Leadership Program for Musicians Fall Workshop

The Richmond chapter of the Leadership Program for Musicians (LPM) is pleased to announce what promises to be an amazing fall workshop, led by St. James Music Press president and editor Mark Schweizer.

 

The workshop will take place on Saturday, October 8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Richmond, VA. Participants will read through music from St. James Press and have a chance to glean some church music wisdom from Mark's considerable experience. Snacks and beverages are included.

 

The cost is $45 per person, and the deadline to register is October 1. To register use the PayPal button on the LPM website: www.lpm-va.org and email your name, address, phone number, and church name to lpmvacoordinator@gmail.com. Click here for a brochure and registration form. 

 

Don't let this pass! Make the most of this opportunity to meet Mark Schweizer, discover new music, and support your local LPM chapter.

Free class on politics and faith with Parker Palmer

Registration is now open for the latest free ChurchNext course: Bridging the Political Divide with Parker Palmer which can be taken anytime between September 5-19.

As we know, we are in the midst of what may be the most polarizing and contentious elections in recent U.S. history. Many observers note that the political rancor and rhetoric has reached all time highs, injecting unprecedented fear, division, and unease into our culture. How do we make sense of this? How do people of faith respond? How do we remain calm and centered amidst our difference and tension, taking our roles as peacemakers and even prophets, seriously? Educator, author, and activist Parker Palmer has written extensively on faith and democracy issues. In this course, he offers thoughtful insight into how we might approach divisive political issues with grace and grit.

Register for free by clicking here or go to churchnext.tv, click on the Menu select The Big Class.Once registered, the course can be taken for free from September 5-19. It will take an average student 45 minutes to complete. No special software is required. Want to take this class with your congregation or small group? Here are some support materials.

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry offers video election message - voting is "a Christian obligation"

"Voting and participation in our government is a way of participating in our common life," Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael Curry said in a video election message.  "And that is a Christian obligation.  Indeed, we who follow in the Way of Jesus of Nazareth are summoned to participate actively as reflections of our faith in the civil process."

The Presiding Bishop's video election message is here. Closed-captioning is available in English and Spanish. Click here to read the text of his message.

New lunch group and email listserv for parish secretaries and communicators

Diocesan staff have been hosting monthly lunch groups and an email listserv for church staff and volunteers involved in parish administration. Over time this group has focused more and more on financial issues, becoming less useful to parish secretaries and communicators.

For that reason we're exploring the possibility of an additional lunch group and email listserv that will focus on secretarial and communication issues.

The monthly brown bag lunch gatherings are very casual. There's no agenda, just come with whatever questions you have, or just to socialize. It's a great way to connect with and learn from colleagues and share frustrations with folks who understand. The listserv offers easy email access to a peer group to share resources or get answers to questions.  

If you are a church staff person or volunteer involved in these areas, we want to hear from you. Contact Communications Officer Ann Turner if either of these opportunities would be of interest to you, aturner@diosova.org or 757-213-3388. 

 

Mark your calendar for 2016-2017 Youth Events

Mark you calendar now and plan to participate in the 2016-2017 diocesan youth events. More info and registration coming soon to www.diosova.org/youth.

• October Weekend (grades 8-12) - October 7-9, 2016 at Chanco on the James.
• Pre-Happening Staff Weekend - October 29-30, 2016 at Chanco on the James.
• Happening #65 (grades 10-12) - November 11-13, 2016 at Chanco on the James.
• November Weekend (grades 6-9) - November 18-20, 2016 at Chanco on the James.
• Winter Camp at Chanco - January 13-15, 2017 at Chanco on the James.
• Annual Council - February 9-11, 2017. Be a part of the official Youth Delegation to Council.
• Pre-Happening Staff Weekend - February 25-26, 2017 at Chanco on the James.
• Happening #66 - March 10-12, 2017 at Chanco on the James.
• May Weekend (grades 6-12) - May 19-21, 2017 at Chanco on the James.
• Episcopal Youth Event (EYE17) - July 10-24, 2017 on the campus of University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, OK.

How you can help flood victims in Louisiana

Extreme weather has caused catastrophic flooding in the south, especially in Louisiana. Residents were caught off guard by the severity and speed of the weather. The extent of the flooding and damage is still being assessed. The Diocese of Louisiana is coordinating relief efforts through Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD), as well as communicating with the parishes to match need with relief assistance. The Diocese has assurance of immediate short-term funding from ERD for $20,000. This will be a significant help to meet the needs of some of the most vulnerable victims.

The Diocese of Louisiana has complied a list of the best ways you can help with relief efforts. No donation is too small and all donations will have a positive impact on those will be facing the difficult task of rebuilding their lives.

 

Episcopal Relief and Development US Disaster Relief Fund

The Diocese will soon receive an emergency assistance grant from Episcopal Relief and Development so our churches in the flood area can assist the most vulnerable people in their communities. Please consider making a donation to support this important work. Click here to donate. 

 

Bishop's Discretionary Fund

The Bishop's office is accepting donations (cash only) to assist flood victims. Please make your checks payable to The Bishop's Professional Fund earmarked 2016 Flood Relief. You can send them to: Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana, 1623 Seventh St., New Orleans, LA 70115

More ways to help

You can assist people in shelters is by making a donation to any of the following:

• The American Red Cross in Louisiana (http://www.redcross.org/local/louisiana)
• Baton Rouge Area Foundation (http://www.braf.org/louisiana-flood-relief)
• United Way (http://www.unitedwaysela.org/flood)
• Second Harvest Food Bank with Rouses (https://give.no-hunger.org/checkout/donation?eid=91198)
• Episcopal Relief and Development (http://www.episcopalrelief.org/what-you-can-do/donate-now/individual-donation)

Social Media Sunday is Sept. 25

"Christ has no online presence but yours, no blog, no Facebook page but yours."

September 25, 2016, is Social Media Sunday - a day to encourage people of faith to share the gospel and be the church online. It's a day to help people get beyond their fear of using digital media and understand that these are just tools that we can use to do what we are already doing: inviting others, showing care and concern for people, telling friends about our church and showing them Jesus. Social media, when done right, is really about relationships, not technology. Click here to learn more.