In this edition: 237th Annual Convention Wrap-Up; Advent and Christmas services; The Rev. Patty Downing honored; Christ Church Dover re-dedication; Blue Hen Bounty and Diwali Food Drive; Fun Fact; Check it Out!; Did You Know?; Upcoming events; News in the ECD community, Episcopal Church, and Anglican Communion
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Diocesan Clergy and Parishes in Action |
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The Rev. Patty Downing's work in the
community is recognized
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The Rev. Patty Downing, rector, Trinity Parish, Wilmington, was honored by Delaware Futures with the 2021 Haskell Wyeth Award, see video above. |
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Bishop Brown attended blessing
and re-dedication service
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Christ Church, Dover celebrated the completion of its restoration and renovation of the historic 1734 structure. See Cape Gazette article here.
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In case you missed it:
Take a look at the
237th Annual Convention
Wrap-up
(now available on our website)
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When Are Your Services/Offerings?
Advent | Christmas Eve | Christmas Day
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We are listing Advent offerings, Christmas Eve services, and Christmas Day services on our website and in The Net. We want to include your parish! If you haven't already sent us your service information for the Advent and Christmas season, please send as soon as possible to communications@delaware.church so that they may be included.
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Festival of Nine
Lessons and Carols
with the Choir School of Delaware
and Bishop Brown
Christ Church, Dover
Sunday, December 19, 4pm.
More information to follow.
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Episcopal Campus Ministry's Blue Hen Bounty (BHB)
partners with Diwali Food Drive
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Diwali is a widely celebrated, important religious festival for Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists. With no single origin story, each religion has its own historical narrative for it. They all represent the victory of good over evil. Diwali is observed on the 15th day of the Kartik month as per the Hindu Lunar calendar. This year the festival started on Thursday, November 4, and lasted for five days. For Indians, Diwali is a celebration of togetherness and faith. By lighting Diyas (lamps) they pray to eliminate darkness from our lives and welcome positivity, prosperity, wealth, and good luck for the future. However, Diwali is not just about lighting Diyas. It’s an opportunity to open hearts and assist the less fortunate in society. |
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In 2019, BHB was fortunate to receive a large donation from a high school student who did a food collection as part of their Diwali celebration. They did so with with the support of Diwali Food Drive. This year, another two high schoolers reached out, through the same organization, wanting to support BHB, Tejasvi Pathipati and Arin Nukiranti. These youths, their fathers, and siblings came to St. Thomas's. They were very interested in knowing what was on the patrons' wish list, and learning more about how the bounty is publicized. They enjoyed the experience, and will be doing more service like this in the future. The relation-ship between BHB and Diwali Food Drive will continue. |
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It's of note that since the last Diwali Food Drive donation in 2019, both their organization and the Blue Hen Bounty have grown, despite a global pandemic that has slowed down almost everything else. The BHB has literally doubled in size, as has the number of universities that Diwali Food Drive works with. The number of people experiencing food insecurity has also grown during the pandemic, and it is amazing that with all of the volunteer restrictions and social distancing, both groups have boldly stepped up to give comfort and
dignity to their neighbors in need.
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Fun Fact
Question: Where, when, and by whom was the first complete English Bible printed in America?
Clue: Until the American Revolution, all Bibles in English were imported to the Colonies from England.
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There's a "Wicked" Bible? |
The Wicked Bible, sometimes called the Adulterous Bible or the Sinners' Bible, was published in 1631 by Robert Barker and Martin Lucas, the royal printers in London, meant to be a reprint of the King James Bible. The name came from a mistake made in the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:14, the word "not" was omitted from the sentence "Thou shalt not commit adultery," causing the verse to read "Thou shalt commit adultery." The second error appears in Deuteronomy 5, where the word "greatness" was reportedly misprinted as "great-asse", leading to a sentence reading: "Behold, the Lord our God hath shewed us his glory and his great-asse". The King and the Archbishop of Canterbury were very upset and the majority of the copies were destroyed. The few extant copies today are highly valuable. The printers were fined £300, equivalent to some £80,000 today, and lost their printing license.
