Report from Executive Council
The Executive Council convened for its Fall Meeting in a lovely setting on the beach near Jacksonville, FL, but found little opportunity to enjoy what the natural environment offered. The cause was a truly overwhelming agenda that occupied nearly every minute of five-day gathering.
Our Presiding Bishop commenced our time together with reflections on the events of September 11, and our need to wage reconciliation. The PB praised the people of Seaman's Institute, St. Paul's Chapel, Trinity Wall Street, and the Church Center and the students of GTS for their life-giving work in the aftermath of the Twin Towers' collapse.
Under the leadership of the Presiding Bishop, worship has become an increasingly important part of the Executive Council's work. Each day begins with Morning Prayer and Bible Study. At noon we gather for worship, with Council providing lectors, celebrants, preachers and musicians. At this meeting, our singing was supported by both piano and trumpet!
The major issue on the Council's agenda was a report by the 20/20 Task Force outlining plans for the doubling of attendance and ministry in the Episcopal Church by the year 2020. The report of the Task Force raised a number of provocative issues, but was more a restatement of the vision first lifted up at General Convention than a plan. Council was less than fully enthusiastic and referred the report to its Congregations in Ministry sub-committee for further work. The Council was particularly concerned that the plan address issues of funding and the relationship of 20/20 to the rest of the Church. The Council also wanted the needs of urban and non-traditional congregations fully incorporated in the plan.
After several long days of meetings, the CIM sub-committee proposed a resolution enthusiastically endorsing 20/20, connecting it to the Standing Commission on Domestic Mission and Evangelism, expanding the Standing Commission to balance representation of young people, women, and racial and sexual minorities, and outlining a number of specific concerns to be addressed. After discussion, the Council unanimously embraced the resolution.
(Subsequent to the meeting, it was determined by the PB's office that Council has no power to change the canonical make-up of a Standing Commission. The PB and the President of the House of Deputies have worked with the SCDME to establish a large and diverse sub-committee of the Standing Commission to serve as a Planning Group for 20/20. This will be a topic of discussion in February.)
As 20/20 goes forward, regular reports will be made to Executive Council, and there will no doubt be additional efforts to insure 20/20 addresses the contexts and the ministries of the whole Church.
Another major issue on the agenda was the proposed joint development and occupancy of the General Seminary campus at Chelsea Square by both the Theological School and the Episcopal Church Center. Both Chelsea Square and 815 Second Avenue are presently underutilized. In the real estate market in New York, 815 could produce a substantial and long-term income stream for the Church. In addition, development of Chelsea Square would include the construction of a conference center that would allow persons traveling to New York for meetings to do so at greatly reduced expense. A proposal this complex requires a lot of legal and financial planning, so Council authorized the establishment of a six person Special Committee representing both Executive Council and GTS to work through the many issues and to make a final proposal to Council.
In keeping with the General Convention resolution, the Council set aside one afternoon for anti-racism training conducted by the NCCJ, formerly the National Council of Christians and Jews. In addition, various shareholder resolutions were adopted. The Council heard a report on the efforts to establish Episcopal Relief and Development as an independent, but church-related, 501c(3) corporation. Doing so will allow ERD to receive matching funds from non-religious sources. The final proposal on this matter will be presented in San Antonio in February.
The Council continued work on the matter of "Safe Places" for Lesbians and Gays. A proposed resolution from the CIM sub-committee was sent back to committee for some final tweaking. The National Concerns sub-committee presented a substantial statement on the events of September 11 and its aftermath. The resolution expressed "profound condolences for the victims, commended the PB for his statement, commended the Church in New York for its response, called on the whole church to engage in local interfaith dialogues, affirmed President Bush's leadership, yet called for restraint in responding to terrorism, and urged protection of constitutional rights and civil liberties." (The text of this resolution and all the resolutions of Executive Council may be found on the General Convention or ENS web sites.)
The Council received a report from Bishop Epting, Deputy for Ecumenical and Interfaith Relationships, on the impact of the resolution of the ELCA allowing ordination by a pastor under unusual circumstances. He also reported that the National Council of Churches is struggling financially, but that the Episcopal Church will not bail them out.
The Council recommended to the PB that the theme of the General Convention in Minneapolis be the health, vitality, and mission (Missio Dei) of the Episcopal Church. The plans for 20/20 will also have a major impact on that Convention.
There were numerous other reports and resolutions, too many to be reported in this space. The Jacksonville meeting was the final meeting for two long time liaison persons. Dorothy Flindall-Davies reported on the state of the Anglican Church of Canada and reflected on her time with Council. Karen Parker, our liaison with the ELCA, thanked Council for the experience of the larger church Council has offered and for its support during her husband's illness and death.
The spirit of the Jacksonville meeting was good, with much openness, honesty and mutual respect, as well as long hours and hard work. Council seems to be settling into a constructive pattern of relationships with the Church Center staff and one another. A regular feature of meetings is now a time "off the record" to speak about matters of concern to the Council or the PB's office. The PB concluded our time together with thanks for the Council's commitment and wisdom.
