September 3, 2015

In this issue:  

 


BishopMarkNotes
Notes from Bishop Mark
 
Save the Date for the Celebration of New Ministry of the The Rev. Harrison Heidel: On the evening of Thursday, September 17,at 7PM, I will celebrate and install The Rev. Harrison Heidel as the new rector of St. Luke's, Hot Springs. Clergy are invited to process in cassock and surplice with red stole. 

Fall Clergy Conference Overnight: The Theology of David Brown: Sacrament and Culture is the title the Rev. Dr. Robert MacSwain, Professor of Theology at Sewanee, has given to our October Clergy Conference. Please find linked here two articles (one pdf file) of advance reading for our time together.

The Conference, October 8 and 9, will be held at Evans House in our brand new Lower Level space. Alan Boyce has arranged for a block of rooms at the nearby Cambria Suites at a rate of $102. Tell them you are with the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia. The block of rooms is confirmed and available through September 8. Please also confirm your attendance with Lynn so we can begin to get a dinner and lunch count, and mention any dietary restrictions. (As attendance is not required for retired clergy, they do not need to send me a letter if they choose not to attend.)  
 
Sunday Visitations and Weekday Parish Meetings/Events: Last weekend I visited Trinity, Richlands (two confirmations), The Tazewell Cluster (four  confirmations), and St. Paul's, Saltville (four confirmations). (See photos of all three parishes here.) On Sunday evening I met with the vestry of St. Thomas', Abingdon, to plan for their interim and search processes.

Last night I installed the Rev. Shelby Ochs Owen as the Rector of Emmanuel, Staunton. Shelby has been their Priest in Charge for the last two and half years. Pray for her and the people of Emmanuel as they open a new chapter in their Gospel mission.

The installation of the Rev. Shelby Ochs Owen at Emmanuel, Staunton

Today, The Rev. Connor Gwin, our Canon for Youth and Young Adult Ministry, and I are at Stuart Hall School to talk with the headmaster and introduced Connor to the school. 

Pastoral Concerns:

--Pray for strength and healing for The Rev. Tom Crittenden as he undergoes a radiation series. 
--The Rev. Deacon Butch Eanes continues at Springtree Rehab where he is receiving physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Please keep Butch and Carol in your prayers.


Connecting
Connecting

. . .  with Evans House
 
 
If there's an event or piece of news you'd like to see highlighted here or on our website, please email news@dioswva.orgCheck out the Bulletin Board section of the diocesan website to
learn about events and offers.
 
. . .  within the Diocese 

● The Mission Education Working Group of the Executive Board has prepared a "Labor Day" bulletin insert for parish use this Sunday. Find it here
 
The next program for the Center for Lifelong Learning is the musical "Skillet Sisters," on Tuesday September 8th at 10:00 a.m. followed by lunch at noon. Please register by Friday September 4th at noon. Read more.
 
Safeguarding God's Children training will be offered at Emmanuel, Staunton, on Sunday, September 27th.  Lunch will be provided after the 10:30 service, and the training will follow at 12:30 pm.  Any and all are invited, please contact Susan Peyton (speyton1218@comcast.net or 540-290-2450).
 

Julia Littlefield, diocesan UTO Coordinator, shares Thoughts for the 2015 UTO Fall Ingathering.


. . .  within the Wider Community 

Just in time for the start of the congregational program year, the Episcopal Church Foundation (ECF) is offering free webinars on a variety of topics including vestry leadership, starting a planned giving program, "scrappy church ministry", and the basics of capital campaigns. Learn more and register. 

●  Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori and President of the House of Deputies the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings have issued a letter calling on Episcopal congregations to participate in "Confession, Repentance, and Commitment to End Racism Sunday" on September 6. Read more.   

The second of two Called to Transformation Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) facilitator formation workshops will be held November 5 - November 8 at St. John's Cathedral, Denver CO and the nearby Warwick Denver Hotel. Read more.  

● How are Christians to respond to the pervasive firearm violence that roils the United States? Episcopal bishops Eugene Sutton and Ian Douglas offer a challenging and inspiring response that can help Christians think through this difficult issue. Read more about this free, online class. 
 
ResourcesandLinksResources and Links

as of September 2, 2015
Something to talk about!
as of August 21, 2015
as of August 13, 2015
Bishop Marmion Resource Center
as of September 3, 2015
Bishop's Dollar and More