Jackson-Feild – Celebrating the past and embracing the future

While ministering to the people of Norfolk during the 1855 yellow fever epidemic, the Rev. William M. Jackson, rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, believed that “a Christian minister’s post in a time of trial was in the bosom of his flock, watching by the bed of death, comforting the bereaved, and encouraging the faith of the weakhearted.”¹

As the disease ravaged the communities of Norfolk and Portsmouth, there was a growing number of orphans left to fend for themselves…no family…no funds…little hope.

On August 27, 1855, Jackson was asked by a relief organization if he would “assume the care of the children made orphans by the pestilence. His noble reply was that if there were five hundred orphans, he would pledge the Church to be responsible for them; and from this time forth he took upon him the heavy burden of providing for them. The lecture-room of Christ Church, now Christ & St. Luke’s, was converted into a temporary asylum for them, and it was a pleasant thing for him to go in and cheer the sad hearts of the desolate little ones.”2   In October 1855, near the end of the epidemic, Jackson succumbed to the disease. In February 1856, the Virginia General Assembly approved the formation of the Episcopal Orphan Asylum, funded and operated by the parishes of St. Paul’s and Christ Church (later Christ & St. Luke’s). The home for children was later renamed The Jackson Orphan Asylum in memory of the man who did so much for the people of Norfolk and Portsmouth, and who literally gave his life for them. Initially the Asylum served boys and girls but somewhere along the line decided to serve only girls.   In 1920, the Rev. Norman F. Marshall – rector of Meherrin Parish and grandson of First Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court John Marshall – started a movement in Purdy, Virginia to found a home for girls. His effort was an outgrowth of a nationwide Campaign of the Protestant Episcopal church of America. Marshall’s Episcopal Home for Girls was established in the unused rectory of Grace Church in Emporia. In 1922, Mr.& Mrs. George Feild donated their ancestral property – Walnut Grove – to the Home. A year later, after extensive renovations were completed, the girls relocated to the house. In 1925, The Jackson Orphan Asylum and the Episcopal Home for Girls merged to become Jackson-Feild Episcopal Home for Girls.

In those early-20th century years, the Jackson-Feild Episcopal Home for Girls was an operating farm led by Superintendent Miss Edith “Ma” Gage. The staff and children lived their lives much as any family would. They grew and preserved their own food, raised chickens and dairy cows, maintained an orchard, and attended public school and Grace church.   The 1950s brought significant change to Jackson-Feild. Foster care homes – rather than orphanages – became the preferred environment for children in need of out-of-home care, particularly children who were abused and neglected. In response, the Board of Trustees approved a change in focus to serve at-risk children.

In 1955, a rectory was built for Jackson-Feild’s chaplain, but the greatest amount of growth came in the 1960s and 1970s. Until 1960, when Rogers Cottage was built, all the children slept in the home’s bedrooms, meals were cooked in the kitchen and served in the dining room, and the administrative staff worked out of various rooms. In 1963, the Edith Gage dining hall was built followed by the Lallie Darden Cottage in 1967, the Robinson-Withers gym in 1971, All Saints Chapel in 1979, and Gwaltney Cottage in 1992. (photo: groundbreaking for Darden Cottage in 1967)

 

In 1994, Gwaltney School was established in order to provide academic instruction to children as part of their overall program of care. To date, nearly 200 students have earned either their high school diploma or GED while at Jackson-Feild.

 

Jackson-Feild again adapted to the needs of children and became a residential psychiatric treatment program in the early 2000’s. Accredited by The Council on Accreditation, a variety of mental health services are provided including Neurotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy, and more. In 2012 Jackson-Feild at the request of public agencies decided to again serve boys.

 

Today, Jackson-Feild is a behavioral health organization treating children with severe emotional disorders. Utilizing a trauma-informed, trauma-focused approach, it serves 100+ children a year.

 

For 165 years, Jackson-Feild Homes has given hope, help, and healing to children. Its ability to meet their needs has never wavered, and while Jackson-Feild celebrates its past it also embraces its future.

www.jacksonfeild.org

 

¹ Rev. George D. Cummins, The Life of the Rev. William M. Jackson, (New York, Protestant Episcopal Society for the Promotion of Evangelical Knowledge, 1856) 69

 

² Cummins, Rev. William M. Jackson, 76-77

Diocesan virtual service for Christmas 1

As a gift to the Diocese, the Diocesan Office staff, in conjunction with diocesan liturgists, will be offering worship on Christmas 1, December 27. Our worship service will be offered virtually to the entire diocese and will be accessed via the diocesan website, YouTube channel and Facebook. It will also be an opportunity for the diocese to worship together during one of the most joyful times of the year. The service recording will be available for on-demand viewing after Dec. 27. O Come Let Us Adore Him!

