[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 ***

VOCATIONAL MINISTRY RETREAT
The Commission on Ministry is sponsoring a Vocational Ministry Retreat, "What's my life's work?" June 27-28 at St. Mary's Seminary & University Center for Continuing Formation: http://www.stmarys.edu/center/cntr_tour.htm The retreat is designed to help participants begin to discern where and to what God is calling them at this time, and to guide them in getting support from their immediate faith community as they continue to clarify their life's work. The fee for the retreat is $120. Financial assistance is available and space is limited to 20 people. Register at http://www.edow.org/events

SERVICE OF AFFIRMATION
A Service for the Affirmation of Couples in Committed Relationships is set for 6:30 p.m. June 8 in the park at St. Thomas', Dupont Circle (1772 Church Street, NW; corner of 18th and Church Streets). In celebration of Capital Pride week, the parish will host the service, its second, to recognize couples living in committed and loving relationships, gay and straight. All couples are invited to participate. Those interested in participating should contact St. Thomas' at 202/332-0607, or pride at stthomasdc.org. More information can be found at www.stthomasdc.org/pride

VESTRY ELECTIONS AND DELEGATE CERTIFICATION
If your parish has held elections in the last few months and has not yet sent in paperwork to the diocese, please do so by the first week in June for inclusion in this year's Diocesan Journal. Forms can be found at:  http://www.edow.org/diocese/clergy/transition/vestryanddelegateinfo.html 
or contact Kim Adams at kadams at edow.org or 202/537-6526.

30-20-10 CELEBRATION OF MINISTRY
The Rev. Paul Abernathy will be celebrating 30 years as an Episcopal priest, 20 years as a priest in the Diocese of Washington and 10 years as rector of St. Mark's, Capitol Hill with two special events on June 20 and 22. At 7 p.m. June 20, there will be a concert and conversation with folk artist Susan Werner: "The Gospel Truth: A Collection of Songs for the Spiritually Ambivalent." The conversation will be framed by Werner's year-long exploration of her own religious skepticism and what's behind the religious fervor of millions of Americans across denominational lines, and Abernathy's post sabbatical vision of "Engagement with the Other, Conversation not Conversion." At 10 a.m. June 22, a Festival Eucharist at St. Mark's will feature special music by Robert Mack and the Chancel and Children's Choirs. A pub lunch will follow the service. Suggested donation for the June 20 concert is $25; RSVP to ponthy at verizon.net St. Mark's is located at the corner of 3rd and A Streets, SE Washington, D.C., 20003. 

CELEBRATION OF NEW MINISTRY
Your prayers and presence are asked for the Celebration of a New Ministry at St. John's, Georgetown at 10 a.m. June 8. Bishop John Bryson Chane will institute and induct the Rev. Albert F. Scariato as the 27th rector of St. John's (3240 O Street, NW). A reception follows. Clergy: red stoles.

FAIR LINENS FOR CUBA
Episcopal churches in Cuba need help obtaining altar cloths, chalices, purificators and other fair linens. Does your parish have any extra to spare? A group from St. Alban's is traveling to Cuba in late June and would love to carry your parish's good wishes and donations. Please contact Barbara Manard at 301/801-9866 or BManard at earthlink.net

ALPHA COURSE AT ASCENSION AND ST. AGNES
Ascension & St. Agnes is offering an Alpha Course on Wednesdays from June 4 to July 30. The group meets in the parish house (1219 Massachusetts Ave. NW) from 7 to 9 p.m. Alpha is an engaging and low-key short course on Christianity, an ideal way to introduce family, friends or colleagues to the basics of Christian faith or for longtime churchgoers to take a fresh look at their faith and deepen their relationship with God. Contact Daniel Handel (danielhandel at gmail.com) or parish administrator Michael Vreeland (202/347-8161) to register.
 
2008 GRAMMY SALUTE TO GOSPEL MUSIC
At 7:30 p.m. June 18, the Recording Academy of Arts and Sciences will present the 2008 GRAMMY Salute to Gospel Music honoring Edwin & Walter Hawkins, Sandi Patty and The Winans. This year's tribute performers include Maurette Brown Clark, Patti LaBelle, Kim Burrell, Richard Smallwood, Natalie Grant, Rance Allen and Avalon; plus surprise honoree performances. The event will be hosted by Recording Academy Chairman Jimmy Jam and President/CEO Neil Portnow. Seats are $25 and $50 and can be purchased at 310/314-8281 or at: ticketing at grammy.com. (Director and assistant director of the Voices of Praise Choir of St. George's, D.C. - James McKinney and William E. Smith - serve as vice president and board member of the D.C. Chapter of the Grammys).

> JOBS:

RECEPTIONIST-SECRETARY (P/T)
St. Paul's - Rock Creek Parish and Rock Creek Cemetery - is looking for a part-time receptionist-secretary with basic computer knowledge. The hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday to Friday. Interested applicants should contact William Halsey at 202/726-2080 ext. 13 or 202/481-3678.

OFFICE ASSISTANT - EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN, CHURCH HOUSE (P/T)
ECW-EDOW seeks an office assistant (8 hours/week) to handle incoming mail and calls, several mass mailings, board meeting records, project files and bank deposits. Hourly pay at diocesan rate for administrative assistance. Must be proficient with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel spreadsheets and scanning. Must be willing to learn how to handle database, if not already proficient. To start as soon as possible. Send resume to Sarah S. Shapley, President, ECW-EDOW at SSShap at rcn.com

DATABASE BUILD - ONE-TIME JOB - EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN
ECW-EDOW needs database expert to create a database that covers donors, participants, activity and mailing lists. Terms negotiable. Database must be user-friendly to be operated by non-experts. To be done early summer. Send resume to Sarah S. Shapley, President, ECW-EDOW at SSShap at rcn.com.

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 personal health (Susan) 
* Catherine Powell - personal health 
* John Harmon - mother-in-law's personal 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    
* Martha Wallace - personal health 
* Anne Gilson - personal health  
* Martha Bonwitt - husband's health (Bill) 

>>> REMINDERS:

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 

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 
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. Contact Mozart Bernard, committee chair, at mbernard at walkerllp.com or call 202/363-9300 with any questions. 

DAY-RETREAT SPACE
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

CLERGY CRAFT GROUP - FIRST MEETING
First meeting will be 3-5 p.m. June 12, 3-5 pm in the Club Room at Park Potomac Place Condominiums, 12500 Park Potomac Place, Potomac, MD 20854. 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, at ccinterfaith at yahoo.com.
 
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. For more information or to register, call 301/428-9348, or go to www.dayspringretreat.org  
  
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.
 
CLERGY PLEASE NOTE: CONFIRMATION SERVICE 
The next confirmation service is set for 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. 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.

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.
     
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 sallybcraig 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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