Volume 3, Number 4 August/September 2010
Answering the Call: Leaders in Governance, Serving the Diocese In November our diocesan convention will take place this year in St. Charles. Preparations are year-round and the first mailing to delegates and parishes leaves this office in midAugust. In that packet is a call for nominations to diocesan governance bodies. Governance is a word that can stop a reader mid-sentence and, in severe cases, cause one’s eyes to cross. But the Episcopalians involved with Diocesan Council, Standing Committee, Cathedral Chapter, and General Convention have a different story to tell—one of engagement and unexpected spiritual growth.
Diocesan Council
together, when we are experiencing joys or sorrows in our lives, we take time to share those.” Danieley considers one of the best parts of council is getting to know her fellow members from around the diocese. “I like that we are prayerfully intentional, not gathered for just another business meeting.” According to our Constitution and Canons, Council prepares a yearly budget to present to convention, and oversees receipts and expenditures in the current budget as adopted by convention. “The budget is one of our biggest responsibilities,” said Glenn. Many council members are leaders in their own parish vestries and continue their stewardship of resources at the diocesan level.
Council members are both elected and appointed. Six lay members are elected by convention, one lay and one clerical member “It sounds dry as We had to look deep into our are elected to reprecan be, but riding herd sent each convocation souls, and look at our steward- on the budget, not only (regional grouping ship. Everything comes from in terms of programs of parishes), and the God and we have to be giving it and amounts, but also bishop appoints three the process timetable back. —Pat Glenn at-large members, has been a positive exsubject to ratification perience,” said Claudia by elected members. Svoboda, council member and parishio“Council members are a diverse group, bringing many individual talents and expertise,” said council member the Rev. Pat Glenn, rector of Calvary, Louisiana. “Our differing viewpoints make for a strong body.” “We’re really careful about how we make decisions together,” continued council member the Rev. Teresa Danieley, rector of St. John’s, St. Louis. “We do it in a very positive way: we worship together, we pray
ner at Advent-Crestwood. Svoboda was instrumental is getting the budgeting process moved up in the year. “It’s now based on reality.” Glenn has been struck by how council members have pulled together during the past years of economic downturn. “We had to look deep into our souls, look at our stewardship,” she continued. “Everything comes from God and we have to be giving it back.” Council meets six times a
If someone wants to know about the nuts-and-bolts of the diocese, they should run for council. It’s like being on the Vestry of the diocese.—Teresa Danieley year at locations around the diocese. Sub-committees tend to do their work mostly by conference call and email. The council plans, develops, and reviews the programs of the diocese, and reports on them to convention. A beloved feature of convention is the series of “vignettes” which tell the story of congregations finding God’s mission in the world. Council determines the funding of community ministry and building assistance grants. “If someone wants to know about the nuts-and-bolts of the diocese, they should run for council,” said Danieley. “It’s like being on the Vestry of the diocese.” One project of council is working on better relationships between individual parishes and the diocese. “It’s the realization that the diocese is actually ‘us.’ Coming from a small parish, we may understand more directly the benefits of our relationship with one other,” continued Glenn. “Our council mission is to take that message of relationship to all of our congregations.” “It makes no dif“It’s the realization ference if you are a delegate or member of that the diocese is council or any govern- actually ‘us.’ Our ing body, when you council mission is to participate you have take that message of a better sense of the relationship to all of scope of our diocese,” our congregations.” said Danieley. “We’re members of a larger —Pat Glenn body, beyond our individual parishes. When we pray, worship, and share with one another, we come closer to recognizing that together we are the body of Christ.”
Standing Committee The Standing Committee is the bishop’s council of advice. Six clergy and six lay members are elected by convention for staggered terms of three years. In the event of a bishop being incapacitated or leaving his post, the Standing Committee of the diocese is then the ecclesiastical authority. When a bishop is elected by a diocese, a majority of all the Standing Committees of dioceses in The Episcopal Church must consent to that election (in addition to a majority of bishops) for the bishop-elect to be consecrated. Standing Committee meets monthly, except when there are no official acts or agenda items. Most former members admit meetings were a bit perfunctory until recently
Answering the Call...cont’d. when the committee took over the visioning work of the design team (an ad hoc group of lay and clergy facilitated by the bishop and consultant David Manting).
How do we look at our institutions with fresh eyes? How do we encourage lay leadership? —Jane Klieve
“Several years ago, when many of the business responsibilities of the diocese shifted to Diocesan Council (when Council became COEDMO, the corporation of the diocese), Standing Committee struggled with its mission,” said committee president Jane Klieve, parishioner at St. Martin’s-Ellisville. “Incorporating the design work gives us a new sense of mission and an opportunity for real collaboration. How do we look at our institutions with fresh eyes? How do we encourage lay leadership?”
The 171st annual meeting of the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Missouri will take place November 19-20, 2010, in St. Charles, Missouri. Elected at this convention will be Diocesan Council: 2 at-large members, clergy or lay Standing Committee: 3 members, this year 1 cleric and 2 lay Cathedral Chapter: 1 cleric and 1 lay member General Convention: 8 clergy (4 deputies, 4 alternates) and 8 lay members (4 deputies, 4 alternates) Follow progress towards the 171st convention at diocesemo.org (under the tab Governance). All mailings are posted, in addition to the booklet that convention delegates will receive at the meeting containing resolutions and nominations as presented in advance. (Both nominations and resolutions are accepted from the floor of the convention.) Next issue of Seek will explore resolutions and describe in more detail ways diocesan members not in St. Charles will be able to follow.
stuff because of the foundational conversations we’ve had as a group.”
