[edow] Church House News

[Church House News]

JULY 10, 2008

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

THE LAMBETH CONFERENCE
Jim Naughton, the diocese's canon for communications and advancement, will be covering the Lambeth Conference for the Episcopal Café blog, http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/ beginning on Monday. Further coverage of the conference will appear in the September issue of Washington Window.

NEW EDUCATION FOR MINISTRY GROUPS FORMING FOR THE FALL
New Education for Ministry groups are forming for September 2008. EfM is a program of theological education-at-a-distance of the School of Theology of the University of the South. Its intent is to teach lay people to think theologically in order to better relate and interpret the richness of our Christian heritage to the world and carry out the ministry of the baptized more effectively. EDOW is a sponsoring diocese for this program. For more information, and to locate and contact groups that are forming, visit EfM in the Diocese of Washington at www.edowefm.org or contact barbaramiles07 at comcast.net.

WALKER SCHOOL IN NEED OF VOLUNTEER HELP
The Bishop John T. Walker School, set to open its doors in September, is in need of some volunteer administrative assistance. Particularly needed are people who can answer the telephone, assist with assembling informational packets and performing a variety of tasks around the office. If you are able to offer some time to this endeavor, please contact Project Director James Woody at 202/257-9020 or jwoody at edow.org.
 
PRAYERS FOR EPISCOPAL YOUTH EVENT
We ask you to pray for the 14 young people and four adults from the Diocese of Washington, as well as the nearly 1,200 other participants, at this week's Episcopal Youth Event in San Antonio, Texas. You can follow all the events of the week at www.eye2008.org 

COMMUNITY DAY AT EPIPHANY, FORESTVILLE
Epiphany, Forestville will hold a Community Day from 1 to 7 p.m. August 9 at 3125 Ritchie Road, Forestville. There will be vendors from the Forestville and District Heights communities; representatives from local fire stations, Maryland State Police, Prince George's County Police and District Heights Police; a moonbounce and outdoor fun and games. A band, Grown Up With Attitude, will play from 2 to 4 p.m., and a DJ will provide dance music from 4 to 7 p.m. Refreshments will be available. There is ample parking at this family friendly event. For more information, call 301/735-7717.
  
PILGRIMAGE TO ETHIOPIA: ANCIENT LAND OF FAITH 
All Saints Company offers a pilgrimage to Ethiopia from January 16-29. The trip will provide an in-depth encounter with one of the oldest Christian cultures in the world, where participative popular worship is still the cultural norm. Ethiopia has influenced the liturgy at St. Gregory of Nyssa parish in San Francisco, and the pilgrimage will be led by St. Gregory's founders, Rick Fabian and Donald Schell. A full description of this trip is available at http://www.allsaintscompany.org/index.php/events/view/liturgical_ethiopia/ For further information, contact Daniel Simons at info at allsaintscompany.org

PILGRIMAGE TO CHINA 
>From April 14-30, 2009, All Saints Company will lead a pilgrimage to China. The trip will begin with a liturgy seminar held for students at Nanjing Seminary and will continue with an exposure to China as few tourists see it. To learn more about this pilgrimage, visit: http://www.allsaintscompany.org/events/view/china/ For further information, contact Daniel Simons at info at allsaintscompany.org

PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS
Please keep the following clergy and members of the diocese in your prayers this week: 
* Sarah Duggin (seminarian) - personal health 
* Jack Chamblin - personal health 
* Lynn Lundelius - personal health 
* Susan Keller - father's health (Thomas) 
* Rip Coffin - personal health 
* Karen Johnson - daughter's health (Susan)   
* Travers Koerner - personal health 
* Claudia Tielking - son's health (Josh) 
* Susan Blue - personal health  

>>> REMINDERS:

STEWARDSHIP ANNUAL APPEAL WORKSHOPS
Stewardship annual appeal workshops with David Lewis are set for 6:30 to 9 p.m. July 10 and 9 a.m. to noon July 12. Lewis will give a complete picture of what can be done to help your annual appeal program succeed. If you are just starting out or looking for new ideas, bring your materials along to share what worked and what still needs work in your parish. Light refreshments will be served. Please sign up at www.edow.org/events Contact Jsamilio at edow.org if you have any questions.

VIRTUAL MARCH FOR THE MDGS
On July 24, more than 600 Anglican bishops taking part in the Lambeth Conference, their spouses and faith leaders from around the U.K. will march through London on a Walk of Witness for the fulfillment of the Millennium Development Goals. The Episcopal Public Policy Network and Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation are sponsoring a "Virtual March for the MDGs" to coincide with this walk. To participate, register at http://episcopal.grassroots.com/virtualmarch/  Congregations can participate by using "March of Prayer" bulletin inserts for the Sundays of July 20 and 27, which can be downloaded at http://www.e4gr.org/virtualmarch.html

RENEWAL: AN INTERFAITH CALL TO ACTION
Join Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light, Shomrei Adamah of Greater Washington, DC Green Muslims, Faith at Work, Teva Learning Center and Foundry UMC's Green Mission to view and discuss highlights of the first feature-length documentary to capture the breadth and vitality of America's religious-environmental movement. The documentary will be screened at 7:30 p.m. July 16 at Foundry United Methodist Church, 1500 16th Street, NW. RVSP to allison at gwipl.org 

BEGINNERS SPANISH CLASS AT ST. PAUL'S, K STREET
St. Paul's, K Street will hold a beginners Spanish class, "Spanish for Christian Ministry," on Monday nights from 6:30 (or immediately after the evening Mass) to 8:30 p.m., beginning Sept. 8. There is no fee, but participants must purchase a book: "Easy Spanish Step-by-Step," by Barbara Bregstein (McGraw-Hill, 2006), available at bookstores or online. Students also will need a 3-ring binder for handouts. The class is for people who have never taken Spanish, as well as for those who want a refresher. If interested, please contact David Allen White at dawh1 at msn.com.

