College students in Southern Virginia are grateful for Ridley Foundation scholarships

In July the Ridley Foundation Board met and awarded 44 scholarships for the 2012-13 academic year totaling $87,000. Listen to what some of the recipients have said:

Dear Ridley Foundation,

I can only begin to describe my gratitude for the very generous financial assistance you all have given me. Thank you so much. This past summer I had the privilege of working for Virginia Tech's New Student Programs as an Orientation Leader. Ever since my freshman orientation I had dreams of becoming one. While working in this position, I was able to share my passion, personal experiences and the best advice I could offer with over 250 incoming freshmen. I can honestly say that I have never had a more rewarding job or one that I loved as much. I want you all to know that you have helped me with that dream and I could not be more grateful for your help. Thank you once again for helping work towards my goal of graduating college.

Sincerely,

Peter Gunderson, St. Thomas, Chesapeake

Dear Ridley Board of Trustees,

Thank you so much for helping again this year with my scholarship! Words cannot express how grateful I am. I am very excited for this new school year and I don't know if I could do it without your help! Thanks Again!

Sincerely,

Darby McClellan, Johns Memorial, Farmville

Thank you so much for all of your help. This is greatly appreciated and is very welcomed.

Again Thank You,

Eric Beard , Grace, Norfolk

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to your foundation for awarding me with your scholarship. It made a definite contribution to my education.

Sincerely,

Ericka J Beard, Grace, Norfolk

The Ridley Foundation,

Thank you so much for your support. I will use the money wisely. It is good to know I can find support in the church I love. Go Hokies!

Julie Worley, St. Paul's, Norfolk

To the Board of Trustees for the Ridley Foundation,

Thank you very much for seeing fit to award me a scholarship! The financial assistance provided by you has been a major asset in college, and I feel confident that the education I am receiving will enable me to carry out God's work in the world.

Thank you,

Marcus Starman, St. Martin's, Williamsburg

Dear Ridley Foundation,

Thank you so much for the immensely generous scholarship! My family and I are both very grateful to the Ridley Foundation for helping to make my academic dreams come true.

Thanks again and God bless!

Kerri Kearse, Emmanuel, Virginia Beach

Chanco seeking applicants for Board of Directors

Calling all lovers of Chanco on the James! Whether you went as a camper, a counselor, a Happener, a Cursillista or simply someone who cares about the future of Chanco’s ministry....The Board of Directors of Chanco on the James needs you! The Chanco Board is especially interested in those with a background in finance or development. There will be seats coming open on the board for 2013 and we would love to have some new faces! All board members must be members in good standing of an Episcopal church in the Diocese of Southern Virginia. Applications are vetted through the board and then sent to the Bishop for approval. Board terms are three years in length. Meetings are every other month (the third Tuesday of the month) from 4-6 pm at Chanco. There are carpools from the Southside and potential carpools from the west. This is one simple way you can give back to Chanco! Click here for a nomination form. Questions? Contact New Board Member Coordinator Marguerite Alley at  ccf@emmanuelvb.org. Applications may be emailed to Marguerite at this address. Thank you for your consideration of this important ministry of our diocese! 

Trinity Institute 42nd Theological Conference downlink site in Gloucester

 This year's conference features speakers Richard Rohr and Joan Chittister.

Abingdon Episcopal Church, Gloucester, and Grace Episcopal Church, Yorktown will partner to present The Trinity Institute 42nd Theological Conference via a downlink from New York City. The conference begins on Friday, November 9 and continues through November 10. Registration will begin at 5:00 pm on November 9 at the Abingdon Parish Hall (4645 George Washington Memorial Hwy), and the conference will begin at 6:00 pm. Saturday's session will consist of speakers and small group discussion groups. The theme for this year's conference is Radical Christian Life: Equipping Ourselves for Social Change. Speakers include Richard Rohr and Joan Chittister. 

Sister Joan Chittister will be the keynote speaker on Friday evening. In the 21st century, people seek to cope and to create in a world that is shifting on its very foundations. Economic inequity threatens to tear us apart at the seams. The forces of globalization demand that we rethink what it means to be a community and where our mutual responsibilities lie. It is a time of classic crisis, forged of equal parts threat and opportunity. "Our task is now to be radical Christian communities in the here and now, not fossils of a bygone reality, not leftovers from an earlier golden age. Now we need new wisdom and a new kind of struggle to determine what we must be and do in the midst of changing time. The question is then: What does it mean to be a radical Christian community in times such as these?" Joan Chittister, The Radical Christain Life.

Join us for what will be an interesting and thoughtful workshop. Call 757-898-3261, Grace Episcopal Church, to register early for this event or visit Abingdon Church's website abingdonchurch.org.

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.