The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia

Complimentary Clergy Retreat at Roslyn
2025-01-13 - 2025-01-16 | Roslyn Retreat Center, 8727 River Road, Richmond, VA, 23229, United States
Roslyn is pleased to offer a complimentary overnight retreat to active and retired clergy in the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia. It is offered at no cost to all Episcopal clergy of the Diocese of Virginia and their spouses, this mid-week retreat is a great opportunity for reflection and rest. Meals are included. The upcoming clergy retreat offered at Roslyn is scheduled for Monday, January 13 thru Thursday, January 16, 2025.
Please call or email Missy at 804-288-6045 or melissakj@roslyncenter.org if you are interested in making a reservation.

MLK Weekend at St. James'
2025-01-19 - 2025-01-20 | St. James’s Episcopal, Richmond, 1205 West Franklin Street, Richmond, VA, 23220, United States
St. James’s will be celebrating – and honoring – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in multiple ways on January 19 and 20.
On Sunday the 19th at 5 pm come to our moving and gorgeous Evensong, featuring St. James’s Choirs and the Concert Choir of Norfolk State University, directed by Dr. Harlan Zachery. Dr. Carl W. Haywood will once again be the Organist and Guest Conductor. Martin Luther King’s stirring “I Have a Dream” speech will be read by Dr. Ronald Crutcher, president emeritus at University of Richmond, and prayers will be offered by the Rt. Rev. E. Mark Stevenson, Bishop of Virginia.
On Monday the 20th at 10 am, we’ll be hosting a reading of MLK’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” The readers include many local clerics and laypeople, including Richmond Mayor Danny Avula.
In addition, our Youth will be honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through service in the Catacombs, an area of our church used 24/7 by local NA and AA groups.

A Virginia Celebration of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
2025-01-22 19:30 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | Saint Bernadette Catholic Church, 7600 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield, VA, 22152, United States
We welcome you to join with bishops, ecumenical officers and representatives of judicatories across Virginia to pray for unity hosted by the Virginia LARCUM Committee.
The theme for the 2025 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity was approved by the Catholic Church’s Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity and the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches, in collaboration with the ecumenical monastic community of Bose in Italy.
The entire passage chosen for reflection is John 11:17-27, where Jesus arrives in Bethany and raises Lazarus from the dead. A part of that story is the encounter between Jesus and Martha, at the end of which Martha confesses faith in Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God. This year’s theme was chosen in recognition of the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea (325), at which the words “I believe” were chosen to anchor the Creed as an instrument of universal Christian unity.

Ordination of Priests
2025-02-01 10:30 - 12:30 | St. Andrew’s Episcopal, Arlington, 4000 Lorcom Lane, Arlington, VA, 22207, United States
God willing, the Rt. Rev’d. E. Mark Stevenson, Bishop of Virginia, will ordain Rebecca Deann Casey and Caroline Greer Mitchell to the Sacred Order of Priests on Saturday, February 1 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Arlington, Virginia. The Ordination will be recorded and available on YouTube for those unable to attend in person. Clergy who wish to vest and process should plan to arrive by 9:30 a.m.; the festal color of the day is white.

Hope In the Wilderness: A Day of Reflection
2025-02-02 10:00 - 15:00 | St. David’s Episcopal, Aylett, 11291 West River Road, Aylett, VA, 23009, United States
Our guest, Bishop Susan Goff is the Bishop Suffragan and Ecclesiastical Authority of Virginia, Retired.
Drawing from her rich pastoral and personal experience, Bishop Goff will lead us through a time of prayer, worship and reflection, focusing on the intersection between Hope and Lamentation, Hope and Intercession, and Hope and Praise.
For lunch a Soup & Salad Bar will be offered ($10.00). Coffee and Tea will be available through the day.
“The Desert Shall Rejoice”, Bishop Goff’s most recent book will be available for purchase.
Please RSVP by leaving a message: 1-804-499-5940

Diocesan Grant Cycle: Letters of Inquiry Due
2025-02-07 | VA
Bishop’s Appeal and PJL Small Church Revitalization Grant guidelines are now available on the diocesan website. The letter of inquiry for these grants is due by February 7. Bishop’s Appeal grants may be awarded up to $2,000 and PJL Small Church grants up to $5,000. Questions? Contact Stephanie Gurnsey Higgins

