News From the Churches of Southern Virginia
Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia      June 20, 2017
Youth on a mission
 

Members of the Episcopal Youth Community at St. Andrew's, Newport News, are in Roanoke, VA, working with REACH, a non profit involved in sustainable community development. REACH brings volunteers in from all over the country and partner with local non profits, community groups, churches, businesses, associations, city officials & individuals to work toward creating a thriving community.

 
Also on a mission this week is the mission team of St Matthias, Midlothian, serving in the Navajo Nation in Arizona.  The team of 19 - 11 high school students and eight adults - will be exploring and celebrating native culture. The team is helping with local farming, taking part in service projects, star gazing with a medicine man and exploring God's works in the canyons surrounding the area. The team returns on Friday and looks forward to sharing their adventure with you.
 
St. Paul's, Newport News, inner city improvement project wins United Thank Offering Grant
 
The United Thank Offering (UTO) of the Episcopal Church awarded 34 grants last week and one of them went to a project here in Southern Virginia. St. Paul's, Newport News, was awarded a grant of $23,400 for its Inner City Improvement project.

Newport News and Hampton have high rates of drug and alcohol dependent individuals who are homeless and unemployed. Drug and alcohol dependencies result in health crises and repeated arrests and convictions. When released, individuals have no resources with which to re-engage in the community, nor the coping skills to prevent relapse.

The UTO grant funds will be used to provide housing for AmeriCorps volunteers - working alongside St. Paul's clergy, staff and volunteers - as they provide education, outreach and connect individuals and families with services.

St. Paul's project aims, through a holistic approach, to change not just the lives of individuals, but the life of the community as a whole. "Most inner city neighborhoods haven't seen the Resurrection; they're still living in Good Friday. Resurrection is transformational."

Emmanuel, Hampton, celebrates their youth
 
 
Trinity Sunday, June 11, was Youth Sunday at Emmanuel, Hampton. At this annual service they recognize and give thanks for the ministries the youth and children offer to God throughout the year at Emmanuel, in the Diocese, and in the community. On any given Sunday, you can find their youth involved as acolytes, lectors, choir member, musicians, or ushers. But Youth Sundays are special in that the youth lead all aspects of the worship. Not only is Emmanuel blessed with youth willing to use their gifts but they also have dedicated adult leaders who help them recognized, nurture, & share those gifts.
 
Interfaith Peace: Art & Music Camp for grades K - 5
 
This summer, Christ & St. Luke's, Norfolk, is offering Art & Music Camp, a Vacation Bible school alternative, July 17-21, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. During this half-day camp, children will explore the theme of Interfaith Peace in a hands-on and creative way. Camp is open to children in kindergarten through fifth grade. On the last day of camp, parents are invited to a catered lunch and the campers' Art & Music Showcase at 12:15 pm. Children's artwork will also be on display on Sunday, July 23. Registration is now open. Scholarships are available based on need. Click here for more information and registration, or contact Gizelle Moran 281-760-9348 or [email protected].
 
Independence Day celebration
 
Emmanuel, Virginia Beach, will hold their annual Independence Day celebration on Tuesday, July 4. Breakfast will be served in the Parish Hall at 8:30 a.m. (no charge). It will be followed by a patriotic decorated bike/wagon parade through the parking lot at 9:15 a.m., and a joyous church service with patriotic music at 10 a.m. Emmanuel invites you to participate in any or all of the day's events. Please contact the church office at 757-499-1271 if you plan on attending the breakfast.

Star Spangled Evening kicks off new Music at St. John's concert series
 
On July 12 at 7 p.m., St. John's, Halifax will present BRASS 5 in A Star Spangled Evening. St. John's is kicking off a new concert series called Music at St. John's. The series will bring a new performance to St. John's six times a year. The first program will be A Star-Spangled Evening featuring the BRASS 5, a Roanoke-based group that has presented over 4,000 concerts in United States and Europe. It will feature patriotic music, selections from the Big Band era, best-loved tunes from the 50's and 60's, and some light classical pieces. Refreshments will follow the entertainment with an opportunity to mingle with friends and greet the musicians. 
 
