In response to the unprecedented events of the past year, Episcopal Relief & Development’s 2021 Lenten Meditations share deeply personal reflections on the theme of lament from a diverse group of writers. Many of the authors share experiences related to a variety of issues including disease, violence, racial injustice and poverty. Click here for more information.
Tuesday, January 26, 2021
Episcopal Relief & Development focuses on lament in 2021 Lenten Meditations
Community of the Gospel offers Lectio in Lent
The Community of the Gospel (CG), an ecumenical non-residential monastic community with standing in The Episcopal Church announces Lectio in Lent. Using the ancient monastic method of praying the Scriptures, participants will deepen their paschal journeys by focusing on several texts traditionally associated with Lent. The facilitator will be Br. John Charles Westaway, CG, Deputy Guardian of the CG and long-time member of St. Paul in the Desert Episcopal Church, Palm Springs, CA. Br. John Charles is the Chaplain of the Daughters of the King, active in hunger ministries, and involved in diocesan activities.
Tuesday, January 19, 2021
Inauguration resources, virtual prayer events
The church's Office of Government Relations has compiled a list of resources for virtual prayer and participation in the days around the Inauguration. These include:
- Prayer resources
- Advocacy opportunities in the first 100 days
- Civic mindfulness resources
- Social media content you can download and use
Online worship in Southern Virginia
Churches in Southern Virginia are offering a wide range of opportunities for online worship - Sundays and weekdays, Eucharist, Morning Prayer, Compline, Evening Prayer, and more. Click here for a listing of online worship opportunities.
Boys Home Liaison Links newsletter
Through the Liaison Links newsletter, Boys Home invites you to stay connected with the spiritual life that takes place behind the scenes there. This month's edition features Epiphany at Boys Home, along with some ways you can help the students. We hope you'll take the time to read and share the news from Boys Home.
House of Delegates Presents Jackson-Feild Proclamation
The House of Delegates of the 244th Virginia General Assembly adopted and passed House Resolution 95 calling attention to and noting the 165th anniversary of Jackson-Feild Behavioral Health Services.
Tuesday, January 12, 2021
On the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
A message from Bishop Haynes
When those who were around him [Jesus] saw what was coming, they asked, ‘Lord, should we strike with the sword?’ Then one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, ‘No more of this!’ And he touched his ear and healed him. (Luke 22:49-51)
When Judas came to betray Jesus, the disciples who surrounded him knew of no other way to respond than with violence. So Peter struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. Jesus, however, had a vision of a new way of responding. He declared that violence was not the answer and reached out with a healing touch to repair the damage inflicted by the violence.
This way of responding without violence was also the vision of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who said, “In spite of temporary victories, violence never brings permanent peace.” King envisioned a world that hinged on community, harmony and unity; nonviolence, in his view, was the only way to effect such a community: “We adopt the means of nonviolence because our end is a community at peace with itself. We will try to persuade with our words, but if our words fail, we will try to persuade with our acts.” Words and actions of peace were the goal.
On the anniversary of his birth, we honor the memory of this man who was a great leader in the civil rights movement but who also appears on the church’s calendar of saints. We dedicate ourselves to his dream that we all become beloved community. And we endeavor to do these things, not through violence which might seem a natural response, but through peace and non-violent actions.
The Episcopal Church is launching a new campaign on Martin Luther King’s birthday. The campaign is a conversation called “From Many One: Conversations Across Difference.” The initiative comes from the Latin phrase E Pluribus Unum (from many, one) and hopes to teach, model and foster conversations with those who think differently from us. The conversation starts with the following four questions:
1. What do you love?
2. What have you lost?
3. Where does it hurt?
4. What do you dream?
You can find out more about the “From Many, One: Conversations Across Difference” here.
It is my hope that churches will use this resource as a way to begin conversation within their own “walls.” (I use this term figuratively since I realize that for the moment we are mostly in Zoom rooms or conference calls.)
Until such time as this conversation launches, it might also be helpful to ask ourselves the following questions:
· Are our actions aimed at peace or destruction?
· Do our words and actions comport peace or are they intended to inflict wounds?
· Whose ear are we cutting off?
· Whose ear are we being presented with the opportunity to heal, and are we accepting the grace of God to respond?
Almighty God, by the hand of Moses your servant you led your people out of slavery, and made them free at last: Grant that your Church, following the example of your prophet Martin Luther King, may resist oppression in the name of your love, and may secure for all your children the blessed liberty of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
How will you observe Martin Luther King, Jr. Day?
On January 18, 2021 we will honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The day is set aside to honor his accomplishments as a leader, minister, gifted speaker and civil rights activist. As you consider how best to mark the day to honor Dr. King - reflect on the often quoted words of Coretta Scott King that appeared in 1983 in The Washington Post as she highlighted her vision for the observance of the holiday: "The holiday must be substantive as well as symbolic. It must be more than a day of celebration . . . Let this holiday be a day of reflection, a day of teaching nonviolent philosophy and strategy, a day of getting involved in nonviolent action for social and economic progress."
