In this edition: Parochial clergy gathering; MSO on the move; Fun Fact; Did You Know?; Check it Out!; Upcoming events in our community: news from The Episcopal Church, and more

Parish rectors, associate rectors and deacons met at St. Anne’s Church on January 17 to think together about our strategic focus as the Episcopal Church in Delaware. During their working session they identified positive, new things happening in three areas: 1) growth, 2) discipleship, and 3) service, along with a few priorities for future action in each. There was an abundance of energy in the room, reflecting a high level of creative thinking going on around the diocese.

Similar working sessions are being planned for lay leadership groups and governance bodies in the coming months.

A Message from the Invite Welcome Connect Team

Click on the link below to view more ideas on a Padlet created at an Invite Welcome Connect Digital Gathering last year. https://padlet.com/trinitywheaton/t7y3dpb7mfvcc0d8

Question: Which diocesan bishop gave the invocation to some 25,000 scouts at a Boy Scout Jamboree in Washington DC?

Clue: It was the country's first great national jamboree.

Answer: Here

Image: "Boy Scout Memorial 19256" by tedeytan is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Death of two influential religious leaders

This week (week of January 22), in our diocesan Cycle of Prayer, we hold up in prayer Daughters of the King and Anamchara Fellowship. For the diocesan Cycle of Prayer, click here.

Compensation starts at $45,000 commensurate with experience. Includes medical and dental insurance. Fantastic work environment! If interested please send questions and/or resume to [email protected]

After singing to a large and enthusiastic house at their first concert last December, The Encore Chorale of Wilmington, has returned to Trinity and has begun rehearsals for their Spring 2023 Season and is accepting interested singers who are age 55 or older. The chorale is part of Encore Creativity, the nation’s largest choral organization for older adults. No prior singing experience is necessary and there are no auditions. Encore focuses on creating musical excellence while also having fun. David Simmons, Trinity’s Director of Music, is the conductor of the Encore Chorale of Wilmington.  Each semester culminates in a public performance. For more information and to register online for the spring semester, go to Encorecreativity.org. Full and partial scholarships are available.  

This series presented by the Moravian-Episcopal Coordinating Committee Racial Reconciliation Working Group, examines racial histories of the two churches and how new methods for racial reconciliation are working in ecumenical contexts.

Each webinar includes a pre-recorded segment focusing on the specific historic topic, followed by discussion between the working group and two panelists that expands the focus and connects it to the present, and a Q&A with participants. More information and registration here REGISTE

with the Rev. Elle Dowd, author of Baptized in Tear Gas.

Reading and book signing Friday, January 27, 7pm

After an informal soup and sandwich luncheon, Dowd will lead a workshop spiritual Imagination as a Tool for Social Change. Image: Courtesy of Elle Dowd More information and required registration

To join us virtually via Zoom, click here

The Arts at Trinity (TAAT) kicks off 2023 with a concert by nationally recognized jazz violinist Diane Monroe and pianist Tom Lawton, a mainstay on the Philadelphia jazz scene. Both artists are well known for being equally comfortable in swing jazz, straight-ahead jazz settings, avant-garde situations and various mixtures and shades in between. Bring a friend with you and come enjoy a jazzy January afternoon at Trinity. As with all TAAT concerts, there is no admission charge for the concert, but donations are greatly appreciated to support future concerts. Free parking available in the church parking lots and on the street. 

12-Step Recovery Eucharist, Christ Church Christiana Hundred, Wilmington, Tuesday, January 31, 7pm

Combine ancient scripture and centuries-old liturgy with the 12 steps of recovery. Celebrate the gift of recovery, strengthen recovery practices, and commend to God’s care those in need of healing who haven’t yet found their way into recovery. Commemorate the Rev. Samuel Shoemaker, an Episcopal priest credited for developing the spiritual principles of the Alcoholics Anonymous 12-step program. For more information, please contact the Rev. Stacey Carpenter.

All are welcome to come to the meeting, learn more about the chapter, and discuss and plan a spring bus trip to the National Cathedral. For more information, please contact Sue Lunger.

Image: "National Cathedral (Washington DC)" by ~MVI~ (warped) is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

This event is being sponsored by the Southern Delaware Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Clinicians for the workshop are Ms. Joanne Ward, Director of the Delaware Women's Chorus and Cantabile Women's Chorus, and T.J. Thomas, Director of Music at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Lewes. The focus of the workshop for choristers will be topics like projection, maximizing (and minimizing) the chorister's vocal output, breathing techniques, etc. and for the organists, the main focus will be for those who serve dual functions of accompanying and directing from the organ bench. Pre-registration is required. The cost is $10. per person and there are special group rates available. Guild members will receive a discount as well. The guild is suggesting that sending parishes/churches cover the expense for those attending. To register or for more information contact Scott Kresge, Director of Music at St. John the Baptist at [email protected] The mission of the American Guild of Organists, a national professional association with more than 275 chapters and 12,000 members throughout the United States and abroad, is to foster a thriving community of musicians who share their knowledge and inspire passion for the organ. 

Do you feel called to the work of church and community redevelopment? Commences February 9

Learn more about Genesis II: Re-Vision and Renew.

People can sign up for the daily meditations here. A pdf can also be downloaded and printed for folks who prefer a hard copy. An additional resource this year features weekly reflections that can be used by individuals or groups, including Sunday formation classes, bible study groups, youth groups, etc. Check it out at episcopalrelief.org/lent. The weekly meditations will be released each week during Lent and Holy Week. There are also resources for Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday, which can be on the first Sunday of Lent or any Sunday that works for your congregations. More information

Registration open for 2023 Episcopal Youth Event “Regreso a Casa: A New Age of Faith.”

The Episcopal Church Youth Ministries Office announces open registration for delegations of young people and chaperones planning to attend the Episcopal Youth Event (EYE) July 4-8 at the University of Maryland in College Park. Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2023, EYE is the church’s second-largest event after General Convention, drawing nearly 1,500 young people ages 15-19 from every province every three years. Attendees participate as part of a delegation, which can be from a diocese or coordinated through a congregation, school, or other Episcopal organization. More information

The Church of England released the details of a proposal to offer blessings, but not marriage, to same-sex couples on Jan. 20. The proposed prayers and liturgies would be the church’s first-ever formal recognition of same-sex relationships, though they would not change its traditional teaching on marriage and would be optional for clergy to offer. Read full article here

Submissions: Please submit announcement information for The Net to [email protected]