Episcopal Kentucky Quarterly Spring 2010

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Bishop's convention homily

'Proclaim Jesus through service' By the Rt. Rev. Edwin F. Gulick J r., Bishop of the Diocese of Kentucky For 11!hat 1/Je preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, 1vith ourselves asyour servants for Jesus' sake.

(2 Con.ntbians 4:5) Two weeks ago, I was invited to attend the 60'h birthday party for a fellow Episcopalian and a boomer. Like many other parties, there was delicious food, music, dancing and a varied and interesting mix of persons, ages, occupations, family and friends.

Unlike most birthday parties, the celebration began in the nave of an Episcopal church because the guest of honor wanted her party to begin with those she most loved and she wanted those she most loved to worship with her in the community she most cherished-her parish church. Her rector presided beautifully Bishop Ted Gulick presides at Ho!J Eucharist opening the 182nd Convention of Diocese of and communicated a warm welcome,and Jesus Kentuclg, 1vhich met Feb. 26-27 at Grace Church in Paducah. Photo l:y Dan Songer embraced all those who were present. The evangelism. She just let those she loved know~ .ill_e '>ÂŁaS. homily was preached by the birthday girl herself and was a and what grounding she found in Him, her life, her joy, her simple, yet profound testimony about the Jesus she loved-the only hope.

Jesus of Matthew 25, "I was hungry and you gave me food ... " She actually preached like my favorite Anglican priest, She thanked many who had been jesus for her during a season George Herbert. She was probably not aware of it but her of loss and sadness. homily was a paraphrase of one George Herbert's mystical That night the church had between 70 and 80 people in the poems.... To understand this poem, remember that Latin sanctuary. I would venture that at least a third were unchurched has no letter "J" and that the letter "I"_is substituted. Herbert or under churched but more than 80 percent received Holy proclaimed Jeus this way: Communion, and practically everybody received a blessing. It JESU is in nry heart, his sacred name was a moment of pure, primary evangelism. The name of Jesus Is deep!J carved there: but th 'other 1veek was shared with conviction and hope, and Jesus was worA great afftiction broke the little frame, shipped as Savior and Lord in the fellowship of the church.

Ev'n all to pieces: 11!hich I 1/Jent to seek: If we had more birthday parties like that, Jesus would have And first I found the corner, 11!here 1/Jas], more friends who just might grow to being disciples! Why is After, 11!here ES, and next 1vhere U 1vas graved, it that I went 61 years as an Episcopalian and never once celWhen I had got these parcels, instantly ebrated a friend's birthday with the Eucharist? ... I don't know I sal me down to spell them, and perceit•ed That to "!Y broken heart he 1vas I easeyo11, why we all don't do it.

And to the whole is J E S U. I loved it! The honoree had not spent hours in seminars on Contin11ed on page 10

The Rt. Rev. Edwin F. Gulick Jr., Bishop/Executive Editor Mary Jane Cherry, Communications Director Application to Mail at Periodicals Postage Prices is Pending at New York, NY Episcopal Kentucky Quarterly is published four times per year in January, April, July and October by The Domestic & Foreign Missionary Society of The Episcopal Church, 815 Second Ave, New York NY 10017.

Postmaster send address changes to: PO Box 2050, Voorhees NJ 08043.

Embracing Christ, Engaging the World The Diocese of Kentucky is called to engage the world as a witness to Christ through worship, study, fellowship, evangelism, social justice and service.

i.c>ontents '~~:-~··~?f!;•iti'jf.~t~ii:Z.}Z:..;.

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EPISCOPAL KENTUCKY QUARTERLY

Donations are sought to honor Bishop Gulick

pp 1-10, 23

The ministry of Bishop Ted Gulick will be celebratNominees for bishop 4 ed Saturday, July 10, at All Electing Convention 5 Saints' Conference Center Focus on Haiti 6-9 near Leitchfield.

The celDiocesan Calendar 23 ebration will begin at noon Episcopal News Quarterly 11-22 with Eucharist, baptism and confirmation, followed by lunch and the presentation From the of a gift in appreciation for 1 his 16 years of service to the Diocese of Kentucky.

Traditionally, dioceses in Suitably, the first issue of Episcopal The modular cabin, named the Suwannee Lodge, is fui!J the Episcopal Church give Kentuc~ Quarter!; comes at a time of liturfurnished andftatures solid wood cabinets, a cedar wardrobe and the outgoing bishop a memgical and seasonal transition when Lent hardwood floors. orable gift. Some bishops meets Easter in Holy Week. Our diocese prefer a personal gift, and is in transition, preparing to choose a cabin visit http://www.nationalcabinsales. some request something to benefit the new leader, and this issue introduces the com/ rv-cabins-and-lodges/the-lodges.html four priests who have said 'yes' to our call diocese. Bishop Ted requested the latter.

