[edow] Church House News

[Church House News]

NOVEMBER 1, 2007

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

ANGUS DUN FUND APPLICATIONS DUE
Canonically resident clergy are invited to apply for a grant of up to
$1,000 for continuing education from the Angus Dun Fund. Applicants must
demonstrate the benefit of the program to the parish and/or the Diocese
of Washington. Applications are due by  Nov. 12 and should be sent to
Sharonda Myers, Assistant to the Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of
Washington, Mount Saint Alban, Washington, D.C., 20016 or to
smyers at edow.org 

TREASURERS' WORKSHOP 
A Treasurers' Workshop is set for 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Dec. 8 at St.
George's, Glenn Dale. Register online at www.edow.org/events
"Treasurers' Workshop"

COMING HOME: RE-INTEGRATING THE EX-OFFENDER
Grace, Georgetown will host a series on "Coming Home: Re-integrating the
Ex-offender" on Wednesday evenings through Dec.5. There is no charge for
the sessions, set for 7 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 7, 14, 21, 28 and Dec. 5, and
free parking is available in the Georgetown Park Mall, with validation.
There will be a light supper and evening worship before the program at
6:15 and 6:45 p.m. respectively. During the first session, Nov. 7,
Dennis Sobin of the Prisons Foundation will speak about the role of art
and music in re-integration, and will play and sing songs by Leadbelly,
Merle Haggard and himself.

NATIONAL DONOR SABBATH WEEKEND
In 1982, the General Convention of the Episcopal Church passed a
resolution recognizing the life-giving benefits of organ, blood and
tissue donation, encouraging members to become donors "as part of their
ministry to others in the name of Christ, who gave His life that we may
have life in its fullness." Churches in the diocese are encouraged to
raise this issue on National Donor Sabbath, Nov. 9-11. To register to be
a donor or to learn more, visit www.BeADonor.org For additional
information or educational materials, contact Jacinta Marshall at
301/262-0246 or 410/218-0964 or visit http://www.wrtc.org/

HANDICAP ACCESS FEASIBILITY COMMITTEE SEEKS INPUT
St. Bartholomew's, Laytonsville has formed a Handicap Access Feasibility
Committee to explore ways to provide easier access to the church. The
committee is interested in talking with any parish that has recently
redesigned its entrance, added a ramp or wheelchair lift or made other
adjustments to their facilities that are compliant with the ADA. Please
contact the Rev. Carol Flett at revflett at yahoo.com

AFFORDABLE HOUSING WORKSHOP
Enterprise Community Partners is offering affordable housing workshops
for  faith-based institutions. The next session, "Accessing Public
Money: the RFP Process in Local Jurisdictions" is set for 10 a.m. to
noon Nov. 29 at the Edgewood Senior facility (635 Edgewood Street N.E.
in Crawford Hall, 9th Floor). The session will give an overview of the
public money available for financing development projects and
participants will be able to talk with local government officials from
the District of Columbia, Fairfax and Prince Georges County about the
application process. There is no charge for the workshop, but RSVP to
Urica Lewis at 202/842-9190 ext. 10 or ulewis at enterprisecommunity.org.  

ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERT TO SPEAK AT ST. MARK'S
At 7 p.m. Nov. 18, Bob Beauchamp, director of the University of Maryland
University College Environmental Management graduate program and a
parishioner of St. Mark's, Capitol Hill, will speak on "Global Climate
Change: Impacts and Challenges" at St. Mark's Parish Hall. (3rd and A
Streets, SE; side door near courtyard). The nearest Metro stop is
Capitol South on the Blue/Orange lines. Refreshments will be served.
Questions may be directed to Jane Osborne at
jane at environmentalacademy.us.   

CHURCH OFFICE ASSISTANT (P/T)
St. James', Potomac is seeking an office assistant to fill a part-time
position, four days/week from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Word processing and
data base management skills, Internet and MS Office experience. Fax a
cover letter and resume to 301/762-4076. A more detailed job description
may be found at www.stjamespotomac.org.
 
CHILDCARE POSITION (P/T)
St. Bartholomew's, Laytonsville is searching for one or two adults over
the age of 18 who would enjoy caring for young children during worship
services or parish events. Applicants must be experienced and willing to
commit to a weekly Sunday time of 9:30 a.m. to noon and to attend the
required diocesan Safeguarding God's Children three-hour training
program (time and expense paid for by the parish). Salary $ 12/hr;
$30/morning. Please contact the Rev. Carol Flett at revflett at yahoo.com
and provide references.

DIRECTOR OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION & SPIRITUAL FORMATION (P/T)
Trinity, St. Mary's is seeking a half-time Director of Christian
Education & Spiritual Formation to develop and oversee programs for
children, youth and adults. Knowledge of educational principles and
Episcopal polity required. A complete job description is available at
http://www.olg.com/trinitysmcmd  For more information, contact the Rev.
John Ball at 301/862-4597 (office), 240-925-0752 (cell). Send letter of
application and resume to trinitysmcmd at olg.com. Closing date Nov. 15, or
until position is filled.

PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS
Please keep the following clergy and members of the diocese in your
prayers this week:
* Margot Critchfield - mother's health (Maggie) 
* Betsy Hague - husband's health (Ralph) 
* Martha Bonwitt - husband's health (Bill) 
* Charles and Jessie Daugherty - personal health 
* Tom Logan - personal health 
* Velma Brock - personal health 
* Bishop Ronald Haines - personal health

>>> REMINDERS:

CONFIRMATION, RECEPTION AND RENEWAL OF VOWS
The next Diocesan Service for Confirmation, Reception and Renewal of
Baptismal Vows is set for 10 a.m. Saturday (Nov. 3) at Washington
National Cathedral. 

FALL CLERGY DAY
The Fall Clergy Day is set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 8 at All Saint's,
Chevy Chase. The Rt. Rev. Claude Payne, retired Bishop of Texas, author
of "Reclaiming The Great Commission: A Practical Model For Transforming
Denominations And Congregations," will be the speaker. There is a $10
registration fee. Register at www.edow.org/events 

HONDURAN FIESTA
Bienvenidos Todos - everyone is welcome - to a Honduran Fiesta sponsored
by the Honduras Coordinating Committee, set for 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Nov. 8
at Ascension, Silver Spring (633 Sligo Avenue). Live Central American
music, food and beverages. Bishop Lloyd Allen of Honduras will talk
about mission opportunities and church growth in his diocese, and there
will be a video of current projects. Parking available at the school
behind the church on Silver Spring Avenue. RSVP to 301/587-3272.

EPISCOPAL-AFFILIATED SENIOR HOUSING OPEN HOUSE
Episcopal-Affiliated Senior Housing Communities Open House is set for 1
to 3 p.m. Nov. 4. Visit Cedar Lane, Christian Communities Group Homes,
Collington Lifecare, Friendship Terrace, St. Mary's Court, and St.
Philip's House. No reservations required. For addresses and contact
information, visit www.esm.org or call 202/414-6315.

AED (AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS) PROGRAM 
The Diocese of Washington is encouraging its churches and schools to
learn more about Automated External Defibrillators. If you are
interested in setting up a program, contact Robert Tomlinson at
rtomlinson at edow.org or 202/537-6523. He is attempting to gauge interest
so the diocese can negotiate a better pricing structure. Those
interested in learning more about AEDs also can visit www.rescue-one.com


2008 HEALTH PLAN RATES AVAILABLE
The Diocese of Washington is pleased to announce a 6 percent premium
increase with no plan changes for the 2008 calendar year. It continues
to offer the BlueChoice Opt-Out Plus plan which includes dental,
prescription drug and discount vision care. If you have questions,
contact Kathleen Hall at 202/537-6522 or khall at edow.org.

2008 COLA 
The diocese's 2008 COLA will be announced in November, after it has been
approved by the Diocesan Council. It is anticipated that it will be a
3.0 to 3.5 percent increase to base salary, based on third quarter CPI
and other regional cost of living data. 

PILGRIMAGE TO ENGLAND
St. Dunstan's, Bethesda is planning a pilgrimage to England from April
17-28, led by the Rev. Jeffrey MacKnight in conjunction with Worldwide
Pilgrimage Ministries. A full itinerary is available at
www.stdunstansbethesda.org  Cost is approximately $3,500. Contact
Christina Barton at 301/229-2960, ext. 10 or stdunstans at verizon.net.

FOLK MUSICIAN JOHN MCCUTCHEON IN CONCERT
Acclaimed singer-songwriter John McCutcheon will perform at 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 16 at St. Alban's, D.C. Concert will benefit the church's
Crossroads Shelter. Tickets $25; purchase tickets for will-call at
www.albansdc.org. Tickets also available at the door for cash or check,
but space is limited. Questions? Call 301/996-3848.

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH SEEKS NOMINEES FOR CHURCH OFFICES
The Joint Standing Nominating Committee of the General Convention of the
Episcopal Church is seeking applications from persons willing to be
nominated to serve on the Court for the Trial of a Bishop, as board
members of The Church Pension Fund, members of Executive Council and the
General Board of Examining Chaplains and as trustees of General
Theological Seminary. Elections will take place at the 2009 General
Convention. Applications must be received on or before Feb.1. To learn
more and to apply, visit
http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/~lcrew/nomcomGC2009/. 

UTO GRANT APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE
UTO Grant Applications are now available. To receive an application,
call the Episcopal Church Women's Office at 202/537-6530. Applications
also are available at www.episcopalchurch.org/UTO. Please do not submit
the application online, send it to the Office of Episcopal Church Women,
Diocese of Washington, Church House, Mount Saint Alban, Washington, D.C.
20016 by Dec. 21.

