6/17 Seek: voices from the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri

Seek

June 2017

Voices from the

Episcopal Diocese of Missouri

The Spirit-filled Missouri visits of Michael Curry SRO crowd greets and is inspired by Presiding Bishop

Bishop Michael, the Hon. John Danforth contrasted the proGraham Chapel main floor phetic styles of Jeremiah with and balcony filled, and overflow Hosea. Danforth challenged that our ministry and work might be seating accommodated even to break the vicious cycle of anmore at April 4th's public lecger in which America now finds ture by the Presiding Bishop as itself and to "call out the goodpart of the Danforth Center on ness, the fairness, the decency Religion and Politics at Washof the American people that is ington University in St. Louis' latent but very real." He turned speaker series. the microphone over to Bishop Bishop Michael engaged Michael identifying him as the with the topic of Healing a House Divided, a stirring lecture "Hosea of our time."

Bishop Michael talked that wove together jokes and seabout the ways in which we segrious anecdotes with Scripture regate our selves from others, and A Balm in Gilead—all to illustrate his main points includ- from those we name as 'othing that "a revival of relationship er'—and the Biblical narratives may be necessary for the revival of wholeness from community. of democracy. Imagine if each of He identified how in our separation the "voices of the extreme our 7000 churches were combecome the norm—the center, mitted to being in relationship the sensible center, is silenced." with another community of He continued, "The way to live faith, imagine if our 2 million as God intended for us to live is members committed to being in relationship; we were made in relationship not just with for God and we were made for friends and family, but in relaeach other." tionship with people who are A most joyous and packed different than themselves—you reception was held in the hour could transform this country." directly following the speech.

In his introduction of

Photos: Bishop Michael and Bishop Wayne after the speech (credit Michael Hunn); the PB speaking (credit: Jerry Naunheim Jr./WUSTL Photos); Graham Chapel fills up for the event (credit: Janis Greenbaum/Grace Church Kirkwood).

ph: 314-231-1220 www.DioceseMo.org Episcopal Diocese of Missouri Offices of the Bishop 1210 Locust St. St. Louis, Missouri 63103

© The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri, 1210 Locust St., St. Louis, Missouri 63103 ph: 314-231-1220 web: diocesemo.org

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INSIDE

The Community of Hope (COH) at the Church of St. Michael and St George announces a new training program to be held at the church in the Fall of 2017

1 The Spirit-filled Missouri visits of Michael Curry

The COH is a Christian community of lay pastoral care givers united in prayer, shaped by Benedictine spirituality and trained for pastoral ministry. Lay pastoral caregivers are taught a ministry of presence in order to bring the presence of Christ to the suffering. COH members give spiritual care to people in hospitals, prisons, nursing homes, homeless shelters and private homes.

Please consider joining this very personal and important ministry. The fall class will meet 5:30-8:30 pm on Thursdays, September 7 through December 7. The cost is $80. Scholarships are available.

For more information, contact Mary Ann Cook at 314.726.5860 or microann@outlook.com.

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Follow the Youth this Summer

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Presiding Bishop Calls for Revival by Florrie Kohn

5 Healing a House Divided

An Interview with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry

Spirit was Woke in Kan6 The sas City with Bish8 AopConversation Wayne interviewed by Shug Goodlow

Hill's Whitaker 10 Grace Urban Concert Series

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We didn't give up, and now we've opened a new ministry site Annual women's retreat from ECW

14 New Baptismal Font at

St. Mark’s Church in St. Louis Trinity Church celebrates 100 years

15 The Community of St. Brigid and the theology 16 Tanzania of food by Dan Handschy+

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Follow the Youth this summer!

The Episcopal Youth Event (EYE), July 10-14 in Edmond, Oklahoma.

Diocesan Youth Missioner Loren Lasch and husband Ian welcomed this beautiful bundle, Ezra, into their family on May 5.

Six youth and two sponsors from across the Diocese of Missouri are preparing to attend the 2017 Episcopal Youth Event (EYE17) this July 10-14 in Edmond, Oklahoma. This is an international gathering of Episcopal youth held every three years. This year, expected EYE attendance is projected to be about 1300!

We also will be focusing on the Beatitudes found in Matthew 5:1-11, and invite everyone to join us in meditating on finding and following the path to peace. Even if you are not able to attend EYE17, you can follow along online via Facebook Live on our page and on social media or by using #EYE17: Facebook: facebook.com/EpiscopalYouthEvent Twitter: twitter.com/EpiscoYouth Instagram: instagram.com/episcoyouth

Camp Phoenix, July 30-August 5 Camp Phoenix 2017 planning is in full swing, and the staff look forward to another great week with our youth and their friends from July 30- August 5.

And we want YOU to be able to be part of the fun!

Campers' families and well-wishers can (virtually) follow along with our adventures in a number of ways:

Collect for EYE17

Almighty Lord, peace maker of the world, we pray that you lead us down the path to peace as we yearn for peace in every form.

We open our hearts to you as you reveal our calling through this mission. May there be love and acceptance in our hearts. May we also root ourselves in your vine and make our branches your path. As your roots strengthen all. In the name of the Holy Trinity. Amen.

You can follow us on Twitter at @MOCampPhoenix You can follow us on Instagram at @mocampphoenix You can join us on the diocesan Facebook page for campfire prayers each day.

While Loren is on maternity leave, the Rev. Leslie Scoopmire is filling in as interim diocesan youth missioner. Leslie is a transitional deacon who will be ordained to the priesthood on June 29, 2017.

The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri

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Presiding Bishop Calls for Revival Florrie Kohn, member of St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Creve Coeur gathered these observations from the almost 70 from St. Tim's who heard the bishop's speech.

