October 2, 2013  


Notes from Bishop Mark

While it has been a busy turnaround, my first House of Bishops meeting with its focus on mission was good preparation for last Saturday's Executive Board meeting and for our upcoming Fall Convocation meetings. Every session focused on some aspect of our church-wide efforts to address the major cultural shifts in which we seek to live out our ministry as the body of Christ Jesus. I will be addressing these realities during the convocation gatherings as the leadership of our diocese moves toward Annual Council. I will also be meeting with the clergy in retreat later this month to begin working together on what new missional efforts mean for our churches in their various contexts.

 

Clergy Day: Phoebe Needles Center, October 24, 9:30 am - 2 pm. Lunch will be provided. Please RSVP to Lynn ([email protected]; 540-342-6797; 800-346-7982) by October 14. Be sure to include any dietary restrictions, please! 


One of the larger items to emerge from the diocesan Executive Board meeting was the consensus to restructure the working groups of the board with a focus on the prioritization of the Sustainability Report.

 

This week I will be in Abingdon for their Clergy meeting and will have pastoral meetings with the clergy on Thursday and Friday.

 

Clergy Transition:


After more than two decades of faithful ministry, the Rev. Deborah Hunley announced to the parish of Christ Church, Roanoke, her plans to retire as their rector. Her last Sunday will the Last Epiphany 2014.

 

Pastoral: 

 

The Rev. "B" Lloyd broke his hip. The Rev. Scott West reports that he is recovering from surgery at Radford Rehab Hospital. 

 

The Rev. Bob Copenhaver is doing well after his hospitalization last month. He even went to the CPG conference a week ago with other Evans House staff members. 

 

The Rev. Vince Carroll's wife, Marilyn, has been in the hospital for complications related to her cancer treatment. 

 

Please keep "B," Bob, and Marilyn in your ongoing prayers.


Notes from Evans House

No Weekly Update next week. Sorry. Lynn will be out of the office for a few days.

 

Please note that the agenda for the Fall Convocation meetings includes time for each parish to share an example of positive and exciting ministry or mission. Please be sure someone from your parish is prepared to speak!

 

Parishes with columbariums: Please let Lynn know who you are. We've had a request from a parish that is interested in seeing what other parishes have done.

 

The Standing Committee on Litury and Music seeks data on local use of the resources that were prepared for the blessing of same-sex relationships.

 

Deadline for submission is December 31. 

 

The committee would like to hear from people who have used any part of the resources, including those who have read the theological resource, used the discussion guide or the pastoral resource for preparing couples, or participated in a liturgy of the blessing of a relationship. 

 

The survey is located here.

 

Events 

St. John's Episcopal Church, Lynchburg, announces a concert titled "From Bach to Broadway" by singer Elisabeth von Trapp on Sunday, October 6 at 4:00 p.m.


Elisabeth von Trapp is the granddaughter of the legendary Maria and Baron von Trapp whose story inspired
The Sound of Music, and will sing and accompany herself on the guitar and piano. Her eclectic musical style is influenced by many genres, including chant, folk music, classical music, hymns, and popular music.

She will be joined by Cantate, the Children's and Youth Choir of Central Virginia, for several pieces including arrangements of two songs from The Sound of Music.

There is no admission charge, but an offering will be taken, and CDs will be available for purchase.

The concert will be in St. John's Magill Hall, on Elmwood Avenue, just off Rivermont Avenue, in Lynchburg.


Safeguarding God's Children Training Opportunity  

 

Safeguarding God's Children--Preventing Child Sexual Abuse is a required program for adults and older teens working in the church setting with youth and children. This includes Sunday School teachers, youth workers, nursery volunteers, and parish leaders such as vestry members. 

 

Parents and parishioners are also invited and encouraged to attend Safeguarding God's Children trainings to prevent the possibility of child sexual abuse. The Episcopal Church is committed to the prevention of child sexual abuse in the church setting. 


Here is an opportunity to attend this valuable training:
    • Sunday, October 13
    • St. James, Roanoke (4515 Delray St., Roanoke, 24012)
    • 1:30 - 4:30
    • Contact Maile Armstrong at 540-947-5016 or [email protected].  
Everyone who has taken the training previously is asked to renew training every two years. Sign up for a training session, or talk to Maile about the online renewal option.

