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During the first half of 1996, the Executive Council plans to visit each diocese to consult and engage in dialogue with people from the diocese who represent its various and diverse leadership elements. With the concurrence of the diocesan bishops, two-person teams representing the Executive Council and the staff of the presiding bishop will spend up to two days to explore and celebrate the ministries of the dioceses, and engage in a roundtable discussion. (See "Linkage System at Work" this page.)
The specific purposes of the consultations are:
The Rev. Sheay will be the Executive Council member who visits the dioceses of New York, Bethlehem, and Newark. Mr. Peter Ng, Province II Executive Council member, will visit the dioceses of New Jersey, Long Island, and Albany. Executive Council members to visit other dioceses in Province II are: Central New York, Mr. Calvin Schofield; Convocation of American Churches in Europe, Ms. Judith Conley; Haiti, Mr. Geoffrey Reeson; Rochester, Ms. Joyce Phillips Austin; Virgin Islands, Mr. Frank Turner; Western New York, Mr. Timothy Wittlinger.
Contact: the Rev Virginia M. Sheay, St. Luke's, 1620 Prospect St., Trenton, NJ 08638-3031, tel: 609-882-7614.
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The linkage system promotes partnership. The national church staff responds to the questions and needs of the dioceses and provinces, and the dioceses and provinces begin to feel free to tell the national church precisely what they most need to make their ministries even better. In this increasingly frank exchange, there is every reason to believe that new models for ministry will appear as we all begin to say, "Look what we did." and "I bet you can use this idea in your diocese!"
I have had the opportunity to be a linkage person on both the provincial and on the diocesan level so I have an awareness of the wealth of ministries growing in the congregations and dioceses of the church. I have an awareness of the potential strength in a province that is able to coordinate, integrate, and strengthen the ministries of its member dioceses. There is also the wonderful potential gift to the whole church of provinces harnessing their collective strength.
As we head into a new year, diocesan visits and consultations are being organized. Executive Council members and a national church staff person are assigned dioceses to visit. In most cases, the staff person is the linkage person to the diocese that is being visited. The Executive Council member is responsible for making the initial contact with the diocesan bishop. At that time a date is chosen for the visit, and logistical needs are discussed. The council member then coordinates the visit with the national church staff person.
Contact your diocesan office for the date of your linkage visitation and let them know what you would like to share with the rest of the church. I urge all of you who are at work for the mission of the church to move toward sharing the story of your work with the rest of us. Let us know what you are doing, whether you are working with a women's group, or a youth group, or a seniors group, or a community outreach enterprise. All of our ministry matters.
And when you do participate in your diocesan visitation, don't be shy. Speak frankly about what you are doing now, what you plan to do in the future, and how your province and the national church can help you attain your goal. Also say what you feel is not being done to help you attain success in your ministry. You will be giving us all a great gift if you let us know something about yourself and the working dynamics of your ministry. How do you see your present and future ministries in the overall life of the church and in the broader community of faith?
The linkage visits are sharing and planning times for all levels of the church's mission. (See "Executive Council Members to Visit Dioceses" this page.)
For information about programs and resources, contact: Sonia Francis, Episcopal Church Center, 815 Second Ave., New York, NY 10017-4594, tel: 1-800-334-7626.
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Saint Paul set out the parameters for Christian life when he told the church at Corinth, "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit... To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good." (I Cor. 12:4, 7) How does one go about putting the gifts in one's own life to work for the common good? God shows us the way.
Most Christians respond to God's call in a balanced way, integrating the church into their everyday lives. In this, both clergy and laity pursue God's call as individuals, and for the vast majority of Christians and for God, too, this seems to work well. But history shows that occasionally certain individuals are called to be a part of a closely-knit family structure; a group which is set aside to pray and to serve together under the guidance of a rule of life.
"How does a person know if he or she has a vocation to the religious life?" is the question I have been most frequently asked in my 18 years in religious profession as a friar in the Brotherhood of St. Gregory. My reply is simple. Try it and see!
