Digital ministry conference June 6-8

This year webinar access is available to much of the e-Formation Conference and the cost to attend online is just $89. Get more information and register here. The full conference program is available here. Webinar participants will also receive access to the recordings after the conference ends at no additional cost.

eFormation is an ecumenical conference on ministry in a digital world. It's an excellent opportunity for lay leaders and clergy, especially those involved in faith formation and  communications ministries. You can participate in person on the Virginia Theological Seminary campus or via live webinar. The conference is June 6-8.

Fairy Godmother celebrates 10 years of helping Jackson-Feild students

For the tenth year running, The Fairy Godmother program at Collegiate Schools in Richmond recently helped residents of Jackson-Feild Behavioral Health Services shop for prom outfits at no cost to the girls and boys.

 

Founded in 2006, the Fairy Godmother program has provided prom outfits to more than 350 residents. Their mission is to provide a special high school prom experience for children whose circumstances would otherwise exclude them from attending a high school prom.

 

Throughout the year, Collegiate students collect donated prom attire and conduct fundraisers to purchase supplemental items needed to complete an outfit. They also solicit donations from individuals, corporations and foundations in support of their effort. They store the items in a SmartBox provided by the owner of the local franchise, Bryan Bostic, and on April 8 the box was transported to the JFBHS campus for the day.

 

The Collegiate students met with JFBHS residents and helped them select the right outfit for the prom which will be held in May. Based on the smiles and laughter throughout the room, everyone had a wonderful time shopping for prom. For ten years now, these special volunteers from Richmond have provided not only the clothing to make prom special, but they have helped the children at Jackson-Feild feel valued and important.

 

GraceInside seeking part-time prison chaplain

GraceInside (Virginia's State Prison Chaplaincy Ministry) will soon have a part-time prison chaplain opening. It is a 25-hours-per-week position at River North Correctional Center in Independence (Grayson County), VA. Position will be vacant as of July 1.  However, we would prefer the new chaplain to begin on or near June 1 to have time to shadow the current chaplains and take all of the mandated state training. Click here for more information. 

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry calls for prayer for Ecuador

Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael B. Curry has called for prayers for the people and Dioceses of Ecuador following a devastating earthquake on April 17. Two dioceses of the Episcopal Church are located in Ecuador: Litoral Ecuador led by Bishop Alfredo Morante; Central Ecuador led by Bishop Victor Scantlebury. A magnitude-7.8 earthquake hit the South American country on Sunday, April 17.  News reports indicate the death toll is over 200 people with 2500 injured.

The following is the message Presiding Bishop Curry sent to the bishops and people:

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Please know that your brothers and sisters throughout the Episcopal Church are praying for you. We will be with you during this time and in the days ahead. You are not alone. May the love of God embrace and strengthen you.

Earth Day resources

Click here  for online resources, lesson plans for children, and bulletin inserts and other items assembled by The Episcopal Church for understanding and honoring Earth Day, April 22 by congregations and individuals. Among the resources:

• A bulletin insert on Earth Day, ideal for congregational use. 
• Creation Justice Ministries, centering on Care for God's Creatures and includes ideas for hosting an Earth Day Sunday.
• Earth Day Sunday with information about biodiversity and faith through Creation Justice Ministry's #EarthDaySunday Resource 
• Earth our Garden Home: Creation Care Lessons for Children and Wild Faith: A Creation Care Curriculum for Youth, a curricula ideal for summer and fall, developed by Cynthia Coe of the Diocese of East Tennessee, an Episcopal Church Mark V fellow, the curricula are ideal for Sunday school and teen discussion groups.
• Learn about Environmental issues and the Anglican Communion through a video from Episcopal News Service
• Receive information about The Episcopal Church's environmental advocacy efforts through the Episcopal Public Policy Network (EPPN)

For more information, contact Jayce Hafner, Episcopal Church Domestic Policy Analyst, at jhafner@episcopalchurch.org.

The Rev. Canon Charles Robinson joins the diocesan staff

The Rev. Charles A. Robinson joined the diocesan staff on April 4 as Canon for Transitional Ministry & Clergy Development. He is currently working alongside the Rev. Canon Michael Spear-Jones, current Canon for Transitional Ministry & Clergy Development, who will be retiring at the end of this month.

Born in Oklahoma, Charles spent his formative years in various areas of the Southwest United States. He enlisted in the Navy as a hospital corpsman in 1970 following high school graduation. After completing his baccalaureate degree, he was commissioned in the Medical Service Corps as an environmental health officer in 1980. Charles completed 28 years of service and retired from the Navy as a Commander in 1998. After serving as a corporate health care executive for two years, he returned to work for the Navy as a civilian scientist before leaving for seminary in 2001.

Charles holds degrees from National University and Webster University, and he received the Master of Divinity degree from The Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas. Prior to joining the diocesan staff, Charles was rector of Saint John's, Suffolk, and served at Bruton Parish, Williamsburg, for nearly nine years.

About his new diocesan ministry, Robinson says, "I am honored to have been called to this ministry by Bishop Hollerith and very excited about the future."

Certification of Lay Delegates & Alternates for Annual Council due June 30

Your Certificate of Lay Delegates and Alternates for Annual Council should be sent to the Diocesan office by June 30, 2016. Click here for information about and the form for sending in the name(s) of delegate(s) and alternate(s) elected by your vestry for Council year 2016-2017.

Your elected delegates and alternates will serve for an entire conciliar year beginning July 1, 2016 and ending June 30, 2017. This term includes eligibility to vote at Pre-Council Convocation meetings in January, Annual Council in February, and any Special Council or other called meetings that may occur during this period.

If you have questions, please contact the Rev. Canon Ed Tracy, 757-213-3378 or etracy@diosova.org.