February 22, 2023
In this edition: St. Andrew's School; Deacons' stories; Discernment Day; Rev. Deacon Paula Waite; Global Mission Advocate; Disaster Preparedness; Fun Fact; Did You Know?; Check it Out!; Upcoming events in our community: news from The Episcopal Church, and more
St. Andrew's School
featured in The Atlantic magazine
St. Andrew's is an Episcopal, co-educational 100% boarding school
in Middletown, Delaware for grades 9 – 12.
Ford Chapman and Trinity Smith, student-body co-presidents at St. Andrews School in Delaware (Joshua Meier)
Bishop Brown says: "I am excited to share this powerful article, released this week by The Atlantic (theatlantic.com), that highlights the wonderful students and student culture of St. Andrew's School. That culture is no accident, and I have seen how it stems from the school's long and deep commitment to its Episcopal roots and identity. Congratulations, St. Andrew's!"
Read this compelling
article here.
Coming soon... video on the ministry of a deacon
Recently, the Rev. Jeff Ross, rector of St. Peter's, Lewes, and chair of the Commission on Ministry, sat down with a few of our diocesan deacons to learn more about their ministry. Stay tuned to see and hear their stories in an upcoming video.

At the diocesan discernment day on February 25 you can learn more about becoming a deacon as well as the process for training lay licensed worship leaders and lay preachers.
The Rev. Jeffrey A. Ross, Commission on Ministry chairperson, interviews the Rev. Deacon Paula Waite for an upcoming diaconate video, to be released soon.
Discernment Day
Saturday, February 25, 1:00 p.m.
Grace Church, Wilmington
The Commission on Ministry in the Episcopal Church in Delaware is providing a second opportunity to find out more about the process of training lay licensed worship leaders and lay preachers.

On Saturday, February 25, 1:00 p.m., Grace Church,Wilmington, Dr. Sarah Stonsifer Boylan from the Stevenson School will provide an overview of the training program.

For more information please contact the Rev. Jeffrey Ross, Chair of the Commission on ministry jross@stpeterslewes.org.
The Rev. Deacon Paula Waite, chaplain at Beebe Hospital
will be the featured discussion leader at Women in Philanthropy Luncheon
to celebrate International Women's Day on Wednesday, March 8

The goal of Beebe’s Women in Philanthropy series is to celebrate our strong community of female donors, as well as create a safe and fun environment for women to learn, network, and discuss relevant women’s healthcare and wellness topics. Join us to celebrate International Women’s Day together over lunch with fellow female philanthropists, leaders, and supporters of Beebe Healthcare. Beebe Healthcare's dynamic Chaplain, Paula Waite, will lead discussion focused on women of influence in healthcare, while digging deeper into the question “What’s your calling?” The luncheon will be held at The Clubhouse, Baywood Greens, Millsboro. More information and required reservation here. Paua is a member of St. Peter's Church in Lewes and a deacon in the Episcopal Church in Delaware.

Congratulatios Deacon Paula!
What is a
Global Mission Advocate?
In 2022, The Episcopal Church invited all bishops to appoint one person in their diocese to be the Diocesan Global Mission Advocate for the Global Episcopal Mission Network. Bishop Brown appointed Fran Taccone to be the Global Mission Advocate for the Episcopal Church in Delaware.

Advocates will help promote the study and use of the Guiding Principles, Resolution A016, adopted at the 80th General Convention, and share with the Church promising global mission practices developed as these guiding principles are implemented alongside other models of ministry such as Asset-Based Community Development and the Sustainable Development Goals.

The purpose of the advocate is to:

  • develop a network of people knowledgeable about the global mission engagement in each diocese of The Episcopal Church,
  • share resources and knowledge on best practices for global mission engagement,
  • promote missionary programs of The Episcopal Church within each diocese, both Young Adult Service Corps (YASC) and Episcopal Volunteers in Mission (EVIM),
  • establish a way of living into the Guiding Principles for World Mission as adopted at General Convention, and
  • serve as a network to help The Episcopal Church participate in the global body of Christ.

Activities include:
  • Quarterly Zoom meetings, beginning October 26 — 2pm or 7pm EST
  • Yearly in-person network gathering, beginning Fall 2023
  • Serve as liaison between the diocese and The Episcopal Church's Office of Global Partnerships
  • Be the point of contact for congregations and/or groups in the diocese for international relationship development
  • Advocate for increased global mission engagement in the diocese
Invitation to join the diocesan
Disaster Preparedness Team

by the Rev. Deacon Larry Norfleet
Welcome to the almost post COVID world! Now is the time to re-energize our parish and community efforts as we move into post disaster relief stages of the COVID pandemic. One of these important parish and community efforts is disaster preparedness. Given the increasing frequency of natural disasters, it is extremely important that our parishes and communities are prepared to respond to save lives and protect property. In order to create a center of expertise for planning and leadership, the diocese is forming a Diocesan Disaster Preparedness Team. Team volunteers will be asked to attend regularly scheduled meetings. A primary mission of the team is to translate best practices developed by Episcopal Relief and Development and FEMA for use within our parishes and communities. This team of volunteers will play a critical role in ensuring the safety of our community and its citizens in the event of a natural or man-made disaster.
If you have an interest in joining our disaster preparedness team, please contact us at disasterofficer@delaware.church or 302.602.0969.

Your help would be greatly appreciated. Together, we can make a real difference in the safety and security of our parishes and community. For more detail on disaster preparedness check out the diocesan webpage Disaster Preparedness.
Fun Fact

Question: Which church ceremoniously burned its mortgage when it paid off a loan of $19,859?

Clue: It was burned on the 25th anniversary of the rectorship of its priest.

