Bishop's Blog: Thoughts upon congregational development

Congregational development and recasting are among Bishop Magness' highest priorities. He and the Canons have been on the road in Southern Virginia, talking with congregations about these very issues. In his latest blog post, the Bishop shares his thoughts with you. www.bishopmagness.blogspot.com

Lenten Resources available from The Episcopal Church

The journey through Lent into Easter is a journey with Jesus. We are baptized into his life, self-giving and death; then we rise in hope to life transformed. This Lent, faith communities are invited to walk with Jesus in his Way of Love and into the experience of transformed life. Click here for Lenten resources, in both English and Spanish, for the Way of Love, and from Episcopal Relief & Development, Living Compass, United Thank Offering and many others.   

Jackson-Feild Behavioral Health Services meets Medicaid's new standards

For a number of years, Jackson-Feild Behavioral Health Services (JFBHS) has been a Medicaid provider. Medicaid recently initiated stringent standards of care, and JFBHS is pleased to announce that they passed - with flying colors - an unannounced three-day observation and assessment by a Medicaid representative.

 

This achievement is a testament to JFBHS' mission to provide high quality evidence-based psychiatric, residential, educational and recovery treatment services for children who suffer from severe emotional trauma, mental illness and/or addiction.  Their goal is to restore wellness and provide support for successful reintegration into homes, families and communities.

 

Medicaid is a government-sponsored insurance program for persons of all ages whose income and resources are insufficient to pay for health care including mental health.

 

Medicaid raised the bar for psychiatric residential facilities, and JFBHS cleared the bar simply by doing what they already were doing: providing high quality, effective services. Medicaid will continue to make unannounced site visits, and JFBHS is confident that they will continue to meet the challenge and exceed the expectations.

Partners in Welcome: An innovative new program from Episcopal Migration Ministries

Episcopal Migration Ministries, the refugee resettlement ministry of The Episcopal Church, is proud to announce an innovative new program called Partners in Welcome (PiW). Through this program, Episcopal Migration Ministries is building a mission-driven community rooted in loving God and our shared value to love our neighbor. This network is open to all organizations and individuals dedicated to welcoming newcomers, educating communities, and developing advocates. The PiW online portal will officially launch on Feb. 28, offering network members the opportunity to access resources, exchange ideas, and connect with others involved in refugee and immigrant welcome. The Partners in Welcome program is made possible by a generous grant from the United Thank Offering. Click here for more information on PiW

Bishop Magness is blogging!

Bishop Magness is blogging, and he kicks off his brand-new blog with a reflection on Southern Virginia's 127th Annual Council. You can find him at www.bishopmagness.blogspot.com. In addition to sharing occasional reflections on a variety of topics, Bishop Magness will also be posting sermons from his visitations.

In addition to his blog, you can also follow Bishop Magness on Twitter, @DioSoVaBishop.

 

Chuck Marks elected Diocesan Treasurer

The Executive Board has elected Mr. Charles Marks III as diocesan treasurer. He fills the position vacated by the retirement of Mr. John Meek, who served as diocesan treasurer for eight years. 

A decorated, 30-year veteran of the U.S. Navy, Chuck Marks served as a Surface Warfare Officer, a fiscal policy advisor, a strategic planner, a Middle East, NATO and United Nations specialist. During his last five years in the Navy, he was the subject matter specialist on building inclusive cultures to help counter destructive behaviors such as sexual assault, suicide, domestic violence, substance abuse, and gun violence. He has held multiple commands both ashore and afloat, and has served overseas in Europe, the Middle East, and Afghanistan.

 

Presently, Chuck has formed his own company helping others to develop inclusive cultures, to understand their own employees better, to build climates where all are invested in the future of the organization, and to ensure that strategic planning incorporates the best of military and civilian leadership lessons.

 

Active in his church community, Chuck is presently serving on his vestry as Senior Warden and is the high school leader for the Episcopal Youth Community. He also serves as a member of the Chanco on the James Board of Directors and was appointed one of two sub-committee leads for the Diocesan Youth Ministry Task Force.

The Executive Board extends its grateful thanks to the Rev. Anne Kirchmier, chair of the diocesan Program, Budget & Review Committee who has served as interim treasurer since Johh Meek's retirement in October 2018.

Clergy transitions

The Rev. Carlotta Cochran began as priest-in-charge at St. Stephen's, Norfolk, January 1, 2019.

 

The Rev. Berkley Ford will retire as rector of Holy Trinity, Onancock, March 1, 2019.