September 2, 2020
"I do not believe people are afraid of change; they're afraid of loss."
— Bishop Brown
IN THIS EDITION: sermon by the Rev. Anna Waid, clergy in transition, What is EPPN?, Fun Fact, Bishop Brown calls all artists, Did You Know?, Check it Out!, diocesan program dates, news from the Episcopal Church, and more ...
Bishop appoints the Rev. Deacon Laurence Norfleet
as diocesan Disaster Preparedness Officer
Our churches serve many important roles, from spreading the gospel to loving and healing, to hospitality and fellowship, and, of course, providing a safe place of worship. When a disaster hits a community churches also have a unique role to play — one that requires a particular set of gifts and resources. Bishop Brown has appointed the Rev. Deacon Laurence 'Larry' Norfleet to serve as the Disaster Preparedness Officer for the Episcopal Church in Delaware. Deacon Larry has a proven track record of organizing and reaching out through non-profit organizations and local churches of all denominations to support those in need. He also has extensive experience in preparing plans as a Quality and Safety Manager. Larry is very excited about this appointment and says, "I am looking forward to working with all parishes and putting our best foot forward in creating preparedness plans that will serve our needs in the state of Delaware. With the great energy in this diocese, I know we can make a difference."

We live in an area that has the potential to experience natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, and floods. We are also increasingly aware of the possibility of human-initiated disasters such as terrorism. Prudent stewardship of the resources of the church requires that we be prepared for such events. We also owe it to the communities in which we live and worship to exercise leadership in helping those communities to be resilient in the face of possible disaster.

Churches live by the Gospel and heed the call to serve Christ in serving those in need. Organizing these resources in an emergency is not easy; it requires preparation, a vision of what operational response can be, and an understanding of how best to use resources in support of a recovering community. There will be an opportunity to learn more about this ministry as work progresses.
Safe Faith: A Stumbling Block
The Rev. Anna Waid
St. David's Church, Wilmington
Sunday, August 30, 2020
This sermon was delivered by the Rev. Ann Waid on August 30, 2020, during the weekly (livestream) Sunday morning service at St. David's Episcopal Church in Wilmington, Delaware.
Clergy transitions in the Episcopal Church in Delaware
We are happy to welcome the Rev. Ted Olson, now a canonical resident in Delaware, after Bishop Brown received his Holy Orders from the Roman Catholic Church on August 26, 2020.
We are pleased to announce that the Rev. Deacon Maryann Younger has accepted a call to serve as Curate at St. David's Church, Wilmington, beginning September 8th, 2020.
What is the Episcopal Public Policy Network?
How can I be an advocate?
How can I receive alerts?

The Episcopal Public Policy Network is a grassroots network of Episcopalians across the country dedicated to carrying out the Baptismal Covenant call to "strive for justice and peace" through the active ministry of public policy advocacy.


A few things from your Episcopal Public Policy Network (EPPN):

Calling all artists, young and old! Let's start a new tradition:
I am inviting you to design one of three Christmas cards for 2020

The scripture text inside the card will be Luke 2:10-11, where the angel proclaimed, Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. More information.
Fun Fact
Question: Which church in our diocese has survived unaltered since America's pre-Revolutionary period and has never been plumbed, heated, electrified, or painted?

Clue: It is also known as Old Lightwood because of its construction.

