The Latest eRISEN- September 29th 2010

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eRISEN September 29th 2010 issue

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A letter from Bishop Wolf, on her time at the House of Bishops

Diocese of Rhode Island,

The House of Bishops held its autumn meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, from September 16-22, 2010. Record daily temperatures of over 100 degrees melted even the most stalwart, encouraging us to stay in the air-conditioned Ritz-Carlton: not a hardship!

Our primary focal points were immigration, same-sex unions, and evangelism.

The Bishop of Arizona, The Rt. Rev. Kirk Smith, raised our awareness of issues of immigration in the state of Arizona with particular emphasis on the plight of those crossing the Mexican-U.S. border in search of family, work, and increased opportunities. Several speakers enhanced the conversation, including a woman who spoke of her journey in the Arizona desert. We spent about four sessions on this topic and many parts of our worship reflected these concerns. While I found the presentations very informative, and at times heart-wrenching, we did not hear any presentations from those who hold alternative viewpoints, nor about the social and economic implications of more generous and/or porous borders.

Representatives of the Standing Liturgical Commission gave an excellent review of the process they are using to develop rites for same-sex blessings in response to Resolution C056 of General Convention, 2009. The theological focus will be on Christian “relationships” as a whole, and then lead to same-sex blessings. After a morning session that included small group discussions, they met with self-selected bishops as part of a listening process. While the resolution calls for theological and liturgical materials, I suggested that they may receive broader support if they had a strong pastoral focus to counter-balance what some may receive as an incompatible or weak theological rationale.

Presentations and conversations in evangelism centered around the various contexts in which we minister, recognizing that what is effective in one part of the country may not work in another. We felt that this was true within individual dioceses as well. Not surprising to any of us was the fact that most people visit a church because someone has invited them. This is where the ministry of the laity is critical. A growing method of evangelism is through web-sites, and it was reported that up to 25% of visitors come from this source. People are attracted to churches that exude a sense of happiness and who offer helpful hospitality. Nurseries for children, Sunday school, programs targeted to people’s needs, cleanliness, attractiveness, and accessibility are all very important. No news here. In addition, people sought preaching that connected scripture with daily life, liturgy that was on the conservative side but not fussy, and music that was accessible but not guitars or from the 60’s and 70’s. I’ll say more about evangelism in my convention address this October.

The House passed resolutions to continue our commitment to the Millenium Development Goals (which we support in our diocese), and to raise 10 million dollars for the restoration of the Diocese of Haiti. After a sensitive discussion, we passed a resolution asking The Rt. Rev. Charles Bennison, Pennsylvania, to resign immediately for Title IV violations committed in an earlier phase of his ministry. I supported all three resolutions. The one regarding Haiti is very ambitious and exciting, and I have every confidence that our Diocese will rise to the challenge.

Each bishop is assigned to a small table group for a period of three years, in which occurs discussions on subjects addressed by the whole House and things that pertain to us personally and to our dioceses. Bishops from N. California, Long Island, W. Virginia, Central Gulf Coast, Eau Claire, and Texas (retired) make up my table. In the context of our gathering we discussed diocesan mission and ministry; church attendance; budget and financial implications; church mergers, yoking, and closings; and the inability of many clergy to change positions because of the employment of their spouse, and the decreased value of their homes. While we talked about stewardship and apportionment, our contexts were very different. Their average pledge far exceeds ours (about double), which makes it possible for them to have a lower apportionment percentage.

We discussed the increased empowerment of the laity through a deeper understanding of our baptismal theology. However, this empowerment appears to be in the service of “performing tasks”, without preparing the laity with a solid Christian foundation for what they are called to do. A paucity of adult formation was commonplace. In past decades, families and cultures would provide spiritual background, but many people, particularly those under 45, have no “informal” religious background, no less “formal” education.

Spouses and partners join the bishops for one meeting each year. While they have a separate program, on occasion they join us for morning prayer and Eucharist, which occur daily. Among other things, they visited a local food bank and packed 12,000 food boxes to be distributed later in the week. Tom very much enjoyed being with the spouses, but the “craft” days were a little outside his ken.

Meetings of the House of Bishops now begin at 9AM (7:30 under the former PB), and end by 9 or 9:30PM, with appropriate breaks in-between. Like most meetings of this sort, some aspects are very stimulating and others are less so, but the collegiality between bishops is invaluable. Personally, I enjoy the opportunities that these gatherings offer.

As you well know, it is a very challenging time for the Church throughout the West as we seek to find a new voice with which to proclaim the enduring and essential message revealed to us through God’s incarnate and living Word. The life and witness of Jesus; Suffering Servant and Risen Lord are as compelling today as in the time of our ancestors. On the proclamation of this message we set our ministry.

I’m looking forward to seeing all of you at the Diocesan Convention, beginning with the Eucharist on Friday evening, October 22, at 6:00pm at the Cathedral of St. John. Our preacher is The Rev. Canon Andrew White, “Vicar of Baghdad” (Iraq), and subject of a section on 60 minutes, several years ago. See you then.