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A tiny gold Bible has been recovered by a metal detectorist in York, Buffy Bailey, a nurse. The gold bible is engraved with the medieval patron saints of childbirth, including St. Margaret of Antioch. Measuring only 0.6 inches long and weighing around 0.18 ounces, the tiny 15th century gold Bible is made from either 22-carat or 24-carat gold. In the 1400s around 50 per cent of women died during childbirth and it is thought that maybe the owner prayed with the bible as a form of spiritual protection. It is also being considered that the golden bible was part of a birthing girdle or a bookmark for the Bible. The gold Bible was made at a time, between 1280 and 1410 AD, when English laws made it illegal for anyone other than approved nobility to carry gold. So, the bible was the possession of someone of the nobility or royalty. Its estimated worth is several hundred thousand dollars.
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Cycle of Prayer in the Episcopal Church in Delaware |
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This week (week of November 28), in our diocesan Cycle of Prayer, we hold up in prayer St. Peter's Church, Smyrna, the Rev. Donna Jean Kiessling For the 2020-2021 diocesan Cycle of Prayer click here.
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Choir School of Delaware, Lift Every Voice and Sing:
Advancing Equity in Nonprofits and the Arts
Arreon Harley-Emerson, Director of Music and Operations at the Choir School of Delaware, joined Delaware Community Foundation President & CEO, Stuart Comstock-Gay, for a conversation about how nonprofits and arts organizations can build equity - and opportunity - in the communities they serve. Comstock-Gay and Harley-Emerson also discussed how organizations can consider questions of equity internally, and what’s needed to turn new diversity and inclusion initiatives into long-lasting, systemic changes for the betterment of all. Listen to podcast here.
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Upcoming Events in Our Community |
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Beginning this evening!
Adult Formation classes, Trinity Parish, via Zoom, December 1, 8, & 15, 7pm
The Rev. Patty Downing will lead the group in Seeing God in Every Day.
As we begin another year in the life of the church and prepare our hearts and homes for the coming of the Christ child, how do we see God at work in our lives? Where does the biblical story meet our experiences? How does our faith govern how we are in the twenty-first century world? Downing will lead an exploration of making the connection between Sunday morning worship and Monday morning living.
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Holiday Brown Bag Concert Series, Ceol Neamh Pipe Band, Bagpipes Marches & Carols, Grace Church, Wilmington, across from the Concord Mall, Friday, December 3, 12:15-1pm
Free and open to the public. Please wear masks. Bring a brown bag lunch and enjoy a peaceful haven in the midst of the busy holiday season. Punch/Tea/Coffee provided. Fun for the whole family! More information
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The Green Show, Christ Church Christiana Hundred, Wilmington, Saturday, December 4, 9am-2pm
Find the perfect gifts for those on your Christmas list, decorate your home with our beautiful wreaths, greens, and Christmas trees, and enjoy fun for the whole family. All proceeds support local social service agencies. Join in this joyful celebration, a Christmas tradition since 1953, complete with children’s activities, a visit from Santa on the Winterthur firetruck at 10am, and a delicious homemade luncheon. More information,
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Come join us!! For our famous (though slightly modified) Christmas Bazaar, St. Barnabas', Wilmington, Look for our sign at the entrance of our long driveway! Saturday, December 4, 9am-2pm
White Elephant Sale, a crowd pleaser for years! Open Sanctuary - Music.
Welcome Table, free goodies! Crafts: beautiful creations/great for gifting or keeping! Baked goods from our amazing bakers! Books/DVDs, great bargains! Jewelry: unique, antique, & contemporary pieces! Chili and Lentil Vegetable Soup, vegan, take-out only. Cookies: a wonderful assortment of pre-boxed, nut-free holiday delights! 100% of proceeds to outreach ministries.
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Holiday Craft Fair, Grace Church, Wilmington
Saturday, December 4, 9am-3pm
All are welcome!
