Click here for Safe Church Training workshops.

Click here for our Event Registration, Payment & Refund Policy

Absalom Jones Service
February 15, 12 p.m.
St. Thomas, Freeman

The annual diocesan Absalom Jones Service will be held on Saturday, February 15 at 12 noon at St. Thomas, Freeman. Bishop-Elect Haynes will be the Celebrant and the Rev. Harold Cobb, rector of Grace, Norfolk, will preach. St. Thomas is located at 6271 Belfield Road in Freeman. In 1794 Absalom Jones founded the first black Episcopal congregation, and in 1802 he was the first African American to be ordained as a priest in the Episcopal Church. He is listed on the Episcopal calendar of saints and is remembered liturgically on the date of his death, February 13.

128th Annual Council
February 28-29
Williamsburg Lodge

Click here for more information.

Walking Toward Truth Pilgrimage
March 6-7

This Lent, the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia and the Episcopal Church Center invite you to a sacred time of pilgrimage, reflection, ritual, prayer, and embodied witness as we walk toward the truth about our Church’s role in slavery. Click here for details and registration.

Women's Lenten Retreat: Gravity & Grace
March 6-7
Chanco on the James, Surry

Chanco on the James invites you to join women from around the Diocese as we gather together at Chanco on Friday, March 6 and Saturday, March 7 for our annual Women’s Lenten retreat, Gravity and Grace: Exploring Themes of Darkness and Light In Our Lenten Journeys. Cost to Participants for Friday and Saturday is $95 ($135 for private room) and includes reception, accommodations, breakfast, lunch, and program. Cost for Saturday only is $35 and includes lunch and program. Register by calling 888-724-2626 weekdays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. You may also register by mail - include your check along with a note that indicates your name, contact information, and desired dates of attendance. Mail no later than February 21 to 394 Floods Drive, Spring Grove, VA  23881. Questions or assistance with registration, contact Ronda Toll at 757-869-8873 or at rtoll@cox.net.

Vestry Training Day
March 21
Emmanuel, Virginia Beach

More information coming soon!

Happening #72
March 27-29
Chanco on the James, Surry

March 27-29 at Chanco on the James. For young adults in grades 10 and up. Happening is an experiential weekend retreat for young adults that may just change your life. Come and see what it's like to be transformed by God's love! Click here for more info and to register. Pre-Happening Weekend for staff will be March 14-15. Click here for a staff application.

Vestry Training Day
March 28
Christ & Grace, Petersburg

More information coming soon!

The Present Future: Cultivating a Church for Tomorrow Today
April 1-3
Heritage Fellowship Church, Reston, VA

This year's Fresh Expressions National Gathering. Click here for details and registration.

Vestry Training Day
April 4
Trinity, South Boston

More information coming soon!

Threat Preparedness Workshop for Churches
April 14, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
St. Aidan's, Virginia Beach

The Virginia Fusion Center’s SHIELD Program is collaborating with the Faith-Based Information Sharing & Analysis Organization to educate faith-based organizations on the Hostile Events Attack Cycle and challenge them to consider their preparedness and ability to respond to threats. The workshop will be held on Tuesday, April 14 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Aidan's, Virginia Beach. Click here for more info and to register. St. Aidan's is located at 3201 Edinburgh Drive in Virginia Beach. 

Cursillo #168 Weekend
April 23-26
Chanco on the James

Applications being accepted now. Go to cursillodiosova.org for more info and application form.

Getting Started with Messy Church
April 25, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Ascension, Norfolk

Messy Church USA in cooperation with the Diocese of Southern Virginia is offering a regional conference event on the best practices to use in starting your own Messy Church. The Getting Started With Messy Church conference will be held at Ascension, Norfolk, on April 25 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (lunch will be provided). Cost for individuals is $45, groups of 2 to 4 people per church is $130 (fifth person and over per church is an additional $10 per person). There is a discount for participants from the Diocese of Southern Virginia - contact Lynn Farlin at lfarlin@diosova.org  or 757-213-3377 to get the discount code before registering. Each participating church will receive one issue of the magazine Get Messy! and one copy of the book Messy Church. Click here to register. This training will give your team the vital tools to begin your own Messy Church. You will learn about the history, values, format and best practices to get your Messy Church started. If you’ve already begun Messy church, this is an opportunity to share best practices and gain new ideas for sustaining your Messy Church in your local setting. This training is open to all denominations. Messy Church is a monthly intergenerational worship experience that explores God’s love in an accessible way. At Messy Church, today’s busy households of all shapes and sizes are invited into a welcoming space to experience faith. Everyone is welcomed as they are. Whether you are singe or partnered, young or old, tidy or messy, have questions or doubts are filled with joy or struggling with life, you will be welcomed with open arms at Messy Church.

Nuevo Amanecer
May 12-15
Kanuga Conference Center, NC

Nuevo Amenecer is a biennial event that unifies and celebrates the Latino ministries from across The Episcopal Church, will have the honor of hosting Presiding Bishop Michael Curry at their May 12-15, 2020 gathering. Kanuga Conference Center in Hendersonville, North Carolina, will welcome for the seventh year a diverse group of participants who look forward to the support, networking, tools, formation, and fellowship environment that this conference offers every two years. Lay leaders, clergy, diocesan missioners, parish staff, church planters, and anyone else interested in expanding their knowledge by sharing best practices and exploring new methods of church growth, discipleship and evangelism, are invited to attend. Click here for details and registration.

May Weekend
May 15-17
Chanco on the James, Surry

For grades 6-12. Info coming soon!

EYE:  unite! ¡unámonos!
July 7-11
College Park, Maryland

The Diocese of Southern Virginia is putting together a group of youth to attend the Episcopal Youth Event, or also affectionately known as EYE, this upcoming summer. The theme for EYE20 will be “unite! ¡unámonos!” and it will be held this summer, July 7-11, 2020, in the Washington DC metro area. Our Diocesan group will meet together July 6 in Newport News and then travel to the event together on July 7. EYE20 programs will focus on helping develop leadership skills, spiritual practices, and early stages of vocational discernment. Participants must have turned at least 15 and be no older than 19 by July 7, 2020. Current freshman who will be 14 on July 7, 2020 will have an opportunity to attend EYE2023 as the Episcopal Youth Event is on a three-year cycle.  The cost for Diocesan participants will be $100 per person. There is limited housing available, so please be sure to register by March 10. For more information about the event check out the EYE20 website.