New partnership with FaithStreet will help newcomers find our churches

We're pleased to announce that the Diocese of Southern Virginia is partnering with FaithStreet, a service that is helping the millions of people who use the internet to find a church home, to connect to churches in our diocese. Several of our churches have already signed up. 

We have a "Find a Church" page on our Diocesan website, but research shows that the denominational affiliation of a church is not important to most people who are looking for a church or who are exploring Christianity. FaithStreet's goal is to help us reach those people more effectively. However, the addition of our diocesan FaithStreet network allows us to include zip code search on our "Find a Church" page - and that's super helpful to Episcopalians visiting or moving to Southern Virginia who do come to our diocesan website looking for a church. For all of these reasons, we would like for ALL our congregations to participate in this new network.

FaithStreet is really easy to use, and allows you to create a great looking church profile designed around reaching newcomers. And there is no cost to you! If your church isn't already on FaithStreet, click here to get started. (If your church is already on FaithStreet, you have automatically been included in our network.) 

Registration for Godly Play teacher training is open

A Godly Play training is planned for Saturday, August 3, 8:30 to 2, at St. Martin's, Williamsburg. Kathleen Capcara will lead this training. Click here for details and registration.

We would like to hear from you what aspects of the training you need the most. Go to our Formation in Southern Virginia group on Facebook and let us know.

Convocation II youth gather for worship

  Youth from Convocation II (Virginia Beach) came together for "Jordan Rocks," a special worship service. There were 51 youth from five churches at the event which was held at Galilee, Virginia Beach. 

Diocesan Day of Service

Saturday, May 4, was a Day of Service in Southern Virginia. Congregations took part in a variety of service projects in their communities. Pictures from some of the day's events can be found on our Facebook page.  If you have pictures from your project, please send them to aturner@diosova.org so that they can be included.  

Emmanuel, Cape Charles, members spent their Day of Service doing work for their local library. They also provided brownies for the Brownie Walk Brownie during International Migratory Bird Day at the Eastern Shore National Wildlife Refuge.

Members of St. Paul & St. Andrew, Kenbridge, spent the day clearing an historic community graveyard.

Petersburg churches teamed up to provide a Day of Service to the HOPE Center in Petersburg. The center provides a variety of assistance to community residents.  

All Saints', Virginia Beach participated in the Day of Service for the Ministry of the Baptized.  Through their Jr. Warden, they secured from the City of Virginia Beach the address of a home that was about to be condemned, and with the owner's permission undertook the clean-up of her front yard.  A very tired and wet crew felt revitalized by this opportunity to minister to a citizen in need.

The congregations of Convocation II (Virginia Beach) assisted Good Samaritan, Virginia Beach, with their annual Spring Community Day as part of the Diocesan Day of Service. The day was all about "Building Safe Communities," and there were a variety of city agencies and services there, along with lots of food and entertainment. Over 2,000 people from the neighboring community attended the event. Virginia Beach Mayor Will Sessoms was also there.

Saturday morning seven people from St. John's, Chester, participated in the Day of Service by building four kitchen tables for CARITAS clients transitioning from homelessness to permanent housing.  CARITAS is a Richmond organization which seeks to meet the immediate needs of the homeless for food and shelter and to provide help with job skills, drug rehabilitation, and housing to break the cycle of homelessness.

Convocation III (Norfolk) churches held their Day of Service in April. They came together to perform much needed maintenance and repairs at the ODU Canterbury House.

Integrity hosts screening of "Love Free or Die"

Integrity will hold a screening of "Love Free or Die" on Tuesday, May 21, 7:30 p.m., at St. Aidan's, Virginia Beach. "Love Free or Die" is a documentary about the Episcopal Church's first openly gay bishop, the Rt. Rev. Gene Robinson. Admission is free. All are welcome! Contact Integrity for more information, integrityvb@gmail.com.

Godly Play training coming in August

A Godly Play training is planned for Saturday, August 3, 8:30 to 2, at St. Martin's, Williamsburg. Kathleen Capcara will lead this training. We would like to hear from you what aspects of the training you need the most. Go to our Formation in Southern Virginia group on Facebook and let us know.

Ridley Foundation accepting scholarship applications

Through the great generosity and charity of Miss Roberta Ridley, an endowed trust was established many years ago to provide financial support for continuing education for qualified members of the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Southern Virginia and for residents of Southampton County and the City of Franklin. Scholarships are based on academic excellence and financial need. Applications are due by June 20. Click here for more information and application form.