Answer: here.
Did you know?
The Battle of Cooch's Bridge was the only Revolutionary War battle fought in Delaware
Fought on September 3, 1777, the Battle of Cooch's Bridge has two principal distinctions. It was the only battle of the American Revolutionary War fought on Delaware soil, and marked the first time that the Stars and Stripes was flown in battle. The battle was fought between British and Hessian troops under Generals Cornwallis, Howe, and Knyphausen and the Colonial troops under General Washington. At this time, the partially constructed St. James Church, Newport, was being used as a headquarters and stables by Delaware Revolutionary Forces. The building was used again for worship in 1787. More information.
Check it out!
Foundations of a Roman Church, England's Oldest Church,
Restored in Colchester
The remains of the oldest Christian church in England have undergone a restoration. It is thought that the church was built around AD 320 towards the end of the Roman occupation of Britain. The High Steward of Colchester, Sir Bob Russell, said he was grateful that the local council had “now arranged for more extensive restoration of the remaining stonework of this amazing survivor of the early days of Christianity in our country. This should be promoted as a major tourist attraction, along with the Roman Chariot Circus which is the only one known to have existed in this country.” More information
What the world needs now is love sweet love!
There are some times more than others when the world needs love. As people all over the world face the challenges of life during the COVID-19 pandemic, this is one of those times. Hear the Broadway community who gathered to sing in support of those killed in the 2016 Orlando shooting.
Cycle of Prayer in the Episcopal Church in Delaware
This week (week of August 30) we hold up in prayer St. James' Mill Creek Hundred, The Rev. Kim F. Capwell, Interim Rector; the Rev. Arthur W. Archer, Rector Emeritus. For 2020-2021 Cycle of Prayer Calendar click here.
News from the Episcopal Church in Delaware
Save the date for two events!


Wednesday, September 19, 2020

The Bishop will offer a Zoom wrap-up meeting for those participating in the 21-day Racial Equity Challenge Program.

More information to come.

Saturday October 3, 2020

There will be a Special Zoom Gathering, sponsored by the Commission on Ministry.

