Diocesan Convention 2022 - Virtual
154th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Easton
God’s Church in Renaissance / Revival
Saturday, March 5th, 2022
For more information visit:
Each church in the Diocese has selected delegates and alternates to represent them, along with clergy, on behalf of their parish. Delegates and canonically resident clergy are authorized to vote. All these individuals will participate in the 2022 Convention via zoom meeting. Others are welcome to watch the livestream on the Episcopal Diocese of Easton Facebook page as non-voting guests.
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Convocation Meeting Tonight
February 2, 2022 at 7:00PM
Convocation meetings provide instructions and orientation for the Diocesan Convention (our annual business meeting happening virtually on Saturday, March 5th). The Convocation meeting is for diocesan clergy, lay delegates, and alternates to Convention, Parish Wardens, Treasurers, Volunteers, and anyone who wants to be involved or is interested in learning about diocesan work. Tonight's Convocation meeting is scheduled for 7pm via Zoom and requires registration using this Registration Link. View the February Convocation Meeting Agenda.
Click here for more information regarding tonight's meeting, including budget items, the slate of nominees, and resolutions.
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Upcoming Convocation Meeting
and the Constitution and Canons Revision Process
Excerpts from The Rev. Cn. Patrick A. Collins' recent
"... A growing number of members of our diocese are wanting to learn more about the work done by the Constitution and Canons Task Force and the Constitution and Canons Committee. These two groups have worked diligently for over two years to fulfill the vision expressed by Bishop Marray in Parousia, which was presented to, and approved by, the 151st Diocesan Convention in 2019...
..."As the Task Force and Committee have been in discussions, only two topics have risen to the top as needing further discussion by Convention: whether congregational apportionments should be requested or required and the development of a process to follow when congregations don’t/can’t pay their full apportionments. We see this tremendous amount of agreement as a testament to all the dedicated and hard work conducted by these two bodies of talented and faithful people since Diocesan Convention 2019...
..."I am writing to ask every member of our diocese, especially those who have been elected to serve as delegates from their faith communities, to review all the information available on the diocesan website regarding the Proposed Constitution and Canons. https://dioceseofeaston.org/cc2021/ "
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Invite Welcome Connect Digital Gathering
Wednesday, February 9th, 3:00-4:30pm
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How do we Welcome & Connect those who are on our congregation’s digital front porch - those whose initial contacts are online and invisible? How do we Re-Connect with members of our pre-Covid faith community?
We invite you to join us for this time of sharing learnings & creative initiatives that have emerged out of the pandemic. Our goal is for you to leave feeling more energized to share the Good News and with creative ideas and takeaways to help you implement and engage with the ministry of Invite Welcome Connect in your local context.
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Upcoming Ordination to the Sacred Order of Deacons
Due to the snow event this past weekend, the
Ordination to the Diaconate of
Susan Elaine Leight
has been rescheduled to
Saturday, February 5th at 5pm
Christ Church, St. Peter's Parish, Easton
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Youth from around the Diocese are invited to join together at Camp Wright for one epic weekend filled with exciting worship, new friends, and camp traditions. This event is for current 5th-12th graders. Adult youth leaders and parents are also welcomed (safeguarding certification required for adults).
Deadline to Register is March 15th
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The Diocese of Easton is headed to West Virginia this Summer to work with the people of Charleston as they improve their community and serve their neighbors. Students will receive as much as they give by interacting with Charleston residents, learning about Jesus’ call to serve, and bringing back ideas to implement at home. This trip is for current 6th graders and up, including adults. Anyone over the age of 18 at departure is required to complete safeguarding certification.
Deadline to Register is March 15th
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Bishop San’s Tornado Appeal - Final Call
Relief Donations Update
The diocese wishes to thank everyone for their prayers and donations received for the Tornado Relief Fund. Due to your empathy and compassion, many donations have come in during the Bishop’s Advent, Christmas & Epiphany Appeal. To date $6,000 was sent directly to Bishop White, Diocese of Kentucky, to be used in the alleviation of suffering in the affected areas and $6,000 has been sent directly to Episcopal Relief and Development. The diocese continues to encourage Tornado Relief donations until the end of the month by clicking on the Appeal linked above. Donations continue to come in and will be forwarded to the appropriate relief agency in the Episcopal Church.
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The Genesis of a Church: An Undervalued Life-Changing Phenomenon On the Eastern Shore of Maryland
Several resources have been researched, documented and highlighted to inform the community as to the potency, viability, sustainability, survivability, enduring durability and enormous contribution of this church. This church’s contribution under its many bishops, clergy and lay to the overall life of the nation and more especially the Eastern shore of Maryland is truly awe-inspiring.
