Presiding Bishop Curry: Easter 2018 message from the Holy Land

"Hatred does not have the last word," the Presiding Bishop said. "Violence does not have the last word. Bigotry does not have the last word. Sin, evil do not have the last word. The last word is God, and God is love."

Filmed on Palm Sunday during his visit to the Holy Land, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry delivered his Easter 2018 Message while standing outside of St. George's Cathedral in Jerusalem. You can watch video of Bishop Curry's message here and read the full text here.   

 

New resources: Evangelism; Youth Advocacy, MLK

Evangelism resources: Conference video; Toolkit

Evangelism Matters conference video
Evangelism Matters, an Episcopal evangelism conference, was held March 15-17 for anyone excited to learn about sharing and growing loving, liberating, life-giving relationships with God. Video of speakers at Evangelism Matters are available online at evangelismmatters.org. Evangelism Matters is ideal for congregational discussion, adult forums, youth groups, and other gatherings. 

Episcopal Evangelism Toolkit
A new, comprehensive Episcopal Evangelism Toolkit is available online for congregations, dioceses, groups, and individuals to explore Evangelism and grow capacity to share the good news of God in Christ far and wide. The toolkit is available here in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole. The Episcopal Evangelism Toolkit is ideal for educational purposes, leadership development, faith formation, adult forums, youth groups, and other Episcopal gatherings. 

 

Sustain the Energy webinar on April 10 focuses on advocacy opportunities for young people 

The Sustain the Energy webinar on April 10, 7-8 p.m., will focus on advocacy opportunities for young people following the March 24 March for Our Lives events held throughout the country.

Hosted by the Episcopal Church Offices of Government Relations, Youth Ministries, and Young Adult and Campus Ministries, the free one-hour webinar is designed to be an informative online conversation with resources, best practices, and next steps. Pre-registration is required and is available here.

Free adult curriculum honoring Martin Luther King 

April 4, 2018 marks 50 years since the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

In observance of the deep and lasting impact of Dr. King's ministry, Trinity is offering the video curriculum below for use by individuals or in group education settings. The speaker series, "Three Epistles on Race in America," explores contemporary black/white relationships using writings that, while perhaps lesser known than King's famous "I have a dream" oratory, resonate powerfully today. Click here to learn more and to access the curriculum.

May Weekend registration is open!

Join us for May Weekend, May 18-20, at Chanco on the James. This is a weekend retreat for teens (grades 6-12) focused on fun, friendship and faith in honor of Pentecost and the 50th Anniversary of Camp Chanco.

May Weekend features awesome music, group games, campfires, interesting workshops, meaningful worship, camp activities, group discussions, arts and crafts, a dance party, and fantastic food! Click here for more details and registration. 

Province III ECW Annual Meeting May 6-7

The 99th Annual Meeting of Province III Episcopal Church Women will be held May 6-7 at the Holiday Inn in Martinsburg, WV. The gathering will convene on May 6 with Holy Eucharist, a welcome dinner and presidents' meeting. The business meeting and joint session with Province III Synod will be held May 7. Click here for more info and registration form. For more information or to be added to the mailing list, contact Province III ECW President Beblon Parks, bebparks@gmail.com or 804-323-0542. Click here for a flyer to post in your parish. 

Video of Evangelism Matters conference available

Evangelism Matters, an Episcopal evangelism conference, was held March 15-17 for anyone excited to learn about sharing and growing loving, liberating, life-giving relationships with God. Video of speakers at Evangelism Matters are available online at evangelismmatters.org. Evangelism Matters is ideal for congregational discussion, adult forums, youth groups, and other gatherings. 

Holy Week Sermons 2018: New resource for worship, reflections, meditation

A new resource, Holy Week Sermons 2018, is an ideal companion for Holy Week devotions. The 28-page Holy Week Sermons 2018 is designed for public and personal use for group discussions, personal meditations, reflections, and devotional reading by preachers, groups, individuals, adults and youth. Prepared through the Episcopal Church's popular Sermons That Work, the resource is designed for use throughout Holy Week to follow Jesus through the streets of Jerusalem, to Gethsemane, to the foot of the cross, and toward the joy of Easter.

Included are resources for Palm Sunday through the Great Vigil, all presented in different voices by the cadre of writers from Sermons That Work.  Topics are Sacrifice; Leave Her Alone. She's Telling The Truth; Let Go Into Jesus; At the End Of This Week; To The End; The Passion According To John. The Easter Vigil is St. John Chrysostom's Paschal Sermon.

Holy Week Sermons 2018 is available at no cost here and for downloading here.   

Bishop Search: Update from the Standing Committee

During this time of transition, the Standing Committee has committed itself to regular updates to the Diocese. We hope that this will help you stay abreast of the developments in our Bishop Search process. In the meantime, please keep the Standing Committee, Bishop Hollerith, and the Diocese in your prayers.

 

On Feb. 28, the Standing Committee met with Bishop Todd Ousley from the Presiding Bishop's office to train us in how to set up a Bishop search. (Click here for more information about the process.) Over the next several months we will be working on the following high level goals:

• Hire a search consultant to guide the Standing Committee, Search Committee, and Transition Committee through the process.
• Establish a timeline for major events.
• Designate persons to work on the Search Committee and assign a chair.
• Designate persons to work on the Transition Committee and assign a chair.

Thank you and God's Peace,

Standing Committee