Boys Home grows blue-ribbon white pine

Boys Home of Virginia once again was awarded a blue ribbon for White Pine entered at the annual Virginia Christmas Tree growers meeting held in August. Project Manager Greg Lemmer who is also the president of the Virginia Christmas Tree Growers Association oversees the Boys Home Christmas Tree Farm. Brandon Brown manages maintenance and farm upkeep, and several residents and staff throughout the year assist him.  

The tree farm, located in West Augusta, will celebrate its 21st season as a Boys Home operation. The tree farm is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., beginning Friday, November 28 and ending Sunday, December 21.  

Tree Farm Open House on Nov. 29

Open House at the Boys Home Christmas Tree Farm is Saturday, November 29. The theme "Over the River and Through the Woods" features family activities, refreshments, photo booth and door prizes. There's no better way to enjoy your Christmas than to visit the farm. It is just the right place for good tree selection while helping our young men. Besides trees, the gift shop sells wreathes, roping, handmade ornaments and a variety of Christmas items.  

The tree farm is located off Rt. 688 at 1118 Bear Wallow Flat, West Augusta, VA 24485. For information and directions, call 540-939-4106 or 540-965-7700. You may also visit the Boys Home website or Facebook page.  

Clergy transitions

The Rev. Ronald Ramsey will begin as Rector of St. Cyprian's, Hampton, 12/1/2014 

Observing a Day of Repentance and Reconciliation

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 Breach 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.  

Eastern Shore Chapel, Virginia Beach

Holy Eucharist with Service of Repentance and Reconciliation on Wednesday, Nov. 5 at 5:30 p.m. 

  

St. James', Accomac

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

Bruton Parish, Williamsburg and SpiritWorks Foundation 

On Nov. 5, 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Bruton Parish, SpiritWorks Foundation will host 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 hosted by SpiritWorks Foundation 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.    

St. Paul's Memorial Chapel, Lawrenceville

Service of Repentance and Reconciliation on Saturday, November 15 at 10 a.m. 

If you would like your parish's observance listed here, please contact Communications Officer Ann Turner, aturner@diosova.org.  

ECW installs new president and board members

Episcopal Church Women elected Nancy Sands as the 41st ECW Diocesan President at the ECW Fall Annual Meeting.  The Rev. Helen McKee, interim rector at Christ Church, Danville, installed Nancy at the meeting, October 18, hosted by Christ Church, Nancy's home parish. Other board members installed are: First Vice President, Helen Sharpe-Williams, Grace Church, Norfolk; Second Vice President, Katherine O. Patterson, Christ and Grace, Petersburg; Betty Mariner, St. George's, Pungoteague, Treasurer, Corresponding Secretary, Louise Boss, Christ Church, Eastville, Parliamentarian, Lu Sullivan, Christ Church, Danville; Historian, Barbara Taylor, St. Francis, Virginia Beach, Nominating Committee Chair, Deborah Austin, St. Mark's, Suffolk, United Thank Offering Treasurer, Rosalyn Neal, Grace Church, Norfolk and Communication Chair, Nancy Smith, St. Aidan's, Virginia Beach. The new board members take office in January 2014.  

L to R: Nancy Smith, Lu Sullivan, Betty Mariner, Louise Boss, Deborah Austin, Helen Sharpe-Williams, Nancy Sands, Barbara Taylor, the Rev. Helen McKee. Not pictured: Katherine Patterson and Rosalyn Neal  

Administrators & Treasurers Lunch Group will meet in Norfolk in November

The next Administrators and Treasurers lunch will be Wednesday, November 19, noon to 1:30, at Ascension, Norfolk (405 Talbot Hall Road). 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.

Seminarian Josh Stephens receives Freeman Award for Merit

The Sewanee School of Theology awarded the 2014 Freeman Award for Merit to Joshua Paul Stephens, T'16, a M.Div. student from the Diocese of Southern Virginia (St. Andrew's, Norfolk). The award was announced and presented by the dean, the Rt. Rev. J. Neil Alexander, during the School's annual DuBose Lectures and Alumni/ae Gathering banquet on Oct. 1.

"Josh Stephens distinguished himself in his first year of theological studies," explained Alexander, on why Stephens was chosen to receive this award. "His strong undergraduate background, his devotion to his vocation, and his strong work ethic puts him academically at the top of his class. We look forward to seeing him continue to grow and develop academically, spiritually, and pastorally."

 

The Freeman Award for Merit was established in 1998 by Reed Freeman and his wife, Nancy, to honor and reward a rising middler student of The School of Theology that has demonstrated outstanding academic performance and promise. Freeman, T'96, T'05, was a recipient of the Woods Leadership Award while he was attending The School of Theology.

 

"As those who were at the DuBose banquet can attest, I was shocked to receive the Freeman Award," stated Stephens. "Now my initial surprise has shifted to feeling rather grateful and humbled, not only to be recognized in this way, but also to be part of such an awesome environment in Sewanee. This is a remarkable community of learning at The School of Theology and I am proud to be a member of the class of 2016. My academic work only has meaning because of our common life together."

Stewardship gatherings scheduled for Chester, Norfolk and Hampton

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.
• Saturday, January 17, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at St. John's, Hampton. Contact Bob Motley if you plan to attend the gathering at St. John's, bobmotley46@gmail.com.