Cemetery Iconography presentation Nov. 3 at Historic St. Luke's

The design and creation of tombstones is an ancient art with deep meanings behind many of the symbols chosen for each monument. The weeping willow, the cherub, the rose that has not fully bloomed, the eternal circle of the wreath, are all symbols with important meanings, carefully selected by loved ones upon the death of those memorialized. Join Historic St. Luke's for a presentation on Cemetery Iconography by Joanna Wilson Green, Easement and Stewardship Archaeologist for the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, this Saturday, Nov. 3, from 1 to 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 per person and advance ticket purchase is encouraged as spots are limited. Light refreshments will be provided. Details and tickets are available here.

Camp Chanco: Don't miss the Do it Now Discount!

School may be back in session and holidays fast approaching, but at Chanco we are already thinking warm summer days! We have upgraded our camp and retreat registration software for a smoother, more user friendly registration process. With this improvement, all camp registration paperwork (with the exception of the physical) can be completed on line! Even better? If you register for summer camp 2019 before November 30th, not only do you secure your place in the session of your choice, but you save $25 on a two-week session and $15 on a one-week session! Click here for a 2019 Camp Chanco flyer. Do It Now! Visit www.chanco.org and register today! Questions? Contact us at hospitality@chanco.org or 888-7CHANCO (888-724-2626).

Hiring for Summer Camp 2019

Do you love the outdoors and working with young people? We have the summer job for you! Many summer camp counselors report their best summers were spent working at Camp Chanco. Important skills such as leadership opportunities, decision-making, behavior management, creativity and more are all a part of the summer camp counselor experience. As a counselor at Chanco, you make the difference in the lives of young people every day AND you make life-long friends. Become part of the Chanco family and consider applying today.  Director of Programs Nathan Hoyt is now accepting applications for all counselors ages 18 and up as well as our volunteer Eagles (Counselors In Training) age 17. Click here for an employment application. Applications due by December 31 for counselors and due by January 31 for Eagles. Questions? Contact Nathan at 888-7CHANCO (888-724-2626) or programs@chanco.org.

Pray Election Day on Facebook

Join us Election Day, November 6, on the Diocesan Facebook page as we offer simple (non-political, non-partisan) prayers for our nation and for peace each hour on the hour beginning at 7am and concluding at 7pm.

John Meek retires as diocesan treasurer

At the October 18 meeting of the diocesan Program Review & Budget (PB&R) Committee meeting, Bishop Hollerith, members of PB&R, and diocesan staff thanked John Meek as he retired as diocesan treasurer.  

 

John has served the Diocese as volunteer treasurer for eight years. During his tenure, John was instrumental in the effort to increase diocesan giving to the Episcopal Church, enabling Southern Virginia to be able to achieve the required 15% pledge in 2019.  

 

John thanked the Bishop and committee members, saying, "It has been my real honor and pleasure to serve with you all for eight years and I wish the Diocese God's blessing as we proceed from this place into the future."

Ordination at Good Shepherd, Norfolk

Your prayers and presence are invited for the Ordination to the Sacred Order of Priests of Saul Lars Burleson on Monday, November 26 at 7 p.m. at Good Shepherd, Norfolk. Saul is a deacon and chaplain in the U.S. Navy. He will be ordained by The Rt. Rev. Michael B. Hunn, Bishop of the Rio Grande. A reception will follow the service. Clergy: Red stoles. Clergy from other traditions are invited to vest or wear dress uniform and process. Good Shepherd is located at 7400 Hampton Blvd. in Norfolk.

It may be chilly outside, but we are thinking of warm summer camp days!

Don't miss the Do It Now discount!

 

At Chanco, we are already planning furiously for summer camp 2019. We are excited to share a fantastic upgrade of our Camp Brain software and an extension of our Do It Now discount for camp registration! We are very excited about this change and as a result your registration process will be more user-friendly than ever before. Register for Camp Chanco 2019 by November 30th and you will receive $15 off a one-week session and $25 off a two-week session! Chanco has traditional camp sessions for ages 8-18 along with specialty sessions Ropes Camp, Mariner's Camp, and Family Camp! Click here for a flyer with more information and visit www.chanco.org to register today! Remember - refer a new camper who registers and receive $50 off your own tuition - no limit! Questions? Contact us at hospitality@chanco.org or 888-7CHANCO (888-724-2626).

