Bishop's Blog: What Drives You?

Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased." And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness.

Jesus was a driven man. The same Spirit that blessed Jesus as he rose from the water of baptism immediately drove him to the edge of all that he knew, to be tested.

Most dictionaries define the verb "to drive" as "to guide, control or direct." Thus, when considering the driving force in your life or mine, it would be whatever it is that is guiding, controlling, and directing us in this moment. It takes courage to ask what that driving force might be. Read more...

As Lent Begins

Like many of you, I awoke today to a beautiful snowy morning. Growing up in southern Virginia, snow days were relatively rare. Because I hadn't grown up with them, I found snow days to be exotic and eagerly anticipated! I may even have been known to wear my pajamas inside out as a thirty-something professional. I would do just about anything if it guaranteed a free "this won't count as vacation" day off.

Then when it was time for my pre-ordination retreat, I headed up to Boston to attend a silent retreat at the then snow-covered Society of Saint John the Evangelist. Snow was everywhere and that corner of the universe offered the silence and stillness I was seeking. Read more...

In the Diocese

Ashes to Go 2015

Congregations throughout the diocese participated in Ashes to Go yesterday, offering prayers and ashes at Metro stations, bus stops, coffee shops, street corners, and other public places. Participants share their photos and experiences on our website.

Did you participate in Ashes to Go? Send your stories and photos to Rachel Tjornehoj.

Upcoming Diocesan Events

February 28

Upcoming Ordinations

Grace Church, Silver Spring

You're invited to the ordinations of Nathan Beall and Gayle Fisher-Stewart as deacons and the reception of Jose Francisco Valle as priest. Clergy planning to process should wear red stoles and RSVP to Cheryl Wilburn.

March 8

Guest Preacher: Father Michael Lapsley

St. Stephen and the Incarnation

Father Michael Lapsley, an Anglican priest and former South African anti-apartheid activist, will preach at the 10:30 am service. Father Lapsley is the author of Redeeming the Past: My Journey from Freedom Fighter to Healer. This event is hosted by the Southern Africa Partnership Committee.

April 10-12

Silent Spring Retreat

Bon Secours Retreat and Conference Center, Marriottsville, MD

This year's retreat will focus on the theme "Beauty in a Troubled Word: Reclaim the Sacred and Holy in God's Creation." The retreat leader is The Rev. Dr. Joan E. Beilstein, Rector of Church of the Ascension, Sligo. Registration deadline is March 12, 2015. The fee is $325; Scholarships are available. More information...

April 17-18

Live Now Serve Now: Youth and Family Service Day

National Cathedral grounds

Youth and Families are invited to join together from across churches and regions and learn why service and outreach are important parts of a Christian life. Attendees will also participate in a hands-on service project. We will camp-out, worship and service in and around the National Cathedral grounds. Find out more and register now.

Parish Events

Ebola Relief Effort

The Sierra Leone Episcopal/Anglican Community Ministry is collecting food items, toiletries, and other essentials through February 28 to support ebola relief efforts in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Items can be dropped off at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Aspen Hill. A list of suggested items is available on the website.

February 20

4pm: Fish fry at Trinity, Upper Marlboro

February 22

10am: The Rev. Reginald Green, former "Freedom Rider", Baptist preacher, historian and educator, will speak at St. Mary's, Foggy Bottom

February 24

7:15pm: St. Monica and St. James' hosts Visualizing the Passion of Christ as interpreted by visual artists, a lecture from Professor Ian Boxall, Catholic University of America

February 25

6:30pm: Lenten Eucharist at St. Luke's, DC

7pm: St. Columba's hosts The Story That Gives Us Meaning: Cosmos or Christ? a distinguished speaker series with lectures by Dr. Ilia Delio, OSF, Professor of Theology at Georgetown University

7:30pm: Stile Antico, one of Britain's pre-eminent early music vocal ensembles, will perform at Ascension and Saint Agnes

February 26

6:30pm: Transfiguration's first Lenten dinner will feature the play "The Hero of Everything," performed by InterAct Story Theatre

7pm: Good Shepherd invites you to a special Lenten series focused on the Holy Land. The first discussion includes Tom Johnson, Chair of the Jerusalem Companion Diocese Committee, and Peter Hawley, a member of the Mid-East Working Group at St. Mark's Capitol Hill.

Prayer List

We ask your prayers of healing for:

Joseph Lund

Debbie Kirk

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)

Video

Ashes to Go 2015