Bishops of Province II Jan Paxton Last year, for this winter issue of The Grapevine, I was asked to write an article on the new bishops in the province. This year I was asked to follow up with an article on all of the bishops that serve this province. The last two years have seen so many changes, and we cover eleven dioceses, which makes it hard to keep up! In the process of doing this, I began by looking at the diocesan web pages on the internet. Unfortunately, not all of our dioceses have web sites, and those that do all have differing ideas as to what should be there for their bishop(s). As a result, the information which follows is not uniform for each diocese, but, to the best of my knowledge, it is current. It was interesting to note that, except for Bishop Spong and Bishop Burrill, who have announce their retirements, all of the other bishops have taken office since 1990. November 29, 1997 saw the consecration of the Diocese of Albany's Bishop Coadjutor, The Rt. Rev. Daniel William Herzog, at the Convention Center in Albany's Empire State Plaza. He had most recently served as rector of Christ Church, Schenectady, an Anglo-Catholic parish in an inner-city neighborhood. As Bishop Coadjutor, Bishop Herzog worked beside Bishop Ball until June of 1998, at which time Bishop Herzog became the eighth bishop of the Diocese of Albany. The Rt. Rev. David Joslin has been the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Central New York since 1992. Before coming to the Diocese of Central New York, he was rector at St. Stephen the Martyr in Edina, Minnesota. He has served on the Standing Commission on Evangelism. In the Diocese of Haiti, the bishop is The Rt. Rev. Jean-Zache Duracin. Bishop Duracin was consecrated bishop in 1993, after serving as priest of Holy Trinity Cathedral, Port au Prince, Haiti from 1990 to his election. The Rt. Rev. Orris G. Walker, Jr. is the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Long Island, while The Rt. Rev. Rodney R. Michel is the Bishop Suffragan. Bishop Walker served as the Bishop Coadjutor from 1988 to 1991, when he became diocesan bishop. (His listing of activities and committees in the Episcopal Clerical Directory was more than 2 inches long!) Bishop Michel was consecrated Bishop Suffragan in 1997 after serving as rector of St. Peter's in Bay Shore form 1991 to 1997. Last year at this time the Diocese of Newark, NJ, was in the process of calling a bishop coadjutor to succeed its present diocesan bishop, The Rt. Rev. John S. Spong. Bishop Spong was consecrated Bishop Coadjutor of Newark on June12, 1976, and became Bishop of Newark in 1978, succeeding Bishop George Rath. He has announced that he plans to retire after he opens the Diocesan Convention in January of 2000. He will be succeeded by The Rt. Rev. John P. Croneberger, who was consecrated Bishop Coadjutor of Newark on November 21, 1998. In all of this, the diocese continues to be served by The Rt. Rev. Jack M. McKelvey, who was consecrated Bishop, Suffragan, of Newark on April 20, 1991 The Diocese of New Jersey is served by The Rt. Rev. Joe Morris Doss, who was consecrated bishop in 1995 after serving as coadjutor for two years. Prior to coming to New Jersey, he was rector of St. Mark's in Palo Alto, California. The Diocese of New York has four bishops, The Rt. Rev. Richard F. Grein, Bishop of New York, The Rt. Rev. Mark S. Sisk, Bishop Coadjutor of New York, The Rt. Rev. Catherine S. Roskam, Suffragan Bishop of New York, and The Rt. Rev. E. Don Taylor, Vicar Bishop of New York City. Bishop Walter Dennis, who is Vice President of Province II, retired as one of New York's bishops in 1998 and was honored at a beautiful service at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in December of 1998. The Diocese of New York, once coterminous with the entire State, now comprises three of the five boroughs of New York City -- Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island -- and seven northern counties. Bishop Catherine Roskam, who oversees Region II of the diocese, 68 congregations in the three counties directly to the north of the city, became the first female to ever become bishop in the State of New York and only the fourth female bishop in America on January 27, 1996. The 60 congregations in the four northernmost counties of the Mid-Hudson region are under the jurisdiction of the Bishop Coadjutor, Bishop Mark Sisk, who, prior to being consecrated Bishop Coadjutor, served as President & Dean of Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, from 1984 through 1998. The 83 city congregations are under the Vicar Bishop for the City, Bishop E. Don Taylor, who had served as Bishop of the Diocese of the Virgin Islands from February 1987 to April 1994. The Diocese of Rochester, NY is in the process of calling a bishop to succeed The Rt. Rev. William G. Burrill who has announced his plan to retire as Bishop of Rochester on December 31, 1999. The electing convention is scheduled for May 22, 1999 with the ordination of a bishop coadjutor to take place on November 13, 1999. The Rt. Rev. Theodore A. Daniels was ordained as the fourth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of the U.S. and British Virgin Islands on June 30, 1997, succeeding