Spirit December 2015 by The Diocese of West Missouri

Spirit

EPISCOPAL COMMUNITY SERVICES | DIOCESAN YOUTH GATHERING

Diocese of West Missouri DECEMBER 2015 | VOLUME 7, NO. 6

DIOCESAN CONVENTION 2015

Publisher

The Rt. Rev. Martin S. Field

Editor

Gary Allman

Spirit is published by: Diocese of West Missouri 420 West 14th St. Kansas City, MO 64105

In This Issue

Editor’s Letter A personal reflection on the Diocesan

Convention and the first Area Confirmations in the south of the diocese. Gary Allman

Editorial Board Members

Keeping Watch Bishop Marty sums up this year’s 126th

Congratulations to PB Curry Bishop Marty was at

Submissions/Letters

Gary Allman, Communications Director Angela Crawford, Communications Assistant The Rev. Canon Dr. Steven Rottgers, Canon to the Ordinary We welcome submissions of news articles, photographs and letters to the editor on topics of interest to the diocese.

Submission Guidelines

We will consider all submissions, but it helps us immensely if you can follow the submission guidelines provided on the diocesan website.

 www.diowestmo.org/spirit-article-submission.html

Back Copies

You can see the latest Spirit magazine and an archive of Spirit issues going back to the winter of 2011 by following the link below.

 www.diowestmo.org/spirit/spirit-magazine.html

Additional Image Credits Photograph on page 7 by Flickr user Robert Lyle Bolton https://www. flickr.com/photos/robertlylebolton/ used under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic License.

ON THE COVER The procession for the opening Eucharist and ordinations of the 126th Convention of The Diocese of West Missouri. Friday November 6, 2015.

The Rt. Rev. Martin S. Field

the Installation of our new Presiding Bishop, The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry. The Rt. Rev. Martin S. Field

Preparing for a holy birth World religions tell stories

anticipating their leaders’ births. Their similarities and differences can help us with our own Advent preparations. Vern Barnet

Diocesan Youth Gathering - DYG Bishop’s Ball,

leading prayer at the Diocesan Convention, presenting the Youth Report, and a day of workshops - it’s all part of DYG. Kim Snodgrass

Contact

 (816) 471-6161 ext. 17  communications@diowestmo.org  www.diowestmo.org  www.facebook.com/diowestmo

Diocesan Convention.

ELCA Partner with BKSM The Central States

Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) and the Bishop Kemper School for Ministry (BKSM) have entered into a new partnership. Casey Kelch Rohleder

Ordinations to the Diaconate At this year’s

Dignity and Hope Served Hot at Kansas City Community Kitchen Changes and transformations at

Diocesan Convention there were two ordinands, Anne Meredith Kyle and Kevin White.

Episcopal Community Services in Kansas City. Beau G. Heyen

Leadership Boot Camp “So good we decided to do it

Bishop Spencer Place – 2015 Bishop’s Benefit

twice!”

The Rev. Canon Dr. Stephen R. Rottgers

This year’s benefit heralds Bishop Spencer Place’s 20th anniversary celebrations.

Cover: Gary Zumwalt

Kristin Dittmar

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Directory A directory of the churches of the diocese.

Gary Allman | Editor’s Letter

A Newbie’s Guide to Convention CONTACT  communications@diowestmo.org Direct:  (417) 522-5151 LINKS  www.diowestmo.org Convention website:  www.diowmo.org/convention-2015/index.html Spirit online extras:  http://goo.gl/nSndXN

Standing Committee and Diocesan Council are voted on by ballot. Some key roles are by appointment of the Bishop and are formally announced at Convention. And finally. Resolutions: the really detailed stuff. Resolutions serve to steer our activities for the coming year or years, they are the basic building blocks that defines what we, as a diocese do and how we operate. Resolutions can also be used to discuss and change the rules (constitution & canons) of the diocese. It all sounds very serious and a lot of it is, but Episcopalians are always on the lookout for a chance to lighten the moment, and laughter oils the wheels of diocesan business. You can ask Fr. Tim Coppinger (EChO) what he meant by his reference to “Bishop Pickle” and “working for the gherkin” when presenting the Courtesy Resolutions. Hopefully you’ll be encouraged to take part in future Conventions either as visitor, observer, presenter, or by volunteering at your church’s annual meeting to act as a delegate to Convention.

Area Confirmations for the South

I am blessed to be able to travel around the diocese visiting churches and watching the business of the diocese in action. This was the first Area Confirmations held in the south and it was great to see so many people confirmed and share in their experience. An unexpected bonus was the fellowship afterwards with the people from all the churches represented, including one group traveling down from St. Mary’s, Kansas City. A lot of us don’t get a chance to meet with other churches so this was a great opportunity for everyone to swap news and make new friends. +

Photograph: Gary Allman

have a suspicion that for many people, the Diocesan Convention is a bit of a mystery. There’s a good chance that the youth of your church know more about Convention than most adults. Each year the youth come along and lead us in morning prayer, make their annual report and also provide a delegation to listen, debate and vote on the business at hand. Episcopal 101, as we call the adult preparation for confirmation at Christ Church, touches on the organization of the church, but that did not prepare me for, or inform me, of all the nitty-gritty details of church and diocesan business. So until last year, I confess I was pretty much in the dark about how the diocese was managed and what Convention was and did too. So, here, is a brief, untutored and unofficial take on Diocesan Convention. In its current form, our Convention has six main parts. Day one. Presentations: a program of presentations and discussions selected to address topical issues and help churches with their mission and ministries. Eucharist & Ordinations: no gathering of the diocesan clergy and laity would be complete without worship, Holy Communion, and the opportunity to perform ordinations to the deaconate and priesthood. Banquet and Bishop’s awards: a chance for fellowship, to celebrate the work of the diocese, and to have some fun - which this year was in the form of a church-based game of ‘Jeopardy’. Day two. Reports: A briefing on the key activities of the diocese, including reports from the youth, deaneries, and this year a report from General Convention, reports on our financial position, the Bishop’s address, and several others. Nominations & Elections: the election of volunteers to serve the diocese on various groups and committees. Elections to the Diocesan

Bishop Marty with all the Confirmed, Reafirmed and Received at the Southern Area Confirmation held at Christ Episcopal Church, Springfield, on November 14, 2015.

