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February 18, 2016
In this issue:
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 Notes from Bishop Mark
Bishop's Lenten Reflection:
"Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil."
We have entered, again, the forty-day season of confronting the temptations and distractions of our daily living. God's Holy Spirit will not push us into a period of prayer and self-examination. We are, rather, offered the invitation to enter the holy and prayerful season of Lent. It is a choice for each one of us to make. No one, except God, will know how we spend the next forty days. We can accept the invitation to a holy Lent or just casually ignore the RSVP date and let it linger in the mail pile of our daily living while we await more attractive invitations.
The wilderness of Lent is not an easy or comfortable place. The season of Lent invites us to look inward at our own spiritual poverty. What are my own temptations? What are the negligent or destructive ways and patterns of my life that I refuse to accept or to work on with God's help? What distracts me from the life that Jesus is calling me to live with him and with others?
Our Lenten disciplines should help us to sharpen our attention and refocus the energy of our discipleship. What Jesus desires from our discipleship is not perfection, but commitment. What does Jesus do out there in the wilderness? Very simply, he prays a lot. He puts his whole self in God's hands. He allows the wilderness to burn away all falsehood he might have in his relationship with God the Father, with himself, and with other people.
May the joyful fruit of Easter morning spring from the prayerful seeds that you cultivate during your journey in the Lenten wilderness.
(This Lenten message may be used in parish bulletins websites and newsletters.)
● Clergy Lenten Quiet Day ~ March 3, 2016, St. John's, Roanoke: I would ask for all clergy, especially those serving in active ministry, to plan for this morning of reflection, worship, renewal of our vows, and lunch. My hope is that you will schedule this time and the remainder of the day for prayer and reflection. We will gather 9 AM at St. John's, Roanoke, and begin Meditation at 9:30 AM, followed by quiet time. Holy Eucharist, the Renewal of Vows, and the Blessing of Chrism will follow at 11 AM. Lunch will be at noon. Please RSVP to Lynn Robertson by February 29 and remember to mention any dietary restrictions.
● Visitations and Other Events: On Ash Wednesday, I gave offered the Quiet Day Meditations for The School of Theology at Sewanee at the invitation of Dean Alexander. I also interviewed four senior seminarians. On the First Sunday in Lent, I worshipped with the people of St. Andrew's, Clifton Forge. This Sunday I will visit, St. Peter's, Alta Vista.
● Pastoral Concerns: Donnie Wheatley, the Director of Boys Home, is undergoing heart surgery this week in Roanoke. Please pray for his healing and a full recovery.
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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
● Treasurers: Mark your calendars for Treasurers' Day, March 19, 10 AM, at Evans House. More information to come!
● Please note: As described on the Supply Clergy document, the new mileage rate as of January 1, 2016, is $.54 per mile.
● Senior Wardens and Parochial Clergy will soon be receiving a Constant Contact email regarding Group Life Insurance for clergy and lay employees.
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. . . with the Diocese
● The next program for the Center for Lifelong Learning is Tuesday, March 8, at 10:00 AM. Dr. Francis Amos, will present a program titled: "Stories of Franklin County History." Please check out the attached flyer for more information, or check our web site at www.PhoebeNeedles.org. You may register in advance (by Friday 3/4 at noon) by mail, calling the Center (540-483-1518), or using the PAYPAL option to make your payment.
If you have not yet renewed your membership in the CLL, or would like to join the CLL as a member, the form is attached. Membership runs from February 2015 - February 2016 Let us know if you have any questions. ● Emmanuel Episcopal in Bristol will be hosting a Safeguarding God's Children training at noon on Sunday, Feb. 21st. Lunch will be provided. All are welcome to worship with us at 10:30 a.m. Please register with John Simpson, johncsimpson@gmail.com. David Taverner will be co-leading. ● The diocese just gained 18 new certifications in "Mental Health First Aid"! Six clergy and 12 lay pastoral care leaders from the Lynchburg, Roanoke and New River Valley Convocations attended an 8-hour training offered Fri., 2/12 evening and Sat., 2/13 morning at Evans House by Mental Health America Roanoke Valley (MHARV), with Diane Kelly, CEO, as trainer. This training was offered for free using MHARV funds in memory of the Rev. Robert Croxson, priest and therapist, who served in this diocese and was known for his advocacy for persons with mental illness. Even participants with medical and mental health backgrounds learned something new from this current, research-based curriculum that focuses on early identification, support and referral for treatment. Future trainings in this curriculum may be set up through MHARV, (540) 344-0931. ● All are invited to a Wednesday evening Lenten program at Christ, Roanoke-- The Jesus Fatwah: Love Your (Muslim) Neighbor as Yourself. Read more.
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. . . with the Wider Community
● "The season of Lent is upon us," Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael Curry said in his Message for Lent 2016. "It is a season of making a renewed commitment to participate and be a part of the movement of Jesus in this world." Learn more.
● Another Lenten resource: http://ignatiansolidarity.net/lent-2016/
● Sixteen grants, totaling $221,300 for the Roanridge Trust Award Grants, have been announced for 2016. The Roanridge Trust Award grants are awarded annually for new and creative models for leadership development in small communities across the Episcopal Church. Read more.
● Four Called to Transformation Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) facilitator formation workshops have been slated for 2016: April 18-21, Solomon Episcopal Conference Center, New Orleans, LA; June 13-16, Dumas Bay Center Seattle, WA; August 8-11, Nashotah House, Milwaukee, WI; and September 19-22, Bosque Center, Albuquerque, NM. Called to Transformation is a partnership between The Episcopal Church and Episcopal Relief & Development. The workshops are designed to train leaders in methods and tools to enhance local ministry and mission. Read more.
● Nominees are being accepted for the Episcopal Church Bishop Suffragan for Armed Services and Federal Ministries. Based in Washington DC, the Bishop Suffragan for Armed Services and Federal Ministries is a member of the staff of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. Read more.
● The February 15 deadline nears for applications for Conant Grants from The Episcopal Church for the 2016-2017 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.
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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 December 17, 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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