[edow] Church House News

[Church House News]

JULY 20, 2006
 
*** The weekly bulletin for clergy, wardens, diocesan committee members, convention delegates and church administrators in the Episcopal Diocese of Washington ***

PLEASE NOTE:
The Communications Office is on vacation, so the next Church House News will be sent out on Aug. 10. 

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.

NEW REGIONAL LISTSERVS
Clergy, wardens, delegates and alternate delegates in each region of the Diocese of Washington: You will receive an e-mail soon that introduces you to your respective listservs and your Regional Convener and Regional Council representatives. You also will be given information on the schedule of elections for this year and will be asked for your nominations. This information also will be posted on the diocesan Web site, www.edow.org in August.

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

ANNUAL APPEAL THINK TANK
A two-hour workshop on annual appeals with the Rev. Carol Cole Flanagan, canon for congregational development, is set for 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 2. Bring 10 copies of your letters, ideas, or any materials you are working on for your annual appeal. There will be an information exchange and an opportunity to find out what is working/not working in other parishes. Light refreshments will be served. There is no charge to attend, but sign up early, as space is limited. Visit www.edow.org/events to register.

STEWARDSHIP Q&A
The Rev. Carol Cole Flanagan, canon for congregational development, will conduct a two-hour workshop on stewardship from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 7. The workshop will be in an open Q&A format. Light refreshments will be served. Visit www.edow.org/events to register.
 
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. 14th 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.

WOODEN CHAIRS - FREE TO GOOD HOME 
Washington National Cathedral's School and Family Programs office has 17 wooden chairs available. They are virtually new, wooden-slat library style chairs. The seats are 17" high. Please call Mimi McNamara at 202/537-2223 or e-mail tours at cathedral.org for a digital photo, or if you would like to arrange pick up.

P/T ORGANIST / CHOIR DIRECTOR - ST. THOMAS' D.C.
St. Thomas', D.C., is looking for a part-time organist/choir director to start work on Aug. 1. The incumbent would lead an adult choir of approximately 20 voices. Average 20 hours/week. Salary and benefits negotiable within AGO guidelines. For further information or to apply contact Rick Taylor, Organist Search Committee, St. Thomas' Church, 1772 Church Street NW Washington, D.C. 20036. 202/332-0607.

PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS
Please keep the following clergy and members of the diocese in your prayers this week:
*  Velma Brock - personal health 
*  Cindy Baskin - personal health
*  Mitzi Noble - personal health
*  Rita Steadman - for the health of her new son (Cuthbert Cammett)  
*  John and Mary Miers - personal health
*  Bishop Ronald Haines - personal health
*  Sanford Garner - personal health
*  Rip Coffin - personal health 
*  Tom Logan - personal health 
*  Rich Kukowski  - father's (George) health
*  Stuart Kenworthy - serving as an Army Chaplain in Iraq

>>> REMINDERS:

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. 
 
BISHOP SEARCH UNDER WAY
The Bishop Search Committee of the Diocese of Olympia has announced that profile and application/nomination forms are now available on the Bishop Search Web site, www.bishopsearcholympia.org The committee hopes some fine candidates will consider and discern their participation in this important ministry.

LARGE PRINT MINISTRY OFFERS TWO NEW CDS
The Large-Print Ministry is offering two CDs that can help people who are blind or visually-impaired. "Prayers & Psalms for Today" includes selections from Prayers and Thanksgivings, Prayers for the Sick and the entire Book of Psalms from the Book of Common Prayer (1979). "The LARGE-PRINT Book of Common Prayer" CD includes the entire BCP. Material on this CD is mainly in 18-point type and is laid out for 8.5 x 11-inch pages. It can be used to help prepare worship materials, and the material can be loaded into a notetaker device and re-edited into a form of Braille. For more information, e-mail Ann at anndahlen3 at aol.com or largeprinthelp at aol.com.

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
 
SAVE THE DATE: SOUTHERN AFRICA PARTNERSHIP MEETING
A diocesan meeting on the Southern Africa Partnership with Bishop John B. Chane and the Southern Africa Partnership Committee is set for 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 18 at St. Alban's, D.C. Details to come.

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.
 
TO GROW OR NOT TO GROW TRAINING
Is your congregation interested in growing? This fall, the Diocesan Office of Congregational Ministries will sponsor "To Grow or Not To Grow" training, designed to help parishes assess the barriers to and readiness for growth. Training will be given by members of the Diocesan Consultants Network, who also will provide individual consultation to participating parishes. Parishes must commit to attending all eight sessions and engaging their congregation in discussions throughout the year. For further information or to sign up, contact the Rev. Canon Carol Cole Flanagan at 202-/37-6556.
 
REGIONAL ASSEMBLIES: SAVE THE DATE
Clergy, wardens and lay delegates are asked to attend and vote at their respective Regional Assemblies this fall. If you can't attend your own regional meeting, you can still attend (but not vote at) another one for the plenary session. 
* Regions 1 and 5:  9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 28
* Regions 2 and 3:  9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 21
* Region 4: 2 to 6 p.m. Oct. 21
* Region 6: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 14

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.



To unsubscribe from CHURCH HOUSE NEWS, do NOT reply to this message. Instead send an e-mail to newslist-request at edowmail.org and type Unsubscribe in the subject line. Leave the body of the message blank. Or go to http://lists.edowmail.org/mailman/listinfo/newslist scroll to the bottom of the page, type your e-mail address in the last field and click "Unsubscribe or edit options." On the following page, under unsubscribe, click the "unsubscribe" button. Either way, the system will send you a confirmation e-mail. Follow the link in the e-mail to confirm.