Diocesan Visioning Tour - Just Two Dates Left!
Thanks to all who attended one or more of the Visioning Sessions with the Bishops during the season of Epiphany. There are two more opportunities to join the conversation.

Remaining Dates and Locations
Saturday, February 15, 1:30 p.m. at Good Shepherd, Burke
Saturday, February 29, 10:00 a.m. at St. Peter's, Arlington

What happens next?
All of the input from every session and from comments submitted online will be compiled. The Bishops will report on the main themes that emerged and share with the entire diocese a vision for our common mission and ministry in the four ministry areas and beyond. Look for reports via the diocesan e-newsletter, social media and the website. 
A Conversation on Faith and Food – A Webinar
Wednesday, March 18, 7 p.m.
via Zoom

If you have an idea for a food or land ministry, or want to learn more about ministries in this realm, join this conversation with agrarian ministry practitioner, Brian Sellers-Petersen. In this Diocese of Virginia webinar, he’ll share stories of churches across the country that are creatively using their land and property to grow food, feed the hungry and care for the environment.
 
About your Webinar Host: Brian Sellers-Petersen is the Agrarian Missioner for the Diocese of Olympia and author of  Harvesting Abundance: Local Initiatives of Food and Faith . He was a keynote speaker and preacher at our recent diocesan Annual Convention.

The link for this Zoom webinar will soon be published in the e-Communique and on thediocese.net .
Creation Care Advocacy: The Intersection of Marginalized Communities and the Environment
Saturday, February 22, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Trinity, Fredericksburg
 
Learn how carelessness for creation affects the most vulnerable and how we can be advocates for change.

Our keynote speaker will be the Rev. Glenna Huber of Church of the Epiphany in DC. Guest speakers from NAACP and Virginia Interfaith Power and Light will provide important perspectives on environmental justice.

Workshops
  • Women and the Environment: How does gender intersect with the environment and spirituality?
  • Environmental Racism: Marginalized populations have long experienced disproportionate forms of environmental degradation. Learn how it’s affecting communities today and how we can advocate for change.
  • Faith and Climate Anxiety: How do we, as people of faith, rely on God to provide comfort and guidance during these uncertain times?
  • Water Quality 101: If your church or home is in the Diocese of Virginia, it is also in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Learn ways to improve your facilities, landscape and operations that will reduce runoff and improve water quality at home, downstream and the bay. 

Registration $20, lunch included. Questions? Contact Aisha Huertas .  
Shrine Mont Camps: Promotion Packets for Churches
Help us get the word out about early bird rates, staff hiring and scholarship donations!

Use the materials in this month's promotion packet for your parish's bulletins, e-news and anywhere else you think they would work. We've even included suggested language for helping us promote these items. If you need more assistance, contact Megan Nolde .

Introducing PYM 4th and 5th Grade Weekend
Friday evening, April 17 through Sunday, April 19
Shrine Mont

This is the first time ever that the Diocese’s Parish Youth Ministries has offered a retreat weekend for this age group! We will have play-based learning about our theme “Let There Be Light.” Throughout the weekend, youth are in small groups with their peers, led by committee members, where they can ask and explore big questions, or just get to know one another. In large groups, we play silly games, make joyful noise in worship, learn from a chaplain and each other, dig into the theme for the year through art, and make new friends with young people across our Diocese.

Registration goes live TODAY, February 13. Please note that one adult chaperone is required for every 3 youth. Learn more on our website . 
Ordination of Transitional Deacons
Saturday, March 7, 10:30 a.m.
Epiphany, Herndon

God willing, Bishop Goff will ordain Amanda Bourne, Gwynn Crichton, Will Dickinson, Matthew Dumont-Machowski, Claire Elser, Jennifer Lazzuri, James Morton, Pete Nunnally, Colleen Schiefelbein and Sam Sheridan to the Sacred Order of Deacons (transitional). Clergy are invited to vest with red stoles. Calendar event .
Kate Wettstein Departs Diocesan Staff
Kate Wettstein, one of the Assistants to the Bishops of Virginia, departed the diocesan staff on January 31, 2020. Kate joined the staff in 2013 as Assistant to the Rt. Rev. Ted Gulick. When Bishop Gulick retired in 2017, Kate became Assistant to the Rt. Rev. Robert Ihloff, Bishop Associate, who returned to the Diocese of Maryland at the end of 2019. In addition to providing administrative support to the Bishops, Kate successfully maintained clergy files, including licensing, petitions for permissions, and background checks, as well as managing other canonical requirements. The Bishops and diocesan staff are grateful for Kate’s dedicated service and wish her well in her next adventures. When you need assistance with any services previously handled by Kate, please contact the Executive Assistant to the Bishops, Anita Lisk .
Episcopal Youth Event 2020
July 7-11
University of Maryland, College Park

Every three years the Episcopal Church convenes an international youth event so “that the energy of the youth of the Episcopal Church can continue to be utilized in active ministry as members of the Body of Christ.” Questions? Contact  Sierra Gore . E.Y.E. info page and application link .
Briefly Noted
Administrative Assistant Position Opening
The Diocese of Virginia is seeking a full-time Administrative Assistant to the Bishops' Office. Read the job description . Receiving applications until February 28.

Mission Opportunity: Continued Disaster Recovery in the Virgin Islands
Two years after Hurricanes Irma and Maria, the Virgin Islands continue recovery work. The Diocese of Virginia is in relationship with the Diocese of the Virgin Islands, and you can join in this relationship by supporting disaster recovery. If you are interested in coordinating a mission trip or want to learn more, contact Tina Beazer, Director of Long Term Recovery Program in the Diocese of the Virgin Islands.

Suicide Prevention Resources
Suicide is a major public health concern and is among the leading causes of death in the United States. The list of resources below are helpful for anyone affected by suicide.

Elect Delegates and Alternates to Annual Convention
It is time to start the process to elect your church’s delegate(s) to the 226 th  Annual Convention. The Certificate of Election and Confirmed Communicants in Good Standing form , and Youth Certificate of Election form are both available online. The due date for submitting the Parish COE/CCGS form is April 15, 2020. Questions? Contact Bill Martin . 
Upcoming at Virginia Theological Seminary
VTS kicks off the spring with a variety of courses, workshops and programs for clergy, lay leaders and seekers. See a full listing of classes and events, or sign up for monthly webinars . Upcoming events include:
Join Us in Prayer
We pray for Grace, The Plains; St. George's, Arlington; and St. Paul's, Richmond, (pictured) as they prepare for their Bishops' Visitations. We pray for Bishop Goff, Bishop Brooke-Davidson and Bishop Gulick as they travel to these congregations. 

We pray for those attending this month's Diocesan Discernment Retreat , as they discern if they are called to be a deacon, priest or lay leader.
Calendar and Church Events
February 27: ECW Lenten Quiet Day Join for a day of reflection, meditation and prayer to begin the season of Lent. Roslyn Retreat Center, Richmond .
 February 26: Ash Wednesday Service at the Pentagon A service at 12:30 in the Pentagon Chapel for those who work in the Pentagon. Arlington.
March 20-21: WomanKind: Fearless Women of Faith This two-day conference invites lay and ordained women to a weekend of faith, fellowship, enlightenment and engagement. St. James's, Richmond.
August 21-23: Bringing Our Whole Selves A retreat space created for and by LGBTQ+ individuals to explore the vital gifts the queer community offers to the church. Registration ends May 10. Shrine Mont, Orkney Springs.