Dorothy Linthicum to address the Changing Roles of Older Adults in the Church

CE-NET (Christian Education Network) invites you to attend our Thursday, September 20 gathering at Hickory Neck Church, Toano, from 11:30 to 2:00.  Lunch will be provided with $5 registration. Click here to register. Our speaker will be Dorothy Linthicum who has studied and taught human growth and faith development, researched the changing demographics in the Church and our culture and has embarked on a new field of study about spirituality of the elderly.  She teaches at Virginia Theological Seminary, and has a passion for Christian formation and its role in weaving together disparate parts of parishes into a tapestry of beauty and function for spreading the Good News.  Dorothy will speak to us about the changing ministry to older adults in the church.  All are welcome

Integrity chapter participates in Norfolk’s Out in the Park

Integrity's Susan Pederson & Jesse Woods

On Saturday, August 18, members of the diocesan chapter of Integrity braved the heat and humidity in Norfolk’s Town Point Park to bring a message of welcome to the Hampton Roads LGBT community at “Out in the Park.”  The annual event draws thousands each year. This is Integrity’s third year participating in the event. Volunteers from Ascension Norfolk, Eastern Shore Chapel Virginia Beach, St. Stephen’s Norfolk and St. Mark’s Hampton spent the day talking with festival-goers and sharing the good news that God loves everyone and that the Episcopal Church welcomes you.

If you would like to know more about Integrity, visit them online at www.integritydiosova.blogspot.com or email integrityvb@gmail.com. The chapter gathers the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 at MJ’s Tavern in Norfolk for dinner and a short meeting. All are welcome to attend.

Creating Safe Schools training for day care workers

Ascension, Norfolk, in conjunction with the Diocese of Southern Virginia is pleased to offer classroom training for Creating Safe Schools on Tuesday, August 28. This new session is recommended for all day care workers. The session will be from 7:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and will cover the children's safety module as well as key components of the adult prevention of misconduct training. There is no charge for the training, but asking all to register in advance. Click here for online registration.

Safe Church classroom training in Hampton

St. Mark's, Hampton, in conjunction with the Diocese of Southern Virginia is pleased to offer classroom training for Creating Safe Churches for Congregations and Children on Saturday, October 6. 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. The cost for both sessions is $10. The cost to attend only the Adult or Child module is $5. Click here for online registration.

New resources for fall stewardship campaigns

TENS has provided some new resources for its members for fall stewardship campaigns. Go to  www.episcopalchurch.org/page/blessed-be-blessing. Our diocese is a member of TENS and all congregations have access to TENS materials. If you need additional information, please contact Caroline Black, cblack@diosova.org or 757-213-3377. 

Free webinar: Integrating Sex Offenders into Faith Communities

On Wednesday, August 22 from noon to 1 p.m. there will be a free webinar titled "Integrating Sex Offenders into Faith Communities" with Richard Hammar, a renowned church legal expert. The webinar is free and will take an in-depth look at how churches can minister to this potentially high-risk population, while ensuring other members stay safe. Click here to register.

Vergers' Guild National Conference Oct. 11-14

The Vergers' Guild of the Episcopal Church will host a national conference Oct. 11-14 at All Saints' Church in Lakeland, Florida for those currently serving as vergers or those contemplating this area of service. Participants will attend workshops, exchange ideas and be supported by the fellowship of other vergers. Offerings at this year's conference address large and small parishes; Verger 101 for new vergers; dealing with transition in the church or a verger's service; making your own Eucharistic bread; parish security; and many more. Register before September 1 and receive a discount. Some scholarship assistance is available for first-time attenders, youth attendees, and those with financial need. Go to www.vergers.org/2012 for more information and online registration.