LARCUM meeting June 30

The ecumenical communities of the Lutheran, Anglican, Roman Catholic and United Methodist churches will gather at Holy Apostles, Virginia Beach, (1593 Lynnhaven Parkway) on Monday, June 30, at 7 p.m. to celebrate ecumenical progress in the area. Speaker will be Dr. Mitzi Budde, Professor, Virginia Theological Seminary. Dr. Budde completed her Doctor of Ministry in Ecumenism and Reconciliation at Wesley Theological Seminary where she focused on ecumenical formation in denominational theological seminaries. Dr. Budde also earned a M.A. in Religion from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, South Carolina. She has written journal articles on ecumenical topics for "Ecumenical Trends" and "Congregations". Professor Budde currently serves as Lutheran co-chair for the Lutheran-Episcopal Coordinating Committee and as co-chair and ELCA representative to the National Council of Church's Faith Order "Unity in Mission" study group.

All are welcome and refreshments will be provided. Call 757-427-9434 for more information. 

Special offering for Navajoland ministry

Episcopalians have a great opportunity to aid and participate in the ministry for Native Americans through a special offering that will assist the ongoing mission work in Navajoland. The Navajoland Area Mission is 26,000 square miles that spreads over Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.  

"For over 100 years The Episcopal Church has had a presence in Navajoland," Bishop David E. Bailey stated in an April letter sent to all congregations. "As we work to reclaim our traditional spirituality and culture, we must simultaneously address the damage incurred by our history. Some of that damage is emotional and some of it is physical."

Among the requests cited by Bishop Bailey is the construction of new hooghans, a traditional Navajoland dwelling. He is asking for funds to build the ceremonial and educational hooghan at St. Christopher Mission in Bluff, UT, one of the churches of Navajoland. Hooghans cost $25,000 to build and are used for traditional ceremonies as well as educational purposes.

"I hope that you will consider joining us in prayer and giving to this Special Offering which promises new life for our people," Bishop Bailey said.

Donations can be made online here or send checks to The Development Office, The Episcopal Church Center, 815 Second Ave., NY NY 10017. For more information contact Cornelia Eaton at ceaton@ec-n.org.

Volunteer disaster chaplain training course

The Beecken Center at The School of Theology, University of the South, in partnership with National Disaster Interfaiths Network, invites clergy and spiritual caregivers of the Episcopal Church and religious leaders all faiths to take this two-day Disaster Chaplain Training July 31 through August 1.  Emergency managers and disaster mental health professionals may also take this course to develop their knowledge of disaster spiritual care best practices. This two-day training prepares clergy, religious leaders or spiritual care providers to volunteer as disaster chaplains in mass care settings, or to serve as disaster chaplains within their house of worship, religious community or professional institution. Click here for more information.

Seminarian Mark Riley on mission to Tanzania

On May 7, four Virginia Theological Seminary students left for a mission excursion to St. Phillip's College in Kongwa, Tanzania. The team includes Mark Riley from Southern Virginia (Galilee, Virginia Beach) along with Chandler Whitman of West Tennessee; David Tremaine of Florida and Ben Maddison of New Jersey. The students are joined by The Rev. Jaques Hadler, Director of Field Education, Emeritus.

The purpose of their journey is to help teach at St. Phillip's College, to work with local Church leaders, to learn from and be open to the opportunities and challenges of cross-cultural friendships. They have had a twisting road to get to this point, with several changes along the way. If you would like to follow their progress, please visit their blog by clicking here.

Southern Virginia to mark Apolo Kivebulaya Day with prayer for the D.R. Congo

At its 122nd Annual Council in February, 2014, the Diocesan of Southern Virginia passed a resolution that encourages the parishes in the Diocese to support the Church of the Province of D. R. Congo in the weekly Prayers of the People for peace with justice and to recognize May 30

as Apolo Kivebulaya Day in their cycle of prayer in unity with the Anglican Church in D. R. Congo.

       

Who was Apolo Kivebulaya? There is much on the internet about him, but briefly, Apolo was a converted Ugandan Christian who was sent to a region which is now the D. R. Congo to evangelize an area that had previously rejected the faith. Unlike his two predecessors, Apolo withstood difficulty and after several years, prevailed.   Known for rising at five in the morning, Apolo was known to have spiritual gifts including the gift of prayer for healing. Beginning in a small village in 1896, the Anglican Church of D. R. Congo is now composed of nine dioceses and is considering creating two more in a country the size of western Europe.  

The day Apolo died, May 30, 1933, he wrote this final prayer: "O God our Father and the Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, may you give me a blessing while in this world while you lead me through the forests, through the lakes and the mountains, so that I may do your work among your people. Grant that I may be loved by you and by your people. Amen."

Prayers and readings for Apolo Kivebulaya Day:

Traditional: 

Almighty and everlasting God, we thank thee for thy servant Apolo Kivebulaya, whom thou didst call to preach the Gospel to the people of Boga in central Africa. Raise up, we pray thee, in this and every land evangelists and heralds of thy kingdom, that thy Church may proclaim the unsearchable riches of our Savior Jesus Christ; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  

Contemporary:

Almighty and everlasting God, we thank you for your servant Apolo Kivebulaya, whom you called to preach the Gospel to the people of Boga in central Africa. Raise up in this and every land evangelists and heralds of your kingdom, that your Church may proclaim the unsearchable riches of our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  

Psalm 96 or 96:1-7
Isaiah 52:7-10
Acts 1:1-9
Luke 10:1-9

Liturgical Arts Festival postponed

The Liturgical Arts Festival to be hosted by Convocation 5 churches May 30 through June 8 has been postponed. Organizers hope to announce a new date by the end of the summer.  

Jackson-Feild Homes emphasizes giving back

In 2011, residential counselor Terri Hicks initiated a volunteer program for the residents of Jackson-Feild Homes. She saw that the residents - recipients of so much help from so many people - had a need to "pay it forward" and help others. As the children offered their time and energy to others, they began to feel better about themselves and they began to care more about others. The program - in partnership with Chaplain Robin Jones - has been a win-win proposition.

For the most recent project, the participants wanted to usher in the arrival of spring. Using painted clothespins, they prepared butterflies to signify a new beginning. They also painted flower pots which were planted with seeds that have since have begun to grow. Hicks, Jones and the children will deliver these items to the residents of Emporia Manor.

These volunteer efforts have brought great joy and satisfaction to the residents at Jackson-Feild, and Hicks is committed to developing creative ways to help the children give back to others. Next up... paracord bracelets for Respect for Law Week in early May.