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 Notes from Bishop Mark
● Commission on Ministry Meeting: The COM met this week to work on the Formation Plans of our current postulants and to review new aspirants for the priesthood. A significant portion of our time was spent on the work of the new Deacons' School that is a formation program of all three of our Virginia dioceses. The School brings much needed uniformity to the education and formation of deacons our dioceses. We currently have three postulants in The Deacons' School.
● Project Resource Team Training: Last week our Project Resource Team trained three additional members to expand our team to a total of seven. Project Resource is one of our MAP goals of providing excellent stewardship, major gift, and planned giving resources for our diocese. The new members are Tom Hairston (Emmanuel, Bristol), Susan Ackley (St. Paul's, Lynchburg), and Glenn Updike (Trinity-Boonsboro, Lynchburg). They joined existing members, Tripp Duerson, Avis Aheron, the Rev. Emily Edmondson, and the Very Rev. Jim Lively. Any of these members may be contacted to access these resources. ● Fall House of Bishops Meeting ~The Jesus Movement--Reconciling Reality & Ideal: Next week, Martha and I will travel to the week-long fall meeting of the House of Bishops in Detroit. It will be the second meeting with our new Presiding Bishop, Michael Curry.
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Bishop Mark toured and blessed the brand new clothes closet ministry while at Christ, Buena Vista.
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● Recent Meetings and Visitations: This past Tuesday, Canon Boyce and I traveled to the Phoebe Needles Center (PNC) to continue a conversation with the PNC Board on the ongoing sustainability of the Center. Yesterday, Canon Harris and I traveled to Lynchburg to meet with the Search Committee and Vestry of Grace Memorial as they prepare to receive names and begin interviewing candidates for their next rector. Two weeks ago, my visitation was with Christ Episcopal Church, Buena Vista. This week I will be with the people of St. John's, Roanoke.
● Pastoral Concerns: Please continue to hold in your prayers the Rev. Conrad McNeer, the Rev. John Furgerson, and the Rev. Rod Sinclair, who are dealing with health issues. Please pray for the Rev. Judy Spruhan's recovery from gall bladder surgery, and for Cara Brown's recovery from hip replacement. Cara is the wife of the Very Rev. Wilson Brown. Also, please pray for the repose of the soul of the Rev. Robert Leroy Thomas, who has died. Bob served in this diocese in the 1950s and 1960s.
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● Bishop's Reminders
--Fall Clergy Gathering with the Rev. Dr. Dwight Zscheile ~ Save the Dates: The diocesan overnight clergy gathering will be Wednesday evening, October 19, through early afternoon on Thursday, October 20. Attendance by all active clergy is expected and is encouraged of all others.
--Visitation Calendar: Lynn and Bishop Mark are in the process of scheduling the bishop's visitation calendar for the first six months of 2017. Please let Lynn know if you have preferences for particular Sundays. Also, let us know if you have any special occasions or date-specific planning, like the conclusion of a large confirmation class or a celebration of new ministry.
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Connecting
● Safeguarding God's Children training will be offered from 9 AM--noon on September 24 at Evans House, and Safeguarding God's People will be offered that same day from 1--4 PM. Learn more and register here for one or both sessions.
● Lynn Robertson thanks the 33 parishes who have already responded to her survey about the best way to share diocesan forms and paperwork. The link to the survey was sent by email; contact Lynn by email or at 540-342-6797 if you need it re-sent.
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● Visit the Phoebe Needles website to learn more about and to register for the Center for Lifelong Learning seminars and events. Coming up on September 13: Solar Energy At Home, presented by Steve Thomas. RSVP to the Phoebe Needles Center at 540-483-1518 or 800-848-1677.
● Please join Trinity Episcopal Church (Buchanan) and Wheatland Evangelical Lutheran Church (Buchanan) as we celebrate Creation on the banks of the James at the foot of Purgatory Mountain this Saturday, September 10, at 5:30 PM. Enjoy Appalachian Vespers featuring David Austin at the Town Park Pavilion on Lowe Street, and stay for hot dogs and goodies following the service.
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Remember to check out the diocesan
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...with the Wider Community
● The annual Acolyte Festival at Washington National Cathedral will be Saturday, October 8. Get all the information and register here:
● Applications are now accepted for the 2017 United Thank Offering grants: 10 grants of $2500 for young adults (ages 19-30); and 10 grants of $2500 to seminarians (no age limit). The focus of the grants is Evangelism and Reconciliation. Read more.
● Episcopal Migration Ministries will host a live webcast discussion, One United People: A Dialogue on Refugee Resettlement and Faithful Welcome, on Wednesday, September 14. A panel of refugee resettlement practitioners, congregational leaders, and recently arrived refugees will discuss ways in which Episcopalians and faith communities around the United States welcome refugees. Learn more.
● Read all the latest news from the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy in their September newsletter.
● The Beecken Center offers Fundamentals of Transitional Ministry: The Work of the Transitional Leader, October 11-13. Visit their website.
●Worship in Pink (WIP) is a grassroots effort to partner with local faith-based organizations to educate the members of their congregations on breast health and cancer. Register your faith-based organization to take part in Worship in Pink, whereKomen Virginia Blue Ridge will provide breast health information materials and/or promotional items. Download information and resources to help you plan and execute a successful Worship in Pink program.●The Leadership Institute at Union Presbyterian Seminary has something for everyone.Check out early fall offerings and consider registering for some "back to school" for yourself or members of your congregation!
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Links and Resources
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as of April 28, 2016
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Bishop Marmion Resource Center
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as of August 25, 2016
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Includes the Sharon Bryant Memorial Garden at Bear Mountain
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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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