09/03/2026
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Greetings!
Issue Date: September 2, 2026
Thank you for subscribing to the diocesan newsletter. This is a place for providing information, sharing news, and telling stories.
News & Announcements
Lay Preaching Program
Do you feel called to preach? In the Diocese of Southern Virginia there are two licenses that the bishop may grant to allow lay people to preach.
One type of license limits the preaching that takes place to the individual’s home church. Training and supervision, and recommendation, for this licensure falls to the parish priest.
The other type of license permits the individual to be deployed by the bishop’s office to preach in the wider diocese. This expanded preaching license requires a formal training program, mentorship, and ongoing formation.
Our diocese is seeking to expand this pool of lay preachers. If you are interested in preaching to the wider diocese, contact Canon Farlin at [email protected] to learn more about the program.
Responding to Natural Disasters
Between the catastrophic glacier avalanche and flash floods in Nepal that wiped out entire villages, to the severe wildfires and extreme weather hitting communities right here at home from Hawaii to Indiana, the scale of these disasters is hard to process.
That is exactly why the work of Episcopal Relief & Development is so crucial right now. By partnering directly with locals on the ground, they deliver immediate emergency relief and stick around to rebuild long after the headlines fade.
If you are looking for a way to help, supporting ERD's Disaster Relief Fund ensures your contribution goes straight to the front lines. You can donate and learn more using the button below.
Learn More
Upcoming & Ongoing
Looking for recurring events and previously announced opportunities?
Upcoming Events Calendar | Catch up on the Tidings webpage
Pray with the Diocese Each Week
Episcopalians across the Diocese of Southern Virginia are invited to incorporate these weekly prayers into Sunday worship, parish communications, and personal devotions.
In our Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, we pray for St. Francis, Virginia Beach; St. Simon’s by-the-Sea, Virginia Beach; and all congregations led by laity.
In the Armed Ministries & Federal Chaplains Cycle of Prayer, we pray for our chaplains, military members, and their families. This week we specifically remember those serving in Wyoming - at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Camp Guernsey, the 153rd Airlift Wing Air National Guard, Laramie Readiness Center, and the Cheyenne VA Medical Center.
Find the complete 2026-2027 Diocesan Cycle of Prayer and additional resources here.
Creation Care Team Recycling Update
Thanks to all who have been participating in our Terra Cycle recycling program.
We sent 17.4 pounds of cups and lids off to Terra Cycle and are getting ready to ship our first box of water filters. Recycling of water filters (see photo) has been so popular that we had to double the size of the collection box!
Thanks to St. Andrew’s, Norfolk for sending in a photo of their collection site - love the originality!
Send the Creation Care Team a photo of your recycling collection area and your church’s name to [email protected] so we can give you all a shout-out for helping to care for creation. Thank you to all who are participating!
Book Studies Starting Soon
The historical approach to faith formation was once grounded in traditional age-based programs. However, many church communities are searching for an all-age ministry approach to connect the community as one body of people coming together for worship, formation, service, and community.
The new book "Church Together – An Essential Guide to All-Age Ministry" by Traci Smith and David M. Csinos, explores effective all-age ministry and offers theorical background and creative suggestions to live into all-age formation. Join in the discussion beginning Wednesday, September 16 at 12 p.m. for our lunchtime book study.
Click here to register and the Zoom link will be emailed to you after registering. Feel free to bring your lunch and read the first forty-eight pages for our discussion on the 16th!
Canons Farlin and Foster have selected another book from their ever-growing book list. Their next book study will begin on Wednesday, September 16 at 6 p.m. to discuss James Loeffler’s new book "Exceptional Hatred – Antisemitism And The Fight Over Free Speech In Modern America."
Click here to register for this book study. The Zoom link will be emailed to you after you register. At our first gathering on September 16th, we will be discussing the first fifty-seven pages of the book. Hope you can join us for this book discussion!
ECW's Women in Leadership Symposium
You're invited to an inspiring Women in Leadership Symposium hosted by Episcopal Church Women, featuring distinguished leaders in the Church.
This dynamic event brings together remarkable leaders, including:
President Lisa Bortner, President of the National ECW
Bishop Susan Haynes, 11th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia
Dr. Renee Escoffery-Torres, ECW President of Province III
The Rev. Lissie Rhoton, Rector of Christ & Grace Church
Helen Sharpe-Williams, Former President, ECW of the Diocese of Southern Virginia
Martha Burton, Moderator
Date: Saturday, October 17th
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Location: Christ & Grace Episcopal Church, 1545 S Sycamore St, Petersburg, VA 23805
Whether you're seeking inspiration, professional development, or fellowship with parishioners from across the Diocese of Southern Virginia, this symposium offers an excellent opportunity to learn from experienced leaders and strengthen your own leadership journey.
