14 Seeds of Hope Grants awarded

At its August 25, 2016 meeting, the Executive Board approved 14 diocesan Seeds of Hope Grant awards, totaling $24,625, to 11 parishes or organizations. Funded projects include a nutrition program for senior citizens, "From Guns to Art" project, youth mentoring, Laundry Love project, and a community garden.

 

Seeds of Hope grants support the development or expansion of social justice ministries sponsored by diocesan congregations and organizations. Seeds of Hope grants were the heart of our diocese's Second Century "Feed My Sheep" campaign conducted fourteen years ago. Funds from this campaign produce income that is available on an annual basis for social justice ministries proposed by parishes, diocesan departments and commissions.

Over the next few weeks, the Diocesan eNews will feature stories of ministry funded by 2015 diocesan Seeds of Hope Grants. 

 

2016 awards were made to:

St. Andrew's, Norfolk

Good Samaritan, Virginia Beach

GraceInside Prison Chaplaincy

St. Andrew's and Grace, Norfolk

St. James, Warfield

St. Paul's, Lawrenceville

St. Paul's, Newport News

St. Thomas, Freeman

Holy Apostles, Virginia Beach

Mission of the Holy Spirit, Norfolk

CE-Net meeting Oct. 6

Join CENet for an informal morning of coffee and conversation on Thursday, October 6, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Diocesan Office in Newport News. We would love to talk about how your program year has been going and are what you are trying for the first time. Please post to the Formation in Southern VA Facebook group any other things you would like to talk about or would like more information about.

Clergy Continuing Education Grant applications due Oct. 1

Clergy are reminded that applications for Clergy Continuing Education Grants are due in the Diocesan Office by October 1. Further information, including the application and evaluation forms, can be found here.

Fall issue of The Grapevine newsletter is here

Click here for the Fall 2016 issue of The Grapevine, a quarterly newsletter of the Diocesan ECW distributed via email. If you have news you would like included in The Grapevine, or know of someone who would like to be added to email list, please contact Nancy Smith, ECW Diocesan Communication Chair, at  nsmithwtr@aol.com. The deadline for the Winter 2016 issue in October 31, 2106. 

Acolyte Festival at Washington National Cathedral

Join acolytes from across the United States on Saturday, October 8, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., for a morning service of re-dedication and Holy Eucharist. Bring your processional crosses, banners, torches, thuribles, flags, and streamers for a festive procession of acolytes, clergy, and vergers. Workshops in the afternoon offer enrichment and instruction. Cost is $20 per acolyte and registration is required. Fee applies only to acolytes. Clergy, vergers, friends and family are welcome to attend at no charge and the service is open to the public. Go to  www.cathedral.org/acolytefestival for complete information and registration. Registration deadline is Sept. 25!

Chanco seeking new members for the Board of Directors

Each year, a class of board members rotates off and a new class begins. Our new class will begin February 2017 and we are seeking applications now. The Chanco board meets monthly or bi-monthly on the first Tuesday of the month at 4 pm at Chanco. These volunteers are responsible for the oversight and strategic planning for Chanco's future.  If you have a passion for Chanco's ministry, this could be for you! Members must be in good standing in an Episcopal Church in our diocese. Click here for a board member application.  Questions? Contact Executive Director Gareth Kalfas at director@chanco.org or at 888-7CHANCO (888-724-2626). Thank you for your prayerful consideration of this important service to Chanco.

Applications accepted for UTO young adult, seminarian grants for 2017

Applications are now being accepted for the 2017 United Thank Offering grants: 10 grans of $2500 for young adults (ages 19-30); and 10 grans of $2500 to seminarians (no age limit). The focus of the grants is Evangelism and Reconciliation.

UTO is a ministry to promote thankfulness and mission in the whole Church. Known worldwide as UTO, the United Thank Offering awards grants for projects that address human needs and help alleviate poverty, both domestically and internationally in the Episcopal Church.

Complete guidelines are here.