Episcopal Church sponsors Eco-Justice leadership and advocacy training for young adults

Applications are being accepted for an innovative leadership and advocacy training initiative, the Eco-Justice Immersion Experience, a part of the Episcopal Leadership Institute for Young Adults, slated for August 25 - August 30 in Seattle, WA. Sponsored by the Episcopal Church Offices of Economic and Environmental Affairs and Young Adult and Campus Ministries, this event will consist of focused formation, leadership and advocacy training around themes of sustainable economy, food justice, eco-theology, and spiritual and physical ties to the life that surrounds us. Participants will have the opportunity to interface with leaders from both the faith and non-profit worlds, to hike in some of this nation's most beautiful country, and to put their hands and heads to work advocating for eco-justice.

Designed for those between the ages of 18 and 30 from across the Episcopal Church, the group will discuss a myriad of important current issues, such as:

• Spiritual, theological and scriptural resources for ecological ministry; sustainable economics; current economic and environmental justice ministry in The Episcopal Church; "greening" congregations; Episcopal Church polity and structures; food justice; reflection on our common call to serve all creation and what that means for our lives today
• Time with the leadership of Earth Ministry, one of the country's leading regionally-based nonprofits connecting faith with care for all creation
• Tours of Eco-Justice work sites and organizations such as the Clean Greens Farm, Port of Seattle and Duwamish River cleanup site
• A one-day hike in the Cascade Mountains, with time for conversation, meditation and prayer, reflection and silence

Application information is available here: http://www.formstack.com/forms/DFMS-ELIYA. Application deadline is June 20. For more information contact:
Jason Sierra, Office for Young Adult and Campus Ministries, jsierra@episcopalchurch.org
Mike Schut, Office for Economic and Environmental Affairs, mschut@episcopalchurch.org

Safe Church training in Farmville

Johns Memorial, Farmville, in conjunction with the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia is pleased to offer classroom training for Creating Safe Churches for Congregations and Children. These newly updated sessions are recommended for all Vestry members and church employees. Any parishioners, volunteers, clergy and staff who work with children are requested to complete the Child module. The first session will be from 9:30-12:00 and will be the Adult Module. The second session from 12:30-3:00 will cover the Children curriculum. Lunch will be served only to those attending both sessions. Click here for more information and registration.

Chanco is now on Facebook!

The time has finally arrived...Chanco proudly unveils its presence on Facebook.  It is now easier than ever before to stay up to date on Chanco's latest news, happenings and photos by "liking" our page on Facebook.  This will be the place where camp happenings and frequent photos will be posted, so parents of campers and friends of Chanco, "like" our Chanco on the James Facebook page to see all the fun!  We will share interesting and helpful articles about sleep-away camps, updates on our Annual Fund, progress with our building restoration projects, information on alumni reunions and work weekends, fun family retreats and much, much more. Don't wait to find out the latest news with Chanco, "like" us on Facebook TODAY by going to www.facebook.com/Chancoonthejames  and always be "in the know" about what is happening at Chanco NOW.  

ECW Louisa Taylor Letcher Observance is July 1

The annual observance will be held on Sunday, July 1. ECW members are invited to worship in any of the Norfolk area churches. At 12:30 P.M. they will assemble at the Cedar Grove Cemetery in Norfolk (East Princess Anne Road, just off Monticello Avenue) for the memorial service. At 1:15 P.M. they will have lunch at Freemason Abbey in Norfolk (Freemason and Boush Streets). Please contact Barbara Grice, Anglican Fellowship of Prayer Representative for details, 757-625-7057.

Registration open for 2012-2013 LPM classes

It's time for you or any church-music lover you know to register for the Leadership Program for Musicians' (LPM) 2012-2013 classes! Take all four or just one-at-a-time. Classes are perfect for church musicians and choir members; worship, music and liturgy committees; clergy; and members of congregations.

This year's offerings include: Leadership of Congregational Song; Hymnody of the Christian Church; Resources for Effective Music Ministry; and Philosophy of Church Music. Classes are September 14-15, October 12-13, November 9-10, January 11-12 and February 8-9. Classes meet Friday evenings 7 to 9:15 p.m. and Saturdays 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. at Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter in Richmond. The LPM Spring Workshop (March 9, 2012) is free to registered students. Click here for more information.

New book on James Solomon Russell to be published

Worth E. Norman, Jr. has authored a biography of the Rev. James Solomon Russell that will be published next month. The book, entitled "James Solomon Russell: Former Slave, Pioneering Educator and Episcopal Evangelist," includes Russell's early church career prior to joining the original and undivided Episcopal Diocese of Virginia. Worth is a native of Norfolk, an Old Dominion University graduate, and former member of Trinity, Portsmouth and Ascension, Norfolk. He has published work on Russell in The Historiographer, The Living Church and the Brunswick Times-Gazette (Virginia). He lives in Birmingham, Alabama. Click here for more information.

Five new deacons ordained

On Saturday, June 9, at St. Andrew's, Newport News, Bishop Hollerith ordained five new deacons: the Rev. Wendy Wilkinson; the Rev. Dana VanVliet-Pullin; the Rev. Roger Hungerford; the Rev. Eve Butler-Gee; and the Rev. Terry Davis Edwards.