Resources from the 219th Diocesan Convention are now available online

Our Diocesan Convention is an assembly composed of Bishops, Clergy, and Delegates who all sit as one body for the purpose of attending to the business of the Church. On October 24th of this year was the 219th Annual Diocesan Convention of the Diocese. The theme was "Shared Blessings".

You can download a copy of the Bishop's Convention Address, and read a statement from the Bishop's Office about what this year's actions really mean for the Diocese by visiting the convention page of our website at

http://www.episcopalri.org/NewsEvents/DiocesanConvention/tabid/191/Default.aspx

At the above link you can also read the resolutions as they were submitted, and as they were passed.


The 219th Diocesan Convention also approved a new budget for 2010, and the detailed budget will be published at the above link as soon as it is available. There are some adjustments necessary, due to the changes required by Convention's actions.

Province of Sudan Elects Seven New Bishops

Posted On : October 26, 2009 3:44 PM
By The Anglican Church News Service: http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/news.cfm/2009/10/26/ACNS4663

The Province of the Episcopal Church of the Sudan elected seven new bishops in All Saints' Cathedral, Juba on Saturday 24th October 2009.

Five of the seven are to be the first bishops of newly created dioceses, whilst two are replacing bishops who have retired this year from existing dioceses.

The new dioceses that have gained their first bishops-elect are Terekeka, Pacong, Akot, Twic East and Nzara. Those existing dioceses that elected new bishops are Wau and Rejaf.

The election was presided over with his usual professionalism by Provincial Chancellor Hon. Majok Mading Majok, who first confirmed as bishops-elect those candidates from dioceses where they had been the single episcopal nominee. In three of these dioceses, the single candidates are already assistant bishops. These were:

The Diocese of Terekeka: Rt Revd Micah Leila Dawidi The Diocese of Pacong: Rt Revd Joseph Maker Atot The Diocese of Akot: Rt Revd Isaac Dhieu Ater The Diocese of Nzara: Revd Samuel Enosa Peni

Chancellor Majok then continued with the election of bishops for the contested dioceses of Wau, Rejaf and Twic East, which was conducted by secret ballot, the successful candidate requiring a simple majority for victory.

The Diocese of Wau was contested between Revd Martin Maker, Revd Moses Deng Bol and Revd Angelo Aguer Akue. In his brief hust, Revd Angelo stepped down, resulting in a contest between Revd Martin and Revd Moses.

The Electoral College elected Revd Moses Deng Bol as the Bishop-Elect of Wau by 53 votes to 32 out of 86, or 62% of the vote.

The Diocese of Rejaf was contested between Revd Canon Enock Tombe Stephen and Revd Canon Thomas Kedini Legge. The Electoral College elected Revd Enock Tombe as the Bishop-Elect of Rejaf by 66 votes to 21 out of 87, or 76% of the vote.
The Diocese of Twic East was contested between Rt Revd Ezekiel Diing Ajang, Revd Mark Atem and Revd Lt. Col. Elijah Biar Kuek. Revd Elijah stepped down during his hust saying that he wanted to continue to devote himself to his army chaplaincy work, resulting in a contest between Bishop Ezekiel and Revd Mark. The Electoral College elected Rt Revd Ezekiel Diing as the Bishop-Elect of Twic East by 64 votes to 21 out of 85, or 75% of the vote.

The various consecrations and enthronements will take place in the respective dioceses over the next few months, beginning in Terekeka next Sunday 1st November, All Saints' Day. The Archbishop closed in prayer, asking that these new leaders will further unite and develop the Episcopal Church of the Sudan.

From the Projo's front page: Bishop Wolf speaks on the Vatican invitation to Anglicans

October 21, 2009
Yesterday Providence Journal Staff Writer Richard Dujardin spoke with Bishop Wolf on the phone about the Vatican's recent announcement, and today an article with Bishop Wolf's comments appeared on the front page of the paper.  Click on the link below to read the full article, titled "R.I. Episcopalians cite little effect from Vatican invitation to Anglicans"

http://www.projo.com/religion/content/LOCAL_CHURCH_REACTION_10-21-09_CSG5LSH_v11.3a63636.html

An Update on Bishop John's Visit

I have been waiting until the absolute last minute to let you know, that at this point in time, It is unlikely that Bishop Zawo’s visa will be granted in time for him to be with us this weekend at our Diocesan Convention. The good news is however, that plans are still moving forward and he has an appointment at the embassy on October 29th for the granting of his visa. Bishop Wolf, Liz Crawley and Tom have worked tirelessly, even requesting assistance from Senator Reed, and Senator Kennedy to expedite this process for Bishop John. Bishop Wolf has sent an additional letter today outlining the new purpose of his visit to our Diocese, now that it will be too late to attend Convention. Now, we are hoping that he may be with us some time in early to mid November. There is no way to know for sure, but as soon as we have the details, I will let you all know.

