Dead men don't tell tales, but their tombstones do! Historic
St. Luke's Church in Smithfield has been the site of burials since the
1600's. Enjoy the stories of local saints and sinners on a guided tour
through the Ancient Cemetery. They have two dates for cemetery tours
this Halloween season: an Adults Only tour on October 18, and a
family-friendly tour on October 19. Learn about local lore and ancient
curses through a historical lens, and separate fact from fiction. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
Tuesday, October 8, 2019
Wednesday, October 2, 2019
Registration is live for November Weekend!
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For youth in grades 6-12
The demands of our daily lives can often be stressful and
draining. We simply can't rest and replenish our souls when we are on
the go all the time, multi-tasking, constantly bombarded with noise, and
always on our phones. November Weekend is an opportunity for youth to
come together with friends from all over the Diocese and to spend time
in retreat with God. This year we will explore the ongoing process of
personal growth and the inner strength that God's great love provides us
all.
Fellowship is fun, spiritual, motivating, musical, and active... AND it's at Chanco, so register now at www.diosova.org/youth!
Sign up today! Happening #71 registration closes Oct. 10
CE-Net gathering on October 10
Join CE-Net (Christian Education Network) for an informal roundtable
conversation on Thursday, October 10, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. at the
Diocesan offices. Please share one thing from your ministry that is
going well AND one thing that is a growth opportunity in your ministry.
If you are available, please join us for a Dutch treat lunch at a
nearby restaurant. Hope to see you there!
Cursillo #167 - a retreat full of grace
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Rooted in Jesus 2020 Conference
A diverse group of presenters will be coming to Atlanta, Georgia
January 21-24 for the Rooted in Jesus Conference, a collaborative effort
of Episcopal Church Foundation, Missional Voices, Forma, Episcopal
Evangelism Society, Forma, Forward Movement, Episcopal Preaching
Foundation, Diocese of Atlanta, Evangelism Matters, and of course, The
Episcopal Church.
Tracks reflecting the various aspects of discipleship will be
offered: formation, mission, stewardship, evangelism, preaching,
leadership, and communications, or you can chart your own course from
the long list of workshops, panels, and plenaries. For more information,
please visit www.rootedinjesus.church. Group discounts available.
Episcopal Relief & Development launches ONE THOUSAND DAYS OF LOVE
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"Love allows us to bridge great distances so that children an
ocean away are as precious to us as the little ones living right down
the block," said the Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, Presiding Bishop and
Primate of The Episcopal Church and Honorary Co-Chair of ONE THOUSAND
DAYS OF LOVE. "Episcopal Relief & Development's programs with
children share our love with thousands of children in Africa, Asia and
Latin America. With your help, we can demonstrate God's love to
thousands more."
Research shows that the first 1,000 days for children are
critical in setting a foundation that affects their ability to grow,
learn and thrive over their entire lives. Around the world, 155 million
children under five are stunted due to inadequate nutrition and health
care. Episcopal Relief & Development works with communities to
ensure that children have access to food, clean water, and quality
health care.
Episcopal Relief & Development invites individuals,
congregations and dioceses to join ONE THOUSAND DAYS OF LOVE by engaging
in acts of love of their own. These acts can include:
- Learning about the campaign and the organization's work with children.
- Sharing the campaign with their congregations and communities on social media, through online peer-to-peer fundraising and other creative campaign activities.
- Giving as an individual or congregation to help expand the organization's work with children.
To learn more about ONE THOUSAND DAYS OF LOVE and how individuals and congregations can participate, visit episcopalrelief.org/1000DaysOfLove.
Tuesday, September 24, 2019
National Hispanic Heritage Month 2019
The etymology of “Hispanic” goes back to “Hispania” during the Roman Empire. Hispania was the region comprising the Iberian Peninsula, now occupied by Portugal and Spain. When those countries conquered America, their culture and influence spread from modern day United States to Argentina. Another fact: St. Augustine in Florida was established as a Spanish fort in 1565, the first permanent European settlement in the United States before the English settlement of Jamestown in Virginia later in 1607. The oldest and active government building in the United States is “La Fortaleza”, the house of the governor of Puerto Rico.
When it comes to reporting their racial/ethnic identity, Latinos stand out from other Americans. In the 2010 census, for example, 94% of the U.S. population selected at least one of the five standard, government-defined racial categories – white, black, Asian, American Indian or Pacific Islander. But among Latinos, just 63% selected at least one of these categories; 37% of Latinos, or 19 million, instead selected only “some other race,” with many offering write-in responses such as “Mexican,” Hispanic” or “Latin American.”[1] In my case I have used “Hispanic”, “White-Hispanic” (when it is an option), “Latino”, and “Puerto Rican.” All of these categories of course can lead to interesting conversations since “Hispanic” or “Latino” could mean different things to different people.
Today, 57.5 million people or 18% of the American population are of Hispanic or Latino origin. This represents a significant increase from 2000, which registered the Hispanic population at 35.3 million or 13% of the total U.S. population. Here in Virginia the “Hispanic population in Virginia is the 15th largest in the nation. About 732,000 Hispanics reside in Virginia, 1.3% of all Hispanics in the United States.”[2]
During National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15) I ask for your prayers on behalf of my ministry to our siblings in Christ in our diocese. You can also share in this special annual tribute by learning and celebrating the generations of Hispanic and Latino Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society. We are your neighbors, friends, co-workers, doctors, fellow veterans, and those of us that come into your life for only a moment. Blessings to all of you.
Gracias, The Rev. (Padre) Mario
Missioner for Latino/a/x Ministries
[1] Gonzalez-Barrera,
Ana and Hugo-Lopez, Mark. “Is being Hispanic a matter of race, ethnicity or
both?” Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/06/15/is-being-hispanic-a-matter-of-race-ethnicity-or-both/
[2] Pew
Research Center: Hispanic Trends. “Latinos in the 2016 Election: Virginia” Pew
Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/hispanic/fact-sheet/latinos-in-the-2016-election-virginia/
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