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[ENS] Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town Desmond Tutu has appealed to Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams to invite all bishops to the 2008 Lambeth Conference, "even those irregularly consecrated or actively gay."
The Nobel Peace Prize laureate's plea came in a letter to the present Archbishop of Cape Town, Njongonkulu Ndungane, in which he also called on all Anglican bishops to be "more welcoming and inclusive of one another."
"Our Communion has always been characterized by its comprehensiveness, its inclusiveness, its catholicity," he said. "...we are really family, held together not so much by law as by bonds of affection. There is no family that is unanimous on every single subject."
The Lambeth Conference, the once-a-decade gathering of Anglican Communion bishops, is due to be held July 16-August 4, 2008 at the University of Kent in Canterbury, England. About 880 invitations have been sent out to serving diocesan, suffragan and assisting bishops.
Williams' decision to withhold a small number of invitations was made public May 22. Among those he did not invite were Bishop Gene Robinson of New Hampshire and Martyn Minns, bishop of the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA), a conservative missionary effort in the U.S. sponsored by the Anglican Church of Nigeria.
Launch set for International Day of Peace September 21
[ENS] The Episcopal Peace Fellowship (EPF), a 65-year-old nationwide membership organization, has announced plans to launch a massive prayer effort surrounding the war in Iraq. EPF is joining with 34 other religious organizations to launch a continuous prayer vigil in churches across the country beginning on or around September 21, 2007, the International Day of Peace.
The ecumenical collaboration, Christian Peace Witness for Iraq, was initially formed to sponsor a major, national peace witness in Washington, D. C. on March 16, 2007. More than 300 Episcopalians from around the country joined thousands of others to fill the National Cathedral for a prayer service and then march, in candlelight vigil, to the White House.
The specific goals of the continuous prayer vigil are the five "pillars" around which Christian Peace Witness for Iraq was formed: end the U. S. war and occupation; support our troops; support an Iraqi-led peace process; say no to torture; and say yes to justice.
ERD calls for prayers, support for Hurricane Felix victims
[ERD] Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) has called for prayers and support for the people affected by Hurricane Felix, a category five hurricane that made landfall in Nicaragua September 4.
The hurricane has killed at least four people and destroyed thousands of homes. Heavy rains have triggered fears of flooding and mudslides, particularly in areas where shantytowns are in close proximity to hillsides. An ERD release said its staff is in communication with long-standing Anglican partners in Nicaragua, Honduras, and Belize to identify needs.
To help people affected by Hurricane Felix, donations can be made to ERD's "Emergency Relief Fund" online at www.er-d.org/, or by calling 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..
[ENS] Two years ago, Hurricane Katrina, a powerful Category 4 storm, slammed onto the Gulf Coast forever changing the lives of people in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi.. Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) recognizes the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina August 29, 2007.
ERD and its partners have been active in the Gulf Coast through three- to five-year long-term recovery programs that focus on rebuilding homes and small businesses, providing case management services, creating a framework for medical and volunteer services, and offering psychosocial counseling for people affected by Katrina.
"Episcopal Life Focus" set to debut September 13
By Neva Rae Fox
[ENS] "Episcopal Life Focus," a new monthly half-hour video "multicast" featuring church mission, ministries and news, is scheduled to debut on Thursday, September 13, at 8 p.m. EDT on Episcopal Life Online,
www.episcopalchurch.org.elife.
The program will remain available online for on-demand viewing, and for placement on local community access cable stations that make air time available free of charge, said Canon Robert Williams, director of the Episcopal Church's Communication Office, which is providing the new resource.
Episcopal Life Focus will incorporate news items and human interest features that are about, and are affected by, the Episcopal Church.
No two shows will be alike in content. Ongoing programs will continue to be topical, informative and newsworthy.
"Our first report is largely focused on the continued plight of New Orleans after the hurricanes," according to Mike Collins, director of video and multicast communication for the Episcopal Church.
The first program will also preview the upcoming meeting of the Episcopal Church's House of Bishops, set for September 20-25 in New Orleans. Each monthly program includes a sponsorship opportunity, with the September edition featuring Episcopal Books and Resources.
Nominees for diocesan office, guest registration online at www.edusc.org
Visit the diocesan Web
site, www.edusc.org, to review nominees for diocesan office, the proposed 2008 Statement of Mission, and proposed resolutions and canon changes. You'll also find links to online guest registration, convention agenda, and more. Please note that clergy and delegates are to register by snail mail this year. The form is available for download
from the diocesan Web site.
Twenty four of Trinity Cathedral’s confirmed youth and their advisors journeyed across many lands and the ocean to reach Peru. A pilgrimage to Iquitos and the Amazon village of Tamshiyacu stretched our spiritual souls, hearts and muscles. The journey was filled with worship, mission, and culture.
Our daily worship of Morning Prayer and Compline provided a consistent thread giving us the discernment and strength to broaden our walks. Sunday worship at a local church illustrated Christ’s unified message shared by all Christians. The celebration of Fathers’ Day reminded us of the love for family shared by all of God’s families, not just our own. Traveling up the Amazon, our mission work included painting a local church, ministering to the local children through competitive soccer games and vacation bible school. All of these mirror our community of faith at Trinity Cathedral. Although a difference in language caused a slight delay in communication, genuine love and gracious hearts exemplified the truth of the Gospel spreading far and wide. Repairing equipment at the local SCOTA (Special Children of the Amazon) school and assisting classes reminded us of the journey walked around the globe by God’s children. Their innocent smiles, contagious joy and special needs model the journey of some of our friends at home. Our visits with the sick in the hospital and our interaction of the hungry, lonely and homeless in Iquitos reminded us of those in our prayer life. We arrived home divided by our individual realizations and yet united by God’s love, power and grace through a pilgrimage and journey which still continues.
Peer minister training for the Canterbury Communities of Upper SC’s young adults was held at Saluda, NC, August 24-26.
2007-2008 peer ministers pictured at right (from left to right and top to bottom):Archdeacon Byrd, Peer Minister Advisor; Lockey Powers, Presbyterian; Nick Roosevelt, Presbyterian; Lindsay Sacks, Winthrop; Michelle Thilger, Presbyterian; Gregg Gafford, Lander; Scott Parnell, Furman; Meggen Mitch, USC/Columbia; Spencer Cantrell, USC/Columbia; Jessi George, Aiken; Katie Klammer, Spartanburg; Amy Ratliff, Clemson; Diana Rambo, Chair, Committee on Young Adult Ministries.
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Archdeacon Fred Byrd, Ashley Sprott, Jason Coleman, and Gravatt camp director Lauri Yeargin) |
Jason Walker Coleman and Ashley Sprott have been named recipients of this year's Bishop and Archdeacon's Trophy for Outstanding Staffer at Camp Gravatt. Coleman, who served as assistant director on the ropes course during the 2007 camp session, is a ropes course facilitator at the Bishop Gravatt Center during the year. His home church is St. John's, Columbia. Coleman was cited by his peers for working tirelessly to make Camp Gravatt an "awesome experience for campers and staff alike. He consistently does work behind the scenes to make Gravatt a better place."
Sprott was female head counselor and art director for the 2007 season. She is a student at Presbyterian College and a member at St. Michael's and All Angels in Columbia. Sprott was characterized as is a role model for other staff members: "She consistently puts campers first and does every task with a smile"
By Bobbi Kennedy
South Carolina State Day at The Washington National Cathedral on Sunday July 15th was a day of worship and celebration. Two hundred South Carolinians joined the congregation of over 1,200 that filled the Nave on a balmy summer day.