Standing Committee interviews candidates for Holy Orders, one of the last steps in their discernment process, Reiser was surprised at a recent interview. “I expected something more mechanical, but it was like having the best conversation with a dear friend “Without a vision, people perish,” about something that is really imporcontributed the Rev. Doris Westfall, tant to you. After the interview was rector of St. Matthew’s, Warson Woods. over, I felt I had a glimpse not only Westfall is a committee member, was on into who these candidates were, but the design team, and did visioning work into my own spirituality. I’d never at the agency she left to attend semiexperienced a ‘meeting’ where 12 nary. “We have a great opportunity for people could share at imagination, this level. I didn’t expect Ephesians 3:20 tells us: Glory to but it’s also easy to get back so much and God whose power, working in us, to get comcan do infinitely more than we can in such a short time.” fortable and stagnate. And “It’s clear that evask or imagine. I’m not sure a lot that’s a death erybody can be a leader of us believe it. My biggest chalknell—moving on the committee,” said lenge wherever I am as a priest, forward is Klieve, “from any seat always the chal- as a committee member—maybe in the room. Our work our biggest challenge— is to truly lenge.” together is built on a believe in that power and to claim it sense of trust and faith, Newand a sense of commitfor change. —Doris Westfall est member ment. As people become Michael Reiser, grounded in this comparishioner at Christ Church Cathedral, mon work they feel it is more of a callwas appointed to fill an unexpired term. ing than just an elected position. And “I came in at a great time. It is exciting as our church struggles to be relevant to imagine what we want our diocese, in today’s world, I think that’s good for our church, to become.” Reiser is happy us.” with the balance of what-if visioning applied through a practical how-can-we“There is a conversation going get-there lens. on in our church right now about our polity,” said Westfall, “how do Standing Committee is proud of its we keep the authority of bishops, of diversity—in gender, age, ethnicity, geclergy, and how do we empower the ography, and also diversity of opinion. authority of the laity. We’re walk“We want to be a body, but we want to ing in the tension of top-down versus do it in a way that is constructive and bottom-up, and we’re just beginning supportive of the individuals involved,” to figure out how to do that. It is an said Klieve. Her skills as a leadership exciting time, for some watching the development consultant helped Standchurch they grew up in change, it is a ing Committee work on their organiscary time.” zational process. “It’s a transformation we’ve made, working on understanding Westfall quoted a passage from our process so we are better at our comEphesians 3:20: Glory to God whose mon work together.” power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. “I’m Several members of the committee not sure a lot of us believe it. My noted that this was greatly in evidence biggest challenge wherever I am as a during their discussions before voting priest, as a committee member—mayconsent of (then) bishop-elect Mary be our biggest challenge— is to truly Glasspool from the Diocese of Los believe in that power and to claim it Angeles. Their conversations were very for change.” intense and some felt it was an agonizing decision. One member commented that sharing the personal struggle over the decision was difficult, only possible because of the deep respect and love that members of the committee have for one another and for the communion. “We were engaging in raw, authentic dialogue, and it was tough,” said Klieve. “We could navigate the tough
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Cathedral Chapter and General Convention Delegates Diocesan convention will also elect one clergy and one lay member of the diocese who are not parish members to serve on the cathedral’s vestry, called Cathedral Chapter. Terms are three years, so there are six diocesan members on chapter. Our Constitution and Canons are specific about the details; two of the clergy and two of the lay members must be from parishes inside the city or county of St. Louis, and the other clergy and lay member from a parish outside the city or county. The “big” election this year, the one which will have many nominees, is the election of Missouri diocese’s deputation to the General Convention. Diocesan convention will elect 8 clergy (4 deputies and 4 alternates) and 8 lay members (4 deputies and 4 alternates). Our church’s national meeting is scheduled for every three years, the next one will be in the summer of 2012 in Indianapolis. As so much of the bicameral governance mirrors our own country’s democratic institutions of House of Representatives and Senate, it is sometimes easy to forget that unlike our representatives in Congress, members of the deputation are called to prayerful discernment. It’s why we refer to our “deputation” instead of our delegation. We believe that we intentionally create a space for the Holy Spirit to work on the floor of General Convention. Are you called to lead this diocese, through service on any of our governance bodies? Please prayerfully consider this: the diocese is made up of you and me. Nomination forms and additional information are available on our website: diocesemo.org.
Many thanks to all of the Standing Committee, Diocesan Council, Chapter, and General Convention Deputies who took time to talk about their experiences, especially all of the ones not included in this article.
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Just Visiting This month I’ve had an almost unprecedented stretch of three Sundays in a row without liturgical obligations at my parish: no singing, no reading, no preaching. That’s given me an opportunity to experience other services and other churches. One morning, with a long list of chores to accomplish, I decided to catch an early service that would give me more of the day. I arrived about five minutes before the hour and sat at the end of an empty pew, one of several available, near the front of the church. A couple of minutes later, a woman came in from the far aisle, looked at me a little bit askance, then sat a couple of seats over from me. A minute after that, another one came in, this time from the center aisle. “Excuse me,” she said, with a touch of frost in her voice, “may I get in here?” As I rose to let her in, I realized that I’d committed the essential faux pas of church visiting: the sin of sitting, innocently but still
by Sarah Bryan Miller guilty, in someone’s Regular Pew. I debated shifting to one of the other nearby pews that still sat empty near us. But would that look as though I didn’t want to sit with them? What is the proper church etiquette in these situations? I stayed put. I stayed put, but there was an undertone of discontent vibrating faintly in our pew through the service: My presence in their usual spot disrupted their Sunday routine. We are territorial creatures, and creatures of habit. When I’m not in the choir, I like to sit on the aisle near the front, on what is traditionally known as the “Epistle Side.” I do it because my mother always sat there. My mother always sat there because her mother and grandparents always sat there; they sat there because that was the location of the family pew generations ago, in the days when pew rentals were a major source of parish support. Who knows how long my ladies have held down their particular spots? On reflection, I should
have smiled brightly and said, “Oh, is this your regular pew? I’m sorry – let me move!” As it is, it’s a gentle reminder to me of Biblical injunctions, from Genesis through the Gospels, of the requirement of hospitality: “For I was a stranger, and you took me in,” says Jesus in Matthew 25. My brief discomfort is something to keep in mind the next time I’m the one confronting another in a spot I consider my own, and to welcome everyone I meet. © 2010, Sarah Bryan Miller, All Rights Reserved
Sarah Bryan Miller is a graduate of the Episcopal School for Ministry, a licensed lay preacher in the Diocese of Missouri, and a parishioner at St. Peter’s, Ladue. In addition to her work for St. Louis Post Dispatch as classical music critic, she is the editor and chief writer for Grace Prayer Network (www.graceprayernet.org), where this meditation was originally published on July 19, 2010. Miller is a frequent contributor to Forward Movement publications, including the upcoming 2011 daybook Finding God Day by Day.