Please continue to pray, and email MaryAnn Kolakowski if you would like to be involved with the further planning of Bishop John's Visit.

-Mary Ann

What's Happening with Youth in the Diocese, By Ian Holliday

First, by way of introduction, I'm Ian Holliday. I'm a member (and summer employee) of this diocese with a degree in journalism who currently lives in exile in Massachusetts. I'm going to be blogging here every Monday (or every other Monday, or on as many Mondays as possible) about a subject that's very important to me: youth in the diocese.

It wasn't long ago that I was a youth in the diocese, and I'm still involved with many of the ministries that cater to them. By giving the many wonderful youth programs of the diocese more coverage here on the blog, our hope is to raise their profile among Rhode Island Episcopalians, and get people excited about the potential that exists here.

When I was in high school, I had mixed feelings about church-related youth activities. I enjoyed being part of my parish's youth group, but I rarely participated in diocese-wide activities. And when I did, the experience wasn't always great (but that's a different story you can read about in the current RISEN). The one youth event I loved right away was Happening. I went to my first one when I was a senior in high school, and I've been back to every one since (except the one that happened while I was in Chile), including the most recent weekend, #65, which took place October 9-11 at LaSalette Retreat Center in Attleboro.

Happening is often difficult to describe. At its simplest, it's a weekend youth retreat led by and created for high-schoolers, with the goal of making God's love for all of us a more tangible reality. Further details are usually kept secret because one of the key elements of the weekend is surprise.

This doesn't always sit well with parents. How would you feel if your child said, "Mom, Dad, my friends want me to go to this thing called Happening, but they won't tell me anything about it. Also, I'll be gone for two nights and it costs over $100"? But this doesn't have to be a point of contention. Scholarships are available for those that can't afford the cost of the weekend, and coordinators Harold Guise and Mark Sidla are happy to answer any questions parents may have.

For those young people whose parents are trusting enough to allow them to go, Happening can be one of the best experiences of their lives. It was for me.

For more information about Happening, or to sign up for Happening #66 (April 30 - May 2, 2010) contact Harold Guise (hguise@mail.uri.edu, 481-9642) or Mark Sidla (mark.sidla@gmail.com, 636-1946)

P.S. Sorry about the pun in the title of this post. I couldn't resist.
-Ian

A Letter to Rhode Island from the Presiding Bishop

October 13, 2009

The Most Reverend Katharine Jefferts Schori

Presiding Bishop and Primate

The Episcopal Church

Dear brothers and sisters in Rhode Island:

I continue to give thanks for your commitment to mission, and for the faithful leadership and ministry of Bishop Wolf.

I know that economic issues are challenging you, as they are many others, across the United States and the world. Parish and diocesan budgets have been affected both by changed employment and unemployment realities, and even more so by the poor performance of investments in the last two years. The Episcopal Church as a whole is also suffering because of these economic challenges.

I understand from your bishop that the vast majority of your congregations have worked sacrificially to make sure that the work of the larger church goes forward, both through your individual congregations' diocesan giving, and together through your 21% contribution to The Episcopal Church. Your generosity has greatly aided the mission work of the larger church in this country and around the world. Your ability to share what God has given you has helped to provide for Episcopal chaplains for our troops in Iraq, salaries for priests in places like Mexico and Liberia, resettling refugees from war-torn places like Sudan, and the education of children in all parts of our Church. I am deeply grateful for your faithful support of so many ways in which the whole Church serves God's people.

It would be easy in times of economic duress to play it safe, and to think only of our own needs. Yet Jesus calls us to the risk of loving our neighbors, nearby and far away. In times of suffering we must work even harder to put the needs of others before our own, to be the Good Samaritan, to remember that we are our brothers' and sisters' keeper, and that it is always "more blessed to give than to receive." When you gather together in your Diocesan Convention, I pray that you will continue your partnership in God's mission, both locally and throughout the world.