Celebrate Sea Sunday! Remembering Seafarers - Our Supply Chain Heroes, September 20, 2020
Almost everything we use in our daily life arrives by ship. And it is seafarers, an invisible society of workers that bring those ships to our shores. As we drive our imported cars, eat fresh fruit, and wear clothing that is manufactured overseas we give little thought as to how these items made it into our stores. At the Seamen's Center of Wilmington we see firsthand the sacrifices these workers make in order to earn a living for their families. This year, more than ever, we have witnessed that dedication as seafarers were not able to set foot on shore for months on end due to COVID-19. We have seen crew after crew unable to go home when their contract ended, again due to the pandemic. Remembering them on Sea Sunday has never been more important. More information.
News from the Episcopal Church
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry to preach on ‘Day 1’
The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, presiding bishop and primate of The Episcopal Church, is the featured preacher September 13 on “Day 1” with host Peter Wallace, the nationally broadcast ecumenical radio program also accessible online at Day1.org and by podcast. He has preached on the program numerous times since 1990. More information.
2020-2021 Conant Grants awarded to fund theological education
Eleven grants for a total of $94,079 have been awarded through the Conant Grants from the Episcopal Church for the 2020-2021 academic year. Conant Grant funds are provided for the improvement of seminary-based theological education. Specifically, the grants are directed for the support of research, writing and course development undertaken by faculty members at the recognized Episcopal seminaries in the United States. The funds are derived from a trust fund established by William S. and Mary M. Conant in 1953. More information.
Executive Council awards Episcopal Church Constable Fund Grants
The Constable Grants were named for visionary philanthropist Marie Louise Constable. In 1935, in the midst of the Great Depression, Constable made a monetary gift to the Episcopal Church to establish the Fund. At its June, 2020 meeting, the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church approved the recipients of the Constable Fund Grants, totaling $ $209,500 for nine projects. The Constable Fund provides grants to fund mission initiatives that were not provided for within the budget of The Episcopal Church as approved by General Convention. The Constable Fund Grant Review Committee was chaired by Mr. George Wing, an Executive Council member from the Diocese of Colorado. See full grant information here.
New Way of Love, Practices for a Jesus-Centered Life resources support Building an Intentional Small Group Ministry
The Episcopal Church continues to offer new resources for congregations interested in following the Way of Love as a way of life by starting small group ministries. New resources include the Building an Intentional Small Group Ministry information packet, an infographic, video compilations, and social media graphics. These resources are available in English here, Spanish here and French here. More information in English here. More information in French here. More information in Spanish here.
Episcopal Youth Event cancelled/EYEx Planning Underway
The Episcopal Church Department of Faith Formation, in collaboration with the 2020 Episcopal Youth Event (EYE20) planning team and Episcopal Church leadership, announced today that the Episcopal Youth Event (EYE) will not be convened this triennium due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. “I recognize and share the deep disappointment this holds,” said Bronwyn Clark Skov, staff officer for Youth Ministries. “During the next year, our office will focus on discerning and implementing creative and meaningful support for youth ministry and leadership formation. Undoubtedly, new models for ministry are emerging and God is calling upon us to unite and respond.” More information in English. More information in Spanish.
Presiding Bishop Curry Joins Denominational Leaders in Amicus Brief before Supreme Court in support of rights of same-sex couples and the appropriate place of religious liberty.
"Nondiscrimination policies that forbid government contractors from discriminating against same-sex couples seeking to serve as foster parents do not unconstitutionally burden religious liberty," says Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael B. Curry. He has joined the leaders of other major religious groups in signing a friend of the court brief in support of the City of Philadelphia in Fulton v. Philadelphia, a case now before the United States Supreme Court. He has done so to affirm the commitment of The Episcopal Church to both equal protection of the law for LGBTQ persons and appropriate protections for religious liberty. Read full press release here.
Celebrate the Season of Creation, September 1 – October 4, 2020
Episcopalians are invited to join churches around the world in celebrating the Season of Creation; a time for people of faith to renew their relationship with God and all creation through celebration, prayer, and action. The Season’s roots rise from the Orthodox Christian tradition; the World Council of Churches was instrumental in making the special time a season, extending the celebration from September 1 until St. Francis Day, October 4. The Episcopal Church Office of Creation Care offers Season of Creation and St. Francis Day Resources to help plan. More information.
News from the Anglican Communion
What do Anglicans Believe? – New study guide published by Anglican Communion
A new study guide on Christian doctrine has been published by the Anglican Communion. “What do Anglicans Believe” is an introduction to Christian doctrine. It draws on both Anglican and ecumenical statements of belief. The study guide introduces a number of ecumenical texts and then asks questions to help students consider the practical application of the agreements in the life of their churches; including whether or not the life of their church “demonstrates that it is of Jesus Christ and what he does”; and how churches can show this more clearly. The study guides can be downloaded free of charge in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese from anglicancommunion.org/teac.
Church and theological college damaged in Lebanese port blast
All Saints Anglican Church on Lebanon’s Mediterranean shore suffered “material damage” in the recent massive explosions in Lebanon. The Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem, Suheil Dawani, whose diocese includes Lebanon, has launched an emergency appeal to aid the diocesan response. “Since the explosion, we have been in constant communication with Imad Zoorob, Archdeacon over Lebanon and Syria, who also serves as the Rector of All Saints Episcopal Church in Beirut, located about a mile from where the blast took place”, Archbishop Suheil said. “In the aftermath of the explosion, he was able to assess the status of our two resident congregations there, as well as the damage to All Saints and to our complex at the Near Eastern School of Theology (NEST). “The good news is that no member of our congregations was killed or seriously hurt. On the other hand, many of our parishioners’ apartments suffered damage, as did our Anglican Centre at NEST.” More information
Dr. Agnes Aboum tells WCC how Covid-19 must change mission
Dr. Agnes Aboum of the Anglican Church of Kenya laid out key challenges for the world’s churches as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, in her address as Chair of the World Council of Churches’ (WCC) Executive Committee. She set out the key issues that churches and their communities need to bring to the fore as they deal with the health crises, lockdowns, and economic impact of Covid-19. She outlined the criteria for mission responses to Covid-19 in an online address on 23 July, and told global ecumenical leaders that while Covid-19 has negatively affected churches’ ability to spread hope and care for the vulnerable in person, there are many more areas where the churches’ mission priorities need to shift to help mitigate the social and economic impact of Covid-19 on poor and vulnerable communities. The full text of Dr Aboum’s address is available here.
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