James Solomon Russell/Saint Paul's College museum and archives being established

The Brunswick County/Lake Gaston Tourism Association worked with officials at Saint Paul's College before it closed to secure and store the historical artifacts, records, photographs, memorabilia and other items documenting the life of James Solomon Russell and the college he founded. Those items will be housed together in a museum and archive. A committee has been formed to start work on creating the James Solomon Russell/Saint Paul's College Museum and Archive. The newly formed committee would like to invite those who may be interested in serving on the board or helping with the project to attend their meetings - the third Tuesday of each month at 2 p.m. in the former school board office at 219 N. Main Street in Lawrenceville.

"This new museum will be a great asset to this community, both alumni groups and all visitors who want to research and browse the works of this distinguished intellectual pioneer," said James Grimstead, chair of the committee, "and hopefully inspire our youth to pinpoint this place to make their mark."

For more information please contact James Grimstead, 434-848-2173.

Boys Home Christmas Tree Farm opens Nov. 25

Think of Boys Home during the holidays. When you select a beautiful, fresh tree from the Boys Home Christmas Tree Farm, you'll support them financially and support a unique and very important Boys Home activity.

The farm involves everyone. In the spring, residents set out transplants and plant seedlings. In the summer and fall, they shear trees and groom fields. During the winter, they cut and deliver trees for wholesale and assist with the Choose & Cut sales at the farm. It's a huge team effort, and an important source of revenue.

Boys Home Christmas Tree Farm will be open Fridays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from November 25 through December 23. There will be an Open House from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 26. The farm is located at 1118 Bear Wallow Flat, West Augusta, VA. Call 540-939-4106.

To learn more about the farm and Boys Home, go to www.boyshomeofva.org.

Psychologist at Jackson-Feild presents at SBCNA Conference

Dr. J. Michael Griffin, a psychologist who provides neurofeedback therapy at Jackson-Feild Behavioral Health Services (JFBHS) recently gave two presentations at the annual conference of the Southeast Biofeedback and Clinical Neuroscience Association.

 

Of his two presentations, one - titled "Neurofeedback in an Adolescent Residential Treatment Program" - was the result of a study conducted at JFBHS. In his presentation, Griffin noted that "adolescents in long-term residential facilities often have histories of abuse, neglect, and family histories of mental illness. Often these youths have received years of outpatient treatment, multiple in-patient psychiatric hospitalizations in acute care facilities, foster placements, and multiple behavioral health residential admissions. Multiple [types of treatment] have been used, including counseling, psychopharmacology, recreational therapy, therapeutic horticulture, equestrian therapy, and others. Despite these interventions, significant acting out behaviors may persist."

 

The study at JFBHS sought to determine whether neurofeedback is an effective treatment to reduce the severity, frequency and duration of acting-out incidents. Over the course of the study, it was found that children receiving neurofeedback had at least 50% fewer incident reports than in prior reporting periods and those who received an average of four per month had an additional 17% fewer incident reports than those receiving two per month. In addition, staff noted that children had improved self-awareness, greater impulse control and reduced hyperactivity.

 

JFBHS is constantly striving to provide better services to help children who have suffered severe emotional trauma, and Griffin's work and services are much appreciated tremendously beneficial.

Campus ministries come together at retreat

Campus ministries from across the Diocese came together for a retreat at Chanco on the James  this past weekend. There were 43 students from William & Mary, Old Dominion University, Hampden Sydney, Longwood, Virginia Commonwealth University and Christopher Newport University. "We gathered together with the theme of looking at our brokenness and vulnerability as ways that God meets us and helps us to grow into who God created us to be," said ODU chaplain the Rev. Wendy Wilkinson. She added, "The Eucharist at dawn on the pier was a bit chilly!"

Parish pledges are due by Dec. 15

Parish pledges to the Episcopal Church in Southern Virginia for 2017 are due by December 15, 2016. A message from Bishop Hollerith, along with a Parish Commitment Form, were emailed to clergy and lay leaders in October. Letters and forms will NOT be mailed this year. If you did not receive an email, please contact Nancy James, njames@diosova.org or 757-213-3386. Click here for the 2017 Parish Commitment Form.