In a season when our nation, and perhaps the world, feels enveloped in turmoil of all types—political, religious, ethnic, and racial—members of the diocese packed the house, and filled a standing-room only Graham Chapel to hear the words of Episcopal Presiding Bishop Michael Curry on "Healing A House Divided," in early April at Washington University.

The Most Rev. Michael Curry spoke movingly of how individuals who fear one another often focus on differences rather than similarities. He called for a "national revival of relationships" across ideologies and for a "reclamation of the values that we already share."

You should have been there!

This was one of those events where you tell your friends, "you should have been there..." and really mean it. Before Bishop Curry was introduced, I was way in the back sitting in a hard pew, staring at a dark wood ceiling, gray stone walls, and thinking we should ask Senator Danforth to install stadium seating in Graham Chapel. Then the PB was introduced, his gospel train shot out of the station and we never looked back.

Brothers and Sisters, we were encouraged to believe, exhorted to live those beliefs and entreated to think of how we are currently living our spiritual lives.

Like all good preachers, the Bishop had a recurring theme, the lyrics from “There Is a Balm in Gilead.” This is a song of response and that’s what Bishop Curry was expecting.

He wants us to respond. He wants us, as church, as community, as family to “tell the love of Jesus.” He expects us to share that love in all manner of ways. He wants us to revive the Holy Spirit not only in our souls

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but in the souls of others.

Never mind if we cannot preach— that’s not important. What is important is to tell the Love of Jesus.

The Bishop is not a big man, and because he’s not looking, I’ll call him petite.

But he has a big message, a big faith and an enormous A few of the crowd from St. Tim's boarding a bus to the lecture capacity to share his love of Jesus. He is preaching revival— literally and Only then can we discover the common spiritually. His message: “Don’t be afraid to values of love, compassion, respect (values be people of love. Don’t be afraid to stand up as opposed to issues) and practice and be bound together by Jesus' love commandfor the Name of Jesus.” ment— love your neighbor as yourself.

—Agnes Bolwell —Jan O’Neil

The importance of relationships

We were so taken by his energy level.

Bishop Curry has the spirit to enliven the church and to lead us. He has a great sense of humor and doesn't take himself too seriously. He is grounded in reality.... He is ecumenical: we are all brothers and sisters in God's world.

Bishop Curry focused on the importance of relationships. The Gospels are all stories about Jesus' relationships with all kinds of people...rich and poor, the powerful and those on the margins, men and women. Relationships built community then and still do now. A healthy church includes all kinds of diversity--and we have to relate one on one to find solutions. Every Democrat should find a Republican, every police officer a Black Lives Matter person, every straight a gay, every black a white, every Muslim a Jew, every Catholic a Protestant, etc., and sit down and listen and understand where the other is coming from.

No one perspective holds all the answers.

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Put God in the conversation

Bishop Curry spoke of hope through relationship building that could lead to a better understanding of the viewpoints of those who differ with each of us. He spoke of the need for differing viewpoints, and how discourse can bring each of us to a better understanding of the differing viewpoints. I believe that the Bishop was also saying that if we put God in the conversation it is much easier to respect another viewpoint even if we personally disagree with the other person’s view. I would hope that each of us can agree that the total disregard for opinions that are not like each of ours is not healthy for any of us. Disagree respectfully with a differing opinion is what I hope to keep in mind in the future.

—Dennis Whittington

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Relationship and respect

When Bishop Curry enthusiastically said we need a revival, I was surprised and immediately thought, "Episcopalians? Hold a revival? Sure." But when he spoke about a revival of relationship building and respect, I was sold. One of the points Bishop Curry made that really stuck with me was how important it is to expose yourself to different thoughts and ideas by engaging people in conversation, watching TV commentators with different points of view, and reading materials that don't support only our particular ideas. His speaking style is charismatic, inspirational, and credible. I'm eager to watch his presentation again when it's posted online.

—Susan Moenkhaus

Focusing on areas of agreement

Bishop Curry provided a helpful analysis of how our society is in a self-perpetuating cycle where many completely avoid opinions and people with whom they differ.

Without relationships we are unable to have constructive conversations. He provided an actionable plan, that we rebuild relationships by focusing on areas of agreement. He used the Golden Rule as a simple example of such a shared value. I found his talk very helpful. The situation is not hopeless, here is a plan that is not only credible, but we can start immediately and work individually as well as collectively. Bishop Curry should run for President. Wouldn't that be fun!

—Rick Sharp

A wonderful gift

Jim and I felt refreshed after attending his talk. We have been attending all of the Faith and Politics lectures. Senator Danforth has given St. Louisans a gift by establishing this chair at Washington University.

—Marlene Gruber Clark You can view the video or read a transcript of "Healing a House Divided" online at http://tiny.cc/PB-April-STL.

Healing a House Divided

An Interview with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry Religion & Politics is an online news journal, dedicated to the two topics thought unfit for polite company. It is a project of the John C. Danforth Center on Religion & Politics at Washington University in St. Louis. Editor of the online journal is also the Director of the Danforth Center on Religion and Politics, Marie Griffith. Here is one Q&A to whet your appetite for reading the whole interview at religionandpolitics.org.

for navigating all sorts of stuff. It’s like a marriage. I was a parish priest for years.

