Seeds of Hope Grant applications now being accepted

Seeds of Hope grants are available to congregations and diocesan groups (e.g., affiliated institutions, commissions and task forces) within the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia to support the development or expansion of Social Justice ministries sponsored by diocesan congregations and organizations. Awards may be as much as $2,500. All grants are for one year. Applications must be postmarked no later than August 31, 2019. Click here for more information and this year's application form.  

Bishop's Blog: Camp Chanco is alive with the good news of Jesus' love

The summer camping sessions are in full swing at Camp Chanco.  As some of you may know, I have made Chanco my residence this summer.  This decision has given me the opportunity to greet, meet, and make friends with the permanent staff, the seasonal staff, the volunteer counselors and with all of the children who attend the camp sessions. 

 

When I was about 10 years old and attended my first summer camp session at Kanuga Conferences in Western North Carolina, I had my initial introduction to the positive effects of our Episcopal Church camping programs.  Though I did not know it at the time, I was being given an in-depth immersion to my formation as a baptized follower of Jesus. 

 

This summer I have been thinking a great deal about the opportunities we have at Chanco to form girls and boys as followers of Jesus.  

 

Click here to keep reading. 

Clergy transitions

The Rev. Tom Crittenden began as Interim Rector of Grace, Yorktown on July 14, 2019.  

 

The Rev. Frederick Willis will begin as Interim Rector of Holy Trinity, Onancock, on August 4, 2019.  

Video: Presiding Bishop's message, "Who is my neighbor?"

"Deeply embedded in the Christian faith, indeed deeply embedded in the Jewish tradition, which is the mother of the Christian faith, and deeply embedded in the faith and traditions and values of many of the world's great religions, is a profound conviction in a sure and certain value and virtue that care for the stranger, the alien, the visitor, is a sacred duty, a sacred vow." Click here to watch the video or read a transcript.

Find migration, refugee, and immigration information and ways you can take action on your own here (EPPN/OGR) and here (EMM).  

Episcopal Evangelism grants available for local and regional efforts

Episcopal institutions can now apply for the next round of the Episcopal Evangelism Grants Program, designed to fund local and regional evangelism efforts in the Episcopal Church. The application deadline is October 1. Congregations, dioceses, provinces, schools, monastic communities, and other Episcopal organizations are eligible to apply. Regional collaborative partnerships with non-Episcopal entities are welcome as long as an Episcopal entity is the project leader, active manager, and reporting agent. Groups receiving grants are expected to make significant financial contributions toward their projects, and to report what they have learned to the wider church. 

The grant application, criteria and additional information are available here. The application deadline is October 2, 2019 at 11 p.m.

Now accepting EYC Board applications

Applications for the Episcopal Youth Community (EYC) Board for the 2019-2020 school year are now being accepted. Board members will have the opportunity to take on a leadership role within the Diocese by representing their peers at diocesan events and helping plan and organize events for the EYC in Southern Virginia. All youth who are rising 10th, 11th, or 12th graders and interested in becoming more involved in the EYC are encouraged to apply. There are nine positions open, and the intention is that each Convocation be represented so that the EYC Board can better serve the Convocations, as well as the diocese as a whole.  

 

Click here for the application form. Completed applications are due to the Diocesan office by July 29. Please note that for voting purposes, the application process will include posting candidate bios on the diocesan website and other online sites.

RenewalWorks gathering: Leading for Discipleship

Leading for Discipleship: A Gathering for Leaders will be held September 30 - October 2, hosted by the Diocese of East Carolina and St. James Parish in Wilmington, NC. Leading for discipleship in Episcopal congregations can be challenging. It can feel lonely. With that in mind, we hope you will join us for a gathering of clergy and lay leaders, especially appropriate for those who have participated in the RenewalWorks process (a ministry of Forward Movement). We will come together for deeper learning about discipleship, as we support each other in the effort to build cultures of discipleship in Episcopal Church. Click here for details and registration. Registration closes Sept. 23.