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KEEPING WATCH | The Rt. Rev. Martin S. Field

Christianity Is Not A Comfortable Religion CONTACT bishopmarty@diowestmo.org  Convention website:  www.diowmo.org/convention-2015/index.html  www.diowestmo.org  (816) 471-6161

quote attributed to the famous Anglican apologist and university professor, C. S. Lewis, was recently posted on the @diowemoyouth Twitter feed. In case you didn’t see it, I’ll share it: “If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I certainly don’t recommend Christianity.” I repeat that quote in order to open this brief article about our recent Diocesan Convention – our 126th as a diocese – and to sum up the essence of our 2-day assembly. In recent years, our Conventions’ themes have centered on the promises from the Baptismal Vows in the Book of Common Prayer (p. 293-4). We started in 2012 with the first promise, and each year thereafter we’ve used the next promise as our Convention’s theme. This year, we were up to baptismal promise #4: “Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?” As we explored this theme during the Gathering and into the business session of Convention, we dove into the depth of what it means to seek, to serve, and to love the neighbor in whom we see the presence of Christ. And that’s where the C. S. Lewis’ quote comes in. Neither this promise nor the rest of Christian life and practice is intended to be comfortable. It is demanding to seek out Christ in another person. It is taxing to serve others. It is a hard to love others as much and in the same way as we love ourselves. It doubly hard to remember that love – as the Bible talks about it – is not an emotion, but is a decision to take action for the benefit of others. No, Christianity is certainly not a religion for couch potatoes and lovers of comfort and ease, and in our Baptismal Vows we promise to live the lives of committed, active service to God and God’s children. So that’s what our Friday, November 6—Saturday, November 7 Gathering and Convention was about. In the Friday workshops, those gathered explored how we are and how we might, as a diocese, as congregation, and as individuals, live out our promise to seek, serve, and love Christ in our neighbors. Workshops included: Asset Based Community Development which offers a new model that at discerns strengths and assets of the community (people, buildings, relationships, faith, etc.) rather than lamenting and being incapacitated by perceptions of our weaknesses and deficiencies. “Asset-Based Community Development engages communities...to recognize local assets... and creatively envision how to use that abundance to achieve goals and imagine new forms of ministry.” (The Episcopal Church’s Office of Public Affairs) 4

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Episcopal Asset Map which is a collection and mapping, of the total assets of the Episcopal Church across the globe in order to assist churches and to promote and develop ministries. Privilege to Pilgrimage: Creating a Beloved Community – In the wake of recent national events that have caused a renewed public and intra-Church conversation about race, this workshop explored “privilege” and “oppression” and how to build a collaborative movement within the Church to address “isms” of all varieties. God Called – So What Now? The Synthesis of a “Stop Human Trafficking Program” describes the genesis of the Lake of the Ozarks–Stop Human Trafficking Coalition (in which St. George’s, Camdenton is a leading player) and that coalition’s goals and long-term vision. MetroKC Hispanic “Nube/Cloud” a collaboration to develop a Spanish-language, cultural-evangelism model engaging the Spanish-speaking worshippers of St. Paul’s, Kansas City, Kansas as the developers of an additional community at St. Paul’s, Kansas City, Missouri. Jubilee Ministry was created by the 1982 General Convention to be “a ministry of joint discipleship in Christ with poor and oppressed people, wherever they are found, to meet basic human needs and to build a just society.” More than 650 Jubilee Centers have been established church-wide; our diocese has seven. Millennial Development Goals Matching Grant Program, a ministry of the diocese that challenges churches and deaneries to live out the Gospel and to take full advantage of MDG matching grants for overseas work. Campaigning for Compassion in the Ozarks which introduced the Council of Churches of the Ozarks (CCO) and its decades-long ministry of changing lives for the better in the southern reaches of our diocese. My personal thanks to our workshop presenters: Fr. Chas Marks, Deacon Anne Meredith Kyle, Fr. Marcus Halley, Fr. David Angus, Ms Cheryl Cementina, Dr. Sally Kemp, Mr. Mike McDonnell, Fr. Stan Runnels, Dean Don Compier, Deacon Larry Allen, Deacon Bruce Bower, Mr. Gary Allman, and Dean David Kendrick In the early evening of that same Friday, the Convention proper opened with two ordinations to the diaconate and Holy Communion. Anne Meredith Kyle Continued ▶

The Diocese of West Missouri Congratulates The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, Presiding Bishop & Primate of The Episcopal Church The Rt. Rev. Martin S. Field

(who had been nominated by All Saints’, West Plains) and Kevin White (St. Mary’s, Kansas City) were ordained as members of the Sacred Order of Deacons. It was a joyous occasion for all. Convention’s Saturday business session kicked off with Morning Prayer led by the youth assembled for the Diocesan Youth Gathering. It was an early start for the young people who the previous evening had stayed up late for the annual Bishop’s Ball where they celebrated the achievements of the preceding 12-month’s Youth Ministry, so their contribution was especially appreciated. During the business that followed, elections were held; I offered my annual “Bishop’s Address to the Convention”; seven resolutions were approved as well as the diocese’s Plan for Ministry (aka “the budget”); reports were heard from our General Convention deputation, officers, committees, and commissions of the diocese; and special reports were heard from ministries of, or auxiliary to, the diocese that are starting up or are in a particular time of change or renewal: • Episcopal Community Services (by Mr. Beau Heyen, President & Chief Executive Officer),

I cannot possible capture and convey the full magnitude of the experience. Therefore, let me sum it up this way. This service was The Episcopal Church at its best, and in his sermon, the new Presiding Bishop called The Episcopal Church to be always at its best in sharing the world-changing, life-converting power of the Gospel with a society that sorely needs to hear and receive the message of Jesus Christ, Our Lord. +

Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry calls on Episcopalians to become evangelists and reconcilers during his Nov. 1 sermon at Washington National Cathedral just after he was installed as The Episcopal Church’s 27th presiding bishop and its primate.

