January 11, 2007

Spotlight: Christian Education

Sim·ply ed·u·ca·tion
Merriam-Webster Online defines the following:
Simply: without ambiguity, CLEARLY; without embellishment, PLAINLY.
Education: the action of educating.
Educate: to provide schooling for; to develop mentally, morally or aesthetically especially by instruction.

Over the last two years the Christian Education Committee has worked to focus its mission on serving the churches of the Diocese with resources for Christian education.  The committee has met directors of Christian education, directors of religious education, directors of formation, volunteer Sunday school teachers and paid staff in churches.   The Committee brings people together to meet each other and share a meal in churches around the Diocese.  The goal of these meals is to bring together the Committee and those who share the ministry.

Different ministries inform the Committee as to what resources would be helpful in the local churches.  The meals themselves help bring neighboring churches together to share ideas and to support each other in frustrations and successes.  The simplicity of these meetings led to the idea for the Committee’s next event.  While the meals around the Diocese will continue this year, the Committee will also offer “Simply Education Day.”

“Simply Education Day” will be one day to look without embellishment at providing schooling for developing our congregations. To keep the gatherings small there will be one in Richmond at St. Mark’s and one in Alexandria at Immanuel-on-the-Hill, both on April 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Adult Ed: "How do we compete with Starbucks?"
Volunteers: “It takes the whole team.”
New DCE’s: “A full year in the life of the Church.”
VBS: “VBS: It’s not just for breakfast anymore.”
Christian Ed for Youth: “Preparing for an educated congregation.”

The same workshops will be offered in the morning and again in the afternoon. As has become our tradition, the meal will be a time for meeting others and sharing information with those share your ministry. The cost of the day is $10.

For more information please contact The Rev. Percy Grant pgrant@thediocese.net. To register call 1-800-DIOCESE ext. 29.

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News & Events

Mustard Seed Grants in 2007
Thinking about applying for a Mustard Seed Grant in 2007? An optional workshop for those interested in submitting Mustard Seed Grant applications is being offered Saturday, Feb. 10, 2007, from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Trinity, Fredericksburg. General information about the grant process and eligible project ideas will be available. Assistance will also be provided related to preparation of a successful grant proposal. For more information, contact the Office of Stewardship and Development, 804-643-8451, ext. 17 or ext. 16, or email, pbjorling@thediocese.net. Mustard Seed Grants are awarded in four program areas: youth, missions, outreach/evangelism, and strengthening the local congregation.  

EFM Training
Education for Ministry (EFM) Basic Mentor Training will be held in Alexandria March 23-25.  To register contact Diocesan EFM Coordinator Jo-Ann Murphy at joannrmurphy@aol.com or 804-334-7821. To find out more about EFM, go to http://www.sewanee.edu/EFM/index.htm.

St. Stephen’s, Petersburg Celebration
St. Stephen’s, Petersburg will celebrate their contribution to the life of the Bishop Payne Divinity School as part of the parish’s 140th anniversary observance this year. Julia Randle, VTS archivist, and St. Stephen’s parishioners will convert the parish hall into a living history exhibit Feb. 3, 12-4 p.m., and Feb. 4, 1-3 p.m.

Bokamoso Youth Theater to Perform
On Sunday, Jan. 14 at 7 p.m. Christ Church, Alexandria will co-host with ALIVE a benefit concert at Virginia Theological Seminary for the Bokamoso Youth Theater, an energetic troupe of singers and dancers from South Africa.  Suggested donation: $10 payable at the door or donations can be mailed to Christ Church (118 N. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314) with Bokamoso written at the bottom of the check.  For further information, please email Liz Ward at Lizward@comcast.net or call Mary Dixon Hutcheson at 703-549-1450.    

Dedication at the Chapel of Richmond Hill
A stained glass window honoring the Rev. Edward Meeks “Pope” Gregory will be dedicated in the Chapel of Richmond Hill on Monday, Jan. 22 at 5:30 p.m. Mr. Gregory was a leader in race relations, liturgical reform, urban ministry and youth work in The Diocese of Virginia. All are welcome to the service, which is followed by supper for all who wish to stay.

Trinity Institute offered Locally through Regional Teleconference
St. Stephen’s, Richmond will host the southeastern region Trinity Institute via the Internet on Jan. 22-24. The church is accepting registrations now. “God’s Unfinished Future: Why it Matters Now” is the theme of the 37th Annual Trinity Institute. Registration of $50 includes materials, snacks and lunches. To register, please call Janet Allen or Liz Jones at 804-288-2867. Space is limited.

Save the Date

  • Richmond Hill Retreat – Lovers of a Suffering God with the Rev. Martin L. Smith; Jan. 19-21. Contact retreats@richmondhillva.org.
  • Hear the Candidates for Bishop Coadjutor and Prepare for Annual Council
    • Thursday Jan 11, 6:30-9:00 p.m.: Christ Church, Winchester
    • Friday Jan 12, 6:15-8:45 p.m.: St. Stephen's, Richmond
    • Saturday Jan 13, 9:00-11:30 a.m.: St. Margaret's School, Tappahannock
    • Saturday Jan 13, 5:00 - 7:30 p.m.: Virginia Theological Seminary, Alexandria
  • Music Planning for Lent and Easter at Roslyn, Feb. 4-5
  • Lenten Retreat – Real Presence: The Enneagram and Christian Spirituality; St. George’s, Fredericksburg; March 3, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • First Friday at Roslyn, March 2, 9:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Contact Carolyn Chilton at cchilton@thediocese.net.
Other Links

212th Annual Council:Registration and agenda information for the January council.
e-Bazaar: A listing of items that parishes would like to donate or receive.
Calendar: A listing of Diocesan and local church events. Don’t see your church event listed? Add it using the links at the bottom of the calendar.
Bishop Coadjutor Nominating Committee: Official website for the search for Bishop Coadjutor.
Employment: The latest information on ministry opportunities for clergy and lay.
General Convention: A summary of General Convention actions.
Global Mission Website: Read and submit mission stories and mission trip dates.


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