Those wishing to honor the bishop He would like to have a bishop's cabin at for them to join us in discernment. The are asked to make checks out to Trustees quarterly's focus, however, is our historic All Saints', so the new bishop will always and Council with "Bishop's retirement ties with Haiti, prompted by the need for have a place to stay there. gift" in the memo line. Please send your A suitable, modular cedar cabin has us to act generously now to the ongoing checks to Betty Blodgett, St. John's Episbeen located. The Transition Commitcrisis. Featured are stories of Episcopacopal Church, 1620 W Main St., Murray, tee has sent out an appeal for donations lians who, decades ago, "proclaimed the KY 42071.

Lord through service," as the bishop has to cover the cost of the cabin and site If you have questions, call Rose Bopreparation, which will be about $50,000; gal-Allbritten at 270-293-9490 or Betty said, and met the "Lord proclaimed" in establish a small maintenance fund for those they found.

Blodgett at 270-293-4190. the cabin; and cover the cost of the Diocesan communications also have reception. To learn specifics about the been in transition this year as we work to diversify the means by which we share news and information of importance in our diocese. Taking the place of a monthly newspaper, Episcopal Kmtuc~ Photographer Dan Songer, a retired of origami cranes that were handcrafted Quarter!; enables us to expand our Web especially for the mobile that was hung in U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel, has and digital communications. been taking pictures since 1957, primarily Grace Church's nave.

Our overriding goal for the magazine for his family's enjoyment and to keep a Dan best described the inspiration has not changed, and to that end we con- record of their military travels. Dan took for the cover photo: "The picture is one tinue our printing partnership with the the photos appearing on the front and of several dogwoods at Grace EpiscoEpiscopal Church (though its publication back covers of this first issue of Episcopal Church. One day in April 2008, I too comes in a new form, Episcopal News pal Kentucky Quarterly and the photos stepped out the front door of the church Quarter!; [see page 12]). Both publicafrom this year's diocesan convention, onto the porch and there, framed in the tions, contained in one magazine, are which have been posted online. decorative supports of the porch roof, committed to publishing stories of interBoth cover photos were taken at was this beautiful dogwood." Hopeesting, important moments and ministries Grace Church during prior Spring ~nd fully, as Dan said, the pink dogwood will in our congregations, diocese and the Easter seasons. The photo on the back once again "show all of its 'pre-2009 ice wider church. cover shows the magnificent Alleluia storm' foliage" in the coming weeks.

I ~:d itor's desk to

About the cover hotos

Mcuy JCMVIA!/ C'herry, fCU:torwww. episcopalky.org

"chandelier," composed of hundreds

Episcopal Kentucky Quarterly, Spring 201 0

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w -to-~ ?

The four final nominees who said 'yes' The Rev. David Allen Boyd The Rev. David Allen Boyd is currently rector of St. David's Church, Austin, in the Diocese of Texas, where he has served since 2003.

He has also served as rector of St. Michael the Archangel in Lexington from 1996 to 2003, rector of St. Andrew's, Milwaukee, Wis., from 1990-1996; rector of St. John's, Milwaukee, Wis., from 1990-1994; rector of St. John the Divine, Burlington, Wis., from 1986-1990; and as urban missioner for the Diocese of Milwaukee from 1990-1996.

He was born in Janesville, Wis., in 1955. He received his Master of Divinity from Nashotah House Theological Seminary in 1984 and a Bachelor of Science in education from Southern Illinois University in 1977. He was ordained in 1984.

He is married to the Rev. Catherine Tyndall Boyd. They have two children.

The Vel}' Rev. W. Nicholas Knisely The Very Rev. W Nicholas Knisely is currently the dean of Trinity Cathedral, Phoenix, in the Diocese of Arizona, where he has served since 2006.

He has also served as rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, Bethlehem, Pa., from 1998-2006; rector of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, Breckenridge, Pa., from 1993-1998; and curate of St. Barnabas, Wilmington, Del., from 1991-1993.

He was born in 1960. He received his Master of Divinity i from Berkeley Divinity School at Yale in 1991, a Master of Science in physics from the University of Delaware in 1987, and a Bachelor of Arts in physics from Franklin and Marshall College in 1982. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1992. He is married to Karen McTigue Knisely.

They have one child.

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Episcopal Kentucky Quarterly, Spring 2010

The Vel}' Rev. John Paul Downey The Very Rev. John Paul Downey is currently the dean of the Cathedral of Saint Paul in Erie, in the Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania, where he has served since 1987.

He has also served as rector of Grace Church, Ridgway, Pa., from 1983-1986 and as vicar of The Valley Missions, St. Laurence's, Osceola Mills, and Holy Trinity, Houtzdale, Pa., from 1980-1982.

He was born in Corry, Pa., in 1954. He received his Master of Divinity from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in 1980 and a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and philosophy from Grove City College in 1975. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1980. He is married to Sharon A. Downey and has three children.

