In this edition: Safe Church; Disaster Preparedness; Clergy Installation Announcements; Fun Fact, Check it Out, Did You Know ...
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Online Training Changes
Effective Today,
July 14, 2021
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Same Great Content, New System
Our Safe Church prevention partner, Praesidium, is upgrading to a new training system
Praesidium’s Armatus Learn to Protect System, is becoming Praesidium Academy
If you have taken Safe Church Training online within the last four years, you will receive a system-generated email inviting you to the new system today, Wednesday, July 14. The email will look like this:
Subject Line: Praesidium Academy Invite
You've been invited to access online abuse prevention training in Praesidium Academy.
Get started by accepting the invite below.
- This email will provide instructions on how you are to log into the new system
- Follow the steps listed for logging in at this time only
- Nothing more is required for you to do at this time
- The Episcopal Church in Delaware’s training policy has not changed
Safe Church Training is required to be taken every three years only at this time. If you are due for recertification, follow the above instructions to receive authorization as stated to take the online course. Remember, you must contact your church administrator or Toni Snow for instructions.
Quick demo and important information for new training system here
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It’s Hurricane Season
June 1 – Nov. 30
Are you prepared for hurricane season?
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This map is from the National Hurricane Center showing the path of Elsa moving up the coast. How many more can we expect this season? Even though Delaware may not experience a direct hit from a hurricane, we may experience storm surge and severe coastal flooding, high winds, inland flooding, tornadoes, and large waves and rip currents.
Being aware of the timing of storms is a key to weathering the hurricane season. For awareness of weather emergencies sign up for the DENS alert systems: Delaware Emergency Notification System,
Family emergency kits can save much anxiety and stress during a hurricane or other disasters with potential power and utility outages. Instructions on contents and quantities for go-bags (for evacuation use) or emergency-in-place kits (for home use) can be found at Make a Kit.
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Mark your calendars for two services of
Celebration of New Ministry!
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The Rev. Shelley D. McDade |
Wednesday, August 11, 2021
5:00 p.m.
St. George's Parish Hall (tent)
Harbeson, Delaware
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The Rev. Kenneth J. Katona |
Wednesday, October 6, 2021
7:00 p.m.
St. Barnabas' Church
Wilmington, Delaware
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All are invited
Reservation information to follow
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Fun Fact
Question: Which hit musical was created by a lifelong Episcopalian and includes several songs taken from the 1940 Episcopal Hymnal?
Clue: The dramatist considered becoming an Episcopal priest, and wrote liturgical dramas for the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine in New York City.
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Seven Hundred Years Ago this Week |
On this day in 1430, Joan of Arc, who had been taken prisoner by the Burgundians in May, was handed over to Pierre Cauchon, the English-supporting bishop of Beauvais, who ultimately sentenced her to death.
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The Rt. Rev. Kevin S. Brown was elected the XI Bishop of Delaware on July 15, 2017, on the fifth ballot at a Special Convention held in Middletown. He was ordained and consecrated on December 9, 2017, at Delaware State University, Dover.
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Cycle of Prayer in the Episcopal Church in Delaware |
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This week (week of July 11), in our diocesan Cycle of Prayer, we hold up in prayer St. Philip's Church, Laurel, vestry leadership and parish. For the updated 2020-2021 diocesan Cycle of Prayer click here.
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Open Positions in the Diocese |
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St. Paul’s, Georgetown Seeks Part-Time Parish Administrative Assistant
Bilingual-Bicultural preferred.
