Monday July 27, 2009

Hello and welcome to the July 24 edition of the eSpirit of Wyoming!

The Diocese Convention deputies are back from Anaheim! The Episcopal General Convention ran from July 8 – July 18, and the deputies are probably still tired from the 12+ hour days. This issue focuses on some of the Convention debriefs, as well as the normal Diocese info.

Some exciting news to report from the technology side of the Diocese Communication Office: a new telecommunication system! The past week (and this week) a new phone system that also integrates video conferencing has been installed and should be live by July 31. This state-of-the art technology will allow for much better communication around Wyoming, help facilitate more meetings, and here is the amazing part…will save the Diocese THOUSANDS of dollars a year. Better communication, more service and less money. Nice. Expect some regional workshops soon on how to utilize the new Diocese video conferencing system, WebEx . Plus, the phone conferences will be the same from the user point of view. From the Diocese-side, however, we will be saving hundreds of dollars every conference call.

Also, if you are still in the planning (or even preplanning) stages for the Mustard Seed Mission, the Diocese and Foundation are standing by to help you! Let us know! As always, we are a phone call or email away. At the October Convention each congregation that participated in the Mustard Seed Mission is expected to report back at Convention. So if you are stuck, or just need an extra helping hand, please contact us.

A reminder that if you have articles you would like to share with the rest of the Diocese, please email them (and a picture if you have one) to info@wyomingdiocese.org. It doesn’t have to be earth-shattering news or events, but anything you would like to share.

Thanks,

-Andrew

P.S. The photo is of me doing double/duty recording video of Bishop Caldwell's presention to Chicago Consultation and taking pictures. No, I was not listening to an iPod (although I was using iPod headphones)...just making sure the audio was coming through at a good level.

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Convention Deputies are back from Anaheim. From left to right, back row: Dan Land, Bruce Caldwell, John Smylie, Mary Ellen Honsaker, & Warren Murphy. Middle row: Josey Nickels, Ann Fontaine, Margaret Babcock, & Linda Flemming. Seated: Kay Flores & Marilyn Engstrom.

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Photo: At General Convention, Mr. Dan Land shaking hands with Bishop Lamb. Bishop Caldwell looking on.

Andrew Kerr interviews Bishop Jerry Lamb of the Diocese of San Joaquin about his relationship with Wyoming and the similar work in shared ministry: http://tinyurl.com/koh9fg. This was recorded before the court case below was decided.

Mr. John Masters submitted a related article of interest about the recent court case in favor of the Diocese of San Joaquin against the breakaway group that aligned with Argentina-based Anglican Province of the Southern Cone (but refused to relinquish the Diocese property): http://tinyurl.com/npsegr

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By The Very Rev Marilyn Engstrom. Email: marengstrom@bresnan.net

The Very Rev. Marilyn Engstrom with the aid of the Laramie Fire Department anointed and blessed the new clock hands which had been made by UW Mechanical Engineering Professor and member of St. Matthew's. The new hands made of a composite material needed to additional counterbalanced applied in order for the antique clock works to have sufficient power to move the hands. The clock and bell tower was given as a gift to St. Matthew's by Edward Ivinson in memory of his wife, Jane, in 1916. The clock is maintained and wound every week by Cathedral volunteers who must climb ladders in the tower to access the clockworks. Marilyn also prayed for the safety of firefighters, emergency responders and the community while enjoying the view above it all.

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By Ms Liz Brown. Email: kebrown.pg@gmail.com

Holy Trinity in Gillette has a new website address: www.holytrinitywy.org
Please check us out!

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By Ms Pamela Kandt. Email: pamelagrw@aol.com

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! The Search Committee is thrilled to announce the publication of the new Profile for the Diocese of Wyoming. To download your very own copy, go to the Bishop Search & Transition website at www.wyomingbishopsearch.com -- there's a link right on the front page.

The Search Committee thanks all of the folks who contributed to the creation of the Profile, especially the clergy and parish members around the state who took time from their busy lives to share their thoughts and aspirations about the next Bishop of Wyoming. They'll see their comments faithfully reproduced in the Profile.

