Planning team nominations now being accepted for Episcopal Youth Event 2014

Nominations to serve on the Episcopal Youth Event 2014 (EYE2014) Mission Planning Team are now being accepted through February 16. Nomination forms are available here. Drawing hundreds of youth from throughout the Episcopal Church, EYE 2014 will be held in July 2014. Location will be announced shortly. To be eligible for the Mission Planning Team, youth applicants must be currently enrolled in grades 9 - 11 and must be a communicant of an Episcopal Church congregation. Adult applicants must be at least 25 years old, a communicant of an Episcopal Church, and have experience working with high school-aged youth. 

Lenten lock-in for middle schoolers

On March 1-2, there will be a Lenten Lock-in for middle school students at Eastern Shore Chapel, Virginia Beach. As Lent begins middle school youth are invited to travel briefly on the road with Jesus. This reflective evening offers large group activities and small group workshops. (Art, music, drama and prayer.) Eucharist will be celebrated. This lock-in will help middle school youth to focus on Lent through a series of "fun-but-reflective" activities.  There will also be time to play and get to know each other. Groups have the option of leaving after Eucharist (around midnight) or spending the night. 

Jesus said "take nothing for the journey" but please bring sleeping bags, toiletries, and $5 for breakfast and supplies. Each church is asked to send at least one adult leader. Click here for this event on Facebook. Share it! Click here for an event flyer.  

High School lock-in on February 1

Don't miss the High School Lock-In on February 1, 7 p.m. to midnight, at Galilee, Virginia Beach. Co-hosted by Galilee, Old Donation and Eastern Shore Chapel, this event offers games, worship, new friends and lively discussion. Don't miss it! 

RSVP to ian@galileechurch.net or to your youth leader by Jan. 30. Bring a snack to share and a non-perishable food for the food pantry.

Check out the two Province 3 youth events this Spring

Senior High Weekend- March 1-3

Middle School Weekend- April 19-21

Youth from the dioceses of Province 3 will gather for two wonderful weekends this Spring at beautiful North Bay camp on the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland with music by the Sloane River Project. Who's in Province 3? Our province includes the dioceses of Southern Virginia, Bethlehem, Central Pennsylvania, Easton, D.C., Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Northwest Pennsylvania, Southwest Virginia, Pittsburgh, and West Virginia. 

The fee for the event is subsidized at $100 per person. Scholarship assistance is always available.  Transportation will be coordinated for groups attending the weekends. To register or for more information please contact Ashley Scruggs at  ascruggs@diosova.org.

Tallis Scholars to perform in Virginia

Diocese of Virginia will kick off its new Episcopal Arts Series with two concerts by the Tallis Scholars, perhaps the most famous choir in the world. For more than 40 years, the Oxford, England based Tallis Scholars have been considered the preeminent performers of the greatest sacred music of the Renaissance era. Hailed by the New York Times as "the rock stars of Renaissance vocal music," the Tallis Scholars have produced dozens of recordings, receiving the highest critical acclaim across the globe. The Tallis Scholars will perform two sacred concerts (identical programs), one to be held at the Falls Church, Falls Church, on Tuesday, March 19 at 7:30 p.m. and the other at St. James's, Richmond on Wednesday, March 20 at 7 p.m. Seating is limited. Click here for more information and tickets. 

Time to apply for ECW Scholarships

The Episcopal Church Women's Elise Holladay Scholarship provides assistance to men and women for continued education beyond high school in undergraduate study only. In 2013, the ECW awarded $11,500 to students throughout the diocese. The Beverley D. Tucker Scholarship provides assistance to men and women in church-related training in an accredited Episcopal Church training school. The deadline for applying is April 30. Click here for the application form. Questions? Contact Deborah Austin, akadeborah@aol.com or 757-538-1797. 

Scholarships for VTS students available

Hampton Roads Community Foundation is accepting 2013-2014 applications for the Barron F. Black Scholarship and the Hy Smith Scholarship, both of which are for Virginia Theological Seminary students from the geographic area served by the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia. The Foundation’s theological scholarship application is currently available on our website at http://hamptonroadscf.org/scholarships for interested students to download. The application deadline is April 1, 2013. Awards will be up to $4,000.

LPM Spring Workshop on March 9

Leadership Program for Musicians (LPM) presents a special one-day Workshop to enrich the music ministry of your congregation. "The Music of the Spheres: Choral Anthems from Hymnals and Beyond" will be held Saturday, March 9, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Holy Comforter Episcopal Church, 4819 Monument Avenue, Richmond. Early bird fee: $45 and includes lunch and your free anthem packet. Fee after February 28 is $60. This workshop is for EVERYONE from all denominations who loves the Church's Music and Worship - enthusiastic amateurs and experienced professionals alike.

