February 11, 2015

Diocesan Events & Info

Ordination to the Priesthood, Feb. 14, Grace, Kilmarnock

God willing, the Rt. Rev. Susan Goff will ordain the Rev. Deacon H.B.W. "Bernie" Schroeder to the sacred order of priests on Saturday, Feb. 14, at 10:30 a.m. Learn more.

A Faithful Response to Gender-Based Violence, Feb. 28, Trinity, Charlottesville
Open to men and women! The day will include prayer and guided bible study with Bishop Goff, a presentation and discussion on identifying and responding to gender violence, and an outreach project with the Shelter for Help in Emergency. Learn more and register.

Ordination to the Priesthood, March 21, St. Catherine's School, Richmond
God willing, the Rt. Rev. Susan Goff will ordain the Rev. Deacon Dorothy Ann White to the Sacred Order of Priests on Saturday, Mar. 21, at 10:30 a.m. Learn more.

Episcopal Arts Series: Magnificat, April 15, St. James's, Richmond
The Episcopal Arts Series of the Diocese of Virginia is proud to bring the music ensemble Magnificat to Richmond. Tickets will go on sale in early March. More details to come.

Bishop's Spring Conference for Clergy, Lay Professionals & Spouses, May 4-6, Shrine Mont

Lisa Kimball, director of the Center for Ministry of Teaching and professor of Christian formation and congregational leadership at Virginia Theological Seminary, will be our speaker at the 2015 Bishop's Spring Conference. More details to come.

Need to Know

The 2015 Mustard Seed Grant and the Bishop Peter J. Lee Endowment for Small Church Revitalization Grant Guidelines and Grant Application are available. Letters of inquiry are due by Feb. 16 and full proposals are due by March 2. For more information, contact Mary Ann Bryant in the Office of Mission and Outreach, mabryant@thediocese.net.

Calling all knitters or crocheters! The Faith & Females group, which is hosting this month's "A Faith-Based Response to Gender Violence" on Feb. 28, is seeking hand-knit or crocheted washcloths to include in welcome /care packages for victims at the Shelter for Help in Emergency, an organization located in Charlottesville. If you wish to donate, please contact Kendall Martin, kmartin@thediocese.net.

Help us honor the older members of your congregations in the next issue of the Virginia Episcopalian! Please send us a picture, and include the following information: name, how long they have been a member, involvement in the church, and any words of wisdom they care to offer. Please send photos and information to Kendall Martin, kmartin@thediocese.net.

How do you equip your laity for pastoral care? Do you use the Stephen Ministry or something similar? Please email Kendall Martin, kmartin@thediocese.net, for a story in the next issue of the Virginia Episcopalian.

The Journal of the 219th Annual Council, which took place in January 2014, is now available online. You can access it here.

Church Calendar

2/15: For Children: Study of the Holy Eucharist, Holy Comforter, Vienna
2/15: Rick Whitehead Trio, Good Shepherd, Burke
2/15: Choral Evensong, Aquia Church, Stafford
2/15: Candlelight Concert and Compline, St. Mary's, Arlington
2/15: Out & About Potluck Brunch, Christ Church, Alexandria
2/15: Celtic Evensong & Communion, St. George's, Fredericksburg
2/15: Bluegrass Mass, St. Thomas', Richmond
2/15: Lent & Easter Virtual Faith Formation, St. Thomas', Richmond
2/15: Washington Bible at Sunday Services on Presidents' Day, Christ Church, Alexandria
2/15: Mission Sunday Forum & Brunch, Christ Church, Alexandria
2/15: St. George Chamber Orchestra and Concert Choir, St. George's, Fredericksburg
2/15: Jazz Sunday, St. John's, McLean
2/15: Organ Concert, St. Mary's, Colonial Beach
2/17: Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, St. John's, Richmond
2/17: Pancake Supper, St. Stephen's, Culpeper
2/17: Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper - Mardi Gras, St. Peter's, Purcellville
2/17: Pathfinders Progressive Young Adult Bible Study, Holy Comforter, Vienna
2/17: Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, Holy Comforter, Vienna
2/17: Region 1 Clericus Meeting, Trinity, Fredericksburg
2/17: Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, Christ Church, Alexandria

More Church Events

Other Events

On Feb. 15, the last Sunday after the Epiphany, the Episcopal Church will celebrate World Mission Sunday. The purpose is to "focus on the global impact of the Baptismal Covenant's call to "seek and serve Christ in all persons" (Book of Common Prayer) and to raise awareness of the many ways in which the Episcopal Church participates in God's mission around the world. Learn more.