The very fact that a person is given to wonder about a call to the religious life indicates the possibility of the beginning of a vocation. Paul put it simply, "...God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." (Phil 2:13) As is always the case, a person is free to choose whether to follow or to ignore the call. It is not easy to try something new. It is unsettling and requires a certain combination of introspection and openness. Many people seem to be able to overcome the desire to answer a call. Others either cannot or choose not to try to ignore a call. For the latter, this may be the first real encounter with a personal God, a God who is active in everyday life, and the possibility of a great adventure about to begin.
All applicants to the postulancy are interviewed by the Brotherhood's council. Upon acceptance the postulant is admitted and enters a course of study, counsel, self-examination, and testing which lasts a minimum of one year. After completion of the postulancy, a novitiate of at least two years is entered. This is a time of further growth in self-discipline and training, at the end of which the chapter of professed brothers advises the Superior General on the suitability of a novice to make first profession of vows for a period of one year. These annual vows are renewed each year for a total of from five to nine years, after which a brother is eligible to make life profession, with the approval of the Superior General and council.
The traditional vows are adapted to the apostolic life in the world:
This modern interpretation of the religious life finds its roots in Saint Gregory's Pastoral Care , Saint Francis' Rule for All the Faithful , and Saint Francis de Sales' writings, and expresses the total integration of worship and work, contemplative prayer and active ministry.
As a community of friars (literally "brothers") and sisters, we strive to apply our talents and our gifts in service and ministry over a wide range of opportunities. The Brotherhood and Companion Sisterhood do not limit themselves to a single form of ministry. Each member is encouraged to pursue God's direction with the love and support of the whole community. The community does not require celibacy and communal living, so that each member may be encouraged to become a visible witness for Christ within the workplace, the marketplace, the parish church, and in his or her own family.
Flexibility is essential to the ministry of the Brotherhood and Companion Sisterhood. Each member is encouraged to develop, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the care and direction of the community, those talents which God has given him or her. Members work in parishes a liturgists, musicians, librarians, artists, visitors to the poor and the sick, administrators, sextons, teachers, guild members, and clergy.
In Province II there are fourteen members ministering on the national, diocesan, and parochial levels. Members represent the diverse variety of God's gifts regarding their occupations. These include administrators and pastors in the institutional church, a communications expert, a financial securities administrator, an architectural consultant, an HIV/AIDS counselor and fund-raiser, a bank vice president, a farmer, a retreat center director, a vestment designer, a retail salesperson, a priest/hospital chaplain, and a registered nurse. The aim is always to follow the holy example of Saint Gregory the Great as "servants of the servants of God."
The community also serves the church collectively through such efforts as the publication of The Servant, and the international and ecumenical ministry of the Brotherhood Vestment Exchange. The Servant is a quarterly publication of meditations, homilies, poetry, theological reflection, criticism, and news of the community. The Brotherhood Vestment Exchange coordinates the repair, cleaning, and transfer of donated vestments, liturgical ware, linens, and parish supplies to needy parishes and missions around the world. Through such programs as these, the Brotherhood continues to extend its service to the institutional church.
The community also sponsors a society for individuals who pray for and support us in many ways. This organization is known as the Associates of the Brotherhood of Saint Gregory. While not required to accept the responsibility of the Rule of the community, Associates have their own simplified Rule of Life and are included in many of the activities of the community locally during the year.
No one can tell you whether or not you have a vocation to the religious life. The answer comes from within yourself, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the church. Just remember to ask questions honestly and be ready to accept the answer.
Anyone interested in contacting the community for any reason should write to us at the following address:
The Brotherhood and the Companion Sisterhood of Saint Gregory
Saint Bartholomew's Church
82 Prospect Street
White Plains, NY 10606-3499
Br. James E. Teets, BSG, holds the position of Manager of Partnership Services in the Anglican and Global Relations Cluster at the Episcopal Church Center, New York City. One of the ways he relates to the domestic provinces of the Episcopal Church is as National Coordinator of Companion Diocese Relationships.
