[edow] Church House News

[Church House News]

FEBRUARY 8, 2007
 
*** The weekly bulletin for clergy, wardens, diocesan committee members, convention delegates and church administrators in the Episcopal Diocese of Washington ***

20S/30S RETREAT DAY 
A 20s/30s Retreat Day, "On the Threshold of Death and Resurrection: A Day of Preparation for Experiencing Holy Week" is set for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 31 at the Cathedral College. This event is the second in a series of retreats led by the Rev. Martin Smith, theologian-in-residence at St. Columba's, D.C. The cost is $25 and includes breakfast bagels, tea, coffee and lunch. Sign up at  www.edow.org/events

EPIPHANY, D.C., IN THE NEWS
The Street Church program at Epiphany, D.C., was featured in Tuesday's New York Times: 
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/06/us/06homeless.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

2007 MISSION TRIP TO HONDURAS
The diocese will be coordinating a mission trip to Honduras from July 28 to Aug. 5. Participants can either stay in one community to work on an existing project or visit several Honduran congregations to assess potential opportunities for a future relationship, either on behalf of your parish or individually. Ongoing projects include school or clinic construction, reforestation, environmental education, a basic grains cooperative, and women's crafts. Tasks range from hard physical labor to giving elementary students some basic notions of English. To find out more, plan to attend an orientation meeting at 5 p.m. March 25 at St. Alban's, D.C. (Satterlee Hall, Trenbath Assembly Room). For more information, contact Dick Marks at 301/589-4927 or richardpmarks at aol.com 

MISSION VISIT TO MEXICO
The Anglican Communion's Compass Rose Society, of which the Diocese of Washington is a member, has announced dates for a spring mission visit to the Anglican Province of Mexico from April 30 - May 7. Travelers will be guests of Archbishop Carlos Touche-Porter, and accommodation will be in the diocesan guest house, south of Mexico City. The itinerary will include an overnight visit to the city of San Miguel de Allende. Places are limited to 30. Members will be asked to make their own travel arrangements but will be met upon arrival in Mexico City. A $500 non-refundable deposit is required. For more information, contact Lynne Butt at lynne.butt at aco.org.

HEARINGS ON LAY LICENSING, VOCATIONAL DISCERNMENT
The Commission on Ministry will be conducting public hearings on its new standards for lay licensing and vocational discernment for those examining lay ministry and ministry to the priesthood. (The vocational diaconate proposal will follow later this spring.) The hearings for lay licensing standards are set for 7:30 to 9 p.m. March 20 at St. John's, Beltsville and from 9:30 to 11 a.m. March 31 at a location TBA. Lay licensing standards will be posted on the diocesan Web site, and public comment will be received until April 15. Public hearings on the proposed process for lay vocations and vocations to the priesthood will be held from 9:30 a.m. to noon April 14 at Holy Trinity, Bowie and from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. April 24 at St. Luke's, Bethesda. The proposed discernment process will be posted on the Web site and comments will be received until May 4. Public comments should be sent to the attention of the Rev. Mary Sulerud at Church House or by e-mail to msulerud at edow.org.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING SURVEY
The diocesan Affordable Housing Task Force is conducting a survey as part of its work to develop affordable housing policy guidance for the Diocesan Council's review. Please complete the online survey at www.edow.org/affordablehousing

CHURCH PENSION GROUP SURVEY
The Church Pension Group is conducting research on lay employees' demographics, compensation and benefits based on General Convention Resolution A125. The first step is a census of the lay employees, which will be sent to congregations this week. Each congregation will receive a packet of information containing a letter from the CPG president and instructions for completing the census using a designated secure Web site or the traditional paper format. The second phase of this project will be a survey to all lay employees in late March. These surveys are to help CPG better understand lay employees' needs, particularly in the area of employee benefits. 

SPRING CLERGY CONFERENCE - SAVE THE DATE
The diocese's Spring Clergy Conference is set for May 22-24 at Shrine Mont, Va. Keynote speaker will be the Rev. Margaret B. Guenther. Program/registration information will follow.

