St. Paul’s Episcopal Church to keep graffiti tagged during Richmond protests: ‘I consider these memorials’

From Richmond-

Many businesses and public buildings have been tagged with graffiti during the days of protests in Richmond, including places of worship. One church is choosing to keep the graffiti in place.

Charlie Dupree, Rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, said the graffiti, which reads things like “I can’t breathe,” and “George Floyd” is a reminder that change is needed. George Floyd died after a police officer knelt on his neck in Minnesota. 

“I consider these memorials. They represent those people who have lost their lives to injustice,” Dupree said.

Dupree told 8News the spray painted messages will be staying put for now. “We don’t know how long, but we feel like to race to get rid of it, to rush to either spray wash off everything, just kind of sweeps the conversation under the rug and it’s a conversation that’s been swept under the rug for far too long,” he said.

More here-

https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/richmond/st-pauls-episcopal-church-to-keep-graffiti-tagged-during-richmond-protests-i-consider-these-memorials/

Richmond-area churches seeing higher-than-normal attendance online

From Virginia-

While church doors have partially opened for the past two weeks in most of Virginia, many faith leaders have enjoyed an uptick in participation in online services and are looking for ways to retain that interest.

Richmond couple April and Rick Greenwood each lead their respective Episcopal churches on Sundays, though their homilies haven’t been delivered from their sanctuaries for some time because of closures due to COVID-19. Rick Greenwood is the rector at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in downtown Petersburg, and April Greenwood, a 30-minute drive east, is the rector at Westover Episcopal Church, one of the oldest in the country, in rural Charles City County.

More here-

 https://www.richmond.com/news/local/watch-now-richmond-area-churches-seeing-higher-than-normal-attendance-online/article_555e7f0d-8feb-52f0-b35d-ac9d10c253d5.html

Many churches will stay closed even as restrictions ease

From Virginia-

Even though Virginia will relax restrictions on gatherings at houses of worship, many pews will remain empty this weekend.

Several mainline denominations across the commonwealth are instructing members to hold off on in-person services for the time being, as Virginia begins allowing some business and civic activity to restart during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia, which posted a letter on its website Wednesday that acknowledged a “continued fast from in-person worship,” will allow live-streaming of services from inside churches beginning May 24.

More here-

https://www.roanoke.com/news/local/many-churches-will-stay-closed-even-as-restrictions-ease/article_fc5246e6-4f94-5ae7-9941-6581552b69dd.html

DC-area episcopal bishops set plans for resuming public worship

From Washington D.C.-

Episcopal churches in the D.C. area, including the Washington National Cathedral, are making plans for an eventual return to public worship, based on guidance from civic leaders and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Episcopal bishops of Maryland, Virginia and D.C. said there will be a phased regathering, requiring 6 feet of physical distancing between congregants, and all congregants will have to wear masks.

There’ll also be restrictions surrounding the celebration of communion. And the bishops said the regathering plans could be suspended if there’s a rise in coronavirus cases.

More here-

https://wtop.com/coronavirus/2020/05/church-leaders-plan-a-phased-regathering/

Richmond church offering relief for non-profits, businesses

From Virginia-

A Richmond institution created a fund to help organizations struggling during the coronavirus pandemic.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church established a COVID-19 Relief Fund “to respond to the unprecedented levels of need in Richmond.”

The West Grace Street church made an initial investment of $150,000 to serve those in need.
On Thursday, Lynn Williams handed out bagged lunches to anyone who approached the church’s North 9th street entrance.

The Director of Outreach and Community Engagement has noticed new faces among those looking for food assistance.

“It’s more people out there that’s lost their jobs and their regular income and so they’re coming for the meal,” Williams explained. 

More here-

https://www.wtvr.com/rebound/coronavirus-money-help/richmond-church-offering-relief-for-non-profits-businesses

Families parade to show appreciation for Richmond teachers

From Virginia-

St. Michael’s Episcopal School families surprised teachers on Thursday with a caravan of well wishes to show their support and gratitude, as students continue remote learning.

