St. James - Music by the Bridge

Music by the Bridge - 2008 Series:

St. James Church presents The Early Music Ensemble from Rhode Island College on Friday, May 30 at 7:30 p.m.Friday evening, May 30^th at 7:30 p.m. members of the Early Music Ensemble from Rhode Island College will present a concert in the St. James Episcopal auditorium, 24 Hamlet Avenue.  Musicians include Erin Ferenbaugh, Candace Christiansen, Kristina Marsland, vocalists, and Chris Sadlers on bass.  A free will offering will be taken and refreshments will be served following the concert.

Walk for LIfe - Team Grace Church

Millennium Development Goal #6 - Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis

Join Team GRACE CHURCH - rain or shine - at the carousel in Roger Williams Park in Providence on Sunday morning June 8th at 10 AM for the 21st Annual 'WALK for LIFE' to benefit AIDS Project Rhode Island.

In past years, Team GRACE CHURCH has been one of the top fundraisers for this event. In these financially difficult times, no donation is to be considered too small and will be gratefully appreciated to help Team GRACE CHURCH achieve its goal of $1500. Please consider your donation and participation prayerfully.

For additional information or to donate online please visit the Team GRACE CHURCH webpage at:

www.firstgiving.com/teamgracechurch or contact Christopher Utter by telephone at 401 351 6510 or by E-mail at ajax-golden@cox.net. Donations may also be mailed directly to Grace Church at 175 Mathewson Street, Providence, RI 02903-3499, or delivered by hand to the church receptionist Carolina Boyle. The envelope should be marked APRI 'Walk for Life'. Checks should be made payable to AIDS Project Rhode Island.

St. Paul's, North Kingstown (Wickford) Celebrates Parish Rectory

Something fun is in the works at St Paul’s… A tribute to our lovely rectory is being planned and you are invited to help us celebrate its rich history. The merriment will span Friday and Saturday, June 20^th  & 21^st  and will include antiques, tours, lectures and of course, an elegant St. Paul’s reception.

Starting on Friday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., ticketed guests will tour the historic rector’s home, which will be decorated with exquisite antiques available for purchase.   There will be a starlit wine and finger food reception as well as musical entertainment for your enjoyment. 

House tours and the antique sale will continue from noon to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. At 1 o’clock David Zaltzman will conduct a church tour and lecture about the church’s exquisite stained glass windows while musical entertainment will be featured in the church garden.  St. Paul’s 300^th anniversary items will be available for purchase.

Tickets may be purchased at the Church office, between services or by calling Carol Palmer @ 885-2374. The cost is $10.00 for each calendar day.

More information is available by calling the church office at 294-4357.  

Episcopalian & Fabulous: LGVT & Friends Alliance of Grace Church, Providence

Episcopalian & Fabulous

Gay Pride Calendar at Grace Church in Providence

Sunday 15 June – Interfaith Service

Beneficent Congregational Church at 300 Weybosset Street in Dowcnity

4PM with reception in Abbott Park Place to follow

Saturday 21 June – 2008 Pride Marketplace

NOON. Come Visit the Grace Church information and welcome table

Saturday 21 June – 2008 Pride Parade

EVENING. Join the LGBT & Friends Alliance of Grace Church

Sunday 22 June – Sunday Worship at Grace Church in Providence

Corner of Westminster and Mathewson Streets in Downcity

Worship with Grace Church in Providence at 8AM and 10AM

Hospitality following the 10AM service courtesy the LGBT & Friends

Alliance of Grace Church

Parish Administrator Annual Luncheon

The parish administrators had their annual Luncheon at Trinity Episcopal Church in
Newport hosted by Marie Maguire. This picture was taken by a tourist walking up the street past Trinity Church. When we asked if she would take a picture of the group and told her that we were parish administrators, she replied: "I'm a parish administrator in New Jersey!"

Linda Gorman and Diane Papineau from Christ Church in Lincoln graciously volunteered to host the luncheon in 2009!

