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

Out of the Box Outreach: St. Martin's and the Providence Preservation Society

On Saturday June 5th St. Martin's, Providence is getting involved with their neighborhood in a new and exciting way.

The Providence Preservation Society (PPS)is holding their 31st annual Festival of Historic Houses, and this year's walking tour features nine houses in the near vicinity of St. Martin's, on the Eastside of Providence. St. Martins, who's building itself is on the National Register of Historic Places,is hosting registration and ticket sales at the start of the tour, and then offering a mid-afternoon lecture for participants at 1:00pm.

What a great way for the St. Martin's family to be an involved and visible presence in their neighborhood. What a fabulous chance to welcome those who might not otherwise enter through the parish doors!

Read more about the PPS Walking Tour, and St. Martin's, in the Projo:
http://www.projo.com/home/content/wk-pps_tour_06-03-10_LOIFGIO_v33.50045ea.html