#DiosovaRingsOut bell ringing

For some time now churches in our diocese have been invited to ring their church bells on Thursdays at noon for three minutes to express appreciation for health care workers and first responders.  As the pandemic continues to affect our lives we all realize the heroic efforts of health care workers and first responders serving on the front lines of the pandemic response.  

 

During the last months as parishes have engaged in bell ringing some have noted, in addition to those on the front lines of the pandemic struggle, our communities are also deeply struggling with other challenges: racial disparity, food insecurity, affordable housing, economic equality, issues of social justice and the list goes on.  

 

Perhaps members in your parish leadership would like to highlight prayerfully those challenges too. It could be helpful for your parish leadership to discuss or highlight those struggles as well while the bell ringing continues.  Should you decide to highlight these or other struggles in your community, you are encouraged to use the hashtag #DiosovaRingsOut on Facebook or Instagram. Whatever direction or decisions you make, thank you for offering your continuing prayers of remembrance and thanksgivings through the ringing  of church bells.

Happening: Project Caritas

To our Happening Community,

 

The Happening Committee (Kim Centers, Juli McDaniel, Karen Witherspoon, Chris O'Brien, Krista McLaughlin, Mariah Dudley, Cornelia Taylor, Nathan Hoyt, and Megan Dern) hopes that you are well and healthy.  We are living in some very challenging times and we wanted to do something that might bring our community together in a way that keeps our doors open and our love flowing.  

 

There are few things more precious than friendship. The friendship and love that we get to feel, share and spread through Happening is God's Caritas to each of us; we believe that.  He loves us THAT much and invites each of us to share it with each other.  His love can been seen in the faces of each other, can be read in the words that are written, can be heard in songs that we sing and felt through the power of prayer.  God hears all of our prayers and answers all of our prayers, and while it may not be what we want, it is usually what we need. 

How can we do that?  How can you do that?  The Happening Committee invites you to be a part of something bigger.  Your words, your songs, your prayers are love.  One prayer at a time, one song at a time, this is love.  We are officially launching our summer Project Caritas.  Project Caritas is our two-pronged approach to reaching the Happening Community through Song and Prayer. 

 

Project Caritas SING

We invite you to sing. It's that simple. In our world of stress, these songs we've chosen bring us peace, evoke memories of Happenings past, and wrap us in love.  Record yourself singing one of these Happening Songs: Give Yourself to Love; Amazing Grace (Alleluia); Sanctuary; They Will Know We Are Christians. Sing it, record it, and send it! Lyrics and video tips can be accessed here. You can upload your song here so that we can create a compilation that we can carry with us everywhere. Please upload your song no later than August 8, 2020. The Project Caritas SING compilation should be ready and released by August 29, 2020

 

Project Caritas PRAY    

Two words you are already familiar with: Prayer Partner. We would like to invite you to pray for another person and receive the power of prayer as well.  We would like to put together some matches of people who would be interested.  Simply submit your name and Happening number (if you know it) to Megan Dern at mdern@diosova.org and the committee will match you with someone else interested in having a partner. The great news is, once you submit your name and method of contact, you and your prayer partner get to choose how to communicate, exchanging prayers through email, text, Facebook messenger, or even snail mail. We encourage any and everyone to lift each other up in prayer and add other encouraging and giving gestures as you see fit. Prayer is a powerful form of Caritas. It doesn't matter if you are an alumnus of Happening #1 or #71, all are welcome to participate.  If you are interested, please send a message to a committee member or respond to this post. We will match all participants and notify you of your partner match as soon as we can.

 

Project Caritas. Be a part of something bigger. Nothing in this world is bigger than God's love for us. 

Christ Church completing first phase of renovation

By Mary Cole, Christ Church, Smithfield

 

