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In this Issue:
Epiphany Ordinations + New Diocesan Historiographer
Road to Reparations + Diocesan Book Study Groups
Resourcing Congregations + Diocesan Grants
Environmental Ministry Conference + Shrine Mont Camp
Link for HTML version
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Commemorating
The Rev. Absalom Jones and Bishop Barbara Harris
Monday, February 12 at 7:00 p.m.
St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, Richmond
The Diocese invites you to a Celebration of the Holy Eucharist, commemorating the pioneering ministries of the Rev. Absalom Jones, the first black Episcopal priest, and the Rt. Rev. Barbara Harris, the first female bishop in The Episcopal Church. At the commemoration service, Bishop Gayle Harris will preach and Bishop E. Mark Stevenson will preside.
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Congregational Status and Stewardship Resourcing Seminars
Three dates and locations offered:
Feb. 28, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Christ Church, Winchester
May 18, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., St. James the Less, Ashland
Sept. 4, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., St. Andrew's, Arlington
As we move forward from the pandemic, many congregations find themselves facing financial and vocational difficulties. Your congregation and vestry may have questions regarding parish versus mission status, vocational purpose, and sustainability. Join the diocesan Treasurer Ted Smith and Canon to the Ordinary d’Rue Hazel as we explore resources for congregational discernment, stewardship, and canonical status. We will offer three in-person workshops in 2024. Please register by clicking the date you would like to attend: February 28; May 18; or September 4. The first meeting will be recorded for viewing online. Questions? Contact Gloria Parham at gparham@episcopalvirginia.org.
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The Road to Reparations
The Truth and Reparations Task Force is blazing a trail for our Diocese. We begin this series with a summary of the origins of the Task Force. Future issues will follow their progress in this ministry of reconciliation.
What is the Origin of This Work in the Diocese?
In 2021, the Diocesan Annual Convention passed a resolution calling for reparations in recognition of the Church’s role in colonialism and slavery. The reparations address the exploitation of enslaved labor to build many of our churches and to create revenue that the Church benefits from even today. The Resolution committed $10 million in diocesan funding to come from outside of annual giving, such as through the sale of unused church properties. The resolution called for the formation of a task force to identify and propose the means by which those reparations may be made. The Truth and Reparations Task Force members were appointed and began their work in 2022.
The primary work of the Task Force is to develop a framework for reparations for the Diocese through careful study of our history, the needs of the communities, and the best way to use diocesan resources to help repair communities hurt by our past policies and teachings.
Much of the Task Force’s work thus far has been building trusted relationships, praying together, organizing, and planning the work ahead. The Task Force has published a position paper called “Truth and Reparations Task Force Charge and Mission,” which was presented to Diocesan Convention in November 2022.
In our next issue: What do we mean by “reparations”?
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Small Groups for Study
and Reflection
The Diocesan Office for Discipleship is launching a series of book studies and groups you can join online.
Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs __ Register
The Biblical Meaning, Encoded Language, and Musicology of African-American Spirituals in Early America
Wednesday, February 21, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Themes of emancipation and reconciliation in the African-American spirituals will be the central focus of our conversation. The Rev. Canon Chanta Bhan and the Rev. Dr. Bill Roberts, Emeritus Professor of Church Music at Virginia Theological Seminary, will co-facilitate discussion on the historical, contextual, biblical, and theological meaning encoded in the Spirituals.
Brave Space Reading Group Register
Starting March 21 (meets every third Thursday at 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.)
This Anti-Racism and Spiritual Formation Book Group is based on Dr. Catherine Meeks’ “Brave Space Book Club.” Our first book reading and discussion will be Hallelujah, Anyhow! by the Rt. Rev. Barbara Harris. Co-facilitated by the Rt. Rev. Gayle Harris. See Brave Space Book Group readings.
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Shrine Mont Camps Filling Up Fast
Camp ministry transforms so many lives within our Diocese, so make sure the children in your life get to join in the experience this summer! Camp dates and rates are posted and registration is open now!
Scholarships for All!
In celebration of Shrine Mont's 100th anniversary, each and every camper will receive a $100 scholarship to attend camp in both 2024 and 2025. Additional scholarship funds are also available. Questions? Contact campregistrar@episcopalvirginia.org. For the latest updates, follow Shrine Mont Camp on Instagram and Facebook, and sign up for the camp newsletter.
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Spiritual Resilience Through the Lens
of Native American Wisdom
Thursdays, February 15 - March 28, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. online
Climate change will bring a cultural crisis affecting all of us. The Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston, retired Episcopal Bishop of Alaska and Choctaw elder, believes that the Native American experience and prophets offer tools for survival in times of loss and change. The diocesan Creation Care Committee invites you to this Lenten study of prophecy. Questions? Contact creationcare@episcopalvirginia.org. Register.
