E-Communiqué: God on Tik Tok; Closing the Gap Between Religion and Life; ECW Annual Meeting; Fall Camp and More

Is God on TikTok?

The Very Rev. Rod Gordon was celebrating his 30^th year in ordained ministry when he took a big leap. He decided to offer weekly prayers on TikTok.

At first blush, the rapid fire, entertainment video platform with more than one billion users might seem like an odd venue for soft spoken, peaceful prayers, but maybe that’s exactly what’s causing its 18- to 34-year-old audience to pause their scrolling thumbs and listen for a while. Who IS this soft-spoken priest and what is he doing here? What’s his angle, his shtick, his product?

Father Gordon, rector of St. Peter’s in Oak Grove, was inspired to venture into this unfamiliar territory when he attended a workshop on digital ministry for evangelism at The Episcopal Church’s It’s All about Love Festival in Baltimore this summer.

Rod’s parish, St. Peter’s, is located on the Northern Neck in a relatively rural area. His TikTok, @peace.prayers, has enabled him to expand his ministry to larger audiences while serving in a small parish. Read on.

Watch: Bishop Stevenson shares the theme for this Convention with diocesan Secretary Mark Eastham.

The 229th Annual Convention

"Closing the Gap Between Religion and Life"

When delegates gather November 2-4 in Fredericksburg, the theme of Convention will be "Closing the Gap Between Religion and Life" -- connecting what we do in church with what we do in daily life.

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 agenda, budget nominations, resolutions, and all key deadlines.

The deadline for reserving a hotel room at the discounted diocesan rate is October 2 -- less than a week away!

Nominate Someone Great

If you know of someone who would bring talent and energy to the diocesan Standing Committee, please consider nominating them. Self-nomination is also welcome. The deadline for nominations is October 10. Nomination Form. Standing Committee responsibilities information.

Fall Camp at Shrine Mont

Keynote speaker: Diana Butler Bass

Monday, October 23 - Thursday, October 26

Fall Camp at Shrine Mont is an annual retreat hosted by the Tri Diocesan Council on Aging. This year's speaker will be Diana Butler Bass, the award-winning author, preacher, and one of America’s most trusted commentators on religion and contemporary spirituality. Click here to visit the official Fall Camp website and register for the event.

Diocesan Discernment Retreat

Friday, October 27 - Sunday, October 29

Roslyn Retreat Center, Richmond

If you are sensing of call in your life, whether that is a deepening call to expanded lay ministry or a possible call to ordained ministry, this retreat might be the next step in your discernment. Participants focus on the spiritual as well as practical aspects of vocational discernment. The Diocese encourages those in discernment to talk with their parish clergy about attending this retreat before considering formal educational formation programs (i.e. seminary). The $250 fee includes lodging, meals, facilitation and materials. The Diocese encourages the cost to be covered by the sponsoring congregation. Financial support is also available as needed. Questions regarding the retreat? Contact Vocations Minister, the Rev. Dr. Sarah Kye Price.

James Williams Appointed

Director of Shrine Mont Camps

Bishop E. Mark Stevenson has announced the appointment of James Williams as Director of Shrine Mont Camps. James joined the diocesan staff in 2022 to develop and lead programming for Shrine Mont Camps 2023. The 2023 camps season was incredibly successful with James overseeing 13 camp sessions, leading a staff of more than 70 people, and shepherding a total of 384 campers on the mountain over the course of the summer.

On the Calendar

The School of Earth and Soul with John Philip Newell - Celtic Wisdom 3

October 24-26 at Shrine Mont

John Philip Newell’s School of Earth & Soul exists to reawaken awareness of the sacred in all things through the recovery of Celtic wisdom for today. The School follows a three-year cycle of teaching in its annual retreats. Participants may join at any stage in the three-year cycle. Celtic Wisdom 3 focuses on Sacred Imagination -- reawakening to the sacredness of the human imagination and compassionate action. Click here for more info and to register.

Save the Date: ECW Fall Meeting & UTO Ingathering

Saturday, November 11, 9:00 a.m. | St. Mary's, Colonial Beach

The Episcopal Church Women of the Diocese of Virginia will host its Fall Meeting and United Thank Offering Ingathering November 11. The Rt. Rev'd E. Mark Stevenson will be the keynote speaker. Questions? Contact Ericka Masias, ECW President.

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