Thursday, July 17, 2014
Talbot Hall property news available online
For current information regarding the sale of the diocese's Talbot Hall property, please visit our website, www.diosova.org. On the home page, you'll find a link to Talbot Hall Property News, including a recent message from Bishop Hollerith and an editorial by
diocesan Chancellor Sam Webster that was published in the
Virginian-Pilot.
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Ridley Foundation awards $153,183 in scholarships and grants
The Ridley
Foundation Board awarded scholarships totaling $123,183 to 40 students
from the Diocese of Southern Virginia and Southampton County for the
2014-15 academic year. Click here for a list of 2014-15 recipients. The Board also awarded grants of $10,000 each to: Jackson-Feild Homes, Mission of the Holy Spirit, and Covington Boys Home.
Jackson-Feild elects officers and new trustees
At its annual meeting the Jackson-Feild Homes Board of Trustees elected
new officers for a two-year term. They are Ms. Anne G. Greever -
President, Mrs. Beblon G. Parks - Vice President, Mr. Craig A. Tilley -
Treasurer and Mr. T. Darnley Adamson, III - Secretary.
Also elected are
four new trustees who will serve a three-year term each. They are Ms.
Ann H. Smoot, Mr. Shane M. Tilka, Mr. James M. Cox and Ms. Narendra R.
Pleas.
Ms. Smoot is
retired from the Virginia Department of Education as its Training
Director. She previously worked as a district training and safety
officer for the Virginia Department of Transportation. Prior to her
service with state government, Ms. Smoot was an educator for thirteen
years. A graduate of Emory & Henry, she received her Master's Degree
from the University of Virginia. Her volunteer experience includes
serving as a CASA volunteer and a parent representative on Hanover
County's Family Assessment and Planning Team. Ms. Smoot lives in
Culpepper and has summer home in the Northern Neck.
Mr. Tilka
currently is the Vice President of Operations for Iluka Resources
America having served in a number of capacities within Iluka since 2005.
He received his undergraduate degree from Edith Cowan University in
Australia and his graduate degree from Western Australian School of
Mines. Mr. Tilka and his family live in Chesterfield County.
Mr. Cox is a Vice
President and partner with Manry Rawls, LLC in Franklin. He also is
President of Cox & Moncure, a company that operates a chain of
sixteen mattress stores under the name of Mattress Outlet. A native of
Richmond and an alumnus of St. Christopher's School, Mr. Cox received
his undergraduate degree from Virginia Military Institute and his MBA
from the College of William & Mary. He and his family live in
Franklin.
Ms. Pleas is
native of Georgia who moved to Virginia Beach when she was in high
school. A graduate of Agnes Scott College in Atlanta, she received her
Juris Doctorate from the University of Indiana. Previously a practicing
attorney in the Emporia/Greensville and Sussex County Common wealth
Attorney's Offices, she is now the Assistant Commonwealth Attorney for
Suffolk. Ms. Pleas is a member and treasurer of the Emporia/Greensville
Volunteer Rescue Squad, a former secretary for the Virginia Association
of Volunteer Rescue Squads District 2, and a member of the Board of
Directors of the Emporia/Greensville YMCA.
Education for Ministry (EfM) groups forming
By John Hoppe, EfM mentor, Grace Church, Yorktown
Education for Ministry (EfM) offers a progressive four year program of
study and discussion which affords everyone an opportunity to learn
more about scripture, Church history, and where theological thought
stands in our world today. A core element of the program is the
Theological Reflection, which is an activity designed to encourage
participants to connect biblical and theological knowledge with
everyday issues of contemporary life, and to ultimately discover ways
to enhance our lives in the Christian context. The program is open to
any person seeking further knowledge of the Bible and related
documents, theology, church history, and ethics. The context is the
mentored small group, as authorized and supported by the School of
Theology at Sewanee, University of the South. Beginning in early
September, EfM groups meet on a weekly schedule through the school
year. Click here to learn more about EfM.
EfM groups seeking participants
Grace, Yorktown, hosts
several EfM groups. A preliminary informational meeting is planned for
August 7 at 6 p.m. in the Parish House at Grace. Please contact John
Hoppe (757-229-5113), Janet Stephens (757-898-5079), or call the office
at Grace Church (757-898-3261) to obtain additional information and to
learn how you may join us for this program.
If you are the
mentor of an EfM group seeking new participants and would like to have
your information included in the eNews, please contact Diocesan
Communications Officer Ann Turner, aturner@diosova.org.
Monday, July 14, 2014
Presiding Bishop addresses crisis of unaccompanied children at the U.S. border
Presiding Bishop
Katharine Jefferts Schori has issued the following statement on the
current crisis of unaccompanied children and families at the United
States border.
"The influx of vulnerable people from Central America, including
unaccompanied minors as well as mothers with children, continues to
challenge the United States to respond compassionately. Like Sudanese
or Syrian refugees, these people are fleeing hunger, violence, and the
fear of rape, murder, and enslavement. The violence in Central America
has escalated significantly in recent months, particularly as a result
of gangs and trafficking in drugs and human beings. These people are
literally fleeing for their lives.
The United States
has a checkered history in responding to refugee crises. We shut our
eyes and ears, as well as our ports, during the crimes against Jews and
other vulnerable persons in the midst of the Second World War. We have
been more welcoming to Sudanese youths looking for survival in the last
20 years.
The Episcopal
Church believes we have a responsibility to all our neighbors,
particularly the strangers and sojourners around us. We have been
resettling refugees since 1939. Today, Episcopal Migration Ministries
(EMM) and Episcopal Relief & Development are working with churches
and dioceses in areas where these Central American women and children
are being served.
Episcopalians are
responding with prayers and concern, and asking how to help. I urge you
to remember these people and their difficult and dangerous position in
your prayers - today, this coming Sunday, and continuing until we find a
just resolution. The Episcopal Church has established an account to
receive financial contributions to assist Episcopal Migration Ministries
in this work. For details, please contact EMM@episcopalchurch.org.
I would also
encourage you to contact your legislators, and ask them to support an
appropriate humanitarian response to this crisis. We are our brothers'
and sisters' keeper, and as a Church, we are asking the United States
government to support such a response, grounded in justice and the
fundamental dignity of every human being. Our Office of Government
Relations is submitting detailed testimony to a United States Senate
hearing today, as that chamber prepares to consider a budget request
from the President. You may read that testimony here, and I encourage you to share it with your own Representative and Senators here."
The Presiding Bishop's statement can be found online here.
Mission of the Holy Spirit in need of bibles
The Mission of the Holy Spirit needs 20 NIV Bibles (new or used) for teens and adults in our Bible study programs. The
Mission is currently running two bible study programs and our
participants really want to have their own bibles so they can study
further at home. If your parish has even a few NIV Bibles that
you no longer use, please contact the Mission office Monday through
Wednesday at 757-858-0010. Thank you for helping us spread the Word!
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Episcopal Youth Event 2014 gets under way - #EYE14
Southern Virginia's EYE14 team departs for Philadelphia today.
|
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.
- 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.
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.
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