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On
June 8 our Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori was interviewed by
Bill Moyers on his popular PBS show "Bill Moyers
Journal." They discussed religion and science, the interpretation of
Scripture, and more. Visit the PBS archive at www. pbs.org/moyers/journal to view
the interview or
read
the transcript.
By Mary Frances Schjonberg
[ENS]
The Episcopal Church's Executive Council told the Anglican Communion June 14
that no governing body other than General Convention can interpret
Convention resolutions or agree to deny "future decisions by dioceses or
General Convention."
The Council declined to participate in a plan put forward by the Primates of the Anglican Communion in February for dealing with some disaffected Episcopal Church dioceses.
The statement, titled "The Episcopal Church's Commitment to Common Life in Anglican Communion," "strongly affirm[ed] this Church's desire to be in the fullest possible relationship with our Anglican sisters and brothers."
The text of the statement and its accompanying resolutions passed with limited debate.
The statement agreed with the House of Bishops, which said in March that the so-called Pastoral Scheme "would be injurious to The Episcopal Church." An accompanying resolution (EC012) also "respectfully requests the Presiding Bishop to decline as well." The statement itself "respectfully ask[s] our Presiding Bishop not to take any of the actions asked of her by this scheme."
By Mary Frances Schjonberg
[ENS] The
Very Rev. Mark Lawrence has again been nominated to be the next bishop of
the Episcopal
Diocese of South Carolina.
An announcement on the diocese's Web site said that the Standing Committee of the Diocese of South Carolina met on June 9, immediately following the Diocesan Convention held at St. James Episcopal Church on James Island, South Carolina. At its meeting, the statement said, the Standing Committee unanimously agreed: to call for a special convention to elect a bishop on August 4 at St. James' Church; nominated Lawrence; and established guidelines for a petition nomination process that sets a July 11 deadline.
All diocesan parishes and missions must hold congregational meetings to elect deputies for the special convention.
Lawrence, 56, rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Parish in Bakersfield, California, in the Diocese of San Joaquin, was first elected September 16 to be South Carolina's 14th bishop. On March 15, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori declared that election "null and void," saying that a number of the consent responses did not adhere to canonical requirements. According to a recent letter to the clergy of the diocese posted on the home page of the diocesan Web site, Bishop Edward Salmon reported that the diocesan Standing Committee had committed to "carefully follow our own Canons in order to strongly support the election."
[From www.e4gr.org (Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation)]
ONEVOTE'08 launched by the ONE Campaign: "Tell the candidates global poverty is your voting issue!"
On
June 11, at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C., the ONE
Campaign [to make poverty history] launched ONE Vote '08—a broad-based,
bipartisan campaign to make global health and extreme poverty foreign policy
priorities in the 2007 presidential race.
ONEVOTE is asking every candidate to embrace "five achievable goals that are fully costed and proven and can have a rapid impact on the ground." The goals are drawn from the Millennium Development Goals, which, to date, have not been mentioned in any presidential debate. To learn more, visit www.e4gr.org.
In the mid 1990s, St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital in Houston, Texas, began a program to train pastoral care workers for churches and institutions. Called the Community of Hope, this program is based upon Benedictine spirituality. Over a period of 14 Saturdays, candidates become part of a circle of prayer, concern, and worship as they receive training in various aspects of pastoral care. This Christian community continues after their commissioning as lay chaplains. In this “Circle of Hope” they share in complete confidentiality events from ministry in their own congregations in order to improve their abilities as caregivers, as well as to continue in regular worship together.
On April 22, 2007 Bishop Henderson commissioned the first Community of Hope class for our diocese in a service at St. John’s in Columbia. Planning is under way for the 2007-2008 class to begin in September 2007. Classes will be held at three different locations: in Columbia, Greenville, and Rock Hill.
For information and application materials contact: Columbia Group: Margaret Jennings Todd, maggiejenn@aol.com; Greenville Group: The Rev. Kathryn Tiede Hottinger, 864.271.8773 ex.155 or Peggy Parham, 864.242.5403, mkparham@charter.net; Rock Hill Group: Jim Welsh, jimwelsh_2000@yahoo.com), Gene and Sarah Meyer, Meyere@asme.org.
DEC accepts recommendation to sell structure, contents, land
Ending a unique and arduous four-year journey All Souls, Upper SC's N.E. Columbia mission church, held its last worship service on the Feast of Pentecost.