The successful candidate must be reliable, have a professional, enthusiastic manner, a “can-do” attitude, and strong computer skills. Attention to detail, and willingness to learn also required. This is a 16-hour a week position. We offer a friendly work environment and excellent hourly rate. Interested persons please send cover letter and resume to: Sharon Mackwell, Senior Warden, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, PO Box 602, Georgetown, DE 19947
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Upcoming Events in our Community |
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Card/Game Party, Friday, July 16, 12-4pm, St. James, Newport
Please come and have lunch even if you don’t want to play a game. The lunch costs $10 and Stumpy is the chef! Chicken salad on a croissant, cranberry, chips, dessert and beverage. If you stay and socialize you get a door prize. Bring your friends for lunch! Help up raise funds for the air conditioning! Come play Bridge, Canasta, Hand and Foot, Rummy, Mahjong, Rack Rummy, Kings in the Corner, Dominoes, etc. Bring your game group and your game. We will also have extra games available. Single players welcome. Reservations are required so that we can have enough food and door prizes. Tell everyone! More information
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Hymn Sing and Dedication of the new Saint Anne’s Church Organ & Piano, Sunday, July 25, 4pm
This special event will recognize the great hymns of our Christian faith with a Hymn Sing, during which we will celebrate and dedicate the new Saint Anne’s organ and piano. The guest accompanist will be the very accomplished musician, Tedde Gibson. To learn more about Mr. Gibson, visit www.teddegibson.com. Everyone is invited to attend in-person to enjoy the rich sound of the instruments, and the concert will also be broadcast live on the Church’s website, www.saintanneschurchde.org.
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Diocesan stewardship workshops coming soon:
- Saturday, August 21, 10-12pm, and
- Wednesday, August 25, 7-9pm
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Zoom links and more information can be found here
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Delaware Urban Farm and Food Coalition, 2021 Urban Agriculture and Community Garden Tour, Saturday, August 7, 9am-1pm, featuring St. Nicholas, Newark.
The 2021 garden tour will be focused on urban agriculture and community gardens in the Newark area.
Stop #1, 9-9:30am, St. Nicholas Episcopal Church garden located at 10 Old Newark Road, Newark, DE 19713. Established in 2011 and opened to the community in 2015. Recipient of NCCD mini-grant in 2019. Garden coordinator Fran Traccone will lead this tour.
Stop #2, 10-10:30am, University of Delaware Cooperative Extension demonstration vegetable garden and native plant garden located at 461 Wyoming Road, Newark, DE 19716. Master Gardener’s will provide an overview of the gardens.
Stop #3, 11-11:30 am, Food Bank of Delaware farm located at 222 Lake Drive, Newark, DE 19702 in the Pencader Industrial Park. Come learn about the hoop houses, CSA and field growing areas from community farm manager Kyle Brolis. 12-1pm. Bring your own lunch for networking under the picnic pavilion at the Food Bank of Delaware.
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Upcoming events in the Episcopal Church |
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Episcopal Church extends invitation to online service to pray for 2022 General Convention
On Saturday, July 17, at 2 p.m. Eastern, bishops, deputies and alternate deputies of The Episcopal Church will gather online for a convocation of prayer to prepare for the 80th General Convention, which will take place in July 2022. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry will preach, and House of Deputies President Gay Clark Jennings will give opening remarks and officiate at the service, which will be led by deputies, bishops and others from across the church. The service is scheduled for the Feast of William White, who was the only person to serve as both The Episcopal Church’s presiding bishop and president of its House of Deputies. More information on how to prepare here. The service will be open to everyone here.
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There is still time to register for upcoming Virtual Episcopal Latino Ministry Competency course
August 9-13, 2021
This is 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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News from the Episcopal Church |
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Pastoral word from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry to the people of Cuba
"To Bishop Griselda Delgado Del Carpio, to my brothers and sisters in the Episcopal Diocese of Cuba, and to all of God’s children in your country, I greet you with the ancient words of the Apostles, 'Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.' I stand in solidarity with you during this time of sickness, food insecurity, economic suffering, and civil unrest. I am praying for you, and I stand for the human rights of all peaceful protesters." Read full statement here
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Presiding Bishop offers pastoral word to all Haitians, Episcopalians in the Diocese of Haiti, following the president's assassination
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry issued a pastoral word to all Haitians and Episcopalians in the Diocese of Haiti following the July 7 early morning assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in his home. Read full statement here
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VTS reparations fund makes first cash payments to descendants of seminary's Black slaves, laborers
By its best estimate, hundreds of Black laborers toiled at Virginal Theological Seminary as slaves in the decades before the Civil War and under later forms of economic exploitation in the era of Jim Crow segregation. In February, the seminary began issuing cash payments to eligible relatives, whom it calls “shareholders.” The initial payments are about $2,100 each, and shareholders are offered access to on-campus amenities that were off-limits to their ancestors. More information
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Statement on Indigenous Boarding Schools
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and President of the House of Deputies the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings issued the following statement regarding Indigenous boarding schools on July 12. Read statement here. (Coverage of Executive Council’s June 25-27 meeting where council discussed Indigenous boarding schools may be read here.)
