Resource for November liturgies on healing the sin of racism

A Reconciliation Resource for November Liturgies on healing the sin of racism is now available from the Repairers of the Breach. Following the format of Holy Women, Holy Men, the booklet offers several options for readings and psalms. It is available on the Repairing the Beach page of our website. The Reconciliation Service from November 2, 2013 is also available with anthems and hymns that are suitable for parish use.  

Annual Council Resolution R-1 resolved that "November 2, 2014, All Souls Day will be designated as the 'Day of Repentance and Reconciliation' in the Diocese of Southern Virginia and parishes will annually hold this observance during the octave of All Saints." If you need further assistance or have questions, please contact Canon Caroline Black,  cblack@diosova.org or 757-213-3377.  

Observances of a Day of Repentance and Reconciliation: 

St. Martin's, Williamsburg 

The spirit of reconciliation and repentance for the sin of racism will be prayerfully honored at Saint Martin's on November 1 at 5pm as we acknowledge our transgressions of the past and repent for those sins against our brothers and sisters in Christ that we have committed as an institution and as individuals. The service will conclude with the celebrating of Holy Eucharist where we will acknowledge our reconciliation with Christ, as well as the entirety of the Body of Christ. The evening will then conclude with a meal of thanksgiving that will acknowledge the gift of reconciliation that God so bountifully provides to us. The meal will be served in Miles Hall at approximately 6:15 p.m.

  

St. John's, Chester

Contemplative Evening Prayer for Reconciliation and Healing  on Sunday, Nov. 2 at 5 p.m.

Good Shepherd, Norfolk and Mission of the Holy Spirit

On Wednesday, Nov. 5 at Good Shepherd there will be a dinner at 5:30 p.m. followed by a Service of Repentance at 6:30 p.m. 

  

St. James', Accomac

Service of Reconciliation and Healing, Friday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. 

Bruton Parish, Williamsburg 

On Nov. 5, 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Bruton Parish, there will be a screening of "The House I Live In," a documentary that explores the moral failure of the war on drugs and particularly looks at the role that racism has played in incarceration and mandatory minimums. The Rev. Charles Robinson, Vicar of Bruton Parish and Jan M. Brown, Founder and Executive Director, of SpiritWorks Foundation, will facilitate a conversation following the film. On Nov. 7 at 5:30 p.m., the monthly First Fridays Eucharist will weave together the themes of repentance, reconciliation and recovery. The Rev. Chris Epperson, Rector of Bruton Parish, will be the celebrant. Parking is available on Duke of Gloucester Street during the service.  

Nominations now being accepted for Annual Council elections

The 123rd Annual Council will be held February 6-7, 2015 at the Williamsburg Lodge Convention Center. You can find the latest information on the Annual Council page of our website. Registration will begin in December.

The following elections will take place at the 2015 Annual Council:

Standing Committee: 1 Lay, 1 Clergy

Disciplinary Board: 2 Lay, 1 Clergy

General Convention Deputation: 1 Lay Young Adult Alternate

Information about each position and a nomination form can be found on our website.

Get ready for the ECW Fall Annual Meeting with the new issue of The Grapevine

The latest edition of the Diocesan ECW's newsletter, The Grapevine, is now available on our website. It's full of important information for the ECW's upcoming Fall Annual Meeting to be held Saturday, October 18 at Christ Church, Danville.

The ECW will celebrate its work in mission at this meeting. Susan Broaddus, Women-to-Women chair, Diocese of Southern Virginia, a former missionary in the Congo, will give an account on the status of the Tamar Project today. ECW board members, including a new diocesan president, will be elected to take office in January, 2015. The Rev. Helen McKee will install the newly elected board members.

Contact Louise Boss, corresponding secretary, to register for the meeting at (757-678-5331) or louiseboss@exede.net by October 10. The registration fee is $10. Lunch is included.

Longwood expresses regret over institution's actions during civil rights era

Longwood University's Board of Visitors has passed a formal resolution expressing regret over the institution's actions during the civil rights era, and established a new "Moton Legacy" scholarship program to support equality in educational opportunity. The university is in conversation with our Diocese regarding next steps forward. 