- Begin a conversation – The Salt Project has produced two videos (free and fee based) that you can use in worship, on social media or on your website to reflect upon, inspire and initiate conversation. The videos can be viewed at the diocesan YouTube channel.
- Get informed – Read or listen to Dr. King’s speeches, and letters. Read books written about him and watch films of Dr. King to expand your understanding of his life’s work.
- Consider Dr. King’s work and legacy with respect to our Baptismal Vows – “Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?” “Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?” How might you live out those Baptismal vows with respect to social justice work?
- Be of service to others – In 1957 in Montgomery Alabama Dr. King said “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’“ AmeriCorps leads the effort help individuals and groups respond to this question. Click here to learn about their efforts and get involved on MLK day and beyond.
- Engage Children in the celebration- there are a number of ways to engage children in MLK day: read age appropriate MLK related books with your child. Click here for some suggestions, search Pinterest and other sites for MLK crafts, write a prayer for the world today, participate in an act of service, read the “I Have a Dream” speech together and talk about the hopes and dreams that Dr. King expressed as well as your child’s hopes and dreams for the world today.
Service of Faith, Hope and Love: Meditations and Reflections on Martin Luther King
Manakin Church, Midlothian, invites you to join them for a service of Faith, Hope and Love: Meditations and Reflections on Martin Luther King, Jr on Monday, January 18. The service will be live beginning at 11:30 a.m. here. The service will include reflections from Bishop Haynes as well as others from the congregation, the Diocese and community.
129th Annual Council: A virtual "Council Week"
Presiding Bishop Curry’s Word to the Church: Who shall we be?
Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has issued a Word to the Church. Text and video available here.
From Many, One: Conversations Across Difference
Starting January 18 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day), The Episcopal Church launches "From Many, One: Conversations Across Difference,” a campaign urging Episcopalians and our neighbors to engage in the spiritual practice of listening and honest conversation across the many differences that separate us, starting with four simple questions: What do you love? What have you lost? Where does it hurt? What do you dream? Read more here.
The Episcopal Church launches 2021 Absalom Jones Fund Campaign to assist Episcopal Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Episcopal Church Young Adult Service Corps: Application open for 2021-2022 placements
Deadline: February 19, 2021
Project Resource offers Spring 2021 Stewardship Training
Giving of oneself financially unlocks a part of our hearts where God can do incredible work, both in us and through us. As part of our baptismal covenant, we believe we are called to reconcile ourselves to one another and to God. Fundraising is not a means to an end. Rather, fundraising as ministry is a radical act of reconciliation; a process that can both draw the giver closer to God and repair an unjust world. Project Resource provides the tools to inspire radical generosity and engage faith communities in this life-changing work. Join us on the journey of changing a culture of stewardship in The Episcopal Church.
Friday, January 8, 2021
During times of national unrest, a reminder that God is in charge
A message from Bishop Haynes
January 6, 2021
In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
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Monday, December 14, 2020
Jackson-Feild – Celebrating the past and embracing the future
While ministering to the people of Norfolk during the 1855 yellow fever epidemic, the Rev. William M. Jackson, rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, believed that “a Christian minister’s post in a time of trial was in the bosom of his flock, watching by the bed of death, comforting the bereaved, and encouraging the faith of the weakhearted.”1
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Diocesan virtual service for Christmas 1
As a gift to the Diocese, the Diocesan Office staff, in conjunction with diocesan liturgists, will be offering worship on Christmas 1, December 27. Our worship service will be offered virtually to the entire diocese and will be accessed via the diocesan website, YouTube channel and Facebook. It will also be an opportunity for the diocese to worship together during one of the most joyful times of the year. The service recording will be available for on-demand viewing after Dec. 27. O Come Let Us Adore Him!
Stations of the Nativity
We invite you spend some time during this season of Advent “walking” through the virtual gallery to reflect on the scripture passages and featured artwork for each station. The Stations of the Nativity provides the opportunity to connect words of scripture with art that was created by a number of gifted artists. View the Stations of the Nativity gallery here.
Monday, December 7, 2020
Growing in Grace Through Loss and Change: Six-week study beginning in January
Beginning in January 2021, a six-week Growing in Grace through Loss and Change program will be offered via Zoom. There will be two opportunities to participate in this study: 4 to 5:30 pm Sundays (January 31 through March 7) and 6 to 7:30 pm Thursdays (January 28 through March 4). For better or worse, change involves loss. We’re pretty good at celebrating adding things to our lives, and not so good at routinely cleansing, healing, or processing things when we experience change, particularly when it involves loss. The experience of life during COVID, the death of a beloved human or pet, change in job, home, school, partner, health or economic status all cause grief. Growing in Grace through Loss and Change provides simple action steps to become a cleansing/healing machine and live a lighter, happier life. This study will also give you new skills in responding to losses in others’ lives and can be the foundation or expansion of a healing ministry in your parish. Click here for more information and registration.