[edow] Church House News

[Church House News]

SEPTEMBER 14, 2006
 
*** The weekly bulletin for clergy, wardens, diocesan committee members, convention delegates and church administrators in the Episcopal Diocese of Washington ***

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. During this time, clergy and lay employees working more than 20 hours a week and eligible working retirees under the age of 71 are guaranteed acceptance. Eligible employees who have already received a postcard from CPG announcing this will receive a full packet of information next week. Eligible dependents of employees and qualified volunteers may apply at any time by providing proof of good health. 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.

ANGUS DUN GRANT APPLICATION DEADLINE
The Angus Dun Grant Application deadline is Oct. 13. The Angus Dun Fellowship Fund supports the continuing education of the clergy of the Diocese of Washington. Grants of up to $1,000 are made according to criteria detailed on the Web site, http://www.edow.org/parish/congregation/grants/angusdun.html
The application and submission directions are available there, also. 

RELIGIOUS VIGILS AGAINST TORTURE
The Washington Region Religious Campaign against Torture (www.wrrcat.org) is planning further vigils along Massachusetts Avenue across from the Naval Observatory on Sept. 19 and 26 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Participants are asked to bring signs protesting torture everywhere. The diocese's Commission on Peace and the Episcopal Peace Fellowship are members of this interfaith group. For further information call Christine de Fontenay at 301/526-6648 or ccfontenay at yahoo.com.

EPF TO TAKE PART IN PROCESSION TO END IRAQ WAR
The Episcopal Peace Fellowship will be one of the faith-based groups participating in the procession on Congress to end the war in Iraq on Sept. 26. Clergy are invited to don their stoles and lead the procession. Location: Upper Senate Park on Constitution Avenue between New Jersey and Delaware Avenues. An interfaith liturgy at 10:30 a.m. will precede the procession at 11:30 a.m. This is part of the weeklong activities of the Declaration of Peace campaign. For further information, contact Helma Lanyi at olivebranch at rcn.com or 202/364-0546.

CATHEDRAL COLLEGE SEEKS VOLUNTEERS
The Cathedral College is looking for special events volunteers to lend a hand at evening lectures and courses. For more information, contact Robin DeBlosi at 202/537-5728 or cathedralcollege at cathedral.org. 

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC COMMITTEE SEEKS NEW MEMBERS
The International Economic Committee, a subcommittee of the diocese's Commission on Peace, is looking for a few more professional economists. The group meets at lunchtime on the second Tuesday of each month. Among its functions, the group offers speakers to parishes on current economic issues. For more information, contact Canon Michael Hamilton at 202/364-4486.
 
COUPLEHOOD AS A SPIRITUAL PATH 
This eight-week course helps couples improve communication and transform conflict into growth and healing. Imago couples therapist Keith Miller will lead an inside-out journey into the psychological and spiritual dynamics of intimate relationships using principles of Imago Relationship Therapy and Christian spirituality. (www.imagorelationships.com) The course meets on consecutive Thursday nights at Grace, Georgetown from Sept. 28 to Nov.16, and is open to couples, married or in a committed relationship. Childcare will be provided. Contact: keithmiller at pastoralcounselingdc.com or 202-449-3789 ext. 712 for registration or more details. 

PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS
Please keep the following clergy and members of the diocese in your prayers this week:
*  Susan Astarita - husband's hospitalization (Bruce)
*  Ted Karpf - recovery from surgery
*  Dalton Downs - recovery from surgery
*  Sanford Garner - personal health
*  Rip Coffin - personal health
*  Bishop Ronald Haines - personal health
*  Velma Brock - personal health
*  Tom Logan - personal health
*  Mitzie Noble - personal health
*  John and Mary Miers - personal health
*  Rita Henninger Seadman - infant son's health (Cuthbert)
*  Michael Marrett - wife's health (Margery)

>>> REMINDERS:

VERNA DOZIER FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
The funeral of Verna Dozier is set for 10:30 a.m. Sept. 30 at St. Mark's, Capitol Hill (118 Third Street SE). Bishop Jane Holmes Dixon, retired suffragan of Washington, will preside. Bishop Michael Curry of North Carolina will be among the eulogists.

