Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Upcoming Cursillo events

Cursillo is a movement within the Episcopal Church. It is an adult retreat designed to help us grow closer to Jesus Christ. It's also a community where we're encouraged to live joyfully and serve faithfully in grace. For more information on Cursillo or to apply to be a candidate or a team member, please visit the Cursillo website at www.cursillodiosova.org.

Cursillo Workshop
- February 18, 4 to 6 p.m. at Emmanuel, Virginia Beach. Join us to examine the future of Cursillo. Hot Dogs/Chips and daycare will be provided. For more information contact Charlie Schindler, laydirector@cursillodiosova.org. 
 
Cursillo #162 Co-Ed Weekend - April 27-30 at Chanco on the James. Rector: Gerry Lopez of Grace Church, Yorktown. To apply to be a candidate or a team member go to www.cursillodiosova.org or contact Gerry at gerrylopez@cox.net.
 
Cursillo #163 Co-Ed Weekend - September 28-October 1 at Chanco on the James. Rector: Jim Thurmond of St. George's, Newport News. To apply to be a candidate or a team member go to www.cursillodiosova.org  or contact Jim at jdtorsct@cox.net.

Happening & May Weekend registration open!


Happening #66
Happening is an experiential weekend retreat developed by teens for teens. Come and see what it's like to be transformed by God's love! Open to all youth in grades 10-12 and adults who have never attended a Happening program. March 10-12 at Chanco on the James. Click here for information and registration.

May Weekend
May Weekend is weekend retreat for all teens in grades 6-12 at Camp Chanco sponsored by the Episcopal Youth Community Board. Open to all youth in grades 6-12 and their adult advisors. May 20-22 at Chanco on the James. Click here for information and registration.

Friday, February 3, 2017

Clergy transitions

The Rev. Robert Davenport began as Priest in Charge, Time Certain, at Trinity, Portsmouth on January 1

In-town mission opportunity


You don't need a passport to be a missionary. There are many locally-based organizations that need your help. One of those places is St. Paul's, Newport News. Founded in 1883, St. Paul's is located in the heart of downtown Newport News. In their commitment to radical hospitality as proclaimed by Jesus, St. Paul's special mission is to offer compassionate care and voice to people who are hungry, ill, without good and safe shelter, unemployed, excluded, and in despair. St. Paul's functions more like a cathedral than a local church, its ministry transcending parish and denominational lines.
 
Missionaries needed at St. Paul's:
  • A Treasurer: St. Paul's needs a treasurer who is willing to serve with us for a season.
  • Board Members: St. Paul's is forming a non-profit and is seeking involvement from any of our local partner churches and organizations.
  • Architect: We need an architect who would be able to work with the City of Newport News and help us do some small but important building upgrades to help keep the building relevant to our current needs.
  • Lawyer: It would be helpful to have a lawyer who would be willing to help us navigate the state and federal regulations while we form our non-profit.
  • Builders/Supervisors: We have several people/organizations helping us with the physical upgrades to the facility, but we need more hands, especially those who can visualize a project and help us supervise it to the end.
Call the Rev. Bruce Cheney at St. Paul's, 757-755-6343 for more information on these mission opportunities.

Boys Home quilt raffle




Boys Home of Virginia's 2017 Quilt Raffle is going on now. This year, they are raffling off a 96" x 92" quilt in the Charleston Romance pattern. All proceeds go toward Religious Life at Boys Home. Tickets are $5 for 1 or $45 for 10. A winner will be drawn on March 17, 2017. To enter or for more information, please visit www.boyshomeofva.org/quilt-raffle.

Jackson-Feild receives new cottage furniture

Jackson-Feild Behavioral Health Services (JFBHS) has recently installed special behavioral health furniture in the great room of every cottage. This furniture has replaced crate style furniture which posed as a safety hazard. This new furniture is especially designed to serve mental health populations. It is rugged, durable and hygienic (antimicrobial). It can be easily cleaned and sanitized. It is made of vacuum formed plastic and can withstand the rigors of teenagers with mental health disorders. It also has soft rounded corners for safety.

Funding was provided from a variety of sources including grant funding. Bruton Parish Episcopal Church made a nice gift in support of this effort. Jackson-Feild is very grateful for the help from Episcopalians, ECWs and churches who helped fund this pressing need.

Advisory Council for the Stewardship of Creation accepts applications for grants

The Episcopal Church Advisory Council for the Stewardship of Creation is accepting applications again for grants that focus on local faith-based projects for mitigating climate change and safeguarding the integrity of Creation. The Episcopal Church Advisory Council for the Stewardship of Creation, enabled by Resolution A030, Create Task Force On Climate Change, approved at General Convention 2015, will make recommendations for grants up to $10,000. Click here for application information. Application deadline is March 31.