VBS Curriculum Resource Fair on Feb. 10

Selecting a packaged vacation bible school (VBS) program can be challenging - especially when one is limited to exploring vendor websites and print advertisements.  The best way to determine if a VBS program fits your context, theology, space and staffing parameters is to actually put hands on the resources and explore what's included in the VBS kit. A wonderful opportunity to do just that is just around the corner!  

 

The Resource Center, at Virginia Union University (Kingsley Hall, 1500 North Lombardy Street, 4th floor, in the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology, Richmond) is hosting a Vacation Bible School Curriculum Fair on Thursday, February 6, 1 to 4 p.m., Friday, February 7, noon to 5 p.m., Saturday, February 8, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thanks to the generosity of colleagues from the Resource Center, Diocese of Southern Virginia is able to host a VBS Curriculum Fair on February 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the diocesan offices (11827 Canon Blvd. Suite 101, Newport News). 

 

Whether you travel to Richmond on February 6, 7, 8 or to the diocesan office on Feb. 10, this is the perfect opportunity to explore the 2020 vacation bible school resources in detail. Join us!

Bishop-Elect Haynes visits Chatham Hall

The Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia will consecrate Rev. Susan Bunton Haynes as the 11th bishop of the Diocese on February 1, 2020 in Williamsburg, Virginia. Just before this historic occasion, Rev. Haynes made a trip to Chatham Hall school to meet current students, tour campus, and participate in a chapel service on January 19. Established in 1894, Chatham Hall was founded as the first girls' Episcopal school in Southern Virginia.

When she described her visit, Rev. Haynes noted how impressed she was with Chatham Hall and how much she is looking forward to connecting with students and faculty in the future. "I was hoping my tour guides would be students. They talked about how Chatham Hall is a place that prepares girls to be leaders. All I could think about as they spoke was that I can already see that they are leaders. If that is the kind of girl Chatham Hall is striving for, it's truly doing well." 

 

When Rev. Haynes reflected on her experience celebrating with the community for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, she expressed how moving it was. "I know students crafted the service. The readings were powerful, and the students were very well engaged. I could tell that justice is an important value for them and this community."

Theological scholarships available

The Hampton Roads Community Foundation is currently accepting applications for the following scholarships. The 2020-2021 theological scholarship application is due April 1, 2020. Students may visit our website at hamptonroadscf.org to view the list of available scholarships and complete an online application. Applicants should be native or long-time residents of the specified geographic.

• Barron F. Black Theological Scholarship- For students at Virginia Theological Seminary (Alexandria, VA) who are candidates for the ministry. Students must be residents of the geographic region served by the Diocese of Southern Virginia. 
• Richard D. and Sheppard R. Cooke Memorial Scholarship - For students from Hampton Roads attending Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond who are candidates for the ministry. Preference will be given to students from Norfolk churches within the Presbytery of Eastern Virginia.
  
• Hy Smith Endowment Fund - For students at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria who are candidates for the ministry. Students must be residents of the geographic region served by the Diocese of Southern Virginia.

General Convention Office launches online too: Mapping demographics and Parochial Report data

Congregational leaders in The Episcopal Church now have access to a new online resource, available here, for understanding history and visioning the future with the data collected through the Parochial Report.

 

Looking at the social and demographic characteristics of the local community sheds light on the people to which we hope to minister. Looking at trends in membership, average worship attendance, and financial giving sheds light on congregational strength and whether current patterns indicate growth, decline or stability.

 

The main application will allow you to locate your congregation. After clicking the congregation, a small box will appear showing quick stats and links to explore trends with Parochial Report data and Explore Neighborhood with demographic data.

 

"Explore Trends" track membership, participation, and giving over the most recently available eleven years for your congregation and your diocese. These data are from annual Parochial Reports. "Explore Neighborhood" gives you a demographic overview of the area within a 15 minute driving distance of your congregation's physical location.

Embracing Evangelism video series and resources coming in spring 2020

Embracing Evangelism is a new six-part evangelism video course from The Episcopal Church and Virginia Theological Seminary. Each episode features teachings on Episcopal evangelism, class discussions and prompts, and exercises to help Episcopalians understand the ministry and call to evangelism.

The full Embracing Evangelism series consists of six videos, each of which includes participant and facilitator guides. The series works equally well as a daylong intensive course or a season's worth of adult education offerings.

Embracing Evangelism will be available for download in its entirety in spring 2020. More information at episcopalchurch.org/embracingevangelism.

CE-Net online gathering Feb. 5

Join CE-Net (Christian Education Network) for a Zoom meeting/conversation on Wednesday, February 5 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. During our time together we will connect with colleagues in the diocese and hear key takeaways from the recent FORMA Conference, "Rooted in Jesus."  The "Rooted in Jesus"  promotion materials stated that it's time for the Episcopal Church to come together as disciples of Jesus and take a bold new step into the next decade. Let's talk about taking those bold new steps.

 

If you are interested in participating, please email Ann Turner, aturner@diosova.org for the link you'll need to join the meeting. For our online gathering, whether you use a computer, phone or tablet, make sure your device has video capability and microphone enabled. If you have not used Zoom before, click here for a quick introduction on how to join a meeting.

The Rev. Rhonda Wheeler elected to Jackson-Feild board

Jackson-Feild Behavioral Health Services - a residential treatment program serving children with severe mental health disorders - is pleased to announce the election of The Rev. Rhonda E. Wheeler to its Board of Directors.

 

Since 2013, Wheeler has served as Rector of Emmanuel, Hampton. She received her undergraduate education from Carson-Newman University in Johnson City TN and her Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary at Wake Forest. She has as post-graduate diploma in Anglican Studies from the Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria VA.

 

In past years, Wheeler has served as a chaplain at Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center in Fishersville VA, and held pastoral positions at Grace Episcopal Church in Staunton VA, St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Temple Hills MD, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Newport News VA.

 

With an interest in helping children suffering from mental illness, Wheeler is excited to serve on the Board of Directors and do what she can to improve their lives.