Women's Advent Retreat, Dec. 4-5

Save the date! Chanco is hosting it’s third annual Women’s Advent Retreat. Join with women from all over our diocese for a time of reflection, worship and fellowship together! Enjoy time apart in God’s great outdoors while nourishing your body and spirit as we anticipate the birth of Christ. Open to all women ages 18 and older. Click here for information on COVID protocols and safety for groups at Chanco. Stay tuned here and on our website www.chanco.org for more information and registration for this fantastic event! Questions? Contact Chanco at hospitality@chanco.org or 888-724-2626. We look forward to seeing you there!

The Episcopal Church and the 2020 U.S. Elections: An Overview of Resources

The Office of Government Relations has created a comprehensive suite of resources for advocacy, the U.S. Election, and 2020 Census engagement. Central to election engagement are the “Vote Faithfully” resources built up over the course of several election cycles and in coalition with ecumenical partners. These resources are designed for use year-round, emphasizing messaging that is non-partisan and informed.

As the United States gets closer to Election Day, November 3, The Episcopal Church will continue to release new resources, including an ongoing educational series on the basics of the election process and transition of power, four bulletin inserts from Sermons That Work focused on voter engagement and written for the readings on the four Sundays leading up to Election Day, and A Season of Prayer: For an Election, a novena prayer series developed with Forward Movement.

 

Other resources include a Plan Your Vote guide, toolkit for supporting others in your community to vote, a tool for recognizing and combatting disinformation and misinformation, and much more. Click here for more information.

EYC Happening and November Weekend cancelled

It is with heavy hearts that the Diocese of Southern Virginia has decided to cancel November Weekend and Happening this fall. This was a tough decision to make, but the safety of all people is always at the center of these decisions. Therefore the Diocese will not be hosting any in-person youth events for the larger EYC community in 2020, but we do hope to see you all again in 2021. 

We continue to encourage youth who are looking to connect with other youth in the Episcopal Community to join us on the first and third Thursdays of the month for games over zoom and a little fellowship. If your church's youth group isn't currently meeting, this is a great place for your youth to come and still be engaged. Sign up here.

 

Stay tuned for more details to come about what games we will be playing week to week and the different virtual services that are currently being planned by the EYC Board and Happening. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Megan Dern at mdern@diosova.org or at 757-213-3393.

Updated guidelines for the distribution of Communion during COVID-19

At a recent virtual meeting the House of Bishops discussed finding a way to administer the Sacrament safely to those who cannot come to church. Bishops were encouraged to help churches find creative and theologically sound ways to distribute the Eucharist even during pandemic restrictions. Over the last month, Bishop Susan has been meeting with and talking to clergy about their own creative ideas about how to do this. From these discussions, we have created some guidelines which are approved for the distribution of Holy Communion to everyone and especially to those who are not able to come to church.  Click here for the updated guidelines. 

Jackson-Feild's 25th Golf Tournament a success

Jackson-Feild Behavioral Health Services' 25th anniversary tournament was a success despite the challenges that COVID-19 presented. This tournament has raised over $550,000 since its inception. The funds have been used for a variety of needs such as special projects, capital purchases, capital improvements and educational scholarships.

 

The tournament was held September 21st at the Country Club of the Highlands in Chesterfield County. It was a picture perfect day for golf and the course was in perfect shape. Hardees has been the tournament sponsor and provided a box lunch for the players. The play format was captain's choice.

 

This year's tournament was like no other due to COVID-19 guidelines. Nevertheless the golfers had a great time and appreciated supporting the children and mission of Jackson-Feild.

 

A team from Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Hampton played in the event and won a round of golf at the Highlands Country Club

 

Proceeds from the 2020 tournament will be used to fund services which Jackson-Feild receives no reimbursement. Primarily Neurotherapy services and educational scholarships to fund the education for children whose school division does not pay for their education.

Episcopal Evangelism Grants available

Episcopal institutions can now apply for the next round of the Episcopal Evangelism Grants Program, designed to fund local and regional evangelism efforts in the Episcopal Church. The application deadline is November 15. The new grant cycle will focus on projects that explore new methods of evangelism during the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here for information and application.

Grants available for young adult and campus ministry

The Episcopal Church announces its 2021 grants program for Young Adult and Campus Ministries currently engaged in or seeking new relationships with young adults on or off college campuses. Episcopal ministries or ecumenical ministries with an Episcopal presence are invited to apply; an informational webinar is scheduled for October 1 at 3 p.m.; register here. Grant information and application is available here.