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The Arpad Darazs Singers perform at National Cathedral's SC State Day service. |
Prior to the service, the Arpad Darazs Singers, a Columbia choral group named after an internationally renowned University of South Carolina conductor and educator, along with singers from Episcopal Church choruses from Darlington, Conway, and Florence churches and several Palmetto Mastersingers performed a 25-minute prelude of sacred music performed a cappella under the direction of conductor Robert D. Neese, Jr.
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Bishop Henderson presides at worship during the SC State Day celebration at Washington National Cathedral. |
Service participants included the Rt. Rev. Dorsey F. Henderson, Jr. Bishop of Upper South Carolina, the Rev. Canon William Barnwell, a South Carolina native now serving as canon missioner of Washington National Cathedral; the Rev. Robert Chiles, St. David’s Episcopal Church, Columbia, the Rev. David Stricker, vicar of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, Dillon, the Rev. Canon Sue von Rautenkranz, youth minister for the Diocese of Upper South Carolina, the Rev. L Howard Maltby, rector of St. Alban’s, Lexington, and dean of the Midlands Convocation, Lexington; the Rev. M. H. Conner, chaplain, Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community, Columbia, Mrs. John McReadie Barr, National Cathedral Association Chair for Upper South Carolina; and Mr. Townsend Zeigler, South Carolina State flag bearer.
Acolytes carrying colorful banners from a half dozen Palmetto State communities opened the worship service. The honor of reading Scripture was given to Nell Barr of West Columbia, who at 29 years is the longest serving regional volunteer leader of the National Cathedral Association and who is credited with nurturing strong ties between the South Carolina Church and the Cathedral in Washington. “I've had the honor and privilege of reading Scripture twice in my lifetime at the Cathedral, and it has been a highlight of my life. For a chance to be able to take part, I feel so honored.”
Bishop Henderson, who presided at the service, said he was proud of South Carolina’s association with the Cathedral and that the generous turnout of worshippers, in particular from our home state, “says that people can come together and worship and share in the life of the church and the life of the world. It point out that as a people we are one.”
Following the service the National Cathedral association invited all worshipers and visitors to enjoy coffee, refreshment and fellowship immediately following the service in the West End of the nave. The Cathedral also offered a special 45-minute tour of the cathedral following the service and coffee hour.
To read and listen to Canon Barnwell’s sermon and see pictures of the SC State Day celebrations visit www.cathedral.org/cathedral/programs and click on State Days.
By the Rev. Roy Cole
At its recent meeting the Piedmont Convocation, representing seven missions and parishes, voted to enter into a covenant relationship with two of the poorest parishes in the Anglican diocese of Lake Malawi in Africa. One is in an urban setting near the capital of Lilongwe ( St Martin's ) and the other is in a rural setting ( St. Catherine's ) near the small town of Mnponela where we are exploring the micro-loan possibility. Both relationships are subject to the approval of our respective ecclesiastical authorities and the individual decisions of our respective vestries and mission committees.
We voted to establish a working committee to develop the relationship. Fr. Alban Katemba from the Diocese of Lake Malawi was present at the meeting and offered prayer in Chechewa, the language of his country. We hope this will serve to move us collectively toward the resolutions endorsed by two Diocesan Conventions in support of the MDGs and the ONE Campaign.
Follow the links above to get on board—and make sure to enlist your congregation as well! For more information, contact the Rev. Roy Cole, 864.585.2268.
Time to mark your calendar for those fall ECW District Meetings! For more information contact ECW president Beck Sullivan, becksullivan1@aol.com.
September 8 |
Eastern District |
Advent, Spartanburg |
September 16 (Sun.) |
Central District |
Good Shepherd, Columbia |
October 7 (Sun.) |
Northwest District |
St. Philip's, Greenville |
October 13 |
Western District |
St. Bartholomew's, N. Augusta |
By Tom Hovland
Thursday, July 19th; 3:45 PM – temperature 95 degrees +………….. A large tour bus and several vans pull into the rear parking lot of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Greenville. Seventy one teenage volunteers and 27 adult volunteers, all hot, dirty and tired seek refuge in the shade of the church’s pavilion – quickly grabbing handfuls of Chex Mix, cookies and glasses of lemonade, ice tea or bottles of water. Nearly all stretched out on the cool surfaces of the concrete deck or metal picnic tables.
Turning the clock back a few months, the St. Peter’s Men’s Fellowship Group had heard about Home Works and their annual planned one week mission in Greenville to repair homes for the elderly or disabled. Home Works is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that began in 1996 with the purpose of their activities focusing on providing home repairs to homeowners in need, assisting youth in their development and empowering communities to meet the needs of its members.
The St. Peter’s Men’s Fellowship Group elected to support Home Works by providing a meal for this exceptional ministry. The Home Works volunteers team needs 18 meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner) for their work week – all donated or funded.
Back to Thursday, July 19th: A team of volunteers fired up the BBQ grill and the dinner bell rang at 5:45, signaling grace and a subsequent stampede for the picnic fare: BBQ chicken, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, home-style baked beans, home-made cole slaw, chips, and plenty of lemonade and iced tea..
Following a short post-meal break the Home Works group gathered for their daily evening devotional, then headed back to their temporary quarters to recover and prepare for the next day's Home Works tasks. The vast majority of this group was from the Philadelphia area, and it was a pleasure to meet and talk with them: spirited, hardworking, polite, well led, and focused on their mission. Home Works is a prime example of how today’s youth learn the value of contributing to the community. This is where we “invest” in and can nurture our future leaders.
Here are some impressive statistics for their Greenville July 2007 work week: 11 homes repaired, including 3 new roofs; 4 wheel chair ramps; 2 new kitchens from the floor joists up; 1 new kitchen ceiling; 1 home exterior completely repainted; 1 bathroom plumbing and flooring replaced; 3 homes' fascia and soffits scrapped and painted; 1 mobile home re-sealed, window replaced, and door widened for wheel-chair access; 1 mobile home exterior door replaced and handicap grab bars installed.
The St. Peter’s Men’s Fellowship Group have already committed to supporting the Home Works Greenville work week in 2008, plus a one day “blitz” event in October of this year. Any Upstate church that would like to explore starting a similar ministry is encouraged to contact Tom Hovland at tomar617@hotmail.com or by phone: Home: 864.235.4259 (home), 864.908.8651 (cell).
By Lita Middleton and William Middleton, IV
Our family has ridden down that long stretch of River Road on Johns Island, SC, more times than we could count, with its moss-draped trees and assortment of homes in various states of repair, open fields, auto-repair shops, “mom & pop” grocery stores. But until we drove up to the Edward Johnson home at 3048 River Road with the Home Works caravan the first Sunday afternoon of our mission trip, we had not really given much thought to the folks who call this area home. We were always on our way someplace else, our minds on a destination a few miles down the road but worlds away from the homes and lives lived out on River Road.
The yellow frame house belonging to the Johnson family has been theirs for generations; in fact Mr. Johnson and his 7 siblings were born in one of its small rooms. It has withstood the years and is currently home to Mr. Edward Johnson and his son Keith. Other family homes now share the land once owned by Mr. Johnson’s father, a Johns Island farmer, but it became clear to us that this home, even in its state of terrible disrepair, was the true “homeplace” of the family. It was difficult to fathom that our “neighbors” on Johns Island spent their lives in a home they loved but had none of the comforts we know and often take for granted.