The Vel}' Rev. Terl}' Allen White The Very Rev. Terry Allen White is currently the dean of Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral, Kansas City, in the Diocese of West Missouri, where he has served since 2004.

He has also served as rector of Trinity Church, Highland Park, Ill., from 1995-2004; associate rector, Christ Church, Winnetka, Ill., from 1991 to 1995; vicar of St. Paul's Church, Plymouth, and St. Boniface, Chilton, Wis., from 1987-1991. He was Curate of Christ Church, Winnetka, Ill., from 1985-1987.

He was born in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, in 1959. He received his Master of Divinity from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in 1985 and a Bac,:helor of Arts in religion and philosophy from Iowa Wesleyan College in 1982. He was ordained a priest in 1986. He is married to Linda Sue White. They have two children.

www.episcopalky. org

Nominees' reflections online

Diocese prepares to meet, elect next bishop this Spring On Saturday, Jan. 23, the Search and Nominating Committee completed its work, submitting four names to the Standing Committee as the final slate of nominees. In May, members of the diocese will have opportunities to meet the nominees, and on Saturday, June 5, one nominee is expected to be elected the eighth bishop of the Diocese of Kentucky.

The election will mark the end of a search process that began more than a year ago when Bishop Ted Gulick announced his retirement plans. That no other priests were nominated by petition testifies to the faith that members of the diocese have placed in the search committee's process and selections.

The nominees' reflections Over the course of d1e past several months, the nominees, profiled on the opposite page, prepared reflections on several themes in response to requests from the search committee. Initially, they prepared two reflections: in the first they described their work history and ministry specialties; with the second, they addressed opportunities they sec for the Diocese of Kentucky in relation to their personal strengths and interests.

Later in the process, the nominees were asked to prepare four reflections derived from the ordinal for the ordination of

Meet the nominees at May 'walkabouts' The people of the diocese will have an opportunity to meet the nominees on Friday, May 14, or Saturday, May 15, at meetings known as "walkabouts," during which they will answer previously submitted questions from clergy and lay members of the diocese.

The walkabouts are open to all interested individuals. The May 14 walkabout will be held at Grace Church, 216 E. Sixth St., Hopkinsville, beginning at 7 p.m. (CT). The May 15 event will begin at 5 p.m. (ET) at Christ Church Cathedral, 425 S. Second St., Louisville.

The Transition Committee invites members of the diocese to submit questions for the nominees. The questions should be sent by April 20 to the Rev. Canon Amy Coultas at Christ Church Cathedral, 421 S. Second St., Louisville, Ky. 40202, or amy@christchurchlouky.org A subcommittee of the Transition Committee will choose three questions to ask each nominee at both sites. Each nominee will then be asked to answer an additional question that he selects from the list of questions.

www.episcopalky.org

a bishop from The Book of Common Prayer (pp. 513,517518). In these, they described their call to the office of bishop and their feelings about the call, especially to this diocese; their "faith in and faithfulness to Holy Scripture," and their spiritual practices; their support of lay and ordained ministries; and their "sense of responsibility to The Episcopal Church regarding issues of human sexuality in matters of ordination, marriage rites, and Prayer Book revision." In addition, they also were asked to reflect on their response to other issues they believe will challenge the Church and to discuss the relationship they believe The Episcopal Church should have with the Anglican Communion. The nominees' reflections may be found online at www.bishopsearch.episcopalky.org.

Special electing convention The electing convention will be June 5 at the cathedral.

Registration materials will be mailed to deputies and canonically resident clergy two months before the convention. At the convention, a designated area will be set aside for visitors.

Congregational banners will be displayed during the convention and carried in procession at the consecration of the new bishop. Churches are encouraged to have their banner ready if it is not already at the cathedral or to make one.

Dates to Save Monday, April 20: Walkabout questions for the nominees due.

[See story on this page.]

Friday, May 14: Walkabout, kinsville.

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p.m. (Cl), Grace Church, Hop-

Saturday, May 15: Walkabout, 5 p.m. (El), Christ Church Cathedra~ Louisville.

Saturday, June 5: Electing Convention, Christ Church Cathedral, Louisville.

Saturday, July 10: Bishop Gulick's Retirement Celebration, '-Joon (Cl), All Saints' Conference Center, Leitchfield.

Friday, Sept. 24: Dinner and Presentation of Gifts to Bishop Elect, 6 p.m. (ET), Muhammad Ali Center, Louisville.

Saturday, Sept. 25: Consecration of the Eighth Bishop, 11 a.m.

(E1), The Galt House, Louisville, 'o.\ith a reception following.

Episcopal Kentucky Quarterly, Spring 201 0

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Focus on

HAITI

Since the 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti on Jan. 12, the magnitude of its devastation has been keenly felt by U.S. Episcopalians, including many Kentuckians, who have close ties-past and currentto the people of Haiti.

