Seek, September 2014

Seek

September 1, 2014

voices from the

Episcopal Diocese of Missouri

The Servant Church, Deacons, & Diocesan Convention Bishop Wayne Smith writes about the ordination of deacons at our Diocesan Convention this Nov. 21-22 in Cape Girardeau.

Ordination sets apart servant leaders.

In every instance deacons, by their activities and by their very presence, should call us all more deeply in to servant ministry, for the sake of the servant Christ.

Archbishop William Temple wrote, “The Church is the only society on earth that exists for the benefit of non-members.” When the Church fails to acknowledge this truth and to act upon it, even when all other aspects of its life are splendid, then we fall short of our truest identity and purpose.

Deacons exist to remind us of this, the Church’s essential servant nature.

Although I dare not say exactly how under your bishop.” (BCP, 543) many, since not all the certifications from I know some people who refer to deathe Commission on Ministry and Standing cons as the bishop’s “special forces,” availCommittee are complete, there should be able to the bishop and diocesan needs. several deacons to ordain at the ConvenA friend of mine talks about a deacon’s tion Eucharist next November. necessary dispossession, with no place in Their presence is a blessing to us, not particular to call home but with a wider least of all because of the enhanced seravailability for service, wherever needed. vant leadership that they will bring to our Dispossession also makes clear the deacommon life. con’s solidarity with the many They are to a person servant sorts of marginleaders already; their ordination Deacons call us all alized people in will give an iconic significance our world. more deeply into to who they are for the life of the Perhaps the servant ministry.

Church. Their ordination at an immost important portant liturgy in our Diocesan life aspect of their does several things for us all. ordination during this importFirst, their ordination at Convention, ant liturgy is that it can help us in a big and festive liturgy, highlights the understand something crucial importance of this order. Ordaining in this about the whole Church’s sersetting shows, second, that the primary vant nature. place of deacons’ belonging is diocesan So in this sense, their ordiand not parochial. nation is not just about them; it For example, during the ordination is about all of us. rite, the bishop addresses the candidates Revisit that quotation from with these words: “My brother, every the Prayer Book used above, Christian is called to follow Jesus Christ, which notes that every Chrisserving God the Father, through the power tian has a call to servanthood. of the Holy Spirit. God now calls you to a Baptism makes servants. special ministry of servanthood directly Sharing the Holy Meal at Camp Phoenix, Bishop Wayne and campers, August 2014 ph: 314-231-1220 www.DioceseMo.org Episcopal Diocese of Missouri Offices of the Bishop 1210 Locust St. St. Louis, Missouri 63103

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

2

1 3 4 5

It was the best of times, it was the silliest of times, Camp Phoenix 2014 is history!

BUILDING CONGREGATIONS

FOR THE LIFE OF THE WORLD

The Servant Church, Deacons & Diocesan Convention

by Bishop Wayne Smith 8 Life Lessons from Anytown

by Molly Mills Holy Places by Maria Evans Greetings from Deaconess Anne House

6

I Shouldn’t be a Christian by Eric Bablinskas

8

Feeling Free to Follow Jesus

by Eliza Lynn

9

Marked for Mission by Annabel Dolan

11

My top 5 EYE list by Wes Ragland

11

Loving everyone by Tucker Wright

12

The Advocate is about social justice by Danielle Dowd

13

40 Graduating Classes

by Sue Rehkopf

14

Handcrafted life

by Kevin McGrane

15

Program for Congregational Vitality

16

The Power of a Congregation

by Julia Rose

17

Refugees: a local response

by Debbie Smith

18

A Moment in Time

19 20 MAKING DISCIPLES

INSIDE

Bishop Gene Robinson The Kingdom of God on a St. Louis brick wall Living the Liturgical year

3

8 Life Lessons from the Anytown experience Molly Mills reflects upon life rules learned at this year’s Anytown youth leadership institute.

It’s Thursday, day five of So, here is a list of a few things I Anytown, and I’m here working learned at Anytown. on something that should’ve already been written. Two nights Don’t judge a book by its cover in a row I sat down and tried to Sometimes the ones with write, but my mind was as blank the roughest covers have as the page sitting in front of me. the best stories hidden I’ve tried. Tried to write inside. about my race, sexual orientation, sex—and all of the other It’s okay to not be okay Emotions are normal and showing them I’ve learned more than I ever doesn’t make you weak, thought I would. Here at it makes you passionate.

Anytown, I’ve learned things about people and myself that I never thought I would, and I have re-learned things that I will never forget.

identities I possess. I tried to write about all of the privileges I have and don’t have and how they give me advantages and disadvantages in the game of life. I thought about everything I’ve learned and will continue to learn here at Anytown, and I was very frustrated that I couldn’t decide what to write about.

And today (about 5 minutes ago, actually) I sat here, just like yesterday, wondering why I can’t get my thoughts onto this paper.

And then I realized something. I learned more here than I ever thought I would. I’ve learned things about people and myself that I never thought I would, and I have re-learned things that I will never forget.

It’s okay to be confused

Just the fact that you notice your confusion shows that you want to understand. Confusion is not ignorance.

It’s okay to not be ready,

and you should never rush into something that you’re not comfortable with. Life is a long journey, and if you need to rest that’s okay. When you’re ready to move forward life will be ready for you.

Friendship is extremely valuable.

Never take it for granted.

Volume

Just because someone doesn’t speak up, doesn’t mean they don’t have a voice.

Molly Mills (l.) and Leanna Baudendistel are youth members of Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion. They were awarded scholarships from the Dismantling Racism Commission of the Diocese of Missouri and selected by Anytown Leadership Institute to attend this year’s course. The Institute is an eight-day, full immersion, residential program for high school youth interested in making their school and community environments more socially just. Participants have the opportunity to explore topics of discrimination through experiential exercises and group dialogue, while making close friends from across the state and St. Louis region. Hosted by the National Council for Community & Justice of Metropolitan St. Louis with a goal for students to leave Anytown with renewed dedication for creating a society based on inclusion, trust, and mutual respect.

There is a BIG difference between hearing and listening Diversity is an amazing thing

Your beliefs, experiences, and all of your identities have molded you in to the unique person you are today. Be proud of that.

These are just a few of the many things I’ve learned at Anytown that have definitely changed my outlook on life.

I’ve met dozens of amazing people that I will never forget, and I am honestly so blessed to have spent this week here at Anytown.

Know of a youth leader who would be interested in attending Anytown Institute next July? Contact a member of the diocesan Dismantling Racism Commission http://diocesemo.org/dr or youth missioner Danielle Dowd, ddowd@diocesemo.org.

The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri

DIOCESEMO.ORG

4

Holy places are holy because that’s where people are praying Who originally uttered the above phrase? I suspect it’s one of those oft-used saws that gets mis-attributed, but I experienced how true the phrase is.

Youth from St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Lewes, DE, met up with Lakota youth from the Cheyenne River Episcopal Mission in South Dakota for a 4-day, 40 mile walking pilgrimage from June 13-16.

The group’s mission, as they traveled from Blackfoot to On The Tree, was simply to walk, to pray, and to engage as they journeyed through this historic holy space for the Lakota people.

Volunteer medic and a change of plans

I was honored to serve as the pilgrimage’s medical officer, caring for blisters, sunburn, bug bites, and various cuts and scrapes.

The priest-in-charge at Cheyenne River, the Rev. Margaret Watson, has long been a blogging friend of mine. For three years running, I ...a personal dream have carved out to walk across the time to travel to visit her each year, entire length of the and each year she’s parish to each of found a different the nine churches task for me.

It has long been her own personal dream to walk across the entire length of her parish to each of the nine churches that comprise the Cheyenne River Episcopal Mission (CREM,) walking and praying for each church on the reservation and for the Lakota people. A blown Achilles tendon, however, threw a monkey wrench into her plans.