Stations of the Nativity

We invite you spend some time during this season of Advent “walking” through the virtual gallery to reflect on the scripture passages and featured artwork for each station. The Stations of the Nativity provides the opportunity to connect words of scripture with art that was created by a number of gifted artists. View the Stations of the Nativity gallery here.

Some tips for navigating the Stations of the Nativity gallery:

The tour provides stops at each of the stations to help make navigation in the gallery easier. The program has an auto timer for each station but you can pause the tour, go back, go forward or select a specific station. If you click on the image the artist’s credits will appear.

 

We hope you enjoy the Stations of the Nativity.

Growing in Grace Through Loss and Change: Six-week study beginning in January

Beginning in January 2021, a six-week Growing in Grace through Loss and Change program will be offered via Zoom. There will be two opportunities to participate in this study: 4 to 5:30 pm Sundays (January 31 through March 7) and 6 to 7:30 pm Thursdays (January 28 through March 4). For better or worse, change involves loss. We’re pretty good at celebrating adding things to our lives, and not so good at routinely cleansing, healing, or processing things when we experience change, particularly when it involves loss. The experience of life during COVID, the death of a beloved human or pet, change in job, home, school, partner, health or economic status all cause grief. Growing in Grace through Loss and Change provides simple action steps to become a cleansing/healing machine and live a lighter, happier life. This study will also give you new skills in responding to losses in others’ lives and can be the foundation or expansion of a healing ministry in your parish. Click here for more information and registration.

Episcopal Migration Ministries offers virtual Advent vigil this Sunday

Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM), in partnership with the EMM Asylum Ministry Network and EMM Immigration Detention Ministry Network, will host a virtual Advent vigil on Sunday, December 13, 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. The Advent vigil, available via Zoom and Facebook Live, will offer a time of prayer and reflection in a world being transformed by forced migration. Click here for more information.

Episcopal Relief & Development launches new online prayer experience

On November 30, Episcopal Relief & Development launched a new online prayer experience. It is designed to provide a curated list of prayers to guide supporters in praying for significant seasons in The Episcopal Church, disasters and other events. 

Content will come from The Book of Common Prayer, and other sources such as the organization’s Anglican partners, ecumenical friends, Seminary Ministry Partners, staff members, theologians and spiritual leaders. Initially, the prayers selected focus on all of those who were impacted by or responded to the record-breaking 2020 hurricane season. Future prayer experiences will expand to include prayers for liturgical seasons, other disasters, and Episcopal Relief & Development’s work with women, children and climate. The tool includes an “Amen” button at the end of each prayer which enables users to easily share the prayer with friends and family on either Facebook or Twitter.

Visit the main prayer hub at episcopalrelief.org/letuspray to learn more.

Employment opportunities

Part-Time AV/IT Technician

St. Andrew’s, Newport News, seeks a part-time AV/IT Technician to support the ministry and mission of the church by overseeing and coordinating all aspects of audio-visual production and information technology. To learn more about us, please visit: www.standrews-episcopal.org. Click here for job description and application information.

Data Entry 

 

The Diocese of Southern Virginia is accepting applications for a part-time Data Entry position. Click here for a position description. Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to Lynn Farlin, Canon for Formation, at lfarlin@diosova.org or 11827 Canon Blvd., Suite 101, Newport News, VA 23606.

The Godspeed Project at Jackson-Feild

A resident at Jackson-Feild Behavioral Health Services (JFBHS) confided to Chaplain Robin Moore that prior to her placement she had no home and no place to sleep. The girl’s plight touched Moore’s heart and motivated her to act.

The Godspeed Project originated as a partnership between the Spiritual Care Program at JFBHS and Carson United Methodist Church in which the Women’s group graciously made and donated thirty pillowcases. Each pillowcase is unique and stitched with love; perhaps these ladies were thinking of their own children/grandchildren when they worked on putting the pillow cases together. The project seeks to supply each resident with a new handmade pillowcase to keep and take with them as they move on to the next place they will lay their head.

 

The Godspeed Project also includes an effort to partner with churches throughout the Greensville region to collect new, unused hard-sided suitcases to be offered to residents upon discharge so that they can pack their belongings instead of putting them into a trash bag, as is the case with so many youth.

 

Pillowcases and suitcases might seem insignificant, but they provide a sense of normalcy to those receiving and using them. They are tangible reminders to the youth that they are valued as human beings and will not be forgotten as they move on in their lives.

 

JFBHS welcomes churches and parishes to join in the Godspeed Project. If your church would like to help, please contact the Rev. Dr. Robin Moore at rmoore@jacksonfeild.org or 434-594-7909.

