Fall Clergy Conference: Transforming Work

 

The Fall Clergy Conference will be held November 11-12 at Chanco on the James. This year's guest speaker will be the Rev. Canon Matthew Stockard, Canon to the Ordinary of Diocese of East Carolina, on Transforming Work. Sessions will include Neuroscience and Ministry, Jung Again, and Finding Joy.

     

The Rev. Matthew Stockard has served as Canon to the Ordinary of the Diocese of East Carolina since 2000. He has worked extensively during this time in the area of ministry development and vocation with several Episcopal Church boards and agencies. His vocational path has included training and practice as a cellular physiologist, an Episcopal priest serving parishes in North Carolina as well as East Carolina, and an organization development consultant for several Episcopal dioceses and their interactions.

  

Click here for more information and online registration. 

Clergy transitions

The Rev. Daniel Perkins began as Priest in Charge at St. Andrew's, Newport News, 9/14/14.

The Rev. Sherry Munday, Deacon, left St. John's, Chester, 9/21/14.

Executive Board hosting conversations about stewardship

The Stewardship Focus Group of the diocesan Executive Board is once again hosting informal gatherings for parish wardens and stewardship/finance chairs to share successes and challenges with our parish giving programs. Anyone interested in parish stewardship is invited and encouraged to attend.

• Saturday, November 22, 10 to 11 a.m. at St. John's, Chester. Contact the Rev. Gini DiStanislao if you plan to attend the gathering at St. John's, gini@bonairtitle.com.
• Saturday, December 6, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Ascension, Norfolk. Contact Bob Motley if you plan to attend the gathering at Ascension, bobmotley46@gmail.com.

Plans are underway for additional gatherings this year in Hampton and Virginia Beach. Watch the eNews for dates and locations.
Plans are underway for additional gatherings this year in Hampton and Virginia Beach. Watch the eNews for dates and locations.

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori will not stand for re-election in 2015

Below is an excerpt from Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori's message to the Episcopal Church. Click here to read the full message.

"I have spent many months in discernment about how I am being called to serve God's people and God's creation in this season. I have resisted the assumption by some that presiding bishops can only be elected to serve one term, knowing the depth of relational work and learning that is involved in this ministry. There is a tradeoff between the learning curve and the ability to lead more effectively as a result of developed relationships both within and beyond this Church. At the same time, I recognize that standing for election as Presiding Bishop carries the implicit expectation that one is ready to serve a full term. I do not at present believe I should serve and lead in this ministry for another nine years.

I believe I can best serve this Church by opening the door for other bishops to more freely discern their own vocation to this ministry. I also believe that I can offer this Church stronger and clearer leadership in the coming year as we move toward that election and a whole-hearted engagement with necessary structural reforms. I will continue to engage us in becoming a more fully diverse Church, spreading the gospel among all sorts and conditions of people, and wholeheartedly devoted to God's vision of a healed and restored Creation.

I will continue in discernment about the ministry I may be called to in the coming years, but my present focus is and will remain on being the vigorous and faithful leader I believe I am called to be."

Administrators & Treasurers lunch group to meet in Hampton

Lunch group meeting at Eastern Shore Chapel, Virginia Beach.

The next Administrators and Treasurers lunch will be Thursday, October 16, noon to 1:30, at Emmanuel, Hampton (179 E. Mercury Blvd, Hampton). This is a wonderful opportunity to meet with other parish administrators and treasurers to talk about common issues. Bring your own lunch; beverages will be provided. There's no agenda for this gathering - just an opportunity to get together, share, encourage, support, and ask questions. RSVP to njames@diosova.org.

Jump Start Workshop: Pursuing Renewal and Vitality in the Midst of Change

Saturday, October 4

9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Richmond 

The Diocese of Virginia, in conjunction with the Episcopal Church Building Fund and Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Richmond, invites you to a one-day workshop to address how your congregation can Jump Start itself to a more vibrant, vital, and authentic community of faith.  

Cost is $25 and includes lunch. Click here for more information and registration. Emmanuel Episcopal Church is located at 1214 Wilmer Ave., Richmond.   

Biking for a Better World raises over $5000

The Biking for a Better World event held in Williamsburg on Sept. 13 raised over $5000 for Chanco on the James and Episcopal Relief & Development. Many thanks to the Very Rev. Keith Emerson, Rector of St. Paul's, Suffolk, and our diocesan liaison for Episcopal Relief & Development, for coordinating this event. Thanks also to St. Martin's, Williamsburg, for their hospitality as the starting location for the event.

"It is difficult for me to express how gratified I am that 22 riders garnered so much support. We will have to use our imaginations to understand how this meager effort will change the lives of future Chanco campers as well as those whose life life is touched by the immeasurable efforts of Episcopal Relief & Development," Emerson posted on our Facebook page. "I can't wait for the 'second' annual Biking for Better World and am also wondering of there are 5K runners out there who are ready to make their contribution."