The Rev. Stephen
T. Lane
Province II Clerical Representative
Episcopal Relief and Development
The following information gives a brief glimpse of the work being done in your name by Episcopal Relief and Development.
The Board of Episcopal
Relief and Development met in New York in November. They reviewed grant
applications and approved 51 grants for a total of $1,392,553.60. The
Board also approved to provide funding for the work done by the Bishop
of the Armed Forces office in support of their disaster response actions
following the September 11th tragedy which included sending trained teams
to the affected dioceses to provide trauma counseling. The Board also
approved the first year of funding for an Interfaith Dialogue project
that was submitted by the Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Office.
Three grants were awarded in Province II:
Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen - Diocese of New York - $20,000
Urban Housing Assistance Board - Diocese of New York - $35,000
The Apostle's House - Diocese of Newark - $25,647
September 11th
Episcopal Relief and Development has received an amazing outpouring of gifts and messages from people throughout the Anglican Communion. Our latest total is over $4 million. Love and concern for the welfare of the families involved can be seen in donations to all of the other special appeals such as the Twin Towers Fund. ERD has enough funds now to meet the requests of the dioceses and to create programs that will educate the people of our Church about the religious diversity in the United States and throughout the world. We anticipate further requests from the affected dioceses as well as the need to respond to the plight of the people of Afghanistan. Please send undesignated gifts or chose one of the variety of programs you can support through Episcopal Relief and Development. They can always mark their gift "undesignated", in this way they will assist in funding our Domestic and Overseas small grants programs. Perhaps they will want to designate their gift to help fight the scourge of HIV/AIDS. We have a wonderful program in El Salvador that they can support, or they can help build a school in Haiti. Above all, be sure to thank them for their continued support.
Numerous requests have been received for assistance in various dioceses following the tragedy of September 11th. ERD authorized the following grants have been awarded:
- $250,000 - Diocese
of New York - ERD has provided funding for food and supplies for rescuers
since immediately after the disaster. Episcopal Relief and Development
is also working with Episcopal Charities to provide cash grants to surviving
employees of the World Trade Center complex who have been left unemployed
by recent events. The grant will provide funds to cover
basic costs for rent, utilities and food.
- $25,000 - Diocese
of Newark The diocese requested funds to assist individuals and parishes
with assistance in the wake of 9/11. Counseling services will also be
provided.
- $25,000 - Diocese
of Maryland This grant was awarded to provide assistance to victims
of the tragedy and will help the diocese provide support for people
who lost family members or are now unemployed because of the impact
of the tragedy on the local economy. These funds will help pay for rent,
utilities, childcare and other essential bills.
- $25,000 - Diocese
of Connecticut received this grant to help clergy in Fairfield County
provide support for local counseling staff. In the aftermath of the
September 11 tragedy, there is an overwhelming demand for counseling
services to refugees, immigrants, and people who are vulnerable and
confused. These funds will provide support for all of the distressed,
especially children.
- $25,000 - Diocese of Long Island has used these funds to assist families of victims of the Twin Towers disaster.
Emergency Grants
Recent Emergency Grants
include:
- $25,000 - Diocese
of Rwanda for flood relief
- $25,000 - Diocese
of Cuba to provide aid to the victims of Hurricane Michelle
- $25,000 - Diocese
of Eastern Oregon to assist the people of the Klamath Basin who were
affected by the summer drought and the curtailing of irrigation systems
- $25,00 - Diocese of New York to provide emergency assistance to families in the Dominican community who lost loved ones in the crash of America Airlines flight 587.
Christmas Far From Home
ERD recently requested
that Sunday School children make Christmas cards for the armed forces.
As a result we received hundreds (just visit the Episcopal Church web
site <http://www.episcopalchurch.org>)
and see the piles of boxes and envelopes). The cards came from the following
dioceses:
California, San Diego, Northern California, Washington, Hawaii, Iowa,
Louisiana, Southern Virginia, Easton, Maryland, Montana, Western North
Carolina, Nebraska, Rochester, New York, Long Island, Oklahoma, South
Carolina, East Tennessee, Tennessee, Dallas, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and
Olympia.
Packets of cards were sent to every single Chaplain serving abroad for distribution. Here are excerpts from the Command Chaplain aboard the USS LaSalle, flagship for the Commander of the Sixth Fleet:
"We have about 500 sailors assigned to the ship, with an additional 250 that are part of the Admiral's staff that ride along with us. I distributed the cards to crew members last week and all enjoyed the wonderful expression of gratitude and holiday cheer expressed by the children. Thank you for your generosity in sharing in this way. Please know that it is appreciated. Most
of our sailors do not have the opportunity to be home with family during the holidays. Please keep us in your prayers and be assured of ours for you.
Blessings in our Lord Jesus, Bob Lawrence, Command Chaplain, USS LaSalle."Thank you for your continued support of Episcopal Relief and Development.
