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Pancake Supper and Ash Wednesday Services
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Old Durham's finest will be cooking up Shrove Tuesday pancakes and deliciousness from 5 to 7pm on Tuesday, February 25. Cost is $8 for adults, kids under 7 are free.
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Ash Wednesday is the beginning of a season of self-reflection, repentance, and prayer. The Book of Common Prayer also notes that it is a season in which those who have drifted away have traditionally been restored to fellowship in the church. You are invited (and encouraged) to begin your observation of a holy Lent by worshiping with us at 12PM or at 7PM. We will offer the imposition of ashes and celebrate Communion.
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Sign Up Now for Signs of Life
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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.
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This Week's Announcements
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
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! This month we are we focusing on the history of African Americans in the Episcopal Church.
Coffee After Church: Come over to the Parish Hall for a cup of coffee and some conversation after church. Special treat this week: Deacon Susan will share information about the wide variety of outreach opportunities and needs she has been learning about in community meetings, and she and Deacon Candidate Mike will talk a bit about the ministry of deacons.
Prayer Shawl Meeting: February 20, 6:00pm in the Parish Hall.
Outreach and the ministry of Deacons. Come over to the Parish Hall after church next Sunday, Feb. 23, grab a cup of coffee and a snack, and learn about a bunch of local outreach projects. Deacon Susan has been attending lots of community meetings and has some good stuff to share with us. Also, get to know our deacon candidate, Mike Cahall, and get your questions answered about what the ministry of a deacon is in the Episcopal Church. (Hint: all these things are related!)
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 is February 26. We will hold services of Holy Eucharist with Imposition of Ashes at noon and at 7PM. This is one of the two specific days in the year (the other is Good Friday) when the Episcopal Church most firmly encourages fasting for those who are able (that is, not the very young, the elderly, the sick, the pregnant, or the nursing). The traditional ‘fast’ in the Western church is to eat half-portions at two meals and a full portion at the third meal. On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, abstinence from meat is also encouraged.
Joe’s Place Food Pantry: The next distributions are February 27 and March 12 from 4:30 to 6pm. Volunteers are always welcome to sort and distribute food to our neighbors.
Daughters of the King and Men’s Group: March 2 at 6:30pm in the Parish Hall.
Jam Session: March 6 at 7:00pm in the Parish Hall.
Pastoral Care Team: March 8 after church.
Ladies Mite: March 10 at 1:30pm 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.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH AROUND THE DIOCESE
In honor of Black History Month, a number of parishes in the Diocese of Washington will host events and services lifting up the contributions and culture of African-Americans in U.S. society and our local communities. From a play about Rosa Parks to a celebration of Gospel music to an exploration of the role race has played in the Episcopal Church, you’re invited to participate.
- St. Augustine's, DC will host leaders from Virginia Theological Seminary, Empower DC, and Howard University for three discussions (mornings of February 9, 16, and 23) highlighting Black History. Come hear about Verna Dozier, the Rev. Alexander Crummel, and African-Americans and the Vote. All are welcome.
- St. Thomas', Upper Marlboro celebrates Black History Month with a Celebration of Gospel Music on Sunday, February 23 at 11:30 a.m. The history of Gospel Music from African Spirituals to today’s modern Gospel will be featured through dance, poetry reading and gospel choir singing.
- The center of many African-American family gatherings is sharing food. the Episcopal Church Women of Church of the Atonement, DC invite you to join them as they share their favorite Traditional Soul Cuisine in celebration of Black History Month on Sunday, February 23 at 11:30 a.m. Wearing Afrocentric attire is strongly encouraged.
The D.C. Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians invites you to explore the role race has played in the Episcopal Church. The Rev. Vincent P. Harris will facilitate a conversation on Saturday, February 29 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. at St. Luke's, DC. Learn more and register for this free discussion
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 the most recent 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.
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February 23, 2020 is the Last Sunday after the Epiphany
After encountering the Glory of God in Jesus on the mountain top, the disciples are told to get up and not be afraid as they follow Jesus to Jerusalem. The readings for the day are drawn from the gospel according to Matthew, the Exodus, and the Second Letter of Peter.
Image: Icon in Yaroslav, Russia, 1516
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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.
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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.
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Save the Date: A training for Safeguarding God's Children will be offered at St James', Indian Head on March 7. Details TBA.
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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.
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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.
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Let us pray...
...in thanksgiving for the members of our congregation: Barbara, Mary, Rick, and Gayle.
...for support and protection for those who serve our country at home and abroad: Alex, Mike, Wes, Thomas, Steven, and Megan.
…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).
The Diocese of Washington cycle of prayer: Presiding Bishop Michael Curry; Chapel of the Episcopal Center for Children; Rosemont Center.
The Anglican Communion cycle of prayer: Pray for the Church of the Province of Central Africa, The Most Revd Albert Chama - Archbishop of Central Africa & Bishop of Northern Zambia.
To learn more about the church in the Province of Central Africa, read the Anglican Communion New Service’s blog post.
The flowers on the altar are given to the Glory of God and in loving memory of my husband, Al Repass, and daughter, Tracy Hennigan, given by Gayle Repass.
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Regular Events and Meetings
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This is our ordinary schedule of events and meetings. Please confirm individual dates with the organizers.
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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 6pm 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 L.
The Jam Session gathers on the first Friday of the month. Contact David R.
The Pastoral Care Team meets after church on the second Sunday of the month. Contact Barbara M. or Rev. Catharine.
The Buildings and Grounds Committee meets after church on the second Sunday of selected months. Contact Frank S.
The Ladies Mite Society meets 1:30pm in the Parish Hall on the second Tuesday of the month. Contact Linda B.
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 C.
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 M.
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