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[From ENS reports] The op-ed page of May 12 editions of The New York Times
carried a display ad marking the beginnings, 400 years ago, of the Jamestown Colony and the Episcopal Church's heritage and mission in North America.
"Somewhere near you," the ad copy begins, "there’s a
blue-and-white sign bearing the familiar slogan: The Episcopal
Church Welcomes You. It represents some 7,400 congregations that
trace their beginnings in North America to a small but hopeful
group of English Christians who arrived May 14, 1607 at a place
they called Jamestown — the first permanent English settlement
in the New World."
See the complete ad at
www.episcopalchurch.org/documents/newYorkTimes_opAd.pdf.
Bishops theology committee to offer Primates' communiqué study document
Responses from congregations & individuals accepted through June 4
By Mary Frances Schjonberg
[ENS]
Episcopalians have begun responding to
questions in a study guide aimed at
helping the Episcopal Church consider
the draft version of a proposed Anglican
Covenant.
Congregations, diocesan deputations to General Convention and individuals can all submit comments between now and the June 4 deadline.
Responses can be e-mailed to gcsecretary@episcopalchurch.org, faxed to 212.972.9322 or mailed to Draft Anglican Covenant, The Office of the General Convention, The Episcopal Church Center, 815 Second Ave, New York, NY 10017.
Prepared by a subcommittee of the Executive Council's International Concerns Standing Committee (INC), the six-page guide in English, French and Spanish is available at www.epsicopalchurch.org/gc The draft text of the proposed Covenant, along with the first report of the Anglican Communion's Covenant Design Group, in English, French and Spanish are available at www.aco.org/commission/d_covenant/downloads.cfm.
Episcopal Relief
and Development (ERD) is providing emergency assistance to
Greenburg, Kansas and other communities in Kansas affected by
tornadoes and flooding.
From May 4-6, many towns in Kansas suffered significant damage after tornadoes swept across the state. In the town of Greenburg, an EF-5 tornado destroyed 90 percent of the town and killed 10 people. The tornado destroyed buildings in the town’s downtown district and many homes were ruined. The storms triggered flooding throughout the state.
ERD is working with the Dioceses of Western Kansas and Kansas to provide critical assistance to communities affected by the storms. ERD will also support the dioceses through the Long Term Recovery Committee (LTRC). This newly created committee will provide information and help for disaster victims during recovery process including psychological counseling and aid for communities that do not qualify for federal assistance.
The Dioceses of Western Kansas and Kansas are working with the Kansas State Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (KSVOAD). The dioceses are coordinating their response needs with other faith-based and secular organizations.
“In the short-term, there are a lot of agencies that are assisting victims. We are grateful that ERD and other Episcopal dioceses will help in the long-term efforts by funding expenses which will help people rebuild their lives,” said the Rt. Rev. James M. Adams Jr., Bishop of the Diocese of Western Kansas.
To help people affected by disasters, please make a donation to the Emergency Relief Fund at www.er-d.org/, or call 1.800.334.7626, ext. 5129. Gifts can be mailed to: Episcopal Relief and Development, “Emergency Relief Fund”, P.O. Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058.
Bishop Henderson has responded in a pastoral letter to the recent meeting of the House of Bishops' meeting at Camp Allen in Texas. Snail-mail recipients of e~DUSC print version will find the letter enclosed. It is also posted on the Bishop's blog, http://uppersc.wordpress.com/, and available in every congregation in the diocese.
The Right Reverend Dorsey F. Henderson, Jr., Bishop of Upper South Carolina, will institute The Reverend Nicholas Madden Beasley as the 11th rector of The Church of the Resurrection, Greenwood, South Carolina, on Wednesday, the 23rd of May, The Feast of St. Vincent of Lerins, Two Thousand and Seven, at 7:00 p.m. Reception will follow. Your prayers and presence are requested. Clergy: White stoles.
God Willing, The Right Reverend Dorsey F. Henderson, Jr., Bishop of Upper South Carolina, will ordain Mark Anthony Abdelnour, Joseph Kershaw Smith, and Joseph Stewart Whitehurst to the sacred order of Deacons, Saturday, the 26th of May, Two Thousand and Seven, The Feast of Saint Augustine of Canterbury, at 11:00 a.m., Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. Your prayers and presence are requested. Clergy: White stoles.
