ECW Annual Fall Meeting features Becca Stevens of Thistle Farms

The Diocesan ECW invites you to join them on Saturday, November 4 for their Annual Fall Meeting and Love Heals Conference at St. Francis, Virginia Beach. The ECW meeting will be 9 to 11 a.m. Becca Stevens will speak from 11:30 to 12:30 p.m. Lunch served at 1 p.m. Ticket for lunch is required; cost is $15. Deadline to purchase lunch ticket is Oct. 20. Contact Helen Sharpe-Williams, 757-487-8183 or helen.sharpe-williams@earthlink.net.   

 

The keynote speaker will be Becca Stevens, founder and president of Thistle Farms, the largest social enterprise in the US run by survivors. She has been featured in The New York Times, ABC World News, NPR, PBS, and CNN. In 2011, the White House named Becca "Champion of Change" for her work against domestic violence. 

Annual Council: Nominations for election; Communicator Credentials

The 126th Annual Council will be held February 16-17, 2018 at the Williamsburg Lodge Convention Center in Williamsburg, VA.  

 

Nominations for election 

The following elections will take place at Annual Council:

• Standing Committee - one lay, one clergy
• Discliplinary Board - two lay, one clergy
• General Convention - one lay alternate (young adult)

Go to www.bit.ly/diosova126 for a Nomination Form and information about the positions up for election.

 

Communicator Credentials

Church communicators play an important role in connecting their Convocations and congregations with Council while it is in session and afterward. To help facilitate this work, the Council registration fee is waived for church communicators who apply for Church Communicator Credentials. Go to  www.bit.ly/diosova126 for more info and an application form.

Response efforts in the wake of Hurricane Harvey

Episcopal Relief & Development continues to provide technical support and emergency assistance following Hurricane Harvey, as diocesan partners assess damage and respond to critical needs in the affected areas. The storm has claimed at least 42 lives, forcing over a million people to evacuate their homes after torrential rain, devastating winds and widespread flooding.

 

Currently, Episcopal Relief & Development's US Disaster team is closely coordinating with the Episcopal dioceses of Texas, West Texas and Western Louisiana to provide urgent support. The slow-moving storm devastated coastal communities, leaving them without basic infrastructure. In many of these low-lying areas, there are major power outages and extensive damage to homes and other property. Episcopal Relief & Development is sending direct support to help the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas provide gift cards to vulnerable individuals and families on the westside of Corpus Christi, four inland communities and three coastal areas including Rockport and Port Aransas. These gift cards will enable people to purchase food, water, basic hygiene products as well as cleaning supplies and power tools.

 

Please continue to pray for impacted communities and contribute to the Hurricane Harvey Response Fund to assist local church partners as they respond to urgent needs.

 

Congregations can use downloadable bulletin inserts to raise awareness  and support in the aftermath of this major disaster.

Pilgrimage opportunities

May 2018 pilgrimage to Scotland and England

A Pilgrimage to Scotland and England is being organized for May 2018. After a time for quiet and reflection on Iona, the group will travel to Melrose. At Melrose, they will walk the Way of St. Cuthbert, approximately 70 miles, to Lindisfarne.  After completing the Way of St. Cuthbert, they will visit The Shrine of St. Cuthbert at Durham Cathedral. Pilgrims will conclude their time with a visit to Edinburgh. For more information, contact Doris Custer (CusterDD@gmail.com) or Dale Custer (rdalecuster@gmail.com).

 

May 2018 Pilgrimage to Ireland

If you're interested in a 12-day tour of Ireland, the Friends of Bruton invite you to join them May 1-12, 2018. Click here for brochure and registration information.

Employment Opportunities

Parish Administrator
St. Cyprian's, Hampton, is seeking a Parish Administrator (18 hrs. per week). This administrative position oversees and manages the day-to-day operation and functions of the parish under the direct supervision of the Rector.

Director of Shared Ministry
All Saints Episcopal Church in Richmond is currently looking to fill the Director of Shared Ministry position. This is a part-time, 25 hour/week job. The main responsibilities include: managing and growing the annual and planned giving, communicating with the parish through newsletters, emails, and phone calls, connecting newcomers and current parishioners to All Saints, creating and managing a volunteer team, event planning, and attending Sunday services as well as other All Saints events.

For more info on these positions, go to the Employment Opportunities page of our website.  

Bishop Hollerith: Help hurricane victims by giving to Episcopal Relief & Development

Dear Diocesan family,

On Monday morning I was in contact with the Rt. Rev. Andy Doyle, the Bishop of Texas. I offered him both our prayers and support. Bishop Doyle contends that the best thing we can do right now in Southern Virginia is to support Episcopal Relief and Development's US Disaster Fund. To that end I ask that all Episcopalians and all parishes in our diocese consider making financial gifts to Episcopal Relief & Development marked for Texas hurricane relief.

In Virginia we know all too well what hurricanes are like and the devastation they can leave behind. Please be prayerful and generous.

In Christ

+Holly

Southern Virginia clergy take part in Ministers March for Justice

The Revs. John Boucher, Peggy Buelow and David Teschner participated in the "One Thousand Ministers March for Justice" on Monday in Washington DC. The event celebrated 54 years of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy. "It was a powerful experience in unity across faith traditions and all that would seek to divide us," said Peg Buelow.

Photo L to R: The Rev. Peggy Buelow, the Rev. David Teschner, the Rev. John Boucher at the Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial.