by EDOW | Apr 29, 2021
On Saturday, April 17, the Episcopal Diocese of Washington convened a Special Convention to debate and vote on a proposed “Canon for Diocesan Stewardship and Parish Viability.” After several hours of considered debate and passage of several amendments, the Convention voted overwhelmingly to adopt the new canon.
The canon’s purpose, as stated on the EDOW website, is “to strengthen the Body of Christ in the Diocese of Washington by helping support and revitalize all communities of faith, ensuring that they have the necessary capacity to achieve spiritual and financial health.” It includes standards of health, governance and viability. The canon grants Diocesan Council the authority to initiate a Health and Viability Assessment of a parish at the request of the Bishop, Standing Committee, a member of Diocesan Council, or the Rector or Vestry of a parish.
You can read the canon in its entirety and the full summary on the Special Convention page of the EDOW website.
Bishop Mariann has asked the Rev. Dr. Robert Phillips, Canon for Leadership Development and Congregational Care, to lead the effort to develop a pastoral approach to inform future implementation efforts of the new canon. His first tasks will be to establish a small advisory team and to consult with other dioceses and church leaders about their implementation strategies. Canon Phillips and the advisory team will make their first report to Diocesan Council in June.
by EDOW | Apr 29, 2021
El sábado 17 de abril, la Diócesis Episcopal de Washington convocó una Convención Especial para debatir y votar sobre una propuesta de “Canon para la Administración Diocesana y la Viabilidad Parroquial”. Después de varias horas de debate y aprobación de varias enmiendas, la Convención votó abrumadoramente a favor de adoptar el nuevo canon.
El propósito del canon, como se indica en el sitio web de la EDOW, es “fortalecer el cuerpo de Cristo en la Diócesis de Washington ayudando a apoyar y revitalizar todas las comunidades de fe, asegurando que tengan la capacidad necesaria para lograr la salud espiritual y financiera”. Incluye normas de salud, gobernanza y viabilidad. El canon otorga al Consejo Diocesano la autoridad para iniciar una Evaluación de Salud y viabilidad de una parroquia a petición de la/el Obispa/o, Comité Permanente, un miembro del Consejo Diocesano, o el/la Rector/a o la Junta Parroquial de la parroquia.
Puede leer el canon en su totalidad y el resumen completo en la página de la Convención Especial del sitio web de EDOW.
La Obispa Mariann ha pedido al Reverendo Dr. Robert Phillips, Canónigo para el Desarrollo de Liderazgo y la Atención Congregacional, que dirija el esfuerzo para desarrollar un enfoque pastoral para informar los esfuerzos futuros de implementación del nuevo canon. Sus primeras tareas serán establecer un pequeño equipo asesor y consultar con otras diócesis y líderes de la iglesia sobre sus estrategias de implementación. El Canónigo Phillips y el equipo asesor harán su primer informe al Consejo Diocesano en junio.
by Bishop Mariann | Apr 29, 2021
Dear Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington,
After a lengthy process of prayerful discernment, respectful conversation, and engagement with the Presiding Bishop’s Office and the Standing Committee, the leadership of the Diocese of Washington, working together with the leadership of Christ Church Accokeek, has decided to sell the property of Christ Church Accokeek to a new corporate entity that is not in union with the Diocese. We have reached this decision in a spirit of friendship.
The leadership and congregation of Christ Church feel it best to pursue their ministry outside of The Episcopal Church. While the leaders of the Diocese of Washington regret that decision, we honor it and have worked with Christ Church leaders toward mutually agreeable terms for the Diocese and The Episcopal Church to sell their interests in the real and personal property of Christ Church Accokeek. The terms of the agreement were finalized on April 2, 2021. Further, we intend to take formal action at the next regular meeting of the Diocesan Convention to recognize that Christ Church Accokeek is no longer a parish in union with the Episcopal Diocese of Washington.
On behalf of the congregation, the Rev. Brian Vander Well writes, ‘We are deeply grateful to the Presiding Bishop, his office, the Standing Committee and especially to Bishop Budde, herself, for their grace, kindness and integrity.”
I am personally grateful to Father Brian Vander Wel, Mr. Frank McDonough, and all the leaders of Christ Church for the spirit in which we entered and completed this process together. May God bless and guide them and those they lead in their lives and ministries.
Faithfully,
Bishop Mariann
by Bishop Mariann | Apr 29, 2021
Dear Friends in Christ,
We are blessed to live in the Mid-Atlantic region that is rich in natural resources, diversity, and history. It is often when we step away and apart from our day to day routines and into the thin spaces around us, that we are able to grow in our own formation and transformation.
To this end, many of us have participated in programs, attended parish retreats, or spent a week at summer camp through the resources of the Claggett Center, located in Frederick County, Maryland. What started as a camp for youth in 1952 by the Diocese of Maryland, the Claggett Center has grown into a facility with resources that can serve diverse groups, needs, and ministries.