30 vendors selling handmade goods, wreaths, jewelry, soaps and more. Church bake sale, raffles, 50/50, EZ's Food truck serving breakfast and lunch
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Christmas Tea, Church of the Ascension, Wilmington,
Sunday, December 5, 2-4pm
You are cordially invited to a delicious, festive tea, in support of Child, Inc.
Cost of tea is a new, unwrapped gift for Child, Inc. The wish list includes toys, games, books, and teenage boys have the biggest needs. More information
RSVP 302.798.6683
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Advent Lessons & Carols, Christ Church Christiana Hundred, Wilmington, Sunday, December 5, 5pm
This service is patterned after the great service in Salisbury, England. We will welcome guests from the community to read the lessons, and the Christ Church Choir will lead our singing. Join us as we allow the light, scripture, prayer, and music to open our hearts to the coming of Christ.
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Monday Bible via Zoom, Trinity Parish, Monday, December 6, and ongoing Mondays, 12 noon
Please join the discussion as we continue our weekly Bible study program. We are studying the Revelation to John. If you are interested in joining the group, please contact the parish office at office@trinityparishde.org to be added to the list. This is an online only meeting. The Zoom information is sent every Monday morning to those participating. We look forward to seeing you online!
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Trinity Women's Group will meet at Café Verde, 12A Trolley Square Shopping Center, Wilmington, 19806, Tuesday, December 7, 6:30pm.
Please RSVP to Beth Copson no later than Sunday, December 5 at bcopson@comcast.net or 302-584-6855. Looking forward to finally gathering in person. All attendees must be vaccinated.
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Trinity Men's Group will be meet at Tony Williams' new restaurant, Zollie's Jazz Cucina, 414 Delaware Avenue, New Castle, DE 19720 (Historic Old New Castle), Tuesday, December 7, 7pm
Let's get a big group together to celebrate the opening of Zollie's. Please RSVP to Don Copson by Sunday December 5 at dcopson54@comcast.net or 302-290-6891. All attendees must be vaccinated.
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Holiday Brown Bag Concert Series, Concord High School, Madrigals and Chorale, Grace Church, Wilmington, across from the Concord Mall, Friday, December 10, 12:15-1pm
Free and open to the public. Please wear masks. Bring a brown bag lunch and enjoy a peaceful haven in the midst of the busy holiday season. Punch/Tea/Coffee provided. Fun for the whole family! More information
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An Advent Quiet Morning, Christ Church Christiana Hundred, Wilmington
December 11, 8:30am-12noon
The Health & Wellness Ministry of Christ Church invites you to a morning of reflection and introspection amid the din of holiday activities. Come embrace the reason for the season in Parish Hall A. Using the first three steps of the Twelve Steps of a recovering life, we will uncover Came… Came to… Came to Believe. Each session will begin with the spiritual underpinnings of each step and a personal reflection. You will have ample time for silence and retreat throughout the Christ Church campus. Please dress comfortably and warmly if you choose to spend retreat time outdoors. You do not need to be in recovery from addiction to participate. Anne Lamott writes, “Everyone is addicted to something in life.” This event is open to all, free of charge, though we invite a free will offering to support the continuing work of Limen Recovery + Wellness. Please register your attendance here.
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Advent Quiet Day, Time for a Break, Brandywine Collaborative Ministries, Grace Church, Wilmington, Saturday, December 11, 9:30am-12:30pm
Have you ever felt the time before Christmas is just a little overwhelming? Between the cards and the shopping and the social engagements and the family obligations, do you ever feel that you have lost the spirit of what Christmas is supposed to be about? Do you ever feel you need a Christmas break from Christmas? This Quiet Day will give an opportunity to catch your breath and reflect more deeply on the meaning of Christmas. We will gather for coffee and refreshments in the Grace Parish Hall at 9:30, and then, starting at 10:00, enjoy a series of three reflections by our clergy. After each, participants will have an opportunity to find a quiet spot inside the church complex, or weather permitting, stroll Grace’s expansive grounds, and give yourself the opportunity for some pre-Christmas quiet time and reflection. After the third and last session, we will gather in the Grace Chapel for an informal Eucharist at 11:30 and then finish with a delicious lunch at 12 noon in the Parish Hall. You will come away refreshed in mind and spirit, and ready to embrace Christmas this year with joy and anticipation. More information
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The Rev. Chris Moore, Brandywine Collaborative Ministries (BCM), Wilmington, will be signing copies of his book Soul Stages: Surviving and Thriving in the Second Half of Life, at the conclusion of Living in Anticipation: An Advent Quiet Day, at Grace Episcopal Church, Wilmington, Saturday, December 11.
