Valentines for Boys Home from St. John's, Hampton

On Valentine's Day, Boys Home has been blessed by the St. Anne's Guild at St. John's, Hampton, for the last few years. They make sure every boy and every staff member has a Valentine! We know it must take hours to put together these goodie bags for everyone at Boys Home and we're so thankful for the commitment they've made to make a difference in the lives of these young men. The boys love the candy, but they also love knowing that people are thinking of them on holidays. They always remember St. John's for giving them Valentines and are excited to receive them each year. Thank you, St. John's, for thinking of the boys and making Valentine's Day special at Boys Home!

Jackson-Feild improvements

Jackson-Feild Behavioral Health Services recently completed several improvements in three separate locations on the campus.

 

Built in 1825, the historic manor home called "Walnut Grove" needed a new front porch due to deterioration in the original wood. In addition, a wheel chair ramp was added to ensure that the facility is ADA-compliant.Two houses originally built as residences for staff members were given a fresh coat of paint and new back decks, and new light fixtures in preparation for an on-campus program that JFBHS will launch in April. Rogers and Marshall Cottages also saw updates with new vinyl flooring to replace the old carpeting. The bathrooms in the 1960s-built Rogers Cottage also received a facelift and remodeling.

 

This spring, JFBHS is looking fresher and brighter thanks to the work of Larry Pair and his maintenance staff.

Webinar on welcoming refugees

"Love in Action: Episcopal Churches Welcome Refugees" is a free, one-hour webinar that will be hosted by Episcopal Migration Ministries on Wednesday, March 8 at 4 p.m. Participants will learn about community efforts born out of Episcopal congregations to create a welcoming community for refugees and immigrants. Three faith communities will share stories about their local community and interfaith initiatives to create a ministry of welcome. Registration is required and is available here. If you are not able to attend, the webinar will be available for viewing on-demand after the event. 

 

For background, it is recommended that participants view the recorded February 1 webinar, The Episcopal Church Welcomes Refugees, before attending the March 8 webinar. The recording is available here.

 

For more information, contact Duvall at aduvall@episcopalchurch.org.

Episcopal Church scholarship applications for 2017-2018 now accepted

Applications are now being accepted for educational scholarships from the Episcopal Church for the 2017-2018 academic year. Scholarships are available for educational training for ethnic communities, children of missionaries, bishops and clergy, and other groups covering a wide range of eligibility.

Among the requirements for applying for the scholarships are that the applicant must be an Episcopalian and must have the endorsement of his/her bishop. Click here for more information.  

April gatherings designed for Episcopal missional leaders

Two conferences for Episcopal Church missional leaders are slated for April at Virginia Theological Seminary:  

Missional Voices
The Missional Voices gathering for leaders throughout the Episcopal Church is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, April 21-22. The Rev. Tom Brackett, Staff Officer for New Church Starts and Missional Initiatives, explained the significance of Missional Voices.  "Have you ever wondered about how we take this Jesus Movement back home to the neighborhoods we call home," he asked. "Maybe you are thinking about what 'missional ministry' might look like, as you discern your own call - your vocation. Or maybe you are hungry to connect with other passionate pilgrims pursuing the possibilities of partnership with the Spirit!"

The gathering will feature keynote presentations; short, narrative talks; exploration of new communities; and inspiring worship. Missional Voices registration and additional information is here. Registration is $99; enter promo code GENESIS to register for $70. Registration does not include housing or transportation. Deadline for registration is  April 17.

Genesis Gathering
A pre-conference event, Genesis Gathering, will convene on Thursday, April 20.

Brackett explained, "This will not be considered a training event. This community of practice event is designed for anyone exploring the possibility of missional ministries and for those who are already engaged in ministry and seeking to build community"

Genesis Gathering registration is here. Registration is $50, waived for current grant recipients. Deadline for registration is April 7.

Bishop Hollerith confirms 16 new Episcopalians

Bishop Hollerith's visitation at Epiphany, Norfolk, on Feb. 5, where he confirmed 16 new Episcopalians - 14 from Epiphany, Norfolk, one from Good Shepherd, Norfolk, and one from Advent, Norfolk. Photos by Jackie Rochelle of Epiphany.

Bishop James Magness to join diocesan staff

Bishop Hollerith announced at Annual Council earlier this month that the Rt. Rev. James Magness will be joining the diocesan staff in late March as a part-time assisting bishop.

Bishop Magness has just retired as the Suffragan Bishop of the Armed Forces and Federal Ministries and is well known by many in the diocese. He served as interim rector of Galilee, Virginia Beach, and as a canon of the diocese. He was also the Canon to the Ordinary of the Diocese of Kentucky.

Bishop Hollerith's visitation schedule will not change, and Bishop Magness will assist with visitations so that churches will not have to wait so long between Episcopal visits. Bishop Hollerith has also asked Bishop Magness to explore a potential site for a new congregational planting.