Weeks Ahead
Episcopal News Service. March 22, 2006 [032206-1-A]
* FORT WASHINGTON, Pennsylvania: St. Thomas' Wednesday Lenten Series continues
* RICHLAND, Washington: Spiritus program set for those who love God
* WILMINGTON, Delaware: The Diocese of Delaware to meet in convention
* AUSTIN, Texas: Registration is open for visitor's weekend
* IVORYTON, Connecticut: Spiritual retreat set for high school students
* FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida: “Belonging Before Believing” is theme of Bishop’s Spring Conference
* WILMINGTON, Delaware: Choral Evensong will conclude Delaware Convention
* DALLAS, Texas: Mother of Unity Conference in Texas
* PALM DESERT, California: Organist Frederick Swann to perform
* SAN FRANCISCO: Free organ recital at Grace Cathedral
* WASHINGTON, D.C.: Catholic scholar Gary Wills to speak at Cathedral
* EVANSTON, Illinois: Prospective Student Days scheduled at Seabury-Western
* CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts: President's Symposium to be held at EDS
* BERKELEY, California: Seminarians to pilot new program for LGBT allies
* CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts: Episcopal Divinity School explores the elements of the Da Vinci Code
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Today...
FORT WASHINGTON, Pennsylvania: St. Thomas' Wednesday Lenten Series Continues
-- St. Thomas' Church, Whitemarsh invites all to come together each Wednesday through April 5, 6 - 8 p.m., in MacColl Auditorium for a simple catered supper followed by various speakers offering their thoughts on the questions of life that many of us ask on our journey in Christ.
The March 22 gathering themed "Persistence in Prayer” will attempt to answer...How do we remain persistent in prayer when we hear no response, we're not hearing any direction? Why bother? How can I know God hears my prayer? Am I doing it wrong? What if I don't like the answer I receive? It will be led by the Rt. Rev. Roy G Almquist, Bishop of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Also, plan ahead for March 29 when the Rev. Charles Quann, of Bethlehem Baptist Church will speak on the theme “Forgiveness.” Our faith is marked by the image of Jesus' hanging on a cross, tortured to death by those who misunderstood and falsely condemned him. Nearly Christ's last words were "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34). How do we exist as a people who struggle with forgiving others when we have been forgiven?
Activities for children and youth will be provided. The cost of supper is $6 for adults and $4 for children under 10 (maximum cost of $20 per family.) To register call the parish office at 215.233.3970 or email info@stthomaswhitemarsh.org. Reservations for dinner must be made by the Sunday preceding the Wednesday evening.
Coming March 23, 2006…
RICHLAND, Washington: Spiritus program set for those who love God -- Spiritus: The Episcopal Diocesan Center for Spirituality and the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist will present the Rev. Dr. L. William Countryman, Sherman E. Johnson professor in Biblical Studies at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific, March 23 – 24, for a two - part program for those who love God and one another.
For further information contact the Rev. Canon Kristi Philip at 509.624.3191 or email kristip@spokanediocese.org.
Coming March 24, 2006...
WILMINGTON, Delaware: The Diocese of Delaware to meet in convention -- The Diocese of Delaware will meet in convention March 24-25 at the Episcopal Church of Saint Andrew and Matthew. For more information visit: http://www.dioceseofdelaware.net/news.html
AUSTIN, Texas: Registration is open for visitor's weekend -- Visitors Weekend at the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest, March 24 - 26, provides the opportunity to join with fellow seekers who are striving to be faithful to Christ or explore a renewed vision of what it means to live out the Gospel in our changing world.
Visitor’s Weekend at the Seminary of the Southwest is staged solely by seminarians. Visit http://www.etss.edu/VisWeekend06.shtml for more information and a downloadable registration form.
IVORYTON, Connecticut: Spiritual retreat set for high school students -- Happening is a spiritual retreat weekend held March 24 - 26 at the Incarnation Center, designed to deepen the Christian experience of youth in grades 9-12. The weekend, which includes worship, prayer, youth talks, group discussion, fellowship, activities, games and singing, will be supervised by clergy and youth leaders of the Diocese of New York.
The cost is $60 per youth. Financial assistance is available. A bus will be provided which will leave the Cathedral at 2 p.m. on March 24 and return on the evening of March 26.
All registration forms and further information are available at http://www.dioceseny.org/index.cfm?Action=Programs.Youth
For additional information contact the Rev. Canon Patricia Mitchell at 212.316.7433 or email pmitchell@dioceseny.org
FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida: “Belonging Before Believing” is theme of Bishop’s Spring Conference -- "Belonging Before Believing" will be the theme of the sixth annual Bishop's Spring Conference in the Diocese of Southeast Florida, to be held March 24 and 25 at St. Mark the Evangelist, Ft. Lauderdale.
Each year the conference focuses on an aspect of the diocesan vision and its mission: "To make known to all people the transforming power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, including ALL, excluding none."
Online pre-registration has closed, but registration is available at the door at a cost of $20 for one day or $35 for both. The fee includes lunch.
