Two new resources for church communicators

On Saturday, June 2, 27 church communicators gathered at St. Stephen's, Newport News, to share ideas, network and learn how to better participate in the diocesan communications network. The new diocesan Church Communicators Manual was also distributed. You can download a copy of the manual, and other handouts from the meeting, from the Communications Resources page of our website. Another new communications resource is the Diosova Communicators online group. This email list serve enables communicators across the Diocese to ask questions, share resources and support each other in their ministry. If you would like to join the group, please email Ann Turner, aturner@diosova.org.

UBE Bishop's Ball re-scheduled for September 29

The Union of Black Episcopalians invites you to join them at the Bishop's Ball on Saturday, September 29, 6:30 p.m., at Marriott Waterside Hotel, Norfolk. Dinner and dancing, proceeds benefit St. Paul's College in Lawrenceville. Tickets $60 per person. Contact David Flores for tickets, 757-466-1991 or www.silverfox42639@aol.com.

Bishop Hollerith asks for your help in restoring Chanco

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As you probably are aware, Chanco is one of our greatest spiritual assets in Southern Virginia. As is the case with any asset, it's vitally important to be good stewards of what's entrusted to us - Chanco being no exception. To that end the Chanco Board of Directors has been working incredibly hard to tackle both the immediate and long term issues surrounding our property. However they can't do it without your help.

I'm writing today to commend to you the Chanco restoration projects and ask you for your time to make them happen. Last summer an incredible effort was put into restoring the exterior of Conference Lodge A, which is just one of several buildings in need of a serious overhaul. This summer the board will be doing similar restorations of Lodge D, and they need your help to make it happen. Please plan on volunteering for either the pre-work weekend from June 8-10 or the work week, July 13 - 22. Everyone volunteering needs to contact Chanco's volunteer coordinator, Chuck Spence at  chspence_7@msn.com or 757-675-6311 so that the board can adequately plan for food and lodging.

Thank you for your support of Chanco and I look forward to seeing the work accomplished this summer.

Your Servant in Christ,

+Holly Hollerith

Diaconal ordination on June 9

On Saturday, June 9, Bishop Hollerith will ordain Eve Butler-Gee, Terry Davis Edwards, Roger Alan Hungerford, Dana VanVliet-Pullin, and Wendy J. Wilkinson to the Sacred Order of Deacons. The ordination will take place at St. Andrew's, Newport News at 11 a.m. A reception will follow the service. Clergy: red stoles.

Integrity hosts screening of "Inlaws & Outlaws"

Integrity will host a free community screening of the documentary film "Inlaws & Outlaws" on Thursday, June 7th, at 7 pm. at St. Mark's, Hampton. With remarkable honesty, good humor, great music and real heart, "Inlaws & Outlaws" weaves together true stories of couples and singles, gay and straight, to embrace what we all have in common: we love. The screening is funded by a grant from Integrity USA. Light refreshments will be available and guests are encouraged to join us for a discussion following the film. All are welcome! Click here for more information. 

Presiding Bishop coming to Southern VA!

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori is coming to Southern Virginia to help Old Donation, Virginia Beach, celebrate 375 years of worship. The celebration will begin Saturday, June 23 with a prayer service at Church Point at 10:15 a.m. This is the site of the first Anglican service held in 1637 by Adam Thorowgood and other citizens of the Lynnhaven Parish. Following the service, there will be a reading at the Adam Thoroughgood House honoring the lives of Adam and Sarah Thorowgood. A choral concert by Old Donation's St. Cecilia Choir will be held at 1:45 p.m. at the church. The Presiding Bishop will officiate and preach at all three services at Old Donation on Sunday, June 24. Services are at 8, 9:15 and 10:30 a.m. A reception will follow the 10:30 service. For more information contact the church office, 757-497-0563 or odc375@yahoo.com.

Southern VA ready to take part in General Convention

The 77th Episcopal Church General Convention will be held July 5 through July 12 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN. The Episcopal Church's General Convention is held every three years, and is the bi-cameral governing body of the Church. It is composed of the House of Bishops, with upwards of 200 active and retired bishops and the House of Deputies, with clergy and lay representatives elected from the 110 dioceses of the Church, at more than 800 members.

Southern Virginia will be sending four clergy and four lay deputies to this year's General Convention: The Rev. Samantha Vincent-Alexander, Head of Deputation, Ascension Norfolk; The Rev. John Baldwin, Emmanuel Virginia Beach; The Very Rev. Chris Cunningham, Johns Memorial Farmville; The Rev. Anna Noon, St. John's Hampton; Ms. Cindy Barnes, St. Michael's Bon Air; Mr. Matthew Grizzle, ODU Canterbury Center; Ms. Athena Hahn, Ascension Norfolk; and Mr. Tony Robinson, St. Thomas Chesapeake.

For complete and extensive information on the General Convention, check the website generalconvention.org. The Report to the General Convention, known as the Blue Book, the Bishop & Deputy Handbook and filed resolutions are all available for download.

Want to keep up with General Convention news and follow the work of our deputies as it happens? Check out our General Convention blogspot. Leading up to and during General Convention, we'll be posting the latest news and events. You can also find a link to the site on the General Convention page of our website. Become a subscriber to the diocese's weekly email news. Subscribers will receive a report of convention highlights. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. We'll be using these social networks for news as it happens. You can also follow General Convention on Twitter by using the hashtag #GC12.