God, however, has ways of handling such problems. On the very day that the MAKING DISCIPLES

Rev. Margaret’s leg was slapped into a cast, she received a call from the Rev. Mark Harris (who had no idea about her dream.) “How about a pilgrimage?” he asked.

Preconceptions about pilgrimage

space for indigenous cultural sensitivities.

All the hymns they sang were in Lakota.

Before the walk, each participant was smudged with burning sage. At the end of the walk, during the closing ceremonies, three youth—two from Delaware and one from the CREM, received star quilts for walking every single step of those 40 miles.

Two groups of drummers performed traditional honor songs for the participants. One of the drummers told the youth, “People come to the reservation all the time but you are the first ones who ever came to walk our land and pray for us in this way.”

Both groups of youth, to some degree, held a few preconceived notions about each other, but also found they had more similarities than they realized.

They learned that pilgrimage involves much more than walking and praying— that it also may include gratitude for simple things, and for the generosity of others.

When all of the pilgrim’s tents were shredded in a windstorm with 80 MPH gusts, followed by a thunderstorm, they had to depend on the churches along the way for shelter and safety.

First aid for the soul, not the body At times they had to walk in the rain, I began to realize that part of my task with the wind in their face, the wind at on this trip was to not only care for their their backs, and...well...wind that just physical injuries, but to care for a few soul didn’t stop. injuries, too. In some They experienced a few failed Sometimes it’s when ways, it was important logistics as well as unexpected moour tent has been for me to be a bit of a ments of generosity. Some of them ripped to bits, we can thorn in their sides experienced a few new firsts in unand leave them to be see the sky for the derstanding what “roughing it” can first time and be free. responsible for some of mean. their own baggage, literally and figuratively.

Creating a safe and holy space Two youngsters ended up riding with Most importantly, though, the Delame for a short while because of injuries. ware youth received a crash course in how One young man had been walking for days the Episcopal Church attempts to create as best as he could with an infected toe.

BUILDING CONGREGATIONS

FOR THE LIFE OF THE WORLD

5

For the Life of the World One young lady had to give up her dream of walking every single step when she developed several bad blisters on both feet, only about three miles from the end.

“You know,” I told one discouraged young person, “Life’s kind of like the other day. Life has a way, at times, of tearing our tents to shreds. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t something to learn in it. Sometimes it’s when our tent has been ripped to bits, we can see the sky for the first time and be free.

Perhaps some day in the future it will be revealed to you what these hardships mean. These are the pathways to being absolutely frank with God.” This makes the third year that I have made the trek to the Cheyenne River Reservation to spend some time—each year it has been different.

The first year, it was to do some repair work on one of the churches there. The second year, it was to accompany others on a trip to the Pine Ridge Reservation when the Taizé monks were there.

What are each of us called to do, to make all things new?

Greetings from the Deaconess Anne House We've almost completed our first program year at the Deaconess Anne House, and as we say goodbye to our current corps member community (this year, our city and our diocese is blessed to have 6 of our current members staying in St. Louis, so the goodbyes won't be as hard), we prepare for the next group of 7 young adults to arrive on September 1st.

There's a lot to do at DAH in preparation for the next program year, and we hope that many of you can participate in the work of transition and welcome that will take place over the next 6 weeks. Here are a few opportunities to participate in year two of DAH's life of prayer, witness, and work approaches.

Thank you for your prayers and support, as we look forward to all that God has in store for the many communities that make up our Diocese.

You are invited for Supper

I’ve been grateful for the variety of opportunity. Each year has been a new way to be present.

I’ve been struck at the similarities to Lui, South Sudan; in that, it begs the question-what are each of us called to do to make all things new, in a mission field inside our own geographical borders?

Maria Evans is a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Kirksville and a postulant for Holy Orders. She was honored with a Lakota Star quilt after the pilgrimage. Photo of Margaret Wilson (l.) and Maria.

If you've followed the life and work at DAH, you've probably witnessed the community's charism of hospitality. You're likely aware, also, that the community likes to eat.

During the first two weeks of September (orientation week for new Corps Members), we have some places around our table for guests to share supper with the new community. Last year, we found these meals were an ideal way for corps members to connect with and experience the love, warmth, and support of the diocesan community.

Available fellowship opportunities are: Tue Sept 2 @ 6:15 PM Wed Sept 3 @ 6:15 PM Thursday Sept 4 @ 6:15 PM

Monday Sept 8 @ 6:15 PM Tuesday Sept 9 @ 6:15 PM Wednesday Sept 10 @ 6:15 PM

RSVP with DAH director the Rev. Jon Stratton, jstratton@diocesemo.org, 314-619 4216.

September 13, 2014, 6 PM - Commissioning of interns October 4, 2014, 4 9 AM - Tour Farmer’s Market & Old North December 6, 2014, 9 AM - Advent Quiet Day at DAH February 14, 2015, 9 AM - Lenten Quiet Day at DAH May 23, 2015, 6:30 PM - Pentecost Potluck at DAH May, 2015, to be scheduled - Old North St. Louis house tour July 11, 2015, 9 AM - The Way of St. Benedict, retreat The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri

DIOCESEMO.ORG

6 Looking at things historically is especially helpful if you are LGBT or a woman because you start to see that a lot of the things said about women look like later additions made by outside authors.

You also learn that the whole concept of homosexuality (I hate that word) didn't even exist in Jesus' time, and most of the remarks about homosexuals had to do with male prostitutes.

Looking at things historically can get tricky though, because then you start to ask, "Did the Resurrection happen historically?" And the answer is, nobody knows but most historians would say no. But as my old spiritual teacher says, "It's so beautiful, it must be true whether it happened or not."

I Shouldn't Be a Christian Deaconess Anne House intern Eric Bablinskas’ powerful statement of faith “The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians: who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, walk out the door, and deny Him by their lifestyle.

That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.” —Brennan Manning

on hatred and fear in the name of Jesus Christ? Why not just give it up and go join a completely different religion or give up organized religion all together? Why not join the growing spiritual-but-not-religious movement?

Well, I'll answer that in a second, but perhaps we need to take a look at the 4 different ways we can view the Bible and Christianity.

I grew up hating Christianity. I used to drive past a gaudy McMansion on my way to high school with a big cross on its steeple, proudly professing the faith of the outcasts and the poor while showing off its 4-car garage and shiny new Hummer. I didn't know 1. Literally Here is where a lot of fundamuch about Jesus at the time, but I knew he mentalist evangelicals are. A lot of didn't much care for the rich. atheists are here too. They read the Looking back now, I should have Bible literally and they find it laughended up joining some Eastern tradition, or able. "How on Earth could Noah have eschewing religion all together, becoming a built an ark big enough to vehement supporter of atheWhy not just give it up fit that many animals?" ism. I've read more books on and go join a completely And the fundamentalBuddhism than any other ists fight back, "Because he different religion or give subject. I try to practice had faith in God!" And they Zazen regularly. I'm gay (a up organized religion bicker back and forth forevlot of Christians would call all together? Why not er and forever. Amen. that a big no-no. Or they'd join the growing spiriIf you are going to read say "just don't give in to your tual-but-not-religious the Bible literally, rememhomosexual urges and you'll ber that Jesus spoke Aramamovement? be OK"). But about a year ic and not English. Perfect ago I was baptized in the segue to number 2.

Episcopal Church. Granted, most Episcopalians are known as being pretty progressive.

When I moved to St. Louis to serve with the Episcopal Service Corps, my new neighbor who came to greet me asked, "isn't that the homosexual church?" Good to know we've got a reputation.

But why even bother being a Christian when I have to constantly defend against the more right-wing extremist groups, the loud televangelists preaching the prosperity gospel, McChurches with ten thousand members and their own personal Starbucks, and Christian politicians who feed MAKING DISCIPLES

3. Socially

2. Historically

This is the way that actually got me re-interested in Christianity. Organizations like "Did Jesus really the Jesus Seminar take a serious say this?" look at the New Testament and ask, "Did Jesus really say this?"

