Choir forming for diocesan-wide service of Repentance and Reconciliation on November 2

The Diocesan-wide Service of Repentance and Reconciliation for the sin of racism will be held at Christ and St. Luke's, Norfolk, on November 2 at 11:00 a.m. We are forming a diocesan-wide choir to sing for this service. This choir is open to all singers who wish to participate.  

There are only two rehearsals for this choir, which will be conducted by Kevin Kwan, music director at Christ & St. Luke's. The rehearsals will be held at Christ and St. Luke’s, Norfolk, and will be on Saturday, October 19 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., and Saturday, October 26 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. The warm-up on the day of the service (November 2) will be at 10 a.m.  

The repertoire for the service (two choral anthems) will be chosen shortly and sent out in September. There is no audition for this choir, but it comes with the understanding that singers will prepare the music before the rehearsals. If you are interested, please email kevin.kwan@christandstlukes.org, giving your name, parish, and voice part. Rectors and choir directors - please forward this information to anyone in your parish who might be interested in this opportunity.

An all new Bishop's Days - you don't want to miss this!

Diocese of Southern Virginia's Bishop's Days 2013 is a whole new experience - new ways to teach, learn, and share. This is an experience that will energize and enlighten your ministry!

Our Bishop's Days this year will be modeled on the popular TED Conferences. TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) is a nonprofit devoted to "Ideas Worth Spreading." It brings together the world's most fascinating thinkers and doers in order to present a series of inspiring talks, each less than 18 minutes long. The creators of TED believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and ultimately, the world.

There are "Ideas Worth Spreading" in Southern Virginia, so we're having our own TED-style conference. The talks are short, but long on inspiration. The day should give you new perspectives, ideas and ways of thinking. If you let it, it could change YOUR world!

Cost is $15 per person. Lunch is provided. Wardens will have an opportunity to meet with Bishop Hollerith during the day. Go to www.diosova.org for more details, including a full schedule of the day, and to register. Click here for an event flyer you can share.  

The Talks:

Church on the Web: Ministry and Social Media - Hows and whys of using social media as church communities and individuals in the propagation of the Gospel "out there." The Rev. Penny Nash, Bruton Parish, Williamsburg.

Music Here, Music There, Music Everywhere! - How can parishes - big, small and anywhere in between - use music as a tool for outreach? How can you effectively maximize the gifts of part-time music directors? Kevin Kwan, Christ & St. Luke's, Norfolk.

Thank you Martin Buber: New Communities - Christ's admonition to "Love each other as I have loved you" is central to our mission of establishing new Episcopal communities. Join Jewish Philosopher Martin Buber and me as we offer provocative insights into the nature of human relationships. The Rev. Cameron Randle, St. James', Accomac & St. George's, Pungoteague.

The Imaginal Realm: Other approaches to the sacred - Are you tired of trying to re-stock the shelves in your "retail" religious store from week to week? This may be your finest hour... or 15 minutes, as we explore unique environments, including gifts of intuition, insight, and creativity. The Rev. David Tetrault, St. Cyprian's, Hampton.

Detour or Destination? - Have you looked back on events in your life and wondered WHAT IF? Better yet, what events in your life  perhaps reveal unexpected plans that God might have for you? Tom Ager, St. Michael's, Bon Air. (West only)

Two for the Road - Companion relationships and why we need them. Ben Blanchard, Good Shepherd, Norfolk. (East only)

Jackson-Feild elects new Trustees

The Jackson-Feild Homes Board of Trustees convened its annual meeting on June 27 at which time Mr. M. Stuart Bolton, the Rev. Julia W. Messer, Mr. Craig A. Tilley, and Dr. Sala Webb were elected to serve.

Stuart Bolton recently retired from a 37-year career with Dominion Resources. A former district manager and with extensive experience in the tax, accounting, financial management, and regulatory sections, Bolton retired as Vice President and Controller. Bolton has served on the boards of a number of civic and charitable organizations.

The Rev. Julia Messer, a 2010 graduate of Virginia Theological Seminary with a Masters of Divinity, is the Assistant Rector at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Virginia Beach. Prior to ordination, Messer served as a hospital Chaplain in Kansas City, Missouri, an intern at PBS' Religion and Ethics covering the 76th General Convention, and worked as a Camp Chaplain at Camp Kanuga in Hendersonville, North Carolina.

Craig Tilley presently serves as the Director of Credit for Owens & Minor, an industry leader in the field of health care supplies and equipment. Tilley previously worked for Alcoa and Reynolds Consumer Products in the credit office. Active in the community and having served on the boards of several organizations, Tilley is a past president of the Friends of Jackson-Feild Homes.

Sala Webb, a professor at the Virginia Commonwealth University's School of Medicine, is a psychiatrist and is very active in various medical societies. She has also served on the boards of numerous nonprofit organizations.

Shrine Mont Fall Camp set for October 21-24

The Tri-Diocesan Council on Aging will offer its annual Fall Camp on October 21-24 at Shrine Mont in Orkney Springs, VA. Keynote speaker will be Phyllis Tickle. Singer, story teller and folk theologian Ed Kilbourne will be returning this year. Click here for more information. 

Chanco in need of a camp truck

Chanco is in significant need of a camp truck.  If anyone has a connection to a reliable truck that could be donated, Chanco is in need of one to run errands, move equipment around Chanco, and take our boats for service when needed. Please contact Marketing/Development Coordinator Talley Banazek at talley@banazek.com or 804-399-4019 if you can help!  Thank you! Our friends make the difference! 

Church Media Conference offered September 28

Planning has started for a second annual Church Media Conference to be at St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Norfolk, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 28. Pastor Aaron DeBenedetto said participants will learn about bridging the technology gap, webpages, church marketing, advertising, media editing and posting, logo design, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, texting, youth and media, worship music and media, online storage and copyright considerations. To register, go to www.vasynod.org, click on Events.

Boys' Home hosts St. John's, Chester for "Mission Works!"

Boys' Home, Inc. recently hosted a returning mission group from St. John's Episcopal Church in Chester, VA. The group's adult leaders, Ms. Fontaine Gibbons and The Rev. Dale Custer, planned the visit for the end of June as part of Mission Works! The seven youth who came on the "Hill" were very energetic and willing to complete the tasks needed. The main project was removing and replacing landscaping timbers lining the beds for the memorial rose garden. They also assembled a memorial bench, tabulated and sorted Labels for Education and Boxtops for Education. Three youth also helped assemble and finish beds for the cottages.

Mission Works! is an opportunity for youth groups, churches and other organizations to assist in on-campus projects at Boys' Home. Some groups return year after year to share in work and fellowship, helping with a "mission" close to home.

Located in Covington, Boys' Home, Inc. focuses on helping young men, ages six to 17, who have promise, but limited opportunities. Boys' Home has been an integral part of the Alleghany Highlands since 1906 and serves several localities in Virginia, Maryland and throughout the eastern region.