Seek!
Summer 2019
Our stories of following Jesus in the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri
Almighty God, whose grace sustains us in each moment: Look with favor, we pray, upon your Church, upon this Diocese of Missouri, and upon all who are discerning your call to serve You in this place among us. You have called us to the courageous and joyful witness of your reconciling and sustaining love for all the world; to do justice, and love mercy, and walk humbly with You, O God, always. May we, the people of this diocese, open our hearts, hopes, and minds to your guidance and wisdom as we seek our new bishop, whose vision will help inspire our walk with Jesus as disciples in his Way of Love. We ask the Holy Spirit's guidance and blessing upon the people of this diocese, the Standing Committee, the Bishop Search/Nominating Committee, and the Transition Committee in their holy work of discernment. May all we do be to the building of your Beloved Community. This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. —The Rev. Leslie Scoopmire, priest-in-charge, St. Martin's Episcopal Church
ph: 314-231-1220 www.DioceseMo.org Episcopal Diocese of Missouri Offices of the Bishop 1210 Locust St. St. Louis, Missouri 63103
DIOCESAN PROFILE EXCERPT
Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to God from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen. —Ephesians 3:20,21 After listening to the people of this diocese, the Bishop Search/Nominating Committee has published the profile of our community: our rich history, who we are and who God is calling us to be, and our hopes for our next shepherd.
Seeking Our Next Bishop
The process to complete this profile has been one in which we have been surprised by hope. We began with an on-line survey that had 858 respondents. The committee then led listening sessions in every congregation in the diocese where we heard the voices of more than 600 parishioners. Listening to the people of the diocese has been a joy. We have discovered untapped passion to witness, to celebrate, and to share our love of God with the world. Our diocese is not without its challenges, but our next bishop will not be alone in addressing them. The bishop that God calls to Missouri will shepherd a diocese filled with people eager to “fight the good fight, run the race, and keep the faith.” We seek a bishop who will walk with us and shepherd us as we live into the vision God has set before us.
Who We Are
The story of Who We Are in the Diocese of Missouri is the story of a faithful and resilient folk engaged with God in our churches, neighborhoods, communities, regions, diocese and beyond. The greatest treasure of this diocese is the people, lay and ordained, who live their faith listening to the needs of the beloved people of God near and far; working and advocating faithfully
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Making Disciples
to meet those needs as Christ’s disciples. As Christ lived and gave his life for all, particularly those the world would dismiss and reject, so we live our lives striving to offer Christ’s embrace, love, mercy, equity, voice and justice to all. Our ministries include those of feeding (including the filling of weekend backpacks and leading and supporting food pantries), clothing, housing, and sheltering those in need. They include community gardens, the support of schools and hospitals associated with our diocese and the work with the incarcerated. They include the establishment and support of Deaconess Anne House, Bravely, Episcopal Campus Ministry: Rockwell House, Episcopal School for Ministry and Episcopal City Mission. Our ministries also are engaged in Gun Violence Prevention, Dismantling Racism and LGBTQIA advocacy. Our small but dedicated Community of Deacons helps our churches to engage with our local communities to discover more mission opportunities—leading the Church to discover those places in our neighborhoods which break Jesus’ heart, and to stand in solidarity with those in the margins, who are often neglected. Through our diocesan Episcopal School for
Building Congregations
For the Life of the World
Ministry, we equip deacons and lay persons to minister with others. There are many more treasures, assets and strengths that are less tangible and yet are essential. We have a history of resilience in the face of insurmountable odds which reaches into the present day. We are a community of faith which often publicly laments our collusion with systems throughout our history that contribute to humanity’s inhumanity toward one another.
