October 29, 2015
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 Notes from Bishop Mark
● Installation of the New Presiding Bishop: This weekend Martha and I will travel to Washington, DC, to participate in the installation of the Rt. Rev. Michael B. Curry as Presiding Bishop. Keep Bishop Michael and his family in your prayers as he begins this new ministry as the chief pastor of our Episcopal Church.
● The Commission on Ministry ready to Receive Aspirants for Ordained Ministry: The Commission on Ministry met yesterday to finalize details on the new discernment process. That process is now open and ready to receive aspirants for discernment towards Holy Orders. Please pray and think about members of your community that God may be calling. The new process is now on our diocesan website here.
● Upcoming Ordinations and Installation for Your Calendar:
God willing and the people consenting,
I will ordain Susan Peyton to the Sacred Order of Deacons on Wednesday evening, November 11 at 7 PM at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Staunton. To the Sacred Order of Priests, I will ordain: --The Rev. Canon Connor Gwin on December 5 at 3 PM at Christ Episcopal Church in Roanoke. --The Rev. Kimberly Glenn on December 12 at 10:30 AM at St. John's Episcopal Church in Lynchburg. --The Rev. Whitney Burton on January 16 at a time to be determined at St. John's Episcopal Church in Roanoke. I will install The Rev. Alexander MacPhail as the Rector of Christ Episcopal Church, Roanoke, on November 18 at 7 PM.
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The Roanoke Convocation met in the new addition at St. Paul's, Salem
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● Fall Convocations Underway:
Next weekend (November 8), we conclude our round of fall meetings with the Lynchburg Convocation meeting at Grace Memorial Church, Lynchburg, at 2:30 PM. Along with the fellowship and the electing of new leaders, this time provides us with an opportunity for renewing our commitments to becoming the missional church. The updated agenda is here.
● Sunday Visitations: Last Sunday,I worshipped with Trinity, Rocky Mount, where there were four confirmations and two reaffirmations. (Click here to see the Facebook album of pictures.)
● Pastoral Concerns:
--Please keep the Rev. Conrad McNeer in your prayers. He is now back at home following treatment of complications related to peptic ulcers.
--The Rev. Deacon Butch Eanes is home from Springtree Rehab and is receiving therapies at home. Please keep Butch and Carol in your prayers.
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 Connecting  . . . with Evans House
●Remember to check out the diocesan Bulletin Board--you'll find information about available MDG grants, upcoming training opportunities, and parish events!
● Find 2016 rates for medical and dental insurance here as well as on the diocesan website. Active clergy and lay employees can make individual plan selections and changes from November 4 through November 20. Anyone who like to attend a no-cost general information webinar about benefits for 2016 should click here. Employees who would like to become new members should contact Kate Garcia.
. . . within the Diocese
● From Julia Littlefield, United Thank Offering Coordinator: Remember your Blue Box! Mark every prayer of thanksgiving with a coin to widen the circle of thankful people. ● Reminder: Reservations for breakfast and Dr. Jam Ramsey's presentation on "Challenges and Opportunities: Ministry with Persons with Mental Illnesses in Your Faith Community" are due by Thursday, October 30. Reservations can be made by calling the Mental Health America of Roanoke Valley office at (540) 344-0931 or by email ( mharv@infionline.net).
● Every contribution to Episcopal Relief and Development received by December 31 will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to a total of $750,000, in honor of ERD's 75th anniversary. ERD invites you to invest in the future: click here.
● An Advent Day Apart for Clergy takes place on Wednesday, December 9, at the The Bellfry Retreat Home. Read more.
● Two Safeguarding God's Children opportunities are coming up:
--SGC Training for Trainers ~ there is still time to sign up for this training on Saturday, November 7, 9:30 AM --2:30 PM. This will allow you to train others in your parish. Contact Maile Armstrong to sign up. ( mailearmstrong@verizon.net) --Safeguarding God's Children Training, for those who work with Children and youth, takes place on Monday, November 16, from 5:30--8:30 PM at St. Paul's Salem; Contact Allsion Netting to sign up. ( stannes@stpaulssalem.org)
● All are invited to two events at Grace Memorial Episcopal Church, 1021 New Hampshire Avenue, off of Fort Avenue, in Lynchburg:
--Sunday, November 1, All Saints Evensong, 5:00 PM: A centuries-old Anglican traditional service held at the end of day featuring prayer with hymns, anthems and candle-lighting. n keeping with All Saints, there will be an opportunity for each one, who wishes, to light a candle in memory of a loved one. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend! Grace Memorial Episcopal Church, 1021 New Hampshire Avenue, off of Fort Avenue, in Lynchburg.
--Saturday, November 14, Arts & Crafts Faire, 10 AM--4 PM: Hand-crafted goods and baked items for sale. A raffle for two quilts and a raffle for a hand-carved wooden wall art piece. All proceeds benefit community programs such as Interfaith Outreach, Meals on Wheels, Blue Ridge Food Bank and others.
. . . within the Wider Community
 ● The Holy Eucharist with the Installation of the 27th Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, Bishop Michael Bruce Curry, will occur on Sunday, November 1, at noon EST, at Washington National Cathedral. There will opportunities to watch a live stream webcast or to view the event on demand. Details and information for the two events of the Installation, including a variety of hot links, can be found here.
● Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori: I am deeply grateful for what God has been up to in the midst of our journey together. Read more.
● Episcopal Church Young Adult Service Corps offers untold opportunities throughout the Anglican Communion. Read more.
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Resources and Links |
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as of October 28, 2015
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Something to talk about!
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as of September 28, 2015
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as of August 13, 2015
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Bishop Marmion Resource Center
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Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia
1002 1st Street SW ~Roanoke, VA 24016
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