Christmas Greeting from our Companion Diocese of Ezo in the Sudan

Diocese of Rhode Island,

I wish to extend the Ezo Diocese Christian Community's Christmas greeting to their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ in the Diocese of Rhode Island.

"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you (set you apart) completely; continue to unite us altogether, and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, Who also will do it (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).

God bless you all,
Levi
Assistant to Bishop John Zawo of Ezo

A Season of Prayer for the Sudan: Advent Meditation 4

For my brethren and companions' sake I pray for your prosperity. Psalm 122:8

Click here for Advent Meditation 4

As we all await the coming of the Prince of Peace this Advent, our companion diocese of Ezo prepares to vote for the freedom of the Southern Sudan on January 9th, in a potentially volatile referendum. This season, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori exhorts us to join our voices with the people of the Sudan in prayers for peace.

Each Friday during Advent, The Episcopal Church will provide a new meditation which you can download here on our blog and our Facebook page. You are encouraged to join in prayer at noon (Eastern Standard Time) in the United States, as the people of Sudan pray at six o’clock in the evening. Our simultaneous prayers will join the hope of God for a world filled with peace. Click here for Meditation 4

Thank you for your continued support of our brothers and sisters in Ezo. For more information about our Companion Diocese Relationship with Ezo click here.

The Latest e-RISEN: December 22nd 2010

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eRISEN December 22nd 2010 issue

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Christmas Letter from Bishop Wolf

Glory to God in the Highest

Dear Friends:

Imagine a homeless couple filled with anxiety as they seek shelter on these cold winter nights, only to be told there is no room. I knew of one such family. After being turned down by relatives and discovering that there was no room in the shelters, someone gave them an unheated garage. They were without heat for three very cold nights before they were given a kerosene heater. When I asked how they and their ten year old son survived, they answered, “Jesus spent the nights with us.”

God sent his son into the world to spend cold and dark nights of the soul with all of humanity. This glorious Gift came while we were still blind, and through his love our eyes were opened to the holy gifts of salvation, grace, and hope. We came to know that darkness is not dark to the Babe, and that in the end divine Light is the final victor.

We live in a time when darkness wraps the hearts of billions of people throughout the world, and in our own state. We can only imagine the fear of Christians living in Iraq, Pakistan, and the Sudan; or the anxiety of the jobless; or the despair of abused children; or the family who lives in their car or an unheated garage. In our churches there are those who show a good face, but go home to eat food from the food bank, and fear that they will not be able to pay the next utility bill.

Jesus, homeless at birth, became for us the Bread of Life. He is alive in the darkness of the world, even in the midst of doubt and rejection. To those who believe, he has given the glorious gift of Light by which our hearts are enflamed with love. We in turn, are called to enter the world with the gifts of his blessed Presence so that one day others may echo the phrase, “Jesus spent the night with us.”

May this be a blessed Christmas for you, and for those with whom you share the gift of the Father’s love.

Geralyn Wolf

A Season of Prayer for the Sudan: Advent Meditation 3

For my brethren and companions' sake I pray for your prosperity. Psalm 122:8

Click here for Advent Meditation 3

As we all await the coming of the Prince of Peace this Advent, our companion diocese of Ezo prepares to vote for the freedom of the Southern Sudan on January 9th, in a potentially volatile referendum. This season, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori exhorts us to join our voices with the people of the Sudan in prayers for peace.

Each Friday during Advent, The Episcopal Church will provide a new meditation which you can download here on our blog and our Facebook page. You are encouraged to join in prayer at noon (Eastern Standard Time) in the United States, as the people of Sudan pray at six o’clock in the evening. Our simultaneous prayers will join the hope of God for a world filled with peace. Click here for Meditation 3

Thank you for your continued support of our brothers and sisters in Ezo. For more information about our Companion Diocese Relationship with Ezo click here.

The Latest eRISEN- December 10th 2010

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eRISEN December 10th 2010 issue

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Season of Prayer for the Sudan Advent Meditation II

For my brethren and companions' sake I pray for your prosperity. Psalm 122:8

Click here for Advent Meditation 2

As we all await the coming of the Prince of Peace this Advent, our companion diocese of Ezo prepares to vote for the freedom of the Southern Sudan on January 9th, in a potentially volatile referendum. This season, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori exhorts us to join our voices with the people of the Sudan in prayers for peace.

Each Friday during Advent, The Episcopal Church will provide a new meditation which you can download here on our blog and our Facebook page. You are encouraged to join in prayer at noon (Eastern Standard Time) in the United States, as the people of Sudan pray at six o’clock in the evening. Our simultaneous prayers will join the hope of God for a world filled with peace. Click here for Meditation 2

Thank you for your continued support of our brothers and sisters in Ezo. For more information about our Companion Diocese Relationship with Ezo click here.