"It is a moment of great promise, with the Moton Museum and Longwood poised to work more closely together in support of Moton's mission of civil rights in education," said Longwood Rector Colleen McCrink Margiloff '97.  "Through time, Longwood has not always lived up to the ideals we hold dear, and that has caused genuine pain.  The University's mission of citizen leadership is at the heart of the Board's action. "

The resolution passed by the Board also establishes the Moton Legacy scholarship program, which will provide financial assistance for Longwood students with a demonstrated commitment to the cause of equality of opportunity in education.

"This scholarship program will help Longwood honor those who strove so mightily for educational opportunity, by teaching and sending into the world citizen leaders who will do the same in their communities around the Commonwealth and nation," said Longwood President W. Taylor Reveley IV.  Read more here. 

Safe Church trainer responds to NFL child abuse allegations

Ian Danielson, a Safe Church trainer in Diocese of Southern Virginia and a member of St. Luke's, Powhatan, is a licensed clinical social worker and coordinator at Greater Richmond SCAN. He supports the decision by the Minnesota Vikings to keep Adrian Peterson off the field following allegations of child abuse, but he's wary of the team's motives. Danielson works with child victims of abuse every day. Danielson hopes that this case will lead to the creation of set policies regarding violence that all players have to follow, "where all players know equally going in that physical abuse, sexual abuse, domestic violence in general is unacceptable to all." Watch/read the interview here. 

Register now for fabulous Fall youth events!

Registration is now open for Fall diocesan youth events! Visit the Youth Ministry pages of our website for complete information on all upcoming events for the 2014-2015 program year and important youth ministry resources.

October Weekend - Oct. 10-12 at Chanco on the James. For grades 8-12 and their adult advisors. Visit Camp Chanco on the James River for a weekend in the woods with teens from all over our diocese!  October Weekend  features great music, small groups, socials and games, meaningful discussions, a dance, and really incredible worship experiences.  Come experience the presence of God in community! Click here for details and registration.

Happening #62 - Nov. 7-9 at Chanco on the James. For grades 10-12 and adult advisors who have never attended a Happening program. Happening- A Christian Experience is a Christian renewal program designed for youth in grades 10-12. The focal point of the weekend is learning and experiencing the love of Christ.  The weekend format includes series of talks, movies, small group activities and worship, as well as opportunities for fellowship, fun and making new friends. Click here for details and registration.

November Weekend - Nov. 14-16 at Chanco on the James. For grades 6-9 and their adult advisors. Make new friends at this fall retreat at Chanco!  November Weekend includes music, games, activities, socials, small group discussions and amazing worship! Click here for details and registration.

Jan Brown appointed to board of Recovery Ministries of the Episcopal Church

Jan M. Brown was recently appointed to the Board of Directors for Recovery Ministries of the Episcopal Church (RMEC). RMEC is an independent, nationwide network of Episcopal laity and clergy, dioceses and parishes, schools, agencies, and other institutions with a common commitment to address the effects of addiction, in all its forms, in relation to the church's mission. RMEC provides resources through its website, www.episcopalrecovery.org, raises awareness by providing training about addiction and recovery, and hosts a national gathering each year.  

This year Jan Brown and the Rev. Lauren McDonald attended RMEC's national Gathering held in June in Buffalo, New York and networked with Episcopalians in recovery from across the country. The Gathering theme was "Addiction and the Role of the Church in Recovery," and featured The Rev. Stuart Hoke, Dr. John MacDougall and other speakers on a variety of topics related to addiction. Jan was one of the presenters for the Gathering, leading the Candlelight Evening Prayer Service at the Hope Center.

Jan is the Founder and Executive Director for SpiritWorks Foundation, a community recovery organization in Williamsburg for people healing from addiction, trauma, and abuse. She is also a Postulant for Holy Orders for the Diaconate in the Diocese of Southern Virginia.