Disciple: New, Notable & Newsworthy
Diocese Announces New Location of Diocesan House
The Diocese of North Carolina announces today the new location of Diocesan House. If all goes well with moving plans, as of January 1, 2024, the diocesan headquarters will be located at 4800 Six Forks Road, Suite 300, Raleigh.
[Image: The diocese’s new home at 4800 Six Forks Road in Raleigh]
The move follows the April sale of the diocesan property located at 200 West Morgan Street. The sale followed a years-long discernment process about what to do with the property after the long-time tenants of the building’s first two floors departed in 2019. When the decision to sell was announced, it was explained that the combination of the current commercial real estate market, and the pandemic-proven ability of the staff to serve diocesan congregations without a constant presence in a central office location, gave the diocese a unique opportunity to reduce overhead costs and provide more resources for ministry.
“We are blessed to have this opportunity to explore how we will use this gift of resources to take us further on our journey to Becoming Beloved Community,” said Bishop Jennifer Brooke-Davidson, assistant bishop of the Diocese of North Carolina, at the time of the sale. “The sale of 200 West Morgan Street gives us the opportunity to consider new mission and ministry initiatives, and we look forward to this next phase of exploration and discerning our collective diocesan call.”
The January 1 date is a tentative (and hopeful) one. Refreshes and refurbishments are taking place throughout November into December, and provided the estimated construction timeline proceeds according to plan, the move to the new office location will take place throughout December, following the 208th Annual Convention. As the move progresses and the staff settles in to the new location, the advisory board formed of representatives from across the Diocese and its governing bodies will continue their task of discerning the best use of the net sale proceeds to support our mission work. A progress report will be shared at the 208th Annual Convention.
The new location features ample on-site, complimentary parking, and the third-floor office is fully and easily accessible.
“As it has always been, the new location of Diocesan House will be a place of welcome,” said Bishop Sam Rodman, bishop of the Diocese of North Carolina. “We look forward to creating not just a new office space, but a place that reflects our commitment to our missional priorities and a resource open to all to do the work of Becoming Beloved Community.”
Bishops’ Ball 2024
Are you still looking for a great gift for the young person in your life? Look no further—give them the gift of Bishops’ Ball!
Bishops’ Ball is one of the most beloved diocesan gatherings for youth. An event for both middle and high school youth, it is a chance for them to engage with the bishops, attend workshops, and have fun and fellowship with their peers. This year’s event will include all the favorite activities: music, workshops, building community, worship, and a special dinner and dance on Saturday night.
This year’s event will take place January 19-21, 2024, at Camp Walter Johnson in Denton, North Carolina.
Registration is now open for those who want to register their youth directly. Register here.
If you’d like to give Bishops’ Ball as a gift, or if you’d like to contribute to the sponsorship of another youth who may not otherwise be able to attend, please contact the youth ministries department.
Bishops’ Ball is a gift that lasts far beyond the weekend; don’t miss this chance to give it this holiday season!
Two Diocesan Podcasts Return for Your Listening Pleasure
Two diocesan podcasts are back with new seasons for you to enjoy during the holidays.
“To Differ is Divine” debuted its second season, Exploring Devotional Friendships, earlier this month. Returning hosts Bishop Sam Rodman and Rabbi Raachel Jurovics, diocesan rabbi-in-residence, are joined on select episodes by special guest host Bishop Jennifer Brooke-Davidson.
The first half of the season explores how devotional friendships put spiritual permeability—the invitation to look at the texts and practices of our respective faith traditions as a conversation between different expressions of God—into action. The second half of the season will explore how devotional friendships, once established, allow us to engage in tender conversations around points of difference, contention and historical hurt. We are excited to share what can emerge, both individually and communally, from the consistent practice of devotional friendship.
“Roundtables on Race” also returns this fall with its fourth-season look at race and religion. While the format stays true to exploring only one topic, this season is a bit different than the others. Rather than examining a different facet each episode, instead every installment celebrates a different faith tradition. The goal each time is to share the beauty of different faith practices, explore the societal contributions of that faith, and because the goal of the podcast is to examine the intersection of race and society, discuss the impact of racism on those faith communities.
