Diocesan eNews - February 21, 2018
126th Annual Council: Bishop Hollerith announces retirement   
Bishop Hollerith with members of the Youth Delegation to Annual Council.

The 126th Annual Council of the Diocese of Southern Virginia convened in Williamsburg last week, Feb. 16 & 17. Much work was accomplished by Council, but the big news was Bishop Hollerith's announcement, during his Address to Council, that he will retire at the end of this year.

"Quite honestly, this has not been an easy decision. In fact, it's one with which I have really struggled over the past few months," the Bishop said. "But after 35 years of ordained ministry, I have given what I can give. I would never claim that my work is done in Southern Virginia. One's work in ministry is never 'done,' never completed because there is always more that one can do for the Lord in any place. But, there does come a time when you realize that you've used all of your skill set and that a different skill set with fresh eyes and fresh energy behind it might be more appropriate for leading the community forward."

You can read Bishop Hollerith's address here. Text and audio recording of Bishop Hollerith's address to Council and audio recording of Bishop Magness' sermon at the Council Eucharist are available on the Annual Council page of our website.

Scott Bader-Saye talks with youth
and college delegations.
Keynote speaker Scott Bader-Saye, Ph.D., gave two extremely timely presentations on Fear and Love in a Divided World. Those talks were recorded and are available on the Annual Council page of our website.

Five resolutions were brought before Council and all were passed:
  • Resolution C1 - submitted by the Executive Board of the Diocese, this resolution changed Canon XI, Of Deputies to the General Convention, to streamline the voting process. Click here to read the resolution.
  • Resolution R1 - submitted by the Executive Board of the Diocese, this resolution made the changes to the Annual Council Rules of Order that were necessitated by the passage of Resolution C1. Click here to read the resolution.
  • Resolution R2 - this resolution, submitted by the Executive Board of the Diocese, supports the work of The Giving Task Force and requests for consideration at the 127th Council a resolution setting forth a plan that will lead the Diocese of Southern Virginia to a future of financial health for the mission and ministry of the Diocese. Click here to read the resolution.
  • Resolution R3 - submitted by the Parish Life and Creation Care Commissions of All Saints, Virginia Beach, this resolution stated that whenever members of our diocesan family gather together around food or drink, we strive to purchase and/or use only reusable, recyclable, and/or biodegradable containers and/or utensils, and that Council encourages our individual congregations and ministries to do the same. Click here to read the resolution.
  • Resolution R4 - submitted by the Rev. Brenda Overfield of St. Matthias, Midlothian, and the Rev. Julia Dorsey Loomis, this resolution is to be sent to General Convention, requesting that a task force be appointed to study and implement Title III, Canon 1 - Of the Ministry of All Baptized Persons. Click here to read the resolution.
Grace, Norfolk, delegation to Council
The following elections took place at Annual Council:
  • Standing Committee - Mr. John Rector (St. Paul's, Suffolk) and The Very Rev. Stan Sawyer (All Saints, Virginia Beach)
  • Disciplinary Board - Mr. Russell Bishop (St. Timothy's, Clarksville); Ms. Monica Flynn (St. Aidan's, Virginia Beach); The Rev. Bob Randall (Old Donation, Virginia Beach)
  • General Convention - Ms. Clare Harbin (St. John's, Portsmouth)
The proposed Diocesan Budget for 2018 was approved.

The Stewardship Commission of the Diocese introduced a Fundraising 101 program which offers a minimal-cost opportunity for clergy and parish leaders to better understand the principals, concepts and best practices that underlie a successful fundraising effort. Fundraising 101 is a basic "how to" and "hands on" experience with practical information and sources.

Photos courtesy of Jackie Rochelle of Epiphany, Norfolk. Visit our Facebook page for pictures from this year's Annual Council.

Vestry Training Days: Faith... Authority... Power  
Registration is now open

Vestry Training Days will be held March 17 at St. Paul's, Norfolk and again on March 24 at St. Matthias, Midlothian. Designed for new as well as experienced vestry members, the workshops will focus on creating best practices for your vestry. Registration is now open here.

Bishop's Day with Senior Wardens will be held March 24 at St. Matthias, Midlothian (concurrently with Vestry Training Day). Bishop's Day for Senior Wardens is designed for Senior Wardens from all parishes and is an excellent training opportunity for new Senior Wardens. Led by the Bishop, this workshop includes: discussion of issues and concerns particular to the office; best practices; and how to develop a relationship with the rector. Registration is now open here.

