Mission of the Holy Spirit chaplain honored as Hometown Hero

Keith Josey, lay pastor of Mission of the Holy Spirit in Norfolk, was named a Hampton Roads Hometown Hero recently. Watch it here! 

Episcopal Church live webcast: Fifty Years Later: The State of Racism in America

Live webcast on November 15
Day of workshops, discussions on November 16

On November 15, the Episcopal Church will host and produce a 90 minute live forum in collaboration with the Diocese of Mississippi. The forum will be held at St. Andrew's Episcopal Cathedral in Jackson, MS beginning at 1 pm Central (2 pm Eastern). It can be viewed here. 

This year marks significant landmark anniversaries in the struggle to end discrimination, provide equal rights and combat racism: the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, the 50th anniversary of the pivotal March on Washington, the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Medgar Evers, the 100th birthday of Rosa Parks.  In 1964 the Civil Rights Act was signed into law.

The forum will be moderated by well-known journalist and PBS commentator Ray Suarez. Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori will present the keynote address. The forum will begin with a thought-provoking video. Two panel discussions will focus on main themes: "Racism in America today - why does it persist?" and "Racism in America's future - where is there hope for change?" On November 16, faith leaders and educators will gather to discuss and create curriculum and tools on the topics raised in Friday's forum. The day-long event will be held at St. Andrew's Episcopal Cathedral in Jackson, MS.  

The live webcast of the forum will be available on the Episcopal Church website here. Questions for the panelists can be emailed prior or during the forum to Neva Rae Fox, Public Affairs Officer, at PublicAffairs@episcopalchurch.org.

Fifty Years Later: The State of Racism in America is ideal for live group watching and discussion, or on-demand viewing later.  It will be appropriate for Sunday School, discussions groups, and community gatherings. Registration is not required to watch the forum.

Resources
Resources such as suggested readings, bibliography, videos, materials for community and individual review, discussion questions, and lesson plans will be available here.

VIPCare Pastoral Ministries Consultation & Support Program now enrolling

The Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care (VIPCare) is currently offering its 2013-2104 Pastoral Ministries Consultation and Support Program.  The Program is a small, interfaith group of pastors that meets twice a month October 2013 through May 2014. Click here for details.  

For information or to register please contact Dr. Sandy Hamilton, 804-282-8332. 

Your diocesan pledge makes it possible

Formation Ministries 

Annual Stewardship Conference

Formation is vital to the life of the church from the very beginning and Formation in Southern Virginia continues to expand to meet the changing needs and challenges of our congregations. Diocesan formation programs are designed in collaboration with liturgists, communication and technical experts, as well as experts in content such as stewardship, to provide a springboard for parishes to continue the work of making disciples.

This past year we were able to produce a video and a study guide for the diocese addressing the sin of racism and that work will continue in 2014 with your support. This venture has touched the lives of a number of our members and our November 2 Service of Repentance will be the highlight of our years work.

Essential Building Dimensions participants

Events such as the CENet speaker series attract clergy and laity, with speakers who address all aspects of formation and the cost is minimal, thanks to your financial support. Bishop's Days and Stewardship conferences are well attended because the cost is low. All Formation events in Southern Virginia are underwritten by the diocesan budget so they are affordable for everyone. In addition, scholarships are available for laity for almost every event. These dollars are bolstered by your diocesan pledge and are being stretched even further by sharing and collaboration among parishes, convocations, and diocesan staff members. The upcoming Liturgical Arts Festival in the spring of 2014, sponsored by Emmanuel, Hampton, is in collaboration with other parishes in Convocation 5 and diocesan Formation ministries. In each event, we strive to model new ways of working together and sharing our resources.

Caroline Black collaborates with other dioceses in the Essential Building Dimensions Professional Leadership initiative, and the Hybrid Faith Formation Initiative with VTS. Both programs have strong participation from parishes in our diocese. EBD, mentioned above, was free to any paid Christian Formation staff in our diocese, again thanks to the financial support of Formation.

The Formation office purchases or provides access to the latest curricula, videos and other resources that are available to all parishes as well as training, consultations and any other assistance with formation implementation. Thank you for your support of the formation work in Southern Virginia.

Bishop Hollerith at Cursillo Weekend

 

Bishop Hollerith took part in the closing service of the Cursillo weekend held at Chanco on the James Oct. 3-6. Cursillo is an adult retreat designed to help us grow closer to Jesus Christ. It's also a community where we're encouraged to live joyfully and serve faithfully in grace. Want to learn more? Go to www.cursillodsv.org.   

Pictured: Bishop Hollerith with the Rev. Sandi Kerner, rector of St. Luke's, Powhatan.

Susan Broaddus to speak at ECW Fall Meeting

The ECW of the Diocese Southern Virginia voted to raise $10,000 in 2013-2014 to support the work Mothers' Union in the Diocese of Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo, through Women-to-Women, a ministry formed by the Diocese of Virginia in 2010. Susan Broaddus, a former mission partner in the Diocese of Bukavu will speak about Women-to-Women and report on her visit with the Mothers' Union in the city of Bukavu, Congo at the ECW Fall Annual Meeting at Bruton Parish, Williamsburg, October 19. The deadline to register for the meeting is Oct. 13.  Please call or email Louise Boss, 757-678-5331, lrboss@isp.com. Click here for more information and a registration form. 

Project Giving Back at Jackson-Feild Homes

 

Ms. Theresa Hicks, residential counselor in Rodgers Cottage at Jackson-Feild Homes, cares deeply about others and is passionate about instilling this spirit of caring in the children at Jackson-Feild Homes. Hicks created Project Giving Back to identify opportunities for residents to help others.  

The most recent venture was to make bracelets for our troops serving in Afghanistan. The brother of a Rodgers Cottage resident is serving there as is the son of a staff member. Allan, another resident, is a talented young man who showed the other boys in Rodgers how to make the bracelets using Paracord. When the girls saw what the boys were doing, they wanted to join the effort. All told, a total of 75 bracelets were made and shipped to our troops. The residents also wrote personal letters to accompany the bracelets.

           

Some of the children's comments were Eddie "It gave me a special feeling to give back to the men and women defending us", Diane "heart-felt feelings to do something for someone else" and Anthony "a nice feeling to give back".

           

This is the seventh Project Giving Back effort this year. The residents previously collected clothing and other items for the Oklahoma tornado victims, and have made food items and other gifts for residents of Emporia and Greensville Manor on a number of occasions.The residents are looking forward to their next opportunity to help others. In the process of helping others, they are also helping themselves.