Healing the Healers

You are cordially invited to take part in the eighth Anglican/Old Catholic Summer Seminar in Kaltern in the Dolomite Mountains of South Tyrol/ Suedtirol April 23 - April 28, 2001. During the course of the seminar we will reflect on our call as lay and ordained pastoral care givers, consider different models of pastoral ministry within the Old Catholic and Anglican traditions, and think about practical implementation.

While the focus of the conference will be on joint prayer, Eucharistic worship, presentations, and
informal discussions on the topic, there will also be excursions in and around the Kaltern wine region. Worship will be led by members of the seminar using liturgies of different national churches represented at the conference.

Although the Old Catholic and Anglican churches have been in full communion since 1931 (Bonn Agreement ), practical implementations of the full communion have been rare. One of the ways of finding ways for a more visible union between the two traditions is the Anglican/Old-Catholic Summer Seminar. First held in Olten (Switzerland) as an informal meeting of Anglican and Old-Catholic seminarians, the seminars have now become a much respected part within the Anglican/Old-Catholic dialogue. The seminars have attracted mostly "younger" theologians within the two churches, but all are welcome.

During the course of the 1998 gathering in Austria, the Silberberg Statement was issued (cf. Anglican World, Advent 1998). It voices the desire of a young generation of lay and ordained theologians, not burdened by the constraints of ecclesiastical polity, to deepen the unity between our church communities. The statement was used as a basis for discussion during the talks held between the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Archbishop of Utrecht in autumn of 1998. The Statement also suggests practical ways of furthering contacts on parochial and diocesan levels. Furthermore, it demands joint opportunities for theological training for Anglicans and Old Catholics, and requests joint mission and ministry wherever possible.

Non-European jurisdictions were represented for the first time last summer at the seminar in Zurich, Switzerland: There was a GenX deacon from the Diocese of Jerusalem, and I was able to fly in from the Diocese of Chicago.

Here is a list of last year's representations:
- The Croatian Catholic Church
- The Old-Catholic Church in the Czech Republic
- The Church of England
- The Catholic Diocese of the Old-Catholics in Germany
- The Old Catholic Church in Italy
- The Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East
- The Old-Catholic Church of the Netherlands
- The Polish-Catholic Church
- The Old Catholic Church in Slovakia
- The Christ-Catholic Church of Switzerland
- The Episcopal Church in the United States of America
- The Church in Wales
The main languages used at the conference are German and English. While German papers will be translated into English, a fair command of German would be beneficial. Yet, non-German speakers have attended the seminar.

I can warmly recommend the seminar, not only because I am on the organization committee this year. I have found last year's seminar a great way of being together, learning, sharing, and worshiping as the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.

Accommodations will be at "Haus ELKI", a retreat center of the Italian Lutheran Church. The cost for full-board accommodation is Ital. Lira 600,000.- / Euro 300.- (single) or Ital. Lira 400,000.- / Euro 200,- (double). Members of the Society of St. Willibrord are eligible for a travel grant. Also, the Provincial Government of Bozen is considering a subsidy which would bring down the cost.

For more information, please visit http://utenti.tripod.it/katholisch/seminar-english.html
or send me, The Rev. Markus Duenzkofer, Chicago, IL, U.S.A., an e-mail at herr_due@yahoo.com

Please register by March 1, 2001 by writing to
Alt-katholische Gemeinde Bozen, St. Magdalena
8. Altkath./Anglik. Sommerseminar
c/o Stefan Wedra
I-39100 Bozen
Italy
Please include a deposit of Ital. Lira 50,000.- / Euro 25.-

--return to contents

Episcopal Marriage Encounter
Episcopal Diocese of Albany NY

Renewed marriages renewing the Church and the world through the power of divine love. The Episcopal Marriage Encounter provides two days where married couples can get away from jobs, kids, chores, and phones -- and focus only on each other. If you'd like greater depth, growth, and enrichment in your relationship, you'll like the difference a Marriage Encounter weekend can make!

Our interest in Marriage Encounter began in October 1977 at the first Albany area weekend. We realized the great power of the sacrament of marriage for the family unity and growth as a couple.

