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   Women's History Project

Women have been leaders, faithful leaders, in the church for over 2,000 years. And as March is Women's History Month, the Diocese of Virginia is beginning the initiative of telling women's stories with the Diocese of Virginia's Women's History Project. With so many stories to tell, we know one month is simply not long enough which is why we plan to tell the stories all year long! We invite you to submit your stories, especially as you hear the stories of other men and women about the impact that the leadership of women, lay and ordained, has had in their lives. Please be a part of this special project as we celebrate together, as we tell stories, and as we proclaim God's great news to all people. Submit your stories by emailing Kendall Martin, kmartin@thediocese.net. As we kick off the Women's History Project, watch Bishop Goff's introduction to the initiative on YouTube.
Is your church starting to plant its community garden? Please send in your photos of planting and preparing of gardens as Spring approaches to be shared via social media! Email Ashley Cameron, acameron@thediocese.net.

Episcopal Church Women Spring Meeting
Join the ECW and learn about the 5 Marks of Mission with program leader the Very Rev. Phoebe Roaf, rector of St. Philips, Richmond. Join for faith, fellowship and free childcare for all ages! Free registration is being offered for women ages 50 and under. Normal registration is $20.00. Join together and stuff care bags for victims of human trafficking! Registration ends April 12. You can register online or download the registration form and return by mail.

Refugee Resettlement Day
Refugee Resettlement Day will be held on April 9 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Christ Church, Alexandria. Allison Duvall, the Manager for Church Relations and Engagement for Episcopal Migration Ministries, will lead the programming for the day. Churches, Regions and interested individuals will also have an opportunity to describe their ongoing refugee resettlement ministries. Lunch will be provided for $10. To register, please contact Mary Anne Bryant at mabryant@thediocese.net.
Calling all who love summer camp!
Shrine Mont Camps is calling all campers and potential camp counselors! We know that camp won't be the same without you (and you won't be the same without camp!) this summer, so register for a session of camp or apply to be a counselor NOW! Questions? Send them to Meg Schwarz. We will see you on the mountain!

Lenten resources, a fast and reflections:
Check out the Stories of the Diocese blog for Lenten resources and reflections from Diocesan staff. In addition, the Stewardship of Creation Committee has called a joint Lenten fast observation with the Diocese of Davao, Philippines. Join them every Tuesday in Lent from sunup to sundown and check the blog for a note of support and a prayer.
221st Annual Council Results
Check out the Results page for the resolutions and canonical amendments that were adopted at Council. Visit the main Council page to read the bishops' addresses. Audio recordings of these addresses will be posted by the end of the week. Stay tuned as we distribute and post videos of Stories of the Diocese that had been planned for the January Council. Delegate forms for the 222nd Annual Convention are now available online and are due April 15. 
"Seeing the Face of God in Each Other" - Anti-Racism Workshop - Rescheduled!
April 1 and 2, 2016 -  Friday and Saturday at Richmond Hill, Richmond, Virginia

The Anti-Racism Workshop will be facilitated by the Diocesan Committee on Race and Racial 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 on Friday, April 1 at 5 p.m. and end at 9 p.m. including dinner. It will continue on April 2 starting at 8:30 a.m. and ending at 5 p.m. and include(s) breakfast and lunch. 
 
Registration Fees:  Workshop only - $35; Workshop and overnight accommodations at Richmond Hill - $65 

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.
Pathways: Spiritual Direction
Roslyn Conference & Retreat Center

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:  
 
The Rev. Howard Kempsell
  • April 4-7
  • June 21-23
  • August 23-25
  • November 8-10

Linda Nelson

  • April 26-28
  • August 9-11
  • November 1-3
To check availability during these residencies, please contact Amy Williams,  awilliams@thediocese.net.
Need to Know
Commission on the Status of Women: St. Mary's Own Diane Wright goes to the U.N.! Diane Wright has been appointed by the Presiding Bishop as a delegate representing the Episcopal Church at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW). Diane will represent the Episcopal Church's official positions which are to: 
  • Enable women to access power and decision-making positions
  • Foster women's and girls' economic empowerment and independence
  • Eradicate violence against women and girls and,
  • Provide preferential treatment to marginalized women and girls.
These commitments are derived from our Baptismal Covenant, which calls us to "seek and serve Christ in all persons."
What you can do--
  • Pray. Please commit to praying for Diane and the UNCSW that their work will be glorifying to God and will meet the needs of women around the world.
  • Give. Diane needs to raise $3800.00 for her time in New York. If you are interested in financially supporting Diane's participation, you can write a check to St. Mary's Episcopal Church and put UN in the memo line or contact Janet Tasker 703-527-6800 (janet.tasker@stmarysarlington.org )
  • Share. Please share this work with friends and colleagues. Word of mouth is the most powerful promotion a work like this can have.
Sexual Misconduct Prevention Training:
Become certified for summer activities, such as mission trips, bible schools and summer camps, at one of the Sexual Misconduct Prevention Training's being offered in March and April. For dates and details, click here.  
 
