In this edition: Racial Justice and Reconciliation Commission; Camp Arrowhead Parish Day; Spring issue Delaware Communion; Fun Fact; Did You Know?; Check it Out!; and news from the diocese, Episcopal Church, and Anglican Church.
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Racial Justice in the Episcopal Church |
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Bishop Brown Forms
Racial Justice and
Reconciliation
Commission
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On May 25, 2020, the world witnessed the murder of George Floyd at the hands of law enforcement. This brutal event reawakened many to the ongoing reality of racism within individuals and systems. In response to that tragedy, Bishop Brown created a think tank of laity and clergy. Their charge was to develop a sustainable structure that the Episcopal Church in Delaware (ECD) will use to address systemic racial injustice in our church and the larger society. The think tank based its work on Becoming Beloved Community, and returned to Bishop Brown with two strong recommendations: first, form a Racial Justice and Reconciliation Commission (RJRC) to carry out this work; second, hire a missioner for racial justice and reconciliation, who will act as a liaison between the ECD and RJRC, and work alongside it to accomplish its goals. Read full statement here.
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Churches Beyond Borders issue statement
for the International Day for the
Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Churches Beyond Borders, represented by Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael Curry and the leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the Anglican Church of Canada, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada prepared a statement for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on March 21, 2021. Read full statement here.
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Bishops United Against Gun Violence
Statement on the Atlanta Spa Shootings
On Tuesday, another white man who should not have had a gun shot and killed seven women and one man at massage spas in the Atlanta area. Six of his victims, all women, were of Asian descent. The gunman had been a patron of at least two of the spas where the massacre took place; and in the aftermath of the shootings, he confessed, saying that he considered the women at the spas to be a sexual temptation he needed to eliminate because of his Christian faith. It is hard to know what to decry first in the toxic stew of racism, misogyny, religious violence, and gun culture. Most basic, perhaps, is the fact that the alleged killer bought his weapon just hours before the attacks began. The sale was entirely legal, showing yet again that standards for gun purchasing and ownership across our nation are far too lenient. Day after day, innocent people pay the price. Read full statement here.
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A prayer for racial justice written by Archbishop Justin Welby and
Dr. Sanjee Perera, Archbishop's Adviser on Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns
Sovereign Lord Jesus Christ, who took human form and broke down the walls that divide;
We seek your forgiveness for not living out the truth that all are one in Christ, for the sin of racism.
We pray for all those affected by the marginalization of prejudice and the violence of racist words and actions.
We pray that we might uproot its cancerous and systemic hold on our own institutions.
We pray that we might recognize in reverence your divine image and likeness in our neighbor,
And find joy in the resemblance.
We pray in your name and seeking your glory. Amen.
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REMINDER TO CHURCHES: Please remember to update your website to include your Holy Week and Easter services. The below image will be posted on Facebook, Instagram, and the diocesan website. If you need any assistance with this, please do not hesitate to contact [email protected]. |
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Camp Arrowhead Parish Day
Saturday, April 24
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You are invited to tour the beautiful property, meet the fantastic staff, learn about retreat possibilities, view plans for the new Ashford Center, and have some great fun! More information here. Registration information coming soon..
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Online giving information
for your parish
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The ECD membership in the Episcopal Network for Stewardship (TENS) brings opportunities for every parish, including a discount for this online giving platform.
TENS, recognizing the importance of online and other digital giving, has partnered with an organization that is working with churches around the United States and Canada to upgrade their digital giving opportunities. ... More information
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Fun Fact
Question: The childhood home of which Delaware bishop was the subject of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem of loss, The Open Window?
Clue: This bishop was a lawyer before he became a priest.
