e-Communique for Wednesday, August 31

August 31, 2011

Your help is needed! Please help the Diocese by completing this health insurance survey. This should take about five minutes of your time, and every completed survey is rewarded with a $5 contribution to the Diocesan Earthquake Assistance Fund!
Read Bishop Johnston's letter to the Diocese regarding last week's earthquake, and consider making a donation to the Bound Together: Earthquake Relief Assistance Fund.
Feasting on Gratitude is a series of stewardship reflections based on the Gospel readings from Matthew from October 2 through November 6. Published by the Episcopal Church, these reflections could be used for Annual Giving Committee meetings, forums and bulletin inserts.

Registration is now open for the Bishop's Fall Clergy Retreat, October 17-19 at Shrine Mont with the Rt. Rev. Richard Blackburn, bishop suffragan of the Diocese of Liverpool. Learn more and register online.
What could be more important that living water to sustain our physical and spiritual lives? Learn more by attending the Water Sustainability Conference: Part II, Continuing The Dialogue, sponsored by the Diocese of Virginia's Stewardship of Creation Committee. The Committee has brought together various experts from the Commonwealth of Virginia, U.S. Geological Survey, and private industry to speak on topics from water use and rights to sustainable landscaping for church and home properties and practical advice that your church can implement to ensure we have a sustainable water supply. Saturday, September 10, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. St. Stephen's, Richmond, VA. $20 registration fee includes lunch. RSVP online or learn more.
Have you registered for the 13th annual Tee with the Bishop Golf Tournament at Shrine Mont, September 11-12? Learn more online.

Church Calendar
9/1: National Cathedral Boys & Girls Choir Performance, All Saints', Richmond
9/3: Church Yard Sale, Emmanuel, Alexandria
9/4: "Sack Hunger" Outreach Event, All Souls, Atlee
9/4: Blessing of the Backpacks, St. Margaret's, Woodbridge
9/9: Organ Recital to Benefit Japanese Earthquake Victims, St. James's, Richmond
9/9: Les Petits Chanteurs of Holy Trinity, Haiti, Episcopal High School, Alexandria
9/11: 50th Anniversary Celebration, St. Thomas', McLean
9/17: Discovering Our Parish's Roots, St. John's, Richmond
9/17: J2A Training, St. Luke's, Alexandria
9/17: Art & Craft Fair, St. James', Mt. Vernon
9/18: Ronny Cox Concert, Christ Church, Spotsylvania
9/18: Unity to Disunity and Back Again - Transformation of Religious Life in America, St. John's, Richmond
9/18: Teacher Sunday, St. Margaret's, Woodbridge
9/22: When Words Fail: Practical Ministry to People with Dementia, Westminster-Canterbury, Richmond

Remembering 9/11

The Executive Council of the Episcopal Church has invited churches to commemorate the 10th anniversary of September 11 with a weekend of prayer, remembrance and healing.

The Diocese has compiled a list of events and resources surrounding the anniversary, posted online, including a litany created by Bishop Johnston.

Events of prayer and remembrance include the following:

A Prayer Presence, St. Paul's, Richmond (9/10)

Service of Light & Reflection, Fork Church

Interfaith Prayer Service for 9/11 Anniversary, St. George's, Fredericksburg

Remembering 9/11: A Time of Silent Prayer & Reflection, St. Anne's Parish, Scottsville

Moving Forward Together: In Remembrance, St. Paul's, Richmond

Memory & Hope on 9/11 Interfaith Service, Temple Beth El, Richmond

Steadfast Love/Remembering 9-11, St. Peter's, Port Royal

Community Service of Reflection & Light, Fork Church, Doswell

9/11 Memorial Service, St. Peter's in the Woods, Fairfax Station

Solemn Service of Holy Eucharist for 9/11, St. Alban's, Annandale