A New Bishop Ordained: The Rt. Rev. Nicholas Knisely, 13th Bishop of RI

Knisely with the people of the diocese, just before he is ordained Bishop

[11.17.2012] On this crisp, sunny November afternoon nearly 2,000 Episcopalians gathered at St. George's School in Middletown, Rhode Island where by the grace of God and with the consent of the people, The Very Reverend William Nicholas Knisely, Jr was ordained a bishop, the 13th Bishop of Rhode Island.

This past June, in a torrential rain storm, Rhode Island Episcopalians elected The Rev. Knisely, definitively, on the first ballot out of a slate of 5 nominees. Despite the day's weather there was much hope and anticipation in the air.

Then the wait began. In July at The Episcopal Church's General Convention in Indianapolis, the Bishop-Elect received his final consents from the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops. With a little pomp and circumstance Convention transferred him from the Arizona deputation to be part of the Rhode Island deputation.

Anticipation grew. A few were lucky enough to spend some time getting to know him in Indianapolis, but it wasn't until he relocated to Rhode Island in September that the state really began to meet the Bishop-Elect. The Rev. Knisely took up residence in the May House, a diocesan property in Wickford, and was joined by his wife Karen a little later when she finished her work in Arizona. Their daughter Kenney is in college at Arizona state.

For two and a half months now, Almost-Bishop Knisely has been in and out of Rhode Island churches and the diocesan office, consulting with (now retired) Bishop Wolf, learning about the history, the ministries, the people, the deep desires RI Episcopalians have for the future of the Church in their communities. 

Now it is my pleasure, after six months of excited suspense, to announce that Bishop-Elect Knisely is officially the 13th Bishop of Rhode Island.

The Chief Consecrator at the ceremony was The Most Reverend Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church. At a clergy meeting the day before the Ordination, the presiding Bishop applauded Bishop Wolf as well as the RI Search and Transition Committees, thanking them for walking the diocese through such a healthy transition. She told clergy that where there is health there is promise, and this is a promising new era to begin together.

The Ordination Sermon was given by The Rt. Rev. Kirk Smith, Bishop of Arizona where Knisely previously served as Dean of the Cathedral.  Bishop Smith applauded RI for electing a "digital Bishop" who knows how to speak the language of the 21st century and engage youth. The sermon began with an unusual request; for all to pull out their cell phones and turn them ON. The sermon ended with a similar exhortation; take that phone and tweet or post or check-in online, let friends and family see faith in action today.

The service was followed by a festive reception, and the Ordination's fall cornucopia decor will be donated to local Rhode Island food banks.  For photos of the afternoon, visit the Ordination Photo Album on Facebook.

Congratulations Bishop Knisely! Congratulations Rhode Island!

Bishop Wolf, the 12th Bishop of RI, passes the crozier to Bishop Knisely, the 13th Bishop of Rhode Island

The Latest eRISEN: November 5th 2012

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

eRISEN: 11/5/2012 issue

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Parish Resources for Post-Sandy Sunday

Parishes and Clergy,

Here is a list of resources you can use to help respond to the needs of the people in the pews on this post-Sandy Sunday, when emotions are heightened and there may be lots of new faces.

People who made it through the storm unscathed might be more willing than usual to give what they are blessed to still have, to help others.  People who have had their homes and lives destroyed might be more willing to receive aid of the spiritual sort as well as the physical sort. Here are a few ways our parishes can pay close attention to these sensibilities, and make some good of this disaster.

• Share Bishop Wolf's Letter with your parishioners on Sunday, at coffee hour, in your email newsletters, on your websites, however you think is best to get it to them.
• Be extra ready to welcome any new visitors you get this Sunday. Make sure your congregations are ready to engage new people, and welcome them into the family in this difficult time. If you have a welcome team, it might be worth shooting them an email so they are extra on their toes this Sunday. If you don’t have a welcome team, it might be worth shooting an email to the whole parish to get a couple one-time volunteers who will just make a point of talking to visitors.
• In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, some of our more fortunate parishioners might be thinking about helping with Hurricane Sandy relief. Let’s give the folks who are thinking about contributing a little reminder and some direction about where to do so.
• Let people know they can Donate to Episcopal Charities to help with relief in RI, through RI agencies. To learn more contact Peggy Amatore 401-274-4500 x23
• The worst Damage has been in NY and NJ. To donate financial aid to those areas, Episcopal Relief and Development is a great option. ERD has even created a bulletin Insert you can download here, which might be good to include in your bulletins for a few weeks.
• For those wanting to help with their hands, Serve Rhode Island is looking for volunteers for clean up and re-building. Try organizing a group from your parish to volunteer, as some people might be more likely to do so if they have friends to work with.

Blessings in this time,
Ruth Meteer
Communications Director
The Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island

Letter from Bishop Wolf, After Hurricane Sandy

Here is a letter Bishop Wolf sent to the clergy and churches of the diocese after Hurricane Sandy. Join us in giving thanks that the properties and people of this diocese were largely spared, and heed her words which remind us to extend our Christian charity and prayers to those less fortunate in our own state and beyond.

Post-Sandy Update and Prayer

From The Rev. Linda Grenz,
Consultant to the Bishop Elect

Happy to share that we have now heard from all but four of our churches with no significant damage to property or harm to people.

