Youth Leadership for Youth Task Force applications being accepted

There is a wonderful opportunity for youth to participate in this year's May Weekend in a leadership role. We are inviting youth in grades 10-11 to apply to be leaders for this program.  This year's theme, God's Love Is ..., was developed by the current seniors on the Youth Ministry Task Force.  

 

This offering is a faith-based retreat for your peers and adult youth leaders in the diocese. You will have the opportunity to lead worship, assist behind the scenes, help with music if so inclined, to MC the weekend, and to build mentoring relationships with your peers. The time commitment will be as follows: Thursday, May 16 (7:00 p.m.) - Sunday, May 19 (2:00 p.m.) at Chanco on the James, and one or two planning meetings (1 hour and half to two hours in duration) prior to the weekend (may be conducted virtually).

 

Clergy, Formation Leaders, and Youth Leaders, please encourage your youth to apply.  Selected Youth Leaders will receive a discount for May Weekend.

The deadline for this application to be submitted by mail or e-mail is Wednesday, April 17. Click here for more information and application form. 

Safe Church Training workshops scheduled

The following Safe Church Training Workshops are now open for registration. These workshops consist of a single session from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with lunch included. Completion of one of these workshops will satisfy the safe church training requirements for any employee or volunteer in the diocese.

 

More training workshops will be added for the Fall of 2019. Get more information about Safe Church Training and registration for these workshops here. 

• April 27 - Hickory Neck, Toano
• May 4 - St. Paul's, Petersburg
• May 18 - Trinity, Portsmouth
• June 1 - Emmanuel, Hampton
• June 8 - Holy Apostles, Virginia Beach
• June 15 - Christ & St. Luke's, Norfolk
• June 22 - Trinity, South Hill 
• September 28 - Redeemer, Midlothian

Apply now for Cursillo #166 weekend, May 2-5

Cursillo #166 Co-Ed Weekend will be held May 2-5 at Chanco on the James. Cursillo is an adult retreat designed to help us grow closer to Jesus Christ. It's also a community where we're encouraged to live joyfully and serve faithfully in grace. For more information on Cursillo or to apply to be a candidate, please visit the Cursillo website at www.cursillodiosova.org.

Clergy transitions

The Rev. Keith Gentry began as priest-in-charge at St. Paul & St. Andrew, Kenbridge on March 10, 2019.

 

The Rev. Alan Mead, interim Episcopal co-pastor, left Holy Apostles, Virginia Beach on April 7, 2019.

 

The Rev. Mario Melendez will begin as Episcopal co-pastor at Holy Apostles, Virginia Beach, on April 14, 2019.

From Crib to Cross Lutheran-Episcopal Retreat June 24-26 at Shrine Mont

All Episcopal Clergy and Rotered Leaders in the Episcopal Church and ELCA are invited to a retreat in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley to meet with other clergy and leaders as we continue to live into our full communion partnership. Guest speakers are Dr. Alyson Barnett-Cowan of the Episcopal Church in Canada and Dr. Timothy Wengert of Philadelphia Seminary. Both speakers will help us explore the impulses of our traditions (the "Crib" and the "Cross") and how our distinctions help us understand our own traditions better. There will be time for conversation among participants as well as free time and activities. Priests and Pastors looking to explore this special partnership will be enriched by this retreat. Sponsored by the Virginia Lutheran-Episcopal Joint Committee. Click here for details and registration.  

Save the date: Opening of James Solomon Russell - Saint Paul's College Museum & Archives

The grand opening of the James Solomon Russell  - Saint Paul's College Museum & Archives will be held Saturday, August 10. The day will begin with worship at Saint Paul's Memorial Chapel at 10:30 a.m. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. at the former Saint Paul's College Student Union Building, 100 Athletic Field Drive, Lawrenceville. For more information, contact James Grimstead, director, gsmus@aol.com.  

Jackson-Feild makes presentation to placement professionals

Jackson-Field's Donna Creasy presented information regarding Neurofeedback to a symposium of professionals who are tasked with finding the most appropriate and effective treatment for their locality's youth with emotional and behavioral issues. The topic was Neurofeedback and its utilization in residential treatment

 

There was a keen interest on the part of these professionals regarding Neurofeedback and its effectiveness in treating specific disorders including substance abuse. Neurofeedback is an evidence-based practice that uses electroencephalography or EEG to map brain activity. The goal is for youth to understand their brain functioning and gain control over their thoughts and behaviors. They learn how to connect stimuli which are undesirable that associate with negative thoughts and emotions such as depression, anxiety, impulsivity, etc. They learn how to manage these thoughts and feelings and control and improve their behaviors.

 

Jackson-Feild has used Neurofeedback as an effective treatment intervention for over twenty years. It is the only nonprofit organization in Virginia that uses it. Jackson-Feild does not receive any reimbursement for this service. JFBHS believes so strongly in this intervention since it has been so effective that it raises funds to cover this expense.

 

Ms. Creasy' s presentation was very well received and participants walked away with a new appreciation and understanding about the importance Neurofeedback could make in helping their youth.