Seeking Nominations for Elections at Annual Convention
November 14-16
Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel, Arlington

Elections at Annual Convention
This year we will elect deputies to the 2021 General Convention, Province III Council and members of the Standing Committee. We have been well served on these bodies by faithful Virginians who have had long tenures. Their wisdom and experience bring great gifts to the Diocese and the wider Church. In order to have deputies with experience well into the future, we’ll need to elect some younger people who will learn from our wise elder members and grow in these ministries. Please consider who God might be calling to these vital governance bodies – and nominate them . 

For the Standing Committee, the Convention will be electing two clergy persons for 3-year terms, one clergy person for a 1-year term, and two lay people for 3-year terms. The Standing Committee serves as a council of advice for the bishop, interviews those wishing to become candidates for ordination, approves the elections of bishops from other dioceses, and other duties as outlined by the canons. If you think you may be called to serve the Diocese in this capacity, please fill out the nomination form on the diocesan website. The deadline is October 30. If you have questions, please feel free to contact Standing Committee President, the Rev. Carol Hancock . 

Discounted Hotel Room Rate Ending Soon  
The reservation deadline to receive the discounted hotel room rate is 5 p.m. on Wednesday, October 23.
PYM Senior High Weekend
November 1 – 3
Shrine Mont

Parish Youth Ministries offers its first event of the school year for all high schoolers in the Diocese. Send youth from your church for a weekend of learning, fellowship and fun!   Registration closes October 30.
Bishop's Fall Conference: 8 Wondrous Workshops
October 21 – 23
Shrine Mont

"Wonder in All: The Art of Powerful Questions" with Melissa Rau is also the place for lay professionals, clergy, and spouses to come for powerful workshops:
  • "Building Healthy and Sustainable Ministries" with Mary Beth Abplanalp from Ministry Architects
  • “Creative Calm” with Heather Baggett
  • “Singing off the Page” with Martha Burford
  • "The Way of Love" with Bill Campbell from Forma
  • “Identifying God’s Gifts in Each Other with Aisha Huertas
  • “Streamlining Best Practices in Church Finance and HR with Ted Smith
  • “In the Right Lane: Roles and Responsibilities in Church Leadership with Mary Thorpe
  • "Storytelling through Photography" with Coy Ferrell from St. James, Warrenton
  •  "Church Administration: The Master Class" with your diocesan staff

Return to your church with ideas you can implement immediately. The full descriptions of these workshops are here . Register today! 
Formation Leaders' Retreat
October 26, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Trinity, Fredericksburg

Get to know your fellow formation leaders in the Diocese! Share resources. Get inspired and equipped for the year ahead at the Office of Christian Formation's first Formation Leaders' Retreat. Bill Campbell will lead a plenary session on the Way of Love and Faith-at-Home resources. Workshop topics will include communications and marketing, post-Sunday school Formation, Volunteer management and Youth Ministry. Cost: $15 for a single registration, or $30 for up to four people from the same congregation. Lunch provided. Learn more. Register.
Learn about the Episcopal Church's Presence at the Mexican Border
October 27 | 11:30 a.m.
St. Gabriel's, Leesburg

The Rev. Mike Wallens, Co-Chair of Rio Grande Borderland Ministries, will visit St. Gabriel's, Leesburg, to speak about how the Diocese of Rio Grande is faithfully responding to changing immigration policy restrictions and how the Episcopal Church is working on behalf of immigrants and refugees on both sides of the border. Worship begins at 10 a.m. The forum will begin at 11:30 a.m. St. Gabriel's meets at the Belmont Ridge Middle School, 19045 Upper Belmont Pl, Leesburg, VA 20176.
Upcoming at VTS
Signs of Life Retreat
Saturday, November 2, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. $50 (includes lunch). This retreat explores five Christian symbols (light, water, food, shelter, and community) while exploring worship traditions and spaces.  Register .

A Conversation on Cultivating New Faith Communities
Tuesday, October 29, 7-8:30 p.m. $10 suggested. Discuss reinventing church with church planters the Rev. Emily Scott  (Lutheran pastoral leader of  Dreams and Visions ) and the Rev. Daniel Vélez-Rivera (Vicar of  St. Gabriel’s, Leesburg ), in dialogue with Professor Altagracia Pérez-Bullard . Register . 
Blessing to Give
St. Paul's, Alexandria, was gifted two separate week-long time shares located just ten minutes from Shrine Mont, and would like to give these time shares away to someone in the Diocese. Learn more.
Join Us in Prayer
We pray for All Souls, Atlee; St. James', Louisa (pictured); St. Clement, Alexandria; St. Andrew's, Mount Jackson; Emmanuel, Woodstock; and Calvary, Front Royal, as they prepare for their Bishop's Visitations this month. We pray for Bishop Goff, Bishop Ihloff and Bishop Jones in their travels to these congregations. 

We pray for aspirants as they meet with the Committee on Priesthood for postulancy interviews this month. 
Calendar and Church Events
October 16: Celebration of New Ministry for the Rev. Daniel Johnson Christ Church, Spotsylvania.
October 16: An Evening with the Episcopal Bishop of Cuba Join Bishop Griselda Delgado del Carpio for an evening of friend-raising and fundraising. All Souls, Washington DC.
October 27: Shrine Mont Camps Information Session St. George's, Arlington.
November 1-3: PYM Senior High Weekend Shrine Mont, Orkney Springs.
November 9: Dr. David Hurd Workshop R enowned organist, composer and musician Dr. David Hurd is coming to the Winchester region to share his experience and insight from a lifetime of celebrated excellence in sacred music.