Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's Christmas message

"Love came down at Christmas, because God so loved the world, that he gave," Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael Curry said in his Christmas Message 2018. The video of the Presiding Bishop's message is here. The text of the Presiding Bishop's message is here. 

Applications accepted for Episcopal Service Corps

Young adults (21-32 years old) are invited to apply to serve as a member of the 2019-2020 Episcopal Service Corps. Episcopal Service Corps is a nationwide network of locally organized and incorporated programs designed to provide young adults with an opportunity to serve others, promote justice, and live simply in intentional communities focused on providing participants tools and resources to deepen their spiritual awareness and discern vocation. Click here for more information and application. 

2019 ECF Fellowship application now available

Since 1964, Episcopal Church Foundation (ECF) has awarded 225 Fellowships to individuals pursuing advanced academic studies and special ministries with the aim of educating and equipping future lay and clergy leaders. The application for the 2019 Fellowship is now open. An ECF Fellowship provides both financial support and networking opportunities. ECF has typically awarded three to four Fellowships per year. New awards range up to $15,000 for the first year and are renewable for an additional two years. The selection process for an ECF Fellowship is highly competitive. A strong application requires a significant investment of time and effort and ECF encourages all applicants to begin this process early. Applications are due on March 15, 2019. ECF will announce the 2019 Fellows in late May of 2019.

Letter to the Episcopal Church from the Presiding Bishop and President of the House of Deputies

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings, President of the House of Deputies have issued a letter to the Episcopal Church regarding Resolution D034 passed by General Convention. The resolution suspends for three years the canon that places a time limit on reporting clergy sexual misconduct against children and youth under age 21. Click here to read their letter. 

Parish Development Clinics in 2019

The Order of the Ascension, an Episcopal Religious Community, invites clergy-in-charge of congregations (rectors, vicars) to two Parish Development Clinics. They are an integration of practical parish issues and Anglican pastoral/ascetic theology and strategy; with a touch of organization development. Participants come having completed a significant course of reading. They each complete some work prior to the clinic. Trainer/coaches will facilitate a process in which the participants engage one another and the coaches around the issues and dynamics of their parishes.

 

There are two clinics which still have open space. The workshop fee is $200.00. Participants arrange for their own lodging and meals:

• Benedictine Rhythms: Listen, Take Counsel - June 4-7, 2-19, Seattle, WA. Register by March 1. Objectives are: 1) To better understand the inner dynamics of self and parish around listening and taking counsel. and 2) To increase our ability to shape healthier and more faithful practices around listening and taking counsel.
• Shaping the Parish Through Spiritual Practice - Sept. 10-13, 2019, Seattle, WA. Register by April 1. The emphasis will be on understanding and living a pastoral theology and strategy. In this clinic we will focus on spiritual practice.

Bishop Magness called to serve as Bishop Diocesan Pro-Tempore

The Executive Board and Standing Committee of the Diocese are pleased to announce that the Rt. Rev. James B. Magness has accepted a call to serve as our Bishop Diocesan Pro-Tempore, effective January 1, 2019 and until such time as the 11th Bishop of the Diocese of Southern Virginia is consecrated. Bishop Jay is well known to most of us, having served in an administrative capacity in our diocese before his election as Suffragan Bishop of the Armed Forces and Federal Ministries. Since his retirement from that position, he and Carolyn have been in many of our parishes, as he has served as our Assisting Bishop. The lay delegates and clergy of the Diocese will be asked to affirm this appointment at Diocesan Council in February, 2019.

Diocesan Youth Task Force hosted November Weekend at Chanco

  

On November 16-18, the Diocesan Youth Task Force hosted November Weekend at Chanco on the James. Sixty-six participants experienced a spirit and fun-filled weekend centered around the theme "Hold Fast: God Is With You." The Youth Task Force hopes you will join us for May Weekend at Chanco on the James. So mark your calendars for May 17-19!

Annual Council: Youth Delegation & Delegation Advisor applications are being accepted

The Diocese of Southern Virginia will hold its 127th Annual Council - "Fresh Expressions of Gospel Relationships" - February 8-9, 2019 at the Williamsburg Lodge Convention Center. Go to www.bit.ly/diosova127 for complete registration and hotel information, and all the most current information about Council.  

  

Youth Delegation & Youth Delegation Advisor Applications

Youth in grades 9-12 are invited to be a part of the Youth Delegation at Annual Council. Use the application form available here. Applications are due by January 9, 2019. Additionally, two adult leaders will be selected to serve as advisors for the youth delegation to help them engage in and process Council. Click here for more info and an application form.

