Diocese of RI Announces Preliminary Slate for Bishop

The Search and Nomination Committee has selected five priests to stand for election as the 13^th Bishop of Rhode Island. This preliminary slate consists of:

the Rev. Kurt Dunkle, 50, rector, Grace Episcopal Church, Orange Park, Florida (Diocese of Florida)

the Rev. Cathy George, 55, currently on a writing sabbatical; former priest-in-charge, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Dorchester, Massachusetts (Diocese of Massachusetts)

the Very Rev. Nicholas Knisely, 51, dean, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Phoenix, Arizona (Diocese of Arizona)

the Rev. Ledlie Laughlin, 52, rector, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Diocese of Pennsylvania)

the Rev. Jennifer Pedrick, 45, rector, Church of the Epiphany, Rumford, Rhode Island (Diocese of Rhode Island)

“The committee members spent 2½ days in discernment with these priests, and I am very excited about what each of them would bring to the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island,” said Lora MacFall, chair of the Search and Nomination Committee. “That weekend was the final step in a nine-month process that was centered in prayer, and respectful listening and conversation.”

That process began with the development of the diocesan profile (www.episcopalrisearch.org/profile/), which described the hopes and challenges of the diocese and outlined the strengths and skills the diocese is seeking in its next bishop.

More than 40 individuals responded to the profile by submitting applications that included answers to four essay questions and an autobiography. The committee interviewed 19 of the applicants by Skype (computer-based video technology) and then visited nine, all of whom then were invited to Rhode Island for the discernment weekend. Following that weekend, the committee agreed on this preliminary slate of five.

Beginning at 9 a.m. tomorrow (Sunday, March 11) and continuing through 5 p.m. on March 25, additional nominees may be added by petition. The transition blog/website (www.episcopalrisearch.org) includes complete information about the requirements for nominations by petition (including signatures from four clergy members who are canonically resident in the Diocese of Rhode Island and four lay people who are delegates to the electing convention in each of the six Rhode Island deaneries).

All the nominees will visit the diocese for a walkabout May 11 – 12, featuring an all-day public event on Saturday, May 12, at St. Andrew’s School in Barrington, where they will make remarks and answer questions from lay and clergy attendees.

The 13th Bishop of Rhode Island will be elected at a special diocesan convention on Saturday, June 2, at St. Paul’s Church in Pawtucket. Because the election will occur close in time to the General Convention of the Episcopal Church in July, church canons provide for the required consents to be sought from the bishops and deputies at General Convention. Subject to obtaining that consent, the bishop-elect will be consecrated at a ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 17, at St. George’s School in Middletown.

For more information, visit the transition blog/website (www.episcopalrisearch.org).

Kony 2012 Viral Video & Our Companion Diocese of Ezo

In December of 2008, while visiting our Companion Diocese of Ezo in the South Sudan on the Ugandan border, Bishop Wolf and Tom narrowly missed a masscre by Joseph Kony's army of abducted child soldiers, known as the Lord's Resistance Army(LRA). Such attacks have been a regular part of life for Ezo for decades, and many villagers have fled their homes in fear of the LRA,to live like refugees in the cities where numbers can provide some protection. When Bishop John Zawo visited us in 2010 he showed us shocking pictures of the 20-30,000 refugees that have been living for years in cardboard and tarp tents outside the grass hut "city" of Ezo Town.

Now, an organization called Invisible Children is using social media to raise awareness of Joseph Kony's LRA, and have released a video to introduce the world to the man. Their focus is on the plight of the 30,000 plus children who have been abducted into Joseph Kony's army and raised on a brutal diet of murder, mutilation, and bloodshed. The number of people displaced and lives lost are hard to count, but much higher.

In the last 4 days a shocking 35 million people have watched this 30 minute video. If you haven't seen this important video yet, watch all 30 minutes. It may change the way policy decisions are made in this country, and could mean a world of difference in the lives of our friends in Ezo.