It is hoped that the series on The Genesis of a Church available online will go a long way in the process of helping hearts and minds understand our incredible story. This work begins with the people who are the direct beneficiaries of this church’s faith pilgrimage over these centuries.
"Let me be the first to encourage you to journey into this exciting project of transforming the landscape." - Bishop San
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Bishop Marray's visitation to St. Peter’s Parish, Salisbury, on January 16 coincided with the parish’s observation of the Feast Day of St. Peter’s the Great Apostle, officially observed on January 18. The Bishop celebrated one confirmation and one reception. The parish continues to offer excellent quality live streaming of its services in a hybrid format (in-person and on-line). The spirit and overall energy in the parish remains very high even with the ongoing challenges posed by Covid-19 and its variants thanks to the amazing lay leaders and the leadership of the Very Rev. David Michaud, Rector, the Rev. Greg Harbaugh, Associate Rector, and the Rev. Deacon Laura McCarthy. Their faithfulness, dedication and commitment to the mission of God, particularly during this health and safety crisis is evident.
Bishop Marray visited St. Clement’s, Massey on Sunday, January 23. His visit was centered around the celebration of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Bishop Marray was especially delighted to officiate at Evensong Service where he chanted the versicles and swung incense. Evensong is an ancient order of service used in many Anglo-Catholic churches. Bishop San officiated this style of service every Sunday evening when he was in parish ministry in Guyana and the Bahamas. The spirit of ecumenism was observed as the church was invited to recall Jesus’ command to preserve unity as the vision of the Church. The homily was offered by a representative of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, Fr. James Gardiner, SA, Washington D.C., who has long been involved in ecumenical and interfaith efforts. In his words, “Did not Christ himself pray for unity at the Last Supper when, as St. John remembers, he prayed ‘that all may be one … that the world may believe’. Bishop Marray thanked Fr. Gardiner for calling the Church back to its ecumenical roots. He commended Lay Pastor, Dr. Mark Hansen and the Vestry for their faithful ministry and leadership. St. Clement’s Church has done much evangelistic work among our Latino sisters and brothers. Signs of that missional focus are clearly visible."
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Thank you for your continued support
of the mission and ministries of our Diocese.
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Oh well, Phil saw his shadow. Six more weeks of winter! On the bright side... more beautiful snow, sledding, skiing & hot chocolate coming our way! |
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February 14th
Happy Valentines Day!!
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Brayhouse will be closed on February 21st in honor of President's Day. |
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REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!!
with questions, or to schedule a tour.
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Episcopal Camps & Conference Centers is seeking its next Executive Director. In the simplest terms, the Episcopal Camps and Conference Centers association (ECCC) advocates for and supports the 86+ Episcopal camps, and retreat and conference centers located in the nine provinces of the Episcopal Church.
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DIVERSITY AWARENESS COMMISSION
Celebrating the diversity of God’s image in humanity and all Creation and advocating for the right of each person to be fully human. We serve as the Diocesan resource and focal point for diversity awareness learning and experiential opportunities.
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The Diversity Awareness Commission (DAC) of the Diocese of Easton is supporting and resourcing local initiatives in our parishes that encourage conversation across divides. Select from our three partnering initiatives (Difference, Sacred Ground, or Catherine Meeks) or send us a proposal for an alternative program and we will see if we can assist you. This includes providing monies, materials, trainers, hosts, or all-inclusive depending on your needs. Please email us for more information.
DAC Open House
Join us for our Open House on Zoom on Thursday, February 24th at 5:30pm to learn more about our partnering initiatives or how you can get more involved in this important work. DAC Open House Zoom Link
Congratulations Dr. Catherine Meeks
Dr. Meeks, who recently joined our Diocese as keynote for the Annual Fall Summit, is being awarded The President Joseph R. Biden Lifetime Achievement Award along with The Presidential Volunteer Service Award medals.
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Lenten Storytelling
with Bishop Porter Taylor
Sunday Evenings March 6 - April 3, 2022
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm via Zoom
Lent is less a season to observe and more a walk to walk. As the days get longer and the light more accessible, so are we invited to cast aside all that gets between us and resurrection. One theologian commented, “Everything that happens to Christ happens to us.” In that sense, the Bible is a road map for us to follow, indicating the terrain of our journey with Christ and in Christ and to Christ.
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Winter With Us
Wednesdays until February 16
2 pm - 5 pm EST
complimentary and online
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What is winter inviting you to this year?
