Presiding Bishop Curry: Easter 2018 message from the Holy Land

"Hatred does not have the last word," the Presiding Bishop said. "Violence does not have the last word. Bigotry does not have the last word. Sin, evil do not have the last word. The last word is God, and God is love."

Filmed on Palm Sunday during his visit to the Holy Land, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry delivered his Easter 2018 Message while standing outside of St. George's Cathedral in Jerusalem. You can watch video of Bishop Curry's message here and read the full text here.   

 

New resources: Evangelism; Youth Advocacy, MLK

Evangelism resources: Conference video; Toolkit

Evangelism Matters conference video
Evangelism Matters, an Episcopal evangelism conference, was held March 15-17 for anyone excited to learn about sharing and growing loving, liberating, life-giving relationships with God. Video of speakers at Evangelism Matters are available online at evangelismmatters.org. Evangelism Matters is ideal for congregational discussion, adult forums, youth groups, and other gatherings. 

Episcopal Evangelism Toolkit
A new, comprehensive Episcopal Evangelism Toolkit is available online for congregations, dioceses, groups, and individuals to explore Evangelism and grow capacity to share the good news of God in Christ far and wide. The toolkit is available here in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole. The Episcopal Evangelism Toolkit is ideal for educational purposes, leadership development, faith formation, adult forums, youth groups, and other Episcopal gatherings. 

 

Sustain the Energy webinar on April 10 focuses on advocacy opportunities for young people 

The Sustain the Energy webinar on April 10, 7-8 p.m., will focus on advocacy opportunities for young people following the March 24 March for Our Lives events held throughout the country.

Hosted by the Episcopal Church Offices of Government Relations, Youth Ministries, and Young Adult and Campus Ministries, the free one-hour webinar is designed to be an informative online conversation with resources, best practices, and next steps. Pre-registration is required and is available here.

Free adult curriculum honoring Martin Luther King 

April 4, 2018 marks 50 years since the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

In observance of the deep and lasting impact of Dr. King's ministry, Trinity is offering the video curriculum below for use by individuals or in group education settings. The speaker series, "Three Epistles on Race in America," explores contemporary black/white relationships using writings that, while perhaps lesser known than King's famous "I have a dream" oratory, resonate powerfully today. Click here to learn more and to access the curriculum.

May Weekend registration is open!

Join us for May Weekend, May 18-20, at Chanco on the James. This is a weekend retreat for teens (grades 6-12) focused on fun, friendship and faith in honor of Pentecost and the 50th Anniversary of Camp Chanco.

May Weekend features awesome music, group games, campfires, interesting workshops, meaningful worship, camp activities, group discussions, arts and crafts, a dance party, and fantastic food! Click here for more details and registration. 

Province III ECW Annual Meeting May 6-7

The 99th Annual Meeting of Province III Episcopal Church Women will be held May 6-7 at the Holiday Inn in Martinsburg, WV. The gathering will convene on May 6 with Holy Eucharist, a welcome dinner and presidents' meeting. The business meeting and joint session with Province III Synod will be held May 7. Click here for more info and registration form. For more information or to be added to the mailing list, contact Province III ECW President Beblon Parks, bebparks@gmail.com or 804-323-0542. Click here for a flyer to post in your parish. 

Video of Evangelism Matters conference available

Evangelism Matters, an Episcopal evangelism conference, was held March 15-17 for anyone excited to learn about sharing and growing loving, liberating, life-giving relationships with God. Video of speakers at Evangelism Matters are available online at evangelismmatters.org. Evangelism Matters is ideal for congregational discussion, adult forums, youth groups, and other gatherings. 

Holy Week Sermons 2018: New resource for worship, reflections, meditation

A new resource, Holy Week Sermons 2018, is an ideal companion for Holy Week devotions. The 28-page Holy Week Sermons 2018 is designed for public and personal use for group discussions, personal meditations, reflections, and devotional reading by preachers, groups, individuals, adults and youth. Prepared through the Episcopal Church's popular Sermons That Work, the resource is designed for use throughout Holy Week to follow Jesus through the streets of Jerusalem, to Gethsemane, to the foot of the cross, and toward the joy of Easter.

Included are resources for Palm Sunday through the Great Vigil, all presented in different voices by the cadre of writers from Sermons That Work.  Topics are Sacrifice; Leave Her Alone. She's Telling The Truth; Let Go Into Jesus; At the End Of This Week; To The End; The Passion According To John. The Easter Vigil is St. John Chrysostom's Paschal Sermon.

