November 13, 2013

Disaster Preparedness, Response & Prayers

The Diocese of Virginia encourages all those wishing to help with relief efforts in the Philippines to contact Episcopal Relief & Development, the organization most experienced in providing disaster response in the Episcopal Church. Donate to their Disaster Response Fund or learn more about relief efforts. Any gift you give between now and Dec. 6 will be matched by a group of ERD donors. The Diocese of Virginia sponsors a Young Adult Service Corps member in the Philippines, Ashley Cameron, who is serving in Santiago, north of the typhoon's path. You can read more about her work at ashleyecameron.blogspot.com. Please join in the presiding bishop's call for prayer for the people of the Philippines.

The diocesan Disaster Preparedness & Response Ministry Team will host their annual Volunteer Day this Saturday, Nov. 16, at Aquia Church, Stafford. Participants will spend time exploring various recovery mission efforts and opportunities, and receive required Prevention of Sexual Misconduct training. Joining the group will be Elizabeth Heenan, who serves as the Hurricane Sandy relief coordinator for dioceses in New Jersey and New York. Representatives from the Appalachian Service Project will also discuss opportunities in their area. Learn more. There is no cost to attend.

Diocesan Events

Virginia LARCUM Conference, Dec. 6-7, Christ Church, Winchester, and Other Locations
Living out the LARCUM Convenant: The Reception of the Vatican II by the Churches presented by the Most Reverend Doctor Frank T. Griswold, III.

Young Adult Mission Trip to Haiti, Jan. 4-9

Building on the partnership with St. Basil le Grand in Gonaives; for young adults ages 18-25.

Need to Know

The website for the 219th Annual Council, Jan. 23-25, 2014 in Richmond, is now live. Visit the site for info on the following important details:

Register online (by credit card) or by mail (by check) by Dec. 20 to receive an early bird discount!
Hotel lodging arrangements should be made separately.
We're currently accepting nominations for Standing Committee members and General Convention deputies, in addition to several diocesan boards.
Resolutions and canonical amendments will be accepted through Jan. 8. After that date, they must be submitted from the Council floor.
Our exhibit space typically fills quickly, so reserve a spot today!

We're excited to announce that Arise, the campus ministry program out of George Mason supported by the Diocese of Virginia, has been awarded $2,500 from the Episcopal Church Campus Ministry Grants.

Virginia Theological Seminary is seeking host families for two international students over the Thanksgiving weekend. If you are interested, please contact Gwen Pegram at cacs@vts.edu.

Church Calendar

11/13: Contemplative Evening, St. George's, Arlington
11/13: Covenant Class, Christ Church, Alexandria
11/14: Yoga Class, St. John's, Richmond
11/14: Art Class, St. Paul's, Hanover
11/15: Eyes on Richmond Series Luncheon, St. Paul's, Richmond

11/16: Taizé Service , St. Andrew's, Burke
11/16: Christmas Bazaar, St. Alban's, Annandale
11/16: Holiday Bazaar, Emmanuel, Alexandria
11/16: Touched by an Angel Christmas Bazaar, St. Barnabas', Annandale
11/16: Holiday Journaling Workshop, Piedmont Parish, Madison
11/17: Petronel Malan Piano Recital, St. Patrick's, Falls Church
11/17: Evening Light, St. John's, Richmond
11/17: Candlelight Concert & Compline, St. Mary's, Arlington
11/17: Organ Concert by John Vreeland, St. George's, Fredericksburg
11/17: Choir Event: Franz Schubert, St. Alban's, Annandale
11/17: Celebration of Ministry, St. John's, Richmond

11/19: Spirituality & Support Group for Parents of Children with Special Needs, St. Gabriel's, Leesburg
11/19: Yoga Class, St. Paul's, Hanover
11/20: Taste of St. James's, St. James's, Richmond

More Church Events

Other Events

The Episcopal Church will host a live webcast of "Fifty Years Later: The State of Racism in America" this Friday, Nov. 15. Offered in partnership with the Diocese of Mississippi, the forum will feature a panel of experts, moderated by PBS commentator Ray Suarez. Learn more.

Virginia Theological Seminary will host a Religion & Civil War Lecture on Friday, Nov. 15, with Dr. Kate Masur.

Food Ministry Grants

The Diocese of Virginia has a special fund of $4,500 available for grants to churches which are

starting a food ministry. We plan to award nine grants of $500 each to churches beginning such a ministry. If you would like to be considered for a grant, please submit a request (one page or less) by e-mail to Buck Blanchard, director of Mission and Outreach, at bblanchard@thediocese.net.

by Dec. 6.

Haiti Recovery Effort

As Haiti prepares to mark the fourth anniversary of the devastating earthquake, the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church asks for prayers for our largest Diocese, and invites Episcopalians to participate in an offering for reconstruction efforts. Learn more.