[edow] Church House News

[Church House News]

FEBRUARY 14, 2008

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

ABSALOM JONES SCHOLARSHIPS 
St. Philip's, Laurel, is offering two $1,000 scholarships honoring the
Rev. Absalom Jones, the first African American priest in the Episcopal
Church. Scholarships will be awarded in June for the 2008/2009 academic
year to individuals who have demonstrated qualities exemplified by Jones
such as compassion, leadership, service and interest in education. One
of the scholarships will be awarded in honor and memory of Ellen D.
Washington, the driving force behind the Scholarship Fund. The other
will be awarded in honor and memory of James Whitney, long-time St.
Philip's leader and community volunteer. 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 a parish in the Diocese of
Washington. For more information or to apply, contact 301/776-5151, ext.
15 or  absalomjonesfund at stphilipslaurel.org or visit
www.stphilipslaurel.org 
 
YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY NETWORK MEETING
There will be a meeting for all parish leaders of 20s 30s ministry from
6:30 to 8 p.m. Feb 25 at St. Paul's, K Street. The group will be
discussing its vision for diocesan 20s 30s ministry and finalizing plans
for a spring retreat. Dinner will be provided. RSVP to
kate.eikel at gmail.com St. Paul's, K Street is near the Foggy Bottom/GWU
Metro, and directions can be found at www.stpauls-kst.com/directions The
group also is updating its parish 20s 30s leaders contact list. Please
send church name, leader name, e-mail address and phone number to
kate.eikel at gmail.com

SAVE THE DATE: SPRING CLERGY CONFERENCE
The Spring Clergy Conference is set for May 20-22 at Shrine Mont. The
conference will be centered around promoting self-care and clergy
wellness - emotional, physical and spiritual. Program and registration
information will be posted soon.
 
AFRICAN PALMS FOR PALM SUNDAY
Remember African Palms USA, a ministry of St. John's, Olney, when you
purchase palms for Palm Sunday. Crosses are woven by families in
villages near Masasi, Tanzania, and earnings are used to purchase food,
medicine, clothing and pay school fees. In addition, the net proceeds
from the sale of these crosses return to Africa in the form of
non-denominational self-help grants for disaster and refugee relief,
medical and public health programs, agriculture and other projects.
Order at http://www.africanpalmsusa.org/ or call 301/774-2832. Orders
ship within five business days.

EPISCOPAL SENIOR MINISTRIES SUNDAY
May 4 has been designated as Episcopal Senior Ministries Sunday.
Parishes are asked to pray for all seniors and their ministries in the
church, including Cedar Lane Apartments, Christian Communities Group
Homes, Collington Life Care Community, Episcopal Senior Ministries, ESM
Cares Geriatric Care Management Service, The Fellowship of St. John,
Friendship Terrace Retirement Community, St. Anna's Fund, St. Mary's
Court, and St. Philip's House and Senior Van. Speakers from these
ministries are available to parishes as are brochures describing the
ministries. For more information, contact 202/414-6314 or
MHunter at esm.org.

SAFEGUARDING GOD'S CHILDREN - NEW DATES
New dates for Safeguarding God's Children training sessions are as
follows:
*  Feb. 23: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at St. John's, Mt. Rainier
* March 1: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Ascension, Gaithersburg
* April 5: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at St. David's, D.C.
* May 10: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Location TBA ( in Region 6)
* June 4: 6:30  to 9:30 p.m. at Ascension, Silver Spring
Online registration required by going to www.edow.org/prevention 

CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST RUBY SALES TO SPEAK
Professor Ruby Sales, a civil rights activist and founder of the
SpiritHouse Project, will speak at 4:30 p.m. Feb. 24 at St. Andrew's,
College Park, in honor of Black History Month. Born in Jemison, Alabama,
Sales grew up during the Civil Rights movement and has spent her adult
life working in philanthropic endeavors and striving for social justice.
The program is sponsored by the Episcopal/Anglican Terps of The
University of Maryland, the student organization of the
Episcopal/Anglican Campus Ministry. More
information is available at www.edow.org/eacm or from eaterps at umd.edu.