After two years of work to save Christ Church, Smithfield, the first phase will soon be complete. The old 1832 original Protestant Episcopal Church, whose congregants came from Historic St. Luke's four miles down the road, looked perfectly fine standing on the corners of Main and Church Streets in Smithfield for almost 200 years. Little did the congregation know what was lurking beneath the surface. Bill Egan, a church member and civil engineer, prevented the unthinkable when he discovered structural damage that could have led to the building's collapse and loss of priceless stained-glass windows - not to mention the threat to those who enjoyed the worship service, Sundays at Four concert series, and town events that took place there. Because of the urgent need for action, there was little time to prepare the financial support system needed. After receiving an initial grant, a generous gift by the C.W. Brinkley Family, drawing on the endowment given by the late Helen Ann Ferguson and receiving a gift from Doris and Atwill Gwaltney, Christ Church was able to move forward quickly. On August 2, the church will hold its first worship service in this historic church since the COVID-19 outbreak, though with masks, social distancing and other re-gathering guidelines. Church members are taking a deep sigh of relief that the structural issues have been resolved and the beautiful stained-glass restoration will be finished soon. It is estimated that there is still $250,000 needed to complete this challenging project. A grant from the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Fund for Historic Interiors of the National Trust for Historic Preservation has just been received. Christ Church greatly appreciates the grant assistance and the contributions of many.

From Bishop Haynes: Pastoral update on re-gathering

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)

 

Now that the Diocesan guidelines for re-gathering have been issued and churches are submitting their plans for in-person worship, we are confronted with the reality that this virus isn't doing what we thought it would or wanted it to. Instead of continuing to decrease, the number of new cases and percent positivity is increasing! Some areas of the Commonwealth are seeing more of an increase in numbers - the Tidewater area in particular. More and more we hear stories of people who know people who have been sickened with COVID-19, whereas before perhaps they knew of no one who had the illness. There is more confusion than clarity as to whether or not it is safe for congregations to gather for in-person worship. Our anxiety is at an all-time high!

 

In the face of such confusion, we hope that the following reminders will prove helpful:

 

There is no rush to re-gather for indoor worship

Even though churches are submitting their plans to re-gather, many are stating that their congregations are waiting until the fall actually to resume worship. This is entirely within the power of clergy and vestries to decide. We encourage leadership to watch the numbers in their area and to make decisions about worship accordingly. If you have opened for worship, but have subsequently decided that the numbers are heading in the wrong direction, you may temporarily decide to close again. You may continue to offer virtual worship opportunities for those who do not feel safe to come to church. Or you may gather for brief, outdoor opportunities for worship and fellowship. The important thing is to keep the lines of communication open with your parishes so that everyone knows what is happening.

 

We are in a different place today than we were in March

In March when we made the sweeping decision to shut down worship, we were completely unprepared to continue gathering safely. We didn't understand then what we understand about the virus today. Today we know more about how it is transmitted and about things we can do to protect ourselves. Today we have guidelines that we can put in place for our protection. We also understand more about numbers and trends that indicate if the virus is contained or is spreading. All of this information can help inform us as we make decision about worship and other church activities. Vestries and clergy are of course capable of making these decisions; however, the Diocesan staff also stands ready to offer counsel and advice. Give us a call.

 

Our technological abilities are increasing

We have learned a lot through this pandemic, and one of the things we have learned is how to stay connected and how to continue to be the church through the use of technology - email, virtual worship, social media, and other things. We now understand that God's church perseveres in new, fresh ways that we didn't dream possible before.

 

GOD LOVES US!

In this Sunday's Gospel we hear the Kingdom of Heaven likened to a small mustard seed that grows into a tree large enough to shelter birds from all over. With even the smallest kernel of trust that we can muster, we are welcomed into the protective branches of God's love. His all-encompassing embrace will shelter us, protect us, guide us and lead us into all truth. The day will come when the reality of this pandemic will be behind us. We will boldly carry forward the lessons we have learned from it. But no matter what, we will keep on being the Church of God. So let us go forth, continuing in the apostles' teaching, in the prayers, the fellowship and the breaking of bread. Pick up the phone and call somebody. Pick up pen and paper and write a letter. Do not be afraid to be the Church!

 

I will not forget you. Behold! I have carved you in the palm of my hand. (Isaiah 49:16)

Education for Ministry (EfM): Meet Diocesan EfM Coordinator Cindy Jordan

Hello there!  Let me introduce myself.  My name is Cindy Jordan and I will be the Diocesan Coordinator for EfM.  I am filling some formidable shoes of past EfM coordinators, so please be patient as I learn the ropes.

A little bit about me—I am a member of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Williamsburg, where my family and I have worshipped for 28 years.  I have one adult son and a new grandson, who both fill my heart.  I grew up in New England, but came to Virginia when my husband of 36 years was stationed at Yorktown with the Coast Guard. I have two brothers, who both have moved to Virginia and made their homes here, one of whom is a member of Old Donation with his famly.  My spiritual journey has been influenced by so many wonderful people throughout the years, many of whom are in this Diocese, ordained and non-ordained.  I am a high school teacher by vocation, but learned through EfM that my vocation can also be a ministry.  I hope to provide that experience for many of you.

