Register for Camp Chanco today!

The time is now! Register for Camp Chanco today before it's too late and your session is full! Chanco offers one and two-week traditional sessions; specialty sessions; a new Session Five high school week; and Family Camp. There is something for all ages at Chanco. Visit us at an open house May 20, 1 to 5 p.m., free and open to the public. Bring a friend and remember for every new camper you refer who registers, you receive $50 off your own camp tuition! Join us for fun, faith and adventure where "friends are friends forever." Click here for a video of all the Chanco fun. Click here for a flyer with more information and our dates and rates. Visit www.chanco.org for more information and easy on line registration. Questions? Contact us at hospitality@chanco.org or 888-724-2626.    

Church safety and security seminar May 16

News headlines all too often cite increased incidents of gun violence and churches are not immune from this type of violence. CE-Net originally planned to arrange a training session for the diocese. However, the contacts at various police agencies have encouraged participation in larger community-based programs since they have been inundated with training requests. On May 16, Regent University in Virginia Beach is hosting a free Faith Based Security & Safety Seminar. The seminar is open to staff, clergy, lay leaders and any members interested in providing for and protecting our churches and congregations. If you are interested in attending, click here for more information and registration.  

CE-Net welcomes new co-chairs

The Christian Education Network (CE-Net) is pleased to announce that Vicky Koch and Megan Dern will be the incoming co-chairs of CE-Net. Vicky and Megan are both passionate about Christian formation and are looking forward to connecting with other Christian formation colleagues in the diocese. Vicky is the Director of Christian Education at St. Paul's, Norfolk vkoch@stpaulsnorfolk.org, 757-627-4353 ext. 23, and Megan is the Associate of Children and Youth at Church of the Good Shepherd in Norfolk, megan.dern@goodshepherdnorfolk.org,   970-381-4321.  

Chanco 50th anniversary May 6

	Cursillo #2 and Cursillo #161

Less than three weeks until our golden anniversary! Calling Chanco staff and campers from 1968 to 2018; calling Cursillistas from Cursillo #1 to #164; calling all Happeners from #1 to #68 and calling all EYC, vestry, clergy, parish and family retreat participants - we want you at the 50th! Join 200 Chanco friends already registered on Sunday, May 6 beginning at 11 a.m. for an incredible 50th birthday celebration including a special ceremony, Eucharist on the bluff and a BBQ lunch. Please register at www.chanco.org. (394 Floods Drive, Spring Grove, 23881) Questions? Contact us at 888-7CHANCO (888-724-2626) or hospitality@chanco.org. We can't wait to see you back at the bluff!

First Fridays Recovery Service on May 4

First Fridays is a monthly service designed for people in any kind of recovery and their loved ones. Join us for a candlelit hour in the the church where tears are welcome, joy is celebrated, and all are embraced exactly as they are in their brokenness. During the service participants may light candles and write prayer requests. All are welcome, whether or not you're in recovery.

The service is hosted by the Spiritworks Foundation Center for the Soul and supported by the diocesan Addictions & Recovery Commission. It is held the first Friday of every month at Bruton Parish, Williamsburg. This month's service will be on Friday, May 4 at 5:30 p.m. There will be a baptism during the service and refreshments at the Custis House afterward.

Parking is available on Duke of Gloucester street in front of the church during the service. For more information contact SpiritWorks by phone, 757-903-0000, or email, lauren@spiritworksfoundation.org. Bruton Parish is located at 331 W. Duke of Gloucester Street, Williamsburg.

Obtaining proof of your church's tax-exempt status

Financial institutions are now requiring more detailed information with regards to tax exempt status. If you are contacted by your bank for proof of 501(c)(3) status, you will need to respond in a timely manner or risk having the church's assets held by that institution frozen.

To obtain proof of your church's status as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) unincorporated association, please contact Comptroller Judy Dobson at jdobson@diosova.org or 757-213-3386. You will need to provide her with your parish's EIN number (employer identification number) and mailing address.

If you need further information or have questions, please contact Judy Dobson,  jdobson@diosova.org or 757-213-3386.

ECW Diocesan Annual Spring Meeting

Domestic violence is a hidden plague on our families and communities. Find out more at the ECW Diocesan Annual Spring Meeting, Saturday, May 19. Leslie Ludwig, a former student at Jackson-Feild will speak. The ECW of St. Francis, Virginia Beach, will host the meeting (509 S. Rosemont Rd., Virginia Beach). Registration and coffee at 9:00 a.m. Meeting at 9:30 a.m. The cost of $20 includes registration and lunch. Please RSVP by May 12, and include any dietary requirements, to Tia Morings, ECW Corresponding Secretary, 2031 Indian Point Road, Suffolk, VA 23434, 757-934-6108 (home phone). NOTE: Meeting starts at 9:30 a.m. not 10 a.m. as reported in The Grapevine.

Presiding Bishop Curry joins Worldwide Anglican Communion campaign calling for prayer

For the second year, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has joined the worldwide Anglican Communion in Thy Kingdom Come, a campaign initiated by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby calling for prayer by individuals, congregations and families. Thy Kingdom Come is a global prayer movement that invites Christians around the world to pray between Ascension Day (May 10) and Pentecost (May 20) for more people to come to know Jesus.

