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 Notes from Bishop Mark
Holy Week always seems to arrive suddenly. The procession from Palm Sunday to the darkness of Good Friday catches us off guard in the same way that the bright yellow tangles of roadside forsythia burst into bloom to startle our winter-weary eyes. We revel in the feel of warmer weather and the scent of spring but are still somehow unprepared for the contrast.
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the mystery of our salvation, God's abundant and unqualified love for all us. The stark wooden cross is planted right into the midst of all of our human pain and suffering. As Christians we rejoice because we know that the cross of Christ is not a dead end. Rather it is, mysteriously and surprisingly, a doorway.
Easter Day blooms into our ordinary daily living and invites us once again to live into a joy that vanquishes all of our fears and uncertainties about life. As these beautiful mountains of Southwestern Virginia begin to bloom and fill with new life, we are invited by God's Holy Spirit to rejoice in the new life which surpasses our narrow vision and all our understanding. Death is not an end. Suffering will not defeat our souls. The healing spring of God's never-failing love is open to us in this very present moment. Alleluia! Christ is Risen!
● The Presiding Bishop's Easter Video and The House of Bishops Pastoral Letter are linked in the "Wider Community" section of this Update. I ask that you make these two Holy Week/Easter messages available to your parishes through your communication channels.
● I encourage parishes to participate in the annual Good Friday Offering, which supports the four dioceses of the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East. You will find more information here. The Episcopal Church makes a variety of resources available to explain this mission.
● Emily Sproul To Be Diocesan Media Missioner
I am pleased to announce that Emily Sproul has accepted my invitation to serve as our new Media Missioner, curating and creating content for the diocesan Facebook page, website, and other social media. Emily will also work to raise up diocesan reporters to tell the many stories of the ways our parishes are striving to be newly engaged in the Jesus Movement.
Emily is a lifelong member of Emmanuel, Staunton. As a teenager, she was deeply involved in diocesan youth activities--serving on the diocesan and provincial youth boards, attending national and provincial youth events, and serving on staff for several Happenings. A delegate to Diocesan Convention for the past eight years, Emily most recently served as a deputy from Southwestern Virginia to General Convention in Salt Lake City.
She holds a bachelors degree in History and a Masters of Teaching from The University of Richmond. A mother of four, Emily works from home as a freelance writer and editor for a D.C.-based public affairs group as well as for clients from a variety of industries.
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Visitation with St. John's, Lynchburg
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● Visitations and Other Events: On Palm Sunday I worshipped with the people of St. John's, Lynchburg. There were fourteen confirmations and two receptions. (Click the red link to see more photos on Facebook.) On Good Friday, I will be with Grace Memorial, Lynchburg, who are now in transition. On Easter morning, I will celebrate at St. John's, Roanoke.
● Pastoral Concerns: I ask that you pray for physical and spiritual healing for Tom and Lindsay McKinnon who lost their two sons, Patrick and Logan, in a tragic house fire last week. May God cover them in this dark time, assuring them that their children are safe in Jesus' arms. At this writing, we have no news of funeral or memorial service arrangements.
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Connecting
. . . with Evans House
● The Spring Youth Event (SYE) is scheduled for April 22-24 at Camp Bethel in Fincastle, VA. SYE is a weekend event for middle school-aged youth (grades 5-8) that is planned by the diocesan Youth Ministry Team. The theme this year is "(Turn Your Faith) Inside Out", based on the recent animated movie. Come for a weekend of faith, fun, and friendship! For more information, email cgwin@dioswva.org.
● Reminder to Canonically Resident Clergy: Please complete a Beirne Carter Education Grant application by March 31 to be eligible for 2016 grants. Find the application here.
● The ministry training facility in the newly constructed lower level of Evans House was the recent site of a diocesan Parish Treasurer's Day. Eighteen treasurers from fourteen parishes participated in the event. David Lowen, CPA and President of Foti, Flynn Lowen & Company, provided the morning program. Everything from the Affordable Care Act, Clergy Discretionary Funds, and accounting for contributions was covered. In the afternoon, Delia Heck, Chair of the Executive Board Finances & Funds Working Group discussed a variety of topics from parish accounting software and the diocesan pledge, to group term life insurance and automated methods of accounting. There are new resources for financial staff and volunteers on the diocesan website on the Parish Resources page, including the Manual of Business Methods in Church Affairs and the two housing templates discussed at the event. --Alan Boyce, Canon for Administration
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. . . with the Diocese
● The new "Mission Teams of Abingdon Convocation" offer a way of joining in what the Holy Spirit is already doing in the neighborhood. The teams will focus on developing shared ministries in the region. Read more .
● Join Martha Bourlakas at St. Thomas, Abingdon, onMay 14, for an Our One Word retreat. Share the flyer with your parish.
● St. John's Episcopal Church in Wytheville is searching for a part-time organist/choirmaster. Read more.
● This year Christ Episcopal Church, Roanoke, will host the Voices of Faith Interfaith Pot Luck dinner. Please join in extending hospitality to our neighbors of different faiths. The gathering will be on Sunday, June 5, beginning at 6:30 PM. Share the flyer with your parish.
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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 the Wider Community
● "This world does not need another fairy tale," Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael Curry said in his Easter 2016 Message. "This week's story of crucifixion and resurrection is not a fairy tale." Watch the video.
● "We reject the idolatrous notion that we can ensure the safety of some by sacrificing the hopes of others." The House of Bishops of The Episcopal Church, meeting in retreat, unanimously approved A Word To The Church. Read more.
● The Conflict Resolution Center at Children's Trust will be holding a 3-day Mediation Skills Training April 28-30th, 2016. This training covers the basic principles of conflict resolution, the mediation process, communication skills, and issues faced by mediators, with interactive instruction by two certified mediators. Learn more.
● Gwaltney School students at Jackson-Feild Behavioral Health Services who are discharged from Jackson-Feild Behavioral Health services prior to earning their high school diploma or GED certificate now have the opportunity to complete their education through our new GO--Gwaltney Online--program. Learn 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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