Clergy transitions

The Rev. James Young began as priest-in-charge at St. Thomas', Chesapeake, on November 1, 2018. 

 

The Rev. Marjorie Holm left as Interim Rector at Emmanuel, Franklin, on November 30, 2018.

 

The Rev. Deacon Bob Gay began at Hickory Neck, Toano, on December 2, 2018.

 

The Rev. Deacon Margery Howell retired from Good Samaritan, Virginia Beach, on December 2, 2018.

Choral Skills for the Organist - A Refresher

Holly Sunderland will present Choral Skills for the Organist - A Refresher on Saturday, January 26, beginning at 10 a.m. at St. Michael's Lutheran Church, 2208 Princess Anne Rd., Virginia Beach. Many organists find themselves leading choirs as part of their duties. Some are singing organists who are quite content modeling and refining both solo and choral singers. Some, however, lack experience and confidence in these endeavors. This is a seminar in which participants will be introduced to the concept of "gradual release" - I do, We do together, You do together, You do. This pattern works well for teaching untrained singers. This seminar will be a good refresher for the trained, or introduction to the novice. It is free and no advance registration required. 

Greensville Memorial Foundation helps Jackson-Feild purchase new van

Recognizing the importance of doing all they can to improve the quality of life and health of the community, the Greensville Memorial Foundation recently awarded grant funding to Jackson-Feild Behavioral Health (JFBHS) Services to purchase a new eight-passenger van.

 

On average, residents at JFBHS are driven 20,000 miles per year for medical and dental appointments. Replacing a 2010 minivan with more than 200,000 miles on the odometer, this new vehicle is expected to provide reliable transportation of the children for a number of years.

 

The board and staff of JFBHS are most grateful to Executive Director Jill Slate and the board of the Greensville Memorial Foundation for this wonderful gift.

Recharge young adult retreat

Join us January 4-6, 2019 for an event geared toward young adults featuring an Agape meal, music, a guest speaker, ropes course activities, a nature walk, games, campfires, s'mores and of course, faith, fun and friendship with other young adults seeking to "recharge". Maybe you grew up in the Church but you are wondering what a life of faith looks like as an adult. Maybe you are working hard but you're finding that your faith is on the back-burner. Maybe you are just looking for a time to encounter God, to be renewed, and to find some rest and encouragement. Then, Recharge is for you! Participate in meaningful worship, fun activities, and amazing fellowship. Open to anyone 18 years and older. Click here to register today. Questions? Contact us at 888-724-2626 or hospitality@chanco.org.

State Department renews contract with Episcopal Migration Ministries

On November 30, 2018, the Department of State Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration announced that Episcopal Migration Ministries, along with the other eight national agencies responsible for resettling refugees in the United States, has been awarded a contract to participate in the Reception and Placement Program for fiscal year 2019.

"We are thankful we will continue to resettle refugees in the coming year," noted the Rev. Canon Charles K. Robertson, Canon to the Presiding Bishop for Ministry Beyond the Episcopal Church. "We still face the challenge of transitioning to a much smaller resettlement program. This, at a time when there are more than 25.4 million refugees, over half of whom are children. With everyone's support, we will continue to welcome refugees to a place of safety and welcome. Please join us in supporting this ministry of the entire Church by making a gift at episcopalmigrationministries.org/give or text 'EMM' to 41444. Thank you, in advance, for gifts that do so much."

Since the 1980s, Episcopal Migration Ministries has resettled over 90,000 refugees through a network of local partners, volunteers and supporters. Episcopal Migration Ministries operates through a network of 14 partner offices to aid with housing, employment training, language services, medical services, and more. 

Presiding Bishop's delegation to attend 24th United Nations Climate Change Conference

An eight-member delegation representing the Episcopal Church's Presiding Bishop Michael Curry will attend the 24th United Nations Climate Change Conference in Katowice, Poland, Dec. 2-14. This is the fourth Episcopal delegation to attend the climate change meeting.

 

Called by Presiding Bishop Curry and led by Bishop Marc Andrus of the Diocese of California, the delegation will advocate for the environmental priorities named at the Episcopal Church's 79th General Convention and promote the Church's ministries and activities to address ecojustice in both United Nations and public events. Click here to learn more.

Boys Home invites you to their Christmas Spectacular

The students and staff of Boys Home of Virginia would like to invite you to our Christmas Spectacular! The students are putting on a play called "A Christmas to Believe In," along with games, crafts, singing, and dancing. This is a free event, and it will be held in the Boys Home gymnasium at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, December 14.