I give thanks for your creative leadership, your sustaining ministry, and your engagement in mission on behalf of "the least of these" (Marthew 25). I remain

Your servant in Christ,

EDS Announces the Matriculation of our own Rebecca Gettel

This morning I recieved the press release below from Jules Smith at EDS. It describes this fall's Matriculation ceremony, and features our own Rebecca Gettel! Rebecca is indeed from St. John's, Barrington, as the article tells, but what it doesn't tell is that for the last couple of years she served as the full-time Youth Minister there.  We will miss her while she's living in Cambridge, and wish her the best on this next step towards her ordination!

-Ruth and the Diocesan House

Rebecca Binns Gettel of Barrington, Rhode Island Matriculates at Episcopal Divinity School

October 7, 2009, CAMBRIDGE, MA: Episcopal Divinity School celebrated its 2009 fall Matriculation ceremony September 16, welcoming 21 newly matriculating students into the seminary community. Rebecca Gettel of Barrington, Rhode Island was among those who signed the book that officially marks her enrollment. Gettel is from St. John’s Church, Barrington in the Diocese of Rhode Island. She is currently enrolled in the Master of Divinity program. The matriculating students are candidates for EDS’ master of divinity degree, master of arts in theological studies degree, or a graduate certificate in theological study

Please Pray for Bishop John Zawo's Travel to RI

As we get ready for the gift and privilege of being able to plan for and meet in Diocesan Convention, we are reminded of the predictability of our life together, of the many opportunities we have to pray, to study, debate and make decisions about the future of Christ’s Church( as we discern it) in this place and time.
Pause for a minute with us… and wonder what it might be like for our brothers and sisters in Ezo, rooted in the same faith and life in Christ. For us, the comforts of our homes, offices and church buildings offer us places from which to worship, plan, debate via email, and continue the work we value and feel called to do. We wonder what it is like to live and minister in a place not yet equipped with the internet. A place visited periodically, and all too often by violent, militant soldiers who want the little food and commodities we have. Soldiers, who scare, scatter and kill; ravage our homes and villages. We wonder what it might be like to cling to our faith and life in Christ together for our very survival. We wonder what it might be like to worship in gratefulness as Christ’s church in Ezo, and we await our visit from their Bishop, John Zawo. We are grateful that he has accepted Bishop Wolf’s invitation to be with us at this Diocesan Convention.
Please pray with us for Bishop John Zawo, Bishop of the Diocese of Ezo, Sudan, and his family. We pray for his safety, and for the safety of the people of his Diocese, and for the efficiency of the paperwork and details necessary for his travel to us.


-The Companion Diocese Committee

Interfaith Clergy Letter on Sudan Peace Delivered to White House

Episcopal, other faith leaders participate in October 2 meeting
By ENS staff

[Episcopal News Service] Bishop Suffragan David Jones of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia and Alexander Baumgarten, interim director of government relations for the Episcopal Church, joined faith leaders from Christian, Muslim, and Jewish traditions for a meeting at the White House October 2 to present a copy of a letter on comprehensive peace in the Sudan signed by more than 1,400 clergy from across the United States.

The letter, organized by the Sudan Interfaith Working Group, of which the Episcopal Church is a member, urges President Barack Obama to prioritize "efforts that will bring peace to millions that live in violence and fear while lacking the basic services essential for survival."

Noting that the United States government played a leadership role in bringing about Sudan's 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the northern government and southern rebel leaders, the letter says that "it is clear that peace between the north and south remains extremely fragile, and fears of renewed civil war are on the rise."

Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_115254_ENG_HTM.htm

"Shared Blessings" Diocesan Convention 2009 Resources

The 219th Diocesan Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island is about a month away now! The theme for this year is "Shared Blessings", and we are pleased to announce that Bishop John Zawo of the Diocese of Ezo in the Southern Sudan will give the Convention Address.

What is our Diocesan Convention? It  is an assembly composed of Bishops, Clergy, and Lay Delegates who all sit as one body for the purpose of attending to the business of the Church. At Convention, "resolutions" are voted on and passed much in the way the US Senate passes "bills".  Want to know what will be voted on this year? You can read the resolutions by downloading a copy of the Report of the Resolutions Committee and you can learn more about this year's committee nominees by reading the Nominee Biographies. Read up and let your parish's Clergy and Lay Delegates know what you think.