The Episcopal Church is a vital presence in the small Carribbean nation. A part of Province 2, the Haitian diocese is the largest and fastest growing diocese in The Episcopal Church with 115 congregations and faith communities and a reported membership exceeding 100,000.

The Dioceses of Haiti and Kentucky enjoyed a companion relationship in the 1960s and 1970s during the episcopacy of Bishop Gresham Marrnion, who ended up playing an important role there after Haiti's bishop was expelled by dictator Papa "Doc" Duvalier. (See story, opposite page.)

News from our congregations show the response has been generous to calls for help. For example, St. Mark's reported sending $5,000 to Episcopal Relief and Development for Haitian relief, and St. John's, Murray, also sent funds to ERD, totalling $530 raised at a service and during the Shrove Tuesday supper.

The offering at the diocesan convention Eurcharist, dedicated to the

memory of Bishop Gresham Marrnion, raised nearly $3,000.

Following are stories from and about Kentucky Episcopalians who can testify to the God-inspired hospitality, determination and spirituality of the Haitian diocese and its faithful members.

Their experience dates back decades, but the reach and vitality of the Episcopal Church in Haiti Bishop Gresham Marmion traveled by mule to minister in Haiti. Photo then continues made available by the Marmion fami!J today, as seen in "The earthquake has not destroyed our the March 5 Lenten hope in the future. Despite the difletter from Bishop Jean Zache Duracin. ficulties we face, many of our parishes Remarkably, after describing the difficulthave grown larger since the earthquake, to-imagine devastation (some 300,000 because more and more people trust our died, "thousands and thousands" injured, Church and are turning to us for help millions homeless and the country's spiritually, socially and morally." infrastructure destroyed), he observed:

'Now is our new creation,' says Bishop Duracin

Above photo by Lauren Stanlry. Photo on right, taken in November 2008, by Mary Frances Schonberg

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Episcopal Kentucky Quarterly, Spring 2010

Amid the rubble of Ho!J Trinity Cathedral in Port-au-Prince (left) can be seen the hope of baptism in tangible form: the "Baptism of the Lord," the most substantialportion of the cathedral's famous fresco (pictured above), has survived the earthquake. The cathedral and its complex of elementary, music and trade schools, and St. Margaret's Convent, all impor~ant places in the memories recounted here, are among 85 to 90 percent of diocesan institutions destroyed or damaged. The diocese, nomtheless, is caringfor 25,000 to 30,000 Haitians in rough!J 60 settlements around the country.

www. episcopalky. org

Enduring bonds of companionships By janet Irwin EKQ Writer

poverty. Outside the cities, most were illiterate in both French and Creole, and school was only a dream for the children.

One of the Kentucky volunteers, Nina Racine, was a talented musician invited

by Bishop Marmion to help at the elementary school founded by the Sisters of St. Margaret, an Episcopal convent in Port-au-Prince. The nuns wanted to expand the music program. Racine not only went, but she stayed, met and married her husband Julio, also on the school faculty. Nina's school friend Kay Wilkin-

The recent tragedy in Haiti brought back memories of another time of trial there for long-time communicants of the Diocese of Kentucky. In the 1960's, the Anglican Communion was just beginning to develop the now familiar concept of a companion diocese, and Kentucky's companion was Haiti. Kentucky's bishop, the Rr. Rev. Gresham Marmion, was a man who loved the poor, the downtrodden and the exotic. No companion could have charmed him more, and few could have gotten him into more trouble.

During the six years of the dioceses' companion relationship, Haiti's dictator, "Papa Doc" Duvalier, expelled the Haitian diocese's bishop and Marmion went to the diocese to do confirmations for him for four consecutive years. In that time, I Marmion said in a 1994 interview, he "confirmed and received over 4,000 persons in Haiti."

His widow, Doris Marmion, who at 99 lives in a Dudley Square townhouse at the Episcopal Church Home, questioned that number. "He wasn't there all that long," she said.

Diocesan Secretary Kay Wilkinson, who with her friend Nina Racine, had visited Haiti in the 1960s, however, explained that the confirmations were done two at a time, the bishop reading the service from a phonetic French transcription written out by Mrs. Marmion and pinned to his stole Blessing hvo at a time, Bishop Gresham Marmion confirmed and received more than 4,000 Haitians. as he used both hands to bless the Photo made avazlab/e by the Marmion fami!J confirmands.

While Marmion was kept busy son, visited often and also taught some with church business, riding a mule on of the summer students. The Racincs "roads" that even today are barely more worked in Haiti for many years before than tracks, other Kentucky Episcopareturning to Louisville. lians who accompanied him to Haiti Nina, working with Sister Anne Marie taught music, created agricultural proand others, built the music program so grams, and helped the Haitian women in rapidly that they were able to bti.ng a full the diocese develop their painting and orchestra to play at the General Convenhand crafts to sell in the United States. tion held in Louisville in 1973.