Joyce Hogg
7th
Annual International Stewardship Conference
Stewardship: Called By Name to Share the Abundance of God
Seventh Annual International
Stewardship Conference for Laity and Clergy of the Episcopal and Lutheran
Churches
Friday and Saturday, April 19_20, 2002
Four Points Sheraton Hotel
Rochester, New York
Welcome to Rochester . . .and the Seventh Annual International Stewardship
Conference
Our Vision
We believe that stewardship is living into the fullness of God's abundance
after we say, "I believe." We are committed to fostering a growing
number of congregations and individuals who are dealing seriously with
stewardship through the issues of money, mission, social justice, and
sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. Join with others from throughout
The Episcopal
and Lutheran Churches and the Anglican Communion in an exciting adventure,
where you
• Grow in your understanding of stewardship as a lifelong process
of conversion,
• Explore the relationship between your money and your faith,
• Deepen your own theology of stewardship,
• Develop new skills and new ways of implementing year_round stewardship
education in your congregation, including an annual commitment program,
• Receive spiritual and intellectual enrichment,
• Enlarge your vision of stewardship to encompass meeting human needs,
and
• Broaden your understanding and practice of stewardship to include
sharing your faith with others.
. . . so that Jesus Christ may be glorified and His mission and ministry
prosper in your congregation, your community, and your world!
Send a team from your congregation!
Cordially,
The Dioceses of
Western New York, Rochester, Central New York, Michigan, and Albany, The
Office of Stewardship of The Episcopal Church Center, The Episcopal Network
for Stewardship (TENS), The Lutheran Synod of Upstate New York, ELCA
Track
I Stewardship Fundamentals
An Introduction to the Theology and Practice of Stewardship
If you haven't attended Track I at one of these conferences,
START HERE!
The conference planning team has found that even those who have worked
extensively in stewardship have benefitted from beginning with Track I.
Presenters will introduce you to an assortment of diagnostic tools and
different kinds of commitment programs. You will also experience a deep
sense of spiritual enrichment.
The conference opens Friday morning with a talk by Fr. George Regas, followed by The Event. You will discover where you are in your stewardship journey through the study of Scripture and sharing ideas with other participants.
You will explore the theology of stewardship and hear God's invitation to a deeper commitment. After The Event you will examine, through a series of presentations, the variety of people who worship in your congregation on Sunday mornings _ what they believe, why they give, and how they can respond better to the stewardship message.
On Saturday, you will study the components of a comprehensive Stewardship Development Program and focus on the various kinds of commitment programs you can use in your congregation.
Then on Saturday afternoon, you will have an opportunity to bring it all together. Presenters will examine the hallmarks of a solid stewardship program and the steps you can take to implement a program in your congregation.
Track II (Stewardship
Beyond Track I)
Been to Track I? Familiar with "The Event?"
Know the "Reasons for Giving"?
Then, Track II is for you, if you desire to
• Build on what you already know and do,
• Become a stronger stewardship leader in your parish and diocese,
• Acquire additional practical tools to help you design and shepherd
parish commitment programs and year_round stewardship education,
• Relate what you've been doing in stewardship to the work of evangelism,
• Live out the Baptismal promise to "strive for justice and
peace among all people."
Track II will help you live these truths.
Stewardship has been defined as "Everything I say and do after I
say I believe" and "Using the gifts God has given us to do the
work God is calling us to do."
Fr. George Regas will draw on his 28 years of experience to teach how to build a stewardship ministry that works _ one that is true to the faith and is also financially successful.
Terry Parsons will discuss the clear relationship between the mission of the parish and the money the parish is willing to offer to support it. She will also present her insights into what makes an effective stewardship program.
The Rev. Marie Jerge will discuss why stewardship is the heart of the church and is a faith issue, not a financial issue. She will share her insights on the common messages that Lutherans and Episcopalians are working hard to communicate.
Tom Gossen will show you new ways to teach and train people in the life of stewardship. He brings a wealth of experience from his years of consulting and training in a majority of the dioceses in this country.
18 Workshops will offer you sound theology, practical ideas that work, and the opportunity to network, ask questions, and discover resources. People who have attended previous conferences will note that "The Track II Event" will be offered in three separate modes. Why? Because we want to show how the principles of "The Event" can be applied effectively in a variety of ways.
Choose one of three
modes.
Track II Workshops
Friday
Morning, Session A
1. A Stewardship Development Ministry That Works
Fr. Regas draws on 28 years of practical experience as rector of All Saints
Church to describe how to create a stewardship program that is spiritually
challenging and financially successful. (Also offered in Session C.)
2. Diagnosing Your
Parish (and Narrative Budget)
Tom Gossen teaches how to evaluate your parish and its stewardship needs.
He will also teach how to do a Narrative Budget, which is an effective
way to develop a clearer understanding of your parish's needs.
