Report of Executive Council to the Grapevine

The work of the Executive Council for the past year has addressed two primary concerns: keeping the church focused on the work of mission and ministry and encouraging continuing conversation about the issues which divide the church.

At its most recent meeting, the first week of November at Boise , Idaho , the Council considered several matters of significant import, including developing a new funding plan for the church's mission, providing support for indigenous ministries, recruiting young people for ordination, and providing for translation of church documents into Spanish and other languages.

The Council also considered at length the Windsor Report and the ways in which the Episcopal Church might respond. Although the Primates had not yet received the report (scheduled for February 2005), and the House of Bishops will hold a special meeting on it in January, the Council made it clear that only the General Convention has the authority to make an official response on behalf of the Episcopal Church and planning for the next General Convention should make provision for such a response. As part of its discussion of the Windsor Report, the Council heard from retired bishop and now professor at Virginia Theological Seminary, Mark Dyer, a member of the Lambeth Commission, and Bishop James Tengatenga of Southern Malawi . The Council anticipates that there will be considerably more discussion of the Windsor Report and its implications at its February meeting in Austin , Texas .

A number of important staff changes at the Church Center have occurred recently. Robert Williams has replaced Dan England as Director of Communications and has made a good start in developing communications strategy for the church, including a much needed revision to the church's web site. In addition, the Rev. Rosemary Sullivan, Secretary to the General Convention, resigned to accept a position at Virginia Theological Seminary. Rosemary has provided strong leadership to the work of the General Convention, and the Council will consult with the Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies on her successor.

Although there are numerous stresses and strains around the church, it is evident from the meetings of the Council, that a great majority of the church continues to focus on the work of worship and service, and that it is impossible to make blanket statements about “where the church is” or “what the church thinks.” In every place there are people who express distress or concern about actions of the 2003 General Convention. There are others who rejoice over those same actions, and still others who are focused on other things. This diversity is the reality the Council confronts at each meeting and which will undoubtedly affect the decisions we make in the coming months.

The Rev. Stephen T. Lane
Province II Clergy Representative to Executive Council and
Canon for Ministry Development and DeploymentEpiscopal Diocese of Ro chester d
Executive Council Lay Representative

Mr. E. Kim Byham, Esq.
(Diocese of Newark)

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Resources Available

The English-German Prayer Book is here!
After two years of hard work the First Edition of the English-German Book of Common Prayer was authorised for use in the Convocation of American Churches in Europe by Bishop Pierre Whalon during the Convocation Convention in Wiesbaden . This hardcover book follows the page numbering of the English language version and is already proving a boon to visitors to services who are not completely fluent in English. With the English on one page and the German facing it, it also helps those trying to improve their German!

Come And Grow Web Button
The web designer and programmer at the Episcopal Church Center have created a Come and Grow "button" (a small clickable image) that you can add to your web site. The button will appear on your site as a clickable image, which, when clicked on, will open a new browser window with the Come and Grow homepage – go visit <www.comeandgrow.org>.

1) To preview the "button" online, visit: < http://www.episcopalchurch.org/images/comeandgrow_button.gif >
2) To insert this button into your webpage, paste the following code directly into the HTML of your page:
<a href="http://www.comeandgrow.org" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.episcopalchurch.org/images/comeandgrow_button.gif" width="175" height="71" alt="Come And Grow with the Episcopal Church" border="0"></a>

New From Morehouse Publishing

For All the Saints? Remembering the Christian Departed
paperback
by N. T. Wright
Morehouse Publishing

“We have been drifting into a muddle and a mess, putting together bits and pieces of traditions, ideas and practices in the hope that they will make sense. They don't. There may be times when a typical Anglican fudge is a pleasant, chewy sort of thing, but this isn't one of them. It's time to think and speak clearly and act decisively.”

With these robust words Tom Wright, Bishop of Durham, throws down a challenge to current liturgy and practice surrounding All Saints' and All Souls' Days, and sets out to clarify our thinking about what happens to people after they die. Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory, what it means to pray for the dead, what (and who) are the saints, are all addressed in this invigorating and rigorously argued book.