• Morning session: Using hymns as anthems - Our hymnals provide a wonderful resource for choirs with limited resources-ideas you'll take home!
• Afternoon session: Anthem reading - Unison, two and three part, and simple four part anthems-fun and stimulating.

To Register: Send name(s) and Check to ("LPM Virginia") to Nellwyn Beamon, Church of the Ascension, 405 Talbot Hall Road, Norfolk VA 23505.  

Theologian Dr. Stanley Hauerwas featured at Duke Divinity School Anglican Episcopal Study Day

The Anglican Episcopal House of Studies (AEHS) at Duke Divinity School is excited to announce that this year's AEHS Study Day for clergy on March 14 will feature Dr. Stanley Hauerwas, one of the world's most influential theologians.  His topic is "Preaching without Apology:  Thoughts from an Occasional Preacher and Practical Theologian." Click here for more information. 

2013 Forum for Pastoral Ministries - Caring for the Caregiver

Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care (VIPCare) invites you to the 2013 Forum for Pastoral Ministries. This year's forum is "Caring for the Caregivers" and includes "The Empty Nest is Not Empty Anymore - Special Needs of Dependent Children;" "The Relationship Has Reversed - Caring for Aging Parents;" and "Put Your Own Oxygen Mask on First - Self Care for the Caregiver." Speakers include Dr. W. Vic Maloy, Dr. Doug M. Thorpe and the Rev. Kristin L. Francisco.  

The forum is Thursday, February 7 from 9 a.m. to noon at VIPCare (2000 Bremo Road, Suite 105, Richmond) and is open to all parish and specialized ministry leaders. Cost is $35.00 and 0.3 units Continuing Education Credit are offered.To register call 804-282-8332 or to to www.vipcare.org by January 31.

Association of Episcopal Deacons to hold Diaconal Assembly 2013 in Williamsburg

The Association of Episcopal Deacons (AED) Diaconal Assembly 2013 will be held June 13-16 in Williamsburg. This year's theme is "Jamestown: A Mere 400 Years. Weaving a New World View."

Their time together will begin with Liturgy at the Hunt Monument in Jamestown, site of the first Anglican celebration of the Eucharist in the Americas. Over the space of four days participants will explore the various world views (Colonial, Indigenous, and African) which continue to inform our nation and church. The assembly will be led by presenters Eric Law, Sarah Eagle Heart, and Katrina Brown. Bishop Hollerith will give a welcoming address and celebrate the closing Eucharist at Bruton Parish on Saturday, June 15 at 5:00 p.m.  

For complete information, registration, accommodations, go to www.episcopaldeacons.org. Space is limited to the first 200 to register, so don't delay, register today!

Churches step up to the plate to sponsor children at Jackson-Feild Home

Jackson-Feild Homes would like to thank those churches and Episcopalians who provided gifts or funds for the children for Christmas. Thanks to them, all the children were sponsored and there were additional funds left over to purchase recreational and activity equipment and supplies. The girls and boys were overwhelmed on Christmas morning.

A sampling of some of the children's comments:

Kiersten - "I loved it! It was the best Christmas I ever had."

C.J. - "A memorable and fun experience I will never forget."

Tiffany - "I am very grateful for my gifts because someone really cares about me."

Kejah - "I greatly appreciate the gifts I was given. It shows that people truly care about others."

Victoria - "Thankful that people went out of their way to make Christmas special and the staff also made it memorable."

Jackson-Feild is a residential treatment program that serves children who have emotional disorders. Every effort is made to make these children feel loved, appreciated and valued. Each day, we strive to give the children experiences and opportunities that all children have during their teenage years, and the Christmas sponsorship program is just one of them.

Gareth Kalfas called as Chanco's Executive Director

The Chanco Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Gareth Kalfas has accepted our call to serve as Executive Director of Chanco on the James. Gareth comes to us from Camp All Saints in the Diocese of Dallas where he has served for five years in various roles of increasing responsibility, including Interim Executive Director and Assistant Executive Director. Gareth and his wife, Lynn, are excited to join us in Southern Virginia and he is looking forward to starting officially on February 1, 2013.

Gareth states, "I am very excited to be selected as the Executive Director of Chanco on the James, a camp with such rich tradition and so much support. I understand many of you have had formative experiences at Chanco. I hope you will contact me to share your passion for the camp, and tell me of the experiences that have made it such an important ministry to the Diocese of Southern Virginia. My wife Lynn and I are eager to get to know the area and to make new friends in Virginia." 

