The search for a youth missioner is on...

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.