Challenges and Opportunities
Not surprisingly our challenges and opportunities are very often one and the same. It is our strong sense that the diversity across our diocese challenges our desire for community and connection. Our parishes differ widely in size, location, culture, financial resources, and political, and social ideology. An opportunity expressed by many in our diocese is to find ways to connect as we listen to one another, pray for one another, and widen our vision to the possibility that God is at work within the diversity itself. We may find that some of our priorities in the urban, suburban, and rural areas connect more deep-
ly than many of us imagine. As we work with
DIOCESAN PROFILE EXCERPT
our next bishop to build community among us, there may indeed arise the opportunity for God to guide us in love as we share our challenges, hopes and dreams. In our prayerful connections with one another across our divides we may find new understandings and blessings enough to share with others with whom differences across the spectrum have long since kept us apart. As cultural shifts affect church participation and as our region experiences economic uncertainty, several of our faith communities are finding it difficult to maintain buildings and ministries with diminishing resources of every kind. We have had our share of opening, closing and merging parishes. Moving forward, we will need a pastoral strategy in dealing with these holy and complex situations. We also must honor the input of those affected as we formulate this strategy. We are an aging Church; the average age of respondents to the online survey was well over 65. We have before us an opportunity to listen to younger generations and develop new ways of approaching ministry and mission. We seek a bishop to help us think creatively about engaging the mission of God beyond our church doors while pastorally taking care of those within. our challenges and opportunities The blessing of our faith offers us the great opportunity to cast aside our divisions, long held biases, and fears in order to embrace God’s abundance. The challenge and opportunity is to imagine the church God calls us to be. We
are a diocese with a strong faith; there are extraordinary ministries going on across this diocese. We need to continue to engage in the vitally important social issues of racism, gun violence, drug use, homelessness, suicide, ageism, and classism. The issues of income inequality, economic uncertainty and climate change with its increased flooding potential will require a shared vision by our leaders throughout our diocese. Our clergy are a significant asset. How we raise them up, nurture them and support them is an opportunity and a challenge. The journey to ordination can be challenging on a number of levels; our changing demographics will call us to re-imagine the discernment process and develop flexibility to allow for more inclusivity and diversity among our clergy candidates. Additionally, we will need to address equity in salary and benefits across the Diocese of Missouri. The data collected from our survey and listening sessions revealed several key points about who we are and who we hope to be. Our survey assessed energy and satisfaction within the diocese. The results show a widespread feeling of very low energy and low satisfaction. It might come as a shock to know the survey consultants and search committee believe this is good news. What we have uncovered are two challenges we
The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri
are excited to tackle. First, there is widespread desire from every congregation to engage in ministry together more often. We want shared ministries, shared goals, and a shared vision. 9 In our prayerful connections with one another across our divides we may find new understandings and blessings enough to share with others with whom differences across the spectrum have long since kept us apart. We just want to spend time together! Clergy want more opportunities to connect for mutual refreshment and support. Parishioners want to get to know more people around the diocese and work toward common goals. We want more opportunities to pray together, serve together, act together and address together with our bishop the missional work of the church across the Diocese of Missouri. The second issue involves racial reconciliation in St. Louis. The nation was rocked by protests in response to the death of Michael Brown. What began in Ferguson spread throughout the country. While the protests subsided, reconciliation and justice are far from complete, in St. Louis, our region, or the country. However, many in this region (both within and outside of the church) believe that St. Louis is poised to bring about significant change that will have ripple effects throughout our nation. As protests began here and spread, so we believe reconciliation can begin here and transform our church and country. The Diocese of Missouri has been active in racial
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DIOCESAN PROFILE EXCERPT
reconciliation and justice work throughout our proud history. As we come together as a diocese, we believe there is a real chance to make a profound, sustainable impact in this moment of time. A strength and an opportunity is the eager willingness among many to serve in the leadership and ministry of the diocese. We are a diocese that is ready to meet the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities that exist today.
What We Have Discovered About Ourselves
This search process has been a wonderful period of discernment. We have spent the last several months listening. We have listened to each other through 858 online survey results and 48 Holy Listening Sessions across every congregation of the diocese. We have listened to God through prayer and worship. We believe we have a clear vision of the work God has given us to do, and we seek a bishop to join us with strength & courage to love and serve the Lord with gladness & singleness of heart. Five distinct imperatives emerged from this process, which are briefly outlined below. Address congregational instability. Parishes and missions that are struggling require pastoral leadership as decisions are made regarding their future. Listening sessions indicated that there exists a strong desire for more visible diocesan leadership. Draw the clergy, people, and congrega-
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Making Disciples
tions of the diocese together. Our diocese is very diverse, and, at times, this diversity can cause conflict. Our urban, suburban, and rural parishes have their own specific issues. This cause for potential conflict can be recognized, named, and through sound leadership we can move forward. Continue our history of witnessing to Christ through social justice. On social issues, rural congregations often feel browbeaten to follow what is perceived as a “liberal agenda” while most urban congregations seem frustrated that the Church has not taken a strong enough stance on issues of diversity and social justice. Our history is rich with examples of coming together on issues of social justice. This can’t be more evident today than what is found in our historic, downtown cathedral. Homelessness, hunger and gun violence can all be found a short distance from its walls. Yet, its doors are always open to show God’s love with no questions asked. This missional attitude can be used as an example throughout the diocese and, with leadership, can be transformative in all our communities. This is not to negate the ministries found within our congregations today. We can do so much better by working closer together with a shared missional vision. Continue to address challenges of racism. Our racism issues have been with us throughout our history and have been well publicized as a result of the shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson. Some of our clergy and lay leadership were on the front line as the protests continued. This attitude can be used as a platform to address the issues found in all our church communities…with
Building Congregations
For the Life of the World
the right leadership. This will go a long way to enhance the relevancy of our Church in the communities we serve. Improve energy and satisfaction throughout the diocese. As determined through our on-line survey, there is a low level of both energy and satisfaction within our diocese today. However, there exist several initiatives that can change this relatively quickly which will affect both our energy and satisfaction levels—create a shared vision that unites us; take a leadership role in helping struggling parishes; develop a discernment process to rethink how to be relevant and vital Episcopal churches in our specific communities.