Both “To Differ is Divine” and “Roundtables on Race” are available on all major podcast platforms as well as the diocesan website.
Johnson Service Corps Fellow Caroline Kothari Joins Staff
The diocese welcomes Caroline Kothari, a member of the 2023-2024 Johnson Service Corps cohort, to the staff. She is working with the diocese two days a week, assisting the Council of Advice on Public Policy (CAPP) with the asset mapping of church ministries and Advocacy Day 2024 planning. Kothari began her time with the diocese in September and will continue through the end of June 2024. The Johnson Service Corps, an affiliate of the Episcopal Service Corps, is a 10.5-month program for young adults to live together in intentional community, explore justice work, and engage in spiritual and personal growth in Durham.
Resources to Help Understand New NC Voter ID Law
As of 2023, a valid photo ID is now required to vote in the state of North Carolina.
The NC State Board of Elections has excellent resources to explain all you need to know. The diocese has compiled highlighted information from these resources with easy links to the rest.
These resources are also available in Spanish; in the upper-right corner of the NC State Board of Elections website, simply click the language you prefer.
You are encouraged to explore all of the available resources, both for your own information and to assist others in your congregation and community, to ensure that all who are eligible to cast a vote are able to do so. Find the resources here.
Holy Land Response Resources
As violence continues in Israel and Palestine, the Diocese of North Carolina continues to join The Episcopal Church, Anglican leaders and the rest of the world in prayers and calls for an end to the violence.
The diocese has curated information sources and response resources from around the world, including statements, prayers and liturgical resources. Find them here.
AdventWord 2023
The Diocese of North Carolina is once again participating in AdventWord, a global Advent calendar celebrating its 10th year in 2023. AdventWord is a digital offering created to build an international community that together explores the mystery and wonder of Advent.
At adventword.org, participants can subscribe to daily email meditations and follow along with or join in the fun on social media. Every day a word is assigned, and participants from around the world share photos, meditations, prayers and thoughts about what that word means to them or where they see that word at play during the holy pre-Christmas season.
The Diocese will participate in and celebrate AdventWord on our Facebook page as well as our X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram accounts.
We hope you will join us!
Give the Gift of the Disciple
As you enjoy this issue, did you know that you can give a subscription to the Disciple as a gift? It’s true! The cost is only $12 for a full year (four issues). Simply visit the subscription link here.
And if you picked up this copy from somewhere other than your mailbox, you can give yourself the gift, too. Visit bit.ly/SubscribeDisciple to purchase a subscription for yourself, complete with the option to auto-renew.
Either way, you will make the holidays happier and start the new year knowing you helped to share stories of inspiration from across the Diocese of North Carolina!
Submit Your Earth Day Award Nominations by December 31
In the midst of the flurry of holiday activity, don’t forget to take a moment to submit your nomination for the annual Earth Day Award!
First introduced earlier this year ("The New Earth Day Awards," Disciple, Spring 2023), the Earth Day Award is a new annual offering from the Chartered Committee on Environmental Ministry. It is intended to celebrate good and positive ways that Creation Care is being implemented across the diocese. The Earth Day Award may go to a person, project, event, congregation or partnership—any may be nominated if it contributes and brings hope to the planet and its inhabitants. Nominations may be submitted by anyone aware of a noteworthy Creation Care effort.
The deadline for nominations is December 31, and the award will be presented on Earth Day 2024. Submit nominations via an email describing the nominated person, project, event or collaboration to the Rev. Jill Staton-Bullard, chair of the Chartered Committee on Environmental Ministry.
Happening 2024
Happening is a renewal weekend for high school youth featuring talks, music, worship and small groups. This year’s event will take place February 23-35, 2024, at Haw River State Park in Browns Summit, North Carolina. It is a special event that allows young people to encounter Christ in an intentional Christian community.
Dinner will be provided Friday evening. Participants stay overnight at the church. Sheets, blankets, pillows and towels are not provided. The cost is $150. Scholarships are available for youth who need financial assistance. Registration is now open.
Tags: North Carolina Disciple
