Two Ways the Search Committee Wants to Hear from You Landscape Survey The Bishop Search Committee of the Diocese of Virginia invites you to share your perspectives via a landscape survey as we prepare to call the XIV Bishop of Virginia. The survey is anonymous and will be open through Friday, October 29. The survey is available in English , Spanish , or Korean   Listening Sessions The Search Committee has offered six virtual listening sessions in order to hear from members of the Diocese about their hopes for the next Bishop. You can still register for the final listening session to be held Friday, October 22, 7:30. Registration closes Wednesday, October 19 (tomorrow). The session is held via Zoom. Register for the final session here.

Journey to Jamaica By the Rev. Catherine Hicks St. Peter’s, Port Royal, has been described as “a little church on the river with a big heart.” And because of its big heart, all 350 students at the Victoria Elementary School in Jamaica, will start the school year with a bookbag full with school supplies. The backpacks were presented by a mission team of seven people from St. Peter’s who made the journey in August to meet the students in person. Read more.

Three Congregations Awarded Clergy Renewal Grants

Three Diocese of Virginia congregations are among 190 nationwide to be chosen to receive grants through the Lilly Endowment 2021 National Clergy Renewal Program. The grants help congregations honor and support their pastors by funding a respite from persistent ministerial duties and enabling pastors to engage in a period of extended reflection and renewal. Recipients may use the respite for reflection and renewal while engaging in activities such as travel, scholarly research or immersive experiences with different cultures and traditions. The recipient congregations and clergy are: St. Clement, Alexandria, for the Rev. Robin Razzino; Grace Church, Keswick, for the Rev. Gary Miles Smith; St. Paul’s, King George, for the Rev. Lee Gandiya. Congratulations to these congregations for providing sabbatical renewal for their clergy!

Diocesan Annual Convention - Join Us Online

This year, everyone in the Diocese is invited to virtually attend diocesan Annual Convention as we livestream the full proceedings via YouTube. Links will be published soon. Voting delegates will participate via Zoom. Key Dates and Upcoming Deadlines Tuesday, Oct 26   Deadline to submit nominations for Standing Committee  Wednesday, Nov 3, Noon  Deadline to submit proposed resolutions, budget amendments and amendments to Constitution and Canons Friday, Nov 5  Deadline to register for Convention Saturday, Nov 6  Open Hearings  Budget 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. / Constitution & Canons 12:30 – 1:00 p.m. Resolutions 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. (Zoom links to be provided 2 days prior) November 12-13 Annual Convention online via Zoom              Friday, Nov. 12, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.              Saturday, Nov. 13 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. And please check the Convention webpage often as it is updated with new content daily.

Conversation with the Creation Care Task Force

And God saw every thing that He had made, and behold, it was very good. (Genesis 1:31) Join the Creation Care Task Force for a series of conversations surrounding this ministry in our Diocese. Each session will cover three topics: 1. What does Creation Care mean to you? 2. If you have a Creation Care ministry, what are your current projects and aspirations? 3. If you do not have a Creation Care ministry, what are your challenges and how can CCTF help you achieve your ministry goals? The conversations will conclude with open time for questions and sharing related to Creation Care. Registration is required. The Creation Care conversations will take place via Zoom on: Thursday, October 21, 7-8:30 p.m. Saturday, October 23, 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, October 23, 1-2:30 p.m. Sunday, October 24, 1-2:30 p.m. Visit the CCTF webpage to learn more about this diocesan-wide ministry.

Youth Retreat Weekends Are Back!

Spread the Word! Youth Retreat weekends are back -- in person at Shrine Mont -- and we hope you can join us! The diocesan Parish Youth Ministry's Senior High Retreat is an event for 9th - 12th graders. Traveling with adult chaperones, youth will enjoy a weekend of friendship, learning, worship, and fun. Enjoy a weekend of fresh mountain air, peer-led conversations and activities, and opportunities to get to know other Episcopal youth from around the Diocese.   The cost of the weekend is $150/participant, and abundant scholarships are available. All youth must travel with adult chaperones: If your church cannot provide adult leadership, let Paris Ball know and we'll try to connect your youth with another group.   Strong COVID safety plans will be in place: vaccination for ALL participants is strongly encouraged, and proof of either vaccination or negative PCR test within 72 hours of the opening of the weekend is required to attend. All plans will be shared with registrants or upon inquiry.    How to Register Youth leaders should sign up first and "create" a group with a password. Then give that information to your youth and they can register themselves. Alternatively, adults can register their whole group at once. You can pay upon registering, at arrival, or via invoice. Registration deadline is November 2. Questions? Contact Paris Ball.

Diocesan Cohort for Forma Conference - Join & Save

January 18-22, Online Calling all formation leaders! The Diocese of Virginia is convening a cohort to attend the 2022 Virtual Forma Conference: The Church for Today and Tomorrow. Members of the cohort will have access to free registration for the conference, so this is an excellent opportunity for congregations without continuing education resources -- or volunteer formation leaders -- to be supported in their work. This year's conference will look at formation as it relates to social justice, intergenerational ministry, the idea of letting go, hybridization, and re-imagining sabbath. The full schedule will include workshops, small group conversations, worship, and a keynote address by the Rev. Isaiah "Shaneequa" Brokenleg, Officer for Racial Reconciliation at the Episcopal Church.     The annual Forma conference is an excellent resource for formation leaders. To learn more about the 2022 conference, visit the Forma website. If you wish to join the Diocese's cohort and attend "together," please email Paris Ball.

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The Episcopal  Diocese of Virginia