Godly Play training: The basics and beyond

July 11, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Trinity, Portsmouth

Learning about God is an essential part of religious education, but Godly Play also emphasizes the spiritual formation of children and the adults who work with them. In those moments of crisis that all of us inevitably face, a sense of God's presence can sustain us and carry us through. At this day-long workshop, you can learn - or refresh your enthusiasm for the basics of Godly Play - and experience time-tested approaches to classroom enrichment from veteran Godly Play trainer Kathleen Capcara.

In the morning, participants will experience a full Godly Play session with an opportunity to learn about time, sacred space and classroom management techniques. Included will be ideas about ways students of all ages can use the Godly Play approach. The afternoon will concentrate on helping each participant leave the workshop with the skills and confidence to present a Godly Play lesson. Click here to register.

Clergy transitions

The Rev. Tyler Montgomery will begin as Associate Rector and Canterbury Chaplain at Bruton Parish, Williamsburg, 6/8/2015

The Rev. Cherian Pulimootil will retire from Good Shepherd, McKenney, 6/28/2015

The Rev. Ashley Urquidi will begin as Assistant Rector at Old Donation, Virginia Beach, 7/1/2015 

News from Mission of the Holy Spirit

By Keith A. Josey, Lay Pastor, Mission of the Holy Spirit

I would like to take a moment to thank each of you for supporting the Mission of the Holy Spirit. Our ability to impact so many lives is made possible by your generosity. The donations we receive from individuals, churches and other organizations help wholeheartedly with building the lives of the young people we serve.

Our desire is to continue reaching out into a hurting community and offer hope by modeling the Love of God through our worship and the programs we offer.

Our worship community is growing, and we are actively searching for priest to volunteer one Sunday afternoon per month to provide a Eucharistic presence in our service. Celebrating Holy Communion one Sunday a month would be a real blessing for us.

As the school year draws to an end, it's imperative that we begin to establish a fun, safe alternative to hanging out in the neighborhood for our children and teens. Throughout this year, we have been blessed to offer educational support for our young people on Tuesday evenings and music and arts on Wednesdays. Many of the school-aged members have taken advantage of these programs and are developing academically as well as boosting their self-esteem by sharing their gifts.

"Grown and Growing" is our adult life skills support group that combines Bible study, coping skills and positive strategies for everyday life. Through this program, many adults are raising the level of functionality for themselves and their families.

You are the catalyst of this great change that is touching the lives of every member of the Mission. Your support is crucial to the continuation of our programs. With all the violence and hopelessness that is gripping the country, our presence in the community remains important to bridge gaps and break down barriers by standing together and giving, out of a true Godly love for our neighbors.

To learn more about Mission of the Holy Spirit and how you can help support their programs, contact them at info@missionoftheholyspirit.org or 757-858-0010.

Beneath the Sea of Enchantment - a night to remember at Jackson-Feild

Students created this prom photo backdrop with the help of their art teacher.

May 30 was a special evening that will be etched into the memories of the children at Jackson-Feild Homes forever. The Robinson-Withers Gym was transformed into an undersea world as residents celebrated the 2015 Prom.

The theme was Beneath the Sea of Enchantment. Students in the art program prepared the decorations that hung throughout the gym. The boys and girls were gussied up in evening gowns and tuxedos and looked great.

A great deal of hard work was done prior to the event to ensure it would be a success. Staff members met with children do discuss self-awareness and prom etiquette. Girls received had their hair and nails done by a JFH friend who performed these services at a greatly discounted cost. The DJ for the event, Craig Mangrum, is a staff member who also provided his services at a discount. The table decorations were loaned by Wootton Brothers Greenhouse. The Home's food service staff prepared all the food for the event taking a special interest in making special treats for the occasion. The Fairy Godmother program provided prom dresses, shoes and accessories for the girls. A photographer shoots prom photos for the boys and girls as a memory of this evening.

Prom is a rite of passage for most teenagers is a spring. Jackson-Feild's staff members were committed to ensuring that their children would have this special opportunity and worked hard to make it a night that the residents will cherish for a lifetime.

Historic St. Luke's presents The Role of the Church in the Early Commonwealth

Historic St. Luke's in Smithfield is proud to present the first of a two part series on religion in Colonial Virginia. Part 1, on June 13 at 7 p.m., is presented by local author and church historian Tony Williams. Mr. Williams will present on the role of the Church of England in 17th-century Virginia and will be available for selling and autographing several of his books and taking and addressing questions from guests.

Part 2 will take place in September 2015 by guest presenter Dr. Jeffry Morrison, Ph.D., a distinguished professor at Regent University and Georgetown University and the Director of Academics at the James Madison Foundation, who will discuss "Revolution in the Revolution".

Seating is limited in the Church make your reservation today. Registration is $35 for individuals or $50 for couples. Registration closes at 5 p.m. on Friday, June 12. All current members of Historic St. Luke's at the Friend level or above are welcomed as complimentary guests to this and future opportunities. If you are a member at the Friend ($100) or Patron ($150) level please call us to register or email our development coordinator Laura at ladams@historicstlukes.org. If not already a member, join us today; become a member at the Friend or Patron level, and attend this special event as a complimentary guest.

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.

St. Paul's, Petersburg

O Gracious Father, who so lavishly welcomed the prodigal son:  Increase in us the gifts of hospitality, that we may become ever more responsive to the stranger in our midst, to those who have found a spiritual home amongst us, and to all those whom you love; through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen.

Bruton Parish, Williamsburg

Loving and Eternal God, you have granted this parish the privilege of a continual presence to glorify you in our structure for three hundred years. As we honor this milestone, open our hearts to the future needs of our community and beyond, that we might be faithful witnesses to the truth of your Gospel and practitioners of our faith, for your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Advancing to General Convention 2015

Bishop Hollerith and a deputation from Diocese of Southern Virginia will head to Salt Lake City, UT, June 25 - July 3 to take part in the 78th General Convention of the Episcopal Church. Over the next few weeks, we'll be giving you some background on General Convention, explain how it works, and introduce our deputation. You can find lots of information about General Convention and follow the action in Salt Lake City on our General Convention blog and the diocesan Facebook page.  

 

General Convention goes green: 2015 to be a convention of screens

It won't be 'business as usual' for the 78th General Convention, and not just because the Church will be selecting a Presiding Bishop and considering what a 're-imagined' Church might be. "It will also be the gathering of a Church dedicated to continuing to reducing its carbon footprint, while using innovative software and technology to streamline its legislative work and improve on its efficiencies," said the Rev. Canon Michael Barlowe, Executive Officer of the General Convention.

The Joint Standing Committee on Planning and Arrangements and the General Convention Office are focusing on efforts to make GC 2015 as paperless as possible, and to reduce reliance on paper copies and improve legislative efficiencies.

The Rev. David Michaud, Diocese of Easton and advisor in the revision of legislative software and systems, calls GC 2015 a "convention of screens".  To that end, laptops, tablets, smartphones, and video monitors will be the primary media of legislative materials, and for the first time, there will be no large, dedicated print shop. This "convention of screens" will be made possible by a robust Wi-Fi system, which will be available for the first time on the floors of the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops.

Barlowe terms these efforts "the greening and screening" of General Convention, and says this "represents but two aspects of the adaptive changes that will make GC 2015 different from previous conventions."