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Episcopal Church announces 2021 Creation Care and Environmental Racism grant recipients
Seeking to support creative and long-term eco-ministries, The Episcopal Church’s Task Force on the Care of Creation and Environmental Racism has selected 10 new grant recipients, approved by the church’s Executive Council during its June meeting. More information in English and Spanish here
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Office of Church Planting and Mission Development announces ‘Discerning Leadership for Redeveloping Congregations’ virtual retreat
The Episcopal Church’s Office of Church Planting and Mission Development will offer a virtual retreat for those who feel a calling toward church/community redevelopment. More information
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Evangelism Initiatives
"Greetings in the name of Christ who is Good News for us all! I hope you will take a few moments out of your summer activities to look through this newsletter and notice some of the ministry highlights from around the wider church, as well as save the date for our next Evangelism Huddle. We are all so grateful for the ways in which the practice of Episcopal Evangelism continues to grow and expand through your creative and authentic ways of sharing the love of Jesus in the world, and we love being able to share your stories! One story I am thrilled to share is the first of our new monthly feature – Catalyst Connections – where we meet and learn about YOU and your work. This month’s guest is Jim Duke, whom I met through a course at Bexley Seabury. I think you will enjoy his story and his practice. If you have an evangelism story to share, please email us at [email protected]. We – and our witness – is so much better when we share what we have!" Jerusalem Greer, staff officer for evangelism. Read latest newsletter here
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Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s opening remarks for Executive Council: June 25, 2021
For a transcript of the opening remarks of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry at the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church, which met virtually through June 28, read more in English and Spanish here
Episcopal Church Executive Council: opening remarks from the President of the House of Deputies
For a transcript of the opening remarks of President of the House of Deputies Gay Clark Jennings at the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church, which met virtually through June 28, read more in English and Spanish here
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Executive Council advances church’s work on racial justice issues at June virtual meeting
Themes of racial justice, including the experience of people of color within The Episcopal Church, the persecution of Indigenous peoples in North America and plans to extend and magnify the church’s existing truth and reconciliation efforts, dominated the work of the church’s Executive Council during its June 25-28 virtual meeting. More information
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A Year in the Life 04: St. James School
A Year in the Life, filmed throughout the pandemic using COVID-safe protocols, explores how Episcopal schools, ministries, and congregations have adapted to the challenges of the year – from food insecurity to calls for racial justice to worship through restrictions – and more. In this fourth episode, we learn more about a very important Episcopal institution in Pennsylvania. St. James School in North Philadelphia is a school built on relationships – between students, staff, and the community. But how can you maintain those relationships during a pandemic? How can you ensure students are learning, maintaining their mental, physical, and spiritual health, and staying connected to each other? Watch A Year in the Life here
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Episcopal Church reiterates opposition to anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination after Supreme Court foster care ruling
The Episcopal Church is responding to the United States Supreme Court’s ruling in a pivotal case about religious groups’ anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination by expressing support for same-sex parents and concern about the case’s implications. More information
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Churches Uniting in Christ releases summer resources: ‘Labor Day Through the Lens of Racial Equity’
Churches Uniting in Christ (CUIC), a dialogue among ten Protestant faith communions in the U.S., announces the release of new ecumenical resources for local congregations to utilize during the summer season. The resources, available here, are designed to help churches experience Labor Day, through the lens of racial equity. More information
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News from the Anglican Communion |
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Archbishop of Canterbury sends ecumenical solidarity message to South Sudan’s leaders
Archbishop Justin Welby, Pope Francis and the Moderator of the Church of Scotland speak out on the 10th anniversary of South Sudan. More information
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Bishops begin global conversations in the build up to face-to-face Lambeth Conference in 2022
Dialogue between bishops has always been a key feature of Lambeth Conferences; and ahead of the 2022 Lambeth Conference a six-month programme of online Bishops’ Conversations is taking place to help bishops prepare for next year’s face-to-face meeting. More information
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