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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:
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.

 
Women's History Project
We kicked off our Women's History Project in March telling Stories of the Diocese of women who have made an impact here in the Diocese of Virginia. This is just the beginning and we will continue to tell even more remarkable stories throughout the coming year.
 
We invite you to submit your stories about the impact that the leadership of women, both lay and ordained, has had in your life. 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. 
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
  • 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. 
    
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!
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  
Need to Know
Those interested in being considered by the Executive Board of the Diocese for the position of Alternate Lay Deputy to the Provincial Synod should contact Ed Jones, secretary of the Diocese, at ejones@thediocese.net no later than Friday, April 15. The Alternate Lay Deputy will be expected to attend the upcoming April 25 Synod meeting in Martinsburg, W.Va.  Nominees must be "confirmed adult communicants in good standing of the church."

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:
  • 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
Virginia Feeds Kids asks that you consider adding a free snack or meal for all children who participate in your summer programs. Register your program into a state-wide information repository which is used to advertise your program regionally. You have no obligation except to find and feed hungry kids in your neighborhood! Register your program here.

St. Patrick's, Falls Church is hosting a FREE Dental Clinic on May 7, 2016.
"SPREAD THE WORD" Free Dental Clinic is hosted by Hope For Tomorrow - Cleanings, Extractions, Fillings & Other Services for low income & individuals without insurance. Please spread the word to your friends and family.

"Stratford Hall Forum on Racial Understanding:  American Denial."
This free showing at Stratford Hall of the film American Denial, with a discussion to follow the viewing, will take place Saturday, April 9 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. and is open and free to the public. The film is based on Gunnar Myrdal's 1944 study: An American Dilemma.

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
4/9: 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
4/15-17: Godly Play CORE Training, St. Matthew's, Richmond
4/15: Portland Guitar Duo, St. Peter's, Port Royal
4/17: Contemplate Service with Holy Eucharist, Emmanuel, Richmond
4/23: Community Hymn Sing & Dinner, St. John's, Richmond
800-DIOCESE | www.thediocese.net