A wide selection of resources and information are available to participate in many ways in Thy Kingdom Come, designed for both personal and group devotions and meditations. Click here to learn more about Thy Kingdom Come, and access resources.

SUMMA Theological Debate Camp for high school students

SUMMA Theological Debate Camp at the University of the South is a fantastic opportunity for high school students of all faiths to explore faith through reason and debate. SUMMA Student Theological Debate Society is inviting high school students entering grades 9-12 in the fall of 2018 to apply for SUMMA Debate Camp, held July 17-25 at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. SUMMA Camp is a unique opportunity for students to explore their faith through intellectual channels, meet lifelong friends, and have a lot of fun on one of the most beautiful college campuses in the country!

At SUMMA Camp, students of all faiths learn valuable skills for debate, public speaking, and theological reflection. No previous debate experience or formal theological study is necessary. Campers have a true collegiate experience, but camp is not all work! There is plenty of time left over to swim, play sports, watch movies, go bowling, and have lots of great, summer fun! At the end of camp, the SUMMA prize is awarded to the student who best exemplifies the spirit of SUMMA camp: speaking the truth in love. The SUMMA prize includes a $1,000 scholarship.

Click here for more information. Applications are accepted through June 1, 2018. Please apply soon to avoid being placed on the waitlist.

Free online class on Revelation taught by Michael Battle

How will the world end? Does hell exist? Will we be separated from the people we know and love when we die? These are just a few of the questions the Book of Revelation inspires, and in his groundbreaking analysis, priest, theologian, and seminary professor Michael Battle takes on as he unpacks this book like you've never experienced it before. Revelation: The End of the World or Heaven on Earth is a new, free online class from ChurchNext. It is available in formats for individuals and for groups. You'll find the lectures longer and more in depth than most ChurchNext classes. It is a partnership between ChurchNext and Trinity Wall Street.

Lynn Farlin called to be Canon for Formation

Canon for Formation Caroline Black, having served the Diocese faithfully for over 10 years, will be retiring at the end of April. "Caroline has been wonderfully supportive of my ministry," said Bishop Hollerith. "I have relied on her wise counsel as well as her unflagging desire to get things done. And I have enjoyed our friendship. She will be greatly missed."

Lynn Farlin has been called to become the next Canon for Formation and will join the staff on April 16. Lynn has worked actively in the area of Christian formation for over ten years.  Most recently she served as the Director of Christian Formation at Church of the Ascension in Norfolk where she was responsible for the children, youth and adult formation programs. Lynn worked for twenty-six years in the university setting at Old Dominion University, Anne Arundel Community College, Purdue University and Illinois State University, primarily responsible for student judicial affairs. She holds a MS in College Student Personnel Administration from Indiana State University and a BA in Biological Sciences from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. Lynn is a Safe Church trainer, a member of the Commission on Ministry, and has served on the Standing Committee and Title IV Disciplinary Board. She has been the co-convener of the Christian Education Network (CE-Net) for three years.

Clergy transitions

The Rev. Richard Budd will leave Christ the King, Tabb as interim rector on April 7 and will begin as interim rector at St. Stephen's, Newport News on April 15.   

Bishop Vaché Scholarship applications accepted

The Bishop Vaché Scholarships provide funds to assist low-income and minority college students in the Diocese of Southern Virginia. First year students as well as returning college students are welcome to apply. Scholarship awards range from $1000 to $5000 per academic year. Applications must be postmarked by June 1, 2018. Notifications will go out by June 15, 2018 and awards will be made by July 1, 2018. Click here for the application form.

James Solomon Russell celebrated

by The Rev. Dr. Terrence A. Walker

The annual Feast of the Venerable Doctor James Solomon Russell was observed on Sunday, March 25, 2018 at New Hope Baptist Church, the Rev. Dan Jarrell, pastor. Keynote speaker for the event was the Rev. Charles "Monty" Raney, Jr., pastor of Lake Gaston Christian Life Centre in Ebony. Raney, who grew up in Brunswick County, offered a frank assessment of the legal and societal barriers that Russell faced in his attempt to establish a comprehensive educational and training facility for African Americans in the Lawrenceville area and extolled the benefits to the local and world communities. What began as a basic education facility would grow from a junior college to a fully accredited four-year college (Saint Paul's College, 1888-2013) with students from across the United States and around the world.

 

Musical selections for the celebration were provided by the voices of the Lighthouse Singers of Lake Gaston Christian Life Center, under the direction of Mrs. Sheryl Baird and Mr. David Blount, and by guest soloist Ms. Megan Henry of First Baptist Church, South Boston, Virginia.

 

Each year the James Solomon Russell Commemoration Committee adopts a project that highlights the far-reaching nature of James Solomon Russell's service in Southern Virginia. This year the Committee chose to encourage the renovation of 139-year-old Ascension Episcopal Church in Palmer Springs, Virginia, the first of twenty churches founded by Russell. Per the instructions in the original deed to the Ascension property, when the land was no longer used for religious or educational purposes, ownership reverted to the James Solomon Russell family. Several members of the Russell family were present to receive the document from the Rev. Dr. Terrence Walker who served as the celebrant for the service.