A Message from Bishop Goff to Graduating Seniors
In a year of unexpected changes, Bishop Goff offers a special video message to seniors graduating from high school in 2020. Watch and share this video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/lF074naKgFg
Updates from the Diocese on Phased Regathering
Our Diocesan Task Groups on Phased Regathering – men and women, lay and clergy from across the Diocese – have done creative, insightful and helpful work to prepare for the day when we will worship in person at our church buildings and properties. Stay up to date with the latest regathering news – including new guidelines for outdoor worship – by checking the COVID-19 section of the diocesan website .
Annual Giving Webinars
Your church’s annual giving campaign will require agility, creativity and preparation. That’s why you need to begin framing your ministry plans now. Join Stephanie Gurnsey Higgins and Julie Simonton for essential conversations about navigating your fall campaign. This month’s webinars cover four critical areas of generosity and giving. Catch up on past webinars and join upcoming webinars with the links below. If you have specific questions, join the virtual office hours on Mondays in June from 10:30-11:30 a.m. or Tuesdays in June from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Stay connected by following Stewardship & Development on Facebook or visiting the website .

Saturday, June 20, 10 a.m. | Narrative Budgets for Missional Storytelling
Wednesday, June 24, 3 p.m. | Narrative Budgets for Missional Storytelling
Saturday, June 27, 10 a.m. | Visual Budget: Engaging Your Spreadsheet 
Sacred Ground: Race Dialogue Series
A free 10-week curriculum, Sacred Ground is a sensitive, prayerful resource that creates space for difficult but respectful and transformative dialogue on race and racism. It holds as a guiding star the vision of beloved community – where all people are honored, protected and nurtured as beloved children of God, where we weep at one another’s pain and seek one another’s flourishing.  Learn more about this resource for your community.
UGK Community First Seeks More Church Partners for Feeding Ministry
UGK Community First began operations in March when three Richmond area churches and Roslyn opened their commercial grade kitchens to the chefs of Underground Kitchen. Since then, several more churches joined this movement offering kitchens, recruiting volunteers, writing notes included with meals and distributing soups at their food pantries. Other churches have generously provided financial support and donated fresh produce from their gardens. Since March, over 20,000 meals – and an average of 2,000 meals per week – have been provided to individuals and community organizations throughout the Richmond area. UGK Community First would like to expand and work with churches outside of the Richmond area. To learn more about how your congregation may be called to work with UGK Community First, click here , or contact the Rev. Deacon Barbara Ambrose .
Interested in serving with one of our related organizations?
Related Organizations are those whose charters or statements of purpose have been reviewed and approved by the Executive Board and whose status as a Related Organization shall have been approved by the Convention of the Diocese. Each Related Organization elects its own board and officers, but the nominations are reviewed by the Committee on Related Organizations and then presented to the Annual Convention for its concurrence. The nomination form for the Diocesan Missionary Society, the Trustees of the Funds, Virginia Diocesan Homes and Bloomfield can be accessed from the Annual Convention page .

If you are interested in serving on one of these boards, please contact that organization directly by Friday, July 31 to begin the process. Visit the Annual Convention page for contact information for each Related Organization. 
It's Time to Elect Annual Convention Delegates
After electing your church’s delegate(s) and alternate(s) to the 226th Annual Convention, submit the completed Certificate of Election and Confirmed Communicants in Good Standing form and Youth Certificate of Election form to Bill Martin . Questions? Contact Bill Martin .
Refugee Mask Maker Circle Program
The COVID-19 pandemic is harming vulnerable populations in our communities, including refugees and asylum seekers. You can support struggling refugees financially by purchasing hand-made, cloth face masks from the newly formed Refugee Mask Maker Circle, organized by NOVA Friends of Refugees, a Refugee Ministry initiative of St. George's, Arlington.

To place an order, please  fill out the form here . If you want to support the refugee mask makers and do not need masks, you can make a donation here   (please select “Social Justice/refugees” in the "Fund" pulldown box). 100% of your donation will support the refugee mask makers. Masks made with your donation will be donated to local hospitals. 
Put a #LightofLove in Your Window
Clergy of the Northern Richmond Region invite people across the Diocese to share the #LightofLove by placing a light in your window and sharing on social media. Let the light be a symbol to remind us of God’s light in our hurting world, in our country, and in our communities. Let that light shine brightly to remind us that God is with us and loves us. Learn more about this project.
Diocesan Giving Portal is Available for Church Use Throughout the Summer
As a reminder, the diocesan online giving portal is available for congregations to receive offerings and financial gifts from parishioners through the end of the summer. For additional information about how this resource works, check our Financial Matters COVID-19 resource page or contact Stephanie Gurnsey Higgins , Minister for Diocesan Development and Giving.
Upcoming from Virginia Theological Seminary
Lifelong Learning programming has moved entirely online to equip clergy and lay leaders to lead during this pandemic. Upcoming opportunities include:

  • June 24, 3 p.m. When Singing is Silenced: Addressing Anxiety: The Rev. Dr. William Bradley Roberts, Professor Emeritus of VTS, and David Hoover, psychotherapist, explore distinctive difficulties for church musicians in this season of pandemic.
  • July 17, 12-4 p.m. eFormation 101: An opportunity for digital ministry leaders to dive into different platforms, with follow-up sessions for questions and context-specific information.