[edow] Church House News

[Church House News]

MARCH 23, 2007
 
*** The weekly bulletin for clergy, wardens, diocesan committee members,
convention delegates and church administrators in the Episcopal Diocese
of Washington ***
 
COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT WORKSHOP
Participants from every parish in the Diocese of Washington are invited
to attend a special half-day workshop with the Committee on the
Environment on April 28. The workshop will focus on actions that
parishes can take in their buildings, grounds and beyond to become
better environmental stewards and reduce their negative impact on the
environment. The meeting will run from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the
Perry Auditorium of the National Cathedral. Doors will open for coffee
at 9 a.m. Speakers include Mike Tidwell from the Chesapeake Climate
Action Network, Glen O'Gilvie from the Earth Conservation Corps and
Religious Partnership for the Anacostia River, Allison Fisher from
Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light, and parish
representatives who will offer practical examples of actions they have
taken. For questions, contact Jane Osborne:
jane at environmentalacademy.us or 202/716.6248. RSVPs are helpful but not
necessary. 
 
SAMARITAN MINISTRY SEEKS MEAL PROGRAM VOLUNTEERS
Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington and the Loaves and Fishes
program of St. Stephen and the Incarnation Church in D.C., are seeking
Meal Program Volunteers to get to know noon-day guests at meals each
Saturday and Sunday, as well as Monday holidays. This is an opportunity
to help meal program attendees connect with the appropriate local
resources and programs like Samaritan Ministry. Volunteers will receive
specialized training and will be asked to commit to at least one visit
to Loaves and Fishes per month. Volunteers should have good
interpersonal skills and a desire to work with individuals who are
homeless, hungry and poor. Training will be held on from 9:45 a.m. to
2:45 p.m. March 31 at St. Stephen's (1525 Newton Street NW). To register
for the training, contact Catherine Rodman at
rodman at samaritanministry.org or 202/722-2280. **Space is limited so
advanced registration is required.**

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." Please let
your congregation, friends, relatives and neighbors know that this
option is now available.   

TASTE AND SEE...AN EXPERIENTIAL PRAYER CLASS
The Tutu Institute for Prayer & Pilgrimage is offering, "Taste and
See...an Experiential Prayer Class," on April 28 with the Rev. Mpho
Tutu. Participants will explore new ways of prayer, in classes designed
to enrich your prayer life. Classes will begin at 10 a.m. (registration
at 9:30 a.m.) at Christ Church, Alexandria, Va., and will last two hours
with time for prayerful preparation, learning, experience and
discussion. Pre-registration price is $12; pre-registration deadline is
April 20. Price at the door is $15. Visit www.tutuinstitute.org for
additional registration information or contact 703/677-5642 or
info at tutuinstitute.org. 

P/T PARISH SECRETARY
Christ Church, La Plata, is looking for a part-time parish secretary, 20
hours per week. Must be familiar with computer software, be discreet,
and enjoy interacting with people. Please call 301-392-1051 if
interested.

PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS
Please keep the following clergy and members of the diocese in your
prayers this week:
*  Henry Work - at the time of his death (3/21) and funeral on  Thurs.
3/29 at 10 a.m. at Washington Cathedral 
*  Noreen Seiler-Dubay - mother's health (Regis)  
*  David Pollock - personal health
*  David Black - recovery from 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
*  Velma Brock - personal health
*  Tom Logan - personal health
*  Bishop Ronald Haines - personal health
*  Martha Bonwitt - husband's health (Bill)

>>> REMINDERS: 

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 is posted on the Web site at edow.org/discernment
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.

2007 STEWARDSHIP CONFERENCE 
The 2007 Stewardship Conference, "Back to Basics" is set for April 21 at
Washington National Cathedral. Keynote speaker will be John Oaks.
Sessions and speakers include: Planned Giving - Episcopal Church
Foundation staff person (tba); Christian Formation and Stewardship -
Dontie Fuller; Marketing Your Parish to Your Community - Jim Naughton;
The Stewardship Committee and the Annual Appeal - David Lewis. 
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

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."

RADICAL LOVE 
The Wellspring Retreat and Conference Center (11411 Neelsville Church
Rd., Germantown, MD 20876-4145) will host a conference titled "Radical
Love" from May 3-6. Participants will seek hope in today's world of
violence, rage, deception and systemic failures. Cost, $300, including
housing and meals. Scholarship available. Contact 301/428-3373,
missionwel at aol.com  or visit Wellspringministry.org 

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.  
 
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


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. 

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

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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