The Net 07 24 2024

A WEEKLY eNEWSLETTER AND OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN DELAWARE

Philadelphia Eleven

50th Anniversary | July 29

"The body of Christ has become stronger, wiser, and healthier as our ordained ranks have evolved to more fully reflect the breadth of God's creative energy and expression. The growth in the last 50 years has been stunning. The Philadelphia Eleven, and those who supported them, were sparks that lit the flame of this transformation." — Bishop Brown

Fifty Years Ago... On July 29, 1974, eleven women were ordained in Philadelphia as priests in violation of the constitution and canons of The Episcopal Church at that time. These first female priests in The Episcopal Church were harassed, lost friends, and banned from stepping on church property. The Philadelphia Eleven documentary, released this year in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of their ordinations, showcases their courage to effect change and build a movement that is still transforming the Church today. The Episcopal Church in Delaware is offering an opportunity to view and discuss this important film on Saturday, October 19, 2024, 4:00 p.m., St. Andrew's School. More information will follow.

Bishop Brown encourages clergy to celebrate the event at your parish

Monday, July 29, marks the 50th anniversary of the ordination of the Philadelphia Eleven, a momentous occasion in the history of the Episcopal Church. In a letter earlier this week, Bishop Brown encouraged clergy to joyfully celebrate and commemorate the ordination of women to the priesthood on either the Sunday preceding (July 28) or following (August 4). You can find the propers for "The Feast of the Philadelphia Eleven" on The Lectionary Page, here.

Diocese to show The Philadelphia Eleven documentary

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! The diocese will hold a Philadelphia Eleven Screening and Discussion on Saturday, October 19, 2024, 4:00 p.m., St. Andrew's School in Middletown. More information will follow. The documentary celebrates the 50th anniversary of their ordinations, showcases their courage to effect change and build a movement that is still transforming the Church today.

First ordained woman in Diocese of Easton

DID YOU KNOW that our very own Canon Marianne Ell was the first woman to be ordained in the Diocese of Easton? She was ordained to the diaconate on June 3, 1989 and to the priesthood on January 6, 1990. You can read more about Marianne Ell’s journey in this article published on the 30th anniversary of her ordination. Marianne will facilitate a 30-minute discussion after the Philadelphia Eleven Screening in the Diocese of Easton on July 28. Ticket sales have concluded for this event.

Lay Evangelism Training

Learn how to Share the

Good News of Jesus Christ

Enroll today for Lay Evangelism Training! An Evangelist is a lay person who presents the good news of Jesus Christ in such a way that people are led to receive Christ as savior and follow Christ as Lord in the fellowship of the Church. This 14-week lay evangelism training is designed to equip lay Episcopalians through lectures, discussions, and practicums to know and share this good news. The training is co-taught by the Rev. Joyce Scherer-Hoock and the Rev. Becky Zartman. Participants will come away from the training with a deeper awareness of God's story and practical skills for sharing this story.

Topics covered include:

"Why" evangelism and baptismal ministry?
Reading scripture for evangelism in the Episcopal Church
Knowing your own spiritual autobiography
Basic apologetics and articulating "why" Christianity

The training will be held Tuesdays 5:30-6:30, August 27th – December 10th via Zoom.

For more information, contact Marianne Ell, canon for strategic mission, mell@delaware.church.

News around the diocese:

Recognized for service

St. Luke's Church, Seaford

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church of Seaford was recognized for service to Love in the Name of Christ (Love INC). For eight years, St. Luke’s has provided shelter space for Love INC’s cold weather ministry, Code Purple. Annually, between the months of November and March, approximately 14 unhoused individuals receive nightly shelter from extreme cold weather in the parish house.

Rich Boyd, senior warden, and his wife, Peggy, (photo) received the award on behalf of the St Luke’s congregation on June 7, 2024 at an Appreciation Dinner for Love, INC’s community partners. The plaque acknowledged eight years of St. Luke’s partnership with the organization.

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, is one of 63 partnering churches, businesses, and individuals supporting this important Christ focused ministry based in Sussex County, Delaware.

The Rev. Tom White retirement

St. John the Baptist, Milton

The Rev. Tom White will be retiring as the rector of St. John the Baptist on Sunday, September 22, 2024. Tom has faithfully served this community since he began his formal ministry at St. John's in September 2014. We celebrate his dedication and service over the past decade.

Submitting a church event announcement or a job posting:

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Church Announcement Form

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302.256.0374

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Issue: July 24, 2024