Union of Black Episcopalians meeting on Nov. 10

The James Solomon Russell chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE) will meet on Thursday, Nov. 10 at 10:30 a.m. at Grace, Norfolk (1400 E. Brambleton Ave., Norfolk). All Episcopalians in the Diocese of Southern Virginia are invited and encouraged to join the UBE and become members of this diverse and concerned group. For more information contact David Flores, drf71137@gmail.com.

United Thank Offering: Grant applications available Dec. 2; Fall ingathering monies due by Dec. 10

Grateful hearts are the reason the United Thank Offering (UTO) is able to continue to award grants which are gifts of love, and which change lives. They are also the reason the UTO is a vital mission arm of the Episcopal Church.

Fall Ingathering due by Dec. 10
Churches held their UTO Fall Ingathering was in October. Churches should submit their donations before Dec. 10. Make check payable to United Thank Offering and mail it to our Diocesan UTO Coordinator Helen Sharpe-Williams, 2343 Locks Landing, Chesapeake, VA 23323.

UTO Grant materials available Dec. 2
Annual United Thank Offering grant materials and application forms will be available Dec. 2. Please make sure to note that grant applications are due March 3, 2017. This is the deadline for the Bishop's office to submit the approved grant application. All UTO grant applications must be submitted to the Bishop's office no later than Feb. 17, 2017.

Clergy transitions

The Rev. David Teschner will retire as rector at Christ and Grace, Petersburg, on November 20, 2016.

The Rev. Anne Kirchmier will leave St. George's, Newport News (Nov. 2016) and will begin as rector of St. Andrew's, Newport News (Feb. 1, 2017)

Meredith Melo joins Jackson-Feild

Jackson-Feild Behavioral Health Services (JFBHS) is pleased to announce that Meredith Melo will be the Assistant to the Vice President of Advancement in their development office.

 

Meredith is a native Virginian from Yorktown. She earned her B.S. in Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise from Virginia Tech and recently earned her Master of Public Health from George Mason University.She served as a student intern with the Office of Congressman Rob Wittman in his Washington office.She also interned at the American Heart Association in Arlington helping with development responsibilities managing their weekly newsletter and assisting with database operations. She also worked with community groups and assisted with volunteer coordination.

 

Meredith replaced Ann Chaffins who retired after twenty faithful and successful years of service to Jackson-Feild and the children it services.

Applications accepted for grants focused on climate change and creation

Applications are now accepted for grants that focus on local faith-based projects for mitigating climate change and safeguarding the integrity of Creation. The Episcopal Church Advisory Council for the Stewardship of Creation, enabled by Resolution A030, Create Task Force On Climate Change, approved at General Convention 2015, will make recommendations for grants up to $10,000. Only Episcopal institutions (parishes, dioceses, provinces, schools, seminaries, monastic communities, Episcopal organizations and other Episcopal affiliated entities) are eligible to receive these funds. Partnerships with non-Episcopal entities are welcome and encouraged, but an Episcopal entity must serve as the project leader, active manager, and reporting agent. Deadline for applications is Dec. 31, 2016. Application information is here.

Administrators & Treasurers to meet Nov. 17

The Administrators & Treasurers Lunch Group will meet on Thursday, Nov. 17, 12 to 1:30 p.m. at the Diocesan Office in Newport News. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet with other parish administrators and treasurers to talk about common issues. Bring your own lunch; beverages will be provided. There's no agenda for this gathering - just an opportunity to get together, share, encourage, support, and ask questions. RSVP to Nancy James, njames@diosova.org. 

CE-Net meeting on Nov. 10

CE-Net (Christian Educators Network) will meet on Thursday, Nov. 10 from 9:30 to noon at the Diocesan Office in Newport News. Would you like to learn how you can continue formation at home? Or how would you like to send weekly updates on what you covered in formation so parents have an idea of what to talk to their kids about? If these questions interest you, CE-Net would like to invite you to a working session with diocesan Communications Officer Ann Turner who will walk us through how to set up a blog and how to use a recently added feature to the diocesan website. Bring your laptops and your questions. Lunch will be provided. Ann will also be available until 2 p.m. to answer any individual questions. Please RSVP by Nov. 8 to jenny.nauroth@cox.net. 