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry to release book of sermons, The Power of Love

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has collected five of his most notable sermons in a book that will be released on Oct. 30. The book will include his royal wedding sermon and three sermons from General Convention: at opening Eucharist on July 5, the revival on July 7 and the prayer service July 8 outside the Hutto Detention Center in Taylor, Texas.  

 

"To be honest, I wasn't thinking about including those sermons in a book, but when the publisher saw them we all realized that they would take the message of the love of Jesus deeper and apply it to life," Curry said. "I hope and pray that this message of the way of love, which is the way of Jesus, can be a message for our world at this time."

Mission Share Resolution the focus of gatherings

Please join members of the Mission Share Task Force for conversation relating to the Mission Share Resolution to be presented at Council in 2019. These meetings are open to anyone who would like to attend.  We encourage attendance from clergy, vestry members, delegates and treasurers.

These conversations will take place in two locations on Saturday, November 17 at 10:00 a.m.

• Manakin Church - 985 Huguenot Trail, Midlothian
• Emmanuel Church - 5181 Singleton Way, Virginia Beach

For more information or questions, please contact The Rev. Gini DiStanislao, gini@manakin.org.

Register now for November Weekend!

This year's November Weekend for grades 6 through 12 will be Friday, November 16 to Sunday, November 18 at Chanco on the James. Teens along with their adult leaders are invited to attend this faith, fun retreat. Click here for details and registration. Registration deadline is Nov. 5.  

 

Happening #69 cancelled - Mark your calendar for Happening #70 in March 2019

After prayerful reflection, the Happening Committee has determined the need to take a temporary sabbatical this fall and continue the Happening program in the spring.  This temporary sabbatical will provide ample time to ensure a sustainable program for the long term. The plan is to hold Happening #70 March 15-17, 2019 with Pre-Happening March 2-3 and deadline for applications February 8. We are very happy to announce that Clarissa Harbin has been called, and accepted, to serve as the Rector for Happening #70.

GraceInside prison ministry offers new resources

GraceInside, Virginia's prison chaplain service, has released a new brochure that more accurately and personally shares the powerful impact you can make behind bars. With "GraceInside Graduates" and more pictures from the inside, you are sure to see more of what you are doing on the inside and its impact on those who get out. GraceInside has also developed seven topical fliers to share on specific topics: When someone you love is incarcerated; When someone you love has been a victim of crime; How can I help?; How do I volunteer? For more information about these resources and how you can support the work of GraceInside call them at 804-358-7650. Click here for many more resources available on their website.

Vote Faithfully Toolkit available

The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations has developed the Vote Faithfully Toolkit which you can access here. As Christians, we can play a unique role in this election by empowering every voice in our congregations. The toolkit includes actions steps for your congregation and liturgical resources.

 

"We are blessed as a nation to vote. As citizens of this country this is a right, an obligation, and a duty. Go vote. Vote your conscience. Your conscience informed by what it means to love your neighbor, to participate in the process of seeking the common good, to participate in the process of making this a better world. However you vote, go and vote. And do that as followers of Jesus." -- Presiding Bishop Michael Curry

Young Adult Service Corps applications being accepted for 2019-2020 placements

	Former YASC member Andy Russell, from Bruton Parish, Williamsburg, served in Tanzania.

The Young Adult Service Corps (YASC) offers exciting opportunities to serve, learn, and share while spending a year living and working with communities around the world.

Open to Episcopalians ages 21-30, applications are now available for 2019-2020 placements with the Young Adult Service Corps, the international missionary program of the Episcopal Church. Potential placements for 2019-2020 include (but are not limited to) Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, England, Honduras, Hong Kong, Panama, the Philippines, South Africa, Taiwan, and Tanzania. The application deadline is Friday, January 11, 2019.  Click here for more information and application.

Gulf Coast and Carolinas appeal for support of hurricane relief and recovery efforts

Episcopal churches on the Gulf Coast, including parts of Georgia and North and South Carolina, continue to assess Hurricane Michael's damage, with some in the hardest hit coast areas still in the rescue phase.

In an Oct. 15 interview with Episcopal News Service, Dwight Babcock, diocesan administrator for the Episcopal Church of the Central Gulf Coast said of the recovery efforts, "This is a marathon, not a sprint. We just don't know what we're looking at." Ten of the 11 damaged churches held services "in one form or another," on Oct. 14; some inside the churches, some outdoors in pavilions, he said.

The Episcopal Church of the Central Gulf Coast has created a Hurricane Relief Hub, listing ways to donate to hurricane relief efforts.