Then as now, Haitians lived in bitter

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The most enthusiastic support for Marmion's work in Haiti came from the people of St. Francis in the Fields. The Rev. Stephen Davenport III, a retired Episcopal priest and son of the second rector of St. Francis, was interviewed on the National Public Radio program AI/ Things Considered during the intense days following the January earthquake.

He explained that his 40-year connection with the Diocese of Haiti has kept him busily engaged working with and for people he loves. ot only did Bishop Marmion confirm and receive members, he also was called upon to help vestries develop parish programs and expand their understanding of the Anglican disciplines they were adding to their fundamental beliefs based in Roman Catholicism and African nature religions.

His intimate knowledge of and rapport with the Haitians led diocesan leaders and Presiding Bishop John Hines to ask him to facilitate the election of Haiti's bishop. Given the mixture of politics and religion in the country, this was a most delicate task. "Papa Doc" had a hand-picked candidate to implement his plans for controlling the hearts as well as the minds of the Anglican community. The other candidate, Luc Garnier, Bishop Marmion understood, was a brave man who would uphold the Anglican teachings and do his best to help the poor.

Subtle and \vise as always, Marmion insisted that the new bishop be chosen by secret ballot, according to canon law, and roped off the part of the catheral for the electors. Needless to say, the Duvalier candidate did not win, and from that time on, Marmion was much on the minds of the Tonton Macoute (Duvalier's version of the Gestapo).

Mrs. Marmion reports that on the bishop's fourth trip to Haiti (the only one on which she accompanied him) the Kentuckians made every effort to keep a low profile. Even meetings with church dignitaries were held in out of the way Contin11ed on page 8

www.episcopalky.org

Episcopal Kentucky Quarterly, Spring 201 0

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HAITI Continued from page 7 places, avoiding crowds.

Toward the end of the trip, as Mrs. Marmion was enjoying the lavish hospitality of Haitian women, the bishop was visiting the medical facility supported by the Diocese of Upper South Carolina when, without warning, he suffered a stroke. As soon as possible, the bishop and his wife were rushed to a more modern hospital at Port-au-Prince, but the situation seemed hopeless. The Duvalier thugs were on the look-out for the Marmions. The bishop was dangerously ill. However, after many prayers and support from the American ambassador, the Marmions were able to return to Louisville.

Reminders of the Kentucky adventure

Enduring bonds of companionship in Haiti can be found in homes across the diocese. Paintings in the Haitian style made by Susan Davenport, wife of St. Francis's rector, still hang on walls in family rooms. Examples of Haitian folk art and crafts still remind some Episcopalians of the excitement of the days when "our bishop" was standing up to "Papa Doc." Even some black and white photos of Kentuckians riding mules through the Haitian countryside turn up in shoe boxes and photo albums.

The most long-lasting tie with Episcopal life in Haiti was, perhaps, the continuation of the music school Kay Wilkinson and Nina Racine went off to support in 1970. Unhappily, the elementary school and the adjoining trade school, as well as Holy Trinity Cathedral, were totally destroyed in the January

earthquake. Julio Racine, his wife reports, thinks oft~n of the ashes of Bishop Garnier, placed so carefully in the Cathedral many years ago, now scattered among the remains of the students who were working on their trade skills and their music at the moment the earthquake struck.

Of course every companion diocese relationship brings its own unique lessons and blessings, but surely few of our subsequent relationships have taught us so much or provided us with as deep an insight into the meaning of "being Christ to the world" as did this our first.

In addition to those named within the story, information 11/as provided I?J Bever!J Marmion and Virginia Ratth.)

A 1973 teenager's view of Haiti By janet Irwin EKQ Writer Ties were strong between the Dioceses of Kentucky and Haiti in 1972 when teenager Anita Matton Qater Streeter), a member of St. Francis in the Fields Church, was persuaded to join a mission group being assembled by the son of her rector, the Rev. Stephen Davenport. She thought her skill at speaking French was not adequate enough, but she agreed to go and thus became one of the young Episcopalians who followed years of mite box collections to Haiti.

As it turned out, Streeter was the only young person on the team who actually spoke French, so she and Davenport became the team translators. Many of the team members, she said, are still active Episcopalians in churches from Prospect to Paducah. "I know St. Francis still sends young people on 'mission trips' in many different countries, but I'll bet they don't have as much 'fun' as we had. I think maybe a 'work trip camp' is better than a 'mission trip,"' she asserted.

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"It's really great to bond by sweating together."

From the beginning, Davenport made it clear they were on a "work" trip, she said. People who didn't work, wouldn't eat. Only one person had to go to bed hungry for the rest to know that he meant what he said about not playing.

They had only two days off during three hot July weeks.

