[edow] Church House News

[Church House News]

NOVEMBER 2, 2006
 
*** The weekly bulletin for clergy, wardens, diocesan committee members,
convention delegates and church administrators in the Episcopal Diocese
of Washington ***

PRESIDING BISHOP INVESTITURE THIS WEEKEND
The Right Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori will be invested and seated as
the Episcopal Church's new Presiding Bishop during two services at
Washington National Cathedral this weekend. Passes are no longer
available for the Saturday service of investiture (11 a.m. Nov. 4); but
passes for the Sunday service of installation (11 a.m. Nov. 5) will be
available at the Cathedral's west front on a first-come, first-served
basis beginning at 10 a.m. Nov. 5. Both services will be webcast live at
www.episcopalchurch.org. The cathedral will not be open for touring or
visiting on Saturday, although worshippers are welcome. Sunday access to
the cathedral also will be limited. Visit
http://www.cathedral.org/cathedral/worship/schedule.shtml#PB4
for a complete list of services on those days. 

SOUTHERN AFRICA EMERGENCY APPEAL
Bishop John B. Chane learned this week of a devastating fire in
Dukathole - an informal settlement in the South African Diocese of the
Highveld (east of Johannesburg) which is one of the places he visited
last month. About 400 homes were destroyed and many lost all their
possessions in an area where there is already tremendous poverty.
Financial contributions are being collected and should be made payable
to the Diocese of Washington, designated for "Dukathole" and mailed to
the attention of Cheryl Daves Wilburn, Episcopal Church House, Mount St.
Alban, Washington, D.C., 20016.

VESTRY WORKSHOP
Clergy, wardens and vestry members are invited to the diocese's first
Vestry Workshop from 9 a.m. to  1 p.m. Dec. 2 at Epiphany, Forestville
(3111 Ritchie Road, Forestville). Topics include a health insurance
overview presented by Mercer Health & Benefits; a presentation on ways
to empower and renew your leadership by Margaret M. Treadwell, a
national leader in clergy and congregational development; and a talk by
Jim Naughton, the diocese's director of communications, on ways to make
your church more visible and attractive to newcomers. Bishop John B.
Chane also is scheduled to speak. Space is limited, please register
early by going to www.edow.org/events and clicking on "Vestry Workshop."


SACRED GROUNDS
This group for young Episcopalians in the diocese (20s/30s) and those
exploring their spirituality will meet at 7 p.m. Nov. 3 at St. Thomas',
Dupont Circle (1772 Church St, NW) for a special Day of the Dead liturgy
followed by an informal gathering with plenty of food (vegetarian),
drink and maybe even apple bobbing! Please bring canned food or
non-perishable food items to donate to House of Ruth. Contact Dustin
Cole at 202/441-0907 or dustindc at gmail.com for more information.

HOSPICE AND THE MANY FACES OF GRIEF WORKSHOP
Helen Fitzgerald, a nationally recognized author, lecturer and death
educator, will lead a discussion on hospice care and grief experienced
by adults and children in life crises during a Nov. 18 workshop at St.
John's, Lafayette Square. The workshop will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.,
and a light lunch will be served for $10. To reserve, send a check made
out to St. John's, Lafayette Square to the attention of Richard Price at
the church: 1525 H Street, NW, Washington, D.C., 20005. Payment can be
made on the day of the workshop, but please reserve ahead of time at
202/347-8766 or kaye.davis at stjohns-dc.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. 

THE RELIGIOUS RIGHT - WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR AMERICA?
The Alban Institute invites members of the Diocese of Washington to an
event titled, "The Religious Right: What Does It Mean for America and
Its Religious Communities?" set for 6 p.m. Nov. 3 at the Hotel Palomar
(2121 P St. NW) in Washington, D.C. There will be a reception and
discussion with Randall Balmer, author of "Thy Kingdom Come: An
Evangelical's Lament" moderated by Bob Abernethy, veteran television
news correspondent and the executive editor and host of Religion &
Ethics Newsweekly on PBS. Business attire. RSVP to Carol Anderson
703/964-2700, x230 or  canderson at alban.org

PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS
Please keep the following clergy and members of the diocese in your
prayers this week:
*  Bishop Ted Eastman - wife's health (Sarah)
*  Family of Ellen Washington - at the time of her sudden death (Oct.
25). A memorial service is set for 10 a.m. Nov. 11 at St. Luke's, D.C.
(Bishop Dixon presiding)
*  Jocelyn Irving - mother's health (Ceceilyn) 
*  Charles Daugherty - personal health 
*  Dalton Downs - personal health 
*  Velma Brock - personal health 
*  Tom Logan - personal health 
*  Rita Henninger Steadman - infant son's health (Cuthbert) 
*  Michael Marrett - wife's personal health (Margery)

>>> REMINDERS:

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

'THE EPISCOPAL MAJORITY' TO HOLD FIRST MEETING
Bishop J. Jon Bruno of the Diocese of Los Angeles will be the featured
speaker at the first meeting of The Episcopal Majority, "Remaining
Faithful," At 1 p.m. Nov. 3 at St. Columba's (4201 Albemarle Street,
NW). Bishop Bruno, a recognized leader in the Episcopal Church in such
areas as interfaith ministry, education, nonviolence and the
Kaleidoscope Project, which facilitates ministry in multicultural
settings, will speak on the challenges confronting the church today. Two
workshops, from 3 to 5:30 p.m., will be led by Christopher I. Wilkins of
ViaMediaUSA and David B. Beers, Chancellor to the Presiding  Bishop. For
more information, visit  www.episcopalmajorityonline.org  

WELCOME RECEPTION FOR NEW CLERGY
The Washington Episcopal Clergy Association invites all new clergy to
the diocese and all WECA members to a welcome reception from 7:30-9 p.m.
Dec. 1 at All Soul's, D.C. (2300 Cathedral Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C.
20008). Spouses, partners and guests also are invited. All Souls is one
block from the Woodley Park Metro. Parking is available in the church
parking lot off Woodley Place). RSVP to the Rev. Joan
Beilstein, interim rector of All Souls and WECA vice-president, at
202/232-4244 or revjeb at comcast.net by Nov. 27 if you plan to attend.

