The Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Southern Virginia welcomes you!

2009 Fall Clergy Conference

2009-10-08T07:39:00.002-04:00

Register on- line
Tuesday – Wednesday, November 3 – 4, 2009
Optional, Self-Directed Quiet Day, November 2)
The Keynoter: The Rev. Karen M. Ward, Abbess and Vicar of Church of the Apostles, Seattle
Music and Liturgy: Members of the Church of the Holy Apostles, Seattle

A message from Bishop Hollerith on H1N1

2009-10-07T11:45:00.000-04:00

After considerable reflection on the matter of the H1N1 virus and other possible pandemic viruses, and following consultation with infectious disease specialist, Dr. Scott Miller (St. Aidan’s, Virginia Beach), I have concluded that at this time the best policy for me to establish is one of simply making some clear cut recommendations to you regarding preventative measures. It very well may be that in the future, if the virus becomes a major health problem, a more direct policy from my office will be necessary. We will pray not.

read more

Medical Insurance.

2009-10-06T12:06:00.001-04:00

The Church Medical Trust has announced the rates for the different plans offered by the Diocese of Southern Virginia. -more-

118th Annual Council-Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia

2009-09-19T09:03:00.002-04:00

The 118th Annual Council of the Diocese of Southern Virginia will convene on Friday, February 12, 2010 at the Williamsburg Lodge.

Nominating Committee--The 118th Council will elect: One lay and one cleric for Standing Committee (Article XV), one lay and two clerics for Ecclesiastical Court (Canon XXII), and one lay and one cleric as Deputy to Provincial Synod (Canon X). A Nominating Committee comprised of one lay person and one clergy from each convocation is required by the canon.

We have only a portion of the Nominating Committee in place so far, we need your help. We have, so far, the lay persons for Convocations II, III and IV and the clergy for IX. The Nominating Committee has not needed to meet in person the past couple of years. The Bishop's office coordinates and distributes information to facilitate this committee doing its business by email and conference calls. A link to the announcement letter, nomination forms, and position descriptions is here >>> http://tinyurl.com/mye9hs

Town meetings take the place of Special Council in 2009

2009-09-16T09:05:00.005-04:00

Special Council is replaced this year with a series of Town Meetings held around the diocese. This is an opportunity for clergy and parishioners to learn more about the diocesan finances and budget and to provide input as to the programs and services you want to support. Bishop Hollerith will lead these four meetings to be held in Clarksville, Midlothian, Virginia Beach and Newport News (see box to the right for dates, times and locations.)

Discovering ourselves anew: Fall Camp at Shrinemont

2009-09-15T14:50:00.001-04:00

Do you love Shrinemont? Would you like to spend time at Shrinemont in the midst of the fall colors, enjoying a time to worship, reflect and great fellowship? Do you like rest, relaxation, fun & food (that you don't have to cook)? Would you like time to enjoy the spirituality of Shrinemont and to explore what the area has to offer (leaves, wineries, antiques, golf)? How about an opportunity to participate in a tremendous outreach project (STOP HUNGER NOW)?

If any of this strikes your fancy, then Fall Camp at Shrinemont, October 26-29, is for you. Cost is $215 per person, double occupancy; $245 per person, single occupancy. Fall Camp is sponsored by the Tri-Diocesan Council on Aging which means people from all three dioceses in Virginia attend this annual event.

This year's keynote speaker is Margaret Guenther, an Episcopal priest, retired professor of Ascetical Theology and Director of the Center for Christian Spirituality at the General Theological Seminary in New York. Currently, she is the Associate Rector at St. Columbia's Episcopal Church, Washington, D.C. The Rt. Rev. David Jones, Bishop Suffragan of the Diocese of Virginia, is the chaplain. Folk Theologian Ed Kilbourne is the singer, storyteller, musician of the week. Look for registration forms at your parish in the near future or click each link below for more information.
Registration and more information

Worship Leader Workshop

2009-09-06T20:34:00.000-04:00

Are you called to be a lector, Eucharistic minister or visitor, intercessor, or worship leader? Have others suggested that you might be called to lead worship?
If so, Taking Our Place is for you. This one-day workshop, sponsored by the Commission on Ministry for Diocesan Formation, is a training course for those who are new to leading worship, and a refresher course for those who are experienced in leading worship.
Download the brochure [here]

Saturday, October 10, 2009
Johns Memorial Church, Farmville,
9 am – 3:30 pm
OR
Saturday, January 9, 2010
St. Paul’s Church, Norfolk,
9 am – 3:30 pm

The search for a youth missioner is on...

