Thanks and Clarification from Bishop Susan Goff
Thanks and Clarification from Bishop Susan Goff

Bishop Goff offers thanks for the outpouring of love and support since the announcement of her commissioning as an assisting bishop of the Diocese of Liverpool. However, Bishop Goff would like to clarify and assure the Diocese that "this is home and this is the ministry to which [she's] been called". Read the announcement in its entirety on Episcopal News Service.
Rising Strong Workshop
June 4-5, Roslyn Retreat Center

Based on the research of Bren� Brown and grounded in the Christian tradition, this workshop is about showing up as our deepest selves. In it we will delve into our individual stories, especially those of struggle, and learn to let go of who we think we ought to be so that we might be who we are. The cost is $25.00 (includes overnight lodging and meals; scholarship assistance available), and the registration deadline is May 20 at noon. Learn more and register

The workshop is led by the Rev. Abbott Bailey and the Rev. Beth Magill, 
Missioner at the Episcopal Student Center at the University of Texas - Austin, both Certified Daring Way™ Facilitators. 

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. For availability, contact Amy Williams, [email protected]
 
Future residencies:  
 
The Rev. Howard Kempsell
  • June 21-23
  • August 23-25
  • November 8-10

Linda Nelson

  • August 9-11
  • November 1-3
Mission Trips
Please pray for those taking mission trips:
  • St. Andrew's, Burke - Cidra, Puerto Rico 6/23-7/2
  • Church of the Creator, Mechanicsville - Virginia Beach - TEAM EFFORT 6/19-6/25
  • St. Peter's, Purcellville - Guatemala 6/17 - 6/25
  • Christ Church, Alexandria - Honduras, San Pedro Sula - Our Little Roses 7/16-7/25
  • St. John's, McLean - Dominican Republic 7/9-7/16; Youth New York City 7/21 -7/24
  • St. James's, Richmond - Senior Youth Arkansas 7/10 - 7/17; Junior Youth North Carolina 6/24-6/26; Richmond 6/13 -6/17
  • St. Stephen's, Richmond -  Youth New York City 6/18-6/20; Youth California Pilgrimage 6/20-6/28; Dominican Republic 8/2-8/9
  • McIlhany Parish, Charlottesville - Pine Ridge Reservation summer 2016
Shrine Mont Camps: Nurses Needed
Come spend a week or two with us in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley this summer at Shrine Mont Camps. We are seeking RNs or LPNs with a Virginia State License in good standing who can review health forms, assist with camper registration, tend to sick/injured campers, distribute medications, provide basic first aid, maintain appropriate records, be present in the infirmary at the appropriate times and more. Enthusiasm and experience working with children and youth is preferred! Camps run from June 24th through August 10th. For more information or to apply, check out the camps' website or contact Paris Ball
Walk in Love
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.

As another benefit to this full-day workshop, you will have the opportunity to connect with lay leaders from every corner of the Diocese of Virginia and with diocesan staff members from each ministry office. In addition to plenaries on annual giving and trending stewardship ideas, our day together offers participants the choice of attending two of the following four hot-topic special sessions.
  • social media strategies
  • how to tell your story
  • planned giving
  • proportional giving
All of the above sessions will be offered on each stewardship workshop day. Bring several folks from your church and hear them all! Learn more and register. 

Dates and locations are:
Bishops United: Wear Orange
Bishops United recently became a partner in the Wear Orange movement. The goal of the movement is to inspire as many people as possible to wear orange on Thursday, June 2 as a symbol of their commitment to work for an end to gun violence. 

Here is how you can help:
1. Share the social media links below on your Facebook pages and Twitter streams several times before May 30.
2. Encourage people in your church to have their pictures taken in orange garb on June 2.
3. Encourage people in your church to post those pictures on social media using TWO hashtags: #WearOrange and #Episcopal. (Those photos will be shared more broadly from the Episcopalians Against Gun Violence Facebook page and The Cross Lobby Twitter stream.
4. There is also a movement among some priests to wear orange stoles at church on June 5. You can read about that here, and if you decide to endorse that, please let us know.
Need to Know
e-Formation 2016: A conference on ministry in a digital world
Is your congregation getting serious about its online presence, or hoping to take it to the next level? Would you like to learn with other ministry practitioners using technology in faith formation, communication, and other ministries?
e-Formation 2016 will take place June 6-8 at Virginia Theological Seminary for $289 or by webinar for $89. Limited Spanish interpretation and inexpensive evening programing in Spanish and in English are also available. Learn more and register. 
 
