Giving Tuesday

 

This Giving Tuesday, give to a community that gives back to others. Your gifts change lives, in Christ's name! >Make a Gift to CCE<

Addison's witness: don't miss an opportunity

Addison Jones tells us a poignant story about giving as part of our Launching God's Boundless Mission ministry. "When the opportunity to give is presented to you," Addison shares, "take advantage of it." 

Janice Applebach feels blessed by participating in the Christ Church Choir. "I am grateful for having such a lovely church choir to sing with," Jan recently wrote on Facebook upon returning home one evening from choir rehearsal. "Still soaking in the memory of the beautiful harmonies from some of the songs. I had chills several times on the last song."  Janice says, "I feel a bit sad for people who have never experienced music like this, either vocally or instrumentally." Luckily for the people of Christ Church, we get to experience this each and every week, from the choir risers, from the congregation, and from our living rooms!

 "When it is on," Janice says, "there is nothing better, (that I can think of). It resonates with my whole being. Soul-deep."

Your support of Christ Church enables life-changing ministries that reach near and far. Thanks for helping us go soul-deep!

Update from 2021 Convention of the Diocese of Virginia

From Tom Tyler

Dear Christ Church,

In our shared faith I offer a summary of the 227th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia. On November 12th and 13th, more than 390 lay and clerical delegates gathered online for the Convention. Delegates from Christ Church included Reverend Shirley Smith-Graham, Kay Holmes, Kathy Duckworth and Tom Tyler. Garway Bright was also present in his role as President of the Diocesan Executive Board and Ken Royston was present as a member of the Executive Board.

In her opening pastoral address, Bishop Susan Goff described some of the ways in which the churches of the Diocese have gone deeper, wider and made their ministries stronger in 2021, despite the ongoing pandemic. She noted that some congregations are reaching more people through virtual worship and that two new worship spaces were consecrated this year. In December, the Bishops will have ordained 26 priests and seven deacons since the pandemic began. The Diocese also called our first Missioner for Racial Justice and Healing, the Rev. Dr. J. Lee Hill, Jr.

Thirteen resolutions were discussed and adopted during the convention. The most notable resolutions are summarized below. All resolutions can be accessed by clicking the following link: 2021 Resolutions.

Resolution 1 establishes a Virginia Plan for Covenantal Giving through which all congregations will pledge 10% of their plate offerings, pledge payments and regular support to the shared ministries of the Diocese by the year 2025.

Resolution 4a establishes an Impact Fund for Racial Justice and Healing. This investment fund will be used to prioritize opportunities within the Diocese to support racial justice and healing.

Resolution 6 calls on the Diocese to commit to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.

Resolution 9a requests the appointment of an information gathering and discernment team to explore pathways for discernment and formation in Spanish for LatinX/Hispanic communities of the Diocese.

Resolution 10a commits the Diocese to create a $10 million fund for reparations to benefit Black, Indigenous, and peoples of color communities. The resolution directs the Bishop to create a Reparations Task Force “to identify and propose means by which repair may begin for those areas of our structures, patterns, and common life by which Black, Indigenous, People of Color within the original bounds of our diocese still carry the burden of theological, social, cultural, economic, and legal injustices, exclusions, and biases born out of white supremacy and the legacy of slavery."

Resolution 11 calls for the creation of additional Assistant Bishop.

Additionally, several Amendments to the Constitution and Canons were approved during the convention. The Amendments can be found here: 2021 Amendments.

The Rev. Dr. Rosemari Sullivan, Search Committee Chair, provided an update on the search process for the 14th Bishop of the Diocese of Virginia. The Search Committee will screen applicants in January and February, and host a retreat in March with a final group of applicants.

All who attended the Convention graciously committed their time in prayerful consideration of all agenda items an now look forward to continuing the work that we are called to do.

Blessings,

Tom Tyler

Stories of Boundless Mission

For the month of November, we are hearing stories of Boundless Mission. These witnesses serve as a testament to power of God's love through Christian community. Take a moment to enjoy these stories and perhaps ponder the unique transformations that have happened in your life through Christ Church.

LAURA-JANE CORKRAN

Sometimes, "God's mission is bringing coffee to scared, young mothers in hospital parking lots." Laura-Jane Corkran tells a beautiful story. "Here was an angel, stepping out of the darkness, and calling me by name, " she shares in her witness as part of Boundless Missions at CCE. "I cannot put into words what her presence meant to me that morning. How it felt to not feel alone, to feel loved." Christ Church is a ministry of the people and her people certainly do LOVE one another! 

>WATCH HERE< 

JAN THOMAS

"Church has become more like family to me," Jan said in the inspiring witness she shared with our community. You'll be moved by her story! 

>WATCH HERE<