The Marriage Encounter is not a retreat, a group therapy, nor a marriage counseling session. This is a unique program that re-energizes your relationship. Couples of any age, faith and social background are welcome. Join millions of couples worldwide who have learned how to keep their marriages vibrant and alive!

For more information, contact
Ken & Marilyn Irvine, at:
117 East Road
Fort Edward, N.Y. 12828-9623
Phone: 518-747-4112
Email: papa@capital.net

papa@capital.net

Our Next Encounter

The next Episcopal Marriage Encounter Weekend, will be:

April 20-22, 2001
Ramada Inn
I-87 Exit 19, Abby Lane
Glens Falls, NY 12804

To register, mail in our Printable Online Registration Form, or contact the coordinators Ken & Marilyn Irvine.

Learn more about the Episcopal Marriage Encounter:

You can visit the official web site at www.episcopalme.com.

--return to contents

Making ministry to Gen-Xers a two-way street
From the DECEMBER 2000 issue of The Episcopal New Yorker.
By The Rev. Fred Cartier, Rector of Christ Church, Red Hook

The 80 million or so Gen-Xers (people in their 20s and 30s) are studied meticulously by corporations vying for their consumer power. It is a generation seeking spirituality without "church." They are alienated from our denominational structure, and have no direct access to influence it. Yet, our future depends on them. How can Episcopal churches begin a dialogue with young people?

One way is to hear from the proverbial "horse's mouth." Tom Beaudoin, the author of Virtual Faith: The Irreverent Spiritual Quest of Generation X will present a day-long conference, "Ministering to Generation X-- a Two-Way Street," on Saturday, March 3, at Zion Church, Wappingers Falls. Sponsored by the Mid-Hudson Region, it is open to congregations throughout the Diocese.

"There are really two questions which we have to ask ourselves, not only 'What does the Holy Spirit, speaking through the Church, have to say to Gen-Xers,' but also, and as importantly, 'What is the Holy Spirit saying to the Church through Gen-Xers?" said the Rt. Rev. Mark Sisk, Bishop Coadjutor.

And if anyone can help Episcopalians do that, Beaudoin can. A Gen-Xer himself, his book has made him a sought-after lecturer for Roman Catholic, Protestant, and Episcopal groups in the United States and Europe.

To put his message into perspective, congregations must begin looking at their ministry, worship, and outreach through a generational point of view. The standard generational breakdown is: The Silent Generation (1929-47); the Baby Boomers (1947-61); Generation X (1961-83); and the Digital Generation (1983- present).

In a recent interview for this article, Beaudoin said that reaching out to Gen-Xers will bring an opportunity to look at "old avenues of thought with new insight." The Church should not look at this generation as a threat to its spirituality. Instead, it should start a dialogue with young people that examines its assumptions concerning ministry.

For example, Beaudoin cites an Episcopal Church in South Carolina that offers two simultaneous services. One has an organ, choir, and the formal liturgy while the other has a rock band, no prayers read from a book, and no ordained minister leading it. It is just a happening -- with a large crowd of worshipers less than 30 years of age. But is separate but equal the only way to strive toward inter-generational worship?

Working collaboratively with Gen-Xers is not easy because the primarily older church leadership has little in common with them. Generation X molds its identity through the "pop culture that floods over them." Beaudoin, a bass player in a rock band, makes it clear in his book that listening to their music is important to understanding them. Church leaders must also realize that Gen-Xers are the original "latch-key children" who came home from school to their "one-eyed babysitter"--television.

Beaudoin helps church leaders ask the questions that have meaning for his generation. He tells clergy to carefully observe liturgy from a generational point of view. "Do a generational analysis of your worship service and you will probably find that the service met the needs of those who planned it," he said.

Learning how to plan together will be the focus of his workshop for our Diocese.

Beaudoin grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, and graduated from the University of Missouri in 1992 with degrees in European history and secondary education. He taught high school social studies in Lee's Summit, Missouri, for two years, earning several teaching awards.

He attended Harvard Divinity School where he was awarded a Master's of Theological Studies in 1996 and while there he wrote Virtual Faith: The Irreverent Spiritual Quest of Generation X. He currently is writing a dissertation for a PhD in Religion and Education at Boston College.