N. T. Wright was recently appointed Bishop of Durham. He has taught New Testament Studies at Oxford , Cambridge , and McGill Universities, and lectures regularly at Princeton and Harvard. He is the author of many books including The Resurrection of the Son of God.

Let us Bless the Lord, Year One: Advent through Holy Week
Meditations for the Daily Office
hardcover
by Barbara Cawthorne Crafton
Morehouse Publishing

Popular author, retreat leader, and priest Barbara Crafton rises early each morning, lights a candle, opens her Book of Common Prayer, and reads the morning office—the ancient Christian service that praises God at the beginning of a new day. When she is done, Crafton usually sits down at her computer and sends out an e-mail that says simply, "Let us bless the Lord," the traditional closing line of the morning prayer service. Her devoted readers reply, "Thanks be to God.”

Barbara Cawthorne Crafton is an Episcopal priest and popular preacher, retreat leader, and writer. Her articles and reviews have appeared in the New York Times, Reader's Digest, Family Circle, Glamour, Episcopal Life, and other publications. She is the author of many books, including Let Every Heart Prepare, Some Things You Just Have to Live With, Meditations on the Psalms, The Sewing Room, and others available from Morehouse Publishing. She lives in New Jersey .

What We Do in Church
An Anglican Child's Activity Book
paperback
by Anne E. Kitch and illustrated by Dorothy Thompson Perez
Morehouse Publishing

The wonderful sights, sounds, and smells of the Anglican liturgy can engage the imagination of young children and draw them into enthusiastic worship. But it can be a bit confusing as well.

Through the interactive games and puzzles in this fun-filled activity book, children ages 4-7 can grow to a deeper understanding of Anglican worship life. From learning about the participants in the entry processional, to coloring the vestments of the priest and deacon, to identifying the amazing things their senses tell them about the Eucharist, this book is a treasure trove for kids and adults.

Forty one-page activities are followed by a four-page parent guide designed to promote parenting in the pews and offer tips for parents and other educators using these activities with children. Permission to copy the pages for use in church or school is included in the book.

Anne E. Kitch is the Canon for Christian Education at the Cathedral Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem , Pennsylvania . She is the author of many books for children and their families, including The Anglican Family Prayer Book, One Little Church Mouse, Me & God, and Bless This Day, all available from Morehouse Publishing.

Dorothy Thompson Perez has done design and illustration work in the advertising and publishing industries. Among the Morehouse books she has illustrated are The Parish Acolyte Guide, The Acolyte Leader's Resource Guide, and the Anglican Young People's Dictionary.

Anglican Young People's Dictionary
paperback
by June English
Morehouse Publishing

What does the vestry do? Is there a difference between a rector and a vicar? What exactly is an undercroft, anyway? Young people—and their families—can turn to this user-friendly, clearly written resource to learn the meanings of many of the unique words that are part of the Anglican tradition.

The Anglican Young People's Dictionary is a concise, engaging, easy-to-read dictionary of some 150 often-used but frequently misunderstood words used by Anglicans. Written in an approachable, kid-friendly style, it's an excellent resource for teens approaching Confirmation, as well as students in parish Christian formation programs. It's also a useful tool for parents and parish educators, and a handy reference for church newcomers.

June A. English, an Episopalian, has written several books for children and young adults, including Mission Earth and the Encyclopedia of the United States at War. Much of her career has focused on writing profiles of children and adolescents in areas of political upheaval in the north of Ireland , Eastern Europe, and the Soviet Union . She lives in Baton Rouge , Louisiana .

Welcome to the Church Year
An Introduction to the Seasons of the Episcopal Church
paperback
by Vicki K. Black
Morehouse Publishing

From birthday cakes and anniversary dinners to summer vacations at the beach, each family has its own ways of marking the days and seasons of its life. For the Christian family—especially Episcopalians—it's no different. With an array of colors and an assortment of rich traditions, Episcopalians move through the Church year, marking the days and seasons that tell the story of Christ in our lives—in history and today.

