MCN Online
Welcome to MCN Online, the extended online edition of Maryland Church News. Here you will find resources, additional news and deeper coverage of each quarter’s print issue.
Spring, 2008: Episcopal Schools in our Diocese
“O Eternal God, bless all schools...that they may be lively centers for sound learning, new discovery and the pursuit of wisdom; and grant that those who teach and those who learn may find you to be the source of all truth.” (BCP. p. 824)
MCN Special Bishop Search Edition
The variety of schools in Maryland is vast; from secular to non-secular, boarding to day, and academics to athletics to the arts. Within our own diocese the opportunities available to students at Episcopal schools are amazing.
You will also find some helpful hints and tips for the diocese’s 224th Convention, May 2-3 at the Baltimore Convention Center. Find out how to write and submit a Resolution and review the Norms for Convention.
Click the links below to jump to the stories on this page.
Creativity, Worship, Outreach
When a child is baptized at St. Stephen’s, Severn Parish, we promise as a congregation to support each child in their “life in Christ.” This support is reflected in our Christian formation program from preschool through high school.
Betsy Ensor to Retire
Mrs. Betsy Ensor has been teaching 3-year-olds at St. James’ Church Preschool, Parkton, since 1999. She is one of the school’s true treasures. Earlier this year, Ensor announced that this will be her last teaching year.
More than Just Words
St. John’s Parish, Hagerstown, is using not just words but also video and audio to grow its congregation.
Convention FAQs
Find out how to write and submit a Resolution and review the Norms for Convention.
Creativity, Worship, Outreach
By the Rev. Steven Hagerman
When a child is baptized at St. Stephen’s, Severn Parish, we promise as a congregation to support each child in their “life in Christ.” This support is reflected in our Christian formation program from preschool through high school. Berney Jaroch-Hagerman, the Church School director, leads volunteers in creative education, worship and outreach projects.
A special outreach project that brings the entire parish together in support of the teens is the Appalachian Service Project mission trip led by Sheri LaFleur, the Episcopal teen and ASP leader. Each summer our high school youth and their adult ministers have the opportunity to rehab housing and get to know the people they serve. Year-round fundraising and a special celebration dinner each summer gives every member of the parish a chance to share in this ministry. The intergenerational spirit of this project is intentionally cultivated in many of our programs.
Although Baptism is the gateway to Holy Communion, children are offered the opportunity to participate in a special Holy Communion program. Highlighted by a Maundy Thursday Agape meal, an Instructed Eucharist is offered in a family meal setting. This is one of many ways in which the church year, with its rich depth of themes and stories, is used as a major teaching resource.
Education, worship and outreach done creatively and with family-wide participation has made for an engaging and growing church school program for St. Stephen’s.
The Rev. Steven Hagerman is the rector of St. Stephen’s Church, Severn Parish, Crownsville.
Betsy Ensor to Retire
By the Rev. Beverly Braine
Mrs. Betsy Ensor has been teaching 3-year-olds at St. James’ Church Preschool, Parkton, since 1999. She is one of the school’s true treasures. Earlier this year, Ensor announced that this will be her last teaching year. Having already taught past her retirement time, Ensor is now ready to pursue some of her other interests. One thing that keeps her busy is her 1836 stone house, in which she operates a bed and breakfast inn. She is also an active member of two churches: St. James’ in Parkton and St. James’ Parish, Monkton.
Ensor has been involved in education her entire career. She began by teaching at the elementary school level in Baltimore County. Then for many years she taught at Chestnut Grove Preschool in Jacksonville. The preschool at St. James’ was the next lucky recipient of her talents.
Ensor has taught many families with multiple children. The older children take great delight in coming back to visit her. To watch Ensor engage with children is to see an adult who truly is able to enter a child’s world. She has that unique ability to value the child while encouraging the child to explore things that are new and to develop amazing self-confidence. Ensor has tremendous respect for each child she meets.
The staff of St. James’ Preschool, along with the members of the church, will miss Ensor. Her presence has become part of the identity of the preschool.
The Rev. Beverly Braine is acting director of St. James’ Preschool. 410-357-9401; www.stjamesparkton.org.
More than Just Words
By Sharon Tillman
St. John’s Parish, Hagerstown, is using not just words but also video and audio to grow its congregation. Utilizing the studio at Hagerstown NBC affiliate WHAG-TV 25, church member and project manager Ellen Collins worked directly with production staff to produce a 30-second TV commercial.
More than Just Words is the theme of the ad, which uses still photos and key words “families, individuals, tradition, understanding, warmth, joy” to portray the church’s personality and invite newcomers and ‘once-weres’ to worship there.
According to Collins the process took about four-and-a-half weeks from start to finish. The copy was written by Collins and an NBC staff writer and the ad cost about $300 in studio fees to produce. Paid for by a $9,300 grant from the diocese, the bulk of the money was spent on air time. The ad was run for two weeks prior to Christmas and will run for two weeks before Easter.
Contact Ellen Collins for more information on this project: 301-745-5423 or eandr64@aol.com.
Click here to view More than Just Words.
Convention FAQs
Visit the Convention page for more information about the 224th Convention.
Purpose of the Diocese of Maryland’s Convention:
- Gathering the voices of the congregations into one diocesan community of faith for worship, learning, fun and fellowship.
- Engaging the people in provocative and evocative dialogue so that the mission of the church is realized.
- Accomplishing the appropriate legislation before Convention.
Norms for Convention
- Address clergy and lay delegates by their baptismal names, rather than by titles.
- Listen respectfully, and be open to the movement and illumination of the Holy Spirit.
- Begin and end on time.
- Stand and state your name and parish when recognized.
- Speak for yourself. Use “I” statements.
- Be concise and focused.
- Share your discomfort here.
- Take care of your own needs. For example, if you need to make a phone call, you do not need permission to leave the floor.
- Turn off cell phones and pagers, or have them operate in silent mode, while on the floor of Convention.
- Be responsible in your use of Convention resources. For example, eat only Convention meals for which you have paid.
Resolutions for Convention
Click here to learn how to submit a resolution to Convention.