Camp Chanco registration in full swing - join us for an open house

Winter Camp held last weekend for ages 7-12 was a huge success. We welcomed many first time campers and many who are now excited for summer camp! As one parent shared after the weekend, "Morgan had the best time at Chanco this weekend and cannot wait to go back this summer. Morgan said that she wants to live there!" This is a perfect example of how many come to call Chanco their "second home." See what all the buzz is about and join us at an Open House at Chanco March 30 or May 11, 2019. These events are free and open to the public and will feature tours, information, camp games and refreshments. Can't make it to an Open House and live in the Midlothian area? We have the event for you! Join us at St. Matthias, Midlothian for a Chanco Day on Sunday, April 28 from 2 to 4 pm and meet camp staff, learn about Chanco, and enjoy some favorite traditional camp games! Click here for a camp flyer with more information on all of our summer sessions. Or visit www.chanco.org for more information or to secure your spot by registering today! Questions? Contact us at hospitality@chanco.org or 888-7CHANCO (888-724-2626). See you soon where "friends are friends forever"!

Seeds of Hope Grants awarded

The Diocese of Southern Virginia makes Seeds of Hope grants to congregations and diocesan groups to begin or expand ministries for social and economic justice causes. The Seeds of Hope Grant Committee is pleased to award the following grants for 2019:

 

	Laundry Love

St. Andrew's, Norfolk

Grant will help Laundry Love provides free laundry service and homework help once a month in the Park Place neighborhood of Norfolk, as well as social events during the year.

 

St. James, Warfield

Grant will help provide food and materials for the Senior Citizens Outreach Program.

 

St. Paul's, Lawrenceville

Grant will help fund the Lifelong Learning for Grandparents Raising Children. Grandparents receive educational programming, and workshops are offered for children. The grant will also fund activities for dialysis patients.

 

St. Thomas, Freeman

Grant will help fund the Youth Empowerment Project, providing supplies, food and transportation for this educational program.

 

Latino Ministry on the Eastern Shore

Grant will help provide transportation and materials for the Dos Santos Support Groups for women, children and men, serving the Latino community on Virginia's Eastern Shore.

 

	Jobs for Life class at St. Paul's, Newport News

St. Paul's, Newport News

Grant will help the Community Action Network, which serves the homeless and working poor, to create space for a library, conference and training room. St. Paul's also received a second grant to enable them to replace the chest freezer used by their feeding program.

 

Holy Apostles, Virginia Beach

Grant will provide support for the Manna Pantry Garden Project, in conjunction with the Girl Scout troop that meets at the church, to grow food for the church's pantry.

 

St. Martin's, Williamsburg

Grant will provide seed funds for Nests in the Shade: Homes for Our Neighbors, assisting homeless individuals and families to transition to permanent housing.

 

Mission of the Holy Spirit, Norfolk

Grant will help fund Bridging the Gaps, a weekly educational program for Mission families.

Clergy transitions

The Rev. Dr. S. Paul Rowles began as Interim Rector at St. John's, Halifax on January 1, 2019.

Registration open for Happening #70

Happening is an experiential weekend retreat for young adults in grades 10-12 that may just change your life. Come and see what it's like to be transformed by God's love! Happening #70 will take place March 15-17, 2019 at Chanco on the James. The weekend will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday evening and end at 6 p.m. on Sunday evening. Cost per participant is $180. Fee includes all meals, retreat lodge rooms with private bath and linens provided. Partial scholarships are available; contact the Diocesan Office. Registration deadline is February 15, 2019. Click here to sign up now!

Thanks to Boys Home Christmas sponsors

The students and staff had a wonderful time at the annual Boys Home of Virginia Christmas Party on December 18. Santa stopped by for a visit and each student sat on his lap and received a present. The students enjoyed pizza and then went to their cottages to open their presents. 

 

Boys Home would like to thank all of our Christmas sponsors for the Christmas gift program. Sponsors make it possible for each student to have a special Christmas at Boys Home. We are incredibly grateful for the generosity poured out by our sponsors. We wish each of you could see the happy faces of the young men as they open their presents each year. Thank you!

Way of Love resources

To assist congregations, dioceses, and communities of faith to engage the Way of Love throughout the liturgical year, The Episcopal Church and partnering organizations offer resources for every time of the year: 

• Anytime: The Way of Love Small Group Facilitation Guide and Curriculum (9 sessions): Essential resource for forming a small group, shaping a Rule of Life, and growing in relationship with God and each other.
• Epiphany - LEARN/The Good Book Club: Along the Way of Love, we read and learn from scripture each day, with a special focus on the life and teachings of Jesus. This Epiphany join any of the Good Book Club efforts and spend a season with Paul's letter to the Romans. Learn more at www.goodbookclub.org, an initiative of Forward Movement.
• Lent and Easter/Life Transformed: The Way of Love in Lent and Easter: The Episcopal Church provides this seasonal resource, complete with Adult Forums, a Quiet Day and an Easter season of action.
• Ascension to Pentecost - PRAY/Thy Kingdom Come: Led by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Christians around the world will share in 12 days of intentional prayer for the spread of God's love. Learn more and get ready for this energizing global movement of prayer at  www.thykingdomcome.global.  
• Way of Love resources from Church Publishing, Inc. (CPI) include Living the Way of Love, a 40-day devotional by Mary Bea Sullivan, and their recently published Little Books of Guidance - one for each of the seven Way of Love practices. Explore the host of CPI resources at www.churchpublishing.org/wayoflove.

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's Christmas message

"Love came down at Christmas, because God so loved the world, that he gave," Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael Curry said in his Christmas Message 2018. The video of the Presiding Bishop's message is here. The text of the Presiding Bishop's message is here.