Training Lay Leaders for Pastoral Care: the Community of Hope new session begins Sept 11 Community of Hope trains and supports lay people for pastoral ministry within and beyond their congregations. Lay chaplains are taught to be present, open and attentive, to their care receivers, to ‘listen with the ear of the heart’ in a compassionate, non-controlling manner to an individual or group for the purpose of nurturing their spiritual needs, helping them identify the presence of God, and bringing comfort and healing to those in need. To sustain themselves in ministry after their initial training, lay chaplains commit to a rule of life based on the monastic Rule of St. Benedict. This spiritual discipline includes daily reading and prayer, weekly worship, monthly Circle of Care meetings for debriefing and accountability in their ministries, and four half- or whole-day retreats yearly. After training and commissioning, lay pastoral caregivers select a community in which to offer a pastoral care ministry. The setting might be parish outreach to homebound or hospitalized members; or regular visits to a nursing home, prison, medical or hospice setting; or to a site serving those in need such as the homeless or abused. Lay chaplains continue to be nurtured in an ongoing community that meets each month; the Circle of Care is part debriefing, part continuing education, part prayer and fellowship. Having several diocesan centers and Circles of Care gives CoH chaplains more opportunity for ongoing sharing and support. Grace, Kirkwood is now the third accredited Community of Hope center in the diocese, in addition to the Church of St.
Michael and St. George-Clayton and Christ Church Cathedral. The training this fall will be held at Grace and requires a commitment on Monday evenings from Sept. 13th through Nov. 15th, several Saturdays, and Sunday, Nov. 21st. Session topics include:
• Spiritual Gifts • Theology of Pastoral Care • Benedictine Spirituality • Listening Skills • Prayer, Christian Meditation, Silence • Pastoral Visit, Boundaries, Pastoral Identity • Confidentiality, Debriefing • Grief, Coping with Loss • Pastoral Care • Family Systems • Commitment to Ministry
Sessions are led by a variety of experienced pastoral caregivers, mostly hospital chaplains, clergy, and therapists. There are two Saturday practice sessions (Oct. 23, Nov. 6), and an opening Saturday retreat on “Motivational Spiritual Gifts, and Introduction to The Community of Hope,” led by Bishop Wayne Smith and members of the diocesan CoH community (Sept. 11).
Community of Hope pastoral care training at Grace is open to members of the diocese and members of other Christian denominations. Team members of the Community of Hope’s newest center at Grace are: Miriam Jenkins, Training Facilitator; Gretchen Logue, Shepherd/Administrative Head; Nancy Ferriss, Circle of Care Coordinator; the Rev. Emily Hillquist Davis, Pastoral Care Administrator; and the Rev. Todd McDowell, Abbot. Additional Steering Committee members are Mike Bohannon, Mary Forsythe, John Pestka, and Bill VanLuven. For more information about the training at Grace, contact the Rev. Emily Hillquist Davis, emily.davis@gracekirkwood.org.
Seek is published six times a year by the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri. Executive Editor: The Rt. Rev. Wayne Smith, Bishop of Missouri Editor: Ms. Beth Felice Editorial Board: the Rev. Teresa K. M. Danieley, St. John’s, St. Louis; Mr. Jerry Martin, St. Louis; Mrs. Susan Moenkhaus, St. Louis; the Rev. Jason Samuel, Transfiguration, Lake St. Louis; the Rev. Beverly Van Horne, Trinity, Jefferson County; the Rev. Dan Smith, Canon to the Ordinary, Diocese of Missouri. Vol. 3, No. 4, August/September 2010
Episcopal Diocese of Missouri Offices of the Bishop 1210 Locust St, 3rd floor St. Louis, Missouri 63103 314-231-1220
Diocesan members may request a complimentary subscription by mail; send address to the Offices of the Bishop, attn. Seek subscription. Seek is distributed to each parish, mission, and preaching station in the diocese. Seek is available online at diocesemo.org. Submissions by post, attn. Beth Felice, or by email to bfelice@diocesemo.org. Except for contributed articles and images labeled ©, this work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 License.
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Our Response to Long-Term Unemployment The federal government defines “long-term unemployment” as a jobless period of six months or longer. In March, 2010, over 44 % of unemployed Americans met or exceeded that standard— the highest rate since World War II. April 5, 2010, the Pew Charitable Trusts issued findings from a fiscal analysis initiative that calculates the percentage of people unemployed for a year or more: 23%, or about 3.5 million. (For reference, State of Missouri population is around 6 million.)
