Southern Virginia clergy take part in Ministers March for Justice

The Revs. John Boucher, Peggy Buelow and David Teschner participated in the "One Thousand Ministers March for Justice" on Monday in Washington DC. The event celebrated 54 years of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy. "It was a powerful experience in unity across faith traditions and all that would seek to divide us," said Peg Buelow.

Photo L to R: The Rev. Peggy Buelow, the Rev. David Teschner, the Rev. John Boucher at the Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial.

ChurchNext resources to facilitate discussions about racial justice

There's ample opportunity to talk about racial justice in church these days, and here are some resources to help. ChurchNext has an entire series on the topic:

• Spirituality and Racial Justice with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry
• Whiteness and Racial Justice with Kelly Brown Douglas
• Racism and Racial Justice with Eduardo Bonilla-Silva
• Reparation and Racial Justice with Jennifer Harvey
• Theology and Racial Justice with J. Kameron Carder

These courses are available right now and in formats for both individual and group study.

Faithful Dissent: Loving Our Way into a Brighter Tomorrow 

Also in this time of divisiveness and fear, ChurchNext is offering some encouragement - another free class for you and/or your congregation - Faithful Dissent: Loving Our Way into a Brighter Tomorrow, led by Ed Bacon and Stanley Hauerwas. You can register for the course now, but it will not be available to take until Monday, September 11. It will remain open and free through Monday, September 25 - that means you can take it for free anytime, 24/7, during that time period. If you register today ChurchNext will send you an email to remind you. Resources for Congregational use, including downloadable posters, bulletin inserts and a Launch Guide can be found on the registration page as well.  

 

Jackson-Feild hosts Bible School

	"Silly socks" made by students for nursing home residents.

Jackson-Feild Behavioral Health Services hosts quarterly Bible Schools each year. Led by our full-time chaplain Rev. Dr. Robin Jones, residents are encouraged, but not required, to participate.

 

Jones selects a theme for each week-long session, and conducts daily activities that encourage residents to embark on their spiritual journey. Her goal is to help children make sense of their experiences and help them understand and, hopefully accept, God's saving grace.

 

An important part of Jackson-Feild's Bible School is the service component. Residents make items and donate them to help others. Prior recipients have been our military serving overseas, victims of natural disasters and residents at senior centers.

 

During this recent session of Bible School, the Jackson-Feild boys and girls made "silly socks" which will be given to residents of local nursing homes. The children had a great time decorating the socks and are pleased to have had a hand in helping others. 

Social Media Sunday is Sept. 24

Social Media Sunday is an ecumenical effort to share the good news about building community online. This annual event gives faith communities an opportunity to consider how to reach out online, digitally welcome people, and share their story.

The Center for the Ministry of Teaching at Virginia Theological Seminary is offering a free one-hour webinar on August 30 at 3 p.m. to help you get started on you #SMS2017 plans. Click here for info and registration.

Click here for more resources, including a bulletin insert and blessing for digital devices.

National Acolyte Festival is Oct. 7

Join acolytes from across the United States at the National Cathedral in Washington DC for the National Acolyte Festival. This event includes a festival Holy Eucharist with re-dedication of service, workshops, tours and Acolyte Games. Bring your processional crosses, banners, torches, thuribles, flags, and streamers for a festive procession of acolytes, clergy, and vergers. Click here for more info and registration.

Faithful Dissent: A free class from ChurchNext

In this time of divisiveness and fear, ChurchNext is offering some encouragement - another free class for you and/or your congregation - Faithful Dissent: Loving Our Way into a Brighter Tomorrow, led by Ed Bacon and Stanley Hauerwas.

You can register for the course now, but it will not be available to take until Monday, September 11. It will remain open and free through Monday, September 25 - that means you can take it for free anytime, 24/7, during that time period. If you register today ChurchNext will send you an email to remind you.

Resources for Congregational use, including downloadable posters, bulletin inserts and a Launch Guide can be found on the registration page as well. 

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry: Where do we go from here - chaos or Community?

In his message for those gathering to worship on August 20, occasioned by the events in Charlottesville, and the readings of scripture Episcopalians will hear this weekend, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry asks, "Where do we go from here: chaos or community?"

Noting that "the stain of bigotry has once again covered our land" and that "hope, frankly, sometimes seems far away," Presiding Bishop Curry says the way of Jesus of Nazareth shows the way through the chaos to the Beloved Community of God. Commitment to that way, he says, "is our only hope."

Text and video of Bishop Curry's message, along with helpful resources, are here.