Rev. Dr. Libby Nestor named Woman Physician of the Year

Photo credit: Dr. Gary Bubly

[Lifespan.org Press Release]

Elizabeth “Libby” Nestor, MD, MDIV, FACEP, an emergency medicine doctor at Rhode Island Hospital and The Miriam Hospital, has been named by the RI Women’s Medical Association (RIMWA) as the 2008 RIMWA Woman Physician of the Year. The award is given annually to a local female physician who has demonstrated excellence and a high level of commitment to medicine, family and the community.

Nestor was the first full-time female faculty member in the department of emergency medicine at Rhode Island Hospital. Prior to medical school at Northwestern University, Nestor received her master’s in divinity from Yale Divinity School. Today, she still practices as a minister at the Rhode Island Episcopal Church.

Nestor is well known for her mentorship to junior faculty, residents, and medical students. She received the Teaching Recognition Award from Brown Medical School in 2006 and the Teaching Excellence Award in 2008, volunteers her time for the Doctoring Program at Brown Medical School, acts as a faculty advisor for EM residents, gives lectures on ethics and serves on the Ethics Committee. She also has a role in interviewing incoming residents for the emergency medicine residency and serves as a National Oral Board Examiner for her specialty. Nestor, with three other EM physicians, has been the recipient of a Center of Excellence in Women’s Health Grant to study the effectiveness of training gender differences in emergency medicine residencies.

Nestor gave a speech entitled “The Intimate Science: 100 Years of Medical History in One RI Family” during the presentation ceremony in her honor of at the RIMWA annual meeting on May 5 at the Providence Marriott.

Dr. Cynthia Shattuck receives Honorary Doctoral Degree

I recieved this posting recently, Cynthia is a longtime member of our Diocese. Her husband is the Rev. Dr. Gardiner H. Shattuck, Jr ("Tuck") Assistant Rector of S. Stephens in Providence. Cynthia is Consulting Editor for Church Publishing, Morehouse & Seabury Books.

[EDS Press Release]

Dr. Cynthia Logan Shattuck receives Honorary Doctoral Degree
for Religious Publishing

May 25, 2008, CAMBRIDGE, MA – Episcopal Divinity School celebrated its 2008 Commencement Ceremony on May 15, 2008 at the First Church in Cambridge, Congregational, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Dr. Cynthia Logan Shattuck, a lay woman, editor, and publisher, received an honorary doctorate in recognition of her outstanding contributions to theological education and literature. Her career in theological publishing began thirty years ago at Cowley Press, and she continues to expand opportunities within the realm of religious books. In full, EDS conferred 39 degrees including 20 Master of Divinity, six Master of Arts in Theological Studies, six Doctor of Ministry, and two Certificates of Theological Study.

EDS was pleased to also confer honorary degrees on four other individuals who also exhibit distinguished and faithful ministries in social justice: The Rt. Rev. John Bryson Chane, Mr. Kevin Johnson, Ms. Katie Sherrod, and Ms. Hellen Wangusa.

Dr. Shattuck was one of the five individuals recognized with the degree, doctor of divinity, honoris causa. “EDS is proud to have recognized our 2008 honorary degree recipients for their distinguished and faithful ministry in the areas of justice, compassion, and reconciliation,” said EDS President and Dean, The Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston. “These principles are at the core of EDS as we work to develop leaders for Christ’s Church and the world who will serve all of God’s people. These men and woman stand with us. By bestowing the doctor of divinity degree on each of them, we celebrate five people of vision, integrity, and gospel courage.”

Dr. Shattuck was presented her honorary doctoral degree by Dr. Fredrica Harris Thompsett, “for exceptional contributions to theological publishing and scholarship.” Shattuck is passionate about her work, and an entrepreneur in the religious press business. She is also co-editor of The Oxford Guide to the Book of Common Prayer and has published the works of authors such as Barbara Brown Taylor and Edwin Friedman to wide audiences. “Several members of this faculty are indebted to you both for your editorial guidance in our own publications, as well as to for publishing other volumes frequently used in our teaching,” said Thompsett.

Jazz Mass

What is a Jazz Mass? The liturgy of the worship service framed in a musical setting with vocal interpretation of the traditional text and improvisational expression of the reverent mood.

Where is a Jazz Mass? At the Episcopal Conference Center, 872 Reservoir Road, Pascoag, RI

When is Jazz Mass? Sunday, June 8th
4:00 - Rehearsal, 5:00 - Light Supper, 6:00 Jazz Mass.

