Annual Council: Resolutions & Nominations due Dec. 9

The Nomination Form for Annual Council elections is now online at diosova.org. Nomination deadline is December 9, 2011. Candidates are being sought for the following positions:
Standing Committee - 1 laity, 1 clergy
Disciplinary Committee - 2 laity, 2 clergy

Please complete and mail the Nomination Form by December 9, 2011 to Leah Sicignano, 600 Talbot Hall Road, Norfolk, VA 23505. All nominations must be received by mail as they require original signatures.

Resolutions for the 120th Annual Council are due by December 9, 2011. Submit resolutions to the Rev. Charles Robinson, Chair of Resolutions & Memorials, crobinson@brutonparish.org.

Fundraiser in support of Happening

Happening needs your support! Happening is a Christian experience presented by teenagers for teenagers with the help of clergy and lay adult leadership. Happening - A Christian Experience seeks to to bring youth and adults to a fuller personal knowledge of and relationship with Jesus Christ, and to a deeper level of commitment and apostleship. The Happening team is excited to be back at Chanco, but they need your help. They are looking to raise funds to help support the program because it is an expensive one. Anything you can give would be appreciated. You can make a donation online by going to fundly.com/happening. All gifts will be very gratefully received! You can learn more about Happening and see pictures from the most recent Happening weekend at their Facebook page.

Integrity invites you to a Christmas celebration

Integrity invites you to join them on Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. in the Gunn Center at Talbot Hall for a Christmas Celebration. In addition to lots of food, music and fun, this is a wonderful opportunity to get to know Integrity and its members and supporters. All are welcome! Please bring some hors d'oeuvres to share. You can learn more about Integrity at our website or follow them on Facebook.

Applications now being accepted for Episcopal Church Young Adult Service Corps

The Episcopal Church offers untold opportunities for young adults to provide service and share their expertise worldwide through the Young Adult Service Corps. Commonly known as YASC, applications are now being accepted for the Young Adult Service Corps from young adults between the ages of 21-30. Current YASC members are living in Japan, El Salvador, Mexico, Southern Africa, Hong Kong, and Tanzania. Read about their experiences on their blogs. Possible placements for 2012 include Mexico, Brazil, South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, Japan, the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Papua New Guinea. Applicants must have a high degree of maturity and possess a faith commitment and "the willingness to be a humble guest, and the ability to be an authentic companion." Click here for application and information. Application deadline for 2012 placements is January 9, 2012. For more information contact Lisa Denaro at ldenaro@episcopalchurch.org  or 212-716-6114.

With major support from Virginia philanthropist, Saint Paul's College launches fundraising campaign

(LAWRENCEVILLE, Va.)  November 21, 2011 – Saint Paul’s College (SPC) President, Eddie N. Moore, Jr. today announced that Virginia philanthropist Jane Batten, through her donor designated and advised funds at the Hampton Roads Community Foundation, is providing major new support for the small private college, located in Lawrenceville, Virginia.

The announcement came as Saint Paul’s new leadership team launched its “Now & Forever” campaign.  The “Now” is to raise $5 million by the end of June 2012 for campus renovations and to support the school’s operating budget.  And, the “Forever” is for a future multi-year campaign as determined by the Board and Leadership Council’s strategic plan.

“The fund-raising campaign, budget right-sizing and organizational re-structuring underway at Saint Paul’s are key elements in the school’s drive to be reaffirmed in June with full accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges,” said Moore, who took the helm as CEO and interim president on November 10th.  “We need individuals who believe in the Saint Paul’s mission, and we need them to step up and support us now.”

Moore added, “Saint Paul’s College is committed to positioning the College for a long-range strategic planning process and the expansion of the newly formed, broadly representative external leadership council that in tandem with the Board will inform, advise and ensure the continuing relevance of that planning process, long after any individual leaders have come and gone.”  

Challenge grant and endowment:

The Batten Educational Achievement Fund of the Hampton Roads Community Foundation is providing a half-million dollar challenge grant to help raise unrestricted funds for the SPC annual operating needs.  The Batten challenge grant will match dollar-for-dollar up to $500,000 in unrestricted gifts to the Saint Paul’s Annual Fund through next June.