What We're Looking For in Our Next Bishop
Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. 1 Peter 4:10 We are searching for a bishop who is a passionate follower of Christ and is eager to share their faith in God. As primary among these gifts, we want a compassionate, energetic, pastoral leader who understands the diversity in our communities and congregations. A person who can relate to our urban, suburban, and rural churches. A person who can deeply listen to life-long Episcopalians at a potluck—as well as a newcomer, full of questions at one of our non-traditional church settings. A minister who can boldly speak the truth at a gathering of many, and who can bravely work through conflict in a small group. We are seeking a pastor who will
DIOCESAN PROFILE EXCERPT partner with us. An empathetic shepherd who will listen to our ideas, celebrate our ministries, and encourage us to find new and different approaches—bringing innovative missional thinking to our common life together. We expect our bishop to be a person grounded in prayer and unafraid to share their spirituality. A sense of humor is a must! A pastor with a confident sense of self, who will humbly love us regardless of, race, political affiliation, gender identity, sexual-orientation, disabilities, and countless other avenues of God’s glorious diversity. We want a person with a deep spiritual dedication, who is well versed in the great stories of our faith and tradition, who respects the tension between the liturgical traditions of the past and the deep desire for other language and modes of expression to worship our God who continues to speak to each of us, our communities and our diocese. Our next bishop cannot be everything to everyone. We are not looking for a bishop to save us, rescue us, or fix us. We seek a shepherd to lead and walk with us. And it all comes back to God. We want an evangelist. Someone to witness to God’s never ending presence in a world which is increasingly polarized and broken. We want someone to work with us to develop our gifts and to encourage us to do the work God has given us to do in the world. Might God be calling you to this mighty work?
This is an excerpt from the diocesan profile. Read it in its entirety online at: bishopsearch.diocesemo.org
Search/Nominating Committee •
Ms. Deborah Nelson Linck, Christ Church Cathedral, St. Louis, Chair
Lay Ms. Ilena Albarron, Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, University City Ms. Elizabeth Kroes-Asher, Episcopal Church of the Advent, Crestwood Mr. Richard Entenmann, Grace Episcopal Church, Kirkwood Mr. Matthew Jackson, All Saints Episcopal Church, Farmington Mr. Rudy Nickens, Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, University City Ms. Bren O’Connor, Christ Church Cathedral, St. Louis Mr. William Sheldon, St. Thomas Deaf Church Ms. Annette Webb, Calvary Episcopal Church, Columbia • Dr. Carter Whitson, Trinity Episcopal Church, CWE, St. Louis
• • • • • • • •
• • • • • •
Clergy The Rev. Chester Hines, Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, University City The Rev. Luke Jernagan, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Ladue The Rev. Harry Leip, Trinity Episcopal Church, CWE, St. Louis The Very Rev. Kathie Adams-Shepherd, Christ Church Cathedral, St. Louis The Rev. Sally Weaver, St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, Ellisville The Rev. Tamsen Whistler, Trinity Episcopal Church, St. Charles
Contact Us
mobishopsearch@gmail.com
The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri
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Transition Committee Embarks on Its Work
Identifying a location for the ordination and consecration of the new bishop. Planning “walkabouts” to acquaint bishop candidates with the diocese. Organizing the election for the 11th Episcopal bishop of Missouri at November’s Diocesan Convention. Equipping the new bishop with pontifical vestments. Celebrating the ministry of our outgoing bishop. These are just a few of the tasks on hand for the 13-member bishop’s transition committee, which began its work in the background in February ahead of the nomination of candidates to replace the Rt. Rev. George Wayne Smith when he retires in April 2020. In a sense, the transition committee runs the second leg of a twopart relay race toward the consecration of the next bishop. For now, the Search/Nominating Committee is carrying the baton as it identifies a slate of candidates to present to the Diocese of Missouri’s Standing Committee. Soon, the search committee will end its work by passing the baton to the transition committee, launching the second stage of the race. In the meantime, the transition committee is working in the background on several fronts—coming up to speed, as it were, in preparation for receiving the baton. That work has included organizing and educating committee members, examining best practices from previous transitions in the episcopate, establishing the committee’s values and criteria for decision-making and researching venues for the April 2020 service to consecrate and ordain the new bishop.