Clergy Compensation Guidelines for 2017

The Executive Board approved a 1% cost of living increase for 2017. The  2017 Clergy Compensation Manual is now available on our website. The manual includes a review of diocesan and national canonical requirements, federal regulations, traditional and generally accepted personnel practices. The manual may be used as guidelines in discussions between vestries and clergy in the Diocese of Southern Virginia. Additional consultation is available from the Canon for Administration Ed Tracy,  etracy@diosova.org, 757-213-3378 or 800-582-8292.

Young Adult Service Corps accepting applications for 2017-2018 placements

Young adults (21-30 years old) have an opportunity to transform their own lives while engaging mission and ministry in the Anglican Communion by joining the Young Adult Service Corps. Now, applications are available for 2017-2018 placements in the Young Adult Service Corps, commonly known as YASC. Click here for more info and application.

Currently YASCers are serving throughout the Anglican Communion, working alongside partners in administration, agriculture, communication, development, and education. They are serving in Brazil, Costa Rica, England, France, Haiti, Hong Kong, Japan, Jerusalem, Panama, Philippines, and South Africa. Adrienne Davis of St. David's, Chesterfield, is currently serving in YASC in Hong Kong.

Among possible placements for 2017-2018 are Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, England, France, Ghana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Japan, Jerusalem, Mexico, Panama, Philippines, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, and Tanzania.

Advent devotions offered by heads of Episcopal Church, Anglican Church of Canada, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

	L to R: Presiding Bishop Michael Curry; the Rev. Susan Johnson; the Rev. Elizabeth Eaton; the Most Rev. Fred Hiltz

Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael Curry joined the leaders of the Anglican Church of Canada, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in preparing Advent Devotions for the upcoming liturgical season.

Titled "Liberated by God's Grace" and available here. The weekly devotions were prepared by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, the Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; the Most Rev. Fred Hiltz, Primate of the Anglican Church in Canada; and the Rev. Susan Johnson, National Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. The Advent Devotions can be downloaded for websites, bulletin inserts, church programs, and used as discussion points.

Bishop Hollerith at Washington National Cathedral

L to R:  Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers; Rev. Dr. Rosemarie Duncan; Rt. Rev. Mariann Budde; Rev. Canon Kelly Brown Douglas; Bishop Hollerith; Presiding Bishop Michael Curry; Rev. Canon Jan Naylor Cope; Very Rev. Randolph Hollerith

Bishop Hollerith was at the National Cathedral on Sunday, Oct. 23 - preaching at the morning service and participating in the installation of his brother, the Very Rev. Randolph M. Hollerith, as 11th Dean of the Cathedral. You can watch video of both services on the cathedral website,  www.cathedral.org. 

125th Annual Council Feb. 10-11 in Williamsburg

The 125th Annual Council of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia will be held February 10-11, 2017 at the Williamsburg Lodge Convention Center. Bookmark this page, www.bit.ly/diosova125, where you can find the most current information about the 125th Annual Council, including: Nomination form for elections; Youth Delegation application; Communicator Credentials application; and hotel information. Council hashtag is #diosova125.

Stewardship: It's not about money... It's about relationships
Our keynote speaker will be the Rev. Canon Timothy Dombek, Canon for Stewardship in the Diocese of Arizona. Dombek will give three presentations at Council: Building Relationships = Increased Giving; How to Talk About Money & Pledges; and The Most Overlooked Aspect of Congregational Stewardship.

Registration will begin Nov. 28
Council registration will open on Monday, Nov. 28. You will be able to register individually or you may register your entire delegation. Attendees will need to make their own hotel reservations. Discounted rates will be available at the Williamsburg Lodge and The Woodlands. 

Volunteer Choir

In celebration of our 125th annual Diocesan Council, the opening worship service on Friday, February 10 at 11 a.m. will include a brass quintet and volunteer singers from around our Diocese. Rebecca Davy, Music Director and Organist at Bruton Parish, Williamsburg, will direct the volunteer choir and is looking for singers to participate in this special service.  If you would be interested in singing, contact her at bdavy@brutonparish.org or 757-645-3431.