The deadline for applying is August 31, 2009. Additional details are provided in the Profile & Application.

* * * * * * *

The Transition Committee wants to share the good news that Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has confirmed July 24, 2010 as the consecration date for the new bishop-elect. In case you didn't already know, the PB will be here in Wyoming the 1st of October for our 2009 Diocesan Convention in Casper and then will return in July 2010 for the consecration. Start polishing your boots 'cuz that'll be some celebration!

Again, just a reminder... Please do NOT contact the bishop or any of his staff with questions, comments, concerns or rumors about the Search & Transition process. Bishop Caldwell and his hardworking crew are in no way involved and it's unfair to disrupt their busy days with matters they can't address. Instead, contact one of these folks who'll have the answers your questions and be happy to answer them:

Search Committee Chairwoman
Linda Anderson
307-388-0883
anderson_linda_@hotmail.com

Transition Committee Co-chair
Cindy King
307-259-2023
cindylking@juno.com

Transition Committee Co-chair
John Peacock
307-631-8914
mettenheim@msn.com

Communications Team Chair
Pamela RW Kandt
307-377-7763
pamelagrw@aol.com
 

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By The Rev Bob Edlan. Email: eldan@bresnan.net

The following positions will be voted on at the Diocesan Convention:

Diocesan Council
1 lay person for a 3 year term
1 clergy person for a 3 year term
Bishop appoints one person

Ecclesiastical Court
1 lay person for a 3 year term
1 clergy person for a 3 year term

Provincial Synod
3 lay persons for a 1 year term
3 clergy persons for a 1 year term

Standing Committee
1 lay person for a 3 year term
1 clergy person for a 3 year term

If you are interested in any of these positions please submit to Bob Eldan (nominations chair) your name along with a statement of why you fill suited by October 1 at the latest. Via email: eldan@bresnan.net, phone: 307-332-2075,
or mail:
249 Mount Arter Loop
Lander, Wyoming 82520-2921
 

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By The Rev Kathy Robinson. Email: kathy@wyomingdiocese.org

Being a Ministry Developer is not just about helping church communities. It is also about how they help me and one another. Over the past two years, I have become more and more passionate about evangelism - Wyoming style. To me this means helping churches see the world around them as a part of God’s Kingdom, God’s family, as they share the Good News. But how? It has been a time of surprises - new ideas around every bend, but I think some approaches and practices are beginning to emerge, and it is exciting!!

My point is that none of this could be happening without some very wonderful people from church communities all over the diocese. First people went exploring with me both inside and outside Wyoming through conferences, visits, and reading. Last fall with the help of a whole group of people, we gathered in Casper and the picture of evangelism moved forward. Out of this we formed a committee of people who have faithfully met together monthly to share stories and reflect on them to see what they tell us about God’s family. This spring a team made an evangelism video and put together a power point workshop. And now, church communities are graciously allowing Roy Walworth and myself to “try out” a very specific approach to evangelism – encouraging, critiquing and adding ideas as a new, yet ancient, way of sharing the Good News that has begun to take shape. We even have a new evangelism web site (wyoevangelism.ning.org) where everyone is invited to share their ideas, reflections and stories.

All of this is a joyful experience for someone like me who has spent almost her entire life in teaching. Finally!!! The opportunity to be both the teacher and the learner with people who are willing to share their gifts, insights and enthusiasm to help build up the Body of Christ!

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By The Rev Carol Peterson. Email: cepeterson2@bresnan.net

Something positive happened at National Convention this year (that did not get much press coverage). It was the passage of Resolution A077. This resolution is important because it encourages every parish to explore the implementation of a health ministry program. Our national church recognized the value of parish nursing and health ministry and in 1996 when National Episcopal Health Ministries (NEHM) came into being to develop a national network of health ministry. Members of a health ministry team can include nurses, physicians, other health professionals, clergy, and lay people with an interest in promoting health and healing. NEHM’s mission is “to promote health ministry in Episcopal congregations, assisting them to reclaim the Gospel imperative of health and wholeness."The NEHM web site has many resources that can help you start a health ministry program: www.EpiscopalHealthMinistries.org

The Gospels provide us with many, many stories of Jesus healing people from sicknesses of body, mind and spirit. We also have plenty of stories of him instructing his disciples to do like wise. There are many ways to start a health ministry program - some of them are very simple and low or no-cost. Please contact me if I can be of any assistance in helping your church started!