Parishioners Make Bell Ring Again at Emmanuel Newport

-The Rev. Anita Schell-Lambert, Rector at Emmanuel Newport

Built in 1902, the Emmanuel Church Bell Tower has always had two bells, but the smaller “wedding bell” has been out of commission for two years. On November 27th, a group of parishioners and volunteers undertook the complicated task of reseating the bell so brides and grooms could hear it once again.

The effort began three months ago when Emmanuel's mens group inspected the church looking for work projects. Knowing that the small bell was not working, several members climbed the tower to see what had happened. One of the two bearings that support it had broken, and it had fallen 3 inches to rest at a precarious angle, lodged in the steel of the belfry.

While it is referred to as the small bell, it is hardly tiny. The bronze bell weighs 996 pounds, and is nearly 3 feet tall with an inscription reading Clamor Ad Te Veniat. The larger bell is 6,412 pounds, 5'10" tall, and reads Domine, Exaudi Orationnem Mean. Together these inscriptions open Psalm 102 “Lord hear my prayer and let my cry come before you”. Both bells were cast by Mears & Stainbank of the Whitechapel Foundry in London, which has been in operation since 1580 and also cast the bells of Westminster Abby, Big Ben, and the Liberty Bell.

Subsequent visits to the bell for photographs and measurements led to an ambitious homespun plan to replace both bearings. Parishioner Paul Selvitelli designed a portable aluminum gantry to fit in the space around the bell. Metal fabricator Kevin Christensen constructed it and On November 27 they met Ellen and Tom Vadney, Mona Haebler, Allen Hill, Rob Currier, and physicist Chris Lirakis at the base of the tower.

Together they hauled tools, rigging gear and new bearings up the steep stairways and ladders that lead to the belfry. The bell was hoisted back into position, the shafts were polished, reshaped, the new bearings were fit and securely bolted to the steel frame. This was grassroots preservation at its best and a grand task, not a simple repair job. Not only was the effort entirely staffed by volunteers but also it is typical of the can-do attitude of Emmanuel Church’s parishioners.

Emmanuel began in 1841 as a mission of Newport’s Trinity Church, when three female parishioners recognized the need to offer free space for worship to people who could not afford to rent or own a pew. Since then, Emmanuel has been known as “the Church of the people,” where “rich and poor, high and low, great and humble all worship and work together as friends.” Emmanuel welcomed everyone, and the parish developed around the needs of mill workers, domestic servants, lawyers, and bankers. That diversity continues as Emmanuel Parish is deeply committed to outreach in Newport with “a big heart, open arms and warm, loving hands”.

Season of Prayer for the Sudan, Advent Meditation 1

For my brethren and companions' sake

I pray for your prosperity. Psalm 122:8

(Video: Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts-Schori's update on the Sudan)

Here in the Diocese of Rhode Island we have entered into a companion relationship with Ezo in the Southern Sudan. As we all await the coming of the Prince of Peace this Advent, our companions in Ezo prepare to vote for their freedom on January 9th, in a potentially volatile referendum. This season, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori exhorts us to join our voices with the people of the Sudan in prayers for peace.

Many of you met Bishop Zawo of Ezo when he came to RI in November of 2009. Many of you saw the slideshow of our own Bishop Wolf 's visit there in December 2008, or bought a 2011 Ezo Calendar to help support projects there (You can learn how to buy one here!). Now there is something you can do at home to help.

Each Friday during Advent, The Episcopal Church will provide a new meditation which you can download here on our blog and our Facebook page. You are encouraged to join in prayer at noon (Eastern Standard Time) in the United States, as the people of Sudan pray at six o’clock in the evening. Our simultaneous prayers will join the hope of God for a world filled with peace. Click here for Meditation 1

Thank you for your continued support of our brothers and sisters in Ezo.

Once Every Ten Years; St. Luke’s at This Decade’s Oberammergau Passion Play

By Cathe Rezendes

As a final celebration of the 175th anniversary of St. Luke’s in East Greenwich, this September nine parishioners and six friends attended the once-every-ten-years production of the Passion Play in the infamous Oberammergau, Germany.

In the early 1600’s when the Black Death was sweeping through Europe, the villagers of Oberammergau met in their church to make a vow: every ten years, they would hold a Passion Play if there were no more deaths in the village. In 1634, about 60 thankful players held their first Play in the church cemetery, and it has continued since. The community has kept the promise made 376 years ago. These days there is a theater to seat 4700 visitors from all over the world, and there are six performances a week from May until the first of October.