That decision is a key first step, given the logistics of welcoming hundreds of diocesan members, dozens of clergy and bishops from around the country and the presiding bishop of The Episcopal Church, the Most Rev. Michael Curry. The committee has also established a cadence for communicating its work to the diocese. That process begins in earnest once the transition committee—comprised of members from across the diocese—receives the baton from the search committee. Transition committee meets in video calls twice monthly and faceto-face bimonthly. Committee members are: • Jeanie Bryant, Church of St. Michael & St. George • Greg Dell, Advent Church • Renee Fenner, All Saints & Ascension • Jeff Goldone, Christ Church Cathedral/Trinity Central West End • Kurt Greenbaum, St. John’s Tower Grove • Emily Hillquist Davis, St. Thomas Deaf Church • Jane Klieve, the committee chair, St. Timothy’s Church • Doris Lucy-Goodlow, Christ Church Cathedral • Rich Luebcke, All Saints Church, Farmington • Vicki Myers, Grace Church, Jefferson City • Mary Russell, Grace Church, Jefferson City • Marc Smith, Church of the Holy Communion • Andrew Wasson, Church of the Holy Communion
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Timeline
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Making Disciples
Building Congregations
For the Life of the World
Sitting on the Saints
by Paul Metzler
I am at the annual Reaffirmation of Ordination Vows a few days before Holy Week, sitting on the saints. That’s because the columbarium is in the floor of the Bofinger Chapel at Christ Church Cathedral where the Reaffirmation service is led by our bishop. The chapel seats just fifty, but five hundred and sixty marble tiles cover floor—niches holding the cremains of, so far, about four hundred cathedral members and others. Notables and not-so-notable saints from the diocese, the city and beyond rest in peace here. When you sit in the chapel to pray, you cannot not sit on the saints. I know the stories of some of these saints. One was a mentor in my early professional development, albeit a mentor who went awry. Another, a dean of the cathedral here in the ‘70s, supported my early explorations of ordination as a priest. An influential banker and distinguished layman in this diocese who served on the Board
of Directors of one of my earliest ministries is inured here. Just a few niches over a local parish priest who spiritually guided me in my first ministry, a friend’s wife, and at least several others of passing familiarity are inured. I understand even some street people who made the cathedral steps their home and had no other family or place of burial are at rest here. But mostly I sit on saints I never met. While their stories are unknown to me, they are held in the memories of their loved ones and friends. Most importantly, their stories are held in the heart of God. These saints and so many more make up the fabric of our diocese. Their entwined stories give our diocese its character and strength. They offered the faithfulness of earlier decades that enables us to find and follow Christ in our day. We are deep in the process to elect a new Bishop. Prayerful gratitude for how we all sit on the saints of days past is crucial.
The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri
Following their consecration, our new bishop will be seated on the cathedra in the cathedral. She or he will be the Eleventh Bishop of Missouri in succession, to sit on the saints of this diocese. Bishop, priest, deacon, lay member—whatever your role is—you cannot not sit on the saints, living and past, who have shaped this diocese since our founding 1841. Let us be grateful and mindful of them as we follow in their train to remember the future calling our diocese.
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The Rev. Paul A. Metzler, D.Min, is a member of the Board of Directors of Confluence: A Roofless Spirituality Center founded in the Diocese of Missouri in 2010. The image used is "The Communion of Saints" from Maltese artist Ira Thomas. She offers her work to the world on the website www.catholicworldart.com.
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L iving in the Spirit
Christian Communities in the Diocese of Missouri: They are clergy and lay people, from every walk of life. You may not even notice them as they quietly go about the business of God—unless you happen to catch them wearing special clothes, called a “habit.” They are one of the best-kept open secrets in the Episcopal Church!
What is a Christian Community?
According the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church, a Christian Community "of this Church under this Canon is a society of Christians (in communion with the See of Canterbury) who voluntarily commit themselves for life, or a term of years, in obedience to their Rule and Constitution.” This is a bit different from the Church’s definition of a Religious Order, which specifies vows of celibacy and obedience along with common ownership of possessions. Nevertheless, you will hear Christian Communities also referred to as religious orders, and members often refer to themselves as “Religious.”
The community’s Constitution simply describes how the community is organized and how decisions are made. The Rule describes how members live their lives. Each member makes vows to the community, similar to those made in Religious Orders. Unlike Religious Orders, most communities substitute a vow of “simplicity” for that of “poverty,” recognizing that members of that order still have to make a living in the world. Communities often include those in committed relationships, so the vow is often of chastity, instead of celibacy. Each religious community has its own process of formation, a time when a proposed member studies the community’s way of life, carries out assigned exercises, and begins to develop the habits necessary for lifelong dedication to living the life of the community. At some point, the proposed member asks to be allowed to profess life vows and take on the full life of the community.
What do Christian Communities have in common?
By the Canon, religious communities have three things in common: voluntary commitment, a Rule, and a Constitution. Each Community will also have a particular charism, a set of spiritual gifts that is the community’s main focus.
