Absalom Jones Celebration on February 16

Absalom Jones was an African American abolitionist and clergyman and the first African American ordained a priest in The Episcopal Church. Bishop William White ordained Absalom a deacon in 1795 and a priest on September 21, 1802. Absalom Jones' life and work is commemorated in the Episcopal Church each year on February 13. He faithfully served the people at the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas in Philadelphia, a church which remains a vibrant congregation today. Please join the African American Episcopal Churches of the Diocese of Southern Virginia on Saturday, February 16 at noon at St. James', Portsmouth, as we celebrate this great man. The keynote speaker will be the Very Rev. Dr. Ronald Ramsey, rector of St. Cyprian's, Hampton. The celebration will be followed by a reception in the parish hall. St. James' is located at 928 Effingham Street in Portsmouth.

Register now for Vestry Training Days, Bishop's Day with Senior Wardens

Our annual Vestry Training Days are designed with new vestry members in mind, but all vestry members are welcome. Healthy, skilled vestries who understand their role in the life of the church and their relationship to the clergy and congregation are essential in creating and maintaining vital congregations. This year we are also sponsoring a training day focusing on the churches of Convocations 8 & 9 and their unique challenges - February 23, 2019 at Johns Memorial Church in Farmville. Click here for more information on these upcoming trainings:

• February 23 at Johns Memorial, Farmville
• March 2, 2019 at Good Shepherd, Norfolk
• March 9, 2019 at St. Matthias', Midlothian

Bishop's Day with Senior Wardens

Bishop's Day with Senior Wardens will be held March 2, 2019 at Good Shepherd, Norfolk, concurrently with the vestry training on that day. Click here for more info and registration.

Jackson-Feild promotes Johnnie McKellar

Jackson-Feild Behavioral Health Services (JFBHS) is pleased to announce that Johnnie C. McKeller has been named Director of Education for the Gwaltney School effective January 17, 2019. McKeller began teaching at the Gwaltney School in 2009, and had been serving as the acting director since July 1, 2018.

 

A resident of Franklin, McKeller earned his undergraduate degree from Longwood University, and his Master's degree from Cambridge College. He has been an educator since 2005 in a variety of capacities with several school divisions in North Carolina and Virginia. He also has been a coach for baseball, football, wrestling, track & field, and basketball.

 

McKeller is well liked and respected by the students as well as his colleagues, and his promotion has been well-received. With infectious enthusiasm, McKeller is a visionary who constantly seeks to improve himself and the Gwaltney School.  

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!