Susan B. Haynes consecrated as bishop of Southern Virginia

The Rev. Susan Bunton Haynes was ordained and consecrated as the 11th bishop of the Diocese of Southern Virginia at 11 a.m. on February 1 at Williamsburg Community Chapel in Williamsburg, Virginia. Approximately 1,300 people attended the historic service, and over 1,000 watched the live stream, as Haynes became the first woman bishop in the diocese's 128-year history. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry led the service as chief consecrator. The Rt. Rev. Edward S. Little II, seventh bishop of Northern Indiana, was the preacher.  Read more here.  

Visit the diocesan Facebook page for many more photos. Video of the service will be available soon for on-demand viewing. Click here for the service program booklet. Click here for the Eucharistic bread recipe. 

Top photos by Greg Davy of Bruton Parish, Williamsburg.  Bottom photos by Susan Pederson of St. Andrew's, Norfolk.

EYE: unite! ¡unámonos!

The Diocese of Southern Virginia is putting together a group of youth to attend the Episcopal Youth Event, or also affectionately known as EYE, this upcoming summer. The theme for EYE20 will be "unite! ¡unámonos!" and it will be held this summer, July 7-11, 2020, in the Washington DC metro area.  Our Diocesan group will meet together July 6 in Newport News and then travel to the event together on July 7. EYE20 programs will focus on helping develop leadership skills, spiritual practices, and early stages of vocational discernment. Participants must have turned at least 15 and be no older than 19 by July 7, 2020. Current freshman who will be 14 on July 7, 2020 will have an opportunity to attend EYE2023 as the Episcopal Youth Event is on a three-year cycle. The cost for Diocesan participants will be $100 per person. There is limited housing available, so please be sure to register by March 10. For more information about the event check out the EYE20 website here. If you are interested or have any questions, please contact Youth Missioner, Megan Dern, at mdern@diosova.org or 757-423-8287

Safe Church Training spring classes open for registration

Specialized Safe Church Training classes are now open for registration. All workshops are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and lunch is provided. Registration will close five days before the date of the workshop. The schedule of Universal Safe Church Training classes will be available soon. Click here to learn if this is the right training for you and to register for any of these classes: 

• February 15 - St. Martin's, Williamsburg
• March 7 - All Saints, Virginia Beach
• March 14 - St. Thomas, Chesapeake
• April 25 - Grace, Yorktown
• April 30 - Manakin, Midlothian
• May 9 - Epiphany, Norfolk
• May 30 - St. Stephen's, Petersburg
• June 6 - Holy Apostles, Virginia Beach
• June 13 - St. John's, Suffolk

Go to www.diosova.org/safe_church for complete information about Safe Church Training.  

Save the date - Women's Lenten retreat at Chanco

Chanco on the James invites you to join women from around the Diocese as we gather together at Chanco on Friday, March 6 and Saturday, March 7 for our annual Women's Lenten retreat, Gravity and Grace: Exploring Themes of Darkness and Light In Our Lenten Journeys. Cost to Participants for Friday and Saturday is $95 ($135 for private room) and includes reception, accommodations, breakfast, lunch, and program. Cost for Saturday only is $35 and includes lunch and program. Register by calling 888-724-2626 weekdays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. You may also register by mail - include your check along with a note that indicates your name, contact information, and desired dates of attendance. Mail no later than February 21 to 394 Floods Drive, Spring Grove, VA  23881. Questions or assistance with registration, contact Ronda Toll at 757-869-8873 or at rtoll@cox.net.

Don't miss fantastic spring events at Chanco!

We have many dynamic retreats and events coming up this spring you won't want to miss! Save these dates:

• Women's Lenten Retreat: March 6-7. Theme is "Gravity and Grace: Exploring Themes of Darkness and Light in our Lenten Journeys" featuring facilitator the Rev. Jackie Fulop. Registration coming soon.
• Volunteer Work Weekend: March 20-22. This event will be FREE and will involve helping prepare Chanco for the busy spring and summer seasons! 18 and under must be accompanied by a guardian. Registration coming soon.
• Open House Dates: March 21 and April 26 from 1-5 pm. Free and open to the public. Come see what Camp Chanco is all about!
• Happening #72: March 27-29 for grades 10-12. Click here for more information and to register. Visit www.diosova.org/youth for more information and staff application.
• Cursillo #168: Co-Ed Weekend: April 23-26. Adult retreat designed to help us grow closer to Jesus Christ and an opportunity to make friends all over our diocese. Visit www.cursillodiosova.org or contact Rector Travis Kennedy, St. David's, Chesterfield at travilus@gmail.com for more information and registration.
• Chanco 1980's alumni reunion: May 1-3. Were you a camper, EYCer, or Happener in the 1980's?! If so mark your calendars and save the date! Registration coming soon.
• Consecration of our Spirit Center: May 2 with the Rt. Rev. Susan B. Haynes officiating. More information coming soon!
• May Weekend: May 15-17 for grades 6-12. More information and registration coming soon!

