Adopt-a-Canterburian bridges generations

In 2015, the Rev. Tyler Montgomery, associate rector at Bruton Parish, Williamsburg, and chaplain to William & Mary, resurrected the Adopt-a-Canterburian program in conjunction with the university. The program pairs church members with W&M students to lend them support and friendship during their time at the university.

 

"Our first year, we had 25 sign-ups," he said. "Now we're up to 55. In three years, we've doubled the number of students adopted. The feedback has been really positive. With few exceptions, it's worked out really well."  

 

The program was recently featured in William & Mary's university communications. Click here to read about this successful program. 

2018 Safe Church training schedule

Safe Church classroom training for 2018 has been scheduled. Now is the time to start planning for your new vestry members, lay ministers, teachers, vacation Bible school volunteers, and others to get the necessary Safe Church training. In addition to the scheduled classroom training, online training is also available. Current diocesan policy requires re-certification every three years for online training and every five years for classroom training. Click here for more information on Safe Church training and requirements.

• January 20, 2018 - St. Mark's, Hampton (registration closes Jan. 16) Register here.  February 3, 2018 - St. Barnabas, North Chesterfield (registration closes Jan. 30) Register here. 
• February 10, 2018 - Epiphany, Norfolk (registration closes Feb. 6) Register here.
• February 24, 2018 - Bruton Parish, Williamsburg (registration closes Feb. 20) Register here
• March 10, 2018 - Merchants Hope, Hopewell (registration closes March 6) Register here
• April 14, 2018 - St. Paul's, Suffolk  
• April 21, 2018 - Holy Trinity, Onancock
• April 28, 2018 - St. Paul's & St. Andrew's, Kenbridge
• May 12, 2018 - Galilee, Virginia Beach
• June 2, 2018 - Trinity, South Boston
• September 8, 2018 - Ascension, Norfolk
• September 22, 2018 - St. Andrew's, Newport News
• October 13, 2018 - St. Aidan's, Virginia Beach
• October 27, 2018 - St. Matthias', Midlothian

Westminster-Canterbury to host pilgrimage to Israel

Westminster-Canterbury, Virginia Beach, is hosting a pilgrimage to Israel April 6-15, 2018. It will be led by David Hyman, a well-known tour guide in Israel and who has led trips for Galilee, Virginia Beach. The Rev. Doug Gray, Westminster-Canterbury chaplain, will be offering Bible teachings as well. Cost is $4690 per person, double occupancy, or $5710 per person, single occupancy. Air travel, lodging, transportation in Israel and meals (except lunches) are included. Click here for a pilgrimage brochure. For more information contact the Rev. Doug Gray, 757-496-1651 or doug.gray@wcbay.com.   

Episcopal Migration Ministries offers Epiphany curriculum

Episcopal Migration Ministries is offering an Epiphany Curriculum, which includes free resources to oversee a faithful and meaningful Epiphany 2018. Designed for Adult Christian Formation, the six-week Epiphany Curriculum is ideal for congregations, individuals, adult forums, discussion groups, and other church-based gatherings. Participants will come away with a deeper understanding of Episcopal Migration Ministries, refugee resettlement, the stories of our new American neighbors, and how God is calling each of us into this work. Click here for more information and to download the curriculum. 

 

2018 Annual Council: Fear and Love in a Divided World

Registration is now open for the 126th Annual Council of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia, February 16-17, 2018 at the Williamsburg Lodge Convention Center. Bookmark this page, www.bit.ly/diosova126, for the most current information about Annual Council.

 

	Scott Bader-Saye, Ph.D.

Keynote Speaker: Scott Bader-Saye, Ph.D.

Scott Bader-Saye is the Academic Dean and Helen and Everett H. Jones Professor of Christian Ethics and Moral Theology at Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas. His publications include two books, Following Jesus in a Culture of Fear and Church and Israel After Christendom. His topic will be "Fear and Love in a Divided World."

Registration & Hotel
You may register individually or you may register your entire delegation. Early registration through January 12, 2018 is $125 per attendee. Clergy spouses/partners, youth aged 18 and younger, and college students may register at the $50 rate. Payment is due no later than Jan. 12, 2017 to avoid a $25 late registration fee. Registration for exhibitors is also open. Attendees will need to make their own hotel reservations. Discounted rates will be available at the Williamsburg Lodge and The Woodlands. Click here for more information.

 

Nominations for Elections at Annual Council

The following elections will take place at Annual Council: Standing Committee (one lay, one clergy); Disciplinary Board (two lay, one clergy); General Convention (one young adult lay alternate). Get more info and the nomination form here. 

 

Youth Delegation Application

Every year a special delegation of 12 youth in grades 9-12 are invited to attend Diocesan Council. Click here for more info and an application form. Applications are due by January 19, 2018.  

 

Communicator Credentials

Church communicators play an important role in connecting their Convocations and congregations with Council while it is in session and afterward. To help facilitate this work, the Council registration fee is waived for church communicators who submit this application form no later than February 2, 2018. 

Thank you for your support of Episcopal Relief & Development

The Rev. Keith Emerson; St. Paul's, Suffolk; Diocesan Episcopal Relief & Development Coordinator 

 

I am deeply grateful to the people and parishes of our diocese who have given money to Episcopal Relief & Development over the summer months (July-September). It has been a time of incredible need and we in the Diocese of Southern Virginia have responded generously. During this period, we made 555 contributions for a total of $112,144.37.

 

I am grateful for donations made by the following parishes and organizations:

 

Water & Sanitation and Hunger Food Security

Emmanuel, Franklin

St. John's, Hopewell

 

Sudan Relief Efforts

Bruton Parish, Williamsburg

 

Undesignated Gifts

Emmanuel, Hampton

Christ Church, Amelia Courthouse

St. Stephen's, Newport News

Church of the Advent, Norfolk                                                    

Christ and Grace, Petersburg

St. Luke's, Powhatan

All Saints', Virginia Beach

 

US Disaster/Hurricane Harvey Relief

Christ Church, Amelia Courthouse

St. Luke's, Blackstone

St. Mark's, Bracey

St. Thomas', Chesapeake

St. Matthew's, Chesterfield

St. Cecelia Guild, Eastville

Emmanuel, Hampton

St. Martha's Guild, Hopewell

Manakin, Midlothian

St. Andrew's, Newport News

St. Paul's, Norfolk

St. Michael's, North Chesterfield

Christ and Grace, Petersburg

St. Mark's, Suffolk

Old Donation, Virginia Beach

Emmanuel, Virginia Beach

Good Samaritan, Virginia Beach

Christ the King, Yorktown

 

Once again, thank you to everyone who has contributed. Together we are healing a hurting world.

October United Thank Offering donations bountiful

Ronda Toll; Christ the King, Tabb; Diocesan UTO Coordinator 

 

Donations to the United Thank Offering (UTO) collected during October ingatherings throughout the Diocese have been coming in at a swift and steady pace - what a blessing! Monies will be collected and sent for 2107 through December 10, 2017. Please send donations to Ronda Toll, Diocesan UTO Coordinator, at the following address: 42 Cherbourg Drive, Newport News, VA  23606.  

 

ECW Falls in Love with New UTO Prayer

The National UTO Board recently created a simple prayer (memorable and easy enough for children to recite) that can be said when making an offering in a Blue Box. This prayer, which will soon be featured on Blue Boxes, was shared by the Diocesan UTO Coordinator at the ECW Annual Fall Meeting on November 4. The reaction was immediate. The ECW loved it! Here's the new prayer: Almighty God, I give you praise for blessing me in many ways. Create in me a grateful heart and with this gift, a blessing start. Amen.