A word from Bishop Susan's Medical Advisory Team

As you know, Bishop Susan and Canon Roy Hoffman meet weekly with a team of doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, physicians’ assistants and an attorney to look at COVID case occurrences in the Diocese of Southern Virginia. The medical advisory team strongly recommends that parish leadership monitor metrics through the Virginia Department of Health paying special attention to percent positivity and 14-day trends. If percent positivity approaches 8% and case trends are increasing, parishes should consider ceasing in-person worship and return to virtual worship only. If percent positivity is 10% or above, in-person worship should not occur. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Diocesan Office.

New resources: Advent, Christmas and more

 Advent Resources:

• Ten Advent Resources for 2020
• Episcopal Church Advent & Christmas Resources
• Becoming Beloved Community
• Advent Candle Lighting Litanies

Congregational Vitality Assessment

Thanks to a partnership between Episcopal Church Foundation (ECF) and Faith X congregations can take advantage of a free assessment tool to measure vitality (health) and sustainability (people, tools, funds needed to survive). There are several ways that the tool can be administered to gather the data. Visit www.episcopalfoundation.org/cva to learn more.

Creation Care

What’s your carbon footprint? Thanks to the Diocese of California you have access to a web based tool to help you measure your carbon footprint and take steps to improve for a more sustainable life for all. Visit www.sustainislandhome.org/ to get started and take the “WeRenew” challenge.

New Additions to the Diocesan Library

Here are some new additions to the Diocesan Library. If you wish to borrow any of the titles contact Lynn Farlin at lfarlin@diosova.org

• Dialogues On Race (DVD, Facilitator Guide and Participant Book) - Published by Sparkhouse the resource is structured to be completed in seven 1-hour segments.
• Dialogues On The Refugee Crisis (DVD, Facilitator Guide and Participant Book) - Published by Sparkhouse the resource is structured to be completed in seven 1-hour segments.
• Who Is My Neighbor: Refugees In America, (DVD) a 56 minute documentary that explores the refugee crisis and how it impacts churches, local communities, and the United States.
• White Savior: Racism in the American Church, (DVD) a 62 minute documentary that “explores the historic relationship between racism and American Christianity”. 

Join the conversation at "The Questions Project"

The Questions Project is a rich online resource for individual use and for formation leaders. The project explores "questions about faith, about being human, about relationships." This project comes from the Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Soltys (formerly at Grace Church, Yorktown), and includes a podcast - Live Creatively, Friends! - a blog, and video. Video includes prayers, readings and Taize chant as well as a series of Pandemic Shorts, two or three minute video reflections on what it means to be a person of faith in a time of pandemic.

Support Boys Home and have your gift matched!

Dear friends and supporters of Boys Home,

Happy Thanksgiving! We hope this coming week brings you an abundance of joy and good food. While we can't quite believe it, we're getting ready for the Christmas season already.

 

We have some good news! This year, Boys Home has received a $25,000 matching grant from the Jessie Ball duPont Fund for individual donations made online through December 31! The first $500 of every donation will be matched; supporters wishing to give more than $500 can choose to make multiple donations in order to make every dollar count. Please make a donation, and help us reach our goal of $25,000!

 

Despite a year of unpredictability, Boys Home has continued to be a safe, welcoming, and supportive place for our residents. Through everything, our residents inspire us every day by adapting with resilience and grace. Help us support them by contributing to this year's Christmas campaign here!

 

Thank you, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

 

Sincerely,

Boys Home of Virginia

Jackson-Feild: Spiritual development amidst a global pandemic

For 165 years, spiritual development has been a fundamental cornerstone at Jackson-Feild (JFBHS). Today, COVID-19 restrictions have necessitated imagination and ingenuity on the part of our Chaplain, the Rev. Dr. Robin Moore, to fulfill the spiritual needs of the children.

Chapel services had to be modified to meet safety procedures by having five different services—one per cottage. The pandemic has created new opportunities such as “The Gathering Place”, a specially designed haven resembling a cozy den. With two fish tanks to foster an environment of mindfulness, residents can relax and gather in small groups to share what is on their minds.

Life Guidance sessions are provided for residents to meet individually with the Chaplain for spiritual advice and comfort.

Residents find reassurance through the Chaplain’s prayer wall. Numerous residents have traced their hand print knowing that when she sees it, she will pray for them.

Guided meditation sessions are provided to assist residents with fears, anxieties, or to celebrate happiness. Yoga sessions, when requested, follow the teaching philosophy and practice in the Hatha yoga tradition. Hatha yoga can offer a full-body practice with a strong emphasis on the full integration of body, mind, and spirit.

