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

ECW Annual Fall Meeting October 17

The diocesan ECW will hold their Annual Fall Meeting via Zoom on Saturday, October 17.

Business meeting will begin at 9 a.m. The President's Program event, Unmasking the Mystery of Autism Spectrum Disorder, will begin at 11:30 a.m. and feature guest speaker Mr. Diego Zuniga, president of the Tidewater Autism Society of Virginia.

Click here to register to attend and receive the Zoom log in information.

Ridley Foundation awards grant to Jackson-Feild

The Ridley Foundation of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia has awarded Jackson-Feild Behavioral Health Services a grant for specialized training.

The Ridley Foundation was established and funded by Mrs. Roberta Ridley in the 1940’s. Mrs. Ridley, affectionately known as “Miss Bert”, was a resident of Southampton County. She established a trust to help local organizations and to provide college scholarship funding for Episcopalian students within the Diocese of Southern Virginia.

 

The grant will fund specialized trauma-focused and trauma-informed training for residential, educational, and clinical staff members. The training was developed by the Klingberg Trauma Stress Institute which was founded in 1986. This Institute is a recognized leader in the treatment of psychological trauma and attachment disruptions. The Institute has helped more than 4,000 mental health organizations nationally.

 

The goal is to train our staff and to make a transformational impact on Jackson-Feild’s ability to create better outcomes for its mentally ill children.

 

The Ridley Foundation has been a wonderful partner with Jackson-Feild and has made a profound impact on its mission and the children it serves.

Women's Advent Retreat, Dec. 4-5

Save the date! Chanco is hosting it’s third annual Women’s Advent Retreat. Join with women from all over our diocese for a time of reflection, worship and fellowship together! Enjoy time apart in God’s great outdoors while nourishing your body and spirit as we anticipate the birth of Christ. Open to all women ages 18 and older. Click here for information on COVID protocols and safety for groups at Chanco. Stay tuned here and on our website www.chanco.org for more information and registration for this fantastic event! Questions? Contact Chanco at hospitality@chanco.org or 888-724-2626. We look forward to seeing you there!

The Episcopal Church and the 2020 U.S. Elections: An Overview of Resources

The Office of Government Relations has created a comprehensive suite of resources for advocacy, the U.S. Election, and 2020 Census engagement. Central to election engagement are the “Vote Faithfully” resources built up over the course of several election cycles and in coalition with ecumenical partners. These resources are designed for use year-round, emphasizing messaging that is non-partisan and informed.

As the United States gets closer to Election Day, November 3, The Episcopal Church will continue to release new resources, including an ongoing educational series on the basics of the election process and transition of power, four bulletin inserts from Sermons That Work focused on voter engagement and written for the readings on the four Sundays leading up to Election Day, and A Season of Prayer: For an Election, a novena prayer series developed with Forward Movement.

 

Other resources include a Plan Your Vote guide, toolkit for supporting others in your community to vote, a tool for recognizing and combatting disinformation and misinformation, and much more. Click here for more information.