What is EfM?  For those of you who might be new to the Church, EfM is a program of study, prayer and theological reflection that was developed by, and is administered through, Sewanee: University of the South.  Sewanee is a private Episcopal liberal arts college in Sewanee, Tennessee. It is owned by 28 southern dioceses of the Episcopal Church.  Its School of Theology is an official seminary of the church.

The course for EfM is a journey through the Old Testament, the New Testament, Christian/ Church History and Theology over a four-year period.  EfM allows participants an opportunity to explore God’s call to them, while giving them more information and opportunities for reflection to discern that call.   This is done through weekly small-group gatherings (currently virtually) lead by trained mentors.  The course operates much like a college course, however, there is no grading and no research papers to write! You can take breaks in the course should you need—take a year off if needed.  Throughout the course, participants are asked to reflect on their spiritual journey past, present and future. EfM is living theology.  Participants learn to live into their own theological beliefs and be an example of the heart and hands of Christ in their circles—family, friends, church, co-workers, and community.

Let me define “ministry” here.  We are not talking about “holy orders” and ordination!  Ministry is about giving of ourselves, and of our time, talents, and resources to bless and help others.  We are ALL ministers in this world.  God has often used unsuspecting, but good people to serve and minister to His people.  Think of Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Miriam, Deborah, Mary and the disciples called by Christ.  In Isaiah we read, “And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”   EfM prepares participants to say “Here I am!”

This is the only program I know of that gives the non-ordained, the non-clerical, the kind of knowledge and tools they need to be active in the life of the Church and church community.  Everyone is called to ministry but finding that ministry with all the “noise” around us can be difficult.  Many EfM graduates have gone on to begin new ministries in their parishes, serve on their vestry, become formation leaders in their church and even, through discernment, deacons. The benefit to our parishes and diocese is immeasurable as participants and graduates begin their journeys.  The benefit to the participant is a deeper knowledge of how the Church came to be and a much richer view of their place in it and in today’s world.

My goals for EfM in the Diocese are three-fold:

• To be sure every parishioner in DiSoVa is aware of the opportunity to become an EfM participant and explore their call to ministry in the church. 
• To “train up” several current EfM graduates to become mentors for new groups
• To grow our network of groups by at least 20% this coming year

Right now, new groups are forming and “old” groups are gearing up to resume in the fall!  All groups will begin online due to the current public health issues.  This is a great time for some our smaller parishes to offer EfM to their parishioners as we can combine folks in the on-line format.   No prior study or knowledge of scripture or theology is required. 

I am very much looking forward to walking this journey with you.  Join me and here your call!

Want more information?  Contact your rector, your Christian Formation Director, or Cindy Jordan at cwjordan.efm@gmail.com.

Open office hours July 16 with Latino/a/x Missioner

The Rev. (Padre) Mario Melendez is hosting Open Office Hours tomorrow, July 16, from 1 to 3 p.m. Do you have ideas and/or suggestions to help the Latino/a/x community in Southern Virginia? Does your parish, community, or organization want to be involved in this wonderful ministry? Padre Mario would like to hear from you. Click here to register. 

Planning for fall formation programs

Who has started thinking about planning for their fall programs? This fall will look vastly different than past years and we want to be here to help you through the planning process.  We have two opportunities for formation leaders to join together to hear about new formation ideas and talk through the ideas that you are currently exploring.

 

Province III Virtual Summit 

On Monday, July 20 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., our Province 3 coordinators are hosting a virtual summit to talk about formation in the fall. Whether you work with children, youth, adults, or all of the above, join us for a Zoom forum to explore answers to what formation ministry look like in the Fall and have an opportunity to share resources with one another. Advanced registration  is required. Click here to register. 

 

Diocesan Colleague Lunch 

On Wednesday, July 22 at 12 noon, join us for a Diocesan colleague lunch over Zoom. We can discuss what we learned on Monday (although it's not necessary to have participated) and have space to ask questions specific to our Diocese. We will break out into groups based on if you are planning formation for children, youth, or adult ministry to better process your ideas for the fall with formation leaders going through the same things. Advanced registration  is required. Click here to register. 

 

If you have any questions or things that you want to see covered, please contact Megan Dern at mdern@diosova.org.