[edow] Church House News

[Church House News]

DECEMBER 7, 2006
 
*** The weekly bulletin for clergy, wardens, diocesan committee members, convention delegates and church administrators in the Episcopal Diocese of Washington ***

GROUNDBREAKING INVITATION
The people and clergy of St. Nicholas, Darnestown invite all members of the diocese to the groundbreaking for the parish's multipurpose worship and ministry center at 2 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 9). Bishop John B. Chane will preside. Parking is available at the Seneca Academy, 15601 Germantown Road, Darnestown.

CONTRIBUTING TO THE BISHOP JOHN T. WALKER SCHOOL
The planned Bishop John T. Walker Episcopal School will serve the boys of Wards 7 and 8 in southeast Washington, D.C., and hopes to provide collaborative education, with the boys and their families, in a Christian setting. Your generous contribution will enable the diocese to continue the planning phase which is a crucial first step toward establishing the school. Contributions can be sent to: The Bishop John T. Walker School, Episcopal Church House, Mount St. Alban Washington, D.C. 20016

DIOCESAN CONSULTANTS NETWORK SEEKS NEW MEMBERS
The Diocesan Consultants Network is a group of professionals who provide teambuilding, leadership development, strategic planning, conflict resolution, search consulting and other services to strengthen the diocese's congregations. The network is seeking to diversify and is looking for people of color with interest, experience and skills in organizational development. Minimum professional qualifications include group facilitation skill and experience, familiarity with group process/dynamics, and a passion for serving the church. Much of the work takes place on evenings and weekends and consultants are compensated. Contact Nancy Warren at nwarren at gmpexpress.net or 301/373-3560 for more information. 

EPISCOPAL STUDENT CENTER DEDICATION
All are invited to St. Andrew's, College Park at 10:30 a.m. Sunday (Dec. 10) for a celebratory Eucharist and the blessing of the University of Maryland Episcopal Student Center by Bishop John B. Chane. For more information, contact the Rev. Peter Antoci at 301/405-8453 or pantoci at umd.edu

>> SPACE AVAILABLE AT NEW EPISCOPAL STUDENT CENTER
The Episcopal Student Center is now up and running. The center has five bedrooms, which students occupy during the academic year. From June 1 - Aug. 15 this space will be available for daily, weekly or monthly rentals. The center is very close to the Metro, and convenient to town. The center is also available for daytime retreats, year-round. There are two large parlors, a large community kitchen and an oratory. Parking can be arranged. Contact Antoci for details (address above).
 
CONCERT TO BENEFIT SAMARITAN MINISTRY
At 4 p.m. Dec. 17 the Thomas Circle Singers and orchestra will present "A TCS Christmas" with all proceeds going to Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington. The concert will be held at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 4900 Connecticut Avenue NW, and will include a Festival of Carols for harp and chorus, and carols of the season including an audience sing-along of favorite carols. Tickets: $20; students/seniors: $15. Visit www.thomascirclesingers.org to purchase tickets or for more information.

EPISCOPAL MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER IN CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA
An Episcopal Marriage Encounter weekend is set for March 2-4 in Charlottesville, Va. EME's mission is to help renew the church and improve the world by helping married couples and their families live in happy, intimate and responsible relationships. To learn more about EME and the weekend, visit www.episcopalme.org ; e-mail bocampbell at adelphia.net or call 434/973-3518. Early registration is recommended.

ASSISTANT PARISH ADMINISTRATOR 
St. Philip's, Laurel, seeks an interim assistant parish administrator to work at least four hours a day on Mondays and Fridays beginning in January. Primary duties include answering the doors and phone, bulletin preparation, creating mailing labels, and copying. Please phone 301/776-5151, Ext. 10; send resumé to admin at stphilipslaurel.org.

PROGRAM DIRECTOR - HOUSE OF MERCY'S ROSEMOUNT CENTER
The House of Mercy's Rosemount Center is seeking a program director who will be  responsible for the overall planning, implementation and coordination, evaluation and ongoing administration of the center's programs. The director will also supervise the coordination of all disability therapy, health services and mental health services. master's/doctorate degree in related field preferred. Bilingual applicants (English/Spanish) preferred. For further information or to apply, contact Jacques Rondeau at 202/265-9885, ext. 110 or jacques.rondeau at rosemountcenter.com.

MINISTER FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH, TRINITY, WILMINGTON, DE.  
Trinity Church in Wilmington, Delaware is seeking a full-time minister for children and youth. Previous experience in related ministries is a high priority. Please fax your resume to 302/652-8611, ATTN: The Rev. Brad Hinton or e-mail to brad at trinityparishde.com. Visit www.trinityparishde.com for more about the parish.

PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS
Please keep the following clergy and members of the diocese in your prayers this week: 
*  Paula Robinson - personal health
*  Charles Daugherty - personal health
*  Dalton Downs - personal health
*  Velma Brock - personal health
*  Tom Logan - personal health
*  Bishop Bill and Polly Spofford - personal health
*  Rita Steadman Henninger - son's health (Cuthbert)
*  John Talbott - wife's health (Annie)
*  Martha Bonwitt - husband's health (Bill)
*  Bishop Ted Eastman - wife's health (Sarah)
*  Michael Marrett - wife's health (Annie)

>>> REMINDERS:

TUTORS NEEDED FOR CATHEDRAL LITERACY PROGRAM
The Cathedral Literacy Program trains and provides tutors for children and adults to help improve basic reading and math skills. The program has been operating since 1986. New tutors are needed! To volunteer, call Janice Molchon at 202/537-8990 or to learn more call Canon William Barnwell at 202/537-5522.  

