Welcome to the Unity Garden, which was first built in 2019 to connect with church neighbors in a caring activity. But “it was difficult to engage neighbors in actual work as garden tools were not easily accessible,” garden manager Barbara Reimer Nye said. Everything had to be stored offsite, and all gardening had to be scheduled.
Episcopal Church leaders and partners working alongside Episcopal ministries are invited to participate in a survey—called for by two resolutions of the 81st General Convention—designed to gather information about how the church serves immigrants and how it has responded to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
Neighbors around Trinity Episcopal Church in Manassas usually said yes to this urgent call from Jennifer Smith, a church member who often rescued soon-to-expire food.
Two Iranian-born asylum-seekers who have been active for the past three years at an Episcopal church in suburban Washington, D.C., are fighting for their freedom after being detained by federal immigration agents and threatened with deportation.
Emmanuel’s Table, a ministry of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, has received $3,000 from the Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation to help nourish neighbors experiencing hunger.
To make sure our diocesan map is accurate and reflects changes in regions, the Communications Team and diocesan staff worked to create an update. The new map is now posted on the Regions, Deans, and Presidents page. A paper copy will be mailed to each church, along with Bishop Bourlakas’ portrait for posting at your churches.
Each winter, through PACEM, more than 80 faith congregations and community groups and 3,000 volunteers in the Charlottesville area pitch in to address the need for shelter. They respond by opening their doors, serving evening meals, giving financially, and providing companionship.
These hostile times for Spanish-speaking people in Virginia are even harder for those who are homeless, unemployed, or underemployed. But in Springfield, on the same day each week, they receive hope and opportunity — and so do the Episcopal clergy and volunteers serving them.
Each year, the Diocese is honored to offer parishes the opportunity to apply for Bishop’s Appeal grants. Like a mustard seed, these grants are small, $2,000 at most, but they are a catalyst for incredible growth.
The Very Rev. Daniel Vélez-Rivera, Vicar of St. Gabriel’s Church in Leesburg, was recently named the Community Foundation’s 2025 Changemaker of the Year.
