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   Bishop's Spring Conference for Lay Professionals, Clergy and Spouses
  

"Steps to Wellness: A Health Summit"
 
The most important thing you'll see at the Steps to Wellness Conference is how small changes can make a real difference in your life. This is an incredible opportunity for you, your colleagues, and your spouse to learn easy ways to improve your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being.
 
It's like seeing a nutritionist, physical trainer, and life coach, all in one setting.
 
Learn simple strategies for eating more nutritiously, incorporating exercise, and reducing stress. We'll also show you how to maximize the benefits of your medical plan. Join colleagues from your diocese and sign up today. We really hope to see you.
In addition to the CPG wellness plenaries, our ministry workshops will feature presentations from bishops, laity, clergy, and international guests. For Bishop Shannon's invitation and more information on plenary faculty, ministry workshops, special offerings and more, click here.

Don't miss it. Register now!
Finding the Resurrected Jesus with Susan Goff - ChurchNext
We are excited to announce that Bishop Goff has filmed an inspiring class called Finding the Resurrected Jesus with Susan Goff for ChurchNext.

Click here for a video preview.

The Diocese of Virginia has partnered with ChurchNext to build every interested parish its own online school. We've arranged a discount with ChurchNext for those who would like to participate. For $300, ChurchNext will help you build your own 52-week online school and begin offering dozens of courses to your members right away. Phone and email support are available to help you get your school built and new courses are launched nearly every week. Please contact Julie Simonton at jsimonton@thediocese.net to learn more.
Christian Formation New FB Page!
The Office of Christian Formation wants to connect with YOU through our new Facebook page! Like this page and you'll be directed to blogposts, activity ideas, conversation starters and more to help enrich your work in Christian education and formation. Have a ministry/event you'd like to share? Please let us know so that we can highlight your work
 
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. Make sure to 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.
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, manager for Church Relations and Engagement for Episcopal Migration Ministries, 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 Church Women Spring Meeting
Join the ECW on April 16 from 1- 5 p.m. at Grace & Holy Trinity, Richmond, and learn about the 5 Marks of Mission with program leader the Very Rev. Phoebe Roaf, rector of St. Philip's, Richmond. Join us for faith and fellowship! Free childcare is being offered for all ages! Free registration is being offered for women ages 50 and under. Regular registration is $20.00. Join together and stuff care bags for victims of human trafficking and hear from local police regarding human trafficking in our area. Registration ends April 12. You can register online or download the registration form and return by mail.

Please note - Parking: Lot behind the church, permit parking on Floyd and Cherry Streets behind and beside the church and reserved spaces in the VCU deck off of Cherry and Laurel Streets  

2016 Stewardship Workshops
The 2016 stewardship workshop series, "Walk in Love," offers a broad opportunity to gather all of the annual giving resources you will need for the fall stewardship season, as well as to walk more deeply in conversations that lead to enriched, vibrant congregational life across all ministries.
 
Join us for workshops on annual giving, proportional giving, social media strategies, how to tell your story, planned giving, stewardship with families, and much, much more!
 
Dates and locations are:

Saturday, 23 April, 9:30 - 3:00
Church of our Saviour | Charlottesville
 
Saturday, 21 May, 9:30 - 3:00
Christ Church | Glen Allen
 
Saturday, 4 June. 9:30 - 3:00
Church of the Epiphany | Herndon


Each Stewardship workshop day will include a working lunch. Registration is $35 per person or $70 per church up to three participants. Scholarships are available. To register and for more details about each workshop:
 
+ Register here
+e-mail Julie Simonton, officer for congregational development and stewardship at jsimonton@thediocese.net 
+call 1-800-DIOCESE
 
If you would like a portion of this program to come to your region or your church, please contact Julie to schedule an individual workshop.
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:
  • 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
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.
 
Plan for Earth Day 2016
Earth Day is Friday, April 22. What plans do you and your church have to celebrate creation this year? Care and justice for all of creation is a core value of The Episcopal Church. Each year, our partner Creation Justice Ministries (CJM) offers materials to support churches as they recognize Earth Day, and this year, CJM is urging congregations to focus on Care for God's Creatures. While Earth Day Sunday can be recognized the Sunday before or after Earth Day, April 17 or 24, and CJM's toolkit is written to be useful year-round. Download their Earth Day Sunday toolkit below or plan your own creation celebration with prayer, time spent outside, educational activities, or advocacy! Download Care for God's Creatures. 
Explore resources for the Faith Climate Action Week, April 15-24.

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
4/2: Historic Pohick Church First Saturday Tours, Pohick, Lorton
4/2: Annual Yard Sale, St. Mark's, Richmond
4/9: A Night in Venice, St. Barnabas', Annandale
4/10: Adult Choir - "Magnificat", Grace & Holy Trinity, Richmond
4/10: Friends of Music - A recital, St. Mark's, Richmond
4/10: Pohick Church EYC Coffeehouse Event, Pohick, Lorton
800-DIOCESE | www.thediocese.net