Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's Christmas message

"Love came down at Christmas, because God so loved the world, that he gave," Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael Curry said in his Christmas Message 2018. The video of the Presiding Bishop's message is here. The text of the Presiding Bishop's message is here. 

Applications accepted for Episcopal Service Corps

Young adults (21-32 years old) are invited to apply to serve as a member of the 2019-2020 Episcopal Service Corps. Episcopal Service Corps is a nationwide network of locally organized and incorporated programs designed to provide young adults with an opportunity to serve others, promote justice, and live simply in intentional communities focused on providing participants tools and resources to deepen their spiritual awareness and discern vocation. Click here for more information and application. 

2019 ECF Fellowship application now available

Since 1964, Episcopal Church Foundation (ECF) has awarded 225 Fellowships to individuals pursuing advanced academic studies and special ministries with the aim of educating and equipping future lay and clergy leaders. The application for the 2019 Fellowship is now open. An ECF Fellowship provides both financial support and networking opportunities. ECF has typically awarded three to four Fellowships per year. New awards range up to $15,000 for the first year and are renewable for an additional two years. The selection process for an ECF Fellowship is highly competitive. A strong application requires a significant investment of time and effort and ECF encourages all applicants to begin this process early. Applications are due on March 15, 2019. ECF will announce the 2019 Fellows in late May of 2019.

Letter to the Episcopal Church from the Presiding Bishop and President of the House of Deputies

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings, President of the House of Deputies have issued a letter to the Episcopal Church regarding Resolution D034 passed by General Convention. The resolution suspends for three years the canon that places a time limit on reporting clergy sexual misconduct against children and youth under age 21. Click here to read their letter. 

Parish Development Clinics in 2019

The Order of the Ascension, an Episcopal Religious Community, invites clergy-in-charge of congregations (rectors, vicars) to two Parish Development Clinics. They are an integration of practical parish issues and Anglican pastoral/ascetic theology and strategy; with a touch of organization development. Participants come having completed a significant course of reading. They each complete some work prior to the clinic. Trainer/coaches will facilitate a process in which the participants engage one another and the coaches around the issues and dynamics of their parishes.

 

There are two clinics which still have open space. The workshop fee is $200.00. Participants arrange for their own lodging and meals:

• Benedictine Rhythms: Listen, Take Counsel - June 4-7, 2-19, Seattle, WA. Register by March 1. Objectives are: 1) To better understand the inner dynamics of self and parish around listening and taking counsel. and 2) To increase our ability to shape healthier and more faithful practices around listening and taking counsel.
• Shaping the Parish Through Spiritual Practice - Sept. 10-13, 2019, Seattle, WA. Register by April 1. The emphasis will be on understanding and living a pastoral theology and strategy. In this clinic we will focus on spiritual practice.

Bishop Magness called to serve as Bishop Diocesan Pro-Tempore

The Executive Board and Standing Committee of the Diocese are pleased to announce that the Rt. Rev. James B. Magness has accepted a call to serve as our Bishop Diocesan Pro-Tempore, effective January 1, 2019 and until such time as the 11th Bishop of the Diocese of Southern Virginia is consecrated. Bishop Jay is well known to most of us, having served in an administrative capacity in our diocese before his election as Suffragan Bishop of the Armed Forces and Federal Ministries. Since his retirement from that position, he and Carolyn have been in many of our parishes, as he has served as our Assisting Bishop. The lay delegates and clergy of the Diocese will be asked to affirm this appointment at Diocesan Council in February, 2019.

Diocesan Youth Task Force hosted November Weekend at Chanco

  

On November 16-18, the Diocesan Youth Task Force hosted November Weekend at Chanco on the James. Sixty-six participants experienced a spirit and fun-filled weekend centered around the theme "Hold Fast: God Is With You." The Youth Task Force hopes you will join us for May Weekend at Chanco on the James. So mark your calendars for May 17-19!