[edow] Church House News

[Church House News]

JULY 17, 2008

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

FOLLOWING THE LAMBETH CONFERENCE
The Lambeth Conference kicked off yesterday in Canterbury, England. The following sources offer special coverage and regular updates:
* Episcopal Life Online at http://www.episcopalchurch.org/elife/
* Episcopal Café at http://www.episcopalcafe.com/ 
>Jim Naughton, the diocese's canon for communications and advancement, is blogging at http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/<
* EpiScope at http://episcopalchurch.typepad.com/episcope/ for a roundup of news articles.
* Lambeth Journal at http://episcopalchurch.typepad.com/lambethjournal/ where a team of bishops from the ECUSA are blogging about their experience.

EMPLOYMENT POLICIES AND GUIDELINES FOR LAY EMPLOYEES
Employment Policies and Guidelines for Lay Employees have been updated by the Committee on Human Resources and approved by the Diocesan Council. Rectors, senior wardens and junior wardens were mailed copies of the 2008 version this week. These will be available at www.edow.org by Aug. 1. For additional information contact Kathleen Hall, khall at edow.org or 202-537-6522.

NEW DIRECTOR OF PARISH VOLUNTEER SERVICES AT ESM
Annie Shaw has joined Episcopal Senior Ministries as the director of Parish Volunteer Services. Parish Volunteer Services directs and supports parish volunteers, organizes the diocesan-wide Senior Celebrations, and assists congregations in addressing aging issues and developing Parish Senior Ministries. If you would like assistance at your parish with senior ministry development or would like to get more involved with Episcopal Senior Ministries' outreach, Shaw can be reached at 202/414-6314 or AShaw at esm.org.

'LAND AND PROMISE' CONFERENCE SET FOR SEPT. 7
"Land and Promise" a conference co-sponsored by the Diocesan Ecumenical Commission, Metro DC Synod ELCA and the Washington Chapter of the American Jewish Committee is set for 2 to 8 p.m. Sept. 7 at the Cafritz Conference Center, Marvin Center, George Washington University. Keynote speakers will be Rabbi David Rosen, International Director of Interreligious Affairs (AJC), and the Rev. Peter Pettit, Director of the Institute for Jewish-Christian Understanding, Assistant Professor of Religion Studies, Muhlenberg College. Register at jewishlutheranconference at gmail.com.

HOT FUN IN THE SUMMERTIME FESTIVAL
St. Timothy's, D.C., will hold its Hot Fun in the Summertime Festival and fundraiser from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 23. The all-day event will feature a food court, health fair, moon bounce, pony rides, a film festival, White Elephant Sale, used book sale, crafts table, vendors, and more. St. Timothy's is located at 3601 Alabama Avenue, SE. For more information, please call 202/582-7740. 

ECW TO COLLECT WOMEN'S PRAYERS FOR ANGLICAN ANTHOLOGY
Anglican women and girls are invited to submit a prayer for possible inclusion in "Lifting Women's Voices: Ending Poverty through Prayer and Action," a new book from Morehouse Publishing. Royalties will benefit the International Anglican Women's Network and Episcopal Relief and Development. Submissions should be sent to ecw at edow.org no later than Sept. 8 to be considered for the ECW-EDOW submission to Morehouse. For more information, contact ECW president Sarah S. Shapley at ssshap at rcn.com.

PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS
Please keep the following clergy and members of the diocese in your prayers this week: 
* Luis Leon - prayers of sympathy at time of his mother's death (Mary) 
* 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 personal health (Susan)   
* Travers Koerner - personal health 
* Claudia Tielking - son's health (Josh) 
* Susan Blue - personal health    
 
>>> REMINDERS:

* 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. 

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.

COMMUNITY DAY AT EPIPHANY, FORESTVILLE
Epiphany, Forestville will hold a Community Day from 1 to 7 p.m. Aug. 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

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

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.

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. 
 
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. 

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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