This book—written for newcomers to the Episcopal Church as well as lifelong members—takes readers by the hand and leads them through the Church year, from the first Sunday of Advent through the last Sunday of Pentecost, answering questions like “Why do we use purple in Lent?” and “What does Maundy Thursday mean?” In an easy-to-read conversational style, Welcome to the Church Year introduces readers to the traditions of the Church seasons and explains why we do what we do. But it does more than offer interesting trivia about church vestments and pageantry. Its insights can help readers participate in the liturgies of the Church year in a deeper, more meaningful way.

vicki K. Black is an Episcopal deacon who has served in the dioceses of Massachusetts, Milwaukee, and Washington, where she has worked in publishing, parishes, and in coordinating retreats. She resides in Bethesda , Maryland , with her family.

Windsor Report 2004
Lambeth Commission on Communion
saddle stitched
by Anglican Communion Office
Morehouse Publishing

The Lambeth Commission, established by the Archbishop of Canterbury, was charged with examining the legal and theological implications flowing from the Episcopal Church's decision to appoint a priest in a committed same sex relationship as a bishop and the Canadian Diocese of New Westminster's authorization of services for same sex unions. It was also charged with examining and making practical suggestions about how the provinces of the Anglican Communion may relate when they feel unable to remain in full communion with one another. The report focuses on reconciliation. The Primates' Standing Committee of the Anglican Communion called the commission's unanimous endorsement of the report “a sign of hope.” “If there is a real desire to walk together in our discipleship of Christ,” the Primates' Committee said in a statement, “then a course can be plotted to maintain the highest degree of Communion possible, in spite of differences about the way in which Christ's Gospel is to be interpreted in a diverse and troubled world.”

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New Life and Mission

The Diocese of New Jersey's Congregational Development Committee is pleased to announce an upcoming event: "Equipping New Jersey for New life and New Mission: A Day of Workshops", to be held on Saturday, April 23, 2005 from 9:00 AM (registration at 8:00 AM) until 3:15 PM, at Trinity Cathedral, 801 West State Street, Trenton, New Jersey 08618.

Log on to the Diocesan Website <www.newjersey.anglican.org> for a listing of all the exciting workshops that will be offered and a registration form. We are offering new workshops on Christian Formation, Fireweed Evangelism, Natural Church Development, Communications, Finance, Spiritual Growth, Stewardship, Music and Liturgy, a host of ministries, and much, much more.

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Second Saturdays at St. Luke's Montclair

THE PRAYING GOD VS. PREYING RELIGION
(THE PEACE OF GOD VS. RELIGIOUS TERRORISM)

A five part series of theological presentations offered by The Rev. Wade A. Renn, Interim Pastor of St. Luke's Church
Programs begin at 9:00 am and end by 11:30 am. Coffee “and” available at 8:30 am and at the break.

February 19: THE VISION OF GOD: WHO ARE YOU?
(Third Saturday) The “first” gospel; The M. O. of redeeming revealed; The Predeemer and impassibility; Do sit down.

March 12: PREYING RELIGION: RELIGIOUS TERRORISM
The chosen language; the Trojan Horse; Christ-events vs. Christ-experience; Religious spin doctors.

April 9: THE PRAYING GOD: WHAT'S THE GOOD WORD?
Omnipotence revealed; Answering prayer; Applied lay ministry.

May 14: THE GLORY OF GOD: BEHOLDING OR ROBBING
Grace – Amazing and Affronting; The Road to Jerusalem ; Quo Vadis? Gospel-enlightening African wedding customs.

June 11: WORKSHOP – PREACHING WITH RETENTION

St. Luke's Church is located at 73 South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair. For directions, please go to the St. Luke's website: www.stlukesmontclair.org
The presentations will be given in the Assembly Hall South of the church.
For information, call 973-744-6220

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