PILGRIMAGE OF THE CANTERBURY CROSS

Prayer for the Journey

Ever-present, ever-loving God,
By your Spirit you call your people in every age to journey to the land which you have promised them;
Inspire us to travel in the footsteps of Abraham and Sarah, of Augustine of Canterbury and his companions;
and bless the Pilgrimage of the
Cross in our midst that it may renew our congregations,
strengthen our witness to you,
and deepen our commitment
to Jesus Christ, our Guide and Companion on the road to everlasting life. Amen

1997, Anniversary Year

The year 1997 marks the twin 1400th anniversary of the arrival of St. Augustine in Canterbury and the death of St. Columba on the island of Iona. In the year 596 Pope Gregory the Great sent a small party of Benedictine monks to bring the Christian Gospel to the Angles. In the fifty years previous to this, St. Columba had similarly brought the Gospel from Ireland to Iona and thereafter missionaries made their way to Northern England.

These early Christian journeys were truly trans-European in their vision. It would be the Benedictine Order during the Middle Ages that would nurture a true European culture morally, aesthetically and spiritually. During the early Middle Ages the Celtic Christian heritage was similarly trans-European. During the seventh century St. Wilfrid was a missionary in France and in later years St. Boniface and St. Willibrord and others took the Gospel to the low Countries and Germany. In the later Middle Ages, St. Henry and St. Erik began their mission in Britain and Ireland and took Christian culture to Finland and Sweden.

During the seventh century at the Synod of Whitby, the two streams, Celtic and Roman came together. There was a real sense of reconciliation between two different traditions, which at the same time allowed a new flowering of culture and spirituality, enriched by these twin roots. Pilgrims' Way 1997 was developed to build upon these strong roots and to nourish efforts towards reconciliation and an enrichment of our spiritual, moral and cultural life by re-discovering our heritage and then developing it anew.

The Pilgrims' Way

The first of the pilgrimages will began in Rome. The community of St. Egidio organized the first part of the pilgrimage. The launch of the pilgrimage was intended to bring together Christian leaders from all Churches to set the pilgrims on their way. The journey passed through Franciscan sites in central Italy. The route then made its way via Bobbio, where St. Columbanus set up a community and then to Milan. The pilgrims followed Augustine's route through France stopping on the way at Taize. This first stage of the pilgrimage concluded in Canterbury on the Feast of St. Augustine (26 May) when representatives of governments both in Britain and from throughout Europe gathered in Canterbury Cathedral to offer thanksgiving.

From Canterbury some of the original 50 pilgrims joined a much larger contingent of pilgrims (500) who made their way along four different routes through England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Two smaller spur pilgrimages from Cornwall and from East Anglia joined the main routes. These latter pilgrimages ended on June 9 in Northern Ireland in Derry, the city founded by St. Columba, with a service commemorating his death in 597.

Personal Involvement

The congregations of the Convocation of American Churches in Europe have been challenged by the Bishop in Charge, the Rt. Rev. Jeffery Rowthorn, to become personally involved with the Pilgrimage of the Canterbury Cross in this 1400th anniversary year of St. Augustine's arrival at Canterbury. He has visited each of the parishes within the first six months of this year, stating his hopes that each congregation will welcome the Cross on its long journey from Canterbury Cathedral to the Cathedral in Paris, and that in the presence of the Canterbury Cross and the Bishop, many people will make a public reaffirmation of their Baptismal promises. Bishop Rowthorn feels "The Year of St. Augustine gives us an opportunity and an incentive to ask God for the vision, the energy, the imagination and the enthusiasm we all need as we run to keep up with the Holy Spirit. You don't have to spend more than a few weeks in the New Europe to discover how powerfully the Holy Spirit is moving on every side, in church and society."

On Friday, August 15, members of St. Augustine's of Canterbury, Wiesbaden, received the Canterbury Cross, made from oak beams of the Bell Tower, at Canterbury Cathedral in the setting of Evensong and they celebrated Eucharist the next morning at St. Martin's Church in Canterbury. The cross then began its journey to all the parishes of the Convocation. On Sunday, October 12, in the presence of the Presiding Bishop, the Canterbury Cross will arrive at the American Cathedral in Paris at the conclusion of the Convocation Convention.

A Study Course Available

A Journey Without Maps is a course for small groups and individuals. It is designed to help people prepare for the Convocation's Pilgrimage of the Cross commemorating the 1400th anniversary of St. Augustine's mission from Rome to Canterbury.

Although A Journey Without Maps was written for the Pilgrimage of the Canterbury Cross in this anniversary year, its overall purpose is to help people stay faithful in daily life in these changing and challenging times. Thus it could be used at any time with any adult group, in church seminars and classes, or in informal house groups. Since it is built on the Baptismal Covenant it could be used for confirmation preparation for adults and young people of high school age. Business people could use it individually while traveling from place to place or others could also do the course on their own. It is flexible enough to lend itself to small group or individual use.