Resolution: A077
Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 76th General Convention urges the congregations of The Episcopal Church, which have not already done so, to explore and implement health ministry as an organizing concept or vital component of outreach and pastoral care of the congregations by 2012; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention encourages congregations to raise awareness of health ministries and promote the understanding that health includes body, mind and spirit.
EXPLANATION

Health ministries play a unique and critical role in facilitating the overall health of clergy, staff and congregation. Health ministry looks different from congregation to congregation, reflecting the unique needs, interests and resources of the faith community.

National Episcopal Health Ministries (NEHM) educates leaders for Episcopal health ministry and parish nursing, supports those engaged in health ministry in Episcopal congregations and provides resources to local congregations, dioceses and provinces. NEHM is a valuable resource for those seeking assistance in the development of faith ministries.

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By The Rev Ann Fontaine. Email: annfontaine@mac.com

One of the big losses for the church in the budget cuts at General Convention is the national office that supports anti-racism training and the trainers who lead the training. Wyoming requires that all those in process for ordination and strongly urges all members take anti-racism training. The training helps all to understand how racism undermines our work as a church. Racism limits the ability of those who are considered minorities in the US to fully live into their gifts and talents. It uses energy that could be used to build up the world by spending it, often unconsciously, in keeping people out.

Deacon Pat Bergie is in the middle of her training to become a trainer for this work. Our Province (from the Rockies to the Mississippi River and from the Canadian border to the mid-US has worked hard to make this available. National funding has helped with training expenses. Lou Schoen, our province coordinator for this work writes:
"Please consider, and communicate with others who are committed to racial justice, what steps and what support are needed to enable this work to continue and grow in your diocese. Some dioceses have yet to develop training teams, and the Province has been committed to assisting in that process. Our next scheduled basic training is in Lexington, Nebraska, August 14-15. Discussions are under way about a combined basic training and training of trainers in North Dakota. The film, TRACES OF THE TRADE, is now completed with Episcopal components, and available at a modest price from www.tracesofthetrade.org.

Please let me know how I may be of assistance in your planning and further development of this vital ministry in your diocese."

Hopefully we will be able to maintain our commitment to this work. I hope we can show Traces of the Trade at our Diocesan Convention and around the state.

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The Episcopal Church, Office of Public Affairs

Presiding Bishop’s letter to the church on General Convention

“Above all else, this Convention claimed God’s mission as the heartbeat of The Episcopal Church”

Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has issued a letter to the church about General Convention 2009.

General Convention 2009 was held July 8 to July 17 at the Anaheim Convention Center in California (Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles).

The following is the Presiding Bishop’s letter.
_______________________________________________________________________

My brothers and sisters in Christ:

The 76th General Convention is now history, though it will likely take some time before we are all reasonably clear about what the results are.

We gathered in Anaheim, as guests of the Diocese of Los Angeles, for eleven full days of worship, learning, and policy-making. The worship was stunning visually, musically, and liturgically, with provocative preaching and lively singing.

Our learning included training in Public Narrative, as well as news about the emergent church, in the LA Night presentation.

We welcomed a number of visitors from other parts of the Anglican Communion, including 15 of the primates (archbishops or presiding bishops), other bishops, clergy, and laity.

You can see and hear all this and more at the Media Hub: http://gchub.episcopalchurch.org/

The budget adopted represents a significant curtailment of church-wide ministry efforts, in recognition of the economic realities of many dioceses and church endowments, which will result in the loss of a number of Church Center staff who have given long and laudable service. Yet we will continue to serve God’s mission, throughout The Episcopal Church and beyond. This budget expects that more mission work will continue or begin to take place at diocesan or congregational levels. Religious pilgrims, from the Israelites in the desert to Episcopalians in Alaska or Haiti, have always learned that times of leanness are opportunities for strengthened faith and creativity.