Have questions or need more information on any of our spring events? Contact us at hospitality@chanco.org or 888-7-CHANCO (888-724-2626).  We look forward to seeing you back on the banks of the James this spring!

Presiding Bishop encourages support for Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday on March 1

The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church, encourages congregations and supporters to support the ONE THOUSAND DAYS OF LOVE campaign through observance of Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday on March 1, 2020.  

 

"Lent is a time of reflection and of following Jesus, demonstrating his love for the world," said Presiding Bishop Curry. "I invite all congregations to devote a Sunday in Lent to reflect on the transformational work of Episcopal Relief & Development, particularly their work with children, and to tangibly demonstrate God's love by giving generously to support ONE THOUSAND DAYS OF LOVE."   

 

Episcopal Relief & Development's 2020 Lenten Meditations focus on the spiritual lives of children and how they can inform the prayers and meditations of all Christians. These booklets and other resources including hope chests, pew envelopes, bulletin inserts and special prayers are available at www.episcopalrelief.org/Lent. Supporters are encouraged to sign up for daily email meditations in English and Spanish, and, new this year, meditations as podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Sound Cloud and Google Play.  

 

To have printed copies of the Lenten Meditations in English or Spanish by Ash Wednesday, February 26, Forward Movement must receive orders by Friday, February 7. To place an order visit www.forwardmovement.org or call 800-543-1813. For additional information and to download a planning guide for Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday, visit www.episcopalrelief.org/Sunday. 

Susan B. Haynes consecrated as bishop of Southern Virginia

The Rev. Susan Bunton Haynes was ordained and consecrated as the 11^th bishop of the Diocese of Southern Virginia at 11 a.m. on February 1 at Williamsburg Community Chapel in Williamsburg, Virginia. Approximately 1,300 people attended the historic service, and over 1,000 watched the live stream, as Haynes became the first woman bishop in the diocese’s 128-year history. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry led the service as chief consecrator. The Rt. Rev. Edward S. Little II, seventh bishop of Northern Indiana, was the preacher.

Haynes was elected at a Diocesan Special Council in Dinwiddie, Virginia on September 21, 2019. One of six nominees, she was elected on the eighth ballot. Prior to the election, Haynes served as the rector of St. Paul’s in Mishawaka, Indiana, for 11 years.

The service, held on the Eve of the Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple, began with a Candlemas ceremony by candle light. Congregants held candles blessed at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem especially for use at this service.

A hymn written especially for the consecration by the Rev. Canon Henry G. Randolph, Jr. was sung during Communion.  Randolph’s text is set to the tune Kingsfold, a well-known tune from The Hymnal 1982. Randolph, a friend and colleague to Haynes, is also distantly related to The Rt. Rev. Alfred Magill Randolph, the first bishop of Southern Virginia.  The hymn was also shared with parishes in the Diocese of Northern Indiana, from which Haynes came, in order to be sung on February 2 during worship, as their way of supporting a priest from their own diocese who has become bishop. 

Haynes earned her Master of Divinity degree at Vanderbilt Divinity School and was ordained in 2004. She is married to the Rev. Thomas Haynes, and they have two adult daughters, Sarah and Avery.

Haynes succeeds the Rt. Rev. Herman Hollerith IV who served as the 10^th bishop of Southern Virginia, who served the diocese for 10 years, retiring in January 2019.

The Diocese of Southern Virginia encompasses 101 congregations from Virginia’s Eastern Shore to the Dan River.

Photo: Bishop Haynes is presented the Pastoral Staff by the Rt. Rev. Herman Hollerith IV, 10^th bishop of Southern Virginia. Photo by Susan Pederson (St. Andrew's, Norfolk)