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News
News Items:
The Rev. Fred VanderPoel died Monday, January 30, 2012. He served as the Bishop's Assistant for Congregational Development and as Vicar of St. Stephen's, Harrington from 1989-1992. Following his retirement he served for five years at St. Philip's, Laurel. He went on to serve as an interim priest in several congregations before moving with this wife, Martha, to a retirement community in Lititz, PA. Before coming to Delaware, Fred had a long career in ministry. He studied at the Philadelphia Divinity School and was ordained in 1957. He served parishes in Missouri, Pittsburgh, and Maryland. Services will be on Saturday, February 11 at 11:00 a.m. at St. James' Episcopal Church, Lancaster, PA. Our prayers are with Martha and their family as they mourn this loss. May he rest in peace.
Could your church or nonprofit use a grant? Start planning now! Click here to see what grants were just announced by the Jubilee Ministry of the Episcopal Church. $165,000 is being distributed now and as much or more may be distributed next year.
UPDATED: Investment Guidelines (PDF) This 5-page statement of investment objectives and policies governs the investment management of the endowment assets of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the Diocese of Delaware known as Master Fund “A” (the “Fund”).
Congratulations to Joyce Bembry on her appointment to the State of Delaware's Board of Parole. Joyce is a member of Sts. Andrew and Matthew (SsAM) in downtown Wilmington.
Help Wanted, Delaware: St. Anne's Episcopal Church, Middletown, is looking for an Office Coordinator. This is one of three positions listed on the new Help Wanted Delaware page of this website.
February issue of our newspaper: The Delaware Communion. Our newspaper is available here the same day it is sent to the printer.
Click here to see older issues of our newspaper.
Employment Services for Job Seekers and Career Changers. Those who register at the Delaware Libraries Job Center can complete a self-directed assessment to guide them toward the types of jobs that best match their skills and interests. Also available are training in Internet searches, basic computer skills, resume writing, cover letter writing, and small business startups. 1/16/2012
Delaware Money School. The Money School, the signature program of the nonprofit Delaware Financial Literacy Institute, offers more than 600 free, no-hassle personal finance classes a year. Classes are held throughout the state. 1/16/2012
There will be one resolution presented at our Annual Convention, February 10-11, to form a partnership between the Episcopal Diocese of Delaware and the Salvation Army to provide volunteers to assist in the 'Red Kettle Christmas' campaign. Click here for details.
Convention Journal: Click here to see this 48-page document which contains the convention agenda, lists of clergy, delegates and alternates, photos and short bios of nominees to diocesan committees, and annual reports from our many ministries.
Small Congregations: In her "Pastor's Pen" newsletter article this month, the Rev. Elizabeth Masterson praises small worshipping communities. Click here to read more. She recognizes the downsides, but loves communities where everyone knows everyone else.
Two St. Luke's Churches in Two Seafords. Pleasant emails of mutual recognition and encouragement have been flying between St. Luke's, Seaford (in Delaware) and St. Luke's, Seaford (in England). An ocean apart, the two congregations also share one bread, one cup.
Two Saint John's Churches: For the last several months, a family of Episcopalians from Saint John's Church in Buchanan, Liberia has been attending the Cathedral Church of Saint John in Wilmington, Delaware. Soon they will be returning to Liberia where their parish was recently ransacked. They would like some basic items to continue that church's life and work. They have an arrangement for shipping and the Rev. Bill Lane has agreed to help cover some of the cost. The Cathedral will supply some Prayer Books and a cassock / alb for the parish priest. If you have some spare vestments or candle sticks, please let Bill Lane at the Cathedral know. His phone number is 302-654-6279.
Employee Top Health Plan Questions and Answers 12/6/2011
Photos of Parish Life Day 2011. Click here to see 96 photos by Leah Rowe.
The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society work of the national Episcopal Church is now summarized online. Our diocese has a long tradition of supporting these many ministries. Click here to download this mission report to learn more. Right click on this link to download the document and share it with others.
Calvary Hillcrest votes to renew itself. Faced with a small membership and smaller budget, this beautiful church near Bellefonte recently took a long, hard look at its future and even considered closing. The vote was 46 to 7 for re-birth. What does re-birth mean? The members are just now deciding. Click here to see the initial discussion in Calvary Hillcrest's latest newsletter. 11/8/2011
Delaware Hospice, a non-profit organization started by Episcopalians, is now all grown up. If you are caring for someone who is dying, or in grief for someone who died, take advantage of their services. Learn more by visiting the Delaware Hospice website at www.delawarehospice.org.