Note, they think that almost all of the Gospel of John was not said by the historical Jesus.

BUILDING CONGREGATIONS

FOR THE LIFE OF THE WORLD

This is how my community has been looking at Jesus and early Christianity. How can we apply the teachings of Jesus to our modern world? How can we live as an intentional community by following the letters of Paul?

Much of the New How can we apply the Testament teachings of Jesus to is essenour modern world? tially conversations between early Christian communities trying to make sense of themselves.

A lot of Liberation Theology and the Catholic Worker movement comes from this way of looking at Christianity. Jesus is viewed as a social reformer trying to create a more just society.

There are a lot of very liberal Christians in this branch, but it gets messy. I know some church groups that do great social work for the poor and underprivileged but openly op-

7 pose women speaking in church and abortion. Also, I like the social way of looking at Jesus, which is incredibly important, but it ignores the personal growth towards union with God. Speaking of, that leads us to...

4. Mystically

I am incredibly biased towards this view. I love all things mystical and transcendental. This views Jesus as a wise sage and a teacher who shows the way back to God. Sympathetic Buddhists often say that Jesus was a Bodhisattva and that many of his teachings align with those of the historical Buddha.

It's in this branch that we find the Quakers, mystics like Meister Eckhart and Teresa Avila, and we get concepts like Centering Prayer, the Rosary, and the Dark Night of the Soul.

Most modern liberal Christians I know are incredibly uncomfortable with mystical Christianity because it goes beyond rational thought. They prefer to focus their energies in the social and historical realms.

While Christians and atheists argue about whether Jesus actually existed, and while liberal Christians and conservative Christians argue about whether or not there is a literal Hell, Mystical Christians are sitting quietly, knowing that the religion is really just about being in one big love affair with God and Cre-

ation. However, I think that all 4 viewpoints are important and valuable at different times in one's life.

Spiritual, but not religious?

So, with all that said, you might still be saying, "that's all well and good but still way too complicated. Why don't you just give it up and stick with a more easy-to-follow religion or better yet, why don't you become spiritual but not religious?"

I am skeptical of the "spiritual but not religious" viewpoint because I feel that it is way too individualistic, eschews responsibility, and ignores the beauty and struggles of working within a religious community. I think community Community is essential to spiritual is essential development. Almost every tradition talks about to spiritual development. the importance of the community (called the Sangha in Buddhism) and I have yet to see a spiritual but not religious community. In fact, as soon as it becomes a community, you could argue that it has become religious.

I will always struggle with being a Christian. I seem to always have to start my sentences with: "I'm a Christian, but..."

I love the fact that Jesus hung out with the outcasts and the poor. I love the symbolism behind the Resurrection. I love the soulful

The online edition offers click-able links to websites referenced in this issue’s articles, and photo galleries. Use your smartphone to read this code: or open your browser to:

diocesemo.org/Sept2014Seek

hymns. I love the community that cares for one another in good times and bad. I love that the Episcopal church doesn't try to be cool by bringing in electric guitars and hip young pastors with designer clothing.

And in those quiet nights, deep in Centering Prayer, when I am doing my best to listen, listen to what God is saying (God doesn't really speak in words, from what I've learned), I feel the peace and wholeness that Jesus spoke of when he said "the Kingdom of God is within you."

Eric Bablinskas has completed his year of internship at the Deaconess Anne House.

Read more of Eric's writings at http:// straightlinesforstates.blogspot.com/

Program for Congregational Vitality at Episcopal School for Ministry begins September 26, diocesemo.org/ESM

The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri

DIOCESEMO.ORG

8

Feeling free to follow Jesus Eliza Lynn writes, “The last year of my life could be alternately titled That’s right, I’m an Episcopalian.”

I left Nashville. It was a place I thought would be good for my music, but was, instead, good for my spiritual life. I left to come to St. Louis and begin a journey in graduate theological study. Nashville gave me many gifts, not the least of which was finding St. Augustine’s chapel on the Vanderbilt Campus. I enjoyed recalibrating my Episcopal roots after years of church hopping and shopping.

Still, I craved something my beloved church didn’t have on the schedule: bible study.

So I spent my Sunday mornings at the United Methodist Church down the street and my Sunday evenings at St. Augustine’s. I’m an Episcopalian, so that means, I’m free to do that. I also enjoyed the devotional nature of the church closest to my house, Christ the King Catholic Church, spending many liturgies and solitude time on their grounds.

After an un- to relinquish being dergraduate ada water bug on the venture in world surface of religious religions (with practice and to dive an emphasis on Zen Buddhism), I deep into my call to follow Jesus. was delighted to relinquish being a water bug on the surface of religious practice and to dive deep into my call to follow Jesus.

My religion professor at Warren Wilson College had used that metaphor and I had anticipated (for years) the excitement I was now experiencing.

Just as we’re often told that no one person can fill all your needs, no one church seemed to meet all my desires for diving deep.

MAKING DISCIPLES

So when I was leading music at a Methodist prayer retreat and I heard the words, “Divinity school is now,” I was open to follow without any limitations. (After all, I’m an Episcopalian and I’m free to do that.) I chose to attend Aquinas Institute of Theology (a Roman Catholic institution), a choice made mostly on gut intuition. I moved here knowing few people. I let God lead me completely—as I’d never before done.

In my first semester last summer I took two courses. One of which I thought was titled “Foundations of Morality,” though the full title was “Foundations of Catholic Morality.”

Boy, was I in for a shock. It had been 13 years since I’d been a full-time student and I was so nervous about writing papers, about reading dense theological articles, and about trusting the call I’d heard and the path I’d chosen.

In my previous broad studies of religious thought, I’d liberally bypassed things such as the Magisterium. Encounters with the 845 page Catechism of the Catholic Church made me read our own Catechism with new understanding. (It starts on pg. 845 of the Book of Common Prayer and ends on pg. 862.)

As we discussed issue after issue in the Catholic Morality class, I would reread questions and answers in our BCP Catechism, which leaves so much room for both individual conscience and for the Holy Spirit.

In Introduction to Theology in the fall, I did a presentation on Eucharist in the Episcopal Church. My focus was on the mystery of how Jesus is present in communion. Being an Episcopalian allows for comfort-ability with the mystery of God. We’ve got the three legged stool after all: tradition, scripture and reason.

BUILDING CONGREGATIONS

At lunch one day, a former student said, “Wouldn’t it be great to be Catholic and get to have doubts and express them?” I said, “Yes, it’s called the Episcopal Church.”

I feel free to follow Jesus without limits in the Episcopal Church. I can kneel or sit or stand. I can raise my arms in prayer, or cross myself at every junction. I can utilize my intellect, take communion from a female priest, and embrace radical diversity without losing my integrity.

As a little girl, in my tiny Episcopal Church in Chicago, we had a Jewish family help us better understand Hanukkah. Inclusion and a desire for understanding have long been core building blocks in my theological interpretation of the world. I feel free and welcome almost anywhere. Maybe that’s who I am, or who my parents raised me to be. But I think a lot of it comes from being an Episcopalian.

FOR THE LIFE OF THE WORLD

Eliza Lynn is a gifted singer and instrumentalist, who is delving into the relationship of Lamentations and the Blues. She organized the music at last November’s diocesan convention to acclaim, and will do so again this year in Cape Girardeau. Follow her at elizalynn.com.

9

Marked for Mission

Annabel Dolan journals the experiences of the first group from Diocese of Missouri to attend the Episcopal Youth Event

On the eve of departure

EYE. Episcopal Youth Event. Quite the intimidating name, isn’t it? Going in with very little information about the event, it was even more so.

As the daughter of priest this is rather unusual, for there to be an event happening in the church that I know nothing about. But I’m excited.