Map of June 2010 Unemployment Rate by County in the Diocese of Missouri
Published with permission of the Research Division of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. geofred.stlouisfed.org
The Rev. Steve Lawler, rector at St. Steare reticent to say: I need help, I’m in phen’s Episcopal Church in Ferguson and trouble. “Folks with next to nothing are an organizational psychologist, has been asking the question for months now: What more used to asking for help,” said Lawler. “They know when their life is red-linis our church’s When you’ve always provided for response to What is our church’s ing. yourself and your family, you’re more the long-term response to this apt to think that with your education unemployment and experience, the system is set up to crisis? How do we crisis? “We’ve take care of you—that tomorrow you’ll never seen a pray about this? What get ‘the call’.” time like this,” are the resources we said Lawler. “Our cultural myth is all about the “This trend cuts have as Christians? individual, but maybe this time calls across every Christians to give up the idea of self industry and ocreliance. This poses cupation.” It affects management and line interesting questions worker, those with multiple degrees and for us: how do we those with G.E.D.s. Even more stunning, think about how we 55% of all adults in the workforce report live in and relate to our that in the past 30 months they have been community? and what unemployed, taken a cut in pay or reducdoes it look like when tion in hours, or become an involuntary Christians swing into part-time worker. More than half of us. action to join God’s St. Louis has a lot of networking mission in creation?” groups, a lot of resume writing and jobLawler thinks much of skills polishing groups, but Lawler is inter- this centers on creating ested in resources that focus on the spirisharing networks, in tual life in this time. “How developing do we pray about this? What ways of beThis is a time are the resources we have as ing generof opening our Christians?” ous with connections. “We are the Body hearts, to know David Boudinet, paOne of our greatest rishioner at the Episcopal who is God, and together. Christian resources is not only Church of St. Michael and St. who am I. the gift of one another, but the George in Clayton, has been responsibility to live relationworking on church response ally in community.” from the lay perspective. “We know that people find jobs through networking,” said This past Lent, Lawler and Boudinet Boudinet, “so perhaps one response would organized a weekly group using scripture be intentional networking, and it seems and prayer to open and guide the sharing the parish would be an ideal place for conversation. These sessions created a safe this.” Boudinet helped design a networkspace to talk about the balancing act with ing group at CSMSG which incorporated a family and friends, a place for raw honesty. pastoral visit with assistant rector the Rev. “There is some grieving loss of the illusion Michael Wheeler, and a “case manager” of self-reliance, of not being able to proof sorts from the group to shepherd the vide ‘the right stuff’ in the same ways,” said networking process. Lawler. Boudinet main“Networking isn’t always tains this conversation Networking isn’t always about finding a job,” said should be going on Boudinet. “Sometimes it is about finding a job. in the parish. “We just meeting people or maybe Episcopalians tend even just getting out of the towards politeness; we avoid details about house.” It’s not uncommon in long-term our jobs, our family situations,” continued unemployment that people become houseBoudinet. “We might not even know who bound, the expense of driving is a luxury to in the parish is in a difficult situation.” be reserved for interviews. “Don’t be afraid People who have always been self-reliant to ask ‘How are you doing?’ Consider
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being proactive and instead of waiting for fellow parishioners who are unemployed to ask you for a favor, start the conversation. Invite them out to lunch or coffee and bring along a co-worker or someone they might not know,” continued Boudinet. We want to fix a situation. Many of our unemployed colleagues have experience and skills, We have to bring this they’ve run sense of mission home, successwe have to reach out ful businesses, had to those in need, even impressive if they are sitting in the careers— there’s not a adjacent pew fast fix possible. “We have to bring this sense of mission home, we have to reach out to those in need, even if they are sitting in the adjacent pew,” said Boudinet. Lawler is interested in how we as a church provide the invitation and the response to this conversation. “Those of us who speak regularly have to include the topic in our conversations because it’s not currently ‘out there’ – and not by making a public policy comment, but by making it personal. Those of us with a privileged voice need to attend to this, create a nurturing space for people in this time, and provide spiritual resources. This is a time of opening our hearts to know who is God and who am I? As Episcopalians, we have to preach the reality.”
This article (and others in Seek) will be posted on the diocesan website, with comments enabled. Please join the conversation and share what your parish is doing to respond to this cultural change. Look online for hyperlinks to more resources, and an additional way to get in touch with David Boudinet and Steve Lawler. More information on unemployment statistics and analysis found at: •GeoFRED, Geographic Federal Reserve Economic Data Economic Research from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis http://geofred.stlouisfed.org •The Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan “fact tank” that provides information on the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. It does so by conducting public opinion polling and social science research; by analyzing news coverage; and by holding forums and briefings. It does not take positions on policy issues. http://pewresearch.org Resources in St. Louis: •lawler.org •St. Patrick’s GO! network •Bounceback St. Louis
Trauma and Drama? Or Love, Joy, and Peace? Culture is good, genius is brilliant, civilizaciviliza tion is a blessing, education is a great privilege; still the thing that we want most of all is the precious gift of the Holy Ghost. —John Hall, Irish clergyman, 1829-1889 Years ago, 39 to be exact, I was homeless. Being homeless at 16, well to put it mildly, is not optimal. Friends’ parked cars were my best bet for sleeping in something other than a park. Still there was a particular piece of playground equipment in one of the parks that had a platform built up a few steps that provided a covered area underneath. I would get in under that platform and with good use of spare clothes and a big coat, make a little sleeping compartment, kind of like on a train. In the morning I would get up, go to school, shower and try to make my way through classes until lunch so I could eat. I worked part-time at a Ground Round so dinner was covered most nights. But that stretch between when I woke up and when free lunch was available at school was the hardest part of the day. (Those of you who have raised a teenager or remember your own teen years probably know what I mean.) I must have been talking about this with a friend because this friend, Nancy Osborn, told me one day that her youth minister wanted to meet me and that he might be able to help me out. Thinking with my stomach I thought, “Great, maybe
I’ll get some cash for food!” I did get the cash and he took our conversation with him to a leaders’ meeting for a local Young Life group to include in their time of sharing and prayer. Nancy told me the following week that he wanted to see me again, so off I went. “Some people want to meet you. They have space in their home and can offer you a place to live.” That was the message. Those people became my foster family and I got back to living indoors. That was the first time I really “got” the Holy Ghost. As a friend’s father, a Pentecostal bishop said to me later, “You were living a life of all sin and no redemption, all confession and no conversion, all crucifixion and no Resurrection.” I was all about drama and trauma. My foster parents were all about giving me a place of love and peace. There are lots of other stories, even now. Yours may be about aging, family struggles, or ill health. Lately mine have been about the effects of the economic downturn on my business and people taking swipes at me, one another, the bishop, people who do not behave the way the assume they should, and… Life challenges are draining until I again get (because I so often forget)
by Steven Lawler
that God is God. And that through the Holy Ghost, God brings the fruit listed in Galatians 5:22-23: “…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” So the story we live is simply a matter of which version of the story we are open to telling. Which means that every day, I have to ask myself: Trauma and drama, or love, joy, and peace? Whose story am I going to tell?
© 2010, Steve Lawler, All Rights Reserved. This article was originally published in St. Stephen’s newsletter, Parish Life, June 2010.
