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The Episcopal
Diocese of
Southwestern Virginia
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96th Annual Council
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January 23--25, 2015
Hotel Roanoke
Roanoke, VA

November 21, 2014

At this year's Annual Council, our focus continues to be on listening and responding to the new mission opportunities that God's Holy Spirit is challenging us to join in. We take up this challenge together as the household of congregations that make up this diocese.

 

My hope is that some of the adjustments that we have made to this year's Council agenda will afford us space and time to hear God's call upon us. One of those adjustments will be to hold our opening Eucharist early on Friday evening, followed by a buffet-style meal that will include our whole diocesan family gathered for the weekend.

 

Join us in a Council that will provide opportunities to continue our call to be Jesus' disciples in the world.
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The Rt. Rev. Mark Bourlakas


We're looking forward to seeing you at the 96th Annual Council!

Links to online Council registration, descriptions of Mission Workshops on Saturday afternoon, and the form for submitting a resolution are all now posted on the diocesan website. Other Council-related materials will also be posted there as they become available prior to the January convocation meetings.

Nominees for positions to be elected at Council are reminded to submit a biographical sketch and a digital photo before November 30.

In this email, you will find information for Clergy and Lay Delegates, as well as for Alternates, Visitors to all of Council, those planning to come for Mission Workshops, and families of our children and youth participants. Check out the links below: TOP
  • All Convocations will meet on Sunday, January 11, 2015.
    • Abingdon Convocation: Emmanuel, Bristol ~ 3--5 PM
    • Augusta Convocation: Christ, Buena Vista ~ 3--5 PM
    • Lynchburg Convocation: Trinity, Arrington ~ 2:30--4:30 PM 
    • New River Convocation: St. Thomas', Christiansburg ~ 3--5 PM
    • Roanoke Convocation: St. Elizabeth's, Roanoke ~ 2:30--4:30 PM
  • You will receive another email early in January with information to prepare you for your Convocation meeting and Council, including the agenda, proposed budget, nominee information, resolutions, and more.
  • Printed copies will be available at your meeting on January 11.
  • In case of inclement weather, the Dean and President will decide if the meeting will be held on the snow date--Sunday, January 18.

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CouncilRegistrationCouncil Registration Information  

  • Early Bird Online Discount Registration for Clergy and Lay Delegates, Alternates, and Visitors attending all of Council is $145 until midnight on January 15.
  • Members of the Standing Committee and the Executive Board, please be sure to register as a Clergy or Lay Delegate and indicate your parish.
    Your name tag at Council will make it clear to tellers that you are voting due to membership on the Standing Committee or Executive Board.
  • All who register after January 15 must do so at the On-Site Registration table when they come to Council. They will need to be prepared to pay $170 at that time (valid Visa or MasterCard, the exact amount of cash, or a check payable to the Diocese of SWVA for the exact amount).
  • Those not attending all of Council but who want to participate in the Mission Workshops on Saturday afternoon should register online for these. There is no charge, but pre-registration ensures that the space and materials are available.
  • The online registration form can also be used for those not attending all of Council but who would like to purchase one or two of the three Council meals (Friday night dinner, Saturday lunch, Saturday night banquet).
  • Children@Council participants also register online. Youth@Council participants will register on the youth website. See additional information about these programs, below.
  • Contact Jim Robertson if you have questions about registration.

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HotelRoanokeHotel Roanoke Room Reservation   

  • We have a block of rooms reserved until January 6 or until they are full. It is wise to reserve a room early!
  • You can reserve your room online at the Hotel Roanoke website (hotelroanoke.com). Click the "Reservations" button at the top of the page and provide the requested information. Our group / convention code is EPD. Or you can call the Hotel at 540-985-5900 and mention the EPD code.

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ResolutionsResolutions or Proposed Changes to the Constitution or to the Canons:

  • Resolutions to be printed must be turned in by December 31, 2014, by snail mail (Resolutions, PO Box 2279, Roanoke, VA 24009). Or, preferably, submit a resolution online.
  • Changes to the Constitution or to the Canons to be presented to Council must be received by Alan Boyce by December 15, 2014. 

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ScheduleA Little About the Schedule:
  • Clergy and spouses/partners, postulants, and candidates will meet together with Bishop Mark and Martha Bourlakas on Friday at 10 AM.
  • New delegate orientation begins at 1:30 PM on Friday.
  • Business begins at 2 PM on Friday.
  • As Bishop Bourlakas noted, the Friday Eucharist will be held at 5 PM on Friday and will be followed by a buffet-style meal at 6:30 PM, at which children, youth, and adults are welcome.
  • The Bishop will give his Pastoral Address at 9 AM on Saturday.
  • Clergy spouses and partners will have lunch with Martha Bourlakas at 12:30 PM on Saturday. The cost is included in full registration for Council, or a meal ticket may be purchased in advance. 
  • Council closes on Sunday following the Eucharist (unless unfinished business remains). 
  • Please be sure your parishioners are informed that Council information is available on the diocesan website.

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ChildrenChildren@Council Preview
 

Children@Council is available for the children of clergy and lay delegates, as well as the children of alternates; children must be pre-registered. Children of Visitors and children of Saturday-only participants may also attend on a space-available basis ONLY if pre-registered.  

  • Please note: there will be no drop-ins; the program will be staffed and planned for the number pre-registered. 
  • Children@Council will be held at St. Andrew's Catholic Church on Friday. Parents will pick up children following the Eucharist. On Saturday, the program will be at Christ Episcopal Church, Roanoke.
  • A nursery is offered for infants--age 3.
  • Preschool through 5th grades' program is a Vacation Bible School format.
  • Register your children for Children@Council when you register yourself online.
  • There is no charge for Children@Council. However, donations of time and money are invited. You may send checks payable to the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia with "C@C donation" on the memo line. Mail checks to C@C, PO Box 2279, Roanoke, VA 24009.
  • Contact Lori Heymann if you have questions about or would like to volunteer for Children@Council. 
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YouthYouth@Council Preview 

  • Youth@Council is available for 6th--12th graders.
  • Youth@Council will be held at St. John's, Roanoke, from Friday evening through Sunday morning.
  • Please register on the youth website (youth.dioswva.org )
  • Contact Joe Harden or Dick Willis if you have questions about Youth@Council.

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TellyourparishInform Your Parish

  • All are invited to share in the Saturday morning program and afternoon workshops.
    • The Saturday morning program begins at 9 AM and lasts until noon.
    • There is no charge for the Saturday afternoon Mission Workshops, but please pre-register online.
    • Tickets for one or two of the Council meals (Friday night dinner, Saturday lunch, Saturday night banquet) can be purchased online.
  • Our annual blood drive for the American Red Cross will be Saturday, January 25, from 8 AM--2 PM. Go to www.redcrossblood.org/make-donation (the Red Cross donation appointment website) after January 1, look for the drive listed under ZIP Code 24016, and sign up online.

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ExhibitorsExhibitors 

  • Exhibitors MUST register online.
  •  Choose "Mission Workshops on Saturday Afternoon" and when the option presents itself, choose "I would like to set up a display/exhibit in the Exhibit Hall."
  • Fees may apply for groups or individuals selling items or for exhibitors not directly related to Episcopal ministries.

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540-342-6797

P.O. Box 2279 * Roanoke, VA * 24009

www.dioswva.org