Youth Leader Gathering at Chanco, Jan. 27-28

Gather together with other adults who work with youth for a time of reflection, resource sharing and refreshment. Try out new activities and worship for use with your youth group and problem solve common issues in youth ministry. Cost is $50. Register by Jan. 16. Find more information on our Youth Events page.

Seminarians create interfaith chaplaincy ministry in Occupy Austin

by Bob Kinney, Episcopal Peace Fellowship

Austin, Texas – Seminarians here are “taking the Gospel to the streets” as an interfaith chaplaincy ministry to those participating in Occupy Austin.

       “I am proud of the campus chapter of the Episcopal Peace Fellowship (EPF) at the Seminary of the Southwest. They are taking the Gospel to the streets and exemplify the growing influence young adults are having in our nation-wide social justice work,” said the Rev. Jackie Lynn, EPF executive director.

       Several seminarians – some donning monkish robes – went to the downtown Austin Occupy site the Monday before Thanksgiving to pass out food and pray with the Occupiers. Their first weekly Sunday prayer service was held at the site six days later.

       Liz and Roger Hungerford, a couple who came to the seminary from Emmanuel in Virginia Beach, are taking part in the chaplaincy ministry.

       The Episcopal Peace Fellowship’s website – www.epfnational.org – has an article written by Erin Warde, a seminarian from the Central Gulf Coast, about her group’s first day in Occupy Austin.

       “Using the diocesan-supported Occupy chaplaincy in Boston as an example, I thought our EPF chapter on the seminary campus could prayerfully participate in Occupy Austin,” said Jessie Vedanti, chapter president, member of the EPF’s national executive council and third year divinity student from the Diocese of Olympia.

       “Many seminarians began talking on campus about the church’s role in economic and social justice and we welcome students from other Austin seminaries, as well as the wider faith communities in Austin,” said Vendati, who was a Catholic Worker in Tacoma, Wash., before entering seminary in Austin.

       While Union Seminary in New York City supported their students participating in Occupy New York City, “we are the first Episcopal seminary to take part in the Occupy Movement. Many faculty and our academic dean have been very supportive as we honor the legacy of our seminary’s founder,” Vendati said.

       The late John E. Hines, elected Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in 1964 and a compelling advocate for racial and social justice, founded the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest when he was bishop coadjutor of Texas after World War II. “A leader of iron nerve, integrity and conviction, (he) courageously guided his church through a turbulent decade,” wrote the Rev. Ken Kesselus in his book John E. Hines – Granite on Fire.

Annual Council: Resolutions & Nominations due Dec. 9

The Nomination Form for Annual Council elections is now online at diosova.org. Nomination deadline is December 9, 2011. Candidates are being sought for the following positions:
Standing Committee - 1 laity, 1 clergy
Disciplinary Committee - 2 laity, 2 clergy

Please complete and mail the Nomination Form by December 9, 2011 to Leah Sicignano, 600 Talbot Hall Road, Norfolk, VA 23505. All nominations must be received by mail as they require original signatures.

Resolutions for the 120th Annual Council are due by December 9, 2011. Submit resolutions to the Rev. Charles Robinson, Chair of Resolutions & Memorials, crobinson@brutonparish.org.

Fundraiser in support of Happening

Happening needs your support! Happening is a Christian experience presented by teenagers for teenagers with the help of clergy and lay adult leadership. Happening - A Christian Experience seeks to to bring youth and adults to a fuller personal knowledge of and relationship with Jesus Christ, and to a deeper level of commitment and apostleship. The Happening team is excited to be back at Chanco, but they need your help. They are looking to raise funds to help support the program because it is an expensive one. Anything you can give would be appreciated. You can make a donation online by going to fundly.com/happening. All gifts will be very gratefully received! You can learn more about Happening and see pictures from the most recent Happening weekend at their Facebook page.

Integrity invites you to a Christmas celebration

Integrity invites you to join them on Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. in the Gunn Center at Talbot Hall for a Christmas Celebration. In addition to lots of food, music and fun, this is a wonderful opportunity to get to know Integrity and its members and supporters. All are welcome! Please bring some hors d'oeuvres to share. You can learn more about Integrity at our website or follow them on Facebook.

Applications now being accepted for Episcopal Church Young Adult Service Corps

The Episcopal Church offers untold opportunities for young adults to provide service and share their expertise worldwide through the Young Adult Service Corps. Commonly known as YASC, applications are now being accepted for the Young Adult Service Corps from young adults between the ages of 21-30. Current YASC members are living in Japan, El Salvador, Mexico, Southern Africa, Hong Kong, and Tanzania. Read about their experiences on their blogs. Possible placements for 2012 include Mexico, Brazil, South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, Japan, the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Papua New Guinea. Applicants must have a high degree of maturity and possess a faith commitment and "the willingness to be a humble guest, and the ability to be an authentic companion." Click here for application and information. Application deadline for 2012 placements is January 9, 2012. For more information contact Lisa Denaro at ldenaro@episcopalchurch.org  or 212-716-6114.

