Ghana church destroyed by fire

St. George's Anglican Church, Burma Camp, Ghana was completely destroyed by fire two weeks ago. Although their building is lost, St. George's is struggling to continue worshiping and serving their community. They are seeking donations to help them get back on their feet: clerical vestments (all colors), altar cross, candle sticks, bells, chalice, ciborium, altar palls, cassocks, and surplices. If you would like to provide donations, please contact the Rev. Canon Frederick Walker, rector at St. Mark's, Suffolk, 757-934-0830 or rectorstmarksuffolk@gmail.com. The Rev. Canon Walker is an honorary Canon of Christ Church Cathedral in Cape Coast, Ghana. 

The ministry of Prison Visitation Society

By David Wynne, Eastern Shore Chapel, Virginia Beach  

"I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me."

In addition to KAIROS, the Prison Committee at Eastern Shore Chapel, Virginia Beach, also includes a smaller ministry to the Federal Correction Complex (FCC) in Petersburg. The federal ministry is affiliated with the Prison Visitation Society; a national organization that specializes in visits to federal facilities. Although PVS ministers to all facilities, the principle ministry is to inmates with very long sentences for whom the family has stopped visiting.

There are many thousands of inmates nationwide waiting to have a visitor. At Petersburg, in our diocese, there are hundreds. We operate under the auspices of the Rt. Rev. J. Magness, Bishop of Federal Ministries. We have no qualifications, no special skills; we simply go.  

Similar to the Stephen Ministry, we simply provide confidential, non-judgmental listening. Our inmates can be Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, Atheist, even Wiccan. In every case, they yearn for a kind presence and a contact outside the environment they endure. Although we do not actively witness, nearly always, sooner or later, God opens a door and when He does, we walk through it.

Last week I visited Bobby and Robert. The drive up to the FCC near Hopewell takes about two hours. Bobby is from Idaho, a former city parks worker; nearing the end of a twenty-five year sentence. His family can't afford the trip east but he only has five years to go. Bobby says he is a Wiccan, but he covets our prayers. When he gets out, God will be waiting. Robert is from New Hampshire, was a flooring contractor. He's 51, four years through a 33 year sentence. His parents are infirm and can't get down. He is bright, hopeful, planning his life after. During the sunshine of their hope and the blackness of their despair, we visit.

If you have some time to contribute, the need is great and every volunteer reports the greater blessing is always theirs. Contact David Wynne at diw1022@gmail.com.

Leadership Program for Musicians accepting registrations for 2013-2014 academic year

The Central Virginia Chapter of the Leadership Program for Musicians is now accepting registrations for the 2013-2014 academic year. LPM is a continuing education program for church musicians, pastors, or those who love music and liturgy of the church and is supported by the Episcopal Church and The Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. However, we welcome anyone of any denomination. We meet in Richmond monthly for five months and will be covering conducting, liturgy, teaching new music, and philosophy this year. Please look at our website www.lpm-va.org for more details.  Registrations received after September 1 will be subject to a late fee, so sign up now. Any questions?  Get in touch with the coordinator, Nellwyn Beamon, at nbeamon@ascension-norfolk.org or nadezhda@quixnet.net, or call 757-423-6715. 

Save the date: Episcopal Church hosts forum "Fifty Years Later: The State of Racism in America"

On November 15, the Episcopal Church will host and produce a forum centering on a critical topic for our times: Fifty Years Later: The State of Racism in America. Originating from St. Andrew's Episcopal Cathedral in Jackson, MS (Diocese of Mississippi), the 90-minute ecumenical forum will be live webcast beginning at 1 pm Central (2 pm Eastern). The forum will be moderated by well-known journalist and PBS commentator Ray Suarez. Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori will keynote the event. Two panel discussions will focus on main themes: Racism in America today - why does it persist?  And  Racism in America's future - where is there hope for change?

"This offers Episcopalians and others an opportunity for continued truth-telling and reconciliation, as we seek a society of justice," noted Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, a keynote speaker for the event.  "We say we believe all human beings are made in the image of God.  Do we give evidence of it?"

Panelists will be recognized leaders from faith groups, NGOs, the media, academia and government.  The forum will begin with a thought-provoking video, and viewers will be able to submit questions to the participants during the live webcast. The forum is ideal for live group watching and discussion, or on-demand viewing later.  It will be appropriate for Sunday School, discussions groups, and community gatherings.

This event embodies with two recent General Convention resolutions: Resolution 2000 A-047 on Anti-Racism General Convention 2000:  Resolved, that the Episcopal Church continue its work to overcome the historic silence and complicity of our church in the sin of racism, that we become a church committed to ending institutional and other forms of racism, and that we overcome the historic silence and complicity of our church in the sin of racism; and Resolution A143 of General Convention 2009: to encourage dioceses to study slavery, segregation, and discrimination in their own communities. The event also supports two Anglican Marks of Mission: in dealing with issues of racism a) To respond to human need by loving service (Mark 3), and b) To seek to transform unjust structures of society (Mark 4).