As a Church, we have deepened our commitments to mission and ministry with "the least of these" (Matthew 25). We included a budgetary commitment of 0.7% to the Millennium Development Goals, through the NetsforLife® program partnership of Episcopal Relief & Development. That is in addition to approximately 15% of the budget already committed to international development work.

We have committed to a domestic poverty initiative, meant to explore coherent and constructive responses to some of the worst poverty statistics in the Americas: Native American reservations and indigenous communities.

Justice is the goal, as we revised our canons (church rules) having to do with clergy discipline, both as an act of solidarity with those who may suffer at the hands of clergy and an act of pastoral concern for clergy charged with misconduct.

The General Convention adopted a health plan to serve all clergy and lay employees, which is expected to be a cost-savings across the whole of the United States portion of the Church. Work continues to ensure adequate health coverage in the non-U.S. parts of this Church. The Convention also mandated pension coverage for lay employees.

Liturgical additions were also included in the Convention’s work, from more saints on the calendar to prayers around reproductive loss.

What captured the headlines across the secular media, however, had to do with two resolutions, the consequences of which were often misinterpreted or exaggerated. One, identified as D025, is titled “Anglican Communion: Commitment and Witness to Anglican Communion.” It
reaffirms our commitment to and desire to pursue mission with the Anglican Communion;
reiterates our commitment to Listening Process urged by Lambeth Conferences of 1978, 1988, and 1998;
notes that our own participation in the listening process led General Convention in 2000 to “recognize that the baptized membership of The Episcopal Church includes same-sex couples living in lifelong committed relationships ‘characterized by fidelity, monogamy, mutual affection and respect, careful, honest communication, and the holy love which enables those in such relationships to see in each other the image of God’”;
recognizes that ministry, both lay and ordained is being exercised by such persons in response to God’s call;
notes that the call to ordained ministry is God’s call, is a mystery, and that the Church participates in that mystery through the process of discernment;
acknowledges that the members of The Episcopal Church, and of the Anglican Communion, are not of one mind, and that faithful Christians disagree about some of these matters.

The other resolution that received a lot of press is C056, titled “Liturgies for Blessings.” The text adopted was a substitute for the original, yet the title remains unchanged. It
acknowledges changing circumstances in the U.S. and elsewhere, in that civil jurisdictions in some places permit marriage, civil unions, and/or domestic partnerships involving same-sex couples, that call for a pastoral response from this Church;
asks the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, and the House of Bishops, to collect and develop theological and liturgical resources for such pastoral response, and report to the next General Convention;
asks those bodies to invite comment and participation from other parts of this Church and the Anglican Communion;
notes that bishops may provide generous pastoral responses to the needs of members of this Church;
asks the Convention to honor the theological diversity of this Church in regard to matters of human sexuality.

The full text of both resolutions is available here: http://gc2009.org/ViewLegislation/

I urge you to read them for yourself. Some have insisted that these resolutions repudiate our relationships with other members of the Anglican Communion. My sense is that we have been very clear that we value our relationships within and around the Communion, and seek to deepen them. My sense as well is that we cannot do that without being honest about who and where we are. We are obviously not of one mind, and likely will not be until Jesus returns in all his glory. We are called by God to continue to wrestle with the circumstances in which we live and move and have our being, and to do it as carefully and faithfully as we are able, in companionship with those who disagree vehemently and agree wholeheartedly. It is only in that wrestling that we, like Jacob, will begin to discern the leading of the Spirit and the blessing of relationship with God.

Above all else, this Convention claimed God’s mission as the heartbeat of The Episcopal Church. I encourage every member of this Church to enter into conversation in your own congregation or diocese about God’s mission, and where you and your faith community are being invited to enter more deeply into caring for your neighbors, the “least of these” whom Jesus befriends.

The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori
Presiding Bishop and Primate
The Episcopal Church

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