With major support from Virginia philanthropist, Saint Paul's College launches fundraising campaign

(LAWRENCEVILLE, Va.)  November 21, 2011 – Saint Paul’s College (SPC) President, Eddie N. Moore, Jr. today announced that Virginia philanthropist Jane Batten, through her donor designated and advised funds at the Hampton Roads Community Foundation, is providing major new support for the small private college, located in Lawrenceville, Virginia.

The announcement came as Saint Paul’s new leadership team launched its “Now & Forever” campaign.  The “Now” is to raise $5 million by the end of June 2012 for campus renovations and to support the school’s operating budget.  And, the “Forever” is for a future multi-year campaign as determined by the Board and Leadership Council’s strategic plan.

“The fund-raising campaign, budget right-sizing and organizational re-structuring underway at Saint Paul’s are key elements in the school’s drive to be reaffirmed in June with full accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges,” said Moore, who took the helm as CEO and interim president on November 10th.  “We need individuals who believe in the Saint Paul’s mission, and we need them to step up and support us now.”

Moore added, “Saint Paul’s College is committed to positioning the College for a long-range strategic planning process and the expansion of the newly formed, broadly representative external leadership council that in tandem with the Board will inform, advise and ensure the continuing relevance of that planning process, long after any individual leaders have come and gone.”  

Challenge grant and endowment:

The Batten Educational Achievement Fund of the Hampton Roads Community Foundation is providing a half-million dollar challenge grant to help raise unrestricted funds for the SPC annual operating needs.  The Batten challenge grant will match dollar-for-dollar up to $500,000 in unrestricted gifts to the Saint Paul’s Annual Fund through next June.

In addition, the Batten Fund for Saint Paul’s College of the Hampton Roads Community Foundation has been established to administer a $1 million endowment to support SPC’s Single Parent Support System.  The program, the only one of its kind in Virginia, delivers support including on-site developmental childcare, academic and social support programs and residential quarters for single parents while they pursue a college degree.

“When you help people grow and improve themselves, everyone benefits,” said Batten.  “The commitment to a brighter future for all of us is why we have offered resources to make college available to people who otherwise would not have access to higher education.”

“We are grateful beyond words for Mrs. Batten’s support,” said Moore. “Receiving the challenge grant in particular is a wonderful way to kick-off our fund-raising efforts.  Mrs. Batten and her late husband, communications entrepreneur Frank Batten, Sr. created a lasting legacy of support for expanded opportunity through higher education.” 

“We also want to thank the Reverend and Mrs. Joseph N. Green, Jr. of Norfolk, who through their friendship and community work, played an instrumental role in introducing Mrs. Batten to the Saint Paul’s Single Parent Support System program,” said Oliver W. Spencer, Jr., Ph.D, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Saint Paul’s College.  “Father and Mrs. Green’s service and contributions to a better life for all people are an inspiration to us all.”

“There are those who ask, ‘Why Saint Paul’s?’  And the simple answer is this: students need to have the option to select a small liberal arts college where they can explore and develop in a caring and nurturing environment,” said Moore. 

“There are young people in our Commonwealth and beyond who can best thrive in the kind of supportive, character building and spiritual environment that Saint Paul’s offers,” said E. Bruce Heilman, Ph.D, co-chairman of SPC’s leadership council and SPC trustee.  “Saint Paul’s serves students who might be lost in or consumed by larger schools.  Our country is great in part because of the diversity of its educational opportunities.”

About Saint Paul’s College:

Founded in 1888 and affiliated with the Episcopal Church, Saint Paul’s College is a private, historically black, accredited, four-year coeducational and culturally diverse liberal arts institution of higher learning located in the rolling hills of Brunswick County in Southern Virginia. Saint Paul’s offers baccalaureate degrees in the arts and sciences, teacher education endorsements, professional and pre-professional programs, and the only Single Parent Support System program for degree-seeking single parents in Virginia.  Saint Paul’s offers an accelerated degree program for working adults in four locations across Virginia including Richmond, Farmville, Franklin and on Saint Paul’s Lawrenceville campus.  Learn more at www.saintpauls.edu.

About Hampton Roads Community Foundation:

The Hampton Roads Community Foundation is southeastern Virginia’s largest grant and scholarship provider. Since its founding in 1950, the regional community foundation has provided more than $152 million in grants and scholarships to improve life in southeastern Virginia. For more information, please visit www.hamptonroadscf.org or contact Sally Kirby Hartman, VP for Communications at (757) 622-7951, or shartman@hamptonroadscf.org.