Clergy transitions

The Rev. Marni Schneider left St. Simon's by the Sea, Virginia Beach, on February 28, 2018.

The Rev. Dale Hirst left St. Stephen's, Norfolk, on February 28, 2018, and began as priest-in-charge at St. Simon's by the Sea, Virginia Beach, on March 1, 2018.

The Rev. Robin Teasley began as rector of Christ & Grace, Petersburg, on March 1, 2018.

Boys Home of Virginia has a new website

Check out the new Boys Home website at boyshomeofva.org. The new format makes it easier to navigate, whether looking for a place to serve the needs of a young man or for those who want to engage with Boys Home and become supporters. 

Jackson-Feild residents celebrate Black History Month

In recognition and celebration of Black History Month, Residential Services Supervisor Katrinka Phillips planned an entire day filled with a number of fun and educational activities. Residents created posters depicting African-Americans who were instrumental in the Civil Rights Movement. They held a poetry reading and read aloud black history information that resonated with them. They even enjoyed a rousing game of "Black History Jeopardy" featuring questions written by staff about important people, places, days, and definitions.

 

Working to ensure that every holiday throughout the year is recognized with a special meal, Jackson-Feild's Director of Food Services Cynthia Easter pulled out all the stops for this Black History Month celebration. Easter and her staff prepared a dinner of fried chicken, homemade macaroni and cheese, strings beans, rolls and apple cobbler that was thoroughly enjoyed by residents and staff alike.

 

Days like this are just one of the many things that set Jackson-Feild apart from other treatment facilities. In addition to receiving the treatment they need, the boys and girls are provided opportunities to explore topics of interest as a group, share their talents, and celebrate holidays that are important to them.

United Thank Offering update

The ECW sends out a heart-felt "thank you" to everyone who donated to the United Thank Offering in 2017. A total of $31,154.78 was collected for UTO in 2017. $26,890.98 was collected in the Spring and $4,263.80 was collected in the Fall. Here's more happy news - donations for 2018 have already started coming in! $2,940.44 has been collected for 2018. This amount includes $959.97 collected in the Blue Boxes at February's Annual Council in Williamsburg. This number is up from $791.83 collected at Council last year. Again, thank you!

 

Donations collected during April and October 2018 In-gatherings throughout the Diocese may be mailed to Ronda Toll, UTO Coordinator, 42 Cherbourg Drive, Newport News, VA 23606. Contact Ronda at 757-869-8873 or rtoll@cox.net with any questions or requests for UTO materials. Donations are collected for UTO throughout the year. 2018 donations will be collected until December 10, 2018.

 

The National UTO Board has created a simple prayer (memorable and easy enough for children to recite) that can be said when making an offering in a Blue Box. Here's the 2018 prayer:

Almighty God, I give you praise
for blessing me in many ways.
Create in me a grateful heart
and with this gift, a blessing start. Amen.

Episcopal Church scholarship applications for 2018-2019 now accepted

Applications are now being accepted for educational scholarships from the Episcopal Church for the 2018-2019 academic year. The scholarships are derived from annual income of designated trust funds established by generous donors through bequests to the Episcopal Church.  The scholarships assist students who are mostly enrolled in theological education and training. Scholarships are available for educational training for ethnic communities, children of missionaries, bishops and clergy, and other groups covering a wide range of eligibility.

The lists of trust funds and scholarships as well as key information are here. Applicants are strongly encouraged to read each trust and identify in the application those trust funds that best fit their own profile. 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. Application deadline is April 6.

In the Footsteps of Paul: Pilgrimage to Greece

October 2-12, 2018
Land and sea travel is the best way to experience Greece and the Greek Isles, and October offers the best weather in the region. This all-inclusive trip, hosted by the Rev. Dr. Paul "Peter" Hogg, includes: 1) Round-trip flights from Dulles; 2) Tours of Athens, Corinth, Delphi, Kalambaka, Thessaloniki, including first class hotels, meals; 3) Tour the Aegean Sea Isles of Mykonos, Ephesus, Patmos, Crete, Santorini as well as Ephesus (Turkey) on modern Celestyal Cruise Line ship, including all meals. Reserve now if you are serious; this tour has a limited capacity. The tour brochure and a flyer you can post or share are available here. Questions? Call or email: The Rev. Dr. Paul "Peter" Hogg, 757-635-3557, phogg123@gmail.com, or Toni Hogg 757-635-7402, tonih68@gmail.com.

The Rev. Sue Reid to serve as Bishop's Liaison for the Diaconate

At Annual Council, Bishop Hollerith announced the appointment of the Rev. M. Sue Reid as the new Liaison for the Diaconate. Sue comes to us with years of experience as a priest of the Church.  A graduate of both Union Theological Seminary in New York City (Master of Sacred Music) and Virginia Theological Seminary (MDiv), Sue has served in many capacities, including as Rector of two parishes and as Canon to the Ordinary for Education and Spiritual Development in the Diocese of Indianapolis. While Sue's title will be different than that of Archdeacon - due to the fact that she remains canonically resident in the Diocese of Olympia - she will nonetheless function as an Archdeacon in our diocese. Sue is presently a resident of Williamsburg and currently serves as the Chaplain for the Deacons School that we share with the other two Virginia dioceses.

Bishop Hollerith also recognized and gave thanks for the work of the Rev. Becki Dean who retired last year as the Archdeacon of the diocese. Becki served faithfully in that capacity since 2014. While family demands necessitated her retirement from leadership, she continues to serve as a deacon at St. Michael's, Bon Air.