It was the unanimous highlight of a tour that took St. Luke’s to Switzerland and Austria as well as Oberammergau, Germany which is now a charming Bavarian town of 5,000.

The famous Passion Play is such a riveting portrayal of Jesus and his last days that the faithful sit in the afternoon for two and a half hours and then return for three more hours in the evening without even noticing the passage of time.

It was moving to experience firsthand how this community values the participation of their locals and welcomes their visitors sincerely. All the performers and musicians are either natives of Oberammergau or former residents who lived there at least twenty years. They start preparing a year ahead by growing long hair and beards.

The street scenes are impressive: young children waving palms, live animals, hundreds of villagers, priests in the temple, inspirational music, and all of it in German. The German is not a problem however – the story is visible with Old Testament tableaux interspersed in the realistic action, to remind us powerfully of the events of Jesus’ passion.

It was amazing to be part of it all, and many of those who attended the trip made a vow as well: to return for the next Passion Play, in 2020.

If you would like to hear more about Oberammergau or join St. Luke’s on their next trip contact Cathe Rezendes at 401-295-0798 or at catrez@cox.net.

The Latest eRISEN- November 19th 2010

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eRISEN November 19th 2010 issue

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Diocese of RI Resource Center is Giving Away Overstock. Want Some?

Greetings Friends,

As we approach the ending of this liturgical year and the beginning of a new one in Advent 2010, I will be cleaning and reorganizing the Diocesan Resource Center. I would like to bring several items up for grabs to your attention. You can email me to learn more!

We have a large number of VCR tapes which can no longer be housed at the Resource Center. Before looking into the possibility of recycling any of these, I would like to offer them to any parish first, or individuals second, who might be interested in taking them. These tapes will be available in the Annex during the first two weeks of December. If interested, please contact me for a list of available titles.

We also have several packets of Advent Table Cards published by Candle Press (These are suitable to distribute to families for daily Advent meditations and practices) which are available for no cost. Please contact me should you be interested in one for your family’s use or in a particular number of them for your parish.

Please remember the beautiful Companion Diocese of Ezo 2011 Calendars are available at Diocesan House or from Members of the Companion Diocese Committee. Suggested Donation is $15.00. Proceeds from the sale of calendars will go to fund projects planned in partnership with our friends in the Diocese of Ezo in the Southern Sudan. These make great Christmas gifts! It is a gift for you or your loved one that also gives a gift to our friends in Ezo as they try to rebuild and recover from the consistent violence and political upheaval in their county. Please remember to pray with and for our brothers and sisters in Ezo, as they assure us of their prayers for us.

Also available at Diocesan House are copies of the books of our guest preacher at Diocesan Convention, The Rev. Canon Andrew White. The books are Suffer the Children $15.00 and The Vicar of Baghdad $20.00. Canon White is President of the Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East. He is the Anglican chaplain to Iraq, based at St. George’s Church, Baghdad and Anglican Episcopal chaplain to its International Zone. These books are recommended for personal reflection and study or for a small adult forum. Funds raised from the sale of these books will be used to support the ministries of St. George’s in Baghdad, Iraq.You can also watch a sermon preached by The Rev. Chris Epperson, inspired by Canon White’s stories and ministry here: http://theeternalpursuit.blogspot.com/.

One more reminder: The Diocese of Rhode Island has a Resource Center Subscription with Church Publishing Inc. One copy of each new publication is available at the Resource Center. The newest of these can be found on the shelves located in the Annex meeting room and may be borrowed for personal or parish use. If you are browsing the church publishing website and see something interesting, contact me if you'd rather borrow than buy!

May you be blessed this Advent season.
Mary Ann Kolakowski
Chrsitian Formation Director

Next Week (Sat. 11/20): Lay Theology Day w/ Ellen Charry of Princeton Theological Seminary

Saturday November 20th 2010, 9am – noon
Ticket Cost: FREE!
The Cathedral of St. John
271 North Main Street, Providence RI 02906
For more information and to RSVP visit the facebook event or contact Gloria Williams at 401-274-4500 Gloria@episcopalri.org

Dr. Ellen Charry comes to us from Princeton Theological Seminary where she is a professor of Historical and Systematic Theology. She visited RI to speak to our clergy last spring and left them raving, so we’re bringing her back to talk to the laity of RI too! Ellen will be speaking to us about her new book “God and the Art of Happiness”

Book Description:

Western Christian theology is skittish about happiness. We hope for future, eternal happiness, but we avoid considering happiness in this life as if we suspect such a thing is not allowed. “God and the Art of Happiness” offers a refreshing interpretation of happiness as a way of life grounded in scripture and the incarnate Christ.

