November Weekend at Chanco

November Weekend 2016 was held November 18-20 at Chanco. The theme of this year's event was "You Could Be a Hero", featuring activity blocks including group games, a nature walk, and zip lines, as well as a special presentation by the Rev. Charlie Bauer and the Rev. Keith Emerson about Episcopal Relief and Development. The retreat also included a social, campfire and dance, as well as powerful worship and music throughout the weekend.  Register now for the December Youth Lock-In at Chanco on December 2-3!    

 

Communicators & Secretaries Lunch Group to meet

The Communicators & Secretaries Lunch Group will meet on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 12 to 1:30 p.m. at the Diocesan Office in Newport News. This casual colleague group offers an opportunity to ask questions and share ideas with other church staff and volunteers around the Diocese. 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 Ann Turner, aturner@diosova.org.   

Administrators & Treasurers Lunch Group to meet

The Administrators & Treasurers Lunch Group will meet on Thursday, Dec. 15, 12 to 1:30 p.m. at St. Paul's, Norfolk. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet with other parish administrators and treasurers to talk about common issues. This month's gathering will also be an opportunity to say farewell to Diocesan Comptroller Nancy James before she retires at the end of December. 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.  

Free online Advent course & Advent Resources

ChurchNext is offering a free course during Advent with the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, Getting More Out of the Bible. The course is available through Dec. 24. Click here to learn more and register.

More Advent Resources
Here are a few Advent resources, both online and in print, that you might want to include as part of your spiritual practice during Advent. 

Safe Church Training on Jan. 28

The next Safe Church classroom training will be held on Saturday, January 28, at St. Andrew's, Norfolk. Registration is open now and will close on Jan. 24. Click here to register.

Click here for more information about Safe Church training and a list of upcoming classes. Online training is also available.

Winter issue of ECW Grapevine Newsletter

The Winter 2016 issue of The Grapevine, the Diocesan ECW newsletter, is available here. This issue includes:

• Letter from ECW President Nancy Sands
• Bishop Hollerith installs ECW Diocesan Board members
• ECW gives $40,000 to Virginia homes
• UTO report
• New ECW president at Redeemer, Midlothian
• And more

You can find a link to The Grapevine and much more information about ECW on the diocesan website, www.diosova.org/ecw.  

 

News from The Episcopal Church

2017 ECF Fellowship application now open

The 2017 Episcopal Church Foundation Fellowship application is now open! ECF Fellows are scholars and ministry leaders, both lay and ordained, who are making a lasting impact on the Episcopal Church. To apply for the 2017 Fellowship click here, and to learn more about ECF's Fellowship Partners Program, click here.

Young Adult Service Corps accepting applications for 2017-2018 placements  

Young adults (21-30 years old) have an opportunity to transform their own lives while engaging mission and ministry in the Anglican Communion by joining the Young Adult Service Corps. Now, applications are available for 2017-2018 placements in the Young Adult Service Corps, commonly known as YASC. Click here for more info and application.

Currently YASCers are serving throughout the Anglican Communion, working alongside partners in administration, agriculture, communication, development, and education. Adrienne Davis of St. David's, Chesterfield, is currently serving in YASC in Hong Kong.