December 3, 2014

Diocesan Events & Info

Ordination to the Priesthood, Dec. 6, Grace, Alexandria

God willing, the Rt. Rev. Shannon S. Johnston will ordain the Rev. Judy Davis, the Rev. Andrew Guffey, the Rev. Elizabeth Keeler, the Rev. Gene LeCouteur, the Rev. Willis Logan and the Rev. Weston Mathews (for Southwestern Virginia) to the sacred order of priests at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6.

Shrine Mont Camps Reunion, Dec. 20, Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill, Alexandria

A day of fun, silliness and worship for campers. Learn more.

Training for Mission in the Dominican Republic, Jan. 10, St. John's, McLean
Have you ever wondered what it takes to plan a short-term mission trip? Do you have a strong interest, but lack experience, in planning such a trip? Or are you looking to share best practices with others who are doing similar work? Learn how you might establish or strengthen a mission partnership in the Dominican Republic. Come and see what is possible when we go global with God. Learn more.

DioVA on Instagram: Follow Along this Advent

Follow @thedioceseva on Instagram as we participate in The Society of Saint John the Evangelist's global Advent calendar using the hashtag #Adventword. Each day during Advent, we will post a picture inspired by SSJE's word of the day. We invite you to participate. Learn more.

Need to Know

The Episcopal Church has released a series of resources and discussion questions for congregations following the Grand Jury decision in Ferguson, MO. "Talking about Ferguson in our Congregations" is available here.

St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School, Alexandria, was one of only three schools in the Washington D.C. area chosen to host a group of international educators and policy-makers who are studying math education in the United States. Their visit was part of a global conference on Singapore Math, an emerging, international program showing student success. Read more about the visit.

Save the date! Choir rehearsals for this year's Annual Council are as follows:

Jan. 3, 1-3 p.m. at the Bishop's Chapel at Roslyn
Jan. 10, 1-3 p.m. at St. George's, Arlington
Jan. 23, 3 p.m. in the gallery at St. Paul's (for the service)

The choir will perform at the Jan. 23 worship service around 4:30 p.m. Folks can contact Ellen Johnston for more information at 804-353-1819 or by e-mail at ellenjohnston95@hotmail.com for more info.

The Diocese has started a search for a part-time benefits administrator to join the diocesan team and handle insurance benefits and processes. The deadline for applications is this Friday, Dec. 5. Learn more about the position and consider forwarding it to potential applicants. The Diocese of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer that actively seeks diverse fields of candidates to fill staff vacancies.

There's less than one month left to register for Annual Council at the discounted early-bird rate! Be sure to visit the Council website for frequent updates, and to make arrangements for lodging or for an exhibit hall table. Want to learn more about the new process for resolutions? Check out the bishop's Nov. 7 letter.

Center Aisle, Virginia's General Convention opinion journal, is live online now as we countdown to the Convention gathering in June 2015 in Salt Lake City. Follow along!

Church Calendar

12/3: Adult Bible Study, Holy Comforter, Vienna
12/3: Inquirer's Class: Being Episcopalian, St. Michael's, Arlington
12/3: Tidings of Comfort Service, St. David's, Ashburn
12/6: Advent Quiet Day, Epiphany, Oak Hill
12/6: 8th Annual Oysters & Oldies Christmas Oyster Roast, Mason Brent's Roanoke Farm
12/6: Ordination to the Priesthood, Grace, Alexandria
12/6: Labyrinth Prayer Walk, Christ Church, Alexandria
12/6: Advent Quiet Mornings: Prepare the Way, Blue Ridge School for Boys, Gibson Chapel
12/6: Advent Workshop, St. Paul's, Richmond
12/7: Advent Lessons & Carols, St. Peter's, Purcellville
12/7: Advent Lessons & Carols, Good Shepherd, Burke
12/7: Bluegrass Mass, St. Thomas', Richmond
12/7: Celtic Evensong & Communion, St. George's, Fredericksburg
12/7: Master Singers of Virginia " Christmas Concert", The Falls Church, Falls Church
12/7: Advent Lessons and Carols, St. James's, Richmond
12/7: Evensong, Emmanuel, Harrisonburg
12/7: Lessons & Carols Service, St. Mary's, Arlington
12/7: Voices of Advent, Ware, Gloucester
12/7: 30 Good Minutes - Advent Session, St. David's, Ashburn
12/7: The Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols, Christ Church, Alexandria
12/7: Christ Child Project Ingathering, Christ Church, Alexandria
12/9: Cantus "Children Holiday Concert", The Falls Church, Falls Church

More Church Events

Other Events

The Episcopal Church Foundation is sponsoring a Planned Giving Workshop at St. Paul's, Alexandria, on Jan. 11. To register, e-mail Anke Hobbs at anke@stpaulsalexandria.com or call 703-549-3312 by Jan. 6. There is no charge for the workshop.

Learn more.

Applications and nominations are now being accepted for high school teens to participate in the General Convention Official Youth Presence (GCOYP) at the Episcopal Church 78th General Convention on June 25 - July 3, 2015 in Salt Lake City, UT. Learn more.

Council Awards

Nominations are currently being accepted for the awards to be presented at the 220th Annual Council.

Download individual forms for instructions and nomination deadlines below. Nominations may be submitted electronically.

Bishop's Outreach Award for Congregations

Harriett "Happy" Pullman Award for Individual Outreach

*NEW* Meet Me in Galilee Award for Racial Reconciliation

Biggar-Power Award for Older Adult Ministry