Bishop Susan will be available for Open Office Hours on the
Eastern Shore on Wednesday, March 11. She will begin by attending
noonday prayers at Holy Trinity, Onancock, and will then meet with the
Convocation 1 Clergy. Then, beginning at 2 p.m., she will open her doors
to anyone who wants to come chat. Time slots of 30 minutes each will be
offered either on a walk-in basis or you may contact The Rev. Frederick
(Rick) W. Willis, the Dean of the Convocation for an appointment, fwrickwillis05@gmail.com.
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
Bishop Susan to conduct Open Office Hours on the Eastern Shore
Tuesday, March 3, 2020
Message from Bishop Haynes: Guidelines for congregations to prevent spread of illness
Dear Beloved Family in Christ,
This morning I write to you to offer
my assurance, prayers, and a few guidelines for your worshipping
communities during this season of increased potential for the spread of
contagious diseases, including the flu, the common cold and most
recently the coronavirus.
The first thing that I would stress
is that we be prepared, but that we not allow ourselves to become
panicked. Preparation anticipates the possible, but it does not paralyze
us. When we get into our cars to travel from one place to the next, we
fasten our seatbelts in order to protect us and minimize injury in the
event of an accident; but we don't stay put in our houses and abandon
our travel plans for fear of that accident. Likewise, as we worship
together in communities where infectious illness can spread, we take
measures to protect ourselves from the spread of those illnesses; but we
don't stop worshipping together.
Here are a few guidelines to consider during this season:
Frequent Hand-washing is counseled as the number one preventive strategy for contagious diseases. Additionally, avoid touching your face, especially the eyes, mouth and nose through which germs can gain easy access to your body.
Holy Communion:
Those engaged in the preparation and distribution of Holy Communion
(altar guild, clergy, and lay Eucharistic ministers) should exit the
altar just after the Peace to wash their hands thoroughly in the
Sacristy. Hand sanitizer should be available throughout the Church for
those who wish to use it. Taking Communion by dipping the bread in the
wine should be avoided unless the Lay Eucharistic Minister does that for
you. And Clergy are exhorted to remind the people that Communion in one
kind is entirely sufficient and people may bypass the Chalice if they
prefer.
The Peace: While
liturgically, the Peace is part of the service, the rubrics allow for
the greeting of one another to be voluntary. Rather than shaking hands,
greet one another verbally, or with some other greeting besides a
handshake that does not involve actual contact (a nod, a bow, a side
hug, an elbow bump, etc.) Be especially respectful of people who do not
wish to pass the Peace.
Coffee Hour: Those who host Coffee Hour, of course, are reminded to follow all food preparation guidelines, especially the washing of hands.
Church Attendance:
As I reminded all who assembled at Council this weekend, faithful
church attendance is one of the ways we keep our first Baptismal Promise
(BCP p. 304). However, if you are sick, loving your neighbor as
yourself (Baptismal Promise No 4 BCP p. 305) suggests that perhaps the
loving thing to do is to stay home. If you choose to stay home, please
connect with the community in one of the following ways:
- Listen to Morning and Evening Prayer with The Audio Office at www.thaynes.org. This is a ministry started by the Rev. Thomas Haynes (my husband) when we were in Northern Indiana and features readers from all over North America and Canada (both clergy and lay).
- Tune into worship live-streamed by the National Cathedral, Trinity Wall Street, or the Cathedral of St. Philip in Atlanta - or watch a delayed broadcast via YouTube.
- Pray Morning and Evening Prayer from the Book of Common Prayer or accessible online at www.dailyoffice.app, a website offered by the Brotherhood of St. Gregory, which provides texts for Morning and Evening Prayer, Noonday Prayer, and Compline.
- Give a quick phone call to someone else in your church, just to stay connected.
- And finally, take care of yourself. Make sure you get enough sleep, good nutrition, exercise, leisure. Remember that prevention is worth an ounce of cure!
These are just a few suggestions
about how to stay connected. Here in the Diocesan Office, we are working
on an expanded list of resources which we hope to send to you soon and
to have posted on the website. We as Christians have work to do. We
should not permit our fear to keep us from doing it. God has given his
angels charge over us to guard us in all our ways.
"So do not worry about tomorrow, for
tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for
today." (Matthew 5:34)
Blessings and Peace in Christ,
Bishop Susan
Additional resources and a printable version of the Bishop's letter can be found here.
Clergy Continuing Education Grant applications due April 1
Applications for Clergy Continuing Education Grants are due
April 1. The primary purpose of the grants are to support programs that
are essentially theological in emphasis. This does not, however, rule
out programs designed for training in special ministries, or those
which would in other ways enhance the effectiveness of an individual in
his or her ministry. Click here for information and application form.
Tuesday, February 25, 2020
Scriptural direction for Lenten disciplines
An Ash Wednesday reflection from Bishop Haynes
In a culture that does not encourage much attention to the interior
life, Lent offers us a time to focus on exactly that. During the 40 days
(excluding Sundays) that lead up to Easter, Christians have an
opportunity to engage in disciplines that deepen their relationship to
God and to each other. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (February 26), and
we mark its beginning by receiving the sign of the cross in ashes upon
our forehead. Then hopefully, for the next 40 days, we engage in a
discipline that enables the deepening of our spiritual life. Many people
settle easily on a Lenten discipline. Others are at a loss. If we
consider the Scriptures appointed for Ash Wednesday, we are actually
given some direction.