2007 STEWARDSHIP CONFERENCE - SAVE THE DATE
The 2007 Stewardship Conference is set for April 21 at Washington National Cathedral. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.; conference sessions will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is $25 per person and includes a boxed lunch. Register at www.edow.org/events

SAFEGUARDING GOD'S CHILDREN TRAINING
New dates and locations for Safeguarding God's Children training sessions (prevention of child abuse training required by all paid church employees and those working with children and youth - paid or volunteer) are available on the diocesan Web site at www.edow.org/prevention. Online registration is required for attendance.

DEPLOYMENT MINISTRY CONFERENCE
The next Deployment Ministry Conference is set for March 11-16 at the Duncan Conference Center in Del Ray Beach, Fla. Clergy interested in having their resume and CDO profile presented to other deployment/transition officers from 35 other dioceses (mainly on the East Coast) should contact Mary Sulerud at msulerud at edow.org or George McConnell at gmcconnell at edow.org. Please send your CDO and resume along with a presentation sheet available from the deployment office no later than March 5.  

A CONTEMPLATIVE CIRCLE FOR LENT
Anna Gilcher will lead a six-week Lenten series, "A Contemplative Circle for Lent: An Intentional Spiritual Community," on Thursday mornings during Lent from 10 a.m. to noon (Feb. 22-March 29). Different contemplative practices will be explored including centering prayer, spiritual movement, Ignatian contemplation and journaling. Location: Seekers Church, 276 Carroll St. NW (Takoma Metro station). Registration on a sliding scale, $240-$100. Contact agilcher at earthlink.net or 301/589-7070 to register.

ATTENTION CLERGY - ECUMENICAL LUNCHEON 
Clergy of the diocese are invited to an Ecumenical luncheon for DC area clergy hosted by the Rev. Conrad A. Braaten senior pastor, Lutheran Church of the Reformation, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 13 (212 E. Capitol St. NE). The Rev. Naim Ateek, director of the Sabeel Ecumenical Theology Center, Jerusalem (www.sabeel.org), will speak on "Palestinian and U.S. Christians: Seeking a Just Peace in the Holy Land," and there will be an opportunity for dialogue. There is no charge for the event, which includes a Middle Eastern buffet, but reservations are required by Feb. 9. RSVP to braaten at reformationdc.org  For directions and parking information, visit www.reformationdc.org or call 202/543 4200.

CHILDREN'S MINISTRIES COORDINATOR - GRACE, GEORGETOWN
Grace, Georgetown is looking for a Coordinator of Children's Ministries to work five hours on Sunday mornings and invest five hours of work in preparation during the week.  Responsibilities include both child care and Sunday School, with an initial emphasis on early childhood education. Some background and training in this area required. Contact the Rev. John M. Graham at 202/333-7100 x1, or jmg at gracedc.org.

P/T OFFICE ASSISTANT - CHRIST, ROCKVILLE
Christ, Rockville is looking for a friendly person to help with answering phones, greeting visitors, and various office tasks. 15 hr/wk (morning hours). Good computer skills a must. Send resume to jmcduffie at cecrockville.org or fax 301/762-0928. 

PARISH LOOKING TO PURCHASE A PIPE ORGAN
Want to Purchase: Either a three manual, 30-45 stop, electro-magnetic action pipe organ or an adaptable two manual, multiple stop pipe organ for church use. Will travel to evaluate any appropriate instrument. Contact Donna Osthaus, 8812 Arley Drive, Springfield VA 22153; Tel: 703/644 1896; Fax: 703/644 0739; dosthaus at aol.com
 
PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS
Please keep the following clergy and members of the diocese in your prayers this week:
*  Simon Bautista - mother's health (Maria)
*  Kathy Jordan - husband's health (Bob)
*  Luis Leon - mother's health (Mary)
*  Mariann Babnis - hospitalization 
*  Charles Daugherty - personal health
*  Dalton Downs - personal health
*  Velma Brock - personal health
*  Tom Logan - personal health
*  Bishop Ronald Haines - personal health
*  Bishop Bill and Polly Spofford - personal health
*  Rita Steadman Henninger - son's health (Cuthbert)
*  John Talbott - wife's health (Annie)
*  Martha Bonwitt - husband's health (Bill)
*  Michael Marrett - wife's health (Margery)
*  Caroline Fairless - mother's health (Caroline)

>>> REMINDERS:

112TH DIOCESAN CONVENTION
Bishop John B. Chane's address to the 112th Diocesan Convention is now available on the diocesan Web site, www.edow.org, along with election results and the full text of the convention's resolutions.