Attendance: In-person or via Zoom
Cost: No registration fee; lunch available for $15
Register Here
Seeds of Hope Grant Applications Due September 30
Congregations and diocesan-affiliated groups are encouraged to apply for a 2026 Seeds of Hope Grant to support the development or expansion of social justice ministries within the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia. Grants are available to parishes, affiliated institutions, commissions, task forces, and other diocesan organizations whose projects reflect the Anglican Communion’s Five Marks of Mission.
Grant requests must support new ministries or the expansion of existing ministries already in action within diocesan congregations or organizations. Applications for 2026 funding must be received no later than September 30, 2026. Awards will be announced and distributed by December 10, 2026.
National Acolyte Festival
Saturday, October 10, 2026 | Washington National Cathedral
The National Acolyte Festival is right around the corner, and registration is open now. Join acolytes, servers and vergers from around the country for a day of faith, service, fellowship and fun.
Join the festival’s celebratory Grandest of Processions, followed by a festive Holy Eucharist and an afternoon of fun workshops and offerings, where you can perfect your thurible techniques, help build the LEGO® Cathedral, create a liturgical streamer, look at Cathedral treasures or peruse exhibitors.
Explore and Register
Around the Diocese
We love to share stories about how God is at work in our diocese. Thank you for submitting your news, photos, videos, and graphics to [email protected]. Please review the Tidings submission guidelines here.
Camp Imagine
Norfolk, Convocation 3
Church of the Good Shepherd in Norfolk had an incredible two weeks of creativity, collaboration, and community, producing “Camp Imagine.” Combining theatre, song, and dance with large-scale art (and more than a little creative engineering) Ben Blanchard led about 20 middle-school aged youth from the Mission of the Holy Spirit, Good Shepherd, and around the community as they built a dream week of fun, making new friends, engaging three times as many adult volunteers, and seeing Christ alive in new ways. “Better Together” was the theme and we learned how true that is!
We are filled with gratitude as we acknowledge the many people and organizations who made this extraordinary experience possible. Camp Imagine wasn't powered by imagination alone it was fueled by an incredible village of adults who sprinkled kindness (and food and snacks) into every corner of camp.
We also extend sincere appreciation for funding provided through the Seeds of Hope Grant, awarded by the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia.
Please enjoy this digital magazine of our time at Camp Imagine 2026: Camp Imagine- Better Together 2026 and a Camp Imagine Parade video.
Organ Recital & Choral Evensong
Portsmouth, Convocation 4
Sunday, September 13 at 4 p.m.
Please join us at Trinity Episcopal Church, Portsmouth for a free 30-minute organ recital played by Christopher Titko, the Lindauer Endowed Chair for Music and Fine Arts at Monumental United Methodist Church, Portsmouth.
The recital will be immediately followed by a service of Choral Evensong, sung by the semi-professional choir of Trinity Church (Eric Dolch, Organist & Choirmaster) and accompanied by Christopher Titko.
Choral repertoire includes William Smith (1603-1645) Preces & Responses, Thomas Attwood Walmisley (1814-1856) Evening Service in D minor, Ralph Vaughan Williams “O how amiable,” and Psalm settings by C.H.H. Parry (1848-1918) and Gerre Hancock (1934-2012).
A reception follows the service in the churchyard.
For more information, call 757-393-0431 or email [email protected] Trinity Episcopal Church, 500 Court Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704
Middle School Outreach Camp
Midlothian, Convocation 7
Redeemer Episcopal Church, Midlothian hosted our annual Middle School Outreach Camp on August 17-21. Twenty-six middle schoolers were led by a group of ten high school counselors in daily mission and service activities.
We harvested green beans at Shalom Farms, delivered 123 backpacks full of supplies to Bensley Elementary, created over 400 reflective safety keychains for SHOOD (Shoes for Good) and for Redeemer Episcopal School, and raised $1,000 for the Children's Hospital of Richmond through a community car wash.
Johns Memorial Welcomes Back Students and Teachers
Farmville, Convocation 8
Farmville Virginia, where Johns Memorial Church is located, is the home to Longwood University and Hampden Sydney College. “Those two schools are an important part of what makes Farmville a great community. We honored the students and faculty for their contributions to the community and our parish life,” said Charlotte Green, Senior Warden.
On Sunday August 30, following the 10:30 a.m. service, the church welcomed back teachers and students from both institutions.
Resources
Visit diosova.org for more program, resources, and administration information.
DIOSOVA Creation Care
Episcopal Church Creation Care
General Convention Creation Care resolutions
Creation Justice Ministries
Office of Government Relations (legislation based on General Convention resolutions) esp RE Episcopal Public Policy Network (EPPN)
Parish Administrators & Treasurers Digest
Specialized & Universal Safe Church Training
Job Opportunities
Racial Healing Workshop
Lay Ministry Training
Note: Permission for publication must be received from those included in photos or videos prior to submission. Tidings will not publish personal phone numbers.
The Diocese of Southern Virginia embraces a set of guiding principles to enrich our lives. This transformative journey involves fostering a sense of belonging and togetherness in community; actively practicing acts of kindness and service; exploring, questioning, and learning from scripture; commitm...
