New Chorister Program open to all children ages 8-18

Christ and St. Luke's, Norfolk, is starting a Chorister Program for children ages 8-18, under the direction of Kevin Kwan, newly appointed Director of Music.  Boys and girls, regardless of religious affiliation, church membership, or musical experience, are welcome to join the choir.  The Choristers will be trained according to the standards set forth by the Royal School of Church Music. 

This opportunity is open to all families in the Diocese who would benefit from professional music training,  at no expense to the parents besides their commitment.  More than just music skills, the Choristers training can be an essential part of the whole formation of a child.  Each boy and girl receives significant individual attention in a stimulating, challenging, yet fun environment.

Rehearsals are on Wednesdays from 5-6pm, followed by a light supper open to all families.  This meal, organized by the parents, is a way to build community among the families in a casual setting.  Currently, the Choristers sing on Sundays every 4-6 weeks, in addition to the popular Christmas Eve and Holy Week services. For more information, please contact Kevin Kwan at kevin.kwan@christandstlukes.org or 757-627-5665 extension 18. 

St. John's, Halifax, ready to show off their new look

 

St. John's, Halifax, has just completed and $200,000 renovation of their church and parish house and will be showing them off to the community this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. St. John's, a Greek Revival building erected in 1844, has a rich history. Veterans from almost every American-fought war lie in the church's cemetery. One of the church's rectors, the Rev. Charles Dresser, married President Abraham Lincoln and his wife Mary Todd.  

The extensive renovations at St. John's preserve the church's past while helping it to move forward into the 21st century. Among the many improvements to the structure, was making the church and parish house completely handicap-accessible. "Essentially, we've redone that building from top to bottom," said the Rev. Cleon Ross, interim rector. "There's no part of the building that hasn't been touched. "

The open house on Saturday will include tours of the church, parish house and cemetery. A dedication and blessing for both the church and parish house will take place on Sunday.   

Boys' Home participates in The Amazing Raise

 The Community Foundation, serving Richmond and Central Virginia, will again sponsor The Amazing Raise. For 36 hours beginning Wednesday, September 18, at 6 a.m. and extending to Thursday, September 19, at 6 p.m., supporters can designate online donations to eligible nonprofits. Boys' Home is one of the 571 organizations in this select group. The Boys' Home page can be accessed here.  

The Community Foundation does not benefit from the online donations and all monies except for a processing fee goes directly to the organization. As in the past, there may be times that the website is so busy that there could be delays in accessing the Boys' Home page. If you have problems, please use the online donations on the Boys' Home webpage or contact Boys' Home Development Director Janet Lemmer, 540-965-7715 or jdlemmer@boyshomeinc.org. Thank you for considering this venue to support Boys' Home!

St. John's honors the Rev. James Chisholm

The Rev. Brian Hobden, 14th rector of St. John's, and the Rev. Derek Harbin, 16th and current rector, bless a bronze plaque at the Rev. James Chisholm's grave.

In 2010, the Rev. James Chisholm was added to the Episcopal Church's calendar of saints for giving his life in service to others during the Yellow Fever epidemic of 1855. His feast day is September 15. Chisholm was the first rector of St. John's, Portsmouth. Chisholm sent his family away to safety, staying behind to provide whatever care for the sick he could. Chisholm provided food, medical assistance, and pastoral care. He was even known to have dug graves for those who had died. According to "History of Portsmouth, Virginia," "During that awful summer of 1855, Mr. Chisholm labored night and day among people of every denomination." "He was, however, spared to comfort the pest-ridden sufferings until the disease had abated; then his frail body, worn out by privation and toil, succumbed to the fever." Chisholm died on September 15, 1855 in the Portsmouth Naval Hospital.

St. John's honored Chisholm with series of events over the weekend, including tours of Olde Towne and the original Naval Hospital building, highlighting Chisholm's work. Sunday afternoon's event included the dedication of a new bronze plaque and the reading of a city proclamation by Portsmouth Mayor Kenneth Wright. A collection in Chisholm's honor will pay for mosquito bed nets. A fitting tribute since Yellow Fever, although now eradicated, was a mosquito-borne disease. Today, the nets could help prevent malaria, which causes 200 million illnesses and kills 600,000 people a year.  

    

Jackson-Feild completes capital campaign

Jackson-Feild Homes launched the Act of Faith Capital Campaign in November 2011 to raise funds to make repairs and improvements to its All Saints Chapel. With a campaign goal of $85,000, Tricia Delano, Executive Director, is pleased to announce that the goal has been met. Donations were received from thirty donors that included individuals, churches, church organizations and foundations.

Constructed in 1978, the chapel was in need of both exterior and interior repairs in order to continue serving as the home of Jackson-Feild's spiritual program. In addition to weekly worship services in All Saints Chapel, The Rev. Robin Jones also provides Bible study, character education, pastoral counseling, holy yoga and quarterly bible schools within the structure.

Exterior repairs were completed in 2012, and work has begun to complete the interior work. In the spring of 2014, Jackson-Feild will offer a special worship ceremony to re-dedicate the chapel.

There's still time to register for LPM classes

The Leadership Program for Musicians (LPM) is a two-year program offering a certificate in church music upon completion.LPM classes are open to anyone; whether church musician, clergy, or interested lay person, LPM's outstanding faculty will help you hone your musical and leadership skills with practical courses tailored to suit your needs. LPM provides professional support, introduces students to church music resources, connects students with others who share their dedication to and interest in church music, and sends students back to their parishes with new ideas and perspectives.

LPM classes are held once a month over the course of five months: Sept. 13-14, Oct. 11-12, Nov. 8-9, 2013, and Jan. 10-11, Feb. 7-8, 2014. On Friday evenings classes are held from 7:00-9:15 pm, and on Saturdays from 8:30 am-3:45 pm. Classes are held at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter at 4819 Monument Avenue in Richmond. Go to www.lpm-va.org for more information and registration.

Conference at VTS for retiring clergy

Deciding to retire, leaving a ministry and embracing new patterns of life are exciting challenges that call for learning, reflection and healthy anticipation. Join other clergy and clergy couples who are preparing for one of life's most significant transitions at this conference hosted by Virginia Theological Seminary. Our leaders, the The Rev. Dr. Frank H. Wade and Mrs. Ellen Sell, will lead the group through workshops that will prepare those getting ready for this important shift in identity and work. Registration includes most meals & refreshments. Monday, October 21, 3 p.m. through Wednesday, October 23 at noon. Cost: $300.00 One Registrant; $550.00 Two Registrants (Clergy Couple) Registration closes October 9. Click here for more information and registration.