This six week course is based on the Baptismal Covenant and themes of pilgrimage. Each of the sections focuses on one of the baptismal promises which is stated at the beginning of the chapter. Included also in each section are Scripture readings, hymns and prayers related to the particular promise and an account of a contemporary pilgrim, with the exception of Week One where the pilgrim profiled is St. Augustine. Study questions are provided together with space for participants to record their own thoughts and impressions of their own journeys of faith.

The chapters titles are as follows: Singing Songs of Expectation; Food for the Journey; Devils, Deserts and Deep Woods; Saints and Signposts; Costs of the Journey; and Keep Your Eye on the Prize. The pilgrim stories, referred to as "Canterbury Tales", include: Fr. Roger Schutz and the Taize; Community in France; Dietrich Bonhoeffer; Anne McNicholas and her ministry of service to the victims of hunger, disease and despair in Romania, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Kurdistan; Pope John XXIII; and Dorothy Day, the founder of the Catholic Worker Movement.

A Journey Without Maps, written by COMB (Commission on the Ministry of the Baptized), 1997, is available free or for the cost of copying and postage from any church of the Convocation. It is also available in Italian from St. Paul's Within-the-Walls Church in Rome.

This story was compiled using material from The Convocation Newsletter, Nell Toensmann Editor

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LOOKING AHEAD TO SYNOD 1998

By Stephen Lane
Province II President

The 1998 Synod of the Province II will be hosted by the Diocese of New Jersey and will be held in Cherry Hill. It is our hope to get a flavor for the ministries of the diocese in addition to accomplishing the business that will be set before us.

The theme of the Synod will be "Looking to Lambeth" and will include programming about various international matters facing the Anglican Communion. Among the possible issues to be studied will be Christian-Muslim relations, refugees and immigration, economic disparities between rich and poor, and the place of women. We hope to have representatives of Anglican organizations as well as person knowledgeable about particular issues.

We'll also take time to consider next steps for the province in the light of the General Convention's decision not to provide funding for a part time executive for each province.

The primary business before us will be the election of a Provincial Court of Review. Nomination forms will be circulated in advance of the Synod so that potential nominees can be consulted well in advance of the meeting.

Suggestions for possible workshops or other matters to be addressed by the Synod should be directed to the President or Secretary John Goldsack.

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REFLECTIONS ON GENERAL CONVENTION REGARDING THE PROVINCE

By Stephen Lane
Province II President

The recent General Convention was disappointing in terms of guidance given the provinces for their future functioning within the Episcopal Church. The proposals for restructuring the church specifically did not include proposals for provinces preferring that such changes "emerge" from the ongoing life of the church. For those of us hoping for some clear guidelines that decision left us to struggle with the current amorphous situation.

The House of Deputies adopted, but the House of Bishops failed to concur with, a proposal to provide funding for a half-time executive in each province. Province II was a co-sponsor of the legislation and specific amounts for Province II were included. The Bishops failed to concur because some do not see a need for such positions and because funding for provinces was not included in the proposed budget. We will now need to consider whether there is support within our province for funding such a position ourselves.

On the plus side, work that we have done in Province II was prominently displayed at the General Convention. Our proposed amendment to the Rowley Commission report regarding the ordination and deployment of women in every diocese was adopted by the Ministry Committee and, ultimately, by the Convention as a whole. (The amended called for the elimination of the word "solely" so that discrimination against women good not be justified by linking sex discrimination with age or some other condition.)

The work of the JPIC (Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation) was very much in evidence with Archdeacon Michael Kendall of the Diocese of New York often serving as spokesman. Many of the proposals presented by JPIC were adopted at Convention.

The General Convention elected provincial representatives to the Standing Committee on the Nomination of the Presiding Bishop to stand ready to begin work should the Presiding Bishop die or become incapacitated. Elected from Province two were Diane Pollard of New York and Steve Lane of Rochester. (Bishop?)

The Provincial Dinner was a roaring success with more than one hundred deputies and friends attending. There was no formal agenda, but following dinner numerous introductions and announcements were made, including the introduction of the newly elected Bishop of the Virgin Islands. A large contingent was present from the Convocation of American Churches in Europe to the delight of all present, and many contacts and connections were made. The dinner was held in a hotel a short distance from the Convention Center, and after two very pleasant hours together, we left to enjoy a pleasant walk to their hotels.

The life and ministry of the Second Province was quite visible at General Convention. I came away thankful for the energy and health of our province and looking forward to continued work on the matters which concern us.

Stephen T. Lane
Zion Episcopal Church 120 East Main Street Palmyra, NY 14522 315-597-9236

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EVANGELISM NETWORK NEWS

By The Rev. John Rollins
Evangelism Network

One of the most active units of Province II's evangelism network is the Diocese of Newark. Again this year, the diocesan commission will be sponsoring a two-day conference called "What About the Rest? Involving the "nonreligious" in Faith" on November 21-22, 1997.