In addition, the Batten Fund for Saint Paul’s College of the Hampton Roads Community Foundation has been established to administer a $1 million endowment to support SPC’s Single Parent Support System.  The program, the only one of its kind in Virginia, delivers support including on-site developmental childcare, academic and social support programs and residential quarters for single parents while they pursue a college degree.

“When you help people grow and improve themselves, everyone benefits,” said Batten.  “The commitment to a brighter future for all of us is why we have offered resources to make college available to people who otherwise would not have access to higher education.”

“We are grateful beyond words for Mrs. Batten’s support,” said Moore. “Receiving the challenge grant in particular is a wonderful way to kick-off our fund-raising efforts.  Mrs. Batten and her late husband, communications entrepreneur Frank Batten, Sr. created a lasting legacy of support for expanded opportunity through higher education.” 

“We also want to thank the Reverend and Mrs. Joseph N. Green, Jr. of Norfolk, who through their friendship and community work, played an instrumental role in introducing Mrs. Batten to the Saint Paul’s Single Parent Support System program,” said Oliver W. Spencer, Jr., Ph.D, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Saint Paul’s College.  “Father and Mrs. Green’s service and contributions to a better life for all people are an inspiration to us all.”

“There are those who ask, ‘Why Saint Paul’s?’  And the simple answer is this: students need to have the option to select a small liberal arts college where they can explore and develop in a caring and nurturing environment,” said Moore. 

“There are young people in our Commonwealth and beyond who can best thrive in the kind of supportive, character building and spiritual environment that Saint Paul’s offers,” said E. Bruce Heilman, Ph.D, co-chairman of SPC’s leadership council and SPC trustee.  “Saint Paul’s serves students who might be lost in or consumed by larger schools.  Our country is great in part because of the diversity of its educational opportunities.”

About Saint Paul’s College:

Founded in 1888 and affiliated with the Episcopal Church, Saint Paul’s College is a private, historically black, accredited, four-year coeducational and culturally diverse liberal arts institution of higher learning located in the rolling hills of Brunswick County in Southern Virginia. Saint Paul’s offers baccalaureate degrees in the arts and sciences, teacher education endorsements, professional and pre-professional programs, and the only Single Parent Support System program for degree-seeking single parents in Virginia.  Saint Paul’s offers an accelerated degree program for working adults in four locations across Virginia including Richmond, Farmville, Franklin and on Saint Paul’s Lawrenceville campus.  Learn more at www.saintpauls.edu.

About Hampton Roads Community Foundation:

The Hampton Roads Community Foundation is southeastern Virginia’s largest grant and scholarship provider. Since its founding in 1950, the regional community foundation has provided more than $152 million in grants and scholarships to improve life in southeastern Virginia. For more information, please visit www.hamptonroadscf.org or contact Sally Kirby Hartman, VP for Communications at (757) 622-7951, or shartman@hamptonroadscf.org.

LARCUM Conference in Waynesboro Dec. 2-3

The Annual LARCUM conference will take place in the downtown Episcopal, Catholic, Lutheran and Methodist Churches of Waynesboro on December 2 & 3. This conference will be very special as the Lutheran, Episcopal, Roman Catholics and Methodist bishops in the Commonwealth of Virginia will be present reaffirming and exploring the commitment made twenty-one years ago that their churches live together in covenant. All are invited to this historic event. Click here for more information and registration. Questions? Contact the Rev. Paul Phillips, 434-372-3637 or phpccity@verizon.net.

Dr. Robert Satcher to Retire From St. Paul's College

After a long and distinguished career in higher education, Robert L. Satcher, Sr., Ph.D. today announced plans to retire from the presidency at Saint Paul’s College when his contract ends in March 2012.

 Dr. Satcher also announced that, upon his recommendation, the Saint Paul’s Board of Trustees has appointed Dr. Eddie N. Moore Jr., retired President of Virginia State University and a highly respected financial administrator, to the position of CEO and Interim President of St. Paul’s College effective November 10. Until his retirement, Dr. Satcher will continue to serve as Executive Advisor to the College. 

