In this edition: New diocesan website launched; Fun Fact; Check it Out!; Did You Know?; Upcoming events; News in the ECD community, Episcopal Church, and Anglican Communion
|
|
New diocesan website launched! |
|
Thank you for your input and ideas!
In preparation for creating a new website, a diocesan-wide response was solicited, via a survey, asking our website visitors how they use the site, what they liked, what they didn’t like, and what they would like to see in a new website. Your feedback and ideas, along with our analytics, were influential in the construction of the new website. After analyzing the surveys and seeking input from a panel of reviewers, a sub-committee of the communications team worked to complete a new design. It is now live!
The website is designed for seekers, with the intent to 1) direct them to our parish websites and 2) provide information about our diocese as well as the Episcopal Church. It is also created to be a resource for our clergy, church administrators, church leaders, and all members of our diocese — our anticipated audience. We have provided many pictures from around the diocese to help provide a visually attractive experience, with special care to give the site a clean, modern look, and to be easily navigable. The site is filled with a plethora of information and images.
Please take a moment to check out the new diocesan website and the resources it offers. We hope you enjoy and welcome your comments and feedback at [email protected].
|
|
Fun Fact
Question: Which diocesan bishop got stranded by snow one Christmas, and surprised a local snowbound woman by delivering her a hot breakfast?
Clue: This bishop loved his visitations into rural Delaware and always claimed to have a “special affection for Sussex County” because he considered it “most characteristically Delawarean.”
|
|
On This Date in History — Two Events That Changed The World! |
|
 |
On this date in 312 CE, Roman emperor Constantine the Great is said to have received his famous Vision of the Cross |
Constantine the Great's rule over the Roman Empire was impactful for his conversion to Christianity and promotion of the religion during his lifetime. His Edict of Milan in 313 declared tolerance for the Christian faith across the Roman Empire. He was influential in developing the Nicene Creed in 325, and he also ordered construction of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher on the supposed site of Jesus' tomb in Jerusalem, now the holiest site in Christianity. This process of conversion began at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, one of the civil wars during his reign. The day before this battle, October 27, Constantine had a vision which "he saw with his own eyes in the heavens and a trophy of the cross arising from the light of the sun, carrying the message, In Hoc Signo Vinces" ("with this sign, you shall win"). His forces arrived at the battle with symbols unfamiliar to his opponent, with the Emperor developing the Chi Rio symbol to symbolize Jesus Christ. His advocacy for the Christian faith was a significant turning point in Christian history, leading it to become the dominant religion in the Empire and subsequently across Europe for centuries to come. (Painting by Raphael)
|
|
|
|
On this date in 1962,
an obscure Russian naval officer
saved the world from nuclear war
|
Vasili Alexandrovich Arkhipov, a Russian naval officer on a submarine during the Cuban missile crisis, refused to fire a nuclear torpedo at an American aircraft carrier, averting a third world war and global thermo-nuclear destruction. US Navy warships located the submarine B-59 near Cuba and dropped warning depth charges. The sub’s crew, after traveling for four weeks, were tired and unaware of what was going on, with little communication with Moscow. Captain, Valentin Savitsky, believing nuclear war had broken out, ordered a ten kiloton nuclear torpedo be fired against the US aircraft carrier leading the task force. That required all three senior officers to agree. Arkhipov argued that since no orders had come in a long time, such a drastic action was ill-advised and the sub should surface to contact Moscow. It did so and was met by a US destroyer. The Americans didn’t board. Instead, the Russians turned away from Cuba and headed north, back to Russia. Khrushchev, after a 13-day stand-off, offered to dismantle Cuban bases if Kennedy lifted the blockade and promised not to invade Cuba. The crisis was over. |
|
|
|
Cycle of Prayer in the Episcopal Church in Delaware |
|
This week (week of October 24), in our diocesan Cycle of Prayer, we hold up in prayer St. Barnabas' Church, Wilmington, the Rev. Kenneth Katona, rector, and the Rev. George Karney, rector emeritus. For the 2020-2021 diocesan Cycle of Prayer click here.
|
|
A New Season of Building Opportunity in Delaware
Now available!
Join DCF President & CEO Stuart Comstock-Gay every Monday from October 25 to November 29 for the
Comstock-Gay talks with Delaware nonprofit leaders about how they’re advancing equity through their organizations to build opportunity for all people and strengthen our communities. You'll hear conversations with:
-
Arreon Harley-Emerson, Choir School of Delaware - Listen Now!
- Faye Blake, Pathways to Success
- Chazz Rezwinicki, Dover Federal Credit Union
- Lossie Freeman, ZipCode Wilmington
- Annie Norman, Delaware State Libraries
- Cynthia Primo Martin, Author, Handbook for Nonprofit Leadership: Recruiting, Training and Engaging Trustees of Color
|
|
Education for Ministry — Every baptized person is called to ministry
Do you enjoy sharing in study and fellowship?