Every couple I’ve ever counseled, whether they listened to it or not, I have no idea, but if that relationship is reasonably solid, you all can argue and fuss about all sorts of stuff. You’re going to disagree. You know, wherever there are two there, there’s going to be a third opinion. That’s human nature; that’s just a given. But if the relationship is nurtured and cared for, then you can naviR&P: How can we find that commongate differences. You may not agree all the ality? Where do you see the balm in Gilead? time, but you can navigate them. Where Where can that come from? there is no relationship, it doesn’t take MC: I’m not an expert in this. I’m just much to make the whole thing fly apart: It’s coming at this as somebody who’s been true in marriage, it’s true in communities, living through it like everybody else. I come it’s true in nations. at this as a follower of Jesus, as a ChrisWhere are there commonalities? tian. I think our faith traditions point us Where do we actually share some values in a direction, and while the word love is and some convictions? There’s a lot more overworked, at least in the New Testament that we share than where we differ. If we sense, when you look at Jesus of Nazastart there and name that and really claim reth, you find a formula for binding up the that space and then begin to engage in wounds of the broken. You find a formula matters of public policy and public issues for overcoming differences in the way he coming from that space, I think we will find acts, in his life. in our public discourse, we actually will be You look at a life that is not self-cenable to navigate and come up with creative tered but other-directed. That’s the agapic possibilities. love that goes through the cross, not for I really believe that the center of any himself, but for the good of others. That culture, or any group, or even a country, I think is a key to actually healing the is more sensible than we give it credit for. breaches and finding a way forward.

But you don’t notice it because it’s quiet. It’s Now you ask yourself, what does that not the loud side of the equation, to make look like? Practically, what does it look all sorts of metaphors there. I was a bishop like? Two things. One is real relationships. of an Episcopal diocese for years, and we Real human relationships. And the other would engage in congregations where there is actually searching for and finding where were issues, and the trick was not to be we share common values and principles deceived by the loudest voices in the room. and ideals.

You had to find the center, and that cenPeople have got to know each other as ter was bigger than the loud voices, but it human beings who got a story. When that wasn’t loud. If you could help that center to begins to happen among people, most of rise up, you usually found the health in the the time—not all the time—but most of the community. I think that’s true as a country. time, that relationship becomes the basis The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri

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The Spirit was Woke in Kansas City “An Episcopal revival?” Some members of Calvary Church in Columbia were skeptical about an idea member Annette Webb had --to charter a bus to the revival being planned by the Diocese of West Missouri.

Some practiced raising hands in church worship to prepare. But many really wanted to hear Presiding Bishop Michael Curry preach and maybe to see what an Episcopal revival might look like.

About 35 people from mid-Missouri went on the bus, others in cars, to the venue in Kansas City, the Power and Light stage.

Across from a stadium, where Garth Brooks concerts were scheduled to begin in late afternoon, seated in front of a stage ringed by a balcony of eateries and bars….really? An Episcopal revival here?

The weather was sunny but not too hot, the bus trip was filled with singing, laughter, and eating cookies. Annette Webb described her role on the bus as “the stewardess,” and they even made up a booklet of hymns and songs to sing on the way down. They left at 7:30 in the morning and arrived early enough to get great seats in front, together as a group.

Calvary member Lee Ann Ball thought it seemed like an unusual location, but it was perfect for the event. The time together began with much singing. “It was so joyous. Several times I stopped singing just to

MAKING DISCIPLES

hear the sound of all those voices around me, voices in unison.” Much of the music was familiar, and the less known had melodies easy enough to pick up. “Sometimes it was meant for the choir to sing alone, but we still joined in,” Lee Ann added.

“The day was built so well,” said Lee Ann. “We were truly ready for the message when Bishop Michael was preaching, and oh how he was preaching! I won't forget his message.” Annette added, “It was a great venue, very relaxed.” People coming and going, stopped to listen to the music and the preaching, adding to a sense of community.

“The Presiding Bishop tells such great sto-

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ries, our group was really uplifted.” Themes of don't give up, have hope, reach out to someone that's different, build a community and love one another.

The whole experience felt like a spiritual awakening. This group felt woke.

Lee Ann said, “I’ll not forget this feeling of revival.”

Calvary’s rector, the Rev. Knute Jacobson, was also attending. He and Michael Curry had been seminary students together and they were able to catch up after the revival. Fr. Knute wrote, “The preaching and singing gave us much food for thought. And being together, out in the open, in the heart continued on next page

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of the Power and Light district, helped us to understand what the first Christians felt like on the day of Pentecost, when God's power came upon them in the center of downtown Jerusalem, and spilled over, transforming the world around them.”

On the bus trip back home, they started talking. “We don’t want to lose this feeling,” said Annette. “The biggest question we have now what is what can we do next?

How do we move forward as a church? How do we relive this truly heart-felt shared

experience?”

Fr. Knute wrote, “I wonder what will come of the trip, as members of Calvary ponder how God is calling us to help carry on the movement Jesus began long ago, to bring love, justice, healing, and reconciliation to the world around us.”

It’s a big topic. They’re discussing it in Bible study. They’ve started to look at some of the ministry Calvary is engaging in through this lens of revival. “This is what Bishop Michael was talking about.” They

want to be better neighbors. Annette added “At Calvary, that's one of our visions-- to build a community in Christ.”

“Love and community in Christ,” said Annette, “that’s what it’s all about.”

Photos from the revival trip: (previous page) Gathered early, Calvary waves hello; Fr. Knute Jacobson, Calvary's rector, catches up with the Presiding Bishop; Presiding Bishop Michael preaching.

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A Conversation with Bishop Wayne Are you following the weekly podcast called "JesusHacked: Storytelling Faith"?

A recent episode with series host Shug Goodlow interviewing Bishop Wayne Smith is just too good not to share!

Here's the transcript: Shug Goodlow: Welcome to Jesus Hacked, a weekly podcast on storytelling faith. I'm Shug Goodlow, Head Verger and Acolyte Master at Christ Church Cathedral St. Louis. Today, we are talking with the Right Reverend George Wayne Smith, 10th Bishop of the Diocese of Missouri. Bishop Smith, good morning.

munity, about 20 miles south of Abilene. The whole community really was, almost entirely, evangelical in outlook and tradition. Some of us were Baptists, some of us were Church of Christ, some of us were Methodists. Not many of us were Roman Catholic. That's kind of it. The culture I grew up in was evangelical, not just the church.