Yours faithfully,

ENS Article: Presiding bishop calls for 'A Season of Prayer for Sudan'

By Matthew Davies for Episcopal News Service (ENS) September 15, 2010

[Episcopal News Service] Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori is calling on Episcopalians to observe "A Season of Prayer for Sudan" as the war-torn African nation prepares for a critical referendum to determine its future.
Acknowledging Sudan's fragile state following decades of civil war, Jefferts Schori said in her Sept. 15 letter that the Episcopal Church can stand in solidarity "with our brothers and sisters in Sudan as we enter a season of preparation by prayer, study, and action."...

Read the full article here

Against Qur'an Burnings; Bishop Wolf at the RISCC Press Conference

By Susan Chase Pracht of St. Martin's, Providence

On September 10, 2010 at Prospect Park in Providence, the Rhode Island State Council of Churches (RISCC) and interfaith leaders lodged their protest against the planned Qur’an burning by a pastor in Gainesville, Florida. This denouncement of religious fanaticism took place on the last day of Rosh Hashanah and Ramadan, only one day prior to the Anniversary of the 911 bombings.


Against the backdrop of Roger Williams’ statue, families with small children gathered along with community activists, government officials, students, and clergy people of all faiths. It was a reminder that Rhode Island was founded on Roger William’s premise that people who held a variety of religious beliefs could live in peaceful harmony.

Eight local clergy members spoke out against the proposed burning, including a Jewish Rabbi, a Catholic Priest, a Muslim Imam and the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island, The Rt. Rev. Geralyn Wolf.

Bishop Wolf reminded Rhode Islanders that while our country provides for many liberties in the name of free speech; Christians are called to pattern their life and actions on the one who revealed his love for all human kind. Referencing a full page ad placed in the New York Times that day which stated 'Burning the Qur'an does not illuminate the Bible', she explained that the spiteful destruction of the sacred texts and religious symbols of others runs counter to Jesus’ call for mutual respect.

Officials of the RI State Council of Churches spoke of the outcry against this burning from faith groups across the nation, especially the Florida State Council of Churches, and in a particularly poignant moment, Rabbi Stein of the RI Board of Rabbis quoted the German poet Heinrich Heine, “Where they have burned books, they will end in burning human beings”.

David Coolidge, the Muslim Chaplain at Brown University, spoke to the heart of the protest when he explained that Muslims revere books because “they are a sign of the inherent nobility of the human being”, representing the intellect which is considered God’s greatest gift to humanity. In closing, he read the first revelation of the Qur’an which begins with the simple command “Read”, to read for God gives knowledge to humanity by the pen.

Although the Florida pastor did not follow through on his planned burning, the nationwide desecration of the Qur’an he petitioned for still occurred. According to The Guardian (UK), the Qur’an was torn up at gatherings in two states and burned by pastors and a church group in at least two additional states.

The Latest eRISEN- September 10th 2010

 

You can view the latest issue of eRISEN, our biweekly email events calendar, at the link below:

eRISEN September 10th 2010 issue

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2010-11 Christian Formation Catalog Now Online!

Christian Formation in the Diocese of Rhode Island is the life-long experience of children, youth and adults who honor and live out their baptismal covenant. The integration of Diocesan resources with worship and education for children, young persons and adults in local congregations supports this journey of our life in God.


Our bi-annual Christian Formation Catalog is an exhaustive publication describing the opportunities for lifelong education and formation we offer here at the Diocese of Rhode Island.

Read the September 2010-June 2011 issue online now!

You can read it on our website in issuu's fancy ebook reader. Bookmark the link and keep checking back, or you can download and print the catalog for your use at home or your parish. There is a handy pull out calendar included, perfect for your fridge or bulletin board.

Questions? Need more info? Contact
Mary Ann Kolakowski
Christian Formation Director
maryann@episcopalri.org
(401) 274-4500 x247

Application Process Now Open for Scholarships from The Episcopal Church

Deadline is October 15

Applications are now being accepted for the Fall awarding of more than 60 scholarships from The Episcopal Church. Specific scholarships are available for ethnic communities along with other particular wide-ranging eligibility for education and training.

“Besides ethnic ministries, there are scholarships available to children of missionaries, foreign students studying for ministry in the Church, foreign students training in the fields of medical, sanitation, nursing or hospital work in their own country and for the children of bishops and clergy of The Episcopal Church,” explained Antoinette (Toni) Daniels, Co-director of Mission and Chair of the Scholarship Committee.
Daniels reported that, in the spring 2010 cycle, a scholarship was awarded to the first Hmong seminarian in The Episcopal Church. Compared with last year, both the Latino/Hispanic Ministries and Native American Ministries saw the number of applicants double and Asian-American Ministries accepted three more applicants.

“The scholarships are addressing educational funding needs in this down economy,” Daniels added.

