Treasurer & Administrator Lunches expanding to the Richmond area

Upcoming Treasurer and Administrator Lunches will be held:

• Thursday, Oct. 22, 12 to 1:30 p.m., at the Diocesan Office (11827 Canon Blvd., Suite 101, Newport News)
• Thursday, Nov. 5, 12 to 1:30 p.m. at St. John's, Chester (12201 Richmond St., Chester)
• Wednesday, Nov. 18, 12 to 1:30 p.m., at Galilee, Virginia Beach (3928 Pacific Ave., Virginia Beach)

This is a wonderful opportunity to meet with other parish administrators and treasurers to talk about common issues - including financial management, administration, communications, and much more. Bring your own lunch; beverages will be provided. There's no agenda for this gathering - just an opportunity to get together, share, encourage, support, and ask questions. RSVP to Nancy James, njames@diosova.org.

NEW! Treasurer & Administrator Lunch expanding to include Richmond area
Comptroller Nancy James and Communications Officer Ann Turner are heading west to expand the Treasurer & Administrator Lunch groups to include the Richmond area. We'll hold our first gathering in that area on Thursday, Nov. 5, 12 to 1:30 p.m. at St. John's, Chester. If you plan to attend, RSVP to Nancy James, njames@diosova.org.

Praying for the churches of Southern Virginia

As part of our liturgy at Annual Council 2015, each delegation wrote a prayer for their parish. We are sharing these prayers each week in the eNews so that we all can support one another in the upcoming year.

Trinity, Gretna and Christ Church, Danville
We pray for the homeless and unemployed in Pittsylvania County and for those elderly who are alone. We pray for the spread of the Gospel in our area and for justice among all peoples. We especially pray for the Holy Spirit to stir up all Christians to live their faith in their daily lie and works. Amen.

St. Stephen's, Norfolk and Mission of the Holy Spirit
God of light and life, break open the good news for us, be with us in our worship , homes and community. Remind us that your light is victorious over darkness. Remind us that we must work to heal pain we face in this world. Strengthen us in our service to you, O Lord, our God. Amen.

2016 Healthcare Open Enrollment is Nov. 4-20

2016 Open Enrollment for clergy and lay employees participating in medical and dental plans is Nov. 4-20, 2015. During the Medical Trust's Open Enrollment period:

• Current plan members may change their plan selections for the following year
• Eligible non-participating employees have the option to join a plan
• Eligible non-participating dependents may be added to a member's plan without the need of a qualifying event

 Click here for complete information, including costs and plan comparisons.

 

If you have questions about Open Enrollment, please contact Canon for Administration the Rev. Canon Ed Tracy, 757-213-3378 or etracy@diosova.org.

Fish tales from Jackson-Feild Homes

Don Lancaster, host of Fishing Tidewater, and a Jackson-Feild resident fishing.

For the boys and girls at Jackson-Feild, an annual rite of fall is a saltwater fishing trip at the Buckroe Beach Fishing Pier in Hampton. Old Point Bank sponsors the event in conjunction with the City of Hampton Roads Parks and Recreation.

 

The young anglers - none of whom had ever been saltwater fishing - arrived bright and early and ready to fish using rods, tackle and bait provided by Old Point Bank. Don Lancaster and Matt Smith (hosts of the Fishing Tidewater radio show), Al Nazaruk, and Dan Minnick volunteered their expertise and served as mentors.   Don provided a brief "Fishing 101" lesson in which he showed the boys and girls how to bait hooks, protect their hands from the fins, and then release the hooked fish.

 

According to one enthusiastic participant, the kids caught "a bazillion fish," releasing most but keeping enough to fill a cooler to bring back to campus for dinner. The new anglers had so much fun that did not want to leave.

When asked why he volunteers each year, Lancaster responded "These youngsters have had so many challenges in their lives. It does your heart good to see them have such a good time enjoying a simple pleasure." 

New online classes from ChurchNext

ChurchNext allows you to learn from expert teachers in Scripture, liturgy, and important Christian topics while interacting in a safe, online environment that's convenient, engaging, and affordable. Check out these new offerings from ChurchNext: 

Approaching Scripture with Vicki Garvey is a terrific introduction to the Scriptures from one of the best Bible teachers in the mainline church. It's available in both For Individuals and For Groups formats.

A Christian Response to Gun Violence is now available in For Individuals and For Groups formats.

Can online learning add to your spiritual growth? Read an answer to that question in this ChurchNext blog post.

Liturgical resource for Day of Repentance & Reconciliation

Annual Council Resolution R-1 (2013) resolved that "November 2, 2014, All Souls Day, will be designated as the 'Day of Repentance and Reconciliation' in the Diocese of Southern Virginia and parishes will annually hold this observance during the octave of All Saints."

We encourage all parishes to live into R-1 and plan a meaningful service during the octave of All Saints. In the diocesan service we used a story format.  "Repentance, Reconciliation and Healing: A liturgical resource for congregations" follows the format of Holy Women, Holy Men. This booklet offers several options for readings and psalms.  

We shared our diocesan reconciliation service with St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Clay City, Kansas, which used the liturgy on Sept. 20 for a service of repentance, healing and reconciliation to acknowledge the mistreatment of the only African-American member in the church's 134-year history, Mai DeKonza, who died in 1959. Read more about this service here.

If you need further assistance or have questions, please contact Canon Caroline Black, cblack@diosova.org, or a member of the Repairers of the Breach Commission.  

Jan Brown named to Episcopal Church Commission on Impairment and Leadership

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has announced the members of the newly-formed Episcopal Church Commission on Impairment and Leadership. They include Jan Brown from the Diocese of Southern Virginia. Brown is a member of the board of Episcopal Recovery Ministries and co-Director of SpiritWorks Foundation, a recovery community organization serving individuals affected by the disease of addiction. The members were appointed by Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori in consultation with President of the House of Deputies the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings.

Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori said, "I pray that this body will help us foster a culture of open awareness and learning about addiction as well as fierce commitment to healing of body, mind, soul, and community."

The enabling resolutions charge the Commission to serve as "an independent commission to explore the canonical, environmental, behavioral and procedural dimensions of matters involving the serious impairment of individuals serving as leaders in the Church, with special attention to issues of addiction and substance abuse." The commission also must prepare a report to "include recommendations for both action and further review, as appropriate, in order to clarify lines of authority, to ensure mutual accountability, and to promote justice, well-being and safety within both the Church and the world."

Click here for more information.