Day of Repentance & Reconciliation is fast approaching

 Annual Council Resolution R-1 (2013) resolved that "November 2, 2014, All Souls Day, will be designated as the 'Day of Repentance and Reconciliation' in the Diocese of Southern Virginia and parishes will annually hold this observance during the octave of All Saints."

We have just shared our diocesan reconciliation service with a parish in Clay City, Kansas, as they begin a process of reconciliation. We encourage all parishes to live into R-1 and plan a meaningful service during the octave of All Saints. In the diocesan service we used a story format.  "Repentance, Reconciliation and Healing: A liturgical resource for congregations" follows the format of Holy Women, Holy Men. This booklet offers several options for readings and psalms.  

If you need further assistance or have questions, please contact Canon Caroline Black, cblack@diosova.org, or a member of the Repairers of the Breach Commission.   

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, Warfield
Heavenly Father, bless your children as they continue this path of life. Bless their feet, their hearts, and their souls. Bless all they come in contact with so they can come to know you. So, Heavenly Father, continue to grace us with your love that sustains us day to day. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Emmanuel, Franklin
Lord of all mercy and giver of good gifts, we offer up to you the concerns and needs of our church and community. We are beset by poverty, dwindling economic resources, and educational decline. Our hope is in you, Lord! Lead us into wholeness, prosperity, and renewed health. Enlarge our congregation to the glory of your name. Amen.

Lecture series: Finding Grace in Race

Finding Grace in Race is a public lecture series at Richmond Hill retreat center designed to encourage open and honest dialogue around issues of race and justice. The series begins with "Theology of Race"  with the Rev. Ben Campbell on Monday, September 28 at 7:30 p.m. This lecture will explore the theological underpinnings of race in our culture. The Rev. Ben Campbell is an Adjunct Pastor at Richmond Hill and author of Richmond's Unhealed History. The 45 minute lecture will be followed by facilitated conversation and group processing time among the audience. The evening begins with worship at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m., lecture at 7:30 p.m. The requested donation of $20 includes both dinner and the lecture. To register, please contact DeBorah Cannady at retreats@richmondhillva.org or by phone at 804-783-7903. Click here for more information about the series.

Virginia Feeds Kids: Addressing childhood hunger

The Virginia Lutheran Synod is hosting an interfaith initiative to address childhood hunger in Virginia. Virginia Feeds Kids is an ecumenical and interagency initiative. Diocesan Canon for Formation Caroline Black attended the meeting in July and the next gathering is scheduled for November 18. Click here for more information and contact Caroline at cblack@diosova.org if you and/or your parish would like to participate. 

Living Waters: An interfaith summit

Living Waters: Wading in is an interfaith day of prayers, music, inspiring speakers, and lively collaborative workshops. it will be held at the Brock Environmental Center in Virginia Beach on October 7, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Regardless of where your house of worship is in its "greening" journey, you'll leave prepared to lead your congregation to the next level of stewardship. Learn how other houses of worship across all faiths have grown in their care of creation. Meet others who share your interest in working together to protect and heal our waters. Get more information and register at www.cbf.org/LivingWaters. 

Keeping in Tune with God: Ecumenical clergy retreat

Keeping in Tune with God: Listening Hearts Discernment for Clergy is an ecumenical retreat for clergy based on the Listening Hearts book. The retreat will be held November 16-18 at the Bishop Claggett Center in Adamstown, MD. The retreat will be led by the Rt. Rev. Robert W. Ihloff.

Silence, song, imaginative engagement with scripture, and contemplative sharing in small groups weave together to help participants see how professional commitments can become more harmonious with their personal life and their relationship with God. Click here for more information and registration.

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.