In this edition: Racial Justice & Reconciliation Grant; Website Survey update; New clergy call announcement; Women's Retreat; Fun Fact, Check it Out! Did You Know? News in the ECD community, Episcopal Church, and Anglican Communion
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Racial Justice and Reconciliation Commission receives Becoming Beloved Community grant
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Congratulations to the Racial Justice and Reconciliation Commission (RJRC) of the Episcopal Church in Delaware for receiving a $7,000 Becoming Beloved Community seed grant from the Episcopal Church to catalyze the church’s work of truth telling, racial healing, reconciliation, and justice! The grant, one of 16 seed grants, will enable the RJRC to work in partnership with clergy, parishes, church leadership, and community and interfaith partners to more closely examine the untold history of systemic racial injustice in our church and community, internalize our Baptismal Covenant, and become the beloved community that the Gospel of Jesus has called us to be. The seed grant was announced at the Episcopal Church’s Executive Council during its June 25-28, 2021 meeting. More information in English and Spanish here.
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Many thanks to all of you who completed the recent survey
for the Episcopal Church in Delaware website!
Based upon your feedback we have been able to make some updates and changes to the current website, which will also be incorporated in the new website. Our thought process for making some changes now is to provide an easier transition to the new website. New websites can be frustrating to navigate, similar to when a grocery store decides to move your everyday items to a different aisle. Most (almost all) of the changes that we have currently made are in the navigation system at the main menu bar.
The information we gathered will be influential in the construction of the new diocesan website, scheduled to be completed by the end of 2021. Check out some of the recent changes to the website here.
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The Rev. Maryann D. Younger, curate of St. David’s Episcopal Church in Wilmington, Delaware, accepts new call!
Younger will be the next rector of St. Philip's Church, Durham, North Carolina, after an eight month search committee process. Congratulations Maryann! Read letter from senior warden to parish here.
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Are you interested in participating in a Women’s Retreat?
Why do people need a retreat?
Because:
- It’s hard to hear God’s voice above the hubub of everyday life
- Faith is contagious and we need each other for faith to spread
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Being together encourages us to “love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24).
- Worshiping, praying, and learning with our siblings in Christ makes us stronger.
If you are interested in spending time in reflection, renewal, fellowship, and connecting with and listening for what God may have planned for you, then let us hear from you. We are imagining a retreat for women of all ages at Memorial House in Rehoboth Beach. To express your interest, please email either of the individuals listed below:
If sufficient interest is expressed, a retreat will be planned for winter 2022. When you respond, please indicate:
- Your first and last name.
- The name of your parish.
- Your age range (20-30, 50-60, etc.)
- Whether you would prefer a weekday or weekend retreat.
We look forward to hearing from you soon!
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Fun Fact
Question: Which bishop kept more than 25 clocks at his Bishopstead home, all exact to the minute?
Clue: He liked to repair clocks as a pastime.
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D'you fancy a burger, fries,
and a cup of coffee?
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Today is National Hamburger Day! On this date in 1586, Sir Thomas Harriot introduced the potato to England on his return from Sir Walter Raleigh's colony on Roanoke Island.
On this date in 1900, Louis Lassing served the first hamburger on a bun in his diner in New Haven, Connecticut. And on this date in 1943, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt announced the end of WWII coffee rationing in the US. Enjoy!
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National Cathedral's Garth Garden has reopened after pandemic closure
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After the 2011 earthquake caused pinnacles to twist and fall, shattering on the Garth’s floor and requiring its closure, Restoration work was required. Work was partly funded by the Delaware Chapter of the National Cathedral Association which, in the past, has given the beautiful fountain by George Tsukatawa, now flowing again since the Cathedral has reopened after pandemic. More information Photograph by Sue Lunger
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Cycle of Prayer in the Episcopal Church in Delaware
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This week (week of July 25), in our diocesan Cycle of Prayer, we hold up in prayer St. David's Church, Wilmington, the Rev. Brad Hinton, rector; the Rev. Maryann Younger, curate; and the Rev. Deacon Bruce Richards. 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. Anne's Episcopal School is pleased to announce an opening for a full-time Chaplain and Religious Studies Teacher.
Reporting to the Head of School, the Chaplain plays a vital role in the life of the St. Anne's community including leading weekly chapel services, teachng religious studies, and overseeing the community service program. Read full job description here. Interested candidates can send their cover letter, resume, and list of references to [email protected].
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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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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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Celebration of New Ministry, the Rev. Shelley D. McDade, Wednesday, August 11, 5pm, St. George's Chapel, Harbeson. All are invited. Reservation information to follow.
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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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Save the Date! Fire and Formation: A Virtual Gathering sponsored by the Commission on Ministry
Saturday, November 6, 10am-12pm
The Fire & Formation initiative is to aid and encourage the laity to discover their passion for Christ, deepen their spirituality, and fully live out their baptismal covenant. More information to follow.
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237th Annual Convention, November 20, 8am–4pm
This year's one-day, hybrid convention will take place both virtually and in person at St. Andrew's School, Middletown. View the Call to Convention to learn more. All convention information can be found on the diocesan website, here.
