Virginia Episcopalian Magazine Summer 2014 Issue | Page 28

In Brief continued from page 25 deeply impressed by the number of clergy present,” said Goff, who noted the many clergy also present in the pews. “The service was an opportunity for those who would lead worship the next morning to worship and be fed.” Music was provided by the 42-voice Diocese of Virginia Festival Choir, comprising singers from six of the participating churches and led by Julie Huang-Tucker, minister of music at The Falls Church. During the service, two baptisms and two confirmations were performed, and four people were received into the Church. After the service, participants declared the evening a success. Said the Rev. Jo Belser, priest-in-charge at Resurrection, “I can’t wait until next year, when we hope to fill the main sanctuary at The Falls Church.” – By Andrea Blackford Photo: Lenore Funkhouser (Left to right) The Rev. Deacon Mary Beth Emerson, St. Thomas’, McLean; The Rev. Cayce Ramey, St. Alban’s, Annandale; The Rev. Jeanie Martinez-Jantz, Olivet, Franconia; The Rev. Corry Weierbach, All Saints - Sharon Chapel, Alexandria; The Rev. Ann H. Truitt, Church of the Resurrection, Alexandria. A Homecoming in Kilmarnock On May 11, the Rt. Rev. Susan E. Goff, bishop suffragan, joined 300 members of Grace, Kilmarnock; St. Mary’s, Whitechapel; and Trinity, Lancaster, to confirm and receive 12 adults and young people at Historic Christ Church. The festive occasion of the bishop’s visitation, the welcoming of the newly confirmed and their family and friends, combined with the joining of parishioners from St. Mary’s, Trinity and Grace, brought special significance to the day. Christ Church was built on land donated by John Carter in 1670. The Homecoming tradition began in the 1920s and most directly has its roots in the ministry of the Rev. Lawrence Combs, rector at Grace from 1902-1933. Homecoming was linked with the bishop’s annual visitation and included all the congregations of Christ Church Parish, including Grace, St. Mary’s and Trinity. Homecoming was born from the bringing together of the congregations and the coming home by the bishop to visit the “mother parish” of Christ Church Parish. Homecoming organizers were inspired to record this momentous occasion by duplicating a 1930 photograph of the Homecoming event. Both the 1930 and 2014 photos reflect the spirit and camaraderie of this very special event. – By Mary Elsesser Members of Christ Church Parish in the Northern Neck pose for a homecoming photo in 1930 (above) and in 2014 (below). Education for Ministry to Offer Mentor Training Education for Ministry is a program of study, prayer and reflection designed to help us discover and exercise our gifts for lay ministry. EfM mentors and those who are considering becoming an EfM mentor are invited to attend the mentor training on July 27-29 at the Roslyn 26 Conference and Retreat Center in Richmond. In addition to basic mentor training, formation training in design skills, and in group skills and human interaction will be offered for experienced mentors. For more information on the July training and Virginia Episcopalian / Summer 2014 about EfM, contact Jane Dowrick, diocesan coordinator, at [email protected] or 804-334-0117. General information about EfM is available at sewanee.edu/EFM/. – By Jane Dowrick