Are you following the newest e-article series on the DioDocs blog?

 

 


"I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there.' And it will move." -Matthew 17:20

Each week we will highlight the ministries and programs that have benefitted from receiving a Mustard Seed Grant. The stories and photographs of how these grants have aided our churches are a testament to the power of both our financial and prayerful support within our Diocese. We encourage you to follow along and be inspired by the work that we can do together.

We as a Diocese have the power to enact real change and create community. The power of the work that our congregations are doing deserves to be shared and provide ideas, encouragement and support to those churches looking for the next step in their mission and outreach programs.

So, follow along with DioDocs, and contact the Mission & Outreach department to share your own stories, to find out information on how you can be involved in mission and outreach in your own church, and how you can contribute to the Mustard Seed Fund to keep these powerful stories coming! 
Need to Know

Website Information 

Do you know about the e-bazaar section of the diocesan website? Here we list blessings to give and blessings to receive. If your church is in need of anything from pew cushions to an organ to prayer books, please check the listings. Likewise, if you have blessings to offer but aren't sure how to offer them to the wider diocesan community, please email Kendall Martin, [email protected].

Pathways: Spiritual Direction 

Pathways: Spiritual Direction, a ministry of spiritual direction is currently being offered at Roslyn.  Each hour long session is $65, overnight lodging at Roslyn is an additional cost. For more information, visit our website. 

 

Future residencies:  

  • Sept. 28 - Oct.1: The Rev. Howard Kempsell
  • Nov. 10 -12: Ms. Linda Nelson
  • Nov. 17 -19: Sister Andrea Westkamp
  • Dec. 14 - 17: The Rev. Howard Kempsell

To check availability during these residencies, please contact Amy Williams, [email protected].


Upcoming ECW Events 

The Episcopal Church Women of the Diocese (ECW) of Virginia will host an Exhibit, opening at Mayo Memorial House, Richmond, in September. Details to come. 

 

The ECW will have their fall meeting on Oct. 15 at The Falls Church, Falls Church. More information to come.


Upcoming Youth Events 

Mark your calendars for these upcoming youth events. For questions or more information, contact Mike Wade, [email protected].  
  • PYM's Fall Day of Service: Oct. 3 - 10 a.m. - 2p.m. (Aldie, VA - www. sproutcenter.org)
  • PYM Senior High Weekend: Nov. 6-8, Shrine Mont

Shrine Mont Camps Blog 

A cast of rotating writers offer reflections, stories and photographs of this summer's sessions of Shrine Mont Camps. Sign up on the blog to have new posts emailed directly to you. Be sure to visit the Shrine Mont Camps Facebook page.


Episcopal Church Women (ECW) Retreat Weekend
Sept. 11-13, Roslyn Conference & Retreat Center, Richmond 
"Women of Acts: Women of Action" will be the theme of the weekend retreat led by the Rt. Rev. Susan E. Goff. Participants will spend the weekend in the company of super women from the Book of Acts and learn from them something of how we are called to live our lives. Registration, schedule and cost are available here. Registration is also available online at www.ecw.thediocese.net.

 

"Seeing the Face of God in Each Other" - Anti-Racism Workshop
Oct. 2-3, St. Mark's, Richmond 

The Anti-Racism Workshop will be facilitated by the Diocesan Committee on Race and Reconciliation. The goals of the workshop are to: 

  • Acquire anti-racism tools
  • Explore avenues to reconciliation
  • Renew your spirit with us

The workshop will begin Oct. 2 at 5p.m - 9p.m. with a  light supper. The session on Oct. 3 will be from 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. and contintential breakfast and lunch will be served. The cost is $25.  

 

To register, please email Ellyn Crawford, [email protected].You may bring a check with you or mail one to the Diocese c/o Mary Anne Bryant.  


SAVE THE DATE!

All retired clergy, their spouses, and surviving spouses, who are canonically resident in Virginia or simply call Virginia home, are invited to attend one of the Bishop's Luncheons scheduled this fall.