•

Diocesan “Branding” Initiative (Ms Tracy Temple, St. Andrew’s, KC, Branding Consultant),

•

BKSM Board of Directors (The Very Rev. Don Compier, Dean, BKSM),

•

Deanery Reports (The Very Revs. Pat Miller, David Kendrick, & Megan Castellan, Deans), and

•

Campus Ministry (The Rev. Joe Behen, Church of the Redeemer, KC & Chair of the Campus Ministry).

Photo: Mary Frances Schjonberg/Episcopal News Service

Bishop Michael Bruce Curry, lately Bishop of the Diocese of North Carolina was installed in the primate’s cathedra at The Cathedral Church of St. Peter and St. Paul (aka the National Cathedral) in Washington, DC on All Saint’s Day, Sunday, November 1st. His historic, first-ballot election took place at this summer’s General Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah, and was greeted with great joy, more than a few tears, and affirmation by the Church he now is tasked to lead. Bishop Curry is the first bishop of African descent to be elected Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church, and a brief search through my memory (but not history books) makes me believe his may be the first ever, first ballot election. I was privileged to be in attendance at the All Saints’ Day service of installation, and it was nothing short of a sublime experience with layer upon layer of overlaid symbolism and meaning. Beautiful music of several genres, diverse spoken languages, Bishop Curry’s rousing, call-to-arms sermon, renewal of baptismal vows and promises, the grace of Holy Communion celebrated within the soaring edifice that is the National Cathedral, all of this made for an extraordinary experience, an unforgettable day, and a cherished memory. I know this sounds like a failed funny story that fades away into the jokester saying, “I guess you had to be there”, so I know

All of the Gathering workshops and all the business of Convention helped us dive deeper into Promise #4: “Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?” to which the faithful routinely reply, “I will with God’s help.” The question is: will we really? These and many other ways to fulfill our vows await any persons who are not looking for a comfortable religion. +

SPIRIT | December 2015

Preparing for a Holy Birth World religions tell stories anticipating their leaders’ births. Their similarities and differences can help us with our own Advent preparations.

Vern Barnet

his year, before Thanksgiving. Even before Halloween, earlier than ever in October, artificial Christmas trees were on sale. To those who wish to put Christ back in Christmas; one wag wearily desired merely that Christmas be put back in December. It is true that in Eternity, suggested it would be better all is whole, a mysterious to count the petals on a lotus and wondrous completeness; bloom than put any question but in the human sphere of to the chief priest. time, we do best to honor this I persisted, and before mystery as a story told in a I was settled, the priest sequence through which we appeared. Anticipating a enter a better understanding of long and difficult philoEternal Love brought into the sophical disquisition, I field of time.

1. Preparation That sequence, the liturgical year, begins with Advent, and it is a time of preparation. A classic issue in Buddhism is whether you can prepare for Enlightenment, vaguely parallel to the Christian tension between formation and conversion. On my first trip to Japan, I determined to get an answer, or at least weigh the arguments on each side, no matter how complicated or esoteric. In checking in at the Shingon sect headquarters at Mount Koya, I requested an audience with the chief priest to put this problem before him. The manager 6

SPIRIT | December 2015

up one morning, looked out the window, and suddenly saw the world as a Sung Dynasty painter might have seen it. I prize spontaneity and surprise, but their delights are more likely when things are settled enough so the unexpected can be enjoyed. I recently talked with a young father who told me about the preparations he and his wife had made before their child’s birth. The preparations

as much sense as if you had prepared for the discussion by reading the book. Advent is a way of recognizing that something special is going to happen. Our preparation can make us more ready to be touched in a way we could not have planned for without readying our attention.

2. Two Stories

Matthew tells us that Joseph dreamt that Mary would bear a child who would “save his people from He responded matter-of-factly, their sins.” The Magi from “Enlightenment is sudden, with gradual the East journeyed because preparation.” a star foretold the Savior’s birth, which would take place, asked, “Is Enlightenment did not diminish their joy; according to the prophets, in sudden or gradual?” He rather it gave them a freedom Bethlehem. Luke tells of the responded matter-of-factly, from distractions (what shall Annunciation and other signs “Enlightenment is sudden, we do about diapers?) by and prophesies. with gradual preparation.” having everything in place. Similar motifs are found Problem solved. They became one with the in stories of other religious Although I am skeptical moment, to discover what they figures. For example, Deacon about Malcolm Gladwell’s prepared for but could not Jerry Grahber’s centering position that takes roughly ten have anticipated. prayer group at Grace and thousand hours of practice A more ordinary example: Holy Trinity Cathedral has to achieve mastery in a field, You belong to a book been studying “Jesus and I know that it was only after discussion group. If you have Buddha: Paths to Awakening” persistent study of Chinese not read the book, you may from the Center for Action art, when at times I felt that I still enjoy the conversation, and Contemplation, which would never get it, that I woke but it probably will not make includes James Finley’s

