e-Communique for December 5, 2012

December 5, 2012

Need to Know

We've compiled a list of videos, sermons, meditations and more surrounding the season of Advent. Visit our website for a list of Advent resources, and feel free to share additional suggestions with us!
What is the diocesan Disaster Preparedness & Response Ministry Team all about? Learn more in this Fast Facts document about the team.
There are only 30 days left to make your hotel reservations for Annual Council, January 24-26 at the Hyatt Regency Reston! Make sure to visit the Council website for full information.

Diocesan Events

The diocesan Native American Ministry Day is this weekend! Come explore the Pamunkey Reservation and its museum, share stories, and hear what opportunities are available in Virginia and around the country in the field of Native American ministry. The event will take place this Saturday, December 8 on the Pamunkey Reservation from 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m., and will include a museum tour and lunch. Please contact Mary Anne Bryant at mabryant@thediocese.net to attend.
Bishop Johnston will ordain the following men and women to the priesthood on Saturday, December 15 at the Falls Church, Falls Church: Jo J. Belser, Laura Doud Cochran, David Malcom Crosby, Megan Limburg, Robert Lee Morris II, Bernard Cayce Ramey, Amy Lynn Spagna, Leslie Nunez Steffensen and Andrew Bennett Terry. All are welcome at the 10:30 a.m. service.
The 2012 Camp Reunion will take place on Saturday, December 29 from 1-4 p.m. at the Falls Church Episcopal, Falls Church. Please join us as we gather for fun, fellowship and, of course, singing to celebrate 2012 diocesan camps! For more information please contact Meg Schwarz at mschwarz@thediocese.net or 800-DIOCESE x1043.

Church Calendar

12/5: Living Without Fear: Faithful Responses to Life Transitions, St. David's, Ashburn
12/5: Divinity on Tap with Grace, Alexandria, Cafe 1823 at VTS
12/6: Advent Evening Prayer, Holy Comforter, Richmond

12/7: Christ Child Project Christmas Store, Christ Church, Alexandria
12/7-8: Eucharist Workshop, St. Mary's, Arlington

12/7-9: Radical Christian Life, Live from New York, Grace Church, The Plains
12/8: Advent Retreat: A Gift of Quiet, St. James's, Richmond
12/8: Come as You Are Eucharist, St. Peter's in the Woods, Fairfax Station
12/8: Advent Quiet Day, Holy Comforter, Richmond
12/8: Advent Retreat with St. Andrew's, Richmond: A Voice in the Wilderness, Roslyn Retreat Center
12/9: Jazz Mass, St. James's, Richmond
12/9: An Advent Procession with Lessons & Carols, St. Paul's, Richmond
12/9: "At Christmas the Heart Goes Home" Concert, Westover Church, Charles City
12/9: Service of Advent Lessons & Carols, Grace & Holy Trinity, Richmond
12/10: Holiday Memorial Service, St. Stephen's, Richmond

News from Around the Church

The latest news and feature headlines from the Episcopal News Service.

*Special Task Force Members Named for Church Structural Reform

*Liturgy for Blessing Same-Gender Relationships Begins Provisional Use

*Episcopal, Lutheran Presiding Bishops Issue World AIDS Day Statement

*Archbishop of Canterbury's Advent Letter to Anglican Primates

*Archbishop's Council Calls for 2013 Restart of Female Bishops Process in Church of England

New Communications from the Diocese

Stay tuned for two new communications tools from the Diocese, set to release in January 2013. The Clergy Communique will be a monthly e-newsletter for clergy around the Diocese. DioDocs will be a resource-based blog for clergy and lay leaders. More info to come in 2013!