Bishop Hollerith's 2011 Christmas message

Saint Paul's College participates in Project Stop Now!

Saint Paul’s College together with the Brunswick/Greensville Family Violence/Sexual Assault Unit sponsored an informational forum for students and interested persons, titled “Applying the Brakes on Relationship Violence.”  This collaboration and funding was made possible by a grant awarded through UNCF Special Programs Corporation; and Tougaloo College of Mississippi titled, “Project Stop Now!”  “Project Stop Now!” is a program that targets freshmen students of Historically Black Colleges and Universities for awareness and preventive strategies in the area of abuse.

The forum was followed up with a dialogue seminar presented by Licensed Professional Counselors and Victim Advocates, Ms. Monique Goodson and Ms. Sharon Hicks of Raleigh, North Carolina.  Student participation was excellent.  These activities were in recognition of Domestic Violence Month.  “This initiative encourages affiliated institutions and others to plan and implement safeguards against abusive behaviors in college companionships,” said Saint Paul’s College Counselor of Academic Support Services and Campus Representative of Project Stop Now!, Mr. Wesley Alston.

PHOTO:

From left to right:  Saint Paul’s College Counselor of Academic Support Services and Campus Representative of Project Stop Now!, Mr. Wesley Alston; Saint Paul’s College student, Kevin Reynolds; Saint Paul’s College Center of Academic Support Services Tutorial Lab Coordinator, Kathy Braden; Saint Paul’s College students Nicole Phifer, Latoria James and Joshua Sexton; Saint Paul’s College Director of the Center of Academic Support Services, Audrey Nelson

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 on a beautiful 183-acre campus 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 Lawrenceville.

Registration open for spring youth & youth leader events

Youth Leader Gathering - January 27-28 at Chanco. 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. Click here for more information and registration.  Happening #58 - March 9-11 at Chanco. Happening is a Christian renewal program designed for youth in grades 10-12. The focal point of the weekend is learning and experiencing the love of Christ.  The weekend format includes series of talks, movies, small group activities and worship, as well as opportunities for fellowship, fun and making new friends. Click here for more information and registration. Blackstone 2012 - March 23-25 at VUMAC in Blackstone. At this Spring gathering, Senior High youth come together for more amazing worship, outreach, community-building, and fun in Christian community. We will also elect new members to the EYC Board. The usual favorites like small groups, the dance and the talent show will also be part of this weekend. Click here for more information and registration. April Weekend 2012 - April 13-15 at Chanco. Junior High youth are invited to enjoy a full weekend of fun and faith-building programs. The weekend includes creative worship, indoor and outdoor games and activities, a campfire, a dance and a chance to meet other Junior High youth from all over the diocese! Click here for more information and registration.

Applications available for Episcopal Youth Presence at General Convention 2012

Are you an Episcopal youth, or know one who would like to learn about the governance of the church while providing a needed service? Then consider the Episcopal Youth Presence at General Convention 2012. Eighteen positions, representing two from each Province of the Episcopal Church, are opened to youth to participate in the 77th General Convention, scheduled for July 2012 in Indianapolis, Indiana July 5 to July 12. Click here for more information. Interested youth may apply or be nominated by an adult. To be eligible for one of the 18 positions, the youth must:

• be an Episcopalian active in his/her faith community
• be at least 16 years old but not more than 19 years old at the time of General Convention in July 2012
• be enrolled in high school during the 2011/2012 academic year
• have permission to travel to and from the meetings and General Convention on his/her own
• be able to attend training from April 12 to April 15 in Indianapolis
• be able to be present at General Convention 2012 in Indianapolis from Thursday, July 5 to Thursday, July 12

Travel, lodging and meal expenses are covered. Click here for application form. Click here for nomination form. For more information contact Bronwyn Clark Skov,  bskov@episcopalchurch.org.

Workshop: Music that makes Community

The Leadership Program for Musicians will offer their Spring Workshop on March 10, 2012. This year's workshop is Music that makes Community. Music that Makes Community is a movement in the church, rekindling an ancient practice of singing - a way of music making that has been central to folk traditions for centuries. It is simple, faithful and traditional. Singing without the use of books or screens, rather relying on human to human communication, creates community in a powerful and unique way. This workshop will explore ways to incorporate this kind of singing into our regular liturgies, as well as stretching some boundaries. A wide variety of music will be sung and basic techniques for leading will be introduced. This one-day workshop will be held at Church of the Holy Comforter in Richmond. Fee is just $75. Click here for more information on the LPM and the workshop.

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.