[edow] Church House News

[Church House News]

MARCH 13, 2008

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

20S 30S RETREAT
The Cathedral College and the diocesan Young Adult Ministries Network
are co-sponsoring the third in a series of retreats for people in their
20s and 30s. "Awakening to the Spirit" will take place from 7 to 9 p.m.
May 9 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 10 at the Cathedral College. Participants
will learn several Christian prayer practices for everyday spirituality
from the Rev. Megan Stewart-Sicking and the Rev. Joseph Stewart-Sicking.
Sign up for the retreat at www.edow.org/events -- click on "Awakening to
the Spirit." Space is limited. Cost is $25. Saturday lunch is provided.
Questions? Contact the Rev. Shearon Sykes Williams at 301/862-2247 or
YAMN at edow.org.  

ANGUS DUN GRANT APPLICATIONS DUE
Attention clergy: The deadline for Angus Dun grant applications - grants
of up to $1,000 awarded to canonically resident clergy for continuing
education - is April 1. For more information, contact Sharonda Myers at
smyers at edow.org or 202/537-5208. 

MISSION TRIP TO HONDURAS
The diocese will sponsor a mission trip to Honduras from July 27-August
3, offering people an opportunity to pray, live and work with Episcopal
congregations in that country. The total cost per person will be about
$1,300. The group will be limited to a maximum of 30 persons. Minors
must be accompanied by at least one adult member of their congregation.
A deposit check for $700 (non-refundable) payable to the Diocese of
Washington (EDOW) must be received no later than March 24. Checks should
be sent to Richard Marks, 104 Sunnyside Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
For further information, contact Marks at 301/589-4927 or
richardpmarks at aol.com.

HEARING ON PROPOSED GUIDELINES FOR VOCATIONAL DIACONATE
A hearing on the proposed Guidelines for a Vocational Diaconate has been
rescheduled for 10 a.m. to noon April 12 at St. John's, Beltsville,
11040 Baltimore Avenue (U.S.1). Ample parking is available. Guidelines
can be reviewed at www.edow.org/diocese/clergy.

VOCATIONAL MINISTRY RETREAT
The next vocational ministry retreat is set for April 11-12 at St.
Mary's Conference Center in Baltimore. The retreat leader will be author
and speaker Marjory Bankson. This retreat is open for anyone seeking to
explore God's call to any ministry. The cost is $120, inclusive of room
and board. Register at www.edow.org/events. 

PAROCHIAL REPORTS 
Parochial Reports were due on March 1. If you have not turned yours in
or received an extension, please contact Ann Talty, governance officer,
at atalty at edow.org or 202/537-6548.

VESTRY ELECTIONS
Parishes having elections need to submit signed paperwork on their
vestry elections and certifying their convention delegates and alternate
delegates. If you haven't received new forms in the mail, they can be
found at
http://www.edow.org/diocese/clergy/transition/vestryanddelegateinfo.html

or you can contact Kim Adams at kadams at edow.org or 202/537-6526.

LUTHERAN BISHOP OF BOTSWANA TO VISIT WASHINGTON 
The Rt. Rev. Cosmos Moenga, Lutheran bishop of Botswana, and his wife,
the Rev. Tshenolo Moenga, will be the featured speakers at a global
mission celebration at Grace Lutheran Church (16th and Varnum, NW) at 2
p.m. April 19. Bishop Moenga, vice president of the Botswana Council of
Churches, will speak on "The Price of Discipleship" with particular
reference to current issues in Africa and the United States.  The Rev.
Tshenolo Moenga will speak on "Women in Ministry in Today's World." The
celebration will be followed by a multi-cultural  reception.
Episcopalians are especially invited to come. For more information,
contact 202/829-9400 or gracelc at verizon.net.
 
BISHOP JOHN T. WALKER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP BREAKFAST
St. Timothy's will host the Annual Bishop John T. Walker Memorial
Scholarship Breakfast at 9 a.m. March 29 in the upper parish hall, 3601
Alabama Avenue, SE. This year's theme is "Realizing the Dream: Bishop
John T. Walker School for Boys." The keynote speaker is James R. Woody,
the school's project director. All are invited. Tickets are $20 and must
be purchased by March 23. Proceeds go towards St. Timothy's Bishop John
T. Walker Scholarship Fund. For more information, contact Paula Bennett
at 202/581-5411 or the church office at 202/582-7740.  

