Presiding Bishop Michael Curry: "I am compelled to oppose these actions and to affirm the moral principle of equal rights for all persons, including the LGBTQ communities. I do so as a follower of Jesus Christ."

In light of President Trump's tweet banning transgender individuals from serving in the military and the Department of Justice's argument that employers can legally discriminate against people on the basis of sexual orientation, I am compelled to oppose these actions and to affirm the moral principle of equal rights for all persons, including the LGBTQ communities. I do so as a follower of Jesus Christ, as Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, and as a citizen who loves this country. This conviction is not born primarily of a social ideal, but of the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth and the witness of our biblical and theological tradition.

Genesis 1:26-27 teaches us that all human beings are created in the image and likeness of God. This is a divine declaration of the inherent sanctity, dignity and equality of every person.

Further, the sanctity of every human person and the principle of human equality before God are deeply embedded in the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. In Mark 22:26 and Luke 13:10-17, Jesus teaches the inherent worth and dignity of the human person. In Matthew 5:43-38, he tells us of God's love for all people equally. In Luke 10:25-37, he commands us to love God and to love every person. Above all, Jesus teaches that we are to treat all others as we ourselves would want to be treated (see Luke 6:31-36).

As followers of Jesus Christ we believe the inherent sanctity, dignity, and equality of every human being as a child of God is part of the moral foundation of our faith. In the Episcopal Church we promise in Holy Baptism to "respect the dignity of every person," and to "seek and serve Christ in all persons."

As Americans, we believe in civil and human equality, as one of the foundational ideals of our country. Discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation is a violation of the fundamental ideal of equality in America. The Declaration of Independence says, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights." Those rights - and the protection from discrimination - apply equally to all Americans. I truly believe that the overwhelming goodness and kindness and sense of justice of the American people are summed up in the words of the Pledge of Allegiance, which says that we are "one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."  Therein is the soul of America!

So, to the transgender individuals currently serving in the armed forces: thank you. We are grateful for your service and for your sacrifices.  We support you and all service members and veterans. You are our neighbors, brothers and sisters in God's human family, and fellow citizens of this country we love.

The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry
Presiding Bishop & Primate, The Episcopal Church

Episcopal Migration Ministries webinar: Welcome in Action

Episcopal Migration Ministries and the Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations are hosting a one-hour free webinar, Welcome in Action: Education, Advocacy and Outreach on Tuesday, August 15 at 4 p.m.

This webinar will provide the latest updates on the travel ban, refugee funding, and upcoming opportunities to engage in advocacy and outreach in support of refugee resettlement.

Leading the August 15 webinar will be Lacy Broemel, Episcopal Church Refugee and Immigration Policy Analyst, and Kendall Martin, Episcopal Migration Ministries Manager for Communications. Registration is required and is available here. The webinar will be available on-demand following the event. 

Fall Camp at Shrine Mont registration open

The Tri-Diocesan Council on Aging will hold its annual Fall Camp Oct. 23-26 at Shrine Mont in Orkney Springs, VA. Click here for a brochure with info and registration form. Back by popular demand will be storyteller, sanctuary gardener, author and ordained minister, Terry Hershey, as our keynote speaker. Bishop Martin Townsend, retired bishop of the Diocese of Easton, returns as chaplain. Once Again we will be entertained by Folk-Theologian Ed Kilbourne. Visit the Shrine Mont website for more info.

ECW Nominating Committee meeting changed to July 28

The Diocesan ECW is seeking nominations for the following board positions to take office in January 2018: Second Vice President, Nominating Committee chairperson, Church Periodical Club chairperson, and Treasurer. The Nominating Committee will meet on July 28 at 10 a.m. at St. Mark's, Suffolk. Contact Deborah Austin if interested, 757-538-1797 or complianceretired@gmail.com.

Order of Saint Helena invites women to explore monastic vocation

The Episcopal Order of Saint Helena sponsors an annual retreat for single women who wish to explore the possibility of monastic vocation. The Come-and-See retreat, held over Labor Day weekend (September 1-3), will provide women the opportunity to learn about and experience monastic life in the 21st century and to gain clarity about a possible vocation. An invitation to this potentially life-changing event is here. Contact vocations@osh.org or 803-426-1616 for more info.

#ForSuchATime - What might you do to participate on July 21?

Episcopal Relief & Development invites you to join The Episcopal Church and our ecumenical partners, to participate in the #ForSuchATime movement. On the 21st of each month through December 2018, the community is called to pray, fast and act to fight hunger and poverty around the world. What might you do to participate on July 21? Click the photo above and learn more here.

Mission of the Holy Spirit: Bridging the Gaps

Mission of the Holy Spirit, Norfolk, is launching a new program this summer called Bridging the Gaps. Sessions will be held on Thursday evenings at the Slover Library in Norfolk, and the focus will be on bridging the communication gaps between teens and their families. Teens will attend every week, and their families will join them every other week. All programs will be spiritual and educational, with a lot of fun and games included to keep participants engaged. If you or your church group would like to sponsor an evening, we need prizes such as gift cards to popular stores and restaurants, and small toys for the younger children, as well as light bag dinners for each participant (example: sandwich, chips, fruit, cookie and bottled water or juice boxes). Of course, monetary contributions are always welcome! Please contact the office, 757-858-0010 for more information.

The Mission of the Holy Spirit is a collaborative effort of a group of individuals, businesses, churches and the Diocese of Southern Virginia.  The Mission's vision is to offer spiritual, educational, and psychosocial services to at-risk, inner-city children, adolescents, and their families. Through Mission programs, many individuals who struggle with social, economic and family dysfunction are able to find hope, set goals, and change their lives.

School supplies needed!
School is out for the summer, but it won't be long before the Mission will be collecting school supplies for our youngsters. We need backpacks, pens, pencils, markers, highlighters, glue sticks, notebook paper, notebooks, scissors, and all of the other supplies listed on your kids' or grandkids' supply list. This is a great project for your church group! Please bring supplies to the Mission by August 21. The Mission is located at St. Stephen's, 1445 Norview Avenue, Norfolk.