Several cars paraded across metro Richmond to surprise teachers in their homes for Teacher Appreciation Day. The “Caring Caravans” were decorated with homemade signs and included families playing music and blasting their horns. The St. Michael’s Dragon mascot even made a surprise visit at some stops. Teachers were treated with box lunches from Sally Bell’s Kitchen.

St. Michael’s launched remote learning for students in grades kindergarten-eight grade on March 23rd. 

More here-

https://www.wtvr.com/news/coronavirus/virginia-together/families-parade-to-show-appreciation-for-richmond-teachers

Underground Kitchen partners with Episcopal Diocese of Virginia to expand food relief program

From Virginia-

An acclaimed Richmond “roving dinner series” and the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia are pairing up to help feed the Richmond area during the COVID-19 crisis. 

Underground Kitchen and the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia, a Christian community serving nearly 68,000 members and 179 churches throughout Virginia, will partner as part of UGK’s “Community Comes First” food relief program, launched in March to help those in need during Virginia’s COVID-19 outbreaks. 

Over the past two weeks, Underground Kitchen has worked with its team of chefs as well as partners, donors, and volunteers to distribute soup, bread, and tea for free to the metro RVA region. They specifically distribute to:

• Those who are home-bound due to health or logistical restrictions or because they are quarantined

• Emergency and health care workers, including EMT, fire, and police, who typically don’t have time after long shifts to shop or make a healthy meal

• Family members, care-givers, and patients who are in temporary residence in hospital houses while patients undergo treatment

More here-

https://www.wtvr.com/news/coronavirus/virginia-together/underground-kitchen-partners-with-episcopal-diocese-of-virginia-to-expand-food-relief-program

Episcopal Diocese of Virginia cancels gatherings at all churches over outbreak

From Virginia-

The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia announced on March 12 that they would be canceling services at all their churches for the next two weeks as a precaution against the spread of coronavirus, which has been confirmed in at least 18 patients across Virginia.

In a letter to the public, Bishop Suffragan wrote,"We can't stop the spread, but we can slow it, thereby saving lives and helping ensure that our health care system remains effective. Social distancing is our best means of slowing the spread." 

The diocese will reassess the situation at the end of the two weeks and adjust as necessary.
According to that letter, churches may remain open, unless told otherwise by local health officials, and staff may come to work. 

You can find the full letter from the diocese below:

"Dear People of the Diocese of Virginia,

As the Coronavirus spreads, we are called as people of faith to protect one another, particularly the most vulnerable among us. As a step toward doing this, Bishop Brooke-Davidson, three diocesan staff members and I met virtually with 185 of our clergy this afternoon and conveyed to them the decision that we will not physically gather for worship in our church buildings for the next two weeks, between now and March 25. Toward the end of the two weeks, we will assess the situation and adjust as necessary."
More here-

https://www.whsv.com/content/news/Virginia--568756741.html

 

Wood ministry provides warmth to families in need

From Virginia-

About three years ago, Warrenton Baptist Church joined with St. James’ Episcopal Church in an effort to better meet the needs of the community, Ward said. 

Volunteers now hold work sessions at the wood lot every Saturday, with Warrenton Baptist Church hosting on the first and third Saturdays and St. James’ hosting on the second and fourth Saturdays. 

On the workdays, volunteers saw, split and stack the wood. Trees sawn into 18-inch sections are delivered to the lot by professional arborists and others who support the wood ministry.

More here-

https://www.princewilliamtimes.com/news/wood-ministry-provides-warmth-to-families-in-need/article_5389026d-9169-5422-9fab-0ff557c6f5a8.html

Historic Falls Church Episcopal Celebrates 250 Years Sunday

From Virginia-

The congregation of the City of Falls Church’s iconic, living historical monument, the Falls Church Episcopal Church, will celebrate the church’s 250th anniversary at a series of special events at the church site in the center of the City this Sunday.