Who should attend a Jazz Mass? YOU, youth groups, those who want to have a different worship experience.

More questions? Call Sue Hurn at 568-4055.

Environmental Stewardship Task Force

[Submitted by Dee Tavolaro]

Greetings from The Environmental Stewardship Task Force of The Diocese of Rhode Island! We are a newly formed small group from around the diocese that have joined together to discuss Environmental Issues in the Diocese. Our task comes out of the resolution passed at the 2007 Diocesan Convention.

Our last meeting was held on May 15, 2008 at St. Paul’s Church in Pawtucket. Our meeting consisted of dealing with official business such as naming officers and voting on our official name. At the meeting we voted to make Zeke Olsen and Katherine Gibson – both of St. Augustine’s Kingstown – co-Chairs.

We also discussed various educational events that the Task Force could sponsor for the diocese in the fall. This is still in the brain storming stage. We also discussed conducting a diocesan-wide parish survey. Such questions as “Have you had an energy audit?”, “Have you a point person in mind for Environmental Issues?”, “What have you done?” and “What do you need?”. Plans for the survey will be finalized at our next meeting.

It was also decided that each meeting will have 10 - 15 minutes of education. Ty Creason volunteered to offer the first educational piece at our next meeting.

If you have an comments, questions, concerns, or interest in joining please contact Zeke Olsen at zfolsen@cox.net.

Our next meeting will be held at St. Mark’s Church in Warwick on June 5, 2008 at 7:00pm.

Proclaiming Good News, when the world looks for bad news

The Rev. Scott Gunn maintains a great blog over at sevenwholedays.org. Recently he wrote an article that is making the rounds on the blogosphere (it was touched upon recently over at Blogula Rasa).

"Candles and vestments were at the center of controversies that nearly tore about the Episcopal Church. In the nineteenth century, lawsuits were files, schism was threatened, and the church was distracted by fights over things that we take for granted today. Is there a lesson for us?

For much of the 1800s, the Episcopal Church in the US was consumed by internal disagreements. On one side, some people insisted that there was no biblical basis for using crosses and candles at the altar. On the other side, some people insisted that these adornments added dignity and reverence to the liturgy, and were justified based on church tradition. People left the church, and efforts at evangelism suffered. Rather than rooting itself in mission and evangelism, the church used its energy to fight about things that today seem unimportant."

I encourage you to check it out.

RI Episcopal Churches Experience Foul Attacks

Flamingo Attacks have been spotted all over RI and continue attacking our churches. Has your parish been attacked (yet)? Send photos to risen@episcopalri.org.

And remember to support EYE!!

EYE Delegation Fundraiser - Uno Chicago Grill
Thursday June 5th at Anytime
Uno Chicago Grill at Smithfield Crossoings Mall
You must present the flyer to have up to 20% of your bill benefit the delegation

Details: There will be a fundraiser for the RI Delegation to the Episcopal Youth Event on Thursday June 5th at Uno / Chicago Grill at Smithfield Crossing. You must bring the flyer (see link below) and up to 20% of the bill will be donated to the delegation! This is a great way for many people to support the delegation and help them get to San Antonio. Go to Facebook for more info and to get the flyer.

Prison Ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island

Do you believe in the power of prayer to change your life and that of others?

Join with two or more in your parish to form a Prayer Circle for Prisoners. Your circle will receive the names of two or more prisoners at the ACI and their prayer requests. Prisoners will be chosen by their interest in increasing their relationship with Jesus Christ. Circle members will pray daily for the specific needs of their prisoners and family members and send inspirational notes, cards, and devotional material to encourage them. A required safety training will be given by the Rev. Joyce Penfield, Chaplain; supervision and coaching will be provided by Deacon Ricky Brightman. The first training session will be held in the evening on June 17. Training will also be offered in the fall BUT we wish to get this program off to a good start now.

For more information please contact Deacon Ricky Brightman at 781-9210 or deacon.ricky@stlukeseg.org.

