Register now for Fall Camp at Shrine Mont!

Fall Camp is an annual event hosted by the Tri-Diocesan Council on Aging. This year's camp will be Oct. 26-29 at Shrine Mont, Orkney Springs, VA. Fall Camp is an opportunity to spend time in the mountains of Virginia with other seniors (but we don't have an age limit) from across the Commonwealth and from other states. The Camp takes seriously the spiritual needs and journeys of primarily retired people, and challenges participants through keynote speakers, workshops, worship and interaction with one another. Click here for this year's Fall Camp brochure and workshop listing.

Only one Safe Church classroom training remaining this year

Are you a new vestry member? Then be sure to enroll in Safe Church Training, if you haven't already done so. Our final Safe Church classroom training will be held Sept. 19 at St. Cyprian's, Hampton. Click here for more information and registration. Registration deadline is Sept. 11.

All recommended Safe Church courses can be taken online as well. Click here to learn more. Current policy requires re-certification every three years.

YASC Missionary Andy Russell blogging from Tanzania

Twenty-seven young adults representing 21 Episcopal Church dioceses are serving as missionaries in the Young Adult Service Corps (YASC) for the 2015-2016 term in locales throughout the Anglican Communion. Andy Russell, from Bruton Parish, Williamsburg, is serving in the Diocese of Central Tanganyika, Tanzania. Andy is in Dodoma, Tanzania with The Carpenter's Kids program, which provides education to children who have lost one or both parents to HIV/AIDS. There are an estimated 40,000 of these orphans within the diocese. He's sharing his experiences via his blog, Looking Out, Looking In. You can read his latest post, a visit to the diocesan vocational school, here.

News from the Diocesan ECW

The quarterly ECW Grapevine is here! If you have news you would like included in the next issue, or would like to be added to the email list, contact Nancy Smith, nsmithwtr@aol.com. Deadline for the next issue is Oct. 31 for distribution in November. This issue includes:

• President's Letter from Nancy Sands, Diocesan ECW President
• October is UTO Ingathering Month
• October 17: Diocesan ECW Fall Annual Meeting
• God Bless the Children wish list ingathering
• Program: American Cancer Society - Bring a scarf as a gift for a cancer survivor.
• Rt. Rev. Michael Curry Says "Love Wins"
• Women-to-Women Update

Registration for October Weekend is open!

October Weekend 2015: We are all God's Children... so what about equality?

October 2-4 at Chanco on the James

A special event sponsored by the Episcopal Youth Community Board. Open to all youth in grades 8 through 12 and their adult advisors. Visit Camp Chanco on the James River for a weekend in the woods with teens from all over our diocese! October Weekend is an annual event planned by teens, for teens. It always features great music, meaningful small group discussions, socials and games, a dance, and really incredible worship experiences. Come experience the presence of God in community! Click here for more information and registration.

Young Adult Pilgrimage to Ferguson, MO to focus on racial reconciliation and justice

Young adults 18 to 30 years old are invited to apply for a Young Adult Pilgrimage to Ferguson, MO on October 8 - 12 sponsored by the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society. The primary focus of the Young Adult Pilgrimage to Ferguson is to learn to engage in racial justice and reconciliation in a locale that has experienced significant racial tensions since the 2014 shooting of Michael Brown.

The innovative event is coordinated and presented by the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society through its Offices of Racial Reconciliation and Young Adult and Campus Ministry. The event is co-sponsored with the Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE) and co-hosted by the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri.

Among the events slated for the Pilgrimage are a visit to the location where Michael Brown died; engagement with local clergy and community leaders who have addressed justice and reconciliation in the aftermath of protests; innovative workshops; and spirit-filled community worship. In order to continue the process of racial reconciliation, participants are expected to undertake a project in their community that demonstrates engagement on issues of racial justice and reconciliation. Part of the application process is for the applicant to present a proposal for a community project.

Application deadline is September 11.  Applications and more information are available here. Space is limited. Applicants must be nominated by an adult from their communities or dioceses, such as a priest, bishop, supervisor, etc. Scholarships are available.   

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.

Holy Trinity, Onancock   

O gracious God, creator of everything we understand and of all sacred mystery, help us to hear your call and see your presence in all creation. Inspire and empower the ministry of Holy Trinity to share your love, compassion and grace throughout the community. This we ask through Jesus Christ, our guide, who lives and reigns with you in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 

Good Shepherd, Richmond 

Dear Lord, we pray that all in God's creation acknowledge and glorify you as the one true God and we especially pray for those who have yet to have the opportunity hear and receive your Word - whether here or abroad - so that they may acknowledge that with you we have all and without you we have nothing; all this we pray in the name of the Good Shepherd of all, Jesus. Amen.