Photograph: Robert Lyle Bolton

Lotus Blossom

comparisons between our Savior and the Buddha. I asked the Most Venerable Sunyananda Dharma, Patriarch of the United Buddhist Church, to tell me a birth story of the Buddha. I knew that like Joseph, the Buddha’s father had a dream. Both the mothers traveled before giving birth. You may discover other similarities and differences in the stories. Here I summarize Dharma’s account: Once the King presided over a festival during which his wife, Queen Maya, tired. She dreamt that heavenly beings carried her into the skies. Soon a white bull elephant appeared, clutching a white lotus in its trunk. The elephant circled Queen Maya three times, he then placed his trunk holding the white lotus into her womb. When the queen awoke, she related the dream to her husband, who summoned sixty-four Brahmin priests to interpret the dream. They said that Queen Maya was to bear a child who, if he were shielded from the difficulties of life, would become a great ruler like his father. However, if he were exposed to

suffering, he would become a mendicant priest and sage. Queen Maya did indeed conceive a son. As she was about to deliver, she traveled, carried on a palanquin and accompanied by 1,000 servants, to a place where she would be more comfortable giving birth. Arriving in Lumbini garden, the Queen descended her palanquin and, grasping a branch of a tree, gave birth effortlessly to her child. He immediately took seven steps, leaving in his wake lotus blossoms springing up at his footprints, and spoke, identifying himself as world savior. Dharma added, “Elements of the story such as the white elephant were valued in Vedic culture and many aspects of the story are retold from Hindu mythology.”

3. A Birth Just as we have different stories of preparation for Christ’s Nativity, so many versions of the Buddha’s birth are told. The teachings of Jesus and of the Buddha are similar, but I have always been impressed

by their different birth and life stories. Jesus was born in a manger, the Buddha in luxury; Joseph was a carpenter. The Buddha’s father was the king. Jesus lived a simple life; the Buddha grew up in palaces and pleasure until he discovered others suffered and abandoned his princely sway to find out why. When Jesus was perhaps 33, he was crucified in a social and political drama, and his disciples deserted him: the Buddha died at age 80, perhaps from food poisoning, in the care of his beloved companions. God entered the realm of time to become human in Jesus; in Buddhism, the prince accepted the human condition by abandoning his palaces. Finley argues that both Jesus and the Buddha taught that our problem is ignorance. Finley cites the prayer of Jesus on the cross: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” I suppose the Buddha’s teaching that our troubles arise from unhealthy attachments is a kind of ignorance, but I think the similarities and differences are both important.

The history of science includes accounts of accidental discoveries made by those in pursuit of a solution to a problem, with an unexpected and valued result. Such pursuit is a kind of departure from ordinary thinking, into an unknown landscape, a metaphorical journey into a strange country where one is prepared for a startling revelation. Preparation cannot compel such a manifestation, and a wonder may appear without intentional readiness. Still there is no better way to honor and welcome the new birth of the holy within our hearts than by preparation. “Eternity is in love with the productions of Time,” wrote mystic Christian poet William Blake. In our observing Advent, we may prepare ourselves for a fresh glimpse of how God’s eternal and saving love comes to us in the manger, in history, and in our hearts. + Vern Barnet’s latest book is Thanks for Noticing: The Interpretation of Desire. He previously wrote for The Kansas City Star.

SPIRIT | December 2015

Diocesan Youth Gathering - DYG Bishop’s Ball, leading prayer at the Diocesan Convention, presenting the Youth Report, and a day of workshops - it’s all part of DYG. LINKS www.youth.diowestmo.org  DYG Pictures:  https://flic.kr/s/aHskkCnFi6

Kim Snodgrass

YG packs a ton into a short 40-hour weekend, starting with the Bishop’s Ball on Friday evening! Dancing to the tunes of returning DJ and youth, Chris Palma, guests also enjoyed a sumptuous buffet prepared by youth ministry volunteers, Pat Rudy, Louise Thurlow and Jennifer Loftis and ended the celebration hours later with a special candlelight ceremony.

Candlelight closing ceremony

Youth Ministry awards and recognitions are always a special part of the evening. This year’s recipients of the Purple Cross award were The Rev. Tim Coppinger (EChO) and The Rev. Galen Snodgrass (Church of the Good Shepherd); Outstanding Adult Volunteer awards

Award winners 8

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went to Brad and Krista Heuett (Christ Episcopal Church, Springfield), Jeff Janney (Church of the Good Shepherd) and Madi Kyger (Grace, Carthage); Outstanding Youth awards were given to Amanda Colburn (Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral) and Rosie

Garza (Christ Episcopal Church, Springfield); and the Outstanding Youth Ministry Commission award was presented to Alex Long (St. Andrew’s). Youth and adult volunteers joined Convention on Saturday morning beginning with music provided by the DYG music team and followed by DYG Chair, Taylor Mansfield, leading Morning Prayer. Several youth gave reports to Convention on 2015 events and also announced dates for upcoming 2016 events. Returning to Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral the ‘educational’ (and fun) workshop portion of the weekend began. The twelve engaging workshops led by adult volunteers included Righteous Anger, Doubt and Trust, God in Music and Movies, Team Building, Creative Arts, Story Time, Ethics, Physical Prayer and Meditation, “Can I be a

Christian and Still Have Fun?”, ‘Traditions, Thin Place and Communion Bread Baking and Discussion’. The fun kept on coming Saturday evening during an Amazing Race around the cathedral! Teams began with a massive one-handed Shoe Find, then ran through a Race to 100, Knot Race, Cotton Ball Challenge, Photo Scavenger Hunt, Puzzle Race and ended with a Pyramid Build in the courtyard! On Sunday morning everyone joined in celebrating the Eucharist before leaving for home. All youth, adult volunteers and the Youth Ministry Program staff send a resounding thank you to Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral for their wonderful, welcoming hospitality throughout the weekend! + Kim Snodrass is Youth Network Coordinator for The Diocese of West Missouri.

ELCA Partner with BKSM The Central States Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) and the Bishop Kemper School for Ministry (BKSM) have entered into a new partnership.

