The Role of Parenthood in
Stories of the Christ Child

The weeks spanning most of December and a significant portion of January contribute in important ways to our understanding of Christ. First, we observe Advent, where we ponder the coming of Christ. Then, we celebrate Christmas or the actual birth of Jesus. Finally, we move to the Epiphany, which highlights humanity's recognition of Jesus as the Christ. Naturally, many of the biblical stories that guide our thinking during these weeks recount actions that took place around the time of Jesus' birth. While our primary focus should be on Jesus' birth and its implications for us individually and for mankind generally, it is also useful to examine what these stories have to tell us about parenthood. By extension, the birth of a child means that parents have also been made. Read more...

Bishop's Blog: The Power of Words

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

We at Church House have loved receiving your collective response to last week's request for stories, photos, and words to describe God at work among you and how you feel as 2015 begins (and no, it's not too late to send yours in to photos@edow.org). In fact, we are in awe of what is God is doing and your faithfulness in response. Read more...
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Ministry in Focus:
Sustainable & Responsible Investing

I love it (sometimes) when we argue in church. Not because I'm a conflict maven--because I'm not. But I deeply cherish the way that our community values the discipline of intentionally and patiently listening to views with which we may disagree, respecting individuals who embrace those views and seeking both the guidance of the Holy Spirit and paths toward consensus.

 

The issue of whether to more extensively embrace principles of Sustainable and Responsible Investment (SRI) is a great example of where the stakes are high, views may be polarized, passions tend to run hot-and where I believe we're called to exercise our muscles of careful, respectful, and creative discernment in community. Read more...


 
In the Diocese

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.


January 30-31
2015 Diocesan Convention

REGISTRATION

Convention pre-registration is closed, and we do have some room for walk-ins. Information can be found on the Convention website. 
Parish Events

January 24
7pm: St. Paul's, Piney hosts a silent auction including a wine and cheese reception and several antiques. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door.

January 31
9am: Building a Possible Future: Hope and Resilience in the Face of Climate Change offers an opportunity to help us touch the sources of our personal resilience, our ability to act in the face of uncertainty, and will include mindfulness meditation, prayer, and ceremonies and practices to evoke our deep, heartfelt love of life and our planet home. The one day event will be held at St. Mark's Episcopal Church.
Prayer List

We ask your prayers of condolence for:
Jeff MacKnight on the death of his mother (Barbara) on January 18
Enid LaGesse on the death of her aunt (Virginia) on January 20
Paul Abernathy on the death of his mother (Clara) on January 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)
Photo



"We at Church House have loved receiving your collective response to last week's request for stories, photos, and words to describe God at work among you and how you feel as 2015 begins...The words (illustrated above) are yours (their size representative of how many of you used them). "