Disciple: New, Notable & Newsworthy
Lent 2024: “Give Up Your Silence”
For many, the season of Lent is a time of action, letting go of old habits or laying the foundations for new ones. For others, Lent is a time of spiritual introspection, of finding new paths to deepen their relationship with their faith and God.
The Diocese of North Carolina has long been involved in the field of advocacy, often lending its voice to live into our baptismal covenant of respecting the rights of every human being. As Bishop Sam Rodman wrote in his column, "Seeking the Next Right Thing," "The biblical precedent by which we live has always invited, and even demanded, that people of faith speak out on the actions of those who govern us—to offer support, and also critique—based on the values we believe are consistent with the teachings and example of the one we follow: Jesus.”
This Lenten season, the Diocese of North Carolina invites you to discern ways you might give up your silence and lend your voice to uphold the values consistent with the teachings and example of Jesus. You are invited not into direct action but into a time to learn and think. How might you give up your silence to ensure the dignity of every human being?
A great place to start is the diocesan mission priorities, along with areas of advocacy and ministry currently active in the diocese. As you learn about the work happening in these areas:
- Think about advocacy as a form of evangelism.
- Think about what issues resonate within.
- Discern ways in which you might “give up your silence” in the months to come. Might you be willing to:
- Have conversations about specific issues?
- Share resources about issues?
- Get involved with church activities around issues or help your church get started?
- Get involved with a diocesan committee focused on a particular issue?
- Volunteer with local organizations working to address a particular issue?
- Take part in the “Give Up Your Silence” postcard campaign?
Though Lent is underway, it’s never too late to begin to “learn and discern” ways you might add your voice to the advocacy efforts of the diocese and in your local communities. Learn more here.
Voting Resources Available
This year is an election year, which means there will be a great deal of information shared over the next several months about voting, the importance of voting and the call to help others exercise their right to vote.
The Diocese of North Carolina has created a landing page to help you navigate the conversations, including key dates, what you need to know about the North Carolina voter ID law, the role churches can play in getting out the vote, and resources for you to use and share.
The page will be updated as the year progresses, so we invite you to visit episdionc.org/voting.
Request a Lay Preacher
The members of the first-ever cohort of the Lay Preacher Training Initiative have graduated and are ready to preach!
If you would like to invite one of the new lay preachers, or one of the longer-serving lay preachers in our diocese, to preach at your church, please contact the Rev. Canon Earnest Graham.
Join the Pilgrimage to Wilmington May 10-12
[Some of Wilmington’s Black citizens, circa 1898]
“Before 1898, Wilmington was home to 11,324 African Americans and 8,731 white people. It was North Carolina’s largest and most bustling city, and much of its success was thanks to African American leaders and businesspeople.”
- “A History of Hatred and Love in Wilmington, North Carolina” by Lauren Krouse
Wilmington has a rich history, and the Diocese of North Carolina invites you to take part in a pilgrimage to learn more about it. Specifically, we will prayerfully remember and learn more about the Coup of 1898, journeying through history until today.
Our journey will begin Friday afternoon, May 10, from St. Luke’s, Durham, arriving in Wilmington by dinner time. We will spend two nights in a Wilmington hotel, returning Sunday afternoon, May 12 after a reflective closing service of Holy Eucharist.
Learn more and register. Wilmington’s Lie by David Zucchino is highly recommended reading to prepare for the pilgrimage.
The Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray Featured on U.S. Quarters
The Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray, the first Black person perceived as a woman to be ordained an Episcopal priest and a well-known poet and activist, is being featured on U.S. quarters in 2024. Part of the American Women Quarters Program of the U.S. Mint, Murray’s quarter is the 11th coin in the collection. Per the U.S. Mint, “[Murray] is regarded as one of the most important social justice advocates of the twentieth century. She fought tirelessly for civil rights, women’s rights, and gender equality.”
The coins went into circulation on January 2, and as of February 15, the quarters are available for purchase from the U.S. Mint. Learn more.
Cursillo 2024
If you have ever thought of taking a next step to becoming a lay leader, Cursillo offers a path to that goal. Cursillo is one method for training, supporting and developing Christian leadership. The Cursillo method contains two main components:
- a three-day weekend filled with 15 talks, group discussions, worship and fun, plus
- a 4th day that represents how we live out the Christian life in support of one another.
The NC chapter of Cursillo is offering its annual gathering April 11-14 at Camp Walter Johnson in Denton, North Carolina. To learn more, visit nccursillo.org.
It’s Grant Season!
If you are seeking resources to assist with your ministry—or to help you start a new one—remember to explore the myriad grants available through the Diocese of North Carolina and The Episcopal Church.
Available grants with spring deadlines include:
March 22 – Creation Care Project Grants (from The Episcopal Church): Funding for projects that seek to bolster creation care and environmental justice work. (Learn more at episcopalchurch.org.)
April 1 – Global Missions Grants: Supports international missions that will contribute to the sustainability of the community served, with the prospect for self-sufficiency being particularly encouraged.
April 30 – NC Episcopal Church Foundation Grants: Funds may be used for the erection of needed church buildings or acquisition of church property, capital repairs and renovations.
May 1 – Missionary Resource Support Team (MRST) Grants: Supports clergy salaries and benefits through the annual diocesan budget.
May 1 – Mission Endowment Grants: One and two-year grants supporting efforts to establish the Episcopal presence of Christ in communities in ways that brings the community to see Christ’s presence among them.
May 1 – NC Episcopal Church Foundation Green Grants: Designed to help congregations make improvements to their physical plant that will conserve natural resources, reduce energy consumption and shrink carbon footprints.
May 31 – Seminarian Support Grants: Provided on a yearly basis for seminarians through the Seminarian Assistance Fund and the Trustees of the Francis J. Murdoch Memorial Society.
2024 Dates for Introduction to Dismantling Racism
The 2024 dates and registration links are now available for “Introduction to Dismantling Racism: Reclaiming Our Baptismal Promise.” Dismantling Racism is an interactive workshop offered via Zoom. It is designed to deepen spiritual commitment to dismantling racism as participants in the Jesus Movement. Through presentations, prayer, story sharing, videos and small group discussion, participants explore how the sin of racism impacts all lives. Learn more here.
2024 training dates include:
- June 21, 5-8 p.m., and June 22, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Register at bit.ly/DRJune24
- July 26, 5-8 p.m., and July 27, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Register at bit.ly/DRJuly24
- September 27, 5-8 p.m., and September 28, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Register at bit.ly/DRSept24
For more information, contact Jenny Beaumont, missioner for adult and lifelong formation.
RJRC Offers Funding for Racial Equity Training
- April 8-9 (Mon/Tues) - Virtual via Zoom
- April 11-12 (Thurs/Fri) - In person in Durham
- May 6-7 (Mon/Tues) - In person in Durham
To request funding, please contact Cathy Rimer-Surles and Lew Myers, RJRC co-chairs, before registering.