Coming March 25, 2006...
WILMINGTON, Delaware: Choral Evensong will conclude Delaware Convention -- The Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew will hold a Choral Evensong for the feast of the Annunciation on March 25, at 4:30 p.m., at the conclusion of the 221st diocesan convention of the Diocese of Delaware. The Rev. Canon Lloyd S. Casson will officiate.
David Christopher, Ss.AM, organist and director of music will present a variety of musical selections. A pot-luck supper will follow Evensong. All are invited to bring a dish to share.
For more information call 302.656.6628.
DALLAS, Texas: Mother of Unity Conference in Texas -- A conference aimed at bringing together members of the laity and clergy from all Christian traditions to explore the newest document produced by the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC) entitled Mary: Grace and Hope in Christ will be held March 25 at St. John's Episcopal Church.
Featured speakers include Dr Anthony Baker (Anglican/Episcopal); the Most Rev. Charles V. Grahmann (Roman Catholic); Bishop Mark B. Herbener (Lutheran); Fr. Gregory Hohnholt (Greek Orthodox); and Fr. Roch Kereszty, O.Cist. (Roman Catholic.) For more information contact the Rev. Matthew S. C. Olver at 214.321.6451 ext. 419 or email molver@stjohnsepiscopal.org.
This event is co-sponsored by the Diocese of Dallas (Roman Catholic), and the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas.
Coming March 26, 2006...
PALM DESERT, California: Organist Frederick Swann to perform
-- Now in his fifth season as Organ Artist-in-Residence at St. Margaret's Episcopal Church, Frederick Swann is set to showcase his dazzling technique and artistry on the organ, March 26 at 4 p.m.
This internationally acclaimed organist, who is serving his second term as national president of the 20,000 member American Guild of Organists, continues to give concerts on a limited schedule in the United States and abroad. Tickets are $15, and free for full-time students. A reception will follow the performance.
For more information, call 760.346.2697 or visit http://www.stmargarets.org/.
SAN FRANCISCO: Free organ recital at Grace Cathedral -- Wolfgang Rubsam, known internationally for his many highly acclaimed recordings of the organ repertoire, will play excerpts from Bach's Art of the Fugue and two virtuoso showpieces of Max Reger on the treasured Alexander Memorial Organ at Grace Cathedral, March 26, 4 p.m. This concert is part of the Cathedral's series of free organ concerts on most Sundays from September to June. Choral Evensong is sung every Sunday at 3:00 p.m.
For more information call 415.749.6350, or visit http://www.gracecathedral.org/
Coming March 29, 2006...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Catholic scholar Gary Wills to speak at Cathedral
-- Garry Wills, author of "What Jesus Meant," is set to discuss his book at Washington National Cathedral March 29 at 7:30 p.m.
In response to t-shirts and bumper stickers asking, "What would Jesus do?" historian and Catholic scholar Wills argues that we must ask instead, "What did Jesus mean?"
Admission is $15 and $8 for students/seniors. For more information call 800.937.8728.
Coming April 2, 2006...
EVANSTON, Illinois: Prospective Student Days scheduled at Seabury-Western -- The faculty, staff, and students of Seabury - Western Theological Seminary invite prospective students to join them for Prospective Student Days, April 2 - 3.
This program will allow those considering attending seminary to explore the curriculum, meet the faculty and experience worship and student life at Seabury.
Call Liz at 800.275.8235, ext. 28, or visit http://www.seabury.edu/mt/archives/2004/12/prospective_stu.html
Coming April 8, 2006…
CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts: President's Symposium to be held at EDS
-- "What is, exactly, The Bible?" is the theme of Episcopal Divinity School's annual President's Symposium, April 8, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
The Symposium provides a forum for people of faith to explore core theological issues of the Christian faith from a variety of perspectives. The 2006 symposium builds on the dialogue that began with the first two symposia, "What is Sin?" and, "What is Salvation?"
This event is free and open to the public. RSVP by March 31 to mphillips@eds.edu or call 617.682.1514.
BERKELEY, California: Seminarians to pilot new program for LGBT allies -- A four-hour session to train allies for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons in the faith community context will be offered, free of charge, April 8, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Tucson Common Room at Church Divinity School of the Pacific (CDSP.)
Four seminarians at CDSP are piloting the workshop, "Beyond Good Intentions: Equipping the ministries of LGBT allies," which is offered in conjunction with the seminary's Center for Anglican Learning and Leadership (CALL). To register send an email to allytraining@gmail.com.
For more information visit: http://www.cdsp.edu/ or call 510.204.0720.
Coming April 19, 2006...
CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts: Episcopal Divinity School explores Da Vinci Code -- This spring “The Da Vinci Code” goes from the New York Times best seller list onto the cinema screen. In preparation for the release of the Da Vinci Code movie, Episcopal Divinity School is putting together an engaging discussion on the content of the Code on April 19, 7 - 9 p.m.
Register through April 7 at cmaynard@eds.edu or call 617.868.3450.