Our good friends at Good Shepherd, York, write to tell us they have established a line item – 0.7% of the operating budget – in their congregational Statement of Mission in support of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). “This 0.7% contribution will be forwarded to Five Talents International” (www.fivetalents.org), an Anglican initiative that combats poverty in developing countries using micro-enterprise development. Let’s hear from you! Send your MDG
news today to bhuman@edusc.org, or call us, 803.771.7800, ext. 19!
Congregation focuses MDG effort on African diocese
[From the Herald Journal story by Kim Kimzey]
The Rev. Alban Katemba's eyes widened when he stepped inside
the gym at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church. Before him
were piles of clothing, toys, books and other items bound
for his native Malawi. "Wonderful. Very, very wonderful,"
the 71-year-old said in his thick accent. "I'm tongue-tied.
Very, very happy, indeed." . . .
St. Christopher's [in Spartanburg] began a collection drive in late February
for orphans and widows in the impoverished and
disease-ravaged African country of Malawi. The Rev. George
Gray, rector of St. Christopher's, said the church has about
300 members and an average Sunday attendance of 180. Yet the relatively small congregation helps support 11
orphanages, including one that cares for children afflicted
with AIDS and various disabilities.
Visit the
Spartanburg Herald Journal Web site,
www.goupstate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage. to read it all.
By Claudia Geagan
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On May 10, the Parish of the Good Shepherd, Greer, celebrated the new ministry of its first rector in 20 years when it installed the Rev. Michael Schnatterly in a service of Holy Eucharist. Established 20 years ago as a mission of the diocese, Good Shepherd was welcomed as a parish at the 84th Diocesan Convention in October 2006. The celebrant was the our bishop, Rt. Rev. Reverend Dorsey F. Henderson, Jr. Lee Ann Inman, Father Schnatterly’s sister-in-law and senior pastor of the Orange Park, Florida, United Methodist Church, delivered the homily.
Inman based her message on the Gospel lesson from John:
Jesus said, “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.”
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To abide, to remain, to dwell, to stay, to endure, to sustain, to continue in a relationship, to put up with, to tolerate, to remain steadfast or faithful to, to keep – to make a home together. As we have a home in Christ in God’s love for us, the Church of the Good Shepherd and Fr. Schnatterly are making a home in their love for each other. Homes are both comforting and challenging. They cannot be just one or the other. There is a great deal of future out there!
And as the church celebrated "Fr. Mike’s" ministry, the children of the parish presented him with gifts of “Joy and Wonder,”and our own joy was (momentarily anyway) complete.
Good Shepherd thanks Bishop Dorsey Henderson, and the Revs. Timothy Dombek, Mike Flanagan, Sally Franklin, Robert Chiles, Mark Clevenger, d ’Rue Hazel, Linda Gosnell, Peter Haas, and Scott Flesher for their presence and participation. We thank also parishioner Yves Grisard-Van Roey for catering the reception afterward, and countless others who have made the church and the celebration a success.
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"Image and Likeness," the exhibition currently posted
at the Web site of Episcopal Church and the Visual Arts (ECVA),
includes a photo entitled 'Heal Me," by Roger W. Hutchison,
canon for children's ministries at Trinity Cathedral, Columbia.
In the words of exhibition curator
Carole Baker, "Just before Lent ECVA artists were invited to observe Christ’s presence in the world in which we find ourselves. Where might we see Christ as he continues to be present with us through the worship of the Church, our spiritual practices, our daily habits, our homes?"
Hutchison's commentary describes his photograph, which "was
captured late one afternoon as I ended my day with a walk
through Trinity's peaceful graveyard. The shadows on one of the
stones caught my eye. When I reached my hand out to find the
best lighting for a photo, I was caught by the powerful image of
my hand (our hand) reaching up – searching for the source of The
Light. Heal me Jesus ... heal me."
Go to www.ecva.org/exhibition/image_and_likeness/curator_statement.htm to visit the exhibition.
Our own St. John's, "Shandon," was featured in the "Historic Columbia" section of The State newspaper on May 14.
Situated at the corner of Wheat and Holly streets in Shandon since 1926, St. John’s Episcopal Church is an imposing stone Gothic Revival style structure. Read the whole story (with photo) at www.thestate.com/154/story/6338.html.