Steve Lawler works as an Episcopal priest, Rector of St Stephens and Facilitator of The Vine, as an organizational psychologist at Opinions Incorporated, and as an Adjunct Professor of Leadership and Organization Development at Washington University in St Louis. Lawler holds graduate degrees from Yale University, the Olin School of Business at Washington University and is completing his PhD work in Organizational Psychology from Tilburg University in the Netherlands. You can contact him at swl@lawler.org.
Praying the Eucharist: A Contemplative Workshop The Eucharist is the Saturday, September 25 central act of worship 8:30 AM registration for the Christian com9:00 AM-3 PM conference munity. It is the heart Christ Church Cathedral of Christian practice and $20 fee includes lunch the soul of Christian living. Learning to pray the Eucharist, then, becomes RSVP for conference: the primary means of to Dan Handschy, Christian formation for advent-episcopal@sbcglobal.net every person and provides or 314-843-0123, a regular opportunity for by Fri., Sept 17. contemplative practice in a community setting.
Louis. Cost of the workshop is $20 (bring a check on the day of the workshop). Lunch is included. Please reserve your place in the workshop or need for childcare by September 17th. Child care will include activities for older kids, too.
Some diocesan members know Valan Valantasis from his service in Missouri: Adventers when he filled in for Handschy during the rector’s trips back to Massachusetts to sell his house; Trinity-Central West Enders when he worshipped and preached there in the nineties; and those who took his courses at local universities.
Congregations Valantasis is a well-known spiritual direcare encouraged to tor and academic. Raised and immersed in send a team (such as the Greek Orthodox liturgical, theological, a worship commitand contemplative tradition, Valantasis has conducted retreats and workshops for clergy tee) to the workshop. and lay people throughout the United States. Opportunity will be RSVP for child care: As an ordained Episcopal priest for over On Saturday, Sepgiven throughout the thirty-five years, he has ministered in a small to Mike Kinman, th tember 25 from 9:00– day for teams to meet urban parish that needed to grow in order to mkinman@gmail.com, 3:00, presenters the Rev. and discuss what they survive; to large urban parishes with significant by Fri., Sept. 17. outreach ministries; as chaplain to a religious Richard Valantasis and are learning and how order of women monks seeking to develop Doug Bleyle will lead this this might be intetheir contemplative life while performing active workshop, sponsored by Christ Church grated into their congregation’s ministry; as spiritual director to clergy and Cathedral and Church of the Advent. Valworship. laity exploring the riches of Eastern Christian Richard Valantasis antasis and Bleyle codirect the Institute for theology and practice for their personal and Adventers and the most rePhoto: Gary Isaacs ministerial lives; and as director of a spiritual Contemplative Living in Santa Fe, New cent missioners to Lui, Sudan, and ministerial formation for ordination candiMexico. dates at Candler School of Theology of Emory have some familiarity with this University. His ministry has focused on adult Praying the Eucharist is a day-long contemplative, reflective apeducation programs in parishes, diocesan engagement with the Eucharist. Each part proach to the Eucharist. Advent clergy retreats, workshops for lay leaders of of the Eucharist will be presented with has be doing “Not Church congregations, and parish retreat weekends. contemplative means of praying through it: As Usual” this past year using Bleyle holds a degree from Metropolitan State gathering, hearing the Scriptures, interthis same reflection model that College in Denver in anthropology and the hiscessing, confessing, making peace, offering, Handschy took as Chaplain on tory of the American West with a focus on Naconnecting with the history of salvation the most recent diocesan mistive American history. He also holds an M.Div. from creation to today, receiving, and dission trip to Lui, Sudan. It’s a from Iliff School of Theology and a Th.M. from Candler School of Theology at Emory Univercovering ministry in the world. way of asking What is the Life of sity, where he pursued the academic study Christ? here, and in this situaThe goal of the workshop is to equip of asceticism and contemplative practices. tion. Advent’s Vestry uses this His teaching and research focuses on the participants in the Eucharist and worshipmodel in their meetings. contemplative practices in various religious Doug Bleyle ing communities to pray the liturgy consystems of Late Antiquity, Eastern Christianity, Photo: Raymond Raney templatively. The worship will present Valantasis was Handschy’s and Methodist studies. A Postulant to holy varied contemplative practices associated first teacher at divinity school, orders in the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of the Rio Grande, Bleyle has a special vocation to minister to Nawith public worship and provide an opporand their friendship has grown over the tive American peoples and to assist Native American Christians to tunity for learning them in the context of years. “He and I developed the model of bridge native and adopted traditions. He is the coauthor of “The the workshop. reflection I use,” noted Handschy. “He is Gospels and Christian Life in History and Practice” and currently is both a top rate scholar and a man of deep coauthor on “Centuries of Contemplation” a book project with the The workshop will be held at Christ Associates of the ICL. spirituality.” Church Cathedral, 1210 Locust in St. Making Disciples • Building Congregations • For the Life of the World
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Center for Spirituality Offers Two Opportunities to Experience Lectio Divina St. Timothy’s, Creve Coeur September 1-29, Wednesday midday Emmanuel, Webster Groves September 2-30, Thursday evenings There are many ways to read the Bible. One is to engage in Bible Study, but another is to pray the scriptures. The ancient practice of praying the scriptures is reading God’s word more with our heart than our head. Lectio divina, literally holy reading, begins with cultivating the ability to listen deeply, to hear “with the ear of our hearts” the words of Holy Scripture. In this contemplative way we can discover an increasing ability to offer more of ourselves and our lives to God. Using the readings for the coming Sunday, the Rev. Susan Skinner will
facilitate two groups in the practice of lectio divina for five sessions during September. One group will meet on Wednesday mornings from 11:00 AM to Noon at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, 808 North Mason Road in Creve Coeur, beginning September 1 through September 29. A second group will meet at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 9 South Bompart in Webster Groves, on Thursday evenings from 5:30–6:30 p.m. beginning September 2 through September 30. A $10 registration fee covers the cost of materials and may be brought to the first session. For further information or to register email scskinner@charter.net.
