Stewardship resources for your church

The Episcopal Network for Stewardship (TENS) membership benefits are available to all parishes through our diocesan membership. Benefits include formation and training resources, webinars, giving campaign materials and the new Walking the Way program (see below). For more information on stewardship resources from TENS and other organizations, visit the Stewardship Resources page of our website. 

2014 Walking the Way Stewardship program

All congregations throughout the diocese have access to TENS' 2014 Walking the Way Stewardship Narrative Series and Annual Giving Campaign. The Walking the Way series is designed to help your stewardship ministry team lead their congregation step by step through a six-week annual giving campaign. This year, eight contributing writers reflect on the Gospel lections, beginning Sunday, October 5 and continuing through Sunday, November 9, weaving in a stewardship principle or practice that invites the reader to reflect on their own journey of giving and their walk with Christ.  The Walking the Way series includes:

• Eight Bulletin Inserts to include Worship Bulletins, E-Newsletters, and E-Blasts beginning October 5 - November 9.  Each reflection includes discussion questions that can be used for adult formation gatherings.
• Pledge card and proportional giving chart
• Prayers of the People to be used in liturgy over the course of six weeks
• Introductory and thank you letters 
• Template to Evaluate Campaign
• And much more!  

News from Mission of the Holy Spirit

By Keith Josey, Lay Pastor, Mission of the Holy Spirit 

 

Dear Friends in Christ,

I greet you with glad tidings and thank you for all of your support throughout this year. The Mission of the Holy Spirit continues to impact the lives of many families here in Norfolk, Virginia. This is only possible because of contributions from partners like you. "Being the blessing" is what we are called to do in the world and when we live into this, lives are changed. One such life changed is a young man who dropped out of school several years ago, and through the work of the Mission returned to school. He will join our four other seniors who are graduating this June. Also, with the support of Rev. David Davenport, we will baptize twelve new members into the body of Christ.

But, with joy we must endure sorrow. The Mission of the Holy Spirit is a ministry that strives to offer hope and healing for the hurts that bind so many of those in our communities. When you look at our ministry through the lens of trauma, you are better able to understand how we function so differently and why your assistance is so valuable. Recently, we have had to deal with the impact of multiple murders in Norfolk that directly touched our lives. The children from the Mission are greatly affected by trauma in many ways. Through our work at the Mission, these children can get the sense of safety and consistency that they need in their lives. Tough economic times continue to impact how we are able to provide quality services. As summer begins, many of our young people will be in need of new experiences that we will not be able to provide without your help. Each one of you holds the key to turning on that sparkle of joy that our families need. Please consider giving a gift that can help the Mission of the Holy Spirit effectively change lives. Thank you for all that you do!

Click here for more news from Mission of the Holy Spirit.

Biking for a Better World event to benefit Chanco and Episcopal Relief & Development

Chanco on the James and Episcopal Relief & Development are working together to create a fundraising bike ride event in the Williamsburg area on Saturday, September 13. Registration for the event, called "Biking for a Better World", will begin in early July. Funds raised will benefit Chanco and Episcopal Relief & Development.  

If you are interested in helping to organize the ride please contact The Rev. Keith Emerson (Diocesan Coordinator for Episcopal Relief & Development) at keith@saintpauls-suffolk.org.

ECW Scholarships awarded to 13 recipients

This year the Elise Holliday fund produced $10,000 for scholarships to students in our Diocese.We are happy to report that Steven Oakes, St. Aidans, Virgina Beach, was awarded $1,100. Clair Davis of St. Christopher's in Portsmouth, Courtney Hardy of Emmanuel in Hampton,and Robert Schofield of St. Aidan's in Virginia Beach, received $1,050 each. Emily Reed of Eastern Shore Chapel of Virginia Beach, Imari Viney of St. Augustine's in Newport News, Taylor Worrell of St. Luke's in Powhatan, and Owen Wright of Good Shepherd in Richmond received $750 each. Finally Ashley Coles of Grace in Norfolk, Erica Cooke of Emmanuel in Virginia Beach, Wren Thomas, Cabell Thomas and Vincent Thomas all from Good Shepherd in Norfolk, each were awarded $550. Congratulations to all of these promising young people!

Opportunities to support Boys' Home

Do More 24 Fundraiser on June 19

On Thursday, June 19, you have an opportunity to bring forth a positive change in your local community. A fundraising endeavor led by the United Way of the National Capital Area will be taking place, called Do More 24. This fundraising event encourages donors to give to programs that are meaningful to them. Last year's event was able to raise over $1 million which allowed participating programs to address their various needs.

