[edow] Church House News

[Church House News]

DECEMBER 21, 2006
 
*** The weekly bulletin for clergy, wardens, diocesan committee members,
convention delegates and church administrators in the Episcopal Diocese
of Washington ***

BRING YOUR CONGREGATION'S BANNER TO CONVENTION
Come to the 112th Diocesan Convention and bring your congregation's
banner. As part of the festive celebration of the Holy Eucharist at the
112th Diocesan Convention on the evening of Jan. 26, we would like to
have as many congregation banners in processions as possible. If you
would like to be part of the procession, contact Mary Sulerud at
msulerud at edow.org no later than Jan.18 and let her know the congregation
and the name of the person who will be carrying the banner. Banner
bearers need not vest.

20S/30S YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY WEB PAGES
If your parish currently has, or is in the process of updating or
creating a Young Adult Ministries/20s-30s page (brief description of
ministry and activities) on its Web site, would you please send the link
to Preston Hannibal at phannibal at edow.org. All page links to 20s/30s
parochial ministries will be listed on the diocesan Web site. Thank you
for your help to expand this important ministry.

ATTENTION SMALL CHURCHES
The Rev. Suzanne Watson, the Presiding Bishop's staff officer for
congregational development and the small church, has a blog designed for
leaders of small churches that has lots of resources at
http://smallepiscopalchurch.blogspot.com/

LITERATURE AND THE BIBLE: EXTENDED COURSES AT WNC
* "The Transforming Literature of the Bible: The New Testament." In this
course, you will read selected passages of scripture and commentary
provided by the Rev. William Barnwell, Washington National cathedral's
canon missioner, then attend a weekly two-hour seminar led by clergy and
lay leaders. During these seminars, you will reflect on how the passages
resonate with your life, the life of our church, and the life of our
society. A new 19-week series on the New Testament begins at 7 p.m. Feb.
7.
* Christianity and Literature: God's Love Breaks Through." Read and
discuss short stories that will express the Good Friday of human
existence in this course led by the Rev. William Barnwell, canon
missioner at Washington National Cathedral. In the stories of Flannery
O'Connor, John Updike, Alice Munro and others, witness God's love and
saving grace breaking through. This course runs on Tuesday evenings from
7 to 9 p.m. from Feb. 6 through May 1.
* For more information or to register for these courses at Washington
National Cathedral, call Barnwell at 202/537-5522. The $100 fee for each
course includes materials.

EPIPHANY ARTWORK SHOW AT ST. MARY'S, ARLINGTON
An Epiphany Feast of Lights service featuring the artwork of Samaritan
Ministry's Homeless Awareness Art and Poetry Contest Winners is set for
6 p.m. Jan. 6 at St. Mary's Episcopal Church (2609 North Glebe Road,
Arlington, Va.) The evening features the choirs of St. Mary's, followed
by a reception and discussion of Samaritan Ministry's Homeless Awareness
Art and Poetry Contest. All are invited.

CREATIVE LEADERSHIP IN THE SMALL CHURCH
Save the date... "Creative Models of Sacramental Leadership in the Small
Church" is set for Oct. 7-10 at Kanuga Conference Center in
Hendersonville, N.C. Confirmed presenters are Presiding Bishop Katharine
Jefferts Schori, Archbishop and Primate of New Zealand David Moxon,
Bishop of the Diocese of Northern Michigan James A. Kelsey and the Rev.
Stephen M. Kelsey, Missioner/Superintendent Greater Hartford Regional
Ministry. This conference is designed for churches with an average
Sunday attendance of 70 or less. For more information, contact the Rev.
Suzanne Watson at swatson at episcopalchurch.org 

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT - VIRGINIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
The Center for Lifetime Theological Education at Virginia Theological
Seminary seeks an administrative assistant to support its programs in
clergy and lay continuing education, including the Summer Collegium, the
Doctor of Ministry programs, the Evening School of Theology, and the
Center's extensive conference schedule. Interested candidates should
send a letter and resume to: The Center for Lifetime Theological
Education, Virginia Theological Seminary, 3737 Seminary Road,
Alexandria, Va., 22304  or to lteaa at vts.edu.

PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS
Please keep the following clergy and members of the diocese in your
prayers this week: 
*  Kelly Brown Douglas - on the occasion of her father's (William) death
on Dec. 17. 
*  The Rev. Canon John Frizzell - on the occasion of his death (Dec.
13). Memorial Service at Washington National Cathedral 10:30 a.m. Jan.
13
*  Mariann Babnis - recovery from surgery 
*  Bishop Ron Haines - 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 (Margery)
*  For all our seminarians preparing to take General Ordination Exams in
early January.

REMINDERS:

112TH DIOCESAN CONVENTION
The 112th Diocesan Convention workshops, hearings and business sessions
will take place Jan. 26-27 (Friday and Saturday) at Washington National
Cathedral. Many volunteers are needed - see www.edow.org/convention to
sign up or contact Ann Talty, 202/537-6548 or atalty at edow.org. Lay
delegates and alternates to convention must be certified by the
canonical deadline of Dec. 26, so rectors who have not certified them
this year, please do so ASAP. Forms have been sent to rectors, but can
also be found at www.edow.org/convention

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

ADDITIONAL PREVENTION TRAINING OPPORTUNITY AT VTS
Two training sessions on the prevention of abuse will take place at the
Virginia Theological Seminary in January: Prevention of Child Sexual
Abuse is set for 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Jan. 24; and Prevention of
Adult Sexual Misconduct will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Jan. 25. Registration deadline is Jan. 19. Cost for one session is $10;
$20 for both. Contact Carol Jubinski at 703/361-1744 for further
information. Sessions will be held in Addison Academic Center Room 101.

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. Contact Nancy Warren at
nwarren at gmpexpress.net or 301/373-3560 for more information. 

SPACE AVAILABLE AT NEW EPISCOPAL STUDENT CENTER
The Episcopal Student Center (University of Maryland) 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 the Rev. Peter
Antoci for details 
at pantoci at umd.edu
 
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.

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.

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



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