[edow] Church House News

[Church House News]

JANUARY 18, 2007
 
*** The weekly bulletin for clergy, wardens, diocesan committee members, convention delegates and church administrators in the Episcopal Diocese of Washington ***

112TH DIOCESAN CONVENTION, JAN. 26-27 AT THE CATHEDRAL

* ORIENTATION AND NOMINATIONS HEARING: 3 - 4:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26

* PLANNED GIVING WORKSHOP: 1:45 - 2:45 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26 in the Perry Auditorium (7th floor of Washington National Cathedral.) An introductory session on the basics of planned giving and how to launch or revive a program in your parish. Includes a description of planned gift vehicles, ideas for promoting your program, and how the Episcopal Church Foundation can help.

* FORUM ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING: 1:45 to 2:45 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26 in Satterlee Hall, St. Alban's Church.

* CONVENTION BUSINESS: 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27 at Washington National Cathedral.

* CONVENTION VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers are still needed to assemble ballots and to serve as floor tellers at the Diocesan Convention Jan. 26-27, and possibly also to help with registration. To register online, go to www.edow.org/convention or contact Ann Talty at atalty at edow.org.

* CONVENTION PARKING
Unfortunately there has been a delay in the opening of the cathedral's new parking garage, so follow instructions in the pre-Convention booklet for current conditions, and plan to car pool or take public transportation. 

SPIRITUALITY AT WORK 
Epiphany, D.C. (1317 G St, NW) is kicking off a five-week series today to explore the topic of Spirituality at Work. Participants will meet in the church at 12:30 p.m. for a 45 minute presentation and discussion based on chapters from the book "Spirituality at Work, 10 Ways to Balance Your Life On-the-Job" by Gregory Pierce. Copies of the book will be available, but reading the chapters is not required for participation. Topics are: (Jan. 18) Why do we work? Why develop a spirituality of work?; (Jan. 25) Living with imperfections and assuring quality; (Feb. 1) Solidarity, building support and community; (Feb. 8) What is enough?; (Feb.15) Balancing our responsibilities; social justice in the workplace. For more information, contact Susan Walker at 202/347-2635 ext. 20 or swalker at epiphanydc.org.

BISHOP SPONG TO PREACH AT ST. MARK'S, CAPITOL HILL
Bishop John Shelby Spong, bishop emeritus of the Diocese of Newark, will preach at a 10 a.m. sermon seminar and the 11:15 a.m. Jan. 21 service at St. Mark's, Capitol Hill. For more information, call the parish office at 202/543-0053 or e-mail Katharine.ebert at stmarks.net.

PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS
Please keep the following clergy and members of the diocese in your prayers this week: 
* Nathan Humphrey and Anne Stone - thanksgiving for the birth of their first child - Margaret Wells Humphrey on Jan. 6 
*  Sherrill Page - in thanksgiving for birth of first grandchild (Madelyn Rose Parrish on Jan. 9) 
*  Carleton Hayden - death of his sister (Otis) 
*  Mariann Babnis - recovery from surgery 
*  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)

>>> REMINDERS:
 
APPLICATIONS FOR ABSALOM JONES SCHOLARSHIPS
Applications for the annual Absalom Jones Scholarships are now being accepted by St. Philip's, Laurel. This is the second year of the awards, which were established to honor Absalom Jones, first African American priest in the Episcopal Church. The scholarships will be awarded in June to individuals who have demonstrated the qualities exemplified by Jones - compassion, leadership, service and interest in education. This year, one of the scholarships will be awarded in honor and memory of Ellen D. Washington, the driving force behind the Absalom Jones Window and Scholarship Fund, who was killed last year in a car accident. 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.