Casey Kelch Rohleder

LINKS ELCA - PMA:  www.css-elca.org/for-leaders/parish-ministry-associate-program BKSM:  www.BishopKemperSchool.org

he Central States Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) and the Bishop Kemper School for Ministry (BKSM) have entered into a new partnership to help provide high quality, accessible and affordable educational opportunities for current and future church leaders. BKSM is a joint venture of the Episcopal Dioceses of Kansas, Nebraska, West Missouri and Western Kansas. Lay leaders in the Central of the collaboration between States Synod seeking to become the two bodies. “We are a Pastoral Ministry Associate approaching the 500th (PMA) can choose to take anniversary of the Protestant a portion of their required Reformation. Luther’s reform coursework at BKSM. Once impacted all of Christianity, certified, PMAs may serve including Anglicanism. alongside rostered leaders Sadly, theological disagreein their own congregations ments divided Anglicans or, with the approval of the and Lutherans for centuries. bishop, enter into a covenant The concordats recognizing relationship to serve a congreone another’s ministries, gation or parish as the primary agreed to both in Europe pastoral leader. and the US in the 1990s, Conversations about a were watersheds, bringing potential partnership began our two communions into in early fall 2014, when all much closer collaboration. It five bishops agreed to greater is exciting to see us live more collaboration between the two deeply into this spirit of unity denominations, which are as we work together in the already in full communion with education of our ministers, one another. From the outset, lay and ordained.” all shared the same vision about Five BKSM courses, in potential joint efforts in minis- the areas of scripture, church terial formation and education. history, ethics, homiletics The Rev. Susan Candea, and pastoral ministry, have Bishop’s Associate to Central been approved as meeting the States Synod Bishop Roger educational requirements of Gustafson, organized a number PMAs. If they desire, PMA of meetings to further explore students can take up to three opportunities for partnership. additional courses to fill Heather Yerion-Keck of St. elective requirements. James Lutheran Church, Kansas At BKSM, courses last City, Mo., became the first PMA two months each. Students student to enroll at BKSM this spend the first month past August. completing assigned reading The Very Rev. Don and pre-class assignments Compier, BKSM’s dean, said on their own. Then, students

come together for a weekend of face-to-face instruction, worship and fellowship in Topeka, Kan. During the next four weeks, students complete final papers and projects. BKSM courses are primarily taught by Ph.D.holding faculty who have a love for teaching and for the Church. BKSM invited two faculty members from Bethany College (an ELCA, related school) Dr. Adam Pryor and Dr. Tyler Atkinson, to join its faculty for the 2015-16 school year, to demonstrate its commitment to unity as well as deepen its roster of top-notch instructors. Yerion-Keck is grateful for the opportunity to study at BKSM. “My experiences as the pioneering Lutheran at Bishop Kemper School for Ministry have been excellent,” she stated. “I have been made to feel welcomed in the arms of our Episcopalian friends. I encourage all who are interested in the PMA program to look into BKSM. The weekends are filled with fantastic education, wonderful community, and a place to make some lifetime friendships.” The PMA program is not the only area for collaboration between the Central States Synod and the Bishop Kemper School for Ministry. This past September, the Bethany House of Studies, Bethany College and BKSM co-sponsored

a workshop, Preaching the Gospel of Luke, which attracted nearly 40 clergy members, BKSM students, and laity from both denominations. All three organizations look forward to planning continuing-education workshops in collaboration with one another in the months and years ahead. Candea is hopeful about the future of Lutherans and Episcopalians working closely with one another in this region of the country. She said that “in Corinthians, we are called to be ‘stewards of God’s mysteries’ and entrusted with the gospel, to proclaim and live the good news of God’s love for the world. This gift is worth our highest regard and calls us to take seriously the need for theological education that reflects our partnership as ordained and lay leaders. What could be more exciting, fulfilling and faithful than gathering together to talk about God and do so with our brothers and sisters throughout the Church?” For more information about the PMA program in the Central States Synod, and Bishop Kemper School for Ministry, see the links at the top of this page. + Casey Kelch Rohleder is a Communications and Outreach Specialist with Bishop Kemper School for Ministry.

SPIRIT | December 2015

Ordinations to the Diaconate At this year’s Diocesan Convention there were two ordinands, Anne Meredith Kyle and Kevin White.

The Rev. Anne Meredith Kyle, Transitional Deacon

The Rev. Kevin White, Vocational Deacon

My twin sister, Edith Van Hoesen and I were very active “drop off kids” at the Episcopal Church near our suburban Chicago home. Our family moved to a farm in southern Missouri while we were in ninth grade and became members of All Saints’, West Plains. I was active in campus ministry at Mizzou and served as a student peer minister for 3 years. I stayed on in Columbia after completing my nursing degree, and was involved in a variety of ministries at Calvary Church that ranged from the office of Senior Warden during an interim and hiring of a new rector to proficiency in operating the 1950s era Hobart commercial dishwasher (the few, the proud). When I announced my departure in 1999 many at Calvary asked why I was not headed to seminary. While I, too recognized the possibility of a call to the priesthood, I felt the immediacy of a call to head back to the family farm in southern Missouri and join my brother in the care of our dad and step-mom. I soon became an active member back at All Saints’. My diocesan involvement began in 1999 when my son and I attended a mom-and-me session at Cliff Springs Camp. I returned to camp annually thereafter in the role of camp nurse. In 2005 I tried on a new ministry and served All Saints’ as a lay representative to the Southern Deanery and Convention delegate. It was there that I was introduced to a relative newcomer to the diocese, The Rev. Mike Kyle. By the time we returned to Convention in 2006 we were a steady item, or at least as steady as we could be while living at opposite ends of the diocese! We were married at All Saints’ in 2008. After a dozen years as the high school nurse in Willow Springs I took a position in public health emergency preparedness with the State of Missouri and I continue in that role today. My sense of a call to the priesthood persisted and early in 2012 I asked Bishop Marty for permission to begin discernment. I entered the Kansas School for Ministry, now Bishop Kemper School for Ministry in July of 2012 and graduated last May with a certificate in Presbyteral Studies. At this time I am awaiting my diaconal assignment and completing my clinical pastoral education. +