Ellen Charry here reveals how the Bible encourages the happiness and joy that accompany obedience to the Creator, enhancing both our own life and the lives of those around us. This advances the well being of creation, which, in turn, causes God to delight with, in, and for us.

With this original theory of the Christian life, this book will encourage intelligent readers to take part in truly abundant life.

Studying Your Congregation: Free Tool Provides Info on Parish & Diocesan Trends

-The Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs

A free tool which charts 11-year trends called Studying Your Congregation and Community is now available to assist Episcopal congregations and dioceses in a myriad of applications, including stewardship, short- and long-term planning, and strategic development.

“Important congregational and diocesan tracking information is available on the Episcopal Church website allowing a look at an 11 year comparative profile,” explained C. Kirk Hadaway, Ph.D., Episcopal Church Officer for Congregational Research. “The 11-year congregational trend charts are an invaluable tool in understanding patterns and working towards a strategy for the future.”

Available at http://www.episcopalchurch.org/research.htm  and by clicking Studying Your Congregation and Community, the data are easily accessed with pull-down menus for selecting dioceses and congregations.

The resulting info on membership, average Sunday attendance, and Plate & Pledge giving is available by diocese and congregation ranging from 1999 to the recently added 2009.

Newly included in these offerings from the Research Office for congregations is a community profile, which updates the former zip code report.

“We recently added this new feature to the site, which is a downloadable detailed demographic profile of the community surrounding each of our domestic congregations,” Hadaway explained. “Previously, we had a zip code profile, but the new profile is a 15-page, 1-mile radius portrait from MissionInsite. These two products are available to anyone and any congregation, again without cost or logging in.”

This valuable data, he noted, is available for free. “This is a $200 report that is available for no charge, and no need to log in,” he added.

For more information contact Christine Kandic at ckandic@episcopalchurch.org .

Research offerings

This congregational tool is among the many offered by the Episcopal Church Research Office. Others include the data that is derived from the annual Parochial Report. Hadaway noted that the 2010 Parochial Report process begins with the December mailing of forms, and concludes in 2011 with the diocesan deadline of March 1.

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.

Research pages: www.episcopalchurch.org/research  
The Episcopal Church: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/episcopalian
Twitter: http://twitter.com/iamepiscopalian
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/TECtube

The Latest eRISEN- November 5th 2010

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eRISEN November 5th 2010 issue

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Pumpkin Junction at St. John’s Becomes a People Junction

-Kerri Payne, St. John’s Church, Barrington  
 
Each year St. Johns’ Barrington receives a massive delivery of pumpkins from the diocese of Navajoland which carpets our long front hill in orange from late September to Halloween, turning it into a fun fall gathering place for the whole community. The pumpkin sale always opens with a Saturday family festival called “pumpkin junction” and then the pumpkin patch is open seven days a week, 8 hours a day until Oct. 31st.


What started out as a small fundraiser has grown into something that is now as much about outreach and fellowship as it is about raising money. As I stopped into various businesses in town hanging posters this year, I became more aware of just how famous our not-so-little pumpkin patch is becoming. I got comments like, “Oh, yes, it’s that time again isn’t it?” or “I hear the pumpkins are coming early this year!”

The entire community has now come to expect that delivery truck and that “sea of orange” each fall. We have had new families join or at least return to our parish as a result, and at the very same time this is our largest fundraiser, which allows us to grow so many of our vital ministries! Now that’s called icing on the pumpkin cake!

This year many hands of all ages and sizes came together to unload the 2,489 pumpkins and set up for Pumpkin Junction. Over the next month around 120 St. Johns’ parishioners will volunteer to work a one or two hour shift in the pumpkin patch. It’s a great way to meet other parish members, and to introduce community members to the people of our parish. It is truly amazing what we can do as a collective family.

How very fortunate we are that we are actually selling a product that people really want! We have been able to sell all of our pumpkins for the last 4 years running and last year, as Halloween neared, we had customers rummaging through the rotten pumpkin pile, willing to buy anything to use for carving. At last years’ parish Halloween party, I stepped outside (fully adorned in my best gypsy costume!) to run to my car at about 8pm and was approached by a woman desperately seeking a pumpkin, which I happily sold her! Indeed, we have found our niche!

On Saturday September 25th at our Pumpkin Junction opening event we had a record-breaking sale day in the patch. There were an abundance of smiling faces as people browsed our 50 plus vendors; rode Okie’s Old Fashioned rides; rode ponies from Stony Creek farm; pet Rupert the teacup pig; ate our delicious offerings from the café; or sang, danced and played instruments with our storyteller amongst the areas finest mums and pumpkins!

