News & Notes: March 19, 2019

Sunday • March 24th

Collect & Readings

3rd Sunday in Lent

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer

St. Philip's, Southport

Deadline Extended:

Good news! The registration deadline for next weekend's Lenten retreat at Trinity Center has been extended until this Thursday, March 21st . This retreat is designed for those who wish to take a few days away for a relaxed, informal time of reflection to consider how God is manifest in our lives and callings each Spring. This event is open to anyone, and is at a discounted rate to encourage participation. Click here to view the retreat schedule and get registered. Be sure to register while space is still available.

Around the Diocese

Upcoming Racial Reconciliation Dialogue

The Diocese of East Carolina's Racial Reconciliation Commission hosts gatherings of people to foster dialogue about race. These events create a space to have candid discussions about race and racism. They provide participants with ways to continue the dialogue in their parishes and communities. The next dialogue will take place this Saturday, March 23rd at St. Paul's, Clinton from 9am to 4pm . Check in begins at 8:30am. All are welcome. If you'd like to register for the dialogue, you can do so here .

Upcoming Cursillo Weekend

The next Cursillo Weekend will take place at Trinity Center from April 25-28, 2019. Margaret Suggs, of St. Timothy’s Greenville will be the weekend rector at EC 98. Please note that the Clausura (closing ceremony) will be Sunday, April 28 at a new time of 3:00pm. To learn more about the Cursillo Ministry in East Carolina and get registered for the April gathering, click here .

This year's Trinity Center Open House takes place on Sunday, April 7, 2019 from 2-4pm. All are invited to come learn what Trinity Center has to offer! They will provide tours, information, games, concessions, raffle, kids scavenger hunt, and more. This is a family friendly event that is free and open to the public. We hope to see you there!

Upcoming Choral Evensong Led by Schola Cantorum

All are invited to attend the upcoming choral evensong sung by Schola Cantorum at St. Paul's, Greenville on Sunday, April 7th at 5pm.

Camp Hope

Christ Church, New Bern sponsors Camp Hope, which is a week-long summer camp for children who have a parent in prison. The purpose of the ministry is to break the cycle of incarceration for the children. The church provides coordination, registration of campers, scholarships and adult volunteers who go to camp with the children. Volunteers are needed to pray, make calls, send cards, help with arrangements, and assist in registration as well as serving as Adult Volunteers to go to camp. If this sounds like something you would like to be a part of or support, you can click here to learn more.

31st Annual Conference on Church Music in the Anglican Communion

This year's Conference on Church Music will take place at Trinity Center f rom August 15th through 18th . Our clinician will be Dan Bara , Professor of Choral Music and the Director of Choral Activities at the Hugh Hodgson School of Music at the University of Georgia. To learn more about the conference and get registered, click here .

Resources & Events for

Ministry & Faith Formation

East Carolina Youth Council Applications Now Available

We are looking for rising 9th - 12th graders for the 2019-2020 term. Young people who have participated in at least one Diocesan Youth Event and sho an active interest in serving in a leadership capacity are invited to apply. Please follow the link, where you can find more information and the application! The application deadline is April 1st , so those who are interested be sure to apply by then.

ECF First Step Assessment Tool

This free tool from Episcopal Church Foundation is designed to help parishes articulate challenges and/or needs as a first step towards prioritizing and addressing parish needs. Click here to learn more.

Vestry Resource Guide

Whether you're a new vestry member or a seasoned veteran, the Episcopal Church Foundation 's Vestry Resource Guide is essential reading. With a deliberate focus on the importance of lay and clergy leadership teams, you'll find comprehensive information and advice about the ministry of the vestry, leading faith communities, stewardship, and navigating clergy transitions. If you think this resource guide may he helpful for you or your parish, you can check it out here .

TENS Conference

If you are a clergy person, vestry member, or anyone who is interested in making stewardship practical in the Church context, this conference may be up your alley. Click here to learn more about the 2019 TENS Conference.

SUMMA Student Theological Debate Camp

Camp is the cornerstone of SUMMA Student Theological Debate Society, which provides a way for high school students to build their faith through intellectual channels. Founded in the confidence that knowledge and reason are foundational to faith, SUMMA offers fun, friendship, and the opportunity for a deepened and more thoughtful faith. This year's camp will take place from July 16th through 24th at Sewanne's School of Theology. Click here to learn more.

Clergy Transitions

The Rev'd Ron Abrams

Transitioning out of his role as Rector of St. James, Wilmington

Click here to read more about Ron.

The Rev'd Bob Sawyer

Interim Rector at Christ Church, Elizabeth City

First Sunday was March 1st

The Rev'd Jay Sidebotham

Appointed as Priest-in-Charge at St. James, Wilmington (for the next 6 months)

First Sunday was March 4th

Open Positions Around the Diocese

Open Parish Secretary and Administrator Position at Zion, Washington

Zion Episcopal Church in Washington is looking to hire a secretary and administrative assistant as soon as possible. Feel free to pass this job description along to anyone you know who is qualified or who may be a good fit.

Reminders

2019 Federal Reporting Requirements

Please note that the 2019 Federal Reporting Requirements for Episcopal Churches, Schools, and Institutions has been published. If this is information is relevant to your work, you can find it here .

Interactive Deanery Map

As a reference, we have created a map on Google Maps listing all worshiping communities in our diocese. They are also color coded according to deanery. If you download the Google Maps app on your phone, you can open the map there in addition to opening it in your browser.

Not only is this a quick way to see which parishes are a part of what deanery, but it also allows you to get directions to each parish, should you need them. Click here to access the interactive deanery map.