Resources such as bibliography, on-demand video, materials for community and individual review, discussion questions, and lesson plans will be available. For more information contact Neva Rae Fox, Public Affairs Officer, publicaffairs@episcopalchurch.org.

Report from Task Force for Re-Imagining the Episcopal Church

The Task Force for Re-Imagining the Episcopal Church (TREC) met July 12-13 at the Maritime Institute of Technology in Linthicum, Maryland. The following is a report on their work:

"Since our initial meeting in February, we have been working in smaller groups to

1) ensure that all of our members have a common understanding of our current structures, governance and administration;

2) research both successful and unsuccessful attempts at large-scale change in other Christian traditions, in our own history as The Episcopal Church, and in other kinds of organizations, and consult with individuals who helped lead those efforts;

3) develop a common understanding  of the central marks of Episcopal identity from the vast work that has already been done in that area; and

4) establish the building blocks for a broad churchwide engagement process that we believe will be a critical piece of our work. We heard reports from each of these smaller working groups. Two of the groups offered written reports, and those are available on our website (www.reimaginetec.org) or here.

Our greatest challenge so far has been developing a common understanding of the proper scope of our mandate. We are very conscious of the extraordinary energy and consensus demonstrated by the 77th General Convention about the need for bold and large-scale change in our church. Our work thus far has consisted of vigorous and Spirit-filled conversations about the best ways The Episcopal Church might begin to affect the kind of change that was called for and needed, and what specific areas in our common life are most in need of the kind of reform that convention called for."

Click here to continue reading the TREC report. 

Choir forming for diocesan-wide service of Repentance and Reconciliation on November 2

The Diocesan-wide Service of Repentance and Reconciliation for the sin of racism will be held at Christ and St. Luke's, Norfolk, on November 2 at 11:00 a.m. We are forming a diocesan-wide choir to sing for this service. This choir is open to all singers who wish to participate.  

There are only two rehearsals for this choir, which will be conducted by Kevin Kwan, music director at Christ & St. Luke's. The rehearsals will be held at Christ and St. Luke’s, Norfolk, and will be on Saturday, October 19 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., and Saturday, October 26 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. The warm-up on the day of the service (November 2) will be at 10 a.m.  

The repertoire for the service (two choral anthems) will be chosen shortly and sent out in September. There is no audition for this choir, but it comes with the understanding that singers will prepare the music before the rehearsals. If you are interested, please email kevin.kwan@christandstlukes.org, giving your name, parish, and voice part. Rectors and choir directors - please forward this information to anyone in your parish who might be interested in this opportunity.

An all new Bishop's Days - you don't want to miss this!

Diocese of Southern Virginia's Bishop's Days 2013 is a whole new experience - new ways to teach, learn, and share. This is an experience that will energize and enlighten your ministry!

Our Bishop's Days this year will be modeled on the popular TED Conferences. TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) is a nonprofit devoted to "Ideas Worth Spreading." It brings together the world's most fascinating thinkers and doers in order to present a series of inspiring talks, each less than 18 minutes long. The creators of TED believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and ultimately, the world.

There are "Ideas Worth Spreading" in Southern Virginia, so we're having our own TED-style conference. The talks are short, but long on inspiration. The day should give you new perspectives, ideas and ways of thinking. If you let it, it could change YOUR world!

Cost is $15 per person. Lunch is provided. Wardens will have an opportunity to meet with Bishop Hollerith during the day. Go to www.diosova.org for more details, including a full schedule of the day, and to register. Click here for an event flyer you can share.  

The Talks:

Church on the Web: Ministry and Social Media - Hows and whys of using social media as church communities and individuals in the propagation of the Gospel "out there." The Rev. Penny Nash, Bruton Parish, Williamsburg.

Music Here, Music There, Music Everywhere! - How can parishes - big, small and anywhere in between - use music as a tool for outreach? How can you effectively maximize the gifts of part-time music directors? Kevin Kwan, Christ & St. Luke's, Norfolk.

Thank you Martin Buber: New Communities - Christ's admonition to "Love each other as I have loved you" is central to our mission of establishing new Episcopal communities. Join Jewish Philosopher Martin Buber and me as we offer provocative insights into the nature of human relationships. The Rev. Cameron Randle, St. James', Accomac & St. George's, Pungoteague.

The Imaginal Realm: Other approaches to the sacred - Are you tired of trying to re-stock the shelves in your "retail" religious store from week to week? This may be your finest hour... or 15 minutes, as we explore unique environments, including gifts of intuition, insight, and creativity. The Rev. David Tetrault, St. Cyprian's, Hampton.

Detour or Destination? - Have you looked back on events in your life and wondered WHAT IF? Better yet, what events in your life  perhaps reveal unexpected plans that God might have for you? Tom Ager, St. Michael's, Bon Air. (West only)

Two for the Road - Companion relationships and why we need them. Ben Blanchard, Good Shepherd, Norfolk. (East only)