Prison ministry gets a new name

Chaplain Service Prison Ministry of Virginia is changing its name to GraceInside. "This is a much simpler name, even our own staff couldn't always get the old name right consistently," said the Rev. Randy Myers, president, "and is quite descriptive of what our God is doing in the prisons through our chaplains. This is a new beginning for us, and we are very excited, as you'll see from the crazy, celebratory picture." Soon to come will be a new website, new email addresses for central staff, as well as entry into social media. Learn more about the prison ministry of GraceInside here.  

Eastern Shore Chapel, Virginia Beach, celebrates 1689 founding

By Donna Hudgins, Eastern Shore Chapel, Virginia Beach

Friday, September 12, 7pm, Eastern Shore Chapel Episcopal Church in Virginia Beach will open its 325th anniversary celebration weekend with Under Five Prayer Books and Four Flags. The original music/dramatic readings performance recognizes the centuries and forces of history through which the church survived from Colonial times to the present: Revolution, Wars, Civil Rights, Women’s Ordination, and Societal Shifts. The program features well-known historic readings and music performed by choir, clergy, parishioners and guests. The performance will be held in the church, 2020 Laskin Road. Saturday, September 13, 11:30-3pm, the church will rejoice with families on the church lawn: featuring live music, BBQ, oysters from the Lynnhaven River, local rockfish, and games for the entire family.   Sunday, September 14, 10:15am, the church will conclude its celebration with a worship service of thanksgiving and prayers highlighting historic prayer books and American sacred music. All events are free and open to the public.

Said Rector Reverend Thomas Deppe, “ We have this singular opportunity to celebrate the vibrancy, dedication and community outreach ministries of generations of parishioners who kept this church alive through revolutions, separation from the Church of England, wars, social justice changes, and the destruction and moving of worship spaces. Through it all, they continued to worship and serve our community."

The church is interlaced in the story of Colonial Virginia and the City of Virginia Beach, tracing its founding to Adam Thoroughgood and the Anglican services he held on his land grant plantation. While the church is believed to date back to the 1660s, it is first mentioned in public records in 1689. The first Chapel was built as a "Chapell of Ease" on the eastern shore of the Lynnhaven River to more easily allow rural colonial parishioners to reach the chapel by water to attend services.

Three colonial structures and a fourth 20th century chapel built in the 1950s have served the churches growing congregations continuously with worship services for over three centuries. The design of the first chapel is lost in history; the second chapel (circa 1730-1754) and the third chapel (circa 1754-1952) were built on what was then the Salisbury Plains plantation of Joel Cornick and is now N.A.S. Oceana. In the 1950s with the expansion of the runways at Oceana, the 200- year old third chapel was dismantled and in 1954 a new chapel incorporating elements from the earlier chapels was built at its present Laskin Road location. The current location is less than a mile from the original 17th century Chapel of Ease.

Eastern Shore Chapel is often recognized in Virginia Beach for its expansive Food Pantry, its prison ministry, its Parish Day School and as the church of the 1,000 flags which are planted on the front lawn each Memorial Day to honor fallen military.

Nominating committee issues call, profile for the 27th Presiding Bishop

The Episcopal Church Join Nominating Committee for the Election of the Presiding Bishop (JNCPB) has issued the Call for Discernment and Profile for the 27th Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. The Call for Discernment and Profile is located here. The Spanish version is here.

Between now and September 30, any member of The Episcopal Church may submit a name of a bishop to JNCPB whom they believe should be considered for nomination through the email listed in the Call for Discernment and Profile. JNCPB will inform bishops whose names have been presented and advise them that if they wish to engage the discernment process, they must submit their materials as specified in the Call for Discernment and Profile between October 1 and October 31. The JNCPB will announce its nominees in early May 2015.

The election will take place during the 78th meeting of General Convention June 25-July 3, 2015 in Salt Lake City.  

Jackson-Feild receives grant from the Altria Companies Employee Community Foundation

The Jackson-Feild Home (JFH) received a grant from the Altria Companies Employee Community Foundation (ACECF) to provide supplies and materials for art, dance and music therapy programs for the residents of Jackson-Feild.

In years past, JFH residents participated in recreational activities offered off campus and in the community. Due to the very specialized needs of the children in its care, JFH has developed on-campus programs and activities in order to provide the children with every opportunity to express themselves in creative and positive ways.

ACECF was founded in 2000 so that its employees could have an active role in helping their local communities. ACECF is a workplace-giving program administered and managed by Altria employees. An employee committee selects the recipients from submitted proposals. Altria Group makes an annual contribution and pays the administrative costs. Since its inception, ACECF has made 1,452 grants totaling $40 million dollars.

Jackson-Feild has been the recipient of four prior ACECF grants beginning in 2002. The funds received from this year's ACECF grant are crucial in providing art, dance and music therapy opportunities for JFH residents.

Digital Media for Ministry boot camp at VTS

Are you looking to improve your knowledge and skills in online outreach and digital faith resources? If so, get ready for a day of inspirational success stories and hands-on training September 19 at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Va. Boot camp will include: big-picture plenary sessions on faith and technology; workshops on church websites, church and personal social media, and online faith resources; and clinic time with experienced technology coaches. Click here for more details.

This event is intended for beginner and intermediate technology users with a passion for ministry. Please bring a laptop and/or tablet to participate fully and learn by doing in a supportive environment. Fee is $60 and includes all sessions, refreshments, and lunch. Register online at www.vts.edu/registration. Please contact lte@vts.edu with any questions.  

Open Doors Latino Ministry Conference

Puertas Abiertas: Open Doors Latino Ministry Conference will be held Sept. 20-21 in Baltimore, Md. Puertas Abiertas (open doors) welcome our neighbors. This Latino/Hispanic Ministry Conference discusses the unique cultural and spiritual relationship in a mixed culture community. The Rev. Sarabeth Goodwin, Latino missioner for St. Stephen and the Incarnation, Washington, DC., which shares the building with an Anglo congregation, is the keynoter. Attend one or both days. Click here for more information and registration. 

Diaconal Ordination Exploration Program now accepting applications

The Diaconal Ordination Exploration Program is accepting applications September 1 through December 31, 2014.  Applicants will interview with the Commission on Ministry for postulancy in the fall of 2015. Those granted postulancy will receive formation and training in The Deacons' School. The school is a joint effort of the Episcopal Dioceses of Southern Virginia and Virginia. We expect the instructional phase to begin in the Spring of 2016.  During the two year course, classes will meet one weekend per quarter with assignments in between. Visit The Deacons' School website for more information, www.thedeaconsschool.org.