Wayne Smith: Good morning to you, Shug.

The truth be told, I did not know a way of being Christian that was not FundamenShug Goodlow: You have been the bishop of talist.

I thought that all Christianity was the Diocese of Missouri since June 6th, 2002.

Fundamentalist, because that's really all How do you like us so far? that I knew.

Wayne Smith: So far so good. The work of I think that I had made a deal with mybeing bishop is relentless, but over these self, since I couldn't wrap my mind around 15 years, I've discovered that the place and that intellectually. It just did not make the people suite me. I'm glad to be bishop, sense to me. I made a deal with myself that but not just bishop anywhere. I'm glad to be once I was old enough, I would be done. I'd bishop here. be done with Christianity.

I was blessed to have Baylor UniversiShug Goodlow: I'm very happy to hear that. ty come into my life, because for the very Let's see if I can get this right. You were born first time, I encountered a Christianity that in Abilene, Texas and raised a Baptist. How was not Fundamentalist. A Christianity does a young man from the red soil of west that took into account such things as the Texas, who I assume was steeped in the historical critical method. I had to take two Southern Baptist tradition, who attended Bible courses at Baylor and thought I'd just Baylor University - which if I recall correct- get them out of the way early. I took the Old ly, is a Southern Baptist University in Waco, Testament course and thought, huh, I have Texas - how does this person find his way to pay attention to this after all! into the Episcopal Church?

Looking backward, it helped me to integrate and make sense of my young life, Wayne Smith: It's not a straight line, as you and to prepare a way for a life forward. might guess. I grew up in a farming comMAKING DISCIPLES

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As the custom among Baptists, I was ordained while I was still in graduate school at Baylor, and had charge over an open country church near Gatesville, Texas.

As a result of some strange goings-on in the community there in Gatesville, it became clear to me that I could not—even though I had re-embraced Christianity— that the Baptist church could not be my home for a lifetime.

I started looking elsewhere, and very quickly stumbled into the Episcopal Church.

This is something I hear people who come to the Episcopal Church from other traditions—I hear them say it all the time. "I worshiped there one time, and thought this is home. This is where I have belonged all my life, and I just didn't know it. Just didn't know it existed."

Shug Goodlow: You came home without realizing that you weren't home before.

Wayne Smith: That's just it.

Shug Goodlow: Wonderful. I've done a little research. It seems that you were the 975th Bishop to be consecrated in the Episcopal Church. Can you speak about the moment or

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the circumstances that lead to you knowing that you wanted to be a bishop? You were called to be a bishop?

and making the story of Jesus Christ known and available to others, even and maybe especially to those who will never become a part of us—mayWayne Smith: I didn't have the sense so be never even become Christian—I much that I was called to be a bishop, as find that extraordinarily interesting. that I was called to make myself available Spiritual renewal, spiritual to be a bishop. I've known people who have availability for others. I think that had the "purple fever." They either had to our diocese has, in uneven ways, be a bishop or they were going to die. I just did not have that. I had the sense that yes, I been making itself available through needed to be in a process - or two or three - servant ministries of one kind or anand see where that leads. The first election other. Food ministries, for example, really proliferate in this diocese. that I was in, I was elected, and it was right It's a way of making Jesus available, here. So, I'm glad for that. where people have not always known him.

Shug Goodlow: Why did you want to be in Also, it's a way for us to find this particular diocese?

Jesus in those whom we might not Wayne Smith: Because I was nominated, expect. I think that is a good thing. and I did not know who nominated me until Michael has been using The Jesus almost two years later. I thought maybe Movement as shorthand for talking about I was called to be in a process in another some of the things that the Episcopal dioceses or two.

Church does, and does well, and for chalThat was not the case, but about the lenging us to take additional steps in who same time I entered the process here. The we are and what we're about—for example, more I learned about Missouri, the more in- saying the word "Jesus" and saying Jesus' triguing it was to me and the more I wanted name without any embarrassment; being to learn. Again, it was not in a straightforconversant with Scripture and being willing ward kind of way, but here I am. to speak in scriptural terms. Sometimes, for those of us who have grown up with and Shug Goodlow: The presiding bishop, Micome from fundamentalist backgrounds, chael Curry, was recently here. He spoke Scripture has been used as a weapon about the need for a revival of relationships, against us, so much so that we shy away and speaks often about The Jesus Movefrom engaging it very much at all. ment. How do you see our diocese being I think that in talking about The Jesus part of that? Being an active part of that?

Movement, Presiding Bishop Michael is encouraging the Episcopal Church to reclaim Wayne Smith: I think that it's a little bit the name, reclaim the identity. Maybe more complicated. Michael confuses importantly, to reclaim the story of who me when he talks about revival; when I think about revival I think about the things Jesus was, who Jesus is —making sure that we know He's alive and available to us.

I experienced during my childhood, which was mostly—God forgive me for saying it Shug Goodlow: I often wonder what are this way—it was a boring week of long serwe, as Episcopalians, so afraid of in saying mons and even longer altar calls that I had "Jesus" and "Amen." to endure. That did not then, and does not That brings me to another point. now, have much appeal for me.

Parishioners are not especially shy about I think that spiritual re-engagement projecting our anger, anxieties, and expec-

tations on one another or clergy and our bishop. Can you share some wisdom on how we can handle those kinds of situations, or how you have handled such things? I think we can all learn from your example.

Wayne Smith: I have acted out a time or two in that regard in my own life. Here is a spiritual practice that I find helpful. I don't always manage to engage it, but I find it helpful. That is to attribute the best of motives to people whom I encounter, instead of assuming that they're out to get me, or that they've got an agenda. But instead expecting, even anticipating, the very best of motives from people. I find myself most badly used when anything that I say is taken at its worst construction. It's a generosity of being with one another that I find helpful, and something that I aspire to.

