ACPE's weekly digest to keep you connected, better informed, and well-resourced for the week ahead.
December 26, 2016
monday briefing header
Trace Informal
ACPE's Monday Briefing is a weekly digest from ACPE Executive Director Trace Haythorn. 
 
Each week you will receive related articles and updates on ACPE transitions. Also included are helpful links to keep you connected, better informed, and well-resourced for the week ahead.
Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Hannukah and Happy Boxing Day!
Clarification from Recent Billing
We have received a couple of calls asking for clarification about the "2017 Accreditation Fee." It includes both the national fee of $350 (which is the same as 2016) and the budgeted regional fee. The regional fees hit at different times during the year historically; now they will come with the national fee to simplify matters with your billing and accounting departments. Please contact Tammy Davis or Zizi Krasteva if you still have questions.
Chaplaincy Training for Trauma Assistance Survey
Rev. Alin Dogaru,a NACC board certified chaplain, is working on his D.Min. thesis at CTU in Chicago. He requests your input and support of his research by completing the following survey: Chaplaincy Training for Trauma Assistance Survey. The survey will be open until January 30, 2017.
A Poem for Reflection
While for many of us, the parting year has felt anything but mild, I offer the following:
"Mild is the Parting Year" by Walter Savage Landor
 
Mild is the parting year, and sweet
The odour of the falling spray;
Life passes on more rudely fleet,
And balmless is its closing day.
 
I wait its close, I court its gloom,
But mourn that never must there fall
Or on my breast or on my tomb
The tear that would have soothed it all.
Just for fun
As we look toward New Year's Eve, here is a collection of heartwarming stories from Upworthy for 2016. As tough as this year has been for so many, it seems important to end the year on an up note: 15 heartwarming stories from 2016 that made me cry big happy tears!
Reminder
The National Office will be closed from Dec. 23-Jan. 2. We will checks phones and email in case of an emergency.
This Week on the Calendar
Monday, December 26 
* St. Stephen's Day - Christianity
Remembrance of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr.
 
* Kwanzaa begins (through January 1) - African American heritage
A seven-day festival that celebrates values highly regarded by people of African American ancestry. The values include umoja (unity), kujichagulia (self-determination), ujima (collective work and responsibility), ujamaa (cooperative economics), nia (purpose), kuumba (creativity), and imani (faith). Each of these principles, collectively known as the Nguzo Saba, is represented by a red or green candle, each of which is lit on successive days using a central black candle.
 
* Zaratosht Diso [Anniversary of the death of the prophet Zarathustra (Zoroaster)] - Zoroastrianism
Estimates of when he lived vary from the sixth to the second millenium B.C.E., but this date memorializes the death of the prophet Zoroaster, whose hymns (gathas) are preserved in the Zoroastrian scriptures.
 
Wednesday, December 28
* Holy Innocents' Day - Christianity
A day of solemn memory for the male children of Bethlehem killed by King Herod in an attempt to destroy Jesus.
 
Friday, December 30
* Sharaf - Bahá'í
The beginning of the sixteenth month of the Bahá'í year; its name means "honor."
 
Saturday, December 31, New Year's Eve
* Ghambar Maidyarem (through January 4) - Zoroastrianism
A celebration for the creation of animals, and a time for the equitable sharing of food with others.

Sunday, January 1, New Year's Day
* Temple Day - Buddhism
North American Buddhists attend special services in temples on this day.
   
* Birthday of Meitreya Bodhisattva - Buddhism [Pure Land schools]
Marking the birth of Meitreya, who will come at the end of time to renew the pristine Buddhist teachings.
 
* Feast of Mary, Mother of God; and the Naming of Jesus Christ - Christianity
Some Christians celebrate this day in honor of Jesus' mother; others celebrate this day (eight days after Jesus' birth) as the day when Jesus was presented at the Temple and officially named by his parents.

* Gantan-sai (O-shōgatsu) - Shintō
This Japanese celebration of the New Year includes prayers for the renewal of hearts, good health and prosperity. The festival lasts for a week, during which time people visit one another's homes and offer gifts of good wishes for the coming year.
ACPE | (404) 320-1472 | Email | Website