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.

ADVENT QUIET MORNING
Brother Bernard Delcourt, (Order of the Holy Cross) of Holy Cross
Monastery, West Park, NY, will lead an Advent Quiet Morning with a
series of meditations on Dec. 2 at Christ, Chaptico. The day will begin
with Morning Prayer at 8:30 a.m. and conclude with a noon Holy
Eucharist. Between the meditations there will be opportunity for private
counsel or confession. The Parish Hall is located at 37497 Zach Fowler
Road. For more information, contact the Rev. Jesse. Neat at
FatherJessee at AOL.COM or 301/884-3451.

INSITUTE FOR PROGRESSIVE CHRISTIANITY
The Institute for Progressive Christianity, a nascent organization for
moderate Christians who feel there ought to be a thoughtful place for
Christian faith in the public square, will hold its initial "founding"
meeting from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Plaza Hotel, 10 Thomas
Circle, D.C. Explore, listen and contribute. Cost is $35. Further
information is available from mfarr at pointsoflight.org or 202/422-8303 or
www.instituteforprogressivechristianity.org

'SERVE GOD, SAVE THE PLANET'
Matthew Sleeth, author of "Serve God, Save the Planet: A Christian Call
to Action," will speak at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7 in the Parish Hall at St.
Mark's, Capitol Hill. No reservations or tickets required. For more
information about the event, contact Jane Osborne at
jane at environmentalacademy.us or 202/544-7193. For more information about
Sleeth, visit www.gwipl.org/sleethtour.asp and
www.servegodsavetheplanet.org For parking information or directions,
call Kathrine Ebert at 202/543-0053, ext. 306.

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, Christian Communities Group Homes and St. Mary's Court. For
more information, contact Kate Lewis at 202/414-6312 or klewis at esm.org

OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR GROUP LIFE AND DISABILITY INSURANCE 
All parishes that are not currently offering life and disability
insurance to their eligible employees will be receiving material for an
Open Enrollment period from Oct. 1 to Nov. 30. This will provide an
opportunity for parishes to enroll eligible staff into the employer-paid
group life insurance plan without the employee needing to complete a
Health Statement. The disability plans can be either employee or
employer paid offerings. For more information, contact the Benefits
Administrator, Mary Manson, at mmanson at edow.org or at 202/537-6522.

ATTENTION CLERGY:
Clergy canonically resident in the dioceses of Washington, Maryland and
Easton are eligible to become members of The Corporation for Relief of
the Widows and Children of the Clergy of the Protestant Episcopal Church
in Maryland. Two principal benefits of membership, which is deemed paid
up after 15 years, include an annual annuity of $1,000 to beneficiaries
of the member and a $8,000 death benefit. The gratuities are based on
need and at present are in the $2,000 - $20,000 range. The cost is $50
per year. For further information, contact the Rev. James Crowder at
jcrowder at bcpl.net or Juanita Fair at jfair at ang-md.org.

PERCEPT REPORTS AVAILABLE
If your parish is interested in accessing the demographic information
for its surrounding area, go to www.Link2Lead.com Click on "Register."
Under denomination select Episcopal, then select Episcopal Diocese of
Washington, your city and your parish from the drop down boxes. Then
enter your personal data and click on "Register." You will be assigned
an account number and password to access the data, and will want to make
a note of those. Once you have registered, you can sign in at any time
with your account number and password. Each congregation is allotted 20
registrations.

ACTIVE NONVIOLENCE WORKSHOP
This participatory workshop set for 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Nov. 4 at
Redeemer, Bethesda, is an introduction to the spirituality and practice
of active nonviolence using methods of interactive education:
Meditation, role playing, journaling, movie clips and small group
discussion. Participants learn to recognize and confront violence in
their own lives, their families and their communities and they learn to
overcome this violence nonviolently. The program was developed by Pace e
Bene and the Episcopal Peace Fellowship. Cost is $25, including lunch.
Pre-register with vbkos at aol.com or 202/452-4381.
  
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:
* 6:30 to 10 p.m. Nov. 29 at St. Columba's (includes dinner)
* 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
 
OPEN ENROLLMENT - LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE
The Church Pension Group is holding an Open Enrollment Period for Long
Term Care Insurance from Oct. 1 to Nov. 30. This insurance is being
offered at the participant's sole expense. Visit
http://www.cpg.org/productsservices/longtermcareinsurance.cfm 
for additional information, or contact Mary Manson, benefits
administrator, at mmanson at edow.org or 202/537-6522.
  
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.
   
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.

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

CYCLE OF PRAYER
The Cycle of Prayer through Nov. 26 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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