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We're Connected!

 "Urgently relevant" - that's how Bishop Shannon Johnston describes the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia. Over 80,000 strong, we are a "breathing reality for Jesus in this world." 

In a new video, we've captured the transformational work we are doing together, as we live into our stewardship theme of "Connected in the Kingdom." We invite you to play this video for your vestries, congregations and neighbors. Help us make new "connections" as we spread the word about mission and ministry. 


Mission Trips
Please keep those with November mission trips in your prayers including St. George's, Fredericksburg, to Honduras and Region 13 to Trouin, Haiti. If your church is taking a mission trip in November and you are not included on this list, please contact Ashley Cameron at acameron@thediocese.net.
Calling all who love summer camp!
Shrine Mont Camps
is seeking directors for THREE
 of our 2016 camps- Explorers' Camp, St. Andrew's Camp and St. George's Camp. If you are or know someone who has leadership skills, loves working with children and youth and would be a fantastic fit for any of these positions, please send them our way. Check out our camps website for more information about the positions as well as an application and please contact Paris Ball with any questions you may have.
Workshop: Equipping leaders in faith-based communities
Feb. 29 - Mar. 4, 2016, Roslyn Center, Richmond

An intensive five-day session designed to enable participants to learn about, build and practice emotional intelligence skills in small group setting.

Skilled facilitators will provide tools and feedback to enable participants to learn about themselves and to immediately practice emerging skills. 
221st Annual Council
January 21-23, 2016, Hyatt Reston Hotel, Reston

Registration for Annual Council is now open. Register
by Friday, December 18 to receive the early bird discount.

Follow the link
to find information about registration, exhibiting, nominations, awards, 2016 Annual Council forms, and the pre-council open hearings.

Advent 2015 Resources

The diocesan office of Christian Formation wants to help enrich your Advent journey! We have created a new website featuring tools and resources to guide us as we await the coming of Christ. The website,
thedioceseadvent.weebly.com
will feature the journey of advent trough scripture, prayers, art, reflections, music and thought provoking media. A new weekly offering will be available each Sunday of Advent.

Use this great, new resource throughout your personal Advent journey and don't forget to share it with your parish, friends, and through social media!
 
Survival Skills for Lay Professional Training
Jan. 28, 2016, Church of Our Saviour, Charlottesville

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 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. and includes a working lunch. 

Register here. 
Need to Know
The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society is hosting important webinars: Syrian refugees in the USA. The two live webinars, both 60 minutes long, will be held on Thursday, November 19 and Monday, November 23 at 2:00 p.m. to examine this emerging refugee crisis.  Click here to learn more about the webinars or click here to write your Congressperson to support refugee resettlement.

Syrian Refugees: There are several churches interested in helping Syrian refugees resettle in Virginia. If you would like to learn more about these efforts, please contact Buck Blanchard, bblanchard@thediocese.net.

Advent Grief and Loss Group. Dec. 2, 9 and 16 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., St. James's Episcopal Church, 1133 W. Franklin Street (Michaux House Room 205), Richmond. The group will be facilitated by parishioner and Licensed Clinical Social Worker Catherine Ferguson.  This group can provide a warm, supportive and confidential environment with others who have experienced losses.  Please register online at www.doers.org or by calling Gina at 355-1779, ext. 315 at St. James's Church no later than 5:00 p.m. the Monday before each session.
  
Ordination of Emily Cobb to the Transitional Diaconate, 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 21 at St. Philip's, Richmond. God willing, the Rt. Rev. Edwin "Ted" Gulick Jr., Assistant Bishop of Virginia, will ordain Emily Cobb to the Sacred Order of Deacons (transitional) on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 10:30 a.m. at  St. Philip's, Richmond. The Bishop and the Standing Committee request the honor of your presence. Clergy: red stoles.
 
Ordination of Bill Roberts to the Transitional Diaconate, 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 21 at VTS. God willing, the Rt. Rev. Susan Ellyn Goff, Bishop Suffragan of Virginia, will ordain Bill Roberts to the Sacred Order of Deacons (transitional) on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 10:30 a.m.  at  Virginia Theological Seminary's Immanuel Chapel (click here for campus map). The Bishop and the Standing Committee request the honor of your presence. Clergy: red stoles.
Other News & Events
Immanuel, Old Church, Mechanicsville, will present Songs for True life, Family, Faith, and Fun by Richmond songwriter Damian Muller featuring music from his internationally acclaimed CD, Steady Work, performed by The Damien Muller Trio on Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. The concert will be followed by a soup social in the parish house. Tickets are $15 for one or $25 for two. Children under 12 are $5. Call 804-7479-3454 for ticket reservations. Click here for flyer.

On Monday, Nov. 23, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) will be holding a Candlelight Vigil of Remembrance and Hope for the victims of impaired driving crashes, and as a reminder to the community to be safe during the holidays. Visit the organization's website for more information.
 
Congratulations to Mary Jo Browning of St. Stephen's Culpeper who was named Citizen of the Year by the Culpeper County Chamber of Commerce.
Church Events
11/19: Pohick Church Christmas Mart,  Pohick, Lorton
11/20: Holiday Bazaar & Turkey Lunch, Grace, Berryville
11/21: Holiday Bazaar, Grace, Berryville
11/21: 2015-16 Concert Series Presents Richard Becker, Grace & Holy Trinity, Richmond
11/21: Music in the Old Church Presents the Damien Muller Trio, Immanuel, Old Church, Mechanicsville
11/22: Contemplate Service with Holy Eucharist, Emmanuel, Richmond
11/26: Thanksgiving Day Service, Christ Church, Millwood
11/26: Thanksgiving Day Service (St. Stephen's, Richmond), St. Bridget Roman Catholic Church, Richmond
11/28: Advent Retreat: "Roads to Bethlehmen", St. Stephen's, Richmond
11/28: Celtic Communion, St. Paul's on-the-Hill, Winchester
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