Bishop Goff to Host Listening Sessions
Bishop Goff will host five Community Listening Sessions around the Diocese in the season of Epiphany. Each session will include a time for you and your Bishops to share your dreams for our Diocese. Please plan to attend a session in your area:

Thursday, January 17, 6-8 p.m.  Christ Church, Spotsylvania
Saturday, February 9, 1-3 p.m.  St. Barnabas, Annandale
Wednesday, February 13, 5-7 p.m.  Emmanuel, Woodstock
Saturday, February 16, 5-7 p.m.  Roslyn Retreat Center, Richmond
Monday, March 4, 3-5 p.m.  St. Margaret’s School, Tappahannock *

*We hope to broadcast the Tappahannock listening session via Facebook Live.
2019 Intercultural Summit
Saturday, January 26, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Epiphany, Herndon
 
This year we will address some of the difficult topics – immigration, climate justice, poverty and more – that we encounter in our interactions both in and outside our churches. What do we need to know about these topics? How do they relate to our churches and intercultural communities? A variety of workshops will answer these questions. View the draft agenda . Register today.
Join Shrine Mont Camps This Summer
Camp Registration Opens Tomorrow – January 8
Dates and rates are live for Shrine Mont Camps 2019. Registration will go live on Tuesday, January 8 at 9 a.m. There is a new registration system, so please allow a few extra minutes to register as you familiarize yourself with the new system. If you have issues registering, please email Megan Nolde , and include a phone number where you can be reached.

Counselor Applications are Now Live
The mountains are calling – do you know someone who should answer?
Returning and new counselors can now apply to work at Shrine Mont Camps in 2019. Returning St. Elizabeth’s counselors can click here . For all other positions (new St. Elizabeth’s counselors, returning general counselors, and new general counselors), click here . Contact Megan Nolde with application questions. See you on the mountain!
2019 Grant Opportunities
Mustard Seed & PJL Small Church Revitalization Grants
The guidelines for 2019 Mustard Seed and PJL  grants are now available. Mustard Seed grants will be awarded up to $2,000 and PJL grants up to $5,000. Initial letter of inquiry is due by February 11. Applications can be found online. Questions? Contact Mary Anne Bryant .
United Thank Offering Grants
Completed 2019 UTO grant applications are due to the Diocese of Virginia for initial review on February 18. Following initial review, applications are reviewed by the Diocese of Virginia UTO grant committee on February 25. Full applications are due to UTO on March 1.
Eight Priests Ordained
The Rt. Rev. Susan Goff and the Rt. Rev. Ted Gulick ordained eight people to the Sacred Order of Priests on Saturday, December 8, at St. Paul's, Alexandria. The new priests are(left to right): Darren Steadman, Matthew Welsch, Dina Widlake, Seldon Walker, Marlene Forrest, Grant Mansfield, Emily Krudys and Charles Cowherd.
The Office of Christian Formation's New Website
The Office of Christian Formation’s new website is designed to be a first step toward greater connection, community, and resource-sharing throughout the Diocese. Looking for something specific that you don’t see? Email Megan Nolde with your idea – we want this to be a tool for you! 
Virginians Serving the Episcopal Church USA
Cool fact: Several clergy and lay leaders in the Diocese serve the church at the national level on committees and task forces. They are:

  • The Rev. Weston Mathews, Task Force on Care of Creation and Environmental Racism. Weston is the Rector of Grace Church, The Plains.
  • Ellen Johnston, Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music. Ellen is Music Director at Holy Comforter, Richmond.
  • The Rev. Daniel Velez Rivera, Task Force on Church Planting and Congregational Redevelopment. Daniel is the Vicar of St. Gabriel’s, Leesburg.
  • Russ Randle, Executive Council. Russ is a member of Christ Church, Alexandria.
  • Bishop Susan Goff, Vice Chair of the Task Force on Women, Truth and Reconciliation. Bishop Goff is the Bishop Suffragan and Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese.
  • Amanda Kotval, Vice Chair of General Convention’s Task Force on the Opioid Epidemic. Amanda is a seminarian at VTS.  
  • Paris Ball, President of Episcopal Camps and Conference Centers. Paris is the Director of Christian Formation for the Diocese.
  • The Rev. Dr. Mary Brennan Thorpe, President of the Transition Ministry Conference. Canon Thorpe is the Canon to the Ordinary for the Diocese.
  • Ed Keithly, Planning Team Member of the national Diocesan Transition Ministers Gathering. Ed is the Deputy Director of Transition Ministry for the Diocese.
Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy Hosts Advocacy Day for All People
Tuesday, January 22, 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Centenary United Methodist, Richmond

Join people from around the Commonwealth for a day of advocacy at the General Assembly. There will be informative speakers on key legislative issues before the General Assembly, and opportunities to meet with your legislators.

Tickets  are $30 if registered before January 8 and $40 afterward. Students can purchase tickets for $15. The congregational group rate (a group of 10 registering before January 8) is $250. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Application Deadline Nears for 2019-2020 Young Adult Service Corps Placements
Apply before Friday, January 11, to spend a year serving God through the Young Adult Service Corps (YASC) . YASC is a ministry for Episcopalians ages 21-30 who are interested in exploring their faith by living and serving in communities around the world.   Potential placements for 2019-2020 include (but are not limited to) Brazil, Costa Rica, El Salvador, England, France, Ghana, South Africa, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Taiwan. Apply to be part of the 2019-2020 YASC cohort. 
Church Events
January 16: How to Be Church Beyond Our Buildings This webinar will explore how faith communities can embrace or expand beyond the bricks and mortar to find what the Holy Spirit is calling them to.
January 19: Ministry to People Living with Dementia Lay people and clergy who want to make connections to those with dementia are invited to this workshop in Ashland .
January 20: Lecture with Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori Join former Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori at St. Paul's, Alexandria, for a discussion on " Transformation in the Episcopal Church: Leadership development and beloved community in the 21st century."