Shug Goodlow: Along with that, one of our most charming traits as humans is that we want everything now. Could you speak a little bit about how understanding the importance of "kairos"—God's time—not ours, can help us?

Wayne Smith: There is such a thing as kairos, and I've experienced it. It's God's "now".

The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri

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10 The Episcopal Church The worldwide Anglican Episcopal church consists of an estimated 85 million Christians, members of 44 different Churches, led by the Most Rev. and Rt. Hon. Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury.

The Episcopal Church: 1.8 million follower of Jesus in 109 dioceses and three regional areas in 17 nations, led by the Most Rev. Michael Bruce Curry, Presiding Bishop and Primate.

The Diocese of Missouri: 11,000 members in 42 churches, and campus ministry and Deaconess Anne House (Episcopal Service Corps), led by the Rt. Rev. George Wayne Smith, 10th Bishop of Missouri.

SEEK, June 2017

Episcopal Diocese of Missouri Offices of the Bishop 1210 Locust St. St. Louis, Missouri 63103

Grace Hill Settlement invites you to be a part of Whitaker Urban Concert Series this summer!

Event dates: Six Thursday evenings, June 8 – July 20, 2017 (No concert on July 6)

Seek is a quarterly publication of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri. Diocesan members may request a complimentary subscription by mail: send address to the Offices of the Bishop attn: Seek Subscription. Seek is also distributed to each congregation in the diocese. Archived editions of Seek are online at diocesemo.org/seek.

Editor: Ms. Beth Felice, Director of Communications Editorial Board: the Rev. Daniel Handschy, Dean of the Episcopal School for Ministry; the Rev. Edie Bird, rector Christ Church, Cape Girardeau; Mr. Kurt Greenbaum, St. Martin’s Church, Ellisville; Mr. Paul Jokerst, Transfiguration Church, Lake St. Louis; Dr. Carter Whitson, Trinity Church, St. Louis; the Rev. Joe Chambers, Canon to the Ordinary, Diocese of Missouri.

Submissions by post attn: Beth Felice, or online via diocesemo.org/submit.

Deadline: Aug 14, 2017 for the edition available September 2017.

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Whitaker Urban Concert Series 2017

Event Overview:

The Whitaker Urban Evening Concert celebrates the cultural vitality of North St. Louis and features blues, Motown, and jazz music. The series is fun for the whole family and includes children’s activities, intermission shows, food trucks, community night, access to Affinia Healthcare, and other resources.

Whitaker typically reaches an audience of close to 1,000 each evening.

Performances Include:

Fat Pocket, Charles Glenn Group, Coco Soul Band, Ralph Butler Band, Dirty Muggs, and Tish Haynes Keys Band

Where:

St. Louis Place Park Rauschenbach & St. Louis Ave. St. Louis MO 63106

When:

6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

For more information or to volunteer, please contact Delores A. Hardwick at (314) 584-6701 or email dhardwick@gracehillsettlement.org

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A Conversation with Bishop Wayne, continued

of writing with a fountain pen, but I also find pleasure with the touch of nib onto the paper.

It doesn't mean that it's coming in the Shape Note or Sacred Harp as often as I About 20 or 25 years ago, I discovered next split second. Often, what we get is sim- would like. A function of my calendar, I just the world of vintage fountain pens, and oh ply a very important foretaste of what God find myself busy all the times when the local my goodness, they were cheap enough back is doing now and what God will do in the group, the St. Louis Shape Note Singers, in the day that a parish priest could afford time to come. gather to do what they do. It is never a perto buy them and to restore them. I've reTo get a little theological about this, the formance, which is one of the blessings of it. stored more pens than I can begin to count. ancient Christian writers call the eucharist So there never any performance anxiety. If I've given away plenty of pens. In fact, in the "the antepast of heaven," the hors d'oeuvres you have anxiety about shaped notes, that's past month, I restored and gave away a founof the banquet that God has put in place for your own fault. It's not something that is tain pen. The restoration of pens and the us at the banquet that comes at the end of implicit in the way that we sing. writing with them are things that I enjoy. the age. We don't get the whole thing. There For those who have not heard it or is still some waiting to be done, but we have sung it themselves, Shape Note music is Shug Goodlow: I recently received ... It was that important foretaste. And we have not really a participatory sport. No one wants to either a text or an email about a pen that just a foretaste, but a part of the meal itself. watch this thing, or listen to it, without joinwas being made available to me at the mere I think that in an impatient age and ing it. They are great, big, open chords. The price of 278,000 dollars. I imagine things an instantaneous kind of culture, where music is unadorned. It's almost shameful to have changed quite a bit since the days that we click on something and expect the sing with vibrato, for example. It's loud. It's vintage pens were affordable. page to load and are disappointed when it very forgiving, as is the community.

Wayne Smith: You know that quarter of a doesn't, the virtue of waiting is something And, it's gorgeous. My experience of that can easily be lost. I think that waiting Sacred Harp is like crawling into the sound million dollar pen is something in which I have absolutely no interest. is an important spiritual virtue, and to use box of a cello. Not just hearing the music, that word again, I think it's even a spiritual but feeling the music all around and know Shug Goodlow: No interest. discipline. that I am part of that music, also.

Spiritual fruits are seldom, in my Wayne Smith: No, no. I like a pen that has experience, instantaneous. But they are Shug Goodlow: Wonderful. Bishop, you're been used, and it has the character of somesomething that happens over the long haul. the only person with whom I can sit and talk one who has owned it and cherished it.

