The Grapevine
Fall 2005
Volume 12 Number 3
Warren Clement Ramshaw 1926-2005
Newark's Bishop Search Begins
Episcopal Relief and Development
Mary Foulke, Stuart Hoke, and Phyllis Trible to teach at GTS this Fall
The United Thank Offering Committee
World Council of Churches Visits Haiti
Joan Cupo Honored
Only a Few More Knitting Days Before Christmas
Thursday Nights at General Series
Leadership Workshop for Clergy Women
Youth Network Catches the Spirit
"Grow the Vision"
Provincial Coordinator's Report
Basics of the Spiritual Journey
Province II Coming Events
Editor's Note
Warren Clement Ramshaw 1926-2005
Warren Clement Ramshaw died Sunday evening, August 21 st . He was born on April 6, 1926, the son of Ernest W. and Louise Schuster Ramshaw. He married Molly G. Niederleander in 1953, who predeceased him in 2000.
Warren was an active participant in the life of Colgate University , the Episcopal Church, the Village of Hamilton , and, in his retirement, as a docent and member of the Art Advisory Committee of the Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute of Utica.
He was a member of the Colgate University faculty from 1961 to 1992, having earned his BS, MA, and Ph. D degrees from the University of Illinois . His teaching specialties included the sociology of religion, sociology of education, research methods, and social stratification. He was a visiting faculty member at Episcopal Divinity School, Harvard Graduate School of Education, Manchester University , and Panjab University in Chandigarh , India . He directed the Colgate India Institute in 1974, and was director for three years of the Colgate-Manchester study Group In 1988 he was awarded the Sydney and Florence Felten French Award for Inspirational Teaching, and in 1991 the Colgate Alumni Corporation's Distinguished Teaching Award. He had a long association with the Experiment in International Living, as a group leader [ Sweden ] and as a trustee.
Warren was deeply involved in the life of the Episcopal Church at all levels – parish [warden, treasurer, lector, eucharistic minister , teacher]. Diocese [Standing Committee, Commission on Ministry, eight times deputy to General Convention], and National Church . [Chair of the Board for Theological Education; Chair of the General Board of Examining Chaplains, member of the Executive Council]. He served for many years as the representative from his diocese to Province II.
Warren was a member of the Village of Hamilton Design Review Board , Sigma Chi fraternity, Hamilton Club, and was a past president of the Friends of the Colgate University Library.
Warren is survived by a brother Lyle M. Ramshaw of Savannah , GA , his wife Charlotte; their son Daniel and his wife Jennifer of Boston, MA; two nephews – Glenn E. Murphy, Jr. and his family of Chestnut Hill , MA , and Daniel B. Murphy and his family of Middleburgh , VA. , and many friends, especially Nancy Heck.
Calling hours will be Thursday, August 25 th from 2-4 and 7-9 at the Burgess-Tedesco Funeral Home in Hamilton . A Requiem Eucharist was be celebrated at St. Thomas ' Church, Madison Street , Hamilton , on Friday, August 26 th , at 11 a.m.
Gifts in Warren 's memory may be sent to St. Thomas ' Church.
Newark's Bishop Search Begins
The search for the 10 th diocesan bishop of Newark is in full swing.The work began in earnest on Saturday, July 16 th at The Church of the Saviour in Denville, New Jersey when members of the Nominating and Transition Committees joined with the diocesan Standing Committee to begin planning for the retirement of current bishop Jack Croneberger in January, 2007.
“It was great to meet face-to-face for the first time,” said Louie Crew, co-chair of the Nominating Committee. “All of us appreciate the trust the Diocese has put in us.”
The first half of the gathering was led by the Reverend Canon David Seger, Canon to the Ordinary for the Diocese of Northern Indiana and a veteran facilitator for dioceses searching for new leadership. He had the members participate in a variety of exercises aimed at identifying the similarities and differences of the individuals who will be part of the process. Segal said the goal was to help those involved get a better understanding of the various points of view represented and to use that knowledge to increase teamwork and efficiency in the committees.
Seger, along with Standing Committee chairman Kim Byham, also used the morning session to explain the responsibilities of the two committees and answer questions. Among the topics: how the Nominating Committee would go about searching for the 4 to 6 candidates to be voted on in the September 16 th , 2006 special diocesan convention and the need for a Transition Committee, which did not exist in the previous search process that led to the calling of Bishop Croneberger.
After a service of Holy Eucharist, where Seger used his sermon to discuss God's choice of the unlikely David to be King of Israel, the Nominating and Transition committees broke up into separate rooms to begin their first actual working sessions.
The 24-member Nominating Committee, led by Crew and clergy co-chair the Reverend Vicki McGrath, discussed assignments, scheduling of meetings and a variety of other topics, including the need for confidentiality in the work. “Transitions often prompt anxiety,” Crew said. “Especially when a group goes into seclusion to make recommendations that will help shape the future of us all.” In an effort to reduce that anxiety, the members agreed that the committee should strive to keep everyone in the diocese well informed about its work while at the same time making sure that the privacy of potential candidates is protected. The group hopes to complete a diocesan profile quickly and begin advertising for the position as soon as possible.