St. John's, Roanoke, invites you to the Annual Dodson Distinguished Lecture, presenting Dr. Walter Brueggemann, Monday, October 14.
  • 5:30 pm Sponsor Reception and Dinner with Remarks by Dr. Brueggemann
  • 7:30 pm Public Lecture. A voluntary collection will be taken to assist in underwriting the cost of the lecture.
  • To become a sponsor and attend the reception and dinner, please call St. John's at 540-343-9341 or email Kristi Brown ([email protected]). Reservations are required by October 7. Seating is limited.
  • Dr. Brueggemann is William Mercellus McPheeters Professor Emeritus of Old Testament at Columbia Theological Seminary. He is a past president of the Society of Biblical Literature and an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. He has recently written Disruptive Grace and David and His Theologian.
  • Dr. Brueggemann's book The Prophetic Imagination was included among Christianity Today's top 100 "Books of the Century" that shaped religious thought in the twentieth century. 
Two upcoming Youth Events
  • Mass on the Mountain (MOM) at Bear Mountain, October 18-20  
All youth and their families are invited to join us at Bear Mountain Friday, Oct. 18th for a weekend of camping, worship, and fellowship. We will share the experience of a Native American sweat under the guidance of our Monacan friends. We will also be present for Bishop Mark's visit to St. Paul's Bear Mountain that Sunday morning. The cost is $50.00 per person. Please visit http://www.youth.dioswva.org/ and click on the picture for MOM to register. Contact Aimee Bostwick in the diocesan office if you have any questions.
  • Fall Youth Event November 22-24. This event is for youth in grades 8-12. Our theme will be based on the movieThe Wizard of Oz. More information is coming very soon! 
 New 
 
Important, up-to-date information about taxes for Episcopal churches and clergy is now available from the Church Pension Group. Go here and select from the right hand column these two publications (downloadable pdf files): 
  • 2013 Clergy Tax Guide (for 2012 Taxes)
  • 2013 Federal Reporting Requirements for Episcopal Churches
Don't end up paying taxes (or--maybe worse--fines and penalties) that you don't have to! 

Repeated from Previous Updates 

 

There's been a change in the location of the Safeguarding God's Children (SGC) Instructor session scheduled for October 19. It will be held at Christ, Blacksburg, from 9:30 am - 2:30 pm.
  • Contact Maile Armstrong, diocesan SGC Coordinator, if your parish has candidates to become a SGC Instructor: 540-947-5016; [email protected].
  • Criteria to become a SGC Instructor are
    • completion of a Safeguarding God's Children session within the last 2 years
    • ability to teach to and interact with adults
    • willingness to organize, schedule, and provide training sessions as needed

Blessing of the Animals-Lynchburg Convocation 

  • Sunday, October 6, 3 pm
  • in front of the Old City Cemetery Chapel (401 Taylor Street, Lynchburg)
  • All animals are welcome-in pet carriers or on a leash-or bring a picture.
  • Bring donations of dog and cat food or money for the Lynchburg Humane Society.
  • For more information, call Cemetery Center (434-847-1465) or email [email protected].
  • Contact Lynn ([email protected]; 540-342-6797; 800-346-7982) if you'd like a clever flyer to post. 

The next program for the Center for Lifelong Learning is Tuesday, October 10, at 10 am. 

 

The program, presented by Lee Chichester, is Birds of Prey. Please call the Phoebe Needles Center office (540-483-1518; 800-848-1677) by Friday, October 4, to make a reservation. 

 

To request a flyer for this event, contact Lynn ([email protected]; 540-342-6797; 800-346-7982).


The Center for Personal Protection and Safety's Ministry Security Course will be offered in Roanoke on Tuesday, October 15 from 9 am - 4:15 pm. For information, call or email Lynn (540-342-6797; 800-346-7982; [email protected]).

Province III Evangelism Ministries announces A Unique Conference on Evangelism 

  • Friday, October 25, 7 - 9 pm and Saturday, October 26, 9 am - 3 pm
  • Holiday Inn, Martinsburg, WV (Special room rate of $92-ask for "Province Rate" when making reservations. This rate is guaranteed until October 10.)
  • Registration $60 (includes program and meals)
  • Phone or email Lynn ([email protected]; 540-342-6797; 800-346-7982) for the registration form. 

Fifty Years Later: The State of Racism in American

 

The Episcopal Church will host and produce a 90-minute live forum on November 15 beginning at 2 pm. 

 

The forum is ideal for live group watching and discussion, or on-demand viewing later. It will be appropriate for Sunday School, discussion groups, and community gatherings. 

 

Complete information is here.   

 

Call for workshop proposals for presentation at Episcopal Church special event-Reclaiming the Gospel of Peace 2014: An Episcopal Gathering To Challenge the Epidemic of Violence 

  • Oklahoma City, April 9 - 11, 2014
  • Bishops, clergy, and laity from throughout the Episcopal Church are invited to explore one of the major issues in today's society-violence in all its forms.
  • Deadline to submit workshop proposals is October 18. Preference will be given to proposals that have a particular focus on education, advocacy, pastoral care, or worship and liturgy.
  • Submit proposals online here.
  • Questions? Contact Mary Getz at [email protected].

Exciting new videos HERE present the mission and work of Episcopal Church Young Adult Service Corps (YASC)

  • YASC is a ministry for Episcopal young adults, ages 21-30, who are interested in exploring their faith in new ways by living and serving in communities around the Anglican Communion. 
  •  For more information, contact David Copley at [email protected]
  • YASC volunteers maintain blogs detailing their service, reflections, and adventures. The blogs are ideal for connecting with others in the Episcopal Church and around the world. All the blogs are here.

New Life
In This Issue
Notes from Bishop Mark
Notes from Evans House
Repeated from Previous Updates
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The Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern VA

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