The Latest eRISEN- October 15th 2010

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eRISEN October 15th 2010 issue

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Calendar Sale to Benefit our Companion Diocese of Ezo, Southern Sudan

Calendars featuring our companion diocese of Ezo in the Southern Sudan will be ready for sale, starting at our Diocesan Convention on October 23rd!

These calendars show pictures of our brothers and sisters in Ezo, and the progress of the projects we've helped fund as they make difference in daily life there.  The funds raised from the sale of these calendars will support our further work in partnership with Ezo. All current and future projects are approved and kept under close review by Bishop Wolf of RI and Bishop John Zawo of Ezo, as well as diocesan leaders in both places.

Come to Convention prepared to purchase one or more calendars for your use, or for distribution in your own parish. Can't come to Convention?  Email maryann@episcopalri.org to find out how to get a few calendars and keep an eye out for them at other diocesan gatherings now through January.

Suggested donation is $15.00. Calendars may be purchased with a cash donation or a check made payable to: The Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island, 275 North Main Street, Providence, Rhode Island 02903

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

 

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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

The Latest e-RISEN- August 31st 2010

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eRISEN August 31st 2010 issue

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City Camp, Life Changing for All

By CeCe Cookinham, Assistant Counselor, 2005

In the summer of 2005, after years as a camper at the Episcopal Conference Center (ECC), I spent my summer as an Assistant Counselor.


That summer I heard so many amazing stories from other Counselors about the weeks they spent at another diocesan ministry called City Camp. I offered to do a two week session. I did not know at all what to expect and I had no idea then how much it would affect my future! Now, 5 years later, I am a social worker and will never forget that summer.

City Camp is a free day-camp for underprivileged kids in the Manton and Olneyville areas of Providence, the idea behind it being that if we invest in the security of these kids we can show them hope for their future and help to end cylcical poverty. City camp operates on a small donations based budget, and is actually separate from ECC but shares many of the same counselors.

I had volunteered to go, but I was still nervous on my first day. I was given eleven rambunctious campers to keep track of! One of these campers was a little six year old girl who not only changed my life but touched my heart.

It all happened on one hot Friday when we took City Camp to the beach. Some of my campers had never been to the beach before, and all of them were so excited to go. We played in the water, built sand castles, buried each other in the sand, sang camp songs – it was a perfect day.

When the day was coming to the end everyone was heading to the locker room to change out of their sandy wet clothes. I was trying to keep up with my eleven campers when one little girl tripped and started crying. I knelt down to make sure she was okay and she was sobbing. When I asked her what was wrong she responded

“My shoe broke”

Casually I said “It’s okay, just go home and put on a different pair.”

She started sobbing harder and said “I can’t .. I can’t get a new pair of shoes till my birthday!”

My heart sank and I asked “When’s your birthday?” I never expected to hear her next answer

“When it snows out”

At that point I picked her up and grabbed her shoes so I wouldn’t lose the rest of the campers. On the bus back to Olneyville I made a quick fix to her shoes so she could still use them temporarily and told her to try not to worry about it.

That weekend I bought that little girl a pair of flip flops, and a pair of sneakers – a size bigger than what she was wearing so the shoes would last her for a while. I was a little worried about how her parents would react to me purchasing her shoes, but I just wanted to help. That Monday I gave that little girl the shoes. She was absolutely ecstatic.

The next day I saw her walking across the field all dressed in pink to match the new sneakers I got her. Later that afternoon, at pick-up time a woman walked up to me speaking Spanish. I had no idea what she was saying, but that little girl ran up and started translating for me. It was the little girl’s mom. Eventually her mom just spoke in loose English “Thank you, shoes.” She started crying, and gave me a big hug. I couldn’t help it, I started crying too. I never thought a simple pair of shoes would mean so much.

It’s been five years now since I was at City Camp but I will always remember that little girl and that two week session. It was because of her that I decided to study social work when I went off to college, and now it is because of her that I am working in the helping profession.

LARI Update: 4 Louisiana Youths at ECC Garners Thanks from Bishop Thompson

This summer the Companion Diocese Committee launched a program to bring youths from the Diocese of Louisiana up to our own summer camp at the Episcopal Conference Center. Through your generosity enough funds were raised to bring four young people to ECC on full scholarship!

The experience proved to be as remarkable for these young Louisianians as it was for the youths of RI who had a chance to meet them and hear their stories. The program was such a success that Mary Ann Kolakowski, our Christian Formation Director, received a letter from Louisiana's Bishop, The Rt. Rev'd Morris K. Thompson Jr., thanking us all for our generosity in this companionship. You can read the letter below.

