General Convention 2015 Summary of Actions available

A Summary of Actions of the 78th General Convention is now available online at the General Convention website here. A Summary of Actions of the 78th General Convention presents the results of resolutions and other matters from the 78th General Convention of The Episcopal Church, and is available for free download. Additionally, the Summary of Actions lists the membership of the Executive Council and other bodies elected and appointed at General Convention 2015.

The 78th General Convention of The Episcopal Church was held June 25 - July 3, in Salt Lake City, UT (Diocese of Utah). The Episcopal Church's General Convention is held every three years, and is the bicameral governing body of the Church. It comprises the House of Bishops, with upwards of 200 active and retired bishops, and the House of Deputies, with clergy and lay deputies elected from the 108 dioceses and three regional areas of the Church, at more than 800 members.

Bishop Jay Magness to retire in 2017

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has announced the upcoming retirement of Bishop James "Jay" Magness, the Sixth Bishop Suffragan for Armed Services and Federal Ministries of The Episcopal Church. Bishop Magness has served in this position since June 2010. Prior to that, he served as Canon to the Ordinary here in Southern Virginia.

"Bishop Magness has brought a new level of clarity, effectiveness, and responsiveness to the office, and has increased recruitment and raised awareness of the ministry of federal chaplains around The Episcopal Church," Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori said. "He will be difficult to replace, and I am grateful this careful process of seeking a successor has begun."

"While continuing to enjoy good health and the thorough satisfaction of this ministry, I am keenly aware that I am approaching the age of mandatory retirement," Bishop Magness commented. "It has been a privilege to have served as the Sixth Bishop Suffragan for the Armed Services and Federal Ministries, and an honor to serve our chaplains and their families.  As we move into a promising future I am confident that our church will choose a wise leader as our Seventh Bishop Suffragan for the Armed Services and Federal Ministries."

Ridley Foundation awards over $131,000 in scholarships and grants for 2015-2016

The Ridley Foundation Board awarded scholarships totaling $131,250 to 50 students from the Diocese of Southern Virginia and Southampton County for the 2015-2016 academic year. The Board also awarded grants of $10,000 each to: Jackson-Feild Homes and Mission of the Holy Spirit.

Click here for a list of the recipients of Ridley Foundation Scholarships this year.  

Part-time financial assistant needed at Diocesan office

Brenda Anderson, the part-time financial assistant at the Diocesan office, will be leaving for a full-time position at Galilee, Virginia Beach. The diocesan staff has enjoyed working with Brenda and is grateful for her excellent work. We will miss her greatly, but we are very pleased that she will be joining the staff at Galilee. And Brenda, who lives in Virginia Beach, will be very pleased with her much shorter commute to work!

 

With Brenda's departure, the Diocese is seeking a part-time financial assistant. Hours are varied, 15 hr. per week - A/P, A/R, P/R, P/R taxes, other miscellaneous duties. Qualified candidates must have bookkeeping and payroll experience; proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word, and some flexibility with work schedule.

For more information about this and other positions available, go to the Employment Opportunities page of our website.

Safe Church tip of the month: Transportation monitoring

Your organization may take field trips once or many times a year. The easiest way to maintain supervision while on the bus is to position staff member throughout the vehicle, in the front, middle and back. Never count the driver as one of the supervisors and never let the driver be the only one in the vehicle with youth.

Safe Church training is available online and in a classroom setting. Upcoming classroom trainings are Sep. 12 in Suffolk and Sep. 19 in Hampton. Click here for more information and registration for classroom and online training. 

You're invited! Boys Home to celebrate Donnie Wheatley's 30 years of service

Boys Home of Virginia will be holding a luncheon celebration for Donnie Wheatley's thirty years of service on September 11, at 1 p.m. Read more here.

Tri Diocesan Council on Aging will hold Fall Camp Oct. 26-29 at Shrine Mont

The Tri Diocesan Council on Aging will hold their annual Fall Camp Oct. 26-29 at Shrine Mont in Orkney Springs, VA. Fall Camp is an opportunity to spend time in the mountains of Virginia with other seniors (but there is no an age limit) from across the Commonwealth and from other states.  The Camp is an attempt to take seriously the spiritual needs and journeys of primarily retired people. Fall Camp attempts to challenge participants through keynote speakers, workshops, worship and interaction with one another. Click here for more information.