September 17, 2015

In this issue:  

 
 
  
 
Tonight is the Celebration of New Ministry of the The Rev. Harrison Heidel: This evening, September 17, at 7 PM, I will celebrate and install the Rev. Harrison Heidel as the new rector of St. Luke's, Hot Springs.
 
The Executive Board of the Diocese Meets This Saturday at Evans House: Among the many agenda items are: dealing with final details of construction projects of the Lower Level and the house next door, reports from our missioners on transitions and new mission initiatives, and a report from the Phoebe Needles Center about the next steps in its work. We will also be organizing ourselves for our upcoming convocation meetings around the diocese.
 
Guidelines for the New Marriage Liturgies for Trial Use: Earlier this week I sent to all clergy, by email, my new Guidelines regarding the use of the Marriage Rites for Trial Use adopted this past summer by the 78th General Convention of our Church. I also attached a PDF file of those Rites and the Canons that apply to them. The Guidelines and the Liturgies are now posted on our diocesan website and can found here. Scroll down to the section marked "For Clergy Use."

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, October 8--9, which will be held at Evans House. Click here to find advance reading material.
 
Thursday:

5 PM - Fellowship at 5 PM

6 PM - Dinner, followed by a one-hour session with Dr. MacSwain

9 PM - Close of day  

 
Friday:
8 AM - Light breakfast fare 
8:45 AM - Morning Prayer 
9:15 AM - Session with Dr. MacSwain 
10:15 AM - Break 
10:45 AM - Session with Dr. MacSwain 
Noon - Lunch, followed by discussion of new policies and initiatives  
2 PM - Close of conference
 
RSVP to Lynn Robertson by October 1, for 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 worshipped with St. John's in Waynesboro, where there were seven confirmations, two receptions, and a reaffirmation. This Sunday, I will visit St. Mark's, Clifford.          

Pastoral Concerns:  
--I have recently learned that the Rev. Gene Moritz is in MCV hospital with a serious heart condition and will be having surgery on Monday morning. Please pray for the success of this procedure and for Gene's recovery. If you would like to be in touch, the best way is via the cell phone of his wife, Jeanelle - 804-971-1291.
--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.
--Pray for the Rev. Deacon Preston Mitchell as he recovers from recent surgery.
--Pray for comfort for the Rev. Helen Beasley, who broke a rib last week.  

ConnectingConnecting

. . .  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.org. Check out the Bulletin Board section of the diocesan website to learn about events and offers.

● As the Executive Board considers renewal of the diocesan life insurance plan, Kate Garcia is gathering the names of lay and clergy employees in each parish who would be eligible for this type of coverage--all those who work 20 hours a week and are salaried. For immediate purposes, all parishes are asked to send those names to kgarcia@dioswva.org, and state whether each employee is currently enrolled in diocesan life insurance or not. If there are no eligible clergy or lay employees, it would be helpful to have that information as well.
 
. . .  within the Diocese 
 
● The Mission Education Working Group of the Executive Board has prepared a "Liturgical Mission" bulletin insert for parish use this Sunday. Find it here.

● A "Train the Trainers" event for Safeguarding God's Children will be held at St. Paul's, Salem, on November 7, from 9:30 to 2:30.  If your parish has someone who is interested in becoming a trainer for this program, please pass this information on. Read more.

 ● Church of the Good Shepard Episcopal-Lutheran, in Galax, hosted an event manned by volunteers to show the communities appreciation for the first responders in the area. Read more.  
 
. . .  within the Wider Community

● Proposals are invited for development of Texas land owned by the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society. Learn more.

● The Presiding Bishop's statement on refugees, with congregational and individual response suggestions, is available here.

● The Episcopal Relief and Development has set up a Syria Response Fund. For the latest updates on this situation, click here.
ResourcesandLinksResources and Links

as of September 16, 2015
Something to talk about!
as of August 21, 2015
as of August 13, 2015
Bishop Marmion Resource Center
as of September 3, 2015
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