[edow] Church House News

[Church House News]

MAY 15, 2008

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

DIOCESAN EVANGELISM CONFERENCE
Internationally acclaimed evangelist Brian McLaren will give the keynote address at the diocese's first "mid-year gathering" on June 7. The conference includes workshops on faith sharing, parish-level communications and marketing. Location: 4-H Youth Conference Center, 7100 Connecticut Avenue, Chevy Chase. Time: 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Fee: $30. Register online at www.edow.org

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR CONGREGATIONAL AUDIT COMMITTEE
The diocese is looking for volunteers with an interest in numbers to serve on the Congregational Audit Committee. This committee is responsible for ensuring annual audit reports are received from each congregation and summarizing reports for the diocesan Finance Committee. Volunteers do not need audit experience to serve; familiarity with MS-Excel is helpful but not a requirement. If you are interested in this ministry, contact Mozart Bernard, committee chair, at mbernard at walkerllp.com or call 202/363-9300 with any questions. 

CLERGY CRAFT GROUP FORMING 
First meeting will be 3-5 p.m. June 12 in Potomac. Men and women clergy who enjoy using their hands and fabric, yarn or thread to create something beautiful are invited to contact Carol Flett, rector of St.Bartholomew's, Laytonsville and Interfaith Programs Coordinator at the Cathedral College. E-mail: ccinterfaith at yahoo.com Six clergy have responded. Location of first meeting: Club Room at Park Potomac Place Condominiums, 12500 Park Potomac Place, Potomac, MD 20854. The club room is very nice and you may also bring a swim suit, use the locker room and take a swim before you return home! Contact Carol for directions.

DAY-RETREAT SPACE AVAILABLE
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

> JOBS:

PRE-K TEACHERS FOR BISHOP WALKER SCHOOL
The Bishop John T. Walker School for Boys is seeking two dynamic pre-K teachers with experience developing and implementing developmentally appropriate curricula and extracurricular programming. Must possess: A degree in early childhood, elementary or special education; a strong knowledge of early childhood curricula and instruction methods; experience and expertise in working with students from low-income households; the ability to work in a team teaching environment; a collaborative spirit and resourceful, organized, flexible and self-directed work methods.  Please send resumes to: teachers at bishopwalkerschool.org

PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS
Please keep the following clergy and members of the diocese in your prayers this week: 
* Karen Johnson - daughter's health (Susan) 
* Catherine Powell - personal health 
* John Harmon - mother-in-law's health (Grace) 
* Travers Koerner - personal health 
* Claudia Tielking - son's health (Josh) 
* Caron Gwynn - personal health 
* Virginia Brown-Noland - personal health 
* Ken Howard - personal health 
* Susan Blue - personal health  - 2nd foot surgery (5/6)  
* Joy Rose - thanksgiving for healing 
* Martha Wallace - personal health 
* Anne Gilson - personal health 
* Betsy Hague - thanksgiving for healing and recovery 
* Martha Bonwitt - husband's health (Bill) 

>>> REMINDERS:

COMMEMORATING THURGOOD MARSHALL AT HIS HOME PARISH  
The home parish of Thurgood Marshall, St. Augustine's in Southwest D.C., will hold a 10 a.m. May 18 worship service to commemorate the life and work of the former Supreme Court Justice. Roger W. Wilkins, Clarence J. Robinson Professor of History and American Culture at George Mason University, will be the guest speaker. A reception follows the service, which completes the parish's weekend-long celebration "A Mighty Flood of Justice - A River of Righteous Living."  
 
SILENT RETREAT WITH THE REV. MARTIN SMITH
The Rev. Martin Smith will lead a silent retreat, "Exploring the Jesus Prayer," June 27-29 at Dayspring Retreat Center in Germantown. Smith serves as senior associate rector at St Columba's, D.C. He is well known for his books on spirituality and his workshops and retreats, and writes a monthly column in the Washington Window. He studied the spirituality of the Jesus Prayer at Oxford under the celebrated Orthodox scholar, Bishop Kallistos Ware. For more information or to register, call 301/428-9348, or go to www.dayspringretreat.org  
 
FAITH INTO ACTION FOR RACIAL EQUALITY
Greater Washington Allies in Reconciliation, an interfaith antiracism alliance will hold a conference titled, "Faith into Action for Racial Equity: Building Trustworthy Partnerships," May 17-18 at Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ (5301 N. Capitol Street, NE; Ft. Totten Metro). Register at alliesinreconciliation at earthlink.net or call 301/588-4877 for more information. 

"THE BISHOP'S DAUGHTER" TO RETURN TO ST. STEPHEN'S
Honor Moore, poet, author and oldest daughter of Bishop Paul Moore Jr., who served as Bishop Suffragan of Washington from 1964 to 1970, will visit St. Stephen and the Incarnation at 7 p.m. May 21 to read from "The Bishop's Daughter," her memoir of her life with her father. Moore traces the extraordinary life of her father, a nationally known advocate for civil rights and opponent of the Vietnam War, who struggled privately with his sexuality while his daughter openly explored hers. Books will be available for purchase. St. Stephen's Church is located at 1525 Newton Street NW, Washington, D.C.

