Be the first to have a 2016 Camp Chanco t-shirt!

NEW for 2016 Chanco is offering Winter Camp January 15-17, 2016.  Many of our Camp Chanco counselors will be returning to provide camp programming (minus aquatics, of course!) to our campers for a weekend of fun in God's great outdoors! Archery, low ropes course, zip lines, crafts, fun skits and games are just a few of the fun camp activities that will be provided. This session is for ages 7-12 and offers our youngest campers a chance to return to Chanco during the school year, invite a new friend and/or try Chanco for the first time before attending a full session next summer! Free 2016 summer camp t-shirts for all who attend! The cost is $125 and registration is live at www.chanco.org. Questions? Contact Executive Director Gareth Kalfas at director@chanco.org or 888-7CHANCO (888-724-2626).  

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori: I am deeply grateful for what god has been up to in the midst of our journey together

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has issued the following statement:  "The Episcopal Church has come a long way in the last 10 years.  We are no longer consumed by internal conflict over various social issues.  We are clearer about who we are - a multinational church, with congregations in 17 nations, worshipping in countless different languages, thriving in international, immigrant, and multicultural contexts everywhere, and discovering the abundant life that comes in turning outward to love the neighbors nearby and far away.  We are far more conscious about our vocation as partners in the mission of God to reconcile and heal the world, particularly shaped by the Five Anglican Marks of Mission.  We are holding our identity as Episcopal Christians a bit more confidently, even in the midst of our diversity.  We are also more willing to hold that identity lightly and gracefully in engaging other Christians and people of other religious traditions, searching for what we dream of in common - shalom, the Reign of God, a more just and peaceful world, with abundant life for all creation.

I am deeply grateful for what God has been up to in the midst of our journey together, and I look forward to seeing how this church of the middle way will continue to lead and partner as we travel the road home, into God's fullest dream of abundant life for all.  I thank the people of this Church and beyond for your prayers over the last nine years - especially in recognition that we do this work together, never alone.  May God bless the next chapter of The Episcopal Church's engagement in God's mission, as we go together into Galilee!"

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.

Emmanuel, Hampton
heavenly Father, we pray for guidance to help us fulfill our baptismal covenant and responsibility as stewards of your gifts and word. help us to attend to the needs of others and focus on the number of lives changed for the better as a result of our inreach, outreach, and all o four ministries. We recognize that we will face challenges and we will rely on your teachings, love and blessings to help us maintain the strength and compassion to serve our community, each other and you as we work through trials and tribulations. Through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

All Saints, Virginia Beach
God of wisdom, God of grace, we give you thanks for the life and witness of All Saints, Virginia Beach. We pray for a continuation of faithful witness to youth, children, and families of all ages so that all may know Christ's love and make Christ known through worship, music, formation and outreach  all to the glory of God and the furtherance of God's Kingdom. All this we pray through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Christ and St. Luke's, Norfolk
Blessed are you, O Lord our God, Sovereign of the Universe. You have created us and sustained us, and allowed us to reach this moment. For this and your many blessings, we are forever grateful. Please guide and bless all those who answer your call in this church, especially as we consider the future of Christ and St. Luke's Church community. Enliven them to openly listen and respond to your indwelling Holy Spirit; in themselves and in other. Strengthen their bonds of communal love and service. When they doubt, tire or disagree in their work, let them be open to discerning your guidance, and be centered in serving you to make plans and decisions in harmony with your reign on earth. Protect us and keep us attentive to the needs of our clergy, our leaders, our staff, our members, our neighbors, and ourselves. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

More than Sad: Suicide Prevention Education

Michelle Peterson, co-founder and president of The Sarah Michelle Peterson Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to preventing suicide, will be our featured speaker at CE-NET on Thursday, November 12, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., at the Diocesan Office in Newport News. 

 

Michelle will be sharing a suicide prevention program that has clear relevance for faith communities. Suicide is now the second leading cause of death for young people ages 15-24. Michelle's session will educate us about suicide and prompt us to consider how our faith communities can take part in reducing teen suicide. The program has been designed to increase the understanding of the problem of teen suicide, identify risk factors, and highlight warning signs of youth suicide, so that adults who work with youth are better prepared to identify and refer students who may be at risk.

 

Ms. Peterson is committed to increasing the number and quality of suicide prevention programs provided for adolescents in the high school and middle school years and presents depression awareness and suicide prevention programs for teens, families, and those who work with them. Michelle is a survivor of suicide. In 2014, her daughter, Sarah, died by suicide at the age of fifteen. An active participant in her community, Michelle is a member of the Maury High School Booster Board and is the chairman of the Youth Advisory Committee at First Lutheran Church of Norfolk. As a parent of four children, she has volunteered with many school and community groups as a Girl Scout Leader, Vacation Bible School Director, Sunday School teacher, PTA Board Member, and leader or member of many committees. Michelle earned a B.A. from Michigan State University and is a former school teacher.

 

Join us for this informative and interactive session! Thursday, November 12, 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the Diocesan Office, 11827 Canon Blvd., Suite 101, Newport News.

Safe Church Training on Nov. 14 in Norfolk

There will be a Safe Church classroom training on Saturday, Nov. 14 at Ascension, Norfolk. Training will be from 8:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and include both Adult and Child modules. Cost is $15 per person. Click here to register.

Live and on-demand video of Presiding Bishop installation service

The Rt. Rev. Michael Bruce Curry, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, becomes Presiding Bishop and Primate on November 1.

The Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE) in honor of the 27th Presiding Bishop on Saturday, October 31 at 11 am Eastern at the Armory in Washington, DC. A live webcast of the Vigil Celebration will be available at www.episcopalchurch.org.

The Holy Eucharist with the Installation of the 27th Presiding Bishop and Primate will occur on Sunday, November 1 at noon at Washington National Cathedral. The service will be reflective of the comprehensiveness of the Episcopal tradition and community. Bishop Curry will preach at the service. 

The Holy Eucharist will be live webcast available here. The live webcast will be closed-captioned for the hearing-impaired. Pre-registration is not required. The webcast will also be available here. On demand video of the Eucharist will be available here. The worship bulletin will be available for downloading beginning October 23 here.

Chanco seeking members for Board of Directors

Artwork of the bluff courtesy of Christine Truxell

Do you have a passion for Chanco's ministry and a desire to see it thrive into the next generation of campers and retreat guests? Then we may have the job for you! Chanco is seeking lay and ordained persons to serve on the Board of Directors beginning service in early 2016. There possibly may be no more exciting time to be a part of Chanco's growth than now. All interested persons must be a member in good standing at an Episcopal church in our diocese. All applications are vetted through the current Chanco Board and Bishop Hollerith. Click here for an application to be sent to Executive Director Gareth Kalfas at director@chanco.org. Questions? Contact Gareth at 888-7CHANCO (888-724-2626) or via email. We are grateful for our Chanco Board and the vibrant ministry they support.