Happening #68 registration is open!              
 
Registration for Happening #68, March 9-11 at Chanco on the James, is now open! Happening is an experiential weekend retreat for teens that may just change your life.  Come and see what it's like to be transformed by God's love!

Happening is open to all teens in grades 10-12 and adult advisors who have never attended a Happening program.  Click here for more info and registration.  
 
Parochial Reports due March 1 

2017 parochial reports should be filed by March 1, 2018. Parochial Report information is mailed to each church directly from The Episcopal Church. Information about the report and online submission is available here.

Additionally, for diocesan use, the following two forms need to be completed by each church and returned to the diocese by March 1, 2018. Open and SAVE the forms on your computer. Then you can complete and email them to Susan Allen at [email protected]. Alternatively, you may print, fill out by hand, and mail the forms to the Diocesan Office at 11827 Canon Blvd., Suite 101, Newport News, VA 23606-3071. The salary survey may be submitted on an Excel spreadsheet instead of using the form above. This spreadsheet can be saved and updated each year, making the process a little easier for you. If you have questions, please contact Susan Allen at 757-213-3391 or [email protected].

Upcoming Safe Church training 

Below are the upcoming Safe Church classroom training opportunities.
Click here for the complete 2018 schedule and training requirements. Online training is also available. Current diocesan policy requires re-certification every three years for online training and every five years for classroom training.    
  • March 10, 2018 - Merchants Hope, Hopewell (registration closes March 6) Register here.
  • April 14, 2018 - St. Paul's, Suffolk (registration closes April 10) Register here.
  • April 21, 2018 - Holy Trinity, Onancock (registration closes April 17) Register here.
  • April 28, 2018 - St. Paul's & St. Andrew's, Kenbridge (registration closes April 24) Register here.
  • May 12, 2018 - Galilee, Virginia Beach (registration closes May 8) Register here.
  • June 2, 2018 - Trinity, South Boston (registration closes May 29) Register here.
Lutheran-Episcopal Day of Prayer, March 15

The Lutheran-Episcopal Joint Committee of Virginia is sponsoring a Day of Prayer on Thursday, March 15 at St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Richmond. The day will be led by the Rt. Rev Susan Goff, Bishop Suffragan of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia. Bishop Goff will lead us in considering how and why to pray, whom to pray with, resources for prayer, prayer and the liturgical year, and will share other personal prayer practices. Click here for details and registration.

Nags Head Acolyte Festival April 20-22       
 
St. Andrew's By-the-Sea in Nags Head, North Carolina invites you and your acolytes to participate in the 2018 Diocese of East Carolina Acolyte Festival, April 20-22 at St. Andrew's By-the-Sea. All acolytes, acolyte directors, youth ministers and parents are welcome and encouraged to attend. Participants will go home with new skills and a renewed enthusiasm for liturgy. This year's festival will include Acolyte Olympics, the Bishop's "Beach" Ball, and workshops on banner making, thurifer training, vesting and other topics. Click here for more information and registration. Registration is $45 person which includes all meals and a T-shirt. Registration deadline is March 16.   

Jackson-Feild mourns passing of Robert G. Neuville

Robert Neuville departed this earth but his influence lives on for the children he helped at Jackson-Feild.
Born and raised in Wisconsin, Robert enlisted in the Marine Corps and fought in the Korean War. Upon returning home, he attended and graduated from the University of Richmond with a degree in economics. Following a successful 25-year career with AT&T, he returned to college and received a masters degree in Social Work (MSW) from Norfolk State University.
Whether teaching at Norfolk State, working with under-served children in Norfolk, or mentoring MSW graduates as they worked toward earning their Licensed Clinical Social Work certification, Neuville's influence was great.
Neuville's obituary stated that he "was passionate about revolutionizing the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, especially for young people who had experienced early childhood trauma." For that reason, Neuville - along with his business partner and friend Patty Graydon - established the Trauma Learning Center at Jackson-Feild and refined, and grew the Neurotherapy/Neurofeedback program.
Countless children at Jackson-Feild benefitted from Neuville's compassionate skills. His goal was "to leave this world a better place," said his obituary. The staff and former residents he worked with at JFBHS would agree that he accomplished his goal. 

