Video: Presiding Bishop's message for World Refugee Day

"When we welcome the stranger, we welcome the Lord God himself. We welcome Jesus," commented Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael B. Curry in his 2019 World Refugee Day Message. "On World Refugee Day, pray, learn about refugees, learn about what you can do, and do whatever you can to help the strangers in our midst." 

Click here to watch the video.

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's Pride Month statement honors LGBTQ Episcopalians

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry honors LGBTQ Episcopalians in his Pride Month statement --- "In my years of ministry, I have personally seen and been blessed by countless LGBTQ sisters, brothers and siblings. Dear friends, the church has in like manner been blessed by you. Together with many others you are faithful followers of Jesus of Nazareth and his way of love. You have helped the church to be truly catholic, universal, a house of prayer for all people. You have helped the church to truly be a reflection of the beloved community of God. You have helped the church to authentically be a branch of the Jesus movement in our time."

Click here to read the full statement. 

Come join the celebration at Chanco holds the first Eucharist in the NEW Spirit Center!

Chanco is hosting an Evening of Celebration with Bishop Magness presiding over our first Eucharist in our NEW Spirit Center. Please join us June 18 beginning at 6 p.m. for dinner, camp staff commissioning and Eucharist followed by a dessert reception. We hope you can join us for this special event in Chanco history. Questions or to RSVP (by June 10) to the event, please contact Chanco Administrative Coordinator Marjorie at hospitality@chanco.org  or 888-724-2626. 

Parish Administrators & Treasurers Lunch Group to meet June 13

The Administrators & Treasurers Lunch Group will meet on Thursday, June 13, from 12 to 1:30 p.m. at Redeemer, Midlothian (2341 Winterfield Road, Midlothian). This is a wonderful opportunity to meet with other parish administrators and treasurers to talk about common issues. There's no agenda for this gathering - just an opportunity to get together, share, encourage, support, and ask questions. Bring your own lunch; beverages will be provided. RSVP to Diocesan Comptroller Judy Dobson, jdobson@diosova.org or 757-213-3386 if you plan to attend.

Jackson-Feild Spring Fling is a night to remember

On May 23, Robinson-Withers Gym at Jackson-Feild Behavioral Health Services was transformed into an elegant ballroom for the evening’s “Spring Fling” prom. JFBHS would like to recognize and thank everyone who worked so hard to ensure the event would be a success.

 

The residential program staff prepared and hung decorations throughout the gym. JFBHS food service staff prepared special foods and sweets for the event. Staff member and professional photographer Leon Robinson snapped photos throughout the evening while staff member and a professional DJ provided the music that kept the boys and girls dancing all night.

 

The children were outfitted in their prom attire that was provided by the students at the Collegiate School in Richmond. They provided prom dresses, shoes, and accessories through their Fairy Godmother Program. For many residents it was the first dance in their life and they were overjoyed.

 

Prom is a rite of passage for most American teenagers, and JFBHS is committed to providing this special event that residents will cherish for a lifetime.

New podcast: The Way of Love with Bishop Michael Curry

The Way of Love: with Bishop Michael Curry is a new podcast which launches on Pentecost, June 9. These weekly conversations, featuring Bishop Curry along with podcast hosts Kyle Oliver and Sandy Milien, explore living a life committed to living the way of God's unconditional, unselfish, sacrificial and redemptive love. Each week in Season 1, Bishop Curry introduces one of the seven Ways of Love, Practices for a Jesus-Centered Life. Listeners are invited to deeper engagement with each practice as Kyle and Sandy share their insights and offer questions for reflection or small group discussion. New episodes air Tuesdays, through July 30.

The Way of Love: with Bishop Michael Curry is available on all podcast apps and at episcopalchurch.org. Visit the Way of Love podcast webpage to subscribe to the podcast through Apple iTunes, Google Play or Spotify, and to sign up for notifications of new seasons as well as additional featured content. 

Sacred Ground race dialogue series informational webinar June 11

Individuals or groups interested in learning more about  Sacred Ground: a film-based dialogue series on race and faith are invited to an introductory webinar hosted by Katrina Browne, Sacred Ground curriculum developer, and producer/director of the acclaimed documentary Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North, and the Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers, canon to the Presiding Bishop for evangelism, reconciliation, and creation care.

Built around a curriculum of powerful documentary films, videos, and readings, Sacred Ground is a 10-part series that considers some of the major chapters of the United States of America's history of race and racism.  It focuses on Indigenous, Black, Latino, and Asian American histories as they intersect with European American histories.  It also invites participants to weave in the threads of personal and family story, economic class, and political and regional identity.

In this webinar, Spellers and Browne share the "why and how" of the Sacred Ground series, including an overview of all of the elements of this resource. They will take participants through the online Sacred Ground curriculum and resources, including the password-protected pages. There will be time for questions. This free one-hour webinar is offered on Tuesday June 11, 1pm Eastern; register here.

 

You can view previously recorded webinars here.