E-Communiqué: Church in College; Holy Land Pilgrimage; Ordination of Priests; Five New Things at Annual Convention, Discernment Retreat and More

Two Churches, Two Countries, One in Christ

For 20 years, the people of St. John’s, McLean and San Gabriel Church in the Dominican Republic have shared bonds transcending the miles, language barriers, and life experiences. In July, parishioners from St. John’s reunited with their Dominican friends after a long travel hiatus during COVID.

The Rev. Andrew Moore, Assistant Rector of St. John’s, led a group of 14 missioners, including five youth, to the village of Consuelo. They worked alongside San Gabriel parishioners and volunteers to host a Vacation Bible School for the community. Over the course of the week, as word spread about the school, more kids showed up. In all, 100 kids attended.

St. John’s youth and local kids from Consuelo focused on providing arts and crafts and outdoor games, while adults ran the programming. The missioners also painted the exterior and interior of the school, and funded the repair of the roof and bathrooms. Read on.

Church Doesn't Have to Take a Break in College

If you have a child heading off to college, encourage them to stay involved with church by joining a campus ministry at one of our churches in their college town. There are Episcopal campus ministries at several colleges and universities in the Diocese. They are thriving communities of students who enjoy outings, meals, and worshipping together. Students can connect with campus ministries here:

University of Virginia:

The University Fellowship (TUF) at St. Paul's Memorial, Charlottesville, contact the Rev. Will Peyton.

Virginia Commonwealth University:

Campus Ministry at Grace and Holy Trinity, Richmond, contact the Rev. Paul Evans.

James Madison University:

Canterbury Episcopal Campus Ministry, contact the Rev. Laura Lockey.

University of Mary Washington:

The House FXBG, contact the Rev. Ethan Lowery.

George Mason University:

Arise Campus Ministry, contact Drew Ensz.

A Journey to the Holy Land

with Bishop Gayle Harris

April 1-13, 2024

There are still a few spots left to join Bishop Gayle Harris on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land next spring. This is a joint pilgrimage of the Diocese of Maryland and the Diocese of Virginia. Bishop Harris will co-lead the trip with Bishop Eugene Sutton of the Diocese of Maryland. Pilgrims will walk in the footsteps of Jesus, visiting Nazareth, the Sea of Galilee, the Jordan River, the Western Wall, Bethlehem, Gethsemane, and many more historic sites. View full itinerary.

The number of pilgrims from each Diocese is limited and the list for Virginia is nearly full. The cost is $5,000 double occupancy, $5,600 for single, and includes round-trip coach airfare, accommodations/rooms, meals in the Holy Land, entrance fees, ground transportation, and local guide fees. The deadline to register is September 20, 2023. A waiting list will be created for the next pilgrimage, which will likely be between April-June 2025 or October-December 2025. Those interested in joining a pilgrimage should contact Anita Lisk. For details on passport requirements and more, click here.

The Diocese will closely monitor the situation in the region of the Holy Land and will reschedule the pilgrimage if needed.

Seven to Be Ordained to the Priesthood

Saturday, September 9, 10:30 a.m.

The Falls Church, Falls Church

God willing, Bishop E. Mark Stevenson will ordain Sarah Katherine Spurlock Biggs, Kyle Micah Bomar, Stephen Girard Bragaw, Katherine Victoria Ferguson, Janettarose Lavoie Greene, Amanda Katelyn McMillen, and Marybeth Sanders-Wilson to the Sacred Order of Priests on September 9. The Bishops and the Standing Committee request the honor of your presence. Clergy who wish to vest should wear red stole (cassock and surplice preferred) and arrive by 9:30 a.m. Details on the event and a link to the livestream of the service are here.

Diocesan Discernment Retreat

Friday, October 27 to Sunday, October 29

Roslyn Retreat Center, Richmond

Diocesan Discernment Retreats are an opportunity for those experiencing a deepening call to lay or ordained ministry to immerse in a weekend of prayer and structured learning about the pathways of discernment for lay leaders, deacons, and priests. In order to attend, please speak with your parish clergy person for a referral. In most cases, retreat costs are paid by parishes who sponsor attendees. Questions regarding the retreat? Contact Vocations Minister, the Rev. Dr. Sarah Kye Price.

Now Open: Registration for the 229th Annual Convention

The 229th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Virginia will be held November 2-4 at the Fredericksburg Convention Center. All clergy and lay delegates must register online by October 20. Delegates should regularly check the Convention page on the diocesan website for the latest updates, including information on hotels, agenda, nominations, resolutions, and all key deadlines.

Watch: 5 New Things at Convention 2023 – with Bishop Stevenson and Secretary Mark Eastham

Ministry Fair - Free for Diocesan Organizations!

The Diocese is pleased to offer for the first time free exhibitor tables for all Diocesan Related Organizations, Committees, Commissions, and Task Forces. To reserve a table, please complete this form. Questions? Contact Courtenay Altaffer.

Upcoming Deadlines

Please read all procedures for these items on the Convention webpage. Forms and documents are linked there.

September 8 - Deadline for Related Organizations Nominations
September 14 - Draft 2024 budget posted to the website
October 2 - Deadline for hotel reservations at the discounted rate
October 10 - Deadline for submissions of Resolutions, Courtesy Resolutions, Amendments to the Constitution and Canons, Standing Committee Nominations, and Annual Reports
October 16-19 - Open hearings on Resolutions, Amendments to the Constitution and Canons, and the 2024 proposed Budget.
October 20 - Registration deadline. All must register online in advance. No onsite registration.

The deadline for submitting Certificates of Election was April 1. If your church has not submitted your CEOs, please request that they be emailed to Bill Martin as soon as possible. Delegates cannot register until the Office of the Secretary has received COEs.

On the Calendar

Pride Eucharist

Thursday, September 21, 6 p.m. at St. Paul's, Richmond

The Episcopal Churches of Central Richmond will gather at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church to host a Pride Eucharist. The service offers support and affirmation of the LGBTQ+ community in advance of the city's annual Pride Festival. All are welcomed to partake in this powerful celebration of God’s love. Please also join the churches at Pride Festival, Saturday, September 23 at Brown's Island. For more information about being a part of the Pride Eucharist Choir, please contact Scott Hayes. To volunteer for the churches' PrideFest tent, please contact Malinda Collier, or call 804-358-4771.

Walking the Mourner's Path

Mondays, September 18- November 13, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. at St. Mary's, Arlington

Walking the Mourner’s Path, a grief group hosted by trained facilitators, is a wonderful way to connect with others who are experiencing loss, in a safe, confidential, and life-giving way. Over eight weeks, participants will share about their loved ones and hear from others how to journey through loss with the help of a Christian community. More information and sign-up. Questions? Contact Jackie.ly@stmarysarlington.org or call 703-527-6800.

How Houses of Worship Can Faithfully Respond to the Housing Crisis in Virginia

Saturday, September 23, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at Aquia Church in Stafford

As your congregation thinks about how to respond faithfully to the needs of its surrounding community, if housing is one of those needs, this forum will be of interest to you. Sponsored by Virginia Diocesan Homes, this gathering is an opportunity to hear from experts about using church assets and property to respond to the housing crisis in our communities. Agenda and registration are now available.

View the full calendar of events across the Diocese on our website. You can also submit events from your church to be included on the web calendar.

The

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Diocese of Virginia