Clergy transitions

The Rev. Warren Hicks, Priest-in-Charge, will be leaving St. Mark's, Hampton, August 17, 2019.

 

The Rev. Martin Bagay, Interim Rector, will be leaving St. James', Accomac and St. George's, Pungoteague, August 31, 2019.

 

The Rev. James Young, Interim Rector, will be leaving St. Thomas', Chesapeake, August 25, 2019. 

 

The Rev. Roger Robillard will begin as Priest-in-Charge at St. Barnabas, North Chesterfield, September 1, 2019.

 

The Rev. Warren Hicks will begin as Rector at St. Thomas', Chesapeake, September 1, 2019. 

Bishop Search Bulletin inserts available

The Transition Committee has created a series of four bulletin inserts to help congregations prepare for the bishop election process, including the Walkabouts: Information about Bishop Candidate Walkabouts and Walkabout map; What is a Bishop?; What is the Role of Bishops Today?; What Kind of Person Should We Be Looking For in Our New Bishop? The Transition Committee has also created a handout listing the six bishop candidates and their experience. These materials can be found on the diocesan website here.  

  

Join us for Cursillo #167

Did you know Cursillo retreats have been occurring in this diocese since 1978? Come see why this retreat enjoys such longevity and join us on September 26-29, 2019 for an adult co-ed retreat designed to help us grow closer to Jesus Christ. Cursillo is designed to build disciples in Christ, leaders in our Church, and to help us discover new tools for living a life of service and grace. It is also a wonderful opportunity for fellowship with others from throughout our diocese.  For more information on Cursillo or to apply to be a candidate, please visit the Cursillo website at  www.cursillodiosova.org or contact Cursillo #167 Rector Laura Frank Sale at laurafrank@atlanticbb.net.  

 

Food for the Soul Retreat

Join us October 5-6 for a retreat of nourishment of the body and soul. This retreat is designed for ages 21 and up or a young person attending with a parent/guardian. Food for the Soul will feature incredible food, a cooking lesson with Chef Rafael, & learning about and tasting Virginia wine as well as discussions about the importance of nourishing your spirit. Fellowship, a bonfire and gourmet s'mores are all a part of the relaxation, fun and fellowship of this event. Registration coming soon. Questions? Contact us at hospitality@chanco.org. or 888-7CHANCO (888-724-2626).   

 

Bishop Magness joins Presiding Bishop Curry in inviting churches to take part in Healing Day National Bell Ringing

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and Bishop Magness invite Episcopal churches to take part in a national action to remember and honor the first enslaved Africans who landed in English North America in 1619 by tolling their bells for one minute on Sunday, August 25 at 3:00 p.m. The national bell ringing is among the Healing Day events being held at Fort Monroe National Monument to commemorate the 400th anniversary 

 

Watch Presiding Bishop Curry's video message here.

 

"The National Park Service is commissioning, and asking, churches and people from around this country to commemorate and remember that landing and the bringing of those first enslaved Africans to this country by ringing bells. And if possible, by tolling the bells of churches and to do so on August 25 at 3:00 in the afternoon," said Curry. "I'm inviting us as The Episcopal Church to join in this commemoration as part of our continued work of racial healing and reconciliation. At 3:00 pm we can join together with people of other Christian faiths and people of all faiths to remember those who came as enslaved, who came to a country that one day would proclaim liberty. And so we remember them and pray for a new future for us all." 

 

The national bell ringing is among the Healing Day events being held at Fort Monroe National Monument to commemorate the 400th anniversary of that landing.  

 

"The 2019 commemoration of the arrival of the first enslaved Africans to North America is for me a highly personal occasion," said Bishop Magness. "As a descendent of slaveholders, and as a white male who came of age in the racially polarized south during the 1950s and 1960s, I am painfully aware of my own complicity in furthering and perpetuating the subjugation of my African American brothers and sisters.  At a time when the racial divide in this country seems to be growing rather than diminishing, we are in dire need of a moment, an event when we can stop and take stock of our responsibilities to bring the races together, perhaps in a new manner that truly is an embrace of what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ."    

 

Click here for more information. 

Bishop Search Update: Petition Candidates Announced

In early July, the Standing Committee of the Diocese received the Petitions of two priests who sought to be included on the slate of candidates for Bishop of Southern Virginia. After appropriate background and reference checks, the Standing Committee approved the Petitions of the following individuals: The Rev. Harold J. Cobb, Jr.; The Rev. J. Derek Harbin. Click here to meet these candidates. Their names will appear on the slate of candidates for the election which takes place on September 21, and they will be included in the walkabouts to take place in early September. As soon as possible, the www.svabishopsearch.org website will be updated.

Justice & Advocacy Resources on diocesan website

The diocesan website has a new page - Justice & Advocacy Resources, located in Congregational Resources. The resource is a work in progress and additional material will be added on an ongoing basis. In addition to resources addressing creation care, peace building, racial reconciliation, and others, there are also current alerts to help you take action on issues important to you.

Chester Rotary presents corn hole sets to Jackson-Feild

On a hot summer evening members of the Chester Rotary Club met with residents of Jackson-Feild Behavioral Health Services to present six corn hole sets. Members of the club constructed the sets and residents helped them with the final assembly. The club also donated bags for each set.

 

The construction of these sets was a labor of love headed by Rotarian Peter Adler and his Rotarian helpers. The Chester Rotary Club has constructed sets for our charities and causes in the past.

 

After the final assembly of the legs and the presentation of the sets to the children the Rotarians, children and staff sat down to an old fashioned ice cream social. Brownies and cookies were also a part of the fare. Nothing tastes as great as ice cream on a hot summer night.

 

The residents of Jackson-Feild are most grateful to the Chester Rotarians for constructing these sets which will give them hours of enjoyment in the future.

Bishop Search Update

Information for Walkabouts

 

The Transition Committee invites everyone in the Diocese of Southern Virginia to attend the Walkabouts September 4-8, 2019.  Walkabouts are opportunities to meet the candidates for our 11th Bishop, hear their responses to questions and help them to learn more about you, our diocese. Click here to learn more about the candidates.

 

Our hope is that you are able to attend one of the locations in the east, our Saturday central location at Chanco or in the west on Sunday.  If you are not able to attend one of these locations there will be a live stream on Friday evening from the Galilee Walkabout.  This live stream will also be recorded and available on our website following the event.  Perhaps congregations could gather in their home parishes and watch the live stream together for those who cannot attend in person!

 

You may submit questions ahead of time for the Walkabouts to annestiles@embarqmail.com.  Please note which walkabout you plan to attend when submitting your question.

The Walkabouts will take place on:

 

Thursday, September 5 at 6:30 pm (Please note time change) 

Hungars Parish, 10107 Bayside Road, Machipongo

 

Friday, September 6 at 7:00 pm
Galilee, 3928 Pacific Avenue, Virginia Beach

NOTE: We will be available live and on-demand this evening on the diocesan website

 

Saturday, September 7 at 1:00 pm
Chanco on the James, 394 Floods Drive, Spring Grove

NOTE:  This is a great opportunity to bring the youth to this location to meet the candidates!

 

Sunday, September 8 at 3:00 pm
Johns Memorial, 400 High Street, Farmville

 

Questions?  Contact Transition Committee Chair the Rev. Chris Epperson, cepperson@brutonparish.org, or Vice Chair the Rev. Gini DiStanislao, gini@manakin.org.