Truth In Advertising

How pleased I was to hear that the national church has launched a series of ads in various media for this summer. Apparently, the print ad will run in the newspaper with the big color pictures this weekend, and they've somehow managed to put something on the talking boxes one sees in airport terminals. I don't know if there are any plans to put them on e-mail machines.
Aside from snarky comments about the church's lack of media saavy and sensibilities that go beyond, oh, 1956, there are other problems:

• are people supposed to bring their own carrot slicers to church, or do we provide them?


• if carrot slicing is the most inspirational thing about coming to church on a Sunday, don't we have bigger problems?


• while I'm not the biggest Jesus-pusher I know, is there a better way to connect HOW slicing carrots proclaims the Gospel? (I'm just reaching here, but maybe a word or two from the Bible might help)

What I hear time and again is that people who aren't in church don't have a problem with Jesus. They have a problem with church. So if someone were inspired enough by this ad to come to one of our churches on Sunday, what will they see? What will they expect to see? Will it fit the ad? Or will they be asked why their carrot slicer is rusty? Will they be told that carrot slicing only takes place on the fourth Sunday of months that begin in J? Will they be preached to about the price of carrots in a conservative church vs. the price in a liberal church?
If we're going to advertise the church, we'd better be clear about what we're advertising. And what we advertise better be consistent with who we are. And if we don't know that, then no amount of advertising will help us. Not even if all we're asking for is help peeling carrots.

Delay in eRISEN

We are currently experiencing "technical difficulties" with Constant Contact, the email management service for eRISEN. It should be resolved within a week and eRISEN will resume as normal.

Traces of the Trade

[From Ty Creason]

The film, "Traces of the Trade", will be shown at the Cathedral on Wednesday, June 11, at 7:30 pm. In this film, producer/director Katrina Browne tells the story of her forefathers, the largest slave-trading family in US history. Given the myth that the South is solely responsible for slavery, viewers will be surprised to learn that Browne's ancestors were Northerners. This film follows Browne and nine fellow family members on a remarkable journey, made in 2001, that brought them face-to-face with the history and legacy of this hidden enterprise.

Of interest to Rhode Islanders is the fact that from 1769 to 1820, DeWolf fathers, sons, and grandsons trafficked in human beings. They sailed their ships from Bristol, Rhode Island, to West Africa with rum to trade for African men, women, and children. Captives were taken to plantations that the DeWolf's owned in Cuba or were sold at such ports as Havana or Charleston. Sugar and molasses were then brought from Cuba to the family-owned rum distilleries in Bristol,. Over the generations, the family owned 47 ships that transported thousands of Africans across the Middle Passage into slavery. They amassed an enomous fortune. By his death in 1827, James DeWolf had been a US senator and was reportedly the second richest man in America. Another family member, James DeWolf Perry III, served as the Presaiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church from 1930-1937.

There will be much to learn and discuss with the showing of this film. This special presentation will be hosted by Dain Perry, one of the family members who made the trip back through history to confront the family slave-trading legacy. It is being sponsored by The Cathedral and the Social Justice Committee of the Diocese

Look for further announcements. If you have specific questions, please contact Dean Harry Krauss at the Cathedral or Deacon Ricky Brightman, Chair of the Social Justice Committee (deacon.ricky@stlukeseg.org).

Rethink Every Action

This from “The New France” by Andrew Jefford, talking about how French wine-growers are learning from New World (i.e. South America, North America, Australia): “A spell in South Africa, Chile or Australia is now an essential part of the education of many young French wine-growers. What they tend to learn…are the best lessons of New World winemaking. Rethink every action; do nothing for precedent’s sake alone; understand as much as possible; and practice your vocation with absolute commitment.”
He goes on to say that the lesson they don’t bring back to France is that winemaking “can be a brand-driven industry like any other…and that marketing strategies are more important than scent and flavour in selling wine.”
What would the church look like if we rethought everything we did, and everything we did had a purpose that was in step with our vocation and mission? What would it be like if we did nothing for precedent’s sake, but understood the “scent and flavour” of our liturgy completely? What would Sundays look like?

Built to Last

My mom gave me a subscription to The Week, a collection of tidbits from the US and international press on the goings-on of the world. There's usually a cartoon picture of a very sour looking Hillary Clinton on the cover. It's a good read for those of us who are too wrapped up in the NHL playoffs and sermonating to actually, y'know, know what's going on in the world.