I am a native of Saint Louis Missouri, by way of Memphis, Tennessee. I came to the Episcopal Church later in life, around 2002 or so. My first Episcopal parish was in a small town in West Tennessee. We had morning prayer most Sundays with a priest who came out to our small parish maybe once a month. I moved to Kansas City in 2005 and began to attend Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church in Kansas City, Missouri. I was confirmed by Bishop Barry Howe a couple of years later at Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church. It was during my time at Saint Paul’s that I first became interested in becoming a deacon, but it would be four or five years before I took any action toward doing so. I was challenged by Fr. Stan Runnels to make sure I wanted to be a Deacon and not a Priest. My first step was to see great deacons in action before I came to believe that I had a calling to the Diaconate. I changed my parish from Saint Paul’s to Saint Mary’s. Saint Mary’s has a hunger relief program that at the time was staffed by two of Saint Mary’s three deacons. It was while volunteering on Saturday mornings at Saint Mary’s Episcopal Church that I witnessed Deacons who each in their own way helped me to discern my own diaconal calling. Deacon Leslie Hoover was inspirational in her love of the work with the people who she served at Saint Mary’s Episcopal Church. Grace under fire was what Leslie taught me to seek to imitate, poise and loving care to all who came her way. Leslie Hoover said to me many times “in her opinion” I was a deacon in my devoted service to the community and to our parish. Deacon Hoover was very inspiring to me. I also met Deacon Gerry Shaon at Saint Mary’s who was extremely generous with his time in teaching me by example what a deacon does during the Liturgy. Thank you Deacons Hoover and Shaon. My last and best example of how I wanted to shape my diaconal ministry came from my future mentor and friend, Deacon Jerry Grabher. If you want to know what it means to be a deacon in the Episcopal Church, look no further than Jerry Grabher. What a model of Christian servitude. He is a selfless, unassuming, Spirit-filled worker for the greater glory. I am fortunate also to have had the Bishop Kemper School for Ministry model to follow for my education. Without it I cannot imagine how any of this could have been possible. If you feel in anyway called to a ministry of service I encourage you to give prayerful consideration to the diaconate. Of the three sacred orders of ministers, only being a deacon is common to all. I would be pleased to speak with anyone who feels so called. +

10 SPIRIT | December 2015

Photograph: Gary Zumwalt

Deacon Kevin White, Bishop Marty, and Transitional Deacon Anne Meredith Kyle

SPIRIT | December 2015 11

Dignity and Hope Served Hot at Kansas City Community Kitchen Changes and transformations at Episcopal Community Services in Kansas City.

Beau G. Heyen

CONTACT Mandy Caruso-Yahne, Director of Community Engagement  volunteer@epsicopalcommunity.org  (816) 561-8920 LINK www.episcopalcommunity.org 

olunteers are vital to feeding hundreds of individuals and his passion for cooking families each week through food pantries and community comes from his own personal kitchens across the greater Kansas City area and beyond. experience of poverty and eating in soup kitchens. For those of you who do that, you get to see behind the scenes, From Alaska to Boston you get the satisfaction of helping and also learning the unique and Dallas to Seattle, Michael challenges of a feeding ministry. Recently, during a Hunger Services (ECS) hopes not only brings fantastic energy and Summit held at St. Paul’s to feed people bread, but add vision to this position as ECS Episcopal Church in Kansas soup, chicken and vegetables continues updating programs City, Missouri, nearly 50 and create space for more to better serve the community individuals from parishes volunteers to build deeper, and those experiencing across The Diocese of West more meaningful relationships poverty and homelessness. Missouri and Diocese of Kansas gathered to talk about the joys and struggles of this The tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are kind of mission. the Son of God, command these stones to Often needing to turn become loaves of bread.’ But he answered, ‘It “stones” into “bread,” is written, “One does not live by bread alone, volunteers at food pantries across the country know but by every word that comes from the the pressure brought on by mouth of God.” ’ funding, spoiling food, and Matthew 4: 3-4 ever-changing logistics, not to mention making guests, volunteers, and donors happy. with guests. Kansas City Community When the stress and With an increased focus Kitchen will evolve from the anxiety subside, feeding those on dignity and hope, ECS antiquated “soup kitchen” in need can be a beautiful welcomes Michael Curry as model into a restaurant-like spiritual gift. Together, the new Executive Chef at atmosphere, where volunteers the actions of hundreds of the Kansas City Community will serve as wait staff and volunteers can become the Kitchen. Not to be confused guests will order their meal living word of God in the with the new Presiding Bishop, off of a short menu, allowing lives of our neighbors in need. Chef Michael comes to ECS the freedom and dignity that Moving beyond just feeding with extensive experience comes with making a choice. the body, when volunteers in, and beyond, the Kansas In addition to revamping have resources, time, energy City restaurant community, the meal program, ECS and passion they can also feed including Harvey’s at Union is updating the Culinary the soul of those who come for Station and involvement with Cornerstones vocational help. this year’s American Royal. training program. Starting With new leadership, Seeking to make a place where in January, the program will Episcopal Community all can “dine with dignity,” grow from a 12-week class 12 SPIRIT | December 2015

into a 6-month curriculum teaching everything from cooking skills to financial literacy to direct counseling, using both classroom and hands-on training. Michael will work with the new Director of Education, Kristan Chamberlain, and Director of Community Care, Dr. Carla Edwards, to build this program. “We want to be the place that Kansas City restaurants call when they need good help in their kitchens,” Michael said. “Everyone has a right to be nourished and sustained, and we’ll do that with both food and learning.” To ensure that no food is wasted, ECS has re-engaged the Episcopal Hunger Relief Network, which includes over twenty feeding programs across the greater Kansas City area. Working with these food pantries and other feeding programs, ECS hopes to offer guidance to better share resources, reduce waste, and increase buying power. Most importantly, ECS hopes their larger role will help to lift the heavy administrative and financial burden of running a feeding program away from parishes, allowing volunteers to better focus on ministry and mission. Continued ▶

Leadership Boot Camp “So good we decided to do it twice!”

