Bishop's Blog: Praying Jesus' Prayer

Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say-'Father, save me from this hour? No, it is for this reason that I have come. Father, glorify thy name.' -John 12:27

Shortly after Paul and I were married, we made plans to study and work in Central America. This was in the mid 1980s, toward the end of the Central American wars. We were young, and we wanted to serve in a part of the world where living as a Christian meant something brave.

 

But as the day of our departure drew near, I began to feel increasingly afraid. What on earth had we been thinking? What would happen to us in a war-torn land? Read more...

 

Be Crazy Like St. Patrick

When the organ gears up and starts in on "St. Patrick's Breastplate," there's a mix of reactions from those in ear shot: there will be people who are giddy to sing along to their favorite hymn, people who roll their eyes at the hymn that just goes on and on, others who are not yet aware that this is the hymn that never ends... and then there's me, impatiently waiting to get through the first five verses so I can sing my favorite part... Read more...
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In the Diocese

Opportunity to Join the SRI Committee
A new committee focused on Sustainable and Responsible Investing (SRI) is bring formed in the diocese. Generally, the work of the SRI Committee will be to gather and disseminate information concerning SRI to congregational leaders in the Diocese of Washington. More specifically, over the next two years, the committee will: compile resource material on sustainable and responsible investing principles and practices; develop no less than two hypothetical model SRI investment portfolios each composed of one or more established reputable mutual funds adopting SRI principles and which have attained favorable performance; communicate the foregoing resource information to Parish rectors, wardens and treasurers, and develop and maintain a page on the EDOW website containing resource information on SRI investing and model portfolios (with current and historical performance data on each portfolio). If you are interested in being part of the committee, email Paul Cooney with your name, congregational affiliation, and pertinent information concerning your experience  or interest in SRI.
 
Art in Church House
Bishop Mariann is interested in establishing rotating exhibits of works by Diocesan artists, professional and amateur. If you have experience establishing procedures for exhibits in small venues and are willing to help us establish guidelines, please

Spring Cathedral Confirmation
Cathedral Confirmation will be on May 16th at 10am, which will be joyful and celebratory Eucharist with a worship band - bringing together ageless traditions and hymnody in a contemporary music setting. If you are preparing candidates for presentation on May 16, please respond to Cheryl Wilburn by March 27 that you are coming and an approximation of how many you will be bringing. Also please indicate if some of your candidates are youth or young families, so that we may follow-up about their engagement in the service.

While the next Cathedral Confirmation will not be held until November 14th at 10am, we are holding June 20th for an additional confirmation if needed at a site to be chosen.  We'll only hold this service if we have a significant number of candidates. If you need to bring candidates on June 20, please respond as above by March 27.

 

Nominations Now Open for Senior Celebration

Senior Celebration 2015 is your parish's chance to honor an older adult whose service has made a significant contribution to the life of your congregation or ministry. Sponsored by Seabury Resources for Aging, the service of Senior Celebration will take place Wednesday, April 22 at 10:00 a.m. at Washington National Cathedral, with a reception following at St. Alban's Episcopal Church. Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde will co-preside. Click here by March 31st to nominate an honoree from your church.

 

Bishop Mariann to Receive an Honorary Degree

On May 12, Bishop Mariann will be the commencement preacher at Seminary of the Southwest. She will also receive an honorary degree. Read more...

 
Upcoming Diocesan Events

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. The fee is $325; scholarships are available. More information...

April 17-18
Live Now Serve Now: Youth and Family Service Day
National Cathedral and St. Alban's 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 and St. Alban's 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 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.

March 20
4pm: The Men's and Women's groups of Trinity, Upper Marlboro will host a fish fry in the Church Hall

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

7:30pm: St. Columba's Environment Committee hosts "Extreme Realities" for the DC Environmental Film Festival

March 21
9am: Visiting Ministry training that will provide a guide for the pastoral caregiver with practical steps for visits to shut-ins, nursing home residents, and those unable to attend services

12pm: The Arlington Rose Foundation (Society) will be hosting a rose pruning demonstration in the Bishop's Garden

March 21-22
St. Stephen and the Incarnation is providing space in the sanctuary for the National Religious Campaign Against Torture to construct a full-size replica of a typical prison Special Housing Unit (SHU) or solitary confinement cell. Parishioners any interested people are invited to walk through and reflect on the installation before and after services 

March 22
10:15am: St. Columba's hosts Marc Mauer, Executive Director of The Sentencing Project, and Ali Kirnon, a returning citizen, speak on the topic of "Incarceration Today: Understanding the Issues and Opening Our Hearts to Returning Citizens"

7pm: Candlelit Concert Series at St. John's, Broad Creek featuring Adam Graham, organist

March 23
7:30pm: Lenten Taize Service & Healing Rite at Redeemer, Bethesda

March 26
7pm: Good Shepherd invites you to a special Lenten series focused on the Holy Land. The Rev. Sari Ateek, rector of St. John's Norwood, will give personal reflections from a Palestinian Christian.
Prayer List

We ask your prayers of condolence for:
Peter Antoci at the time of his mother's (Helen Schutte) death on 3/17

We ask your prayers of healing for:
Kevin Thomas
Don Bitsberger
Ed Kelaher's grandson (Lucas)
Martha Bonwitt's husband (Bill)
Joseph Trigg's son (Peter)
Margaret Gordon
Joan Beilstein's nephew (Brian)
Robert Tomlinson 
Lane Davenport 

We ask your prayers of comfort for:
Fr. Richard C. Martin - in hospice 
Connie Reinhardt's father (Jim)
Lane Davenport's father (Charles) - in hospice
Video

EcoPeace Middle East: Saving the Jordan River
EcoPeace Middle East:
Saving the Jordan River