[edow] Church House News

[Church House News]

NOVEMBER 29, 2007

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

ONLINE ADVENT CALENDAR
The diocese's fourth annual online Advent calendar will soon be available at edow.org/advent. Beneath each "window," visitors will find a photograph of one of the figures from the annual crèche exhibit at Washington National Cathedral and links to a daily meditation and carol (courtesy of the choir of Trinity Church, Wall Street), podcasts and giving opportunities from Episcopal Relief and Development's Gifts for Life catalog.

2007 CHILDREN'S ADVENT PROJECT
This year's offering will be sent to Beauty Bala in the Siyaphila township outside Johannesburg, South Africa. Bala operates a crèche (daycare) for more than 60 young children and infants, many of whom are also infected with HIV.  Please help her provide for these young children. More information can be found at www.edow.org/southernafrica

PARISH PHOTOS FOR CONVENTION SLIDESHOW
Slideshows on parish life will be shown at the Diocesan Convention in January. To ensure your parish is included, send four to eight photos to photo at edow.org by Jan. 7. 

CYCLE OF PRAYER THRU FEBRUARY 3, 2008
The cycle of prayer through February 3, 2008 is available at http://www.edow.org/parish/congregation/liturgy/cycleofprayer/index.html

WECA RECEPTION 
The Washington Episcopal Clergy Association invites clergy and spouses/partners to a reception to celebrate the ministry of new and retired clergy in the diocese from 7-9 p.m. Dec. 7 in the Great Hall at St. Patrick's, D.C. (4700 Whitehaven Parkway). Hors d'oeuvres and desserts will be served; there will be an open bar with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. RSVP to the Rev. Dr. Joan Beilstein (WECA president) at 301/587-3272 or revjeb at comcast.net by Nov. 30.

AN ECUMENICAL CELEBRATION OF THE WORD OF GOD
Congregations from 10 denominations in the Silver Spring area will come together for an Ecumenical Celebration of the Word of God at 3 p.m. Jan. 20 at Epiphany Lutheran Church, 14411 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville. The service is part of the area's observance of the 100th annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, and the theme this year is "Pray without ceasing." The public is cordially invited!    

COMING HOME: RE-INTEGRATING THE EX-OFFENDER
Grace, Georgetown will hold the final session of its series, "Coming Home: Re-integrating the Ex-offender," on Dec.5. Ivy Lange of the DC Prisoners Project will speak on advocacy for improvement of prison conditions and the role of alternatives to incarceration. 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. 

BIBLICAL STORYTELLING 
Biblical storyteller and educator Tracy Radosevic will lead a class at the Ecumenical Institute of Theology in Baltimore beginning Jan. 16. For more information, visit http://www.stmarys.edu/ei/Spring2008brochure.pdf

ART FOR USE IN A RELIGIOUS SETTING
The Potomac Craftsmen Fiber Guild will share work its artists have created for use in a religious setting during a 9 a.m. Dec. 8 workshop in the undercroft of St. James, Potomac (11815 Seven Locks Road). Free admission. To attend contact Newton Lewis at 301/762-8040 or www.newton at sjamespotomac.org

ANNUAL GREENS SALE
St. John's, Georgetown will hold its Annual Greens Sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 8. Call 202/338-1796 for more information.

CHRISTIAN FORMATION DIRECTOR (P/T) 
St. Patrick's, D.C., is seeking a part-time Director of Christian Formation (15-20 hours/week). Responsible for overall Christian education program, infants through adults, including curriculum development, spiritual oversight and leadership. Salary commensurate with diocesan guidelines and dependent on experience. Send resume, cover letter to greenp at stpatsdc.org or to the Rev. Paula Clark Green, associate rector, St. Patrick's Episcopal Church, 4700 Whitehaven Parkway, NW, Washington, D.C., 20007.

PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS
Please keep the following clergy and members of the diocese in your prayers this week:
* Martha Horne (former VTS dean) - death of son (Christopher) - auto accident 
* Tom Andrews - personal health 
* David Pollock - personal health 
* Margot Critchfield - mother's health (Maggie) 
* Betsy Hague - husband's health (Ralph) 
* Martha Bonwitt - husband's health (Bill) 
* Tom Logan - personal health 
* Bishop Ronald Haines - personal health

>>> REMINDERS:

DIOCESAN CONVENTION 2007
The 113th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington is set for Jan. 25-26 at Washington National Cathedral. The preacher at the Friday night Eucharist is the Rev. Ian Douglas, Professor of Mission and World Christianity at Episcopal Divinity School. Keynoter this year will be Peter Steinke, author of "Healthy Congregations" and "Congregational Leadership in Anxious Times." Deadline for exhibit requests is Dec. 14; online requests can be made at www.edow.org/events "EDOW Convention Exhibit Space Request." Please note that not all requests for exhibit space can be accommodated. 

TREASURERS' WORKSHOP 
A Treasurers' Workshop is set for 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Dec. 8 at St. George's, Glenn Dale. All treasurers, senior wardens and others involved in parish finances are encouraged to attend. Meet your colleagues from other parishes, members of the diocesan Finance Committee and Church House staff. Topics will include: annual reporting cycle, fund and cash management, loans, compensation and benefits and diocesan resources.
Register online at www.edow.org/events "Treasurers' Workshop"

VOCATIONAL MINISTRY RETREAT
The next vocational ministry retreat is set for Jan. 4-5 at Bon Secours retreat center in Marriettsville. This retreat is sponsored quarterly by the Commission on Ministry and features Marjorie Z. Bankson as the retreat leader. Register for the event at www.edow.org/events and click on the "vocational ministry retreat" listing. Cost is $120; scholarship assistance is available. The cost includes all meals and lodging. 

MEETING ROOM AVAILABLE
St. Stephen and the Incarnation (1525 Newton Street NW ) has a conference room available for use by community groups and organizations. For more information, contact Brian Best at 202/232-0900 or brian.best at saintstephensdc.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

AED (AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS) PROGRAM 
The diocese 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 or 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.

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.

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.

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  
The diocese's Committee on Racial Reconciliation will conduct Racial Reconciliation Training programs on Feb. 8-9 and May 16-17, 2008. Locations TBA.

FALL SAFEGUARDING GOD'S CHILDREN TRAININGS:
Fall dates for Safeguarding God's Children training sessions are as follows:
* 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.
 
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

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