The Episcopal Conference Center had a tree fall on the male staff cabin and the May House (where Bishop-Elect Knisely is living) has a damaged seawall with lots of debris on the lawn and landscaping issues. But on the whole, the major problems seem to be just no phones and no power. Let's remember to check with our more vulnerable folks -- they may need food or water in the days ahead (especially if power stays off). Or they may just need companionship, a cup of tea and a chance to share their stories.

As we go into the night, I share one of my favorite prayers, especially for those working tonight:

Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love’s sake.

Amen.

From The Bishop-Elect: A Prayer for Those in Hurricane Sandy’s Path This Day

For those in Rhode Island and all along the East Coast, let us pray:

Holy God, sovereign of all creation, remember your people in harm’s way this day. Protect us from the storm that rages around us. Let us find safe anchor in your gracious providence through this night, and preserve us until the dawn. In Jesus, the bringer of hope’s name we pray.

Amen.

First Posted by Bishop Elect Knisely at http://entangledstates.org/2012/10/29/a-prayer-for-those-in-hurricane-sandys-path-this-day 

Canon's Corner: Hurricane Preparedness for Parishes

By The Rev. Linda Grenz, 
Consultant to the Bishop Elect

As we anticipate the arrival of a major storm, it is a good time to remind ourselves of the precautions we need to take with our buildings and the actions we can take as a faith community.

First: Bishop-elect Knisely and I would like to have each clergyperson’s cell phone number so we can contact you – both in the case of an emergency such as this one might become and just so we can contact you in general.  Please email that to RMoulton@episcopalri.org.  She keeps a list of all churches and clergy on the server that we can get on our IPhones as we travel around so getting this up to date is important.

Second: Check with your local emergency response office for information relevant to your community. Each congregation’s situation will be different, but here are some things to consider:

Buildings:

·      Batten down the hatches! Make sure windows are closed tightly – if you are near the coast you may need to consider additional protection. Check around the church yard to make sure there aren’t any cans, planters or other objects that have the potential to become flying missles.

·      Turn off propane tanks and unplug appliances -- especially computers!

·      Turn refrigerators and freezers to the highest setting and tape around the door frames to keep food as cold for as long as possible if electricity goes out.

·      If you anticipate that anyone will be in the church during the storm, put flashlights in key locations (with fresh batteries).

·      If you have a sanctuary lamp, it is probably best to extinguish the flame during the storm.

Pastoral Care

·      Make a list or, if you have one, review the list of people in your parish who live alone or who may be vulnerable for any reason (which isn’t just elderly people!). Find a way to make sure someone will check up on those folks to make sure they are OK or find help, if needed. You can do this in a variety of ways: recruit partners, let people self-select a partner, etc. You may also want to notify police and fire departments of vulnerable people, if that's your community's system. In any case, it is important to have a way to make sure that someone will check on people if that's necessary.

·      This is a good time to make sure your parish contact list is up to date.  Collect cell phone numbers, confirm addresses, etc. Also, you might want to gather as information about who will be out of town so you don’t go hunting for someone who is in Florida!

·      You may want to identify people who are ready, willing and able to assist should you need extra hearts and hands if the situation requires.

·      In any case, encourage people to follow emergency preparedness suggestions offered by your local community – and by common sense!

Service

·      If your parish hall serves as an emergency shelter or you plan to make it available as one, contact your local emergency response office for information and requirements.

·      If you think you might end up with folks coming to the parish for shelter (not as an official shelter but as a back up option), ask parishioners to bring blankets, pillows, air mattresses, water, food, baby supplies, etc. so you are equipped to handle that should the need arise. You can, for example, ask people to drop off boxes labeled with their name and then if the supplies aren’t needed they can take them home again the next Sunday.

·      Take time to talk about options, strategies, etc. so you have an idea of who to contact, things to do (or not do). Sometimes just talking about emergency preparedness can help us remember what we need to do to get ready.

The Episcopal Relief and Development website has some information you might find helpful: http://www.er-d.org/resourcelibrary. In particular, there is an article on how to set up an emergency shelter inyour parish hall. http://www.er-d.org/userfiles/Post-HOW-TO_Yonkers(1).pdf.

Thanks to all of you for being on the front lines of ministry at times like this. Please let us know if there is anything we can do. And know that we will hold you in our prayers in the days ahead.

~Linda   (on behalf of the diocesan staff)

Slideshow from the Celebration of Bishop Wolf's Ministry

Bishop Wolf Appreciation from Richard Bolig on Vimeo.

Diocesan Youth Event: All Hallows Eve Service

 

Jonathan Daniels House Seeks Executive Director

Jonathan Daniels House is a residential service community in the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island  that is scheduled to welcome its first young adult interns this time next year, in the fall of 2013.

Meanwhile, the Jonathan Daniels House Board of Directors has launched a website and is searching for an Executive Director to develop, implement, and manage its programs. They hope to interview candidates these next few months, and you can download the job description here.

As a member of the Episcopal Service Corps, The Jonathan Daniels House will be part of an expanding network of 20+ communities for young adults in cities across the country, where participants live intentionally in Christian community and work alongside service agencies embedded in local communities while engaging in vocational and spiritual discernment.

The program is named for Jonathan Daniels, a martyr in the Episcopal Church who ministered in churches in South Providence, RI before heading to the south where he was killed saving another in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's. Read more about Daniels here.

The mission of Jonathan Daniels House is to honor Daniels by planting a new community in South Providence that is committed to continuing the work of service, justice, and reconciliation that he lived and died for. Keep an eye on their website for regular news updates as the next year unfolds.