In May of 2011 Bishop Wolf herself met with policy makers in D.C. to campaign for aid to Ezo and the S. Sudan. As their 20 year civil war with the North Sudan came to a close,LRA's sieges have continued. Bishop John Zawo and others even believe that the North Sudan is helping arm and fund the LRA's attacks, even today.

Pray for our brothers and sisters in Ezo, many of whom have lost loved ones, homes, herds and crops to the LRA. Pray as well for the generation Joseph Kony has kidnapped for his army. Watch the video below.



For More info on the LRA and Invisible Children check out these articles:

• 3/8/12 Washington Post article "An Internet star born: LRA leader Kony video gets 32 million views..."
• 3/8/12 Christian Science Monitor: "Kony 2012 campaign goes viral, now who is he?"
• LRA Wikipedia Article
• Invisible Children Website

Bishop Search: Petition Process and the Walkabout

Two items highlight the latest news from the Rhode Island bishop transition process:

• The process for nominating candidates by petition will open March 11.
• The “walkabout” for final nominees will be highlighted by an all-day event May 12 at St. Andrew’s School in Barrington.

Petition Process to Open March 11th

The process for nominating candidates by petition to be considered for bishop will open at 9 a.m. on Sunday, March 11, and continue through 5 p.m. Sunday, March 25 (all times Eastern Standard Time).

The petition process replaces the former custom of allowing nominations from the floor during the electing convention. The Canons of the Diocese of Rhode Island do not permit nominations from the floor. Opening this process well in advance of the convention will allow the Search & Nomination Committee sufficient time to conduct the same kinds of background checks and deep reference checks on petition nominees as were conducted on other applicants. Those checks can identify any legal issues or red flags in a candidate’s background.

All application packets from petition candidates must be sent in to the Search & Nomination Committee both electronically via email and in hard-copy form via postal mail. Application packets must include:

1. Completed Petition Candidate Application Form with attached answers to four essay questions;
2. Signed Petition Signatures Form for each of the six Rhode Island deaneries, with a total of 48 signatures; for each of the six deaneries petition candidates will need signatures from:
• four clergy members who are canonically resident in the Diocese of Rhode Island; and
• four lay people who are delegates to the electing convention
3. Curriculum vitae/resume;
4. Updated Office of Transition Ministry (OTM) Form;
5. Signed Consent and Authorization of a Petition Candidate Form;
6. 500-word maximum autobiographical statement;
7. List of all bishops served under, with contact information;
8. Two recent photographs of the petition candidate: one head-and-shoulders portrait, and one showing the candidate participating in a church-related activity. (Electronic versions of photos must be in .jpg format for the emailed application packet; hard copies of photos are optional for the printed packet); and
9. Completed Petition Candidate Reference Forms and letters of reference from three references, to be sent in separately by the references. More information about the petition process will be posted on the transition blog/website (www.episcopalrisearch.org) when the process opens.

The Walkabout

Details are being confirmed for the “walkabout” of bishop nominees that will take place May 11 and May 12.

On May 11, nominees will meet with Bishop Wolf and then tour at least part of the state, with “shepherds” from the Search & Nomination Committee and Transition Committee as their guides. On that evening, Emmanuel Church in Newport will host a private dinner for the nominees and their spouses, and members of the Search & Nomination, Transition and Oversight Committees.

On Saturday, May 12, all clergy and laypeople (and especially delegates to the electing convention) are invited to participate in an all-day event at St. Andrew’s School in Barrington. More specifics about time and format will be posted on the transition blog/website (www.episcopalrisearch.org) as the event approaches.

 

 

 

Bishop Search: Reflection and Impressions

Today’s post is another in a series of reflections and impressions from members of the Search & Nomination Committee and Transition Committee. This post is from Grace Swinski, a member of the Transition Committee and a member of St. Paul’s, Pawtucket. For more information visit www.episcopalrisearch.org

Transition, as defined in Webster’s dictionary, means movement, passage or change from one position. This, my friends, is so true. I have been honored to serve on this committee with an interesting group of Episcopalians who hail from all over the state. The beginning stages of this group have been extremely interesting and a lot of fun. I have always enjoyed meeting others from the diocese who have the passion to be involved.

