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. James', Cartersville  

Almighty God, Creator and Sustainer of all that is, we give you thanks for life and health and most especially for the community of St. James' in Cartersville. We ask that you keep us aware of the pain of humankind: poverty, illness and especially racial and religious divides which result in violence toward our brothers and sisters in the world. We ask that you strengthen our resolve and empower us to do whatever we are able to bring about healing, both at home and in the world; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.   

Glebe, Suffolk  

Almighty God, you order all things in Creation, provide your people a plentiful harvest of good will, that being in love and charity with all our neighbors we may boldly proclaim your name as we seek justice and peace where there is strife and rancor, and guide us to become a beacon of hope for those who are lost in our world. All this we ask for the sake of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. 

Help Mission of the Holy Spirit send children back to school with the tools they need

The Mission of the Holy Spirit, Norfolk, needs school supplies and backpacks to help about 50 students go back-to-school in September. Please bring supplies to the Mission at St. Stephen's, 1445 Norview Avenue, Norfolk before the end of August. The office is open Monday through Wednesday, 9 to 3 (but call first to make sure someone is there: 757-858-0010), or you may drop them off on Sunday afternoons from 2 to 5 pm. Thank you for supporting the Mission, and God bless you!

Thank you for your support of Episcopal Relief & Development!

By The Very Rev. Dr. Keith Emerson, Diocesan Coordinator to Episcopal Relief & Development   

Allow me to express my thanks to the following parishes and organizations that contributed to Episcopal Relief & Development between April and June of 2015. During this period congregations and groups from Southern Virginia made more contributions than any other diocese in Province III ! All told, 233 gifts were made by congregations, groups, and individuals from our diocese totaling $47,094.27. Thank you for your incredible, on-going support of this outstanding ministry.  

Undesignated Gifts

$200.00 - St. John's, Hopewell
$259.53 - St. Stephen's, Newport News
$1,000.00 - Old Donation, Virginia Beach
$855.08 - Emmanuel, Hampton
$74.21 - Christ and Grace, Petersburg
$357.16 - St. Michael's, Colonial Heights
$109.85 - Christ Church, Amelia
$520.13 - St. Paul's, Petersburg
$526.91 - Holy Apostles, Virginia Beach
$75.00 - Good Shepherd, McKenney
$790.37 - All Saints', Virginia Beach
$600.00 - St. Simon by-the-Sea, Sandbridge
$437.00 - Emmanuel, Hampton
$2,005.33 - St. Andrew's, Newport News

Disaster Relief

$810.00 - Christ Church, Smithfield

Nepal Earthquake Relief

$60.00 - Our Savior, Midlothian

$2,091.00 - Grace Church Women, Yorktown

$437.50 - Holy Apostles, Virginia Beach

$472.70 - St. Martin's, Williamsburg

$40.00 - Old Donation, Virginia Beach

$1,000.00 - St. John's, Hampton

$1,000.00 - St. Mark's, Hampton

$5,000.00 - Bruton Parish, Williamsburg

$510.00 - St. Aidan's, Virginia Beach

$50.00 - St. Cecelia Guild, Eastville

$294.00 - Merchants Hope, Prince George

$1,000.00 - All Saints', Virginia Beach

$142.50 - St. Aidan's, Virginia Beach

$570.00 - St. George's, Newport News

$200.00 - Christ Church, Smithfield

$316.00 - St. Mark's, Hampton

Multiple Funds

$435.00 - St. John's, Hopewell

$100.00 - Eastern Shore Chapel, Virginia Beach

Boomer Church: New models for ministry with older adults

September 16, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Mark's, Richmond

We are an aging nation. Currently 13% of Americans are 65 or older and by 2030 this number will double. The leading edge of the Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) have marked their 65th birthday, and every day another 8,000 or so turns 65. These "young old" adults will redefine retirement as they have redefined social norms at every stage of their lives. The church needs to be ready to engage and - perhaps, re-engage with this vibrant adult group.

We are an aging church. The good news is that aging is changing. Despite the disease and disability focus of many aging programs, only 5% of adults 65 and older reside in nursing homes - the majority live independently in the community.

Knowing this, it is all the more critical to re-shape our ministry with older adults. To persist in a passive adult ministry model will drive the Boomers away as it does not meet their needs, abilities, and most importantly desire to contribute in tangible ways to the broader social good. The church has a chance, perhaps a second chance to capture the imagination and energy of this idealistic and socially motivated group of older adults.

St. Mark's, Richmond, invites you to join them on Wednesday, Sept. 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a seminar designed to impart information on optimal aging and the spirituality of older adults coupled with practical ministry ideas and tools to take home to your congregation. Presenters: Dr. Ayn E. Welleford, Chair, VCU Dept. of Gerontology; Ms. Dorothy Linthicum, Program Coordinator, Virginia Theological Seminary Center for the Ministry of Teaching, and the Rev. Dr. Melissa Fallen, Baptist Theological Seminary of Richmond.Cost is $10 (covers lunch). RSVP to Malinda Collier, dre@stmarksrva.org by September 9. St. Mark's Episcopal Church is located at 520 N. Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23220. 

Clergy transitions

The Rev. Margery Howell resigned from St. Christopher's, Portsmouth, 6/28/2015

The Rev. Bob Gay retired from Bruton Parish, Williamsburg, 7/19/2015

The Rev. Earnest Graham will leave Hickory Neck, Toano, to accept a call to Diocese of North Carolina, 8/31/2015

The Rev. Shirley Smith Graham will leave St. Martin's, Williamsburg, to accept a call in Diocese of Virginia, 8/30/15

The Rev. Michael Stone will retire from Manakin, Midlothian, 11/1/2015  

Installation of the 27th Presiding Bishop on November 1 will be webcast live

The Holy Eucharist with the Installation of the 27th Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, Bishop Michael Bruce Curry, will occur on Sunday, November 1 at noon at Washington National Cathedral.

The Rt. Rev. Michael Bruce Curry, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, was elected and confirmed as the 27th Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church at the 78th General Convention on June 27. According to the Canons of The Episcopal Church, he becomes Presiding Bishop on November 1. Bishop Curry is the first African-American to be elected Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church.

The Holy Eucharist with the Installation of the 27th Presiding Bishop will be live webcast. The service will be reflective of the comprehensiveness of the Episcopal tradition and community. Bishop Curry will preach at the service.  

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. Andrew's, Newport News 

Almighty God, we ask for your steadfast guidance as St. Andrew's church seeks a new rector. Give us discerning hearts and open minds. Inspire us to carry out our mission knowing that we are supported by prayer and love. Unite us as a parish during our journey together and encourage every voice to be heard in this time of transition. lead us to that person who is called to minister to our church and day school as we go forward to spread the word of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.  

St. Luke's, Powhatan  

Loving God, you call us to spread your kingdom through praying, serving, healing and teaching, send you Holy Spirit to fill us now that we might be your healing hands and feet, drawing all people to a saving knowledge and love of you, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.