Register now for Happening #72

Registration is now open for Happening #72 to be held March 27-29 at Chanco on the James. Happening is a weekend retreat for young that may just change your life. Come and see what it's like to be transformed by God's love! Open to all young adults grade 10 and up. Registration closes after March 9 - so don't delay, register today! Click here for details and registration.  

 

Rector and staff applications for Happening #72 are also being accepted and are due by Feb. 20. Pre-Happening Weekend for staff will be March 7-8.  Click here for the Rector application. Click here for the staff application.

Diocesan Latino Missioner to preach at Week of Prayer for Christian Unity service

The Annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will be January 18-25. Tidewater Christian Ecumenical Network invites you to join with other Christian communities for ecumenical prayer services all week long. Southern Virginia's Missioner for Latino/Latina Ministries, the Rev. Mario Meléndez, will preach at the main service on Sunday, January 19 at 3 p.m. at First Lynnhaven Baptist Church, 2744 Robert Jackson Drive, Virginia Beach. Click here for a full schedule of the week's events.  

Absalom Jones Service set for Feb. 15

The annual diocesan Absalom Jones Service will be held on Saturday, February 15 at 12 noon at St. Thomas, Freeman. Bishop-Elect Haynes will serve as Celebrant. St. Thomas is located at 6271 Belfield Road in Freeman.

In 1794 Absalom Jones founded the first black Episcopal congregation, and in 1802 he was the first African American to be ordained as a priest in the Episcopal Church. He is listed on the Episcopal calendar of saints and is remembered liturgically on the date of his death, February 13.

Clergy transitions

The Rev. Sean Cox began as Priest-in-Charge of St. Luke, Powatan, on December 9, 2019.

 

The Rev. Tim Fulop became Priest-in-Charge of Christ Church, Danville, on January 1, 2020.

 

The Rev. Phil Bjornberg began as Rector of St. George, Pungoteague, and St. James, Accomac, on January 1, 2020.

 

The Rev. Ross Wright retired from Church of the Good Shepherd, Richmond, on January 5, 2020.

 

The Rev. Charles Bauer is leaving as Curate of Hickory Neck, Toano, on January 31, 2020.

 

The Rev. Joshua Stephens is leaving as Associate Rector of Bruton Parish, Williamsburg, on January 31, 2020. 

Update to Manual of Business Methods in Church Affairs now available

An updated version of the Manual of Business Methods in Church Affairs has just been released and is available online. This is the first full-scale revision of the manual since 2012. You can download a copy from the diocesan website here. You may purchase a simple printed copy from The Episcopal Church Finance Office for a fee of $20. To do so, please contact nduverseau@episcopalchurch.org.

Free threat preparedness workshop for churches

The Virginia Fusion Center's SHIELD Program is collaborating with the Faith-Based Information Sharing & Analysis Organization to educate faith-based organizations on the Hostile Events Attack Cycle and challenge them to consider their preparedness and ability to respond to threats. This workshop will:

• Provide a one-day forum for faith-based and charity organizations to enhance their threat awareness and preparedness relating to potential physical attacks at their facilities.
• Use a hostile events scenario to provide participants an opportunity to interact with one another and discuss issues, concerns, best practices and other salient points regarding physical security preparedness, coordination and response among participants.
• Use a hostile events scenario to provide participants with greater awareness of U.S. Government and local government resources, guidance and best practices relating to hostile events and physical security to help inform organizational preparedness, security and resilience.

The workshop will be held on Tuesday, April 14 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Aidan's, Virginia Beach. Click here to register. St. Aidan's is located at 3201 Edinburgh Drive in Virginia Beach.  

American Guild of Organists workshop: Repertoire You Can Count On!

Calling all church musicians, organists, choir members, choir directors! The American Guild of Organists Tidewater Chapter presents Repertoire You Can Count On! Join us for a wonderful educational opportunity to explore 'tried and true' repertoire for choirs and organists. Five of our experienced colleagues will bring us five compositions each which they enjoy using. These choral anthems or organ works are their 'go to' pieces and they will share them with YOU!  This event will take place on Saturday, February 8 at 10am at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 45 Main Street, Newport News. Free and open to all. For more information and to RSVP, please contact Deborah Carr at deborahcarr53@gmail.com or call/text 757-406-4970. Click here for more information.