37TH TRINITY INSTITUTE NATIONAL THEOLOGICAL CONFERENCE
The 37th Trinity Institute National Theological Conference will be webcast live at Washington National Cathedral on Jan. 23-24. Explore the personal, political and environmental impact of "ultimate visions" at this conference on the topic of Christianity and apocalypticism. Watch presentations by leading theologians Barbara Rossing, Jürgen Moltmann, Peter Gomes and James Carroll. To RSVP or for more information, contact D'Oniece Dillard at 202/537-6385 or dodillard at cathedral.org. There is no charge for this event, which is sponsored by the Cathedral College.

PREACHING ACTS - DISCOUNTED RATES
The Cathedral College is offering discounted rates to three or more members of the Diocese of Washington to attend the Jan. 29-Feb. 2 conference "Preaching Acts: Enlivening Congregations in a New Day," led by Tony Robinson. The discounted rate is  $100 off the $750. For commuters, three or more participants will be offered the rate of $400 - $50 less than usual. That rate includes meals and tuition. Clergy who are working to re-develop churches might be especially interested as Robinson is a well-regarded expert in church change. Interested people can register at www.cathedralcollege.org and should let Joan Roberts know they are from this diocese.   

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). Ward is on the Board of Contemplative Outreach International and leads Centering Prayer workshops and retreats throughout the country. He has recently retired as Chaplain of the University of the South at Sewanee. Cost: $250. For further information contact Dana Semmes, 301/983-1857 or thesemmes at comcast.net 

20S/30S YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY WEB PAGES
If your parish currently has, or is in the process of updating or creating a Young Adult Ministries/20s-30s page (brief description of ministry and activities) on its Web site, please send the link to Preston Hannibal at phannibal at edow.org. All page links to 20s/30s parochial ministries will be listed on the diocesan Web site. Thank you for your help to expand this important ministry.
 
ATTENTION SMALL CHURCHES
The Rev. Suzanne Watson, the Presiding Bishop's staff officer for congregational development and the small church, has a blog designed for leaders of small churches that has lots of resources at http://smallepiscopalchurch.blogspot.com/
 
ADDITIONAL PREVENTION TRAINING OPPORTUNITY AT VTS
Two training sessions on the prevention of abuse will take place at the Virginia Theological Seminary in January: Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse is set for 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Jan. 24; and Prevention of Adult Sexual Misconduct will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Jan. 25. Registration deadline is Jan. 19. Cost for one session is $10; $20 for both. Contact Carol Jubinski at 703/361-1744 for further information. Sessions will be held in Addison Academic Center Room 101.
 
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
 
SPACE AVAILABLE AT NEW EPISCOPAL STUDENT CENTER
The Episcopal Student Center (University of Maryland) is now up and running. The center has five bedrooms, which students occupy during the academic year. From June 1 - Aug. 15 this space will be available for daily, weekly or monthly rentals. The center is very close to the Metro, and convenient to town. The center is also available for daytime retreats, year-round. There are two large parlors, a large community kitchen and an oratory. Parking can be arranged. Contact the Rev. Peter Antoci for details at pantoci at umd.edu
 
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.
 
TUTORS NEEDED FOR CATHEDRAL LITERACY PROGRAM
The Cathedral Literacy Program trains and provides tutors for children and adults to help improve basic reading and math skills. The program has been operating since 1986. New tutors are needed! To volunteer, call Janice Molchon at 202/537-8990 or to learn more call Canon William Barnwell at 202/537-5522.  
 
2007 MEDICAL INSURANCE RATES/PLAN BENEFITS AVAILABLE
Medical insurance rates and plan benefits for parishes and parish employees are now available at: 
http://www.edow.org/parish/administration/benefits/health.html 
Contact Mary Manson, benefits administrator at mmanson at edow.org or 
202/537-6522 with any questions.
 
CYCLE OF PRAYER
The Cycle of Prayer through Nov. 25, 2007 is online at: 
http://www.edow.org/parish/congregation/liturgy/cycleofprayer/index.html
   
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). 
  
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.
  
MARRIAGE GUIDELINES AVAILABLE ONLINE
A copy of the "Bishop's Guidelines for Marriage and Remarriage" is available online at www.edow.org/marriage



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