[edow] Church House News

[Church House News]

NOVEMBER 16, 2006
 
*** The weekly bulletin for clergy, wardens, diocesan committee members,
convention delegates and church administrators in the Episcopal Diocese
of Washington ***

'CHILDREN TO CHILDREN' OUTREACH INITIATIVE
Prior to the first Sunday in Advent, all diocesan congregations will
receive in the mail a packet containing 50 mite boxes, a poster and a
letter from Bishop John Chane. These are the materials for a "Children
to Children" Advent project that the bishop hopes to make an annual
tradition in the Diocese of Washington. Congregations interested in
participating should distribute the boxes to the children in their
Sunday Schools on the First Sunday of Advent, 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. This year's offering will
benefit the children of the Dukathole settlement outside Johannesburg in
South Africa. A fire recently destroyed about 400 shanties in the
settlement, leaving more than 1,000 children homeless and in desperate
need of food, shelter and clothing. The diocese's Southern African
Partnership Committee is defraying the cost of this effort. As a result,
all the money raised will be sent to the Anglican Diocese of the
Highveld to provide the children affected by the fire the basic
necessities of life. You can also contribute online at
www.edow.org/giving Please direct questions to Cheryl Daves Wilburn,
diocesan liaison to the Anglican Church in South Africa at 202/537-6543
or cwilburn at edow.org.

GOD @ WORK - DOWNTOWN PRAYER GROUP
Epiphany, D.C., invites downtown workers to learn about a new weekday
prayer group - "God @ Work - Being Attentive to the Spirit" from 5:30 to
6:30 p.m. Nov. 20 in the Parish House's Willard Room (first floor, 1317
G Street, NW; Metro Center). The group hopes to offer a five-week series
beginning in January, and is intended to be a form of contemplative
group prayer that involves silence, sharing experiences from daily life,
and reflective listening. RSVP to swalker at epiphanydc.org or call Susan
Walker, program associate, at 202/347-2635 ext 20. If you are
interested, but unable to attend, please also let her know. There will
be light refreshments, a presentation, and time for questions.  

A CONTEMPLATIVE CIRCLE FOR ADVENT
Shalem-trained Spiritual Director Anna Gilcher (a member of St. Stephen
and the Incarnation) will lead an Advent series entitled "A
Contemplative Circle for Advent: An Intentional Spiritual Community"
from 10 a.m. to noon on Dec 7, 14 and 21. Different contemplative
practices will be explored. Location: Seekers Church, 272 Carroll St. NW
(across the street from the Takoma Metro station). Registration is on a
sliding scale. Deadline for registration is Nov. 30. Contact Anna
Gilcher at agilcher at earthlink.net or 301/589-7070 with questions or to
register.

TIKVAH RISING: HEALING THROUGH GRIEF AND HOPE 
Tikvah is the Hebrew word for Hope. Tikvah Rising is an interfaith
weekend retreat Dec. 8-10 at Wellspring in Germantown, led by
Shalem-trained spiritual director Anna Gilcher and Jewish storyteller
Gail Rosen. The group will work and play with storytelling, movement,
creative arts and contemplative practices. Come as you are, whether your
grief is recent or carried from long ago. Grace, Silver Spring, Christ,
Rockville, St. Columba's, D.C., and St. Andrew's, College Park, are
jointly sponsoring this retreat along with First Baptist, Silver Spring.
Cost is $150/participant. For more information or to register, contact
Anna Gilcher at 301/589-7070 or tikvahrising at earthlink.net.

PARISH SECRETARY - HOLY TRINITY, BOWIE
Holy Trinity, Bowie is looking for a parish secretary: 32-hours/ week
with benefits. Computer experience is essential. Salary is commensurate
with experience. Please reply to Rector, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church,
13106 Annapolis Road, Bowie Maryland or call 301/262-5353.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AT SAMARITAN MINISTRY  
Samaritan Ministry is looking for Front Office Coordinator volunteers.
FOCs answer telephones, route and screen calls, greet visitors, respond
to inquiries from the public, and provide information about the
organization. They put new participants at ease and with a caseworker's
guidance, schedule returning participants. Abundant training and
mentoring is available for all new volunteers. Positions are available
on Friday from 8:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the SE and NW office, as well as
Thursday from 2-5 p.m. at the NW office. To learn more about the
position, contact Chuck James, director of communications and volunteers
at 202/722-2280 or cjames at samaritanministry.org.

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

>>> REMINDERS:

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. Register at www.edow.org/events by
clicking on "Vestry Workshop." 

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.

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. Dec. 9. Bishop John B. Chane will preside.
Parking is available at the Seneca Academy, 15601 Germantown Road,
Darnestown.

EPISCOPAL STUDENT CENTER DEDICATION
All are invited to St. Andrew's, College Park at 10:30 a.m. 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

WELCOME RECEPTION FOR NEW CLERGY
The Washington Episcopal Clergy Association is hosting a reception to
welcome new clergy to the diocese from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Dec. 1 at All
Souls, D.C. (2300 Cathedral Avenue NW). All clergy who are resident or
licensed in the Diocese of Washington are invited; new clergy are
especially welcome. The church is one block from Woodley Park Metro;
parking is available in the church lot. RSVP to the Rev. Joan Beilstein
at 202/232-4244 or revjeb at comcast.net by Nov. 29. Spouses and partners
also are welcome. 

WORLD AIDS DAY - INTERFAITH SERVICE
In recognition of World AIDS Day, St. Columba's, D.C., (4201 Albemarle
St., NW) will host an interfaith service at 7 p.m. Nov. 30. The Rev.
Christine Wiley, pastor at Covenant Baptist Church in Washington, D.C.,
will be the featured speaker for the interfaith service of readings,
meditation, singing and prayer. A light reception will follow the
service. For further information, contact Susan Elliott, director of
communications, at 202/363-4119.

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.

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

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.
  
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.
   
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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