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Upcoming events in the Episcopal Church
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Re-Vision and Renew: Discerning Leadership for Redeveloping Congregations, Thursdays, August 5, 12, 19 and 26, 12 to 5 p.m.
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. The retreat is designed to give participants feedback around core competencies in church redevelopment. It is designed to nurture leaders who will encourage their congregations to develop relationships and partnerships outside the church — relationships which then invite change and redevelopment within the church. More information
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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 and beyond
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Make a Global Difference! Apply to be a member of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's delegation to the 2021 U.N. climate change conference (COP26)
Who? All Episcopalians over 18 are invited to apply, especially young adults, people of color, Indigenous and LGBTQ people, and those whose communities have been affected by climate change and environmental injustice
Where? Online in virtual daily meetings
When? October 31-November 12
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Denominations have begun creating special prayers for fatal mass shootings
Episcopal Bishop Scott Hayashi, himself a victim of gun violence, now advocates with a group of other U.S. Episcopal bishops on the issue. In 2018 the clerics decided their push was missing something: a prayer. More information
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Survey: White mainline Protestants outnumber white evangelicals, while ‘nones’ shrink
White Christian decline has slowed. Mainline Protestants now outnumber white evangelicals. New York is home to several of the most religiously diverse counties in the U.S. These shifts and findings are among some of the notable revelations documented in a sweeping and exhaustive survey of the U.S. religious landscape by the Public Religion Research Institute. More information
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Taskforce announced training updates to Safe Church curriculum
Three new courses related to safe church policies within the Episcopal Church were released July 14, with webinars planned soon to help dioceses transition to a new learning platform. All new courses will be launched to create a new program called Safe Church, Safe Communities. Developed by the Task Force to Develop Model Sexual Harassment Policies and Safe Church Training in partnership with risk management vendor Praesidium, the new courses are Introduction and Theological Background, Organizational Rules and Model Policies, and Abuse and Neglect. A train-the-trainer course will also be available live over Zoom and in-person in November, according to Judith Andrews, chair of the task force. In addition, the following courses will be added to Praesidium Academy by the end of 2021:
- Healthy Boundaries
- Power & Relationships
- Inclusion
- Pastoral Relationships
- Anti-Harassment
- Bullying
- Reporting Abuse
The new learning modules reflect policies approved by The Episcopal Church in 2017 for the protection of children, youth, and vulnerable adults. More information
As the new course materials are being released, Praesidium is transitioning from the Armatus platform to Praesidium Academy. Learn more about the upgrade here
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Presenting Hybrid Church Effectively (Part 2)
"While there are divergent opinions about online services and worship, there is common agreement that a hybrid offering can be effective in reaching people who may not return to a post-pandemic, in-person setting.
Hybrid has been defined as a combination of an in-person service with an online service, either livestreamed or recorded, of the Eucharist, Morning Prayer, Compline, Noonday Prayer, or a Bible study. Even those who may not be enthralled with hybrid recognize its value. 'The digital world is a new mission frontier,' said Bishop Pierre Whalon, chair of the House of Bishops’ Ecclesiology Committee. 'And the church needs to be there. And the church needs to know how to use it.'” Read full Living Church article here
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A Year in the Life 05: Episcopal Service Corps
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. Each year, young adults answer the call to serve God and neighbor through the Episcopal Service Corps, or ESC, and its affiliates around the country. When Corps members discerned their calls to serve with the New York Service & Justice Collaborative, they knew they would partner with places like the Church of the Holy Apostles’ soup kitchen and the Trinity Episcopal Church Giving Tree thrift shop. But during a pandemic, how could they continue the work they had been given to do? The answer: creativity, faithfulness, commitment, and an exceptional love for their neighbors. Watch A Year in the Life here
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News from the Anglican Communion
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Young Anglicans to expose scandal of gender-based violence with 16-Days video campaign
Entries for the campaign: “Exposure – Focusing the lens on gender-based violence” can be submitted until 31 October.
The Anglican Communion has launched a social media video campaign to mark this year’s 30th anniversary of the annual international 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign. Young Anglicans from around the world are being invited to take part in the campaign by submitting a video which the Anglican Communion Office can release during the 16 Days, which runs from 25 November to 10 December.
The Anglican Communion’s Project Director for Gender Justice, Mandy Marshall, said: “sadly gender based violence is still with us 30 years after the campaign started, yet there is amazing work going on around the Communion to address it. “We need to hear the voices and views of young Anglicans to challenge us into prioritising ending GBV in our churches.” Young Anglicans – defined for this campaign as Anglicans aged 35 or under – are invited to submit videos of up to two-minutes duration by email or WhatsApp. The selected videos will be published by the Anglican Communion Office during the 16 Days of Activism. Full details of the campaign, and information about how to submit videos, are available at anglicancommunion.org/exposure.
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Church of England Debates Parish System, Unity, Clergy Discipline
Anxiety about the future of the Church of England’s parish system, unity across differences over the ordination of women, and the adequacy of its clergy discipline system featured prominently in the latest semiannual session of its General Synod, held online July 9-12. More information
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