 

In addition to the traditional luncheon, Bishop Shannon has arranged an extra treat for us this year. Representatives from the Church Pension Group (CPG) will offer a valuable seminar entitled "Enriching Your Retirement" which will explain new programs and skills and answer questions on a variety of subjects for the already retired such as Retirement Benefits now, Wellness in Retirement, Medicare Supplemental Health Insurance, and more. The program each of these three days, after check-in, will begin at 10 a.m. and end by 3 p.m.

 

Mark your calendar with the date and location that suits you best:

  • Monday, November 2 - Westminster-Canterbury of the Blue Ridge, Charlottesville, with Bishop Ted Gulick
  • Tuesday, November 3 - Goodwin House, Alexandria, with Bishop Ted Gulick
  • Wednesday, November 4 - Westminster-Canterbury of Richmond with Bishop Susan Goff

Registration information will be available in September. Spread the word! We know interest in this seminar and luncheon will be high and expect larger than normal crowds. Please ask retired folks not receiving diocesan electronic communications to send their email address to Amy Williams, [email protected]. Questions about the program should be directed to Charlie Johnson, Chaplain at [email protected] or by postal mail: 132 Lancaster Drive, #626, Irvington, VA  22480-9704; or by telephone at 804-438-4214.

 

 

Other News & Events

There will be a Virginia Commonwealth University Global Summer Institute of Music solo piano concert on Aug. 6 at 7:30 p.m. at Grace & Holy Trinity, Richmond. The concert will consist of music by Schubert, Chopin, Liszt and other composers performed by Global Summer Institute of Music participants from the United States, China and Taiwan.  This intensive summer program aims to bring talented young musicians from different cultures to eclectic Richmond and to the vibrant campus of VCU. The concert is free and parking is available behind the church.  For information, call (804) 359-5628, ext. 18.

 

The Leadership Program for Musicians (LPM), a national program offering classes for church musicians and those interested in church music, is accepting registrations for the 2015-2016 year. Courses being offered are Liturgy and Music: Foundations for Christian Worship (offered online through the Center for Liturgy and Music at Virginia Theological Seminary, visit  www.liturgyandmusic.com); Principles of Choral Leadership; Teaching New Music to the Congregation; and Philosophy of Church Music. For more information, visit http://www.lpm-va.org or contact Jane Barthurst online at [email protected] or by calling 804-883-7112. Click here for more info. Scholarships are available!

  

Harmony in a Discordant World is the topic of this year's Enneagram Conference at Kanuga Conference Center in Hendersonville, NC.  Participants will learn skills to better know themselves and enrich their relationship with God while considering such questions as how to be agents of peace in a violent world and dealing with conflict in the family, church and workplace.  Dates are October 4-7.  To learn more, visit www.kanuga.org/enneagram.

  

The Diocese of Virginia Disaster and Preparedness and Response (DOVDPR) ministry team will host a recovery forum on August 29 at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria from 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Topics will include why churches should prepare for a disaster and how do churches prepare in cases of disaster and response and recovery efforts. Representatives from local and federal organizations will be in attendance. More information on registration to come.       

 

The Leadership Institute at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond is excited to invite you and folks in your congregation to Seminary for a Day, September 26, an informative and enjoyable day of education, connection and fun!  The day begins at 8:30 a.m. with registration, then a keynote at 9 a.m. by Dr. Frances Taylor Gench, entitled "Worshipping Doubters:  The Church in Mission," followed by a workshop (choose from six), a delicious boxed lunch, more workshops (choose from six more) and the closing keynote by Dr. Cleophus J. LaRue, entitled "The Shape of Christian Preaching in the 21st Century." Learn more.      

    

Church Events
jesus-stained-glass.jpg
7/25: Celtic Communion, St. Paul's on-the-Hill, Winchester
7/27-31: Catechesis Training, St. Stephen's, Richmond
8/1: Labyrinth Prayer Walk, Christ Church, Alexandria
8/2: Healing Eucharist, Holy Comforter, Vienna