Spending the good part of a week in Philadelphia is quite the opportunity, especially sans parents and with a very good friend of mine. From what I’ve heard the Villanova campus is beautiful, and how many people get to stay in college dorms before they’re even applying to colleges? Because we all received full scholarships from the Bishop, no one was kept from attending due to the cost, which is such a gift.

Youth involvement is very important to me. Not just in the church, but in our schools and communities. Far too often I feel that we are inhibited from full participation because of our age and supposed lack of maturity.

Events like EYE allow us to interact with one other and demonstrate our potential.

I think that this is where my apprehensions about the trip. I’m concerned with what I will get out of the trip. Will the connections I make extend past the five days? As a young person in the church, will this have the

impact on my life? I’m hopeful the answer is yes.

youth and adults present at EYE. Our theme for this week is Marked for Mission. We were commissioned at the first morning’s service as missioners of Christ, to go into the world and work as a collective youth force to make changes in our church.

led an offertory anthem in their traditional language. We linked arms and worked through the unfamiliar languages to sing songs to our God. I was filled with awe.

Friday’s pilgrimage

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori at tonight’s New friends, new experiences closing worship beautifully tied We met the youth from together what we experienced the Diocese of Alabama (affecon our day of pilgrimage in Philtionately known as “Bama”) on adelphia. the bus from the Philadelphia She compared the Holy airport to the Villanova campus.

Spirit to a nagging mosquito, Within five minutes we were An incredible opportunity who will not leave you alone laughing and shouting bus/ I was aware of the youth no matter how much you itch. camp songs at the top of our presence within the Episcopal “We can’t hide from it in a tent, lungs. Our dioceses have been church— but it was a different not even a holy one.” Her words inseparable ever since. We pes- experience being face to face were a reminder and inspiration ter each other with questions with so many. My High School that even the smallest members about the different lifestyles, has a student body of around of society have the power and laugh at ridiculous stories, and 1,800 so I’m used to large crowds ability to create big changes. enjoy each other’s company in at pep rallies and assemblies.

St. Mary’s Church in Chesworship.

We get loud, we stomp, cheer, ter, Pennsylvania, was started as There’s Mary Frances, one and shout. But that experience a mission of St. Paul’s Church, of the most outspoken sweetpaled in comparison to the just down the street. They hearts you’ll ever meet. Jon and opening worship at EYE. The describe themselves as a brickNoah (high school senior and Dioceses of Honduras and the and-mortar church, serving a college freshman, respectiveDominican Republic are repsmall percent of the population ly) can rap the entirety of the resented, so many of our songs each week. But downstairs, the “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” theme and prayers have verses in Span- oldest food shelter in Chester song and will do so with synish. Even the Diocese of Hawaii serves 72 families a week, addchronized dancing.

Andrew can play eight instruments and is teaching himself traditional songs on the mandolin.

It’s a very diverse group of people, a reflection on the 1,200 The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri

DIOCESEMO.ORG

10

Marked for Mission

The Episcopal Church in the Worldwide Anglican Communion: 80 million Christians around the world, led by the Most Rev. and Rt. Hon. Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury in The Episcopal Church: 2 million Episcopalians in 109 dioceses and three regional areas in 17 nations, led by the Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop and Primate. in the Diocese of Missouri: 12,000 members in 43 congregations, campus ministries and an intentional community, led by the Rt. Rev. George Wayne Smith, 10th Bishop of Missouri.

SEEK, September 1, 2014

Episcopal Diocese of Missouri Offices of the Bishop 1210 Locust St. St. Louis, Missouri 63103 Seek is a quarterly publication of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri. Diocesan members may request a complimentary subscription by mail: send address to the Offices of the Bishop attn: Seek Subscription. Seek is also distributed to each congregation in the diocese. Archived editions of Seek are online at diocesemo.org.

Editor: Ms. Beth Felice, Director of Communications Editorial Board: the Rev. Dr. Daniel Handschy, Dean of the Episcopal School for Ministry; the Rev. Jon Hall, Rector of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, Ellisville; Mr. Ken Luebbering, Grace Church, Jefferson City; Ms. Sarah Bryan Miller, St. Peter’s Church, Ladue; the Rev. Dr. Marc Smith, Rector of Ascension Church, Northwoods; the Rev. Dr. E. Daniel Smith, Canon to the Ordinary, Diocese of Missouri.

Submissions by post attn: Beth Felice, or by email to bfelice@diocesemo.org.

Deadline: October 2, 2014 for the edition available Nov. 1.

MAKING DISCIPLES

continued from page 9 ing up to over 600 people. While there is some grant money, they rely heavily on public donations, and are always asking for more fresh fruits, vegetables, and meat to put in the bags.

The priest of this small congregation returned because she felt the call to serve, even knowing the struggles of the parish. She wanted to be there for the parishioners in their times of need. We learned that is what it means to be a missioner—to serve not despite the struggles being faced, but because of them.

Becca Stevens

We watched a video on Magdalene House and Thistle Farms, describing their mission and how they began. I’ll admit it, I’m a crier, so I wasn’t surprised how choked up I got just from the video. Once she began to talk, I was a goner. Her words and stories inspiring, and she speaks with passion and conviction.

She believes in the movement that she unintentionally created, which goes beyond the walls of the six Magdalene houses. Women in Rwanda, 20 years after the genocide ended, are growing spices to be used in Thistle Farm’s essential oils. The litter that can be found throughout the streets of Ghana is now being turned into bags to hold travel-sized oil kits.

Becca told stories of drops of oil that made their way around the world, landing on the pages of a book handed to an inmate in Houston, or used in the foot-washing she and her family regularly do. I am in absolute awe of her and what she does, and Maddie and I want to work with our youth group in the Magdalene house opening in St. Louis.

Bishop Michael Curry from the Diocese of North Carolina preached at our closing worship. We responded enthusiastically to everything that had happened thus far, but when he took the stage to preach, everyone sat up a little straighter. He was one of the few people to abandon the pulpit entirely, at one point crouching down to imitate his cat named Muffin. I highly recommend that everyone watches it on YouTube.

BUILDING CONGREGATIONS

He matched the dynamism we exuded and preached a wonderfully simple message. Go. Our Gospel reading for that night was Matthew 28:18-20. Bishop Curry told us we cannot change anything unless we listen to Jesus’ final commandment and make disciples of ALL the nations.

We were given two bracelets to take home with the five Marks of Mission: tell, teach, tend, transform, and treasure.

The bracelets are adorable, and I’m very tempted to keep them both, but that’s not the point. The point is to give one away, passing on the knowledge and faith we’ve gained over the past few days. To a family member, a friend, a member of our church—whomever we want. Giving one away begins our lives as people marked for mission, and that’s really what it’s all about.

Wow. Wow wow wow.

I’m at a loss for words to summarize the past four days. It is overwhelming to think about how much was packed into such a short time. I truly believe each one of the 1,200 participants has left an imprint on me. They feel like old friends.

All the presenters, preachers, and leaders were wonderful to listen to and learn from. That they could captivate high school students shows the strength of their message. Meeting Presiding Bishop Katharine was amazing. I feel fortunate that she is leading the Episcopal Church, especially knowing how eager she is for youth involvement in all levels of the church.

We learned that adults want to hear from us. It’s a gift to be a part of a community of young adult leaders who number in the thousands. Along with Maddie, Katie, Wes, and Tucker, I am a small part in a much bigger machine, but without each individual, it would add up to nothing.

I’ll never forget this experience, and can’t wait to continue and share what we’ve learned with the rest of you.

FOR THE LIFE OF THE WORLD

11

My top 5 EYE list Wes Ragland’s notes from the trip The Episcopal Youth Event was an interesting experience.

It was kind of difficult because it was a new event for us in the Diocese and there were traditions we didn’t know about and had to figure out.

Overall, the message was very good. It was one of the things that made the church look like a really positive force for good rather than the more common negative stereotype.

The services were good, the music was good. As usual, we did a lot of sitting and standing.

