Deep Roots, Wild Branches: Re-missioning the Church from the Outside In

Saturday, July 27, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Andrew's, Newport News  

 

The God who "makes all things new" is up to something. Amid a Christian landscape that looks and feels like a desert of decline, new oases of the Spirit are springing forth. Congregations are cultivating "fresh expressions" of church and experiencing forms of revitalization. Revitalization occurs through re-missioning from the outside in, when the whole people of God join what the Spirit is up to in our neighborhoods and networks. Click here for more information and registration for this day of interactive learning, sharing tools and practical processes presented by Fresh Expressions US.  

Information from the Office of Government Relations: Summary of General Convention policy on abortion and women's reproductive health

In response to questions related to The Episcopal Church's position on abortion, the Office of Government Relations offers a summary of General Convention Policy on Abortion and Women's Reproductive Health. Additional information, including the text of the official policies and statements of the General Convention and Executive Council of The Episcopal Church may be found here. 

Administrators & Treasurers Lunch Group to meet

The Administrators & Treasurers Lunch Group will meet on Thursday, May 30, from 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. There's no agenda for this gathering - just an opportunity to get together, share, encourage, support, and ask questions. Bring your own lunch; beverages will be provided. RSVP to Diocesan Comptroller Judy Dobson, jdobson@diosova.org or 757-213-3386.

Summer Renew & Refresh for Christian Educators

Summer' Renew & Refresh is an event for Christian Educators in the Diocese of Southern Virginia on Saturday, June 22 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at All Saints', Virginia Beach. This is an opportunity to spend a casual day with colleagues engaged in enlivening conversations about both longings and successes. Participants will hear about highlights from the Kanuga Christian Formation Conference and experience relevant takeaway ideas that are adaptable to various ministry settings. We will have time to renew connections with colleagues in addition to  experiencing some Sabbath time as we walk the God's Garden path at All Saints' new Eco Garden. Participants will also have the option the end the day on the beach of the Chesapeake Bay. There is a $10 fee to cover the cost for lunch. Click here to register. 

Cemetery Preservation Workshop at Historic St. Luke's in Smithfield

Join Historic St. Luke's for a hands-on Cemetery Preservation workshop on Saturday, May 18, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteers will learn techniques for cleaning and preserving historic tombstones based on industry best practices. Lunch and the necessary tools for the workshop will be provided. RSVP required! Please contact Rachel Popp, Education Coordinator, at rpopp@historicstlukes.org to reserve your spot(s) for the workshop. Historic St. Luke's is located at 14477 Benns Church Blvd., Smithfield.   

Chanco on the James: Help a child in need come to camp

Year after year Chanco receives more requests in scholarship assistance than our scholarship endowed funds provide.  However, year after year our donors make the difference. Our annual scholarship gifts each year mean that we are able to accept every child who wishes a Chanco experience but is prohibited by cost. Thank you! Again this year, we have received a large amount of scholarship requests, including multiple full scholarships to youth from Boy's Home of Virginia and ForKids, an organization for homeless families. Once again we need our friends to help make a Chanco experience possible for our youth in need. Click here to make your on line donation today and please note "scholarship" in the notes section. Or you may make your check to Chanco on the James with "scholarship" in the memo line and mail to Chanco (394 Floods Drive, Spring Grove, VA 23881). Questions? Contact Development Director Talley Banazek at 804-399-4019 or talley@banazek.com. We thank you in advance for your prayerful consideration of a gift.

Lay and clergy leaders spend a day with Tod Bolsigner

The parish hall at Redeemer, Midlothian, was filled this past Saturday for "Leading in Uncharted Territory" with Tod Bolsinger, author of "Canoeing the Mountains." Throughout the day, Bolsinger shared a combination of illuminating insights and practical tools to help participants re-imagine what effective leadership looks like and how the church can go forward into our rapidly changing world. Bolsinger helped participants dig deeper into the Fresh Expressions introduced by this year's Annual Council speakers.

Bishop Magness addressed these very same issues in his latest blog post -- "this new era of ministry delivery and congregation forming may be so new to us that few have any idea of what to expect.  From where I stand, it appears to be an era of opportunity.  Yet, we'll only be able to see the opportunities when we learn to look in the right places." -- Click here to read the post.

Watch the eNews for another Fresh Expressions event coming this summer!