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   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  will lead the programming for the day. We invite Churches, Regions and individuals interested in supporting these efforts to come. There will also be an opportunity to share ongoing refugee resettlement ministries. Lunch will be provided for $10. To register, please contact Mary Anne Bryant at mabryant@thediocese.net. 
Episcopal Bishops Issue a Word to the Church
The House of Bishops convened this past week and released A Word to the Christian people of the United States. Read the full statement here.
Community Garden Pictures
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.

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!

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.

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.
Reaffirmation of Ordination Vows and Blessing of Oil of Chrism Services
The bishops of the Diocese of Virginia invite the clergy of the Diocese to a special Holy Week event, the Reaffirmation of Ordination Vows and Blessing of Oil of Chrism services. All services will take place on Maundy Thursday, March 24, at 11 a.m. at the following locations:
  • Emmanuel, Harrisonburg, with Bishop Johnston
  • Church of the Spirit, Kingstowne, with Bishop Goff
  • St. Stephen's, Richmond, with Bishop Gulick

Please register to attend by Tuesday, March 22, via the website on the Events calendar page, or through this link here.

 

If you have any questions, please contact Amy Williams, awilliams@thediocese.net.

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.
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.

"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.
Need to Know
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.  
 
 
VTS Employment Opportunity: Administrative Assistant
Virginia Theological Seminary seeks a full-time Administrative Assistant to provide administrative and organizational support to the Director of the Center for Anglican Communion Studies. Duties include: managing the calendar for the Director and the Center's office; supporting the Director in managing and running the Center's Office; drafting agendas, itineraries, minutes, reports, emails, letters and other documents; overseeing event planning; and keeping the Center's online presence up to date including its website, Anglican Commentary, Facebook page and other social media. Learn more about the position and apply. 
 
Take. Break. Bless. Give. 
These are the words of our faith, but how do we live them out in this complicated, multi-cultural, technologically advanced century? Learn with us about how to be the Church beyond our houses of worship.
Christian Formation Week at Kanuga, June 13-17, will include more than 20 workshops covering such topics as racism sensitivity training, means of reconciliation, ministry with the homeless, how to host a dinner church and a wide variety of nuts-n-bolts workshops about formation basics. For more information and to register, please visit www.kanuga.org/christianformation

Short-Term Mission Grants Available
The Office of Mission and Outreach would like to remind folks going on mission trips this year that you can apply for a short-term mission grant from the Diocese.  Here is a list of a few churches that have applied that we ask you keep them in your prayers:
  • St. Paul's on the Hill, Winchester - Jacmel, Haiti 3/9 - 3/26; 
  • Trinity, Washington - St. Marc, Trouin, Haiti 3/29 - 4/8; 
  • Church of Our Saviour, Charlottesville - Philadelphia, PA working with Episcopal Mission Center 6/12 - 6/17; 
  • St. Mark's and San Marcos, Alexandria - Cidra, Puerto Rico 6/23 - 7/2; 
  • Emmanuel, Harrisonburg - Rosebud Reservation South Dakota 7/2 - 7/9; 
  • Emmanuel Church, Greenwood - Appalachia Service Project in Virginia 7/2 - 7/9; 
  • Pohick, Lorton - Charleston, WVA working with Group Workcamps-Group Cares - 7/9 - 7/16.  
Other News & Events
Clergy Breakfast: Strengthening Families and Passing Leadership Ball
First Things First with Dr. Craig Sherouse, Second Baptist at HOPE Church, 12445 Patterson Avenue, Richmond, VA 23238, is hosting a clergy breakfast on March 22, 8:00 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. Goals of the breakfast are to bring clergy together across denominations, race, and socio-economic boundaries. Click here to register for this free event.

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.

  • 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
3/18: Movie Theology: Chef
, St. James's, Richmond 
3/18: Uncover our Religious Identity with Islam and Christian dialogue, Epiphany, Herndon
3/20: Palm Sunday Parade and Worship, Epiphany, Herndon
3/20: Palm Sunday Downtown RVA, St. Paul's, Richmond
3/21: Healing Worship with Harp, Epiphany, Herndon
3/23: Holy Eucharist, Epiphany, Herndon
3/24: Maundy Thursday - Agape Meal, Worship with Foot Washing, Epiphany, Herndon
3/24: Maundy Thursday at Historic St. John's Church, St. John's, Richmond
3/24: Maundy Thursday, Pohick Church, Lorton
3/25: Good Friday, Pohick Church, Lorton
3/25: Stations of the Cross Walk in Downtown Richmond, Third Street Bethel AME
3/25: Good Friday at Historic St. John's Church, St. John's, Richmond
3/25: Good Friday Services, St. John's, McLean
3/25: Christus (An Unfinished Oratorio) by Felix Mendelssohn, St. John's, McLean
3/25: Good Friday - AM and PM Services, Epiphany, Herndon
3/26: Holy Saturday - Morning Prayers and Evening Easter Vigil, Epiphany, Herndon
3/27: Easter Sunday - Multiple Services (Egg Hunt at 11AM), Epiphany, Herndon
3/27: Easter at Historic St. John's Church, St. John's, Richmond
3/27: Contemplative Service with Holy Eucharist, Emmanuel, Richmond
3/27: Easter Sunday, Pohick Church, Lorton
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