The conference leader will be the Reverend James R. Adams, author of So You Can't Stand Evangelism? A Thinking Person's Guide to Church Growth (Cambridge: Cowley Publications, 1994). Fr. Adams, one-time rector of St. Mark's - Capitol Hill, was part of creating an alive and growing congregation. Now retired and head of the Center for Progressive Christianity, he shares his gifts with the wider Church and leads numerous conferences.

"What About the Rest?..." will be held at the Xavier Conference Center, Convent Station, NJ (between Morristown and Madison, NJ, about 3 miles from I-287). Costs are $100 for commuters, $110 for overnight guests.

Discounts apply if registration is made before October 12th and/or when 4 or more persons register from one congregation. Registration forms may be received by calling or writing Mrs. Joan Lodge, 41 Hillsdale Drive, Sussex, NJ 07461 (201) 875-0856. The form can also be found on the Diocese of Newark's website at <<http://ecusa.anglican.org/newark/evang.html>>

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THE PRESIDING BISHOP'S FUND FOR WORLD RELIEF

By Joyce Hogg
Network Coordinator
Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief

The Presiding Bishop's Fund has joined the Province II Network! We are the first province to have representation this way. There are Diocesan Fund Coordinators for each diocese whose job it is to spread the news of the mission and ministry of the fund in their areas.

The Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief is a major response by the Episcopal Church to God's call to serve Christ in all persons, to love our neighbors, and to respect the dignity of every human being. The fund raises, receives and uses funds for the relief of human suffering. It provides relief in times of disaster, it assists in the rehabilitation of lives, property and organizations, and it joins in partnerships with those who identify and address root causes of suffering.

Please contact your diocesan representative to learn more about the fund. We have a goal to have representatives in each of our congregations who will be responsible for sharing information about the fund with their fellow parishioners. If you would like to join us, please contact your diocesan representative.

If you would like to find out current information about the fund, our website address is:
http://www.pbfwr.org

Watch out for information about grants awarded in Province II and news of our special programs, the Thunder Child and the Haitian Initiatives, in the next issue of The Grapevine.

Province II Diocesan Fund Coordinators:

Albany
Kabby Lowe
518-346-8879

Central New York
Onieta Pierson

Long Island
Joyce Hogg
718-939-9593

Newark
vacant

New Jersey
Susan Nelson
609-599-5141

New York
Luisa Murrell
718-884-0063
The Rev. Peg Normann
914-234-3282
John Whitworth
914-677-5105

Rochester
Gladys Wiedrich
716-385-3080

Western New York
The Rev. Richard Mollison
716-694-6504

Contact: Joyce Hogg, 67-11 166th Street, Flushing, NY 11365,NY: 718-939-9593

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The Episcopal Church on the World Wide Web

As more and more folks learn about "surfing the web" and more people become accustomed to looking for information on the Internet, a church Internet presence becomes less a luxury and more a common tool for communication. The articles in this issue of The Grapevine on General Convention, the Lambeth Conference, and the Pilgrimage of the Canterbury Cross all mention URLs (uniform resource locators), which are Internet addresses of world wide web sites.

There are many congregations and several dioceses who have had members with talent and resources create home pages for their churches. The national Episcopal church maintains a list of webpages of congregations on its pages. This list can be accessed by province and diocese and can be found at <<http://ecusa.anglican.org>>. If your congregation or diocese has such a page, it may not be listed, however, because no one in the Telecommunications Office at 815 Second Avenue in New York knows about it! To be added to the list, you need to make a request to be added by contacting the Rev. Kris Lee at cwkl@teleport.com and giving your congregation's/diocese's name, province, town, and state, along with the URL of your page.

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PRAYER OF MOTHER THERESA

Oxford Book of Prayer

Dearest Lord, may I see you today, and every day in the
person of your sick, and whilst nursing them minister
unto you.

Though you hide yourself behind the unattractive
disguise of the irritable, the exacting, the
unreasonable, may I still recognize you and say,
"Jesus, my patient, how sweet it is to serve you."

Lord, give me this seeing faith, then my work will
never be monotonous. I will ever find joy in humoring
the fancies and gratifying the wishes of all poor
sufferers.

O beloved sick, how doubly dear you are to me, when you
personify Christ; and what a privilege is mine to be
allowed to tend you.

Sweetest Lord, make me appreciative of the dignity of
my high vocation, and its many responsibilities. Never
permit me to disgrace it by giving way in coldness,
unkindness, or impatience.

And, O God, while you are Jesus, my patient, deign also
to be to me a patient Jesus, bearing with my faults,
looking only to my intention, which is to love and to
serve you in the person of each of your sick.

Lord, increase my faith, bless my efforts and work, now
and forevermore. Amen.

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