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Two Delaware women
who changed history
with their political activism
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One of the founders of the
National Womens Party
was from Delaware
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A daughter of the influential Bayard family, Florence Bayard Hilles was a leading suffragist from New Castle. In 1913 she donated money and attention to the suffragist movement after hearing Mabel Vernon speak in Wilmington. In 1916, she was among suffragists who unfurled a banner during an address President Woodrow Wilson gave to Congress. It read: “Mr. President, What Will You Do For Woman Suffrage?” The following year, she was a “Silent Sentinel” leading a picket of the White House. She was arrested, refused to pay a fine, and was sentenced to 60 days in jail. More information
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The first paid organizer of
National American Woman
Suffrage Association
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Mabel Vernon was born on September 19, 1883 in Wilmington, Delaware. She was a member of the American Woman Suffrage Association. Vernon attended the 1912 convention of the National American Woman Suffrage Association, where she was an usher. She was the first paid organizer that Alice Paul recruited. Vernon was one of the principal members of the Congressional Union for Women Suffrage. She was one of the Silent Sentinels, which was a group of women in favor of women’s suffrage who protested in front of the White House during Woodrow Wilson’s presidency. More information
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The Spring issue of
Delaware Communion
has been published
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Cycle of Prayer in the Episcopal Church in Delaware |
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Positions open in our parishes |
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Trinity Parish, Wilmington, is seeking an organist/choir director
Seeking a faithful, gifted, and experienced full-time organist and choir director to build on the solid tradition of musical and liturgical excellence that is our legacy of more than 300 years. We highly value the ministry of music in the worship life of our parish and in the community we serve. We have traditionally offered a rich variety of music that spans the breadth of the Anglican tradition and draws on other musical traditions as well. We worship in two languages (English and Spanish) and in two locations (Trinity Church and Old Swedes Church). Our ideal candidate will enrich our life in faith by developing the musical gifts of our parishioners, and helping us share the power and beauty of music with the greater Wilmington community. Read full job description here.
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St. Thomas's Parish, Newark, is seeking a part-time sexton
The sexton maintains all interior spaces of the parish’s buildings and is responsible for monitoring appliances and systems, performing periodic inspections, making repairs as appropriate, and notifying the property committee when the services of outside contractors are needed. The sexton reports to the rector and collaborates with the parish’s property committee, but must be able to work with minimal supervision. S/he must also be flexible in scheduling maintenance activities around the parish and outside events, as well as in periods of heavier use of the parish’s buildings (eg. Christmas and Holy Week/Easter). Read the full position description here. Interested applicants, please contact the rector, the Rev. Dr. Howell J. Sasser here.
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News in our parishes and community |
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A new window honoring
Harriet Tubman
has been installed at St. Peter's, Lewes
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The window, a full length portrait of Harriet Tubman, is a generous gift from the Rev. J. Carlyle Gill and Carol Wzorek. It includes Tubman's famous exhortation: “If you hear the dogs, keep going. If you see the torches in the woods, keep going. If there's shouting after you, keep going. Don't ever stop. Keep going. If you want a taste of freedom, keep going.” |
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Virtual Organ Concert featuring Paul Byssainthe, Jr., Friday, March 26, 7pm
Saint Anne’s is pleased to welcome Paul Byssainthe, Jr. as a guest musician who will perform on both the new Viscount Organ and Yamaha Piano. Mr. Byssainthe is an accomplished, award-winning organist, pianist, conductor, and composer. He will offer a variety of selections by Joseph Jongen, Louis Vierne, J. S. Bach, Robert Schumann, Franz Liszt and others. You may view the concert on the Saint Anne’s website here or Facebook page here.
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St. Thomas' s Parish, Newark partnering with the Blood Bank of DelMarVa
You can help address a critical need, Wednesday, April 7, 1-6pm
Normally, the Blood Bank hosts many remote blood drives at office buildings and schools. Because of Covid, most of these events have been cancelled and blood levels are at a critical low. In March, St. Thomas's hosted a blood drive. The turn-out was amazing, thanks to everyone who shared this event with friends and families. Most donors were UD students, and some ECM students volunteered. Many people came to the building for the first time, and several had visited before for the women's march, or interfaith events. Over 50 pints of blood were collected which can save over 150 lives! Your help is requested at the next event. Call 888-8-BLOOD-8 to register. More information
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Delaware Covid-19 Vaccination Program
The State of Delaware's vaccination waiting list is now open to any Delawarean, 50+. Register here.
Also, pharmacies can offer vaccinations to people 50+ and patients 16+ with high- and moderate-risk medical conditions. More information.
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Episcopal Church Women of Delaware, Book of Remembrance
Your help is requested!
One of the most iconic and revered record books for the ECW is the Book of Remembrance. Started in the early 1950s, it documents the names of our Episcopal sisters who have died each year, organized by the name of the parish where their death was recorded. The book, purchased with donations from families of early presidents of the Episcopal Women’s Auxiliary of the Episcopal Church, the forerunner of ECW, has run out of room. An artisan has been found who will custom-make a leather bound binder to use as a second Book of Remembrance, which will enable pages to be added and keep the Book of Remembrance going for another 70 years or more. The new book will be ready in time to be blessed and dedicated at next fall’s Annual Meeting. Your donations would be greatly appreciated. More information and how to make a donation here.