Winter With Us at the Retreat House as we take time to receive the gifts of the heart following the abundance of the holiday season. Each Wednesday for six weeks, we will listen to writings and poetry and prayers shared by our friends and teachers, and then we will enjoy a free and gentle silence.There will be simple questions to ponder and an opportunity to reflect in community, but this time will be yours to enjoy as you wish.
Come for one or all of these days offered as we connect online. You will also have the option to find another time to reflect upon the readings using a link to the offering.
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You can un-subscribe at any time.
See our calendar for programs and special events. For more information, call (410) 364-7069, click the buttons below or contact Francie Thayer.
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Happenings Around The Diocese |
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St. Paul's, Centreville Black History Month Events Please plan on joining us for events to celebrate Black History Month. There will be a lecture and sermon by Chris Pupke and a concert by Thomas Beard. Click there for dates and times.
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Christ Church, Easton First Communion Class is open for all children in the 2nd grade and older. First Communion classes help children better appreciate & understand the gift of communion. Classes are open to all children in the 2nd grade and up (including those already receiving communion).
The class will meet on Tuesdays throughout Lent, starting Tuesday, March 8th at 4:30 pm and ending at 5:30 pm. The class will include a snack during gathering time and a lesson that will explore a piece of the Sacrament of the Eucharist, each week.
The class also includes a day retreat to the National Cathedral on April 9th, which families are encouraged to participate in.
The students will celebrate their First Solemn Communion on Thursday, April 14th at 7:00 pm, during the Maundy Thursday Service.
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Christ Church, Cambridge Concert Series 2022 All Concerts on Sunday at 4:00pm Beau Soir, Harp, Flute & Viola Trio February 6, 2022, Winner of Chesapeake Chamber Music Competition April 3, 2022, Solomon Eichner, Piano May 1, 2022.
Admission: $10 Students Free Following state and CDC mandates Christ Episcopal Church - 215 High Street, Cambridge, MD 21613 Phone: 410-228-3161
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Trinity Episcopal Cathedral of Easton is inviting the public into its sanctuary to pray together for world peace on Tuesday afternoons from 3pm to 4 pm. The weekly world peace prayer initiative starts February 15 and will run indefinitely. The Rev. Sandy Casey-Martus plans to be inside Trinity Cathedral to participate in the hour of prayer for world peace. She urges the public to come and go during that hour, praying in silence for as long as they like.
The church will be clean, warm, quiet, and without words or music. Come in, light a candle if you wish, sit anywhere or stand, close your eyes or open them and look at the beautiful stained glass windows. Feel free to pray in silence as long as you wish. The world peace prayer hour at Trinity is open to people of all faiths and belief systems.
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Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Easton During the season of Lent, Trinity Cathedral invites you to join us as we bring a taste of the Burgundy region of France into our midst. The Cathedral will offer a weekly Taizé service and all are welcome. For those unfamiliar with this unique worship experience, Taizé claims its name from the small town in France where in 1940, a young man set out to worship and serve God. Taizé has since grown into a thriving spiritual community that draws pilgrims, seekers from all different Christian denominations across the globe. The Taizé community welcomes many thousands of people into community through prayer and worship each year.
Additional information with the date and time of the Taizé Lenten service will be available shortly.
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POST YOUR EVENT!
Send an email with a short description plus links or attachments to Joanne. Churches are also encouraged to add joanne@dioceseofeaston.org to their local enews.
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Get free at-home COVID-19 tests
Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests. The tests are completely free. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days.
Order your tests now so you have them when you need them.
Book your booster / vaccination
appointment today!!
Make an appointment to get vaccinated by visiting covidvax.maryland.gov or by calling COVID-19 Vaccination Support Center at 1-855-MD-GOVAX (1-855-634-6829) seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Find other vax site locations near you at covidvax.maryland.gov. Federal Government vaccine finder - visit Vaccines.gov or text your zip code to 438829 to find a location near you.
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Keep on slowing the spread of COVID-19 by
watching your distance, washing your hands and wearing your mask.
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Prayers of the People
Please continue to keep in your prayers those infected with Coronavirus, those who have died as a result of the virus, and medical personnel, first responders and front line workers.
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Pastoral Concerns
The people of St. Mary Anne's are asking for prayers. The son of two of their beloved parishioners, John and Miriam McMaster is the surviving firefighter who was recently released from Shock Trauma Hospital in Baltimore after being trapped along with three Baltimore firefighters who lost their lives in a blaze inside a vacant home last Monday, one of the deadliest in the city’s history. They were identified as Lt. Paul Butrim, firefighter, paramedic Kelsey Sadler and EMT/firefighter Kenny Lacayo. Please pray for John and for comfort for the families who have lost loved ones.