CATHEDRAL CHORAL SOCIETY PRESENTS MENDELSSOHN'S ELIJAH
The Cathedral Choral Society will present Mendelssohn's Elijah at 4 p.m. May 18 at Washington National Cathedral. Mendelssohn's oratorio tells the intensely dramatic story of the fiery and courageous Old Testament prophet Elijah through scenes from his life. This season's production features Grammy award winning baritone Nmon Ford as Elijah. Tickets: $20 - $80, 202/537-5527 or www.cathedralchoralsociety.org. The pre-concert discussion, which will focus on the importance of the prophet Elijah to the three Abrahamic faiths, is free and open to the public. 
 
MAGICAL MOMENTS GALA - ESM
Episcopal Senior Ministries will hold its Magical Moments Gala and presentation of the Leadership in Aging Awards from 6:30 to 9 p.m. June 5 at the Fannie Mae Building in Washington, D.C. Elizabeth Fox, director of IONA Senior Services, and AARP, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, will be recognized for their outstanding dedication and commitment to the field of aging. Tickets are $125 each, $175 each for Friend's tickets, and are available at www.ESM.org or 202/414-6315. Proceeds from the event support ESM's programs and services.

LIVING IN THE CITY - THC
Transitional Housing Corporation's third annual awards event, Living in the City, is set for May 29. THC will honor those who have made a commitment to advocating for more affordable housing in the DC region - Bishop John Bryson Chane and Enterprise Community Partners director David Bowers. Master of Ceremonies will be Kojo Nnamdi from WAMU-FM 88.5. Tickets are available at www.thcdc.org - click on the Living in the City logo.

EUCHARIST TO COMMEMORATE THURGOOD MARSHALL
A special evening Eucharist to commemorate Thurgood Marshall is set for 5:30 p.m. May 18 at St. Alban's, D.C. 
 
A WORKSHOP OF RADICAL WELCOME
The Rev. Stephanie Spellers, author of "Radical Welcome: Embracing God, the Other, and the Spirit of Transformation," will offer a workshop on developing an all-inclusive ministry for church growth from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 17 at Our Saviour, Silver Spring (1700 Powder Mill Road). A contribution of $20 is payable at the door. This workshop is a Crummell-Cooper Leadership Initiative presentation sponsored by the diocese, the Union of Black Episcopalians and the Afro-Anglican Clergy Association. For further information, contact Janice Wormack at 202/829-6445 or managedforyou at aol.com

THE CROSSING - EMERGING CHURCH SERVICE
All are invited to participate in a worship service called "The Crossing" at 6:30 p.m. May 16 at St. Luke's, D.C. (1514 - 15th Street, NW). This service, which features live contemporary music, is a regular offering at St. Paul's Cathedral, Boston, and will be led by its Minister for Radical Welcome, the Rev. Stephanie Spellers. For more information call 202/667-4394.

WASHINGTON WALKS FEATURES ST. JOHN'S, LAFAYETTE SQUARE
Washington Walks, a D.C.-based walking tour company, will offer a half-day event, "Restoring St. John's Church Lafayette Square," from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. May 31. The event will include a guided tour of the historic "Church of the Presidents" and adjoining parish house, an overview of St. John's architectural evolution by historian Richard Grimmet, author of a forthcoming history of the church, presentations by the project manager currently overseeing a major restoration project and a panel discussion by members of the St. John's vestry and design committee. Cost is $25 per person (proceeds go to the restoration fund). Register (required) at info at washingtonwalks.com 

CLERGY PLEASE NOTE: CONFIRMATION SERVICES 
Confirmation services are set for 10 a.m. May 17 and 10 a.m. June 21 at Washington National Cathedral. Please respond to CathedralConfirmations at edow.org if you will or will not be bringing candidates to either service. If participating, give an approximate count of how many candidates in each category (confirm, receive and reaffirm).

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. Visit directenergy.com for more information, or call DES account manager, Jeff Hammer, at 866/809-9143. Diocesan property manager Robert Tomlinson also is available to discuss this at 202/537-6523 or rtomlinson at edow.org.

ONE SKY: SOLVING CLIMATE CHANGE TOGETHER
Discussion with Majora Carter, executive director of Sustainable South Bronx, K.C. Golden, Climate Solutions policy director, and Betsy Taylor, co-founder of 1 Sky at 7:30 p.m. May 20 at Washington National Cathedral. Hosted by the Rev. Canon Eugene Sutton. Tickets: $16; $9 students, seniors 65+  www.nationalcathedral.org/register or information at 202/537-2221.

PARKING AT CHURCH HOUSE
Church House has concluded its practice of paying for parking for guests, and will no longer validate parking for visitors. Parking will still be provided, however, for major diocesan events at the Cathedral, such as the Diocesan Convention, ordinations and confirmations. Other parking options include street parking (2 hour limit). After 3:30 p.m., surface parking is permitted on the Cathedral Close.
 
ART OF SPIRITUAL COMPANIONSHIP COURSE
Applications are now being accepted for the 2008/2009 Art of Spiritual Companionship course, which is designed to introduce the theory, spirituality and practice of the ancient Christian tradition of spiritual direction. Graduates may serve as spiritual resources to their faith communities to help others discern the work of the Spirit in their lives. Further information is available at http://www.cathedral.org/cathedral/programs/ArtofSC.shtml or from Terri Lynn Simpson at tsimpson at cathedral.org or 202/537-5246.

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SAFEGUARDING GOD'S CHILDREN 
New dates for Safeguarding God's Children training sessions are as follows:
* June 4: 6:30  to 9:30 p.m. at Ascension, Silver Spring
Online registration required by going to www.edow.org/prevention 
 
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 
 
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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