So, patience is good. at length about fountain pens. I know you've There was a time back in the 30's, 40's been collecting them for years. What and 50's when someone would have a pen, Shug Goodlow: Yes, it is. I hope we hurry up got you interested in fountain pens, and and that's the one they would use for all of and have it. do you have one or two favorites in your their writing. Some of the pens that I have collection? are just full of the character of the people Wayne Smith: Yes, ma'am.

Shug Goodlow: Hold on to your miter, Bishop, I'm about to change courses in midstream here. I'd like to know you from a little bit different perspective. Can you tell us about your interest in Shape Note singing? It was something I had never heard of until I met you.

Wayne Smith: First of all, I have an interest in singing, full stop. I think that a world without song is just a sadder place.

I really like congregational song, which is to say that I like to sing with a whole bunch of other people. I don't get to sing

Wayne Smith: My favorites are whichever ones I'm carrying at the time. I probably have 100 pens in my collection at any given moment. I started writing with fountain pens off and on from the time I was in grade school.

In graduate school I started writing more frequently, more regularly with a fountain pen. I did that for one purpose. I have terrible handwriting and have had it all my life. But, there's something about a fountain pen that makes me pay attention just that much more, that will make my handwriting almost legible. There's been a sort of under the surface, practical purpose

who had owned them.

If you have a pen long enough, the pressure of the nib onto the feed—that's the part just under the nib—will actually form the two together in a particular way that is suited to the writer who has used the pen for a decade or two. It's really interesting to know that, and to realize that, and to know you can't fix that—you can't change it.

It's even not a good thing to try to change the character that the pen has.

Shug Goodlow: I think we'll both agree that there's a certain joy that comes with that.

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12 that I do not expect in the readings, or something that I've never heard before. I will think, "I didn't notice that in the Scripsurprised. ture." Understand, that I will have read that For me, that is something that I enpiece of Scripture dozens of times in the counter almost every Holy Week. It will come at a different point every year. Some- course of my lifetime, but there it is—God's times, it's during the foot washing on Maun- surprise for me this time around. dy Thursday. Often, it's during the Good Shug Goodlow: Sir, you are a member of this Friday service. large community of churches, yet you are as People who know me know that the bishop not a member of any one congregaGreat Vigil of Easter is my favorite service of the whole year. Simply to sit in darkness tion. I sometimes think you're almost like a man without a country sometimes. I for one and hear the reading of the Old Testament want to let you know how grateful I am for scriptures that seem like they're never going to end—to let the Scriptures overwhelm your presence in our diocese. I thank you my awareness even to the point of boredom. for your time this morning, talking with me.

Again, thank you for being our bishop.

Almost every year I hear something Wayne Smith: It's my joy, Shug.

A Conversation with Bishop Wayne, continued Wayne Smith: Yes, yes.

Shug Goodlow: Well Bishop, this has been delightful, but I have one more question for you. Was there anything especially meaningful for you as you prepared for Holy Week and Easter that you would care to share with us as we close today?

Wayne Smith: Holy Week is, every year, a time of spiritual renewal for me. As the liturgy says, it makes it possible for us to enter into the passion of Christ's death and the mystery of his resurrection and yes, to follow in the steps of Jesus. I try to reflect on those things, and to prepare myself to be

What's a podcast?

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It's often comprised of a player and a subscription list of podcasts that you like and are then delivered to you. iTunes, Android's Music store, Stitcher, TuneInRadio, are all places you can find a free podcast app. Because the directories link to each other, you can likely find JesusHacked at any podcast subscription site.

How do I know when a new podcast is available?

Our goal is to release a new episode each Tuesday. When you subscribe through a podcast app, you'll get the podcast delivered or a message that a new episode is available. You can also go "old school" and manually check in to diocesemo.org/podcast.

Episodes to date:

016 A Gun Violence epidemic and response. Marc Smith is the Bishop's Deputy for Gun Violence Prevention. He talks about the context of violence in our community

MAKING DISCIPLES

and partnerships and actions the diocese is taking. Host: Harry Leip.

015 Finding Light in Darkness(pt.

2/2) & 014 Finding Light in Darkness: Newtown (pt. 1) Provost Kathy Adams-Shepherd from the cathedral was the rector of the Episcopal church in Newtown during the Sandy Hook school shooting. She talks about finding moments of light and grace with host Debbie Nelson Linck.

013 Feeding Jesus Deacon Kevin McGrane talks about hunger and ministry in the diocese, as a member of the Hunger Task Force and deacon at St. John's, and also about his formation as a deacon around issues of food ministry with host Deacon Harry Leip.

012 Jubilee! Holy Cross and Poplar Bluff Holy Cross' rector Annette Joseph talks about her church, its recent Jubilee Center designation in the Episcopal Church, and some of their ministry in Poplar Bluff with host Barbi Click, diocesan Jubilee officer.

011 Who is Grace Hill? Delores Hardwick's conversation with host Debbie Nelson Linck about the many facets of Grace Hill Settlement House and its long association with Missouri Episcopalians.

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009 The window that started conversation Mimi Shipp from Emmanuel Church talks with Debbie Nelson Linck about the stained glass window dedication to the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., just days after his assassination, and how the ensuing conversations helped form that church and its social justice ministries.

008 Before the Disaster Deacons Jerre Birdsong and Nancy Belcher talk with Harry Leip about their work with disaster preparedness, Episcopal Relief and Development, and the Episcopal Asset map.

007 As if we weren’t there Host Shug Goodlow interviews Debbie Nelson Linck about a memorable exhibition of photos of African Americans through history, and how they facilitated conversation on race in a parish.

006 Faith Being Tested Host Barbi Click interviewed Shug Goodlow on memories of a young black girl traveling with her family across the Mason Dixon line, their preparation, and the conversation turns to first memories of racism experienced.

