[edow] Church House News

[Church House News]

JANUARY 8, 2008

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

113TH DIOCESAN CONVENTION
For complete convention information, visit http://convention.edow.org 
> REGISTRATION & PAYMENT: Parish offices (on behalf of whole
delegation), ex officio members of convention and non-parochial or
retired clergy need to go to the "Registration & Payment" section of the
Web site and register by Jan. 17. Pay online by credit card, or send in
a check.
> VOLUNTEERS: Convention volunteers are still needed. Encourage your
friends and families to sign up under the "Volunteers" section of the
Web site.
> WORKSHOPS: You are encouraged to attend one of the two workshops at
1:45 p.m. Jan. 25. These also are open to non-delegates, so please
spread the word:  
* Forum on Affordable Housing - Discussion of affordable housing issues
within the diocese, and diocesan and other faith-based affordable
housing initiatives; or
* Leadership: Congregations As Emotional Systems - Offered by Convention
keynoter, the Rev. Peter Steinke, an author and therapist who writes on
congregational leadership.

AFRO-ANGLICAN CLERGY AND UBE OFFER AN EPIPHANY SERIES
The Afro-Anglican Clergy Association and the Union of Black
Episcopalians present "Wednesdays during Epiphany." Presentations will
take place in January; each topic will give participants points to
consider when reviewing or developing their church's plan for growth and
community outreach. A light supper will be served at 6:30 p.m. before
the presentation at 7:15 p.m. Topics for discussion are:
* Jan. 9 (TONIGHT): "Who are we?" Presenter: The Rev. Vincent Harris;
Location: St. Luke's, D.C. (1514 15th Street N.W.)
* Jan. 16: "Who are they?" Presenter: The Rev. Ann Marie Jeffery;
Location: St. Timothy's, D.C., (3601 Alabama Avenue, S.E.)
* Jan. 23: "Caring Friendship?" Presenter: The Rev. Jocelyn Irving;
Location: Trinity, D.C. (7005 Piney Branch Road N.W.)
* Jan. 30: "Give It Up, Turn It Loose!" Presenter: The Rev. Virginia
Brown-Nolan; Location: Atonement, D.C. (5073 E. Capital Street S.E.)

ABSALOM JONES CELEBRATION WEEKEND
The Washington Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians presents the
30th Annual Absalom Jones Service and Celebration for the benefit of the
three historically black Episcopal college's scholarship and endowment
funds and the Howard University Episcopal Chaplaincy. The
Crummell-Cooper Leadership Initiative (a workshop for emerging church
leaders) is set for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 9 at St. Luke's, D.C., (1514 -
15th Street, NW), and a service of celebration and award is set for 3
p.m. Feb. 10, also at St. Luke's. For more information, contact
202/829-6445 or managedforyou at aol.com

FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO - MOVIE SCREENING
There will be a special screening of the award-winning documentary, "For
the Bible Tells Me So," at 7 p.m. Jan. 23 at St. Alban's, D.C. (Nourse
Hall). The film, which St. Albans' assistant rector, the Rev. Timothy
Boggs, has been deeply involved in producing, has been short listed for
an Oscar. It tells the story of five Christian families and the
intersection of their faith with the fact that a family member is gay or
lesbian. The film is appropriate for teenagers. No reservation required.
 
BLOOD DRIVE VOLUNTEERS/DONORS NEEDED
St. Alban's, D.C. will host a blood drive from 2 to 8 p.m. Jan. 14 in
the parish's Satterlee Hall. Donors must be in generally good health, be
at least 17 years old, weigh no less than 110 pounds, must not have had
a tattoo in the past year and must not have donated whole blood within
the past 56 days. To schedule an appointment, call 800-448-3543 or sign
up at  www.my-redcross.org  For more information about donor
eligibility, visit 
http://my-redcross.org/index.cfm/p/Blood-Donor-Eligibility To volunteer
or to learn more, contact Amy Whitcomb Slemmer at 202/303-4124 or
SlemmerA at usa.redcross.org

A PILGRIMAGE TO ENGLAND
St. Dunstan's, Bethesda, is organizing a pilgrimage to England April
17-28, led by the Rev. Jeffrey MacKnight in conjunction with Worldwide
Pilgrimage Ministries. Pilgrims will follow the path of St. Dunstan
through southern England and London, exploring  cathedrals and sacred
sites. Full itinerary available at www.stdunstansbethesda.org  Consider
joining the current group of 18 people! Deadline is approaching; cost is
approximately $3,500. Contact Christina Barton at 301/229-2960, ext. 10
or stdunstans at verizon.net for further information or to sign up.

