February 13 is
Absalom Jones Day
|
|
|
Here's a suggestion for marking this commemoration of the first African American to be ordained in the Episcopal Church: read this sermon by Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burroughs, delivered in 2019. The scriptures for the day are Psalm 137:1-6; Isaiah 11:1-5; Galatians 5:1-5; John 15:12-15.
|
|
|
|
Sign Up Now for Signs of Life
|
|
|
|
Starting on March 4, we will be holding a joint five-session Lenten program with St James’, Indian Head, on Wednesdays at noon, alternating between the two churches. The program is called “Signs of Life: why churches matter,” and it is designed to help us bring our faith into our life, and our life into our faith. You can learn more about the curriculum at www.signsoflife.org.
We will meet each Wednesday from noon to 1:30pm, alternating between Durham and St. James'.
Sign up here.
|
|
|
This Week's Announcements
|
|
|
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Don’t forget that these announcements can also be found on the church website, OldDurham.org. You can view them in the calendar (look under “About Us” in the upper left) or view the service bulletin via the ‘Bulletin Announcements’ button.
Adult Forum is a time for coffee, learning, and thought-provoking discussion before the service each Sunday. We meet at 9:15am in the Parish Hall. Please join us! In this Black History Month, we are focusing on the history of African Americans in the Episcopal Church.
The Good Book Club. If you are enjoying reading along with the Good Book Club in the Gospel of John, you might want to consider joining the good folks of St James’, Indian Head, who are meeting for a Bible study on the readings each Wednesday at noon. (Bring your own lunch; coffee is provided.) For more information, contact Deacon Susan.
Joe’s Place Food Pantry: The next distributions are February 13 and 27 from 4:30 to 6pm. Volunteers are always welcome to sort and distribute food to our neighbors.
Prayer Shawl Meeting: February 20, 6:00 in the Parish Hall.
Need a retreat? The Diocese of Maryland’s Claggett Center is offering a series of retreats this winter. They include a ‘Writers’ Retreat’ Mar. 2-5; and a ‘Women’s Lenten Retreat’ Mar. 13-15. Claggettcenter.org.
|
|
February 16, 2020 is the Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany
The readings for the day are drawn from Moses' farewell address to the people of God, Paul's first Letter to the Corinthians, and the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew, chapter 5.
Image: Reconciliation, by Amos Supuni
|
|
|
Check out this handy calendar to see what the readings will be in the Episcopal Church this Sunday or any Sunday. The Revised Common Lectionary site has additional resources for exploring each week's scriptures.
If you're looking for the Daily Office (Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer), you can visit Forward Movement. You will also find Forward Day by Day at this site.
|
|
Shrove Tuesday, with its traditional pancake supper, is on February 25. The pancake supper will be from 5 to 7pm in the Parish Hall.
Ash Wednesday services (Eucharist with imposition of ashes) will be held at Noon and 7PM on February 26.
Lent Madness kicks off for its eleventh season in Lent. There will be a bracket poster in the Parish Hall, and you are encouraged to follow along and vote each day. We will be getting print copies of the Scorecard again this year, but the action takes place on line. Check out www.lentmadness.org .
Living Well Through Lent, an offering of Living Compass, is once again offering a daily devotional for Lent. This year’s focus is on courage, and our own Bishop Mariann is one of the contributors this year. The devotional works fine for private use, but if there are a few who want to gather to discuss it each week, that can be arranged. Speak to Rev. Catharine. You can learn more about LivingCompass here.
|
|
|
Save the Date: A training for Safeguarding God's Children will be offered at St James', Indian Head on March 7. Details TBA.
|
|
|
|
|
WarfighterAdvance, the organization dedicated to re-integrating veterans into community for which Deacon Susan serves as chaplain, is hosting at fundraiser dinner theater event in Waldorf on March 6 and 7. Deacon Susan can tell you more.
|
|
|
Keep abreast of goings-on in the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, of which we are a parish. Sign up for the newsletter or check our previous issues here.
|
|
|
|
PARISH VITALITY AND DIOCESAN STEWARDSHIP
Please consider applying to be a Southern Maryland representative on the Advisory Committee on Diocesan Stewardship and Parish Vitality.