TASTE AND SEE - AN EXPERIENTIAL PRAYER CLASS 
Join the Rev. Mpho Tutu of The Tutu Institute for Prayer & Pilgrimage on
Nov. 17 for Taste and See, An Experiential Prayer Class. The two-hour
classes will be at Christ Church, Alexandria (9:30 a.m. registration).
Pre-registration/$12; door/$15. Visit tutuinstitute.org or contact
703/677-5642 or info at tutuinstitute.org. 

HEALING MINISTRY TRAINING
The Healing Prayers Ministry of Our Saviour, Hillandale is hosting the
Institute of Spiritual Healing and Aromatherapy's course "Sent to Heal
and Anoint" on the use of essential oils in a ministry of healing. The
course is set for Nov. 30 through Dec. 2; cost is $400 (early bird,
senior, and student rates available). CEUs are available for nurses,
chaplains and massage therapists. Contact Anne Harvey at 301/439-0635 or
atwharvey at verizon.net, or visit www.ishahealing.com

COME AND SEE SAMARITAN MINISTRY  
Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington invites you to a "Next Step
Experience." Learn about the organization's programs and services and
hear how lives have been changed. Event is set for Nov. 27 at the SE
D.C. office. RSVP to Diane Aten at daten at samaritanministry.org or
202/722-2280, ext. 304.

COMPUTER SUPPLIES AND HARDWARE
The diocese has partnered with CDW Computer Centers to offer a joint
purchasing program with competitive prices for hardware, software and
electronics products. CDW offers telephone and online purchasing, free
custom configurations, next day shipping, free 24-hour lifetime
technical support. Further information is available at
http://technology.edow.org/article.php?id=41
 
DIOCESAN GROUPS LOOKING FOR NEW MEMBERS
Three diocesan groups are in need of new members: the new Task Force on
Alcohol and Substance Abuse; the Diocesan Retreat Committee; and the
Committee on the Environment. For descriptions of the groups and talents
needed, visit www.edow.org/committees or contact Ann Talty at
202/537-6548 or atalty at edow.org.

RACIAL RECONCILIATION TRAINING REGISTRATION OPENS 
The diocese's Committee on Racial Reconciliation will conduct a Racial
Reconciliation Training program on Feb. 8-9 and May 16-17, 2008.
Locations TBA.

2007 CHILDREN'S ADVENT PROJECT 
Information will be coming soon about Bishop John Bryson Chane's
selection of the work of Beauty Bala and the Siyaphila creche and
pre-school in South Africa for support by the children of the Diocese of
Washington during Advent. 

FALL SAFEGUARDING GOD'S CHILDREN TRAININGS:
Fall dates for Safeguarding God's Children training sessions are as
follows:
* Nov. 10: 9:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m. at St. Mark's, Silver Spring (Saturday)
* Nov. 27: 6:30 to 10 p.m. at St. Columba's (Dinner included)
* Dec. 8: 9:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m. at St. Paul's, Rock Creek (Saturday)
Online registration required by going to www.edow.org/prevention
Refresher courses for those whose three-year certification is expiring
is yet to be scheduled.  
 
APPLY NOW FOR THE 2008 SUMMER COLLEGIUM
The Summer Collegium, a project that supports small congregations, is
accepting applications for next year's event, set for June 25-July 3.
This all-expenses-paid conference is open to clergy who pastor small
congregations and their spouses or partners. Applications at
www.vts.edu/education/collegium or contact Marilyn Johns at
mjohns at vts.edu or 703/461-1760. Applications must be postmarked by Dec.
15.

12-STEP EUCHARIST
St. Alban's, D.C., and its Hope for Recovery ministry team offers a
12-Step Eucharist at 7:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every month.
It's not necessary to be in a 12-step program to attend. Please contact
Sally Craig at sallycraig at aol.com or the Rev. Margot Critchfield at
margotc at st-albans-parish.org with questions.
 
AFFORDABLE HOUSING SITES SOUGHT
Episcopal Senior Ministries and THC Affordable Housing are looking for
sites on church property, public land or private property for the
development of 50-100 units of independent senior living with services.
For more information, contact Joe Resch at 202/414-6310 or Suzanne Welch
at 202/291-5535.

NEW VOCATIONAL GUIDELINES ISSUED
The Commission on Ministry has approved new guidelines for those
discerning a call to ministry. The guidelines can be found at
www.edow.org/diocese/clergy/index.html. 
 
BISHOP'S APPEAL
If you have not done so already, please make your contribution to the
fourth annual Bishop's Appeal at
http://www.edow.org/diocese/giving/index.html 

CONTRIBUTING TO THE BISHOP JOHN T. WALKER SCHOOL
Contributions for the planned Bishop John T. Walker School for Boys 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
     
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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