News from Chanco on the James

Announcing The Campaign for Chanco

Thank you to all who attended Annual Council and visited our Chanco booth. It was wonderful to see so many of our friends from throughout the diocese. During our report, we announced that Chanco has launched The Campaign for Chanco for much needed property renovation and expansion.  We are enormously excited to share with you that we have already secured $2,000,000 in pledges towards our total goal of $2,500,000! We are most grateful to our campaign volunteers, donors and parishes who have helped us achieve this milestone benchmark in our campaign. If you attended A nnual C ouncil, thank you for providing that service to your parish and our diocese. If you were not at C ouncil, or missed the Chanco presentation, click here to learn more about the Campaign for Chanco and to watch our informative and inspirational campaign video. It is our hope that each of you will join us in supporting this campaign and be a part of this transformative time in Chanco's 50-year history. All glory be to God!
 
News from the Episcopal Church 
 
Presiding Bishop calls for Good Friday Offering to support ministry in Jerusalem and Middle East
"The Good Friday Offering is one way we in the Episcopal Church help to support the ongoing ministry of love and compassion carried out by our Anglican sisters and brothers throughout the Province of Jerusalem and Middle East," Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael Curry wrote to the bishops and clergy of the Episcopal Church. "Whether funding an eye clinic in Aden or women's programs, schools and medical services in the West Bank, the Good Friday Offering is making a difference in the lives of so many."

Presiding Bishop Curry wrote in the annual Good Friday letter to all bishops and congregations asking them to consider providing assistance for the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East. "I believe our partnership with those who keep the faith of Jesus alive in the region where our Lord walked and began his movement is a significant aspect of our work as part of the church catholic," he wrote.

Click here for information, including bulletin covers and bulletin inserts on the Good Friday Offering.


The SCLM Report on Prayer Book Revision: Join the conversation 

Through resolution A169, the 2015 General Convention directed the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music (SCLM) "to prepare a plan for the comprehensive revision of the current Book of Common Prayer and present that plan to the 79th General Convention."

At the outset, it's important to remember that General Convention did not ask the SCLM to begin revising the Book of Common Prayer! Rather, it asked for the construction of a plan for revision for the 79th General Convention (2018) to consider. The request was for a thorough and linear process. No efforts to revise the Book of Common Prayer took place this triennium, because that was not what the SCLM was asked to do. The Episcopal Church, through General Convention, has yet to decide whether to revise the prayer book. It will have that conversation this summer at the 79th General Convention in Austin, Texas (July 5-13, 2018)

The SCLM report to General Convention proposes two options: a) a comprehensive plan for full-on prayer book revision, and b) a plan for a deeper, church-wide engagement with our existing prayer book, which includes a proposal for translations in Spanish, French, and French Creole. The considerations of the SCLM Report on Prayer Book Revision are plentiful and varied.

The SCLM hopes that you will take the time to read the report, and use the SCLM blog to ask questions as well as offer your insights and opinions. Welcome to the conversation! 
 
Bishops' Visitation Schedules  

Bishop Hollerith
February 25 - Celebration of New Ministry at Manakin, Midlothian
March 25 - St. Mark's, Suffolk
March 31 - Easter Vigil at Bruton Parish, Williamsburg 
April 8 - St. John's, Hampton
April 15 - All Saints & Trinity, South Hill
April 22 - Galilee, Virginia Beach
April 29 - St. Francis, Virginia Beach
May 6 - Chanco 50th Anniversary Celebration
May 20 - Manakin, Midlothian
June 3 - St. Bride's, Chesapeake 
June 10 - St. Barnabas, Richmond

Bishop Magness
February 25 - Emmanuel, Hampton
March 4 - St. Martin's, Williamsburg
March 25 - Emmanuel, Jenkins Bridge
March 31 - Easter Vigil at Christ & St. Luke's, Norfolk 
April 8 - Johns Memorial, Farmville
April 22 - St. Michael's, Bon Air
April 29 - St. David's, North Chesterfield
May 6 - St. Paul's, Suffolk
May 13 - St. Matthias, Midlothian

Upcoming Events
 
For more, visit our   website.

Pre-Happening Staff Weekend - Feb. 24-25, 2018, Chanco on the James. For more information contact Youth Mission Ashley Scruggs, [email protected].     
 
Happening #68 - Mar. 9-11, 2018, Chanco on the James. For grades 10-12. Click here for more info and registration.  
 
