Two new online courses from ChurchNext

ChurchNext has launched two brand new courses, suitable for individual or group study:

• Practical Forgiveness - Forgiveness continues to be one of the greatest issues facing humankind. Class led by Rob Voyle. Click here to learn more.
• A 7 Week Advent - With Advent approaching, there's a small but hearty movement to expand the season from four weeks to seven. Episcopal rector Stephen Smith leads this course. Click here to learn more.

ChurchNext offers you the opportunity to learn from expert teachers in Scripture, liturgy, and important Christian topics. Students can interact in a safe, online environment that's convenient, engaging, and affordable.

MissionInsite demographics: Ministry benefits of PeoplePlot

Who are we? It's an important ministry question for churches. the MissionInsite demographics tools - available to all churches in Southern Virginia - includes PeoplePlot. With this tool you can:

• connect with visitors and new movers
• discover the financial support potential of your church
• view your people by neighborhood
• discover small group opportunities
• respond to natural disasters in your area
• and much more

Click here to learn more about MissionInsite and PeoplePlot. Questions? Contact the Rev. Jeunee Godsey, jgodsey@diosova.org.

Thomas W. Meehan elected to Jackson-Feild Home's Foundation Board

Thomas W. Meehan, Sr. president and broker with CD West & Company in Newport News has been elected to the Board of Trustees of Jackson-Feild Homes Foundation.

Mr. Meehan, a native of Newport News, began his career in real estate in 1970 with C. D. West & Co. and is now the sole owner and president. The company provides oversight of apartment projects in Virginia and Georgia, and has developed 1,000+ residential lots in Virginia and South Carolina and built 300+ single family homes. Earlier in his career, Meehan was a real estate appraiser and has appraised more than 3,000 houses and over 75 commercial properties.

 

Mr. Meehan serves on the boards of the Hampton Roads Academy, Achievable Dream, and Boys & Girls Club of the Virginia Peninsula. He is a past director of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel Commission and the American Cancer Society in Hampton Roads.

Church asked to observe National Disability Employment Awareness Month

In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, observed throughout October, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has asked all Episcopalians to remember and honor the invaluable contributions of disabled lay and clergy who have served, and currently serve, within the Episcopal Church.

The 78th General Convention in 2015 renewed and reaffirmed the Episcopal Church's commitment to the inclusion and protection of the civil rights of all persons with disabilities through the passage of Resolution D034: Support the Civil Rights of Disabled Persons. National Disability Employment Awareness Month presents all dioceses and congregations with the opportunity to fully implement Resolution D034 through seeking education from community deaf/hard of hearing and disability organizations on supporting full inclusion of disabled persons in all aspects of public life.

"Renewed commitment calls for renewed action," Presiding Bishop Curry said.  "This October, let us walk together in the footsteps of Jesus Christ to transform the unjust structures of society and more fully welcome our disabled brothers and sisters living within our congregations and our communities."

For ideas and resources to observe National Disability Employment Awareness Month contact Jayce Hafner, Episcopal Church Domestic Policy Analyst, jhafner@episcopalchurch.org.

November Weekend registration is open!

November weekend is Nov. 18-20 at Chanco on the James. Make new friends at this annual retreat for teens, open to grades 6-12. November Weekend includes great music, fun games and activities, a Friday night social and a Saturday night dance, meaningful group discussions, and amazing worship. Click here for details and easy online registration.  

Seminar: Spiritual Wholeness in a Sexually Broken World

Did you know that 2.5 billion pornographic emails are sent every day?

 

The Addictions and Recovery Commission invites you to a half-day seminar, "Spiritual Wholeness in a Sexually Broken World" with T. C. Ryan on Wednesday, Nov. 3, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Woodlands Hotel, Williamsburg. The seminar is free and open to the public.

The purpose of this seminar is to help us think about how we see our sexuality, to understand sexual brokenness and to consider strategic ways by which we can help ourselves, each other and the Church become healthier in handling human sexuality and growing as spiritual, healthy people.

For nearly twenty years T. C. Ryan was founding and senior pastor of a large church. He resigned in order to concentrate more fully on his ongoing recovery from a lifelong sexual addiction. Dr. Ryan now has a ministry of spiritual direction with individuals and groups, preaches, writes and leads seminars on achieving spiritual wholeness in a sexually broken world.

 

This seminar will be the first presentation of Recovery Ministry of the Episcopal Church's annual Gathering. To register for the full conference, click here. For more information call 757-903-0000.

Resources to help parishes plan Day of Repentance and Reconciliation

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."

Please take plans 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.