Click here for Safe Church Training workshops.

Click here for our Event Registration, Payment & Refund Policy

Please note that the in-person events listed below may be re-scheduled due to coronavirus/COVID-19. Updates will be posted as decisions are made.

Understanding Addiction & Supporting Recovery through Pathways for Baptismal Living
Beginning April 11, for 8 weeks
Online via Bexley Seabury Seminary

The Rev. Jan M. Brown and the Rev. Lauren McDonald, co-chairs of the diocesan Addictions & Recovery Commission, will be offering a course on Understanding Addiction and Supporting Recovery through Pathways for Baptismal Living at Bexley Seabury Seminary.  Beginning April 11, this 8 week, online course will give clergy and congregational leaders tools to help increase understanding about those predisposed to addictions and to offer them a path to recovery and wholeness in the spirit of our Baptismal Covenant. It also will prepare participants to minister as Recovery Allies and/or Rapid Response Teams, to prepare their churches and dioceses to be Safe Havens and/or Recovery Ready Churches, and to share Christ’s love with those struggling with substance use.  Click here for more information and to register. 

Vacation Bible School Workshop
April 12 or April 18
via Zoom

Webinar and Collaborative Conversation, variable times and prices. Offered by Lifelong Learning at Virginia Theological Seminary. Whether and how to do Vacation Bible School can be overwhelming, even as restrictions are lifted. Enjoy some initial content from presenters, with remaining time spent in conversation among participants about specific needs, concerns, and ideas. Click here for more information and registration.

Praying the Regina Coeli in Eastertide
April 17, 12 to 1 p.m.
via Zoom

The Community of the Gospel, a non-residential monastic community of the Episcopal Church, offers educational opportunities free of charge for members, Friends of the Community and the public. As you plan your spiritual and study practices for the Easter season, they invite you to join them for a special CG Learns workshop: Praying the Regina Coeli in Eastertide on Saturday, April 17, from 12 to 1 p.m. via Zoom. The guest monastic facilitator for this event will be Br. Francis Jonathan Bullock, BSG, Indianapolis, IN. Br. Francis Jonathan will discuss the history and theology of this ancient prayer, highlighting its place in the monastic toolbox. The presentation will conclude with Noonday Prayer and the Regina Coeli. The workshop is open to all and is free of charge. In order to receive a Zoom invite, please sign up at this Doodle poll. If you have questions, contact Brother Guardian Daniel-Chad by email danhoffma@gmail.com.

Just Faith Formation
April 22, 3 to 4 p.m.
via Zoom

Presented by Lifelong Learning at Virginia Theological Seminary. Just Faith Formation: A Webinar About Liberative Practices for Faith Communities with Justice at the Center. Thursday webinar, 3:00–4:00 p.m. (Eastern) via Zoom, $0-$20. Sometimes our worship life and the ways we seek to do justice in the world are separate, but it doesn't have to be this way. In this webinar, panelists will discuss concrete ways for incorporating justice into our life of faith and bringing our faith into our community organizing. Come learn about liberative practices for faith communities. Click here for more info and registration.

The Church as a Family System 2.0: Race, Politics and Pandemic
April 24, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
via Zoom

Offered by Lifelong Learning at Virginia Theological Seminary. Choosing a solid framework for understanding group dynamics increases our capacity for leading well. Using Bowen Family Systems Theory (BFST) as our framework, this workshop will explore the emotional forces at work in our faith communities as they relate to race, politics, and the pandemic. We then will focus on how BFST can empower lay and ordained persons tasked with leading their communities during these anxious times. Prerequisite: Attendance at prior “Church as a Family System” workshop and/or familiarity with Bowen Family Systems Theory. Click here for more info and registration.

Virtual Clergy & Vestry Day
May 8, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
via Zoom

In lieu of our traditional vestry training days, the Bishop invites both clergy and vestry members to a fresh reformulation of annual vestry training. This year, a single Clergy & Vestry Day with the Bishop will be conducted via Zoom on Saturday, May 8th, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30. p.m.  The event will include opening remarks by the Bishop, a Vestry fundamentals session facilitated by the Rev. Canon Win Lewis, and a keynote address by leadership consultant and practical theologian Tod Bolsinger, who will join us to explore “Surviving the Pandemic and Thriving After: The Church on the Other Side of the Covid Mountain."  Returning to the Diocese of Southern Virginia, Tod will share insights and practices to guide our churches through the process of looking past the pandemic into an unprecedented future. Plan to take part in this three hour session to inform, enrich, and inspire parish leadership in this pivotal season in life of the church!  Register here.

8th Annual eFormation Online Conference: Dwelling Places for God
July 13-15
via Zoom

Lifelong Learning of Virginia Theological Seminary invites you to join them for three days of robust conversation about what it means to be dwelling places for God – online, in pews, and in our communities. Speakers include Dr. Heidi Campbell, the Rev. Dr. Sam Wells, and the Hon. Rev. Kim Jackson; Wednesday evening conversation with John Roberto, Kyle Oliver, Sarah Stonesifer Boylan, and Dr. Lisa Kimball. Click here for more info and registration.

2021 Stewardship Webinar Series - in collaboration with TENS

The Episcopal Network for Stewardship is proud to collaborate with the Diocese of Southern Virginia to bring a four-webinar series on stewardship topics throughout the year. Meeting  for 90 minutes on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 PM, this series will bring together church leaders, stewardship volunteers, and fundraising experts to teach and learn classic and innovative approaches to funding ministry in your congregation.

Virtual Stewardship 201  -  Wednesday, April 7, 6:30PM
We learned so much in 2020 about online fundraising in congregational ministries. Learn from faithful practitioners of stewardship and gratitude about the best fundraising platforms to raise money online in your congregation. We will explore practical tips on formation and education opportunities that cultivate generosity throughout the year. To see the TENS Virtual Stewardship 101 webinar from July 2020, please visit the TENS website, www.tens.org. Register here.

Mid-Year Mission Review  -  Wednesday, May 5, 6:30PM
Half-way through the year is the ideal time to remind your members about the impact of their pledges on mission in the community. Learn some great tips for drawing the line between money and meaning in your outreach, in-reach, and ministry budgets. Register here.

Year-Round Stewardship  -  Wednesday, June 23, 6:30PM
Generosity and Gratitude are year-round disciplines and celebrations, not just reserved for the annual pledge campaign. Learn best practices and tools to incorporate the theology of stewardship into your formation, liturgy, preaching, teaching, and outreach for every month of the year. Cultivate a more generous and grounded church!  Register here. 

Addressing the Pledge Plateau  -  Wednesday, August 16, 6:30PM
Learn from fundraising experts about how to help members dig deeper into their theology and generosity to ensure they’re making their best gifts to the Church. This webinar is a mix between proven tips and tools and formation exercises you can employ in your ministry to prevent donor fatigue. Register here.

Holy Land Pilgrimage with Bishop Haynes
February 4-14, 2022

Bishop Haynes will be leading a Holy Land Pilgrimage in association with Jerusalem Tours, February 4-14, 2022. Join Bishop Haynes for this powerful pilgrimage experience where together we will walk where Jesus walked and visit places where he lived out his ministry.  In addition, pilgrims will renew their Baptismal Covenant at the Jordan River and will celebrate Eucharist on the Mount of the Beatitudes. Click here to learn more about the Holy Land Pilgrimage and registration details. Space is limited to 35 pilgrims. Contact Canon Lynn Farlin at lfarlin@diosova.org if you have questions about the trip.