The Order of St. Francis expresses Franciscan spirituality within the Episcopal Church and Anglican Community. They can often be found working with the poor, with food charities, or simply providing personal ministry to people they meet on the street.
The Rivendell Community strives to live Eucharistically, offering themselves in thanksgiving, intercession, and adoration for the nourishment and healing of the world, and extending God’s hospitality to others. 8
Making Disciples
Building Congregations
For the Life of the World
How can I find out more?
The Anglican Order of Preachers is the Anglican expression of Dominican spirituality, whose charism derives from St. Dominic de Guzmán’s vision of a preaching and teaching order. Dominican life is defined by four “Pillars”: prayer, study, community, and preaching (outreach).
Many people are satisfied with their walk of faith, but often someone will feel the need for something more: a deeper, more spiritual way of life. If you are one of the latter, life in a religious community may be where you belong. • The Episcopal Church has an excellent web page with an official list of Anglican Orders and Communities along with discernment advice: www.episcopalchurch.org/religious-orders-and-faith-communities. For more information about religious Communities in general, see the National Association of Episcopal Religious Communities, https://www.naecc.net/ • There is a new web page on the Diocese of Missouri site with hyperlinks to the web presence of these four orders, and local contact information for inquirers: diocesemo.org/religious . Author Mike Malone, PhD, is a recent postulant in the Anglican Order of Preachers and Verger of Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Poplar Bluff. An instructor at Three Rivers College and a professional software developer, Dr. Malone is also a Taekwondo Black Belt. Active in Poplar Bluff's theater scene, this winter he'll direct an old-time radio version of “A Christmas Carol."
Most Christian Communities are “dispersed”. Members live in their own homes, without a central “house.” They usually participate in their local parish life and, if not clergy, have secular careers.
What Christian Communities are present in the Diocese of Missouri, and how do they differ?
Currently our diocese includes members of the Anglican Order of Preachers, the Order of St. Francis, the Anamchara Fellowship, and the Rivendell Community. The Anglican Order of Preachers is the Anglican expression of Dominican spirituality, whose charism derives from St. Dominic de Guzmán’s vision of a preaching and teaching order. Dominican life is defined by four “Pillars”: prayer, study, community, and preaching (outreach). The Order of St. Francis expresses Franciscan spirituality within the Episcopal Church and Anglican Community. They can often be found working with the poor, with food charities, or simply providing personal ministry to people they meet on the street. Anamchara Fellowship uses a Celtic approach to spirituality within the Episcopal Church. With the charisms of hospitality, generosity, compassion, and love, members of the community provide spiritual direction, pastoral care, and catechesis. The Rivendell Community strives to live Eucharistically, offering themselves in thanksgiving, intercession and adoration for the nourishment and healing of the world, and extending God’s hospitality to others.
Anamchara Fellowship uses a Celtic approach to spirituality within the Episcopal Church. With the charisms of hospitality, generosity, compassion, and love, members of the community provide spiritual direction, pastoral care, and catechesis.
Photos l. to r.: Rivendell's Guardian, the Rev. Barbi Click (on right), Order of St. Francis' Brother Sam Sampson-Kincade OSF; Brothers Mick Maurer OP and Franklin Kline OP, and Mike Malone, Postulant, from Anglican Order of Preachers; Anamchara Fellowship's Sister Donna Ruth Hawk-Reinhard, n/AF.
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NEW VENTURES IN COMMUNITY MINISTRY GRANT RECIPIENT
BeCoMiNG:art bridges the divides Trinity Church in Central West End St. Louis received a 2019 New Ventures grant to extend support for the “Pray, Eat and Art Project.” The church's 40+ year ministry, Trinity Food Ministry (TFM), offers meals at its three days per week food pantry plus Sunday Hot Lunch. In 2017, TFM received a New Ventures grant to begin a “Pray, Eat, and Art Project” that soon became known as the Trinity Art Club. During this past year, the art club offered one more opportunity of a hot meal to those who need it. It also offered a chance for parishioners from Trinity Church to join with patrons of the food ministry congregation to create a diverse group who together share a meal and the wonders of art. Eight to ten people gather at the club each Saturday morning. The word “club” was chosen because it offered an equal membership and investment in the work and joy of the group. For some, physical nourishment is key. For others, the chance to communicate and form bonds is important. For all, it is a space to express themselves creatively and allow others to witness their art as a group. Members discover talents they were not aware of, share their thoughts in a safe space, and enjoy a sense of community that is surrounded by respect and love. There is a sense of pride and increased self-esteem as art materials are mastered. The goal is to display the artwork and allow each unique voice to be seen and heard. Trinity Art Club produced a booklet enti-
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Making Disciples
tled “BeCoMiNG: We are not yet what we will be, but we are no longer what we were." This booklet is a compilation of butterfly paintings created by the club. Working with the Trinity's Arts Commission, they are now creating a future exhibit for the Trinity Church Gallery. All proceeds from this show will be given directly to the artist. This art show will be the second such one highlighting Trinity Food Ministry patrons. The first was a photography project. The patrons of Sunday Hot Lunch were offered digital cameras and asked to share their photography in the Gallery. It was a great success with proceeds from photo sales given directly to the photographer.