The Rt. Rev. E. Don Taylor, who left in 1994 to become assistant bishop of New York. This was the first time a bishop had ever been elected in the Virgin Islands. Previous bishops had been appointed. A native of Panama, Bishop Daniels came to the Virgin Islands from Calvary Episcopal Church, just outside of Washington D.C. On December 5, 1998, the Diocese of Western New York elected its 10th bishop St. Paul's Cathedral in Buffalo. Elected was the Rev. J. Michael Garrison, Regional Vicar and Vicar for the Development of Ministry, Las Vegas, Nevada. The Consecration date is tentatively set for April 24, 1999. Bishop Elect Garrison will succeed The Rt. Rev. David C. Bowman, who has served the diocese since 1986 and retired on January 10, 1999.. Finally, The Convocation of American Churches in Europe, whose cathedral is The American Cathedral in Paris, France, is served by The Rt. Rev. Jeffery Rowthorn, who was appointed by the then Presiding Bishop, Edmond Browning, as his Suffragan Bishop for the Convocation effective in January 1994. Bishop Rowthorn is the first full-time Episcopal Bishop in Europe. He is also responsible for liaison with the Church of England Diocese of Europe and other ecumenical relations. Before his appointment as Bishop in Charge of the Convocation, he was the Bishop Suffragan of the Diocese of Connecticut. --Return to Contents Proposed Slate of Officers for Province II Elections in May At its October meeting, the Provincial Council acted as a nominating committee and drew up the following proposed slate for the election of officers which will take place at the May 1999 meeting of the Provincial Synod. For President: no nomination (term of 3 years) For Vice President: Michael Rehill, Esq (term of 3 years) For Treasurer: Gwendolyn G. Carter (term of 3 years) For Secretary: The Rev. John A. Rollins (term of 3 years) For Clergy Representative to Executive Council (term of 6 years): The Rev. Stephen T. Lane For Provincial Council (term of 3 years): Bishop (elected by Bishops) (nominated by House of Bishops) Clerical (elected by Deputies) James Brooks-McDonald Lay (elected by Deputies) no nomination For Chancellor: John Wood Goldsack, Esq (term of 3 years) All of those proposed have agreed to serve if elected. Michael F. Rehill has served as Chancellor of Province II for the past six years. He is also Chancellor of the Diocese of Newark, a practicing attorney in Westwood, New Jersey, a Municipal Court Judge, and Managing Director of a real estate development company in the Republic of Ireland. A 1968 graduate of Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, he received his J.D. magna cum laude from New York Law School in 1972. He is a member of the Bar of the State of New Jersey and the Supreme Court of the United States. A "cradle Episcopalian" wh still attends the church where he was baptized as an infant, he has served in almost every capacity within his parish, including 17 years as a member of the vestry or a warden. In the Diocese of Newark, he has served on the Diocesan Council, the Standing Committee and the Department of Missions. He has been a deputy to General Convention since 1985, and is a Trustee of the Diocese. He is joyfully married to the former Kyong Cha Kim. He has four children and one grandchild. He and his wife reside in Westwood, New Jersey and have a home in his ancestral village of Belturbet in Co. Cavan, Ireland which they visit often. Gwendolyn G. Carter is the present treasurer of the Province. She is a member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Bronx, NY. Some of her service to the church includes warden, treasurer, licensed chalice bearer, trustee of The Cathedral of St. John the Divine, alternate deputy to General Convention for 1994 and 1997, Deputy to General Convention 2000, member of the National Association of Black Accountants and member of the Union of Black Episcopalians. Along with her active involvement in her church and in the province, she would like to pursue lay eucharistic ministry. "What a joy to see and hear the joyful expressions of those we visit in nursing homes and hospitals when we share with them the Gospel and the sacraments of the Eucharist and sing hymns of praise. How rewarding." Gwen retired in August of 1994, having worked as a cost accounting manager for a contractor/construction firm for 23 years. She has one daughter, two grand children and one great-grandchild. Gwen writes, "My vision is to see Province II become a major force in the national church by proposing resolutions for justice and peace and ministry development through things accomplished on the provincial level, by providing a closer link and sharing of ideas among the dioceses of Province II, and by getting information about the province, what it is and what it does, to the parishioners in the pews, many of whom have no knowledge about the provinces." The Rev. John A. Rollins has been serving since 1982 as the Regional Coordinator (Partner In Evangelism) for Evangelism Ministries for Province II and in 1993, became Province II Program Network Coordinator. Since 1974 he has been the Rector of Christ Church, Pompton Lakes, New Jersey. Additionally, he is the Managing Editor of the ECUSA Web