Bishop's Blog: God's Work Among You

I am confident in this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. 
-Philippians 1:6

 

As I prepare my address to Diocesan Convention on January 31, I ask for your help.  

 

Would you please tell me how you feel God has been at work among you in your congregation, school, or place of ministry in the past year and then think of one word to describe how you feel going into 2015? Read more...

Succumbing to the Darkness

I want to talk about darkness.

 

I have been working my way through Barbara Brown Taylor's Learning to Walk in the Dark, where she argues that we have (to our detriment) privileged light over darkness in the Christian tradition. Whether we are reading the story of Nicodemus who is blind to but comes to see the way of Jesus, lighting the candles in our Advent wreaths to remind us of Christ's light coming into the dark world, or confessing our persistent dark thoughts before God, we seek to escape darkness more than probe our way through it, to usher in blinding light rather than allow the dark's mystery to wash over us. We are not so different from four-year-olds who want nightlights as they drift off to sleep: we are afraid of the dark. Read more...
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Ministry in Focus: Congregational Vitality

God loves a lullaby
In a mother's tears in the dead of night
Better than a Hallelujah sometimes.
God loves the drunkard's cry
The soldier's plea not to let him die
Better than a Hallelujah sometimes.
- Amy Grant

Amy Grant is not a staple in the Episcopal Church. She's not in the Hymnal - didn't even make it into LEVAS - but I often sing with her on my commute because I appreciate her down-to-earth spirituality. Her lyrics tell tales of the universal human experience, lit through the glow of Christianity. They are down-to-earth and back-to-basics. And lately, that's my motto for the Office of Congregational Vitality: down-to-earth and back-to-basics. Read more...
In the Diocese

Letter from Bishop Mariann in Response to the Maryland Tragedy

I write today in light of the announcement that the Rt. Rev. Heather Cook of the Diocese of Maryland has been charged with manslaughter, leaving the scene of the accident, driving under the influence of alcohol, and texting while driving in the death of Thomas Palermo.


 Everything about this story is tragic beyond words: A loving husband and father of two is dead due to the actions of a leader in our church. Read more...

 

Clergy, watch for an email from Bishop Mariann about an upcoming day for reflection, prayer, and conversation about issues related to this tragedy.


Camp EDOW Staff Positions
We are now accepting applications for the 2015 summer staff. If you know a mature, responsible, team player who loves God and kids please send them our way. For a summer of service, adventure, growth, and Christian community join this team! Thanks for sharing this post with others! If you have any questions please drop us an email. Apply today!
Upcoming Diocesan Events

January 17-25
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

The theme for the week of prayer in 2015 comes from the gospel of John 4:7 when, "Jesus said to her: 'Give me to drink.'" It was proposed by a group of Brazilian Christians called together by the National Council of Christian Churches of Brazil (CONIC). The biblical gesture of offering water to whomever arrives, as a way of welcoming and sharing, is something that is repeated in all regions of Brazil. The proposed study and meditation on the story of Jesus meeting a Samaritan woman at the well is to help people and communities to realize the dialogical dimension of the project of Jesus, which we call the Kingdom of God.


 Annual brochure jointly prepared and published by the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity and the Commission on Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches is available online.


Window Thumb January 30-31
2015 Diocesan Convention

VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers are definitely needed, particularly on Friday of Convention. Go on the Convention website and read about the Convention, then look for the volunteer sign-up. It is a great way to get to know people and learn more about the Diocese.

 

CONVENTION MATERIALS

There is a lot to read before you get to the Convention. Everything you will be voting on is posted on the Convention website, and will be included in your registration booklet.  We do not recommend waiting until you get there to read all of it.

 
Parish Events

January 16
The Cathedral removes thousands of chairs to open its full interior for Seeing Deeper, a week of special programming exploring creative expression, expansiveness, and insight. Tai Chi, concerts, sacred drumming and more.

7pm: Join St. Mark's, Capitol Hill for a potluck 20s-30s mixer/speed dating event. Feel free to just mingle or take part in structured speed dating.

January 18
7:30pm: Join Washington National Cathedral for a community sing-along at of Vivaldi's Gloria, RV 589.
Prayer List
We ask your prayers of condolence for:
Paul Abernathy at the death of his mother (Clara) on 1/13

We ask your prayers of healing for:
Joseph Lund 
Debbie Kirk 
Noreen Seiler-Dubay's husband (Charlie)
Sally Slater
Joan Beilstein's nephew (Brian)
Fr. Richard C. Martin
Robert Tomlinson
Lane Davenport 

We ask your prayers of comfort for:
Connie Reinhardt's father (Jim)
Lane Davenport's father (Charles)

Also please note a local Memorial Service for The Rev. Jonathan Currier:
Saturday, January 24th at 11 am at St. Christopher's Church, New Carrollton. Clergy are invited to process.
Video

Being Church : Creating Us
Being Church: Creating Us