Searching for Hope with Bishop Susan Goff
2025-02-22 09:30 - 12:00 | Buck Mountain Episcopal, Earlysville, 4133 Earlysville Road, VA, 22936, United States
Are you going through a difficult time in your life? Is hope hard to find? Susan Goff, retired Suffragan Bishop of the Diocese of Virginia and author of “The Desert Shall Rejoice: Psalms from the Wilderness of Breast Cancer”, will lead a workshop at Buck Mountain Episcopal Church in Earlysville, Virginia on Saturday, February 22 from 9:30am to 12:30pm.
She will offer words of hope and healing from her own experience of breast cancer and offer participants opportunities for prayer and reflection on their own times in the deserts of life. The event is free and open to the public. Light lunch is provided, and donations are appreciated.
Register Online
Download a Printable Flyer

Episcopal Parish Network (EPN) 40th Annual Conference
2025-02-25 08:00 - 2025-02-28 17:00 | VA
We are thrilled to invite your clergy and lay leaders to join us for EPN’s 40th Annual Conference, taking place February 25 – 28, in Kansas City. This gathering of hundreds of lay and clergy leaders from across the Episcopal Church promises to be a momentous event, with an exciting array of offerings for inspiration, learning, and connection.
This year’s conference is especially significant as it will feature Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe in his first churchwide event since his investiture. Bishop Sean will join us in Kansas City for the Rector and Dean Pre-conference and our opening keynote conversation, making this a can’t-miss opportunity for local leaders to engage with him.
In addition to Bishop Sean’s presence, the conference will offer:

Keynotes on the pressing issues of our time, including leadership, community-building, and innovation.
Pre-conferences tailored for rectors/deans, associates, lay leaders, and other ministry roles.
Six learning tracks with practical workshops addressing stewardship, property use, leadership development, and more.

Learn more and register.

Celebration of New Ministry for the Rev. David Rose
2025-02-26 18:00 - 20:00 | Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Harrisonburg, 660 South Main St., Harrisonburg, VA, 22801
Join the people of Emmanuel, Harrisonburg, as they celebrate the new ministry of the Rev. David Rose, Rector.

Tending the Spirit: A Restorative Retreat for All
2025-02-28 - 2025-03-01 | St. Stephen’s Episcopal, Richmond, 6000 Grove Ave, Richmond, VA, 23226, United States
Hosted by the Women of St. Stephen’s
Friday, February 28 and Saturday, March 1, 2025
Register by February 24
Are you so busy taking care of others that your own spirit is neglected, weary, strained? When was the last time you devoted time to your own reflection and renewal? Come to an event designed to nourish your spirit while you discover tools to nurture your soul as we enter the season of Lent.
This retreat is for all: women and men, St. Stephen’s parishioners and those who attend other churches (or none).
Register Online

Ordination of New Deacons
2025-03-01 10:30 - 12:00 | St. George’s Episcopal, Arlington, 915 N. Oakland St., Arlington, VA, 22203, United States
God willing, The Rt. Rev. Gayle E. Harris, Assistant Bishop of Virginia will ordain Kara Louise Laughlin, Anne Kristine Rose and Joy Yvonne Warburton to the Sacred Order of Deacons on Saturday, March 1 2025 at 10:30 a.m. at St. George’s Episcopal Church in Arlington, Virginia. Clergy who wish to vest and process should plan to arrive by 9:30; the color of the day is red (cassock/surplice preferred). The ordination will also be livestreamed on the St. George’s website. Please see the following for information regarding parking and public transition to St. George’s.

Shrine Mont Collect for Transfiguration Sunday
2025-03-02 | VA
Celebrate Shrine Mont’s Centennial in your parish! Click HERE to see Bishop Stevenson’s invitation to celebrate Shrine Mont.
This last Sunday in Epiphany we prepare for Lent by reading the transfiguration passage from Luke’s Gospel, 9:28-36.
Please take a moment during this service to remember Shrine Mont on our centennial and pray the following collect:
O God, who on the holy Mount revealed your wonderfully transfigured Son to his chosen witnesses, and inspired The Rev. Dr. Edmund Woodward a century ago to build the Cathedral Shrine of the Transfiguration at Shrine Mont – a sacred place where all are welcome to bask in God’s love: Grant that those who visit this place may find peace, your presence, and the inspiration to return to our communities as your disciples bringing hope and reconciling love to a world desperate for your light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Click HERE to download a pdf of the Centennial Collect
After the service we encourage you to hold a special coffee hour and let us know if you’d like some apple butter to serve with your biscuits!
Here is a neat recipe for Meatloaf balls! Meatloaf balls or Mac and Cheese bites: Homemade Mac and Cheese Bites
There are more ideas coming so keep checking!