Information about the Advent Quiet Day, open to all, can be found above. Soul Stages is available from the publisher, Morehouse, here, Amazon here, or Barnes and Noble here.
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Advent Waffle Church, Trinity Parish, Wilmington, December 11, 10-11am
Waffle Church is a monthly Bible-oriented program geared to families with children ages 3-10 years old. Join us each month for a Bible story, a craft, and of course - WAFFLES!
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Sounds of the Season, Choir School of Delaware Holiday Concert, Winterthur, Saturday, December 11, 4pm
Enjoy new and old favorites: Margaret Bonds' The Ballad of the Brown King, a Christmas cantata written in collaboration with poet Langston Hughes, opens the program. Holiday works composed and arranged by musicians of color round out the program. More information and tickets here,
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Celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Trinity Parish, Wilmington, Sunday, December 12, 12 noon
The Virgin of Guadalupe refers to when the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus,appeared to a man named Juan Diego in Mexico in 1531. Her importance is so great that her image has become a national symbol of Mexico itself. It is a beautiful service with a pageant telling the story. All are welcome.
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Open-Air Christmas Market & Sankta Lucia Celebration, Old Swedes Church, Wilmington
December 12, 12noon-3:30 pm
The Open-Air Christmas Market returns, featuring local arts and crafts vendors, raffle baskets, music and food, plus items from our Gift Shop. Tours of the site are ‘Pay What You Wish’ during market hours. At 2pm, join us for a traditional celebration of the Feast Day of Sankta Lucia, a holiday that is still marked by light and music in Sweden today. The Delaware Swedish Colonial Society and Old Swedes Historic Site co-sponsor the annual December celebration of Sankta Lucia, bringer of light and herald of the Christmas season.
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Piffaro Band Concert: Let the Holidays Resound, Christ Church Christiana Hundred, Wilmington, December 12, 3pm
December is a month of music like no other! Decorate your holiday season with the glorious sounds from the celebrations around Christmas, Hanukkah, and Solstice traditions generated from Renaissance composers. Enjoy the best of Piffaro’s four decades. Tickets $29-$49 may be purchased here.
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Advent Lessons and Carols, Sung by The Immanuel Choir at Immanuel Church, New Castle, Sunday, December 12, 4pm
One of Immanuel's cherished seasonal traditions is coming soon! Join us as Immanuel's choir offers a unique experience of spiritual reflection and refreshment through music, scripture, and prayer—presented in the conviction that an Advent well-observed prepares us to experience the full meaning of Christmas. You are invited to join us and invite a friend to share the experience with you. The service will be followed by a holiday dinner and pageant. For more information, please contact 302.328.2413, or immanuelonthegreen@comcast.net.
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Posadas, presented by Trinity Parish, Wilmington: a Latin American tradition of recreating the journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem, December 16 to Christmas Eve 7pm.
They are held in parishioner’s homes or at Trinity Church each night. If you would like to know more, please contact Trinity’s parish office at office@trinityparishde.org or at 302-298-2670.