Poverty is isolating
This was something we discovered when we began offering meals at the Trinity Food Pantry. People came for the food, certainly. They stayed because of the fellowship. In all things, there is a great feeling of thanksgiving. Love is a key ingredient of our “relationship exchange.” A deep and abiding love has grown between the patrons and volunteers. From the beginning, the Trinity Church parishioners were invited to participate in the Art Club and several attend each Saturday morning. In that all things are done as equal members of a club, a Trinitarian will be found working side by side with a community member, whether that be in the kitchen cooking breakfast or at the table making art.
Building Congregations
For the Life of the World
While the club's initial focus was to offer an opportunity in creativity for the guests of the Food Ministry, it has become a bridge between two congregations: those within the Trinity fellowship and those within the fellowship of the Food Ministry. Not only have these two groups been enriched, but the Food Ministry and Art Club have become known throughout the Central West End neighborhood as a safe place where people gather. People who might be perceived as “less-than” are now seen as members of Trinity Church and the work that is being shared there. The Rev. Barbi Click, Deacon at Christ Church Cathedral, Diocesan Jubilee Officer, is the manager of Trinity Food Ministry.
We're celebrating Jesus all summer long. Oh yes, we have Vacation Bible School. We also have work days and bike blessings, concerts and ordinations, cook-outs and marches. Come and fly your Jesus flag in the Diocese of Missouri this summer. diocesemo.org/summer2019 What, your parish event is not listed? Send your details to us for the web and publication in the weekly emailed news! bfelice@diocesemo.org
NoMinATE
Yourself or a member of your church for a leadership position in the Diocese of Missouri
The 180th Diocesan Convention will meet Nov. 22-23, 2019 at Christ Church Cathedral in St. Louis, and will elect lay members and clergy to governance bodies including Diocesan Council, Disciplinary Board, General Convention Deputation, Standing Committee, and Cathedral Chapter.
www.diocesemo.org/convention2019
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The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri
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NEW VENTURES IN COMMUNITY MINISTRY GRANT RECIPIENT
Hope & Healing Beth Goad, Episcopal City Mission's Executive Director writes about a 2019 New Ventures grant for a new program to serve youth in St. Louis County’s juvenile justice system outside of the detention centers ECM currently serves.
The juvenile justice system in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area provides programming for court-involved youth, with rehabilitation as its primary goal. ("Court-involved" youth are not detained, but under court supervision.) Juvenile court judges have more legal options to meet the rehabilitation and treatment needs of the youth 17 years old or younger. Educational and therapeutic programming may be provided by the juvenile justice system in the child’s community; or the child may be placed out of the home in a residential program. It is within some of these alternative facilities that Episcopal City Mission will expand its chaplaincy services to more “court-involved” youth and possibly interact with their families. ECM met in the Fall of 2018 with the Delinquency Services Director of St. Louis Family Court to plan and implement a “Community-Based Chaplaincy Program.” They agreed to start a pilot program in early 2019 at a central location where ECM chaplains would offer a Grief and Loss Group and Delinquency Services staff members would recruit court-involved youth to participate. This collaboration with Delinquency Services will build on ECM’s existing partnership with the County Family Court. The pilot program for the Community-Based Chaplaincy grief and loss group was introduced to the youth as a Hope & Healing Group. Thanks to the hospitality of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, ECM was able to provide a “free” location for this program. And Holy Communion’s central location in University City made it a great place for the youth to meet. The first session was held on March 26, 2019, but due to some coordination issues with recruiting youth, only one
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Making Disciples
young man attended. However, ECM never gives up on a good idea! So, ECM and the Delinquency Services staff decided to restart the pilot program on April 16 and were blessed with seven young people (one girl and 6 boys)! All of these kids were transported to the group by their Deputy Juvenile Officer (DJO) and were coming from residential group homes. The group met once a week for five (5) weeks. All three ECM chaplains facilitated this pilot program, so they could all experience the first group. In the future groups, the plan is to have two chaplains at all group sessions. We learned so much from this pilot program and some of these learnings are: • The kids wanted to attend the group but were nervous about it. However, when they got to the meeting room and saw the ECM chaplains that they knew from Detention, they were less anxious. • On an exit survey that the kids completed, six replied “yes” and one replied “maybe” to the question – “Would you participate again in a program like Hope & Healing?” • The chaplains would like to add one more session (total of 6) to the group, so they can review with the kids again all the tools for coping with grief and loss. • We believe the group size should always be between three and seven participants. Our next Hope & Healing Group is projected to be held in July and will be held at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Ferguson. Once again, thanks to the hospitality of another Episcopal Church!
