 |
January 21, 2016
In this issue:
|
 Notes from Bishop Mark
● Clergy Lenten Quiet Day ~ March 3, 2016, St. John's, Roanoke: I would ask for all clergy, especially those serving in active ministry, to go ahead and save this date for us to gather for reflection, worship, renewal of our vows, and lunch. This should be far enough out for you to schedule the time and clear your calendars so that you may be with your brother and sister clergy and me in Lent.
● Regarding the Primates Meeting in Canterbury: By now you have no doubt read much news and commentary on the Primates meeting where the gathering of Primates voted to ask us, The Episcopal Church (TEC) to not involve ourselves in the representative and governing committees of the Anglican Communion for the next three years. If you have not read the Episcopal News Service story and seen our Presiding Bishop's video remarks following the Primates Meeting you can access them here:
On our diocesan Facebook page, I stated that I am proud of our Presiding Bishop's leadership and courageous truth-telling in his response to the attempts to censure TEC. This issue is about human rights for all of God's children. We follow the Risen Christ and we will not be bullied. Love will win.
● St. Nicholas Offering Reminder for Clergy and Parishes: The St. Nicholas Appeal is running well behind last year's ingathering. So that we might have a nice offering for our recipients, please announce a reminder for the next couple of Sundays.
● Council Details for Clergy:
|
| |
Preparing to process at
St. John's, Wytheville.
|
--Clergy Gathering on Friday: Following our gathering Friday morning there will be space reserved in the restaurant for those clergy and spouses who would like to eat lunch together. The cost of lunch is not included in registration and will be on your own. You may also choose to eat elsewhere in the city.
--Friday Eucharist: Clergy will process in cassock, surplice, and white or festival stole.
--Retired Clergy are encouraged to attend Council, or part of the events as they are able, but are not required to do so.
● Sunday Visitations: On the Second Sunday of Epiphany, I worshipped with the people of St. John's, Wytheville. (Click the link to see more photos on Facebook.)
|
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!
|
. . . with Evans House
● The Youth Ministries Team has planned a Youth@Council mission project, and parishes have been asked to help youth accomplish it. Click here for a list of items they hope to collect. Check with your parish to find out more! Items can be brought to St. John's, Roanoke, on Friday evening when the youth arrive. ● All available Council materials are posted on our website. Please remind those in your parish that Saturday@Council is for everyone; no pre-registration is required for the morning keynote or the missional workshops in the afternoon. Find more information here.● Please note: Check-In and Late Registration for Council will open at noon on Friday, January 29, at the Hotel Roanoke, and end at 4:30 PM. Meal tickets may not be purchased after 4:30 PM on Friday; the Regency Room and Pine Room Pub will be available on the hotel premises. Late Registration will reopen at 8:30 AM on Saturday. ● Parish Reminders Regarding Council: --If audit reports for 2014 have not been received at Evans House prior to the opening of Council on Jan. 29, it is unlikely that the parish delegation will be seated. (The decision would be up to the Standing Committee.) --If no Certificate of Election is on file, your delegation cannot be recognized at Council. --Consult the chart of Received Reports in the Resources and Links section of this message to see the status of your parish. --Any changes in Council delegates or alternates must be reported promptly to Lynn Robertson.
|
. . . with the Diocese
● Safeguarding God's Children Training will be offered on Sunday, Feb. 7, from noon-3 PM at St. John's Episcopal Church (1 Mountain Ave., Roanoke, VA). To sign up contact: Meredith Harper at mharper@st.johnsroanoke.org or call 540-343-9341.
● Organic Fair Trade olive oil and other delicacies from Palestine will be available for tasting and purchase in the Exhibit Hall at Diocesan Council! Come and learn about the work of Canaan Fair Trade, talk with Deborah Hunley, Joanne Jones, or Jan Therien about scheduling an educational event or sale in your congregation...and best of all, sample the beautiful olive oils produced by 1700 small farmers in the West Bank.
● On February 9, the next Center for Lifelong Learning program features "Gregorian Chant to Modern Hymnody," led by Rose Ann Burgess, organist and choir director at St. Paul's, Salem. Check out this flyer for more information.
|
. . . with the Wider Community
● Applications are now being accepted for Conant Grants from The Episcopal Church for the 2016-17 academic year.Conant Grant funds are provided for the improvement of seminary-based theological education. Specifically, the grants are directed for the support of research, writing and course development undertaken by faculty members at the recognized Episcopal seminaries in the United States. Read more.
|
Resources and Links
|
|
|
| |
|
as of November 14, 2015
|
Bishop Marmion Resource Center
| |
|
|
| |
as of December 17, 2015
|
St. Nicholas Day Appeal & more!
|
www.dioswva.org
|
|
Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia
1002 1st Street SW ~ Roanoke, VA 24016
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
