How will you observe Martin Luther King, Jr. Day?

On January 18, 2021 we will honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The day is set aside to honor his accomplishments as a leader, minister, gifted speaker and civil rights activist. As you consider how best to mark the day to honor Dr. King  - reflect on the often quoted words of Coretta Scott King that appeared in 1983 in The Washington Post as she highlighted  her vision for the observance of the holiday:   "The holiday must be substantive as well as symbolic. It must be more than a day of celebration . . . Let this holiday be a day of reflection, a day of teaching nonviolent philosophy and strategy, a day of getting involved in nonviolent action for social and economic progress."

The list below provides some initial suggestions to achieve Coretta Scott King’s vision to celebrate MLK during a time of global pandemic:

• Begin a conversation – The Salt Project has produced two videos (free and fee based) that you can use in worship, on social media or on your website to reflect upon, inspire and initiate conversation. The videos can be viewed at the diocesan YouTube channel.
• Get informed – Read or listen to Dr. King’s speeches, and letters. Read books written about him and watch films of Dr. King to expand your understanding of his life’s work.  
• Consider Dr. King’s work and legacy with respect to our Baptismal Vows – “Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?” “Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?” How might you live out those Baptismal vows with respect to social justice work?
• Be of service to others – In 1957 in Montgomery Alabama Dr. King said “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’“ AmeriCorps leads the effort help individuals and groups respond to this question. Click here to learn about their efforts and get involved on MLK day and beyond. 
• Engage Children in the celebration- there are a number of ways to engage children in MLK day: read age appropriate MLK related books with your child. Click here for some suggestions, search Pinterest and other sites for MLK crafts, write a prayer for the world today, participate in an act of service, read the “I Have a Dream” speech together and talk about the hopes and dreams that Dr. King expressed as well as your child’s hopes and dreams for the world today.

Service of Faith, Hope and Love: Meditations and Reflections on Martin Luther King

Manakin Church, Midlothian, invites you to join them for a service of Faith, Hope and Love: Meditations and Reflections on Martin Luther King, Jr on Monday, January 18. The service will be live beginning at 11:30 a.m. here. The service will include reflections from Bishop Haynes as well as others from the congregation, the Diocese and community.

129th Annual Council: A virtual "Council Week"

The 129th Annual Council will be entirely virtual with "Council Week" from February 22-27. Rather than spend a day and a half on Zoom, our Council Week will begin on Monday, Feb. 22, offering you daily on-demand reports and live events via Zoom. On Friday evening, please plan to join us for an engaging presentation by Jerusalem Greer, Staff Officer for Evangelism for Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. Jerusalem will be pointing the way to how we can answer the demands of our third Baptismal Promise, “Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of Jesus Christ?” The title of her presentation is “Rooted in Love: Where Good News, Spiritual Practices and our Baptismal promises meet.” Council Week will culminate with the business meeting of clergy and lay delegates on Saturday morning. Complete information about Council Week can be found at www.bit.ly/diosova129.

Presiding Bishop Curry’s Word to the Church: Who shall we be?

Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has issued a Word to the Church. Text and video available here.

On January 6, the Feast of the Epiphany, Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry invited Episcopalians and people of faith to turn and pray on behalf of our nation. Read more here.

From Many, One: Conversations Across Difference

Starting January 18 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day), The Episcopal Church launches "From Many, One: Conversations Across Difference,” a campaign urging Episcopalians and our neighbors to engage in the spiritual practice of listening and honest conversation across the many differences that separate us, starting with four simple questions: What do you love? What have you lost? Where does it hurt? What do you dream? Read more here.

The Episcopal Church launches 2021 Absalom Jones Fund Campaign to assist Episcopal Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry invites Episcopalians to deepen their participation in Christ’s ministry of reconciliation by dedicating offerings at observances of the Feast of Absalom Jones (February 13) and making individual donations to support St. Augustine’s University in Raleigh, NC, and Voorhees College in Denmark, SC, two historically black Episcopal institutions of higher education. Click here for more information.

Episcopal Church Young Adult Service Corps: Application open for 2021-2022 placements

Deadline: February 19, 2021

Applications are now being accepted for 2021-2022 placements with the Young Adult Service Corps (YASC), the international missionary program of The Episcopal Church. YASC offers Episcopalians ages 21-30 the opportunity to follow the Way of Love deeper relationship with God and the global Anglican Church while spending a year living and working with communities around the world. Click here for more information.