[edow] Church House News

[Church House News]

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

MAUNDY THURSDAY RENEWAL OF VOWS
Clergy are invited to attend the Maundy Thursday Renewal of Vows and
Blessing of Oils at noon April 5 at Washington National Cathedral.
Following the Eucharist, there will be a light luncheon at the Cathedral
College for any clergy who wish to attend. If you would like to attend
the luncheon, please register at www.edow.org/events  "Maundy Thursday -
Clergy Luncheon - April 5, 2007."

GOOD FRIDAY OFFERING
This Good Friday, as for the past 85 years, the Episcopal Church will
take up an offering for the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle
East, symbolizing unity with and concern for those who witness to Christ
throughout that region. Funds received through the Good Friday Offering
are used to run hospitals, schools, orphanages and many other programs
for the benefit of people of all faiths. The witness of the Episcopal
Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East is highlighted in a bulletin
shell, offering envelopes and a poster that are available from the
Episcopal Books and Resource Center at
www.episcopalchurch.org/agr/friday or 800/903-5544.  

LENTEN RETREAT AT THE CATHEDRAL COLLEGE
Epiphany, D.C. is sponsoring a March 23-24 Lenten retreat at the
Cathedral College: "Experiencing the Gospel in Your Life - An
Introduction to Ignatian Spirituality." Edward McCormack, associate
professor of Christian Spirituality at Washington Theological Union,
will lead the retreat, which will include times for silent prayer and
for reflection and discussion. The retreat will conclude with a
contemplative Eucharist.
For more information or to register, contact Eleanor Engh at
703/370-3906 or e_engh at comcast.net. Register by March 11. Space is
limited.
 
WASHINGTON EPISCOPAL CLERGY ASSOCIATION MEETING
The Washington Episcopal Clergy Association will meet on March 13 in
Washington National Cathedral's Perry Auditorium (seventh floor.)
Fellowship will begin at 10:15 a.m., followed by a program at 10:30 a.m.
and lunch at noon at the National Cathedral School. Please RSVP to
202/537-6339 if you plan to attend the lunch. The program year theme is
"Nurturing Our Call" and guest speakers will be the Rev. Canon Mary
Sulerud, who will speak about "Ministry Transitions and the Diocesan
Discernment Process," and the Rev.  Kwasi Thornell, who will speak about
"Ministry and Identity after Retirement.'

L'ARCHE OPEN HOUSE SET FOR MARCH 18
L'Arche Greater Washington DC will host an open house from 12:30 to 3:30
p.m. March 18 at its two DC homes in the Adams Morgan neighborhood:
2474 Ontario Road NW and 1724 Euclid Street NW. Refreshments and short
program at 2 p.m. at Ontario Road. Contact Dorothy Copps at 202/365-4561
for more information. L'Arche is a faith-based organization that creates
home and family-like community with people who have intellectual
disabilities and those who assist them.

"THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS" AT CATHEDRAL COLLEGE
The Cathedral College will be hosting a free screening of the
documentary film "The Power of Forgiveness" at 7:30 p.m. March 14 in
Washington National Cathedral's Perry Auditorium (seventh floor). Former
gang members, 9/11 family survivors and victims of "the troubles" in
Northern Ireland tell of horror and violence and the difficult path back
through forgiveness. Includes interviews with such faith-community
leaders Elie Wiesel, Thich Nhat Hanh, and James Forbes. The film will be
followed by a discussion panel including filmmaker Martin Doblmeier.

INTERFAITH PERFORMANCE: THE WHIRLING DERVISHES OF RUMI
The Whirling Dervishes of Rumi will perform at 8 p.m. March 17 at
Washington Hebrew Congregation (3935 Macomb St, NW). The Whirling
Dervishes represent a mystical journey of man growing through love,
deserting his ego, finding the truth and arriving at the "Perfect." This
concert is presented by The Rumi Forum for Interfaith Dialogue in
cooperation with the Washington Hebrew Congregation. Tickets ($10-$50)
are available for at: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/10613 or
call 703/288-1811.
 
PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS
Please keep the following clergy and members of the diocese in your
prayers this week:
*  William (Bill) M. Miller - at the time of his death (Jan. 23). (Word
just received.) former rector of Trinity, Hughesville (1974-87);
associate at St. Alban's, D.C. 1969-74)
*  David Pollock - hospitalization
*  David Black - upcoming surgery
*  Doris Attridge - personal health
*  Caroline Fairless - mother's health (Caroline)
*  Simon Bautista - mother's health (Maria)
*  Kathy Jordan - husband's health (Bob)
*  Luis Leon - mother's health (Mary)
*  Mariann Babnis - personal health 
*  Charles Daugherty - personal health
*  Dalton Downs - personal health
*  Velma Brock - personal health
*  Tom Logan - personal health
*  Bishop Ronald Haines - personal health
*  Martha Bonwitt - husband's health (Bill)

>>> REMINDERS:

2007 MISSION TRIP TO HONDURAS
*** Please note: the correct date for the orientation is March 25, as
listed here. The date was incorrectly listed in the March issue of the
Window.***
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


AFFORDABLE HOUSING SURVEY
The deadline for turning in this survey has been extended to March 10.
Please complete the survey online at www.edow.org/affordablehousing so
the Task Force on Affordable Housing can do its work in coming up with a
diocesan strategy.