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In the Gospel of Matthew for Ash Wednesday (Matthew 16:1-6, 16-21),
Jesus is counseling his disciples on the need for a humble practice of
personal piety. The purpose of practicing piety is to move closer to the
heart of God, not to show off for fellow Christians. Jesus offers three
examples of how to practice this piety. These three examples form a
sturdy three-legged stool that makes a good place to sit for Lent:
Alms-giving, Prayer, and Fasting.
Jesus begins by saying, "Whenever you give alms, do not sound a
trumpet, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets so
that they may be praised by others." Notice that Jesus says, "Whenever
you give alms..." Not, "If you decide to give alms..." The assumption is
that alms-giving is...well...a necessary spiritual discipline that is
not a matter of choice. Further it is not a discipline that is done in
order to show off. In fact, the secrecy of its execution probably adds
to its spiritual benefit. What kind of alms-giving will you make your
Lenten discipline? Maybe a dollar a day to your favorite charity? Maybe
an item a day to your local food pantry? Maybe a few minutes a day to
someone who is lonely and needs your friendship? It's not a matter of
if, but when.
Jesus goes on to say, "Whenever you pray, do not be like the
hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the
street corners, so that they may be seen by others." Again, note that
Jesus assumes not if you are going to pray but when you are going to
pray. Christians are expected to pray, and Lenten disciplines are
incomplete without some attention to prayer. And as with alms-giving,
prayer is not a showy discipline but a matter between God and the one
praying. What can you do during Lent to deepen your conversation with
God? And once again, not a matter of if, but when.
Finally, Jesus counsels his disciples, "Whenever you fast, do not
look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as
to show others they are fasting." Once again, the admonition is when,
not if. The practice of self-denial helps to deepen one's prayer life.
For some people, fasting, in the earlier understandings of the word (not
eating food), is medically counter-indicated. But if we think of
fasting as self-denial, it can be the giving up of something upon which
we have come too dependent. The point of fasting is to remind us of the
source of provision for all of our needs - God alone. Some people fast
from social media during Lent. Some fast from saying unkind words or
engaging in gossip, disciplining themselves to put money in a jar each
time they catch themselves slipping. Imagine the church deficits that
could be righted with such a discipline!
The most important thing about Lenten disciplines is that they draw
us more closely into the heart of Christ. The prophet Isaiah (as he
talks about fasting) calls us to a spirit of humility, but also to
action:
Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of injustice,
to undo the thongs of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover them,
and not to hide yourself from your own kin? (Isaiah 58:6-7)
to loose the bonds of injustice,
to undo the thongs of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover them,
and not to hide yourself from your own kin? (Isaiah 58:6-7)
The kind of fasting, praying and alms-giving to which we are
called is a discipline of justice and reconciliation...a kind of
discipline that gives life and gives it abundantly. What is your Lenten
discipline? If we engage in this discipline faithfully, listen to the
promise that Isaiah foretells:
Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt;
you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
you shall be called the repairer of the breach,
the restorer of streets to live in. (Isaiah 58:12)
you shall be called the repairer of the breach,
the restorer of streets to live in. (Isaiah 58:12)
Can you imagine a world where ruins are rebuilt, foundations
established that can be trusted, breaches repaired and streets restored?
With heartfelt blessings, I wish for you a good and holy Lent, one that
draws you and others closer to God.
Bishop Susan
Click here for a printable PDF of Bishop Haynes' reflection.
Join Bishop Haynes for Clergy & Vestry Day this spring!
In place of our traditional vestry training days, Bishop
Haynes is reformulating our approach to include both clergy and
vestries. The Bishop will be taking part in all three Clergy &
Vestry Days being held throughout the Diocese this year. Clergy will be
an integral part of the day with their vestries. Healthy, skilled
vestries who understand their role and ministry in the life of the
church and their relationship with their clergy are essential in
creating and maintaining vital congregations. Bishop Haynes looks
forward to welcoming vestries and clergy to this year's sessions.
Saturday, March 21, at Eastern Shore Chapel, Virginia Beach. Register here.
Saturday, March 28, at Christ & Grace, Petersburg. Register here.
Clergy Renewal of Vows services April 8
The annual Renewal of Ordination Vows services for clergy will take place on Wednesday, April 8 at:
- 10:00 a.m. at St. Cyprian's (1242 W. Queen Street, Hampton)
- 2:30 p.m. at Manakin Church (985 Huguenot Trail, Midlothian)
Go golfing and help children
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Jackson-Feild will host its 25th Annual Golf Tournament on May 4 at
the Golf Club at the Highlands in Chesterfield County. Over the past
24 years, this tournament has raised $538,520 to meet a variety of
operating and capital needs that benefited its children.
The proceeds this year will be used to improve upgrade much-needed
infrastructure projects on campus. Jackson-Feild seeks raise $30,000
from the tournament to meet these needs.
The cost to pay is $150 per player, or $600 for a team. Lunch is
provided at noon, and a banquet at the close of play. Play begins at
1:00 p.m. with shotgun start.
Jackson-Feild's mission is to provide high-quality evidence-based
services for children who have suffered severe emotional trauma, mental
illness, and/or struggling with addiction. The goal is to restore
wellness so that children can successfully return home to their
community.
For more information, call Tod Balsbaugh at 804-354-6929 or
tbalsbaugh@jacksonfeild.org. You may register by phone or on our website
at www.jacksonfeild.org.
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