3. How to Lead "Reasons
for Giving"
This workshop explores three realities in life: (1) your experience and
use of money from childhood to the present, (2) the various reasons why
you give and how you have grown in your giving, and (3) your personal
time_line of your relationship with Christ. You will learn how to make
this presentation to your congregation.
4. Planned Giving,
Part 1
A planned giving program can broaden the scope of the mission and ministry
of your congregation. Learn the components of an effective planned giving
program and how to begin developing one. (This workshop is part one of
two.)
5. Stewardship and
Youth
Participants will examine the prerequisites and possibilities for stewardship
among youth of the church by discussing the need for an integrated approach
with all youth activities.
Friday Afternoon,
Session B
1. Public Policy and Christian Stewardship
Participants explore a theology of stewardship that includes use of our
political power and will discuss appropriate ways in which the church
can exercise stewardship in the public arena. A model for a parish_based
public policy group will be considered.
2. Commitment Program
Details (Faithful Member and Cottage Meeting)
Learn how to recruit and train members of your congregation to be effective
and enthusiastic callers for a Faithful Member Commitment program or group
leaders in a Cottage Meeting Commitment program.
3. What's Working
in Our Congregations
Experienced stewardship leaders from three different parishes share what
has worked and what hasn't worked in their congregations. A great opportunity
for questions and answers.
4. Planned Giving,
Part 2
This workshop continues to teach how to lay the groundwork for an effective
planned giving program at your parish. (Part 1 offered during Session
A is a prerequisite.)
5. Stewardship and
Hospitality
A key part of evangelism is learning to be hospitable__making your parish
welcoming. The workshop will offer ideas and guidelines for being a welcoming
parish, a key part of evangelism.
Saturday Morning,
Session C
l. A Stewardship Development Ministry That Works
Fr. Regas draws on 28 years of practical experience as rector of All Saints
Church to describe how to create a stewardship program that is spiritually
challenging and financially successful. (Also offered in Session A.)
2. Mission, Vision,
and Money
Terry Parsons shares the importance of the relationship between clear
expression of the mission and vision of the church and the money members
are willing to offer for the fulfillment of the mission.
3. Making Music Out
of Chaos and Hot Air
Experience with Lynn Wright how creativity, innovation, and improvisation
apply to stewardship work. Musical analogies are used to explain how people
work together.
4. Creative Ways of
Stewardship Communications
Learn how to use alternative forms of communication _ such as skits, music,
art, videos, and puppets _ to get the stewardship message to your congregation.
Saturday Afternoon,
Session D
1. Seven Secrets of Amazing Stewardship
What key characteristics do successful stewardship formation and commitment
programs share? Terry Parsons shares her insights and her extensive hands_on
experience with hundreds of congregations.
2. Commitment Program
Details (Personal Note and Festive Meal)
Detailed instruction on how to run the Personal Note and Festive Meal
commitment programs. Parishes find these two programs are among the simplest
and the most successful.
3. Size Matters: Stewardship
and Congregation Size
Tom Gossen will lead a discussion of how congregation size affects parish
dynamics and the resulting effects on stewardship. After an introduction,
the workshop will break into smaller groups to discuss specific, size_related
issues.
4. Kairos vs. Chronos
(Stewardship and Time)
Time management is to time stewardship as fundraising is to financial
stewardship. Learn about the deeper issues of time stewardship, including
understanding and appreciating Kairos, or "God's time."
O God, whose Son Jesus Christ is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls each by name, and follow where he leads; who with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
7th Annual International
Stewardship Conference Schedule
Friday, April 19, 2002
7:30_8:30 a.m. Continental
Breakfast and Registration
8:30_9:00 a.m. Opening Remarks and Morning Prayer
9:00_10:00 a.m. Opening Plenary _ My Deepest Convictions, Fr. Regas
10:00_10:15 a.m. Break
10:15_12:00 a.m. Track I _ The Event
Track II Events (Choose One):
Event A _ Stewardship and Money
Event B _ Stewardship and Evangelism
Event C _ Telling Your Story
12:00_1:00 p.m. Buffet Lunch
1:00_2:30 p.m. Track I _ Epistemology
Track II _ Workshops, Session A
2:30_3:30 p.m. Break , Q's &A's With the Experts, Hotel Registration
3:30_4:45 p.m. Track I _ Reasons for Giving/Maslow Meets Jesus
Track II _ Workshops, Session B
4:45_5:00 p.m. Break
5:00_6:00 p.m. "Purple" Plenary _ Bishops Garrison, Adams, and
McKelvey
6:00_6:30 p.m. Evening Prayer
6:30_9:00 p.m. Dinner on your own
9:00_9:30 p.m. Compline
Saturday, April
20, 2002
7:30_8:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast and Hotel Checkout
8:30_9:00 a.m. Opening Remarks and Morning Prayer
9:00_10:00 a.m. Plenary _ Jesus Talks About Money, Terry Parsons
10:00_10:15 a.m. Break
10:15_11:45 a.m. Track I _ Star System
Track II _ Workshops, Session C
11:45 a.m._1:30 p.m. Instructed Festive Luncheon
1:30_3:00 p.m. Track I _ Commitment Programs
Track II Plenary _ Stewardship: The Heart of the Church, The Rev. Marie
Jerge
3:00_3:15 p.m. Break
3:15_4:30 p.m. Track I _ Taking It All Home
Track II _ Workshops, Session D
4:30_4:45 p.m. Break
4:45_6:00 p.m. Closing Eucharist and Sermon: Generosity and Human Transformation,
Fr. Regas
6:00 p.m. Departure
Presenters and Speakers
The Rev. Dr. George
F. Regas
Fr. Regas retired from All Saints Church in Pasadena, CA, in May 1995.
