Advent Retreat

There are only 43 days until Christmas! Are you ready? And we don't mean, "Have you done all your shopping?"!  We mean, "Have you reflected upon the season of Advent and given yourself the gift of peace this season?" Spend time at Chanco this Advent discovering tools to develop your prayer life and cope with stress while you join with friends from all around our diocese for joyful fellowship. The retreat will take place on Friday, December 5 beginning with dinner at 6 pm and continue through Saturday, December 6, concluding at 3 pm. Overnight accommodations are provided in the conference center rooms with private bath. All meals and a hospitality hour on Friday night are included. This retreat is designed for adults and the cost to attend is $110.00 for a single room or $90.00 for a double room. To register, contact Ashley Scruggs at ascruggs@diosova.org. Don't miss this opportunity to take time during the very busy holiday season to create space for prayer, Christian fellowship, and peace. We hope to see you there!

Download the 2014 Episcopal Church Christmas card

Congregations, dioceses and individuals can download a printable PDF of the 2014 Episcopal Church Christmas card at no fee here.

The design of the card features artist Joan Covell's depiction of the nativity scene.  Covell's art was the top vote-getter in the recent contest to select the art image. Learn more about Covell here.

For information contact Ana Arias, aarias@episcopalchurch.org, or Barry Merer, bmerer@episcopalchurch.org.

Ridley Foundation Scholarship applications due January 15

The Ridley Foundation board will meet in February to consider new applicants for the second semester. New applications and documents are due by January 15. Current recipients need to send their first semester transcript in order to receive the second half of their grant. Click here for more information on the Ridley Foundation Scholarships.  

Bishop Hollerith returns from sabbatical

L to R: Canon Ed Tracy, Canon Michael Spear-Jones, Bishop Hollerith and his assistant, Leah Sicignano.

Dear Diocesan family,

I am writing you on the occasion of my first day back after having completed a three month sabbatical. I am deeply appreciative of the fact that I was afforded the opportunity to have time away for rest and spiritual refreshment. It truly was a gift.

While I do believe my time away was well-spent, I was disappointed that I was not able to travel and study in Jerusalem as I had originally planned. The unrest in the Middle East during July and August necessitated cancelling. I hope that one day I will be afforded another opportunity to take such a pilgrimage as part of my normal annual continuing education. The fact that I did not travel as much as I thought I would did provide me with more quality time with my family.

I am very thankful for all those who made my time away possible, especially Canon Michael Spear-Jones, Canon Ed Tracy, Chancellor Sam Webster, and Bishop David Jones. Needless to say, the Diocese was in very competent hands!

For the next week or so, as I transition back to the "normal" routine, I will be doing a lot of catching up and working directly with the diocesan staff. This weekend I am looking forward to attending the consecration of the new bishop of East Carolina, and next week being with the clergy of Southern Virginia for our annual conference at Chanco on the James.

In the next several weeks, while I'll have plenty to do, I will relish most of all the opportunity to reconnect with all of you and to hear your stories. I find that I return with an increased feeling of joy and excitement about the ministries that are taking place across our diocese. I also return with a deepened sense of just how blessed I am to be your bishop.

Faithfully,
Bishop Hollerith 

"A Sermon for Every Sunday" video project

Episcopalians Lauren Winner and Michael Curry are among the outstanding preachers who have recorded lectionary-based sermons on video as part of a project called "A Sermon for Every Sunday," intended as a resource for churches without pastors, churches in the interim, or churches that might simply need a supply preacher from time to time.  The resource can also be used for small group discussions or adult forums, Any congregation with the capability of showing or projecting a video can see and hear America's best preachers on any-or every-Sunday of the year for the astonishingly low price of $4.99 per sermon.  Visit the website for full details at  www.asermonforeverysunday.com.

Episcopal Relief & Development update

By The Very Rev. Keith Emerson, Diocesan Coordinator, Episcopal Relief & Development

Let me express my thanks to the following congregations in our diocese for making contributions to Episcopal Relief & Development during the third quarter of the current year:

• St. John's, Hopewell
• Ascension, Norfolk
• St. Mark's, Hampton   
• St. Andrew's, Newport News
• St. Luke's, Powhatan
• St. Luke's, Blackstone
• St. George's, Newport News
• Christ and Grace, Petersburg
• Christ Church, Smithfield         
• St. George's, Pungoteague
• Holy Apostles, Virginia Beach
• Grace Church, Yorktown

I also want to call to your attention that for all gifts made to Episcopal Relief & Development's 75th Anniversary Fund between now and the end of the year will be matched dollar for dollar. You can make a contribution here. 

The 2014 Gifts for Life Christmas Catalog is available here. It is full of wonderful ways individuals and parishes can transform how they observe Advent and celebrate Christmas.

Thanks again for your participation and support of this wonderful ministry.

Employment Opportunity

Chanco on the James is currently accepting applications for the position of Director of Programs and seasonal Summer Camp Director.  Job descriptions and employment application can be found on our website at www.chanco.org (click "About Us"). Questions? Contact Executive Director Gareth Kalfas at director@chanco.org or 888-7CHANCO (888-724-2626).