On the Sunday before our group of 34 young people in grades 9-12, along with six adult chaperones, left the Trinity parking lot bound for the Lowcountry, Canon Joye Cantrell spoke to us in her sermon about the parable of the Good Samaritan. She challenged us to answer the question, “Who is my neighbor?” We listened to her sermon with the upcoming trip in mind, knowing it would be a living example of this timeless story. But we had no way of knowing how profoundly we would experience the daily presence of God’s love during our time with each other and with Homeworks
Many of our Trinity missioners were veterans of the Homeworks trip to Johns Island. Those of us there for the first time shared an expectation of hard work, hot temperatures, locker room showers and air mattresses on a gym floor, rewarded by new friendships and the satisfaction of doing good deeds. From the first Sunday when we previewed our home sites and met the homeowners, to our daily meals when we were greeted by the smiling faces of volunteers from area churches and organizations, we were surrounded by love, gratitude and God’s grace. By week’s end, we were tired but joyful, and bound together by our prayers for each other, for our work and for the homeowners we’d come to know and love. Together with more than 80 other volunteers, we had repaired 21 homes on Johns and Wadmalaw Islands, re-roofing houses, cleaning out decades-worth of possessions that prohibited a homeowner from living in her house, replacing sinks, ceiling fans, broken windows, decks, doors, carpeting, flooring, doing exterior repairs and interior and exterior painting, demolishing and rebuilding rooms, and more.
It was clear that the adults and the young people who made this trip had obeyed the call from Luke’s Gospel to “go and do likewise.” They worked hard, grew closer to each other through prayer, and learned to love and serve their neighbors on Johns and Wadmalaw Islands. Thanks be to God.
Trinity Cathedral, Columbia invites you to attend a free presentation, "Staying Sharp as you Age", September 18, 2008 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Trinity Center for Missions. It is a This workshop provides you with the most up-to-date information on maintaining your brain, national experts and even door prizes!
Registration is required for this event and limited seating is available. Please call 1.877.926.9300 to attend this workshop. This workshop is presented by Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community, AARP, Palmetto Health HomeCare, and the Lt. Governor's Office on Aging.
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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.
The registration form is available for download from the diocesan Web site, www.edusc.org. For additional information please contact Reggie Brooker at 864.271.0520 or by e-mail to pbroo10157@aol.com.
The York Place board of trustees, children and staff invite you to celebrate with us as The Rt. Rev. Dorsey F. Henderson, Jr. and The Rt. Rev. Edward L. salmon, Jr. join with clergy and friends to dedicate and consecrate the Henry and Eleanora Richardson Treatment and Evaluation Center, Sarah Tatum Smith Dining and Assembly Hall, and Betsy's Park Friday, October 12, 2007 beginning at 9:30 a.m.
9:30-10:45 a.m. Pre-dedication concurrent events, registration, building tours, staff presentations
11 a.m. Dedication ceremony with lunch to follow.
Please RSVP to Kathy Grier at 803.684.4011, ext. 1013 or via email to kgrier@yorkplace.org by October 2, 2007.
The next Continuing Ed Training Day will be October 13, 2007.
Locations:
• St. Martin's-in-the-Field, Columbia
• Church of the Advent, Spartanburg
The following courses will be offered, but must have at least 6 participants per workshop. Workshops may be cancelled because of low registrations.
• Worship Leader Basic
• Worship Leader Continuing Education
• Eucharistic Visitor Basic
• Eucharistic visitor Continuing Education
• Safe Church Training
• Race Relations, St. Martin's-in-the-Fields ONLY
Please click here to download the registration form. Click here to see who in your parish needs Safe Church training. Contact Roslyn Hook (803.771.7800, ext. 20) with questions.
Hendersonville, NC – Fall and winter programs at Kanuga present opportunities for marriage enrichment, Advent and Lenten retreats and the chance to hear from speakers such as author Bruce Feiler.
Besides conferences, workshops and retreats, there are guest periods for the fall color season, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Check out the full Kanuga Events calendar
online at www.kanuga.org.
