Considering a Capital Campaign?

Aquia, Stafford: May 2, 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.             

The effects of a well-ministered capital campaign can be transforming for a church community. Join us May 2 and learn how to prepare for a capital campaign, identify new parish leadership, expand opportunities for ministry, increase financial capacity, and deepen congregational vitality.

Register for the workshop online or by email: [email protected].

For information on all 2015 Stewardship Workshops, click here.
Need to Know
Please keep those with April mission trips in your prayers including St. James's, Richmond, to Brooklyn, NY, for Hurricane Sandy Relief. If your church is taking a mission trip in April and you are not included on this list, please contact Ashley Cameron.
 

Are you still looking for a summer youth mission opportunity? Do you know youth who want to be a part of a transformational experience? Foundation Cristosal is offering a an amazing opportunity called "Youth Activism in Human Rights in San Salvador." To learn more or sign up for the trip, please contact Giselle Clarke. The deadline to sign up is May 1.


The U.S. Department of Defense has released downloadable guides on how to prepare for a tornado, hurricane, food, earthquake or wildfire. Learn more.

  

New Online Resources:  

To prepare for the Hand-in-Hand Listening Sessions, we are encouraging participants to review a small representation of resources which provide a wide range of viewpoints. Please use these articles, videos and letters as a tool to prepare yourself to start thinking of this topic, give background and provide a faith perspective. 

Episcopal Art Series: Magnificat  

The Episcopal Art Series of the Diocese of Virginia is proud to present Magnificat, live in concert on Wednesday, April 15, at St. James's Church in Richmond. Tickets are $25 and are available online and at the door.

Episcopal Church Women Spring Meeting   

All Women of the Episcopal Church are invited to the Spring Program and Meeting "Saying Yes to God" on May 30 at 1 p.m -5 p.m. at Christ Church, Spotsylvania. Bring mothers, daughters and granddaughters. Learn more and register. 

 

Bishop's Spring Conference for Clergy, Lay Professionals & Spouses
Formation: Transform, Create, Inspire

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 on May 4-6 at Shrine Mont. "Forming mature faith life-long and life-wide must be at the heart of the Church's mission. It requires working beyond traditional models of Christian education and reaching together for practices that heal and transform." For Bishop Johnston's letter of invitation, a schedule, workshop descriptions and registration, click here.
 Hand-in-Hand Listening Sessions

With a focus on gaining a better understanding of rising racial tensions, the Diocese is hosting a series of

Indaba listening sessions.  

  • Epiphany, Richmond: April 16, 7-8:30 p.m.
  • Trinity, Fredericksburg: April 18, 10-11:30 a.m.
  • The Falls Church, Falls Church: April 23, 7:30-9 p.m.
The Hand-in-Hand Listening Sessions are open to all members of the Diocese. Please help us spread the word in your congregations. Register online.
Art Day with Bishop Susan
Being Co-creators with God: Bringing Order out of Chaos
In this Art Day with Bishop Susan on April 18 at Roslyn Retreat from 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., we will reflect on the first Genesis creation story in Bible study, in conversation and in creating with found objects. No experience is required. A wide variety of materials, found objects and tools will be provided. If you have a stash of objects that you'd like to share - buttons, bottle caps, tin cans, doll eyes, pen caps, whatever - please bring them. We may begin in chaos, but the creations that emerge from it will be surprising.

For more information call 804-288-6045.
Other Events


Virginia Theological Seminary will welcome the Rev. Becca Stevens of Magdalene House and Thistle Farms in Nashville, TN, on May 6 at 7 p.m. in the new Emmanuel Chapel. Becca Stevens will give a presentation called "Snake Oil: The Arts of Healing and Truth-Telling." There will be a reception afterwards in the Welcome Center. Learn more

 

Harvard Divinity School Professor Elisabeth Sch�ssler Fiorenza, a pioneer in feminist theology and biblical interpretation, is the keynote speaker for Union Presbyterian Seminary's 104th annual Sprunt Lecture Series May 4-6 in Richmond. The title of this year's lecture series is "Liberating Scripture: Reading against the Grain." Learn more and register.

The Rev. Keith Emerson and the Rev. David Perkins of the Diocese of Southern Virginia are looking to gather 15 clergy for a week of continuing education at Shrine Mont on June 7 - June 12.  Learn more and register.

The first Washington D.C. Walk to End Genocide, organized by the Darfur Interfaith Network in partnership with JWW, will take place on April 26. "The purpose of this event is to educate fellow citizens, to advocate our own government to take an increased leadership position toward actions and policies to end genocide and mass atrocities and to raise funds to be used for humanitarian aid to improve the lives of surviving victims of this horrific behavior." Learn more


The North American Association for the Catechumenate will hold an ecumenical event for pastors and lay leaders in Baltimore on July 30 - Aug. 1. Authors Jessicah Duckworth and Paul Hoffman will speak on the theme "Transforming Congregations Through Spiritual Practice: Creating a Discipleship Community." Learn more and register.
Church Events
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4/15: Adult Bible Study, Holy Comforter, Vienna
4/15: Region 1 Council Meeting, Christ Church, Spotsylvania
4/17: VCU String Orchestra, Grace & Holy Trinity, Richmond
4/18: Annual Yard Sale, St. Mark's, Richmond
4/18: American Youth Harp Ensemble, Grace & Holy Trinity, Richmond
4/18: Morning talk, St. Stephen's, Richmond
4/18: Granny's Attic Spring Sale, St. Mary's, Colonial Beach
4/18: Commuter Core Godly Play Training : Alexandria 2015 CC, St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School, Alexandria
4/19: Celtic Evensong & Communion, St. George's, Fredericksburg
4/19: Out & About Potluck Brunch, Christ Church, Alexandria
4/19: Outreach Sunday, Christ Church, Alexandria
4/20: Beyond Garden Statues: St Francis and the Goodness of Creation, St. Francis, Great Falls