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December 10, 2015
In this issue:
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 Notes from Bishop Mark
● Please continue to offer prayers of healing for our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry following surgery last Tuesday. (Full story here and here.)
● The Rev. Kimberly Baker Glenn To Be Ordained to the Priesthood: This Saturday at 10:30 AM, I will ordain Kimberly to the Sacred Priesthood,at St. John's, Lynchburg. Clergy vestments: cassock, surplice, and red stole.
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The ordination of the Rev. Canon Connor Brindley Gwin to the Sacred Priesthood at Christ, Roanoke, on December 5--a great day in our diocese and a great day for The Episcopal Church
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● Clergy Participation and Attendance:
In the next few weeks, we will ordain two more people to the priesthood and hold our Annual Diocesan Council. Sharing in the larger life of the body of Christ is both part of the commitment of our ministry and a sign of respect for and fellowship with our brothers and sisters, lay and ordained, who make up our diocese. Council attendance is expected of all canonically resident clergy except where permission to be excused is granted.
The two upcoming ordinations (see below) will occur in two different parts of our diocese, giving more than one opportunity to participate. I trust all clergy will remember the spiritual significance of their own day of ordination. Upcoming Ordinations for Your Calendar: Click here
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The labyrinth at Christ, Blacksburg
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● Sunday Visitations: On this Third Sunday of Advent, I will worship with the people of St. Paul's, Lynchburg. On the Second Sunday of Advent, I worshipped with Christ Episcopal Church, Blacksburg. (Click the link to see more photos on Facebook.)
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Remember to check out the diocesan
Bulletin Board--you'll find information about available grants, seminars, and upcoming training opportunities, as well as parish events!
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. . . with Evans House
● Registration for Annual Council is now open here.
● Two events for youth are on the horizon; contact Canon Connor at cgwin@dioswva.org with questions.
--Youth@Council registration is live! Youth (grades 5-12) from across the Diocese will gather at St. John's, Roanoke, January 29-31 for our annual Youth@Council gathering! It will be an awesome weekend of fun, faith, and fellowship, so spread the word and sign up today. More information and registration can be found at youth.dioswva.org.
--Happening #9 is scheduled for February 26-28 at St. John's, Roanoke. This spiritual retreat is for high school students (grades 9-12) and adults who work with youth. Staff and participant applications are available now at youth.dioswva.org.
● New Marriage Rites: With the beginning of this Advent, the new Trial Marriage Rites approved by General Convention can now be used throughout our Church. The published rites are available through Church Publishing and in PDF form on our diocesan website in the section "For Clergy Use." Clergy, please familiarize yourself with the Rites and my policies for their use in this diocese. Let me know whenever you plan to use the Rites.
● The Rev. Deborah Hunley shared a 1960 photo of Deacon Brewster Ford, who served at R.E. Lee Memorial Episcopal Church, in Lexington. Pictured here, from left to right in the front row, are the Rev. John Fletcher, Deacon Brewster Ford, Crucifer Wally Carson, and the Rt. Rev. William H. Marmion. Ford may be our diocese's first deacon.
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. . . with the Diocese
● A Message from Boys Home: As an expression of our appreciation of all the support we receive from The Episcopal Church, Boys Home has partnered with The Virginia Gentlemen of Roanoke to bring you Christmas Kaleidoscope--An Evening of A Capella Music. The concert will be at Northside High School in Roanoke on December 11 at 7 PM. Tickets will be sold at the door. We are so thankful for the support we receive from the Episcopal Church and we are excited to be able to bring you this concert as a small way to say thanks. We hope to see you there!
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. . . with the Wider Community
● Based on data received from a comprehensive survey of churches through the 2014 Parochial Report, updated facts and figures about congregations in The Episcopal Church have been posted here.
● Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael Curry and Bishop J. Jon Bruno of the Diocese of Los Angeles visited the site of the San Bernardino, CA shootings and offered a video statement.
● Applications are now accepted for a one-year Justice and Advocacy Fellowship for poverty alleviation ministry through Asset-Based Community Development for The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society. Read more.
● Episcopal Public Policy Network has issued a Policy Alert. Read more.
● The Society of St. Andrew invites you to participate in providing about 500 servings of fresh, nutritious food to America's hungry families with the purchase of a $12 Christmas card. It's a sincere and loving way to feed the hungry and honor special people in your life. Learn more and order online.
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Resources and Links
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as of November 14, 2015
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Bishop Marmion Resource Center
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as of October 30, 2015
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St. Nicholas Day Appeal & more!
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www.dioswva.org
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Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia
1002 1st Street SW ~ Roanoke, VA 24016
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