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News from the Episcopal Church |
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Evangelism Matters audioconference, an innovative approach to sharing, learning, and growing evangelism ministry, Conference launches on April 12, 2021
This spring’s Evangelism Matters conference invites participants to turn off the Zoom screen and tune in for an audioconference featuring podcast-style talks on the opportunity and challenge of evangelism today. Read more (In English and Spanish) here
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Virtual Episcopal Latino Ministry Competency Course, August 9-13, 2021
Registration is now open for the next session of the Virtual Episcopal Latino Ministry Competency Course (VELMC), an innovative five-day intensive course designed for diocesan staff, clergy, lay leaders, and seminarians to gain practical knowledge and cultural competency for Latino/Hispanic ministry. More information
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The Episcopal Church focuses on Mental Health First Aid and Suicide Prevention
Since the onset of the pandemic, the CDC reports an increase in symptoms of anxiety disorder, and suicide. If you are in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, help is available: 800-273-8255. Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish. This National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. (Note: the national 988 hotline is not anticipated to be completed until July 2022). You can also text, 741741 or click here for immediate confidential support. More information
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Applications accepted for the Julia Chester Emery 2021-2022 internship
In 2015, the United Thank Offering (UTO) Board launched the Julia Chester Emery internship program for young adults in honor of the countless women who served as UTO missionaries. The 2021-2022 internship will be a collaborative effort between the Episcopal Church’s Reconciliation, Justice, and Creation Care team (RJCC) and the Johnson Service Corp House (JSC), a part of Episcopal Service Corps, located in Chapel Hill or Durham, North Carolina. More information
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Crying to God: Preaching Good Friday. Prophetic Voices is a podcast series hosted by the Rev. Isaiah “Shaneequa” Brokenleg, Episcopal Church staff officer for Racial Reconciliation.
- In this episode, we speak with Episcopalians committed to the Beloved Community about the texts for the Easter Vigil. The texts covered in this episode are Exodus 14:10-31; 15:20-21 and Mark 16:1-8. Guests this week are: the Rev. Phil Hooper, SMMS, curate at Trinity Episcopal Church, Fort Wayne in the Diocese of Northern Indiana.
- Argie Manolis works in the community development field at a small college. She is also a foster and adoptive parent and a spiritual director.
- David O'Hara is Chair of the Religion Department at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where he also directs programs in Philosophy, Environmental Studies, and Sustainability.
Join Brokenleg and invited guests for this six-episode series as they share prophetic voices and explore the readings for Ash Wednesday and each day of Holy Week and Easter through the lens of social justice. Learn more about this podcast and listen to past episodes here.
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The Episcopal Women's History Project Celebration of Women's History Month
This month the EWHP is featuring stories of Episcopal Women who have done something for their church, congregation, community, state, country, or in the wider world. A woman has many ways to serve the church. These are amazing stories of women all over the world. Perhaps you will be encouraged to undertake something you have been thinking about. In the meantime, enjoy meeting the latest of these Women Worth Knowing here. To become a member join here!
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My Way of Love offers personalized suggestions for spiritual growth - Sign up now!
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Upcoming April Deadlines!
Young Adult Service Corps, application deadline for 2021-2022 extended to April 9
More information in English and Spanish here.
Episcopal Church scholarship for the 2021-2022 academic year, application deadline April 11
More information in English and Spanish here.
Becoming Beloved Community grants available for local/regional efforts, applications due April 12
More information in English and Spanish here.
Care of Creation Grants now available, application deadline extended to April 16
More information in English and Spanish here.
Project Resource Offers Spring Stewardship Training, Sundays, April 18 to May 23, 5 - 6:30pm
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News from the Anglican Communion |
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Statement by the Archbishop of Canterbury regarding comments by the Primate of Nigeria which referred to 'the deadly "virus" of homosexuality'.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, issued a statement on Friday, March 5, in response to statements by the Archbishop of Nigeria, His Grace Archbishop Henry C. Ndukuba. The statement was based on the full text of 1998 Lambeth Conference Resolution I.10. The Archbishop’s statement can be read here.
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