SACRED GROUNDS
This group for young Episcopalians in the diocese (20s/30s) will meet at 7 p.m. Oct. 6 at St. Thomas', D.C. (1772 Church St, NW) for evening prayer and Eucharist followed by "Octoberfest" - beverages, bratwurst and polka music. Contact Dustin Cole at 202/441-0907 or dustindc at gmail.com for more information.

SOUTHERN AFRICA PARTNERSHIP MEETING
The Southern Africa Partnership meeting set for 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 18, with Bishop Chane and the Southern Africa Partnership Committee, will now be held at St. Columba's. RSVP by Sept. 11 to either 537-6555 or cwilburn at edow.org.

JUST IN TIME FOR THE NEW SUNDAY SCHOOL YEAR... 
Extensive new resources compiled by the diocese's Christian Formation Committee are now available at www.edow.org  The resources include information on teaching Sunday School, leading a youth group, organizing adult education offerings and planning intergenerational activities.
 
MINISTRY DEPLOYMENT CONFERENCE
The Rev. Mary Sulerud, canon for deployment and vocational ministry, will represent the diocese at the Fall Ministry Deployment Conference in Roanoke, Va. (Oct. 14-17). If you are a canonically resident or licensed clergy person and would like your credentials presented at the conference for deployment consideration, please submit an updated resume and CDO profile to Sulerud or George McConnell by Oct. 6. The materials should be submitted as an e-mail attachment and sent to msulerud at edow.org or gmcconnell at edow.org. If you need assistance or have questions, call 202/537-6536.  
 
LATINO MINISTRIES CELEBRATION 
A celebration of Latino Ministries in the Diocese of Washington is set for 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 16 at Our Savior, Silver Spring (1700 Powder Mill Road). Bishop John B. Chane will preside at the Eucharist; a meal will be served afterward. Parking is available behind the church or across Powder Mill Road at the Hillandale shopping center. 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.
  
PHOTOS/DVDS OF DOWNS FAREWELL AVAILABLE
Photo CDs and DVDs of the diocesan farewell held for Father Dalton and Ana Downs at St. Timothy's, D.C., on April 28 and the parish farewell on April 30 are now available. To purchase a photo CD ($10) or DVD ($15), please contact the church at 202/582-7740 or Jozetta Robinson at 202/369-6010. All orders must be placed by Sept. 17. 

VESTRY WORKSHOP - SAVE THE DATE
A Vestry Workshop is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Dec 2. Agenda and registration information will be available soon.

KATRINA CLEANUP TRIP
The St. Alban's Gulf Coast Revival Group and Washington Episcopalians Respond to Katrina (WERK), are sponsoring a trip to New Orleans from Oct. 4-9 to help clean up affected areas. Contact Derrick Crowe at derrickccrowe at hotmail.com for more information.

DOCC PROGRAM - CHANGE OF DATES
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 OCT. 10 through JAN. 23, skipping Dec. 26 and Jan. 2, with a required retreat day on OCT. 21. 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. For further information, visit the programs section of the cathedral's Web site: www.nationalcathedral.org

DIOCESAN REVIVAL - SAVE THE DATE
The diocese's SECOND 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.

REGIONAL ASSEMBLIES 2006
* Region 1: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 28 at St. Matthew's, Hyattsville 
* Region 2: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 28 at St. Luke's, Bethesda [note corrected date]
* Region 3: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 28 at St. Luke's, Bethesda [note corrected date]
* Region 4: 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 23 at Christ, Kensington [note corrected date]
* Region 5: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 28 at St. Matthew's, Hyattsville 
* Region 6: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 14 at Christ, LaPlata
Election Schedule for each region and information on submitting nominations and resolutions can be found at www.edow.org  or by contacting Ann Talty at atalty at edow.org or 202/537-6548.

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. There will be four subsequent sessions on Feb. 24, April 21, June 16 and Sept. 15, 2007. 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).

SAFEGUARDING GOD'S CHILDREN - FALL 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:
* 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at Trinity, St. Mary's City
* 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Oct. 14 at Grace, Silver Spring
* 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 30 at St. Luke's, Bethesda
* 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
 
ATTENTION SMALL CONGREGATIONS:
Small Congregations: There is a new Web site intended to be a place to share stories of vitality, hope, strength, challenge, education and prayer for the small church community. To review the first posts or join in the discussion, visit http://smallepiscopalchurch.blogspot.com/  If you would like to submit a new article or share an educational piece, please send it to swatson at episcopalchurch.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.
   
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

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
 
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
 
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.



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