[edow] Church House News

[Church House News]

JANUARY 24, 2007
 
*** The weekly bulletin for clergy, wardens, diocesan committee members,
convention delegates and church administrators in the Episcopal Diocese
of Washington ***

112TH DIOCESAN CONVENTION ON FRIDAY/SATURDAY 
* ORIENTATION AND NOMINATIONS HEARING: 3 - 4:30 p.m. Friday
* PLANNED GIVING WORKSHOP: 1:45 - 2:45 p.m. Friday in the Perry
Auditorium (7th floor of Washington National Cathedral.) 
* FORUM ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING: 1:45 to 2:45 p.m. Friday in Satterlee
Hall, St. Alban's Church.
* CONVENTION BUSINESS: 5 p.m. Friday to 5 p.m. Saturday at Washington
National Cathedral.
* CONVENTION PARKING
Parking is limited due to a delay in the opening of the cathedral's new
garage, so follow instructions in the pre-Convention booklet, and plan
to car pool or take public transportation where possible. For a copy of
the booklet and other information about the convention, visit
http://www.edow.org/diocese/governance/convention/index.html
 
SOUTH AFRICAN MASS AT ST. JOHN'S, LAFAYETTE SQUARE
St. John's, Lafayette Square, will be hosting South African visitors
from the Kwasa Centre in Springs, South Africa. Sharron Dinnie, founder
of the Kwasa Centre, will preach at 7:45 a.m., 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Jan.
28, in addition to addressing the 10 a.m. Adult Forum. At the 11 a.m.
service, St. John's will premier "A South African Mass" composed by the
church's music director William Bradley Roberts. All are invited.

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.

IMAGINATION STAGE ACTORS TO PERFORM AT SUNDAY SERVICES
Bethesda's Imagination Stage is putting on the premiere of "Junebug and
the Reverend," an uplifting drama for family audiences about unlikely
friendships and the triumph of spirit over real-life obstacles.
Imagination Stage is offering to send two cast members to a Sunday
service to perform the opening scene or to speak with the congregation.
In the play, Junebug, a 9-year-old boy, is adjusting to his new home in
the retirement community where his single mom has a new job. The
surprising friendship of a grumpy retired Reverend helps him overcome
the challenges of a new school, some bullying classmates, and his
on-going emotional search for a male role model. The play is recommended
for ages 6 and up. Imagination Stage offers discounted group rates (from
$9-14/ticket) to see the play, which runs from Feb. 10-March 25. For
more information, contact Andrew Gordon at 301/280-1641 or
agordon at imaginationstage.org

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

PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS
Please keep the following clergy and members of the diocese in your
prayers this week: 
*  Kathy Jordan - husband's health (Bob)
*  Luis Leon - mother's health (Mary)
*  Cindy Baskin - brother-in-law's death (Roger)
*  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:

SPIRITUALITY AT WORK 
Epiphany, D.C. (1317 G St, NW) is hosting a series 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. 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.
 
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.

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 
 
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/
  
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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