CONTACT  Canonord@diowestmo.org  (816) 471-6161 Ext. 12

The Rev. Canon Dr. Stephen R. Rottgers

ECS invites you to join us in this new journey as we move to embody the word of God through our actions, and through the bread that we serve throughout Kansas City Community Kitchen and the Episcopal Hunger Relief Network. To learn about new volunteer opportunities, please contact Mandy Caruso-Yahne, Director of Community Engagement. For general information, please visit our website. +

Newly ordained clergy and clergy new to the Diocese of West Missouri are strongly encouraged to make this a part of their continuing education as well as an avenue to connect with others in the Diocesan Family. We are already seeing results that have helped existing clergy and their laity to discuss, plan and execute efforts to move their congregations closer to a healthy vitality or to solve some challenging problems as a result of their Boot Camp experience. If you are interested in attending Leadership Boot Camp, contact Canon Steve Rottgers either by email or

phone. The cost of Boot Camp is only the cost of the books that make up the reading list ($100-150) and the cost of a catered lunch ($10-12) per session if you so desire. There is the option to bring a brown bag lunch if you wish. When you make contact to sign up, please designate whether you intend to attend the northern or southern location and make sure that you provide an email address and phone number so we can reply. + The Rev. Dr. Stephen R. Rottgers is Canon to the Ordinary with The Diocese of West Missouri.

Photograph: Beau Heyen

ith the success of graduating 19 people in 2014 and 28 in 2015, Bishop Marty and Canon Steve are offering Leadership Boot Camp in 2016 at two concurrent locations! The northern Site will be the Common Room at Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kansas City, Missouri and the southern Site will be St. John’s Episcopal Church in Springfield, Missouri. The eight month course of Lay Leaders, official/formal study begins on either Friday, or for those who function in January 22 or Saturday the 23. that capacity without a title You get to pick the date (Friday or designated role. We are or Saturday) each month so trying to broaden the span that there is flexibility to meet of people in the diocese who your scheduling needs. The are in the role of leadership same course presentation will so they can have a common take place both days of that operational language as well month, so you need to choose as images/theories/models to only one! better inter-relate and share Leadership Boot Camp is the journey of Leadership. designed for both Clergy and

Beau Heyen

Preparing food in the Kansas City Community Kitchen

Beau Heyen is the new President & CEO of Episcopal Community Services in the greater Kansas City area.

SPIRIT | December 2015 13

Bishop Spencer Place – 2015 Bishop’s Benefit This year’s benefit heralds Bishop Spencer Place’s 20th anniversary celebrations. Kristin Dittmar

LINK  www.BishopSpencerPlace.org

14 SPIRIT | December 2015

Photograph: Jerry Kolb

L-R Bishop John C. Buchanan, Peggy Buchanan, Donna Field, Bishop Martin S. Field

Photograph: Jerry Kolb

he Bishop’s Benefit, which raises funds for benevolent care at Bishop Spencer Place, was held on October 15 at The Westin Crown Center. The event kicked off 20th anniversary celebrations for the community, which opened its doors on December 6, 1995. Bishop John C. Buchanan was held, and on December was honored as the 2015 6, 1995, Bishop Spencer Place Bishop’s Award recipient. opened its doors with Bishop Established in 2003, this Buchanan leading the charge. award publicly acknowledges As Bishop Spencer Place the recipient’s extraordinary prepares to commemorate 20 contribution to Bishop years, Bishop Buchanan was Spencer Place. Bishop John C. lauded with this most befitting Buchanan was the Bishop of award. the Episcopal Diocese of West Bishop Spencer Place Missouri from 1989-1999, and Board Chairman, Bishop to say he was instrumental in Martin S. Field, served as the development of Bishop master of ceremonies for Spencer Place would be an the evening. He honored understatement. Mrs. Peggy Buchanan by Although Bishop Spencer re-awarding her the Bishop’s Place was incorporated Shield – an award she origiin 1975, it was not until nally received in 1990 for Bishop Buchanan began his having “offered significant Episcopate in 1989 that the and sustained ministry to and planning and development in support of the mission, truly accelerated. He brought a ministry, and life of The new energy and a new sense of Diocese of West Missouri.” determination to the project. Bishop Marty bestowed upon Many have said that Bishop her an updated version of the Spencer Place might not be the award, saying, “It is wholly community it is today without appropriate that we honor the work and dedication of the man who will receive the Bishop Buchanan. Bishop’s Award this evening, As Chairman of the but another person in our Board of Directors, Bishop midst equally deserves our Buchanan led a five-year effort recognition. I refer to Mrs. through property acquisition, Peggy Buchanan, who has tax-exempt bond financing, for many years served and design and construction. ministered and ventured – and Under his leadership, Saint even quested and sallied Luke’s Hospital contributed forth – alongside her episcopal funds to Bishop Spencer Place husband.” for site acquisition. The evening began with On September 30, 1994, cocktails, followed by a a ground breaking ceremony gourmet dinner accompanied

Peggy Buchanan receiving the Bishop’s Shield from Bishop Marty

by UMKC’s 11 O’Clock Jazz Band under the direction of Dan Thomas. Mr. Steve Seggerman, Bishop Spencer Place CEO, spoke passionately about the proceeds supporting benevolent care and thanked guests for stepping forward to assist in assuring all residents who have outlived

their financial resources have a home for life at Bishop Spencer Place. Since opening in 1995, Bishop Spencer Place has provided more than $14 million in benevolent care to residents. + Kristin Dittmar is Communications Coordinator for Bishop Spencer Place.

