Thursday, May 27, 2021
Drawing on the gifts of all God's people to
serve Christ together and live Jesus' Way of Love.
Memorial Day
For many, the Memorial Day weekend is the traditional kick-off to summer, ushering in a more relaxed pace and a time to reconnect with family and friends. But the one-year anniversary of the murder of George Floyd reminds us that not all experiences are universal and equity in this country remains a long way off. This week, we bring you midyear reports from diocesan staff as we seek to be a diocese that draws people to Jesus and embodies his love for the world by equipping faith communities, promoting spiritual growth and striving for justice. We invite you to attend Crack it Open with the Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers and encourage you to consider adding a retreat to your calendar. And we pray your Memorial Day observances are peaceful, safe, and restorative. 
Midyear Update on Diocesan Strategic Plan Progress
As part of our strategic plan implementation process, the bishop’s staff has adopted a rhythm of gathering every 90 days to review our progress and cast a vision for the next most important steps ahead. Earlier this month, we devoted fruitful time to this endeavor and today, we share with you reports from the staff.

Revitalizing our churches to grow the Jesus Movement

Inspiring every person to grow in faith and equipping our leaders to lead well

Partnering in ministries of equity and justice for greater impact in our communities
Crack it Open with The Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers
Thursday, June 10, 6:00 p.m. 

Join The Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers and Diocese of Washington leaders online for music and conversation around her new book, The Church Cracked Open: Disruption, Decline and New Hope for Beloved Community. 

Featuring: Ms. Mildred Reyes, The Rev. Kevin Antonio Smallwood,
The Rev. John Harmon
Music by Ms. Zoe Hillocks
**Captions, ASL and Spanish Language Interpretation Provided**

Questions? Email Hazel Monae, Missioner for Equity and Justice 
The Gift of A Retreat
“A true retreat,” writes noted spiritual guide Kathleen Staudt, “is a time away with God, a chance to receive the spiritual light and food that God is always offering to us, and that we are often too busy to receive.” As the pace of life continues to speed up after an unquestionably stress-filled year, we encourage you to make space for a retreat experience in your schedule. Read more from Kathy about why retreats are a gift of the Holy Spirit and explore below for opportunities to go on retreat. 

Upcoming Retreats
  • Virtual Celebration of Evelyn Underhill, June 14-18
  • Resilience for Activists, Saturday, June 26, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
  • SAVE THE DATE: The Diocesan Retreat Committee will host Living Hopefully: A Silent Retreat with Fr. Martin Smith November 19-21, 2021 at The Claggett Center -- more information and registration link to come

Retreat Centers
Priesthood Ordination Service
By the grace of God and the people consenting,
The Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde will ordain to the
Sacred Order of Priests in Christ's One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church

Catherine Ann Ballinger
Hope Alice Jee Christensen
Robert Douglas Kirby

on Saturday, June 5 at 10:00 a.m. at the
Cathedral Church of St. Peter and St. Paul.

Bishop Mariann invites diocesan clergy to vest and process in person. The color is red. Please be at the Cathedral no later than 9:00 a.m. Vesting will occur in St. John’s Chapel. Masks are required. 

RSVPs to participate in person are required no later than Thursday, June 3 at noon. 

Quick Links
The Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde writes regularly to encourage, inspire and challenge. Click below to read her most recent post.