2009-09-03T10:42:00.003-04:00

The Diocese of Southern Virginia is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Youth Missioner. We are a diocese of 115 churches that stretches from the scenic Eastern Shore of Virginia, through populated urban areas along the Interstate 64 corridor to the pastoral small towns that populate the piedmont of southern Virginia. We have a rich history of ministry with young people and are seeking applicants who can coordinate and implement youth programs and development with a focus on equipping youth and adults to engage in ministry. Applications and resumes will be received through October 30, 2009 (date has been extended) and may be emailed to youthsearch@diosova.org or mailed to the following address: The Rev. David Davenport, Church of the Ascension, 405 Talbot Hall Road, Norfolk, VA 23505-4309

For a position description, application and approach document, click the links.

Bishop Addresses Congregational Leaders on Diocesan Giving.

2009-08-31T12:52:00.002-04:00

Dear Friends in Leadership,
I am writing to share a few thoughts about diocesan giving as you approach your fall season of stewardship. Needless to say, this has been a difficult year financially for most parishes. Over the last eight months, as I have traveled about the diocese, I have heard your stories of struggle, as you strive to remain faithful in a time of uncertainty.

(read the entire letter)

Diocesan Prayer Calendar

2009-08-24T19:57:00.002-04:00

The Diocesan Office offers this very convenient new online resource:

Diocesan Prayer Calendar

Link to the Anglican Cycle of Prayer and

Liturgical Calendar with Revised Common Lectionary References

View the calendar, anytime, here: http://tinyurl.com/q6gkcj or follow the links on the Diocesan Web Site. You may import this calendar into Outlook or to your PDA, download the ICAL file here: http://tinyurl.com/qoow3m

This new Diocesan Prayer Calendar begins September first and has been rearranged by birthdays rather than its former alphabetical arrangement. Want to print the calendar? Download a print-ready PDF file here: http://tinyurl.com/mu3zes or call the Diocese for a printed copy.

Shrinemont 2009

2009-08-03T07:41:00.001-04:00

Shrinemont 2009 was fun, educational and a time for celebrating. Look to the left and see our photo album from the last Shrinemont Christian formation event.

A message from Bishop Hollerith

2009-07-20T11:45:00.000-04:00

General Convention has come to an end and the renewal of our work as a Church is just beginning. For those who attended the convention, there has been a resurgence of faith, energy, and appreciation for the work done during this 10-day event. Several realities will have an impact on the Church: budget cuts that will result in the loss of jobs for many in the church, increased benefits for the laity of our church who provide so much time and work to our benefit; and a renewed focus on mission that emphasizes local ministry and challenges us to work as a diocese to serve the needs of our congregations.

The press has represented some of the decisions made at General Convention incorrectly and portrayed the Church as damaging its relationship with the Anglican Communion following the passing of resolutions relating to the role of gay and lesbians in the Church. While the Church has decided to reaffirm that all baptized persons, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation or age can be called to any form of ordained ministry, it nonetheless continues to uphold the moratorium on the approval of someone to the episcopate whose manner of life would strain our relationship with the Anglican Communion. This understanding has been clearly articulated in the House of Bishops and by our Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori.

Another decision made at General Convention has also received the attention of the press, specifically the resolution allowing bishops to use their pastoral discretion in states that allow civil unions of gay and lesbians. Also contained in this resolution is the call for the Church to collect and develop liturgies for the blessing of same sex unions. While both of these matters clearly indicate the Episcopal Church is moving forward in its thinking, the resolution clearly states that we are still in a discernment mode about both matters. In Southern Virginia, nothing in our policies about either has changed.

We are presently scheduling meetings in the diocese to discuss the resolutions passed at General Convention. As soon as those dates and locations are confirmed, we will contact you through email and publicize them on our website. The Episcopal Church is a diverse community of people striving to be faithful. We live in challenging times, but by the grace of God, our life together in the Episcopal Church can demonstrate the true power of the Gospel.

Bishop Hollerith reports from General Convention

2009-07-15T02:51:00.000-04:00

Bishop Hollerith on D025
Resolution D025 was passed by both the House of Bishops (HOB) and the House of Deputies (HOD) at General Convention on Tuesday, July 14, 2009.

Resolution D025 allows for all persons regardless of race, age, gender or sexual orientation to enter the discernment processes acting in accordance with the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church. The resolution was passed by a vote of 99 – 45, with two abstentions in the House of Bishops and by 72% by both lay and clergy in the House of Deputies.

