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National & World News

Presiding Bishop inhibits San Joaquin bishop

Action comes after Review Committee says Schofield has abandoned the Episcopal Church

[Editor's note: Bishop Henderson is chair of the Title IV Review Committee reporting to the Presiding Bishop.]

By Mary Frances Schjonberg, January 11, 2008

[Episcopal News Service] Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori on January 11 inhibited Diocese of San Joaquin Bishop John-David Schofield. At Schofield's urging, the convention of the Diocese of San Joaquin voted last December 8 to leave the Episcopal Church and to align with the Argentina-based Anglican Province of the Southern Cone.

In the text of the inhibition, Jefferts Schori wrote: "I hereby inhibit the said Bishop Schofield and order that from and after 5:00 p.m. PST, Friday, January 11, 2008, he cease from exercising the gifts of ordination in the ordained ministry of this Church; and pursuant to Canon IV.15, I order him from and after that time to cease all 'episcopal, ministerial, and canonical acts, except as relate to the administration of the temporal affairs of the Diocese of San Joaquin,' until this Inhibition is terminated pursuant to Canon IV.9(2) or superseded by decision of the House of Bishops."

Jefferts Schori acted after the Title IV Review Committee certified that Schofield had abandoned the communion of the Episcopal Church.

On January 9, Upper South Carolina Bishop Dorsey Henderson, committee chair, wrote to Jefferts Schori, telling her that the nine-member committee had met that day and that a majority agreed that the documentation provided to them "demonstrated that Bishop Schofield has abandoned the communion of this Church by an open renunciation of the Doctrine, Discipline or Worship of this Church."

The full story, along with related stories, is available at www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_93559_ENG_HTM.htm


Pittsburgh bishop has abandoned communion of Episcopal Church, Title IV Review Committee says

By Mary Frances Schjonberg, January 15, 2008

[Episcopal News Service] The Episcopal Church's Title IV Review Committee has certified that Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh Bishop Robert Duncan has abandoned the communion of the church.  Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori informed Duncan on January 15 of the certification and sent him a copy.

Her letter told Duncan that she sought the canonically required permission from the House's three senior bishops with jurisdiction to inhibit him, based on the certification, from the performance of any episcopal, ministerial or canonical acts.

"On 11 January 2008 they informed me that such consents would not be given at this time by all three bishops," Jefferts Schori wrote. "Pursuant to the time limits stated in Canon IV.9, the matter will not come before the House of Bishops at its next scheduled meeting in March 2008, but will come before the House at the next meeting thereafter," the Presiding Bishop wrote in her letter.

"I would, however, welcome a statement by you within the next two months providing evidence that you once more consider yourself fully subject to the doctrine, discipline and worship of this Church," Jefferts Schori wrote in her letter to Duncan.

The three senior bishops with jurisdiction—Leo Frade of Southeast Florida, Peter Lee of Virginia, and Don Wimberly of Texas—did give their permission on January 11 for Jefferts Schori to inhibit Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin Bishop John-David Schofield in another case where the Title IV Review Committee certified an abandonment of the communion of the church. The House will consider the case matter involving Schofield in March.

The full story  is available at www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_93969_ENG_HTM.htm.
 

 

 

 

Upcoming Events

St. James, Greenville, to offer organ recital January 25, 27

Dr. Karen Eshelman will play the Gober Organ Dedicatory Recital at St. James Episcopal Church, Greenville, on Friday, January 25 at 7:30 p.m. She will repeat the program on Sunday, January 27 at 4:00 p.m. Tickets are free and may be requested by calling the church office at (864) 244-6358. Audience members are asked to bring nonperishable food as their price of admission.

Dr. Eshelman's program includes music by Bach, Brahms, Clara Schumann, Durufle, and the Baroque Spanish composer Juan Cabanilles. The new Gober organ at St. James Church is a two manual tracker action instrument with mechanical stop action. For more information about the organ please visit www.goberorgans.com/greenville.html.  

Future programs featuring the organ include a Service of Scripture and Organ Reflections on March 21 at 3 p.m. (Good Friday); an Eastertide Evensong featuring the Furman University Chamber Choir on April 6 at 4 p.m.; and a Celebration of Congregational Song led by Bruce Neswick, organist/choirmaster of the Episcopal Cathedral in Atlanta, Georgia to be held on April 27 at 7 p.m.


St. Timothy's, Columbia, Daughters of the King Quiet Day, February 16

The Mary & Martha of Bethany Chapter at St. Timothy’s, Columbia, is offering their 10th annual Lenten Quiet Day, "Balance: Simplifying Our Lives," Saturday, February 16, from  9:00 a.m.– 3:00 p.m.