In 2006 Bishop Henderson appointed the Rev. Rich Biega as missioner to the All Souls project for the purpose of making an overall assessment of the situation there. Biega made a thorough review of the ministry, focusing on average Sunday attendance, monetary support from the congregation, the costs associated with continuing the program as structured versus a re-start in a rented public facility, as well as a review of primary needs in the community that might serve as a basis for future directions for the All Souls ministry. Biega’s review also took into consideration the ongoing debt service, as well as the fact that a major note used to fund the ministry would come due in the near future.
As a result of the study, Biega recommended to the All Souls congregation, to Bishop Henderson, and to the Commission on the Diocese that the most promising scenario for a successful ministry trajectory would be to sell the All Souls structure, its contents, as well as the building site, and to re-start the initiative in a rented public facility, such as a school. The consensus of the congregation and its leadership team was that those worshipping on a fairly regular basis at All Souls, numbering from 20 to 30 persons, had no enthusiasm for a re-start in a new facility. With heavy hearts, the leadership team elected to set Pentecost 2007 as the last day for scheduled Sunday worship at All Souls.
The Diocesan Property and Insurance Committee was asked to see that an appraisal of the building and property be made to serve as the basis for a recommendation to the Commission on the Diocese. The appraised value of the site was approximately $880,000. An analysis also indicated that it would cost $60,000 to disassemble the building, as well as requiring the equivalent of three tractor trailers to store it. In the light of these findings, the Commission on the Diocese recommended to Bishop Henderson and the Diocesan Executive Council (DEC) that the building and land be sold and any net proceeds be set aside for future mission initiatives. This recommendation was accepted by DEC.
A sale and/or transfer of the building to Gravatt was proposed, but an assessment by members of the Gravatt Transition Board indicated that the building did not meet their needs.
The building and site were then listed with a commercial realtor. The
terms for a contract for sale of both the building (to be disassembled or
demolished) and land were negotiated and finalized between the diocese and a
purchaser in May 2007. The terms of the sale will be finalized in October
when a zoning variance requested by the purchaser is scheduled to be
considered. The net proceeds from the sale will be just over $80,000, based
on what has been an estimated overall multiyear investment of around $1.6
million in the All Souls project. The contents of the building have been
transferred to and / or purchased by congregations of the diocese, with some
equipment still available for purchase.
Taking the All Souls experience into consideration, the Commission on
Congregations has decided to formulate and recommend to DEC a diocesan
policy for how new congregations will be developed in the future.
Gravatt begins new chapter, seeks executive director
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Gravatt seeks new executive director |
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Job description at www.edusc.org/JobBoard/index.shtml |
Thanks to the foresight and generosity of the Diocesan Executive Council (DEC), Bishop Gravatt Center is now an independent entity, in ownership of the camp and conference center, in charge of its own funds – and its own destiny. The Center continues, however, to be committed primarily to serving diocesan needs for a quiet, removed, and comfortable place for conferences and retreats – and for continuing the tradition of offering summer camp to the youth of the diocese. In fact camp, which opened June 3, is anticipating one of its best attendance years in its 58-year history.
Gravatt has new by-laws, a new board, including Bishop Henderson and the Rev. Clyde Ireland, director of Gravatt for 15 of its grandest years, and is embarked on a new course of mission and service. Plans have been approved by the board to refurbish the cabins, add new restrooms to the dining hall, and completely renovate Cole Lodge. A new, second conference facility, a larger replica of Cole Lodge, is planned for readiness to accommodate Clergy Conference in the fall of 2008.
A major priority of the board is the construction of a chapel, which, it is hoped, will be funded by private subscription, of which early contributions are already being gratefully received. It is possible that a later capital funds drive will help provide for continued repairs, updates and expansions of the existing infrastructure; the construction of other new facilities; improvements in signage and the entrance to the Gravatt campus; and the provision for an enlarged, full-time professional staff.
In November of 2006, The DEC voted to separate the operation of Gravatt from the activities and responsibilities of the diocese. In an action designed to “envision, empower, and endow,” as it was described at the time, Gravatt became a separate corporate entity, loosely attached to the diocese legally, firmly attached to the diocese as to mission and purpose. A new provisional board was named and given the twin assignments of evaluating and planning Gravatt’s present and future, and managing the facility during its transformation from an “unappreciated and depreciated” facility into a “new” and vital part of diocesan life.
To those ends, the board, now comprised of five members out of an eligible total of nine, has been meeting twice monthly since December, with one meeting always “on campus.” It was early discerned by the board that one of Gravatt’s greatest assets, aside from its long history of dual service as camp and conference center, is its staff. A more loyal, hard-working, and Christian group of energetic and enthusiastic people would be hard to replicate. And it is ultimately upon them, along with the interest, support, and involvement of the diocese, that the vision of the current directors will indeed, be blessed, enabled and funded. Pray for Gravatt and those dedicated to its future and growth.