Vestry Training Days - March 17 at St. Paul's, Norfolk and March 24 at St. Matthias, Midlothian. These workshops are designed for all vestry members, and include: presentations on the role and duties of the vestry; best practices; opportunities to interact with members of other vestries; discussion of common challenges that vestries face and the impact of contextual change on congregational life. More information and registration here.  

Bishop's Day with Senior Wardens - March 24 at St. Matthias, Midlothian (concurrently with Vestry Training Day). Bishop's Day for Senior Wardens is designed for Senior Wardens from all parishes and is an excellent training opportunity for new Senior Wardens. Led by the Bishop, assisted by senior diocesan staff, this workshop includes: discussion of issues and concerns particular to the office; best practices; how to develop a relationship with the rector; opportunities to have conversations with other senior wardens; opportunities for one-on-one time with the Bishop. More information and registration here.   
 
Cursillo #164 Co-ed Weekend - April 18-22, 2018, Chanco on the James. Plan now to take part in the co-ed Cursillo #164 weekend to be held at Chanco on the James April 18-22. The rector of this weekend will be Tina Sinclair. For more information and application forms, go to www.cursillodiosova.org. 

Nags Head Acolyte Festival - April 20-22, St. Andrew's By-the-Sea, Nags Head, NC. St. Andrew's By-the-Sea in Nags Head, North Carolina invites you and your acolytes to participate in the 2018 Diocese of East Carolina Acolyte Festival, April 20-22 at St. Andrew's By-the-Sea. All acolytes, acolyte directors, youth ministers and parents are welcome and encouraged to attend. Participants will go home with new skills and a renewed enthusiasm for liturgy. This year's festival will include Acolyte Olympics, the Bishop's "Beach" Ball, and workshops on banner making, thurifer training, vesting and other topics.  Click here for more information and registration. Registration is $45 person which includes all meals and a T-shirt. Registration deadline is March 16.  
 
Spring Clergy Day - May 1, Chanco on the James. More info and registration coming soon.
 
Chanco 50th Anniversary Celebration - May 4-6, Chanco on the James. Join us at Chanco on the James May 4-6 and celebrate with us Chanco's half century birthday! This golden anniversary of Chanco's ministry will celebrate 50 years of camp programs and many years of Cursillo, EYC, Happening, and retreats. We have been working for almost a year to plan the BEST anniversary celebration possible! Reunite with old friends, experience archery, ropes, water activities, hayrides, campfires, live music, a pool-side luau and more. This event is expected to sell out quickly for Chanco's retreat lodges, so don't wait - click here for more info and registration. Questions? Contact us at [email protected] or 889-724-2626. We can't wait to see you back in Chanco's magical forest where "friends are friends forever."
 
May Weekend - May 18-20, 2018, Chanco on the James. For grades 6-12. More info coming soon! 

79th General Convention of The Episcopal Church - July 5-13, 2018, Austin Convention Center, Austin, TX. Follow Southern Virginia's deputation and learn more about GC here.  
   
Pilgrimage Opportunities
 
Ireland in May 2018
If you're interested in a 12-day tour of Ireland, the Friends of Bruton invite you to join them May 1-12, 2018. Go to bit.ly/brutonireland for trip brochure.
 
Holy Land in April 2018
Westminster-Canterbury, Virginia Beach, is hosting a pilgrimage to Israel April 6-15, 2018. Cost is $4690 per person, double occupancy, or $5710 per person, single occupancy. Air travel, lodging, transportation in Israel and meals (except lunches) are included. For more information contact the Rev. Doug Gray, 757-496-1651 or [email protected] .
 
Holy Land for Advent 2018
St. John's, Portsmouth, is pleased to announce our next international pilgrimage opportunity, Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus, from November 29 to December 9, 2018. This pilgrimage is open to anyone who desires to take this journey but is limited to a total group size of 17-30. Is God calling you to join this group? Cost from the Norfolk airport for this 11-day spiritual adventure (including all expenses and two meals daily) is $3,379 double occupancy (excluding airline taxes and fuel surcharges) and decreases depending on the number of Pilgrims over the minimum number of 17 taking the journey. Your spot can be reserved by making a $300 deposit using   this form . Pilgrimage is truly praying with your eyes open. Come walk in the footsteps of Jesus next Advent!  Click here for a detailed brochure. Contact the Rev. Derek Harbin, [email protected] .
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Contact Ann Turner, [email protected] or 757-213-3388

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