BISHOP WALKER SCHOOL FUNDRAISERS
* Bishop Walker School Bookfair. Hosted by Politics and Prose (5015
Connecticut Avenue, NW) from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 5. Twenty percent of
all proceeds will go to the school, and there will be a list of books
needed by the school that can be directly donated.
* The Crypt Choir of Kings School, Canterbury, will hold a benefit
concert for the Bishop Walker School at Redeemer, Bethesda (6201
Dunrobbin Drive, at MacArthur Blvd) at 8 p.m. March 26. Admission is
free; there will be a collection to support BWS.
> Please visit www.bishopwalkerschool.org to download copies of these
flyers.

CONSTANTINE'S SWORD: SCREENING & DISCUSSION
James Carroll, author, columnist and filmmaker, hosts a screening and
discussion of the new film, Constantine's Sword, at 7 p.m. March 10 at
Washington National Cathedral.
This is a special advance screening in partnership with First Run
Features before the national release of the film in April. Complimentary
tickets are available to diocesan and parish groups. For information,
contact D'Oniece Dillard at 202/537-6385 or dodillard at cathedral.org.

PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS
Please keep the following clergy and members of the diocese in your
prayers this week: 
* Ken Howard - personal health 
* Susan Blue - personal health   
* Joy Rose - personal health 
* Martha Wallace - personal health 
* Tom Dixon - personal health 
* Rich Kukowski - personal health  
* Ron Haines - personal health 
* Bill Spofford - personal health 
* David Black - personal health 
* Anne Gilson - personal health 
* Betsy Hague - personal health and husband's (Ralph) 
* Tom Logan - personal health 
*  Martha Bonwitt - husband's health (Bill) 
* Allan Johnson-Taylor - mother's health (Mary)  

>>> REMINDERS:

ATTENTION CLERGY: RENEWAL OF VOWS LUNCHEON
Clergy are invited to a light luncheon at the Cathedral College
following the noon Holy Eucharist with Renewal of Vows and Blessing of
Chrism on March 20 at Washington National Cathedral. There is no charge
for the luncheon, but, if you plan to attend, please register at
www.edow.org/events  "Maundy Thursday Clergy Luncheon" 

ELECTRIC UTILITY SAVINGS
Direct Energy Services, through a new agreement with the diocese, can
now offer electricity to parishes through its discounted fixed price
program. DES is a leading energy retailer and can offer customers highly
competitive rates and adjustable contract durations (as short as three
months). Most parishes in the diocese buy electricity from Pepco
(customers of SMECO, a private rural collective cannot participate)
which recently has seen elevated rate increases, with another rate hike
anticipated in May. Buying electricity through an energy supplier gives
parishes control over the decision to convert to a fixed price whenever
market conditions are right. (For example: If your parish is currently a
Pepco customer and decides to switch to DES, your savings can be 10 to
25 percent at current rates.) Visit directenergy.com for more
information, or call DES account manager, Jeff Hammer, at 301/634-5403.
Diocesan property manager Robert Tomlinson also is available to discuss
this at 202/537-6523 or rtomlinson at edow.org.

CHOIR ROBES NEEDED
Epiphany, D.C., is in need of 18 adult choir robes for use by The
Welcome Table Choir, an ensemble composed of church members and
visitors, some of whom are homeless, that sings during the 8 a.m.
Welcome Table Eucharist. Please contact Christian Clough, director of
music ministries, at cclough at epiphanydc.org if you have robes you would
be willing to donate. 
 
THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER: BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT 
Join the Rev. Mpho Tutu, of The Tutu Institute for Prayer & Pilgrimage,
and certified Yoga instructor Erin Callahan for a weekend retreat
designed to enrich your prayer life, May 16-18 in Richmond, Va.
Registration deadline is April 25. Price is $300 for double occupancy;
$350 single. Includes meals and materials. For registration form and
more information, visit www.tutuinstitute.org or call 703/677-5642. 

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 
 
SAVE THE DATE: SPRING CLERGY CONFERENCE
The Spring Clergy Conference is set for May 20-22 at Shrine Mont. The
conference will be centered on promoting self-care and clergy wellness -
emotional, physical and spiritual. Program and registration information
will be posted soon.
 
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:
* 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. at Trinity, Newport 
* June 4: 6:30  to 9:30 p.m. at Ascension, Silver Spring
Online registration required by going to www.edow.org/prevention 

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.
 
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 HOUSE
An Open House at Friendship Terrace Retirement Community (4201
Butterworth Place, NW) IS set for 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.

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
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.

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 offer 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 

SAVE THE DATE
The 2008 Stewardship Conference is set for April 19 at St. Paul's, Rock
Creek.
 
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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