I was sick a on this trip, so it was not as personally positive as it could have been. Here’s my top five list. #1. I liked that I met a pretty girl. She was with another group, really friendly. She did fashion design—hat’s what I remember. I liked that.

#2. I liked Philadelphia.

We went to a lot of churches and saw the city. Nice city. #3. I liked that EYE was only four days long. Four days was just right. #4. I liked that the music wasn’t from 1703. The musicians were good and the songs weren’t by dead people. #5. I liked the speakers.

They were good. I liked being a part of such a diverse church.

Oh. That’s two. Elle was nice and very chill. That’s another like.

We were one of the smallest groups there which made it harder to hang out. And, I dislike that I didn’t get that girl’s phone number, and then I never saw her again, then I forgot her name. Overall, I’m glad I had the opportunity to go and I would really encourage a bigger group to go next time!

Loving everyone Tucker Wright on what he brings back from EYE The Episcopal Youth Event is the convening of the Episcopal Youth community to discuss the future youth in the Episcopal Church.

My favorite part of EYE was being able to see how the other parishes in the Church interacted with each other in such a loving caring way.

The number of people attending was amazing—to see how many youth we have involved in the church. At the same time, it was amazing to think that only 1000 youth from the entire Episcopal Church worldwide came to the event.

The indigenous instruments and music workshop was my favorite because it showed how the Episcopal Church does not all use the same music. I thought we all sang the same hymns but we don’t. It has broadened my understanding of the church.

The songs were my favorite part of the services because they were remix, new adaptations of old songs. It was music that made me feel excited to be a part of a church that is so diverse.

Bishop Curry’s sermon moved me. He showed me how the power of love is within all of us and how powerful that love is. Showing that love, living that love can change the world. By teaching the love of God, the love necessary to live will be there.

Marked for Mission means that no matter who you are or where you are, you are always marked by God for a goal; there is always a mission marked for you by God. We are all called into the mission of sharing the love of Christ.

Friday’s pilgrimage showed how similar the lives of Philadelphians are to St. Louisans. To see our struggles are the same no matter where we live… racial issues, money issues, relationships, gender, sexuality, age issues.

One thing in particular that stood out was the number EYEers who often used the phrase, “that is so gay.” There is still so much for people to learn.

What I bring back is a desire to love everyone no matter… just no matter…to love.

I will bring that to my church by sharing my stories of EYE. In my sharing the love, it will be spread by others. It was important for me to see how many clergy and bishops support the youth of the church.

Diocesan youth should definitely participate in the next EYE (in three years). You will broaden your understanding of the love of Jesus Christ and the Episcopal Church.

Photo: top row, l-r, Maddie Eveland, Annabel Dolan, Tucker Wright, bottom row, l-r, Katie Scoopmire, Wes Ragland, youth missioner Danielle “Elle” Dowd.

The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri

DIOCESEMO.ORG

12

The Advocate is about social justice Youth missioner Danielle Dowd on visiting hallowed ground during Friday’s pilgrimage to Philadelphia during EYE Have you ever walked into a place and instantly felt it’s energy? That is how I felt walking into the Episcopal Church of the Advocate in Philadelphia.

I was in Philadelphia for the Episcopal Youth Event (EYE) playing the role of “grown up” and chaperoning our five amazing youth delegates from this diocese.

Most of the events took place at Villanova University, but on Friday we made a pilgrimage into Philadelphia. Over 1,000 people in matching navy t-shirts loaded into 20 buses and went into the city. I had no idea where we were going or what to expect.

As we got underway, the group leader on our bus started listing the itinerary. “…And then we will get to go to the Church of the Advocate, the site of the ordinations of the first women priests in the Episcopal Church.” YES. The Church of the Advocate was one of our last stops of the day. It was muggy and hot. We had visited three other churches, peeked at the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, walked around in the Old City district, and eaten our bagged lunches on the bus. We were sticky, a little grumpy, and, despite sipping from our “Diocese of Pennsylvania Youth Ministry” issued water bottles, we were dehydrated.

When we pulled up to the Church of the Advocate, it dawned on me that each one of our delegates came from families with grandmothers or mothers that are leaders in their churches. Two of our delegates have mothers who are ordained priests. Another has a mother entering seminary. And the other delegates have mothers and a grandmother deeply active in lay ministry in their parish.

The sign outside the church read, “Here in 1974 the first eleven women EpisMAKING DISCIPLES

copal priests were ordained. This noted Gothic Revival church built 1887-97 served a growing African American community after 1930. Host to major Black Power events of the 1960s and ‘70s. National historic landmark.”

As I tweeted out about the experience, Barbi Click, mother of one of our delegates, tweeted back “Hallowed ground.”

Walking into the Church of the Advocate I was overwhelmed with emotion. I wandered around looking at the artwork, touching the baptismal font, praying at the altar. Murals depicted both Biblical stories with black characters and the African American experience of Slavery and Civil Rights which combined seamlessly into one raw and honest story. It was a story of the thirst for justice and all of the emotions that come with that yearning, a story featuring a life giving and liberating God. The stations of the cross hanging around the nave were photos and descriptions of current events and human suffering around the world.

There was a sculpture of an angel, leaning forward with urgency and sounding a trumpet. The place reverberated with the spirits of holy saints who pushed the Episcopal Church, and the wider Church, forward. I felt convicted. And full of gratitude.

The Rev. Renee McKenzie-Hayward, Ph.D., talked with us about the history of the church. She told us about the Philadelphia 11 and about how the church hosted Black Panther events. She said, “If you only remember one thing about us, remember this: the Advocate is about Social Justice.”

She talked about accompaniment and community, encouraging us not only to “do good for poor, lost people” but to also “do good WITH poor, lost people.”

She then lead us in a discussion about

BUILDING CONGREGATIONS

privilege and representation, highlighting the way that traditional European depictions of Christ and the Bible have alienated people of color, and then challenged us with this: “When you are in places where there are people look around. Ask yourself, ‘Who isn’t here…and why?’ And ask those questions out loud.”

I’ve only been home a couple of days, but this question and the experience at the Advocate has stuck with me.

Being in that space, with that presence has changed me in ways that I don’t even fully understand yet. As soon as I came home I began discussing with my family the ways in which we think we felt too comfortable and how we are feeling the Holy Spirit nudge us to push for a more just society.

I plan to go back to Philadelphia one day and take my trans-racial family with me so that they can experience the transformative power represented in that place.

One way that we hope to do this is to give to the ministry of the Church of the Advocate. The ministry there is alive and contributing in meaningful ways to the community. Yet the cost of maintaining a historic building is great and the building itself is in disrepair. Information on their capital campaign is available at their website: www.churchoftheadvocate.org.

I am so grateful to the planning team of EYE14, to the Diocese of Pennsylvania, the Church of the Advocate, to Bishop Smith, and to the Diocese of Missouri for the opportunity to take this pilgrimage as part of our EYE experience.

Web link to this issue’s online galleries.

or open your browser to:

diocesemo.org/Sept2014Seek

FOR THE LIFE OF THE WORLD

13

40 Graduating classes

Bishop’s medal. Details of each Shepherd was renamed Bishop year’s festive event appeared in Robertson Hall.

Church News and in local newsFinancial problems continpapers. ued to plague the sisters. Finally Remembering the diocesan School of the Good In 1877, the School moved in 1908, their beloved building Shepherd, Bishop Robertson Hall, 1874-1915 2029 Park Avenue, across from on Compton had to be sold, and

by Sue Rehkopf, Diocesan Archivist.

Lafayette Park, with larger facili- the School moved once again, ties. In 1887, Mr. Willard E. Win- this time to 4244 Washington In Convention addresses, plain style of dress encouraged, ner of Kansas City purchased Avenue in a residential neighfirst Bishop Hawks and then correspondence sent and rethe former Eads mansion at borhood in St. Louis’ west end.

