e-Communiqué for February 13, 2013

February 13, 2013

Need to Know

The Episcopal Church has compiled a set of resources and meditations for Lent. Learn more, and visit the diocesan DioDocs blog for more ideas throughout the Lenten season.
The Supreme Court of Virginia has announced that it will hear the case of the Falls Church Anglican's appeal and the Diocese of Virginia's cross-appeal on Wednesday, February 27. Please keep all those involved in your prayers.
We need your contributions for the next issue of the Virginia Episcopalian magazine! Please contact Emily Cherry at echerry@thediocese.net to submit any of the following items.

Reader's Page: When did you know that you had found a church home? Send us your responses - in prose, poetry, prayer or pictures.
Photo Spotlight: We're looking for photos of (1) your Shrove Tuesday and Lenten events and programs, and (2) your church steeples. Both will be featured in photo spreads in the spring issue.

How often do you use electricity? Every day, right?
The Episcopal Church of Sudan's ability to communicate with the outside world via the internet and much of their electricity relies upon solar power. Unfortunately, their solar batteries are almost dead. They are looking for $4,000 to replace these batteries. If you can help, please contact Buck Blanchard (bblanchard@thediocese.net).

Diocesan Events

Save the Date: The Bishop's Spring Conference for Clergy, Lay Professionals & Spouses will take place May 6-8 at Shrine Mont. More details to follow!
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.
Save the Date: The Episcopal Church Women will host a Lenten quiet day on Thursday, March 21 at Roslyn with the Bishop Goff as leader. Learn more and register.

Commemorating the Emancipation Proclamation

Two events in the Diocese will commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. This Saturday, February 16, the Most. Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, presiding bishop, will join our own bishops in a service of remembrance, celebration and witness at St. George's, Fredericksburg. All are welcome! Learn more.

On Saturday, February 23, Little Fork Church, Rixeyville will host a celebration of recommitment to reconciliation at 3 p.m. with speaker the Rev. Sylvester "Tee" Turner, director of reconciliation programs with Initiatives of Change. This community event is open to all. Learn more.

Church Calendar

2/13: Labyrinth Walk, St. George's, Arlington
2/13: Lenten Meditation, Supper and Program, Holy Comforter, Richmond
2/15: Lenten Lunch Speaker Series, St. Paul's Memorial, Charlottesville
2/15: Stations of the Cross, St. John's, Warsaw
2/16: Lenten Quiet Day, Christ Church, Alexandria
2/17: Celebration of George Washington's Birthday, Christ Church, Alexandria
2/17: Taste & See Alternative Worship, St. John's, Richmond
2/17: Jazz Worship Service, Buck Mountain, Earlysville
2/18: Washington's Birthday Commemorative Service, Pohick Church, Lorton
2/18: Lenten Study: Discerning the Word, Grace, Alexandria

More Church Events

Holy Cross, Dunn Loring to Host Dr. John Dominic Crossan Lectures

Dr. John Dominic Crossan, international biblical scholar and noted author on the life of Jesus, will offer a series of lectures at the Church of the Holy Cross in Dunn Loring on Sunday, March 10 and Monday, March 11. The lectures will center around the Lenten theme of "The Last Week of Jesus."

The series begins on Sunday, March 10 at 7:30 p.m. with a public lecture on "His Death: What Happened on Good Friday?" The second public lecture on Monday, March 11 at 7:30 pm will focus on "His Resurrection: What Happened on Sunday?" A registration fee of $10 for each lecture can be paid on the Holy Cross website or at the door.

On Monday morning at 9:30 am, Dr. Crossan will engage in a dialog with clergy of the Diocese. There will be no charge.
Dr. Crossan was an ordained Roman Catholic priest from 1957 to 1969 when he joined DePaul University in Chicago and where he is now professor emeritus in the Department of Religious Studies. He was co-chair of the Jesus Seminar from 1985 to 1996. The author of 25 books on the historical Jesus and early Christianity, Dr. Crossan lectures to lay and scholarly audiences in the U.S. and internationally.

Bishop Johnston joins Holy Cross in sponsoring this event for clergy.

Other Events

The Virginia chapter of the Leadership Program for Musicians will host a one-day workshop: "The Music of the Spheres: Choral Anthems from Hymnals and Beyond," March 9 at Holy Comforter, Richmond. Register for $45 before February 28 by sending names and checks to Nellwyn Beamon, Church of the Ascension, 405 Talbot Hall Rd., Norfolk VA 23505. The late registration fee is $60. Download a flyer.
The Choir of Men and Boys at All Saints Episcopal, Richmond is now interviewing young men (ages 8-11) for membership. We have openings for six boys. Boy choristers will learn and perform music from the vast repertoire of the English cathedral tradition. Each singer receives a small allowance each month. Sound interesting? Have your son come to a few rehearsals, just to "get a feel" for what we are about. More information is available www.allsaintsboychoir.org. Contact the choirmaster, Andy Koebler, at All Saints, 804-288-7811 or akoebler@allsaintsrichmond.org for more details.