The Worship Planning Committee for the 2012 Diocesan Convention requests digital photos of stained glass and other worship art in your sanctuaries. The stained glass windows of many of our churches are extremely inspirational. We would like to showcase that artwork in a meaningful way at the Convention. While we can use good full length images of stained glass windows, close ups or details of larger windows will be particularly useful. Other worship related arts are encouraged as well. Examples could include an arrangement of candles, a piece of sculpture, needlework, or the creations of your flower guild. For more details or to email your photos, click here to contact Paula Hartzell 10/12/2011
Connect! There are many ways to connect with us. In addition to this website and our Facebook page, there's a weekly e-newsletter from the Bishop, our monthly newspaper, and links to the worldwide and our national church.
Cycle of Prayer 2011-2012. Pray each week for different ministries in the Diocese of Delaware. 8/31/2011
About Our Clergy
Click here to learn about new clergy in the diocese, and in new ministries.
Calendars
Bishop's EVENTS
Upcoming Events by Date:
These events are subject to change without notice, so please call ahead for confirmation.
Sunday, February 5, 10:30 a.m., God's Trombones: "Seven Negro Sermons in Verse" at Saints Andew & Matthew, downtown Wilmington with poetry excerpted from James Weldon Johnson's landmark work, "God's Trombones; Seven Negro Sermons in Verse," coupled with music drawn from the spirituals and arranged by Roy Ringwald. Narration by Tina Betz and Leon Spencer. Click here for details.
Convention: The next Diocesan Convention will take place Friday and Saturday, February 10-11 in Dover. Click here for Convention details.
Click here to register on-line for our next Diocesan Convention.
Monthly Spiritual Reading Group, Wednesday, February 15, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m., Saints Andrew & Matthew, downtown Wilmington. Read a book and then share your thoughts with us. Join us one month or all months.
February 15:The Naked Now by the Rev. Richard Rohr.
March 21: Take this Bread by Sara Miles.
April 18: Jesus and the Disinherited by Howard Thurman.
Old Christ Church League Annual Dinner and Meeting, Saturday, February 18, 6:00pm, at St. Philip's Episcopal Church, 6th Street and S. Central Ave., Laurel, DE. The public is cordially invited to the annual dinner and meeting of Old Christ Church League, which is charged with the mission of preserving and protecting this historical treasure. Social Hour begins at 6:00 p.m., dinner will be served at 7:00 p.m., followed at 8:00pm by Dale W. Clifton, Jr., director of the DiscoverSea Shipwreck Museum in Fenwick Island, DE. He will speak on maritime archeology, including discussion about some of our most famous local shipwrecks. Tickets are $20 per person. For tickets or details, please contact Diane Calloway at 302 249-1085.
Shrove Tuesday
Tuesday, February 21
Many Episcopal churches host pancake suppers on this day, the last day before Lent begins. The suppers sometimes include much more than pancakes! Check your local church's website for times.
Ash Wednesday
Wednesday, February 22
The penitential season of Lent begins, a time for examining one's life. Most Episcopal churches offer one or more services. Check their websites for times.
Diocesan Diaconate Discernment and Information Day, Saturday, February 25; 9:00 am to 12:30 pm at Christ Church, Dover. The Discernment Day is for all persons who are considering a call to the diaconate and also for parishes who would like to engage the ministry of a deacon. The purpose of the session is to interpret the ministry and work of a deacon, how one becomes a deacon and the responsibilities of a diaconal parish. To register for the Discernment Day or if you have questions, please click here to send Father Larry Hofer an email.
Lenten Lunches at SsAM, Tuesdays, 11:30AM – 1:30PM, February 28 thru April 3. Saints Andrew & Matthew in downtown Wilmington offers delicious sandwiches and soup, plus oustanding desserts. Don't give up desserts for Lent, give up something that keeps you from loving your neighbor or from loving God.
"The Story of the Bible" Lenten Series, Wednesdays, 6:00 to 7:30 pm, February 29 - March 28 at St. Nicholas, Newark. Light supper, video, and discussion. The videos feature Professor Luke Timothy Johnson of the Candler School of Theology, Emory University. Priests and parishioners from St. Thomas's and Good Shepherd will be there, too — just like last year! Please click here to send us an email to let us know you are coming.
