[edow] Church House News

[Church House News]

FEBRUARY 12, 2009

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

EPISCOPAL RELIEF & DEVELOPMENT SUNDAY 
The Diocesan Convention has designated March 1, the first Sunday of Lent, as Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday. Congregations are encouraged to have a special offering to benefit the Millennium Development Goals Inspiration Fund, which implements programs to fight malaria and other preventable diseases in Africa and Asia and provides basic health care, health education and sanitation systems in Latin America and the Caribbean. Contact EDOW ERD coordinator Martha Jenkins (mjenkins108 at aol.com) who can assist with bulletin inserts and ideas about how to celebrate ERD Sunday.  

IMMIGRATION REFORM PRAYER VIGIL
A prayer vigil to call on the new administration and members of Congress to show moral courage on immigration reform is set for 7 p.m. Feb. 21 at St. Matthew's, Hyattsville. The vigil is being organized by the diocesan Latino Ministry, and other faith and community organizations will take part. The vigil is part of a nationwide movement, Prayer, Renewal and Action on Immigration, in more than 100 cities to highlight the growing work of faith communities to bring humanity and compassion into the public dialogue on immigration. Contact Simón Bautista at sbautista at edow.org or 202/537-6441 for information or if you wish to organize a vigil at your own church.

TRAINING FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE MINISTRY
The Interfaith Community Against Domestic Violence and Mt. Jezreel Baptist Church will offer Training for Domestic Violence Ministry, a two-session seminar, on Feb. 21 and 28 for those interested in starting a domestic violence ministry in their congregation. Both sessions will take place at Mt. Jezreel (Silver Spring) and aim to help participants broaden their knowledge of domestic violence and build a domestic abuse ministry. Cost is $30, lunch included. For more information or to register, visit www.mtjezreel.com or contact Maud Clarke at 301/681-0939 or maudeclarke at verizon.net.

INFORMATION AND RESOURCE FAIR FOR OLDER ADULTS
A free Information and Resource Fair for older adults and their families is set for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 28 at Friendship Terrace Retirement Community (4201 Butterworth Place, NW). Representatives will discuss geriatric care management, home care, retirement living, home maintenance and repair, money management, grocery delivery,  emergency response system, move management and transportation services, and ESM Cares will offer an educational presentation. The fair is sponsored by Episcopal Senior Ministries and its service programs. For more information, contact Mary Ann Buckley at 202/364-0020 or MBuckley at esm.org or visit www.ESM.org

SAMARITAN MINISTRY NEEDS MEAL PROGRAM VOLUNTEERS
Loaves and Fishes, Charlie's Place and Epiphany's Street Church offer meals to people in need. Samaritan Ministry recruits and trains meal program volunteers to get to know meal guests and help them connect with local resources and programs. Volunteers will be asked to commit to at least one visit per month at one of the above-mentioned locations. Training is set for 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 28 at St. Stephen and the Incarnation (1525 Newton Street NW). To register, contact Catherine Rodman at crodman at samaritanministry.org or 202/722-2280.  

OPEN HOUSE FOR PROSPECTIVE BOY CHORISTERS
St. Paul's, K Street will host an Open House for prospective boy choristers for its Choir of Men and Boys from 4:45 to 7:15 p.m. March 1. The choir sings Choral Evensong each Sunday evening from September to June, and offers its choristers a musical education similar to that which children receive as choristers of Westminster Abbey or St. Paul's Cathedral, London. For further information about the choir or to RSVP, contact Robert McCormick at 202/337-2020, ext. 14, or McCormick at stpauls-kst.com.  

CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH AT TRINITY, D.C.
"Unbought and Unbossed," a documentary film that tells the story of Shirley Chisholm, the first black woman to be elected to Congress and to run for president, will be shown at 10 a.m. Feb. 27 at Trinity, D.C. Light lunch and discussion will follow. Reservations appreciated. Contact Diane Robinson at DLR814 at aol.com.

SLAVERY, SEXUALITY AND THE FUTURE OF THE COMMUNION
Virginia Theological Seminary will host a free public lecture on Slavery, Sexuality and the Anglican Communion at 7 p.m. Feb. 26. Guest speaker Richard A. Burridge, dean of King's College London, will discuss the current debates within the Anglican Communion about sexuality, and will make the case that similar arguments took place in the debates about slavery in the 19th century and apartheid in the 20th century. For further information, contact Susan Shillinglaw at sshillinglaw at vts.edu

ATTENTION CLERGY: TRANSITION MINISTRY CONFERENCE 
The next Transition Ministry Conference is set for March 9-13 in Del Ray Beach, Fla. Clergy interested in being considered for openings in the 40 dioceses represented by TMC should contact Mary Sulerud, msulerud at edow.org , by March 4. Send your current resume via e-mail attachment and request a Personal Information Sheet to complete your packet of materials. The Deployment and Vocational Ministries office staff will be presenting congregations in the diocese that have openings and clergy seeking new calls.

LENTEN SILENT DAY OF PRAYER  
St Stephen and the Incarnation will offer a Lenten Silent Day of Prayer with the theme seeking renewal from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. March 7. Yoga sequences to song, meditation, and Taizé chant led by Carolyn Bluemle; Eucharist celebrated by the Rev. Frank Dunn, and vegetarian lunch catered by Chef Rachel Merga. No previous yoga experience necessary. $45 includes lunch. Scholarships available. Contact Carolyn Bluemle at carolyn at cmagicisafoot.com or 301/588-2925.  
  