World Mission Sunday
2025-03-02 08:00 - 17:00 | VA
On the last Sunday of Epiphany each year, The Episcopal Church recognizes World Mission Sunday. This is a perfect time to pray individually or as a congregation for world mission and lift up international partners. Click here for global mission prayer resources and a Liturgy for World Mission Sunday.
More Information

The Spiritual Resilience Working Group Invites You to a Lenten Book Journey
2025-03-06 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom
Each Lent, the Spiritual Resilience Working Group (SRWG) of the Creation Care Committee offers a virtual book journey to members of the Diocese of Virginia and beyond. This year’s journey will focus on St. Benedict.
The world was in chaos in the year 500 CE. The Roman Empire, which had held a firm grip as the world’s super power, was unraveling. People felt that the ground beneath their feet was shifting so rapidly that they could not see the future. Benedict wrote his Rule to give guidance for keeping the way of faith. You are invited to join the SRWG in reading his Rule in daily meditations using THE RULE OF BENEDICT: INSIGHTS FOR THE AGES by Joan Chittister, OSB. We will gather weekly via zoom at 7 PM to share insights from the reading on March 6, 13, 27, April 3, and 10. Please join us in this journey and share this invitation within your own congregation. Space is limited. Register by March 1 by emailing creationcare@episcopalvirginia.org with your name and preferred email. (NOTE: used copies of this book can be found at eBay or AbeBooks.)

Concerts at Christ Church: Classical Art Songs for Spring: John Logan Wood, Tenor & Carter Sligh, Piano
2025-03-10 12:15 - 13:00 | Christ Church Episcopal, Alexandria, 118 N. Washington St., Alexandria, 22314, United States
Come enjoy live music in the beautiful setting of Christ Church as part of a monthly concert series featuring local artists on the second Monday of October, November, December, March, April, and May at 12:15 p.m. These 45-minute programs include solo performers and chamber musicians based in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia.
Admission is free, though we hope audience members will support the series with a goodwill donation of any amount (suggested amount: $10).

Open Conversation on Global Mission in the Diocese of Virginia
2025-03-10 19:30 - 20:30 | Zoom
How can global mission strengthen us spiritually and enrich congregational vitality? The Rev. Shirley Smith Graham, diocesan Minister for Congregational Vitality, will share how her experiences as a missionary in South Sudan enriched her spiritual journey and inform her work today in congregational vitality. Join us to explore how we, as individuals and congregations, can meet more of God as we encounter new people in new places, allowing us to share more and ultimately love more.
To register to receive the Zoom link, please click here or email Diane Wright.

Writing as Spiritual Practice: A Lenten Invitation
2025-03-11 19:00 - 20:30 | Online
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Experience a Lenten practice of “contemplative writing”—writing for no audience except you and God. Through weekly prompts, workshops, and invitations to write both in and outside of class, you will be invited to explore how words can become a pathway into prayer, making you more open and available to God’s love and work in your life.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
Anyone seeking to deepen their spiritual practice through writing, engage in prayerful reflection, and open themselves to God’s presence during the Lenten season. This program is ideal for those looking for a creative and introspective way to enrich their spiritual journey.
Register Online

St. Paul's Richmond's Lenten Lunch Series
2025-03-12 12:00 - 13:30, 2025-03-19 12:00 - 13:30, 2025-03-26 12:00 - 13:30, 2025-04-02 12:00 - 13:30, 2025-04-09 12:00 - 13:30 | St. Paul’s Episcopal, Richmond, 815 E Grace St., Richmond, VA, 23219, United States
Fifty years ago, the Episcopal Church ordained its first female clergy. The 2025 Lenten Lunch and Speaker series celebrates this hallmark event. Each week, a female faith leader will talk about their experiences of serving as leaders in faith communities.
Read More About St. Paul’s Lenten Lunches

