Bishop's Blog: A Gathering of Leaders

For as in one body, we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. 
-Romans 12:4-5

On a snowy Saturday in February, the three leadership bodies of the Diocese met to discern a common course of ministry in 2015. This was the first time in years that leaders from the Diocesan Council, Standing Committee, and Commission on Ministry  met together, a practice that we will continue going forward. 

 

We began with a guided, prayerful conversation on the nature of spiritual leadership, ably led by Dr. Kathleen Staudt. I then asked those gathered to consider the authority entrusted to them by our church. They are the ones, alongside the bishop, who determine ministry and leadership priorities for the diocese. Read more...

 

An Altar in Del Ray

"What may I get you?" asked the server. What I really wanted was a miracle. I wanted my friend, who sat across from me, to be cured. I would settle for less. I would settle for her not dying on schedule, that she could be around longer than the six months expected. But that's not expected. As her oncologist put it, she has a "bad cancer in prime real estate."

Last Friday at Cheesetique in Del Ray, we broke bread and drank sparkling water. Actually what was broken was a gooey grilled cheese or as the menu calls it, the "Grown-Up Grilled Cheese." Over a long lunch, we talked about silly things and things that matter like living and dying. Read more...
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In the Diocese

Mystery of the Lost Window
Somewhere in the Diocese of Washington there is a stained glass window that honors Jonathan Daniels, the Episcopal seminarian who was martyred 50 years ago near Selma, AL. Word has it that the window was seen, dismantled in a church furnace room, by a visiting academic who cannot remember the church's name. During this anniversary year of Daniels' death, his home parish in Keene, NH would like to locate this important window. Please contact Joyce Walker with any clues on the window's whereabouts. 
Upcoming Diocesan Events

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. Father Lapsley is in Washington to receive a Living Legends Award for Service to Humanity from the Human Symphony Foundation on Saturday, March 7. 

March 16
Facing the Ongoing Nakba
St. Mark's, Capitol Hill
Come learn about the Nakba ("catastrophe" in Arabic) from two non-profits - one Palestinian, the other Israeli. Representatives of Zochrot ("remembering" in Hebrew) and BADIL (the Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights) will provide an historical overview of the forcible displacement of Palestinians since 1948 and a discussion about the practicalities of return for refugees. All are welcome to this free event at St. Mark's, Capitol Hill.  Sponsored by St. Mark's Mid-East Working Group; EDOW's Companion Committee for Jerusalem; Jewish Voice for Peace, DC Metro Chapter; and others. More information...

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.

July 12-18
Youth and Young Adult Freedom Ride
Lift Every Voice is a new, three-year initiative of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina for youth and young adults ages 15-22 from across the Episcopal Church. The first of these three years is Freedom Ride, 2015. Read more about this initiative. Find out more about how you can apply.
Parish Events

Ebola Relief Effort
The Sierra Leone Episcopal/Anglican Community Ministry is collecting food items, toiletries, and other essentials through March 31 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.

Holy Land Pilgrimage
St. Anne's Damascus will be hosting a pilgrimage to the Holy Land from October 19 to November 3. Find out more.

March 6
4-7pm: The Men's and Women's groups of Trinity, Upper Marlboro will have a fish fry, including fried tilapia or whiting, green beans, cole slaw, cornbread or hush puppies, beverage, and dessert

7:30pm: Every Friday during Lent, walk the Stations of the Cross. This powerful, contemplative liturgy at Redeemer, Bethesda lasts for about 30 minutes.

March 7
9:15am: Lenten Quiet Day at St. Paul's, K Street focusing on Encounters with Christ as Revealed in the Gospel of John

March 8
5pm: The choir of All Souls will host the choir of the Church of the Redeemer, Bethesda in presenting a service of readings, anthems, and hymns for Lent.

March 9
7:30pm: Lenten Taize Service & Healing Rite at Redeemer, Bethesda

March 12 
7pm: Good Shepherd invites you to a special Lenten series focused on the Holy Land. The Rev. Susan P. Wilder from the Israel/Palestine Mission Network, The Presbyterian Church (USA), will speak. 

March 13
7pm: Discipleship in a Sick Society starts at St. Alban's with a lecture: Matthew's World: Being a Jew for Jesus in Greco-Roman Society

March 14
9:30am: Lenten Quiet Day with Bishop Carolyn Tanner Irish at the National Cathedral

10am: Lenten Day of Service at St. Paul's, Rock Creek

10am: Discipleship in a Sick Society continues at St. Alban's with the workshop: The "Privileged" Life of the Disciple? The Beatitudes and the Lord's Prayer, in Matthew's World and Our Own
Prayer List

We ask your prayers of healing for:
Martha Bonwitt - husband (Bill)
Joseph Trigg - son (Peter)
Margaret Gordon
Joan Beilstein - nephew (Brian)
Robert Tomlinson 
Lane Davenport 

We ask your prayers for comfort for:
Fr. Richard C. Martin - in hospice care
Connie Reinhardt's father (Jim)
Lane Davenport's father (Charles)
Photos
Nathan Beall and Gayle Fisher-Stewart were ordained as deacons and Jose Francisco Valle was received.