New ECW Board members take office in January

By Nancy L. Smith, St. Aidan's, Virginia Beach

Episcopal Church Women have elected Susan Broaddus, Christ and St. Luke's, Norfolk as Student Work Chair and Ronda Toll, Christ the King, Tabb, Prayer and Worship Chair. Susan and Ronda will serve a two-year term on the ECW Diocesan Board beginning in January 2014.

The Rev. Christopher L. Epperson, Burton Parish Rector installed the new board members at the ECW Annual Fall Meeting hosted by the Burton Parish ECW October 16.  

Katherine Patterson, Christ and Grace, Petersburg, presiding in the absence of Diocesan President, Barbara Taylor, thanked outgoing board members, Student Work Chair, Deborah Austin, St. Mark's, Suffolk; Prayer and Worship Chair, Pricilla Benn, St. Mark's, Suffolk; and Recording Secretary, Betty Mariner, St. George's, Pungoteague for their service. An election will be held at the Spring meeting to fill vacant positions. Nominees for office are: Recording Secretary, Janis Chenery, Christ Church, Danville; and Treasurer Elect, Betty Mariner.

Annual Council: Registration is open!

Registration for the 122nd Annual Council (Feb. 7-8, 2014) at the Williamsburg Lodge is now open.  

Registration fee before January 7, 2014 is $125 per attendee. After January 7, registration will increase to $150. Online registration and cancellation deadline is January 24, 2014. Youth aged 18 and younger as well as college students may register at the $50 rate.  

Each attendee should make their own hotel reservations directly with the Williamsburg Lodge or The Woodlands in Colonial Williamsburg. Please refer to Group Code 9952 to receive the discounted rate.

Click here for complete information and online registration.

Click here for information and registration for Exhibitors at Council.

Presiding Bishop's Advent message

Advent is a time of waiting and for many people it's a time to reflect on what Mary must have experienced as she waited for the birth of this unusual child.  

You may never have been pregnant or lived with someone who was, but put yourself in her place for a while.  Consider what it would have been like to have a new life growing within you.  And reflect on what new is growing within you this season of Advent.  

What new concern is growing for the people around you? What new burden is on your heart for the woes of the world?  What new possibility do you see emerging in the world around you, and how might you be part of that?  

Advent is a quieter time of the year in the Church's understanding. It's a time to be still and listen, listen deep within to what is growing, ready to emerge into new life.  

And as the season for the birth of the Christ Child arrives, I would encourage you to consider how you yourself will be present in the world in a new way this year.  How will you give evidence of love incarnate to the world around you?  

I pray that you have a blessed and joyful and peace-filled Advent.  God be with you.  

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori 

Click here for the Presiding Bishop's message in Spanish. 

Mission of the Holy Spirit Christmas Gift Book Project

 

This year The Parish Book Store, inside Eastern Shore Chapel, Virginia Beach, will join with the Mission of the Holy Spirit for a Christmas Gift Book Project. The Episcopal Mission of the Holy Spirit serves the at-risk community of Norfolk, particularly focusing on the children and youth.

Inside the Parish Book Store is a Christmas tree with "decorations" providing the gender and age of a child. Visitors to the store can take a decoration from the tree and choose an age appropriate book from the various children's books available in the store. The book, with the decoration attached, will be placed in baskets around the tree. On December 4, the books will be picked up to be taken to the Mission and distributed to the children.

For more information, contact the Parish Book Store, books@easternshorechapel.org or 757-425-0114. 

Episcopal Church Young Adult Service Corps accepting applications

The Episcopal Church offers untold opportunities for young adults to provide service and share their expertise worldwide through the Young Adult Service Corps. Commonly known as YASC, applications for 2014-15 are now being accepted for the Young Adult Service Corps from young adults between the ages of 21-30.

"YASC provides an opportunity for young adults to explore their faith in a new capacity and to live out the Baptismal Covenant by seeking and serving Christ in all persons," noted the Rev. David Copley, Mission Personnel Officer. "Applicants must have a high degree of maturity and possess a faith commitment and the willingness to be a humble guest, and the ability to be an authentic companion."

The application is available here . The application deadline is January 3, 2014.

Where are the YASC?

Current YASC members can be found throughout the Anglican Communion. They are working in administration, agriculture, development, education, and technology. They are serving in Brazil, Cuba, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Panama, the Philippines, South Africa, South Korea, and Tanzania. Read their thoughts and reflections on their blogs here. 

Among the possible placements for 2014-15 are Brazil, Burundi, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Mexico, Panama, the Philippines, South Africa and Taiwan. For more information contact Grace Flint at gflint@episcopalchurch.org.

EfM Mentor Training January 16-18

Education for Ministry (EfM) Mentor Training has been scheduled for January 16 through 18 at Chanco on the James. At present, both Basic In-Service and Formation training are planned. Those who successfully complete the weekend will be accredited as Mentors by the University of the South. Click here for more information.  

Advent app from Church Publishing, Inc.

 

Walk, don't run, through Advent with "It's Advent!" This new daily devotional app from Church Publishing is suitable for all ages and features the artwork of renowned cartoonist, Jay Sidebotham. Scripture readings and the Sermon on the Mount bring the anticipation of Advent to life. Compatible with all iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices running iOS 7.0 or greater. Click here for more information.