Site, serving as a part-time, professional consultant to the Episcopal Church's Multimedia Services Office and creating and maintaining the official Episcopal Church Web pages. He has represented Province II at meetings of provincial leaders and has served as recording secretary to that group. Enabling and strengthening lay ministry and leadership has been one emphasis of the total ministry John has had in the 350-family northern New Jersey parish he serves. During his tenure, he has moved the congregation from a pastoral to a program size church. His supervision and encouragement of the ministry of Perpetual Deacons has strengthened understanding of the importance of that Office. As part of a national pilot program, beginning in the mid-seventies, John received training and implemented programs in evangelism and renewal. Steady growth and stability are results of this ministry. In the past ten years his congregation has had the largest number of baptism and marriages in entire diocese of Newark. John is a holds a Bachelor of Arts degree, with a major in sociology, from Hamline University, St. Paul, Minnesota and he earned the Master of Divinity degree from Drew University Theological School, Madison, New Jersey. Within the Diocese of Newark, he is presently Head Spiritual Director of the Diocesan Cursillo Community. He has served as a member of Diocesan Council, as past chairman of the Committee on Electronic Technology (present member), as Deputy to General Convention, 1982, 1985, Alternate, 1988, as Chairperson of the Ecumenical Commission, as a member of the Peace Commission, and as a member of the Ecclesiastical Court. The Rev. Steven T. Lane has been serving as President of Province II. He had been a deputy for eight years, for five of which he was also secretary of the province. He is from Batavia, New York, and received an M.A. in English Literature from the University of Rochester, New York. Steve graduated from Colgate-Rochester Divinity School/Bexley Hall/Crozer Theological Seminary in Rochester, where he received the Faculty Scholar award for outstanding scholarship. He is rector of Zion Episcopal Church in Palmyra, New York. Some of his service in the Diocese of Rochester includes chair of Commission on Ministry, chair of the Standing Committee, chair of the Committee on Racism, and deputy to General Convention 4 times. Steve served as Secretary to Committee #16 on Ministry at the General Convention in 1997. The Rev. James Brooks-McDonald has been rector of St. Stephen's Church, Schenectady, for over nine years. Father Brooks-McDonald received a B.A. in the arts from Kenyon College in 1977, a M.S.T. from the University of Chicago in 1983, a theological degree from McCormick Seminary, Chicago in 1985, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1996. Ordained to the priesthood in Decatur, Illinois in 1986, James served as Curate of St. John's Episcopal Church, Decatur from 1985 - 87. In 1988 he became Vicar of St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Springfield, Illinois, while continuing as an assisting priest in Decatur. He came to St. Stephen's, Schenectady in 1989. In the Diocese of Albany he has served on the Diocesan Council, is currently a member of the Standing Committee and is on the Communications Committee of the Diocese. James is a delegate to the General Convention in 2000. In Province Two he has been a deputy from this Diocese for over six years and is currently member of the Provincial Court of Review. He also is on the Steering Committee for Schenectady Inner-City Ministry and on the Board of Directors of the Schenectady Damien Center. James' wife, Victoria, is the Protestant Chaplain at Union College and Interim pastor at Northville Presbyterian Church. The Revs. Brooks-McDonald have two children, Nicolaus, 10 years old, and Ethan, 7 years old. John Wood Goldsack has been the secretary to the province for the last three years. A native of the Diocese of New Jersey, John was baptized and raised a parishioner at St. John's Church, Somerville. He received his undergraduate education at Hartwick College, Oneonta, New York. While at Hartwick he became very active in the life of St. James Episcopal Church, Oneonta. After graduating from Hartwick, he attended Rutgers Law School, Camden, New Jersey, during which time he was active at Grace Church, Haddenfield. After graduating from law school, he returned to Plainfield with his wife where they have raised thier children, Kevin and Dorothy-Jane (third generation at Hartwick). They are long-time parishioners of Holy Croiss, North Plainfield, where John has served as a member of the vestry and warden, and continues to serve as a chorister, lector, and intercessor. On the diocesan level, John served as vice chancellor, as chair of Rules and Order and Dispatch of Business, and is on the Standing Committee on Constitution and Canons. He has served as a five-time deputy to General Convention. He enjoys gardening, reading and general puttering around their Raccoon Island summer home at Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey. --Return to Contents Mission 2000 A Consultation on Episcopal Mission in Europe for the Third Millennium Taken from The Convocation Newsletter, Advent 