Building Congregations
Episcopal City Mission chaplains spend a lot of time with teens in detention and over a period of time, they get to know some of the kids on a personal level. While the teens eventually leave the detention center, some of them never leave your heart. I often wonder how some of them are doing; are they staying on the right track, were things resolved in their families, etc. Sometimes one of them will pop in my mind and I will say a prayer for them. One afternoon, God allowed me to see one of the kids that I had spent some time with in bible study, talking and praying with at detention. I walked into a Subway that I often visit to order lunch. When I looked up to place my order, my eyes met the eyes of the teen behind the counter. We looked at each other and he said, “I know you.” I said, “Oh yeah. How are you?” I did not want to say anything about the detention center. He said, “I’m doing good.” The smile on his face warmed my heart. He immediately began to share that, after he finished his time, he caught up on all of his classes and that he had been working at Subway for a week. He was beaming with pride. I responded, “I am so happy for you and I am very proud of you.” He continued to beam with pride in his bright green Subway hat and t-shirt. He shared that he was going back to school in August and that he would be a high school senior. I said, “That is wonderful!” He prepared my order, I paid him and he responded with a thank you. Later I went up to the counter and gave him my business card and told him to contact me if he ever needed help. He asked me my name and when I responded, Deborah Burris, he looked puzzled and said, “What did they call you?” I said, “You mean Chaplain Burris.” He said, “Yeah Chap, that’s what they called you.” and gave me another warm smile. I replied, “Keep doing good.” As I walked back to my table to enjoy my lunch, the owner asked me if I knew the teen. I responded, “Yes, I know him. He is a good kid. Thank you for hiring him.” The owner responded, “Yes he is a good kid.” I felt so blessed that God showed me that the seeds we sow to the kids in detention - encouragement, prayers, bible studies, games and time – will bear good fruit. —ECM Chaplain Deborah Burris
For the Life of the World
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NEW VENTURES IN COMMUNITY MINISTRY GRANT RECIPIENT
Safe S pace Cape
At the Red Door Jubilee Center, a ministry of Christ Episcopal Church in Cape Girardeau, a 2019 New Ventures grant is being used for three ministries: Safe Space Cape, PFLAG Cape Girardeau, and Lock It For Love. Safe Space Cape is a program created through Red Door Jubilee Center, for young people within the LGBTQ+ spectrum. The program is for pre-teens, teens, and young adults who identify with the community as well as those who support young persons’ right to live authentically and grow into their true selves. There is a need in Cape and the surrounding region to support young people who are left behind by their families, ostracized by their peers, and marginalized by the community as a whole. One of the things the young people needed the most was a place to feel at home. SSC began holding monthly events in April 2018 and moved to weekly meet-up sessions on Friday afternoons. At events, there are usually parents with their teens and other community members who have expressed that the program is something they feel is needed in the area. This
part of the grant was for Safe Space furnishings, games and other entertainment items like a wall mounted screen for TV, games, and movies. Before the makeover, the space was sterile and had furniture ill-suited for multiple uses. Now the rooms are welcoming and encourage interaction in a fun and inclusive environment. The viewing area includes a TV, DVD player (for movie days including the PRIDE MONTH MOVIE SERIES that they are currently in the midst of ) and a Wii that was donated. They now have a lending library filling up with LGBTQ+ themed books and films, most of which are geared toward teen readers and viewers. And, the Closet O Fun, where the board games and craft supplies are to be found, is the most popular area of Safe Space Cape. Many participants are creative types who appreciate the array of supplies available. And the community really enjoys playing games together. Safe Space Cape continues to grow. They've held dozens of sessions so far, providing the Cape Girardeau community with a new and different means for young people to interact.
The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri
And they've seen friendships grow through the program that would never have been without Safe Space Cape. Additional portions of the grant funding went to Lock It For Love to purchase additional gun locks for distribution, and to PFLAG Cape Girardeau to purchase materials for outreach. PFLAG meetings held in the parish hall. In January 2018, Christ Episcopal Church was commissioned by the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri as the Red Door Ministries Jubilee Center. To be granted the designation Christ Episcopal Church, its congregants and network, were required to display a ministry of joint discipleship in Christ. Jubilee Centers do much within the community "to meet basic human needs and to build a just society." It is in the spirit of the Gospel of Matthew that Jubilee Centers, including Red Door, strive to provide food for the hungry, drink for the thirsty, welcome for the stranger, clothing for the naked, healing for the sick, and companionship for the captive.
