Annual Council: A First Timer’s Impressions

By Joyce H. Williams, Epiphany, Norfolk

In early February, I join my fellow Episcopalians at the 123 Annual Council of the Southern Diocese in Williamsburg, Virginia.  For me, it was my first time.  Not so for my fellow traveling companions; all three had been several times before.  What an advantage this was, they were able to guide me in navigating my way through the conference. 

But for me, everything was new.  The setting was certainly inviting and conducive to warm and friendly networking; it was at the Williamsburg Lodge.  It was fun and educational to browse the exhibits—everything from jewelry to religious tracts.   However, when I entered the general room, I felt a special sense of belonging to this community; maybe it was the friendly round table setting; maybe it was the opening prayers; maybe it was singing hymns; whatever it was, there was a peace and comfort that passed over me.  Of course there where the traditional business agenda items to be dealt with:  the election of officers, committee reports, the discussion and passing of the budget, and the informative presentations on stewardship. The talk, talk, talk was occasionally interrupted by brief and lively videos that highlighted outreach work done in some of the parishes in the diocese. 

But the highlight of the Council was the keynote speaker, Diana Butler Bass.  The noted Christian scholar talked about the new spirituality in Christianity.  Since 1960 and what she calls the Great Awakening, there has become a new sense of harmony between God and nature.  A God that is less authoritarian.  A relationship between God and nature that is more supportive, more nurturing, and more empathetic. These ideas are elaborated more thoroughly in her published works, the most familiar of which is Christianity After Religion: The End of Church and the Birth of a New Spiritual Awakening (Harper One, 2012). This transformation means that traditional Christian churches must grapple with these changes.  A not so easy accommodation that she spoke to at length.  In conclusion she said that there is a shift from a vertical understanding of God to one as now part of us—not from above us.  A connection that she sees in the importance of the neighborhood and the human priesthood. 

I thought the speaker and her thoughts were just the right tone for a Christian conference—something to bring us together and give us food for thought  as we muster our courage and faith for the challenges that await us in our home parishes.  I am thankful that I got the opportunity to attend; and on a lighter note, I would heartily recommend the squash bisque served at lunch--it was appropriately “heavenly."

Presiding Bishop's message for Lent 2015

Click here for video of this message.

Lent is about to begin. That word in English comes from an Old English word that means "to lengthen," and it's a reminder of the days getting longer as we move toward summer out of the dark of winter. But in a number of other languages, particularly Spanish and French, the word for "Lent" reflects "forty days," "cuaresma." Forty days of wandering in the desert, forty days of Jesus out in the desert. It's also about a journey.  And it's a journey that is about enlightenment if we're willing to think about it that way.  

Lent is an ancient tradition of solidarity and preparation for those who look forward to Baptism at the Easter Vigil.  It has always been a time for prayer and study, fasting, self-denial, and alms-giving, sharing what we have with those who do not have.  Prayer is an opportunity to reflect on who walks with us in the desert, who brings light into the world. Study is an opportunity to do the same kinds of things looking at the history of our tradition, where have human beings found light and direction in their journey through this world.  Fasting and self-denial are an inward-reflection on what it is that keeps us in the dark, or what it is that keeps us directionless, or that keeps us overly self-focused.  And it becomes an invitation to turn outward and share what we have with those who have not.  To build solidarity among God's people and the rest of the earth.  

One of the most memorable Ash Wednesdays I ever spent was in San Jose, Costa Rica, in a school for children. I was asked to place ashes on the foreheads of toddlers.  It was a provocative experience in the deepest sense, reminding very small children that they are mortal.  

That cross that comes on our foreheads on Ash Wednesday is a reminder of the cross that's put there at Baptism.  You are sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ's own forever.  The cross that comes at Ash Wednesday is a reminder that you are dust and to dust we shall return, that we share that dust with every other human being who has ever walked this planet, that we share that dust with the stars and the planets, that we share that dust with all that has been created.  We are made for relationship with creator and creation.  

Lent and cuaresma is a journey to walk toward that light.  May it be a blessed one this year.  