Bishop Smith’s Visitations Sunday, August 8 All Saints’ Church, St. Louis Sunday, August 15 St. Matthew’s Church, Warson Woods Sunday, August 22 St. Alban’s Church, Fulton Sunday, August 29 Christ Church Cathedral, St. Louis Sunday, September 12 St. Francis’ Church, Eureka Sunday, September 26 Christ Church, Rolla Sunday, October 3 St. John’s Church, Eolia Sunday, October 17 Calvary Church, Louisiana Sunday, October 24 St. Vincent’s-in-the-Vineyard, Ste. Genevieve Sunday, October 31 St. John’s Church, Eolia
Selected Upcoming Events
The Peace Meal Project at St. John’s, Tower Grove, every Saturday. Serving from 4-6 p.m. To sign up as a volunteer, please contact Scott Splater at ssplater@yahoo.com or 314-497-1050.
Sat, Aug 14 (and most Saturdays)
Tue, Aug 17, 11 AM – 2 PM (Third Tuesdays) Church of the Transfiguration: community wide FREE Senior Event and Lunch at the church, 1860 Lake St. Louis Boulevard, Lake St. Louis. Seniors (age 55 and up) from around the area are invited to enjoy a relaxed environment. At noon, a free lunch is served to all in attendance. For more information, call 636-561-8951. Tue, Aug 24, 3:30 PM - 6:30 PM Standing Committee, St. Martin’s, Ellisville Wed, Aug 25, 6:30 PM Celebration of New Ministry, St. Martin’s, Ellisville, Jon Hall, Rector. 15764 Clayton Road, Ellisville, MO 63011, ph 636-227-1484, www. stmartinschurch.org.
Celebration of New Ministry The Right Reverend George Wayne Smith, Tenth Bishop of Missouri, with the Wardens, Vestry, and People of Saint Martin's Parish in Ellisville Invite you to join in the Celebration of New Ministry with the Reverend Jon W. Hall as the Third Rector August 25, 2010 6:30 PM St. Martin's Episcopal Church 15764 Clayton Rd Ellisville, MO Clergy: White Stoles A Louisiana style reception with live music and dancing will follow the service.
Thu, Sep 9 Submission deadline for Oct-Nov issue of Seek. Submissions to Beth
Felice, bfelice@diocesemo.org, 314-255-1387
Fri, Sep 10 Women’s Weekend retreat in New Harmony, Indiana Sat, Sep 11 Community of Hope (opening retreat) Sat, Sep 11 Christ Episcopal Church, Cape Girardeau, trivia contest. Fri-Sat, Sep 17-18
Diocesan Council meeting
Fri, Sep 17, 6:15 PM Transfiguration’s Trivia Night at the O’Fallon Elks Lodge,
1163 Tom Ginnever Ave. Registrations can be made by email or calling Bill or Kerri Robertson 636-294-7003 or bkjarobertson@charter.net.
Sat, Sep 18 Metro IV Convocation meeting, Christ Church, Rolla Sun, Sep 19 Compline-Trinity, CWE, holds a monthly Compline service on the third Sunday of each month beginning at 7:00 p.m. Compline is a brief but beautiful service with ancient roots. Enjoy 20 to 30 minutes of music, scripture, poetry, prayers and silence. Mon, Sep 27 ESM Book Club Online. For an invitation by email contact Fr. Rod
Wiltse, wiltse@charter.net. September: The Liturgical Year by Joan Chittister.
Sep 28-30 Clergy Conference Tue, Sep 28, 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM Standing Committee, St. Martin’s, Ellisville Sat, Oct 16 Diocesan Council meeting Sun, Oct 17 St. Mark’s Fall Festival-Portland MO. Afternoon Holy Eucharist and Hayride (with Live Music) Special Guests: Members and clergy of other West Convocation Episcopal churches Fri-Sat, Oct 22-23 Diocese of Missouri ECW Annual Mtg and Conference; Grace,
Kirkwood
Complete information and more events listed online at http://diocesemo.org/calendar
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Seek
August/September 2010
The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri
This Labor Day Sunday
Walk, Bike, Carpool, or take the Bus to Church Sustain a Faith encourages parishes and missions in the diocese on Sunday, September 5th, to help protect God’s Creation by using a non-polluting or less-fuelconsuming way to travel to church. “We’re inviting parishioners across the diocese to walk or bike, to carpool, or to take the bus to Sunday services,” said Sustain a Faith member Kay Faddis. The committee offers some suggestions for participating parishes: encourage casual dress for the church service; offer refreshments upon arrival; acknowledge participants in church, count the number of participants, and offer pledge cards for those who might want to challenge themselves to walk, bike... more times during the year. Sustain a Faith would love to know if your parish will participate. Please send an email to Kay: kayfaddis@ msn.com.