DIOCESEMO.ORG
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Cathedral to Cathedral A Bastille Day French Music Marathon to Benefit the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris
Sunday, July 14, 4:00 - 8:00 pm Distinguished organists from the St. Louis area will offer a concert of French organ music at Christ Church Cathedral, the Episcopal Cathedral in downtown St. Louis at 1210 Locust Street. A free-will offering will be taken and forwarded to assist the restoration of the Notre-Dame organ following the devastating fire of April 2019. This concert is sponsored by: Christ Church Cathedral Alliance Francaise AGO American Guild of Organists-Saint Louis Chapter
NEW VENTURES IN COMMUNITY MINISTRY GRANT RECIPIENT
A Relational Approach to Mission at St. Paul’s continued from back page And they're working to open the building to the community for additional addiction support, yoga, kids clubs and play groups, and to create a welcome and accessible meeting space for the community. Their space is now filled with movable couches and comfy chairs that make small group gatherings comfortable, and create a more familiar habitat for millennials and youth. "Rather than just being a place for meal ministries, we now have the versatility to host small group meetings, classes, and create a 'coffee shop' environment rather than only a cafeteria," said St. Paul's rector, the Rev. Rebecca Ragland. Learn more about this church at their website, carondeletchurch.org.
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Making Disciples
Building Congregations
Find grant guidelines and application for New Ventures in Community Ministry funding at: diocesemo.org/newventures Grant awards will range from a minimum of $2,500.00 to a maximum of $25,000.00 July 26, 2019 is the deadline for submitting abstracts to the diocesan offices. For the Life of the World
Whether you’re a person of faith or not, you’re invited to bring your bike into sacred space! Trinity Episcopal Church in the Central West End neighborhood of St. Louis offers a brief (yet powerful) blessing of the bikes inside the sanctuary at 8 am on Saturday, July 13, 2019. Directly after the blessing, ride either of two supported routes (25 miles and 40 miles) or choose an obstacle course (for kids 5 and under) that will teach the fundamentals of bicycle safety. If your child doesn't have a helmet or bicycle, there will some available to use during the obstacle course. Custom-designed ride t-shirts will be available for purchase, and there will be food (free of charge but donations appreciated) available at the church after both rides. The blessing and supported rides are free, but donations to Trinity Food Ministry will be accepted and greatly appreciated. Special thanks to co-sponsor: Mike's Bikes on Euclid Ave in the Central West End.
The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri
DIOCESEMO.ORG
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NEW VENTURES IN COMMUNITY MINISTRY GRANT RECIPIENT
A RElAtionAl ApproAch to Mission At St. PAUl’s
St Paul’s Episcopal Church (Carondelet) is located in the southern most part of St Louis City. Flanked on the west by Interstate Highway 55 and on the east by the Mississippi River, the building sits on a main neighborhood street. The construction of I-55 forever changed the culture of this neighborhood, the isolation led to the decline of a once-vibrant local business district, property values declined, and many of the original inhabitants moved away. A wave of new arrivals included immigrants and those looking for opportunity. St. Paul’s is strategically located, accessible to much of the neighborhood's population. They're also next to a bus stop and offer disability access within the building.
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Last November, the Diocese of Missouri awarded St. Paul’s a New Ventures in Community Ministry grant for a little over $11,000 to support relational ministries they've named, Outside-In. "We are trying to specifically widen our welcome to immigrants, those who rely on public transit, teenagers in the neighborhood, and those struggling with food insecurity," they wrote in the comprehensive abstract as part of the granting process. In Carondelet, more than 1/3 of parents are single parent households, 40% of all residents live alone. "It’s clear that we have tremendous capacity to utilize our space as a place of hospitality and community for those who are alone,
Making Disciples
Building Congregations
as well as those who have kids who need resources to share with them." St. Paul's engages with other neighborhood churches to avoid redundancy and strengthen ministry effectiveness. One of those, The Connection Church (United Methodist), now hosts their Monday evening community meals in the newly finished kitchen and parish hall. For three summers, St. Paul’s has been hosting a neighborhood BBQ that is attended by up to 100 people. It’s popularity and frequency strained the resources of our small parish and they pared back from twice monthly to once monthly community meals. But the BBQs are very popular and a way to "begin the conversation on what
For the Life of the World
we as a church can do to widen our support." Last year, the church installed a bench at the bus stop in front of the churchyard. That was welcomed with great enthusiasm by the neighbors and transit users. In both the BBQ and meeting folks at the bus stop, it became clear to St. Paul's that their ministry is best when based on relationship. Of the four new regular attendees at worship, three began attending through the bus-stop and BBQs. On Fridays, they’ve begun a playgroup for parents, and purchased toys and snacks to support that ministry. St. Paul's member Erin Hinkelman co-leads the group. continued on page 14