Dismantling Racism workshop Nov. 5

Virginia Organizing will offer a Dismantling Racism workshop on Saturday, Nov. 5, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Trinity, Portsmouth (500 Court Street). During this workshop, people of different racial and ethnic backgrounds will have the opportunity to reflect on personal experiences, discuss issues, explore theories in anti-racism work, and focus on how to make changes within their organizations and communities. This is an opportunity to talk in an open, diverse, and safe setting about racism and to develop action plans to take home. Click here for more info and registration. Please register by Nov. 3.  

2015 Parish Audits due now

2015 parish audits were due September 1.  We have received 34. If you have not turned in your church's audit, please contact Kellie Riley at the diocesan office, kriley@diosova.org, to let her know the status of the audit.

If you need information about how to conduct an audit, you can go to the diocesan website, www.diosova.org, or contact Nancy James, njames@diosova.org or 213-3386, or Kellie Riley, kriley@diosova.org or 213-3374.  

Help ECW fund outreach - submit dues by Nov. 1

Each fall the ECW Diocesan Board asks Episcopal Church Women diocese-wide to help fund outreach in the diocese, nation and world. Each parish is requested to contribute annual dues of $3 per person. Two of those dollars ($2) fund the ECW Diocesan Budget on page 33 in the Yearbook and Directory. At year end, recipients world-wide receive donations allotted by percentages based on the amount of money received. The remaining dollar ($1) helps fund the administrative fund.

 

The board also asks for voluntary contributions to help fund the Church Periodical Club and Miles of Pennies; the Elise Holladay Scholarships for high school graduates to further their education; the Book of Remembrance-gifts in memory of loved ones also fund the Elise Holladay Scholarships; God Bless the Children, Jackson-Feild Homes and Boys Home graduation gifts; and With These Hands, Holy Cross Anglican School, Belize Feeding Program.

 

All contributions are due November 1. Please mail one check payable to: ECW Treasurer with the Parish Annual Contribution Report to Betty Mariner, ECW Diocesan Treasurer.

 

Who's Who is ECW?

We need your help to keep contact information up-to-date in the ECW Yearbook and Directory. We also want to honor our sisters in memoriam. Please complete and mail the ECW Parish Information Report, due November 1, and the ECW Convocation Report 2016, due November 15, to Louise Boss, Second Vice President. You can find all the forms in the 2016 ECW Yearbook and Directory. For a copy, email or call Ann Turner, Diocesan Communication Officer, aturner@diosova.org, 757-213-3388.

Connect with Evangelism Matters conference through FREE live webcast and on-demand

Congregations, dioceses, groups, and individuals can connect with Evangelism Matters without traveling to Texas for the groundbreaking event. Evangelism Matters, an Episcopal Church Evangelism Conference on November 18-19 in Dallas, TX, is designed for anyone who would like to learn more about evangelism and available resources to share our faith. The churchwide event is co-sponsored by Forward Movement and the Presiding Bishop's Office, and is hosted by the Diocese of Dallas and Church of the Transfiguration, Dallas, TX where the activities will be held.

Key portions of Evangelism Matters will be live webcast to allow for individual and group viewing during conventions, discussion groups, and local evangelism gatherings. The webcast is free and does not require registration. Get more information on how you can access the conference here.

Church Leadership Conference Feb. 17-19 at Kanuga

The  Church Leadership Conference, sponsored by Kanuga and the Episcopal Church Foundation, will be held at Kanuga February 17-19, 2017 and will explore the theme "Finding Your Place."  Join Rachel Held Evans, Canon Frank Logue, and a team of presenters as they discuss leadership skills that will enable churches to thrive.  For more information and to register, please visit www.kanuga.org/churchleadership.

Two new online courses from ChurchNext

ChurchNext has launched two brand new courses, suitable for individual or group study:

• Practical Forgiveness - Forgiveness continues to be one of the greatest issues facing humankind. Class led by Rob Voyle. Click here to learn more.
• A 7 Week Advent - With Advent approaching, there's a small but hearty movement to expand the season from four weeks to seven. Episcopal rector Stephen Smith leads this course. Click here to learn more.

ChurchNext offers you the opportunity to learn from expert teachers in Scripture, liturgy, and important Christian topics. Students can interact in a safe, online environment that's convenient, engaging, and affordable.