The Rev. Sue Reid to serve as Bishop's Liaison for the Diaconate

At Annual Council, Bishop Hollerith announced the appointment of the Rev. M. Sue Reid as the new Liaison for the Diaconate. Sue comes to us with years of experience as a priest of the Church.  A graduate of both Union Theological Seminary in New York City (Master of Sacred Music) and Virginia Theological Seminary (MDiv), Sue has served in many capacities, including as Rector of two parishes and as Canon to the Ordinary for Education and Spiritual Development in the Diocese of Indianapolis. While Sue's title will be different than that of Archdeacon - due to the fact that she remains canonically resident in the Diocese of Olympia - she will nonetheless function as an Archdeacon in our diocese. Sue is presently a resident of Williamsburg and currently serves as the Chaplain for the Deacons School that we share with the other two Virginia dioceses.

Bishop Hollerith also recognized and gave thanks for the work of the Rev. Becki Dean who retired last year as the Archdeacon of the diocese. Becki served faithfully in that capacity since 2014. While family demands necessitated her retirement from leadership, she continues to serve as a deacon at St. Michael's, Bon Air.

Celebrate the life and work of the Venerable James Solomon Russell

The life and work of the Venerable James Solomon Russell will be celebrated at New Hope Baptist Church, 255 Union Mill Road, South Hill, on Sunday, March 25 at 3:00 p.m. A reception will follow the service in the church's fellowship hall.

 

The James Solomon Russell Feast Day Celebration will benefit the preservation of Ascension Episcopal Church in Palmer Springs, Virginia. In 1879, James Solomon Russell, at age 22 and still in seminary at Bishop Payne Divinity School in Petersburg, founded Ascension Episcopal Church. Located in Mecklenburg County, it was the first church James Solomon Russell built and it still proudly stands today, 139 years later, in testimony to the ministry God gave him.

 

At the celebration service, the Rev. Charles M. Raney, Jr., pastor of the Lake Gaston Christian Life Centre will be the preacher, and the Rev. Dr. Joseph N. Green, Jr., rector emeritus of Grace Episcopal Church in Norfolk, will be the celebrant. Music will be provided by the Lighthouse Singers under the direction of Mrs. Sheryl Baird and Mr. David Blount. Special musical selections will also be offered by the acclaimed soloist Ms. Megan Henry. Churches may bring their banners and flags. Clergy: Festive vestments. James Solomon Russell Scholars: Full academic dress.

Nags Head Acolyte Festival April 20-22

St. Andrew's By-the-Sea in Nags Head, North Carolina invites you and your acolytes to participate in the 2018 Diocese of East Carolina Acolyte Festival, April 20-22 at St. Andrew's By-the-Sea. All acolytes, acolyte directors, youth ministers and parents are welcome and encouraged to attend. Participants will go home with new skills and a renewed enthusiasm for liturgy. This year's festival will include Acolyte Olympics, the Bishop's "Beach" Ball, and workshops on banner making, thurifer training, vesting and other topics. Click here for more information and registration. Registration is $45 person which includes all meals and a T-shirt. Registration deadline is March 16.   

Drug use among adolescents and young adults growing - Jackson-Feild's Addiction & Recovery Treatment can help

As frequently reported by the news media and backed by statistics published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA), a common misconception of adolescents and young adults is that prescription drugs are safer and less harmful to the body than stimulants and opioids. The number children using prescription drugs without a prescription is out of control. 

The impact is very harmful to the child's developing brain and body. In adolescence, the brain continues to develop enabling them to set priorities, formulate strategies, focus attention, control impulses, process information and understanding rules, laws and tenets of social conduct.  Drugs impact perception, fracture neural pathways, and affect judgment and inhibition.       

Jackson-Feild's Addiction and Recovery Treatment Can Help

Male and female adolescents and young adults ages 11 to 21 referred to our Addiction and Recovery Treatment Program have not been able to function in the community despite external structure and extensive treatment services. Treatment is covered by Medicaid and many private insurance providers. Therapies utilized in this program include:

• Motivational Interviewing
• Addiction Relapse Prevention Individual and Group Therapy
• Practical Skills in Living Substance Free
• Self-Regulation and Coping Skill Building 
• Trauma Informed and Focused Treatment
• Neurotherapy
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Variations of traditional 12 Step Program
• Faith-based practice and spiritual growth 

Inquiries or referrals for services: admissions@jacksonfeild.org; office 434-634-3217 Ext. 3027; cell phone 434-637-0995

Happening #68 registration is open!

Registration for Happening #68, March 9-11 at Chanco on the James, is now open! Happening is an experiential weekend retreat for teens that may just change your life.  Come and see what it's like to be transformed by God's love! Happening is open to all teens in grades 10-12 and adult advisors who have never attended a Happening program. Click here for more info and registration.  

 

Vestry Training Days: Faith... Authority... Power

Registration is now open
 

Vestry Training Days will be held March 17 at St. Paul's, Norfolk and again on March 24 at St. Matthias, Midlothian. Designed for new as well as experienced vestry members, the workshops will focus on creating best practices for your vestry. Registration is now open here.

Bishop's Day with Senior Wardens will be held March 24 at St. Matthias, Midlothian (concurrently with Vestry Training Day). Bishop's Day for Senior Wardens is designed for Senior Wardens from all parishes and is an excellent training opportunity for new Senior Wardens. Led by the Bishop, this workshop includes: discussion of issues and concerns particular to the office; best practices; and how to develop a relationship with the rector. Registration is now open here.

Lutheran-Episcopal Day of Prayer, March 8

The Lutheran-Episcopal Joint Committee of Virginia is sponsoring a Day of Prayer on Thursday, March 8 at St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Richmond. The day will be led by the Rt. Rev Susan Goff, Bishop Suffragan of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia. Bishop Goff will lead us in considering how and why to pray, whom to pray with, resources for prayer, prayer and the liturgical year, and will share other personal prayer practices. Click here for details and registration.

Clergy transitions

The Rev. William Queen left Christ & Grace, Petersburg, as Interim Rector January 31, 2018.

Theological education scholarships available

The Hampton Roads Community Foundation is currently accepting applications for the following scholarships. The 2018-2019 theological scholarship application is due April 1, 2018. Students may visit our website at www.hamptonroadscf.org to view the list of available scholarships and complete our online application. Applicants should be native or long-time residents of the specified geographic area. 

• Barron F. Black Theological Scholarship- For students at Virginia Theological Seminary (Alexandria, VA) who are candidates for the ministry. Students must be residents of the geographic region served by the Diocese of Southern Virginia. 
• Richard D. and Sheppard R. Cooke Memorial Scholarship - For students from Hampton Roads attending Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond who are candidates for the ministry. Preference will be given to students from Norfolk churches within the Presbytery of Eastern Virginia.
• William F. Miles Scholarship - For a student from Hampton Roads who is preparing for leadership in a field of religious service.
• Reverend Doctor Joyce G. Moss Theologian Scholarship - For students attending Richmond Virginia Seminary or Regent University School of Divinity with the intent of pursuing a full-time career in Christian ministry. Preference will be given to full-time graduate students who have at least a 3.0 grade point average.
• Hy Smith Endowment Fund - For students at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria who are candidates for the ministry. Students must be residents of the geographic region served by the Diocese of Southern Virginia.