As rector, he was responsible for the spiritual lives of more than 4,000
members, 40 employees, and a stewardship program that raised $3.3 million
in budget pledges. Fr. Regas' insightful perspectives can help all parishes,
regardless of size and budget.
Terry Parsons
Terry is Missioner for Stewardship and Discipleship Formation at The
Episcopal Church Center, delivering keynote addresses and leading conferences
as a stewardship consultant. Her work embraces the three areas of stewardship:
Ordinary Stewardship _ the annual budget; Extraordinary Stewardship _
capital campaigns; and Eternal Stewardship _ planned giving.
The Rev. Marie
Jerge
Marie is assistant to the bishop, Upstate New York Synod, the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). She currently works with candidates
for ordained and lay rostered ministries. Since 1992, however, she has
also served the synod as Stewardship Resource staff person.
The Rt. Rev. Jack
McKelvey
After serving for eight years as bishop suffragan of the Diocese of
Newark, Bishop McKelvey was elected bishop of the Diocese of Rochester
in 2000. He focuses on congregational development and communications,
ministry development, and finance, resource, and community development.
The Rt. Rev. J.
Michael Garrison
Bishop Garrison was elected bishop of the Diocese of Western New York
in 1998. He began his ministry as a deacon and priest of the Roman Catholic
Church until 1974, when he was received into the priesthood of The Episcopal
Church. Before his election, he served the Diocese of Nevada as the bishop's
vicar for ministry development.
The Rt. Rev. Gladstone
B. Adams, III
Before his election as bishop of the Diocese of Central New York in
June 2001, Bishop Adams was rector of St. James' Episcopal Church in Skaneateles,
NY. He has served the diocese in many leadership roles, including chair
of the diocesan Personnel Committee and district dean.
Thomas R. Gossen
Tom is the executive director for The Episcopal Network for Stewardship
(TENS), and is a stewardship consultant with extensive experience in leading
and developing programs for dioceses and congregations. He currently serves
as a member of the Standing Commission on Stewardship and Development
of The Episcopal Church.
The Rev. Canon
Richard C. Rowe
Richard currently serves The Episcopal Church as canon for the Development
of Mission and Ministry for the Diocese of Western New York. He has served
the larger church as a stewardship consultant for eight years. His years
of ordained ministry have been a wonderful combination of parish, diocesan,
school, and social service ministries.
Spencer Pugh
Spencer is chair of this year's conference. He is also chair of the
Stewardship Committee for the Diocese of Rochester and has been a parish
stewardship consultant for five years. He has either participated in or
led workshops in five of the six past International Stewardship Conferences.
He is employed by the Eastman Kodak Company as a program manager in R&D.
Barbara Northan
Barbara is registrar of the conference. Retired from DuPont, she is
a member of St. Andrew's Church in Buffalo, where she serves on the vestry
and is chair of the Property Committee. She is interim personnel and program
coordinator for the Diocese of Western New York, serves on the Standing
Committee and Diocesan Council, and chairs the Clergy Compensation Committee.
Conference Musicians
Music is an essential ingredient of the conference. Join Lynn Wright,
Wiley Beveridge, and Diane Andrew as they lead us in music that will inspire
our mind, lift our spirits, and bring joy to our hearts.
The Rev. Lynn Wright
Those who have heard Lynn play the piano find it impossible not to
join in and sing. Though a classically trained musician, Lynn embraced
ragtime at an early age and has made it part of his own special "Anglican
tradition." A retired parish priest in Jackson Hole, WY, Lynn also
performs regularly at the Silver Dollar Saloon in Jackson.
Wiley Beveridge
Wiley is a former member of the Fisherfolk and works in health services
in New Hampshire. Through the "En Theos" ministry, he offers
healing retreats throughout the country. Wiley returns to the conference
for a fourth year.
Diane Andrew, who was one of the original Fisherfolk, will join Wiley again this year to lead music at the conference.
Conference Chaplains
The Rev. Sandra K. Curtis
Sandy co_chaired the 2001 conference. Formerly, she chaired the Stewardship
Committee for the Diocese of Rochester, and does extensive stewardship
consulting throughout the diocese. She is rector of St. James' Church
in Hammondsport, NY, and the Church of the Redeemer in Addison, NY.
