[edow] Church House News

[Church House News]

AUGUST 10, 2006
 
*** The weekly bulletin for clergy, wardens, diocesan committee members, convention delegates and church administrators in the Episcopal Diocese of Washington ***

REGIONAL ASSEMBLIES 2006
* Region 1: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 28 at St. Matthew's, Hyattsville 
* Region 2: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 28 at St. Luke's, Bethesda [note corrected date]
* Region 3: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 28 at St. Luke's, Bethesda [note corrected date]
* Region 4: 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 23 at Christ, Kensington [note corrected date]
* Region 5: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 28 at St. Matthew's, Hyattsville 
* Region 6: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 14 at Christ, LaPlata
Election Schedule for each region and information on submitting nominations and resolutions can be found at www.edow.org  or by contacting Ann Talty at atalty at edow.org or 202/537-6548.

LOCATION CHANGE - SOUTHERN AFRICA PARTNERSHIP MEETING
The Southern Africa Partnership meeting set for 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 18, with Bishop Chane and the Southern Africa Partnership Committee, will now be held at St. Columba's, D.C.

SAFEGUARDING GOD'S CHILDREN - FALL TRAINING DATES
Safeguarding God's Children provides participants with the information they need to protect the children they know and care for in their personal lives and the ministries in which they serve. Training dates are set for:
* 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sept. 9 at St. Mark's, D.C.
* 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at Trinity, St. Mary's City
* 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Oct. 14 at Grace, Silver Spring
* 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 30 at St. Luke's, Bethesda
* 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at Epiphany, Forestville
For more information or to register, visit www.edow.org/prevention
 
CAREFIRST BENEFIT NEWS FOR DIOCESAN/PARISH EMPLOYEES
CareFirst now has online member handbooks. Go to Http://www.carefirst.com/membsvcs/html/MemberHandbook.html 
and click the option for BlueChoice Opt-Out Plus Open Access Plan (5th link on list). Employees currently enrolled in Diocesan Group Medical Insurance with CareFirst can achieve maximum benefits from this resource. The handbook describes plan features and tips for all coverage and benefits. Please note that our dental plan type, "Traditional Dental and Vision," is "Blue Vision" (not plus). The handbook mentions the "Evidence of Insurability;" this is essentially our CareFirst contract. Copies are available upon request. Also, be sure to check out the new online resources available to members on My CareFirst at 
http://carefirst.staywellsolutionsonline.com/  
If you have specific questions regarding your plan benefits, please contact the Benefits Administrator at 202/537-6522.

EDUCATION FOR MINISTRY
Need to complete your Education For Ministry studies and have no place to go? The St. Mary's County EFM group invites fourth-year students to join it in September for weekly sessions and lively discussions. The group's current plans are to meet Wednesday nights at St. Andrew's, Leonardtown, but that is subject to change to suit the needs of class members. The group also would like to talk to those interested in beginning the EFM process or at another milestone in their studies. For further details, please contact the Rev. Paula Robinson at 301/862-2247, or Dana Davis at 301/863-2561 or jbdavis at gmpexpress.net.  

ATTENTION SMALL CONGREGATIONS:
Small Congregations: There is a new Web site intended to be a place to share stories of vitality, hope, strength, challenge, education and prayer for the small church community. To review the first posts or join in the discussion, visit http://smallepiscopalchurch.blogspot.com/  If you would like to submit a new article or share an educational piece, please send it to swatson at episcopalchurch.org 

JOIN ENERGY STAR FOR CONGREGATIONS
Congregations that commit to substantial energy savings can cut utility costs by up to 30 percent and make significant contributions to a cleaner environment. Become an ENERGY STAR partner for free technical support, information and resources, awards eligibility and e-mail updates. Visit http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=small_business.sb_congregations to learn more.