Calling All Gravatt Staff Alumni!
Mark your calendar for April 19, 2008! Yes, we
really mean 2008. We're planning a Gravatt Staff and
Volunteer Reunion. Plans are in their infancy, and we are so grateful to
Christine Tibshrany Koutrakos, who has agreed to chair this event.
Please help us locate former Gravatt staffers and volunteers. Forward this
information to alumni you know, or send us their contact information
directly. And be sure we have your up-to-date information too! Send your
name, mailing address, telephone number, email address and years you were on
staff or served as a volunteer to
gravattreunion@gmail.com, and let us know if you'd like to
volunteer on the Reunion Committee.
By Cai Armstrong
The annual Province IV Women's Conference, June 4-6, sponsored by the Kanuga Conference Center in Hendersonville, NC, and the Province IV Episcopal Church Women, began with a reception, dinner and a business meeting. Brenda Albinger, a gifted musician and teacher, led the music. The Rt. Rev. C. FitzsSimons Allison, retired bishop of South Carolina, served as chaplain. His sermon on lies we tell ourselves and how to avoid them was inspiring and useful to participants.
The Rev. Tina Lockett, director of admissions and dean of students at Trinity Episcopal School for Ministr,y delivered the keynote address. The keynote topic was Acts 2:42: “They devoted themselves to apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking bread and prayers.” Her theme was that God’s dream for all of us is to be in fellowship with him and each other—community is not an organization but a way of living.
Key information from the conference includes: The next ECW Triennial is July 8-16, 2009, in Anaheim CA; Communiqué, the national ECW publication, appears 3-4 times a year, and it’s free. Order it on the national ECW Web site; in 2006, 202 UTO applications totaled more than $8M; donations and interest were $2.4M. 104 grants were made. The gap between the needs and amount given is growing; The Church Periodical Club National Books Fund made 59 grants for $19,000;National ECW tools include the how-to kit for starting or reviving an ECW branch, the Women of Vision kit, and Beijing Circles.
By Nell Barr
Our
once-every-four-years special SC State State Day at National Cathedral,
coming up on July 15, promises to be exciting and one of the best we have
ever had. Four years ago, in November 2003, we had more than 300 people
attend, and the staff at the cathedral said that it was one of the best
State Days they had ever had.
Everyone from South Carolina is invited to join our bishop, the Rt. Rev. Dorsey F. Henderson, Jr., for this special time, which coincides with the 100th anniversary year of the cathedral, which was begun in 1907.We are hoping to have acolytes, with church banners, in the procession from every church in our diocese. Please contact the Rev. Bob Chiles (803.736.0866) immediately if acolytes from your congregation are planning to attend.
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Information on registration, lodging, restaurants, acolyte
info and more is available on the diocesan Web site,
www.edusc.org. |
State Day preacher will be South Carolina native the Rev. Canon William ("Bill") H. Barnwell, National Cathedral's canon missioner. Barnwell, born in Charleston, is a graduate of Sewanee and Virginia Theological Seminary. He is the author of In Richard's World.
Another opportunity for this weekend is a contemplative pilgrimage through the cathedral and grounds on Saturday morning, July 14, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Pilgrimage costs are $25 for adults, $20 for youths and seniors, $15 for National Cathedral Association members. (Visit the link above for more info and registration instructions.)
The Arpad Darazs Singers, members of the Palmetto Mastersingers, folks from the choirs of St. John's, Florence, St. John's, Columbia, and St. David's, Columbia, and others will offer a prelude to the 11:00 a.m. State Day service (beginning at 10:30 a.m.). Following the service there will be reception for all South Carolina visitors and an opportunity to take guided tours of the cathedral.
It's a great time to visit the nation's capital and our National Cathedral. Still Hopes in West Columbia is sponsoring a four-day bus tour centered on State Day. A few spaces are still available. Please contact Still Hopes (803.796.6490) if you are interested. St. David's, Columbia, also has few spaces to offer on their bus. Contact the church at 803.736.0866.
Upcoming Events
Education for Ministry (EFM) mentor training will be held
August 9-11, 2007m at Trinity Cathedral, Columbia. Both Basic
In-Service and Formation Training will be offered. Training
begins at 3 p.m. on Thursday August 9 and concludes Saturday,
August 11.
For more information contact: Betty Hudgens, EFM Coordinator,
803.771.7300,
hudgens@trinitysc.org.
