Digital organ available for donation

1993 Wurlitzer classical digital organ (manufactured by Viscount) available free to a church that will use it.  It is self-contained and meets AGO-standards with a baroque specification, and sounds quite good for it's age.  It is early digitally sampled pipe sound, not computerized, and includes adjustable digital reverberation.  The internal speakers are enough to easily fill a medium-size room, and this instrument formerly served a Methodist church on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  The computer board was recently replaced by a Viscount-authorized technician, so the instrument works without any problems and has plenty of life left in it. The organ is located at a residence on Roanoke Island, North Carolina as is/where is, however delivery might be able to be arranged.
 
Anyone interested in accepting this charitable contribution should contact: Christopher Rusk, Organist & Choirmaster, St. John's Episcopal Church, Portsmouth, Virginia. 757-777-6939.

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. John's, Portsmouth

God our Father, you see the children of our world growing up in an unsteady and confusing age: Bless our parish efforts to "move into the neighborhood" as we intentionally advertise the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd atria to our local community and financially and prayerfully support the development of the "Who are you, Jesus?" app for young, English-speaking children throughout the world. Through your grace, may our efforts draw a new generation to hear and follow the Good Shepherd who calls us each by name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Trinity, South Hill

Most heavenly Father, the giver of life we come to you asking you for guidance and direction. We ask you for a life pleasing in your sight that we may live a life worthy of your calling bearing fruits and growing in knowledge and wisdom. Father, we ask you for the coming year to show us the fruits of the spirits, love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We pray that our vestry show these fruits and that they handle business in these godly manners while handling the affairs of the church. We pray that the outreach committee bridge the gap in our community that enables us all to come together as children of God. Lord, we ask that the advisor of the youth group, instill godly leadership values in our young boys and girls that they may be able to give back as adults. We pray for their safety and that they make good and wise decisions. Father, touch our hospitality committee that they may serve with unconditional love and support for church organizations. Father help us in our stewardship to be responsible, godly people and good steward of what we have been entrusted to do. We pray that you open up our understanding and increase our wisdom. We pray that the altar guild committee train our acolytes in serving with all the fruits of the spirit that they will be seen in them at all times. We pray that they understand the important of the service they are providing for our church family. Father we ask, that home comers will return to their roots in person, in finance and in love. For those who have moved away that, we pray they will feel the love of returning home. We pray for those who have sinned, be restored that they return and be welcomed just like the prodigal son returned home. We pray for our Trinity Church Sunday is a spiritual success. Trinity church began when three churches combined: St. John, St. Matthew and St. Mary, meaning three in one. We pray that we continue to remember our foundation and the faith on which we stand. We pray that our building and grounds and cemetery committees keep our property beautified and in good working condition. Lord we ask that our Christian education meets the needs of the parishioners and guide us into all truths that we may live by your word. We pray that we grow in unity, love and our membership increase. Father we thank you. Through Jesus Christ our lord, who lives and reign with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and for ever. Amen.

Bikes and ice cream on a hot summer night

Twelve members of the Colonial Heights Rotary Club traveled to Jackson-Feild August 22 to deliver 16 brand new bicycles. With help from several of our residents the Rotarians worked tirelessly in the hot sun assembling all the bicycles. The bikes are Road Master bicycles with large tires which are needed to ride the gravel roads around the Jackson-Feild Campus.

The funds to purchase the bicycles were provided by a grant from Rotary District 7600. Local Rotary Clubs can request grant funding for needs within their communities. A grants committee within the District must approve all grant requests.

After the bikes were assembled residents, guests and staff gathered in Robinson Gym for an old-fashion ice cream social. The Rotarians provided ice cream and all the toppings which brought smiles to the faces of residents. Everyone had a great time.

Rotary International is an organization consisting of 34,282 service clubs with 1,200,000 members world-wide. Colonial Heights Rotary is one of 62 Rotary Clubs in Rotary District 7600. Their club members embody the Rotary motto of "Service Above Self".

Upcoming Cursillo Weekends

Cursillo is defined as a movement within the Episcopal Church designed to help us grow closer to Jesus Christ. For more information and application go to www.cursillodsv.org.    

Cursillo Co-Ed Weekend - October 15-18, 2015,  Chanco on the James. Rector: Richard Toll

Cursillo Men's Weekend - April 14-17, 2016, Chanco on the James. Rector: Joe Jerauld

Cursillo Women's Weekend - April 28-May 1, 2016, Chanco on the James. Rector: Debbie Hazzard

Addictions & Recovery: First Fridays Recovery Eucharist; Sundays@7

The next First Fridays Recovery Eucharist will be on August 7 at 5:30 p.m. at Bruton Parish, Williamsburg.  Hosted by SpiritWorks Foundation, First Fridays is a service with readings and prayers related to the theme of recovery and is particularly appropriate for individuals and families healing from addiction, co-dependence, mental illness, trauma, and abuse.  Our preacher and presider this month is the Rev. Lauren McDonald.  All are welcome to join us as we pray for healing and wholeness in the candlelit sanctuary of Bruton Parish.  Parking is available on Duke of Gloucester Street during the service.  For more information contact Lauren at 757-903-0000.

The Center for Spiritual Recovery, a SpiritWorks Foundation Community, continues to host Sundays@7 this summer.  The purpose of Sundays@7 is to gather to bear witness to the disease of addiction in all its forms, to pray for healing and reconciliation, and to celebrate the joy of recovery.  The service includes prayers, singing, drumming, silence, and scripture and recovery readings.  Homemade ice cream follows during the fellowship time.  All are welcome to join this intentional community as we pray for healing from addiction.  The service will continue every Sunday evening until August 30 at 7 pm at the SpiritWorks Pavilion at 5800 Mooretown Rd. in Williamsburg.  (We meet inside if there are heat advisories or storms!)  Please contact the Rev. Lauren McDonald at 757-903-0000 for more information. 

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.