Bishop Hollerith's Christmas message

"The question that I hope each one of us will ponder this Christmas is this: Where is it that you might give the gift of life to another? It is one thing to simply mail packages or put presents under a tree. It is something altogether different to enable someone else to be whole or to thrive, or to reach some new potential, to know joy or comfort or to have new life. There are gifts and then there are Holy gifts. The difference between the two isn't a matter of lavishness or expense or even effort. A Holy gift is simply on some deep level a reflection, an extension of that gift given to the world in Bethlehem so long ago. It is heart felt in the deepest sense. It's what Christmas is truly all about. And what we can be about." For the full message, click the links below.

Click here to watch Bishop Hollerith's Christmas message. Click here for the text of the message.

A message from Bishop Hollerith about the Talbot Hall property

Dear Diocesan Family,

On behalf of the Talbot Hall Property Committee, Executive Board and Standing Committee, I am pleased to announce that the Diocese of Southern Virginia has entered into a contract for the sale of the Talbot Hall property. Subject to normal commercial contingencies, after a due diligence period, the property will be sold to Talbot Hall West, LLC.

This contract addresses all of the considerations discussed in the 2012 Council Resolution which commended the sale:

• The historic Talbot Hall Manor House will be preserved.
• The environment will be respected.
• The property will be brought into conformity with the existing use of the Talbot Park neighborhood.
• The diocesan offices will be improved and moved to a more accessible location.
• Additional funds will become available to support the mission and ministry of the diocese.

Talbot Hall West is an ideal purchaser. The group is composed of well-known Norfolk people who will be building their own single-family dwellings. In short, the property is not being sold to a developer who would seek high density housing, or to maximize profits, but rather to a group of friends who intend to make the property their home.

I am tremendously grateful for the assistance of the Harvey Lindsay Commercial Real Estate Group, and especially for the personal interest that Mr. Lindsay has himself taken in assuring the preservation of the historic Manor House. Their excellent work has led us to an outcome which maximizes the benefit to the diocese, the neighborhood, the environment and the historic house.

I also want to thank all of the people who have offered their time to bring us thus far: the members of the Talbot Hall Committee, the Conveyance Committee and the Relocation Committee, who have dedicated their work in memory of their friend and former chair, Bud Schoolar. I am also deeply thankful for the generosity of the Talbot family, who made the gracious gift of Talbot Hall many years ago.

Within the next few months, the diocesan Relocation Committee will be making its final recommendations regarding a new home for the diocesan staff.  The committee is narrowing down their recommendations on locations that are both appropriate and well-suited to the needs of our diocesan mission. Because of their hard work, I am confident that we will be in a new diocesan office well before the close of the sale.

Faithfully,

The Rt. Rev. Herman Hollerith IV

Presiding Bishop's Christmas message

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, in her Christmas Message 2013 prays: "May you discover that humble authority born again on the edges of the world's notice. May that royal inheritance and authority of the stable be born in you, enliven your heart, and rest on your shoulders."

Click here to read the Presiding Bishop's message. Click here for the message in Spanish. 

Seeds of Hope Grants awarded

Ten Seeds of Hope Grants totaling $23,233 have been awarded for 2013. Seeds of Hope grants are awarded to congregations and diocesan groups in Southern Virginia to support the development or expansion of social justice ministries sponsored by diocesan congregations and organizations. Over the next few weeks, we'll tell you about our grant recipients. 

St. Paul's, Newport News
Single Mothers Support Program

Because of St. Paul's location in the very pit of poverty in Newport News, they work with single mothers who are struggling to keep body and soul together for themselves and for their children. A volunteer (retired) social worker is available weekly to offer family and financial counseling, employment counseling, etc. To help these vulnerable families avoid eviction, St. Paul's also offers financial support for rent and utilities.

St. James', Warfield
Senior Citizens Outreach Program

St. James started a Senior Citizens Outreach Program in 2004 with a Seed Of Hope Grant. During the years since the program was started, educational, recreational and social activities have been provided monthly for approximately 35 or more senior citizens from the parish and parish community. Each session has included a lunch and fellowship with each other. All of the participants live in this rural, socially isolated community and their lives have been enriched by the various activities. In 2010 -2011, the parish applied for a grant to add another component to the program - an Online Resource Center. The funds were used to purchase computers, pay for an instructor to teach the seniors how to use the computer and internet services. The senior citizens have participated in the training classes and have acquired basic computer skills that will enable them to access websites for information and to communicate with family and friends. The interest in these classes is so great, St. James' is expanding this program to provide services to a larger number of senior citizens.

Mission of the Holy Spirit, Norfolk 

Building Dreams

The Mission will continue its partnership with Old Dominion University nursing students to help school-aged members succeed in school. Tutoring of younger participants will focus on reading, elementary-level skills and completion of homework, and older participants will be coached on the skills necessary to be successful at their grade levels. The weekly evening program will include a break for a nutritious dinner.

Commission on Ministry approves candidates

Candidacy - Priesthood: John Hogg - St. Aidan's, Virginia Beach 

Postulancy - Priesthood: Tyler Montgomery - Christ Church, New Haven, CT 

Postulancy - Diaconate:

Jan Brown - Bruton Parish, Williamsburg 

Linda Ricker - St. Luke's, Powhatan 

Genevieve Nelson - Ascension, Norfolk 

Mary Lou Crifasi - Eastern Shore Chapel, Virginia Beach 

Forward Movement's new Daybook includes meditations by Bruton Parish priest

Forward Movement recently published Seeking God Day by Day: A Year of Meditations, their 2014 book of daily meditations. The Rev. Penny Nash, associate rector at Bruton Parish, Williamsburg, wrote fifteen of the meditations in this volume that many refer to as the "Daybook."

Seeking God Day by Day shares stories from the hearts and souls of thirty-one authors who differ widely in age, ethnicity, gender, geography, and denomination. Some writers are well known, such as Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori and the inspirational Bo Cox, while others are offering their stories for the first time.

"So many people have told me how much they love the Daybooks," shares Nash. "They read them over and over again, catching a new meaning with each reading. I'm grateful to be part of this project that touches so many and grateful to Forward Movement for creating such a community of people who seek God together day by day."

The meditations are as diverse as their authors - they are edgy, joyful, angry, gentle, struggling, and loving. What holds the stories together-and what connects all of us-is our common quest to be in a deeper relationship with God.

Seeking God Day by Day: A Year of Meditations is available from the Bruton Parish Shop or at www.forwardmovement.org.  

Safe Church training update

Safe Church Trainings for 2014 will be published on the Christian Formation page of our website on Friday, December 13. Adult Safe Church Training is now available online along with the other modules. Anyone choosing the online option must complete all the assigned modules online within a two week period to receive certification. Please contact Judy Rieken to register to take the courses online. You may sign up for live classroom trainings, as usual, through the diocesan website. Please contact Judy at jrieken@diosova.org with any questions.