This is not unexpected news. While the media is likely to position this story in such a way to be sensational, the resolution includes some compelling components that are important to note:
[Click here to read Bishop Hollerith's message]
Click here for a print-ready version.

Talbot Hall is the site for Senator Mark Warner's Health Care Forum

2009-06-22T11:42:00.000-04:00

A group of clerics expressed interest Friday in U.S. Sen. Mark Warner's proposal to make end-of-life care part of the health care overhaul debate.

The Virginia Democrat told several dozen Christian and Jewish leaders that he wanted them to help him find ways to educate people about the sensitive issues of caring for dying people.

For the entire story published by the Virginian-Pilot, click here.

College Ministries provides educational scholarships for 2009-2010

2009-06-03T10:45:00.000-04:00

Attention parents and students! The Department of College Ministries announced that scholarships for academic year 2009-2010 are available through the Department of College Ministries. Students in the Diocese of Southern Virginia who wish to be considered for the Rt. Rev. C. Charles Vaché Scholarship are encouraged to send a letter along with accomplishments and academic record to the Rev. David F. Lassalle, Old Dominion University, 1526 West 49th Street, Norfolk, VA 23508. Scholarships will be awarded based on financial need.

All letters should be received by August 1 and successful recipients will be contacted during the fall semester.

Budget shortfall results in decrease in support for programs and services.

2009-05-22T13:26:00.000-04:00

An amended 2009 budget was approved by the diocesan Executive Board on Thursday, May 7 that reflected an adjustment for the $335,000 shortfall from the anticipated budget presented during the 2009 Annual Council. The significant decrease in pledges from congregations to the diocese made it necessary to adjust the programs and services provided, reorganize and reduce staff and decrease support of the national church, Chanco on the James, communications and other programs. Only the financial support from the diocesan budget for youth ministry services was not considered for adjustment.

To read this story published in the Jamestown Cross, click here.

Finding, sharing faith on Facebook

2009-05-18T09:30:00.000-04:00

Religious leaders are embracing new ways to tend to their online flocks.
-----read more-----

CE-Net Discerns New Vision

2009-05-08T10:06:00.000-04:00

CE-Net is the Christian Education Network of the Diocese of Southern Virginia, an organization open to all persons who serve the Christian Formation needs of the Diocese. Since August 2008, CE-Net included a discernment piece in each monthly meeting and completed thier final work on this in March, 2009. To read about some of the results of their excellent work click here. Their next step is to assemble teams to work on implementing changes necessary to reach their strategic goals.

To learn more about CE-Net or upcoming meeting topics, please contact one of the co-chairs, Harper Lewis of St. John's, Hampton or Ashley Scruggs of Old Donation, Virginia Beach. Ashley can be reached at 757-497-0563 or ascruggs@olddonation.org

Attention parishes and clergy - updated Transition Manual now available.

2009-04-20T19:01:00.000-04:00

The updated Transition Manual is now available for parishes who are in the process of looking for and welcoming a new priest and for clergy who are transitioning to a new parish. Click here for the 2009 Transition Manual.

Certification of Delegates and Alternatives 2010

2009-03-30T15:14:00.000-04:00

Certification of Delegates and Alternates for 2010 are now available. A Certificate of Lay Delegates and Alternates is available for vestries to send in the names of delegates and alternates from each parish for conciliar year 2009-2010. Please refer to Article IV, Section 3, pages CC-2 & CC-3 of the Diocesan Constitution (Composition of Council) and Diocesan Canon II to determine procedure and the number of delegates and alternates allowed.

Please note that elected delegates and alternates serve for an entire conciliar year beginning July 1, 2009 and ending June 30, 2010. This term will include Pre-Council Convocation meetings in January 2010, Annual Council and any Special Council or other meetings which may occur during this time frame. To be eligible to vote at Annual Council and any other called meetings or Special Council, Lay Delegates and Lay Alternates must be appointed/elected by vestries and submitted for certification to the Diocese of Southern Virginia NO LATER THAN JUNE 30, 2009. Download your form by clicking here

College scholarships available!

2009-03-30T14:37:00.000-04:00

Ridley Foundation Scholarships for students.
Ridley Foundation trustees have college scholarships available for undergraduate Episcopalian college students who reside in this diocese (regardless of where they attend college). Scholarship applications are due by June 20, 2009. Look for the application forms and other instructions under "Providing Resources" and then "File Downloads" on this website or click here.

College Scholarships from the Episcopal Church Women (ECW)
ECW provides scholarships for continuing education for students and adults! If you would like to know more about the scholarships available through the ECW go to downloads and forms on this website or click here. Deadline for applying is July 1, 2009.