Seeds of Hope Grants deadline extended to August 15

Seeds of Hope grants of up to $2500 are available to congregations and diocesan groups to begin or expand for social and economic justice causes. In the past, the grants have helped fund a variety of ministries across the diocese such as launching food pantries, providing programming for seniors, creating empowerment, health, and educational activities for inner-city and rural youth, job training programs, and many more. The August 1 deadline for 2015 has been extended to Aug. 15. Grants will be awarded in September. Applications and more information can be found here. Contact The Rev. Canon Jeunée Godsey for more information, 434-603-1782 or JGodsey@diosova.org.

A season of bread

Over the next few Sundays, the Lectionary readings from the Gospel of John will focus on Jesus' miraculous feeding of the multitude and what it means that he is the "Bread of Life." This "Season of Bread" coincides with a time when local food banks are starved for donations. With people away for the summer, food drives tend to screech to a halt. Perhaps your congregation might consider collecting non-perishable food items during the month of August and donating them to a nearby food bank. Let's make this a "Season of Bread" that gives food to the hungry while feeding us spiritually.

2016 Camp Chanco Dates with a "Do it Now" discount for all registrations by Labor Day!

The Chanco Board of Directors has set the dates and rates for 2016 with a special promotion this year!  Register for 2016 by Labor Day and lock in to our 2015 rates!  Registration is currently available via paper forms at www.chanco.org or call 888-7CHANCO to register. Plan early for next year's fantastic Chanco experience and save a few dollars at the same time!  

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.

Manakin, Midlothian

Almighty God, who has promised to hear those who reach out to you, we ask your blessings on and guidance for Manakin Parish as it prepares to say goodbye to its spiritual leader and enter a process of discerning your will for its future growth. Raise up among your people wise leaders prepared to seek out and implement your plans for your church. Dear Lord, we also pray that you will bless those who lead and those who prepare to serve in Stephen Ministry beginning at Manakin Episcopal Church; enable them to provide care and support to those who are hurting and need your help. May they be mindful of your command to love one another as they are loved by you. These things we ask through Jesus Christ our lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen

Emmanuel, Cape Charles

Dear Lord God, Creator of us all, we thank You for your ongoing guidance and the unconditional love Your Holy Spirit moves us to express for each other and the world.  We ask that, just as Your beloved Son Jesus began his powerful ministry among small groups, You empower us within our small community to minister to those in need, and transform our small parish into an outsized force for blessings within Cape Charles and the larger world. In the coming year, we ask that you guide those seeking to help others to our doors to join us. We pray You increase our awareness of the gifts we each have to share, and that You lay before us those in need with whom we may share them, most particularly the hungry and elderly.We humbly ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Center for Sacred Music at Virginia Wesleyan College hosts hymn festival

The Center for Sacred Music at Virginia Wesleyan College will host a hymn festival, "Let Heavenly Music Fill This Place," on Thursday, July 30, at 7:30pm at First Presbyterian Church, 300 36th Street, Virginia Beach. 

Co-sponsored with the Tidewater Chapter of the American Organists Guild, it features organists Dr. Martin Sunderland  (Eastern Shore Chapel, Virginia Beach), Aaron Renninger (St. Bede's Catholic Church, Williamsburg), Holly Sunderland (St. Michael Lutheran, Virginia Beach),  Carina Sturdy (North Carolina School of the Arts), and Dr. Antoinette Anglin (First Presbyterian, Virginia Beach), with the Wesleyan Festival Brass, and the combined choirs of Eastern Shore Chapel Episcopal Church, St. Michael Lutheran Church, and First Presbyterian Church, along with FPC's Handbell Choir.

Hymn festivals celebrate and promote congregational singing and include preludes based on hymn tunes, with introductions followed by an opportunity for the congregation to sing the hymn.   In addition, the combined choirs will lead in several "concertatos" which are anthems for choir, congregation, brass and bells.

All are welcome to this great evening of singing which is offered as part of Virginia Wesleyan's week-long "2015 Worship & Music Conference."   Donations will be accepted to support the work of both the CSM and the AGO chapter. For further details, call 757-455-3376.  For further details on the conference, see www.vwc.edu/csmsummer.

Governor McAuliffe signs proclamation noting Jackson-Feild's 160th anniversary

Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe authorized and signed a proclamation noting Jackson-Feild's 160th anniversary. Presented to President and CEO Tricia Delano by Mrs. Sharron Kitchen Miller (wife of Virginia Senator John Miller), this official document recognizes our longevity and success.

Gubernatorial proclamations are issued in order to call to the attention of Virginians the special honors, milestones and events, and to create awareness of the good works done by the recipients.

We are pleased and proud to receive this proclamation commemorating our 160th anniversary, and we look forward to continuing our excellent service to children with behavioral health issues.  

Bishop Hollerith's report on General Convention

Click here for Bishop Hollerith's report on the 78th General Convention of the Episcopal Church. His report is also available on our website.