In last week's issue, there was a piece from the magazine Fortune, which oddly enough I do not subscribe to, concerning the fate of great businesses. See if you can find the church analogy. Jim Collins wrote a book called "Built to Last" about how businesses adapt during times of flux. He considers Wal-Mart (boooooo) and Ames (wistful sigh; I grew up with one in Oneonta), which were very similar in the 70's and 80's. Well, you know why we booooo Wal-Mart now-a-days--they are everything we hate about the megastore. What about Ames? Who? What? Why did one thrive and one fail to survive? Collins writes "Wal-Mart opted for steady growth consistent with its strategy. Ames pursued 'wild growth' through acquisition. Wal-Mart created its own success, and Ames caused its own death."

Myanmar (Burma) Crisis

I am sure you have all been as horrified as I have been watching the events unfold in Burma. The government there is literally twiddling their thumbs, letting people die, watching people suffer and rebuking outside assistance due to their isolationist nationalist political agenda. The government in "Myanmar" is a military dictatorship that is not recognized as legitimate by most of the world powers. Their democratically elected leader (Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi or "The Lady" as she is fondly called) remains under house arrest for at least 12 of the last 19 years.

The government of Myanmar does not represent the people of Burma. My husband (Rev. Alan Gates) spent a month in Burma about 4 years ago. He went for a program supporting the Anglican Church in the country. Of course, the government knew that he was a "religious" person but he had to apply for entry as a "teacher" in order to be granted access. The Anglican Church is not sanctioned by the Myanmar government. His small group was followed, documented, photographed and regularly put through extra steps requiring bribes and flattery to move forward. The government would have the lights and power shut off to areas he traveled, often leading to preaching in the dark. The group was not deterred, everyone continued as though it was perfectly normal. The country did (and does not) have a communications infrastructure, so there were no telephone calls or emails to let me know that he was ok. At one point he was horribly ill - but the people of Burma took wonderful care of him. He can share the details of his adventure far better than I can, but the agency he was most taken with was World Vision. The big dogs from UNICEF were living life large with giant homes, staff and luxuries whereas the people of World Vision were out in the field, orphanages and villages - completely committed to the people they were working for. Since then, World Vision has been a favorite go-to charity for my family. They are already in Burma. They know how the system works. You can be sure they are working as hard as they can to provide the maximum amount of assistance and relief to devastated areas and families.

As of this morning (5/12/08) the government has finally allowed one US shipment of assistance in to the country. Hopefully it will not go the way of prior efforts (the government confiscated aid so they could relabel it with the names of local generals, adding days to the rescue efforts). Their airport is small but is only handling about 4-5 incoming flights per day when they should be allowing at least one per hour. They should be doing many things. Should, but won't. It is painful to stand by and watch this happen. Certainly reminds me of my feelings of outrage during and after Katrina struck the Gulf Coast. And we should still have outrage for our own culture of corruption in the continued rebuilding efforts in our own country.

Any able country that refuses to reasonably mobilize or accept aid in the wake of a disaster should be subjected to strict international scrutiny, sanctions and held to a criminal court. But what does an international community do when the country in question is so extremely isolated and removed from the world at large? Where no system is in place to feel the pressure of sanctions or threats? Or where sanctions only hurt the people of the country more than help? North Korea - the archetype of isolationism - has more international ties than Myanmar. Ideally, you want to see the people rise up and fight against the corruption and fight against dictatorship ... but that is a very Western thought. The people of Burma are peaceable, the national religion is Buddhism and there is a strong belief in nonviolence. Unfortunately, it is not a belief their own government holds dear. Pray for the people of Burma.

Myanmar Crisis - Episcopal Relief & Development

[Episcopal Relief and Development]

With estimates of as many as 100,000 people dead in Myanmar, and fears of disease and food shortages on the way, Cyclone Nargis has created a major humanitarian crisis.

Episcopal Relief and Development is responding to this disaster with our Anglican and ecumenical partners. Please find below more information about our response, how you can help, and resources available for churches.

What is Episcopal Relief and Development doing to help?
We are working with Anglican and ecumenical partners to meet the immediate needs of victims by providing food, water and shelter. We have provided monetary support to our partners to obtain and distribute the necessary resources they need to assist victims.

