Episcopal Youth Event 2014 gets under way - #EYE14

Southern Virginia's EYE14 team departs for Philadelphia today.

Almost 1000 youth along with more than 200 adults are gathering for the popular Episcopal Youth Event 2014 (EYE14), getting under way today at Villanova University in Philadelphia.

Our Diocese sent a team of 20 - 16 youth and four adult leaders - to Philadelphia today to take part in EYE14. Please keep them in your prayers as EYE14 continues through July 13. You can follow their adventure on Facebook, www.facebook.com/DioSoVaeye14.

Bronwyn Clark Skov, Episcopal Church Youth Ministries Officer, noted: "EYE14 is an amazing opportunity for youth to experience The Episcopal Church on a vastly different scale than that of their local faith communities. They will be immersed in music, scripture, worship, and fellowship as they discern their own call to engage in the Five Marks of Mission." In addition to the camaraderie, opportunities abound for learning, prayer and mission work.

The opening Eucharist on July 10 will be live webcast along with two plenary sessions; Friday evening prayer; and the July 12 closing Eucharist. You can learn more about EYE14 on Facebook, Vine, Instagram. Twitter Hashtag is #EYE14. Apps: iPhone, Android. 

Live webcasts here. (all Eastern times):

• Opening Eucharist - Thursday, July 10 at 9:30 am; the Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers, Canon for Missional Vitality, Diocese of Long Island preaching and President of the House Of Deputies the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings presiding
• Plenary - Thursday, July 10 at 7:30 pm; the EYE14 Mission Planning Team
• Evening Prayer - Friday, July 11 at 8:30 pm (approximate); Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori preaching and officiating
• Morning Plenary - Saturday, July 12 at 9:30 am; the Rev. Becca Stevens, founder of Magdalene and Thistle Farms.
• Closing Eucharist - Saturday, July 12 at 8 pm; Bishop Michael Curry of the Diocese of North Carolina preaching and Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori presiding.

The Collect for EYE14
Ever loving God, you have brought us together and empowered us to serve as your disciples. We ask you to guide and bless us as we strive to tell the Good News of your love; teach and nurture all believers; tend to the human condition; transform and reconcile the world as Christ has shown us; and treasure your creation and our salvation through Jesus Christ. May we be engulfed in your love and blessings as we live out the mission and work you have given us, through Jesus Christ, who lives with you and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen.

Register now for Biking for a Better World event

Biking for a Better World is a recreational bike ride fundraiser that will benefit Chanco on the James and Episcopal Relief & Development. The event will be Saturday, September 13 and will be based out of St. Martin's, Williamsburg.  

There are four different rides available - 8, 23, 31 and 40 miles. Riders can register as individuals or as a family. Registration is just a mere $10 per person or $25 per family, but individuals are requested to raise a minimum of $75 per person and families to raise a minimum of $200. When you register, you'll be able to set up a fundraising page that you can share via email and on social media like Facebook and Twitter. Lunch will be provided. Registrants who achieve the minimum fundraising request will also get a t-shirt featuring the event's very cool logo.   

Click here to register and start fundraising! 

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.

"Faith in Our Music" conference will feature Iona Community musician

Union Presbyterian Seminary will host "Faith in our Music: Many Voices, Diverse Chords, Common Hopes," on its Richmond campus September 23-25. This ecumenical and diverse event features John Bell from the Iona Community in Scotland, and other fine musicians helping us to learn about new forms of congregational music for folks of all denominations, abilities, and ages. The early registration deadline of July 31 is quickly approaching. There are significant discounts for three or more people from one congregation if they register together, especially if they register by the end of this month. Click here for more information. 

Episcopal Youth Event gets under way this week

Episcopal Youth Event (EYE) is a youth leadership conference, the largest gathering of Episcopalians beside General Convention. It takes place every three years and occurs the year before General Convention. During EYE, the youth and their leaders will gain leadership skills and inspiration for mission in their local communities.  

This year's EYE will take place July 9 through 13 at Villanova University in Philadelphia. Youth, youth leaders, priests, bishops, and the Presiding Bishop will be in attendance. St. Andrew's, Newport News, Youth Director Harper Lewis will be joined by three adult youth leaders and 16 youth will travel from Southern Virginia to take part in EYE. Follow the action at EYE on Facebook. Watch the eNews for updates from EYE and our participants. 

Ecumenical news in Southern Virginia

By The Rev. Conor M. Alexander, Ecumenical Officer, Diocese of Southern Virginia

On June 30, the Tidewater LARCUM chapter hosted Dr. Mitzi Budde, Professor and Head Librarian at Virginia Theological Seminary and specialist in Ecumenism and Reconciliation. Holy Apostles' Virginia Beach hosted the evening, and held a program steeped in prayer, hymns, and Dr. Budde's reflections on the current state of ecumenism in the larger Church.

Dr. Budde's presentation focused on three major points: a theological rationale for ecumenism, several hopeful signs for how the movement is continuing, and discussion on two recent ecumenical agreements. Theologically speaking, our baptism is initiation into Christ's body, the Church. This is not limited to one denomination, but to all Christians everywhere. One participant in the evening remarked that for him, ecumenical work is not optional - to follow Christ is to seek Christian unity. Dr. Budde went on to describe several ways in which this theology is working itself out. One particular hopeful sign is the Global Freedom Network, an ecumenical and interfaith organization designed to combat global slavery and human trafficking, and has the support and backing of both Pope Francis and Archbishop Justin Welby.

Two recent ecumenical agreements that Dr. Budde described were Christian Witness in a Multi-Religious World: Recommendations for Conduct put forth by The World Council of Churches, Ponitifcal Council for Interreligious Dialogue, and the World Evangelical Alliance, and The Church: Towards a Common Vision again by The World Council of Churches. Both documents are available on the internet.

Update from the Joint Nominating Committee for the Election of the Presiding Bishop

The Joint Nominating Committee for the Election of the Presiding Bishop (JNCPB) is continuing its work to prepare The Episcopal Church for the election of the 27th Presiding Bishop at General Convention in 2015. Between now and August 1, the JNCPB will publish three short educational essays.  

The first essay, available here, describes the basic timeline and steps for the nominating and election process. The second essay will outline the current roles, functions, and responsibilities of the Presiding Bishop. The third essay will discuss how the office of Presiding Bishop has changed and evolved from being the senior bishop by consecration who presides over meetings of the House of Bishops to the complex multifaceted position it is today.

It is the hope of the JNCPB that all members of General Convention and all Episcopalians will take the time to read these brief essays to learn the importance of what we will do next summer at General Convention.  

Clergy transitions

The Rev. Brenda Overfield, will begin as Rector Time Certain at St. Matthias', Midlothian, 7/13/2014

The Rev. Michael Delk, called to another diocese from Hickory Neck, Toano, 7/13/2014 

The Rev. Drew Foisie, called to another diocese from Old Donation, Virginia Beach, 7/20/2014

The Rev. Nancy Meck, resigned as Associate Rector of Redeemer, Midlothian, 8/3/2014 

The Rev. Fred Poteet, will begin as Associate Rector at Old Donation, Virginia Beach, 8/16/2014