The Grapevine
Spring 2005
Volume 12 Number 2
Proposed New Networks Seeking Representatives
Support Group for the Chronically Ill
Finger Lakes Conference 2005
St. Andrew's Dedicates Pet Cemetery
Keeping the Focus
Youth Pilgrimage: Living, Praying, Working, Playing in El Salvador
Black Bishops of the Episcopal Church Are Focus of New Poster, Booklet
Does the death penalty penalize society?
Reconciliation
Resources
Coming Events
Editor's Note
Proposed New Networks Seeking Representatives
Province II is hoping to inaugurate or expand several new, or rekindled, networks. Your assistance would be appreciated if you have interest in one or more of these ministries. We would love to have you speak up and be in on the ground floor as formation gets underway.
Young Adult Ministries
Persons between the ages of 18 and 30, or so…not currently in college…will gather to aid in developing, sharing and supporting diocesan ministries focused on our young adult populations.
Hispanic Ministries
There are many Hispanic Episcopalians in Province II and we understand that there is a genuine desire to develop a cultural group within the province to provide support in conjunction with the Hispanic Desk at the Episcopal Church Center, and to offer the opportunity for sharing and fellowship.
Native American Ministries
You might be surprised at the number of Native American groups and tribes that are resident in our province…with many members and families who are practicing Episcopalians. We want to let them connect through a provincial organization…and with the help of the national Native-American desk.
Human Sexuality
An opportunity to convene a network for gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, transgender and straight Episcopalians has been encouraged. The direction this network would undertake will be developed by those who gather to organize the network.
Immigration Ministries
Canon Sabune has begun to form a new provincial network that will provide guidance and support in training people to help immigrants with the complexity of the immigration laws and the ever-changing nature of immigration law.
HIV/AIDS
The network has a new convener, The Rev. Charlie McCarron, who is quite interested in expanding the small group of interested folks he has already contacted.
Those interested can drop a note via email to Chuck Perfater, Executive Coordinator, Province II, chperfater@comcast.net or call 609-494-7944 or 609-538-1200.
Support Group for the Chronically Ill
St. Luke's in Ewing , NJ is an older church kept from crumbling through the caring work of members of the congregation. It has become known in the Diocese of New Jersey as “the little church that does big things,” taking on new projects for the good of the surrounding community, as well as for parishioners.
The rector, Rev. Dirk. Reinken took note of the number of parishioners who cope with chronic illnesses on a regular basis. He took it upon himself with the support of Fr. Chris Duffy, to form a support group for those dealing with such conditions as Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, recovery from a stroke, crippling arthritis, cardiac issues and increasing blindness. Fr. Duffy, who himself deals with chronic illness, was quick to support the idea as well as to serve as the facilitator. The first meeting, held in early April, was an introduction to the problems the 10 attendees faced in their particular illnesses.
The overall purpose of the support group is to form a gathering to share the pressures of dealing with such illnesses and to provide a forum to exchange resources. “The support group will meet monthly,” said Fr. Duffy. “The common denominator of the group is the experience we have had over the years. We will share mutual support in coping with issues of everyday life and we will share information on the services available locally, as well as through the county and state governments.” Hearing other people's stories was useful for gaining support within the support group and the congregation. At future meetings, sources of support will be named, along with aids to make life with chronic illness easier.
Fr. Reinken's idea for the support group came from the book, Wounded Healer , by the late Roman Catholic Priest, Henri Nouwen. “Fr. Nouwen was highly regarded in Anglican circles for his compassion and spirituality. This particular book reminds us that we minister out of our weaknesses as much as out of our strengths,” said Reinken.
“Christ heals us from the Wood of the Cross,” continued Fr. Reinken. “God uses our own wounds to be of strength to others. When Fr. Duffy told me what he was going through with MS, it occurred to me that he might be just the right person to lead such a group - and I've always wanted to do something to serve those in our congregation who face chronic struggles of various kinds. The Spirit suggested the time was right, and so we met.”
Some future issues which may be explored include practical help for the chronically ill from within the congregation or other sources and forming a support network among attendees. Hopefully, the Diocese of New Jersey's committee on the disabled will also be called in to share their information and support.
Linda J. Field
St. Luke's, Ewing, NJ
Finger Lakes Conference 2005
June 26 - July 1 2005
Hobart and William Smith Colleges , Geneva , NY
This exciting opportunity for education, reflection, worship and fun has been held each June for nearly 65 years! The conference is held under the auspices of Province II of the Episcopal Church. The dates this year are from 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 26 to after lunch on Friday, July 1. Check < http://www.province2.org/2005FLCBrochure.pdf > for the brochure and registration form.
This year the General Lecturer is John Beverley Butcher, Associate Fellow of the Jesus Seminar, who will speak daily on "Reclaiming the Wisdom Teachings of Jesus." In addition to studying the familiar New Testament Gospels, recently-discovered writings, including the Gospels of Thomas, Peter, Mary Magdalene, James and a number of others, will be explored.
Every year, the choice of courses makes for the hardest decision having to do with the Conference. How will we choose among the courses being offered in Spirituality Today: The Medieval Mystics (The Rev. Dr. Richard A. Henshaw), Hands-On Prayer-Filled Creating and Crafting (Sister Julian B. Smith), Picket and Pray (The Rev. Barbara Cawthorne Crafton), Stories of Justice (Dr. Richard Quaintance), From Maintenance to Ministry: Building Vital Congregations (The Rev. Carolyn Lumbard) and Doing Diversity With Diligence: Living God's Diversity Today (The Rev. Helen Havens.)?
The daily schedule allows time for sitting peacefully and contemplating the gentle waters of Seneca Lake , exploring local vineyards and discussing course content with both leaders and fellow participants. It is impossible not to take something home from this “adult summer camp” -- added spiritual energy, new hymns, delightful memories, unexpected insights, unexplored knowledge, new friends and, maybe, some New York State wines.
The full conference fee, which includes tuition, room and board (the fun is free!) is $375. The registration fee is $200, with the remaining $175 due first day of Conference. Scholarships are available, but only after the participant checks for monetary aid from his or her parish and diocese.
For further information or to register, contact
The Rev. Diana Purcell-Chapman, Registrar
P.O. Box 492
Wellsville , NY 14895
Phone: 814-228-3482
E-mail <dinfre@netsync.net>
St. Andrew's Dedicates Pet Cemetery
by Joan Cupo
Did you know that on Friday, April 22, 2005, St. Andrew's on Staten Island dedicated their Pet Cemetery ? This is the only one in the 5 Boroughs! Well anyway, when Bishop Dennis died he left "Truth", his Tibetan spaniel, to me in his will. I drove down to Virginia to get her and, unfortunately, found out she was very ill. She was almost 20 years old and had kidney failure, she was blind, couldn't walk etc. Well, I loved her and did all I could for her for as long as I could and, finally, had to put her to sleep. I had her cremated and kept her on my shelf. I never knew why - until one day I read in the paper that St. Andrew's was having a pet cemetery. Then I knew!! What better place for Truth, Bishop Dennis beloved Truth, to be buried than an Episcopal cemetery? So tomorrow I will bring her over and she will be the first pet to be buried there. I taped a picture of the Dalai Lama holding her and Bishop Dennis along side watching on the box.
Joan Cupo
(H) 718-448-4699 (O) 718-609-1338