SIX-PARISH LENTEN EVENSONG
The Episcopal parishes of St. Mary's County are having a joint potluck
and Evensong on  Feb. 26 at Ascension, Lexington Park. Bishop Michael
Creighton will preach, the joint choirs of the seven churches will lead
the music and all the priests will be taking part. Potluck will begin at
5:30 p.m.; the service will begin at 7 p.m. All are welcome. Creighton
is the son of the former Bishop of Washington and is the retired Bishop
of the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania.

WINGSPREAD CONFERENCE
Wingspread Conference, a practical, intensive seminar for faith
communities and individuals working with older adults, will be offered
from 2 to 5 p.m. March 26 at St. Columba's, D.C.  The seminar will
include a keynote address by Rabbi Richard Address on "Sacred Aging" and
a panel on models that work. Pre-seminar Open House and Tours will be
held at IONA Senior Services and Friendship Terrace Retirement
Communities from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Members of Washington Faith Communities
can attend free. For more information, contact dkoepke at frontporch.net or
rita.chow at ncoa.org or 202/479-1200, ext 6655.
            
"KEISKAMMA: A STORY OF LOVE" FILM SCREENING
There will be three screenings of "Keiskamma: A Story of Love" at 1, 3
and 5 p.m. Feb. 17 in Washington National Cathedral's Perry Auditorium.
The film follows the struggle of a South African village in the throes
of the AIDS pandemic and the fight for hope, dignity and the will to
live. The film tells the story of the creation of a massive tapestry
that takes the form of an altarpiece. This event is free and open to the
public. The Keiskamma Altarpiece is currently on view in the Cathedral's
St. John Chapel.

WILLIAM COPE MOYERS ON ADDICTION
William Cope Moyers carries the message of his spiritual recovery from
drug addiction during a 7 p.m. Feb. 20 talk at Washington National
Cathedral. Tickets are $16 regular, $9 senior 65+/student/limited income
and may be purchased at www.nationalcathedral.org, or at the door on the
evening.

CATHEDRAL CROSSROADS
Walk the labyrinth, attend a Centering Prayer gathering, receive healing
from the
laying on of hands, enjoy harp and Native American flute music from 6
p.m. (program begins at 7:30 p.m.) Feb. 26. Program "Centering in the
Sacred Feminine," with Marjory Bankson explores centering as a spiritual
practice and source of wisdom by using clay and color. Free and open to
the public.

APPROACHING GOD THROUGH POETRY
Two lectures are offered as part of a week-long Approaching God Through
Poetry
residential workshop led by Anglican scholar and author Esther de Waal:
* Dana Greene on Denise Levertov, at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26 and * Bonnie
Thurston on Thomas Merton, at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28. Greene is executive
director of the Aquinas Center of Theology at Emory University and is at
work on a Levertov biography. Thurston is a poet, scholar, author and
founder of the Thomas Merton Society. Tickets are $15 for each event.
Reserve a space at jroberts at cathedral.org or call 202/537-6381.

CONSTANTINE'S SWORD
James Carroll, author, columnist and filmmaker hosts a screening and
discussion 
of his new film, Constantine's Sword, at 7 p.m. March 10 at Washington
National Cathedral. Tickets are $16 regular, $9 senior 65+/student/
limited income, and may be purchased at www.nationalcathedral.org or at
the door.

ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE: FACTS, FICTION AND FAQS
Mary Ann Buckley, MSW, LICSW and director of ESM Cares and Thomas
Obisesan, MD and chief of the Howard University Hospital Geriatrics
Division will answer questions on the signs, treatments and the latest
news about Alzheimer's Disease during a 10:30 a.m. March 6 presentation
at Trinity, D.C. (7005 Piney Branch Rd) Coffee at 10 a.m. RSVP to Diane
Robinson at 202/291-0696 or dlr814 at aol.com.This program is sponsored by
Episcopal Senior Ministries.

MENTAL HEALTH MAINTENANCE FOR 50-PLUS
Join Mary Ann Buckley, director of ESM Cares, for a discussion about
maintaining and improving mental health after the age of 50 at 10:30
a.m. March 8 at Grace, Silver Spring (1607 Grace Church Rd.) Topics
include depression, making social connections, exercise and mental
health, and seasonal affective disorder. RSVP to Marcy Hunter at
202/414-6314 or mhunter at esm.org. This program is sponsored by Episcopal
Senior Ministries.

