e-Communique Masthead
November 20, 2013 
For Your Bulletins: Mission & Outreach Focus
We invite you to include the following blurbs in your church newsletters or bulletins.
Copy and paste away!

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.
More Online:
episcopalrelief.org

You've heard of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and maybe you're even familiar with Small Business Saturday. But this year, we invite you to join us in a new celebration: Giving Tuesday. We're counting down as we prepare to build up support for the Mustard Seed Fund, the Diocese of Virginia's powerful outreach grant program. Stay tuned for more info on this giving opportunity - and learn more about how to apply for Mustard Seed Grants.
More Online:
thediocese.net and givingtuesday.org

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence begins Nov. 25 - on the International Day Against Violence Against Women - and ends on Dec. 10 - International Human Rights Day. The 16 Day Campaign is an effort to call for the elimination of all forms of violence against women. The Anglican Communion offers resources to inspire and assist churches and dioceses interested in participating in the campaign.
More Online: 16DaysCWGL.Rutgers.edu and AnglicanNews.org

The United Thank Offering Grant Applications for 2014 will be available online Jan. 3, 2014, at utochange.org. All grant requests must be submitted electronically to Mary Anne Bryant  in the diocesan Office of Mission and Outreach [email protected] by Feb. 7, 2014.  Questions? Contact Cindy Helton, UTO diocesan coordinator, at 540-373-6382.
More Online: UTOChange.org and EpiscopalChurch.org

Two members of the Diocese of Virginia are currently participating in the Young Adult Service Corps program, a ministry for those interested in exploring their faith in new ways by living and serving in communities around the Anglican Communion. Applications are currently being accepted for upcoming opportunities.
More Online: EpiscopalChurch.org

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.  

 

Ordination to the Priesthood, Dec. 14, St. Christopher's, Springfield

God willing, Bishop Johnston will ordain Elizabeth Ann Locher, Connor Jackson Newlun and Ann-Harris Truitt. Clergy: red stoles. 

 

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 to register and make your hotel reservations.

Please keep those embarking on November mission trips in your prayers: St. James's, Richmond to Jacmel, Haiti (11/4/13-11/11/13); St. George's, Fredericksburg to Port-au-Prince, Haiti (11/7/13-11/11/13); St. Timothy's, Herndon to Chapatea, Haiti (11/9/13-11/14/13); and Grace Church, Alexandria to Mirabaleis, Haiti (11/9/13-11/15/13). If your church is not on this list, or corrections are necessary, please contact Megan-Drew Tiller at [email protected].

How is your church involved in immigration reform and refugee resettlement ministries? The Diocese is collecting information on churches involved in these ministries, and we'd love to hear your stories! Please contact Megan-Drew Tiller at [email protected] with questions and comments.
Church Calendar 
11/20: Taste of St. James's, St. James's, Richmond
11/20: Covenant Class, Christ Church, Alexandria
11/21: Yoga Class, St. John's, Richmond
11/21: Art Class, St. Paul's, Hanover
11/22: Benjamin Britten 100th Birthday Concert, St. James's, Richmond
11/22: Eyes on Richmond Series, St. Paul's, Richmond
11/22-23: Holiday Bazaar & Turkey Luncheon, Grace, Berryville
11/23: Advent Wreath-making Workshop, Calvary, Front Royal
11/23: Holiday Journaling Workshop, St. Stephen's, Culpeper
11/23: IMPROMPTU in Concert, Holy Comforter, Richmond
11/23: Sunrise String Quartet, St. Luke's, Alexandria
11/24: Community Thanksgiving Service with Calvary, Front Royal, at Front Royal Presbyterian
11/24: Christ Church On-the-Go Visit, The Falls Church, Falls Church
11/25: Centering Prayer Group, St. Anne's Parish, Scottsville
11/26: Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, Epiphany, Richmond
11/26: Seniors' Thanksgiving Dinner, Calvary, Front Royal
11/26: Community Thanksgiving Service, Christ Church, Millwood
11/26: Yoga Class, St. Paul's, Hanover
11/26: Spirituality & Support Group for Parents of Children with Special Needs, St. Gabriel's, Leesburg

More Church Events 

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 [email protected].

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.
Popular Links
 
The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia
804-643-8451, 800-DIOCESE
Fax 804-644-6928
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