There are so many new terms to learn. I mean what is a “walkabout”? Does one prepare for a consecration or ordination? The first few months (we have been meeting since June), we have been in a holding pattern on places and dates. But as the winter progresses so has the excitement of actual site visits for some of the events. I have been on some wonderful field trips to see some wonderful Episcopal places in our small but beautiful state. The committee is trying to be thoughtful about finding venues in each part of the state.

The walkabout is basically a Q&A session with the candidates for bishop. All congregations and delegates are invited to attend. We had been looking at many churches to see which had space. One afternoon I was driving to a church in question to see if the space would work for this event. I went with blind faith and hoped that the church would be open, but if not at least I would peer in the windows to get a basic idea.

When I arrived at the church, at first it looked like only the Holy Spirit was home. But as I went to the rear of the building I noticed a car parked near a door. I knocked and, yes, it was answered!! A lovely gentleman opened the door. He and two other were finishing up their day’s ministry of working in the “coat closet.” With great pleasure they told me about their ministry there — how they give all items free to people in need. I was also given a tour of the space and saw all the exciting things happening in the church. I explained to them about the process of transition and how this was an exciting time. As I was listening to their stories about the “closet” I couldn’t help but think about the transitions they help people with each day.

Items have been posted about the places of some events, and I hope all will stay as planned. I look forward to the coming months and working with my committee and helping the new bishop transition in Rhode Island

Edmund C. Bennett, Diocesan Chancellor, Passes Away

[2/28/2012] Last night, Edmund C. Bennett, Chancellor of the Diocese of Rhode Island for over forty years, died of an aggressive genetically based form of acute leukemia. Six weeks ago Ed was taken to Rhode Island Hospital for a series of tests and was diagnosed.

Earlier yesterday evening Bishop Wolf sent out a message stating that Ed had requested privacy early on in his illness, but that the time to ask for prayers had come. She wrote:

"he has not responded to treatment and is now in the intensive care unit. In consultation with Missy, his wife, I ask for your prayers as his doctors attempt yet another treatment...

Throughout these weeks, I have visited Ed, when medically possible, talked with Missy, exchanged emails and telephone calls and offered up many prayers. I share this with profound sadness, as Ed has served all of us with extraordinary generosity, wisdom, and integrity. I write this through tears."

His funeral will be held on Saturday, March 3, at 11 a.m. at S. Stephen’s Church, 114 George Street, Providence. His wife, Carole Ann "Missy" Bennett, invites all to attend.

Ed and Missy Bennett met at our own ECC summer camp in High School, and have been integrally involved in the ministries and administrations of the Diocese of Rhode Island for the majority of their lives.  Please keep Missy, as well as their children and grandchildren, in your prayers.

"Remember thy servant Edmund, O Lord, according to the favor which thou bearest unto all thy people: Open to him the gates of larger life, that he may go from strength to strength in the life of perfect service in thy heavenly kingdom. Amen"

The Latest eRISEN - February 27th 2012

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

eRISEN: 2/27/2012 issue

Want to subscribe to the eRISEN mailing list? Want to submit your event? Just visit eRISEN on our website.

Three Things that Excite Me About Convocation

From the Mission Task Force Blog
by The Rev'd Peter Lane, Interim Rector
St David's on-the-Hill, Cranston

Register online for Convocation by March 2nd

The first is having the chance to see Sara Miles again. I was part of a convocation she facilitated two years ago in the Diocese of Olympia. Ms. Miles is dynamic, provocative (in the best sense of that word) and passionate about her ministry. I’m glad to have the chance to see her again, and to have my friends and colleagues here in the Diocese of Rhode Island meet and work with her as well. Get ready to be inspired.

The second thing that excites me about Convocation is the energy and enthusiasm I’m picking up every time I talk with someone about our focus of feeding hungers in our lives. People are quite literally hungry for ways to get involved in feeding ministries. I think the Mission Task Force has really tapped into a vital concern in our parishes across the diocese, and folks are ready to both learn how they can help and to bring that message back to their congregations. Get ready to be involved.