Join us for an evening of fun, frolic and food as we raise money for the youth of our Church. Dinner will be served at six in the evening, with the houselights going down for the play at seven sharp. If you wish to join us for dinner and the show, please let us know!! To make your reservation, please email or call the directors or stop by the Church on Sundays between twelve and one. Judy Dodds can be reached at 939-4930 or judydodds0501@aol.com. English Weston can be reached at 252-8265 or englishweston@yahoo.com. Adults Dinner and Show $15.00 Children Dinner and Show $5.00 Show only $10.00 Come and join us as we put on an evening of fun and frolic to benefit our youth. Hope to see you all there!!!!
Creating a Culture of Peace Basic Training (CCP) : a holistic approach to training that empowers participants in the spirituality and practice of active peacemaking in their daily lives. Held at Kanuga Conference Center, Hendersonville, NC. Conducted by Rev. Tomas Brackett and Dr. Timothy Pluta.
Single occupancy: $302; Double occupancy: $242; Commuter rate: $208. Scholarships are available on a limited basis. Send checks to EPF: 637 S. Dearborn St. Chicago, IL 60605 (with CCP: Kanuga on the memo line). For more info: tombrackett@bellsouth.net.
York Place Gene Knight “Play for the Child” Golf Tournament, June 1
Please return entry form no later than May 25, 2007. Due to the popularity of the tournament, entry fee should be sent with your entry form. If you cannot play, your fee will be appreciated as a donation to York Place.
Contact York Place to register, 803.684.4011.
God Tells Stories . . . Stories that Speak to the Human Heart, June 1-3, a retreat led by Jane W. Howington, Friday evening through Sunday lunch
Teaching in an easy and informal way with wisdom and humor, Jane Howington will offer six reflections on Bible stories. She is the long-time Bible study teacher for Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church in Augusta. Cost is $160 for program, lodging and meals, $80 for commuters.
E-mail Laura Ann Whitaker in the convent office at augustaconvent@comcast.net or call 706.798.5201, ext. 1, Monday-Friday between 9 and 2.
Beginning Again: Living With Illness, June 22-24, 2007, a weekend workshop with the Rev Mary C.
Earle
Using materials from her book, Beginning Again: Benedictine Wisdom for Living with Illness, Mary Earle will invite participants to reflect on creating a rule of life while living with compromised health. A review of Beginning Again on the Spiritual Directors International website states, "Earle shows us how even the most painful, frustrating limits, when used as the raw material for a life of faith, can set us free."
Mary Earle is a writer, poet, retreat leader and Episcopal priest. Her ministry focuses on spiritual direction, contemplative prayer, and interfaith dialogue. Her newest book is The Desert Mothers: Spiritual Practices from Women of the Wilderness.
$160 including lodging, meals and program; $80 commuters. For more information, contact the Episcopal Convent of St Helena, 706.798.5201 ext. 1 or augustaconvent@comcast.net.
Join us August 6–11 , 2007 as we look up for insight and inspiration during Epiphany Institute 2007, to be held at Lake Logan Episcopal Center in the mountains of western North Carolina.
Visit epiphanyinstitute.org to learn more and to register for an event designed to deepen leaders’ faith while delivering powerful congregational tools.
Too busy to pray? Wish there were more times in the day to turn in quiet and peace to the God who loves you? Come spend a quiet day with the Rev. Barbara Cawthorne Crafton, episcopal priest, spiritual director, and author.
Cost of the day is $45, including lunch. For more information or to register, contact the office at St. James, 864.244.6358 or send e-mail to retreats@stjamesgreenville.org.
From June 15 through 17, our diocesan ECW will sponsor a women's retreat at Snail’s Pace, in Saluda, NC. The theme of the retreat, which will be led by ECW executive board member Shirley Roberts, is "Spiritual Gifts." Cost $60 per night including meals/double occupancy (although other options are available). The deadline for registration and submission of a $25 non-refundable deposit is June 1, 2007, so get on board now! With questions or to register please contact Shirley Roberts, schavisroberts@yahoo.com.