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Racial Justice and Healing Support Group
Thursdays, March 7 - April 18, 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. online
The diocesan Ministry for Racial Justice and Healing, in partnership with the Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care, offers this online group as a safe space for participants to intentionally process their relationship with racial justice and healing. Up to ten people from both the clergy and laity will be selected to participate. Interested? Contact group facilitator Jabriel Hasan at jmhasan@vipcare.org.
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Environmental Ministry Conference
To Love, Heal, and Bless Creation
Saturday, February 17, 8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
at Virginia Theological Seminary
A powerful and inspiring speaker, the Rev. Jemonde Taylor of St. Ambrose Church in Raleigh, NC., will offer parishes in our Diocese a model of environmental adaptation. Workshops include: Eco-Friendly Landscaping; Energy Efficiency; Spiritual Resilience. Register.
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Work Group to Review Diocesan Constitution and Canons
Bishop E. Mark Stevenson has announced the appointment of a work group to conduct a review of the Constitution and Canons of the Diocese of Virginia. The review will include recommendations for replacing gendered language throughout the documents and ensuring these documents are up-to-date in regard to terminology. The Work Group is distinct from the Committee on Constitution and Canons, a Committee of Convention. The Work Group aims to complete their work by June. The result of their work will be recommended amendments submitted to the Constitution and Canons Committee of the 230th Annual Convention (2024). The members of the Work Group are:
Clergy
The Rev. J. Michael Cadaret, St. Bartholomew’s, Richmond; The Rev. Emily Krudys, Our Savior, Montpelier; The Rev. Jay Morris, Aquia Church, Stafford; and the Rev. Sven vanBaars, Abingdon Church, White Marsh.
Lay Members
Mr. Scott Caulkins, Church of our Savior, Charlottesville, Chair; Ms. Laurel Loch, St. George’s, Fredericksburg; Mr. Garway Bright, Christ Church, Glen Allen; and Mr. Trevor Cox, St. James’s, Richmond.
Questions or suggestions for the Work Group may be directed to bmartin@episcopalvirginia.org.
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Brief but Important
Trustees of the Funds Moves to Mayo House
The Trustees of the Funds, the diocesan portfolio manager, has moved to the diocesan headquarters in Richmond. Please note their new address and update your contact information: Trustees of the Funds, Mayo House, 110 West Franklin St., Richmond, VA 23220. ToTF staff phone numbers and emails remain the same. Lynn Ivey: 804-622-3186, livey@trusteesofthefunds.org and Kim Henderson: 804-622-3187, khenderson@trusteesofthefunds.org.
Becoming Beloved Community Grants for Racial Justice and Creation Care Projects
Applications are open for another round of Becoming Beloved Community grants to support The Episcopal Church’s work of racial justice, healing, reconciliation, and creation care. The deadline to apply is March 1. Find criteria and the application online.
Subscribe to Daily Lenten Meditations from Episcopal Relief and Development
You can now subscribe to receive daily emails with Episcopal Relief and Development’s 2024 Lenten Meditations. All accompanying resources are available in English and Spanish at episcopalrelief.org/Lent. Congregations can also observe Episcopal Relief and Development Sunday on February 18 or any time during Lent.
Parochial Reports? There’s an App for That.
The General Convention Office has released a new web-based app that helps tally items on the annual parochial report relating to church services and attendance. The parish register app allows users to track aspects of every liturgy that takes place in their congregation and then adds that data to the church’s parochial report. This year’s report based on 2023 data is due March 1. The app works on laptop computers, tablet and mobile phone.
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On the Calendar
Stewardship Training from Project Resource
Sundays, February 18 - March 17, Online via Zoom, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Register
Project Resource equips clergy and lay leaders to develop their year-round annual stewardship campaigns. Church teams will complete the course with a comprehensive stewardship calendar for year-round planning, a roadmap for launching their annual campaigns, and other stewardship skills. The course fee is $450 for a team of three and $125 per additional team member.
Province III Youth Event 2024
April 5-7 at the Caroline Furnace Camp and Retreat Center, Fort Valley, Virginia
(February 24-25 Design Team Planning Retreat)
High School juniors and seniors are invited to join the Design Team to help plan and lead PYE24. We will share a registration link for interested students in the coming weeks. There will be a Design Team planning retreat at Caroline Furnace February 24-25. Adults interested in helping to plan PYE are encouraged to join the monthly Zoom meeting every second Wednesday at 10 a.m. Contact Joanne Fisher for more information.
A Conversation on Racial Healing with Richmond Leaders
Sat., Feb 10 at 12:00 p.m., River Road Church ____ Register
A panel discussion with Rev. Dr. Lance Watson, Senior Pastor of the Saint Paul's Baptist Church of Richmond, Virginia; the Rev. Ben Campbell, Pastoral Associate at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Civil Rights Activist, and Founder of Richmond Hill; and Kristen Green, author of "The Devil's Half Acre."
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