Curry installed as 27th Presiding Bishop

From Episcopal News Service

After knocking on the west doors of Washington National Cathedral in the traditional manner and being admitted to the cathedral by the Very Rev. Gary Hall, the cathedral's dean, and Diocese of Washington Bishop Mariann Budde, Curry was asked to "tell us who you are."

"I am Michael Bruce Curry, a child of God, baptized in St. Simon of Cyrene Church, Maywood, Illinois, on May 3, 1953, and since that time I have sought to be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ," he replied.

"Michael, Bishop in the Church of God, we have anticipated your arrival with great joy," 26th Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori told him. "In the Name of Christ, we greet you," she added, and the greeting was echoed by the more than 2,500 people in attendance.

Curry, the former bishop of North Carolina, promised to be a "faithful shepherd and pastor" and, when asked by Jefferts Schori if they would support Curry in his ministry, those attending roared in reply, "We will."

Click here to read more.

Episcopal Church Young Adult Service Corps: untold opportunities throughout the Anglican Communion

Young adults (21-30 years old) have an opportunity to transform their own lives while engaging mission and ministry in the Anglican Communion by joining the Young Adult Service Corps. Applications are now available for 2016-2017 placements in the Young Adult Service Corps, commonly known as YASC. The application with additional information and instructions is available here. The application deadline is Friday, January 8, 2016.  

 

Currently YASC missionaries are serving throughout the Anglican Communion and in several international dioceses of The Episcopal Church. They are working in administration, agriculture, chaplaincies, development, education, parish-based and refuge ministries. They are serving in Brazil, Costa Rica, El Salvador, England, France, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Panama, the Philippines, South Africa, and Tanzania.

 

New opportunities for service are available each year. Among the possible placements for 2016-17 are Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, England, France, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Panama, the Philippines, South Africa, South Korea, Tanzania and Zambia.

For more information contact Elizabeth Boe, Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society Global Networking Officer, at eboe@episcopalchurch.org or Grace Flint, Young Adult Service Corps, Networking at gflint@episcopalchurch.org.  

College ministries come together for retreat at Chanco

By the Rev. Wendy Wilkinson, Good Samaritan, Virginia Beach, and ODU Chaplain

Four campus ministries - William & Mary, Old Dominion University, Christopher Newport University and Longwood/Hampden Sydney - came together for a retreat at Chanco on the James Oct. 30-31. The time away provided an opportunity for the students to build relationships with each other and discuss how their faith impacts their life on campus. The retreat was built around the Daily Offices with the intention that they students would find a place of calm and spiritual renewal in the midst of their hectic class schedules. They found time to enjoy Chanco's zip lines and the high ropes course as well. One of the parts of the retreat that the students found calming was to experience the Great Silence from the evening Compline service until the next morning's opening worship. At the close of the retreat, students were eager to find an opportunity to get together again in the spring.

A Mission to Tanzania: Walking in Dodoma

By Andy Russell, Bruton Parish, Williamsburg and YASC Missionary

Ever wondered what my morning walk to the Carpenter's Kids office looks like? Then you are in luck my friend for this video has been made especially for you. In all seriousness though, I hope you enjoy this short film. If you have six and a half minutes to spare, I think it gives a small but meaningful taste of life in Dodoma. The compound where I live is in a quieter residential part of town; it's kind of neat to see the changes in sound and scenery as you get closer to a more bustling part of Dodoma town.

Click here to watch the video and read more about Andy's missionary experiences.

Ridley Foundation Scholarship applications due Jan. 15

The Ridley Foundation board will meet in February to consider new applicants for the second semester. New applications and documents are due by January 15. Current recipients need to send their first semester transcript in order to receive the second half of their grant. Click here for more information on the Ridley Foundation Scholarships.

Episcopal Church women support Jackson-Feild

The Episcopal Church Women (ECW) of the Diocese of Southern Virginia has a long history of helping the children at Jackson-Feild Behavioral Health Services. The members met recently at St. Timothy's, Clarksville where they collected items from a Wish List as part of their "Bless the Children" project and presented them to Jackson-Feild.

 

The ECW was founded in 1890 to assist the women of the Episcopal Church to carry on Christ's work. Their mission today is to empower women to do Christ's ministry in the world.

Chanco seeking members for Board of Directors

Do you have a passion for Chanco's ministry and a desire to see it thrive into the next generation of campers and retreat guests? Then we may have the job for you! Chanco is seeking lay and ordained persons to serve on the Board of Directors beginning service in early 2016. There possibly may be no more exciting time to be a part of Chanco's growth than now. All interested persons must be a member in good standing at an Episcopal church in our diocese.  All applications are vetted through the current Chanco Board and Bishop Hollerith. Click here for an application to be sent to Executive Director Gareth Kalfas at director@chanco.org. Questions? Contact Gareth at 888-7CHANCO (888-724-2626) or via email.  We are grateful for our Chanco Board and the vibrant ministry they support.