Holy Week Sermons 2018 is available at no cost here and for downloading here.   

Bishop Search: Update from the Standing Committee

During this time of transition, the Standing Committee has committed itself to regular updates to the Diocese. We hope that this will help you stay abreast of the developments in our Bishop Search process. In the meantime, please keep the Standing Committee, Bishop Hollerith, and the Diocese in your prayers.

 

On Feb. 28, the Standing Committee met with Bishop Todd Ousley from the Presiding Bishop's office to train us in how to set up a Bishop search. (Click here for more information about the process.) Over the next several months we will be working on the following high level goals:

• Hire a search consultant to guide the Standing Committee, Search Committee, and Transition Committee through the process.
• Establish a timeline for major events.
• Designate persons to work on the Search Committee and assign a chair.
• Designate persons to work on the Transition Committee and assign a chair.

Thank you and God's Peace,

Standing Committee  

Women-to-Women event on April 15

Mme Esperance Kungoza, founder of Programs in Ituri for Rehabilitation and Development (PIRD), will speak at Christ and St. Luke's on Sunday, April 15 at 9 a.m. PIRD, the indigenous NGO (non-governmental organization),  she started 10 years ago,  continues to focus on women and girls, survivors of gender-based violence in the region of Ituri, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Currently, Mme Kungoza works in the US Embassy in Kinshasa, the capital, where she oversees the financial side of an AIDS program. "We are so excited Mme. Kungoza can take time to visit us," said Susan Broaddus, Women-to-Women Coordinator. "This year Women-to-Women will support PIRD. Our fundraising will help pay for counseling and education for 15 of the young women. Do plan to join us at April 15 to learn about the wonderful work accomplished by PIRD and to learn how you can help."

March for Our Lives: Peace Gathering, youth group accommodations

Epiphany Episcopal Church in Oak Hill, Virginia, invites those who plan to participate in the March for Our Lives on Saturday, March 24 to a Peace Gathering on Friday, March 23. Epiphany is also offering overnight accommodations to chaperoned youth groups. Epiphany is located at 3301 Hidden Meadow Drive, Oak Hill, Virginia. Get more information and register here.

Peace Gathering
Friday, March 23, from 6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. ALL are welcome to attend! There will be an Italian-style dinner, live bands, singing, readings, and memorial time to remember and honor all of those who have been affected by school gun violence. RSVP is appreciated for food purposes.

 

Overnight Accommodations (Reservations Required)
Out-of-town youth and chaperones are invited to spend the night at Epiphany on March 23 and attend the march in D.C. the next day. Reservations required, space is limited.

Historic St. Luke's Church offers new program on race and slavery in the Colonial period

Historic St. Luke's Church in Smithfield offers private group tours. Groups of ten or more receive a discounted rate of $5 per person. Tours can be customized specifically for your group. Historic St. Luke's is also now offering a new presentation on the Church and the creation of race, looking at the church's complicity in justifying slavery in the Colonial period. Click here for more information about Historic St. Luke's and its programs.

Apply now for ECW scholarships

Elise Holladay Scholarships are available for young men and women who want to further their education after high school. Also, the ECW Beverley D. Tucker Scholarship  provides assistance to men and women in church-related training in an accredited Episcopal school. Use the same form to apply for either scholarship. Click here for an application. Applications must be complete and postmarked by Thursday, April 26, 2018. Questions?  Call 757-650-8809  

William & Mary Canterbury Black Tie Gala & Silent Auction on April 7

The students of William & Mary Canterbury invite you to their Canterbury Black Tie Gala & Silent Auction on April 7, 6 to 9 p.m. in the historic Christopher Wren Building on the campus of William & Mary. Tickets are $75 per person and can be purchased at Canterbury's website. Admission includes heavy hors d'oeuvres, beverages and entertainment from William & Mary's Student a capella groups. All proceeds benefit the Canterbury Mission Fund which provides grants to various local charities and scholarships to William & Mary students for international mission trips. This year the Mission Fund will focus on providing scholarships for students in Belize, for local charitable organizations, and for the Pilgrimage to England. If you cannot attend the Gala, but wish to contribute, you may donate online or send your check, payable to Bruton Parish Church with "Canterbury Mission Fund" on the memo line, and mail it to Bruton Parish, PO Box 3520, Williamsburg, VA 23187-3520 or drop it by the parish office.

Clergy transitions

The Rev. Marni Schneider left St. Simon's by the Sea, Virginia Beach, on February 28, 2018.

