Registration for October Weekend is open!

October Weekend 2015: We are all God's Children... so what about equality?

October 2-4 at Chanco on the James

A special event sponsored by the Episcopal Youth Community Board. Open to all youth in grades 8 through 12 and their adult advisors. Visit Camp Chanco on the James River for a weekend in the woods with teens from all over our diocese! October Weekend is an annual event planned by teens, for teens. It always features great music, meaningful small group discussions, socials and games, a dance, and really incredible worship experiences. Come experience the presence of God in community! Click here for more information and registration.

Young Adult Pilgrimage to Ferguson, MO to focus on racial reconciliation and justice

Young adults 18 to 30 years old are invited to apply for a Young Adult Pilgrimage to Ferguson, MO on October 8 - 12 sponsored by the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society. The primary focus of the Young Adult Pilgrimage to Ferguson is to learn to engage in racial justice and reconciliation in a locale that has experienced significant racial tensions since the 2014 shooting of Michael Brown.

The innovative event is coordinated and presented by the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society through its Offices of Racial Reconciliation and Young Adult and Campus Ministry. The event is co-sponsored with the Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE) and co-hosted by the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri.

Among the events slated for the Pilgrimage are a visit to the location where Michael Brown died; engagement with local clergy and community leaders who have addressed justice and reconciliation in the aftermath of protests; innovative workshops; and spirit-filled community worship. In order to continue the process of racial reconciliation, participants are expected to undertake a project in their community that demonstrates engagement on issues of racial justice and reconciliation. Part of the application process is for the applicant to present a proposal for a community project.

Application deadline is September 11.  Applications and more information are available here. Space is limited. Applicants must be nominated by an adult from their communities or dioceses, such as a priest, bishop, supervisor, etc. Scholarships are available.   

Praying for the churches of Southern Virginia

As part of our liturgy at Annual Council 2015, each delegation wrote a prayer for their parish. We are sharing these prayers each week in the eNews so that we all can support one another in the upcoming year.

Holy Trinity, Onancock   

O gracious God, creator of everything we understand and of all sacred mystery, help us to hear your call and see your presence in all creation. Inspire and empower the ministry of Holy Trinity to share your love, compassion and grace throughout the community. This we ask through Jesus Christ, our guide, who lives and reigns with you in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 

Good Shepherd, Richmond 

Dear Lord, we pray that all in God's creation acknowledge and glorify you as the one true God and we especially pray for those who have yet to have the opportunity hear and receive your Word - whether here or abroad - so that they may acknowledge that with you we have all and without you we have nothing; all this we pray in the name of the Good Shepherd of all, Jesus. Amen.  

2015 ECW Parish Reports are due

ECW parish reports are due this Fall. The Parish Annual Contribution Report, due November 1, is submitted with parish requested and voluntary contributions. Each parish is requested to contribute annual dues of $3 per each ECW member. Two dollars ($2) fund the ECW Diocesan Budget. At year end, the ECW Diocesan Budget recipients receives donations allotted by percentages based on the amount of dues received. The remaining dollar helps fund the administrative fund.

Voluntary contributions can be submitted with the report for the Church Periodical Club, the Elise Holladay Scholarship for men and women who want to further their education after high school, the Book of Remembrance also funds the Elise Holladay Scholarship and the "With These Hands" Endowment to support the feeding program at Holy Anglican School in Belize.

The ECW Parish Information Report, also due November 1, provides space for up-to-date contact information for the ECW Yearbook and Directory and the names of sisters to honor In Memoriam.

The Parish Contribution Report for the ECW Diocesan President is due by September 30. This information about your parish outreach contributions is included in her annual report to Province III.

You can download the forms here. Please take the time to complete and submit the forms.

Dr. JoAnn Smart named Director of Clinical Services at Jackson-Feild Homes

Jackson-Feild Homes, the parent company of Jackson-Feild Behavior Health Services, has named Dr. JoAnn Smart Vice President of Programs. Dr. Smart will be responsible for the therapeutic services at Jackson-Feild and will work closely with the residential, educational and spiritual services departments.

 

Dr. Smart is a licensed clinical psychologist in Virginia and has been a licensed psychologist and licensed professional counselor in Arizona. She has worked as a Clinical Psychologist for the U.S. military at Camp Lejeune NC and in Jacksonville FL.

 

She has conducted research focusing on attachment related problems among children and adolescents in residential placements and has extensive experience in working with adolescents suffering from multiple emotional and/or behavioral disorders.

ChurchNext free class: A Christian Response to Gun Violence

ChurchNext has announced a new, free class: A Christian Response to Gun Violence, taught by Episcopal bishops Eugene Sutton and Ian Douglas.

How are Christians to respond to the pervasive firearm violence that roils the United States? Bishops Sutton and Douglas offer a challenging and inspiring response that can help Christians think through this difficult issue. This online class includes 24/7 access from Sep. 14-28 to all video lectures, downloads and course content; video lectures with Bishops Eugene Sutton and Ian Douglas; downloadable Discussion Questions for groups and The Takeaway for personal study; and interaction with other students through discussion questions and sharing notes.

The class begins in two weeks, from September 14 to 28. Click here to register.

Treasurer & Administrator Lunch on Sep. 24

The next Treasurer and Administrator Lunch will be held at Old Donation, 4449 N. Witchduck Road, Virginia Beach on Thursday, September 24 from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m.After a break for the summer, our monthly lunch gatherings are back! This is a wonderful opportunity to meet with other parish administrators and treasurers to talk about common issues. Bring your own lunch; beverages will be provided. There's no agenda for this gathering - just an opportunity to get together, share, encourage, support, and ask questions. RSVP to Nancy James,  njames@diosova.org.