[edow] Church House News

[Church House News]

DECEMBER 19, 2008

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

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.

BISHOP WALKER SCHOOL BALL AND BENEFIT
Join the Friends of the Bishop Walker School in celebrating Barack
Obama's inauguration at the "T-shirt and Tails Ball" on Jan. 17 at the
Darlington House. Proceeds will benefit the Bishop Walker School.
Details and tickets available at www.bishopwalkerschool.org

CAN YOU TAKE THE NEXT STEP?
A volunteer and Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington donor has
announced that he will match an end-of-year gift of $2,000 or more from
another donor with a $2,000 gift of his own. Here's a chance to double
the impact of a contribution to Samaritan Ministry. If you can respond,
please contact development director Diane Aten as soon as possible at
daten at samaritanministry.org or at 202/722-2280, ext. 304.  

DEATH PENALTY FORUM
Ascension, Silver Spring (633 Sligo Avenue) will host Amnesty
International for a public forum on the Death Penalty in Maryland at
7:30 p.m. Jan. 15. Parking is available in the circle in front of the
church, on side streets, and in the school parking lot behind the church
on Silver Spring Avenue. Light refreshments will be served. For more
information, contact Chris Llewellyn at 301/585-7321 or
Llewellyn414 at starpower.net.

THE JONES FAMILY AND FRIENDS BENEFIT CONCERT 
The critically acclaimed folk ensemble The Jones Family will make its
first concert appearance in four years at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 10 in the
parish hall of St. Andrew's, College Park. Proceeds will benefit Help by
Phone of Prince George's County, which provides food and other
assistance to needy families and individuals. Also appearing will be
folksinger Bob Clayton, blues musician Garret Fitzgerald and Aistra, a
new band headed by Jones Family daughter Chenoa Clark. The concert is
sponsored by the Commission for Jubilee Ministry of St. Andrew's.
Admission: $12 for adults; $10 students and seniors. Refreshments
available for purchase. St. Andrew's is located at 4512 College Ave.

INAUGURATION OFFER 
St. Andrew's, Arlington (4000 Lorcom Lane) has a vacant rectory it is
willing to offer a visiting clergy member and family or youth group
needing a place to stay for the presidential inauguration. The group or
family would need to bring air mattresses and sleeping bags. The house
has four bedrooms and three baths and is on a bus line. Contact senior
warden Priscilla Carey at carey4041 at verizon.net for details.

MLK & OUR CENTURY: A MULTIFACETED TRIBUTE
MLK & Our Century, set for 3 to 5 p.m. Jan. 24 at St. Augustine's, D.C.,
is a tribute to the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., featuring
actor-filmmaker Michael Mack (of "Star Trek: The Next Generation,") and
a diverse panel of well-known artists, activists, politicians and
educators. The event, presented in two acts, will begin with "The Drum
Major," a 20-minute live documentary starring Mack as "The Voice of Dr.
King," about the last year of the Civil Rights leader's life. A panel
discussion of current events with the wisdom of Dr. King fresh in mind
will follow a brief intermission. The tribute will be videotaped and
made available to the general public, with a portion of the proceeds
going to St. Augustine's, D.C. The event is free, but donations will be
accepted.

LENTEN SILENT RETREAT
The Diocesan Retreat Committee will hold its 2009 Lenten Silent Retreat
at the Bon Secours Spiritual Center (www.bonsecours.org/BSSC) in
Marriottsville on March 6- 8.  The theme will be "The Generosity of
God," based on the Gospel of St. Luke. The director of the retreat will
be the Rev. Canon Ralph Godsall, a retired Anglican priest with an
extensive ministry as a preacher, retreat conductor and spiritual
director. Cost is $195; scholarships available. To reserve a space,
applications and a deposit of $100 must be received by Jan. 30. Visit
www.edow.org/retreat for information and application instructions, or
contact Joan Shelton at 202/232-1667 or joanshelton at verizon.net.

ORGANIST AND CHOIR DIRECTOR
St. John's, Olney is in search of an organist and choir director to
begin March 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 ccolef at stjohnsolney.org.

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

PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS
Please keep the following clergy and members of the diocese in your
prayers this week:
* Chuck and Jessie Daugherty - condolences at the time of their son's
death (Michael)
* Charles Hoffacker - wife's health (Cindy Guthrie)
* Elizabeth Carl - mother 's health (Margaret)
* Sarah Duggin - personal health
* Travers Koerner - personal health 
* Claudia Tielking - thanksgiving for successful completion of son's
(Josh) cancer treatments
 
>>> REMINDERS:

LESSONS AND CAROLS AT ST. THOMAS', CROOM
A service of Lessons and Carols is set for 4 p.m. Dec. 21 at St.
Thomas', Croom. A reception in Willes Church House will follow the
service. Donations to the Community Support Systems food bank of either
non-perishable foodstuffs or check will be accepted. All are welcome.

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.

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.

CROSSING THE THRESHOLD
"Crossing the Threshold: A Contemplative New Year Retreat," is set for
Dec. 30 through Jan. 1 at the cathedral College. Guided reflections
about the passing year and time to reflect on the future. $350. For
information and registration, visit www.nationalcathedral.org

THERE'S STILL TIME TO VISIT OUR ADVENT CALENDAR!
The diocese's online Advent Calendar, edow.org/advent, this year offers
windows to a meditation, the daily office and a videotaped interview
with one of the many young people who have benefited from the Bokamoso
Youth Program of Winterveld, South Africa. To learn more about Bokamoso,
visit bokamosoyouth.org

HUNGER FUND'S LENTEN PROGRAM 
The diocesan Hunger Fund is putting together a Lenten study package of
readings and reflections for each Sunday in Lent, as well as Palm
Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter. Materials will be
available at the 2009 Diocesan Convention on Jan. 30-31. For more
information, contact Lee Mericle at lmericle at acm.org.

EPISCOPAL DIVINITY SCHOOL VISITOR'S DAY                        
Prospective students are invited to a Visiting Day at Episcopal Divinity
School in Cambridge, Mass., on March 5. Explore the curriculum, meet the
faculty, and experience the daily life and worship within the EDS
Community. The informational day includes a campus tour, presentations
by faculty and students, Eucharist, and the opportunity to observe a
class. Admissions interviews can also be scheduled during the visit.
Contact admissions at eds.edu or 617/682-1507, or go to www.eds.edu and
click on Admissions. One night of accommodation is offered to
prospective students, based on availability. 

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. No charge. Call 202/333-6677.

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.

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.
$100 fee includes materials. Contact Linda Terrell at
lterrell at cathedral.org or 202/537-5240 for more information; register at
https://tickets.cathedral.org/public/

MARDI GRAS CELEBRATION: 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.  
  
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  

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