Boys Home will be participating in this online fundraiser. Boys Home is eligible for this program because it serves young men from Virginia, Maryland and the Eastern Seaboard. The Boys Home focus is to help raise funds for summer school and education, summer activities and medical needs. The URL for Boys Home in Do More 24 is http://www.domore24.org/#npo/boys-home-inc or you may call 540-965-7714 for more information. For information on the program itself, visit www.domore24.org. The website will show you how to participate, keep up with the events of the fundraising day.

Tea, Quilt Show and Silent Auction on June 27

On June 27, the public is invited to a tea & quilt show & silent auction. The show will take place at the Boys Home campus from 3 to 5 p.m. This event was organized by Lisa Cole from Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Covington, Boys Home Chaplain Connie Gilman and Sandra Scruggs, Boys Home Development Coordinator. All guests are able to enjoy tea and refreshments, see quilts of all kinds on display. A sample of smaller quilts made for the cottages will be displayed in Whitehead Cottage and take part in a special Longaberger Basket silent auction. One lucky individual will receive a basket as a door prize. A unique quilt handcrafted by Ms. Phyllis Gibson, sister of Boys Home Executive Director Dr. Donnie E. Wheatley is being raffled off. Tickets are going at $5 per ticket or you can get 10 for $45. All proceeds from this event will directly benefit Boys Home of Virginia. The drawing for the quilt will take place during this event.

The quilts that have been given to Boys Home are a wonderful way to personalize the cottages here on campus. Also, these quilts can make each resident's cottage area their own unique space. Piecing together friendships is a theme at Boys Home and quilts are a way to share the warmth and care for others. For tickets or information, contact Boys Home of Virginia at 414 Boys Home Road Covington, VA 24426. You may also call 540-965-7714 or to to www.boyshomeofva.org.

Jackson-Feild Homes: First boys graduate from Gwaltney School

June 6 was a historic day for the Edna Hayden Gwaltney School at Jackson-Feild Homes. For the first time in its history, two boys were among the graduates receiving their degrees. The school began accepting male students in fall of 2012.

The ceremony was held at the Golden Leaf Commons at the Southside Virginia Community College Emporia Campus. Dr. Bill Bowling, Director of Education, presided over the celebration. Local author, Nancy Naigle, served as the commencement speaker. Mrs. Naigle is the author of six novels and suspense stories. Mrs. Naigle has a special place in her heart for Jackson-Feild and the children it serves. Her meaningful and inspirational message of stepping out into the world and embracing a new and exciting future resonated with those in the audience.

Some of the residents received their high school diploma, others received their GED, and a two other students received their Certified Nurse's Aide Certification. The faculty and staff of Gwaltney School did a great job preparing these graduates for this milestone and provided them with the knowledge and skills for future success.

This is the Gwaltney School's seventeenth graduation ceremony with 146 graduates receiving either their high school diploma or their GED.

In honor and recognition of the children's work, an anonymous donor provided a bouquet of roses for each girl, a wallet for each boy, and a gift card for each graduate.

Leadership Program for Musicians enrolling

If you're an experienced musician who wants to learn more about church music, an enthusiastic amateur serving as parish musician, a member of your congregation's worship or music committee, or someone who has always loved church music, there is an incredible resource just waiting for you: The Leadership Program for Musicians.

The Leadership Program for Musicians (LPM) is a nationally recognized two-year continuing education program designed to increase the musical knowledge and skills of all those who lead music in the parish. LPM offers practical courses that give students the tools and resources to help congregations sing well and participate actively in worship. All classes include components of lecture, practical application, reflection and completion of outside assignments, and each course emphasizes theological, musical and pastoral principles.

Whether you're a church music director looking for resources, or a member of the clergy who would like to know more about using liturgical music in worship, LPM has a class for you. Starting this fall, classes offered this year are Leadership of Congregational Song, Hymnody of the Christian Church, Resources for Effective Music Ministry, and Philosophy of Church Music. Classes are taught in Richmond by local, experienced faculty and take place one weekend monthly, in September, October, November, January, and February.

Tuition for a full year of classes is $600 - a fraction of the cost of taking comparable classes at any seminary, and scholarship money is available. Registered students can also attend LPM's spring workshop at no cost.

No matter how long you've been a musician or been involved in church music, LPM has something to teach you. For more information, visit lpm-va.org, or contact Nellwyn Beamon at nbeamon@ascension-norfolk.org.