ECW Louisa Taylor Letcher Observance is July 1

The annual observance will be held on Sunday, July 1. ECW members are invited to worship in any of the Norfolk area churches. At 12:30 P.M. they will assemble at the Cedar Grove Cemetery in Norfolk (East Princess Anne Road, just off Monticello Avenue) for the memorial service. At 1:15 P.M. they will have lunch at Freemason Abbey in Norfolk (Freemason and Boush Streets). Please contact Barbara Grice, Anglican Fellowship of Prayer Representative for details, 757-625-7057.

Registration open for 2012-2013 LPM classes

It's time for you or any church-music lover you know to register for the Leadership Program for Musicians' (LPM) 2012-2013 classes! Take all four or just one-at-a-time. Classes are perfect for church musicians and choir members; worship, music and liturgy committees; clergy; and members of congregations.

This year's offerings include: Leadership of Congregational Song; Hymnody of the Christian Church; Resources for Effective Music Ministry; and Philosophy of Church Music. Classes are September 14-15, October 12-13, November 9-10, January 11-12 and February 8-9. Classes meet Friday evenings 7 to 9:15 p.m. and Saturdays 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. at Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter in Richmond. The LPM Spring Workshop (March 9, 2012) is free to registered students. Click here for more information.

New book on James Solomon Russell to be published

Worth E. Norman, Jr. has authored a biography of the Rev. James Solomon Russell that will be published next month. The book, entitled "James Solomon Russell: Former Slave, Pioneering Educator and Episcopal Evangelist," includes Russell's early church career prior to joining the original and undivided Episcopal Diocese of Virginia. Worth is a native of Norfolk, an Old Dominion University graduate, and former member of Trinity, Portsmouth and Ascension, Norfolk. He has published work on Russell in The Historiographer, The Living Church and the Brunswick Times-Gazette (Virginia). He lives in Birmingham, Alabama. Click here for more information.

Five new deacons ordained

On Saturday, June 9, at St. Andrew's, Newport News, Bishop Hollerith ordained five new deacons: the Rev. Wendy Wilkinson; the Rev. Dana VanVliet-Pullin; the Rev. Roger Hungerford; the Rev. Eve Butler-Gee; and the Rev. Terry Davis Edwards.

Two new resources for church communicators

On Saturday, June 2, 27 church communicators gathered at St. Stephen's, Newport News, to share ideas, network and learn how to better participate in the diocesan communications network. The new diocesan Church Communicators Manual was also distributed. You can download a copy of the manual, and other handouts from the meeting, from the Communications Resources page of our website. Another new communications resource is the Diosova Communicators online group. This email list serve enables communicators across the Diocese to ask questions, share resources and support each other in their ministry. If you would like to join the group, please email Ann Turner, aturner@diosova.org.

UBE Bishop's Ball re-scheduled for September 29

The Union of Black Episcopalians invites you to join them at the Bishop's Ball on Saturday, September 29, 6:30 p.m., at Marriott Waterside Hotel, Norfolk. Dinner and dancing, proceeds benefit St. Paul's College in Lawrenceville. Tickets $60 per person. Contact David Flores for tickets, 757-466-1991 or www.silverfox42639@aol.com.

Bishop Hollerith asks for your help in restoring Chanco

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As you probably are aware, Chanco is one of our greatest spiritual assets in Southern Virginia. As is the case with any asset, it's vitally important to be good stewards of what's entrusted to us - Chanco being no exception. To that end the Chanco Board of Directors has been working incredibly hard to tackle both the immediate and long term issues surrounding our property. However they can't do it without your help.

I'm writing today to commend to you the Chanco restoration projects and ask you for your time to make them happen. Last summer an incredible effort was put into restoring the exterior of Conference Lodge A, which is just one of several buildings in need of a serious overhaul. This summer the board will be doing similar restorations of Lodge D, and they need your help to make it happen. Please plan on volunteering for either the pre-work weekend from June 8-10 or the work week, July 13 - 22. Everyone volunteering needs to contact Chanco's volunteer coordinator, Chuck Spence at  chspence_7@msn.com or 757-675-6311 so that the board can adequately plan for food and lodging.

Thank you for your support of Chanco and I look forward to seeing the work accomplished this summer.

Your Servant in Christ,

+Holly Hollerith