A WEEKLY eNEWSLETTER AND OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN DELAWARE | |
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Statement on Israel and Gaza
A message from Bishop Brown
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The morning of Saturday, October 8, I was celebrating the confirmation and reception of thirteen candidates at Christ Church Christiana Hundred. In my sermon, I preached energetically on Jesus’ gospel call to “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” The day was joyful, and I once again departed an Episcopal parish inspired anew by its people and its faith.
We had no idea that only a few hours before, hundreds of civilians were massacred by Hamas terrorists who crossed into southern Israel from Gaza in a massive terrorist assault. Hundreds were taken hostage, and the catalog of inhuman treatment inflicted on others (murder, rape, and other brutalities) is abhorrent. Hamas continues to fire missiles into Israel daily. The attacks prompted Israel to an immediate national mobilization for war, which included preventing all movement of people to and from the Gaza Strip, including cutting the flow of electricity, food, water, and medical supplies. Israel began regular bombing of targets inside Gaza. A deplorable terrorist attack on thousands of civilians has caused an instant humanitarian crisis for millions more.
Read full statement here
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Saturday, October 22
7:00pm - 8:00pm
St. Thomas's Parish
276 S. College Avenue
Newark, DE 19711
Join us at St. Thomas's Parish on Saturday, October 22, for a Peace Vigil in support of the Middle East.
We extend an open invitation to everyone to unite with us in this candlelit vigil. This unique gathering aims to encourage unity within our community, transcending age, religious beliefs, and backgrounds.
More information:
https://fb.me/e/6IiIy5sVg
In-Person and
Live onYouTube:
www.youtube.com/@stthomasnewarkde
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Friday, October 27
5:30pm - 7:00pm
Christ Church Christiana Hundred
505 Buck Road; Wilmington, DE 19807
The dean of St. George's College in Jerusalem, Richard Sewell, and his wife, JulieAnn will be ,visiting Wilmington on Friday, October 27th. They are scheduled to hold a discussion and reception. This event is open to anyone keen to discover more about the college's ministry and its offerings for Holy Land pilgrimages. Additionally, Richard and JulieAnn will share their personal insights on the ongoing challenges in Israel and Palestine.
This visit is made possible by the North American Committee for Saint George's College, Jerusalem, and we extend our gratitude to Christ Church Christiana Hundred for their generous hospitality in hosting the reception.
There is no cost for this event, however RSVPs are requested.
RSVP here: https://conta.cc/46uOXoj
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Oh, what a day!
Parish Communications Workshop
Watch the video reel to view excerpts from reels created for the first time by participants from across our diocese during the 'Reel Ministry' session, one of the many offerings at the Parish Communications Workshop. You might even spot someone from your own parish featured in these reels!
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The recent Parish Communications Workshop was an outstanding success, bringing together participants of all ages from across the diocese. The event marked the second annual workshop and left attendees feeling inspired and empowered in the realm of digital communication. Many discovered newfound skills and capabilities, realizing that they could create engaging content and embrace technology they had never thought possible. The workshop covered a wide range of topics, from the art of quickly producing clips and quotes from sermons (using mobile phone video recording) to enhance newsletters and post on social media, to the intricacies of understanding analytics and identifying target audiences. Notably, everyone successfully participated in creating reels for Instagram, showcasing their newfound learning. Participant feedback reflected a sense of gratitude and motivation, with individuals leaving the event equipped with immediate action items and fresh, innovative ideas. It was not just a day of fellowship but also an educational journey that boosted confidence and motivation to elevate digital outreach and social media presence within the diocese.
Participants expressed their enthusiasm for the program and their gratitude for the informative sessions and the warm sense of community it fostered. The leaders and the panel of presenters generously shared their knowledge and experiences, leaving attendees feeling well-prepared and ready to implement the valuable insights gained during the workshop. Many have already begun to collaborate with members of their churches to put into practice what they had learned. In addition, some participants noted that they were initially apprehensive about concepts like blogging and posting sermon snippets but felt reassured by the supportive atmosphere and the notion that, as one leader put it, "if it's out there, I can learn it." Looking ahead, attendees eagerly anticipated the next workshop, recognizing the importance of being part of a supportive community and the immense value of the practical concepts shared throughout the day. The success of this Parish Communications Workshop underscores its vital role in equipping the Episcopal Church in Delaware with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in the digital age while fostering a sense of togetherness and shared purpose.
To learn about all the details of the day, click here.
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St. Anne's Church announces
Contemplative Prayer Formation and Practice
with the Rev. Justin Lanier
- Wednesdays by Zoom, beginning October 25
- 6:30-7:00 pm Silent Centering Prayer Period
- 7:00-7:45 pm Practical Teaching on Contemplative Prayer
Everyone is invited to these weekly sessions. Practice silent prayer in community and then take a deep dive into the contemplative tradition with Fr. Justin Lanier, a rising leader in Christian contemplation and an Episcopal priest who brings years of experience with contemplative prayer to this ministry. If you have questions about this ministry or want to register for the weekly Zoom link, please contact the Rev. Russ Bohner, rector of Saint Anne’s, at Rector@SaintAnnesChurchDE.org or through the church office at 302-378-2401.
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Let's Celebrate contest
deadline extended to 11/4
The Invite Welcome Connect team has extended the deadline for the Let's Celebrate contest to November 4th. Click here to read all details for the contest.
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Episcopal Church and Anglican leaders
continue to share prayers and statements calling
for an end to the violence impacting Israelis and Palestinians
Below is a partial list of statements and resources and Bishop Deon K. Johnson's Prayer for Peace
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Fun Fact
Question: Which diocesan bishop visited the UK while on sabbatical and was there for a royal wedding?
Clue: Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert Runcie, gave the homily at the wedding.
Answer: Here
Image: "St Paul's Cathedral" by garryknight is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
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Chi Rho combines two Greek letters into a symbol to make it look like the letter X. This is placed over the bottom of the letter P, which forms the symbol ☧. The translation into English means "Christ." While semi-obscure to present-day believers, it was extremely well-known during the time of Roman Emperor Constantine. More information
Image: "File:Bisanzio, patera col monogramma chi-ro, VI secolo, argento in parte dorato.jpg" by Sailko is licensed under CC BY 3.0.
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Check it Out!
Alpha and Omega
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Alpha and Omega, in Christianity, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, used to designate the comprehensiveness of God, implying that God includes all that can be. In the New Testament Revelation to John, the term is used as the self-designation of God and of Christ. The reference in Revelation likely had a Jewish origin. More information
Image: "Alpha and Omega book" by Meuble_héraldique_livre.svg: Blr2 derivative work: Alekjds is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
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