ECBF hosts "Buildings for Tomorrow" symposium

The Episcopal Church Building Fund is more than a loan fund. ECBF is hosting a national symposium, 'Buildings for a New Tomorrow,' April 15-17 in Baltimore to bring people together to discuss the complex issues of church buildings, in an open, honest and realistic forum. It will challenge people to think differently--about their buildings, what they represented, how they supported ministry (or do they?), how to use them for revenue, and when to close them. Participants and presenters come from across the country to challenge themselves and each other to think differently, to "Go big or go home". Click here for more information. Learn more about ECBF at www.ecbf.org.

Good Friday Offering for Jerusalem & the Middle East

Marking the 90th anniversary of the annual Good Friday Offering, Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has written to all congregations asking them to consider assistance for Jerusalem and the Middle East. "This annual appeal is a unique spiritual opportunity to continue Jesus' work in the land of his birth and early ministry," the Presiding Bishop writes. "Please join me in continuing that incarnate presence of love and healing." Funds collected from the Good Friday Offering are gathered and distributed to the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East which includes the Dioceses of Jerusalem and Cyprus and the Gulf, all members of the Anglican Communion. Among the many projects assisted by past Good Friday offerings are: Diocese of Jerusalem's St. Peter's Elderly Home for Christian seniors, St. Andrew's Clinic for diabetes, educational scholarships, and St Andrew's Housing Projects for young Christian couples; and in the diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf, the many medical ministries of Ras Morbat Clinic based at Christ Church in Aden, Yemen, such as a clinic for mothers and babies, eye care, a vocational school, and ministry to seafarers. Information and resources for the Good Friday Offering are available here.

Saint Paul's College Founders' Day

Saint Paul's College will hold its annual Founders' Day Weekend March 10-11. The weekend kicks off on Saturday, March 10 with the Founders' Day banquet which will be held at 6 p.m. in the Student Union on campus. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased from the College's cashier's office located in the William H. Scott Administration Building or at the door the night of the event. Founders' Day Convocation will be held Sunday, March 11 at 11 a.m. at Saint Paul's Memorial Chapel. Guest speaker for convocation is the great granddaughter of  Archdeacon James Solomon Russell, Judith K. Deane-Cisco.Celebrating 124 years of existence, Saint Paul's College was founded by the late Archdeacon James Solomon Russell as a way to educate freed slaves and offer educational opportunities not afforded to Blacks at White institutions during the days of legally mandated segregation.The community is invited and encouraged to celebrate Founders' Day Weekend.

Celebration of the Feast of James Solomon Russell

Join us on Sunday, March 25, 2012 at 3 p.m. for the Feast of the Ven Dr. James Solomon Russell at St. Mark's, Bracey. We will celebrate the life and ministry of our local "saint" and his anticipated inclusion in the liturgical calendar of The Episcopal Church. Festive dress. Churches, please bring your banners. A reception will follow the service.

Your prayers and donations are also desired in support of the James Solomon Russell Memorial to be erected in Southside Virginia to pay tribute to the legacy of this great evangelist, educator, and churchman. (Patron's list: Individuals, $25 or more, churches or groups $300 or more, paid to the James Solomon Russell Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 608, Lawrenceville, VA 23868-0608, by March 16, 2012).

Parishes give "ashes to go" a try on Ash Wednesday

The Rev. Win Lewis of Christ & St. Luke's in Norfolk and the Rev. Gillian Barr of the ODU Canterbury Center offered "ashes to go" on Ash Wednesday morning outside a busy Starbucks in Norfolk. “The rules are: We don’t accost anyone,” Win told Gillian, "Just see if anyone comes," as the two stood on the sidewalk next to a small sign reading: "Welcome. Ashes to go." And people did come. Drivers slowed down to check out what was going on.

Win and Gillian weren't the only ones in Southern Virginia that took Ash Wednesday to the streets of their community. Folks from St. Luke's in Powhatan set up an "Ashes to Go" station outside the Powhatan YMCA this morning from 9 to 10 a.m. and will go back this evening from 4 to 5 p.m.

Communications grant funding available to congregations

Communications Grants from the Diocese of Southern Virginia provide congregations within the diocese with funding for development of digital communications. Grant funds are intended to assist churches that do not currently make use of digital communications methods to create and implement a new digital communication program. Funds may also be used to assist churches with an existing digital communication program that have discovered needs within their congregation or community that can be addressed with a new digital communication initiative. Click here for more information and an application.

ECW Scholarship applications now being accepted

Episcopal Church Women's Elise Holladay-Beverley D. Tucker Scholarship applications are now being accepted. The deadline for applications is April 30. Applicants must be communicants of the Diocese of Southern Virginia, have at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average and be enrolled full-time for the coming year. Students may receive funds twice. Click here for more information and application. Questions? Contact Deborah Austin, akadeborah@aol.com or 757-538-1797.