Welcome to Fresh Start 2011-2012!
Fresh Start is a program designed for clergy in the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia. Whether you are new to the diocese, a parish or a position, you are about to embark on a new phase of your spiritual and professional journey. To help you make this transition, the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia has committed time, talent and resources to bring you the Fresh Start program. We look forward to your participation in this two-year program.
We will begin the year with an overnight retreat August 24-25, and then meet monthly thereafter through May, 2012 at Chanco on the James, our diocesan camp and retreat center. The fee for the August retreat is $20.
Please note that the bishop expects all of us to be at all of these meetings. There will be two entry points to Fresh Start this year: August and January. If you are unable to make the August retreat, you will not be able to begin Fresh Start until January. Please let us know as soon as possible if you have any sort of conflict with the August date. Our intent is to enhance group cohesiveness and trust level by having only two entry points in the year, vs. rolling entries as have happened some years in the past.
Our hope is that through your participation in this program you will build collegial relationships in the diocese, develop skills that will aid your transition into your ministry and find a community in which you can find refreshment and renewal.
Research has shown that clergy who make the transition from one place or position to another tend to do so in a healthier manner when they have an opportunity to:
- be away from their parishes for relaxation;
- dialogue with clergy colleagues;
- reflect on the process of transition; and
- gain new skills that are time sensitive to their situation
Fresh Start, a program developed and supported by the Episcopal Church, is designed to provide just such a setting. In the event that you have attended Fresh Start in another diocese and are wondering if you need to repeat that process, let us assure you that you will find the time valuable. Not only has the Fresh Start curriculum been revised substantially, but it is adapted to be relevant to our diocese. In addition, attendance ensures that you will form relationships with other clergy in the diocese.
There is a $10 fee for lunch each month at Chanco. Parishes are asked to submit a check for $90 to the diocese prior to the first meeting in September to cover lunches for 2011-2012 or to pay online along with registration for the August Retreat.
As your Fresh Start facilitators, we welcome you and look forward to seeing you at the August retreat.
For more information, please contact Judy Rieken, jrieken@diosova.org or 757-213-3391.
The Rev. Elizabeth Felicetti
Rector, St. David’s, Chesterfield
rectorsd@comcast.net
Church: 804-276-4348
The Rev. Dr. Nancy E. Meck
Associate Rector and Program Director, JobSeekers, The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer
redeemerassoc@comcast.net
Church: 804-379-8899
Cell: 804-307-9957
The Rev. Canon Michael Spear-Jones
Canon for Transition Ministries & Clergy Development
mspear-jones@diosova.org
Office: 757-213-3390
Cell: 757-449-5686
