[edow] Church House News

[Church House News]

AUGUST 2, 2007
 
*** The weekly bulletin for clergy, wardens, diocesan committee members, convention delegates and church administrators in the Episcopal Diocese of Washington ***

ATTENTION CLERGY: TRANSITION MINISTRY CONFERENCE
The next Transition Ministry Conference is set for Sept. 24-27 at Trinity Conference Center in Connecticut. Clergy interested in being considered for openings in the congregations of the 36 dioceses represented by TMC should contact George McConnell, gmcconnell at edow.org or Mary Sulerud, msulerud at edow.org, no later than Sept. 10 for more information. The Deployment and Vocational Ministries office staff will be presenting congregations in the diocese that have openings and clergy seeking new calls. 

SPANISH PREACHING COURSE AT THE CATHEDRAL COLLEGE
The Cathedral College is offering a conference for Spanish speaking preachers, "Biblical Preaching: A Hispanic Approach," from Oct. 22-26. The conference, entirely in Spanish, will explore how to preach some of the most common biblical forms, such as Hebrew narrative, Psalms and Proverbs, prophetic oracles, miracles, parables, epistles and apocalyptic texts. It will be led by Pablo A. Jiménez, an ordained minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), who directs www.predicar.org, a bilingual Web site, and is editor of Chalice Press, a line of academic and pastoral books. Fee is $750. For more information or to register, contact the Rev. Dean McDonald at 202/537-6384.

ATTENTION YOUNG ADULTS!
If you are planning to attend the National Young Adult Gathering, "CAMINO: A Sacred Journey" in San Francisco from Sept. 21-23, please inform the Rev. Preston Hannibal, canon for academic ministries. He is assembling a list of those from this diocese who will be attending, and can be reached at 202/537-6552 or phannibal at edow.org. For more information or to register, visit: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/49662_80981_ENG_HTM.htm
Registration closes Aug. 18. The gathering will bring together young Episcopalians from all over the globe to share in worship, fellowship and pilgrimage, and to be equipped for transformational ministry with young adults.
 
'BEYOND SUNDAY' CONFERENCE IN RICHMOND, VA
"Beyond Sunday: On being a Christian in the world" is set for Nov. 9-10 at the Virginia Diocesan Center at Roslyn in Richmond, Va. Sponsored by the Diocese of Virginia's Commission on Congregational Development and facilitated by the Rev. Canon Fletcher Lowe and a team of parishioners from St. Paul's, Richmond, the conference is designed for those working to enhance the connection between worship and work. Individual conference fee is $75; discount for teams from the same congregation. Register by Oct 20. For more information, contact: Nancy McLaughlin at 240/450-0198 or nmclaughlin2k at yahoo.com or Carolyn Chilton at 800-346-2373, ext. 29 or cchilton at thediocese.net.

WOMEN'S INDIA PILGRIMAGE
The Tutu Institute for Prayer & Pilgrimage is offering a Women's India Pilgrimage, "The Journey to India: Contemplation in Action," from Jan. 11-25. The nonviolent protests that shaped the social change in South Africa and United States carried the legacy of Gandhi's satyagraha. Pilgrims will deepen and renew their relationships with themselves and with God in India, a country rich in ancient traditions of meditation and contemplation. The pilgrimage will be led by the Rev. Mpho A. Tutu and the Reverend Katherine Stiles. Application deadline is Oct. 1. For more information, visit www.tutuinstitute.org, e-mail info at tutuinstitute.org or call 703/677-5642. Cost per person is approximately $6,000. 

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT - P/T
St. Bartholomew's, Laytonsville is seeking a part-time parish office Administrative Assistant; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday to Friday; $15/hour. Please reply to the Rev. Carol M. Flett at revflett at yahoo.com.
 
MUSIC DIRECTOR - P/T
St. Bartholomew's, Laytonsville is seeking a quarter-time Music Director, $12,000/year. One adult choir and one Sunday service at 11 a.m. Please reply to the Rev. Carol M. Flett at revflett at yahoo.com.

PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS
Please keep the following clergy and members of the diocese in your prayers this week:
*  David Pollock - recovery from surgery
*  Myles Edwards - personal health
*  Dick Hewlett (retired historiographer) - recovery from surgery 
*  Kathy Jordan - husband's health (Bob) 
*  Tom Logan - personal health 
*  Craig Eder - personal health
*  Harrison West - personal health 
*  Jim Naughton - brother's personal health (Tim)
*  Simon Bautista - mother's health (Maria) 
*  Luis Leon - mother's health (Mary) 
*  Velma Brock - personal health 
*  Martha Bonwitt - husband's health (Bill) 
*  Bill Truitt - personal health 
*  Charles Daugherty - personal health

>>> REMINDERS:

REGIONAL ASSEMBLIES 2007:  
Clergy, wardens and convention delegates are entitled to vote and should plan to come to the 2007 Regional Assemblies. Other members of the vestry are encouraged to come as well to participate in discussions. Dates, times and locations are as follows:
* Regions 1 and 2: 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 20, at Epiphany, D.C.
* Regions 3 and 4:  8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 13 at St. John's, Olney
* Region 5: 1:30 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13 at St. John's, Beltsville
* Region 6: 1:30 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20 at St. Barnabas', Leeland

LATE SUMMER/FALL SAFEGUARDING GOD'S CHILDREN TRAININGS:
New dates for Safeguarding God's Children training sessions are as follows:
* Aug. 27: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at St. Alban's, D.C. (Monday)
** Aug. 28: 1 to 4 p.m. at Washington Episcopal School (Tuesday). * For staffs of Episcopal Schools only.*
* Sept. 15: 9:30 a.m. to noon at Ascension, Lexington Park (Saturday)
* Sept. 29: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at All Saints', Chevy Chase (Saturday)
* Oct. 27: 9:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m., location TBA in Region 1 (Saturday)
* Nov. 10: 9:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m. at St. Mark's, Silver Spring (Saturday)
* Dec. 8: 9:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m. at St. Paul's, Rock Creek (Saturday)
Online registration required by going to www.edow.org/prevention Refresher courses for those whose three-year certification is expiring will hopefully be scheduled in October.  More information to come.

PARISH STAFF: PLEASE COMPLETE THE CPG SURVEYS 
If you have not yet completed the surveys you have received from the Church Pension Group, please do so. The surveys only take 10 to 15 minutes. If you have lost your User ID, contact Anne Hurst at CPG at a147info at cpg.org or 800/223-6602, ext. 9405.

PLANNED GIVING WORKSHOP
The diocese will hold a Planned Giving Workshop from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 25 at St. Barnabas, Temple Hills (5203 St. Barnabas Road, Temple Hills). The three-hour workshop will be led by David Lewis, who will cover options from the Episcopal Church Foundation and other sources to give a more complete picture of what can be done with a planned giving program. Useful whether you are just starting out or are looking for new ideas. Light refreshments will be served. Online registration only at www.edow.org/events.

EFM GROUPS FORMING FOR FALL
Several new Education for Ministry groups are forming for September 2007 throughout the diocese. EFM is a program of theological study, prayer and reflection from the School of Theology of the University of the South. The Diocese of Washington is a sponsoring diocese for the program. For more information on EFM, and for the location and contact people for groups, go to www.edowefm.org.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING SITES SOUGHT
Episcopal Senior Ministries and THC Affordable Housing have agreed to pool their expertise to develop more senior housing in the Washington metropolitan area. They are looking for development sites on church property, public land or private property for the development of 50-100 units of independent senior living with services. For more information, contact Joe Resch at 202/414-6310 or Suzanne Welch at 202/291-5535.

NEW VOCATIONAL GUIDELINES ISSUED
After a two month period of public comment, the Commission on Ministry has approved new guidelines for those discerning a call to ministry. These guidelines address vocation for those seeking to serve the church as priests and those seeking a call to serve the world and in the church as laity. Draft guidelines for a vocational diaconate are being completed by the COM and will be available for public comment in the fall, along with guidelines for those seeking ordination in the Episcopal Church who have been ordained in other traditions. The guidelines can be found at www.edow.org/diocese/clergy/index.html. 

OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE AT ST. STEPHEN'S, D.C.
St. Stephen and the Incarnation, D.C. (1525 Newton Street NW) has three small offices to rent (each office is approx. 190 square feet - 14 feet by 14 feet). The space will be available in August. Each room rents for approx. $438 per month, including utilities, basic cleaning, and a security guard at the main door 60 hours per week. 

