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.