Redesigned by a team of experienced Christian Formation leaders, this annual event offers new faces and a new focus. The conference will be in a two-part format:
Attend one segment or stay the entire week. Whether you lead church classes or want to nurture your family’s faith, all involved in Christian education should find this week rewarding and fun.
Keynoters Ruth-Ann Collins, staff officer for Children’s Ministries and Christian Education at the Episcopal Church Center, and the Rev. Michael Kinman, executive director of Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation, will give presentations during both segments of the conference. A wide variety of workshops will offer tools to create faith formation programs for all ages. Daily educational programs will be provided for your children and the whole family will have time to relax and play on Kanuga’s 1,400-acre campus.
WANT TO GO? Visit
www.kanuga.org for workshop details, online registration,
team rebates and more!
Spend a week sharing a life of prayer, study, and work in the city of San Francisco, July 11-17, 2007
The Community of St. Francis, a Religious Order for women in the Episcopal Church, is offering a week, July 11-17, for women interested in discerning a call to the religious life.
“I didn’t know the Episcopal Church has Sisters!” This is a comment we hear all the time. The
religious life in the Episcopal Church is too well hidden. Yet it is an enduring part of our Christian and Anglican heritage. Often people feel called to this way of life, but don’t know how to pursue the call. The best way to learn about
religious life is to visit a religious community. Therefore, if you are over 21 and under 55, in good emotional and physical health, free of family obligations, have questions about the religious life,
we invite you to participate in Consider Your Call. There is no fee for participation in the week. However, donations are always gratefully received!
Call 415.824.0288 or e-mail CSFsfo@aol.com.
Join us August 6–11 , 2007 as we look up for insight and inspiration during Epiphany Institute 2007, to be held at Lake Logan Episcopal Center in the mountains of western North Carolina.
Visit epiphanyinstitute.org to learn more and to register for an event designed to deepen leaders’ faith while delivering powerful congregational tools. Download the flyer here.
Parochial clergy: If you haven’t already done so, please appoint an MDG (Millennium Development Goals) representative to keep your congregation informed and energized and to share MDG news and ideas with others throughout the diocese.
Please contact our diocesan MDG rep Angela Daniel (Daniela@heathwood.org, 803.343.0400, ex 234) to make sure that your rep is in the loop!
Clergy Business Day will be held May 31, 2007, at All Saints’, Clinton. The primary focus of our time together will be to provide up-to-date information on the ministry and accomplishments of The Healthy Church Initiative, the Diocesan Executive Council and its six commissions. If you are planning to attend please RSVP to rhook@edusc.org. If you are unable to attend please respond to Bishop Henderson’s Executive Assistant Jane Goldsmith at jgoldsmith@edusc.org.
Tentative Agenda
10:00 AM Morning Prayer & Reports from the Healthy Church Initiative, the Commission on the Ministry of the Baptized, the Commission on Congregations, the Commission on the Convocations, and the Commission on the Diocese.
12:30 PM Lunch
1:15 PM Reports from the Commission on Provincial and National Church Affairs, the Commission on the Anglican Communion and International Concerns, and Bishop Henderson.
Clergy Day will conclude by 3:00 PM.
| May 26 | Ordinations to the transitional diaconate, Trinity Cathedral, 11:00 a.m. |
| May 31 | Clergy Business Day, All Saints, Clinton |
| June 20–22 | Piedmont residency |
| July 15 | SC State Day, National Cathedral |
| July 22 | Gravatt Convocation meeting, Church of the Resurrection, Greenwood (2:30 p.m.) |
| July 29 | Midlands
Convocation meeting, St. Michael
& All Angels, Columbia (2:30 p.m.) Reedy River Convocation meeting, Church of the Redeemer, Greenville (2:00 p.m.) |
| August 12 | Catawba Convocation meeting, Good Shepherd, York (3 p.m.) |
| September 10–12 | Fall clergy retreat |
| September 22 | Training the trainers day |
| September 23 | Catawba Convocation Meeting, St.
Peter's, Great Falls (3 p.m.) Gravatt Convocation Meeting, Trinity, Abbeville (lunch-1:30p.m., meeting-2:30 p.m.) |
| October 13 | Diocesan Continuing Ed training day |
| October 26–27 | 85th Diocesan Convention, Christ Church, Greenville |
| November 14–16 | Reedy River residency |