Jackson-Feild annual fishing outing lures young anglers

On June 12, thirty-two residents and staff left campus bright and early to travel to Smithfield for a day of fishing. For many it was the first time they held a rod and reel in their hands, baited a hook and cast a line. Residents headed to their special fishing hole, and volunteers retrieved lines of out the trees and tall grass. When asked, they even removed the catch from the lines of squeamish fishers.

This annual fishing trip is a day that the boys and girls always enjoy, but "Hannah" was most the excited of them all. She landed the biggest fish of the day!

Don Lancaster, host of the radio show Fishing Tidewater, conducted a quick "Fishing 101" giving the boys and girls the benefit of his vast fishing knowledge. Old Point National Bank, longtime host of this event, provided the rods, reels, bait and tackle in addition to underwriting the cost of a cookout.

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.

Good Shepherd, McKenney

Gracious God, you have blessed our parish all these years. We ask your continued blessing and for your guidance in the coming year as we reach out and invite others, especially the young people around us, to join in worship each week and to become a part of our Christian community. We ask this through the Lord Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

St. Thomas', Chesapeake

O God, who wonderfully created and yet more graciously gives care humanity over your creation: grant St. Thomas Episcopal Church the power to endeavor to strengthen our stewardship of your church; so that we may improve our ministries to those who are new among us, in need, and the young, all of this we ask in the name of your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

VTS opens Center for Liturgy and Music

Virginia Theological Seminary announces the opening of the Center for Liturgy and Music (CLM) at VTS. The Center exists to serve clergy and musicians by helping them to discover resources and to develop skills in liturgy, music and preaching.

"The future of the Episcopal Church in the U.S. depends on high quality liturgical and musical experience," said the Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D., dean and president of Virginia Theological Seminary. "Whether it's a big church or a small church, liturgy and music need to be done with care and attention. As a service to congregations, we are now offering a consultancy service and rich website resources to support liturgical and musical excellence."

The Center will provide information, instruction and inspiration that will create the desire in leaders to grow beyond their current capacity via:

*    A website providing quick access to resources (www.liturgyandmusic.com)
*    A "Dear Ambrose" column for questions
*    An electronic newsletter
*    Conferences and workshops in the field and on-site
*    Consultations with parishes either in person or via Skype
*    Links with other groups who seek to enhance music and liturgy, i.e. the Leadership Program for Musicians, North American Academy of Liturgy, the Mentoring Program of the Association of Anglican Musicians, Episcopal Preaching Foundation
*    Distance learning in partnership with the Leadership Program for Musicians
*    Presentations at diocesan conventions or other diocesan gatherings
*    Exposure to models of effective music and liturgy in diverse styles and languages
*    Master classes in preaching

For more information about the Center's offerings, please contact Ellen Johnston, program coordinator for the Center of Liturgy and Music, by phone at 703-461-1792 or by email at clm@vts.edu.

Jackson-Feild Homes' Gwaltney School holds its 18th commencement excercises

On June 5, three students at the Edna Hayden Gwaltney School received their high school diploma, and one received his GED certificate. Six students received their ServSafe food certificate and two their food occupation certificate of completion.

Dr. Bill Bowling, Director of Education, presided over the ceremony at the Golden Leaf Commons at the Southside Virginia Community College Emporia Campus. Mrs. Angela M. Carter was the commencement speaker.

Angela M. Carter, born and raised in Alberta, VA, is the author of a full-length poetry collection, Memory Chose a Woman's Body, a poetic journey and memoir that spotlights the effects of abuse, neglect and depression. An advocate of the healing ability of the arts, Mrs. Carter is a 2014 Pushcart Prize nominee, a nominee for the 2015 Virginia Library Literacy Award (poetry), a motivational speaker, an arts advocate, a painter and a photographer. Mrs. Carter lives in Harrisonburg with her husband, two children and a collection of pets.

Mrs. Carter - herself a victim of child abuse - shared her life story and spoke of her continuing struggle with mental illness. She urged the graduates to know that they are not alone in their daily struggles, and that they can make a difference in their lives. "Each new day is a new beginning. Don't give up. Don't convince yourself that you do not matter. And don't convince yourself that you cannot become the person you want to be, if you want to become someone new."

Over the last eighteen years, 149 students have graduated from the Gwaltney School with either a diploma or GED certificate. Each year, in honor and recognition of the student's work, an anonymous donor has provided a bouquet of roses for each girl, a wallet for each boy, and a gift card for each graduate.  

The Diocesan office has moved!

Movers spent two days loading and moving the Diocesan office to its new location in Newport News' City Center. Everything from desks and copy paper to Communion silver and bishops' portraits made the trip. The movers unloaded the last boxes at the new office yesterday afternoon, and staff are starting to unpack and settle in. Unfortunately our internet and phone system will not be installed until the end of the week. You can still reach Diocesan staff via email, which they are accessing with mobile devices for the time being.

Once we are settled, we look forward to hosting an open house for our Diocesan family. Watch for your invitation!

Ordination to the Sacred Order of Deacons

On June 6, at Bruton Parish, Williamsburg, Bishop Hollerith ordained Tyler Montgomery and Mark Riley to the Sacred Order of Deacons. Click here for pictures from the service. 

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.