Presiding Bishop's message for World Refugee Day

"Our work with and for refugees began when we began to follow Jesus, to follow His way and His teachings. It is because we are followers of Jesus, because we follow the way of love, because we follow the way of compassion, because we follow the way of human decency and kindness that we must be passionately committed to helping the refugees and displaced persons of this day," commented Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael B. Curry in his 2018 World Refugee Day Message. "When World Refugee Day comes on June 20, I invite you and ask you - help the refugees of this day. Support Episcopal Migration Ministries."

 

The Presiding Bishop's video message can be found here.  

 

On World Refugee Day, held each year on June 20, we celebrate the strength, resilience, and courage of refugees worldwide. Refugees bring gifts, skills, and talents to our communities, enhancing the very fabric of our nation.

 

Episcopal Migration Ministries is the Episcopal Church's foremost response to refugee crises. Working in partnership with offices and groups within the church as well as with governments and non-government organizations (NGOs), Episcopal Migration Ministries assures safe passage and provides vital services for thousands of refugee families upon their arrival in America: English language and cultural orientation classes; employment services; school enrollment; and initial assistance with housing and transportation. For each family, the goal is self-reliance and self-determination. After years of living in limbo, refugees now have the opportunity to begin again on a strong foundation that honors their stories and dignity, thanks to Episcopal Migration Ministries.

 

Get more information and resources here. 

Clergy transitions

The Rev. Dr. Daniel Wade McClain began as Canterbury Chaplain at The College of William & Mary, and Bruton Parish, Williamsburg on June 1, 2018.

 

The Rev. Martin Bagay will begin as Interim Rector at the Churches of St. George's Parish (St. George's, Pungoteague and St. James', Accomac) on June 15, 2018.

Boys Home students join Uganda mission

	Students attending Uganda Summer Mission, L to R: Nickolas Schwartz, Christian Bass, Evans Weber.

Boys Home is excited that three students are preparing for the opportunity to participate in a summer mission trip to Uganda in July. The students, plus two staff members, will be in Uganda for two weeks installing solar lights at an orphanage. Galilee, Virginia Beach, is organizing the trip.  

 

 When asked, the students said they are most excited to meet new people and to have the opportunity to help others. They also spoke of their upcoming opportunity to teach a Bible class to the children in Uganda. The students explained that they are each responsible for teaching their very own study and are working hard to prepare Bible lessons for the children.

Jackson-Feild holds 20th commencement exercises

Eleven students from the Edna Hayden Gwaltney School received their GED certificate on June 8. Forty students received their ServSafe food certificate and eight the culinary certificates. Dr. Bill Bowling, Director of Education, presided over the ceremony held at the Golden Leaf Commons at the Southside Virginia Community College Emporia Campus.

 

Two graduates spoke to those gathered about their experience at Jackson-Feild and at the on-campus, Gwaltney School. The express thanks and gratitude for the help and assistance they received from everyone at Jackson-Feild. Six scholarships were awarded to students to help with college or trade school expenses. These scholarships were given by a number of funders.

 

Each graduate is given a class ring donated by an anonymous donor. Young ladies are also given a dozen roses and young men a wallet in addition to a cash gift from an anonymous donor. Graduates are also given gift certificates from the Episcopal Church Women of the Diocese of Southern Virginia.

 

The Gwaltney School at Jackson-Feild has graduated 177 students since its founding in 1998. 

ECW recognizes Jackson-Feild's 11 graduates

	L to R: ECW President Helen Sharpe Williams; Jackson-Feild alumna Leslie Ludwig; Ann Chaffins long-time member of Jackson-Feild development staff.

Helen Sharpe Williams, President of the Episcopal Church Women of the Diocese of Southern Virginia, presented a gift to each of the eleven high school graduates at Jackson-Feild's commencement on June 8. This was the third year the ECW of the Diocese of Southern Virginia has given each graduate a gift to recognize this special milestone in their lives. 

 

Two graduates spoke to those gathered about their experience at Jackson-Feild and at the on-campus, Gwaltney School. They expressed thanks and gratitude for the help and support they received from everyone at Jackson-Feild.

 

One of the graduates concluded her remarks saying "Every day at Jackson-Feild I got closer to God and discovered God within me. Maybe it is because just being in the middle of nowhere surrounded by trees and animals, or the positive energy on campus but I believe it is the people who brought me closer. I hold Jackson-Feild very dear to my heart for opening a bright new world."

Chanco teams up with Seton Youth Shelters to help children with an incarcerated parent

Chanco on the James teamed up with Seton Youth Shelters of Virginia Beach to provide a day of fun and team building on June 2 for participants in Seton's Mentoring Program. The children in the Mentoring Program all have an incarcerated parent. The idea behind the program is to help give the children a positive role model and adult interaction to help guide them through this very difficult time in their lives.  

 

Seton Youth Shelters shall provide a safe haven, counseling and outreach services, 24 hours per day without charge, to assist youth in crisis throughout Hampton Roads, with the goal of reuniting families. The girls' shelter is located at St. Aidan's, Virginia Beach, and St. Aidan's rector, the Rev. Mark Wilkinson, is president of the Seton board. To learn more about Seton Youth Shelters go to www.setonyouthshelters.org.

79th General Convention convenes July 5-13

The General Convention is the governing body of The Episcopal Church that gathers every three years. Southern Virginia will be sending a deputation of clergy and lay people, along with Bishop Hollerith, to this year's gathering - the 79th General Convention in Austin, Texas, July 5-13.

We'll be using this blog to post news about General Convention before, during and after our time in Austin. In the weeks leading up to General Convention, we'll be posting information that will help you understand how General Convention works and its importance in the life of the Episcopal Church. While we're at General Convention, we'll use the site to post daily updates and photos. You'll also be able to find lots of photos on

our Facebook page and Instagram, @Diosova.