The Rev. Dale Hirst left St. Stephen's, Norfolk, on February 28, 2018, and began as priest-in-charge at St. Simon's by the Sea, Virginia Beach, on March 1, 2018.

The Rev. Robin Teasley began as rector of Christ & Grace, Petersburg, on March 1, 2018.

Boys Home of Virginia has a new website

Check out the new Boys Home website at boyshomeofva.org. The new format makes it easier to navigate, whether looking for a place to serve the needs of a young man or for those who want to engage with Boys Home and become supporters. 

Jackson-Feild residents celebrate Black History Month

In recognition and celebration of Black History Month, Residential Services Supervisor Katrinka Phillips planned an entire day filled with a number of fun and educational activities. Residents created posters depicting African-Americans who were instrumental in the Civil Rights Movement. They held a poetry reading and read aloud black history information that resonated with them. They even enjoyed a rousing game of "Black History Jeopardy" featuring questions written by staff about important people, places, days, and definitions.

 

Working to ensure that every holiday throughout the year is recognized with a special meal, Jackson-Feild's Director of Food Services Cynthia Easter pulled out all the stops for this Black History Month celebration. Easter and her staff prepared a dinner of fried chicken, homemade macaroni and cheese, strings beans, rolls and apple cobbler that was thoroughly enjoyed by residents and staff alike.

 

Days like this are just one of the many things that set Jackson-Feild apart from other treatment facilities. In addition to receiving the treatment they need, the boys and girls are provided opportunities to explore topics of interest as a group, share their talents, and celebrate holidays that are important to them.

United Thank Offering update

The ECW sends out a heart-felt "thank you" to everyone who donated to the United Thank Offering in 2017. A total of $31,154.78 was collected for UTO in 2017. $26,890.98 was collected in the Spring and $4,263.80 was collected in the Fall. Here's more happy news - donations for 2018 have already started coming in! $2,940.44 has been collected for 2018. This amount includes $959.97 collected in the Blue Boxes at February's Annual Council in Williamsburg. This number is up from $791.83 collected at Council last year. Again, thank you!

 

Donations collected during April and October 2018 In-gatherings throughout the Diocese may be mailed to Ronda Toll, UTO Coordinator, 42 Cherbourg Drive, Newport News, VA 23606. Contact Ronda at 757-869-8873 or rtoll@cox.net with any questions or requests for UTO materials. Donations are collected for UTO throughout the year. 2018 donations will be collected until December 10, 2018.

 

The National UTO Board has created a simple prayer (memorable and easy enough for children to recite) that can be said when making an offering in a Blue Box. Here's the 2018 prayer:

Almighty God, I give you praise
for blessing me in many ways.
Create in me a grateful heart
and with this gift, a blessing start. Amen.

Episcopal Church scholarship applications for 2018-2019 now accepted

Applications are now being accepted for educational scholarships from the Episcopal Church for the 2018-2019 academic year. The scholarships are derived from annual income of designated trust funds established by generous donors through bequests to the Episcopal Church.  The scholarships assist students who are mostly enrolled in theological education and training. Scholarships are available for educational training for ethnic communities, children of missionaries, bishops and clergy, and other groups covering a wide range of eligibility.

The lists of trust funds and scholarships as well as key information are here. Applicants are strongly encouraged to read each trust and identify in the application those trust funds that best fit their own profile. Among the requirements for applying for the scholarships are that the applicant must be an Episcopalian and must have the endorsement of his/her bishop. Application deadline is April 6.

In the Footsteps of Paul: Pilgrimage to Greece

October 2-12, 2018
Land and sea travel is the best way to experience Greece and the Greek Isles, and October offers the best weather in the region. This all-inclusive trip, hosted by the Rev. Dr. Paul "Peter" Hogg, includes: 1) Round-trip flights from Dulles; 2) Tours of Athens, Corinth, Delphi, Kalambaka, Thessaloniki, including first class hotels, meals; 3) Tour the Aegean Sea Isles of Mykonos, Ephesus, Patmos, Crete, Santorini as well as Ephesus (Turkey) on modern Celestyal Cruise Line ship, including all meals. Reserve now if you are serious; this tour has a limited capacity. The tour brochure and a flyer you can post or share are available here. Questions? Call or email: The Rev. Dr. Paul "Peter" Hogg, 757-635-3557, phogg123@gmail.com, or Toni Hogg 757-635-7402, tonih68@gmail.com.