There are exciting plans in the works for next year, including bringing some young adults to camp as counsellors as well as bringing more youths up to attend camp. To find out more or learn how to contribute for next year contact maryann@episcopalri.org

The Latest eRISEN- August 13th 2010

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eRISEN August 13th 2010 issue

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RISEN Magazine's Summer 2010 issue "Vocation; Answering God's Call"

This Summer's "vocation" issue of RISEN Magazine (not to be confused with a "vacation" issue) has been printed and mailed so keep an eye on your mailboxes. If you can't wait, you can view it in a fun e-book gadget at the bottom of this page or on our website

RISEN Magazine is The Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island's News and special interest magazine. We switched from a newspaper format to the current full color journal in 2007. By doing so, we have been able to focus our attention on producing an award winning print periodical with staying power. Each issue of RISEN centers on a timely theme and features articles that aim to inform, enlighten and inspire. It is published quarterly and has a circulation of around 9,000.

Don't see the ebook reader loading below? Read RISEN on our website instead

RSCM Summer Music Course for Kids Featured on "Newport Now"

The Diocese of RI sponsored a "Royal School of Church Music" Summer camp this past week in Newport, for the first time in history. Many kids age 9-17 gathered, from churches across New England which run the RSCM curriculum, to practice, play and stay in residence at Salve Regina University. The group performed three times during the week, once at Trinity Church in Newport and twice at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Newport!

You can read more about the week in the article featured on Newport Now and see more photos on our facebook page

Ezo Update: A Letter From Levi

Bishop Wolf in Ezo with Levi

The Following update was sent to Tom Bair, Chair of the Companion Diocesese Committee for Ezo, From Levi Ahmed, Assistant to Bishop John Zawo of Ezo.

Tom,
Greetings to you in Jesus name and hoping that you are doing well over there. I just arrived last evenning in Kampala from Ezo. Greetings from Bishop John, Nancy and the entire Christian community to the Christians of RI. I have spent my holidays [from college in Uganda] with Bishop at home in Ezo. Every one is fine.

I have been not able to communicate with you due to lack of internet in Ezo. And it has been not easy for me to be traveling to Yambio which is 100 miles to access internet due to frequent attacks on vehicles on the way by the LRA.

...

However, i have attached some photograph of events in Ezo Diocese [visit our page on facebook to see more of these photos].

Concerning the goat project, the work has gone on very well but only due to the insecurity it has made some part of the work to delay a bit. That is why [in the photos] you are not see all the 50 goats in the fence. 20 have been bought and 30 have been ordered from Banda in Congo, because it is now very hard and expensive to buy goats in Western Equatoria because most of the goats were taken by the LRA when they used to attack local in those areas. Now we believe that only this project will be the only one where most of the people in Western Equatoria will get goats again for rearing.

I am going to compile the whole information pertaining the project and send to you including the receipts I have with me.

I left Ezo on Friday to Yambio where i arrived in Yambio at five, and the vehicle which came after us was burnt by the LRA killing three people who were in that car. [It happened] 12 mlies from Nzara and we past that area at 4:00 pm, a car which arrived at that place at 5:00 pm was the one which the LRA burnt and the following morning they again appeared in the same area killing another three people, one man and two women. The humanitarian situation in Ezo remains the same because since 2008 up [to] now people have not gone [home] to their places.[See Levi's update from November 6, 2009 for more info on this]
[You can] hope to see more information from me pertaining the goat project soon.
...

Levi.

Grace Church Welcomes New Rector to Parish — and to Providence

Grace Church in Providence welcomed its new Rector, the Rev. Canon Jonathan Huyck, along with his wife; Ann, and son; Benjamin, on Sunday, August 1. Grace Church welcomed the Huycks not only to their Parish, but also to Providence — and welcomed people in the downcity community to join them in meeting the Hucyks — at a block party outside the church's front door following a festive Eucharist. The party stretched across a closed Westminster Street into the park outside the Hotel Providence. After the celebration, Jonathan walked home pulling a "Welcome Wagon" filled with area gifts including a guide to Rhode Island, Del's lemonade mix and Paw Sox tickets.


See photos and more about the gala and the Huyck family at http://www.facebook.com/GraceChurchProvidence

The Latest eRISEN- July 26th 2010

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eRISEN July 26th 2010 issue

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A New Era – The 25th Anniversary of RI’s First Deacons' School Ordinations

-The Rev. Dcn. Ricky Brightman

It was a very hot and humid on Saturday, 25 years ago today, as fourteen men and women were ordained by Bishop Hunt. These were the first deacons to graduate from the first deacon's school in RI. Only 3 deacons had been ordained in this state prior to the school's advent. It was hoped that the school would establish a solid core of diaconate service, and judging from where we are today, it has.

