A WEEKLY eNEWSLETTER AND OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN DELAWARE |
|
Ash Wednesday - Collect: Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
-
- Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe’s Ash Wednesday Letter to the Church
-
- Don’t miss the Lenten Film Journey offering later in this eNewsletter!
|
|
All Saints’ Church, Delmar Service of Leave-Taking Sunday, February 22, 2026, 2:00 p.m. All Saints’ Episcopal Church 100 North 10th Street Delmar, DE 19940 “Your presence in Delmar could make a profound difference to the people at All Saints’, and all you need to do is show up and love them.” — Bishop Brown |
|
Convention Venue Announced |
|
242nd Annual Convention November 20 – 21 Hyatt Place Dewey Beach, Delaware |
We’re excited to share that this year’s Annual Convention of the Episcopal Church in Delaware will be held November 20–21 at the beautiful Hyatt Place in Dewey Beach — and we’re so glad to be heading back to Dewey! There’s something special about gathering near the water, and we’re already looking forward to being together in that space. In August, we’ll send out detailed information about reserving your room at the Hyatt for Convention — so keep your eyes peeled. We’re also happy to report that we were able to secure a reduced guest room rate for attendees. A quick team update as well: while much of our convention team remains the same, there have been a few tweaks. Jon Barret will continue to serve as secretary of convention, Cynde Bimbi will step into the new role of convention manager, Samantha Parfitt-Simpson will serve as convention administrator, and Kathleen Moore will continue as liaison to the bishop and, as always, a trusted consultant to the team. We are also grateful that the Rev. David Andrews, Jr. will once again serve as convention chaplain. We’re looking forward to a meaningful and energizing convention in Dewey — more details to come soon! |
|
|
Jon Barrett
secretary of convention |
| Cynde Bimbi
convention manager |
| Samantha Parfitt-Simpson convention administrator |
| Kathleen Moore liaison to the bishop / consultant |
|
| David Andrews, Jr. convention chaplain |
|
|
5th Annual Parish Communications Conference Friday, March 27 | 9:30 – 3:00 p.m. Dover, Delaware |
Whether your parish is promoting an event, launching a fundraising appeal, planning a pledge drive, or tackling a “we really need to fix that” project, this year’s Parish Communications Conference is designed for you. Real Skills. Real Tools. Real Results. Plan a campaign + Track progress + Create consistent messaging + Build a communications calendar + Understand church-friendly database + Canva + Brand Basics + Email platforms + AI tools |
|
To learn more about the conference, speakers, and agenda, click here |
|
A Lenten Film Journey from One of Our Own This Lent, we’re grateful to share a daily film journey created by one of our diocesan rectors. The films were specifically selected to appeal to spiritual themes. “Lent invites us to see more clearly — ourselves, our neighbors, and God’s work in the world. These films encourage reflection on compassion, forgiveness, loss, hope, and transformation. Use the question with each film for prayer, journaling, or group conversation.“ You are invited to use the list, share it with friends, or modify it for your own parish or small group context. We’re thankful for the creativity and care behind this offering — and pleased to make it available to the wider diocesan community. Whether you watch on your own, gather a discussion group, or simply add one or two films to your Lenten rhythm, we hope this resource enriches your journey. Click the button below for the listing of daily films and questions for reflection. |
|
|
|
Sing with a Diocesan Choir at the Blue Rocks! Have you ever wanted to sing the National Anthem at a ballgame? Here’s your chance. We’re assembling a diocesan-wide choir to sing the National Anthem at our Parish Picnic at the Blue Rocks on Saturday, June 27, 2026. The game begins at 6:35 p.m., and our choir will open the evening from the field — representing the full voice of the Episcopal Church in Delaware. We’re pleased to share that Ryan Pryslak, music director at Immanuel Church, Highlands, will be leading the choir for this exciting endeavor. Singers of all parishes are welcome. Whether you’re a seasoned chorister or simply love to sing, we’d be glad to have you join us for this joyful diocesan moment. If you’re interested, please contact communications@delaware.church to let us know and to learn more about the details. Let’s raise our voices — and start the game in style. |
|
2026 Financial Stewardship Resources Now Available Good news from our diocesan Stewardship Chair, Helen Spence: the updated password for The Episcopal Network for Stewardship (TENS) resources is now on the stewardship page of the diocesan website, and their 2026 Financial Stewardship Support materials are ready for you to use. The password can be found within the stewardship presentation on the webpage. TENS provides a wealth of practical tools and resources to support your parish’s stewardship efforts. We encourage you to explore what’s available and make use of anything that strengthens your local campaign. Please note: diocesan stewardship logos and related branding will be updated once a theme is selected for annual convention. We’ll share those refreshed materials as soon as they are available. If you need additional information or guidance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Helen Spence, sopsister@gmail.com. We are deeply grateful for the faithful work happening in each of our parishes — individually and together as part of the wider diocesan community. |
|
|
|
Yes, you can catch more bees with honey than vinegar! But, to be more specific you can catch more bees, butterflies and birds with pollinator plants! And, we need those pollinator creatures to fertilize/pollinate more flowers and make honey! The good news is Interfaith Power & Light-PA Sacred Grounds is funding to establish/improve these pollinator gardens! This program is intended for faith-based groups in Delaware and West/Southwest Philadelphia who are interested in planting pollinator gardens in Fall 2026. Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis until the positions are filled, but the sooner you apply the better! |
|
Task force seeks input on household diversity All Episcopalians are invited to complete a 15- to 20-minute survey offered by the Task Force to Study Household and Relationship Diversity and designed to help the church better understand and support all its members. Created by General Convention in 2022, the task force seeks “to create opportunities for discussion, reflection, and deepening of understanding about existing diversity of family relationships and households among congregations, dioceses, and throughout The Episcopal Church.” Participants are encouraged to learn more and complete the survey by March 1. |
|
|
Helpful Links and Information: |
|
‘Link’ in to our community |
| Top viewed web pages last week for www.delaware.church |
Submitting a church announcement or a job posting? When submitting a church announcement or job posting for The Net and diocesan website, please complete and submit the following online forms. |
|
|
|
|