—"The Revolutionary Nature of Early Oriental Christianity"—
On September 14-15 the Convent will offer "The Revolutionary Nature of Early Oriental Christianity," led by Dr. Lynn Bauman. Christianity is both an occidental and an oriental religion, but we in the West have lost a great portion of our oriental roots. Grounded in the Semitic and oriental heritage of the Middle East, Christianity reflects both modes. In this seminar we will explore those roots and the new discoveries that are returning to us the oriental treasures of our faith as they have originated in the teaching and wisdom of Jesus (Yeshua). Many of these are contained in newly recovered documents like the Gospels of Thomas, Mary Magdalene and Philip. Each of these moves us toward the recovery of a wisdom perspective that was the vision of the Christian East. We will examine together these treasures recently recovered from the sands of the ancient Middle East. Program cost is $55.
For more information, please contact the convent: 706.798.5201, ext 1, or e-mail augustaconvent@comcast.net.
The 2008 John Hines preaching award contest is here again. All preachers - bishops, priests, deacons, and laypersons - are invited to submit one sermon for Virginia Theological Seminary's John Hines Preaching Award. Sermons should reflect the prophetic voice that characterized the sermons of John Hines, presiding Bishop 1965-1974.
The sermon must have been delivered in the Episcopal Church to a congregation between I Advent 2006 and the last Sunday after Pentecost 2007. The sermon must be received by the John Hines preaching Award Committee by December 15, 2007. The recipient of the John Hines Preaching Award will receive $2000.00.
For further information, about the Hines Award, please write or call The Rev. Pamela Webb, Director o Alumni Affairs, Virginia Theological Seminary, 3737 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA 22304, 1.800.941.0083. Please feel free to visit the VTS Web site as well, www.vts.edu. .
By Amy Sander Montanez, D. Min.
Anything but the kitchen sink
I’ve been living without a kitchen sink now for three months. There are other things we are living without due to these renovations: a washer and dryer, a dishwasher, stove and oven, books, TV for about a week, and any semblance of order. But the thing I miss most is the kitchen sink.
I didn’t know it would be this way. I didn’t realize how my life revolves around the kitchen sink. Fill the coffee pot with water at the kitchen sink. Stir the cat food, rinse the spoon in the kitchen sink. Wipe the crumbs from the counter in to the kitchen sink. Take your vitamins with a swig of water from the kitchen sink. Make a bowl of instant oatmeal, with a cup of water from the kitchen sink. Throw the ice leftover in a glass in the kitchen sink. Make a salad, wash the cutting board in the kitchen sink. Cut your finger while opening mail, rinse and disinfect at the kitchen sink. Need a glass of water after working in the yard, go to the kitchen sink. Wash any dish or cup or glass or pot or container in the kitchen sink. You get the idea.
I keep thinking about the saying, “She packed everything but the kitchen sink.” I’m now thinking the kitchen sink should be the first thing we pack. We should pack the thing that our lives revolve around. I’ve never heard of the kitchen sink used as a metaphor for our relationship with God, and I’m wondering why not. My relationship with God is like my relationship with the kitchen sink. I stumble to this place first thing in the morning. I turn it on to start the process of nourishing myself. I return to it constantly, to dump messes, to wash off, to prepare food and drink, to offer others hospitality, and sometimes to nurse a wound. When my daughter was days and weeks old, I bathed her in it. I washed my mother’s hair in it when she couldn’t shower any more. I prefer it to be tidy, but that’s not always the case.
Maybe your time at home doesn’t revolve around the kitchen. Because I like to cook, and because no matter how I try to use other rooms, every visitor to my house ends up in my kitchen, my home life is predominantly in my kitchen. Wherever your life is centered at home, try thinking about it as a metaphor for your relationship with God. You might find it curious and helpful, as I did. I guess some of yours might be a little more techno savvy, like “My relationship with God is like my relationship with the TV….or like my relationship with the computer…or with the video games…etc.” Or maybe it’s something like “My relationship with God is like my time in the workshop…or like my time in the garden.” Just play with the idea and see what you come up with. I know this for sure. My mother was right when she said you don’t realize how important something is until you don’t have it. I will never take my kitchen sink for granted again. And I will try not to let the metaphor get lost in the busyness of every day living.
©Copyright Amy Sander Montanez, 2007
