[edow] Church House News

[Church House News]

MAY 4, 2006
 
*** The weekly bulletin for clergy, wardens, diocesan committee members, convention delegates and church administrators in the Episcopal Diocese of Washington ***

CONVERSATIONS BEFORE COLUMBUS - LOCATION DETAILS
Members of the Diocese of Washington's deputation to the Episcopal Church's General Convention (June 13-21 in Columbus, Ohio) will be on hand to discuss any issues and concerns people have before they depart. The meetings, "Conversations Before Columbus," are set for 6:30 to 8 p.m. May 10 and May 30 at St. Paul's, Rock Creek and Trinity, Upper Marlboro. The May 10 meeting will be held in the GREAT HALL of the St. Paul's Center on the grounds of St. Paul's, Rock Creek Cemetery. For directions, visit www.rockcreekparish.org For directions to Trinity, Upper Marlboro, visit http://trinityuppermarlboro.edow.org/
 
TREASURERS' WORKSHOP
The 2006 Treasurers' Workshop for treasurers and wardens will build on the theme that good financial management is essential to well-run parishes. Topics will include the audit process, budgeting, loan documentation requirements, discretionary and other restricted funds. The diocesan treasurer, members of the Finance Committee and diocesan staff will be on hand to answer questions, and there will be an opportunity for fellowship with your colleagues. Register online at www.edow.org/events    

SENIOR CELEBRATIONS 
Seniors and clergy are invited to register for the Senior Celebrations sponsored by Episcopal Senior Ministries. There will be a May 9 celebration at St. Paul's, Piney and a May 11 celebration at St. Paul's, Rock Creek. Both programs begin at 11 a.m. and honor the contributions seniors make as volunteers in the church and community. Bishop Barbara Harris will officiate at the May 9 celebration and Bishop John Chane on May 11. Contact Marcy Hunter at 202/414-6314 or MHunter at esm.org.

MONTHLY CONTEMPLATIVE GROUPS
Shalem-trained spiritual director and retreat leader Anna Gilcher (a member of St. Stephen & the Incarnation) will lead two monthly groups dedicated to deepening spiritual practice, one through silence and the other through movement. The Monthly Contemplative Circle will meet on the second Thursday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon, beginning May 11 for silence and prayerful sharing, using different contemplative practices. "The Soul's Dance: Movement as Spiritual Practice," will meet on the fourth Thursday of the month, from 10 a.m. to noon, beginning May 25. No experience is necessary. Both groups will meet at Seekers Church, 276 Carroll St, NW, Washington (opposite the Takoma metro station). Cost is on a sliding scale, $20-$40 per session. Contact 301/589-7070 or agilcher at earthlink.net. 

ST. JOHN'S OPPORTUNITY SHOP HAS RELOCATED
St. John's Opportunity Shop, which has been a fixture in Bethesda since 1951, has relocated to 4504 Walsh Street, Chevy Chase and is now open for business. Hours are Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Consignments can be arranged by calling after 8 a.m. Tuesday for an appointment between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. Donations are accepted at all times that the shop is open for business. To make an appointment, call 301/654-4999.

MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR THE REV. SOLOMON JACOBS 
There will be a memorial service for the Rev. Solomon Jacobs at 11 a.m. May 22 at Washington National Cathedral for his many friends and colleagues in the area. Reception to follow. Please RSVP to Lisalyn Jacobs at (703) 528-6142 or Lisalyn at prodigy.net

POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLARSHIPS
The Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Family Violence and Violence Against
Women offers two $ 20,000 CAD postdoctoral scholarships to researchers wishing to work on the theme of family violence and violence against women. The application deadline is June 1. More information is available at http://www.criviff.qc.ca/

P/T ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT   
An administrative assistant is sought for Episcopal and Lutheran congregations engaged in joint worship and active neighborhood ministries in SW Washington, D.C. Proficiency in MS Word/similar, Excel and MS Publisher. Part-time;19 hours/week. One block from Metro. Resumes: St. Augustine's Episcopal Church - CAA; 600 M Street, SW; Washington, DC 20024,or e-mail: info at staugustinesdc.org. No phone calls.

PARISH ADMINISTRATOR - ASCENSION AND SAINT AGNES 
Ascension and Saint Agnes Parish (12th Street and Massachusetts Ave., NW) is seeking a full-time parish administrator. Must have excellent Microsoft Office Word and Internet skills. Experience working with volunteers in a faith-based setting is desirable, but not required. Interested persons please send resume by e-mail to cherrill.hoard at verizon.net or fax to 202/347-8036. Call 202/347-8161 for more information.
 
PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS
Please keep the following clergy and members of the diocese in your prayers this week
*  Paul Cooney - mother's health (Jean)
*  The Rev. Judith Davis - at the time of her father's (Herbert) death  
*  The Rev. Louis Wheeler and family - thanksgiving for survival of a serious car accident 
*  The Peter Antoci - hospitalization of nephew (Tim) 
*  The Rev. Jim Hunter - wife's health (Jeannine)    
*  The Rev. Lynn Lundelius - personal health 
*  The Rev. Rip Coffin - personal health 
*  The Rev. Tom Logan - personal health 
*  The Rev. Edgar Romig - personal health 
*  The Rev. Velma Brock - personal health 
*  The Rev. Rich Kukowski - father's health (George) 
*  The Rev. Anne Gilson - mother's health (Margaret) 
*  The Rev. Stuart Kenworthy - serving as an Army Chaplain in Iraq

>>> REMINDERS:

THIRD CONVERSATION ON MARRIAGE
The Task Force on Marriage will be holding its 3rd Conversation on Marriage on from 8:30 a.m. to noon May 20 at St. Albans, Washington, D.C. Panelists will be the Rev. Kortright Davis, theologian; the Rev. Jean Milliken, pastoral counselor; and Helen Harrington, family law attorney. 

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.

WADE'S INSTALLATION AS CANON PRECENTOR
The Rev. Carol Wade will be installed as Canon Precentor of Washington National Cathedral during a 4 p.m. May 7 Evensong in the cathedral's Great Choir. RSVP to espencer at cathedral.org by April 30. Clergy: choir dress.

FATHER'S DAY BENEFIT FOR SAMARITAN MINISTRY 
Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington is selling orchestra seats for the 7:30 p.m. June 18 performance of SPAMALOT at the National Theatre. Tickets, including a pre-show reception around the corner at Epiphany, D.C., are $150 each ($59 is tax deductible). Send checks (payable to Samaritan Ministry) to SMGW Spamalot Benefit, 1516 Hamilton St. NW, Washington DC 20011. Visit www.samaritanministry.org or contact Diane Aten at 202/722-2280 or daten at samaritanministry.org.
 
SACRED GROUNDS: FIRST FRIDAYS
"Sacred Grounds: First Fridays," a monthly forum at St. Thomas', Dupont Circle, invites younger Episcopalians (20s/30s) from around the diocese to come and talk about their faith in a casual setting. The forum begins at 8 p.m. May 5 and includes refreshments, art, live music and general shenanigans. All are welcome! Contact Dustin Cole at 202/441-0907 dustindc at gmail.com for more information. The church is at 1772 Church St, NW, Washington DC 20036, two blocks from the Dupont Circle Metro (Red line). Parking is available at the side of the church.

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

NEW DIOCESAN TASK FORCES SEEK MEMBERS
Two new task forces commissioned by Bishop John Bryson Chane in his address to the 2006 Diocesan Convention are now forming, and those with expertise and interest in the areas of development and affordable housing are invited to apply. If you are interested in volunteering for the Affordable Housing Task Force or the Development Task Force, contact Ann Talty at atalty at edow.org or 202/537-6548.

WHO ARE WE?
In preparation for General Convention, there is a new three-session curriculum on the  Diocese of Ohio's Web site:
http://www.dohio.org/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=399
The sessions are designed to last between 50 and 80 minutes, and the topics are 1. The Polity of the Episcopal Church (How do we organize ourselves as the Body of Christ in the Episcopal Church?); 2. Truth, Justice, and the "Anglican" Way (What do we stand for? How do we know?); and GC2006! 

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 will 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 

YOUNG ADULT MISSION TRIP TO NEW ORLEANS
Washington Episcopalians Respond to Katrina (WERK) is sponsoring a trip for young adults (age 18-29) to aid in New Orleans' recovery May 17-23. Space is limited; the opportunity is boundless: be a witness, lend a hand, change your life! Contact Barbara Manard for more information: 301/801-9866; BManard at earthlink.net
 
A PRAYER FOR OUR CHURCH'S GENERAL CONVENTION
This prayer is being commended to the congregations of the Diocese of Washington by the Bishop John B. Chane, to be prayed now through General Convention (June 12-21):   
General Convention Prayer: By your eternal word, O God, you call all things into being and fill them with your goodness.  Be with your Church gathering in convention by your calling in the coming days; fill it with your wisdom and your love; empower it with abiding courage and patience; sustain it through your spirit to carry out the decisions made in council; and in all things grant that our General Convention may unfold in a manner worthy of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name we pray.  Amen

THE DIOCESAN ROAD RUNNERS ARE AT IT AGAIN
Join with fellow Episcopalians from across the diocese to run in the 31st Marine Corps Marathon on Oct. 29. (Online registration for the marathon begins May 17.) If you are interested in joining the diocese's team, please contact the Rev. Joan Beilstein at revjeb at comcast.net. Please pass this invitation along to parishioners at your church.

SAFEGUARDING GOD'S CHILDREN - 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:
* 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. May 10 at Good Shepherd, Silver Spring
* 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. May 20 at All Faith, Charlotte Hall
* 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. June 8 at All Souls, D.C. 
For more information or to register, visit www.edow.org/prevention
  
SPRING CLERGY CONFERENCE 
This year's Spring Clergy Conference is set for May 16-18 at Shrine Mont, Va. The guest speaker will be the Rev. Prof. Peter J. Gomes, Pusey Minister in the Memorial Church and Plummer Professor of Christian Morals at Harvard University. Gomes is an American Baptist minister. 

CYCLE OF PRAYER
The Cycle of Prayer through June 4 is online at: 
http://www.edow.org/parish/congregation/liturgy/cycleofprayer/index.html

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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