Connect with Us

First Fall Hand-in-Hand Listening Session Quickly Approaching

Sept. 19, Calvary, Front Royal, 10:00 a.m. -11:30 a.m.
Sept. 24, Trinity, Charlottesville, 7:00 p.m. -8:30 p.m.
Oct. 1, Grace, Kilmarnock, 7:00 p. m.-8:30 p.m.

With a focus on gaining a better understanding of rising racial tensions, the Diocese is continuing to host a series of Indaba listening sessions this fall.

Based on feedback, we're offering a common experience in the beginning surrounding various scripture readings. The questions asked and considered in the smaller, indaba-style groups will be framed around the scriptures, so participants aren't asked to share deep, painful memories.

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 and share with your parish and friends.

Need to Know

A VIGIL CELEBRATION in Honor of The Rt. Rev. Michael Bruce Curry

The Union of Black Episcopalians invites you to a celebration in honor of the installation of The Rt. Rev. Michael Bruce Curry as the first African American Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church on Oct. 31 at the D.C. Armory. For details and to sign up for a free ticket, click here.

Episcopal Church Women (ECW) Exhibit to Open at Mayo House

An exhibit featuring the history of The Episcopal Church Women (ECW) will open at Mayo House on Tuesday, September 29 at 4:00 p.m. The exhibit is just one of the events commemorating the 125th Anniversary of the ECW in the Diocese of Virginia. Other events include the Fall Meeting on Oct.15. The meeting will include fun, food, fellowship, education and celebration. Free child care will be provided for children of all ages. Registration will be available this week.

Survival Skills for Lay Professional Training

The Diocese of Virginia office for congregational development, in collaboration with the Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care, has developed a training program designed to help lay professionals navigate the complex, shifting demands of their jobs in healthy ways. Survival Skills for Lay Professionals will address handling crises, negotiating healthy boundaries, dealing with difficult people and practicing self care.

Faculty for the training will be Dr. Doug Thorpe, executive director of VIPCare, and Julie Simonton, officer for congregational development and stewardship.

The workshop is from 9:30 - 1:30 and includes a working lunch.

Dates include:

Oct. 8, St. Paul's, Miller's Tavern
Nov. 4, The Falls Church, Falls Church
Charlottesville training dates TBD

Learn more and register.

Stewardship Workshops

Sept. 12, Emmanuel, Delaplane:
9:30 a.m. - 12: 00 p.m. -Annual Giving
12:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Generational Giving
Sept. 16, Holy Comforter, Vienna
7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. - Annual Giving
Oct. 17, St. Peter's in the Woods, Fairfax Station 9:30 a.m. - 12: 00 p.m. - Capital Campaigns

We are almost at the end of our workshop schedule. Please join us to learn more about Inspiring Faithful Generosity (Annual Giving), Generational Giving and Capital Campaigns. For a full explanation of stewardship workshops, visit the Stewardship and Generosity page on the diocesan website. Register today!

"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, crawfordellyn@yahoo.com.You may bring a check with you or mail one to the Diocese c/o Mary Anne Bryant.

Taste and See that the Lord is Good: A Conversation between a Farmer, a Chef, and a Theologian

Oct. 3, Grace & Holy Trinity, Richmond

An invitation and an opportunity to explore the relationship between faith and food:

Our relationship with food, God, and the environment is the focus of our Stewardship of Creation Conference this fall. With the help of our keynote speaker, Rachel Marie Stone (Eat with Joy), together with the panelists and workshop leaders, participants will be invited to discern a new relationship with food, one which honors both God and the world as God's gift.

The program cost is $15 for adults (children 12 and under are free) and includes a "wholly" meal. Learn more and register.

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 at 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
Dec. 14 - 17: The Rev. Howard Kempsell

To check availability during these residencies, please contact Amy Williams, awilliams@thediocese.net.