The smaller Transition Committee, which is being led by the Reverend Chris Brdlik and Marge Christie, made plans to start its main work after Labor Day. “We can afford the luxury of a somewhat later start” than the Nominating Committee, said Christie. The Transition Committee is charged with helping make the changeover from Bishop Croneberger's tenure to that of the new bishop easier.
Bill McColl is Communications Chairman for the Nominating Committee and attends All Saints Church in Leonia, New Jersey
Contact Information:
e-mail BMCCOLL@BLOOMBERG.NET
phone 212-617-3559
Episcopal Relief and Development
Episcopal Relief and Development provides support and comfort to victims of hurricane Katrina; Global outreach and development programs continue in support of the Millennium Development Goals.
Episcopal Relief and Development has been involved in the Hurricane Katrina Relief effort since the first hours after the storm hit. As of September 7 th , ERD had dispensed $225,000.00 in aid to the affected Gulf Coast communities. Equally important is the logistical help that ERD is providing in Alabama , Louisiana , Mississippi and Texas .
Robert Radtke, President of ERD has visited the Bishops in the Gulf Coast Dioceses to help them in assessing the needs of their respective communities. Abagail Nelson, ERD's Vice President for Programs, is working with the dioceses of Mississippi and Louisiana to coordinate relief efforts and develop long-term recovery programs. In Louisiana , ERD has partnered with the diocese to hire a disaster response coordinator who will serve as a liaison between ERD, the diocese and the local parishes and communities in need of assistance.
In Mississippi , ERD is helping supply aid to four staging areas that are being used as base camps where relief efforts are being organized. Workers and volunteers at the base camps are being trained to screen evacuees and match them with families offering housing.
In Alabama , ERD is helping to support some of the approximately 500,000 evacuees and displaced families who are seeking shelter there. In West Texas , ERD is helping newly homeless children receive school uniforms and school supplies so they can begin attending classes in the state. In addition, ERD is helping the dioceses in the gulf coast coordinate the overwhelming response of people who would like to volunteer in the region.
To make a contribution to the Hurricane Katrina Response Fund by credit card, go to www.er-d.org or call 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129. Gifts can also be mailed to Hurricane Katrina Fund, PO Box 12043 , Newark , NJ 07101 . Those interested in volunteering can also register on the website. To learn how you or your congregation can supply housing to a displaced individual or family, please go to the Episcopal Migration Ministries website at EMM@episcopalchurch.org or call 1-800-334-7626, x 6057.
Meanwhile, Episcopal Relief and Development continues with its global effort to fight the ravages of poverty. To that end, ERD along with the Episcopal Church in the United States has adopted the UN Millennium Development Goals as the framework for action. The ERD website has recently been updated to include new information and resources on the MDG's. Special focus is given on the website to the question “What can one person do that will make a difference?” It is hoped that Episcopalians will use the website and educational materials to engage their congregations, friends and families in an earnest discussion about global poverty and the work that needs to be done to improve the lives of the millions who live on just $1.00 per day.
In other news, ERD recently bade farewell to Sandra Swan, our president of the last six years. Sandra's hard work and determination will remain an inspiration to all of us. She will be missed. We wish her well in her retirement! Fortunately, Dr. Robert Radtke has joined ERD as our new president. Dr. Radtke comes to Episcopal Relief and Development from the Asia Society where he worked for 10 years as a key member of the executive team, most recently serving as Senior Vice President of Programs. Welcome aboard Robert!
Thanks for helping us help others.
In the first 6 months of 2005, ERD received over $13 Million in donations. Of that total, $1.5 million was from the dioceses of Province II. We at ERD are very grateful for the compassion and generosity of Episcopalians and hope we can count on your continued support of our development programs and emergency relief work.
Mary Foulke, Stuart Hoke, and Phyllis Trible to teach at GTS this Fall: Three special opportunities for study
The Rev. Stuart Hoke , Staff Chaplain at Trinity Church Wall Street,.will teach an important course for anyone –lay and ordained-- concerned with alcoholism: the disease, intervention, treatment, and recovery . The course will meet on Wednesday evenings. Course: Alcoholism: The Pastor's Role in Recovery
Everyone involve in parish education at all levels will benefit the Rev. Mary Foulke's exploration of the teaching mission of the church and options for structuring religious education programs for children and adults. Prof. Foulke is Associate for Christian Formation and School Chaplain at the Church of St. Luke in the Fields. The course will meet Thursday from 3:30 to 5:20. Course: Introduction to Religious Education
Join a leading feminist Biblical scholar, Phyllis Trible , on Monday evenings, for a close reading of the Genesis story of Hagar, Sarah, and Abraham and its implications for Christians, Jews, and Muslims. Prof. Trible is Baldwin Professor Emerita at Union Seminary. Course: Exegesis of Genesis
Plus our regular offerings in Bible, Theology, Church History, Liturgics, and Christian Spirituality, especially: History of the Episcopal Church in the United States, Prof. Robert Bruce Mullin, Thursday evenings; The Meaning of Icons, Prof. J. Robert Wright, Wednesday evenings; and Discernment , Prof. Elisabeth Koenig, Wednesday at 3:30.
Classes start on September 7, and courses may be take for credit or audit. Visit our website at www.gts.edu for full list of courses, or to receive our Fall brochure of courses and lectures, contact Helen Goodkin , 212 243 5150 extension 461 or e-mail maprogram@gts.edu .