Other News & Events

Christ Walk: A 40-day program about spiritual fitness and Christian living: mind, body and spirit This retreat at Shrine Mont from May 6-8 will be led by the author, Anna Fitch Courie, and will incorporate mind, body and spiritual practices into discussion, group activities, yoga, walking and meditation. Rates are $235 for double occupancy and $275 for single occupancy. Rates includes 2 nights lodging, six meals and the book "Christ Walk." Learn more and register here.

March 13, 2016, 6 p.m., St. Mark's, Richmond:
The Conciliation Project - uncle tom: de-constructed
Who is uncle tom?  This play examines the idea of stereotypes as grotesque, dehumanizing exaggerations and examines the characters in Harriett Beecher Stowe's novel, "Uncle Tom's Cabin" as a major contributing factor in the way commercial and media images of African Americans are represented today. Built on the title character from Harriet Beecher Stowe's famous 1852 novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin, this work is the original poetic drama that gave birth to The Conciliation Project in 2001. Ticket price is $20 and can be purchased in advance by calling the office, (804) 358-4771.
 
  • Easter Brunch, March 27
  • Complimentary Clergy Retreat, April 4-7
Please join us for Easter Brunch at Roslyn Retreat Center!
 
What: Custom omelets, homemade waffles, Eggs Benedict, crab bisque, a craving station, an assortment of sides, baked bread, desserts and more!
When: Sunday, March 27, 2016
Where: Roslyn Retreat Center (8727 River Road, Henrico, VA 23229)
Time: Seatings at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Cost: $35 per person
 Children 12 and under are $12 (infants are free)
 Rates include taxes and gratuity
 
Pre-paid reservations are required and can be made through Monday, March 14, 2016. Please call 804-288-6045 for reservations or visit www.roslyncenter.org for more information.
 
Haiti Connection Conference, April 6-8, 2016 in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Whether you are currently engaged in mission in Haiti, or want to learn more about how you can get involved, the Haiti Connection 2016 Conference is the place to be. If you plan on attending please contact, Mary Anne Bryant at mabryant@thediocese.net. And to learn more visit, http://haitiepiscopalconnection.org/ .

Global Episcopal Mission Network Conference, May 18-20, 2016 in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Engaging God's mission amid the multiple migration crises of today's world is the theme of GEMN regular annual conference this year. Under the theme "God's Mission with a World in Continuous Motion"/"La Mision de Dios con un Mundo en Continuo Movimiento".   Presiding Bishop Michael Curry will keynote the gathering, and Episcopal Migration Ministries Director Deborah Stein and others will make major presentations to help Anglicans in the USA and Latin America participate in God's mission amid one of the critical challenges of our time. If you plan on attending contact, Buck Blanchard at bblanchard@thediocese.net. For further details visit, http://www.gemn.org/2016-gemn-global-mission-conference/.
 
Church Events
3/11: Uncover our Religious Identity with Five Fridays of Islam and Christian dialogue, Epiphany, Herndon
3/11: Organ Concert - "Stations of the Cross", St. James's, Richmond
3/11: Out & About Movie Night, Christ Church, Alexandria
3/12: Olivia Vote, Mezzo-soprano & Brian Ganz, Piano, St. Luke's, Alexandria
3/13: RVA Talks @ St. Mark's - A series on race, reconciliation, and healing, St. Mark's, Richmond
3/15: Book Reading with Dr. Diana Butler Bass, St. Paul's, Richmond
3/16: Lenten Supper, Study & Devotion, Christ Church, Millwood
3/18: Uncover our Religious Identity with Five Fridays of Islam and Christian dialogue, Epiphany, Herndon
3/18: Movie Theology: Chef, St. James's, Richmond
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