Boys' Home grad awarded Eagle Badge

Devin VanGundy, a student from Boys' Home Covington, was awarded the highest rank in scouting, the Eagle Badge on October 13, 2012. His Eagle Court of Honor was held in the All Saints' Chapel on the Boys' Home campus.

The Boy Scout motto of Be Prepared has special meaning to Devin. It doesn't mean just being prepared to help others in emergencies or disasters. Be Prepared also applies to being prepared for life, through the challenges that situations sometimes bring. For Devin, one of the challenges involved coming to Boys' Home in the summer of 2011. By persevering, sometimes on his own and sometimes through the persistence of the Boys' Home staff, Devin settled into the structure at Boys' Home and attained two of his primary goals: to complete his Eagle project and to graduate from high school.

The Boy Scout motto and the mission of Boys' Home complement each other. At Boys' Home, preparing also means learning to become a productive citizen by developing your mental, physical, social and spiritual potentials. For Devin, it meant developing a strong heart, mind, spirit and body. 

Devin began scouting on May 28, 2006 when he joined Troop 2826 in Chester, Virginia. After attaining his Life Scout Rank in May 2010, VanGundy joined Troop 66 in the summer of 2011 after first arriving at Boys' Home. He has earned a total of 21 merit badges. These include Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, and Citizenship in the World as well as badges in Camping, Communications, Fingerprinting, Cooking, Emergency Preparedness, Environmental Science, First Aid, Swimming, Leatherwork, Nature, Personal Fitness, Mammal Study, Fishing, Indian Lore, Family Life, Archery, Personal Management and Automotive Maintenance. While in the Boys' Home Troop 66, VanGundy has held the leadership positions of Quartermaster and Senior Patrol Leader.

Devin's Eagle project was constructing feral cat shelters, which took a total of 100 man-hours to complete. Assisting Devin were Chad Whitmer, Scoutmaster, Amy Hubbard, Assistant Scoutmaster, Danny Cale, maintenance chief at Boys' Home and Don Minniear, maintenance staff. Also helping were members of Troop 66.  

Invited to share in Devin's special day were his family and friends, former teachers, scout representatives, Boys' Home staff and residents. Donnie Wheatley, current Executive Director and former Scoutmaster of Troop 66, was the Master of Ceremonies. Other participants were Greg Lemmer, Bonnie Wheatley, Sandra Scruggs, Reggie Gibbs and members of Troop 66.

Devin plans to return to Chester and, in the next few weeks, join Job Corps.

Upcoming events for youth and young adults

Happening Reunion - November 10-11, Chanco on the James   

Join Happening alumni from all over our diocese for a weekend of reconnection, relaxation and refreshment! Learn more about exciting developments in the Happening program, share memories and experience great worship and activities. Click here for information and registration.   

November Weekend - November 16-18, VUMAC in Blackstone
Open to all youth in grades 6-9 and their adult advisors. Make new friends at this fall retreat at the Virginia United Methodist Assembly Center in Blackstone, VA!  November Weekend includes music, games, activities, socials, small group discussions and amazing worship! Click here for more information and registration. 

Young Adults Conference - December 1, 12 to 5 p.m.,St. John's, Hampton

All young adults (20s and 30s) are invited to attend. Conference features a special Advent Eucharist and programs by: Bishop Hollerith; Jason Sierra, Young Adult Ministries Officer of the Episcopal Church; and the Young Adults Commission of Southern Virginia. This event will offer opportunities to network with other young adults around the diocese, dialogue with dynamic leaders, serve the Hampton homeless community, and engage in compelling worship. Lunch provided with coffee and refreshments served all day. Stick around afterward for an optional happy hour and dinner in historic downtown Hampton. Click here for more information and online registration.

Chanco on the James: Executive Director hiring update

After initial screening of resumes, followed by phone interviews with a number of capable candidates, four talented and qualified candidates were interviewed for the position of Chanco Executive Director in person last week. The interview was an all day process with each candidate participating in an interview with a committee of the board of directors, a tour of the property, a presentation and meeting with a panel of Stakeholders and lunch with Stakeholders and/or board members. Thank you to Dave Belote, Ann Krannitz and the Rev. Eileen Walsh (Camp Chanco Alumni Association board members); Rick Mason and Laura Frank Sale (Chanco Parish Representatives); Bruce Comfort and Charlie Schindler (Cursillo); Diocesan Youth Missioner Ashley Scruggs and EYC Board President Holly Waide (Episcopal Youth Community); Juli Edwards (Happening); and staff members Talley Banazek, Robbie and Shanna Matthews, and Stacey Richards for participating in the Stakeholder panel. Written evaluations were solicited from all persons participating in the interview process and compiled for review by the Chanco Board of Directors at last night's board meeting. A name will be put forth to Bishop Hollerith who will continue the process with the candidate in order to make a final decision. We appreciation the support and prayers of the Diocese of Southern Virginia during this important time. Updates on this process will be posted here as well as on our Facebook page.

Mission Cross now available

The Mission of the Holy Spirit is an urban outreach ministry serving an at-risk community in Norfolk spiritually, emotionally, educationally and physically. Its focus is on empowering youth and their families through the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Mission Cross was created to honor and support the ministry and community of the Mission of the Holy Spirit. Uplifted hands receive the Holy Spirit: holy hands that worship, praise and heal. Each cross is handcrafted of nails, a gentle reminder of the ultimate sacrifice made for each of us and that we are vessels of the Living God, called to go forth in his name.

You can purchase a Mission Cross and support the Mission of the Holy Spirit. Click here for more information and an order form.

Upcoming Cursillo events

Cursillo is a movement within the Episcopal Church. It is an adult retreat designed to help us grow closer to Jesus Christ. It's also a community where we're encouraged to live joyfully and serve faithfully in grace. 

Fourth Day Cursillo Gathering - November 3 at 12 noon at Chanco. Hot dogs and hamburgers will be served. Bring a covered dish to share. Don't miss this wonderful opportunity to gather together to renew old friendships, praise the Lord and welcome our new Cursillistas. For more information contact Cursillo Lay Director Bee Betts, laydirector@cursillodsv.org.

Men's Cursillo Weekend - Feb. 28 through Mar. 3 at Chanco.  

Women's Cursillo Weekend - April 11-14 at Chanco.  

For more information about Cursillo in Southern Virginia or to apply to be a candidate or team member for a weekend, go to www.cursillodsv.org.

Nominations for Annual Council elections

The 121st Annual Council of the Diocese of Southern Virginia will be held February 15-16, 2013 at the Williamsburg Lodge in Williamsburg, Virginia. The Nomination Form and Nomination Guidelines for Annual Council elections are now available online. The nomination deadline is December 14, 2012. Candidates are being sought for the following positions:

• Standing Committee: 1 laity, 1 clergy
• Disciplinary Board: 1 laity, 1 clergy
• Provincial Synod: 1 laity, 1 clergy

Please complete and mail the  Nomination Form,  available here, by December 14, 2012 to Leah Sicignano, 600 Talbot Hall Road, Norfolk, VA 23505. All nominations must be received by mail as they require original signatures.

None of the Above: The Rise of the Religiously Unaffiliated

Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly, the national PBS television program produced by Thirteen/WNET, is launching a three-part mini-series, "None of the Above: The Rise of the Religiously Unaffiliated," based largely on a new survey about the views of the 46 million Americans who say they are not affiliated with any particular religion. Click here for more information. Congregations could benefit from the information in this series as they think about ways to reach out to the unchurched in their communities.