There's still time to register for LPM classes

The Leadership Program for Musicians (LPM) is a two-year program offering a certificate in church music upon completion.LPM classes are open to anyone; whether church musician, clergy, or interested lay person, LPM's outstanding faculty will help you hone your musical and leadership skills with practical courses tailored to suit your needs. LPM provides professional support, introduces students to church music resources, connects students with others who share their dedication to and interest in church music, and sends students back to their parishes with new ideas and perspectives.

LPM classes are held once a month over the course of five months: Sept. 13-14, Oct. 11-12, Nov. 8-9, 2013, and Jan. 10-11, Feb. 7-8, 2014. On Friday evenings classes are held from 7:00-9:15 pm, and on Saturdays from 8:30 am-3:45 pm. Classes are held at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter at 4819 Monument Avenue in Richmond. Go to www.lpm-va.org for more information and registration.

Conference at VTS for retiring clergy

Deciding to retire, leaving a ministry and embracing new patterns of life are exciting challenges that call for learning, reflection and healthy anticipation. Join other clergy and clergy couples who are preparing for one of life's most significant transitions at this conference hosted by Virginia Theological Seminary. Our leaders, the The Rev. Dr. Frank H. Wade and Mrs. Ellen Sell, will lead the group through workshops that will prepare those getting ready for this important shift in identity and work. Registration includes most meals & refreshments. Monday, October 21, 3 p.m. through Wednesday, October 23 at noon. Cost: $300.00 One Registrant; $550.00 Two Registrants (Clergy Couple) Registration closes October 9. Click here for more information and registration.

VIPCare Pastoral Ministries Consultation & Support Program

The Virginia Institute for Pastoral Care is offering a Pastoral Ministries Consultation and Support Program for parish and specialized ministry leaders in an ecumenical and small group setting. The program is designed to promote mature pastoral leadership and healthy congregational dynamics in a complicated age, this program will offer twice monthly sessions focused on facilitating ministers' growth, ministry consultation, and periodic forums on high interest topics. Share and learn with your peers what you do and who you are. Program begins in October. Click here for more information and registration. 

Ridley Foundation awards $91,575 in scholarships

The Ridley Foundation Board awarded scholarships totaling $91,575 to 37 students from the Diocese of Southern Virginia and Southampton County for the 2013-14 academic year. Click here for a list of this year's recipients. Here's what some of them had to say:

"I would like to take a moment to express my sincerest thanks to Ridley Board for selecting me as a recipient of The Ridley Foundation's scholarship. My passions for learning and serving my community are enduring and will continue to infiltrate every aspect of my life, during college and beyond. The Ridley Scholarship is making an enormous difference in my life by helping me and my family to pay for my college education. No number of 'Thank You's' will ever truly express how much I appreciate this generous award." - Kristen L. Cooke - Emmanuel, Franklin                                                                                      

"Words couldn't explain how I feel. As a single mother living in poverty, no college degree, and a teenage son it has really taken a toll on my revenue, but thanks to the committee and prayers I'm on my way out of the impoverished area. The committee has taught me the true definition of giving back." - Judy Wyche - St. Thomas', Freeman

"I was flabbergasted when the scholarship came in the mail. My parents were ecstatic and I felt a sense of accomplishment for working hard in high school. I can't thank you enough for awarding me with such an honor. For the second semester, I know I am supposed to send in a transcript to show what I've done for the first semester. I plan to attach pictures of the campus and surrounding area just to show you what is being funded!" - Patrick Mahloy - St. Andrew's, Newport News

"Your support is truly a blessing to my family and we are very grateful. As I head back to Virginia Tech for my last year I will remember your generosity and continue to pay it forward. I look forward to continuing to serve my community as well as finish up school and get ready for the next chapter of my life." - Peter Gunderson - St. Thomas', Chesapeake

"Thank you so much for the scholarship you have awarded me with. I appreciate it greatly and know it will help me a lot in the future. I look forward to attending James Madison University to try and become an Occupational Therapist and these funds will definitely help"- Bethany Vann - Southampton County, VA

"I was both surprised and honored to receive the Ridley scholarship. I sincerely appreciate your generosity. I appreciate your confidence in me and willingness to contribute to my future education. I am currently attending Tidewater Community College and look forward to completing my Bachelor's Degree at Virginia Wesleyan College. At the current time, I plan on majoring in Secondary Education in hopes of one day teaching History." - Ryan A. Watson - St. Mark's, Suffolk

Fall Clergy Conference Nov. 12-13

The Fall Clergy Conference - "Stewardship: Resourcing the Great Commission" - will be held November 12-13 at Chanco on the James. Our speaker will be the Rev. Canon Timothy Dombek, Canon to the Ordinary in the Diocese of Arizona. Timothy serves as an officer of The Episcopal Network for Stewardship and has created an online Stewardship University called "Stew U."

He will lead us through an exploration of our own stewardship as clergy who must provide leadership in this area of growing as disciples.

His topics will include:

• Straight Talk about Money in Your Life
• The Truth about Church Budgets
• 3 Simple Rules of Tithing
• The Importance of Spiritual Gifts
• Planned Giving - What You Pass On
• Raising Money in Tough Economic Times

The conference will begin at 9:30 a.m. on November 12 and conclude by 3 p.m. on November 13. There will be an optional Quiet Day on Monday, November 11. Registration information and a schedule will be available soon.

Province III evangelism conference Oct. 25-26

Province III Evangelism Ministries will present a unique evangelism conference in Martinsburg, West Virginia on October 25-26. "The Human Heart: The Soul of Evangelism" features speaker the Rev. Dr. Alvin Johnson. Cost of the conference is $60 and includes meals. Click here for details and registration. For more information contact the Rev. Mary Norton, rev.mary7@gmail.com or the Rev. Barbara Seras, p3coordinator@earthlink.net.

Joint Nominating Committee for the Presiding Bishop issues survey for your input

The Episcopal Church Joint Nominating Committee for the Presiding Bishop (JNCPB) has issued a survey and is inviting responses from all Episcopalians. "In the summer of 2015, the Church will again assume the responsibility for electing the next Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church," explained Sally Johnson, co-chair of the Committee. "To assist us in that work, the Joint Nominating Committee for the Election of the Presiding Bishop has issued a survey seeking data that will be helpful in our process of developing the profile of the type of leader the Church is seeking."

The electronic survey on Survey Monkey consists of six substantive questions in areas such as most important personal characteristics of the next Presiding Bishop (life deeply formed by scripture and prayer; skillful manager of people and resources; understand and speak multiple languages), activities (engage in fund raising; head the restructuring of the Church; strengthen our relationships in the Anglican Communion) and areas of focus (articulating a compelling vision for the Church; work to heal divisions in the Church; demonstrate a commitment to interfaith and ecumenical cooperation). Six demographic questions request information on age, race, gender, role in the Church, and years as an Episcopalian.  

"The survey is designed to help us all discern some of the characteristics we hope to see in the person we will elect," noted Johnson.  "We want to hear from Episcopalians throughout the church as this will help guide us in our endeavors."

The survey is located here. In Spanish here. Deadline for completing the survey is September 30.

The Committee will release the profile for the next Presiding Bishop in December.  It expects to open the nomination process on March 1, 2014. For more information contact JNCPB at pbnominatingcommittee@gmail.com.