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At the Provincial Council meeting, held October 16-17, 1995 in Rochester, NY, the council voted to give $10,000 from the Province to the Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief earmarked for hurricane relief in the Virgin Islands.
On January 27, 1996, at an elaborate consecration ceremony held at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City, the Rev. Catherine S. Roskam officially became a bishop of the Diocese of New York. Bishop Roskam was ordained in the Diocese of New York in 1984. She served in the Diocese of New York and in California prior to being elected bishop. The Most Rev. Edmond L. Browning, Presiding Bishop, presided over the consecration. The service featured commissioned music and traditional hymns in English, Spanish, and Chinese. Bishops from around the world gathered with parishioners from over 200 congregations to witness the consecration. Youth ministry is an area of special interest to Bishop Roskam, and she has particular expertise in language ministries -- ministries serving Asian, Hispanic, and island congregations. She is a member of Integrity, the National Gay and Lesbians organization of the Episcopal Church.
Sister Anne Marie Bickerstaff, former superior of the Society of St. Margaret and director of the Diocese of Haiti's Holy Trinity Elementary School in Port-au-Prince, died September 22, 1995. Sister Anne Marie served as director of Holy Trinity from 1954 to 1977, building the elementary school into the largest in the nation and insisting that it always maintain its mission of serving the poorest of poor. In 1977 she returned to Boston, where the Society of St. Margaret is based, for twelve years. In 1981 she was in Haiti again and had been serving there as director of Holy Trinity School. We in Province II send our deepest sympathy to the Sisters of the Society of St. Margaret, Holy Trinity School, and all who knew her. She was truly one of God's saints. (Information from Episcopal Life.)
Michael. F. Rehill, Chancellor of Province II and Chancellor of the Diocese of Newark, is defending the Rt. Rev. Walter C. Righter against charges that his 1990 diaconal ordination of the Rev. Barry Stopfel, now rector of St. George's, Maplewood, NJ, was contrary to the doctrine of the Episcopal Church. The heresy trial of Bishop Righter, retired bishop of Iowa and former assistant bishop of Newark, is now scheduled to begin on February 27, 1996 in Wilmington, Delaware.
The American Cathedral in Paris is a very busy place. There are wonderful musical events; a wide range of times and groups for prayer, study, and reflection; youth and adult gatherings; mission and outreach programs; men's and women's groups; a counseling service. Three exciting new programs have been added. One is "Project Open Table." This is an outreach project open to all parishioners who can cook a meal and offer warm hospitality to lonely folks needing friendship. Another is a cathedral calisthenics class. Led by Gale Porterfield, a cathedral member and certified personal trainer and aerobics instructor, this hour-long class is low impact and suitable for all fitness levels. And the third is called AIDS Outreach, whose objective is healing. The group meets once a month to help heal alienation, fear, ignorance, doubt, lack of self-esteem, and to help meet the spiritual needs of members in this time of AIDS.
Joan Cupo (NY) was given the 1995 Woman of Achievement award by the Staten Island newspaper, The Advance. Joan, as founder and president of the board of directors of the Episcopal Feeding Ministry, Inc., has made it possible for individual donations of food to be regularly collected, combined, and set on the tables of thousands of hungry Staten Island residents. The ministry's food pantry now provides food for over 350,000 meals a year. Joan's other volunteer efforts are too numerous to list here.
Stephen C. Duggan (N) was elected by Executive Council as the church's new treasurer and the treasurer of General Convention. He began work on November 1, 1995. Catherine Lynch (NJ) is the new assistant treasurer of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society, with primary responsibility for church investments. Anthony Perfetti (LI) has been appointed controller, with primary responsibility for general accounting.
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February 8-12
Executive Council will meet in Miami, FL.