The Diocese of Upper South Carolina is hosting its 2015 Cange, Haiti Partnership Symposium on Saturday afternoon, Feb. 28, at Christ Church, Greenville. Upper South Carolina has been working in Haiti for 35 years so they have lots to share. They are seeking other churches which might have an interest in partnering in that area of Haiti. Anyone from the Diocese of Virginia who would like to attend can receive a $250 travel grant. Please contact Mary Anne Bryant (mabryant@thediocese.net) for details. Clink here for more details concerning the symposium.

From April 9-12, YCat Wellness Retreat will host "Yoga Therapy for People with Cancer and and Chronic Illness" at Roslyn Retreat Center. The Wellness Retreat provides comprehensive instruction and education: Learn and experience each aspect of YCat Yoga Therapy including: Movement exploration, Breathing practice, Guided Imagery, Relaxation, Meditation, Prayer and Sound in healing. Learn more and register.

The Episcopal Church Foundation and Kanuga will host "Charging Up, Charging Out: Energizing Church Leadership" on Feb. 27 - March 1 at the 2015 Church Leadership Conference. Learn more and register.

In keeping with its mission of racial reconciliation, and in acknowledgement of the 150th anniversary of Richmond's burning, Richmond Hill is inaugurating a free public lecture series: "Finding Grace in Race." The series will take place Feb. 23, March 23, and April 27 from 7:30 - 9 p.m. Learn more.

The Leadership Program for Musicians' annual spring workshop will take place March 14 at Holy Comforter, Richmond. The cost of the workshop is $60 per person (includes lunch and music packet for reading session). Registration forms are available online and may be mailed to LPM Virginia - c/o Nellwyn Beamon, Church of the Ascension, 405 Talbot Hall Road, Norfolk VA 23505. Checks may be made out to LPM Virginia. For more information on LPM or the spring workshop, contact Nellwyn Beamon online at lpmvacoordinator@gmail.com or by calling (757) 423-6715.

Upcoming Events at Roslyn

Easter Brunch, April 5
Complimentary Clergy Retreat, April 6-9
Art Day with Bishop Goff, April 18

Westminster Canterbury, Richmond, will host a seminar "When Words Fail: Practical Ministry to People with Dementia" on Feb. 26. Cost is $30 and includes lunch. Learn more.

A Letter from the Bishop: Council & Stewardship

The Rt. Rev. Shannon S. Johnston, bishop of the Diocese of Virginia, recently issued the following letter to members of Council.

Dear Diocesan Family,

Our 220th Annual Council was a resounding success. We witnessed stories of mission and ministry that energized and inspired attendees. We heard greetings from our international missionaries, and debated and voted on meaningful resolutions. Our worship was uplifting, our song was spirit-filled and our fellowship was priceless. Thank you for your presence, your prayers, and your vibrant participation.

Now that some time has passed and we've had space to contemplate both the business and the excitement of January's Council meeting, I'm writing to all of our canonically resident clergy and our lay delegates - those who make up the members of our diocesan Council - with a special message.

Despite an increase of 2.2% in the 2015 diocesan budget, for which we offer celebration and gratitude, your diocesan Budget Committee was charged with the responsibility of reducing the 2015 budget by $77,298 during Council. While this decrease came in direct response to a similar decrease in anticipated pledge income, it still meant that painful cuts had to be made. Unsurprisingly, many Council members voiced their disappointment.

Read the full letter.