Answer: Here

Image: "burning paper" by Davide Rusconi is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.
Today in Christian History
Did You Know?
First Roman persecution of Christians
On this date in 303 CE, the first official Roman edict for the persecution of Christians was issued by Emperor Diocletian at Nicomedia, ordering all churches to be closed and scriptures burnt. The terrible persecution lasted for two years. More information
Image: "Croatia-01335 - Diocletian" by archer10 (Dennis) is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
Check it Out!
Birthplace of Pentecostalism
On this date in 1906, Black evangelist, William J. Seymour (1870-1922) arrived in Los Angeles to lead a Holiness mission. The group’s revival meetings grew, and moved to a building on Azusa Street, now cited as one of the birthplaces of Pentecostalism. More information
Image: Picture from the early 1910s showing William Joseph Seymour Unknown author Public domain
Holy Week & Easter Services
Let us know...
Please let us know your church's schedule and offerings for Holy Week and Easter so we may place them on our website and share on Facebook and Instagram. communications@delaware.church
Cycle of Prayer in the Episcopal Church in Delaware
This week (week of February 19), in our diocesan Cycle of Prayer, we hold up in prayer the Episcopal Church in Delaware's Joint Leadership Team. For the diocesan Cycle of Prayer, click here.
Open Positions in the Episcopal Church in Delaware
St. Peter’s, Smyrna is seeking a part-time Parish Administrator
Reporting to the rector, this position is responsible for the efficient functioning of the church office and provides administrative support to the staff and church leaders. This person must be able to work effectively with church leaders, members and visitors, treating all with respect and professionalism. Full position description and application information at here.
Lenten Programs in the Episcopal Church in Delaware
Lent: Finding Forgiveness, presented by Christ Church Christiana Hundred and Trinity Parish, February 28 – March 29
This year, Christ Church and Trinity Parish/Old Swedes partners for a Lenten program. Lent: Finding Forgiveness will be duplicated each week on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, led by clergy from both parishes. At Christ Church, come Tuesdays beginning February 28, for a simple supper at 6:30pm followed by the program and Compline from 7-8pm. At Trinity, come Wednesdays beginning March 1, at 11am for the program followed by Holy Eucharist and a light lunch. Come one or all five weeks, and invite your friends and neighbors! The program is suitable for those 13 and older. RSVP for either location at www.christchurchde.org/lenten-program-post/.
Lenten Bible study program, St. Paul's, Camden
Wednesdays during Lent, 4pm
All are welcome to join us for a Lenten Bible study program following evening prayer in the chapel. More information
Southern Delaware Collaborative Lenten Program via Zoom
Wednesdays in March, 7–8:15pm
We welcome anyone who wants to worship and study with us.These types of experiences help us to be “one church” in Delaware, and it is a true offering of a variety of gifts! Several members from different churches help to teach the class. The members of All Saints, Delmar gather for a soup supper while viewing the programs on a big screen, studying together in the same space. Click here for Zoom link. Meeting ID: 844 1512 7190, Passcode: 973253
A virtual Lenten series presented by the Episcopal Women's History Project, featuring Brandywine Collaborative Minstries' Barbara Bradley, Thursdays during Lent beginning February 23, 3pm, via Zoom.
All are invited to hear stories of amazing woman who impacted the Episcopal Church. Each story is told by another amazing woman in the church. Full progam information here. On March 2, Bradley will tell the story of Deaconess Marian Brown who served the Navaho people of Arizona for decades. Register for these programs here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYsc-ugqzMpGdbeISb-VY50yVLl2zIgZsJf   After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Upcoming Events in the Episcopal Church in Delaware
Brandywine Hundred Ecumenical Prayers for the Ukraine
Sunday, February 26, 1pm
Brandywine Collaborative Ministries and St. David's, Wilmington, in support of
Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church
1406 Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington
Free will offering collected will be used to purchase generators
for citizens in the Ukraine. More information
News from The Episcopal Church
Committee applications close February 28
The Episcopal Church Department of Reconciliation, Justice, and Creation Care is seeking volunteers for a discernment and search committee to help cast vision and interview candidates for a new staff officer for LGBTQ+ and women’s ministries. Episcopal laity and clergy with experience in ministry and advocacy around LGBTQ+ and women’s issues are encouraged to consider applying for the committee, which will help craft a vision for the position, solicit and interview candidates, and make hiring recommendations. Apply online here.
Deadline to apply April 12.
Applications are being accepted for a wide variety of educational scholarships from The Episcopal Church for the 2023-2024 academic year. All applicants must be Episcopalian. The scholarships — derived from annual income of more than 45 trust funds established through bequests to The Episcopal Church — range from assistance for children of missionaries, bishops and clergy to individuals seeking theological education and training. The maximum award is $10,000 per student. More information
Save the date!
'It’s All About Love: A Festival for the Jesus Movement' with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry
July 9-12, Baltimore, Maryland
Mark your calendar to join us for this churchwide festival of worship, learning, community, and action for the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement. Join in person or host a virtual satellite event in your community. Watch for more details coming soon.
News from the Anglican Communion
Archbishop of Canterbury opened Anglican Consultative Council meeting with call for egalitarian respect between provinces
Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, opened the 18th meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council with an address that warned against “neo-colonial abuse” as he called for greater egalitarianism in how the Anglican Communion’s 42 provinces relate to each other. “No one group should order the life and culture of another,” Welby said in his remarks to about 110 representatives from 39 of those 42 provinces, who gathered in Accra, Ghana, for the meeting. “Money, power, access to resources should never call the tune, yet such is the lust for power in all human beings – and I include myself, for I sin like everyone else – that one group always seeks to tell another what to do.” Read full article here. See more information about the ACC meeting here.
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