Call to Action: Healthcare as a Moral Imperative

Today, nearly 400,000 Virginians all across the across the Commonwealth are unable to access affordable health insurance, while their neighbors across the border in Kentucky, Maryland, West Virginia and Washington, DC can.

Virginia Wesleyan College invites you to join them for A Call to Action: Healthcare as Moral Imperative on October 8 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in the Blocker Hall auditorium on the VWC campus. The event include screening of a film about the work of Remote Area Medical, an organization that provides medical and dental care in Appalachia and other underserved communities, followed by stories from local residents impacted by the health insurance coverage gap. A panel discussion with representatives from the Catholic, Jewish, Muslim & Protestant faith traditions, and an opportunity for questions and a call to action, will conclude the evening. Our panel will articulate how each faith tradition makes healthcare access a moral imperative. We will end with a Call to Action, inviting you to act on behalf of your neighbors throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia who are currently unable to access adequate healthcare.

This event is free. Click here to register.  

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.

Trinity, Gretna
Lord, raise up in your church more leaders after your own heart to guide us with courage and wisdom. Give your church joy in spirit, and guide us in your ministry. Grant us your peace. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Emmanuel, Jenkins Bridge
O Lord, the giver of all good things. We give you thanks for your many blessings you have showered upon Emmanuel Church. That we, in turn, have been able to be a blessing to our parish and its community. We ask that you bless us with your continuous grace in this coming year. May prosperity of faith and spirit enrich our church members and leadership. That we may be a blessing to others this coming year. This we ask in Christ's name. Amen.

Ticket information for Nov. 1 Presiding Bishop installation service at National Cathedral

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

Saturday, October 31
All are invited to join a Vigil Celebration and Eucharist, sponsored by the Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE) in honor of the 27th Presiding Bishop on Saturday, October 31 at 11 am Eastern at the Armory, 2001 E. Capital St. SE in Washington, DC. The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society will sponsor a live webcast of the Vigil Celebration at www.episcopalchurch.org.

Additional information is available here. Ticket applications for the October 31 event are available here.

Sunday, November 1
The Holy Eucharist with the Installation of the 27th Presiding Bishop will occur on Sunday, November 1 at noon Eastern at Washington National Cathedral. The Holy Eucharist with the Installation of the 27th Presiding Bishop will be live webcast available here.

Applications for tickets for available seating for the November 1 event at Washington National Cathedral will be distributed by lottery. "This selection process was adopted as the fairest way to distribute tickets to the general public, noted the Rev. Canon Michael Barlowe, chair of the Transition Committee. "Demand for tickets far exceeds the capacity of Washington National Cathedral."

Please note:
* Only one ticket per person, and each person must fill out a form here.
* There is no charge for a ticket.
* Applications will be accepted until 5 pm Eastern on Monday, September 21.
* Selections will be conducted by random drawing.
* Those allocated tickets will be notified on September 22, with further information.

Presiding Bishop's statement on refugees; ways congregations and individuals can respond to the crisis

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has issued this statement on the current worldwide refugee crisis:

"The children of Abraham have ever been reminded to care for the widow and orphan and the sojourner in their midst, who were the refugees and homeless of the time. Jesus charged his followers to care for the least of these and proclaim the near presence of the Reign of God - in other words, feed the hungry, water the thirsty, house the homeless, heal the sick, and liberate the captives. We cannot ignore the massive human suffering in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, nor in Asia and the Americas. We are our brothers' and sisters' keepers, and our lives are bound up with theirs. The churchwide ministry of Episcopalians has included refugee resettlement since the refugee crisis of World War II.  It continues today through the leadership of Episcopal Migration Ministries, and I urge your involvement, action, and support. Read about their work below, and share these opportunities with friends and co-workers. You will discover anew the power of good news in the face of the world's tragedies."

The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori
Presiding Bishop and Primate, The Episcopal Church

Responding to the crisis

The Syrian Civil War, now in its fourth year, has unleashed a humanitarian emergency in which severe war crimes - including indiscriminate massacres, persecution of religious and ethnic minorities, sexual and gender-based violence, and other humanitarian abuses - have become widespread. According to a recent UN report, more than 4 million people (through the end of 2014) have fled their homes to escape the war in Syria, adding to a worldwide total of nearly 20 million refugees, half of whom are children. This is the largest and most widespread refugee crisis the world has known since World War II. While record numbers of people are being forced to flee, powerful images of refugees fleeing Syria are compelling the world to action.

Click here for resources and suggestions on how congregations and individuals can respond to the crisis, including:

• Prayer for Syria
• Episcopal Migration Ministries
• Episcopal Public Policy Network
• UNHCR toolkit for teaching young people about migration and refugees

Treasurer & Administrator Lunches in Virginia Beach and Newport News

The next Treasurer and Administrator Lunch will be held at Old Donation, 4449 N. Witchduck Road, Virginia Beach on Thursday, September 24 from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m.After a break for the summer, our monthly lunch gatherings are back! This is a wonderful opportunity to meet with other parish administrators and treasurers to talk about common issues. Bring your own lunch; beverages will be provided. There's no agenda for this gathering - just an opportunity to get together, share, encourage, support, and ask questions. RSVP to Nancy James,  njames@diosova.org. 

The next Treasurer and Administrator Lunch will be held at the Diocesan Office, 11827 Canon Blvd., Suite 101, Newport News, on Thursday, Oct. 22 from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. RSVP to Nancy James, njames@diosova.org.

New issue of Diocesan Connection newsletter available online

The July-September issue of the Diocesan Connection newsletter is now available. The newsletter offers a digest of stories from our weekly Parish News and Diocesan eNews. Please print and share a copy with church members who do not have email, post a copy on a bulletin board or in your narthex.  

 

This issue includes:

• Bishop Hollerith's report on the 78th General Convention of the Episcopal Church
• Dos Santos ministry on the Eastern Shore
• Seeds of Hope Grants help churches develop and expand social justice ministries
• Jonathan Daniels Pilgrimage
• United Thank Offering distributes over $1 million in grants

You can also download the Diocesan Connection from the News & Publications page of our website.

Learn more about how Women to Women is serving the Congo and how you can help

Women to Women serves the women in the Congo Church who are making a huge difference caring for their victimized sisters. Known as the 'worst place on earth to be a woman,' D. R. Congo has known war brought on by 20-30 militias, especially in the east where the Province has 5 of its 9 dioceses. The decimation of families and villages has been a weapon of war for close to 20 years.

Women to Women raises money to help the Mothers' Union teach catering, tailoring, literacy, and support small enterprises through micro-loans. Our group (not limited to women) will kick off the year on Monday, September 14 at 7:00 p.m. at 1323 Lafayette Blvd., #1. Please join us! Call Susan Broaddus at 757-623-0205 for directions or more information.