When can we again gather in our buildings for worship?

A note from Bishop Haynes and the Health Advisory Panel

In the recent Town Hall Meeting with the Diocese, Bishop Haynes communicated to those in attendance that in-person public worship will be safe to resume when the percent positivity rate in Virginia has been consistently (for two weeks) below the 8% rate. We are monitoring the numbers daily and are encouraged that case rates are beginning to drop. However, the percent positivity rate for the entire Commonwealth of Virginia is currently 12.6 and decreasing.

Other regional rates are as follows:

• Central: 11.6% and decreasing
• Eastern: 17.3% and decreasing
• Near Southwestern: 12.5% and decreasing

It is good news that case rates and percent positivity rates are decreasing, but they are not in the safe zone yet. We continue to monitor the situation and will keep you advised of our progress. We encourage you to continue to connect with each other virtually, through telephone, internet and cards and letters to each other. The day is coming when the pandemic will be behind us. Remember the love you have for each other and act upon it.

Episcopal Relief & Development focuses on lament in 2021 Lenten Meditations

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.

We are collecting Lenten (and other) formation resources on the diocesan website here.

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.

The Community of the Gospel invites all to join in Lectio in Lent beginning Feb. 27 at noon. The event is free of charge. Zoom invites will be issued to those who sign up ahead of time at the Doodle Poll here. Additional information may be obtained from Br. Daniel-Chad Hoffman at danhoffma@gmail.com. See more here.

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

Covid-19 National Memorial Event, Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, Washington D.C. 

Tuesday, January 19, 5:30 p.m. People are “invited to join Washington, D.C. in illuminating buildings and ringing church bells at 5:30 p.m. ET in a national moment of unity and remembrance.” For more information click here.

Virtual Prayer Vigil tonight 7 to 8 p.m.

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry will participate in a virtual prayer vigil on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 7 to 8 p.m. organized by Sojourners. The vigil, on the theme of “Peace With Justice,” will include a range of ecumenical Christian voices. Click here for more information and registration.

Prayers for Our Nation

Each day at 5 p.m., Washington National Cathedral. www.cathedral.org

Inaugural Prayer Service Jan. 21

Washington National Cathedral is expected to host an inaugural prayer service on Jan. 21, as is traditional. More information will be available at www.cathedral.org.

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.

In a country not just 250 years old, the 165th anniversary of anything is an event to be celebrated. It is an especially remarkable achievement when you consider  that only 18 of our 50 states had been admitted to the union, important inventions such as the telephone, electricity, automobiles, airplanes, vaccinations, etc. had yet to be invented, and events that shaped our nation and world had yet to occur.

 

Delegate Roslyn Tyler recently presented Tod Balsbaugh, VP of Advancement, the proclamation at her office in Emporia.

 

Jackson-Feild is grateful to the General Assembly for this document and for helping to provide essential mental health services to children with severe mental illness.