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 as follows:
* April 14 at St. Mary, Magdalene
* May 5 at St. John's, Broad Creek
* May 16 at Redeemer, Bethesda 
* June 16 at St. Anne's, Damascus.
Register online at www.edow.org/prevention. Registration is required for
attendance.

FAITH IN THE PUBLIC SQUARE
The Cathedral College is offering "Faith in the Public Square," a course
with staff members of the Episcopal Church Office of Government
Relations, from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays from April 10 to May 1. For more
information, go to www.nationalcathedral.org/register or call
202/537.2221. The course will explore the ministry of justice through
the Episcopal Church's work on public policy. Registration is $95
regular admission, $83 for members of the NCA, and $70 for seniors,
students and those with limited income. 

SAMARITAN MINISTRY SEEKS VOLUNTEERS IN VA OFFICE 
Samaritan Ministry has front office coordinator volunteer positions
available on  Wednesday and Friday mornings from 8:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at
its  Northern Virginia office on Columbia Pike. To learn more about the
position contact Chuck James, director of communications and volunteers
at 202/722-2280 or cjames at samaritanministry.org.

UPDATING COMPUTERS FOR DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME
Beginning in this year, daylight saving time (DST) will be extended in
the United States. DST will start three weeks earlier, March 11, and end
one week later on Nov. 4. This results in a new DST period that is four
weeks longer than previously observed. Unless certain updates are
applied to your computer, it is possible that the time zone settings for
your computer's system clock may be incorrect during this four week
period. Information on how to update your computer is available at
http://technology.edow.org/dst.html

BISHOP JOHN T. WALKER MEMORIAL BREAKFAST
St. Timothy's, D.C., will host its annual Bishop John T. Walker Memorial
Breakfast on at 9 a.m. March 24 in the Parish Hall. Tickets are $20 per
person and the proceeds will benefit The Bishop John T. Walker
Scholarship Fund. Please contact the church at 202/582-7740 for more
information. Tickets will be sold through March 19 and will not be
available at the door.

MISSIONARY TO SUDAN AVAILABLE TO SPEAK
The Rev. Lauren R. Stanley, missionary, theologian and journalist, is
the Episcopal Church's only full-time missionary living and working in
Sudan. Stanley is currently available to visit your parish or group to
discuss her mission experiences as well as the current situation in
Sudan. Contact her at laurenrenk at gmail.com or at 703/678-3892.

EPISCOPAL SENIOR MINISTRIES SUNDAY
Bishop John B. Chane has designated May 6 as Episcopal Senior Ministries
Sunday to increase awareness of and support for the 10 Episcopal
services for older adults in the Diocese of Washington. Information
about these services for newsletters and bulletins, contact information
for speakers for rector's forums on that Sunday, and liturgies on aging
are available for each congregation. Please plan to set aside that
Sunday to recognize all the Episcopal Senior Ministries in the diocese.
For more information, contact Marcy Hunter at 202/414-6314 or
Mhunter at esm.org.  

PRE-MOTHER'S DAY GOSPEL LUNCHEON CRUISE
The Episcopal Church Women of St. Timothy's, D.C., invite all mothers to
join them for a pre-Mother's Day Gospel Luncheon Cruise aboard the
Spirit of Washington. The ECW will set sail at 11 a.m. May 12
(Saturday). Boarding begins at 10:30 a.m. at Pier 4, 6th & Water
Streets, SW, Washington, D.C. The cost is $55 per person and is due by
April 1.  Payment is transferable but non-refundable. For more
information, contact Gloria Clanton at 202/582-1985 or Prattsie Artis at
301/390-3939.

CLERGY: BENEFITS FOR SPOUSES AND DEPENDENTS
Clergy canonically resident in the dioceses of Maryland, Washington and
Easton are eligible to join The Corporation for Relief of the Widows and
Children of the Clergy of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Maryland.
The corporation extends benefits to spouses, domestic partners and
dependent children of deceased members who have been canonically
resident for at least five years in one of the three dioceses. The $50 a
year dues, with membership paid up after 15 years, offer $8,000 promptly
paid upon a member's death and a $1,000 annuity to beneficiaries.
Additional need-based payments, to insure a decent standard of living
for beneficiaries, currently range from $2,000 to $20,000 annually.
Money also is available for special needs. For more information, contact
the Rev. James Crowder at jcrowder at bcpl.net (note: corrected e-mail
address).

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

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 Christ Church, Chaptico.
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.

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

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 
   
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

START UP! START OVER! 
Clergy and laity will gather in Phoenix, Arizona, for a Start Up! Start
Over! seminar May 7-11. Start Up! Start Over! is a national training
event that provides basic congregational development theory and skills.
Registration materials are available at
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/4519_26440_ENG_HTM.htm. 
     
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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