St. Michael's School celebrates Leap Year 2012, Wednesday, February 29, 5:30pm, at the University & Whist Club, 805 N. Broom St., Wilmington, DE. Hors d'oeuvres, Supper, Drinks and Dessert, Silent Auction, Games, Wine Tasting by Moore Bros., Valet Parking. $85 per person ($50 tax deductible). This annual fundraiser for St. Michael's School supports their Scholarship Fund. Click here for details.
The Episcopal Church-sponsored New Community Clergy and Lay Conference will provide opportunities for clergy and lay people to explore mission in ethnic ministries. Centering on the theme "Reclaiming our Mission; Reinterpreting our Context; Renewing our Communities." clergy are invited February 29-March 3 and lay people on March 1-4. The conference will be held at the Town & Country Resort & Hotel, San Diego, CA. "This gathering of Asian, Black, Latino/Hispanic and Native American clergy and lay leaders will provide a safe place to share hopes and dreams, needs and concerns, gifts and ministries, suffering and joy in the context of being the New Community," commented the Rev. Winfred Vergara, Asiamerican Missioner. Click here for details of the New Community Clergy and Lay Conference.
John Rutter, Musician-in-Residence, Saturday, March 3 and Sunday, March 4 at Christ Church Christiana Hundred. The eminent composer and conductor John Rutter will be this year's Musician in Residence. His compositional career has embraced both large and small-scale choral works, orchestral and instrumental pieces, a piano concerto, two children's operas, music for television, and specialist writing. Click here for details of John Rutter's visit to Delaware.
March 3, 10:00 a.m. Open Rehearsal
March 3, 2:00 p.m. Lecture
March 4, 11:00 a.m. Choral Eucharist
March 4, 5:00 p.m. Choral Evensong
Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders, March 19-23, at Grace Church, Wilmington. This five-day institute, presented by the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center, Lombard, IL, is designed to equip church leaders with the skills necessary to deal effectively with interpersonal, congregational, and other forms of group conflict. It also includes a component on congregational mediation and consultation, placed within the context of family systems theory. The trainer is Richard Blackburn, Executive Director of the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center. For details and to register, please check the website at: www.LMPeaceCenter.org. Tuition is $695 when paid by February 17. For those needing overnight accommodations, Grace Church is located within a short walk of a number of hotels and restaurants on Concord Pike (Hwy. 202) just north of Wilmington.
Majore Trio, Saturday, March 24, 2:00 p.m., at Trinity Church, downtown Wilmington featuring Rebecca Butler, piano;
Marie-Aline Cadieux, cello; and Johannes Dietrich, violin.
"From Sin to Amazing Grace" Lenten Retreat, Friday & Saturday, March 23 & 24. Dr. Patrick Cheng will lead this retreat, sponsored by Integrity Delaware, at All Saints Episcopal Church, 18 Olive Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Click here for details of this Lenten retreat.
Register for Camp Arrowhead! Preparations are underway for the 2012 summer season at Camp Arrowhead, and registration is now open at www.CampArrowhead.net. The Camp Arrowhead 2012 brochure is also on the website. An open house will be held on Sunday, April 1, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
A Diocesan Appreciation and Thanksgiving for the Ministry of the Cathedral Church of Saint John, Wilmington, Saturday, May 19, 10:30 a.m. There will be a Choir School concert at 10:30 a.m. The liturgy begins at 11:00 a.m., and the Most Rev. Frank Griswold (25th Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church) will preach. A reception will follow.
Small Church Conference, Monday–Thursday, May 28–31, at Shrine Mont Retreat Center, Orkney Springs, Virginia. Click here to see the flyer for this Episcopal Church Province III conference which features Susanna Metz (Small Church Ministry), Terry Parsons (Stewardship), Dent Davidson (Music & Liturgy), and Pattie Ames (Christian Formation & Education). The conference cost ($250 double / $275 single) includes room, meal, and program.
Send us your announcements!
We will put them here, in our monthly newspaper, and in the weekly email from the Bishop’s office. We especially want to hear of events and news items of wide interest such as awards, concerts, fundraisers, and special services. Click here to email us!
Help Wanted, Delaware