LENTEN QUIET RETREAT AT GRACE, SILVER SPRING
Grace, Silver Spring will host a Lenten Season Quiet Retreat on Feb. 28, with guest speaker and retreat facilitator Mary Ann Ryan. Ryan has led retreats on spiritual discernment for Listening Hearts Ministries and her own parish, St. Columba's, and is active in the healing prayer and pastoral care ministries. There is no charge for this retreat. Bring your own brown bag lunch; light refreshments provided. Attire is casual, and there will be the opportunity to participate in a meditative walk. RSVP to Theresa Wheeler, Adult Christian Formation Coordinator, at 301/585-3515 or theresa at graceepiscopalchurch.org  

LATINO MINISTRY CELEBRATION -  SAVE THE DATE
The annual Latino Ministry Celebration is set for 6 p.m. Oct. 3 at Washington National Cathedral. Bishop Chane will preside at the Eucharist. Bishop Julio Cesar Holguín, bishop of the Episcopal Church in the Dominican Republic, will be the preacher. A fiesta and dinner will follow. More details to come. For more information, contact the Rev. Simón Bautista, diocesan Latino Missioner, at  202/537-6441 or sbautista at edow.org
 
SENIORCISE FOR ADULTS
The Senior Ministry at Trinity, D.C., invites you to join the "Seniorcise for Adults" class from 9 to 9:45 a.m. on Friday mornings. Patricia Smith is a certified fitness instructor, teaches at several recreation and senior centers and can tailor the exercise routine to individual needs. Classes are $5 per session; walk-ins are welcome. Bring a small bottle of water. Contact Diane Robinson at DLR814 at aol.com. 

SAFEGUARDING GOD'S CHILDREN TRAININGS
New dates and locations for the Safeguarding God's Children training will be available soon at www.edow.org/prevention

SEWANEE CHURCH MUSIC CONFERENCE
The 59th annual Sewanee Church Music Conference is set for July 13-19 at The University of the South and the DuBose Conference Center. The conference will include instruction on psalm singing, hymn playing, anthem accompaniment, liturgical planning as well as reading sessions and presentation of materials useful to parish musicians. Two full-tuition scholarships are available for first-time attendees. Application deadline is May 1. For further information, visit SewaneeConf.com or contact Janet Perkins, registrar, at janet at wingnwing.com

PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS
Please keep the following clergy and members of the diocese in your prayers this week:
*  Edward Brightman - personal health
*  George Timberlake - wife's health (Patricia)
*  Olivia HIlton - personal health
*  Sarah Duggin - personal health
*  John Ball - health of his granddaughter (Alana)
*  Frank M Spindler - at the time of his death (Feb. 4). Burial Office and Requiem Mass at 1:15 p.m. Feb. 14 at Ascension & St Agnes

>>> REMINDERS

NAIM ATEEK TO PREACH AT ST. MARK'S, CAPITOL HILL
The Rev. Naim Ateek, an Anglican priest who founded the Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center in Jerusalem, will be the guest preacher on Feb. 22 at St. Mark's, Capitol Hill. Ateek will give a sermon seminar at 10 a.m. and will preach at the 11:15 a.m. service. St. Mark's is located at 118 3rd Street, SE.

ISSUES OF AGING FORUMS AT ST. JOHN'S, LAFAYETTE SQUARE
Issues of Aging Forums are set for Feb. 8 and Feb. 15 at the St. John's, Lafayette Square Parish House. Mary Ann Buckley and Annie Shaw of Episcopal Senior Ministries will speak. For further information, contact Kaye Edwards Davis at 202/347-8766.

FAT TUESDAY CELEBRATION AT EPIPHANY, D.C.
Epiphany, D.C., will celebrate Fat Tuesday from 6 p.m. Feb. 24 with the live music of Mike Flaherty's Dixieland Direct Band, jambalaya, King Cake, a cash bar and a parade out on G Street. Adults, $15 and children under 12, $5. RSVP to 202/347-2635 or buy tickets at www.epiphanydc.org 

SAVE THE DATE - EDOW STEWARDSHIP CONFERENCE
The Diocese of Washington will hold a Stewardship Conference from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 9 at Washington National Cathedral. Session information and speakers will be announced soon; registration will open in March.  

BENEDICTINE RETREAT
A Benedictine retreat is set for March 26-29 at The Roslyn Center in Richmond, Va. All are all welcome. The presenter will be Br. Bede Thomas Mudge, Prior of Holy Cross Monastry in West Park, NY. For registration, fees and lodging information, contact saintbenedict at prospect-tech.com or 202/363-8061 or visit www.benedictfriend.org.

STRATEGIC VISIONS FOR EPISCOPAL SCHOOLS CONFERENCE	
The Mid-Atlantic Episcopal Schools Association will hold a two-part conference, "Strategic Visions for Episcopal Schools" Feb. 19-20 at the Virginia Theological Seminary. Contact maesaschools at comcast.net or 301/762-5103 for further information.

HUNGER FUND'S LENTEN PROGRAM 
The diocesan Hunger Fund has put 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. For more information, contact Lee Mericle at lmericle at acm.org.

ALZHEIMER'S SUPPORT GROUP
A support group for those caring with someone with Alzheimer's Disease led by ESM Cares' director of operations, Mary Ann Buckley, meets from 6 to 7 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month at Arden Courts in Potomac. Call 301/983-3620 or e-mail Potomac at arden-courts.com for more information or to register.

ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION MONTHLY SUPPORT GROUP
The Alzheimer's Association sponsors a monthly support group at St. James', Potomac for those caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia. Meetings take place from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall on the third Thursday of each month. Contact John Miers at 301/656-3359 or Johngmiers at comcast.net

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

EPISCOPAL DIVINITY SCHOOL VISITOR'S DAY                        
Prospective students are invited to a Visiting Day at Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Mass., on March 5. 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. 

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 to lay and clergy. Awards range from $3,000 to $15,000. Recipients will be announced in May. Visit www.EpiscopalFoundation.org or call 800/697-2858.

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