FRIENDSHIP TERRACE HEALTH DISCUSSIONS
Join nurse practitioner Gail Bashore at 1 p.m. March 13 at Friendship
Terrace Retirement Community, 4201 Butterworth Place, NW, Washington
D.C.  for a health discussion on chronic pancreatitis. Call
202/244-7400, ext 10 for more information.

FRIENDSHIP TERRACE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSES
Open Houses at Friendship Terrace Retirement Community (4201 Butterworth
Place, NW) are set for 1 to 3 p.m. March 8 and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. March
20. No reservations necessary. Contact 202/244-7400, ext. 18 or
FTAdmissions at esm.org for more information or directions.

JAZZ & EVENING PRAYER TO SUPPORT SAMARITAN MINISTRY
There will be Evening Prayer with Jazz at Christ, Rockville at 5 p.m.
Feb. 24 with saxophone-playing rector John McDuffie and members of the
Jim Levy Trio. Desserts in the church dining room afterward. A free-will
offering will go to support Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington.
For more information, contact Christ 301/762-2191.
 
AN EVENING OF JAZZ (AND BLUES AND FOLK) AND POETRY
Featuring Donal Leace on guitar and vocals on Feb. 26 at Grace,
Georgetown (1041 Wisconsin Ave. NW). Conversation with the artist: 6:15
p.m. (light supper provided); performance at 7:30 p.m. This event is
free, though donations are welcome; more information: 202/333-7100, or
office at gracedc.org

PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS
Please keep the following clergy and members of the diocese in your
prayers this week:
* Rona Harding - father's health (Talbot) 
* Rip Coffin - condolences on the death of his daughter (Cindy) 
* Mary Sulerud - personal health 
* Allan Johnson-Taylor - mother's health (Mary) 
* Susan Blue - personal health   
* Joy Rose - personal health 
* Martha Wallace - personal health 
* Connie Reinhardt - personal health 
* Bill Underhill - personal health 
* Ron Haines - personal health 
* Anne Gilson - personal health 
* Betsy Hague - personal health and husband's (Ralph) 
* Tom Logan - personal health 
* Martha Bonwitt - husband's health (Bill)   
* Ken Howard - personal health

>>> REMINDERS:

ATTENTION CLERGY: TRANSITION MINISTRY CONFERENCE  
The next Transition Ministry Conference is set for March 2-7 at the
Duncan Center in Delray Beach, Fla. Clergy interested in being
considered for openings in the congregations of the 40 dioceses
represented by TMC should contact George McConnell, gmcconnell at edow.org
or Mary Sulerud, msulerud at edow.org, no later than Feb. 26 for more
information. The Deployment and Vocational Ministries office staff will
be presenting congregations in the diocese that have openings and clergy
seeking new call.

DOES YOUR PARISH RUN A THRIFT SHOP?
If so, please send details - name of shop, location, hours and contact
information - to Lucy Chumbley at lchumbley at edow.org 

CYCLE OF PRAYER THRU MARCH 16, 2008
The cycle of prayer through March 16, 2008 is available at
http://www.edow.org/parish/congregation/liturgy/cycleofprayer/index.html

CONCERT FOR HUNGER AND HOMELESS MINISTRIES
Alabama-based singer/songwriter Dave Potts will perform at St. Alban's,
D.C. at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22 as a fundraiser for the church's homeless and
hunger ministries. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the show will begin with
an opening set by Sam Hensley. Tickets are $10, and can be purchased
online at www.albansdc.org or at the door. For more information, contact
sam at samhensley.com. 

113th DIOCESAN CONVENTION
The 113th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington took place
Jan. 25-26 at Washington National Cathedral. For election results, text
and audio of the Bishop's Address and the sermon given by the Rev. Ian
Douglas, slides of the 2008 budget presentation, audio of the keynote
address by the Rev. Peter Steinke, photos and more, visit
http://convention.edow.org 

2008 MISSION TRIP TO HONDURAS
The diocese is coordinating a one-week mission trip to Honduras this
summer. To find out more, attend an orientation meeting at 5 p.m. March
2 in Ascension, Silver Spring's Parish Hall (630 Silver Spring Avenue)
or contact Dick Marks at 301/589-4927 or richardpmarks at aol.com.