The Chaplain also coordinates the care of the JFBHS’s three companion dogs with the help of residents. These dogs provide unconditional love for the children who enjoy and appreciated their love and attention.

Seeds of Hope Grants awarded

The Diocese of Southern Virginia awarded $14,000 in Seeds of Hope Grants this year. The grants were approved by the Executive Board at it’s November 5 meeting. Grants were awarded to:

 

Good Night God

Canterbury Center at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, awarded a grant to purchase audio visual equipment to offer a service of Compline twice a week on YouTube.

 

Backpack Surprise

Johns Memorial, Farmville, awarded a grant to provide small gifts to include in backpacks with soups and healthy snacks that are given to children whose parents are picking up food at the local food pantry.

 

Bridging the Gaps

Mission of the Holy Spirit, Norfolk, awarded a grant to provide facilitators, transportation, supplies and snacks for this educational program for Mission families.

 

Seed & Feed Program

St. Paul’s, Lawrenceville, awarded a grant to provie provide funding for programming for widows, grandparents raising grandchildren, single parents, dialysis patients, technicians, nurses and first responders in the local community.

 

Youth Empowerment Project and Senior Pals

St. Thomas, Freeman, awarded two grants to provide virtual programming and workshops for youth as well as a Bible study and boxed lunches for senior citizens.

Province III hosts book discussion of How to Be an Antiracist, including conversation with author

Beginning on November 17, Province III is hosting 10 Zoom sessions on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 pm. for a discussion of the book, How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi. The final session will be with the author, Dr. Kendi. Click here for more information, reading assignments and registration. Sponsored by the Province III Social Justice & Anti-Racism Committee.

You can make a child’s Christmas wishes come true at Jackson-Feild

The Christmas season is especially hard for most of the children at Jackson-Feild. What is supposed to be a time of unity and joy brings back memories of past Christmases filled with sadness and heartache.

Jackson-Feild’s staff makes every effort to ensure that the children will have Christmas memories that they will cherish for lifetime. We are seeking your help with our Adopt-a-Child program. Interested persons can adopt all or part of a child’s Christmas list. Due to COVID-19, only cash contributions will be accepted. Gifts will be ordered online by Jackson-Feild staff.

Jackson-Feild also organizes a special meal and activity every day during the twelve days of Christmas. The children are unable to go home or receive any visitors due to COVID-19 which will be especially trying for them.

If you would like to help, please send your check to Jackson-Feild Behavioral Health Services, 546 Walnut Grove, Jarratt, VA 23867, go online to www.jacksonfeild.org or contact Tod Balsbaugh 804869-3505.

 

Please share the spirit of Christmas by helping Jackson-Feild bring joy and happiness to the children.

When you sit down with your loved ones on Christmas day, please know that you created a lifetime memory for a child who needs your help.

Help for Honduras

By the Rev. Anne Dale, Advent, Norfolk

After nearly 10 years of providing security services in Honduras, my husband Roland and I founded Friends of Honduras USA with the goal of offering a path out of poverty and corruption for the children of Honduras. Our first projects were kindergartens for the young children so that they could begin their education in a safe and comfortable environment in their local communities. Since 2009, our foundation has constructed eight schools, two medical clinics, and sixty-five houses in addition to installing water filtration systems, providing medical supplies, and delivering thousands of pounds of food to families in remote areas. Our most recent project is the rehabilitation of an abandoned sewing factory into a medical facility that will provide a wide variety of medical services in the remote department of Santa Barbara.

 

Each year in Honduras tens of thousands of children die before the age of five (the biggest percentage younger than two years) due to non-potable water, malnutrition, unsanitary living conditions, and limited health care. As you can imagine, the pandemic has ravaged an already vulnerable population. And, now, Eta has washed away innumerable lives and immeasurably compounded the suffering. The corn, bean, rice, and banana crops and the livestock of the fertile Sula Valley are a total loss. 

 

Due to the pandemic, we have not been able to travel to Honduras since January 2020. Throughout the year, Friends of Honduras USA has worked through one paid employee to coordinate volunteers to assess the most critical needs and purchase and distribute food and medical supplies. All funds collected are currently being devoted to this ministry.  

 

The odds for improving the well-being of the people of Honduras seem insurmountable at present. With God’s help, your prayers and financial contributions will save lives and restore hope for improvement of the most basic living conditions that we take for granted every day. You have our pledge that each dollar donated will put food and medicine into the hands of some of God’s most desperate children. Please see our website, www.friendsofhondurasusa.org, to donate through PayPal or call me at 919-210-6809 for more information.

