NEWS
Here’s where you’ll find good news stories about how we–as a diocese, as parishes, and as individuals–are drawing people to Jesus and embodying His love for the world by growing our skills as leaders, deepening our faith, and striving for justice.
Thanksgiving for Vital Stories
As I reflect on this season of thanksgiving, I find I am grateful for our Regional Gatherings this fall. They were great in helping me get to know the people of this diocese better. I am especially grateful for the discussions we had around the Vital Signs of Parish...
Creating a catechumenate at St. Andrew’s, College Park
When the COVID pandemic reached the Washington, D.C. area in March 2020, forcing our congregations to cease in-person worship, I immediately sent an email to two adults in my parish who were planning to be baptized at the Easter Vigil. The postponement was...
Introducing the Path of Discipleship App, Sharing Cards, and Posters
Come, follow me. Matthew 4:19 From the start of his ministry, and throughout the four gospels, Jesus invites the people he meets to follow him. Turn from what you are doing, Jesus says, come and follow me. As Christians we have committed to living a Jesus-shaped life....
Diaconal Ministry: Welcoming the Stranger
Photo from St. John's, Norwood Facebook page announcing coat drive for ADAMS Center “…I was a stranger, and you welcomed me.” Matthew 25:35 Refugee resettlement has long been a priority of The Episcopal Church. Many in our diocese have engaged actively in this...
Deacons Welcoming Home Their Neighbor
The Episcopal Diocese has recently reestablished its Prison Ministry Task Force. The Task Force’s mission is to follow the Great Commission of Christ to respect the dignity of all persons. “Welcome Home Neighbor” is one way that deacons in the diocese are connecting...
Is God Calling Me?
“A call from God has the power of conviction that is not our work alone but is something intended and empowered by God.” Author Ben Campbell Johnson makes this statement in his book, Hearing God’s Call. He asks this question in the third paragraph of the book, “How do...
A Recipe for Deacons
Just how does one make a deacon? Like any recipe, it takes a drop of this and a dash of that, from academics to service internships to parochial internships. For the deacon, the emphasis is on service. The deacon in formation must successfully fulfill two nine-month...
We’ve Come a Long Way: Deacons in the Diocese of Washington
When I arrived in the summer of 2012, Eric Shoemaker had been serving in Southern Maryland for nine years, the sole deacon deployed in the Episocpal Diocese of Washington. A month later, I attended the first ordination of deacons at Washington National Cathedral. Eric...
The Baptismal Life
Baptism is at the heart of the Christian faith and the Baptismal Covenant, which we say at baptisms, confirmations, and re-affirmations, outlines the Christian life. Think of covenant as a love story. When we say the Apostles’ Creed, we recall all that God has...
Supporting the Ministry of the Laity
By virtue of baptism, every member of the church is called to ministry. The role of a clergy is to be the spiritual leader of a congregation engaged in ministry with the entire congregation in its ministry. In a model of mutual ministry, the clergy and the lay...
