Advent resource for Preparing to Become the Beloved Community

A newly developed Advent resource is now available to help Episcopalians everywhere to take up Jesus' ministry of reconciliation and healing. Every congregation will soon receive in the mail Preparing to Become the Beloved Community, a multi-fold poster and resource pack with prayer, reflections and activities for each week of Advent. The resources can also be downloaded here. Preparing to Become the Beloved Community was developed by the Episcopal Church's Racial Reconciliation Team. The resources are designed for group use among all ages, including adult forums, Sunday school, women's and men's groups, Advent preparation, vestry meetings, and more. Click here for more information.

Bishop Magness speaks at retreat for combat vets

Bishop Magness was the keynote speaker at the closing ceremony for the Welcome Home Initiative retreat for combat zone veterans. During the ceremony, Bishop Magness presented the Rev. Nigel Mumford, retreat leader, with a Chaplain's (camoflage) stole.  

 

The Welcome Home Initiative program is an intense, focused three-day retreat for military veterans, and their spouses, who served their country in combat and may be suffering, in varying degrees, from post-traumatic stress. Click here to learn more.

Grants available from The Episcopal Church

Young Adult & Campus Ministries grant info available  

 

It's time to start the process of discerning whether to apply for a 2018 Young Adult and Campus Ministry Grants, which provide funding for dioceses, congregations, and community college/tribal college/university campuses for an Episcopal ministry (or ecumenical ministry with an Episcopal presence). The online application will open on January 2, 2018.  However, information is now available and a webinar has been slated to assist in discerning the application process. Click here to learn more. A one-hour webinar to discuss the grants process and answer any questions has been slated for webinar on Thursday, December 7 at 4 p.m. Space is limited. Register here.

 

Episcopal Evangelism grants available for local and regional efforts

 

The application process is now open for the new Episcopal Evangelism Grants Program, designed to fund local and regional evangelism efforts in the Episcopal Church. Episcopal institutions (congregations, dioceses, provinces, schools, monastic communities, Episcopal organizations and other Episcopal affiliated entities) are eligible to receive these funds. Regional collaborative partnerships with non-Episcopal entities are welcome, but an Episcopal entity must serve as the project leader, active manager, and reporting agent. Grants are available for up to $2,000 for an individual congregation and up to $8,000 for multi-church, diocesan and regional collaborations. Groups receiving funding are expected to make a significant financial contribution toward the project, as well. Click here for more information.

Presiding Bishop on Texas church shooting

Presiding Bishop Curry offered his comments during a visit to the Scottish Episcopal Church in Aberdeen, Scotland. Text is below. Click here to watch video.

 

I'm in Aberdeen, Scotland, where last night we had a service at St. Andrew's Cathedral, giving God thanks for the deep roots of the Episcopal Church here in the Scottish Episcopal Church. The Scottish Episcopal Church is indeed the mother church of the Episcopal Church, and we give thanks for the ties that bind us together.

 

But even as we gave thanks last evening, we received word that in Sutherland Springs, Texas, a gunman entered the First Baptist Church, and now some 26 people have been killed and many more wounded and afflicted. I offer this prayer for those who have died, for those who are suffering, for those who are still healing from physical wounds, and the emotional, spiritual and mental scars. As I pray and invite you to pray the prayer the Lord taught us. I invite you to pray that God's will might be done, that God might guide us to find a better way, to find concrete steps so that this kind of thing doesn't happen anymore. But above all, we pray for those who suffer and for those who have died. Will you pray with me?

 

Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. The Lord bless you and keep you.  

 

The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon you and give us all his peace this day and forevermore. Amen.

Campus Ministries retreat at Chanco

 

The Episcopal Campus Ministries from Christopher Newport University, Longwood University, Hapden-Sydney College, Old Dominion University, and College of William & Mary joined together for an overnight retreat at Chanco this past weekend. With the theme of "Sabbath Time," the students centered their retreat around the Daily Offices, and concluded their time together with Eucharist. Taking time to nourish themselves in the beauty of God's creation, the students joined together for praying, hiking, zip-lining, rock climbing, guided meditation, and time around a campfire. The students enjoyed having time to be together as members of campus ministry in Southern Virginia. 

2018 Clergy Compensation Guidelines available

The Executive Board has approved a cost of living increase for clergy and lay employees of 2% for 2018. Click here for the 2018 Clergy Compensation Guidelines manual.

Clergy transitions

The Rev. Becky Crites left Epiphany, Danville, on September 30, 2017.

 

The Rev. Dr. Regina Christianson left Emmanuel, Chatham, on October 16, 2017.

 

The Rev. Gini DiStanislao will leave St. Paul & St. Andrew, Kenbridge, on November 5, 2017.

 

The Rev. Dr. K. Drew Baker will leave Epiphany, Danville, on November 30, 2017.

 

The Rev. Gini DiStanislao will begin as Rector of Manakin, Midlothian on December 1, 2017.

 

The Rev. Lisa Green will begin as Associate Rector at St. Martin's, Williamsburg, on December 11, 2017.

 

The Rev. J. Scott Baker will leave St. Stephen's, Newport News, on December 31, 2017.