Become a member of the James Solomon Russell Chapter of Union of Black Episcopalians

The Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE) stands in the continuing tradition - more than 200 years - of fighting racism in the Episcopal Church. UBE fights racism by encouraging the involvement of People of Color in the total life of the church - on every level and in every way. UBE is committed to translating this words into Christian action for all Episcopalians and at all levels of the Church. The support of all Episcopalians, financially and spiritually, continues to be critical as the UBE continues its work to ensure the diversity essential to the Church. Please consider becoming a member of Southern Virginia's James Solomon Russell Chapter of UBE. Click here for more information.

Youth Gathering: Learn to Breathe in COVID

November 21 at 2:00 p.m.

Join us for a special virtual gathering where we will be discussing self-care with an expert and talking through how to support loved ones during this emotionally exhausting time in our lives. High school is tough, especially during a pandemic. Our hope is to provide a safe place for students to come and discuss the challenges that they are facing and walk about with some insight on concrete ways to handle those situations. Sign up here.

Special 2020 Parochial Report Form

Following the October 9-12, 2020 meeting of Executive Council, the Rev. Canon Michael Barlowe, Executive Officer of the General Convention, has announced that the form for the 2020 Parochial Report is now viewable on the General Convention website in English, Spanish, and French. Read more here.

Preparing to Become the Beloved Community curriculum revised for Advent 2020

New and updated Advent and Christmas resources for congregations, dioceses, and communities of faith are available, with additional resources coming soon. Available now: Preparing to Become the Beloved Community Advent curriculum; Way of Love Digital Invitation Kit; updated Journeying the Way of Love Advent calendar and curriculum; AdventWord 2020; Episcopal Migration Ministries Refugee Prayer Vigil. And be sure to sign up for daily Advent and Christmas emails. Find Advent and Christmas resources from The Episcopal Church here. Read more here.

Post-Election Prayer Service Nov. 4 at 4 p.m.

Knowing we will need a place to offer prayers for our nation, our communities, and ourselves, we invite you to join The Episcopal Church Department of Faith Formation on Wednesday, November 4 for a time of prayer at 4:00 p.m. (service will be no longer than 30 minutes). Sign up to receive the Zoom link.

CE-Net: Intergenerational Faith Formation

Join CE-Net (the Diocesan Christian Education Network) on Thursday, November 19 at 6:30 p.m. as we have a conversation about intergenerational faith formation with Betsy Dishman, GenOn Ministries Training Coordinator, and Liz Perraud, GenOn Ministries’ Executive Director. GenOn Ministries believes nurturing people of all generations into an abundant life-giving relationship with God through Jesus Christ is the most important thing the church does. Their mission is to partner with churches to nurture, grow, and deepen intergenerational Christ-centered community. Their vision is a world filled with thriving Christian communities. Visit genonministries.org to learn more about GenOn Ministries. Betsy Dishman and Liz Perraud each has more than 30 years of experience in the Christian faith form field and share a passion for intergenerational formation. CE-Net invites you to be part of the important conversation about intergenerational faith formation. Click here to register.

EYC Game Night and upcoming events

Don’t forget that we are doing youth Zoom game nights on the first and third Thursdays of the month at 5 p.m. For the two Thursdays in November we will be playing Among Us. Come join us this Thursday to figure out who is the most suspect among us!! All youth are invited! Click here to join us.

 

Things to look forward to!

 

“Learn to Breathe in Covid” Youth Gathering - November 21 at 2:00 p.m.

Join us for a special virtual gathering where we will be discussing self-care with an expert and talking through how to support loved ones during this emotionally exhausting time in our lives. High school is tough, especially during a pandemic. Our hope is to provide a safe place for students to come and discuss the challenges that they are facing and walk about with some insight on concrete ways to handle those situations. Register here.

 

Happening Reunion -  Dec 6 at 5:00 p.m.

Join us for a special prayer service where will join in community and prayer for this season that we are in. While we miss seeing all of you in person during this time, we are excited about seeing you in this virtual space to catch up and pray for the upcoming year. Sign up here. We are also putting together a short video to the song “Give Yourself to Love” that we would love to feature you in. Please send us clips of you singing to this classic Happening song, or acting out how yourself to love, or even photos from your Happening experience. You can send all your videos and photos to mdern@diosova.org or upload them here.

 

After registering for one or both of these events, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Chanco’s Annual Fund makes the difference

Dear friends, please prayerfully consider Chanco in your year-end giving. Without our usual spring or fall retreat business and without normal summer camp operations for the first time in 53 years, your Annual Fund gift this year is essential! Chanco’s board is committed to maintaining our year-round staff so when this pandemic is behind us, we are ready to resume normal programming. In the meantime, we are offering socially distanced programming, working on property improvements, and finding creative ways to keep Chanco’s ministry moving forward in these challenging times. Thank you for your gift today to support Chanco! Click here to make your easy on line gift or mail your check made out to Chanco with “Annual Fund” in the memo line to 394 Floods Drive, Spring Grove, VA 23881. Questions? Contact Development Director Talley Banazek at 804-399-4019 or talley@banazek.com. Thank you for your continued support of Chanco on the James!