A Day at Camp Phoenix “Weather update,” crackled the voice on the walkie-talkie. The chance of storms prompted frequent weather reports and reminders of storm protocols from Camp Phoenix director the Rev. Emily Bloemker to her counselors and counselors-in-training (CIT). But the rain held and activities on the last full Friday of camp continued on schedule. Campers gather together for “slab,” a team building time of fellowship, song, and lightheartedness before each mealtime. The dining room was filled to about capacity. The Very Rev. Ron Clingenpeel, director of external camp operations, said the current number of campers is just about right; many other camps using these facilities split mealtime into two shifts. The breakfast tables were a-buzz with news of the “eagles.” Each cabin of girls or boys and their counselors travel as a group through the day’s activities and are named: sparrows, finches, robins, blackbirds, owls, and eagles (from youngest to oldest). Thursday night the eagles separated from the group for special activities; they rode horses on an extended trail, set up camp in tents, cooked campfire meals, and enjoyed their own hayride. On Friday morning they took a special excursion. Breakfast conversation was full of speculation about the details, and the eagles’ return anticipated. Adding to the excitement was word the bishop, the Rt. Rev. Wayne
Smith, would arrive this day, spend the night, and preside at Saturday’s closing Eucharist. Morning schedule includes a spiritual activity with the Rev. Robert Ard, camp chaplain. Ard is the newly called Deacon-in-charge at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Carondelet. He has the younger and older group work the same activity, in two groups. Friday’s scripture source was Genesis and topic was stewardship of God’s creation. Each cabin worked together to create banners addressing one aspect, then shared in a group presentation, with plenty of time for conversation around the topic. Friday morning’s schedule also included horseback riding, archery, kickball, crafts, and swimming at the “beach.” An informal survey of campers revealed favorite activities were archery, riding, slab, crafts, swimming every day, and campfire. Everyone from the senior and fulltime Dubois Center staff to the counselors and CITs commented on how smoothly this camp was running. Kevin Williams, senior camp director and director of formation at Emmanuel, passed along a Dubois staff report: even on Thursday, the traditional if-it-can-happen-it-will day, her trip up to mealtime revealed a room full of happy faces and laughter—exactly how it is supposed to sound! “Camp’s run smoothly because of the diligent work of the staff and counselors this year,” Williams added. The staff member coming the farthest distance was Mary Ann Lynn, who directed the arts and crafts program. She’d traveled from the Diocese of Bethlehem (PA), where she is parishioner, choir member, and superintendent of church school staff at the Cathedral Church of the Nativity. Additionally, Lynn brought several camp songs from DioBeth’s camp tradition. The Phoenix campers discovered one could be sung in a round—a new tradition to pass back east. After lunch, the Bishop arrived and director Bloemker said, “I have an announcement.” At camp, each utterance of the word “announcement” is greeted with a sung reply: Announcements, announcements, announcements! A terrible way to die, a terrible way to die! Announcements, announcements, announcements, Huh! Bishop Wayne visited the staff meeting, the counselor meeting, then planned on spending time with the groups as they went through the last afternoon of activities. Friday night was skit night, followed by the last campfire. On Saturday morning, after a few raindrops, parents and campers attended the closing Eucharist, and said good-bye to Camp Phoenix until next July. Adults: While you may not wish to sing the “announcements” song out loud at your next interminable business meeting, thinking it might bring a smile. Ask a returning camper or counselor to teach you the tune. Photos: Announcements; talk of the eagles; senior staff and weather updates; spiritual activity with older campers; younger campers listening to scripture; swimming.
Making Disciples • Building Congregations • For the Life of the World
Seek
Photos: Choosing your horse to ride; the younger groups off to the trail; on to the next activity; slab; the bishop arrives and is serenaded.
Camp Phoenix draws participants from Episcopal parishes around the diocese and wider. This year’s campers included: Advent-Crestwood(2) All Saints'-St. Louis (8) Ascension-Northwoods(3) Christ Church Cathedral-St. Louis(8) Christ Church-Cape G (5) Emmanuel-Webster Groves (4) Grace-Jeff City (2) Grace-Kirkwood (5) Holy Communion-University City (6) St. Barnabas’-Florissant (1) St. Francis’-Eureka (1) St. Martin’s-Ellisville (2) St. Paul’s-Ironton (1) St. Paul’s-Sikeston (1) St. Peter’s-Ladue (2) St. Stephen's-Ferguson (3) St. Timothy’s-Creve Coeur (3) Transfiguration-Lake St. Louis (10) Trinity-Jeff County (1) No affiliation (2) Washington DC (2) August/September 2010
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Christ Church Cathedral, St. Louis • All Saints’, Farmington • All Saints’, St. Louis • Church of the Ascension, Northwoods • Calvary Church, Columbia • Calvary Church, We are 13,500ofbaptized members in 45• Church congregations Louisiana • Christ Church, Cape Girardeau • Christ Church, Rolla • Church of St. Michael & St. George, Clayton • Church the Advent, Crestwood of the Good in the eastern half of •Missouri, Shepherd, Town & Country • Church of the Holy Communion, University City • Columbia Hope Church • Emmanuel Church, Webster Groves Grace Church, Jefferson City • Grace Church, Kirkwood • Holy Cross Church, Poplar Bluff • St. Alban’s, Fulton • St. Barnabas’, Florissant • St. Francis’, Eureka • St. John’s, Eolia (Prairieville) • Camp Phoenix • Care and Counseling, Inc. • Conversations with the Bishop • Christian Formation • COEDMO • Commission on Dismantling Racism • Commission on Ministry fromand theWellness Episcopal Diocese of Missouri • Community Gardens • Community Health Ministries • Community of Hope • Companion Diocese Relationship Committee • Diocesan Council • Diocesan Convention Convent on • D Diocesan ocesan M Mission ss on Tr Trips ps • Ep Episcopal scopa Campus M Ministry n stry • Ep Episcopal scopa C City ty M Mission ss on • Ep Episcopal scopa Church Women • Ep Episcopal scopa Recovery M Ministry n stry • Ep Episcopal scopa Re Relief ef and Deve Development opment • Ep Episcopal scopa Schoo School for M Ministry n stry • Ep Episcopalians scopa ans for G Global oba Reconc Reconciliation at on • Fresh Start • Genera General Convent Convention on • Grace H Hill • Happen