005 Cathedral Housing Partnership Joanne Kelly talks with host

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Debbie Nelson Linck about a project of the cathedral to help a homeless person transition to housing, one at a time.

004 Jesus in Kiryandongo Deacon Deb Goldfeder talks about faith in Lui, South Sudan, our relationship with Anglicans there and those that have escaped the war to a U.N. refugee camp in Kiryandongo, Uganda with host Dan Handschy.

003 Living Gratitude and the United Thank Offering Jeanne Lucas King from St. Martin's Church talks about an attitude for gratitude and her work with UTO with host Barbi Click.

002 Seeking Christ in all persons through the arts Adrienne Dillon and Christian Davis talk with host Harry Leip about an intergenerational event planned by the diocesan Dismantling Racism Commission, looking at art and music used in our churches and how it does or doesn't reflect our community's diversity.

001 Rebuilding Trust The Rev. Dan Handschy talks with host Harry Leip about arriving as the new rector at a parish that had just suffered the trauma of sexual abuse by their priest, and how they moved forward as a community focused on Jesus.

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We didn't give up, and now we've opened a new ministry site The inspiration began with a presentation at diocesan convention by the Rev. Mike Angell with the showing of a short video on a ministry centered in a laundromat. Members from Transfiguration Church in Lake St. Louis and Trinity Church in St. Charles had a simultaneous thought, "We could do this."

They applied for a New Ventures in Community Ministry grant from the diocese and were awarded funds to begin a ministry that provides detergents, dryer sheets and quarters for the machines one day a month in St. Charles.

It started off slow, and first months after the ministry began, just a few people showed up. But the volunteers continued to show up.

And word spread.

As social service agencies learned of this, they began sending some clients. Then it was determined an additional location in Wentzville was needed, and even more volunteers are participating.

It's a safe, warm environment where folks who are homeless or struggling financially can feel cared about. "We don't push our church, we don't stress the Bible," said one of the founders of this ministry from Transfiguration Church, Paul Jokerst. "We just talk to people, show them respect and that we're willing to help."

It's an opportunity to offer and to accept some small help, a time for companionship and conversation and clean laundry.

The ministry is sustained by donations from church members, and contributions are gratefully accepted on Transfiguration's website, transfigurationchurch.org.

Laundry Love is available the first Tuesday of the month in St. Charles and the second Tuesday of the month in Wentzville.

The Laundry Love collection box at Transfiguration Church.

Annual women's retreat from ECW This year's retreat will be held on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 10 & 11, 2017, at the Mercy Conference and Retreat Center in St. Louis.

Organized by the Episcopal Church Women of the diocese and invited are every Episcopal woman in this diocese. The board is paying for half of the cost for each attendee and some scholarships are available.

Retreat leader is the Rev. Emily Hillquist Davis, vicar of St. Thomas Deaf Episcopal Church and associate priest at St. Martin's Church.

Watch for registration information in the late summer, or contact ECWMissouri@diocesemo.org for more information.

Rica, Cee Cee, and Machelle from Ascension Church attended last year's retreat.

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New Baptismal Font at St. Mark’s Church in St. Louis On Sunday January 8th, a new baptismal font was dedicated on the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord, in memory of longtime St. Mark's member Melissa Mullgardt. Following the dedication prayers, Melissa’s grandson, Edward Arthur (“Teddy”) Mullgardt (photo) was baptized at the font, along with Otto G. Schoenberg, IV. The font includes references to architectural elements found in St. Mark’s sanctuary and was designed by Melissa’s husband, Robert, St. Mark’s Organist and Choir Master, who retires from 50+ years of music ministry in the diocese on the Feast of Pentecost, June 4, 2017.

Robert's musical ministry was celebrated with a Festival Evensong on May 14th, with thanks for the past thirty-two years at St. Mark's.

There will be an opportunity for a free-will offering to help support the music program at St. Mark's. Location: St. Mark's Episcopal Church is located at 4714 Clifton Avenue in St. Louis, 63109.

Trinity Church celebrates 100 years On May 14, 1917, the cornerstone of Trinity Episcopal Church in Kirksville was laid.

It was a Gothic designed brick church with an undercroft (basement) suitable for parish and community activities. The building was dedicated on Nov. 7, 1917. Vicar of Trinity at that time was the Rev. Rufus DeLancy Putney, described the new building as "a gem of its kind, and has made the corner on which it is built one of the most attractive in the city."

One hundred years later Trinity celebrates its first century with a recently completed ADA accessible entrance and MAKING DISCIPLES

updated facilities.

The celebration began on May 14, after Sunday services, with a time for sharing stories of life at Trinity and Trinity's role in Kirksville.

An open house is scheduled for Saturday, August 26, and will include a tour of the historic building at 2 PM, and a 3 PM auction of high quality arts and crafts.

The closing celebration is slated for Sunday, Nov. 5. The 10 AM service will include special music from Trinity's choir, with a reception to follow.

A special treat on this Sunday—Trinity has been

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known through the years for a special recipe. They'll be using a large batch to make, instead of their of their famous chocolate covered peanut butter Easter eggs, commemorative bricks for the building's anniversary. And yes, they'll be available for purchase.

All during this time of celebration you can view a wall exhibit of Trinity's history.

Fundraising continues for

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the new accessible entry, and at the celebrations you can find commemorative mugs as well as prints of the church for sale.

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The Community of St. Brigid Newly formed, the Community of St. Brigid introduces themselves as Jesus followers who hope to grow the Kingdom of God through a garden-based ministry, and to reach people who are called to environmental mission and food justice issues.

