[edow] Church House News

[Church House News]

DECEMBER 6, 2008

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

2008 CHILDREN TO CHILDREN ADVENT APPEAL
This year's Children to Children Advent Appeal is raising money for
anti-malaria bed nets for children in Mozambique. Please encourage
Sunday school classes in your parish to participate! Materials have been
mailed to every parish  and also are available on the Southern Africa
Partnership Committee web page, www.edow.org/sapc The SAPC also has a
limited number of mosquito bed nets that can be loaned to parishes. If
interested, contact Cheryl Daves Wilburn at cwilburn at edow.org or
202/537-6543.

HOLIDAY BAZAAR @ GRACE, SILVER SPRING
Grace, Silver Spring's Holiday Bazaar is set for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 6
in the church undercroft. Fair trade handcrafts from around the world,
gifts, jewelry, ornaments, baked goods, holiday outfits, Episcopalian
goods and fair trade coffee. Silent auction, children's craft corner and
a raffle for an Amish quilt. Pennyworth Boutique and photography
portrait corner - get a holiday photo taken and printed. Lunch
available. Proceeds support the church's ministries. Call Elizabeth
Campbell Mahler: 301/585-8078.
 
CHORAL EVENSONG SERIES AT CHRIST, GEORGETOWN
Christ, Georgetown continues its Choral Evensong series at 5 p.m. Jan. 4
with the music of Herbert W. Sumsion, William H. Harris, and Peter
Warlock sung by the professional Choir of Christ Church. At 5 p.m. Jan.
11, the series will feature the music of Richard Ayleward, C.H. Lloyd
and Edward C. Bairstow. There is no charge for admission. For
information, call 202/333-6677.

KIDS ADVENT ACTIVITY DAY AT ST. PAUL'S, K STREET
St. Paul's, K Street is hosting a Kids Advent Activity Day on Dec. 20
for preschool through middle school students. The program will begin at
10 a.m. with breakfast snacks, songs and lighting Advent candles.
Treasure hunt and brass polishing in the church and then crafting
decorations for a children's Christmas tree,  pizza lunch and prizes.
Parents are welcome to join in, or return at 1 p.m. to pick up the
children. Contact Jo Stelzig, 703/426-0487 or jastelzig at yahoo.com, by
Dec.12 to register or with questions.

BRIGHTEN THE HOLIDAYS FOR THOSE IN REAL NEED
Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington is asking for donations of food
and gift cards to make the holidays brighter for program participants.
Children's gifts, refreshments and volunteers also are needed to help
with Christmas parties. For a list of needed items, visit
www.samaritanministry.org To volunteer for the Christmas party contact
Catherine Rodman at 202/722-2280 x 324.

ADVENT QUIET DAY
The Diocesan Retreat Committee will hold a one-day Advent Quiet Day
retreat at St. Paul's, Piney in Waldorf from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec.
12. Led by the Rev. Frank Wade, this will provide participants an
opportunity to stop, listen and reflect on the words of the Advent
collects. Information and registration at www.edow.org/events, or
contact Margaret Bennett: 202/337-3415, bennmargar at aol.com.  

RESIDENTIAL RETREATS AT THE CATHEDRAL COLLEGE
* "Making Room in the Inn," led by Frank Griswold and Barbara Braver
Dec. 7-10. Advent retreat with prayer, classical spiritual disciplines
and poetry. $400.
* "Crossing the Threshold: A Contemplative New Year Retreat," Dec. 30
through Jan. 1. Guided reflections about the passing year and time to
reflect on the future. $350. For information and registration, visit
www.nationalcathedral.org

REMEMBERING BETHLEHEM THIS CHRISTMAS
The second annual Joint Simulcast Worship Service with the People of
Bethlehem is set for 9:30 a.m. Dec. 20 in Washington National
Cathedral's Bethlehem Chapel. Stand in solidarity with Bethlehem's
suffering Christians. The service is sponsored by the Ad Hoc Committee
for Bethlehem, the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation, Sharing
Jerusalem and Washington Interfaith Alliance for Middle East Peace. For
further information, contact Grace Said at gsaid at comcast.net or
301/951-5270.

ADVENT LESSONS AND CAROLS
At 6:30 p.m. Dec. 7, the University of Maryland Episcopal-Anglican
Campus Ministry, St. Andrew's, College Park and the Keiskamma Gospel
Choir from South Africa will hold a service of celebration with hymns,
anthems, scripture readings and reflections. An offering will be taken
up for the HIV ministry of the South African visitors.

GRISWOLD TO LEAD ADVENT RETREAT AT ST. COLUMBA'S
The Rt. Rev. Frank T. Griswold, former presiding bishop of the Episcopal
Church and a noted retreat leader and spiritual guide, will lead an
Advent Quiet Day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 13 at St. Columba's, D.C.
(4201 Albemarle St., NW). Lunch will be provided at a cost of $10.
Please reserve a place by calling 202/363-4119.

ADVENT RETREATS AT DAYSPRING SILENT RETREAT CENTER
* Dec. 9: Ember Day (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
* Dec. 12-14: Join Potters House Church for an Advent retreat that will
not have a leader.
* Dec. 18: Day Retreat (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
Visit www.dayspringretreat.org for details on these and other retreats.

ORGANIST AND CHOIR DIRECTOR
St. John's, Olney is in search of an organist and choir director to
begin Jan. 1. Music is provided for 9 and 11 a.m. services with an adult
choir at 11 a.m. Duties include Sunday and seasonal services, and the
possibility of weddings and funerals. 15-18 hours/week. Compensation
will depend on educational background and experience. Contact the Rev.
Carol Cole Flanagan at 301/774-6999 or accolef at stjohnsolney.org.
 
PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS
Please keep the following clergy and members of the diocese in your
prayers this week:
* Charles Hoffacker - wife's health (Cindy Guthrie)
* Michael Marrett - personal health
* Sarah Duggin - personal health
* Travers Koerner - personal health 
* Claudia Tielking - son's health (Josh)
* Meredith Smoke - (served on the ECW board and as assistant to the ECW
from 1965-1988) at the time of her death (Nov. 11). Memorial service is
set for 3 p.m. Dec. 6 at St. Columba's, D.C.
* Cheryl Daves Wilburn - husband's health (Victor)
* Diane Ney - upcoming surgery (Jan. 5)

>>> REMINDERS:

"BECOMING AGENTS OF GOD'S FUTURE" WITH MARTIN SMITH
The Rev. Martin Smith offers "Becoming Agents of God's Future" at St.
Columba's, D.C. from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Jan. 10. Registration is $50
in advance (includes lunch); deadline to sign up is Dec. 15. For further
information e-mail SCHC-DC at innernet.net or call Pat Preston at
301/345-2302. Please send your name, address, telephone number, e-mail
address and any dietary restrictions with your check, which should be
made out to SCHC Washington Area Chapter and mailed to Annette van
Hilst, 22 Van Cleavesville Road, Kearneysville, WV 25430. Contact the
Rev. Harriette Sturges at 202/363-8286, extension 203 or
hsturges at st-albans-parish.org for further information. (Sponsored by the
Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross).

ECF FELLOWSHIP PARTNERS PROGRAM CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
Apply now for the Episcopal Church Foundation's Fellowship Partners
Program. Deadline is March 15. The program awards both academic and
transformational ministry fellowships. Lay and clergy applications
welcome. Awards range from $3,000 to $15,000. Recipients will be
announced in May. Visit www.EpiscopalFoundation.org or call 800/697-2858
for further information.

LEARN ABOUT SAMARITAN MINISTRY'S NEXT STEP PROGRAM
How do homeless people and others make changes in their lives through
Samaritan Ministry's Next Step Program? Attend a Next Step Experience
from 1 to 2:15 p.m. Dec. 16 at 1345 U St., SE, Washington, D.C.,  20011
and find out. Contact Mary Belknap at 202-722-2280 ext. 327 or at
mbelknap at samaritanministry.org for further information/reservations.

DISCIPLES OF CHRIST IN COMMUNITY CLASS
A Disciples Of Christ In Community winter-spring class is set for
Tuesdays Jan.27 through April 28 and Saturday Feb. 7 at Washington
National Cathedral. DOCC is a Christian formation program for adults
that builds community while encouraging individual spiritual growth.
Each session consists of a presentation followed by small group
conversations. $100 fee includes course materials. Contact Linda Terrell
at lterrell at cathedral.org or 202/537-5240 for more information; register
at https://tickets.cathedral.org/public/

SAVE THE DATE 
The second annual Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington Mardi Gras
Celebration is set for 6:30 to 9 p.m. Feb. 6 at the NRECA Conference
Center, 4301 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, Va. For more information, contact
Mary Belknap, 202-722-2280 x 327 or mbelknap at samaritanministry.org

ANNUAL DIOCESAN CONVENTION SET FOR JAN. 30-31
* The 114th Diocesan Convention is set for Jan. 30- 31 at Washington
National Cathedral. Preacher at Friday night's Eucharist is the Rt. Rev.
Musonda Trevor Mwamba, Bishop of Botswana. Evangelist and author Brian
McLaren will give the keynote address.  
* Exhibit requests must be received no later than Dec. 17 and can be
made at  www.edow.org/convention "EDOW Convention Exhibit Space
Request." Please note: not all requests for exhibit space can be
accommodated. 
* Resolutions or canonical change requests must be signed by a member of
the convention and received no later than 5 p.m. Dec. 1. For assistance
and format, call Ann Talty at 202/537-6548 or visit
www.edow.org/convention  Submit resolutions to:  Secretary of the
Convention, Episcopal Church House, Mount St. Alban, Washington, D.C.,
20016.
  
MDG MINISTRIES IN THE DIOCESE  
The Millennium Development Goals Committee is compiling a storybook of
MDG ministries within the diocese. If your parish or organization has
one or more MDG ministries, please provide the following information:
Title of ministry; implementing parish or organization; name of MDG
contact, e-mail and phone; description of ministry and intended
beneficiaries; materials on the ministry; source of funding. Please
complete a separate list for each ministry.  Submit stories, comments
and queries to Janeschubert at aol.com  
  
CLERGY: APPLY NOW FOR THE SUMMER COLLEGIUM
Applications are still being accepted for the Summer Collegium, a Lilly
Endowment project in support of small congregations. Clergy and
spouses/partners from all Christian denominations will be invited to VTS
for "Body, Mind and Soul: Celebrating, Strengthening and Sustaining
Clergy Wholeness in Small Congregations" from June 24 to July 1.
Applications must be postmarked by Dec. 15. Visit
www.vts.edu/education/collegium or call Marilyn Johns at 703/461-1760. 
 
FALL 2008 SAFEGUARDING GOD'S CHILDREN TRAININGS
Trainings for Safeguarding God's Children (prevention of child abuse) is
required for all paid full-time staff and any volunteers who work with
children and youth, including Christian Education leaders and Sunday
School teachers. The next session is set for:
* Dec. 13 (9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.); St. Mary's, D.C. 
Registration is available at www.edow.org/prevention 
   
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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