ABSALOM JONES DAY CELEBRATION
This year's Absalom Jones Day celebration will take place at 3 p.m. Feb. 11 (snow date is Feb. 18, same time) at Calvary, D.C. (820 6th Street, NE). Bishop John Chane will be the celebrant and the Rev. Dr. Kwasi Thornell will be the preacher. This year's theme is "Telling Our Story: Hearing God's Call." Clergy are asked to gather and vest at 2:30 p.m. Contact MaryRose Chappelle with any questions at 202/546-8011. All are invited!

LENTEN SILENT RETREAT
The Diocesan Retreat Committee will hold its 2007 Lenten Silent Retreat at the Cathedral College on March 2-4. The Rev. Francis Wade will lead the retreat on the theme of "What Wondrous Love is This: The Collects of Lent." Cost: $195. Further information is available at www.edow.org/retreat (click "Our Next Retreat"), or from Margaret Bennett at 202/ 337-3415.

PROJECT DIRECTOR FOR THE BISHOP JOHN T. WALKER SCHOOL
The Diocese of Washington seeks a Project Director to lead its initiative to establish the Bishop John T. Walker School, an Episcopal school for boys in Southeast Washington, D.C. The Project Director will provide vision and leadership and will oversee a campaign feasibility study, budget development and strategic partnerships. The director will work with the school's board of trustees and the diocese's implementation committee to administer and coordinate these start-up activities. The diocese plans to open the school in September 2008 and aims to fill this position immediately. This is a full-time temporary position lasting no more than 24 months from date of employment. Send résumé and cover letter to the Rev. Canon Preston Hannibal at phannibal at edow.org For further details, visit www.bishopwalkerschool.org

GRANTS FOR NATIVE AMERICAN MINISTRY INITIATIVES
The Episcopal Church's Office of Native American Ministries has announced that it will offer grants totaling $86,250 for Native American Ministry initiatives this year. Each award is not to exceed $20,000 per applicant and requests must be endorsed by Bishop John Chane and submitted to the national church's Office of Native American Ministries no later than March 31. For further information, contact Janine Tinsley-Roe, National Missioner of Native American Ministries at 1-800/334-7626 ext. 6203.

APPLICATIONS FOR ABSALOM JONES SCHOLARSHIPS
Applications for the annual Absalom Jones Scholarships are now being accepted by St. Philip's, Laurel. Individuals who will be attending an institution of higher education and are in need of financial assistance are invited to apply by March 31. Applicants must reside, work, attend school or be a member of an Episcopal parish in the Diocese of Washington. For more information, contact the Absalom Jones Scholarship Fund Committee at 301/776-5151, ext. 15 or at absalomjonesfund at stphilips.org. Information also may be obtained at www.stphilipslaurel.org.

ALZHEIMER'S CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP 
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 

FEBRUARY INTENSIVE CENTERING PRAYER WEEKEND 
An intensive retreat on centering prayer led by the Rev. Thomas Ward is set for Feb. 16-18 at the Dayspring Retreat Center (11301 Neelsville Church Rd., Germantown). Cost: $250. For further information contact Dana Semmes, 301/983-1857 or thesemmes at comcast.net 
   
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
  
EPISCOPAL MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER IN CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA
An Episcopal Marriage Encounter weekend is set for March 2-4 in Charlottesville, Va. EME's mission is to help renew the church and improve the world by helping married couples and their families live in happy, intimate and responsible relationships. To learn more about EME and the weekend, visit www.episcopalme.org ; e-mail bocampbell at adelphia.net or call 434/973-3518. Early registration is recommended.
   
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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