[edow] Church House News

Fri Feb 5 10:48:12 EST 2010

FEBRUARY 4, 2010

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

SNOWY WEATHER

> Episcopal Church House will close at noon today due to inclement
weather. 

> The Diocese of Maryland has shared the following tips for parishes
considering canceling Sunday services in the event of a major snowstorm:

* Post your closing or snow policy on your church's Web site

* Change your outgoing voicemail message to reflect the status of your
Sunday services

* Contact the music director, organist and choir, readers, acolytes,
Eucharistic ministers and others involved with the service directly by
phone

* Be sure to get the word out to your parishioners and any newcomers who
might be planning to attend your church by announcing your closing in
the media (Web, TV and radio) in your area.

BISHOP CHANE TO STEP DOWN

The Right Rev. John Bryson Chane announced in his address to the 115th
Diocesan Convention Jan. 30 that he plans to retire as Bishop of
Washington in the fall of 2011. Read his address to the convention at
http://convention.edow.org/article.php?id=55

The Diocese of Washington's Standing Committee is working on the next
step in this process, and will provide updates as necessary.

MARDI GRAS AT EPIPHANY, D.C.

Epiphany, D.C., will celebrate Mardi Gras from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 16
with Mike Flaherty's Dixieland Direct Band, New Orleans jambalaya, King
Cakes, a cash bar and a parade on G Street. Adults, $15; children under
12, $5. A portion of the proceeds will go to Katrina recovery efforts in
the Diocese of Louisiana. RSVP to 202/347-2635, or go to
https://secure.qgiv.com/cps_donors/index.php?key=epiphany "Events" 

NEW DATE FOR SAMARITAN MINISTRY'S MARDI GRAS CELEBRATION

Snow forced postponement of Samaritan Ministry's Mardi Gras Celebration
last weekend, but a new date and location have been set: 6:30 to 9:30
p.m. Feb. 13 in the Great Hall of St. Paul's, Rock Creek. Tickets to the
Jan. 30 event will be honored; tickets are still available for Feb. 13
at a cost of $65 per person. For more information, visit
www.samaritanministry.org or contact Mary Belknap at 202/722-2280 ext.
305 or marybelknap at samaritanministry.org The event will feature New
Orleans style cuisine, the Next Step Dixieland Band and a silent and
live auction.   

SAMARITAN MINISTRY BENEFIT CONCERT CANCELED

The benefit duo piano performance scheduled for Feb. 19 and 20 has been
canceled. Those who purchased tickets through PayPal will receive
refunds/credits for their payments. The organizers extend their sincere
apologies to those planning to attend. A possible rescheduling is in the
works. Please check http://www.st-albans-parish.org for updates.

GRANTS PROGRAM TARGETS PEOPLE IN NEED

Saint Anna's Home, Inc. a charitable program of the Diocese of
Washington, last year launched an emergency grants program to assist
older women of African descent with housing related and other
emergencies that threaten their quality of life. At-risk recipients must
be at least 70 years old and sponsored by a priest or deacon in the
diocese. However, anyone can bring the need to the attention of a clergy
person. Saint Anna's Home has awarded more than $1.5 million to
charitable organizations in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
Grants support health, aging in place and social services for older
adults, with particular consideration to older women of color. For more
information, write to the Grants Committee, Saint Anna's Home, Inc.,
Church House, Mt. Saint Alban, Washington, D.C. 20016.

EARN REWARD POINTS FOR THE BISHOP WALKER SCHOOL

If you shop at Giant Stores, you can earn points for the Bishop Walker
School. Giant will round your total to the nearest dollar and give the
proceeds to BWS. Visit http://www.giantfood.com/aplus to learn more
about the program, and register your Giant card at
http://www.giantfood.com/our_stores/bonus_bucks/designate_school?executi
on=e1s1

KELLOGG LECTURES AT EDS

Episcopal Divinity School will hold its annual Kellogg Lectures at 10
a.m. and 3 p.m. May 6, with the Rev. Barbara K. Lundblad, Joe R. Engle
Professor of Preaching at Union Theological Seminary. Lundblad, a
preacher on the radio program "Day 1" for more than 20 years, will
deliver two lectures: "Preaching Across the Divides in the Midst of
Controversy" and "Preaching Particularity in the Midst of Pluralism."
Fee for the two lectures is $75 (non-alumni). Cost for three or more
people registering together is $75 for the first registrant and $25 for
each additional registrant. All attendees are asked to pre-register.
Registration material will be available in March at www.eds.edu.  For
more information or to request registration materials, contact
events at eds.edu or 617/682-1506.

JUNE COURSES AT EPISCOPAL DIVINITY SCHOOL 

Episcopal Divinity School is offering five of its popular courses in
intensive formats this June. From June 7-18, June term courses will meet
five days a week for a minimum of two hours per day, allowing students
to earn full graduate course credit in an intense one or two-week
period. Short-term housing and meal plans are available. Courses
include: Women and the Hebrew Bible; Jesus and the Synoptic Gospels;
Women Preachers and Prophets in the History of Christianity; God and
Creation asks: What does Christian theology have to say to the present
ecological crisis?;. and a class on practical pastoral issues. Full
course descriptions are available at www.eds.edu; click on Academics. To
register, contact Penny Kohn, registrar, at 617/682-1525, or at
registrar at eds.edu. For short-term housing, contact Samaria Wilson at
swilson at eds.edu or 617/682-1508 to reserve, as housing is limited.

PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS

Please keep the following clergy and members of the diocese in your
prayers this week:

* Michael Baker - personal health

* Elizabeth Hall - personal health

* Kent Marcoux - personal health of his brother (Marc & his family)

* Joan Beilstein - prayers of sympathy on the death of her aunt
(Elizabeth)

* John Dwyer - mother's health (Mary)

* Pegram Johnson - personal health

* Ted Karpf - personal health 

* Louise Lusignan - personal health

* Meshack Mabuza (Bishop of Swaziland) - personal health

* Lucy Bremner - personal health

* David and Beth Black - personal health of both 

* Erica Wood - personal health

* Mary Sulerud - father (Leo) and sister's (Chris) health  

* Claudia Tielking - son's health (Josh)

* Jake Beck - personal health

* Susan Blue - personal health 

* Roy Turner -  personal health

>>> REMINDERS:

ABSALOM JONES SERVICE

The Washington Chapter of The Union of Black Episcopalians presents the
32nd Annual Absalom Jones Service and Celebration for the benefit of the
historically black Episcopal colleges' scholarships and endowment funds
at 3 p.m. Feb. 14 at Calvary, D.C. (820 Sixth Street, NE). Snow Date is
Feb. 21. Derrick Humphries will receive the annual Absalom Jones Award
at the service of Holy Eucharist. All are welcome. For more information,
contact Janice Wormack at 202/829-6445 or jwormack at washingtonube.org

CHURCH DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE, WASHINGTON:  NEW CLASS FORMING

Registration is now open for new participants in the Church Development
Institute, Washington.  The first weekend in the 2010 cycle is March
5-6. CDI is a comprehensive program in congregational development
serving lay and clergy leaders of the Episcopal Church. The program is a
leadership training program focused on developing the community and
organizational life of congregations. Learn more about CDI by clicking
on the CDI link on the diocesan Web site, www.edow.org  or contact Paul
Cooney at pcooney at edow.org or the Rev. Susan Burns,
revsusanburns at verizon.net at 301/229-3770.

CHANGE IN 2010 CATHEDRAL CONFIRMATION DATES

Please note the Cathedral Confirmation dates are now as follows: May 1
(*new date), June 26 and November 6. All services are at 10 a.m.  For
more information go to www.edow.org/confirmation

GUIDED TOUR OF GREECE

There is still space on a Guided Tour of Greece "Following the Footsteps
of Paul," May 6-14. The Rev. Carol Flett, rector of St. Bartholomew's,
Laytonsville and the Rev. Susan Pinkerton, assistant  rector of St.
Mark's, Capitol Hill are coordinating this tour with
Journeys-Unlimited.com. Fourteen people have signed up; there is space
for six more. Cost: $2,398 (double occupancy) plus $350 airline fuel
surcharge includes roundtrip airfare from JFK-NY to Thessaloniki, 7
nights hotel and meals, ground transportation and professional tour
guide and admission to all sites in Thessaloniki, Athens, Corinth and
more. Contact revflett at yahoo.com or susan.pinkerton at stmarks.net.
Deposits are due March 6.

EPISCOPAL DIVINITY SCHOOL VISITING DAY

Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Mass., will hold a visiting day
on March 18 for anyone who is seeking more information about theological
education. Visitors will have the chance to attend chapel, visit
classes, tour the campus and listen to student and faculty during
question and answer panels. EDS will be able to provide some limited
overnight accommodations for visitors who are coming from long
distances. A Visiting Day form and other information about is available
at http://www.eds.edu/sec.asp?pageID=42

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT 

Trinity, D.C. is seeking a full-time (40 hours/week) administrative
assistant. Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, or Publisher required.
Responsible for weekly bulletins, monthly newsletter and maintenance of
office files, supplies and membership records. Other duties include the
following: create and maintain archival documents and data; provide
support to lay ministry leaders; maintain master calendar; maintain
basic components of parish website; prepare for and keep records of
parish leadership meetings; help maintain financial records. Familiarity
with the Episcopal Church a plus. Salary based on experience, with
benefits package, paid annual and sick leave, plus Federal holidays
available. Please submit resume, cover letter and three professional
references to Kathy DeJesus at kahdj at hotmail.com

UPCOMING RETREATS AT DAYSPRING

The Dayspring Center in Germantown, Md. has a number of upcoming open
weekend retreats, including Winter Within, set for Feb. 12-14; A
Pilgrimage of Peace, set for March 19-21; and The Mystery of Christ In
Us, May 21-23. Upcoming day retreats include: Ash Wednesday Quiet Day,
Feb. 17, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Ember Day, Feb. 23, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Hindu
Multifaith Day, March 14, 3:30 to 8 p.m. To register or to get more
information, visit www.dayspringretreat.org 

ATTENTION CLERGY: TRANSITION MINISTRY CONFERENCE

A Transition Ministry Conference is set for March 8-12. TMC members from
42 dioceses in the Episcopal Church will be sharing  information about
clergy who are interested in discerning a new ministry call in
congregations as a rector, assistant and/or chaplain. If you are
interested in being presented at this conference, please contact the
Rev. Mary Sulerud, canon for deployment and vocational ministries, at
msulerud at edow.org. You must complete a form and provide an updated CDO
profile to participate. These materials must be received by March 1.