* ANNUAL YARD SALE
All Saints Thrift Shop, 3 Chevy Chase Circle, will hold its Annual Yard Sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 19. Clothes, household items, books, kid's stuff. Benefits Send a Kid to Camp. * Please note: The date was listed incorrectly in the Washington Window. 

ONE-DAY CHILDREN'S PEACE CAMP AT SEEKERS CHURCH 
Seekers Church and Little Friends for Peace are offering a one-day peace camp for kids ages 3-11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 26. Counselor-in-training positions are available for youth 12 and up. Activities will include art, music, games and riding the Peace Train to learn about conflict resolution. To register or for more information contact Trish Nemore at trish717 at rcn.com or 301/588-5718; Sandra Miller at amaizeinggrace at verizon.net or 202/526-0783; or visit www.seekerschurch.org. 

THURGOOD MARSHALL COMMEMORATION 
It is important that the diocese's 2009 General Convention deputation know how widely Thurgood Marshall was remembered throughout this diocese on or about May 17, both this year and next. Bruce Eberhardt, a member of St. Augustine's, is keeping the tally. Please contact him at eberhardtbj at msn.com if your parish observed the day this year.
 
SABBATICAL GRANT OPPORTUNITIES 
The Louisville Institute is holding its 15th annual competition for sabbatical grants for pastoral leaders. Awards are made for either eight or 12-week sabbaticals, to be taken in a continuous single period. Applicants choose whether to apply for an eight-week sabbatical, with a $10,000 award, or for a 12-week sabbatical; $15,000 award. Applications are due no later than Sept. 15. Award announcements will be made by Dec. 15, and sabbaticals must be taken between March 1, 2009 and August 31, 2010. Full program information and application materials are available at 
www.louisville-institute.org 

ARC CALLS ON CHURCHES TO SPONSOR A BLOOD DRIVE
The American Red Cross (Greater Chesapeake and Potomac Blood Services Region) is calling for parishes in the Diocese of Washington to help increase the area's blood supply by sponsoring a summer blood drive. At present there is less than a 2-day supply of most blood types - a safe desired blood supply is 5-7 days. To learn more about sponsoring a blood drive, call Tina Baccante of the American Red Cross at 703/655-2979.  

SAVE THE DATE
Bishop John Bryson Chane will join his former band, The Chane Gang, to perform a benefit concert for the Bishop John T. Walker School for Boys on Oct. 10 at Washington Episcopal School. Details to follow. 

PARISH COMMUNICATIONS MANUAL
A parish communications manual full of helpful tips and media contact information is now available at www.edow.org. The manual was compiled by Carol Barnwell of the Diocese of Texas, one of the speakers at the June 7 Evangelism Conference.

A WOMEN'S RETREAT
"Behold the Stewards of the Lord! Exploring the Sacred Within Us and Creation" is set for Aug. 1-3 at the Cathedral College. Registration deadline is July 20. Led by Sr. Catherine Grace of the Community of the Holy Spirit. Single occupancy room is $245; w/ private bath $263; and $200/double; cost includes all meals except for Friday night's dinner. Contact Shelby Oppermann at 301/904-2532 or ShelbyAlbe at aol.com To learn more about the Community of the Holy Spirit go to www.chssisters.org 

MOREHOUSE CONSULTANT AVAILABLE TO DISCUSS PROJECTS
Trevor Floyd, a senior consultant from Morehouse Church Supplies, will be visiting this area soon. He is available, via appointment, to meet with staff and altar guilds to discuss the services and resources available through Morehouse, including vestments, altar hangings, albs, furnishings, stained glass, columbaria, custom work or metalware products. Floyd can be reached at 866/574-2799 or tfloyd at cpg.org. 

DENOMINATIONAL HEALTH PLAN INFORMATION
For the past 18 months, the Healthcare Coverage Feasibility Study team of the Church Pension Group has been collecting information about the delivery of employee healthcare benefits across the Episcopal Church. This study was commissioned at the 2006 General Convention and final recommendations will be presented at General Convention next July. Why? Many congregations are facing financial difficulties and the high cost of healthcare benefits is central to this issue. Please check the monthly update to stay abreast of study results and sample health plan designs. Visit www.cpg.org, click Healthcare Coverage Feasibility Study, select "Flash" in the Get the Latest Information box. 

12-STEP EUCHARIST
The Hope for Recovery ministry team at St. Alban's, D.C., will not be having its 12-Step Eucharist in July, August and September. Please contact Sally Craig at sallybcraig at aol.com with any questions.
 
DAY-RETREAT SPACE
If your vestry, committee, parish or community group needs space (10-30 people) for a day retreat or meeting this summer, please consider the University of Maryland Episcopal Student Center, College Park. The center is Metro accessible. For further information and to reserve space, please contact the chaplain, the Rev.  Peter Antoci, at pantoci at umd.edu
  
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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