Are you looking to grow in faith?
Do you yearn to better articulate what you believe?
If you find these questions tugging at your spirit, an Education for Ministry group may be a good fit for you! Education for Ministry (EfM) combines fellowship, study, and guided discussions in a small group format over the course of the program year. EfM groups gather weekly to discuss readings and reflect in the ways we find God in the world around us. This autumn, our St. David's, Wilmington, EfM group hopes to begin our third year together. We’ll meet most Tuesdays from 6:30-8:45pm on Zoom, with a handful of meetings throughout the year being in-person at St. David’s Church. Our group currently has five members who are in their first year, second year, or third year of EfM. Are you called to join us? If you are interested in learning more, please reach out to the group’s mentor, the Rev. Ann Kathryne Urinoski.
|
|
MLK Voice 4 Youth Contest, Registration now open!
First Prize $2000, Second Prize $1000, Third Prize $500
Presented by the YWCA and Christ Church Christiana Hundred, MLK VOICE 4 YOUTH is a statewide, spoken word contest for high school students, grades 9–12. The contest challenges students to reflect on Dr. King’s work in the 1960s and creatively share how his legacy guides their response to today’s challenges. More information
|
|
St. James' Mill Creek, Wilmington, Annual Bazaar, Friday, November 5
and Saturday, November 6, 10am-3pm
The St. James' Bazaar is back! It's a little different this year. Items won't be displayed in several shops. All the shops will be set up in the parish hall. There will be many of your favorite hand crafted items as well as many new ones.
Crafts!
Snacks!
Raffles
We hope you will join us — we've missed you!
|
|
Fire and Formation Introduction: An offering by the Commission on Ministry
Saturday, November 6, 10am-12noon, via Zoom
The Commission on Ministry (COM) is offering the Episcopal Church in Delaware the opportunity of the Fire & Formation initiative. The mission of Fire & Formation is to aid and encourage people to discover their passion for Christ, deepen their spirituality, and fully live out their baptismal covenant. The intention is to provide support to the already good work being done in congregations. Fire & Formation’s introduction on November 6 also includes sharing more about the mission, forming small groups, available resources, and opportunity to enter into conversation and reflection on baptismal living. Be sure to see the Fire & Formation webpage (https://delaware.church/fire-formation/) on our diocesan website. Resources are designed for groups and individuals. Register in advance for this meeting:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
|
|
St. Thomas’s Parish, Newark, Annual Bazaar, Friday, November 12
and Saturday, November 13, 9am–4pm
You will find unique holiday crafts, fresh baked goods, cookie walk (build your own cookie tray), quarts of homemade soups, second-hand Christmas decorations, resale shop/white elephant sale, and exclusive new items. Join us for lunch, which may be purchased between 11:30am–1pm. All proceeds from the Annual Bazaar go to Outreach Ministries. fo is available at sMore information
|
|
Organ Dedication and Concert, Friday, November 12, 7pm
St. Barnabas, Wilmington
You are invited to St. Barnabas’ Episcopal Church which will dedicate its new organ. Organist, Dr. Will Thomas, will perform an organ recital featuring works of Jehan Alain, J.S. Bach, César Franck, and Felix Mendelssohn. The program will also include a commissioned work by Robert J. Powell to mark the beginning of Dr. Thomas’s tenure as Director of Music.
|
|
St. David's, Wilmington, Annual Craft Fair
Saturday, November 13, 9am-3pm
There is no admission fee and parking is free. For over 50 years St. David’s has been able to fund community outreach and ministry needs from monies raised at our annual Craft Fair. This year our fair has been scaled down to keep everyone safe. However, we still have so much to offer! 25 crafters will arrive from around the tri-state area to sell unique, high quality, handmade goods at this popular show. In addition to the talented crafters, we also offer the following:
Attic Treasures - a place for yard sale bargains, sports equipment, and gently used children’s toys and accessories.
$5 will get you priority admission at 8:30am before the 9:00am general sale starts!
Book Sale - gently used books for sale.
Silent Auction - includes beautiful gift baskets and more!
Bake Sale – homemade baked goodies and breads.
Beef Barley Soup! Our very own Jeff Cook from Two Fat Guys Restaurant and Catering will be selling his famous Beef Barley soup for take-out. More information
|
|
Wonderful Opportunity to Join Choral Pilgrimage to UK!
Choir Residency and Choral Pilgrimage, St. Paul's Cathedral, London
Christ Church Christiana Hundred, Wilmington, is pleased to announce the Christ Church Choir will be in residence at St. Paul’s Cathedral. The pilgrimage welcomes all, members and non-members.
Choir Residency at St. Paul's Cathedral, July 25-31, 2022
The choir sing daily evensong and the Eucharist on Sunday, led by choir director, Bruce Barber.