The list of trust funds and scholarships is here: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/documents/ScholarshipTrustFunds121609.pdf  

All materials including the application form and the instructions for filing are available online here: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/109539_110675_ENG_HTM.htm

Process

Applications are reviewed by scholarship subcommittees comprised of representatives from throughout the Church. Their recommendations are then reviewed and announced by the Scholarship Committee of The Episcopal Church.

Funding for the scholarships is derived from numerous trust funds. The amounts of the scholarships vary according to the availability of payouts from the funds. Annual payouts from the funds are determined by the Executive Council upon recommendation of its Investment Committee. Principal amounts of each fund are always maintained.

Deadline for applications is October 15, 2010.
Requirements

Daniels cited the requirements for applying: the applicant must be an Episcopalian, must be a member of The Episcopal Church, and must have the endorsement of his/her bishop.

She stressed that only complete applications will be considered.

For information contact Terry Foster, Mission Office Associate, tfoster@episcopalchurch.org

The Episcopal Church welcomes all who worship Jesus Christ in 109 dioceses and three regional areas in 16 nations. The Episcopal Church is a member province of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

Scholarships: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/109539_110675_ENG_HTM.htm  
The Episcopal Church: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/episcopalian
Twitter: http://twitter.com/iamepiscopalian
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/TECtube

Diocese of RI begins new Hispanic Ministry at Church of the Ascension, Cranston

Photo By F. Leon Sibielski

On August 22nd the first celebration of a Spanish language Eucharist and the baptism of two children at Church of the Ascension in Cranston marked the commencement of a new Hispanic ministry in the Diocese of Rhode Island. Many came from the Diocese of RI’s other Hispanic Ministries at St George’s Church in Central Falls and Church of the Messiah in Providence to join Church of the Ascension on this exciting day, and it was a glorious celebration.

In response to the growing Hispanic/Latino population in our state, Rhode Island parishes collectively voted at our Diocesan Convention last October to expand diocesan ministry to this particular population. In the following months, after a careful search, the Rev. Mercedes Julián was called as our new Hispanic Missioner and asked to begin the new Ministry in partnership with the Church of the Ascension.

The Rev. Mercedes Julián, native to the Dominican Republic, was called to ministry in the late 70’s. She finished seminary in 1981 in the D.R., and was ordained in Panama in 1990. Since 2004 she has resided in the United States as a Hispanic Missionary, first at Grace Church in New Orleans and then at San Juan in South Carolina.

The beginning of any new congregation is a challenging task, but on June 1st Mercedes began meeting and talking with the local Hispanic community through visits to places people frequent such as supermarkets, banks, laundromats, parks, post offices, and restaurants. She also has been helping at the Cranston Food Pantry every week.

Mercedes Julián says, “This is a new opportunity to serve and offer others the chance to begin or reinitiate a relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. The spiritual need is latent in our society; the strengthening of human values and the importance of the family are aspects where the church is needed to guide the community of God in its search for a better world.”

The new ministry at Ascension holds its own services and educational programs in the Spanish language, but the hope is that in many areas of congregational life the Hispanic/Latino congregation will be fully integrated with the existing English speaking congregation of the parish. For example, the choir program for children age 6-12 takes place between the English and Spanish services so that children of both services can participate.

Photo By F. Leon Sibielski

Photo By F. Leon Sibielski

72 Straight Hours of Bible Kick off a Year of Study at Christ Church, Lincoln

Christ Church in Lincoln is reading the entire Bible, out loud, in three days. For 72 hours straight, starting this Friday morning at 9 a.m., dozens of people will take turns reading parts of the Bible aloud. By late Monday morning they'll finish by reading the last chapter of Revelation together, with whoever is present, then celebrate Holy Eucharist to give thanks for God in Word and Sacrament.

This weekend is the kick-off event for a year-long focus on the Bible at Christ Church. They are encouraging the whole parish to read The Story (or The Story for Kids), which is a condensed version of some of the best stories in the Bible. Christ Church believes that if we begin to grasp the immensity of God's love for us, as revealed in the entirety of the Bible, our lives will be transformed.
Starting September 12th, their Sunday morning classes for adults and kids will focus on the chapter of The Story that they are reading that week. On Thursdays, they'll offer dinner and Bible studies on full text reading assignments. By the end of the year, participants in "Good Book Thursdays" will have read not just the Reader's Digest version, but the entire Bible.

Christ Church's Rector, The Rev. Scott A Gunn says that "One of the things you discover when you read the whole Bible -- not just the sanitized portions from the Sunday lectionary -- is that parts of it are pretty challenging. But then, life itself is challenging. Having faith in God in a complex world is challenging. When we can see God in the difficult parts of the Bible, we are engaging in a spiritual practice that might help us see God at work in the difficult parts of our live and of our world."
You can find more here:

http://www.christchurchlincoln.org/formation/miqra.html

Or here:

http://www.wpri.com/subindex/community?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D90771002