The
annual meeting in support of Partnership Cange and diocesan
mission work in Haiti will be Friday evening and Saturday
September 21-22nd at Christ Church, Greenville. Father Fritz
Lafontant, his wife Yolanda, and daughter Marie-Flore will be
here to tell us about the new and exciting developments at
Cange.
Partnership Cange is a partnership among us to further His Kingdom. This meeting is to share knowledge and information, to coordinate efforts, and to inspire and involve new people in the mission field. By doing this we support and encourage Father Lafontant in his vision for the church and community at Cange.
For additional information please contact Reggie Brooker at 864.271.0520 or by e-mail to pbroo10157@aol.com.
Home Works of SC volunteers are traveling to Zorritos, Peru, July 31 through August 12. Volunteers are needed to assemble packets of multivitamins for children and adults for distribution at soup kitchens. Can you help? For more information or to help in any way, contact Hank Chardos, 803.781.4536.
The
workshop, which runs July 13-15, from Vespers through Sunday
lunch, will be led by Sr Veronica Aryeequaye, OSH.
Many of us feel disappointed with our lives and in our walk with God. We find ourselves unable to rely on God's word and promises. This leaves us with little meaning in spite of what we know of faith. We have the moral and spiritual support of our Christian community; yet still something seems missing.
Have you felt this way, unsupported and needing someone else to talk with? God, in God's own way, has accompanied Sr Veronica through many times of distress and brought her to a place of sharing with others how good and faithful God is in God's words of promise to lead us all the way, not leaving us comfortless or alone. Come and share your experience with others and learn to make your own journey with the strength and support of reliance on God's words.
Sr Veronica developed her teaching talents for many years as a middle-school teacher in Ghana, West Africa. She is currently training in Kairos prison work so she can take the love and word of God to people most hurting for God.
$160 including lodging, meals and program; $80 commuters. Partial scholarship funds available. Contact: Episcopal Convent of St Helena, 3042 Eagle Drive, Augusta GA 30906. 706.798.5201, ext 1 or augustaconvent@comcast.net.
A special "Journey Conference," "Moving Toward Wholeness," focusing on the dialogue of Christianity and other faiths with psychology rooted in the work of Carl Jung, will convene at Brown’s Summit near Greensboro, NC, on October 18-21, 2007. Presenters include Jungian analysts, clergy, dream experts, and others highly credentialed in their focus area.
On Thursday evening, October 18, the Rev. John Martin, D. Min, will kick off the conference. He is widely regarded as one of the best lecturers and teachers from the recently concluded "Journey into Wholeness" conferences. His focus will be "Jungian Psychology and Christian Faith."
On the second day, October 19,Dr. Dennis Merritt , Ph.D. will speak twice: "Seeing Jesus with New Eyes—"Insights into the New Analytical Psychology" and "Coming Soon to Your Planet—Apocalypse Now!" (on the environmental crisis).
Approximately a dozen additional workshops will be offered by Jungian analysts and other qualified leaders on related topics. For more detailed information, go to the conference Web site, www.journeyconferences.com.
Until August 1, the Early Bird Discounted Rate is $375 for a double-occupancy room. This fee includes food, lodging, and program—a discount of $100.00 for those who register in time.
If you do not have computer access, please contact the conference registrar, Tom Lane, during normal business hours (EST) at 336.545.1200 to receive a registration form by snail-mail.
Christ Church sends a 40-foot container to Cange, Haiti, every few years filled with sewing supplies, school supplies, medical items, clothing, household goods, and French-language books. The church is accepting goods through June 2007. Boxed items (marked "for Haiti") can be sent to Christ Church, 10 North Church St., Greenville 29601. Please limit boxes to 40 lbs. and mark them with the contents.Questions? E-mail Jackie Williams at fierce96@innova.net, or telephone between 7 and 9 a.m. at 864.675.0952.
July 8th has been designated Millennium Development Goals Sunday in the Episcopal Church celebrating the mid-point of the MDG goal to reduce extreme poverty in the world by 2015.
Materials to celebrate a special Millennium Development Goals Sunday include a complete worship service with sermon and prayers of the people, bulletin inserts and background information. Curricula for children and youth are also included with PowerPoint presentations of MDGs and another with an MDG atlas from the World Bank. God's Mission in the World, a study guide provided by the Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations serves as an adult curriculum.
These materials are available for your use on July 8 or at any other time. They were prepared by the Diocese of Texas and are available at: www.epicenter.org/images/edot/MDG/MDGContents.pdf.