INTERIM DIRECTOR, MUSIC MINISTRY - ST. JOHN'S, NORWOOD 
Experienced leader sought for September to Dec. 31 interim to sustain momentum of active music ministry, including two Sunday a.m. services with choirs (20 each); accompanying a Sunday evening contemporary service; young children's choir and handbell choir each performing quarterly. Full time position; appropriate church music education and experience necessary. Contact Harrison West, 301/654-7767 or hwest at stjohnsnorwood.org for further information.

PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS
Please keep the following clergy and members of the diocese in your prayers this week:
*  Mike Febrey - on the occasion of the sudden death of his daughter, Carlie (Aug. 5) 
*  Leslie Burpee - in thanksgiving for the birth of Leah Margaret on (July 27) 
*  Rita Steadman - continued improving health of her infant son (Cuthbert) 
*  The Rev. Michael Marrett - for his wife's (Margery) hospitalization
*  Velma Brock - personal health
*  Cindy Baskin - personal health
*  Mitzie Noble - personal health
*  John and Mary Miers - personal health
*  Bishop Ronald Haines - personal health (treatment for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma) 
*  Sanford Garner - personal health 
*  Rip Coffin - personal health 
*  Tom Logan - personal health 
*  Jim Hunter - wife's (Jeannine) personal health 
*  Stuart Kenworthy - serving as an Army Chaplain in Iraq

>>> REMINDERS:

AUDIT REPORTS DUE
The deadline for audit reports is Sept. 1. This year the Congregational Audit Committee will begin reviewing reports in early September, and expects to follow up on those that are outstanding. If you will have trouble meeting the deadline, please contact the Rev. Canon Carol Cole Flanagan at 202/537-6556 or Sharonda Myers at 202/537-5208.

DISCIPLES OF CHRIST IN COMMUNITY AT THE CATHEDRAL
Disciples of Christ in Community (DOCC), a Christian formation program, will take place at Washington National Cathedral this fall. The program is set for 7 to 9 p.m. (with an optional supper at 6 p.m.) on Tuesday nights from Sept. 19 through mid-December, with a retreat day on Sept. 30. Dean Samuel T. Lloyd and the Rev. William Barnwell, the cathedral's canon missioner, will give the presentations, and participants will respond in small groups. If you are interested in attending, contact Sheri Jackson at 202/537-6222 or Barnwell at 202/537-5522 at your earliest convenience. For further information, visit the programs section of the cathedral's Web site: www.nationalcathedral.org
 
STEWARDSHIP LAB 
The diocese invites parish stewardship committee members to attend a workshop and exchange ideas with fellow stewardship committee members from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Aug. 12. Come and share what's working and what's not with folks from other parishes. Visit www.edow.org/events to register.
 
STEWARDSHIP, OUTREACH, AND EVANGELISM
A two-hour workshop, "Stewardship, Outreach and Evangelism; Marketing the Good News!" is set for 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 11. The workshop will cover tips, tools and types of events to make the best use of your resources. Light refreshments will be served. Visit www.edow.org/events to register.
 
VTS FALL MINISTRY CONFERENCE
VTS will hold a one-day Fall Ministry Conference on Nov. 14 at its campus in Alexandria, Va. Learn about the seminary's programs, talk to faculty and students, go to classes, have lunch and tour the campus. To register for the conference or for further information, visit www.vts.edu, or e-mail Admissions at vts.edu. Space is limited, so register now if you are interested in attending.

LABOR IN THE PULPITS - IMMIGRANT, LOW WAGE WORKERS 
Interfaith Worker Justice of Greater Washington invites parishes to hold up labor concerns on Labor Day weekend, Sept. 1-4. This year's program focuses on immigrant workers and low-wage service workers. Resources include a speakers' bureau and resource packets that include Scripture, statements from the Episcopal Church on worker justice, sample presentations, prayers and bulletin/newsletter inserts. For more information, contact Mackenzie Baris at 202/756-4174 or mbaris at dclabor.org, or the Rev. Kay Johnson at kjohnson at stthomasdc.org. 
 