As we move forward in recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and in recognition of many existing partnerships, relationships, and benefits, it is our intent to continue the cooperative relationship between the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland (EDOM) and the Episcopal Diocese of Washington (EDOW) for camping and conference ministries located at the Claggett Center.
Below are the core beliefs that we share as neighboring dioceses:
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We agree that transformational and formational experiences are essential to the faith development of adults, young adults, and youth in both dioceses.
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We agree that the Claggett Center, while graphically located within the Diocese of Maryland, is an essential resource for Christian formation and transformation for both dioceses.
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We commit to support the Claggett Center in its mission through using its resources, programming, and ministries.
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We affirm that the Claggett Center is committed to serving both dioceses faithfully and fully.
Our vision is one and our commitment is steadfast in the power of camp and retreat ministries to be a beacon of growth, change, and hope in both dioceses. This is especially relevant now while so many recover from trauma experienced this past year due to the coronavirus pandemic, and as our communities search for ways to heal and support one another. Claggett has the power to be a place of recovery and renewal. We welcome all to be formed and transformed at, by, and through God’s grace at the Claggett Center.
Blessings and peace,
The Right Rev. Eugene Taylor Sutton
Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Maryland
The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde
Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Washington
*THE MISSION OF THE CLAGGETT CENTER
Since being founded in 1952, the Claggett Center has been a vital, life giving center for mission and ministry in the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland and beyond. Today, Claggett continues to be a place set apart to serve all people in spiritual renewal, growth, and learning through ministries of hospitality and programming.
EDOM & EDOW Partnership at the Claggett Center
Purpose
The purpose of this Agreement is to express a cooperative relationship between the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland (EDOM) and the Episcopal Diocese of Washington (EDOW) for camping and conference ministries on properties owned by the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland in Frederick County.
Summary
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We agree that transformational and formational experiences are essential to the faith development of adults, young adults, and youth in both dioceses.
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We agree that the Claggett Center, while graphically located within the Diocese of Maryland, is an essential resource for Christian formation and transformation for both dioceses.
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We commit to support the Claggett Center in its mission through using its resources, programming, and ministries.
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We affirm that the Claggett Center is committed to serving both dioceses faithfully and fully.
Notes
- EDOM welcomes and approves of EDOW’s congregations and clergy receiving equal hospitality benefits from the Claggett Center.
- EDOW commits to sending its youth through it’s former “Camp EDOW” to camps at the Claggett Center.
- It is the intent of EDOM and EDOW to develop a unified and partnered youth camping program at the Claggett Center.
- The Claggett Center commits to partnering with EDOW on programmatic needs for youth, young adults, and adult ministries.
- EDOW welcomes and approves the Claggett Center in its effort to invite generosity through participation, service, and financial gifts throughout EDOW and its congregations.
- EDOW is not entering an exclusive use agreement and is free to use any facility it chooses for any and all of its meetings/retreats with the exception of the official EDOW youth summer camp partnership.
- The Claggett Center will remain owned by the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland. EDOM will remain the sole operator of the Claggett Center.
- The Claggett Center will supply EDOM & EDOW appropriate materials relating to camp, retreat and conferencing. EDOM & EDOW will include these materials on their websites and other communications.
Encumbrances
Consistent with current policies and practices for EDOM:
- EDOW clergy will receive complimentary use of the Claggett Center for personal retreat;
- EDOW congregations/programs will receive the “Episcopal’ rate for services;
- EDOW will allow/welcome promotional visits and materials from the Claggett Center;
- EDOW will allow/welcome solicitation of financial support for the Claggett Center.
Additionally, the Claggett Board of Trustees will seek to include a member from EDOW on the board.
by EDOW | Apr 28, 2021
We are excited to introduce Emily Snowden, the diocese’s new Program Coordinator for the School for Christian Faith and Leadership and the Tending Our Soil initiative. Emily is a UCC pastor and joins the staff with nine years of ministry experience in the United Church of Christ, in both congregational and institutional settings. She brings with her coaching, administrative, and program development capacities that will serve the diocese well.
Emily will work closely with the Rev. Jenifer Gamber, Missioner for the School for Christian Faith and Leadership, to support the development of a broad base of offerings by the School to equip members of the diocese for faithful living and adaptive leadership and to guide congregations in an intentional process toward greater vitality. “I am honored and excited to bring my communication, collaboration, and organizational skills to the Diocese of Washington and look forward to contributing in a meaningful way to its mission.”
Jenifer Gamber shares, “I am delighted to welcome Emily and look forward to a fruitful partnership to expand learning opportunities that help the people of the Diocese of Washington engage in a changing world with an enduring faith in Jesus Christ and know God’s love.”
“Emily provides us with much needed administrative capacity as we continue to move forward on our strategic plan goals,” Bishop Mariann reports. “We’re grateful to have her join the diocesan staff team.”