The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori
Presiding Bishop and Primate, The Episcopal Church

Praying for the churches of Southern Virginia

As part of our liturgy at Annual Council 2015, each delegation wrote a prayer for their parish. We are sharing these prayers each week in the eNews so that we all can support one another in the upcoming year.

Galilee, Virginia Beach

Heavenly Father, we thank you for your love and redemption experienced in and through Galilee Church in 2014. In the coming year we ask you to lead, shield and anoint this congregation to take joy in every task that you set before them, and to live more deeply into the mission of renewal into which you have guided them. This we ask in the name of your Son Jesus Christ, who with and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

St. James', Portsmouth, and St. Mark's, Suffolk

Almighty God we thank you for knitting together the congregations of Saint James, Portsmouth and Saint Mark's, Suffolk as they tread the path of Shared Ministry in thy church; grant that thy Holy Spirit will guide and strengthen the parishioners of both congregations, through the same thy Son Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit one God now and for ever. Amen.

Leadership Program for Musicians' Spring workshop

The Leadership Program for Musicians' annual Spring workshop will take place March 14 at Holy Comforter Episcopal Church, 4819 Monument Avenue in Richmond. The workshop topic for the morning session is "Discovering Hidden Gems: Mining the 1982 and ELW Hymnals." Ellen Johnston and Martha Burford will lead an exploration of the 1982 hymnal, and Kevin Barger will discuss the ELW hymnal. The presentations will run simultaneously, and participants may attend either one. 

                                                               

Registration is at 9 a.m., and the morning session will begin at 9:30 a.m. and run until 11:30 a.m. Noon prayer and a brief presentation on LPM will take place from 11:30 a.m. until noon. Lunch (included with registration fee) is noon-1 p.m. From 1-3 p.m. Ellen Johnston and Kevin Barger will lead a choral music reading session using the music attendees received in their packets upon registration. The session will focus on anthems appropriate for choirs with limited resources.

The cost of the workshop is $60 per person (includes lunch and music packet for reading session). Those registering after Feb. 22 are not guaranteed a music packet; if, due to late registration, a music packet is not received, the registration fee will be reduced to $25/person. Registration forms are available on the web at http://www.lpm-va.org and may be mailed to LPM Virginia - c/o Nellwyn Beamon, Church of the Ascension, 405 Talbot Hall Road, Norfolk VA 23505. Checks may be made out to LPM Virginia. For more information on LPM or the spring workshop contact Nellwyn Beamon online at  lpmvacoordinator@gmail.com or by calling 757-423-6715.  

St. Paul's, Norfolk, hosts Ultreya

St. Paul's, Norfolk, will be the host of the Ultreya on February 20 (201 St. Paul's Blvd., Norfolk, 23510). There will be a potluck shared meal from 6 to 6:45 p.m. A sandwich meal will be provided. Please bring a salad-type side dish or a dessert and beverage to share. The Ultreya will begin at 6:55 p.m. and end at 8:15 p.m. Come and enjoy seeing friends from our area Episcopal Churches. Please pray about attending, talk it up, invite and offer a friend a ride. Make it part of your plan for the week. Any questions or need a ride? Contact Bruce Comfort, comfort_1 @cox.net or 757-480-0316.  

Clergy Renewal of Vows services

The annual Renewal of Ordination Vows services for clergy will be held on Wednesday, April 1 at 10 a.m. at St. Cyprian's, Hampton, and at 2:30 p.m. at Manakin, Midlothian.

Liturgical items no longer needed can be donated on March 2

St. Mary's Mission, a charitable organization which finds new homes for liturgical and religious items, will be collecting items in our Diocese on Monday, March 2. They are coming to collect the Diocesan Council "Bishop Closet" items that did not find a home elsewhere, and they are also willing to come by your church if you have large items that cannot be transported to the Diocesan Center at Talbot Hall, or St. Michael's, Bon Air before March 2 (ie, baptismal fonts, altars, etc.).

If you have liturgical items to donate (vestments, hangings, prayer books, candlesticks, etc.) and would like to arrange for delivery or pick up, please contact The Rev. Canon Jeunée Godsey at Jgodsey@diosova.org or 434-603-1782.