ATTENTION PARISH ADMINISTRATORS
All parish administrators and administrative assistants in the Diocese of Washington are invited to monthly luncheon meetings of the Administrators Group. Topics of interest are discussed and useful information is shared. New administrators will find these particularly valuable.  Meetings are the third Tuesday of the month at All Souls, on Cathedral Avenue. It is metro-accessible and parking is available. You also are invited to join our listserv which provides a means to exchange information between meetings. Next meeting is set for 12:30 to 2 p.m. Sept. 18. Contact the group at: http://www.edow.org/parish/administration/resources/index.html

CATHEDRAL'S PARKING GARAGE OPEN
Washington National Cathedral's underground parking garage is now open. Visitors to Church House should enter the garage from the main entrance off Wisconsin Avenue just south of Woodley Road. The parking ticket received upon entrance can be validated for the diocese's invited guests and committee members. Surface parking restrictions after 3:30 p.m. are lifted, so parking for evening meetings can be done at street level and validation will not be needed. Please park legally at all times; enforcement activities are in effect. Questions about parking on the close may be directed to ParkingInfo at cathedral.org

FALL MINISTRY CONFERENCE AT VIRGINIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 
On Oct. 15, the Virginia Theological Seminary will hold a one-day Fall Ministry Conference 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 email Admissions at vts.edu.  Space is limited, so register now if you are interested in attending.

PARISH NURSE/HEALTH MINISTRY TRAINING COURSE
The National Episcopal Health Ministries will hold a parish nurse/health ministry training course from Aug. 27 to Sept. 1 at the Virden Center in Lewes, DE. The NEHM course is endorsed by the International Parish Nurse Resource Center, offers RN continuing education credit, is taught from the Episcopalian viewpoint, and also is open to those doing health ministry who are not RNs. Tuition for this five day residential program is $400; fee for double room and meals at the Virden Center is $400, with private rooms available for $200 additional. For more information or to register, visit www.episcopalhealthministries.org or contact Carol Sullivan at 410/827-6907 or songofjoy at dmv.com

COMPUTER TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
The diocese has negotiated with the following vendors to provide discounted training to parish staff and volunteers. Please contact them if you are interested in their offerings:
* Kind Technology, Potomac ( www.kindtechnlology.com ) offers classroom courses in Microsoft Office programs including Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Adobe Photoshop. 
* Antharia has a new training Web site ( www.antharia.com ) and schedule for Web and graphics design classes, including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, CSS, PHP, Dreamweaver and e-mail marketing. 
* TJP&A (www.tjpa.com ) offers group rate discounts and offers classroom courses in Web and graphic design, including Dreamweaver, Contribute, Photoshop, Illustrator, Quark and  InDesign.
Further information is available at http://technology.edow.org/training.html  

RACIAL RECONCILIATION TRAINING DATES SET
The diocese's Committee on Racial Reconciliation will conduct an expanded and re-formatted Racial Reconciliation Training program on  * Nov. 2-3 * Feb. 8-9, 2008 * May 16-17, 2008 * Nov. 14-15, 2008. Advance registration is required, and will be announced when locations are known.
 
FOURTH ANNUAL BISHOP'S APPEAL
The fourth annual Bishop's Appeal will be mailed to members of the diocese during the first week of May. Please urge members of your congregations to contribute generously. Donate online at www.edow.org/donate

HUNGER FUND INTRODUCES ONLINE GIVING
The Hunger Fund is pleased to announce that it is now able to accept online contributions. Visit the Hunger Fund's Web page - http://www.hungerfund.net - and click on "Donate Now Online." 

CONTRIBUTING TO THE BISHOP JOHN T. WALKER SCHOOL
The planned Bishop John T. Walker Episcopal School will serve the boys of Wards 7 and 8 in southeast Washington, D.C., and hopes to provide collaborative education, with the boys and their families, in a Christian setting. Your generous contribution will enable the diocese to continue the planning phase which is a crucial first step toward establishing the school. Contributions can be sent to: The Bishop John T. Walker School, Episcopal Church House, Mount St. Alban Washington, D.C. 20016 or visit www.bishopwalkerschool.org
     
CYCLE OF PRAYER
The Cycle of Prayer through Nov. 25, 2007 is online at: 
http://www.edow.org/parish/congregation/liturgy/cycleofprayer/index.html

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