Healthcare open enrollment & clergy compensation

2013 Open Enrollment for clergy and lay employees participating in medical and dental plans is October 10-31.  Click here for complete information.

 

The  2013 Clergy Compensation Manual is now available on our website. The Executive Board has approved a 1.7% cost of living increase for 2013. 

 
If you have questions about Open Enrollment or Clergy Compensation, please contact Canon for Administration the Rev. Canon Ed Tracy, 757-213-3378 or etracy@diosova.org. 

Appreciative Inquiry for Vestries & Church Leaders

Saturday, October 13, 2012. 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
St. Michael's, Bon Air
In this program you will: learn the essentials of appreciative inquiry; learn how to ensure change is a sustainable blessing and not a curse; discover appreciative strategies for dealing with problems. Cost: $55 per person with a cap of $250 per parish. Lunch will be provided. For more information go to www.clergyleadership.com. Click here to register.

Chanco announces new structure

A Vision for Chanco 

"I envision Chanco being everything it currently is and much, much more. I see it as a place with the potential to be the true spiritual heart of Southern Virginia - a place where people come from all over for spiritual formation, refreshment and worship, a place characterized by Christian hospitality. I see the summer camp as a place for our young people to grow in their spiritual awareness and to begin to find their place in the community of the baptized.   And finally, I see it as a place that draws in people from both inside and outside our Church, giving us an opportunity to share with them God's love as revealed in the beauty of creation." 

+H. Hollerith IV, Bishop of Southern Virginia

In order to move forward towards the Bishop's vision of what Chanco can be, and following recommendations from the Episcopal Camp and Conference Center assessment of Chanco, the Board of Directors has implemented the following staff changes:

• A Full Time Executive Director (Currently in search)
• A Full Time Chanco Administrative Coordinator (Stacey Richards)
• A Seasonal Camp Director (Will recruit in early 2013)
• A Full Time Facilities and Property Keeper (Robbie Matthews)
• A Full Time Housekeeping Attendant (Shanna Matthews)
• Marketing and Development Contractor (Talley Banazek)
• Support staff as budgeted and necessary

Sadly, to implement this decision, it was necessary to eliminate the position of a year-round Camp Director. The off-season responsibilities will shift to the Executive Director, who will also conduct a search for a newly-created Seasonal Camp Director.

The Board of Directors would like to thank Jim Sitzler for his years of service to the camp program, and wishes him all the best in his future endeavors.

For additional information, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions here or on the Chanco website.

Walk and Be Well program begins October 1

From Episcopal CREDO 

Jesus spent much of his ministry walking. From town to town across Galilee, Samaria and Judea, he walked and talked, in the company of his disciples, his followers and God.

CREDO's Walk and Be Well offers a way to follow Jesus both in words and action, with a walking program attuned to both body and soul. For four weeks beginning October 1, CREDO will provide daily Walk and Be Well reflections in both text and audio that can motivate, encourage and educate you on the benefits of walking and help you commit to 28 days devoted to better wellness. You'll begin your daily walk with a reflection from one of three CREDO writers and faculty members: Jackie Cameron,  Elizabeth Moosbrugger or Bill Watson. Each writer starts and finishes his or her reflection with the same scriptural anchors, but along the way approaches walking from a unique perspective. The entire series weaves together a very broad and holistic look at health and wellness.

Reflections can be downloaded as podcasts, streamed from the CREDO website and printed as PDFs; use them while walking solely or share them with your walking partner or group. And if you would like to receive your daily reflection by email, just sign up and we will send it to you in the early morning.

Walk and Be Well begins on September 30, with an introduction from Jackie Cameron. October 1 begins the walking days, which continue through October 28.  The distance and pace is up to you. Walk and Be Well is your opportunity to join other CREDO participants, whether they're in your area or they live far away, in committing to four weeks of walking as a benefit to your physical and spiritual health and well-being.

Exploring Gifts for Ministry in Daily Life

Saturday, November 10, 8:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Church of the Ascension, Norfolk

Cost: $25, includes materials and lunch

The Commission on Ministry for Ministry of the Baptized (COM-MB) is pleased to sponsor a second workshop designed especially for laity to assist them in identifying their spiritual gifts and to begin discovering new ways to use these gifts to glorify God. As space is limited, we ask that all participants pre-pay either by PayPal or by mailing a check to the diocesan office.  Registration will close on Friday, October 27 to allow adequate time for ordering materials for all attendees. The registration fee is non-refundable, but transferable. Click here for more information and registration.

Church Media Conference in Norfolk

Want to know more about how today's media intersect with our Christian faith and Church? The Lutheran Conference in Tidewater invites you to join them for a Church Media Conference on September 22 at St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Norfolk from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with optional field trip to follow. This conference is a chance for you and anyone from your church to learn about the many ways media can be used for building up of Christ's Kingdom. This is a great opportunity for pastors, secretaries, worship planners, musicians, council members, Sunday School teachers, lay people, and others to come and see ways to enrich their programs, get new ideas to help encourage new growth in your church, and to work more efficiently doing Christ's ministry. Topics include: webpages, QR codes, social media, administrative assistant and secretary ideas, marketing and advertising, worship media, smart phones and tablets, video conferencing, e-mail coordination and more! Contact Lenae Osmondson (synodeast@vasynod.org or 757-622-9421) for more information and to register; there is still room available! -OR scan the QR code for the registration flyer.

ECW holds Day of Reflection

The annual Day of Reflection will be held Thursday, November 15 at St. Mark's, Suffolk. The program begins at 9:45 a.m. and ends at 1:45 p.m. Holy Eucharist will be celebrated. Registration is $10 and includes lunch. Click here for a registration form.