The Rev. Walter
E. Pond, Jr.
Walter currently serves as a regional ministry developer in the Diocese
of Western New York, working with congregations to enhance the ministry
of all the baptized. He spent 25 years as an ELCA pastor in the Southeastern
United States. He serves as Sunday supply for Holy Apostles' Church in
Perry, NY.
The conference was ". . . A constant reinforcement of what God wants me to do with my life and in the church. Constant reinforcement of the knowledge that Stewardship is a spiritual experience that happens between God and me. It is more than financial. It really involves all of me as a gift from God."
Registration
Lodging
Four Points Sheraton Hotel
120 East Main Street
Rochester, NY 14604_1699
(716) 546_6400
Fax (716) 546_1341
(800) 325_3535
Hotel Rates and
Reservations
$ 89 a room per night (1 to 4 occupants). All rooms are subject to
applicable state and local taxes. You must reserve your room directly
with the hotel. Identify yourself as attending the Episcopal Stewardship
Conference. To ensure the conference rate, you must register with the
hotel NO LATER than March 29, 2002. After this date, reservations will
be accepted on a space and rate availability basis only.
Note to parishes in New York State: To avoid the room tax, reserve all
room reservations in the name of your church and pay with a church check
or credit card. Provide the hotel with a copy of your New York State Tax
Exemption Form.
Conference Fee
Register Early!
First Registrant: $ 225.00
*Each Additional Registrant:*$ 200.00
Same price as last year . . .
* Note: The $200.00 conference fee for each additional registrant applies
to people registering from the same congregation or diocesan Stewardship
Committee. The conference fee covers all sessions, conference materials,
breaks, Friday and Saturday and breakfasts, Friday lunch, and the Saturday
luncheon.
Conference Registration
Deadline: March 29, 2002.
Participation is limited. Late registrations accepted space permitting.
Cancellation Policy and Refunds: Cancellations will be accepted until
April 12, 2002, and refunds
will be issued, subject to a $50 processing fee. After April 12, 2002,
no refunds will be granted. Substitutions of one registrant for another
are permitted. Participants are responsible for canceling their own hotel
reservations.
Family Members: Family members accompanying registrants are responsible for their own meals. Extra tickets for the Saturday lunch banquet may be purchased for $20 a person. Indicate the number of extra banquet meals you need on the registration form and include the payment when you register.
Other Things You Need to Know
Morning and Evening Prayer, Compline, the Festive Lunch, and the closing Eucharist, are integral parts of the conference. Plan to take part in all of them.
Bookstore: The Good News Bookstore will be open throughout the conference. They will offer many resources on stewardship, along with other books and media on spirituality and theology.
Need Additional
Information?
Barbara Northan
Conference Registrar
Phone/Fax (716) 284_1457
E_mail: bnorthan@aol.com
Website: http://www.province2.org/stwdshp/
"The Event was helpful, Reasons for Giving was inspiring, and Taking It All Home was the basic nuts and bolts."
Finger Lakes Conference Program for the year 2002
June 23 to June 28 held at Hobart William Smith College in Geneva
Featured Presenter:
The Rt. Rev. John Shelby Spong, Retired Bishop of the Diocese of Newark
"Developing A New Christianity For A New World"
Lectures:
1. The Contemporary Crisis In Faith, Why the Old symbols No Longer Work
2. The Bible - Asking A Different Question Of Scripture And Getting A
Different Answer
3. "He Did Not Die For Our Sins" - A View Of Human Life On The
Other side Of Darwin and Jung.
4. Retelling The Christ Story As a God Presence In A New Context Or God
Was In Christ Reconciling.
The Sermon - My Journey Beyond My Fears And Prejudices In To The Wonder Of God.
Music Director: David G. Smith, M. Div., Lay Associate and Minister of Music at St. Luke & St. Simon of Cyrene Episcopal Church in Rochester, NY.
Workshops:
1. Preparing a Banquet: The Arts as Spiritual Food Groups. The Rev.
J. Bruce Stewart, Founder and Director, Center for Liturgy and the Arts,
Annandale, VA. Helping prepare our conference liturgies, this course will
explore a variety of ways to employ music, movement, drama, visual arts,
and other means as the forms through which we offer God our selves, our
souls and bodies. This experiential course will include both theological
exploration and practical application for developing a rationale for worship
planning. Participants are asked to bring: a favorite work of art, a small
potted plant, a large rock, and a solid color tablecloth or bedspread.
Musical instruments welcome. Wear comfortable clothes.
2. The Psalms in Slow Motion. The Rev. Richard A. Henshaw, Professor emeritus, Bexley Hall Seminary. The Psalms are used in every service of our Church, and everyone agrees on their literary quality and profound Spirituality. Their meaning, however, sometimes escapes us. We will go through selected psalms, and slowly through significant phrases, words and even syllables. Prayer, praise, confession, history and even chanted groaning _ the Psalms run the gamut of emotions. Those portions we cannot explain we will simply stand in awe of.