Choral Pilgrimage to East Anglian Cathedrals and Historic Sites,
July 20-August 1, 2022
Our rector, Ruth Beresford, will lead up to 30 pilgrims to explore sacred sites and share in worship and fellowship as companions of the choir. Our pilgrimage begins in Norwich, visiting cathedrals and other sites of historic and cultural interest in East Anglia. The pilgrims join the choir in London, each day visiting some of the world’s great museums, churches, cathedrals, and attending Evensong at St. Paul’s Cathedral. Each night will provide free time for all to enjoy the sights and sounds of the city. With a maximum of 30 pilgrims accompanying the choir, we invite you to register as soon as possible. This pilgrimage welcomes all, members and non-members of Christ Church. A $500 reservation deposit is fully refundable until December 1, 2021. See full itinerary, pilgrim registration, and chorister registration here. |
|
News from the Episcopal Church and beyond |
|
United Nations Climate Change Events,
October and November, 2021
Episcopal Church Climate Advocacy at the UN
There are various events throughout the conference in which you are invited to participate
COP26 Kick-Off with the Presiding Bishop's Delegation
Thursday, October 28, 1pm
Join the Presiding Bishop's delegates at the public launch event here
Liturgy for Planetary Crisis: Episcopal Church Worship Service during COP26
Saturday, November 6, 11am
Please join in prayer and worship here
Closing Event: Report Back from Presiding Bishop's Delegation
Friday, November 12, 2pm
Gather with Episcopal Church advocates and ecumenical partners for this closing even , culminating in a faith-led vision for ongoing Episcopal Church advocacy around climate change here
|
|
Washington National Cathedral dedicates carving to Elie Wiesel, the first modern Jew memorialized in the building
Washington National Cathedral on Tuesday dedicated the fourth of the planned quartet of human rights carvings in the building’s vestibule, honoring the late Elie Wiesel with prayer and discussion of the Holocaust survivor’s legacy of pursuing justice, hope and faith in the face of humanity’s darkest crimes. More information
|
|
The Episcopal Church, October Creation Care Newsletter
This October, people of faith around the world are calling for climate justice and preparing to bear witness at the United Nations 26th Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, also known as “COP26.” The Episcopal Church is engaging virtually in advocacy, prayer, worship, and more - and you're invited to get involved! Read October newsletter here
|
|
Episcopal Evangelism, October Newsletter
A slideshow presentation from 2018 (revised in 2021) has been circulating on Twitter,gaining traction in both positive and negative responses. Some folks found it insightful, thought-provoking, and often on target. Other folks found it redundant, behind-the-times, and condescending. Maybe it doesn’t tell the full story, but perhaps it is not completely off the mark. Especially when it comes to the idea of offering “belonging” as essential to the Christian mission. Read October newsletter here
|
|
Grant applications open for Episcopal Church Constable Fund grants, which focus on religious education, and Roanridge Trust grants, which support leadership development in small towns and rural communities. The application deadline for both is December 12.
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 2018, with a stated preference for work in the area of religious education. The grants are named for visionary philanthropist Marie Louise Constable, who made a gift to The Episcopal Church in 1935, during the Great Depression, to establish the fund.
More information on Constable Fund application requirements and the application forms are available in English at this link and in Spanish at this link.
Roanridge Trust was established by the Cochel family, who originally gave a working farm in Missouri called Roanridge to The Episcopal Church. Income from the trust generates the grant funds, which are used for the "training of town and country ministry and rural Christian workers” of The Episcopal Church. They support creative models of leadership development and training for laity and clergy in small towns and rural communities across The Episcopal Church. Programs to be conducted in metropolitan areas are not eligible for Roanridge Trust grants. Dioceses, congregations and Episcopal Church-related organizations and institutions are invited to apply for Roanridge Trust grants. Applications require diocesan bishop approval. More information, application forms and instructions about the Roanridge Trust grants are available in English at this link and in Spanish at this link.
For more information about either grant, contact the Rev. Molly James, deputy executive officer of the General Convention, 212.716.6048, or Mr. George Wing, chair of the grant review committee, [email protected].
|
|
News from the Anglican Communion |
|
The Lambeth Conference: The journey is under way, update from The Archbishop of Canterbury
The four-year journey of the 15th Lambeth Conference has begun. During 2021, bishops from almost every part of the Anglican Communion, have been meeting online to consider how we can truly be ‘God’s Church for God’s world’ in the 21st Century. This current listening together phase has consisted of a series of online group discussions between bishops across provinces – to prepare for the face-to-face conference. Bishops’ spouses have also been meeting for online discussions. Read full update here
|
|
Subscribe | Unsubscribe from diocesan mailing lists
If you wish to subscribe or unsubscribe from select diocesan mailing lists, please click HERE.
Please note: if you click on the unsubscribe@youremailaddress in the footer section below, you will be unsubscribing from all electronic news
or letters coming from the diocese.
|
|
TO ENLARGE FONT SIZE PRESS CTRL+
no later than Monday noon for a Wednesday publication.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