The third thing that really excites me is re-discovering that wonderful truth about God’s economy – “give and you will receive”. Every time I’ve had the chance to offer a hand up to someone – a bag of groceries, a hearty meal, a roof over their head, hope for a better tomorrow – I come away realizing how deeply I’ve been blessed by the chance to help. Its part of the wild and wonderful way God operates. The more I give away, the richer I feel, the more I empty myself, the fuller I am. Get ready to revel in God’s abundance.

Don’t forget that every parish has been invited to bring a display about feeding ministries going on in your parish – food pantries, soup kitchens, community gardens, nutrition programs – whatever is feeding people in your community, come and share with the rest of us so that we might learn from you and be inspired to go and do likewise.

For more information and to register visit www.episcopalri.org/convocation

RI Clergy giving out Ashes to Go

Clergy distribute 'ashes to go' at train station in Providence Clergy distribute 'ashes to go' at train station in Providence              http://news.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/2012/02/clergy-distribu.htmlhttp://news.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/2012/02/clergy-distribu.htmlhttp://news.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/2012/02/clergy-distribu.htm
The Providence Journal

February 22, 2012 10:32 am

By Richard C. Dujardin

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- "Ashes to go. I love it."
That was the reaction of an Amtrak policeman when he saw a pair of clergy distribute ashes on the foreheads of passers-by outside Providence's train station early Wednesday.. read the full PROJO Article here

RI Episcopalians' Random Acts of Kindness Inspire ECF Article

Feeding Others – And Ourselves
by Nancy Davidge on February 16, 2012

...The iTunes gift card on my desk prompted a memory: The random acts of kindness inspired by Bishop Wolf of Rhode Island which I read about in the Winter 2012 issue of RISEN Magazine.

"At Diocesan Convention in November Bishop Wolf gave each attendee a Stop and Shop gift card and asked them to match it and give the cards away to someone in need. She exhorted us all to give generously and joyously; to someone we meet along the way, or to ourselves if we really need it. Now, doing random acts of kindness, in person, is far beyond the comfort zone of some. But generous and loving giving at the prompt of the Holy Spirit can be a gift to your own heart as well as the recipient. It can be a powerful experience. We asked for your stories of how you gave your card away and what it felt like."

These stories are a powerful witness. They share the anxiety related to how to decide who to give the card to – and a fear of inadvertently offending as well as consideration of the ‘safe’ option of donating the cards to an organization and letting someone else determine who would get the cards... Read the full article here

Cathedral of St. John to Suspend Services

The Episcopal Cathedral of Saint John in Providence, Rhode Island announces today that due to dwindling financial resources, worship and pastoral services will be suspended after April 22nd, 2012.

The St. John’s building at 271 North Main will retain its status as the Cathedral of the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island. A Cathedral serves as the seat of the bishop, the central place of pastoral and teaching ministries for all Episcopal churches in that diocese.

“The Cathedral congregation has experienced serious financial difficulty, and a decision was made to suspend services for now,” said The Rt. Rev. David Joslin, Acting Dean of the Cathedral of St. John. “This decision, of course, was not made lightly or quickly. And additionally, it does not permanently close the Cathedral; it only ceases the usual Sunday services and pastoral care,” he said.

The Acting Dean remarked that this financial situation has been evolving for many years, and has now come to the place where it needs to be addressed.

Members of the Cathedral congregation are being welcomed to join Grace Church on Westminster Street in Providence, or any of the 52 Episcopal churches in Rhode Island. There are six other Episcopal churches located in Providence alone.

The Cathedral of Saint John, which was established as King’s Chapel in 1722, has been a continuing center for worship and outreach for 290 years. In 1794, the name of the church was changed to Saint John, and in 1929, the church became the official seat of the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island, receiving its designation as the Cathedral of Saint John.

The last Holy Eucharist for the Cathedral congregation will be held on Sunday April 22nd at 9:30 AM, followed by a time to celebrate St. John’s many years of service to God, to the Providence community, and to the Diocese of Rhode Island.