As Lent begins, we would like to invite you to join us as The Rev. Tula Henson, rector at St. Timothy’s, leads us in meditation, silence, and prayer. Lent is a time of reflection, introspection, and spiritual growth. This Quiet Day can be an important part of our spiritual discipline for Lent. The $10.00 fee provides a continental breakfast and a box lunch. Vegetarian lunches are available. For more information, please contact the church at 803.765.1519 or e-mail us, daughters@sainttimothyscolumbia.com.

 

Clay and Jane Turner to Lead Marriage Enrichment Retreat at Kanuga

What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than to spend a long weekend in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, nurturing your relationship with your spouse! Kanuga Conferences will sponsor a Marriage Enrichment Retreat February 14-17 to provide opportunities for committed married couples to enhance their lives together.

Led by the Rev. Clay and Jane Turner, certified marriage enrichment specialists, this Thursday-Sunday retreat will enable couples to nurture their invaluable yet constantly changing relationships. Couples will learn to dream new dreams together, improve communication, handle conflict effectively, increase their sense of humor, deepen their intimacy and develop new insights, while in the company of other couples who also want to improve their marriages.

Married in 1961, the Turners have been involved in marriage enrichment since 1974. They currently serve on the training and certification committee for the national board of the Association for Couples in Marriage Enrichment. They split their time between Marion, N.C., and Spartanburg, S.C.

Clay Turner is former rector of Church of the Advent, Spartanburg. For rates and registration information on the Marriage Enrichment Retreat, visit www.kanuga.org or call 828.692.9136.
 


Coming up at Augusta's Convent of St. Helena

$160 full weekend program, meals, lodging; $80 commuters, unless specified below.
Some scholarship funding available.  

February 23 – Christianity and Sufism, the roots they share, with Elizabeth Peacock.
$20 registration and a heart-offering to be collected for Elizabeth.

"Let us go deeply into the Heart where the Beloved lives." Interspersed with periods of silence, Elizabeth Peacock will offer personal reflections based on her learnings and life experiences. Life has led Elizabeth into dream work, gardening, poetry and being—all ways of approaching the feminine aspect of The Divine. This learning to be – to become an empty vessel – is a challenge for most of us living in the West. At age two, Elizabeth was baptized a Christian in the Episcopal Church. For the past 15 years, she has followed a Sufi path. Her close friendship with the St Helena sisters began in the 1960s when she lived in South Georgia and Sr Clare became her soul friend via letters.

March 7-9 – The Death and Resurrection of Christ, a Lenten retreat with Sr Rosina Ampah, OSH.
In this 21st century of the Common Era, what does the death and resurrection of Christ mean to you? Come explore your truth, your symbolism, your questions, and your longing with Rosina. Sr Rosina enjoys conducting weekend retreats and quiet days for parishes and groups. She also enjoys biblical storytelling as a way of teaching the Bible in simple but profound ways, making sense of it and helping it come to life. She is assisted in this by her African spiritual heritage and her sense of humor.


“Practicing Peace: Creative Responses to Violence,” April 11-13

Last summer Fred Burnham. Senior Fellow of the Institute for Servant Leadership in Hendersonville, NC, had the privilege of previewing James Carroll’s new documentary film: “Constantine’s Sword,” which documents the complicity of the Christian community in the persecution of the Jews from the 11th century up to World War II.  He was truly impressed by the powerful impact of the film.  In subsequent conversations with Jim, Fred discovered that his primary purpose in producing the film is to encourage Christians to practice the act of self-examination as a pathway to peace.  In fact, one might say that virtually all reconciliation begins with self-examination. 

Shortly thereafter, he had a conversation with William Barnwell of the Washington National Cathedral, whose “Committee of Seventy” will be meeting at Kanuga the same weekend that the Institute is holding its annual conference, April 11-13, 2008.  Upon discovery that they had invited Helen Prejean to address their group, Fred was struck by the rich parallels of the pair.  Helen’s campaign to end capital punishment calls upon the country to engage in self-reflection about the morality of legalized violence.  Both of them are talking about self-examination as a creative response to violence.

The Conference title followed naturally:  “Practicing Peace:  Creative Responses to Violence.”  Then, with the advice and counsel of the Institute’s Board of Trustees, the remaining speakers fell readily into place.  Also agreeing to come, Walter Wink is known worldwide for his workshops on “non-violence.”  Walter has a fascinating view of Jesus’ creative responses to violence. 

June Keener Wink, Walter’s wife, is an artist and internationally known potter.  An expert on the integration of body, mind and spirit, she will give a workshop on “Practicing Peace” in our daily lives drawing upon body movement, group meditation, and reflection upon works of art.

Next on board was Mpho Tutu, the daughter of Desmond Tutu, and the founding Director of the Tutu Institute for Prayer and Pilgrimage at Virginia Theological Seminary.  She will speak about the “truth and reconciliation” process as a creative response to violence, seeking to understand how we each can become a reconciling presence in a fractured world.

