Upcoming Events
Responding to genocide in Darfur, October 6
Rally to build new hope for peace in Darfur, October 6, 2 to 5 p.m., at the State House in Columbia
|
—“Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the
dignity of every human being? |
The
people of the Darfur region of western Sudan are victims of a ruthless
genocide. This genocide began in early 2003 when armed opposition groups
emerged in the Darfur region of western Sudan in response to economic,
political and social marginalization of the African population of Darfur.
Rather than combating these rebel military forces, the Sudanese government
chose to attack innocent women and children in a scorched earth campaign.
The suffering and destruction continue.
If you would like to organize members of your
congregation, here’s a great opportunity to provide a visible witness of our
support for stopping the brutal violence against civilians, such as:
- Hundreds of farming villages, each with hundreds to thousands of inhabitants, have been burned to the ground.
- More than 400,000 people have died, each with a name and a life history.
- Over three million have fled to squalid refugee camps, where thousands more die each month of deprivation and disease.
- (this information found at www.dagsc.org)
We have an opportunity to make a resounding statement of our support for arresting what can only be described as one of the most significant and clear examples of evil in our world today.
For more information about this rally and the situation in Darfur, consult the Web site sponsored by the Darfur Action Group of SC: www.dagsc.org (note: there are some images of victims of the violence on this site).
Heathwood Hall library hosts award-winning illustrator E. B. Lewis, October 16-17
The
Library at Heathwood Hall Episcopal School will host E. B.
Lewis, award-winning illustrator on October 16 and 17
Mr. Lewis will speak to Heathwood students and autograph books and
prints during his upcoming visit. His vibrant watercolors have
illustrated more than 60 books, including the Caldecott Honor
winner, Coming on Home Soon. The Caldecott Award is the highest
award given for picture book illustration. Mr. Lewis’s visit is part
of Heathwood Hall’s annual Visiting Author/Illustrator Series.
Flyer and schedule
here.
Institute for Spirituality 2008 – 2009 training program announced
The Institute for Spirituality at Palmetto Health in Columbia is taking applications for the January 2008 class in its Spiritual Guidance Training Program. This two-year, experiential, faith-based program prepares those involved in ministry—clergy, lay ministers, counselors, parish nurses and others—in the art and discipline of spiritual guidance (spiritual direction). Participants work from within the context of their own faith tradition, and, at the same time draw on the wealth of spiritual masters from other traditions as well as the arts, sciences and humanities.
The program includes home study, classroom experience, guided retreats, practicum, and peer groups. Participants are provided a certificate of completion at the end of the course and may be eligible for dual enrollment with the Graduate Theological Foundation to complete a Doctor of Ministry degree in Spiritual Direction. For more information or to obtain an application, contact Dr. Keith Barron at 803-296-5972 or e-mail him at keith.barron@palmettohealth.org. Information is also available on the website at www.palmettohealth.org .
The CRS Fall Forum at Lutheran Seminary—"Religion and Political Moderation”—to be held October 26, 2007
The Center on Religion in the South is a program of Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, a seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. For more information, contact Dr. Susan W. McArver at (803) 461-3227 or email at smcarver@ltss.edu.
The Fall Forum will focus on Religion and Political Moderation, using Robert Calhoon's forthcoming book on that subject as its starting point. The featured presenters will be Dr. Calhoon, who teaches American History at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro (and is a member of the Center's Advisory Council) and Professor Jack Maddex, history professor at the University of Oregon. They will get the discussion started with brief presentations and will invite dialogue with forum participants. Responding to the presentations and moderating the discussion will be Dr. Mary Anderson, pastor of the Lutheran Church of the Incarnation in Columbia. Pastor Anderson has served on the national staff of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and has a Doctor of Ministry degree in Preaching from the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago.
After a break for lunch, a short session will feature brief presentations by two doctoral students (in history) at UNC-Greensboro: Jack Davidson and Joseph Moore, who are also Presbyterian ministers and have had personal experience with political moderation and immoderation. Their stories will lead the audience to broader discussion of the issues.
Millennium Development Goal (MDG) updates from the Episcopal Public Policy Network
Stand–Up and Speak Out - Against Poverty and for the MDGs:
November 16 & 17
Last year Episcopalians across the country took part in setting a
Guinness World Record by Standing-Up to Fight Poverty. This year the
organizers want to exceed the 23.5 million who Stood Up last year.
Your church can take part—learn more at:
standagainstpoverty.org.
MDG Sunday
The 2006 General Convention set the last Sunday after Pentecost as
"ONE Sunday" for the Episcopal Church. If you don't have the
liturgical calendar superimposed on your day planner (even I don't!)
– that date is November 25. Get it on your church calendar. We'll
have samples of services, prayers, bulletin inserts and more in the
coming weeks – plenty of lead time for November.
Kanuga speakers include author Bruce Feiler
Hendersonville, NC – Fall and winter programs at Kanuga present opportunities for marriage enrichment, Advent and Lenten retreats and the chance to hear from speakers such as author Bruce Feiler.
Besides conferences, workshops and retreats, there are guest periods for the fall color season, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Check out the full Kanuga events calendar here.
Upcoming programs and offerings from the Episcopal Convent of St Helena
October 20 – From Surviving to Thriving, The Journey of Healing for Women Survivors of Cancer, with Dr Jacqueline Fincher, Kath Engler, and the Rev Harriette Simmons. A day for women who know the shock of diagnosis, the pain of treatment, and who face the call to a challenging new life. On this day, we take time for listening, for sharing with others, and time for our inner selves to "speak" creatively. We will close with a service of healing to be touched by the hand of God. Bring a friend with you to the convent, a place of encouragement and joy. Program with lunch $45.
December 7-9 – Lo, God Comes! an Advent silent retreat with the Rt Rev Charles F Duvall, retired Bishop of the Diocese of Central Gulf Coast. Advent is traditionally a time to consider the first and second comings of Christ. Yet God comes into the history of planet earth and its creatures in other ways as well. Using the narratives of Scripture and the experiences of people of faith, Bishop Duvall will look at many of the ways God comes into the world. The weekend will be structured around four presentations: God coming as creator, coming through a family of faith, coming in person as Jesus, and coming through each of us.
Charles Duvall, a South Carolina native and Columbia resident, emphasized the teaching office while serving as bishop, and he continues to teach and preach on congregational, diocesan, and national levels. Tapes of his Bible stories interpreted for the modern ear have been recorded by the Episcopal Media Center in Atlanta. When the sisters remarked on his wonderful smile, Bishop Duvall replied, "Everyone's looks are enhanced by a smile; and I smile a lot as there is a lot of joy in Christianity."
All programs are $160 for full weekends including meals and lodging. Some scholarship funding is available.
For more information, contact the Episcopal Convent of St Helena by phone at 706-798-5201, email augustaconvent@comcast.net. Online at www.osh.org.