1998 Mission 2000 is a Convocation [of American Churches in Europe]-wide consultation to be held next May in Nice, France, for the purpose of planning at a grassroots level new mission in Europe. Delegates from all eight parishes and 18 mission congregations will spend the weekend of 7-9 May working on understanding what the role of Anglicanism could be in Europe over the next several decades, and making concrete plans for how the Convocation can particiape in new mission initiatives and for the strengthening of already existing churches. At the 1998 Convention held in Munich/Chiemsee, the image of a "rising wave inspired by the Holy Spirit" was often used to describe a feeling common throughout the Convocation that now is the time to consider new ways of reaching out to the unchurched populations of Europe. The Council of Advice has designated the Consultation as purposeful response to this sense of opportunity and responsibility. Two well-known observers of Anglican mission will be keynote speakers for the consultation: the Rt. Rev. Michael Nazir-Ali, Bishop of the Diocese of Rochester, England, and Professor Ian Douglas of the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Bishop Michael, of Pakistani origin, is noted for his insight into the inter-cultural context of Christian mission and Professor Douglas is an historian of mission work. Among the issues which these speakers will help the Consultation address is how to distinguish mission from proselytization: what does it mean to speak of mission in countries which are already at least nominally Christian, and often dominated by one church? And yet at the same time, how does one respond as a Christian - called to share the good news of Christ - to the obviously secularized European cultures? The Consultation will also take into consideration the existence of other Anglican churches in Europe and our developing relations with them, as well as churches with whom we are in full communion already (e.g., the Old Catholic Church). The Mission Committee has seven goals: A statement of purpose for missionary activity in Europe A set of policies on where to take and/or encourage missionary initiatives. A list of possible sites for new missionary endeavors, and a plan for making a serious investigation of them. Persons equipped with practical ideas about how to begin a congregation. A plan for further developing liturgical, and for providing educational and apologetic resources, in languages other than English. A plan for how to encourage and provide leadership for non-English speaking indigenous (locally based) congregations. A plan for the expansion of existing ministries, especially through creative use of leadership resources. Contact: The Rev. Joseph Britton, Canon Missioner 31 Rue Saint-Placide F-75006 Paris, France Tel:/Fax: +(33)(1)4222 5219 --Return to Contents ECW News in Province II ECW is Making the Connection Lillian J. Davis-Wilson The theme for Province II Episcopal Church Women's next annual meeting is "Making the Connection". How appropriate, for the ECW is constantly finding ways to reach out and touch. We are attempting to make connections that will be long-lasting and meaningful. Historically, we've made connections, but it becomes a 3-year connection with little follow-up. Last triennial we had representation from all our dioceses and we had a luncheon so that we could enjoy fellowship and get better acquainted. I have yet to receive a note from our sisters across the seas. Nevertheless, we continue to think about our sisters and we are trying to reach out further to develop a closer and more meaningful relationship. Ultimately, that will enable us to become a more inclusive body. To that end, the delegates at our last annual meeting voted to change our bylaws to enable us to become a closer functioning body. Election of officers will now take place at triennial, whereby all delegates will have an opportunity to run, nominate, and select their Province II representative or officer. The election for the office of President, however, will continue to take place the year prior to convention. Our sisters across the seas will have absentee ballots providing them with a more active role in the province. Our nominating committee is presently developing the new process. Last October, the Executive Committee voted on the children at risk project. Urban Bridges at St. Gabriel's in Philadelphia was selected. The project will be discussed further at our Annual Meeting to be held May 2, 1999 at Xavier Center, Convent Station, New Jersey. At that time the body will determine exactly how we will help Urban Bridges and the length of time to be devoted to the project. The Executive Committee worked marvelously together in October. Everyone was present and you could see the bonding, commitment and dedication to the work of the ECW. We worked through the evening assessing our ECW work in the province. We identified the unmet needs of the ECW that could be addressed through activities and work of the province. The summary of that assessment is (1) participation should be broadened and (2) communication enhanced. Participation should include younger women, women clergy and work beyond the parish. Communication