October 2, 2013

Report of the C-3 Task Force: Apportioning Lay Delegates

The C-3 Task Force was convened in Fall 2012 to consider the criteria for apportioning lay delegates for Annual Council. One of our tasks involved a survey of how other dioceses select lay delegates. The other was commissioning a survey by Customer Care Measurement and Consulting (CCMC) to receive feedback regarding how our congregations collect and record data for Average Sunday Attendance (ASA) and Confirmed Communicants in Good Standing (CCGS), as well as information about other parish activities. The results of the group's research are available online.

Diocesan Events

New Clergy Orientation, Oct. 22 at Mayo House, Richmond.
All clergy who have begun new ministries in the Diocese within the past 18 months, including the newly ordained and those who are transitioning from other dioceses, are invited to attend.

Seeing the Face of God in Each Other, Oct. 25-26, Buck Mountain Church, Earlysville

Anti-racism training with the Committee on Race & Reconciliation.

Bishop's Fall Clergy Retreat, Oct. 28, Shrine Mont

A retreat to explore spirituality in leadership, led by all three bishops.

Senior High Weekend, Nov. 8-10, Shrine Mont

A gathering for high school students from across the Diocese.

Need to Know

The Cycle of Prayer for Oct.-Dec. 2013 is now available online.

Please keep those embarking on October mission trips in your prayers: St. Matthew's, Richmond, to the Langano Harvest Farm, Ethiopia (10/12/13-10/21/13). If your church is not on this list, or corrections are necessary, please contact Megan-Drew Tiller at intern@thediocese.net.

The Episcopal Church Standing Commission on Liturgy & Music seeks information about people's experiences with the resources that were prepared for the blessing of same-sex unions. You can participate in this survey to share your feedback.

Church Calendar

10/2: Covenant Class, Christ Church, Alexandria
10/4: Oyster/Ham Dinner & Silent Auction, St. Mary's, Colonial Beach
10/4: Eyes on Richmond, St. Paul's, Richmond
10/4: Patagonia Winds Concert, St. Timothy's, Herndon
10/5: Labyrinth Prayer Walk, Christ Church, Alexandria
10/5: Annual Fall Festival, St. James', Louisa
10/5: Country Fair, St. Francis, Great Falls
10/6: Choral Evensong, Christ Church, Alexandria
10/6: 20s/30s Vision Group Dinner, Christ Church, Alexandria
10/6: Concerts at St. Peter's Presents Beau Soir Ensemble, St. Peter's, Arlington
10/6: Celtic Eucharist Service, Buck Mountain, Earlysville
10/6: Choral Evensong, St. Mary's, Arlington
10/6: 20th Annual Pumpkin Sale, Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill, Alexandria
10/8: The Ministry Of Hospitality: Faith And Immigration Adult Education Class, Emmanuel, Harrisonburg
10/8: Christ Church Bridge Group, Christ Church, Alexandria

Blessing of the Animals

10/5: Blessing of the Animals, St. Michael's, Arlington
10/6: St. Francis Blessing of the Animals, St. Francis, Great Falls
10/6: Blessing of the Animals, St. Stephen's, Culpeper
10/6: Blessing of the Animals, St. James's, Richmond
10/6: Blessing of the Pets, Christ Church, Alexandria
10/6: Blessing of the Animals, St. Peter's, Arlington
10/6: Blessing the Animals on the Feast of St. Francis, St. Peter's, Purcellville
10/6: Blessing of the Animals, St. Mary's, Colonial Beach
10/6: Blessing of Animals, Christ Church, Millwood
10/6: Blessing of the Animals, St. Stephen's, Culpeper
10/6: Blessing of the Animals, St. John's, Arlington

More Church Events

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Other Events

Dr. Charles Kimball will lead an ecumenical retreat for the Virginia Council of Churches Oct. 8-9 at Roslyn under the theme, "'Fear Not' Living in a Culture of Fear." Learn more.

Roslyn will host a Prayer Bead Workshop and Labyrinth Walk, Oct. 29, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Cost is $35 and includes lunch, one prayer bead kit and materials. To sign up please contact Roslyn at 804-288-6045.

The Veterans Affairs (VA) Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships will co-host a training to educate clergy on the spiritual and emotional challenges facing returning veterans and their families. Oct. 8, Hylton Memorial Chapel Christian Event Center in Woodbridge. Contact Yolanda Curtis at Yolanda.Curtis@va.gov .

Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Charlottesville will host a Stephen Ministry Workshop on Nov. 9 to help congregations equip laypeople as caregivers. Learn more.

The Center for EQ-HR Skills will host a One-Day Emotional Intelligence Introductory Workshop on Nov. 6 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at Church Center, Harrisonburg, Pa. Register online at www.eqhrcenter.org.

Members of Holy Comforter, Richmond, and St. John's, Centreville, will take part in the planning and execution of the Living Waters Summit from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens in Richmond on Nov. 19.