The ordination took place on Saturday July 13 in 1985, and the Cathedral was crowded even beyond actual capacity. People were seated on window ledges, on the steps of the high altar, and even were standing or sitting on the floor in the aisles. A few had the wisdom to stay within sight and sound in the narthex, for there the windows were open to admit whatever cooling breezes were available. Some attendees even took seats down in Synod Hall, where the sound system picked up what was going on upstairs. They were wise because Synod Hall was considerable cooler than upstairs in the Cathedral proper.

The service itself was glorious with massed choirs accompanied by trumpet and organ. Many were able to ignore physical discomfort because they were so thrilled with the dignity and beauty of the servicer. Following the service there was an informal reception held in the Roger Williams Memorial Park across the street from the Cathedral.

This was the beginning of a new era and opportunity for ordained ministry in the Diocese of Rhode Island! These Deacons have served the Diocese and their separate parishes well during the past twenty-five years. Their varied ministry has had a great impact on the people they have directly served, and many of them are still serving today!

For that we give thanks as well as say to you all – “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord”



Thank you for a fantastic first 25 years:

Austin ”Skip” A. Almon, Jr – to serve at St Michael and All Angels’ in Rumford

Paul J. Boardman Jr, at St. Columba’s, Middletown

Janet M. Broadhead, at St. Matthew’s, Jamestown

Edwin “Ted” Hallenbeck, All Saints’, Warwick

Ida R. Johnson at St James’, Woonsocket

Robert Johnson, (a husband and wife team), Grace Church, Providence

Mary B. Johnstone, Trinity, Newport and Kent Hospital, Warwick

Besty E. Lesieur, at Christ Church, Lincoln

Iris E. Mello, Transfiguration, Cranston

Jean Barry Olsen, St. David’s on the Hill, Cranston

James Verber, at St Mathias’, Coventry

Lester York, St Barnabas’, Warwick

Sean Manchester, a Transitional Deacon preparing for Priesthood, St Michael’s, Bristol

Martha Vaguener, Transitional, to work in Kenya

The Cathedral of St. John Featured on iHeartRhody.com

The Cathedreal Of St. John received a wonderful write-up by the fabulous local bloggers at www.iheartrhody.com! The article speaks from an outsider's perspective, of the welcoming vibrant life happening in Providence's 5th most endangered historic building!

On Thursday, June 10, 2010


Sights ~ Cathedral of St. John, Providence

During a walk around College Hill a couple of weeks ago, we came across what looked like a run-down, boarded-up church. I didn't recognize it until we came down the hill to Main Street, and I realized it was the Cathedral of St. John, part of the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island.... Read the Full Article

Grace Church's New Rector, the Rev. Canon Jonathan Huyck

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,


I’m pleased to announce that Grace Church in Providence has called the Rev. Canon Jonathan Huyck to be its next Rector. Jonathan, 41, formerly served as Canon Pastor at the American Cathedral in Paris, France, reporting to the Dean of the Cathedral, the Very Rev. Zachary Fleetwood. In that role, he shared fully in the ministries and administrative duties that are part of that parish community.

His wife, Ann, taught ballet and dance history in Paris and recently finished a term as co-chair of the Welcome Committee at the Cathedral. She also helped the Dean coordinate the work of the Friends of the American Cathedral.

Jonathan and Ann have a six-month-old son, Ben. The Huycks will reside in Providence.

The Huycks went to Paris in 2004 after Jonathan spent time as the first Episcopal Chaplain at New York University and served as Director of Young Adult and Newcomer Ministries at Church of the Holy Trinity in New York City (where he and Ann met). He is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Brown University, and he holds a Master of Divinity from the University of Chicago and a Master of Sacred Theology in Anglican Studies from The General Theological Seminary. Prior to entering ordained ministry, he worked as a research assistant for a medical ethics firm and wrote comedy scripts for studios and networks such as Warner Brothers and PAXnet.

After multiple interviews and a site visit, the Grace Church Search Committee voted unanimously to send his name forward to the Vestry. The committee members were enthusiastic about Jonathan's remarkable capabilities but even more encouraged by the way his skills and background fit with the parish’s vision.

To me - as well as others on the Search Committee and Vestry - this paints a picture of an exciting future for us at Grace Church. Jonathan’s first Sunday at Grace will be August 1, when he will celebrate and preach at the 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. services. Following the 10 a.m. service, the parish will hold a special celebration in the park across Westminster Street (weather permitting).

