Reverend Absalom Jones Virtual Commemoration on February 13

You are invited to the Absalom Jones Celebration hosted by the James Solomon Russell Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE) Chapter. Theme: “To See the Future, Look at the Past”. Speaker: The Rev. Dr. Joseph N. Green Jr, Rector Emeritus, Grace Episcopal Church, Norfolk, VA. The James Solomon Russell Chapter of UBE invite you to make a gift to: The Absalom Jones Fund for Episcopal HBCUs supports two institutions affiliated with The Episcopal Church since the 1800’s: Saint Augustine’s University in Raleigh, NC, and Voorhees College. To donate by mail, please send your contribution to: DFMS – Protestant Episcopal Church USA, P.O. Box 958983, St. Louis, MO 63195-8983. Donations can be made out to “The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society” with Absalom Jones noted in the memo section. To join the Zoom celebration on Feb. 13, click here. Meeting ID: 833 1089 8138, Passcode: 581958. To join by phone, dial 1-301-715-8592.

Addictions & Recovery Commission co-hosts Invitation to Change Approach training

The Addictions and Recovery Commission and SpiritWorks Foundation invite you to participate in a virtual training in the Invitation to Change Approach with Dr. Carrie Wilkins and Dr. Jarrell Myers from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays, Feb. 12 and Feb. 19. This training requires a commitment to both days.

 

This training will provide access to evidenced-based strategies and tools for helping families and the community who are affected by addiction. You will learn to help lead the charge in the faith community of helping members of your parish/community with a program that is supported by science and reflects the Christian values of compassion, and a desire to heal pain. We will be setting up groups across the diocese and church to use this model and will help you with setting them up in your context.  

 

Participants will leave the training with a new way of understanding and approaching substance use, as well as a set of practical skills and understandings that will help them better help people with substance use issues.

 

If you have any questions or if the cost is prohibitive, please contact the Rev. Lauren McDonald at lauren@spiritworksfoundation.org. Click here for more information and registration. 

Be a part of the Virtual Hymn Recording for Annual Council

For Annual Council we’ll be recording Hymn 25, O Gracious Light. You - and your friends and family! - are invited to be a part of the recording! Click here for complete details and instructions. Recordings must be submitted by Monday, February 8.

When can we again gather in our buildings for worship?

A note from Bishop Haynes and the Health Advisory Panel

In the recent Town Hall Meeting with the Diocese, Bishop Haynes communicated to those in attendance that in-person public worship will be safe to resume when the percent positivity rate in Virginia has been consistently (for two weeks) below the 8% rate. We are monitoring the numbers daily and are encouraged that case rates are beginning to drop. However, the percent positivity rate for the entire Commonwealth of Virginia is currently 12.6 and decreasing.

Other regional rates are as follows:

• Central: 11.6% and decreasing
• Eastern: 17.3% and decreasing
• Near Southwestern: 12.5% and decreasing

It is good news that case rates and percent positivity rates are decreasing, but they are not in the safe zone yet. We continue to monitor the situation and will keep you advised of our progress. We encourage you to continue to connect with each other virtually, through telephone, internet and cards and letters to each other. The day is coming when the pandemic will be behind us. Remember the love you have for each other and act upon it.

Episcopal Relief & Development focuses on lament in 2021 Lenten Meditations

In response to the unprecedented events of the past year, Episcopal Relief & Development’s 2021 Lenten Meditations share deeply personal reflections on the theme of lament from a diverse group of writers. Many of the authors share experiences related to a variety of issues including disease, violence, racial injustice and poverty. Click here for more information.

We are collecting Lenten (and other) formation resources on the diocesan website here.

Community of the Gospel offers Lectio in Lent

The Community of the Gospel (CG), an ecumenical non-residential monastic community with standing in The Episcopal Church announces Lectio in Lent. Using the ancient monastic method of praying the Scriptures, participants will deepen their paschal journeys by focusing on several texts traditionally associated with Lent. The facilitator will be Br. John Charles Westaway, CG, Deputy Guardian of the CG and long-time member of St. Paul in the Desert Episcopal Church, Palm Springs, CA. Br. John Charles is the Chaplain of the Daughters of the King, active in hunger ministries, and involved in diocesan activities.

The Community of the Gospel invites all to join in Lectio in Lent beginning Feb. 27 at noon. The event is free of charge. Zoom invites will be issued to those who sign up ahead of time at the Doodle Poll here. Additional information may be obtained from Br. Daniel-Chad Hoffman at danhoffma@gmail.com. See more here.

Inauguration resources, virtual prayer events

The church's Office of Government Relations has compiled a list of resources for virtual prayer and participation in the days around the Inauguration. These include:

• Prayer resources
• Advocacy opportunities in the first 100 days
• Civic mindfulness resources
• Social media content you can download and use

Covid-19 National Memorial Event, Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, Washington D.C. 

Tuesday, January 19, 5:30 p.m. People are “invited to join Washington, D.C. in illuminating buildings and ringing church bells at 5:30 p.m. ET in a national moment of unity and remembrance.” For more information click here.

Virtual Prayer Vigil tonight 7 to 8 p.m.

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry will participate in a virtual prayer vigil on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 7 to 8 p.m. organized by Sojourners. The vigil, on the theme of “Peace With Justice,” will include a range of ecumenical Christian voices. Click here for more information and registration.

Prayers for Our Nation

Each day at 5 p.m., Washington National Cathedral. www.cathedral.org

Inaugural Prayer Service Jan. 21

Washington National Cathedral is expected to host an inaugural prayer service on Jan. 21, as is traditional. More information will be available at www.cathedral.org.