PRE-MOTHER'S DAY LUNCHEON CRUISE
St. Timothy's ECW is sponsoring a Pre-Mother's Day Luncheon Cruise for
the mothers of the diocese aboard the Spirit of Washington from 11 a.m.
to 1 p.m. May 10. Cost is $66 and is due by March 30. Checks are payable
to St. Timothy's Episcopal Church (write "Luncheon Cruise" on the memo
line). For more information, contact Kellie Robinson, at 202/543-9171 or
Stephanie Robinson, 301/552-1643.

DRAFT GUIDELINES FOR THE VOCATIONAL DIACONATE 
The Commission on Ministry has approved an initial draft of guidelines
for the discernment of a call to the diaconate. These are available at
www.edow.org/diocese/clergy The COM will hold three public hearings on
these guidelines: 
* 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 19 at Epiphany Forestville Parish Hall (Parish Hall
address is different from the church address), 3125 Ritchie Rd,
Forestville, 301/735-7717 http://epiphany.edow.org; 
* 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Feb. 23 at St. John's, Broadcreek, 9801 Livingston
Rd, Fort Washington. 301/248-4290 http://stjohnsbroadcreek.org; 
* and 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 26 at Good Shepherd, 818 University Blvd. W,
Silver Spring. 301/593-3282  http://www.gsecmd.org 
Written public comment also is welcome, and may be e-mailed to Mary
Sulerud, canon for deployment and vocational ministry, at
msulerud at edow.org or George McConnell, assistant for deployment, at
gmcconnell at edow.org or mailed to their attention at Episcopal Church
House, Mount St. Alban, Washington, D.C., 20016. Comments should be
submitted by March 3.  

RACIAL RECONCILIATION TRAINING  
The diocese's Committee on Racial Reconciliation will conduct a Racial
Reconciliation Training program on May 16-17. For further information,
please contact Marie Zackrie-Hall, Racial Reconciliation Coordinator, at
202/423-4300.

GWU SCHOLARSHIPS
St. Mary's, Foggy Bottom and George Washington University are offering a
scholarship of up to $20,000 to a degree candidate or candidates on the
undergraduate level entering GWU for the fall 2008 semester.
Applications must be submitted on or before March 30. For more
information, contact Rhoda McLeese Smith at 202/832-5809 or call the
church office at 202/333-3985. Applications are available at
www.Stmarysfoggybottom.org

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 
 
YOUTH MINISTRY LISTSERV
Is your parish on the youth ministry listserv? The youth ministry
listserv is the primary means of communication from the youth office at
Church House. There are several parishes that are not represented on the
listserv. If your church is missing, please contact Paul Canady at
pcanady at EDOW.org or 202/537-6524 to be added. 
  
DAY OF RECOGNITION FOR HISTORICALLY BLACK EPISCOPAL COLLEGES
The Episcopal Church Office of Black Ministries and the Association of
Episcopal Colleges will present A Day of Recognition in Honor of The
Historically Black Episcopal Colleges - St. Augustine's, St. Paul's and
Voorhees - from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 16 at Howard University's Rankin
Chapel (2400 Sixth Street, NW). Metro area high school students and high
school college counselors, current students of the colleges, alumni and
interested persons should plan to attend. Contact 202/421-4119 for more
information, or visit http://www.dcmetrostaugalumni.com
 
SAVE THE DATE
The 2008 Stewardship Conference is set for April 19 at St. Paul's, Rock
Creek.

DIANA BUTLER BASS TO SPEAK ON FEB. 23
Author Diana Butler Bass will speak on Christian practices and
congregational vitality at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Burke,
Va., on Feb. 23. Full brochure with schedule, cost, and registration
information available in early January. For more information, visit
www.good-shepherd.net and click on "conferences." Contact the Rev. Megan
Stewart-Sicking at 703/323-5400 or bassconference at good-shepherd.net with
questions.

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.  

MEETING SPACE AVAILABLE
Redeemer, Bethesda's parish hall and individual classrooms are available
for use by community groups and organizations during weekdays and on
Saturday mornings and possibly some evenings. For more information,
contact Angela Beckman, 301/229-3770 or office.redeemer at verizon.net. The
church is located at 6201 Dunrobbin Drive.
 
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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