| DIRECTORY

The Diocese of West Missouri Diocese of West Missouri: ď&#x201D;Ľ (816) 471-6161 | ď&#x201E;&#x192; www.diowestmo.org All Saints' Episcopal Church, Nevada

St. Alban's Episcopal Church, Bolivar

St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Clinton

All Saints' Episcopal Church, West Plains

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Kansas City

St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Kansas City

(417) 667-2607 www.allsaintsnevada.diowestmo.org (417) 256-2215 www.allsaintswestplains.com

Calvary Episcopal Church, Sedalia (660) 826-4873 www.calvarye.org

Christ Episcopal Church, Boonville

(660) 882-6444 www.nermwestmo.org/christ_church_boonville_0. aspx

Christ Episcopal Church, Lexington

(660) 259-3605 www.nermwestmo.org/christ_church_lexington0. aspx

Christ Episcopal Church, Springfield (417) 866-5133 www.christepiscopalchurch.com

Christ Episcopal Church, St Joseph

(816) 279-6351 www.christchurchsj.diowestmo.org

Christ Episcopal Church, Warrensburg (660) 429-1133 www.christepiscopalwarrensburg.org

Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, Kansas City (816) 452-0745 www.episcopalcogs.org

Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, Kansas City (816) 741-1136 www.redeemerkc.org

Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, Blue Springs (816) 228-4220 www.episcopal-bluesprings.org

Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration, Mountain Grove (417) 926-5217

Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral, Kansas City (816) 474-8260 www.kccathedral.org

(417) 777-2233 www.stalbansozarks.org (816) 523-1602 www.standrewkc.org

St. Anne's Episcopal Church, Lee's Summit (816) 524-5552 www.saintannesls.org

St. Augustine's Episcopal Church, Kansas City

(660) 885-8008 www.orgsites.com/mo/stpaulsepisc

(816) 931-2850 www.stpaulskcmo.org

St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Lee's Summit (816) 524-3651 www.stpaulsls.org

www.facebook.com/St-Augustines-EpiscopalChurch-Kansas-City-MO-153813961296920 (816) 921-8534

St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Maryville

St. George Episcopal Church, Camdenton

St. Peter and All Saints Episcopal Church, Kansas City

(573) 346-4686 www.saintge.diowestmo.org

St. James Episcopal Church, Springfield (417) 881-3073 www.stjamesspringfield.net

St. John's Episcopal Church, Neosho (417) 451-3644 www.stjohnsneosho.org

St. John's Episcopal Church, Springfield

(660) 582-5832 www.stpaulsmaryville.org

(816) 942-1066 www.stpaas.org

St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Harrisonville (816) 884-4025 www.stpetersharrisonville.diowestmo.org

St. Philip's Episcopal Church, Joplin (417) 623-6893 www.stphilipsjoplin.com

(417) 869-6351 www.stjohnsspringfield.diowestmo.org

St. Philip's Episcopal Church, Trenton

St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Excelsior Springs

St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Monett

St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Kimberling City

St. Thomas a Becket Episcopal Church, Cassville

(816) 476-2932 www.esepiscopal.org (417) 739-2460 www.stmrks.org

St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church, Village of Loch Lloyd (816) 331-2222 www.marymag.com

St. Mary's Church, Fayette

www.nermwestmo.org/st_marys_fayette0.aspx

St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Kansas City (816) 842-0975 www.stmaryskc.org

St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Savannah St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Ozark (417) 581-1350 www.stmattsozark.com

www.facebook.com/stphilipsepiscopaltrentonmo (417) 235-3330 www.ststephensmo.org

(417) 846-2155 www.saintthomasabecket.org

Trinity Episcopal Church, Independence (816) 254-3644 www.trinityindependence.org

Trinity Episcopal Church, Lebanon

(417) 532-3433 www.facebook.com/pages/Trinity-EpiscopalChurch-in-Lebanon-Missouri/510154842396985

Campus Ministry Beth Marshall (660) 728-1140 www.dcm.diowestmo.org

WEMO Youth

Grace Episcopal Church, Carthage

St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Raytown (816) 353-4592 www.stmatthewsraytown.org

Kim Snodgrass (417) 793-0780 www.youth.diowestmo.org

Grace Episcopal Church, Chillicothe

St. Michael's Episcopal Church, Independence

eSpirit Newsletter

(417) 358-4631 www.gracecarthage.org

(660) 646-4288 www.graceepiscopal-chillicothe.org

Grace Episcopal Church, Liberty (816) 781-6262 www.graceepiscopalliberty.org

Shepherd of the Hills Episcopal Church, Branson (417) 334-3968 www.shepherdofthehillsepiscopal.com

(816) 373-5333 www.stmichaelschurch.org

St. Nicholas' Episcopal Church, Noel (417) 475-3852 www.stnicholasnoel.webgarden.es

St. Oswald's in-the-Fields Episcopal Church, Skidmore www.stoswaldinthefields.diowestmo.org

www.diowestmo.org/espirit/espirit-newsletter. html

Spirit Magazine Online www.diowestmo.org/spirit/spirit-magazine.html

For the most up-to-date information about events in the diocese, church resources, news, church & clergy directories, and more, visit the diocesan website. www.diowestmo.org

SPIRIT | December 2015 15

Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage

Spirit Diocese of West Missouri 420 West 14th Street Kansas City, MO 64105

PAID

Permit #668 Kansas City, MO

Celebrating 20 Years!

816.595.5878

www.BishopSpencerPlace.org

4301 Madison Ave., Kansas City, Missouri 64111