From Bishop Mariann, in last week's Diocesan eNews:
Among the many highlights of Diocesan Convention 2020 was the thoughtful presentation, careful debate, and approval (with several amendments) of the following resolution: “To provide for the establishment of an Advisory Committee on Diocesan Stewardship and Parish Vitality.” The resolution was proposed by a broad and representative group of clergy and laity from across the Diocese.
For good reason, the resolution is specific:
By no later than March 1, 2020, the Bishop, with the advice of the Standing Committee, shall appoint 11 members to the Committee.
At least 5 shall be residential clergy of the diocese and 5 shall be lay communicants in good standing (as defined in our canons as “faithful in corporate worship and in working, praying, and giving for the Kingdom of God.”) At least one member of the committee shall be a member of a Latino congregation and at least one a member of a majority African American congregation. Each of the 8 regions of the diocese shall be represented by at least one member. If a member of the committee is unable to serve, the Bishop shall appoint a replacement.
|
|
|
 PASTORAL CARE TRAINING AND COMMUNITY
Do you have a heart for caring for and ministering to people in times of bereavement, illness, job loss, or other personal struggles? Do you have a gift for sitting with people in the face of pain instead of trying to "fix it?" If so, you are invited to join a Community of Hope Care Team. The Care Team assists the clergy in visits, confidential and sacred holy companioning, and bringing Holy Communion to those who are ill or homebound. Episcopal churches in Southern Maryland are joining with other churches of various denominations in Charles & Prince George's County to form a Community of Hope pastoral care team rooted in non-controlling, compassionate, and patient listening. Training will begin in March and will be facilitated by Deacon Joan Crittenden. If you are interested or would like more information, contact Rev. Catharine or Deacon Susan.
|
|
|
Let us pray...
...in thanksgiving for the members of our congregation: Gary, Jane, Carl, and Dian.
...for support and protection for those who serve our country at home and abroad: Alex, Mike, Wes, Thomas, and Steven.
…for members of our congregation who are away: June and Gary, and Cindy.
...for those in need of God’s healing grace: Mabel, Jane (sister of Bill), Barbara, Thelma (Deacon Susan’s mother), Rick, Buddy, Tom; Our continuing prayers are offered for: Vivian (mother of Barbara), Sam, Butch, Livvy (mother of Kathy), Buddy, Rhonda, Jeanne, Jean, Rose (friend of Gloria), Roy, and Luci (aunt of Barbara)
…for those who have died: Julia Beatty (friend of Gary and June).
The Diocese of Washington cycle of prayer: Presiding Bishop Michael Curry; Diocesan Commission on Ministry; All Seminaries, Seminarians, and Seminary Professors; Postulants and Candidates; Pray in thanksgiving for the life and witness of Absalom Jones (February 13).
The Anglican Communion cycle of prayer: Pray for the Anglican Church of Canada, The Most Revd Linda Nicholls - Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada.
|
|
|
Regular Events and Meetings
|
|
|
|
This is our ordinary schedule of events and meetings. Please confirm individual dates with the organizers.
|
|
|
Holy Eucharist, Rite II is celebrated Sunday mornings at 10:30am.
Alcoholics Anonymous meets in the Parish Hall at 7PM on Sundays.
The Choir practices on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 during the school year.
The Worship Committee meets after church on the first Sunday of most months. Contact Rev. Catharine.
The Daughters of the King and the Mens Group meet at 6:30pm on the first Monday of the month. Contact Dian Lockamy.
The Jam Session gathers on the first Friday of the month. Contact David Rohde.
The Pastoral Care Team meets after church on the second Sunday of the month. Contact Barbara Macri or Rev. Catharine.
The Ladies Mite Society meets 1:30pm in the Parish Hall on the second Tuesday of the month. Contact Linda Buffalo.
Joe's Place, our food pantry, distributes food in the Parish Hall from 4:30 to 6pm on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month. Contact Mary Lou Clem.
The Vestry meets at 7pm in the Parish Hall on the fourth Wednesdays of the month. The Finance Committee meets after church on the previous Sundays.
The Prayer Shawl Ministry Group meets twice a month during the school year. Contact Barbara Macri.
|
|
|
|