We are reaching people in three affected areas: a suburban area of Yangon (Rangoon) and two areas in the Irrawaddy Division (East Delta and West Delta regions).

What has been accomplished so far?
Because our partners live and work in the affected communities, they were able to respond immediately to the disaster. One partner has already sent three assessment teams to assist and determine needs in the hard hit areas. They have established a relief committee to review the assessments and response required.

Episcopal Relief and Development’s assistance thus far has been to provide financial support to help our partners purchase critical goods and supplies. We know that financial support is crucial at this point so that our partners can secure and distribute emergency assistance.

We are confident that our church partners are reaching people in the affected areas, and will effectively distribute resources to those who need it most.

Has Episcopal Relief and Development been in communication with anyone in Myanmar?
As a result of the damage to infrastructure from the cyclone, it is difficult to count on normal communications at present. At this point, we are in limited communication with our church partner. However, we know from recent correspondence that our outreach work is profoundly appreciated. We will have more specific information about the situation in the hardest hit regions of the country later next week when our partner’s assessment teams return.

Will Episcopal Relief and Development staff be going to Myanmar soon?
We plan to send staff to Myanmar in the next few weeks. During this trip, staff will assist our partner in designing a long-term recovery plan based on the needs evident from the assessment. We also will provide ongoing support for those affected while the long-term recovery plan is being developed.

How long has Episcopal Relief and Development been working in Myanmar?
We have been working in Myanmar since 2006. Our programs have helped people achieve economic stability through education, vocational training, and micro-finance initiatives. We have also provided tools and training to improve the food supply and access to clean water.

What kind of accountability system do you have?
Since we have an established relationship with our local church partner in Myanmar, we have mechanisms for planning, reporting and accounting.

Will Episcopal Relief and Development be involved in long-term recovery and rehabilitation in Myanmar?
One of the most important features of our disaster relief work is the commitment to long-term recovery. After the first three to six months of a disaster, Episcopal Relief and Development stays in-country when most organizations leave. It generally takes five to eight years for a community to recover from a disaster on the scale of Cyclone Nargis.

We always follow the lead of our local partners in planning response and recovery activities in order to respect unique local context of the country in which we are working.

How can I help?
You can help victims of Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar.

• Give online at http://www.er-d.org/
  
• Call 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129 (Monday- Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm EDT)
  
• Mail gifts to: Episcopal Relief and Development “Myanmar and Cyclone Response Fund” P.O. Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058.

Please be sure to designate all gifts to Episcopal Relief and Development’s “Myanmar and Cyclone Response Fund”

If you would like to make a donation outside of our normal business hours of 9:00am – 5:00pm EDT (Monday – Friday), please visit our website: http://www.er-d.org/ and designate your donation toward the Myanmar and Cyclone Response Fund. You also can mail contributions to our address listed above.

Do you have any resources my church can use to let people know how to help?
Episcopal Relief and Development has a downloadable bulletin insert available for churches to copy and place in their Sunday service leaflets. Please ask your clergy to consider using this on May 11 or May 18.

Confirmation

I have spent much of this year serving as the interim chaplain at the St. George's School in Newport, RI. It has been a great experience working and preaching with 300+ students. One of the neatest pieces of my role has been hearing seniors give chapel talks. I also enjoyed preparing a group for Confirmation.

This past week was Bishop Wolf's visit. I was a little nervous. It was a big service and there were lots of participants to coordinate.

Bishop Wolf preached a very good sermon about finding your passion. The confirmands were great. Everything fell right into place.

In my mind, the great moment in the service happened at the Fraction. As Bishop Wolf broke the bread, she started to spontaneously sing a fraction anthem. She sang in a hushed tone, the mic quietly amplified. The alleluias slowly wafted through the enormous chapel. All fidgeting ceased. It became very quiet except for the alleluias washing over all. It was quite a moving moment of the pronounced presence of the Holy Spirit.

For me, it was a moment signifying hope. It was a moment that showed just how open young people are to transcendence. The Church is always talking about how to reach younger people. We are always looking for innovative ways to accomplish this. Yet, in the midst of a very normal Confirmation, it happened. Maybe, it is less about us, and more about the Spirit.

The Rev'd Chris Epperson