The original church was opened in 1734 and the existing historic church building, since renovated and still fully functional, now one of the oldest church buildings in the U.S., was opened on Dec. 20, 1769, prior to the outbreak of the American Revolution, under the leadership of George Washington and George Mason among others. Mason was elected a vestryman of the Falls Church in 1745 and Washington in 1762.

In a proclamation signed by current Falls Church Mayor David Tarter at this Monday’s City Council meeting, it is noted that the Declaration of Independence was read to the public from the steps of the church in 1776 and the church served as a recruiting location during the Revolutionary War.

More here-

https://fcnp.com/2019/12/12/historic-falls-church-episcopal-celebrates-250-years-sunday/

Falls Church Episcopal’s Healing Rector Leaves After 7 Years of Growth

From Virginia-

The Rev. John Ohmer, who for seven years led the recovery of the congregation of the historic Falls Church Episcopal from its many years of exile, held his final service there last Sunday, departing for a new position in Asheville, North Carolina. Over 400 attended his last service and a reception held after.

When Ohmer came onto the scene at the church in September 2012, the property had just been reclaimed by the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia from a more than six year occupation by defectors who’d voted to leave the denomination in December 2005, but then continued to occupy the property. They voted to leave in large part protesting the Episcopal denomination’s election of an openly-gay bishop in 2003.

During those years of occupation, whose claim to the property after years of litigation was denied by the Virginia Supreme Court and then went unheard by the U.S. Supreme Court, a small remnant of “continuing Episcopalians” persisted, first meeting in the living room of a lay member and then invited to worship in the fellowship hall of the Falls Church Presbyterian Church across the street.

More here-

https://fcnp.com/2019/10/31/f-c-episcopals-healing-rector-leaves-after-7-years-of-growth/

Rev. Ohmer, Rector of F.C. Episcopal Since 2012, Announces He’s Leaving

From Virginia-

The Rev. John Ohmer, who has served as the rector of the historic Falls Church Episcopal Church since 2012, issued a letter to his congregation today saying he will be leaving his post for a new assignment in Asheville, North Carolina, in November. Ohmer has overseen a considerable revival of the church following a contentious seven-year struggle to regain control of the church property from a group of defectors in the church who refused to relinquish it following their vote to defect in 2005.     

By 2012 the Diocese of Virginia had secured the site following a number of court rulings, including a final refusal of the U.S. Supreme Court to hear an appeal by the defectors, who had identified themselves as an arm of the Nigerian Anglican church. They defected on grounds of their opposition to the U.S. Episcopal Church’s election of an openly-gay bishop in 2003.  

More here-

https://fcnp.com/2019/09/26/rev-ohmer-rector-of-f-c-episcopal-since-2012-announces-hes-leaving/

British minister sees more spirituality among Americans than Europeans

From Virginia-

Of course, it bothers the Rev. Justin Ivatts that many people seem to be focusing more on secular things and paying less attention to God.

But the Englishman, who now ministers at two Clarke County churches, has noticed over the years that Americans strive to have some kind of spirituality more so than Europeans.

He wonders why, considering that “European values are more in sync with what Jesus preached,” Ivatts said. For instance, he said, people with more money have a greater responsibility to help the poor.

“Britain is much more secular nowadays than the U.S.,” he observed, mentioning that churches there — especially ones in larger cities — generally are no longer well-attended.

“If you say over there that you go to church on Sundays, some people are going to look at you like you’ve got two heads,” said Ivatts. “It’s not cool,” so to speak, to attend church.