can be enhanced through education, development of a Resource Directory and providing recognition of work and service provided by our ECW's. We will work more closely with the diocesan groups and the Provincial Synod to build an even more cohesive structure in Province II. We ARE making the connections. Lillian J. Davis-Wilson President, Province II ECW 69 Carriage Hill East Williamsville, NY 13224 Province II ECW Conference and Annual Meeting Kathleen Ballard "Making the Connections" is the theme for the 1999 Province II ECW Conference and Annual Meeting. The conference will be held at the Xavier Center on the campus of St. Elizabeth's College, Convent Station, New Jersey. The dates of the meeting are April 30, May 1 and 2. Our keynote speaker for the Friday evening gathering will be Yamily Bass-Choate, a senior at General Theological Seminary, who was one of nine Episcopal women who went to Zimbabwe to join with 1,200 women and men from all corners to help in the celebration of the end of the Ecumenical Decade: Churches in Solidarity with Women. Yamily's ministry has been one of a counselor, especially to victims of domestic violence. On Saturday, we will have six persons testifying to the ways in which their ministries address racism, violence and poverty. After the testimonies, there will be a time for reflection and then, in diocesan groups, opportunities to develop plans for action back home. These decisions will be brought forward as an offering during the evening Eucharist. Our music leader will be Ana Hernandez, a composer, arranger and performer of spiritual music. Many of you may remember Ana from our Triennial meeting in Philadelphia. Visitors are more than welcome to join us, especially for Saturday's activities. Xavier Center is very accessible and we sincerely hope that many people will take advantage of this opportunity and come to share in our gathering. The cost for the Saturday conference, which includes lunch and dinner, is $45.00. Further details and registration forms should have been mailed in late January. We look forward to hosting you in April in New Jersey. Contact: Kathleen Ballard ECW Vice President for Communications Diocese of Newark 31 Mulberry Street Newark, New Jersey 07102 --Return to Contents The 1999 Evangelism Congress Donald Guthrie The decade of Evangelism will soon come to a close and, so far, I have not heard of anything spectacular that has happened in our church. It may well be that the Evangelism Congress co-sponsored by the Brotherhood of St. Andrew and the National Church, to be held in Ridgecrest, North Carolina, June 3rd through 6th will be the spark to ignite the church. What should we do? We should do several things. The first step is to pray. What do we pray for? We pray that the church may be renewed, that we might be awakened to our call to make disciples, that men and women, boys and girls will experience salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. What are some of the conditions that have to be met in order to have a successful congress? The promise is given in 2 Chronicles 7:14. W read, " If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." We need the members of the church to unite and focus on the Evangelism Congress. Too often there is dissension in the church and we sometimes allow it to escalate, but Paul in 2 Cor. 5:18 reminds us that we have been given the ministry of reconciliation. Let us therefore fulfill our ministry. Satan at times uses the most insignificant issue to destroy the unity, power and effectiveness of the church. Me must articulate the apostolic call. Our job is not complete when people have achieved the status of communicant. We need to nurture each other, we need to discover our spiritual gifts and use them, not to our glory, but to the glory of God. We are called to be the eyes, feet, hands and ears for Christ. If we are not answering the apostolic call, we are merely "Consumer Christians". We must demonstrate our faith in God. He who waits for entire knowledge before he will exercise faith cannot receive a blessing from God. Faith takes action. Having faith is a transition by which those who receive Christ join themselves in a covenant relationship with God. This faith can take you from discipleship to apostleship. The question is "What have we done so far in the decade of evangelism?" Does your church have and Evangelism Committee? If not, form one and begin to function. We are asking everyone who reads this article and can make it to be at Ridgecrest in June. Begin to plan today. Know that the profound shift from decline to growth is the shift from discipleship to apostleship. Therefore, in light of our faith and our resolve, we enter into a solemn covenant with God and each other to plan, support and work together for the spiritual success of the Evangelism Congress in June. May God help us by His grace and for His glory to be faithful witnesses of His salvation. Further information and details may be had by calling the Brotherhood head office at 724-266-5810. Contact: Donald Guthrie Co-chair Evangelism Congress Committee Chair Evangelism and Ministry of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew --Return to Contents --Return to Contents