LABOR DAY OPEN HOUSE, PICNIC AND U2 MASS
The University of Maryland Episcopal Student Center (4508 College Avenue, College Park) invites you to take part in a Labor Day open house and picnic at 4 p.m. Sept. 4 followed by a U2 Mass at 5:30 p.m. Bring your picnic items. A freewill donation will be taken for the ONE Campaign to end extreme global poverty. For more information, call 301/405-8453, e-mail eaterps at umd.edu or visit www.edow.org/eacm  

BISHOP'S APPEAL - IT'S NOT TOO LATE
We are still accepting donations for the 2006 Bishop's Appeal for mission and ministry.  Donate online at: http://www.edow.org/giving

CLERGY TRAINING FUNDS AVAILABLE
The interest from the Roanridge Foundation is designated for the "training of town and country clergy and rural Christian workers" of the Episcopal Church. See http://www.episcopalchurch.org/smallchurch_51593_ENG_HTM.htm?menupage=51387 for information and ideas on how to make use of this opportunity for small churches. The deadline for applications is Sept. 1 for the 2007 fiscal year.

URBAN MINISTRY TRAINING SERIES DATES SET
The Urban Ministry Commission will offer an Urban Ministry Training Series from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on five Saturdays in 2006-2007. The first will be on Sept. 16 at Epiphany, D.C., with a keynote speaker (to be announced); remarks from Bishop John B. Chane; and introductions to the four areas of urban ministry defined by the commission: congregational development, community connection, service and advocacy. The four subsequent sessions (Feb. 24, April 21, June 16 and Sept. 15, 2007) will each focus on one of these areas. Clergy in charge of parishes will receive a more detailed invitation in July. Each parish is asked to bring a group of 6-8 clergy, laity and non-parochial community members (e.g. residents, business owners or workers).

EPISCOPAL-AFFILIATED SENIOR HOUSING - FALL OPEN HOUSE DAY
A simultaneous open house at the Episcopal-affiliated senior housing communities in the diocese is set for 1 to 3 p.m. Nov. 12.  Each community will offer activities and tours so seniors and their families can check out the services and programs available. Participating communities are Collington, Cedar Lane, St. Philip's House, Friendship Terrace and St. Mary's Court. For more information, contact Kate Lewis at 202/414-6312 or klewis at esm.org
 
DIOCESAN REVIVAL - SAVE THE DATE
The diocese's first annual Fall Revival will take place on the evenings of Oct.19-20 at Washington National Cathedral. The Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr., senior pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago will preach.

MARRIAGE GUIDELINES AVAILABLE ONLINE
A copy of the "Bishop's Guidelines for Marriage and Remarriage" is available online at www.edow.org/marriage

CYCLE OF PRAYER
The Cycle of Prayer through Nov. 26 is online at: 
http://www.edow.org/parish/congregation/liturgy/cycleofprayer/index.html

LATINO MINISTRIES CELEBRATION - SAVE THE DATE
This year's Latino Ministries celebration will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 16 at Our Savior, Silver Spring. Bishop John B. Chane will preside at the Eucharist; a meal will be served afterward. For more information, contact the Rev. Simón Bautista, the Latino Missioner for the Diocese of Washington at sbautista at edow.org or 202/294-4256.
 
ALZHEIMER'S CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP AT ST. JAMES', POTOMAC 
The Alzheimer's Association is sponsoring a monthly support group at St. James', Potomac (11815 Seven Locks Road) for those caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia. Meetings take place from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall on the third Thursday of each month. All support givers are welcome to come. Two facilitators trained by the Alzheimer's Association lead the group. For further information, contact Linda Pallett at 301/349-5011 or John Miers at 301/656-3359 or Johngmiers at comcast.net 

GIVE A 'PARTNERING HEART'
Give a "Partnering Heart" by supporting a ministry in the Church of the Province of Southern Africa. Visit http://www.edow.org/diocese/outreach/sapc/hearts.html  
to find several options as well as more details and follow-up instructions.



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