The Good Book Club returns in Epiphany 2021

The Good Book Club, from Forward Movement, is an invitation to all Episcopalians to join in reading scripture. During Epiphany 2021, we are invited to read the entire Gospel of Mark. The Gospel is split into daily readings and everyone is invited to follow along. Click here for ideas for getting people of all ages in your context involved.

Guidelines for limited choral singing during Advent and Christmas

At a recent meeting of the Medical/Legal subgroup of Bishop Haynes’s Advisory Panel for Re-Gathering for Worship, musicians presented some information on a breakthrough that will enable some limited choral singing as we move into the Advent and Christmas singing.

The breakthrough is the design and availability of “Singer’s Masks,” a mask especially made for singers that will allow them ample room to sing comfortably while protecting those around them from potential infection due to droplets and aerosols. The masks are available from a number of sources, including the ones listed here:

• www.broadwayreliefproject.com/singersmask
• www.mymusicfolders.com/product/resonance-singers-mask-with-disposable-biofilters/

Here are some YouTube links showing various singers using them:

• www.youtu.be/mcW1WJ2-mqs
• www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_xbGfY8jes
• www.youtu.be/N1NL0ycQf-Q?t=772
• www.vimeo.com/466160774#t=360s
• www.christchurchgreenwich.org/evensong-livestream/

After listening to the musicians, the panel made the following recommendations with respect to guidelines for choral singing:

• Singers may sing in virtual or in-person services provided they are spaced (shoulder to shoulder) at least six feet away from each other and are all facing/singing in the same direction.
• Singers must be 20-30 feet away from any other person in the congregation
• Singers must wear a mask specially made for singers such as one obtained from one of the websites above.
• The number of singers who can safely sing is dependent on the space and configuration of each church building, provided guidelines number 1-3 are followed.
• Congregational singing is still not permitted at this time.

While these guidelines do not allow for everyone to sing, they do enable us to move in the direction of bringing choral music back into the church.

Please contact the diocesan office if you have any questions.

As COVID-19 cases rise

As we move into fall and winter months, we are unfortunately seeing a rise in the number of Covid-19 infections, hospitalizations and deaths. This is of course not the direction we wanted to go. Many are beginning to feel anxious again and to ask questions regarding whether or not congregations should be gathering for worship. At this point, the diocesan office would like to offer a few general guidelines to clergy and other church leadership as you make decisions regarding worship in your own particular context. We encourage you to watch the numbers in your area, to consider the make-up of your own congregation or any other factors that are specific to your worshiping community. For example, if overall the number of infections are not rising in your community but you know that there are significant outbreaks in schools and that your faith community has a number of young families in membership, this may impact whether or not you open for worship. Likewise, if your community contains many older people whose health is fragile, you may make a different decision about opening for worship.

Here are a couple of websites that we offer to help inform you. Both of these websites offer information for the whole state of Virginia and also according to each county. If, after considering the information for your local area, you are still undecided, please feel free to call the Diocesan Office and we will help you process the information in order to arrive at a decision.

• The first helpful website is the Virginia Department of Health’s COVID Dashboard which allows you to check the status in particular cities.
• The second website is The Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center.

Clergy and lay leaders are to be commended for their excellent work in providing virtual worship when in-person worship is not available, and we encourage you to continue those offerings. We also remind you that the bishop has issued guidelines for how to administer Holy Communion more widely during a time of pandemic, and those guidelines and can be found here.

Nominations for Elections at Council

Please note that self nominations are welcome. Nominations must be received no later than December 29, 2020. Positions to be elected at Council are: Standing Committee (1 laity, 1 clergy); Disciplinary Board (2 laity, 1 clergy); General Convention 2021 (4 clergy alternates and 4 lay alternates. Note: deputies were elected at Council 2020). Click here for information about these positions. Click here for the nomination form.

Bishop Haynes to officiate at dedication of historic marker honoring James Solomon Russell

Bishop Haynes will join members of St. Mark's, Bracey, and local community leaders for the official dedication ceremony for the Virginia Civil Rights in Education Heritage trail marker honoring the Rev. James Solomon Russell. The dedication will be held on November 4, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mark's in Bracey. The trail marker is one of 53 across Southern Virginia that recount how African Americans, Native Americans and women fought for the right to equal education in Virginia. Click here for more information on the Virginia Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail. For more information about the dedication service contact Mr. Willie Bennett, wlbenn44@aol.com.