Tickets are only $10 each and can be purchased in advance or at the door. Space is limited. Tickets may be purchased at the church office or by phone or email. St. John's is located at 197 Mountain Road in Halifax, VA 24558. Phone: 434-476-6696 and email: [email protected].
 
Help get books to students at Eastern Shore Latino Ministries
 
Tenemos libros! We have books! Parish Book Store at Eastern Shore Chapel, Virginia Beach, has books in Spanish and English for their summer project "From Eastern Shore to the Eastern Shore."  Purchase bilingual books at Parish Book Store and they will send them to the Eastern Shore Latino Ministries for distribution. To learn more about this project and how you can participate, call 757-425-0114 or email [email protected]. In June and July, the Parish Book Store is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. They are located inside Eastern Shore Chapel, 2020 Laskin Road, Virginia Beach. 
 
News from the Churches of Southern Virginia will not be distributed on July 4
 
This weekly email of news from the churches in Southern Virginia will not be distributed on Tuesday, July 4, due to the Independence Day holiday. Distribution will resume on Tuesday, July 11. Send your stories, photos and news to [email protected]. Deadline is noon on Mondays. 
 
Upcoming Events 
 
Summer Concert Series: Randle Chowning - June 23, 8 p.m., St. James, Accomac.
A joyful noise will be heard this summer in Accomac, thanks to the Summer Concert Series at historic St. James, Accomac. A trio of casual concerts are on tap, featuring outstanding artistry from the alternative/folk/Americana genres of music. Randle Chowning, founder of the classic 70's country-rock group Ozark Mountain Daredevils, opens the series on Friday, June 23 at 8 p.m. in the St. James sanctuary. The Honey Dewdrops, an acoustic folk duo from Baltimore, will follow on Friday, July 21 at 8 p.m. The series is capped-off by Hollywood, CA native and alt-rock chanteuse Syd Straw on Friday, August 18 at 8 p.m. An informal, pre-concert dinner in the parish house and on the grounds will kick-off each event from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Chef Cecilio Balmoria & crew are serving-up summer fare before all three concerts. Costs of the pre-concert dinners is approximately $8 per plate. Tickets are $20 per concert, available by pre-order at St. James and St. George's, Pungoteague. Tickets are also on sale at The Book Bin in Onley, VA; by phoning the parish office at 757-787-4892 or via PayPal at www.stgeorgesesva.org. All profits from the Summer Concert Series go to the St. James Restoration Fund.  

Women's Day Celebration - June 25, 10:30 a.m., St. Stephen's, Petersburg. The ECW of St Stephen's, Petersburg, will celebrate Women's Day on Sunday, June 25. The day's guest speaker will be Marlene E. Forrest, a Candidate for Holy Orders in the Diocese of Virginia and is currently a senior studying for her Master of Divinity at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia. Marlene has been active in the life and ministry of her home church, Meade Memorial Episcopal in Alexandria, Virginia. She currently serves as the Senior Seminarian Assistant at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Arlington, Virginia and is completing a summer internship at St. Margaret's Episcopal Church in Woodbridge, Virginia. Please join us at 228 Halifax Street in Petersburg at 10:30 am. Call 804-733-6228 for additional information.

BBQ Fundraiser - July 8-9, St. Mark's, Hampton. Summer is BBQ time! Let St. Mark's do all the work for you - place your order now for their delicious slow-cooked pork bbq with homemade cole slaw. Proceeds from the sale benefit St. Mark's ministries. One pint plus slaw is $10. Get your tickets while supplies last! Orders can be picked up on Saturday, July 8 or Sunday, July 9 after each service. Call 757-826-3515 or email [email protected] for more info or to place your order. St. Mark's is located at 2605 Cunningham Drive, Hampton. 