Happening ng • Hunger and Food Ministries • Journey 2 Adulthood • Missional Model Congregations • Oasis Missouri • Paseo Con Christo • Rite 13 • St. Andrew’s Resources for Seniors System The Mission of the Diocese of Missouri is (STARSS) • St. Luke’s Hospital • Standing Committee • Sustain A Faith • Task Force for the Hungry • United Thank Offering • Youth Ministry • St. John’s, Tower Grove • St. the mission of allPortland baptized Luke’s, Manchester • St. Mark’s, • St.Christians: Mark’s, St. Louis • St. Martin’s, Ellisville • St. Matthew’s, Mexico • St. Matthew’s, Warson Woods • St. Paul’s, Carondelet • St. Paul’s, Ironton St. Paul’s, • St. the Paul’s, Sikeston • St. Peter’s, Ladue • St.Diocese Stephen’s, Ferguson • St. Thomas’ Church for the Deaf, Kirkwood • St. Timothy’s, to •teach andPalmyra to spread Gospel Episcopal of Missouri 1210 Locust Street Creve Coeur • St. Vincent’s-in-the-Vineyard, Ste. Genevieve • Church of the Transfiguration, Lake St. Louis • Trinity Church, Jefferson County • Trinity Church, Hannibal • and its knowledge of salvation to all people; St. Louis, Missouri 63103 Trinity Church, Kirksville • Trinity Church, St. Charles • Trinity Church, St. James • Trinity Church, Central West End • Christ Church Cathedral, St. Louis • All Saints’, Farm Farmand to make the love of Christ known in the world ington • All Saints’, St. Louis • Church of the Ascension, Northwoods • Calvary Church, Columbia • Calvary Church, Louisiana • Christ Church, Cape Girardeau • Christ actions individuals, Church, Rollathrough • Church our of St.own Michael & St.asGeorge, Clayton • Church of the Advent, Crestwood • Church of the Good Shepherd, Town & Country • Church of the Holy Communion, University City • Columbia • Emmanuel Church, Webster Groves • Grace Church, Jefferson City • Grace Church, Kirkwood • Holy Cross as congregations, and asHope theChurch diocese, Church,by Poplar Bluff • St. Alban’s, Fulton • St. Barnabas’, Florissant • St. Francis’, Eureka • St. John’s, Eolia (Prairieville) • Camp Phoenix • Care and Counseling, Inc. • feeding the hungry, welcoming the stranger, Conversations with the Bishop • Christian Formation • COEDMO • Commission on Dismantling Racism • Commission on Ministry • Community Gardens • Community naked,• Community housing the homeless, Health andclothing Wellness the Ministries of Hope • Companion Diocese Relationship Committee • Diocesan Council • Diocesan Convention • Diocesan Mission caring for the sick, •visiting theCity prisoner, Trips • Episcopal Campus Ministry Episcopal Mission • Episcopal Church Women • Episcopal Recovery Ministry • Episcopal Relief and Development • Episcopal School for Ministry • Episcopalians and comforting thoseforinGlobal timesReconciliation of trouble. • Fresh Start • General Convention • Grace Hill • Happening • Hunger and Food Ministries • Journey 2 Adulthood • Missional Model Congregations • Oasis Missouri • Paseo Con Christo • Rite 13 • St. Andrew’s Resources for Seniors System (STARSS) • St. Luke’s Hospital • Standing Committee • Sustain A Faith • Task Force for the Hungry • United Thank Offering • Youth Ministry • St. John’s, Tower Grove • St. Luke’s, Manchester • St. Mark’s, Portland • St. Mark’s, St. Louis • St. Martin’s, Ellisville • St. Matthew’s, Mexico • St. Matthew’s, Warson Woods • St. Paul’s, Carondelet • St. Paul’s, Ironton • St. Paul’s, Palmyra • St. Paul’s, Sikeston • St. Peter’s, Ladue • St. Stephen’s, Ferguson • St. Thomas’ Church for the Deaf, Kirkwood • St. Timothy’s, Creve Coeur • St. Vincent’s-inthe-Vineyard, Ste. Genevieve • Church of the Transfiguration, Lake St. Louis • Trinity Church, Jefferson County • Trinity Church, Hannibal • Trinity Church, Kirksville • TrinTrin ity Church, St. Charles • Trinity Church, St. James • Trinity Church, Central West End • Christ Church Cathedral, St. Louis • All Saints’, Farmington • All Saints’, St. Louis •
Seek
August-September 2010
Making Disciples Building Congregations For the Life of the World
We Are the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri Please Join Us This Week
This month’s call for art on the theme Good News
presents a work by Missouri artist
John Stoeckley
“Rocks of Ages” “Rocks of Ages” symbo z ng that through the ages the word s the most powerfu means to proc a m the “Good News” and wh e the “word” may become cracked and worn t st stands ready to share the Good News to a who are w ng to sten and earn about the cont nu ng ove of God through Chr st The art work a so ref ects the song Rock of Ages wh ch s a very o d gospe song vo c ng Psa m 9 s prom se Rock of ages c eft for me et me h de myse f n thee Let the water and the b ood from thy wounded s de that f owed be of s n the doub e cure c eanse me from ts gu t and power Th s pen nk and waterco or work s from ohn Stoeck ey member of Ca vary Church Lou s ana t dep cts the ast ng wr tten word that stands the test of t me to become w tness to God s Love for us through Chr st Stoeck ey s work s ava ab e n h s two permanent ga er es a recent y restored stagecoach stop n Lou s ana M ssour ( 07 South 9th Street) and on H stor c Ma n Street #8 4 n St Char es M ssour Both offer a fu se ect on of other 3 d mens ona art work and g ft tems A so many of h s water co or and nk pr nts are ava ab e on h s web s te www stoeck ey com The Next Ca to V sua Art sts n the D ocese for Artwork
“Reconcile”
make other arrangements 314-255-1387 Subm ss on of artwork grants perm ss on to pub sh p ece n one ssue of Seek Not a subm tted works w be pub shed
We are seek ng your artwork for pub cat on n Seek and on ne Photographers d g ta art sts text e art sts pa nters ustrators scu ptors— a are we come D g ta photographs of any genre of work w be accepted The Ed tor a Board and Offices of the B shop w choose one or two se ect ons for each Seek ssue
You n your mercy sent Jesus Chr st your on y and eterna Son to share our human nature to ve and d e as one of us to reconc e us to you the God and Father of a .
Subm ss on dead ne for “Reconc e” artwork s Fr day September 17 2010 D g ta fi es may be ema ed to commun cat ons d rector Beth Fe ce at bfe ce@d ocesemo org or phone to
By h s b ood, he reconc ed us. By h s wounds, we are hea ed.
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August/September 2010
BCP p 362 Ho y Euchar st
BCP p 370 Ho y Euchar st DioceseMo.org
For the M ss on of the Church A m ghty God you sent your Son Jesus Chr st to reconc e the wor d to yourse f We pra se and b ess you for those whom you have sent n the power of the Sp r t to preach the Gospe to a nat ons We thank you that n a parts of the earth a commun ty of ove has been gathered together by the r prayers and abors and that n every p ace your servants ca upon your Name for the k ngdom and the power and the g ory are yours for ever Amen BCP p 838