Presiding Bishop Curry joins Worldwide Anglican Communion campaign calling for prayer

For the second year, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has joined the worldwide Anglican Communion in Thy Kingdom Come, a campaign initiated by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby calling for prayer by individuals, congregations and families. Thy Kingdom Come is a global prayer movement that invites Christians around the world to pray between Ascension Day (May 10) and Pentecost (May 20) for more people to come to know Jesus.

A wide selection of resources and information are available to participate in many ways in Thy Kingdom Come, designed for both personal and group devotions and meditations. Click here to learn more about Thy Kingdom Come, and access resources.

SUMMA Theological Debate Camp for high school students

SUMMA Theological Debate Camp at the University of the South is a fantastic opportunity for high school students of all faiths to explore faith through reason and debate. SUMMA Student Theological Debate Society is inviting high school students entering grades 9-12 in the fall of 2018 to apply for SUMMA Debate Camp, held July 17-25 at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. SUMMA Camp is a unique opportunity for students to explore their faith through intellectual channels, meet lifelong friends, and have a lot of fun on one of the most beautiful college campuses in the country!

At SUMMA Camp, students of all faiths learn valuable skills for debate, public speaking, and theological reflection. No previous debate experience or formal theological study is necessary. Campers have a true collegiate experience, but camp is not all work! There is plenty of time left over to swim, play sports, watch movies, go bowling, and have lots of great, summer fun! At the end of camp, the SUMMA prize is awarded to the student who best exemplifies the spirit of SUMMA camp: speaking the truth in love. The SUMMA prize includes a $1,000 scholarship.

Click here for more information. Applications are accepted through June 1, 2018. Please apply soon to avoid being placed on the waitlist.

Free online class on Revelation taught by Michael Battle

How will the world end? Does hell exist? Will we be separated from the people we know and love when we die? These are just a few of the questions the Book of Revelation inspires, and in his groundbreaking analysis, priest, theologian, and seminary professor Michael Battle takes on as he unpacks this book like you've never experienced it before. Revelation: The End of the World or Heaven on Earth is a new, free online class from ChurchNext. It is available in formats for individuals and for groups. You'll find the lectures longer and more in depth than most ChurchNext classes. It is a partnership between ChurchNext and Trinity Wall Street.

Lynn Farlin called to be Canon for Formation

Canon for Formation Caroline Black, having served the Diocese faithfully for over 10 years, will be retiring at the end of April. "Caroline has been wonderfully supportive of my ministry," said Bishop Hollerith. "I have relied on her wise counsel as well as her unflagging desire to get things done. And I have enjoyed our friendship. She will be greatly missed."

Lynn Farlin has been called to become the next Canon for Formation and will join the staff on April 16. Lynn has worked actively in the area of Christian formation for over ten years.  Most recently she served as the Director of Christian Formation at Church of the Ascension in Norfolk where she was responsible for the children, youth and adult formation programs. Lynn worked for twenty-six years in the university setting at Old Dominion University, Anne Arundel Community College, Purdue University and Illinois State University, primarily responsible for student judicial affairs. She holds a MS in College Student Personnel Administration from Indiana State University and a BA in Biological Sciences from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. Lynn is a Safe Church trainer, a member of the Commission on Ministry, and has served on the Standing Committee and Title IV Disciplinary Board. She has been the co-convener of the Christian Education Network (CE-Net) for three years.

Clergy transitions

The Rev. Richard Budd will leave Christ the King, Tabb as interim rector on April 7 and will begin as interim rector at St. Stephen's, Newport News on April 15.   

Bishop Vaché Scholarship applications accepted

The Bishop Vaché Scholarships provide funds to assist low-income and minority college students in the Diocese of Southern Virginia. First year students as well as returning college students are welcome to apply. Scholarship awards range from $1000 to $5000 per academic year. Applications must be postmarked by June 1, 2018. Notifications will go out by June 15, 2018 and awards will be made by July 1, 2018. Click here for the application form.

James Solomon Russell celebrated

by The Rev. Dr. Terrence A. Walker

The annual Feast of the Venerable Doctor James Solomon Russell was observed on Sunday, March 25, 2018 at New Hope Baptist Church, the Rev. Dan Jarrell, pastor. Keynote speaker for the event was the Rev. Charles "Monty" Raney, Jr., pastor of Lake Gaston Christian Life Centre in Ebony. Raney, who grew up in Brunswick County, offered a frank assessment of the legal and societal barriers that Russell faced in his attempt to establish a comprehensive educational and training facility for African Americans in the Lawrenceville area and extolled the benefits to the local and world communities. What began as a basic education facility would grow from a junior college to a fully accredited four-year college (Saint Paul's College, 1888-2013) with students from across the United States and around the world.

 

Musical selections for the celebration were provided by the voices of the Lighthouse Singers of Lake Gaston Christian Life Center, under the direction of Mrs. Sheryl Baird and Mr. David Blount, and by guest soloist Ms. Megan Henry of First Baptist Church, South Boston, Virginia.

 

Each year the James Solomon Russell Commemoration Committee adopts a project that highlights the far-reaching nature of James Solomon Russell's service in Southern Virginia. This year the Committee chose to encourage the renovation of 139-year-old Ascension Episcopal Church in Palmer Springs, Virginia, the first of twenty churches founded by Russell. Per the instructions in the original deed to the Ascension property, when the land was no longer used for religious or educational purposes, ownership reverted to the James Solomon Russell family. Several members of the Russell family were present to receive the document from the Rev. Dr. Terrence Walker who served as the celebrant for the service.