Bishop Robertson pleaded for ceived supervised by the Sister 1607 Compton as the new home By 1915, Sister Catherine, schools, particularly schools Superior. for the School. The home was age 78, and the remaining sisters for girls. St. Paul’s College had Classes for the senior adapted to school purposes, and were tired and ready to retire. opened in Palmyra in 1847, but course included algebra, history, eventually an addition was built. Many of the instructors were lay this was primarily a boarding mental philosophy, botany, geolIn 1891, Mr. Winner sufwomen, as fewer women joined and day school for boys and ogy, logic, geometry and higher fered severe financial reverses the Sisterhood. In consultation young men. In 1869, there was mathematics, history of English that meant that he was no lonwith Bishop Tuttle, the decision notice that the Jefferson City literature, Latin and Christian ger able to make the mortgage was made to close the school at Female Academy had opened in ethics, along with spelling, payments. Sister Catherine the end of the school year.

January. It lasted a few years. reading, writing composition, struggled to find a solution, and Sister Catherine retired to When Bishop Robertson in- French, drawing and Church with the help of Bishop Tuttle, Kentucky. Sister Miriam who vited the Sisterhood of the Good history. Equally challenging arranged a $30,000 loan so that had taught math for so many Shepherd under the leadership class work was established for School could remain on Compyears moved to Baden and took of Sister Catherine Minard to junior, intermediate and prima- ton. In 1893, in memory of their over responsibility for Prince come from Baltimore to St. Lou- ry courses. founder, the School of the Good of Peace, the mission started is in 1872 to take over manageFor the 1874-1875 ment of St. Luke’s Hospital, he School year full tuition may have hoped that the found- and board was $400, ing of a school for young women with fees for music and would soon follow. In 1874, the singing lessons, and School of the Good Shepherd another fee for washopened at 1532 Washington Aving. For Day students, enue with 65 pupils, all but six tuition was $65. The from the St. Louis area. Nellie fee for boarders didn’t Schuyler, the Rev. Montgomery change much over Schuyler’s daughter, was among the years, but by 1914, the first class, and was the first the tuition for day of many clergy daughters who students had risen to would attend over the years. $130. Children under The purpose as stated in 12 paid less. Clergy an early brochure read “It will were given a discountbe the object of the School to ed rate for daughters secure for the girls and young who attended. ladies who may be committed to Each school year it a sound and thorough mental ended with Comtraining, with careful instrucmencement presided tion in the Christian Faith.” over by the Bishop.

The rules were strict, inThe young woman cluding guest and relative visits graduating with top Bishop Robertson Hall students 1900. More photos of students and school locations online.

Article continued next page. only on Saturday afternoons, honors received the The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri

DIOCESEMO.ORG

14

Handcrafted Life

by Kevin McGrane

I am writing this while sitting on the large screened porch of our friends, Bob and Jan. I am writing by candlelight. It is 9:00 PM and pitch dark, as there is no moon tonight and their home sits at the bottom of a holler, smack dab in the middle of 80 acres of forest. Candles and oil lamps provide light on the big porch when necessary, as there is no electrical wiring to it.

Bob and Jan are off to Minnesota for a few days to visit family, so I am house-sitting for them and taking care of their dogs. They built their home themselves, by hand, which took them over two years of weekends to complete. That was 20 years ago, and they have made many additions to their place since then—the barn, this porch, the back deck, coop, sheep pen, even a pool. It is all well-made and quite a spread.

Bob and Jan have a deep appreciation for things handcrafted. They believe it has an integrity, quality, and character than cannot be found in the mass-produced. Jan is a fiber artist who has created her own yarn in the past, shearing her own sheep, spinning and dyeing the skeins of wool herself. Bob brews craft beer and is a skilled carpenter and stone mason. He owns and operates his own landscaping business, and together Bob and Jan create extraordinary gardens for their clients.

Bob and Jan understood MAKING DISCIPLES

early in their lives the value of craft, and embraced a life different from the rest of us. They are much richer for their choice.

Their love of craft speaks to me. I think about how the best people I know seem to be handcrafted, not mass-produced, and I’ve concluded that handcrafted is the best way to be formed. While I was a student at Episcopal School for Ministry, I was keenly aware of how tiny a school it was, compared to the education factory I attended in my undergraduate days, and how superior the small was to the large. The handcrafting of students was the educational model at ESM, and was as much about formation as it was education – a human component that molded you, a component missing at “Factory U.” Sitting here on the porch, I realize it is easier to house-sit for Bob and Jan today than it was about three years ago. Back then, they had sheep, chickens, and five dogs. It was a real circus at feeding time. Today, the sheep and chickens are gone, and among the dogs only Jack, Stella, and Skookie remain.

They are known collectively among our circle of friends as “The Gang.”

As Buddhists, Bob and Jan are very gentle with their dogs,

BUILDING CONGREGATIONS

and when one dies they mourn its loss like a family member.

To memorialize their lost dogs, they planted a flower garden with a statue of the sitting Buddha just outside the screened porch beyond the hummingbird feeders. Their dogs are good dogs because of the handcrafted way they are raised, with personal attention and compassion.

I think about how I can take a lesson from them about how to handcraft my relations with other people: with personal attention and compassion.

I should note that I am writing the first draft of this post by long-hand. It’s really the only way I can compose: by hand. Perhaps this might be my entrée to handcrafting my own life. Well, if you will excuse me, I’m now going to have a handcrafted beer.

Kevin McGrane is a candidate for deacon in the Episcopal Church. He blogs at windyhillblog. wordpress.com.

FOR THE LIFE OF THE WORLD

40 Graduating classes continued from page 13

by the sisters a few years earlier. Sister Rutger went to work for Church of the Redeemer at Euclid and Washington. Other sisters went on to pursue other Church work.

The story of the sisters and the School that we know today comes from Diocesan journals, from Church News and from memorabilia carefully saved by alumni who loved the School and cherished the memories.

Sister Catherine’s scrapbook with catalogs of students, photographs and many, many carefully saved wedding invitations lives in the Diocesan Archives…a reminder of the sisters, the teachers and the students of Bishop Robertson Hall.

Weekly email news? Yes! Subscribe here: diocesemo.org/subscribe

15

Program for Congregational Vitality Episcopal School for Ministry launches its program for faith community discipleship Beginning September 26, Episcopal School for Ministry is offering the Program for Congregational Vitality.

The Church as a Eucharistic community working to be Disciples of Christ engaging mission in the world.

Discipleship

Make no mistake, this is about transformation: empowering disciples, leavening agents of the parish.

Logistics • • •

We begin by learning about our parish • selves with some basic theory and tools to know our congregation type and style. We learn the lay of the land in the wider church and how we fit in to that body.

•

The Church will not survive on the strength of its programs, but on its theology, its way of interpreting the world. This is about community.

• •

Discernment

Mission directed congregations discerning their purposes; How do we understand the needs of the wider community, and which of those needs are we are being called to meet. This is not so much about changing what is already happening in our congregations, it’s about discerning more deeply.

Congregational Vitality • • •

Congregations alive to [their sense of] God’s activity in and through their common life Life-engaging Eucharistic worship Participation in God’s transformative mission in the world

•

•

Lay or clergy, current or future leader, age 16 or above.

We meet on Friday evenings and Saturdays until about 3 pm.

Two "terms" of four weekends each comprise a year.

You commit to a year at a time. There are two years in the sequence. Year two builds upon the discernment of year one.

Fee is $400 per term. (Half of that cost is food and brown-bagging your own food to save some cost is possible.) Scholarships are available. Talk to the Dean.

Overnight accommodations on Eden campus available for an extra fee This program works best with two or three leavening lumps from a congregation, lay or clergy. Because we'll be interviewing our church communities, your church leadership (if not participating in the program) needs to assent to your participation.

Options for those outside the metro area.