Gareth grew up in Jamestown, NY, where he earned his Eagle Scout award and became a die-hard Buffalo Bills fan. He graduated with a B.S. from the University of Notre Dame and earned a second B.S. from the State University of New York College at Fredonia. He proposed to his wife, Lynn, on Christmas day at Colonial Williamsburg. He has continued as a member of the Duke of Gloucester Society ever since and has a special fondness for this area. Gareth is a certified ARC Lifeguard Instructor, a US Sailing Instructor, a Level I Challenge Course Practitioner, a New York State licensed guide, an American Camping Association (ACA) Associate Visitor, and an E licensed soccer coach. 

The Chanco family is thrilled to have Gareth joining our team and we thank everyone in advance for their support and warm welcome for Gareth and Lynn.

Pre-Council Convocation meetings

Convocation 1 - Jan. 27, 5:30  p.m. at St. James', Accomac
Convocation 2 - Jan. 27, 4 p.m. at Old Donation, Virginia Beach
Convocation 3 - Jan. 27, 2 p.m. at St. Andrew's, Norfolk
Convocation 4 - Jan. 30, 7 p.m. at St. Paul's, Suffolk
Convocation 5 - Jan. 29, 7 p.m. at St. Stephen's, Newport News
Convocation 6 - Jan. 29, 7 p.m. at Merchants Hope, Prince George
Convocation 7 - Jan. 22, 7 p.m. at St. Michael's, Bon Air
Convocation 8 - Jan. 26, 10 a.m. at St. Paul's & St. Andrew's, Kenbridge
Convocation 9 - TBD  

Valentine's Day Dinner - 18th Century style - at this year's Annual Council

February 14, 7 p.m. at King's Arms Tavern in Historic Colonial Williamsburg
We welcome you to arrive in Williamsburg a day prior to Annual Council to enjoy a romantic, candlelit dinner at King's Arms Tavern in historic Colonial Williamsburg where the ambiance, welcoming service and colonial entertainment will make this a Valentine's Day to remember for many years to come. A torchbearer will meet us at the Williamsburg Lodge and lead the way to the tavern. (Hotel van will transport those unable to make the walk.) Click here for menu and prices.  

Optional Evening Lantern Tour 

You may also take part in an Evening Lantern Tour. You will be greeted by a professional tour guide on the steps of King's Arms Tavern. Your guide will take you into the historical area, telling the eerie stories along the way. As you journey by candlelight through the streets of Colonial Williamsburg, you will hear some folklore, stories of the past, a little history too. The tour will last one hour and the guide will escort you back to the Williamsburg Lodge where the evening will conclude. Cost of tour is $12 per person. 

Space is limited, so make your reservations now! Make your reservations by contacting Toni Hogg, 757-635-7402 or tonih68@gmail.com

Ridley Foundation accepting grant applications

The Ridley Foundation will be accepting applications for grants for the spring semester until January 20. Click here for an application form and list of requirements.

Reminder to Fall 2012 grant recipients - To receive the second half of your grant, have your school send your fall semester grades to the Ridley Foundation, 600 Talbot Hall Road, Norfolk, VA 23505.  

Annual Acolyte Festival in Nags Head

St. Andrew's-by-the-Sea, Nags Head, invites Southern Virginia acolytes to join them for their Annual Acolyte Festival, April 26-27. Click here for more information and registration form. This year's festival includes a performance by Sloan River Project. For more information contact Debbie Luke, Acolyte Festival coordinator, lukecrew@hotmail.com. 

2013 Epiphany devotions available

Epiphany devotions for 2013 developed by the Episcopal Church, the Anglican Church of Canada, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada are available here. “These devotions for Epiphany are a mark of our deepening partnership and the common work of our four churches,” noted Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori.  “Our working together is another sign of our full communion relationship.”

The six devotions for the season of Epiphany are based on the shared gospels for the Sundays and are appropriate for both groups or individuals.

Sunday, January 6: Epiphany 1, Feast of Epiphany
Sunday, January 13: The Baptism of Our Lord
Sunday, January 20:  Epiphany 2
Sunday, January 27: Epiphany 3
Sunday, February 3: Epiphany 4
Sunday, February 10: Feast of the Transfiguration

The contributors to the Devotions are members of the Lutheran-Episcopal Coordinating Committee, USA, and the Joint Anglican-Lutheran Commission (JALC), Canada.

Upcoming free ECF web conferences

As part of Episcopal Church Foundation's on-going efforts to assist congregations in developing their leadership and financial resources, they are offering a wide range of web conferences for clergy and lay parish leaders this winter. There is no cost to participate in most of the web conferences (there is a nominal fee of $10 for Fresh Start web conferences) and all lay and clergy leaders are welcome to participate. Topics include vestry leadership (in English and in Spanish), engaging congregations with local communities, capital campaigns, clergy transition, annual giving, endowments, and planned giving. Click here for details and registration.