3. Benedictine Spirituality: Walking in the Womb of God. The Rev. Albert Keeney, Rector, St. John's Episcopal Church in Canandaigua, NY. Participants will explore Benedictine Spirituality through the eyes of three contemporary Benedictine women: Esther de Waal, Joan Chittister and Kathleen Norris. Through the writings and observations of these three women, we will engage the centuries old Rule of Benedict, which many are discovering to he a vital, active path to deepening their relationship to God and to the world.
4. My Brother Ishmael: An Introduction to Islam for Christians. The Rev. Zev Rosenberg, Rector, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Canton, OH. Islam is the fastest growing, yet least understood Religion today, both worldwide and in the U.S. The events of recent history have made better understanding of Islam and Muslims a vital necessity. The course will cover such topics as: the life and career of Muhammad, The five Pillars of Islam, Jesus and Christianity in Islam, Islamic Spirituality (Sufism), and the Islamic world today.
5. The Resurrection
Of The Forgotten Touch. Is healing a valid ministry of the church? Nigel
W.D. Mumford, Directory of The Divine Healing Ministry at Oratory of the
Little Way in Gaylordsville, CT. In this workshop, we will gain "hands_on"
experience and develop practical
skills for establishing a vital ministry to the broken and wounded. We
will explore sickness and dis_ease as it presents physically, emotionally
and generationally. The blocks to healing will also be identified. It
would help if the student will have read Mumford's book, "Hand to
Hand, from Combat to Healing" (Church Publishing Inc NY). The objective
of the workshops is three fold, 1) To have a working knowledge of the
healing ministry. 2) To be able to pray with others for healing. 3) To
bring the healing ministry to his/her parish.
6. A Window Into The
Castle of the Soul. The Reverend Suzanne Guthrie, author of Praying the
Hours, and Grace's Window: Entering the Seasons of Prayer. She has been
a columnist for Christian Century, Episcopal Life and other publications.
Suzanne is the Episcopal Advisor at Vassar College. The "Carmelite
Heavies" as we lovingly call them, map the layers of prayer consciousness
through dark nights and illumination toward union with divine love. Teresa
of Avila, John of the Cross, Brother Lawrence, Therese of Lisieux, Edith
Stein, invite their readers
to a deeper understanding of the mystical journey of the soul. Join us
for a spiritual exploration through "guiding nights" and "living
flames of love."
7. A Different Look at Who We Are. The Rev'd Jerry L. Miller, certified by the William Glasser Institute. We will explore Dr. William Glasser's alternative approach to human psychology called Choice Theory. Who argues that all behavior is internally motivated and that nothing outside human beings can make them behave. Five universal human needs drive all behavior: survival, freedom, power, love/belonging, and fun. There will be a systematic presentation of these ideas regarding Choice Theory. Participants will be encouraged to discover how Choice Theory impacts upon traditional notions of Christian living and human relationships. A brief introduction to Reality Therapy will show how Choice Theory can be employed in pastoral care.
8. Spiritual Eldering: Reflecting On The Wisdom of Our Lives. Lynne P. Iser, MPH, Consultant and Co_founder, Spiritual Eldering Institute. We are all aging in a society that values what is newest. Whether we are 45 or 75 we often struggle to find meaning and value in our lives. As maturing adults we KNOW that our life experience is valuable and important. How do we harvest and share this wisdom? We will work to affirm and honor the years of our lives. We will discover new ways to see, appreciate and further develop the wisdom that we have acquired in our lifetime, and, will reflect on how we might use our life experience to enrich the lives of current and future generations. We will share our lives, possibly our dreams and our fears, and hopefully we will have fun!
9. Peace School: The Experience, The Concepts, The Skills for Creating Your Own. Madeleine G. Trichell, Director of The InterFaith Center for Peace in Columbus, OH. Peace School is an experience in building peaceable community. It is an opportunity to learn with people of all ages, to explore our biblical heritage as peacemakers, to learn skills of conflict management, and to envision the peaceful future. It is a time to sing and play, to plan and think, to create and share, to discuss issues and to decide what we can do in our own churches and communities to make the world more peaceful. This interactive workshop will provide an experience of Peace School, opportunities to learn peace_teaching skills, and time to plan for your own program.
Contact: Diana
Purcell-Chapman
<dinfre@netsync.net>
Consecration
of First Episcopal Bishop in Europe
From the Convocation Newsletter, Nell Toensmann, Editor
On November 18, 2001, in Rome, Italy - the eternal city and venerable heart of Christianity - the Episcopal Church of the United States of America consecrated for the very first time a bishop in Europe. Pierre Welté Whalon was chosen during a special Convention in June 2001 to serve as the first_ever elected Bishop in Charge for the Convocation of American Churches in Europe. Prior to this election, the Bishop in Charge had been appointed by the Presiding Bishop, and from 1974 until 1994, this position was held by a part - time retired bishop.