Communities in Georgia and the Carolinas affected by Hurricane Michael are still dealing with the effects of Hurricane Florence. The Diocese of East Carolina has also issued an appeal for support.

"The local dioceses are continuing to assess the damage caused by the storm," said Katie Mears, senior director of Episcopal Relief & Development's U.S. Disaster Program, which is supporting these dioceses as they begin relief and recovery efforts.

Cursillo 4th Day Celebration at Chanco

The Cursillo Secretariat joyfully invites all of the Cursillo Community for the 4th Day Celebration on Saturday, October 20, from 12 to 3 p.m. at Chanco on the James. Support our new Cursillistas as we continue to orient and educate those who have just completed a Cursillo Weekend and those who are continuing to live out their Fourth Day.  

 

We will begin with fellowship and singing, and Stew Wolfe will give the Witness Talk. The Rev. Susan Grimm will be our Spiritual Director for the day and will celebrate Holy Eucharist.

Hamburgers and hot dogs will be provided. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share.

Godly Play training in Williamsburg Jan. 11-13

Bruton Parish, Williamsburg, will be hosting a Godly Play training January 11-13. Trainer Laura McGuire will be leading the Core Training weekend and all are welcome to sign-up to learn more about this great program for children's ministry. Register here. Space is limited.

Terron Watkins joins Jackson-Feild

Terron Watkins joined the development staff at Jackson-Feild. Terron is a native of Richmond graduating from Richmond Public Schools. He is a graduate of Longwood University where he studied communications focusing on public relations.

 

After graduation he worked in development for a Grace Place which provided adult day care services until the program closed its doors.

 

His primary responsibilities will be online giving, special events, Christmas program, Young Professionals Society and assisting the VP of Development with fund raising and communication projects.

 

Terron brings passion, commitment to Jackson-Feild's mission and a willingness to learn and grow as a development professional. He is looking forward to helping Jackson-Feild fulfill its mission and help our children.

New Advent curriculum and resources for Way of Love: Practices for Jesus-Centered Living

Recognizing that Episcopalians have been hunting for resources to support our journeys on The Way of Love, the Office of the Presiding Bishop offered an update on what's available and what's coming soon at  www.episcopalchurch.org/wayoflove and around the church.

Formation resources are coming soon:

• Following the Way of Love: 9-session Small Group Guide for groups that seek to reshape their lives around Jesus and his Way of Love. The guide details best practices for organizing small groups and discipleship groups, and then moves participants through reflection, discernment, action and deep commitment around the seven practices. Excellent for small groups, vestries, ministry leadership groups. Available for download on October 12.   
• Journeying the Way of Love: 4-week Advent Curriculum pegged to readings and themes from the Sunday lectionary. Ideal for Christian formation hour offerings at churches and ministries exploring the Way of Love. Available for download on November 2.

Click here for more information on Way of Love resources already available.

Chanco celebrates groundbreaking

After its board meeting on Tuesday, the Chanco Board walked the "Stations of Construction" where a prayer was said over each site of renovation/construction followed by a champagne toast. The board recognizes that this moment is the result of several years of work and that we couldn't be here if not for you - our donors, parishes, volunteers and friends! THANK YOU! Haven't made your gift to the campaign yet? We are still working to reach beyond our $3 million stretch goal and need you! Contact Development Director Talley Banazek at talley@banazek.com to discuss how you can be a part of this exciting time in Chanco's 50 year history!

Bishop Magness to lead 2019 Holy Land pilgrimage

Bishop Magness invites you to join him in the spring of 2019 for the second diocesan pilgrimage to the Holy Land. This is an incredible opportunity to both renew your faith and expand your knowledge of the land where Jesus lived out his ministry. Walk in the places where Jesus walked, and experience the world that our Lord experienced.

This pilgrimage is limited to just 35 participants. The deadline for registration is November 15, 2018. After that, registration will be open to persons outside of the diocese. Click here for the tour brochure and application form.

Deacons' School grads ordained

Bishop Hollerith and Bishop Shannon Johnston of Diocese of Virginia ordained six new deacons on Saturday, Sept. 29 at Galilee, Virginia Beach - two from Southern Virginia and four from Virginia. They are all graduates of The Deacons' School, a joint project of the three dioceses in Virginia. Southern Virginia's new deacons are the Rev. Deacon Linda Rogers and the Rev. Deacon Carter Sinclair (second and first from right, respectively; photo by the Rev. Julia Messer).