[edow] Church House News

[Church House News]

JANUARY 31, 2008

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

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 (late July or early August - exact dates available mid-February) and you are invited to come along. Remain in one community to work on an existing project or visit congregations to assess 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 teaching elementary school students. 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.

'WALKING THE BIBLE' AUTHOR TO KEYNOTE AT KANUGA 
Best-selling author and commentator Bruce Feiler will bring his view on today's global conflicts to Kanuga on Feb. 18-20 during the annual Bowen Conference. His talks will center on the theme "Rooted in Faith: Discovering History's Bounty." Conference chaplain will be the Rev. John Peterson, canon for global justice and reconciliation at Washington National Cathedral. Advance registration is required. For rates, registration and further information, visit www.kanuga.org or call 828/692-9136.

N.T. WRIGHT TO LECTURE ON 'THE BIBLE AND THE FUTURE'
Theologian and author N.T. Wright, the Anglican Bishop of Durham, will deliver the 40th Anniversary Lectures at the Ecumenical Institute of Theology at St. Mary's Seminary & University in Baltimore on Feb. 25-26. The series, "The Bible and the Future," is free and open to the public. A book signing will precede each lecture. For further information, contact 410/864-4200 or ei at stmarys.edu, or visit www.stmarys.edu/ei

EDS VISITING DAY FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS 
Prospective students are invited to attend Visiting Day at Episcopal Divinity School (Cambridge, Mass.) on March 6. Explore the curriculum, meet the faculty, and experience the daily life and worship within the community. Campus tour, presentations by faculty and students, Community Eucharist, and the opportunity to observe a class. Admissions interviews can also be scheduled during the visit. To sign up, contact admissions at eds.edu or 617/682-1507, or visit www.eds.edu and click on Admissions. 

PARISH ADMINISTRATOR (F/T)
St. James', Potomac seeks a parish administrator with strong organizational and interpersonal skills to oversee its busy church office. College degree or commensurate office administrative experience required. Proficiency in database management and Microsoft Office applications imperative. Ability to multi-task and excellent grammar, proofreading, and written/verbal communication skills a must. Detailed job description may be found at www.stjamespotomac.org. Fax cover letter and resumé to 301/762-4076.

PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS
Please keep the following clergy and members of the diocese in your prayers this week:
* Allan Johnson-Taylor - mother's health (Alice) 
* Susan Blue - personal health (foot surgery 1/28) 
* 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 
* Rip Coffin - daughter's health (Cindy) 
* Martha Bonwitt - husband's health (Bill) 
* John Ball - wife's health (Linda) 
* Todd Kissam - wife's health (Heather) 

>>> REMINDERS:

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

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 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).  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 

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
 
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.

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.

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

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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