Deacon Jan Brown visits Sesame Street for webinar on Parental Addiction: Supporting Families in Recovery

Deacon Jan Brown, co-chair of the Diocesan Addictions & Recovery Commission, will be visiting Sesame Street this week. Brown will be leading a webinar examining how parental addiction affects young children and offer ways faith-based communities and organizations can accompany children and families on their recovery journey. The webinar can be viewed live on Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 1 p.m. Register here to participate live or to view later on-demand.

God is in charge (As we approach Election Day)

From Psalm 131

 

O LORD, I am not proud;*

   I have no haughty looks.

I do not occupy myself with great matters*

  or with things that are too hard for me.

But I still my soul and make it quiet,

  like a child upon its mother’s breast;*

   my soul is quieted within me.

O Israel, wait upon the LORD,*

  from this time forth for evermore.

 

As we approach Election Day, our anxiety increases. Fears about the well-being of our nation surround us, and we struggle not to feel like we are catapulting toward disaster. The ongoing presence of the pandemic compounds our feelings of doom and dread. Who is there to ground us and care for us? As the Israelites asked Moses many times during their journeys through the wilderness, “Is the Lord with us or not?”      

I invite you during this time of increasing tension to join me for a period of intentional prayer for Election Day. Beginning October 27, we will join with others across the nation in a novena (an ancient practice of 9 days of devotional prayers with specific intentions) for our national elections. During this time we will pray for wisdom and discernment in voting and for the well-being of our country.

Forward Movement has devised a series of prayers which will assist us and you can sign up to receive these prayers and resources daily here.

Come to God, say your prayers, light a candle each day beginning October 27, and remind yourself that God is in charge. He welcomes us to rest upon him in quiet solitude…even when…and especially when we are afraid.

-- Bishop Haynes

Advent Virtual Roundtable, resources for formation

As we continue to navigate Christian formation during COVID, Advent & Christmas will require some creativity. Our colleague group will meet for a virtual roundtable to share resources, wisdom, and ideas for this fast approaching season. Whether your plans are undecided or plans are confirmed, join CE-Net (the Diocesan Christian Education Network) on Thursday, Oct. 22 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss what we can do to support our communities during Advent & Christmas. Click here to register and obtain the Zoom log in information.

Resources for virtual formation, Advent and Christmas

The Diocesan website has resources here for the upcoming Advent and Christmas seasons, including ideas for virtual pageants. More will be added in coming weeks, so check back often.

FORMA Conference Jan. 26-28

Each year FORMA hosts a conference for individuals that are engaged in Christian formation efforts for children, youth, and adults. This year’s conference, FORMA 2021 Embodying Spiritual Practices, will occur on January 26-28. The Diocese of Southern Virginia has purchased a Host registration package for the upcoming conference. Conference participants will experience community and learning through curated worship, wisdom, and workshop offerings via an on-line conference platform. One of the benefits of serving as a Host institution is that the diocese has a number of pre-paid conference registrations that are available to formation leaders in the diocese. Please contact Lynn Farlin at lfarlin@diosova.org if you are interested in attending the conference and wish to take advantage of one of the free conference registration slots. Visit www.forma.church/forma-2021 to learn more about the FORMA 2021 Embodying Spiritual Practices conference.  

Join us for World Drawing God Day

Karen Keifer, author of the children’s book Drawing God was inspired to write the book when she overheard a conversation between two children in the grocery store.  One child said “My mother said you shouldn’t talk about God in school because it makes people feel uncomfortable.”  That conversation inspired not only the creation of the Drawing God children’s book; it also morphed into intergenerational creative conversations across many faith traditions - highlighting that “we all see God differently”.  

November 9 is the second World Drawing God Day and you are invited to participate in this intergenerational event. There are a number of free on-line programs that you can take part in, including a reading of the book by Karen Kiefer. Visit https://www.drawing-god.com/2020-events  to learn more and register for the on-line program opportunities.  However, even if you choose not to take part in the online programs, you can still be part of World Drawing God Day 2020 by sharing your creation using the hashtag #drawinggod and if you send a copy of your creation to lfarlin@diosova.org we would love to include it in our own diocesan online gallery.   

So grab some paper and art supplies and show the world the answer to this question - How do you see God?

 

EYC Game Night this Thursday

This Thursday, October 15, is our biweekly youth game night. Any youth are encouraged to join us to play some games and escape their homework for a bit. This week we will be playing the popular game Among Us.  Even if you haven’t joined us before, we would still love for you to pop in and hang out with us for the evening. You will need a device with which to connect to the game. Sign up here to get the Zoom log in information. Hope to see you then!

