Submit a prayer to the 2018 UTO pocket book of prayers

Every three years, the United Thank Offering gathers original prayers from around the Episcopal Church to create a pocket book of prayers available at General Convention. Last Convention they were able to collect 125 prayers of gratitude in honor of 125 years of the United Thank Offering. This year they are hoping to collect original prayers from nine categories: gratitude, guidance, fear/danger, forgiveness, healing, loneliness, crisis/dealing with disappointment or crisis, love of God, or other. Children, women, men, clergy, seminarians or groups may write prayers for this edition of the booklet and they may be submitted in any language. Prayers can be submitted in any format: collect, litany, free form or prose. Please submit all prayers by July 1, 2017. Prayers must be submitted using this webpage. You'll be asked to select which category your prayer fits into best for the pocket prayer book. You'll also be asked to provide a title for your prayer. You may submit multiple prayers, but you will need to fill out a separate form for each prayer. If you need assistance, contact UTO staff at hmelton@episcopalchurch.org.  

 

Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows becomes first black woman to lead Episcopal diocese

	Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows greets the congregation at her consecration as Bishop Barbara Harris, center, and Bishop Catherine Waynick, left, look on. Photo: Meghan McConnell, Episcopal News Service

The Rev. Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows was ordained and consecrated the eleventh bishop of Indianapolis April 29, making her the first black woman to lead a diocese in the history of the Episcopal Church and the first woman to succeed another woman as diocesan bishop. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry led the service as chief consecrator and was joined by more than 40 bishops from across the church.

Among the co-consecrators at the service was the Rt. Rev. Barbara Harris, the first female bishop in the Anglican Communion. Before the consecration, Baskerville-Burrows told the Indianapolis Star, "The first thing that comes to mind is how grateful I am to the women that have come before. Barbara Harris will be at my consecration, and when I think about what she's done for me and how I've even encountered little girls saying, 'Oh my gosh. One day, may I discern such a call?' That is just everything."

Click here to read more and to see video of the consecration.

Outward Mindset: A continuing education opportunity

The Rev. Conor Alexander of St. Francis, Virginia Beach, a licensed facilitator for Developing and Implementing an Outward Mindset from the Arbinger Institute, is leading a three-day continuing education event at Chanco on the James for clergy and lay employees in the Diocese of Southern Virginia May 23-25. Click here  to read more about this workshop and all it will offer to help support your ministry! Register here. Questions? Contact the Rev. Conor Alexander at stfrancispastor@verizon.net.

 

Jackson-Feild Behavioral Health Services elects new trustees

Jackson-Feild Behavioral Health Services is pleased to announce the election two members to its Board of Trustees.

 

Elizabeth Feild, head of global Management and Professional Development for PAREXEL, has more than 18 years of experience with large scale leadership development. She holds an undergraduate degree from North Carolina State University, a masters from American, and certificates in leadership development and business coaching from Harvard and Duke. As the great-granddaughter of Mr. & Mrs. George W. Feild - donors of "Walnut Grove" - JFBHS holds a very special place in Feild's heart. Prior to job relocations to England and then Massachusetts, Feild served on the Jackson-Feild board of trustees. Now that she and her family are back in North Carolina, Feild is thrilled to once again be actively involved in continuing the mission of JFBHS.

 

Stuart C. Leinenbach, Vice President and U.S. Manager for Iluka Resources, served multiple human resources and organizational effectiveness roles throughout his career. Following a seven-year stint in the U.S. Air Force, he joined Siemens AG followed by Reynolds Metals Company. Leinenbach holds an undergraduate degree from St. Leo University, and master's degrees from both Bethany Theological Seminary and George Washington University. He has served on the Virginia Governor's Council of Career and Technical Education, and is currently an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Richmond School of Continuing Studies.

 

Our Long Journey Home: Caring for others through the seasons of death

St. Stephen's, Richmond, invites you to join them for "Our Long Journey Home: Caring for Others through the Seasons of Death," a presentation by Dr. Thomas G. Long on Monday, June 26. Dr. Long is co-author of The Good Funeral and author of The Witness of Preaching; Accompany Them with Singing: The Christian Funeral, and other books. He is Bandy Professor of Preaching Emeritus and Director of the Early Career Pastoral Leadership Program at Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta Ga.

Dr. Long has been named one of the 25 most influential preachers in America. He will explore the shifting landscape of American death practices; look at some myths and misunderstandings that surround death; examine the best roles of funeral directors, hospice personnel, clergy, and others who minister to the dying and to mourners after death; and lift up the true value and purposes of a funeral.

 

This event, presented by Bliley Funeral Homes and held at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church (6000 Grove Avenue, Richmond) is geared toward clergy and pastoral care staff and begins with refreshments at 3:30. Dr. Long's talk will begin at 4:00. There will be time for a Q&A session before we adjourn at 6:00 p.m. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. Click here for a flyer you can share. Register here. 

Time to submit scholarship applications

Ridley Foundation Scholarship
Through the great generosity and charity of Miss Roberta Ridley, an endowed trust was established many years ago to provide financial support for continuing education for qualified members of the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Southern Virginia and for residents of Southampton County and the City of Franklin. Applications are due by June 20. Click here for more info and application form.

The Bishop Vaché Scholarship
The Bishop Vaché Scholarships provide funds to assist low-income and minority college students in the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia. First-year students as well as returning college students are welcome to apply. Scholarship awards range from $1000 to $5000 per academic year. Applications are due by June 1 and awards will be made by July 1. Click here for application information and form. 

Eight Canterburians confirmed this year

By The Rev. Tyler Montgomery, Bruton Parish, Williamsburg

 

The William & Mary Canterbury Association was pleased to have eight students called to receive the sacrament of confirmation this year. These students all completed a seven-week Christian Formation course, including a one-on-one session with the Chaplain to discuss and articulate what it means to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. In two years, eighteen students have received confirmation and three students have been baptized; several more students have already expressed an interest in Christian Formation and sacramental membership in the Church for the next academic year. It is an exciting time for the Church! Young adults are evidently interested in "coming and seeing" what Jesus is doing in this place and in their lives. As ever, Christianity surprises us in the ways in which it expresses itself, and it seems that we are seeing a revival of sorts in the midst of our establishment at Bruton Parish, Williamsburg. For this, we give thanks to God!