FRESH START PROGRAM EVALUATION

In an effort to improve their service, Fresh Start sponsors and staff
have employed independent researchers at the University of Cincinnati to
evaluate the Fresh Start program. Clergy who have been involved in Fresh
Start from September 2007 to the present are being asked to participate
in an anonymous and confidential survey. The data will be used to study
trends nationally and in different dioceses. The survey takes about 20
minutes to complete and is available at
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FreshStartAssessment_2010 It will remain
open until Feb. 17.

LISTENING, HEARING AND LIVING 

The Community of Reconciliation at Washington National Cathedral
presents the second in its Listening, Hearing and Living series on Feb.
13: The Practice of Recreation, with Tim Carrington, chairman of the
Friends of St. Benedict, author, journalist and development specialist.
For information on upcoming speakers or to register, visit
http://www.nationalcathedral.org/events/COR20100109.shtml

HAITI EARTHQUAKE RELIEF

Episcopal Relief & Development is providing critical emergency funds to
Haiti in the aftermath of Tuesday's earthquake and is accepting
donations to its Haiti Relief Fund. ERD will post updates on the
situation in Haiti as they become available at http://www.er-d.org/ and
has complied inserts for parish bulletins which are available at
http://www.er-d.org/BulletinInsertsCT/ 

A LENTEN STUDY PLAN FOR CHURCH SCHOOL

The Southern Africa Partnership Committee still has Swazi Bears
available from the Children to Children Advent Appeal. Lent is a time to
recognize the needs of others, and the study guide and storybook about
the bears help children understand the lives of children in far away
Swaziland. The knitted bears sell for $25 ($30 with the storybook) - and
sales support the families of the sewing ministry (mothers and
grandmothers). Stop by the Southern Africa Partnership Committee exhibit
table at Convention to learn more or visit www.edow.org/sapc

CELEBRATE THE ENVIRONMENT

The "Season of Creation" is a six Sunday liturgy that focuses on
protecting God's creation. The liturgy, a gift from the Anglican Church
of Southern Africa, is approved for use by Bishop John Bryson Chane and
includes a study guide. The Southern Africa Partnership Committee has
purchased a copy for each parish. Stop by the Southern Africa
Partnership Committee's exhibit table at Convention to learn more or
visit www.edow.org/sapc/creation

HIGH SCHOOL RETREAT

High School Retreat information and registration forms are now available
online. The retreat is set for Feb 19-21 and is open to students in
grades 9-12. The theme is EpiscoFAITH and offers teenagers a chance to
have fun, make new friends and reconnect with old friends and strengthen
their relationship with our Creator. Register at www.edow.org/youth by
Feb 5. Middle School Retreat information is coming soon!  

LENTEN SILENT RETREAT 

The Diocesan Retreat Committee will hold a Lenten Silent Retreat at the
Bon Secours Spiritual Center (www.bonsecoursspiritualcenter.org) in
Marriottsville on March 5-7. The theme will be, "Behold, I Make All
Things New." Retreat director will be the Rev. Margaret Guenther,
associate rector of St. Columba's, D.C., and professor emerita of the
General Theological Seminary. The fee is $195. Scholarships are
available. To reserve a space, applications and a deposit of $100 must
be received by Feb. 12. Visit www.edow.org/retreat for information and
application instructions, or contact Joan Shelton at 202/232-1667 or
joanshelton at verizon.net.

IT'S TIME TO ORDER PALM CROSSES

Palm Sunday is March 28, and African Palms USA, an outreach  ministry of
St. John's, Olney is now accepting orders for palms woven by families in
nine villages in Tanzania. Earnings are used to purchase food, medicine,
clothing and pay school fees, and net proceeds from the sale of crosses
and all other donations are returned to Africa in the form of self-help
grants. To place an order, visit www.africanpalmsusa.org or call
301/774-2832.

HUMAN INTERACTION LAB TRAINING

Human Interaction Lab training, set for Feb.12-15 at St. Alban's, D.C.,
is an opportunity to learn more about yourself, how your behavior
impacts others, and how you can function more effectively in a group and
interpersonal situations. Participants will learn about their own
patterns of behavior as they accept responsibility for a group's life
and work. For further information or to register, visit
http://www.congregationaldevelopment.com/LTI_programs.htm

CONTRIBUTING TO THE BISHOP JOHN T. WALKER SCHOOL

Contributions for the 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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