Advent Virtual Roundtable

As we continue to navigate Christian formation during COVID, Advent & Christmas will require some creativity. Our colleague group will meet for a virtual roundtable to share resources, wisdom, and ideas for this fast approaching season. Whether your plans are undecided or plans are confirmed, join CE-Net (the Diocesan Christian Education Network) on Thursday, Oct. 22 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss what we can do to support our communities during Advent & Christmas. Click here to register and obtain the Zoom log in information.

Boys Home of Virginia celebrates Donnie Wheatley’s 35 years of service

On Thursday, October 15 and Friday, October 16, Boys Home of Virginia will host “Two Days of Giving” in honor of their executive director, Mr. Donnie Wheatley’s 35 years of service. Friends, family and supporters are encouraged to give Mr. Wheatley a call to congratulate him and make a pledge toward the $35,000 fundraising goal. Please call 540-965-7704 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. on those days. To add to the fun, on Friday afternoon at 2 p.m., staff and students will “Stick it to Mr. Wheatley!” They will literally stick him to a wall with duct tape! Boys Home is accepting donations of $5 for a stretch of tape or $35 for a whole roll! (Please do not send tape. This is just a fundraising opportunity.)

As a precursor to this event, Boys Home has been posting silly pictures of Mr. Wheatley in various locations and poses on their Facebook page and Instagram. If you haven’t see them, definitely check them out. During these two days of giving, they will continue to post pictures and videos of all the fun activities and shenanigans going on!

 

For more information or if you would like to make a donation, please visit our website at www.boyshomeofva.org or give Melinda a call 540-965-7707.

Join us for Friendsgiving at Chanco on the James November 20-22

Looking for a fall getaway with your friends and family? We have the answer for you! Join us at Chanco for Friendsgiving November 20-22! Enjoy a time of fellowship and gratitude during the most gorgeous time of year at Chanco. This event will include activities such as traditional Thanksgiving fare, hayrides, pumpkin carving, tomahawk throwing, archery, football on the big screen, candy apples, friends/family trivia games, campfires, worship and more! Accommodations are in our retreat lodges at the bluff and pricing includes all meals and activities. Click here for a flyer with more information. Visit www.chanco.org to register today!

General Convention Task Force invites Episcopalians to participate in survey “Social Justice and the Episcopal Church: A Call for Stories”

The Task Force on Theology of Social Justice Advocacy invites Episcopalians to participate in a survey, “Social Justice and the Episcopal Church: A Call for Stories”.

In the work of contemplating the theology of social justice advocacy in The Episcopal Church, the Task Force recognizes that different people have vastly different perspectives and experiences. For some, social justice advocacy may seem somewhat peripheral to their spiritual lives in the church; for others, social justice may have become an important focal point of their theology over time; for still others, the struggle for social justice is fundamental to and inseparable from their experience of what it is to be a Christian.

The members of the Task Force would like to gather stories and deeper perspectives to support their work on behalf of the Church and invite Episcopalians to consider sharing their experience by completing the survey, “Social Justice and the Episcopal Church: A Call for Stories”.

 

The survey will take approximately 15-30 minutes to complete and is available in English here, in Spanish here, and in French here. Survey responses are due by November 5, 2020. For questions or additional information, please email tfsja.episcopal@gmail.com.

Monday, October 12, Diocesan Offices closed

On Monday, October 12, the offices of the Diocese of Southern Virginia will be closed. Officially the day, known as “Columbus Day,” commemorates the arrival of Christopher Columbus on American soil in 1492. The arrival of Columbus paved the way for Europeans to inhabit, explore, and ultimately take possession of the land. However, there were already indigenous people inhabiting this land; therefore, we use this day to remember and honor those people as well. The names of the tribes of indigenous people who inhabited the grounds on which the Diocese of Southern Virginia rests include the following:

Cherokee, Chickahominy, Manahoac, Meherrin, Monacan, Nahyssand, Nansemond, Nottaway, Occaneechi, Powhatan, Saponi, Shawnee, Tutelo, Rappahannock, Mattaponi and Melungeons

The relationship of these native people with the land was such that they did not comprehend the notion of “ownership” in the same way as did their European visitors. The natives understood the land as something that was given into their care, but not their possession. As such, they did not recognize when their ability to care for it had been taken from them.

This Monday, as we commemorate Columbus Day, let us remember not only the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas, but also the people who lived here and watched him and others like him arrive on their homelands. Because of their great love and care for creation, a good way to commemorate the day would be to get outside and enjoy the day in Creation. Garden, take a hike, walk along the beach, breathe fresh air…and utter profound thanks to God for His gift of Creation to us and our chance to care for it. We do not necessarily own the land upon which we walk. We are stewards of it, and it is given into our diligent care.

-- Bishop Haynes