Twice they had memorably disquieting reminders that Haiti was run by a dictator. On their one trip to the beach, they discovered "their" beach adjoined Duvalier property and quickly deduced the serious-looking men watching them across the intervening wall were probably Tonton Macoute (Duvalier's secret service men), The presence of the Duvalier family was felt everywhere, even in the countryside where they came upon a village that was eerily quiet, she said. The tidy houses seemed well constructed. Each displayed a poster-sized photo of "Baby Doc" by the front door. Each house was empty,

Episcopal Kentucky Quarterly, Spring 2010

and the team found the uninhabited, potempkin-like village, inexplicable.

The Kentuckians discovered that the color of their skin was not the only thing that set them apart, as they learned about the culture. Only the Americans didn't want to rest each day during the threehour lunch break. Large containers of water were carried more easily on the head than in the hands. Goat stew could be quite tasty, even after seeing the goat butchered. It was possible to brush their teeth and "bathe" with a cup and a half of water a day. Life can be full and fun without electricity, telephones or soft drinks.

The recent, Haiti-filled headlines and TV screens evoked for Streeter a string of memories: cutting sugar cane with machetes, building a sea wall, hearing far-off music from Voodoo worshipers, enjoying the colorful Fete des Fleurs, worshiping with enthusiastic Haitian congregations, and getting to know something of the customs and ideas of their diocesan companions.

www. episcopalky. org

'Jesus is with them' Editor's Note: La Donna !Find, a retired member of the Diome of Ken/ucir!J staff, was a contract trainerfor The EpiHopal Church for several)'tars. She shares with us some of what she learned in 1994 about God's faithful people in Haiti. Herfull, original siO':J' may be found on the diocese's lt?'eb site a/ uww.episcopalir!J.org

By LaD onna Wind, Contributing Writer My first morning in Port-au-Prince, I attended a women's Bible study group at a local Methodist Church. The images still stand out-a large room with an earthen floor; no electricity; eight women around a table in the dim light from the open door; street noise and quiet expectation. A bottle of water was placed before me, and seated across from me, a woman who could best be described as a skeleton with skin loosely stretched over her bones.

The Bibles were open to Job, Chapter 24, which was translated for me from Creole to English. Then the woman sitting across from me said, in a weak and wavering voice, but with eyes alive with an interior fire: "They (meaning the dictator Cedras' government) have taken everything from me; my husband and my children, my home, my food, my clothes, my job, but there is one thing they cannot take from me: my God is with me and will be to my last breath!" I cannot erase her image from my mind.

The city teemed with humankind, pushing carts, pulling heavily laden wooden carts, looking very much like beasts of burden, sweat glistening on their bodies and muscles straining.

The river too was filled with people doing laundry or taking baths. Children scavenged through the garbage, fighting dogs and pigs for anything edible. The poor and destitute sat quietly on the street, watching, as busses, filled to capacity, and a few cars passed by. In their midst sat the pristine white President's Palace behind a wrought iron fence with armed soldiers patrolling the grounds.

At the conference center, once a plantation, I met 86 lay people and priests, some having walked for days to get there.

Each had a Prayer Book, and several had Bibles, which they shared. They were hungry to learn, and asked many questions.

Each day, we worked into the night. On the ninth and tenth days, they came up with plans to take back to their congregations and villages. Proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ took on tangible form.

Two young lay evangelists planned to help a village woman who once turned them away, screaming, "Look at me. I am starving and you dare to give me only words." They planned to help her plant a garden and harvest the food before they talked about Jesus. (The woman eventually was baptized by the bishop and became quite an evangelist.)

Haiti to me is myriad images of God's people, steadfast in their faith and ministry to one another, encapsulated in two moments: A child, running beside the bishop's car, who offered me half his coconut, his smile radiant when I accepted; the woman who said in that Bible study, "They cannot take away my faith!"

No matter what trials and calamities occur, Jesus is with them. www.episcopalky.org

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Episcopal Kentucky Quarterly, Spring 201 0

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'Proclaim Jesus throu h service' Contimted from page 2 we preach. What the birthday girl illustrated is: the Christinfused, Christ-possessed, Christ-transformed self does the proclaiming. And the key to keeping it Christ rather than self, as Paul brilliantly points out, is service.

What Paul proclaims about the individual evangelist is true, I think, of evangelistic communities. Churches must not proclaim themselves but Jesus through service.

When Trinity Church, Fulton, planted a huge garden last year, they did the most radical, amazing thing: they harvested the produce and then set baskets of vegetables beside the garden when the sun set. So, when nobody could see and nobody could be seen, anyone who was suffering from depredation through the deepening recession and was hurting in Fulton, Ky., could simply come and get some food they needed, lovingly offered by the local church.