Satellite centers

We hope to offer one to three offsite satellites to connect to online sessions. If your church would like to host, you commit to: • opening your space during class sessions • providing a large screen for projection • providing a wifi connection • having a laptop which can run Adobe Connect

•

having a phone which can dial into the diocesan conference bridge a facilitator (can be a program participant) who will have access to the wifi, set-up the day’s equipment, operate camera, set-up projector and laptop.

Scholarship is available for this person.

We will work with you to provide: • camera for the site to broadcast out • projector • a converter box from the phone to either your sound system or • a small amplifier and speakers • a microphone • training and support to run the equipment Technical training dates will be worked out individually with site facilitators.

RSVP needed by: 12 September 2014.

If your out-of-metro area church is interested in being a satellite center, we'll need to know by end of August to procure the hardware you need and train your facilitator/s.

Contact: ESM Dean Dan Handschy, esmdean@diocesemo.org, 314-843-0123 Program for Congregational Vitality dates: Term 1, Year 1 26-27 Sept 2014 24-25 Oct 2014 5-6 Dec 2014 20 Dec 2014

Term 3, Year 2 25-26 Sept 2015 23-24 Oct 2015 4-5 Dec 2015 19 Dec 2014

Term 2, Year 1 23-24 Jan 2015 27-28 Feb 2015 27-28 March 2015 25 April 2015

Term 4, Year 2 22-23 Jan2016 26-27 Feb 2016 1-2 April 2016 30 April 2016

The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri

DIOCESEMO.ORG

16

The Power of a Congregation:

by Julia Rose Our Smart Choice One evening each month members of Trinity Episcopal Church in St. Charles gather to distribute Smart Choice, a low cost food service. We’re the distribution hub for our area. Smart Choice provides essential food items in prepackaged boxes for much less than items would cost at the supermarket.

But the amazing part of the program is that we can buy these boxes to donate to our local food pantry. There have been months where we fill the pantry’s freezers with chicken and vegetables, food items they often are in need of.

This project shows is how powerful a congregation can be when they come together on a project.

The food program touches people in many different ways, here is Robert's story as told by our program leader: Our Episcopal parish focuses on our mission: Faith, Compassion, Community. One of our outreach programs provides low cost food through SmartChoice. This program provides quality food that normally costs less than 50 percent of local grocery store prices.

This is possible since most of the distribution costs are eliminated through the donation of our parish members’ time and hard work.

Though it takes time and effort to organize this program for our community, our reward is great.

One of our neighbors is Robert, a quadriplegic veteran who lost the use of his arms and legs in Vietnam. Robert’s mobility is limited to his motorized wheelchair. He pays a teenager to drive his specially equipped van to run errands on Saturdays.

MAKING DISCIPLES

One Saturday, I recognized the van as it pulled up to our parish. For convenience, I found Robert’s order and carried it out to the van where I was met by his driver so that Robert did not need to leave the van.

A few minutes later, I noticed that the van was still parked with the ramp extended to the ground and saw Robert guiding his wheelchair up our sidewalk.

I first thought that there must be something wrong with his order.

Robert came into our parish hall, stopped his wheelchair and said, “I didn’t get the chance to thank you for such a wonderful program.”

Sometimes a simple “thank you” is more than just a courtesy—it is a tremendous reward for doing God’s Work.

If you have spent much time around Episcopal social media sites, you’ve likely run across The Episcopal Project. Created by the young designer and college student Julia Rose, member of Trinity Church in St. Charles. She’s built outposts of Episcopal love on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, a blog, to name a few. Her goals are simple: to help show the world what it means to be a member of the Episcopal Church.

In addition to sharing prayer cards, stunning graphics, and assorted Episcopal memes, she is encouraging people to share their stories.

Julia has also created a survey (what we love about the Episcopal Church) and finds that almost everyone participating has similar answers. Next time you are online, look up one of these sites, read the collected faith stories and consider contributing your own.

Julia Rose is a 20 year old, cradle Episcopalian who has attended the same church since she was 4, Trinity Episcopal in St. Charles. Her interests include creative writing, film photography, and graphic design.

BUILDING CONGREGATIONS

Twitter: @TheEpiscopalPro TheEpiscopalProject.tumblr.com facebook.com/TheEpiscopalProject TheEpiscopalProject.blogspot.com

FOR THE LIFE OF THE WORLD

17

Refugees: a local response Debbie Smith on the July pilot project between the diocese & partners to collect diapers and identify a parish partner for a resettling family [July 19, 2014] As part of the Interfaith Partnership of Greater St. Louis (IP), the Diocese of Missouri has been piloting an initiative to “welcome the stranger” at the request of the partnership’s cabinet.

In July we collected diapers for the International Institute of St. Louis (IISTL), and a few Episcopal congregations are considering adopting a refugee family.

This effort dovetails perfectly with the mandates of Matthew 25, to take in the stranger and provide for the needs of the hungry, thirsty, naked, sick, and imprisoned among us, and of our baptismal covenant, to “seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving [our] neighbor as ourselves” and to “strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being” (BCP).

But the coinciding of the IP pilot to support IISTL’s refugees with the flood of unaccompanied Central American children across the southern borders of the US has caused some confusion about various types of immigrants, their status, and how we can help.

Refugees, immigrants, asylum seekers

Some definitions seem called for: Immigrants are people resettling, legally or not, in a country other than their native land for any reason. The US has many immigrant professionals as well as unskilled workers, all of whom might be called economic immigrants.

Refugees and asylum seekers have fled their homelands out of persecution or well-founded fear of persecution due to race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.

Refugees have sought safety (through the

UN) in a third-party country before being accepted for resettlement in the United States; asylum seekers have come to our borders directly, seeking safely.

IISTL resettles refugees; the incoming Central Americans are asylum seekers.

(Internally displaced persons [IDPs] have refugee-like problems but are displaced inside their homelands.)

Missouri could be asked to house some of the children crossing into the US, in which case we could help directly. [The last week in July St. Louis mayor Francis Slay announced a partnership of city and county government and several nonprofits would apply for federal grant money to temporarily resettle some of the Central American children in the St. Louis metro area.]

For now, churches in Texas and Arizona have mobilized, and we can donate money to help them, either directly or through Episcopal Relief & Development.

Meanwhile, we can work together with the IP and IISTL to help local refugees get established and feel at home in the US. More about the efforts of the partnership cabinet and how we can be involved will be forthcoming through iSeek and our congregations.

[Update August 2, 2014] Thanks again, everyone, for all you did to make our pilot project for refugees a success.

We collected a total of 189 boxes and bags of diapers—around 15,000 diaper changes—from nine congregations and two individuals for the International Institute’s refugees.

Special thanks to Donna Erickson at Emmanuel and Deacon Dayna Jewson who did a lot of the diaper collecting and delivering to IISTL. And we do have a congregation— Emmanuel—that wants to pilot adopting a refugee family and is getting in touch with IISTL about it.

Now we’ll wait to see what the Interfaith Partnership Cabinet decides about asking the community to go forward with this initiative.

The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri

DIOCESEMO.ORG

18

Sensational at Sixty Episcopal City Mission celebrates 60 years of ministry at gala

Just what is a Moment in Time?

For the chaplains of Episcopal City Mission, a moment in time is the space in which relationships are formed with children in detention. It is the opportunity to hear a story, offer support, or invite a new perspective.

Make plans now to join Episcopal City A Moment in Mission (ECM) for its Time can be annual Moment in brief. It can be Time Gala, “Sensationsimple. And al at Sixty,” as ECM it can change celebrates its diamond anniversary, sixty years everything. of hope and healing.

ECM is happy to announce that this year’s honorary chairman is Mr. Barry Cervantes and Moment in Time Gala Committee Chairs are Marla and Greg Dell, members of Advent Episcopal Church.

Windows on Washington will be glittering on Thursday, October 2, 6 - 9 p.m. The evening’s festivities include a cocktail reception, a sumptuous threecourse sit-down dinner, and live and silent auctions.