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Holiday Brown Bag Concert Series, Trinitas Trio (piano, flute and cello) Music of the Season & More, Grace Church, Wilmington, across from the Concord Mall, Friday, December 17, 12:15-1pm
Free and open to the public. Please wear masks. Bring a brown bag lunch and enjoy a peaceful haven in the midst of the busy holiday season. Punch/Tea/Coffee provided. Fun for the whole family! More information
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News from the Episcopal Church and beyond |
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All Episcopalians are invited to review and offer comments on The Episcopal Church Executive Council’s draft budget for fiscal years 2023-2024. Feedback must be received by December 15 and can be submitted using this form. While all feedback is welcome, the Executive Council Joint Standing Committee on Finance is particularly seeking the church’s wisdom on three mission and values questions as it pertains to the budget:
- Are there areas out of alignment with where The Episcopal Church is going?
- Are there areas where The Episcopal Church is reverting to “empire” behavior or otherwise misusing its power?
- Are there areas where The Episcopal Church can lessen disparities created by the pandemic?
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Applications open for General Convention Official Youth Presence 2022, due by December 23
The Episcopal Church invites teens age 16 to 19 to apply to become part of the 80th General Convention’s Official Youth Presence, a group whose members have seat and voice in the House of Deputies. Up to two youth from each of the church’s nine provinces will be selected to participate in the Official Youth Presence from July 4-14 in Baltimore, Maryland. Youth who are selected must also attend orientation and training in Baltimore from March 31 to April 2. Applications and nomination forms are due by December 23. Nominators must not be related to the applicant. Spanish applications and nomination forms are also available. More information
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The Episcopal Church applauds the passage of H.R.5376, the Build Back Better Act in the House of Representatives. This transformative legislation will reduce child poverty, expand health care, make the tax system fairer, and invest vital funds in our effort to confront the climate crisis. More information
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The first episode of season 3 of the “Prophetic Voices: Preaching and Teaching Beloved Community” podcast features discussion about the texts for Advent 1: Jeremiah 33:14-16, Psalm 25:1-10, and Luke 21:25-36. Guests are the Rev. Lauren Stanley, canon to the ordinary in the Episcopal Diocese of South Dakota; Katina Assimacopoulos, a medical doctor pursuing a Juris Doctorate who is from the Greek Orthodox tradition; and GJ Gordy, communications director for the Navajoland Area Mission. The podcast is hosted by the Rev. Isaiah “Shaneequa” Brokenleg, The Episcopal Church’s staff officer for racial reconciliation. Find the episode online or wherever you listen to podcasts. More information
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UN anti-violence campaign inspires Churches Beyond Borders 2021 Devotional
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The Work of the Church: A Conversation with the Presiding Bishop and his Canons
Join us for a virtual event December 9, 6 p.m.
The last two years have upended many of the assumptions about what The Episcopal Church is and where it is going. Join Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and his canons for a conversation about how the past two years will inform the ministries and mission of The Episcopal Church in 2022 and beyond. There will be time for questions, and the event will be recorded for later viewing. Registration is free, but required. Register here
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Apply soon for Constable Fund and Roanridge Trust grants! Deadline: December 12
Constable Fund:
These grants focus on work in the area of religious education.
Roanridge Trust:
These grants support leadership development in small towns and rural communities.
These grant opportunities are offered annually by The Episcopal Church.
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News from the Anglican Communion |
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Primates write to Special Session of the World Health Assembly (WHA) following Primates’ Meeting
The Primates of the Anglican Communion have called on the Special Session of the WHA, meeting from 29 November to 1 December, to be bold and courageous in its plans for an international agreement and treaty on global health emergency preparedness and response. In a letter to the WHA they call for the need to address and improve both equity in the distribution of vaccines and education to counter vaccine hesitancy around the globe. Read full article here
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The Archbishop of Canterbury and the Moderator of the Church of Scotland, have issued a joint statement about the plight of refugees and asylum seekers.
“The Church of England and Church of Scotland, along with Christians around the world, believe that every person is made in God’s image. We celebrate our work supporting vulnerable people seeking refuge and asylum. In a climate that is often hostile towards these men, women and children, we commit to offer them welcome and compassion. In too many cases, the..." Read full statement here
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