Bishop Whalon, who is the 973rd Bishop of the Episcopal Church, will assume his duties as Bishop in Charge on 1 January 2002, succeeding the Right Reverend Jeffery Rowthorn, who has held this full_time position since January 1994. At the time of the election, Whalon, who has both French and American citizenship, was serving as the Rector of St. Andrews Church and School in Fort Pierce, Florida.
Before the overflowing multi - national and multi - cultural congregation assembled at St. Paul's Within the Walls, Whalon was presented for consecration by members of the Convocation who represented the five European countries in which the Episcopal churches are located - Belgium, France, German, Italy and Switzerland, a representative of the other - language ministry that is expanding in Europe, and joined by the President of the Board of Foreign Parishes.
In addition to the Presiding Bishop, the Most Reverend Frank T. Griswold III, who presided as chief consecrator, six bishops - representing not only five different countries, but five different churches either within the Anglican Communion or in communion with the Anglican Church - were invited to participate as co - consecrators for this extraordinary historical event.
These bishops included: The Right Reverend John W. Howe, Bishop of Central Florida, the diocese in which Whalon was serving when elected; The Right Reverend Jeffery Rowthorn, presently Bishop in Charge of the Convocation; The Right Reverend Geoffrey Rowell, installed on November 1st as the Church of England Bishop for the Diocese of Gibraltar in Europe; The Right Reverend Carlos Lopez_Lozano of the Spanish Episcopal Reformed Church (Iglesia Española Reformada Episcopal); The Right Reverend Fernando Soares of the Lusitanian Church of Portugal (Igreja Lusitana Católica Apostólica Evangélica); The Right Reverend Joachimbe, the Old Catholic Bishop of Germany, representing the Right Reverend Joris Verkammen, Archbishop of Utrecht and President of the International Bishop's Conference in the Union of Utrecht.
During a service that was both solemn and joyous, lessons were offered in English and Spanish, the Gospel was read in English, French and Italian, and the music was offered by both a special Convocation Choir representing the churches and mission congregations within the Convocation, the singer Deborah Bly, and musicians from the Latin American congregation in Rome. In his consecration sermon, the Presiding Bishop spoke of how today's ordination - of a bishop of the Episcopal Church of the United States taking place in Europe - transcends national and ecclesiastical boundaries and cultures and reminds us that we live not to ourselves alone, but within binding relationships. He also spoke of the importance of moving beyond a world of self interest to establishing new relationships, which has been very much in evidence since the events of September 11th.
Following his consecration, Bishop Whalon was then vested by the Presiding Bishop according to the order of bishops with Cope and Miter and was presented with the gifts of the office - a Bible, Pectoral Cross, Bishop's Ring, and Crozier. He then introduced his family and welcomed a number of people who had journeyed to Rome to be present for his consecration, which included 26 members of his former congregation - St. Andrews Church in Fort Pierce, Florida, and about a dozen of his "cyber friends", people that he had come to know from various list meetings on the internet, but had never met in person.
The service continued with the new bishop celebrating the Eucharist and a special sung Lord's Prayer in Spanish. At the conclusion of the service, the Canterbury Cross, which began it's pilgrimage in Canterbury in August 1997 and visited all of the Convocation churches and mission congregations during the celebration of the 1400th anniversary of St. Augustine's journey to England, was then presented to representatives from Emmanuel Church, Geneva, host to the 2002 Convocation convention. Bishop Whalon then came forward to deliver the blessing, which he pronounced in the six languages of the convocation: Italian, Chinese, German, Spanish, French and English.
In addition to the consecrating bishops, other bishops and clergy participated in the service from the Episcopal Church and beyond. The Bishops included the Right Reverends Edward L. Lee, Jr., Diocese of Western Michigan and former Rector of St. James' Church, Florence; J. Michael Garrison, Diocese of Western New York; William J. Skilton, Bishop Suffragan of the Diocese of South Carolina, representing the Standing Commission on World Mission; Christopher Epting, Deputy for Ecumenical Relations for the Episcopal Church USA; George Packard, Bishop Suffragan of the Armed Forces, Health Care and Prison Ministries; as well as the Right Reverend Richard Garrard, the new Director of the Anglican Centre in Rome and Representative of the Archbishop of Canterbury to the Holy See, installed just two days previously.
Clergy participating
in the service included the Very Reverend George Werner, President of
the House of Deputies, and the Reverend Canons Carlson Gerdau, Canon to
the Presiding Bishop, and John Peterson, Secretary General of the Anglican
Consultative Council; and Deacons Sharon Britcher, St. Andrew's Church,
Fort Pierce, FL, and Dale Carr, Ascension, Munich.
Present from the Roman Catholic Church were Bishop Marc Ouellet, representing
Walter Cardinal Kasper, Chairman of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion
of Christian Unity, and Monsignor Timothy Verden, representing Archbishop
Enrico Antonelli of Florence. An additional 39 priests and deacons from
the Episcopal Church _ resident in Europe with the Convocation or as military
chaplains, in addition to visitors from the United States, the Church
of England, and Old Catholic Church joined the lengthy procession into
the church.