We pray for continued healing and comfort for the following people and their families: for The Rev. Paula E. Clark bishop-elect of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago. The Rev. Kevin Cross. The Rev. Bryan Glancey & Barbs Glancey. The Rev. Jim Kamihachi & Weasie Kamihachi. Art Kendall & Bonnie Kendall. The Rev. Ron Knapp. Art Leiby. Tom Mendenhall. The Rev. George Merrill. The Rev. Bill Ortt. Rev. Beverly Porteus, Becky Richardson. Larry Samuels. Tom Shuster. Rev. Pete Stanton.
We pray for the many lives that have been affected by the Coronavirus. For those who have died; for the family members that mourn their loss. For those who continue to heal and for the skilled caregivers that continue to fight this disease – we pray for you.
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Diocesan Prayer Calendar
Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
February 6th
We pray for the many lives that have been affected by the Coronavirus.
For those who have died; for the family members that mourn their loss.
For those who continue to heal and for the skilled caregivers that continue to fight this disease – we pray for you.
Sixth Sunday after Epiphany
February 13th
We give thanks for the witness of God’s people at Augustine Parish,
Chesapeake City, and for their lay leadership.
Seventh Sunday after Epiphany
February 20th
We give thanks for the witness of God’s people at St. Mary the Virgin,
Pocomoke, and for their Deacon-in-Residence, the Rev. Stephanie
Clayville and her spouse, Brooks.
We give thanks for the ministry of Episcopal Relief and Development and
the good work they provide to those in need throughout the world.
Last Sunday after Epiphany
February 27th
Gracious God, guide and sustain your faithful people in your church in
the Diocese of Easton as we virtually gather for our 154th Annual
Convention next weekend. Lead us to be your light and vessels of
compassion and mercy, hospitality and reconciling presence. Inspire
your church in this convention and beyond with a grateful heart and
thankful spirit.
First Sunday in Lent
March 6th
We give thanks for the witness of God’s people at St. Mark’s, Perryville,
and for their Rector, the Rev. Susan Oldfather.
For additional weeks, please visit our website.
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Communication from the
Office of the Presiding Bishop
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The postponement of the 80th General Convention from 2021 to 2022 created the opportunity for the committee to attend convention to speak with bishops, deputies, and other participants. General Convention is scheduled for July 7-14 in Baltimore, Maryland.
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By Jack Jenkins/Religion News Service
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry met with Jon Meacham, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author who assists President Joe Biden with speechwriting and serves as canon historian at the National Cathedral, on Jan. 13 at Vanderbilt University.
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Presiding Bishop Curry invites gifts to Absalom Jones Fund for Episcopal HBCUs Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry invites people of all backgrounds and faiths to support the hope-filled, life-impacting work of two historically Black institutions of higher education through donations and dedicated offerings on the Feast of Absalom Jones—the first Black priest ordained by the church—observed Feb. 13.
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From Province III
Resurrection Hope: A Future Where Black Lives Matter
Book Discussion
The Racial Justice, Reconciliation & Anti-Racism Committee of Province III
March 9, 2022, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM via Zoom
Attendees will receive a Zoom webinar link closer to the event.
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The following are the opening remarks of Presiding Bishop Curry and the President of the House of Deputies Gay Clark Jennings at the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church.
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WORSHIP IN ASIAN DIASPORA WORKSHOP:
A Pan-Asian Preaching Workshop to Embolden
ANDREWS Proclaimers Across the World
Register early for virtual ‘Worship in Asian Diaspora’ workshop
Explore the relationship, culture, and the need for Asiamerican expressions of worship in this workshop led by the Rev. Russell Yee, author of “Worship on the Way: Exploring Asian North American Christian Experience.” Yee has taught at numerous seminaries and pastored a church for 10 years. His doctoral research focused on sociolinguistic aspects of liturgical and free worship.
March 9-11: 8-10 p.m. Eastern / 5-7 p.m. Pacific
March 10-12: 9-11 a.m. in Asia
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EXTENDED APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 4 ←
Seeking young Episcopalians with a heart for God and service
In its 20th year, the Young Adult Service Corps (YASC) offers Episcopalians ages 21-30 the opportunity to follow the Way of Love into deeper relationship with God and the global Anglican Church while spending a year living and working with communities around the world.
A discernment retreat for applicants will be held virtually
in late March/early April.
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The General Convention is the governing body of The Episcopal Church. Every three years it meets as a bicameral legislature that includes the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops, composed of deputies and bishops from each diocese. The General Convention also includes Interim Bodies which meet between the triennial sessions to accomplish ongoing work and tasks set in the triennial sessions. The next session, the 80th General Convention, which was originally scheduled for 2021, has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and will meet July 7 - 14, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland.
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