They did not attend a seminar on garden-based evangelism; they did, however, study the needs of Fulton and Hickman County and realized the recession was deepening. And the effort has led to a partnership with the United Methodist Church and an African American church, that will be the only food pantry serving several municipalities in both Kentucky and Tennessee. This effort was not about promoting the Episcopal Church, but by God's grace and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, it became the catalyst to do what Jesus told us to do.

What I found so very compelling about the garden was its risky, gracious lavishness.

Hans Urs von Balthasar, the great 20'h century Catholic theologian, says about the cross and passion of Jesus: The entire Passion occurs under the sign of the complete self-wasting of God's love for the world.

That complete self-wasting was sacramentalized by baskets of vegetables just put out there, without taking a litmus test of worthiness. It was self-wasting and divine in a Jesus-like way. Trinity's project- in its radical, risky mirroring of Jesus -preached Jesus, not our denomination, not our self-identity.

The project was like the self-wasting savior. Our Lord Jesus was proclaimed as the lavish baskets of produce were left for any hungry person to pick up after sunset.

As individuals and as communities of Christians, we don't

preach ourselves but we must proclaim Jesus in our witness and in our service.

I am sure some of you will be pleased to hear that I will give you my final illustration, which is also a pitch.

Gresham Marmion, the fifth bishop of Kentucky, whose entire life was a humble proclamation of Jesus, when he was a young priest was forced by some of his own congregation to watch in horror as a man was lynched. That experience haunted him all of his life and I bear witness to the fact that it haunted him 'til his death. It galvanized him. He marched on the streets of Louisville for Civil Rights, and one day the then Presiding Bishop John Hines asked Gresham to go to Haiti to supervise an Episcopal election. With Pappa Doc's secret police in the Episcopal cathedral, he stared them down and said "no" when Pappa Doc had instructed that the voting would be done by show of hands. Gresham said, "I represent the Presiding Bishop and the Canons of The Episcopal Church, and the election will be done by secret ballot." The Holy Spirit's man won.

Several months later he returned to consecrate the bishop (Mrs. Marmion says it was the worst French God's ears ever had to endure!)

Gresham proclaimed Jesus in Haiti at the real risk of his own life, and to this day he is adored in that hurting diocese of over 80,000 Episcopalians.

Our offering tonight is for Haiti. I know many of us have already given, but let us honor Gresham. We \vill send this offering through ERD lEpiscopal Relief and Development] and name it the Gresham Marmion Memorial Gift.

As you search your wallet or write a check, proclaim Jesus.

Match in your giving, as you always must when you give anything, the self-wasting love, and remember Gresham, who did not ever proclaim himself but only Christ Jesus.

Give lavishly as your preparation for this lavish, wasting loving Lord that is about to come to you under the hopeful signs of bread and wine, and as you sup, one last work from George Herbert: Love is that liquor sweet and most divine Which my Godfeels as blood; but I, as wine.

Amen

piscopal Kentuck in Jul

Calendar Update

St. Francis' Jim Rightmyer once believed he would return to work at the Presbyterian church where he was married. He ended up becoming an Episcopalian. "I love the beauty of the liturgy. The expectations of offering our best in music and worship, even in the confines of the lectionary and the church year..." His article will be first in a series on church music and musiCians.

The Brotherhood of St. Andrew's offers men in the diocese communities. of friendship, where they dig deep into their Christian faith by talking about and acting upon what they are learning in their study of the Bible and prayer.

10

Episcopal Kentucky Quarterly, Spring 2010

The dates for the Family Camp at All Saints' Conference Center near Leitchfield, listed on the inside back cover page, were changed after the the magazine cover was printed by our publisher. Please note the camp will be held June 25-27.

www. episcopalky.org

Events in the diocese A ril meetin s & events March 30: Clergy Renewal of Ordination Vows Service and Ember Day Meeting, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (ET), Christ Church Cathedral, 425 S. Second St., Louisville.

April1: Clergy Renewal of Ordination Vows Service and Ember Day Meeting. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (CT), St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 163 N. Main St., Madisonville.

April 9-10: School of Ministry, All Saints' Episcopal Center, Leitchfield.

April 16-17: Fresh Start, All Saints' Episcopal Conference Center, 833 Hickory Grove Road, Leitchfield.

April20: Parish Administrators Day, Christ Church Cathedral, Louisville.

April23-24: Christian Formation Conference, All Saints' Episcopal Conference Center, 833 Hickory Grove Road, Leitchfield.

April27: Commission on Ministry, 5 p.m.-9 p.m. (ET). Place to be determined.

April30: Kentucky Oaks Day. Diocesan offices are closed.

Upcoming

May 7-8: Family Camp, All Saints' Episcopal Conference Center, 833 Hickory Grove Road, Leitchfield.

M ay 7-8: School of :Ministry, All Saints' Episcopal Conference Center, 833 Hickory Grove Road, Leitchfield.