More here-

https://www.winchesterstar.com/winchester_star/british-minister-sees-more-spirituality-among-americans-than-europeans/article_f1835a47-f2e7-5380-ba4a-2bd612840cf8.html

More than a footnote: Locals honor the legacy of Margaret Mercer

From Virginia-

Loudoun County quietly forgot teacher and abolitionist Margaret Mercer after her death in 1846, even though she practiced racial integration and STEM education more than a century ahead of her time. On the grounds of St. David’s Episcopal Church and School, all that remains of her work are ruins and an obelisk erected by grateful students.

At least, that is, until now.

Mercer’s legacy returned to the spotlight Sunday, when dozens of public figures from Loudoun and Liberia gathered at St. David’s in Ashburn to dedicate a Virginia historical marker in her honor.

“[Mercer] needs to be remembered and not ignored,” said Ken Courter, a member of St. David’s and one of those who spearheaded efforts to erect the memorial.

More here-

https://www.loudountimes.com/news/more-than-a-footnote-locals-honor-the-legacy-of-margaret/article_8d23404e-b53f-11e8-9192-63a2a94a0e5a.html

Diocese of Virginia to replace Bishop Johnston with provisional bishop for three years

From The Episcopal Church-

Helen K. Spence, president of the Diocese of Virginia’s standing committee, sent a letter to the diocese on Aug. 20 announcing the committee’s decision to seek a provisional bishop for three years after Bishop Shannon Johnston steps down in November. Election of the provision bishop would take place at the diocese’s convention in November. The following is the test of Spence’s letter.

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

Bishop Shannon Johnston has announced that he will resign as our Bishop Diocesan during our Annual Convention in November 2018, and he will fully retire on June 30, 2019. In his letter of August 3, Bishop Shannon called for “new vision and new energy for the church in our Diocese.” To create the best opportunity for that vision and energy, the Standing Committee is seeking a Bishop Provisional for election at the November convention, per General Convention Title III.13.1. We want to make all of you aware of the steps involved in this process, as we work for the good of our Diocese.

More here-

https://www.episcopalchurch.org/library/article/diocese-virginia-replace-bishop-johnston-provisional-bishop-three-years

Diocese of Virginia bishop to retire in November

From The Episcopal Church-

Editor’s note: Diocese of Virginia Bishop Shannon S. Johnston announced Aug. 3 that he will resign his office in three months.

The announcement appears to culminate a process that began in October 2017 when he announced plans to seek a bishop suffragan after the retirement of the Rt. Rev. Ted Gulick, assistant bishop. Then on May 24, Johnston announced an end to the search, citing “serious questions raised by members of the diocesan staff having to do with the leadership and the culture among diocesan staff,” and taking “full responsibility for this situation.” Johnston also said that he had begun to look more seriously about retiring earlier than he had originally planned, having reached age 60 and with 30 years of service in the Episcopal Church.

Dear Diocesan Family,

After many months of intense prayer and reflection, and in close consultation with the presiding bishop and our Standing Committee, I am formally announcing that I have decided to resign my office and ministry as Bishop of the Diocese of Virginia effective November 3, 2018, prior to the adjournment of our annual convention. I will then serve the diocese in a consulting capacity to facilitate the transition to new leadership. I will fully retire effective July 1, 2019, having served over twelve years as a bishop in this diocese.

More here-

https://www.episcopalchurch.org/library/article/diocese-virginia-bishop-retire-november
 
 

The Church of George Washington and Robert E. Lee Struggles With History

From Christian Post-

The suburban Washington church known for its historical ties to George Washington and Robert E. Lee made headlines last year when it decided to remove monuments of the country's first president and the controversial Confederate general.

Christ Church in Alexandria, Virginia, sits prominently a block off King Street, the main thoroughfare, on Washington Street (how appropriate!) in the city's Old Town district. Nearby you find a mixture of colonial and faux colonial architecture intermixed with 19th century townhomes and some modern edifices. The architectural styles vary, but brick is predominant.

This gives the city a charming appearance, much like Georgetown but with slightly more affordable real estate and considerably better public schools than the nation's capital.

