Implicit Bias: What is it and how is it reflected in the Church?
Saturday, March 20 | 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

The Ministry for Racial Justice & Healing of the Diocese of Virginia invite you to the workshop Implicit Bias: What is it and how is it reflected in the Church? Led by psychologist and Episcopalian Dr. Ursuline Bankhead, the 3-hour event will include presentation, discussion and small group breakout opportunities to provide definitions of bias and implicit bias; clarify how implicit bias impacts all of us personally, culturally, and spiritually. This workshop is recommended for clergy, church leaders, vestries, and church educators. Register here.
Reaffirmation of Ordination Vows
Tuesday, March 30 | 4 p.m. via Zoom

The Bishops of Virginia invite clergy to come together via Zoom during Holy Week for a service of Reaffirmation of Ordination Vows. This will take place during the regularly scheduled clergy call time. The link to join will be sent to clergy on March 29.
Canon Mary Thorpe Retires
The Rev. Dr. Mary Brennan Thorpe is retiring from her position as Canon to the Ordinary in the Diocese of Virginia, effective March 12, 2021. Her ministry has been marked by creativity and energy, as evidenced by projects as complex and varied as an improved transition process and the shepherding of the Diocese's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are grateful for her service and wish her well. Ministries in which Mary was involved will continue. For inquiries regarding the pandemic or re-gathering, please contact Bishop Goff at bishopsoffice@thediocese.net. For all matters regarding clergy transitions, be in touch with the Rev. Sarah Brockenbrough, Minister of Transitions, at sbrockenbrough@thediocese.net. For matters regarding congregational development, contact Bishop Brooke-Davidson at jbrooke-davidson@thediocese.net

Preparing for Special Convention
Saturday, April 24 via Zoom

All clergy and lay delegates who attended the 226th Convention online this past November must also attend the Special Convention to Adopt the Budget, Saturday, April 24. The deadline to register is Friday, April 16.

An Open Hearing on the Budget will be held Saturday, April 17, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. via Zoom. The zoom link will be sent in advance. Remember to check the Special Convention page on our website for updates and key documents.
Upcoming Events
It Ain’t Easy Being Native: Indigenous People, the Doctrine of Discovery and the Episcopal Church
Monday, April 19, 2021 | 12-1:30 p.m.
This workshop examines the history of Indigenous Americans and the involvement of the Christian Church from early missionary and colonization efforts. The current realities and challenges of Indigenous life will also be presented, with suggestions on how the Church can most effectively respond to the injustices of the past, many of which continue to the present day. The Rev. Dr. Bradley Hauff (Oglala Sioux), Indigenous Ministries Missioner for the Episcopal Church, will lead this workshop. Register here.
Ordinations to the Vocational Diaconate
April 19-21
God willing, Bishops Goff and Brooke-Davidson will ordain Shea Godwin, Steve Busch, Peg Moncure, Courtenay Evans, Salli Hartman, Brian Justice and Steve Pace to the Sacred Order of Deacons. 

Monday, April 19 (Bishop Goff): Shea Godwin at 10:30 a.m.; Steve Busch at 1 p.m.; Peg Moncure at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 20 (Bishop Goff): Courtenay Evans at 10:30 a.m.; Salli Hartman at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 21 (Bishop Brooke-Davidson): Brian Justice at 10:30 a.m.; Steve Pace at 1 p.m.

All are welcome and invited to attend the services via All Saints', Richmond's YouTube channel or Facebook page. For each ordination, there will be a maximum of 10 in-person attendees, following the diocesan guidelines for safe worship during the pandemic. 
Q&A with Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, Author of How to Be an Antiracist
Wednesday, March 24 | 7-8:30 p.m.
Province III will host a webinar with Dr. Ibram X. Kendi for a discussion on his book How to Be an AntiracistDr. Kendi will speak for 45 minutes, followed by a time for questions and answers. Everyone in Province III is invited to join. The event will take place via Zoom. If the space fills up, a waiting list will be started. Register here.
Offered by Virginia Theological Seminary
Thursday webinar, 3:00-4:00 p.m. Free
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, churches and faith communities have had to move many of their ministries online, including worship and faith formation. What have we learned, what will we carry forward, and what can we leave behind? Join us for this eFormation webinar as we discuss these questions, and more, with thought leaders who have been working on extending community and welcome to people near and far well before the pandemic began.
 
Saturday Workshop, 9 a.m. – noon (Eastern) via Zoom, $25-$125 
Join other parish leaders for three hours of encouragement, peer learning, and new strategies that will give you the tools to develop and support a vestry ministry that is both life-giving and rewarding.

March 27 |PREPARE/ENRICH: Online Training in Marriage Preparation for Clergy & Lay Counselors
Saturday Workshop, 9 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (Eastern) via Zoom, $200
This one-day training will be led by the Rev. Dr. Allison St. Louis, a clinical psychologist, spiritual director, Episcopal priest, and PREPARE/ENRICH trainer. Note: deadline to register is March 15 to ensure arrival of workshop materials.