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Join us for a focus group discussion of  
the Virginia Episcopalian.
The Communications Team is reimagining the Virginia Episcopalian magazine and we need your help! The key to this revisioning process is to gather feedback from our readers so that we can better understand what content you would like to see.
 
You are invited to attend a Virginia Episcopalian focus group where we will review the current magazine, gather feedback and brainstorm new ideas.

Dates and locations are:

Register here.

 

  Cannot make it to a focus group? Please take a few minutes to give us your thoughts through this survey. 
 
Thank you for your participation. Your input will help us continue to deliver the powerful and compelling stories that make our Diocese so great! 
Haiti Day
May 21, 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
St. James's, Warrenton

Share how your church is involved in Haiti and learn about:
  • Computer education in schools, orphanages and clinics
  • Solar Power Project
  • Education certification for older youth/adults 
Contact persons:  Gail Kettelwell, 540-504-7240 or Mary Anne Bryant, 804-643-8451 ext. 1016.
Lunches $10/person. Please email Gail or Mary Anne if you would like a lunch.

Rising Strong Workshop
June 4-5, Roslyn Retreat Center

Based on the research of Brené 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. 

A Little Bit Louder Now!
June 4, Shrine Mont

A celebration and rededication of the Shrine Mont Camps.

Come for the day or spend the weekend at Shrine Mont. Events will be held Friday through Sunday, including a Friday night bonfire, Saturday morning run and hike. Click here for the schedule of events.

Contact Shrine Mont (shrine@shentel.net or call 540-856-2141) to make a reservation. 
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. 
2016 Stewardship Workshops
3 dates available - choose yours today!
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 individual workshops on annual giving, proportional giving, social media strategies, how to tell your story, planned giving, stewardship with families, and much, much more!
 
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.
Mission Trips
Please pray for those taking mission trips:
  • St. Paul's, Charlottesville - Wise County (Grace House on the Mountain) 6/12-18
  • 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. Mary's, Arlington - Episcopal Mission Center Philadelphia 6/26-7/1; Tanzania 7/20-31; Outreach Camp Week 8/22-26
  • St. Peter's, Purcellville - Guatemala 6/17 - 6/25
  • Christ Church, Richmond - Raleigh, NC 6/26-7/1; Philadelphia, PA 7/24-29
  • 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
Need to Know
Bishop's Spring Conference recording
Click here to listen to the Rt. Rev. Paul Bayes, Bishop of Liverpool, deliver his sermon from Bishop's Spring Conference.

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. 
 
Jubilee Impact and Development Grants are now available
Applications are now accepted for the 2016 Jubilee Ministry grants to further the mission and ministry of The Episcopal Church. Application forms are available here. Deadline for applications is June 17 at 5 pm Eastern. All currently-designated Jubilee Ministries are eligible. Proposals must be approved by bishop of the diocese and, if applicable, the Diocesan Jubilee Officer. Ashley Cameron is the Jubilee Officer for the Diocese of Virginia, please contact her for further information or if you have any questions at acameron@thediocese.net.

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 Bogotá, 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 office@vadp.org 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 mabryant@thediocese.net for more information.
Other News & Events
Grace Church, Christ Church and Immanuel Church on the Hill, Alexandria, invite you to join them for Vacation Bible School this summer! Their theme,
"Pilgrimage: Seeking the Kingdom of God", will allow children age 3 through rising 5th graders to explore stories about 5 saints and 'travel' to pilgrimage sites from Canterbury to Rome through worship, games and crafts. This VBS, which will be hosted at Grace, Alexandria runs from Sunday, June 26(5-7 pm) through
Thursday, June 30 (Mon-Thurs, 9 am-12:15 pm). Sign up your child or register as a youth/adult volunteer here!

Trinity Episcopal Church, Beaverdam, will have the annual opening Holy Eucharist on Trinity Sunday, May 22 at 4 p.m. with a reception to follow in the church yard. The Rev. William S. Noe will officiate and Ms. Marsha Worsham will play the pump organ.  The church was consecrated in 1830 and the Trinity Church Preservation, Inc. Board has restored and maintained it since the mid-1970's.  It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  This Board raises funds to take care of the building, keeping it as an excellent example of an anti-bellum church in good standing.  All are welcome and if anyone wishes to bring a picnic, they can join in the church yard before the service at 2:00.  
 
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.  
Church Events
5/13: Stetson University Choral Benefit Concert, St. Paul's, Alexandria
5/13: Slices of Life: RVA, Pine Camp Arts & Community Center
5/14: Annual Concert: Love Reaches, Christ Church, Glen Allen
5/15: First 2016 Outdoor Worship Service at Chapel in the Woods and the Outdoor Baptism, St. Gabriel's, Leesburg
5/15: Contemplative Service with Holy Eucharist, Emmanuel, Richmond
5/16-5/17: In the Breaking of the Bread: Finding Christ in Full Communion, Shrine Mont
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