Please keep Jonathan, Ann and Ben in your prayers as they take these next steps in their journey with Christ.

Blessings and best regards,

David P. Seifert
Grace Church Senior Warden

The Latest eRISEN- June 25th 2010

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eRISEN June 25th 2010 issue

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The Women of Ezo have Received Their Solar Lamps!

The RI & Ezo Companion Diocese Committee has teamed up with an organization called Solar Sister to bring solar lamps to the Women's Union in the Diocese of Ezo. Word has just been received that the lamps have arrived! Visit Solar Sister's Facebook Page to see photos of the Mother's Union in Ezo, who will be selling these Solar lanterns to provide income for their families and a clean, healthy,inexpensive alternative to kerosene lamps to light their villages!

LARI Update: The Gulf Oil Spill, in the Diocese of Louisiana

A Letter From the Diocese of Louisiana


The oil spill tragedy unfolding along our coastline has been weighing heavily on many hearts in this Diocese. Even as we brace for the long-term impact, Episcopal Community Services of Louisiana has begun to step in to support families in Terrebonne Parish whose livelihoods and businesses have already been hurt by the spill’s impact on fishing communities. Working in partnership with Bayou Grace Community Services, a faith-based organization serving the 5-bayou area south of Houma — and with support anticipated from Episcopal Relief and Development and from Oxfam America — ECSLA will provide assistance with groceries and gas cards to help families make ends meet, as well as provide referrals, legal assistance, and pastoral care to residents trying to navigate the assistance channels.

ECSLA is proud to support the resilient and hard-working residents of our fishing communities, and we welcome your help. If you have qualifications to assist with legal aid or pastoral care, and can commit to regular days and times in specific communities, please contact Nell Bolton, Executive Director of ECSLA, at nbolton@edola.org . Donations to support this effort can be made through the secure donation site at http://www.ecsla.org/ or by clicking here.

Thank you.

The Latest eRISEN

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eRISEN June 11th 2010 issue

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Update: Restoration of the Cathedral Close

During the last two years Bishop Wolf, Dean Krauss and the Cathedral Chapter have spent much time seeking God’s guidance through prayer and exploring what other dioceses have done when faced with enormous expenses to restore their cathedral. This has been a particular challenge in such very awkward financial times.

But we believe that God’s people are empowered to boldly solve any problem. As we embraced this attitude, it became obvious that the way forward had to be seen in light of the resources we actually have. Foremost we have a wonderful quartet of ministries which occupy a whole block of the historic district of Providence: The Edwards’ Homes which provide low-income residences; Hallworth House which is a distinguished nursing and rehabilitation facility; the headquarters of the Diocese including the Bishop’s office, staff offices, the headquarters for Episcopal Charities and the Diocesan Resource Center and last but not least, the ancient Cathedral of Saint John.

A committee of representatives from the governing bodies and staff of the Diocese met for several months with John Grosvenor, Principal of Newport Collaborative Architects, to work out a concept plan. That rethinks our use of this entire block, in an attempt to be better stewards of the resource.This plan was presented to the Standing Committee, The Diocesan Council, the Cathedral Chapter and Parish and at the Diocesan Convention in October 2009 It was received with great enthusiasm. It likewise has been very well received by the Architectural Committee of the Providence Preservation Society.

While the plan features the restoration of the Cathedral it also integrates all of the Cathedral Close properties as far as possible for mixed-use development. Parking will be increased substantially and such issues as handicapped access and green considerations are at the forefront. The Cathedral offices and parish activities expect to share a common space with the Diocesan office. There will also be commercial rental space and apartments or condominiums. The garden areas and the charming old cathedral graveyard will be made accessible from North Main Street and at the same time compliment the Rogers Williams National Memorial across the street.

So it is appropriate to take things one more step with the creation of a feasibility study and a design plan. While the concept plan was financed through funds made available to the Bishop, this stage requires support from a broader base. We have a goal of $500,000 to raise for this phase. Your Cathedral Chapter elected to raise a tithe of the amount, $50,000, from the Cathedral Parish. As of this writing four donors have contributed $132, 000 toward the larger amount and the cathedral parish has exceeded its goal with pledges $70,656. $30,000 of this is in hand, making a total of $162,000. Quite a few more pledges are expected from the Cathedral community, and those friends who are committed to this important and ambitious project. Needless-to-say, we welcome prayers and contributions toward these exciting plans from anyone in the Diocesan family and the general public. Don’t miss this opportunity to contribut to new and life-changing ministries.

Contact Dean Krauss at the Cathedral office (401.331.4622) or Bishop Wolf’s office 401.274.4500 x223 for more info