To round out this great line-up of speakers, Bishop Charles Jenkins of the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana will celebrate the closing Eucharist and talk about his efforts to create a “truth and reconciliation” process in New Orleans that could address the violence done to the poorer citizens of that metropolitan area by Katrina and its aftermath.

To register, visit www.servleader.org or call the Institute for Servant Leadership at 828.692.1694.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the Moment—One Pilgrim's Attempt to Be Present

By Amy Sander Montanez, D. Min.

Being a beginner

“Well, Amy, you just have to be willing to be a beginner at it.”


Copyright Eliza Snow

This comment, made in a very nonchalant way as a response to my description of how uncomfortable and anxious I am at one of my new undertakings, cycling, really hit me hard.

Yuck. I hate being a beginner. Maybe you’re not wired like I am. Maybe you love falling down, either metaphorically or literally, but I really don’t. I like the feeling of competence, of confidence, of knowing what I’m doing. I even like knowing where I’m going, being sure of the direction of things. Oh, I love learning new things, don’t get me wrong. However, I am a quick learner, so the beginner stage doesn’t usually last very long. And, like most people, I tend to want to learn things that may come easily to me anyway.

I’ve been reflecting on times when I was truly a beginner. I remember my first yoga classes, when tears would come to my eyes doing certain poses because I couldn’t do them “right”. I kept hearing the teacher say that there wasn’t a destination and there was no “right” way, but I didn’t believe her. I had always been a good athlete. Why couldn’t I do this? Why did it feel so stressful? Why couldn’t I cut myself a little slack and just enjoy the process? Ultimately I surrendered to being a beginner and began to have a lot more wonder and curiosity about myself and my body and a lot fewer shoulds and oughts. Ahhhh…that was better.

I’ve been reflecting on what my days were like as a new mother. Talk about being a beginner. What was I to do with this little creature? When feeding, snuggling, burping, singing, and praying didn’t work, what did I do next? What was going on with my own body? It was doing all sorts of things that amazed me but left me feeling out of control. My very wise mother said to me, “Just do what feels natural and comfortable.” I remember replying with exasperation, “MOM, NOTHING FEELS COMFORTABLE!!!”

Soon after the birth of my child, I started praying contemplatively. Just be quiet and breathe, my spiritual director encouraged me. Sounded easy enough. Certainly I could do that. She didn’t tell me about the whole beginner thing. It would have helped me to hear that it wouldn’t be comfortable at first and that I may only last a minute or so before my busy mind would take over. I thought I was such a failure. I was so sure I was doing something incorrectly. On a good day I could get through two or three breathing cycles before I would start thinking about what to make for dinner or if I had mailed the bills.

When I am a beginner, I feel so needy. This is another sensation I’d rather avoid. Am I doing this correctly? Please give me some positive feedback. Am I improving? How can I make myself better at this? Even writing these columns, which was one of my beginner undertakings in 2007, has created this mess of feelings. I’m out on a limb here. Please tell me I’m not going to fall. Or if I am going to fall, please tell me you’ll catch me and keep me from hurting myself and others. If I blow it, will you still be my friend?

In the Buddhist tradition there is a concept called the beginner’s mind. Free your mind from expectations, approach everything as if you’ve never done it before, as if you know nothing about it, and see what happens. It’s a fabulous concept, and I have been playing with the idea and growing into it for a decade or so now. It’s so much softer and easier than trying to be competent. It’s also more creative and fun. And, it’s a concept that truly evokes the feeling and state of wonder. When I approach God this way, I am constantly amazed at the vastness and possibilities that exist. God is so much bigger than I can even imagine. When I approach my partner this way, I can see new things and unique ways of his being in the world. Approaching my child this way keeps me fascinated. What else can I learn about her? How is she thinking, growing, evolving? How is the face of God going to incarnate through her? Seeing others with a beginner’s mind continues to bring me awe. What can I learn about you, your life, your mind, your culture, your humanity? Approaching myself this way has been nothing less than a miracle. Hmmm….what was that thought about? That feeling? That action? That clenched jaw?

I still don’t like the feeling of being a beginner. But I’m convinced it’s a helpful state of mind. Would you join me this year and be willing to have a beginner’s mind about something or someone? My something this year is cycling and ballroom dancing. I’ve already felt the frustration and tears of wanting to be further along than I am. I’ve already taken a few very deep breaths to the mantra, “You are where you are. Just be there.” Has The Zen of Cycling been written yet? And what about being a beginner about someone or some culture? I want to learn more about the homeless this year. What about being a beginner about the Hispanic population, the homosexual population, those with HIV/AIDS, or our youth? Closer to home you could be a beginner about your partner, your children, your parents, your neighbor. Most importantly, let’s remind ourselves that we are all, always, beginners about God.

©Copyright Amy Sander Montanez, 2008