Interested in an international partnership with a Colombian church? Encountering the lives and challenges of the Colombian people? Learning and applying short-term mission leadership skills? The Global Episcopal Mission Network and COLFORPAZ have teamed up to provide an enriching global mission experience in Bogot�, Colombia. This intensive 7-day program from July 30 - August 6 is your opportunity to learn about Colombian life, the work of the Diocese, and how you might engage with the people of Colombia in mission. The cost is $975. Learn more and register. 

Speaker & resource on the death penalty
Press coverage of the Governor's recent action on the electric chair bill once again highlights the death penalty in Virginia.  The Episcopal Church has long opposed capital punishment, and the recent 78th General Convention called on churches to work for death penalty abolition. Michael Stone, the Executive Director of Virginians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (VADP), is available to help churches with education and advocacy on capital punishment in Virginia.  He worked in social ministry at the Catholic Diocese of Richmond for 25 years and is able to speak about Christian faith and the death penalty. You can contact Michael at [email protected] or 434-960-7779.  The VADP web site has good information & resources: www.vadp.org

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. Contact Mary Anne Bryant at [email protected] for more information.
Other News & Events
"In the Breaking of Bread: Finding Christ in Full Communion" conference sponsored by the Lutheran Episcopal Joint Committee extended the deadline to register until May 6. Join clergy and rostered leaders for an ecumenical retreat held May 16-18, 2016, at Shrine Mont Conference Center in Orkney Springs, Virginia. Participants will gain working knowledge of The Book of Common Prayer and Evangelical Lutheran Worship and how to use them to preside with instruction from renowned scholars. Learning and fellowship with national ecumenical officers, bishops, deployment officers, synod staff, and full communion clergy partners in your area will equip you for shared ministries of word and sacrament. Brochure and registration form are online.

Save the date for Haiti Day. Are you interested in learning about mission work currently happening in Haiti and becoming more involved? Come to Haiti Day at St. James', Warrenton on Saturday, May 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact Gail Kettlewell at [email protected] or 540-504-7240 for more information.

Ways and resources to observe World Refugee Day on June 20. This year, The Episcopal Church, in partnership with congregations, volunteers and our network of 30 local affiliate offices in 26 states will welcome more than 5,000 refugees to the United States from 32 countries, from places like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burma, Afghanistan, and Syria. Click here for suggestions, ideas and resources to observe World Refugee Day.

Encouraging instructors and a nurturing community will awaken your artistic talents at Kanuga's annual Liturgical Arts Conference: Faith, Art, and Creative Expression, August 21-26.  Six morning classes and an array of afternoon activities will explore needlework, photography, prayer gardens, flower arranging, painting, and music.  To learn more and to register, please visit www.kanuga.org/liturgicalarts.

The Center for Pastoral Counseling of Virginia will be offering a nine-month training program in Pastoral Care and Counseling starting September 2016. Applications must be filed by June 2016. For more information, click here.
Church Events
5/5: Ascension Day Evensong, St. Paul's, Alexandria
5/6: La Gran Fiesta, Christ Church, Alexandria
5/6-5/7: Prepare-Enrich: Training in Marriage Preparation for Clergy and Lay Counselors, Virginia Theological Seminary
5/6: Caring for Creation: Loving God and Neighbor, Immanuel Chapel, Alexandria
5/7: Docent Training, Pohick, Lorton
5/7: St. Gabriel's BBQ Fundraiser, St. James', Leesburg
5/7: Historic Pohick Church First Saturday, Pohick, Lorton
5/7: Old Church Garden Fair, Immanuel Old Church, Mechanicsville
5/11: Storytelling and Sacred Space, Virginia Theological Seminary
5/11: Celebration of Ministry and Installation of the Rev. Jo J. Belser as Rector, Church of the Resurrection, Alexandria