NewsLink Online, serving the Episcopal Church
Daybook -- Today is Monday, April 24, 2006, in Eastertide.
* Today in Scripture: Daily Office meditation eds.libsyn.com * Today in Prayer: Anglican Cycle of Prayer http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acp/index.cfm * Today in History: In 1850, the cornerstone of the first Trinity Church, Matawan, New Jersey, was laid [http://www.trinitymatawan.com/page/page/545803.htm]
- - -
Monday Mission: Desert environment, spirituality linked in U.N. international year By Phina Borgeson [ENS] Phyllis Strupp has a passion for helping people develop spiritually by reconnecting with the desert environment. When she moved to Carefree, Arizona, on the northern edge of the Sonoran Desert, almost a decade ago, she thought it was just to get outdoors more. But her engagement with the land around her led to a deepening appreciation for the desert itself, and for the role deserts have played in biblical faith traditions. Now, in this International Year of Deserts and Desertification, she and representatives of seven other congregations have launched the Nature and Spirituality Program of the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona.
Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_73902_ENG_HTM.htm
- - - - -
Monday Mission: Juggling communications is focus of Sarasota conference By Mary Frances Schjonberg and Matthew Davies [ENS] The fast-paced world of communication and learning essential new communications skills were the focus of the Episcopal Communicators annual conference, "The Art of Juggling Communications," held April 19-22 in Sarasota, Florida.
Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_73914_ENG_HTM.htm
Communicators recognized with Polly Bond honors [ENS] Episcopal Communicators has posted its 2006 Polly Bond Awards list which is now online at: www.episcopalcommunicators.org/pbwinners.pdf
Churchwide communication program receives Polly Bond awards [ENS] The work of the Episcopal Church's Office of Communication was recognized with a number of awards April 21 by the Episcopal Communicators. Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) and the Church Pension Group (CPG) were also honored for their communications work. The Polly Bond Awards were presented during the organization's annual conference meeting in Sarasota, Florida.
Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_73909_ENG_HTM.htm - - -
Monday Music: New York's St. Thomas Choir School establishes third grade [ENS] The St. Thomas Choir School, operating continuously since 1919 as a boarding school to educate boy choristers serving the music program of St. Thomas Church, Fifth Avenue, New York, has announced plans to add a third grade class, beginning in September 2006. The school currently serves 32 boys in grades four through eight in a residential setting offering a full range of academic, athletic and extracurricular programs. "Boy soprano voices are changing at a younger age, and to train and support a full complement of those voices, we must attract singers earlier than in the past," said John Scott, organist and director of music at St. Thomas Church Fifth Avenue. "Choir schools in the U.K. have been boarding third grade boys for years in response to this change, and we believe the addition of younger choristers at St. Thomas will strengthen and support our music program as well as provide attractive educational opportunities for boys from the New York City area." According to Headmaster Charles F. Wallace, third grade students will join the school's fourth graders under the direction of Steve Kelly, a current St. Thomas faculty member with experience in teaching combined third and fourth grade classes at other schools. Unlike their older classmates who live at the school seven nights a week, third grade students will board for only four nights, returning to their families and homes in the New York metropolitan area for the weekend. "Boys in third grade will benefit by the same high standards of academic and musical education as do the older boys, but their musical responsibilities and the amount of time dedicated to rehearsals and performing would be modified to age-appropriate levels," Wallace said. "We believe that by beginning their musical training and living-learning experience here at an earlier age, boys will derive a deeper and broader life experience at the choir school and will be able to participate as full members of the choir for a longer period of time." For information regarding Choir School admissions, contact Ruth Cobb at 212-247-3311, ext. 324, or rcobb@choirschool.org [http://www.saintthomaschurch.org].
- - - - -
Catalyst: Anti-Racism resources from Episcopal Books and Resources Building Multiracial Community House of Prayer for All Peoples, Alban Institute, 2002; $19 By: Sheryl Kujawa-Holbrook [EBAR] Contrary to the oft-repeated truism, there are churches in America where Sunday is not the "most segregated day of the week," as Sheryl Kujawa-Holbrook convincingly demonstrates in her compelling exploration of congregations tackling racial justice issues. Yet the truism continues to haunt many congregations, and Kujawa-Holbrook reveals, through story and thoughtful analysis, what it means to create and live out multiracial community. Focusing on six congregations from different denominations, geographical regions, and settings, the author shows us the joys and struggles in their intentional pursuits of a more diverse and just community. The stories in A House of Prayer for All Peoples will inspire leaders to explore their congregation's history, study their community's demographics, and, most of all, search their souls for ways they can develop and celebrate the diversity in their midst. The book is capped by an extensive annotated resource list for readers who want to explore the topic further. "This volume offers a bold witness to the ability of faith communities to enter this struggle of building racial justice." - Traci C. West, from the foreword. [http://www.anthology.com/EPISCOPALRESOURCECENTER/wc.dll?main~bs~&idd=2 &ids= 142&idsc=0&idc=1&idx=], or call 800.903.5544.
- - - - -
Coming Up ... The following weekly topical features -- including the "Catalyst" listings from Episcopal Books and Resources -- are scheduled for
NewsLink Online: -- Monday Mission, Music, Catalyst -- Tuesday Teaching, Toward Columbus (General Convention), Catalyst -- Wednesday World, Weeks Ahead, Catalyst -- Thursday Themes, People, Diocesan Digest, Catalyst -- Friday Forum, Catalyst
Story ideas are always welcome, and may be sent to news@episcopalchurch.org
--
To SUBSCRIBE to enslist, send a blank email message, from the address which you wish subscribed, to: join-enslist@epicom.org
Send QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS to news@episcopalchurch.org
The enslist is published by Episcopal News Service:
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/ens
From time to time, ENS provides information and resources which we consider
to be of interest to our readers. However, statements and opinions expressed in the articles and communications herein, are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of ENS or the Episcopal Church.
--