Music for your enjoyment and dancing pleasure will be provided by Just in Time Ensemble and Roy Pennington.

Complimentary valet parking will be available at the main entrance.

ECM Board members are busy selling raffle tickets each Sunday for a gorgeous pair of diamond-jacketed pearl earrings donated by Igal Alon of Mavrik Fine Jewelry. If you miss the representative at your church, please contact the ECM office to purchase raffle or gala tickets at 314-436-3545.

MAKING DISCIPLES

Conversations on Faith & the Journey to Inclusion, 9/27 St. Martin’s Church in Ellisville and Christ Church Cathedral to host conversations with Bishop Gene Robinson On Saturday, September 27, Gene Robinson, former Bishop of New Hampshire, will be a guest in the diocese to talk about the theology of inclusion, radical hospitality, and to share some of his perspective (as a Christian, an Episcopal Bishop, and a gay man) from these past years on the front lines of the culture wars.

Saturday begins at 9 am with breakfast and registration at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 15764 Clayton Rd in Ellisville, 63011. Bishop Gene will address the group at 10:00, followed by small groups discussion. They’ll reconvene to share those discussions then have lunch. The event is not scheduled to go past 1 pm.

Diocesan members are invited. RSVP is needed (for food count) and you can find an online form at: StMartinsChurch.org.

Christ Church Cathedral, 1210 Locust in St. Louis, will host an event on the 27th from 6:30 - 8:30 pm titled, “Faith & Marriage Equality.”

The cathedral’s Facebook event page notes his focus in the evening will be “discussing the past, present and future of LGBT rights with a specific emphasis on the scriptural and theological foundations of marriage equality. The evening will also feature representatives from area LGBT advocacy organizations and an opportunity for people of faith to network for education and advocacy for marriage equality in Missouri.”

The event is free and open to the public.

On Sunday, September 28, Bishop Gene will teach at the cathedral’s 9 am forum and will preach at the main Eucharist at 10 am.

The Oasis Missouri is also a sponsor of Bishop Gene’s visit. The mission of the Oasis

BUILDING CONGREGATIONS

• 9/27, 9am-1pm, St. Martin’s Church discussion and lunch • 9/27, 6:30-9:30pm, Christ Church Cathedral event • 9/28, 9am, 10am, Christ Church Cathedral Sunday service & forum Missouri is to help congregations develop intentional welcome for LGBTQ people and to help LGBTQ people to discover safe places to worship God without hiding an essential part of who they are.

Oasis offers educational and discernment tools to help congregations say, “All are welcome,” and really mean it. Read more at TheOasisMissouri.org.

FOR THE LIFE OF THE WORLD

19

The Kingdom of God on a St. Louis brick wall

more photos of the mural and a short video with Jamaica Ray and Jon Stratton online at diocesemo.org/Sept2014Seek

Self-taught artist, musician, “common man” Jamaica Ray paints his vision of Deaconess Anne House in the neighborhood

In the company of mannequins

Artist Jamaica Ray came to the video interview with his entourage, life sized creations that are “not dolls” but soft sculpted figures of celebrities and regular people. “The Kid” (a half-completed wise-cracking accomplice) sat on his lap and stole all the punch lines.

Deaconess Anne House on Sullivan Street in the Old North St. Louis neighborhood had an old brick wall in the back yard.

Maybe a carriage house or a shed, fire scarred, it spoke of resilience to DAH director Jon Stratton. He and the interns kicked around ideas for its use and decided it would be a great canvas for a neighborhood artist.

Enter Jamaica Ray, who entertains the long line of customers daily at Crown Candy Kitchen, a few blocks from the house. Jon Stratton bought one of his paintings for the house

and they began a conversation about painting a mural on the wall.

In June they began conversations with Jamaica about what to incorporate in the painting. The DAH community wanted it to incorporate themes of a tree (the tree of life that shows up in Eden and Revelation), the St. Louis cityscape (representing the concept that the kingdom of God is among us, in this time and this place), and flowing water (the gift of eternal life open to all and a symbol of the river running through the New Jerusalem). DAH members made rough a sketch and Jamaica began his work.

Ray is a modest man, and deflected conversation about “style” or “technique” with his “common man” self-designation, but like a true artist came alive while discussing color and the

memories of hues from his life, and how he incorporated them into the figures and settings.

“That orange on the end, I remember a building that had that color. Ya man, it’s a color I can’t forget.” The figures drawn incorporate elements of imagination and remembered features of people from his past. And sometimes, it was just about laying the paint on brick.

Like the accomplished musician that he is, Ray knows how to riff on a theme.

Stratton and the interns have been identifying theological themes in the mural, artist-intended and not. Basic ideas from the original sketch, populated with doves and saints and many “common men”—just like everyday life.

Since returning to St. Louis last year, Ray has painted several large murals for local businesses. This is his first outdoor work. He delights in showing it to people.

Jamaica Ray supports himself by playing steel drums, Holy Spirit and mysterious ways creating his soft sculpture art Jamaica Ray was simply for delight (and commission), following his artist’s intuition. and painting. You can catch him For the month of work he’d most lunch hours entertaining bring found objects to create outside of Crown Candy Kitchpaint textures. He experimented en. And if you have an idea for with placement and proportion, a large mural, he’s happy to talk sometimes painting over the with you. day’s work to start again on an area.

The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri

DIOCESEMO.ORG

20

Living the Liturgical year Making Disciples Conference from Episcopal School for Ministry is Sept. 20, with Suzanne Guthrie The great story at the heart of human • Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014 experience— the “mono-myth”—is enacted • Registration opens at 9:00 am by the church year after year in the liturgi• at Church of the Good Shepcal cycle. herd, Town & Country The liturgical year begins with the shattering of time and the call to conver• Cost $20 includes lunch sion in Advent and ends in the anointing of • RSVP online the Holy Spirit and being sent out into the • Remote locations (livestream) world at Pentecost.

In each season—Christmas, Epiphany, to be determined Lent, Easter, Ascension —the Christian is called to enter a deeper consciousness with Register online. RSVP your space in the the Divine. conference using the form at diocesemo.

With the help of images, music and org/makingdisciplesconference. discussion, workshop leader Suzanne Guthrie will guide us through the seasons of the Locations Christian year and the mystical path toward In-person at Church of the Good Shepunion with God. herd. At present we're working on web delivery to additional sites in West and South Conference format convocations. Off-site details (like location and university (Cornell) chaplain. She and The conference will consist of six pre- and lunch) were not available as we went to her husband have raised four children who are now grown. sentations with silent reflection and discus- print on 8-1, please check online: “My interest in mystical theology besion following each session. diocesemo.org/MakingDisciplesConference gan at the age of twenty-two when I read the Autobiography of Teresa of Avila. I’m inter• Introduction: prayer in general and Workshop leader ested in questions about how people ‘learn’ the church year Suzanne Guthrie is a priest, author, to discern layers of consciousness of the • Advent/Christmas/ and retreat leader from upstate New York.

Holy. And I’m particularly fascinated by the • Epiphany/Lent She’s served the Episcopal church as a • Holy Week parish priest, a children’s priest, a Christian unending mystery of prayer itself.”

She publishes a weekly “self-guided re• Easter/Ascension Education consultant, columnist on chiltreat” on her website, EdgeOfEnclosure.org.

• Pentecost: questions & responses. dren’s spirituality, and as a college (Vassar)

MARK YOUR CALENDARS Program for Congregational Vitality at Episcopal School for Ministry begins September 26, diocesemo.org/ESM

MAKING DISCIPLES

Annual Church Communications Conference on Saturday, October 4, diocesemo.org/commconf

BUILDING CONGREGATIONS

FOR THE LIFE OF THE WORLD

Diocesan Convention in Cape Girardeau, November 21-22,

diocesemo.org/175thConvention