Other News & Events

All Saints Sharon Chapel invites you to register for and attend its Cathechesis of the Good Shepherd Level I Training. Courses meet for 10 sessions, one Saturday of every month beginning on Saturday, September 12. For more information visit http://sharonchapel.org/CGS/Training/
Foundation Cristosal invites you to Protecting Central American Refugees: A Faith-Based Response Forum and Pupusa Dinner on Oct. 4, 7 p.m. at Grace, Alexandria. The speakers will include Philip J. Palin, Senior Fellow in Homeland Security, Rutgers University Graduate School; Noah Bullock, Executive Director, Foundation Cristosal; Dr. Sebastian Albuja, Former Head of Latin America and Africa Division, Norwegian Refugee Council; Marc Hanson, Senior Associate, Washington Office on Latin America; To RSVP, please email: Hannah Perls, hperls@cristosal.org
Calling all formation leaders! The Diocese of Washington D.C. is offering a Formation Leaders Retreat from Sept. 30-Oct. 2, 2015. This retreat, led by Dr. Lisa Kimball from the Center for Ministry and Teaching at Virginia Theological Seminary and Ms. Melissa Rau from Youth Ministry Architects, will give leaders the opportunity to re-imagine what their ministries can look like. This retreat is for those who work with children, youth and family ministries and has a maximum of 40 participants- so register now!
The UCI Road World Championship bike race is coming to Richmond, and area churches are preparing to welcome the cyclists and fans. A "Blessing of the Bikes" will be offered on Saturday, Sept. 19 at 8:00 a.m. at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, 1800 Lakeside Avenue. All are welcome to come participate in the brief liturgy and enjoy the opening day of the races. We will ask God to bless the bikes and all who ride them. Clergy are invited to wear green stoles over street clothes and help say blessings with individual riders and their bikes. Parking at the Gardens is unavailable, so bike, walk, or plan to take the shuttle from Anthem 2015 Staples Mill Road (parking there is $10). Clergy, please contact the Rev. Laura Inscoe, linscoe@gmail.com if you'd like to participate.
On Sept. 24 at 7:30 p.m., people of all faith traditions will join together in Washington DC under the theme "Coming Together in Faith on Climate," a gathering to bring together faith communities for inspirational messages, songs and poetry to inspire and connect faith and climate leaders and build momentum for action. This free, ticketed event will be live-streamed across the country. This timely event will coincide with the Pope's visit to Washington DC where he is expected to bring attention to the issue of climate change.
Learn more.
EPIC Moms (Episcopal Parishes in Community to support Moms) is a new gathering for moms of children from infancy to elementary school. This program is sponsored by the Episcopal Church, but open to all moms. Get to know other women across Richmond, share the joys and challenges of parenting, and hear and discuss great speakers on topics such as early literacy, spirituality with children, and meditation for kids and moms. Starting Tuesday, Sept. 22, they will have regular meetings two Tuesdays a month from 9:30-11:30 that include breakfast, fellowship, speakers, and occasional crafts. Safe, clean, on-site childcare will always be provided. 2nd Tuesday meetings will take place at St. Paul's, Richmond, and 4th Tuesday meetings will take place at Christ Church, Glen Allen. Registration is $65/semester or $120/year. Scholarships are available on request and anyone can try out one meeting for free. For more information, to register, or to RSVP for kickoff meeting, please email Michele Burt at micheleburt@gmail.com.
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) will host the second interfaith summit on stewardship of Virginia waters in Virginia Beach on Oct. 7. During the "Living Waters: Wading In" conference, theologians, scientists, advocates and policy makers will explore concrete steps people across many faith traditions can take to protect and restore our rivers, streams and the Chesapeake Bay. Registration is available online.
The Leadership Program for Musicians (LPM) is looking for students! LPM), a national program offering classes for church musicians and those interested in church music, is accepting registrations for the 2015-2016 year. Learn more here.

Church Events

9/12: 24th Annual Crab Feast, Pohick Church Lorton
9/12: St. Peter's, Richmond, Crab Feast and Fish Fry, Dorey Park, Henrico
9/12: Nancy Davidge (ECF) at Stewardship Summit, St. Luke's, Alexandria
9/15: Flamenco Concert, St. Peter's, Port Royal

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