, Norfolk

All sessions begin at 10:00 am. Additional dates and locations will be scheduled. Visit the Stewardship Commission's page for more stewardship resources and information to assist your parish leadership.