The community was conceived on Feb. 1st, 2017, on the feast day Saint Brigid of Kildare who was known for: • Inclusivity. Brigid founded the first double monastery, welcoming both women and men • Abundant generosity. Brigid’s care of the poor and her legendary miracles of multiplying food • Hospitality. Her monasteries were a frequent stopping

place for travelers of all walks of life The focus of community life is a weekly Sunday late afternoon/evening gathering, with time for gardening, for sharing a meal, and for worship in the garden with eucharist.

The community chose Shepherd Farm as its incubator because of their commitment to gardening as a form of Christian spiritual practice. Located in Town & Country, Shepherd Farm (at Church of the Good Shepherd) utilizes gardening as a mode of discernment, hospitality, and community-buildSundays at 4 PM ing—all spiritual practices that for gardening, a meal, eucharist are the hallmark of St. Brigid. at Shepherd Farm, 1166 South Mason Rd in Town and Country All ages are welcome.

Tanzania and the theology of food he replied that there were funds to support this travel, and suggested that Pamela Dolan, rector of Good Shepherd, should also go. Pamela wrote her Doctor of Ministry thesis on the spirituality of gardening.

So – Pamela and I will be traveling to Mpwapwa, Tanzania for the first full week of September. The conference will run from September 5 – 8, and we hope to have a chance before the conference to tour the diocese and see how people grow their gardens. Anderson wants us to talk about both the theology and the practicalities of growing food. Both Pamela and I feel a bit odd, as Mzungu (white people) dropping in to Tanzania to tell them how to grow food,

continued

since we know nothing about Tanzanian agriculture (if you want evidence of how badly such a scheme can go wrong, just Google “Tanzanian groundnut scheme”; in British slang, it has become equivalent to a huge waste of government money with no result). But Pamela has some contacts with Episcopal Relief and Development, and they have a project in the next diocese over from Mpwapwa dealing with sustainable agriculture, so we will have access to local experts.

I am exciting by this venture for several reasons. I have had several students at Eden from Mpwapwa, so I will see them again. I am also excited because a part of what has caused such anxiety in the Angli-

can Communion is different approaches to Scripture, and questions about its authority. Looking at the fundamental theology of agriculture in the Old Testament will open up new approaches to scripture for the clergy of Mpwapwa, and shift focus away from our tired old fights about human sexuality.

And, if all goes well, I should be able to get at least as far as Kampala in Uganda, and maybe even to the refugee camp at Kiryandongo while I am on the African continent, to see our Lui friends there.

Now, Pamela and I have to get busy and plan the conference!

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Tanzania and the theology of food by the Rev. Dan Handschy, Ph.D., rector of Church of the Advent in Crestwood, Dean of the Episcopal School for Ministry Dean, and an adjunct professor at Eden Seminary in Webster Groves.

Adventers will know that I place a lot The content of the Gospel was of emphasis on food and foodways in my reduced to personal conversion thinking about God and God’s purposes in and a moral change of life (abanthe world. My kids will recognize a saying I doning old, “demonic” practices used a lot when they were little: The world of the native religion). While always looks better over a plate of food. many missionaries founded In my doctoral work on sacrifice, I came hospitals and schools, their to understand that in the Old Testament actual preaching had little to (and indeed in any sacrificing culture), it is do with the theology of health the meal that atones, or reconciles human or learning. And missionaries beings to one another and to God. It is the very rarely talked about the shared food that creates atonement. importance of food security as Even in the New Testament, we mis- an aspect of salvation. understand the sacrifice of Jesus if we for One of my students get its connection to the eucharistic meal. at Eden Seminary, Anderson Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthians, is Madimilo, a priest in the Dioscolding his community for their pettiness cese of Mpwapwa in the Anglitoward one another and the final clause can Church of Tanzania, wrote Anderson Madimilo and Dan Handschy in the garden at Shepherd Farm, in his argument is, “Christ, our a paper on Church of the Good Shepherd. Rector Pamela Dolan took this photo.

Passover, has been sacrificed the ethics Salvation has to look for us; therefore, let us keep the of food prosomething like having for God’s goodness in providing it to us – feast, not with the old leaven of duction. He argued that malice and wickedness, but with enough to eat. when people are starving, and then we have a party!

Anderson said that the missionaries the unleavened bread of sincerity they cannot experience had never preached this kind of message, and truth” (1 Corinthians 5:8). Jesus was a personal conversion in order to be saved. sacrificed in order to become our feast.

Salvation has to look something like having and consequently, the ordained leadership In the eighteenth and nineteenth enough to eat. He went to write his master’s of the Anglican Church in Tanzania were not trained to read the scripture in this way. centuries, in Anglican theology (and oththesis for me on the same subject. I began er Anglophone theologies), evangelical to have him explore the Old Testament, and They had no way of thinking about agriculture theologically. I am convinced that preaching began to focus on the idea of a the sacrificial system in books like Levitipersonal conversion as the doorway to God’s cus and Deuteronomy. In those books, God agriculture is the key to understanding the Old Testament, and therefore, also for ingraces. One had to “accept Jesus as a perclearly demands that, in order for a sacrisonal savior” in order to be counted among fice to be acceptable, the offerer must have terpreting the New Testament. It’s all about food. those saved. Among Wesleyans and other done everything in his power to make sure Anderson invited me to come to Mpevangelicals, it became important to be able the hungry were fed and the stranger welto point to that crisis moment when one comed. And the point of the sacrifice is not wapwa and put on a conference for pastors received Jesus, or was converted, in order to the death of the animal, but the meal which on the theology of agriculture. I put him off, thinking I could not afford to go. When be certain of salvation. results, to which widows and orphans and I mentioned this in passing to our bishop, This kind of preaching formed the the sojourner must be invited. Sacrifice core message of missionaries from England has everything to do with the production of continued on page 15 and America to places like Africa and India. food. We offer food to God in thanksgiving MAKING DISCIPLES

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