The people of the Diocese extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the students shot at the University of Maryland this week. We also hold in prayer and give thanks for the ministries of the Rev. Otis Gaddis, chaplain at the University of Maryland, the Rev. Carol Jablonski and congregation of St. Andrew's, College Park.

"An understanding of salvation that takes the Bible seriously will be both personal and political...Most of us as we grew up acquired a Pharaoh within who holds us in bondage, tells us to work harder, and gives us meager rations.... Salvation is liberation from the Pharaoh within as well as from the Pharaoh without."  -Marcus Borg, Speaking Christian

Walking into the Cathedral to attend the noon Ash Wednesday service, Joey Rick asked me if on such days I missed being a parish priest. Yes, I said, not realizing how much until she asked. Lent has always been for me a community experience as well as a personal one, and while I am deeply touched each week by the warmth of welcome in your congregations, I miss the depth of relationships you are privileged to share. Read more...

Ashes-to-go

In honor of Ash Wednesday, parishes took ashes to more than 18 locations throughout the diocese for Ashes-to-go. They gathered at Metro stations, street corners, train stations, and city centers to offer ashes to passers by who wanted to be marked with the sign of the cross and join in prayer. Bishop Mariann joined St. Paul's, K Street to offer ashes at the Foggy Bottom Metro station during the morning rush hour. See photos and reactions to yesterday's Ashes-to-go...

People of the Way Lenten Book Study with 

NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENGAGEMENT

Gratitude and good wishes to everyone studying Marcus Borg's "Speaking Christian" this Lent. If you haven't yet planned your exploration, suggestions for structuring a study group and for personal reflection are available on the EDOW website. And this season we're offering two NEW OPPORTUNITIES for engagement: 1.) We'd love study groups to post some of their reflections on the People of the Way Facebook page. Please let us know what you're thinking and talking about so we can create a Diocesan conversation. 2.) Bishop Mariann would love some lay members of the Diocesan community to reflect on our Christian vocabulary. If you'd like a short reflection on one of Borg's words to be posted on the EDOW site, please contact Rachel Tjornehoj. We would love contributing "authors" for each of the words or ideas!

Children to Children During Lent 

The Southern Africa Partnership Committee invites you, your children, and your parish's children to help feed the spirits of the children in Richmond, South Africa. Your gifts of $5, $10, $15, $20, or $25 will help children in another part of the world learn and grow through music, dance, and media. More information about the South African children and the "Let's Feed Their Spirits" appeal can be found here 

On behalf of the Diocesan Council and Mission Team at Church House, I thank all who participated in the workshops, plenary sessions, community sing and worship of Diocesan Convention. Thanks as well for your good feedback to us in the Convention evaluations. At our day-long retreat in late February, we will reflect on what we learned from you and begin planning the year ahead, keeping the theme of Equipping the Saints before us.  We welcome your thoughts and suggestions. Feel free to contact me at mebudde@edow.org. 

Vivamos la Biblia

Well attended by over 70 participants, the Vivamos la Biblia ("Living the Bible") workshop was held last Saturday at St. Matthew's, Hyattsville. The workshop was designed especially for Sunday school teachers and people generally interested in learning to teach Bible stories in a fun way. Read more and see photos from last week's workshop...

Upcoming Diocesan Events

Bishop's Conversations with Gun Owners

Thursday, February 21, 7:00pm; St. Paul's, Rock Creek (Great Hall)

Sunday, March 24, 2:00pm; Christ Church, La Plata

The purpose of these conversations is to allow Bishop Mariann to hear from gun owners and discuss their concerns as the public debate on ways to reduce gun violence continues. Please RVSP to the Bishop's office if you would like to attend one of these conversations.

Looking Ahead to Holy Week

The Episcopal Dioceses of Washington and Connecticut will hold a public Stations of the Cross service on the Washington Mall on Monday, March 25th beginning at 10:30 am. We'll meet at Lafayette Park and make our way to the Capitol, praying with our voices and our feet, for an end to the epidemic of gun violence. At the Capitol we will meet with elected officials to ask for specific legislative action to reduce gun violence. All are welcome to participate.

After the Stations of the Cross liturgy, there will be a brief Renewal of Ordinations Vows liturgy at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Capitol Hill, beginning at approximately 2:30 p.m.  

Episcopalians Against Gun Violence now have a Facebook page. Be sure to "Like" the page to be connected with efforts throughout the country to end gun violence.

Renewal of Ordination Vows Services

Bishop Mariann will offer Renewal of Ordination Vows Services on:

Tuesday, March 26, 11 am at Christ Church, La Plata, lunch to follow

Thursday, March 28, 11 am at St. Luke's, Bethesda, lunch to follow 

Parochial Reports

Parish Events

Step Into Spring Gala

Join Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington for their annual Spring Gala to celebrate the Next Step Program and honor the life and ministry of the beloved Bishop Jane Holmes Dixon. The Rev. Ann Gillespie, ministry companion to Bishop Dixon, will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Ms. Diane Rehm, close friend and host of The Diane Rehm Show, will present the Lifetime of Compassion award to her husband, Mr. David Dixon.

 

Saturday, March 9, 2013, 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. 

St. Patrick's Episcopal Church (4700 Whitehaven Parkway Northwest)  

 

Please visit samaritanministry.org/gala to purchase tickets, view auction items and find information about directions and parking. 

 

Mark Center Lutheran Episcopal Eucharist

Do you work in the Mark Center in Alexandria? A group of Lutheran and Episcopal folks want to begin a Wednesday Noon time Eucharist in the Mark Center which is part of the Pentagon. This effort is under the direction of Bishop Jay Magness, Assistant to the Episcopal Presiding Bishop for Federal Ministries. We need to add your name to the list of those interested to get his going. Please contact Rev. Jo Belser at Resurrection Episcopal Church, Alexandria by email (assistant@welcometoresurrection.org)  or 703-244-2566. 

 

February 17

9 and 11:15am: Celebration of George Washington's 

birthday, Christ Church, Alexandria

 

February 20

7pm: Start of a 5-week course: Responding to Climate Change where 

we Live and Work, Washington National Cathedral 

For a complete list of events, visit the diocesan calendar

February 17 - The First Sunday in Lent

Cycle of Prayer: Seabury Resources for Aging, Friendship Terrace, Seabury Christian Communities Group Homes, Collington Episcopal Life Care Community, All Seniors and their Ministries in the Church