May 8: Wardens and Treasurers Conference, All Saints' Episcopal Conference Center, Leitchfield.

May 14: Fresh Start, All Saints' Episcopal Conference Center, 833 Hickory Grove Road, Leitchfield.

May 14: "Walkabout" by all nominees for eighth bishop, 7 p.m. (CT), Grace Church, 216 E. Sixth St., Hopkinsville.

May 15: "Walkabout" by all nominees for eighth bishop, 5 p.m. (ET), Christ Church Cathedral, 425 S. Second St., Louisville.

May 18: Trustees & Council meeting, 4-8 p.m. (ET), place to be determined.

May 25: Commission on Ministry meeting, 5-9 p.m., place to be determined.

May 31: Memorial Day. Diocesan offices are closed.

June 5: Special convention to elect eighth bishop, Christ Church Episcopal Cathedral, 425 S. Second St., Louisville.

7:30-9 a.m. (ET), registration and seating of deputies. 9 a.m.

Eucharist followed by election.

June 11-12: School of Ministry, All Saints' Episcopal Center, Leitchfield.

July 10: Bishop's Retirement Celebration, noon (CT), All Saints' Episcopal Conference Center, 833 Hickory Grove Road, Leitchfield.

Sept. 25: Consecration of the eighth bishop, 11 a.m. (ET), Galt House, Louisville.

23

Episcopal Kentucky Quarterly, Spring 201 0

Youth April 9-11: Spring Youth Gathering, All Saints' Episcopal Conference Center, 833 Hickory Grove Road, Leitchfield.

June 6-11: Camp Staff Training, All Saints' Episcopal Conference Center, 833 Hickory Grove Road, Leitchfield.

June 13-18: Senior High Camp, All Saints' Episcopal Conference Center, 833 Hickory Grove Road, Leitchfield.

June 20-25: Primary School Camp, All Saints' Episcopal Conference Center, 833 Hickory Grove Road, Leitchfield.

June 28-July 1: PYE gathering, Great Smokey Mountains in Tennessee.

July 4-9: New Horizons Camp for 5th and 6th Graders, All Saints' Episcopal Conference Center, 833 Hickory Grove Road, Leitchfield.

July 11-16: Junior High Camp, All Saints' Episcopal Conference Center, 833 Hickory Grove Road, Leitchfield.

& be ond Retreats, seminars, etc.

April19-22: National Episcopal Preaching Conference, Kanuga Conference Center, near Hendersonville, N.C. The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, will speak. Also among the conference speakers will be a former priest in our diocese, the Rev. Dr. Bill Brosend, who is an associate professor of homiletics at the University of the South at Sewanee, Tenn., and author of The Preaching jesus and Conversations ulith Scripture: The Parables. Details at www.kanuga.org or call 828-692-9136.

April25-29: Kanuga Conference Center Fly-Fishing Retreat, near Hendersonville, N.C. Instructor will be nationally known Kevin Howell, winner of the 2007 Fly-fishing Masters national championship. Coordinator and chaplain is the Rev. l\Iark Wilson, rector of St. James Episcopal Church in Fairhope, Ala., and an avid fly fisherman.

April25-30: Kanuga Conference Center Photography Retreat, near Hendersonville, N.C. Participants will study with one of six professional photographers on the retreat staff, so class sizes are limited and will be tailored to experience levels.

Details: visit www.kanuga.org or call 828-692-9136.

Take time to be counted Apri11 is ~ensus Day. Your participation is vital to your community, Census numbers are used to reapportion congressional seats, redraw legislative districts and distribute over $400 billion in federal funds yearly. Be counted!

www. episcopalky.org

Easter.

Rise heart; thy Lord is risen. Sing his praise Without delayes, Who takes thee by the hand, that thou Likewise With him mayst rise: That, as his death calcined thee to dust, His life may make thee gold, and much more, just.

Awake, my lute, and struggle for thy part With all thy art.

The crosse taught all wood to resound his name, Who bore the same.

His stretched sinews taught all strings, what key Is best to celebrate this most high day.

Consort both heart and lute, and twist a song Pleasant and long: Or, since all musick is but three parts vied And multiplied, 0 let thy blessed Spirit bear a part, And make up our defects with his sweet art.

I got me flowers to straw thy way; I got me boughs off many a tree: But thou wast up by break of day, And brought'st thy sweets along with thee.

The Sunne arising in the East, Though he give light, & th' East perfume; If they should offer to contest With thy arising, they presume.

Can there be any day but this, Though many sunnes to shine endeavour?

We count three hundred, but we misse: There is but one, and that one ever.

From Georg~ Herbert's The Temple (1633) [http://www.ccel. org/h/herbert/temple/TempleFrames.html].

Origami cranes (left) have been displqyed in celebration ofpast Easters in the nave of Grace Church, Paducah. Photo fry Dan Songer. See page 3 for information about Songer's photos.