Designed by the architect James Wren, of no relation to the considerably more famous Sir Christopher Wren, Christ Church was built between 1765 and 1773. Back then it was a parish of the Church of England, when the established church of the mother country was also established in Virginia and some of the other original 13 colonies.

As such, it epitomizes the stereotype that many have of the Episcopal Church — you know, the church of presidents and the establishment. While that was true once upon a time, Episcopalians today are increasingly uncomfortable with their history, particularly against the intersectionality that dominates Mainline Protestant denominations.

More here-

https://www.christianpost.com/voice/the-church-of-george-washington-and-robert-e-lee-struggles-with-history.html

A Church Struggles With Lee's Legacy

From Virginia-

When my church in Alexandria made the news, I knew it would be a bumpy ride.

The historic Episcopal church, after months of soul-searching, announced Oct. 26 it would relocate from the sanctuary two marble plaques memorializing George Washington and Robert E. Lee, its most famous members.

It may not surprise you that some media reports overly simplified and exaggerated the turn of events.

Headlines trumpeted: “Cultural terrorism comes to Christ Church in Alexandria” and “George Washington’s church to tear down memorial honoring first president.” Blogs referred to “ripping out” the memorial to Washington the church now finds “offensive.”

Asked about the plaques in a TV interview, John Kelly, President Trump’s chief of staff, criticized the decision and praised Lee as an honorable man.

More here-

http://www.newsadvance.com/opinion/columnists/mercer_marsha/a-church-struggles-with-lee-s-legacy/article_642e7d04-c0d3-11e7-bda1-1fa9d6a3c967.html

A historic church will remove plaques honoring George Washington and Robert E. Lee, but it shouldn’t

From The Washington Post-

The plaques on the walls of Christ Church in Alexandria, Va., commemorate famous Americans who at one time called the Episcopal parish their own: George Washington and Robert E. Lee.

As a church historian, I believe the vestry’s recent decision to remove the memorials — as well as their forebears’ decision to put them up in the first place — disregards the true purpose of Christians’ commemoration of the dead.

From the very start of the Christian faith, believers have remembered the “great cloud of witnesses” who came before them. During the third century, the church in North Africa regularly commemorated early martyrs on the anniversary of their death — the origin of saints’ days.

Whether honored through holidays or monuments, the church still recognized the complexity of the human situation and never expected perfection from these early saints. Scripture and church history provided plenty of evidence of their shortcomings: Paul’s thorn in his flesh, Peter’s denial of Christ, Augustine’s lust, Thomas Aquinas’ borderline gluttony, Martin Luther’s anti-Semitic tendencies, John Calvin’s use of capital punishment, and John Wesley’s failed marriage.

More here-

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2017/11/01/a-historic-church-will-remove-plaques-honoring-george-washington-and-robert-e-lee-but-it-shouldnt/?utm_term=.3c244795886b

and here-

http://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2017/11/george_washington_taken_from_the_heights.html

and here-

http://www.capoliticalreview.com/capoliticalnewsandviews/church-founded-by-george-washington-throws-him-out-not-a-joke/

Christ Church Should Be Ashamed

From The National Review-

Christ Church is a private religious institution, and it can do what it wants with the Washington monument. The First Amendment right to religious freedom allows churches to do whatever foolhardy thing they choose. I would have it no other way. Still, we are likewise free under the First Amendment to criticize this harebrained decision to disrespect the nation’s first president. Christ Church should be ashamed of itself. For starters, Washington actually freed his slaves after he died, the only major Founding Father to do so. 

Reverend Richard Allen, who cofounded the African Methodist-Episcopal Church, eulogized Washington in 1799, shortly after his death, as a patron of black Americans: To us he has been the sympathizing friend and tender father. He has watched over us, and viewed our degraded and afflicted state with compassion and pity — his heart was not insensible to our sufferings.

Read more at:

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/453225/christ-church-hides-washington-memorial-lamentable-decision-common-tradition-james-madison-slavery