2007 MEDICAL INSURANCE RATES/PLAN BENEFITS AVAILABLE
Medical insurance rates and plan benefits for parishes and parish employees are now available at: 
http://www.edow.org/parish/administration/benefits/health.html 
Contact Mary Manson, benefits administrator at mmanson at edow.org or 
202/537-6522 with any questions.

CYCLE OF PRAYER
The Cycle of Prayer through Nov. 25, 2007 is online at: 
http://www.edow.org/parish/congregation/liturgy/cycleofprayer/index.html

'CHILDREN TO CHILDREN' OUTREACH INITIATIVE
By now, all congregations will have received a packet containing 50 mite boxes, a poster and a letter from Bishop John Chane about the "Children to Children" Advent project. Congregations should distribute the boxes to the children in their Sunday Schools and ask them to decorate and assemble them. The bishop would like the children to make a regular offering, and for congregations to collect these offerings at the end of Advent and mail a check marked "Children to Children" to the attention of Cheryl Daves Wilburn at Church House. The offering will benefit the children of the Dukathole settlement outside Johannesburg in South Africa, where a fire recently destroyed about 400 shanties, leaving more than 1,000 children homeless. You can also contribute online at www.edow.org/giving Contact Cheryl Daves Wilburn, diocesan liaison to the Anglican Church in South Africa, with questions at 202/537-6543 or cwilburn at edow.org.

112TH DIOCESAN CONVENTION
The 112th Diocesan Convention, convention workshop, hearings and business sessions will take place Jan. 26-27 (Friday and Saturday) at Washington National Cathedral.  Resolutions must be signed by a member of the convention and received by 5 p.m. Nov. 27. For assistance and standard format, call Ann Talty, the governance officer, at 202/537-6548 or visit www.edow.org . Please submit all resolutions to: Secretary of the Convention, Episcopal Church House, Mount St. Alban, Washington, D.C., 20016.

DO YOU WORK IN A DC OFFICE BUILDING? 
Interfaith Worker Justice, a ministry supported by the diocesan Commission on Urban Ministry, is working with DC Jobs for Justice to bring together the tenants of downtown office buildings to support service workers in their buildings. In these multi-million dollar buildings janitors get only three sick days a year, parking workers earn as little as $7 an hour, and security guards are denied affordable healthcare. Anyone who works in a downtown office building and is willing to help raise standards for downtown service workers, please contact mbaris at solidaritycenter.org or kjohnson at stthomasdc.org. 

20s & 30s ADVENT RETREAT
The diocesan Young Adult Ministry Network and the Cathedral College are co-sponsoring an Advent Retreat titled, "Who Is Christ for Us Today? An Exploration in Prayer and Reflection." The retreat will be led by the Rev. Martin L. Smith. Smith is theologian-in-residence at St. Columba's, D.C., and is a noted writer and teacher on Christian spirituality. This day of exploration and reflection is set for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 16 at the Cathedral College, and is designed for people in their 20s and 30s. Cost is $25. Lunch is included. Online registration at www.edow.org/events

2007 UTO GRANT APPLICATIONS
The 2007 UTO Grant Applications are now available in the Office of Episcopal Church Women at Church House. Deadline for submission is Dec. 21. For more information, please contact Eulalia Smith at 202/537-6530 or esmith at edow.org.

CALLING ALL YOUNG ARTISTS
The diocese is inviting all children and young people to draw pictures that illustrate its newly adopted vision and mission statements. The pictures will be displayed in Washington National Cathedral during the 2007 Diocesan Convention on Jan. 26-27. 
Drawings should be sent to Gerry Perez and Atron Rowe at Episcopal Church House, Mount St. Alban, Washington, D.C. 20016 by Dec. 18. Contact Woggon with questions at 301/864-8880 or kmwoggon at comcast.net. Instructions are as follows:
Draw one or more of the following pictures:
1. Draw a picture of the people of God living and acting as the body of Christ in the world.  
2. Draw a picture of what it looks like when churches work together.
3. Draw a picture of what it looks like when the church is sounding a prophetic voice in the community, the nation, and the world.  
4. Draw a picture of what it looks like when the church uses its voice to help those who need help.
  
ST. GEORGE'S COLLEGE, JERUSALEM
St. George's College is a continuing education center of the Anglican Communion that enables Christians to encounter the people of the Holy Land and to study the Bible and history in the context of pilgrimage and travel. For more information go to www.SGCjerusalem.org or contact Bishop Allen Bartlett, chair of the North American Regional Committee of St. George's College at allen.jerrie at worldnet.att.net. A DVD about the college is available for loan from Church House to interested parishes or groups (Keely Thrall, kthrall at edow.org). 
 
SAFEGUARDING GOD'S CHILDREN 
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. Dec. 9 at Epiphany, Forestville
For more information or to register, visit www.edow.org/prevention
 
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.
   
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
 
MARRIAGE GUIDELINES AVAILABLE ONLINE
A copy of the "Bishop's Guidelines for Marriage and Remarriage" is available online at www.edow.org/marriage

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.