March 1
The 1996 World Day of Prayer theme, God Call Us to Respond, was written by
the women of Haiti. World Day of Prayer is a worldwide movement of Christian
women of many traditions who come together to observe a common day of
informed prayer and prayerful action each year. In New York City there will
be a Haiti Festival: a cultural and spiritual celebration of Haiti and the
New York Haitian community.
March 22-24
An international stewardship conference, "Stewardship Living for Today:
Converting Hearts and Minds", will be held at the Hotel Syracuse, Syracuse,
NY. The conference is open to parish and diocesan stewardship leaders, lay
and ordained. Registration before February 1 is $150; after February 1 it is
$170. Cost covers materials and meals except Friday evening. Lodging is not
included. Contact: Nancy Wart, Suite 200, 310 Montgomery St., Syracuse, NY
13202, tel: 315-474-6596.
April 26-28
The annual conference of the Episcopal Church Women of Province II will be
held at Vanderkamp, Cleveland, NY, beginning Friday afternoon 26 April through
Sunday lunch. All women are invited. You do not need to be a diocesan
delegate to attend. The women of the Diocese of Western New York, the host
diocese, are planning the program with National ECW President, Gini Peterson
as special guest and speaker for the conference. For information, contact:
Lillian Davis-Wilson, 69 Carriage Hill East, Williamsville, NY 14221.
May 6-9
The National Workshop of Christian Unity and the annual meeting of the
Episcopal Diocesan Ecumenical Officers (EDEO) will be held in Richmond, VA.
Contact: the Rev. Richard W. Townley, Province II EDEO Coordinator, tel:
609-397-0194.
May 9-11
Province II Synod will be held at the Airport Holiday Inn, Rochester, NY.
The theme of the Synod is Full Speed Ahead -- The Life of the Church
Continues. Speakers will include Dr. Pamela Chinnis, President of the House
of Deputies, Mr. Stephen C. Duggan, the church's new treasurer, and others.
Workshops will be offered on the Lutheran-Episcopal Concordat, Jews and
Christians, Quest International, and the Justice, Peace, and Integrity of
Creation ministries network of the national church. There will be elections
for Province II officers and a Province II lay representative to the
Executive Council of the Episcopal Church for a six year term.
June 23-29
The Finger Lakes Conference will be held at Hobart and William Smith
Colleges, Geneva, New York. The general lecturer will be the Rev. Robert
Farrar Capon. Interesting courses, and fun and fellowship are included in
the program. Contact: the Rev. Diana Purcell-Chapman, P.O. Box 492,
Wellsville, NY 14895.
July 25-27
The Province II Evangelism conference will be held at the College of St.
Rose in Albany, NY. The conference will be led by the Rev. Canon Linda
Strohmier, Evangelism Coordinator, the Episcopal Church Center. The topic
will be exploring new paradigms in evangelism. Contact: the
Rev. John Rollins, 400 Ramapo Ave.,
Pompton Lakes, NJ 07442.
July 30-August 4
Episcopal Youth Event (EYE) will be held at Indiana State University, Terre
Haute, IN and is for young people who have completed grades 9-12 by spring
1996 and have not attended college. The purpose of the event is "to live an
accepting and loving community centered on music, workshop, artistic
expression and fun; and to provide an opportunity to make real our visions
through the experiencing of our dreams." Contact your diocesan youth
coordinator or Sandra Wiley, tel: 718-337-6884.
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Many of the poor today are children. They are poor in terms of not having enough money to have the basic necessities of good shelter, clothing, and nourishing food. They are poor in terms of not having the support of a caring, giving, loving adult who will help them grow into caring, giving, loving adults. They are poor in terms of the kind of education they receive, or do not receive. They are poor in terms of feeling safe - safe not only from guns and drugs but from adults close to them who abuse them. These children come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. They can be found in every place in our society.
A Hebrew prophet of the Old Testament, Amos is also a prophet for today reminding us of our responsibility. This issue of The Grapevine brings examples of how we, the church, are responding.