Leading with Purpose: Navigating Church and Nonprofit Management
2025-03-13 15:00 - 16:30 | Online
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
In this 4-session, you’ll learn what it means to manage in a Not-For-Profit (NFP) organization. Whether you’re wondering about making a career change to do such meaningful work, how it differs from church management and leadership, or wanting to be a better church manager (e.g., parish administrator or clergy leader) or lay leader (e.g., senior warden), this training is a great opportunity to enhance your skills. You’ll get an inside look at how “the sausage is made,” both in terms of structure and detail, as well as an opportunity for discerning your call for Not-for-Profit management. It is inspiring work, but NFP management isn’t for the faint of heart!
COURSE OUTLINE:
Session I: What are our Professional and Community Contexts, and the Contexts of our Program Participants? We’ll share why we’re here, and why we’re interested in NFP/church management, and what YOU want to cover in this course, time-permitting! We’ll share our individual contexts as leaders, the NFPs we have experienced and know, and the community “participants” (clients) served and the populations represented. Finally, we’ll look at what a faith-based NFP looks like and what the differences are from a “secular” NFP and, culturally speaking, how a faith-based NFP differs from a church.
Session II: Presenting TWO NFP Models: What does NFP Management look like in terms of structure, staffing, geography, and the role of volunteers? We’ll discuss what church management look like, what the differences are with NFP’s, both faith-based and secular. We’ll discuss various NFP types, missions, staffing, and staffing configurations. We’ll also examine the challenges of hiring in NFPs particularly the challenge of matching position descriptions with skill sets, defining what you need, but looking for what you want.
Session III: Management Roles and Responsibilities in an NFP. We’ll look at how roles and responsibilities differ in the two models, in this case a faith-based model and a secular model. We’ll also talk about the oversight bodies and how they function or are supposed to function – not just the Board, but the Management Team, Committee Chairs and, in one model, a Partner Council – and how that is integrated structurally with a Board. Finally, we’ll discuss the budget process, including what a budget really is, and how it’s understood by different management players in an NFP, e.g., Finance v. Development.
Session IV: Organizational Oversight & Strategic Visioning/Planning in an NFP. We’ll draw distinctions between the visioning, the planning, and the implementation of the Plan. We’ll also go into some detail discussing process, players, roles, and the nature of the Plan’s content, e.g., how detailed or general should it be? We’ll even discuss the debate about whether making a Strategic Plan even makes sense! This is the debate about annual strategic goals vs. a longer plan, which came back to life in the Pandemic. Finally, we’ll try to wrap it up, discussing the view from the top (e.g. CEO and COO).
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
-Clergy and Lay Leaders seeking to enhance their understanding of nonprofit and church management and refine their leadership and organizational skills.
-Faith-Based Nonprofit Professionals navigating the complexities of mission-driven work.
Individuals Considering a Career Change into nonprofit management or exploring a vocational calling.
-Anyone Interested in Strategic Leadership within the context of nonprofits and faith communities.
Register Online

Creation Care Committee Open House (Via Zoom)
2025-03-18 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom
The Diocese of Virginia’s Creation Care Committee (CCC) was established by Bishop Peter Lee several decades ago as a way to bring awareness to parishes of God’s gift of creation. During the subsequent years, our world has changed. While the CCC continues to celebrate God’s gift of creation, it also encourages both parishes and individuals to increase energy efficiency of their properties, reclaim and restore the native habitat around them, and consider spiritual resilience in a climate-changed time. Our work unifies us because of our common faith. We offer worship resources, educational experiences, and safe places for discussion–always focusing on loving Jesus, embodying justice, and trying to serve as disciples. The CCC meets monthly and has two working groups: Habitat Restoration and Spiritual Resilience. We invite you to join us on March 18, 7 PM, to learn more about the Committee and consider offering your gifts toward these goals. Please share this invitation within your own congregation. Register by March 15 by emailing creationcare@episcopalvirginia.org with your name and preferred email. We look forward to meeting you then.