Music at St. John's: Star Spangled Evening - Jul. 12, 7 p.m., St. John's, Halifax. Music At St. John's presents BRASS 5 in "A Star Spangled Evening".St. John's Episcopal Church is kicking off a special concert series called: Music at St. John's. The first program will be "A Star-Spangled Evening" featuring the BRASS 5, a Roanoke-based group that has presented over 4,000 concerts in United States and Europe. It will feature Patriotic music; selections from the Big Band era; best-loved tunes from the 50's and 60's, and some light classical pieces. Sparkling refreshments will follow the entertainment with an opportunity to mingle with friends and greet the musicians. Tickets are only $10 each and can be purchased in advance or at the door. Space is limited. If you desire tickets, please come to the church office or phone or email. St. John's is located at 197 Mountain Road in Halifax, VA 24558. Phone is: 434-476-6696 and email is [email protected].   
 
Mission Trip to Ghana - Jul. 17 - Aug. 2, sponsored by St. James, Portsmouth. The Annual Ghana Mission Trip sponsored by St. James, Portsmouth, will travel to Ghana July 17 through August 2, 2017. The trip will include visits to Anglican Churches, universities, schools, ancient sites tour, and the Asante Here, the highest chief of all chiefs in Ghana. The total cost of the trip is $2850. Interested persons should contact the Rev. Frederick Walker at [email protected].
 
Summer Concert Series: The Honey Dewdrops - July 21, 8 p.m., St. James, Accomac. A joyful noise will be heard this summer in Accomac, thanks to the Summer Concert Series at historic St. James, Accomac. A trio of casual concerts are on tap, featuring outstanding artistry from the alternative/folk/Americana genres of music. This is the second performance of the series and features the Honey Dewdrops, an acoustic folk duo from Baltimore. The series will be capped-off by Hollywood, CA native and alt-rock chanteuse Syd Straw on Friday, August 18 at 8 p.m. An informal, pre-concert dinner in the parish house and on the grounds will kick-off each event from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Chef Cecilio Balmoria & crew are serving-up summer fare before all three concerts. Costs of the pre-concert dinners is approximately $8 per plate. Tickets are $20 per concert, available by pre-order at St. James and St. George's, Pungoteague. Tickets are also on sale at The Book Bin in Onley, VA; by phoning the parish office at 757-787-4892 or via PayPal at www.stgeorgesesva.org. All profits from the Summer Concert Series go to the St. James Restoration Fund.

Summer Music Camp - August 7-11, Eastern Shore Chapel, Virginia Beach. Eastern Shore Chapel is once again offering Summer Music Camp, for children in grades 2-6. The camp features the Royal School of Church Music "Voice for Life" training program, as well as choral singing, Bible stories and crafts, and handchime training. The camp will be held Monday, August 7 through Friday August 11, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Sunday, August 13, 9:14 to 11:30 a.m. There is no fee to attend. For more information and a registration form, contact Dr. Martin R. Sunderland, [email protected] or 757-428-6763.

Summer Concert Series: Syd Straw - August 18, 8 p.m., St. James, Accomac. A joyful noise will be heard this summer in Accomac, thanks to the Summer Concert Series at historic St. James, Accomac. This is the final performance of the series and features Hollywood, CA native and alt-rock chanteuse Syd Straw on Friday, August 18 at 8 p.m. An informal, pre-concert dinner in the parish house and on the grounds will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Chef Cecilio Balmoria & crew are serving-up summer fare. Cost of the pre-concert dinners is approximately $8 per plate. Tickets are $20, available by pre-order at St. James and St. George's, Pungoteague. Tickets are also on sale at The Book Bin in Onley, VA; by phoning the parish office at 757-787-4892 or via PayPal at www.stgeorgesesva.org. All profits from the Summer Concert Series go to the St. James Restoration Fund.

News from the Churches of Southern Virginia is distributed weekly by the
Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia. Submit your news and photos to [email protected].

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