“It has been the privilege of a lifetime to serve Saint Paul’s College,” said Satcher.  “I am proud of the record of my administration and I want to ensure that there is sufficient time to provide for a smooth transition to new leadership upon my retirement.  Also, by acting now, I can devote myself to helping Dr. Moore as he leads the effort to reaffirm Saint Paul’s accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Dr. Satcher, Saint Paul’s 9th President, has led the small, historically black private liberal arts college in Lawrenceville since March of 2007.  Previously he served as Interim President, Professor of Chemistry, and also taught physics and physical science courses at Saint Paul’s.  He also served in the positions of Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost at Saint Paul’s College.

Dr. Oliver W. Spencer, Jr., Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Saint Paul’s College expressed his gratitude for President Satcher’s faithful leadership of the College and announced that the Trustees had voted unanimously to bestow upon him the title of President Emeritus, an honor that will be granted to Dr. Satcher during Commencement in May 2012.

Dr. Eddie Moore, who currently serves on the boards of directors of Owens & Minor, Inc. and Universal Corp., has been serving as a pro bono advisor to Saint Paul’s College in its efforts to prepare for its reaffirmation of accreditation.  During his 17 years as President of Virginia State University (VSU), Moore transformed VSU from a financially plagued institution with largely undergraduate offerings into a financially sound university providing high quality undergraduate and graduate programs including its first doctoral program.

Eddie Moore led two successful capital campaigns for VSU that increased the University’s Endowment from $3 million to $30 million dollars while securing an unprecedented expansion in its unrestricted scholarship funds and annual gifts.  Prior to his tenure at VSU he served as Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Virginia. 

“I am eager to help Saint Paul’s ensure that it continues to provide life-changing opportunities for students now and in years to come,” said Dr. Moore.  “We will be calling on alumni and friends to step up to the challenge to support Saint Paul’s College and meet the call of the day.”

“Dr. Moore is known for his exceptional financial management skills as well as his leadership in the community, said Dr. Spencer.  “Saint Paul’s is fortunate to have Dr. Moore assume the helm of the school as the Board begins its search for the tenth President of SPC.”  

About Saint Paul’s College

Founded in 1888 and affiliated with the Episcopal Church, Saint Paul’s College is a private, historically black, accredited, four-year coeducational liberal arts institution of higher learning located in the rolling hills of Brunswick County in Southern Virginia. Saint Paul’s offers baccalaureate degrees in the arts and sciences, teacher education, professional and pre-professional programs, continuing studies, adult education and our Single Parent Support System program on our beautiful 183-acre campus. 

Chanco on the James Seeking New Board Members

The members of Chanco’s board are looking for some folks with new ideas and energy to join them. If you, or someone you know, would like to learn more about becoming a member of Chanco’s Board of Directors and contributing to this meaningful, rewarding ministry, please contact Board President the Rev. Conor Alexander at 609-865-2315 (cell) or by email at conormat@yahoo.com . You may also email or mail Conor the attached board application to 431 Massachusetts Ave. Norfolk, VA 23805. Prayerfully consider serving Chanco in this valuable ministry and making a difference to the place often known as the “heart of the diocese”.

Ordination Exploration Process Online

Information about and applications forms for the Ordination Exploration Process  

are now available on the Clergy Resources page of our website. The Ordination Exploration Process assists individuals and the church in providing opportunities for assessment, exploration, and discernment of a sense of call to ordination. Questions? Contact The Rev. Canon Ed Tracy, etracy@diosova.org or 757-213-3378.

Executive Board's Talbot Hall Property Sub-Committees Hold Initial Meeting

The Talbot Hall Property sub-committees held an initial join meeting on October 26. Bishop Hollerith attended this meeting of the Property Sale and Location sub-committees and gave an overview of the historic functions of the Talbot Hall property, in this order of priority: to supply the administrative offices; to provide housing for the Bishop and one staff person; and to provide a diocesan conference center. The sub-committees are charged to gather information and make recommendations to the Executive Board regarding how these needs can best be met should the Executive Board recommend to Annual Council that a sale process be engaged in. 

Healthcare Open Enrollment Begins Nov. 7

2012 Open Enrollment for clergy and lay employees participating in medical and dental plans is November 7 through December 4, 2011. If you are currently enrolled, you will receive a letter from Episcopal Medical Trust with more detailed information and instructions regarding Open Enrollment for 2012 healthcare plans. You can find more information, including rates and a rate comparison, on our website.