SAMARITAN MINISTRY'S MARDI GRAS CELEBRATION 
Samaritan Ministry will hold its 2008 Mardi Gras Celebration from 6 to
8:30 p.m. Feb. 2 at the American Institute of Architects. The event will
feature drinks, hors d'oeuvres and entertainment, plus a live auction
and a raffle. During the evening, Samaritan Ministry past Presidents
Gary Franklin and Melissa Barrett also will be honored. See
www.samaritanministry.org for auction, raffle and other information. For
tickets, contact A Moment's Notice Events at 202/667-2224 or
events at amomentsnotice.biz

LENTEN SILENT RETREAT
The Diocesan Retreat Committee will hold its 2008 Lenten Silent Retreat
from March 7-9 at the Bon Secours Spiritual Center in Marriottsville.
The theme will be "Praying our Goodbyes," inspired by the writings of
Joyce Rupp, Servite sister, writer, retreat leader and international
speaker, who describes herself as a "spiritual midwife." The Rev. Joan
Beilstein, rector of Ascension, Silver Spring, will lead the retreat.
The fee is $195 and scholarships are available. Applications and $100
deposit must be received by Feb. 9. Visit www.edow.org/retreat for
information and application, or call Margaret Bennett at 202/337-3415.

DOCENT OPENINGS AT THE CATHEDRAL
A Cathedral Docent Information Session is set for 10 a.m. to noon on
Jan. 15. Apply to train to be a volunteer educator if you enjoy meeting
people, have a strong speaking voice, and are committed to lifelong
learning. For more information and to reserve a space, contact Janice
Molchon, volunteer coordinator, at 202/537-8990 or 
volunteer at cathedral.org.

PARISH SECRETARY/RECEPTIONIST (P/T)
St. John's, Norwood is seeking a parish secretary/receptionist beginning
Feb. 1 (20 hrs/week, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Mon-Fri.) Proficiency with
Microsoft Word and Publisher software is required; knowledge of Excel
and/or HTML and Power Point is an advantage.
Contact the Rev. Susan Flanders at 301/654-7767 or
sflanders at stjohnsnorwood.org for further information.

PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS
Please keep the following clergy and members of the diocese in your
prayers this week:
* Martha Wallace - personal health - heart surgery (Jan. 15)
* Richard Hewlett (retired historiographer) - personal health 
* Todd Kissam - wife's health (Heather)
* John Ball - wife's health (Linda) 
* Bill Underhill - personal health 
* Anne Gilson - personal health 
* 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:

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. 
 
WASHINGTON EPISCOPAL CLERGY ASSOCIATION MEETING
WECA will hold its third meeting of the program year from 10 a.m. to 1
p.m. Jan. 10 at Atonement, D.C. (5073 E Capitol Street, SE;
202/582-4200). The morning will begin with coffee and fellowship;
program will begin at 10:30 a.m. The theme for 2007/2008 is "Mutual and
Responsible Servanthood: You, the People of God, and the Diocese." This
meeting will focus on "How can the diocese serve you?" Following the
program, there will be a time for WECA business, general announcements,
and welcoming new clergy. At noon, all are invited to stay at Atonement
for lunch. If you plan to stay for lunch, RSVP to Joan Beilstein at
revjeb at comcast.net or at 301/587-3272 by Jan. 8.  

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 on Feb. 19 and 26 (Tuesday evenings), and Feb. 23
(Saturday morning). Times and locations will be announced later this
month. 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.  

LIVING WELL, DYING WELL
Epiphany, D.C., will hold a brown bag lunch and presentation, "Living
Well, Dying Well," from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 10 in its Parish Hall.
(1317 G Street, NW. Metro Center, 13th and G exit). Light refreshments
will provided. Kevin O'Neill, Associate Professor of Moral Theology at
Washington Theological Union, will focus on ethical issues at the end of
life and how they also touch on issues that are at the heart of living.
Holy Eucharist at 12:10 p.m. in the church before the talk. 202/347-2635
for more information.

NEW CDS FROM THE LARGE-PRINT MINISTRY
The Large-Print Ministry is offering two CDs that can help the blind and
visually-impaired participate in worship more fully. "The Large-Print
Book of Common Prayer" and "Prayers & Psalms For Today." To order one
CD, send a self-addressed, stamped 6x9-inch envelope with four 41-cent
stamps attached (five on a padded envelope) to Ann Dahlen, 1900 6th
Ave., Apt. 513, Rock Island, IL 61201. Add more postage when ordering
more than one CD. A donation to help cover costs is always appreciated.
Make checks out to Ann Dahlen. For more information, contact
largeprinthelp at att.net
 
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
 
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. The
February training is set for 5 to 9 p.m. Feb. 8 and from 8 a.m. to 5
p.m. Feb. 9 at St. Alban's, D.C. (Nourse Hall).

"THE DEACONS IN THE DUST PROJECT" 
"The Deacons in the Dust Project: The Rebuilding Of New Orleans" will be
presented by John and Mary Miers of St. James, Potomac at 12:30 p.m.
Jan. 10 at Holy Comforter, D.C. (701 Oglethorpe Street, NW) Lunch will
be served. RSVP to Marcy Hunter at 202/414-6314 or mhunter at esm.org by
Jan. 4.  

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.

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.

BECOMING THE GOSPEL (Feb. 7-10)
What do we need to live our God-given passion daily? This is an
experiential event rich with silence, small group sharing and practical
application. Feb. 7-10 at the Wellspring Retreat and Conference Center
in Germantown. For more information: www.wellspringministry.org;
301/428-3373 or missionwel at aol.com

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

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!    

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

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.  
 
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.
  
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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