e-Communiqué for January 23, 2013

January 23, 2013

Need to Know

The Supreme Court of Virginia has announced that it will hear the briefing of the merits of the Falls Church Anglican's appeal and the Diocese of Virginia's cross-appeal the week of February 25, 2013. The current schedule is tentative, and we will announce any changes via e-mail. Please stay tuned for further updates.
Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday will take place on February 17. To help your congregation prepare you can request a set of Lenten Meditations from ERD.
Come and listen to speakers share about their mission and outreach ministries at the annual Mission Lunch at Annual Council, Friday, January 25 at 12:30, Regency B. The cost of the lunch is $20 per attendant. RSVP to Ashley Cameron (acameron@thediocese.net).
This week's blog post highlights everything you need to know about diocesan grant programs - including some fast-approaching deadlines!
The Rev. Lucia Lloyd and the Rev. Kate Chipps will travel to South Carolina in February to visit with a group of continuing Episcopal churches in that diocese who are going through a period of transition and difficulty. The group is in need of some basic church supplies. If you would like to donate any of the following, please bring your contributions to the Council office at the Hyatt Regency in Reston on Friday, January 25 or Saturday, January 26: hymnals, prayer books, purificators, a pall, burses and veils, stoles, candle sticks, altar hangings, linens.
The churches of Region I of the Diocese are joining in an outreach project to support Virginia missionary Larry Duffee in South Sudan. Learn how you can contribute.

Diocesan Events

The Diocese of Virginia will host two performances by the Tallis Scholars, the world-renowned Renaissance vocal music choir: Tuesday, March 19 at the Falls Church, Falls Church and Wednesday, March 20 at St. James's, Richmond. Buy your tickets online now!
On Saturday, February 16, members of the Diocese will join together at St. George's, Fredericksburg at 10 a.m. in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. This event will include a litany of repentance, led Bishop Johnston, and a Celebration of Hope led by the presiding bishop, the Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori. In preparation for this event, Bishop Jefferts Schori has issued a letter to the Diocese of Virginia asking that we join in prayer for the Sundays preceding the commemoration. Read Bishop Jefferts Schori's Letter.
Mr. Chuck McCoart, formerly a Roman Catholic priest, will be received as a priest in the Episcopal Church on Saturday, February 9 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Aidan's, Alexandria. The Rt. Rev. Edwin Gulick will preside.
The Rt. Rev. Shannon S. Johnston will ordain Emmetri Monica Beane, Carey Dougherty Chirico, Holly Anne Hanback, William Harrison Higgins IV, Edward Wilson Jones, Kathryn Pauline Haney Thomas and Danny Stewart Wilmoth to the Sacred Order of Deacons on Saturday, February 23 at All Saints', Richmond.

Church Calendar

1/23: Elisabeth von Trapp in Concert, Trinity, Upperville
1/23: Divinity on Tap with Grace, Alexandria, Cafe 1823 at VTS
1/26-1/27: "Closer than Ever," A Cabaret Performance, St. Francis', Great Falls
1/26: "Bedraggled" Performance, St. Stephen's, Richmond
1/27: Evensong, Holy Comforter, Vienna
1/27: Marcolivia Violin & Viola Duo, St. Patrick's, Falls Church
1/27: C Street Brass, Good Shepherd, Burke
2/2: The Countertop Ensemble in Concert, St. Barnabas', Annandale
2/2: ONE Campaign Advocacy Day, Holy Comforter, Richmond

More Church Events

Annual Council
January 24-26, 2013
Hyatt Regency Reston

Inclement Weather
Please be aware that we are keeping watch on the weather forecast for Thursday-Saturday. Any announcements regarding potential scheduling changes due to inclement weather will be made via e-mail and posted to the diocesan website.

Prevention of Sexual Misconduct Training

It's still possible to register for the misconduct prevention workshops at Council. Please click here for details. Open to all, whether or not you'll be attending Council.

Council Materials

All Council members should either download or print the two packets of Council materials.

Banners and Stands
Churches are invited to bring their banners (along with banner stands) to display during Council.

Registration and Submissions
Advance registration is now closed. You may register onsite. Please bring payment and a registration form with you.

Advance submissions of nominations, resolutions and amendments is now closed. Learn more about how to make these submissions from the Council floor on our website.

Questions? Contact Bill Martin at bmartin@thediocese.net.