Episcopal Church Women Present “The Desert Shall Rejoice: Hope in Troubling Times”
2025-03-19 09:00 - 14:00 | Grace & Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 8 N. Laurel St., Richmond, VA, 22320, United States
On Wednesday, March 19th, the Diocese of Virginia Episcopal Church Women (ECW) will host a diocese-wide Lenten Retreat with Bishop Susan Goff at Grace & Holy Trinity Church (GHTC). This gender inclusive retreat begins with a fellowship hour at 9:00 a.m. The full agenda can be found below.
To attend this event, either in-person or via livestream, register by emailing Catherine Perrin with the names of those attending, your church’s name, and your email address. The deadline to register is Friday, March 14th, 2025. Indicate if you will be attending in-person or watching via livestream. Those who are attending via livestream will be sent the link prior to the event. While this event is being offered without charge, donations are greatly appreciated to defray its cost and add to the ECW Gifts and Scholarship Fund. Please mail all donations to Kaaron Austin, 7319 Willson Road, Henrico, VA 23231.
Gather in the Parish Hall to Register
9:00 a.m.
Reflection by Bishop Goff in the Sanctuary
10:00 a.m.
Holy Eucharist with Healing Service”
11:00 a.m.
Lunch & Discussion in the Parish Hall
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Download and print this parking card containing further instructions.

Shrine Mont Camps Sunday
2025-03-23 | VA
Shrine Mont Camps Sunday is an opportunity to lift up our camp ministry in prayer and celebrate the life-changing moments that happen there each summer. On Shrine Mont Camps Sunday, we invite every congregation to lift up our program during worship. Here are some ways to celebrate:

Designate loose plate offering to camp scholarship opportunities.
Use some of the Shrine Mont Camps Sunday liturgical resources in your service.
Invite camp alumni to preach, offer a reflection, or share their camp experience during coffee hour.

Grace Will Lead Us Home: A Benefit Concert Against Homelessness
2025-03-23 16:30 - 17:00 | Christ Church Episcopal, Glen Allen, 5000 Pouncey Tract Rd, Glen Allen, VA, 23059, United States
Join us Sunday, March 23, 2025, at 4:30 pm for our Spring Benefit Concert held at Christ Church Episcopal.
Christ Church Adult, Youth and Children Choirs, and House Band and Friends will be performing.
The concert is free, and donations are welcomed.
How to Donate

Power to Protect - Immigrant & Refugee Ally Training
2025-03-30 12:00 - 14:30 | St. George’s Episcopal, Arlington, 915 N. Oakland St., Arlington, VA, 22203, United States
Are you called to help our refugee and immigrant neighbors at risk in these challenging times? As an ally, you have the power to help protect their rights, oppose inhumane treatment, and prepare families in advance for the path ahead.
Learn from local immigration experts how to serve as an ally. Gain practical knowledge on what you can do to help individuals and families.
This event is in-person only for security reasons. If you cannot attend in person, please indicate your interest for receiving training materials in the form. Depending on demand, we may consider adding a virtual session in the future.
NGO Volunteer & Take Action Fair (12-12:30pm): NGOs will provide information about resources and volunteer opportunities. You will have the option of taking advocacy action on the spot
Ally Training (12:30-2:30 pm): participants to take part in a scenario-based training to learn the best ways to support our immigrant/ refugee neighbors in light of current immigration law enforcement practices

Hosted by: NOVA Friends of Refugees (a joint collaboration between Saint George’s Episcopal and Mount Olivet United Methodist)
Brought to you in partnership with:

Asylum Works
CASA
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington (CCDA)
Congregation Action Network (CAN)
DMV Accompaniment Network (DAN)
ECDC
Homes Not Borders
Legal Aid Justice Center (LAJC)
NoVA RAFT
Washington English Center

To help create secure space, we ask you to answer a few questions about yourself to confirm who you are and your interest in immigrant/refugee justice.
RSVP Online

Virtual Prayer Service for Global Mission
2025-04-07 19:30 - 20:00 | Zoom
Please join us at our next virtual prayer service for global mission on Monday, April 7, 2025, at 7:30 pm. This short service provides a contemplative space to remember and pray for each of our global mission partners. Click here to join the Zoom service.
Join the Service

Office of Global & Ecumenical Partnerships April Networking Call
2025-04-09 14:00 - 15:30 | Online
Office of Global & Ecumenical Partnershipswill hold its April networking call at 2pm on Wednesday, April 9. Join in to hear updates about staff realignments within The Episcopal Church and their impact on global mission. For registration information, email globalpartnerships@episcopalchurch.org.