--return to contents

Province II Is Represented ...

The Rev. Susan Anslow-Williams, assistant rector, St. Luke's, Jamestown, NY, Diocese of Western New York, has been appointed to ECUSA's Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music with a term running through 2006.

Lillian Davis-Wilson, a member of St. Philip's, Buffalo, Diocese of Western NY, has been appointed to ECUSA's Standing Committee on National Concerns. Her term runs through 2006.

The Rev. Sarah Buxton-Smith, associate rector of Trinity, Buffalo, Diocese of Western NY, has been appointed Chaplain to the House of Bishops' Spouses, ECUSA for the upcoming triennium.

Helena Mbele-Mbong, Emmanuel Church, Geneva, Switzerland, Convocation of American Churches in Europe, has been appointed to the Standing Commission on World Mission.

Bishop Croneberger, Diocese of Newark, is the chairperson of the Standing Commission on Ministry Development.

The Very Rev. W. Richard Hamlin, Diocese of Central New York, has been appointed to the Standing Commission on Stewardship and Development for 2000-2006.

--return to contents

Episcopal Health Ministry and Parish Nursing

The National Episcopal Health Ministries assists local congregations in each of the Provinces to reclaim the Gospel Mission of health and wholeness. Health ministry in a local congregation is an intentional ministry which focuses on both healing and health. It combines the ancient social and supportive traditions of the Christian community with the knowledge and tools of modern health care. Health ministry is a living witness of the healing activity of God through the local congregation with the goal of obtaining and maintaining health of body, mind and spirit. This health goal can be achieved through an increased knowledge of self, the assumption of personal responsibility and the interdependence of God's people.

The good news is that there is no one model for Health Ministry. What is offered depends on the needs and resources of the congregation and the community. Many churches already have some form of Health Ministry. For example, if there is already in place a health guild, nurses guild, friendly visitation group, support group, AIDs services, a twelve step program, emergency meals and transportation service, then one or more of these components make a health ministry. Existing health initiatives can be conceptualized as coming under the umbrella of Health Ministry. Other possibilities include:

seminars on parenting, aging or nutrition
support groups for grief or cancer
classes for safe baby-sitting, CPR and first aid
respite care and lay pastoral visiting
free clinics and immunization sessions in partnership with a local health department or hospital

Organizational models range from the salaried parish registered nurse to a totally volunteer team, all working to meet the unmet needs of a congregation. These needs commonly fall in the categories of health education, caring acts, support through a crisis, and advocacy on behalf of an ill congregant when communicating with health care providers. While nurses are most commonly leaders for a health ministry, other health care providers and professionals can serve in this role. Leaders can be nutritionists, social workers, dentists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists or physicians. Health ministry teams can be composed of many disciplines working together, including non-health care professionals, such as teachers.

Importantly, the congregational parish nurse and health ministry team are supervised by ordained clergy. The intent is for the health ministry team to supplement the attention, services and sacraments that can only be provided by ordained clergy. Healing services offered by clergy enhance Health Ministry.

The formation of Episcopal Health Ministry occurred in 1996 by people of the Episcopal Church who believe that the church, at the local level, needs to live out Jesus' command to heal and to make whole in body, mind and spirit. National Episcopal Health Ministries includes nurses, clergy, hospital chaplains, social workers, teachers, health educations and others committed to this belief.

National Episcopal Health Ministries serves as a resource to provinces, dioceses and local congregations. Collaborating with other faith communities, institutions and health organizations, National Episcopal Health Ministries provides education and support to those engaged in health ministries. The National Episcopal Church supports National Episcopal Health Ministry and assists with its funding. The director is The Rev. Jean Denton, BSN, MA.

More information is available:
National Episcopal Health Ministries
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
10 West 61 Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46208

Contact: Betty Watts Carrington, RN, EdD
Province II Network Coordinator
Episcopal Health Ministries
119-31 220 Street
Cambria Heights, New York 11411
Telephone: 718-527-6086
FAX: 718-527-3950

--return to contents