Spirit December 2013

SPIRIT

WEST MISSOURI’S 125TH ANNIVERSARY | BISHOP’S BALL | ORDINATION OF PRIESTS

Episcopal Diocese of West Missouri

December 2013 | Volume 5, No. 2

DIOCESAN CONVENTION 2013

PUBLISHER The Rt. Rev’d. Martin S. Field EDITOR The Rev’d. Lauren Lyon

Spirit is published by the Episcopal Diocese of West Missouri 420 West 14th St. Kansas City, MO 64105 EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS The Very Rev. John Spicer, St. Andrew’s, Kansas City Angela Crawford, Communications Assistant The Rev’d. Lauren Lyon, Communications Director The Rev’d. Dr. Steven Rottgers, Canon to the Ordinary SUBMISSIONS/LETTERS

Spirit welcomes submissions of news articles, photographs and letters to the editor on topics of interest to the diocese.

Submissions should include the writer’s name, e-mail, mailing address and phone number and are subject to editing.

PHONE (816) 471-6161 ext. 15 FAX (816) 471-0379 E-MAIL west.mo.communications@gmail.com WEB SITE www.episcopalwestmo.org

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Editor’s Letter

Keeping the Feast

As West Missouri approaches its 125th anniversary year we take a look at the primary convention of 1890 that organized the new diocese.

This first installment of a new column on liturgy features the Feast of the Presentation and St. Blaise Day These midwinter feast days bring light to dark winter days and prayers for relief from the coughs and sore throats that accompany

By The Rev’d. Lauren Lyon

4 Bishop Marty’s Missive Context has become a critical factor in training new leaders for the church. West Missouri takes an innovative approach in collaboration with neighborhing dioceses.

By The Right Rev’d. Martin S. Field Photo by Melodie Woerman

5 God Talk Theology is meant to be an ongoing conversation that moves continually toward truth and understanding.

By The Rev’d. Joe Behen

5 Seminarian’s Viewpoint

nands, presenters and special guests in this year’s Diocesan Convention Eucharist.

Photo by Gary Zumwalt.

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Gathering and Convention 2013 The 124th Diocesan Convention was a mix of the old and the new.

Photos by Gary Allman, Donna Field and Gary Zumwalt

11 Youth at Convention Diocesan Youth Gathering and the Bishop’s Ball make convention weekend an intergenerational celebration.

Photos by Gary Allman

12 Truly Called by God The 2013 Convention Eucharist included the ordination of three transitional deacons to the priesthood.

By Ezgi Saribay

Photos by Donna Field and Gary Zumwalt

The Ponder Box Clergy of the diocese process with ordi-

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Seminary study is an extension of the call to ministry, the difference between being taught and being formed.

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cold weather.

The New Year is a time for resolutions. Taking a more relaxed and spiritual approach to change may help you keep the resolutions you make.

By The Rev’d. Dr. Steve Rottgers

14 The Agenda A look at special events celebrating Advent and Christmas and upcoming training in congregational development.

EDITOR’S LETTER | The Rev’d. Lauren Lyon

From Telegrams to Tweets; Inkwells to Screens How we meet in convention may have changed, but what we do really hasn’t.

NEXT YEAR THE DIOCESE OF WEST MISSOURI CELEBRATES THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF ITS FOUNDING. The

anniversary will be an ongoing theme in the six issues of Spirit planned for the year 2014. To introduce that theme and this issue, which features news of West Missouri’s 124th convention, Spirit reviews some of the highlights of the convention at which our diocese was organized.

The origin of a new diocese is a two-step process. In May, 1889, the Diocese of Missouri approved a resolution to divide itself which was ratified by the General Convention in October of that year. Bishop Daniel Sylvester Tuttle of Missouri called for a primary convention of the new diocese to meet in Kansas City June 3-4, 1890.

At that time there were 23 parishes and 28 organized missions on the diocesan roster, along with another 5 congregations identified as unorganized missions. To give you an idea of how things have changed in West Missouri over the last 125 years, the list of parishes included congregations such as St. John’s Weston, Church of the Mediator in Blackburn and St. Paul’s Carrolton.

The convention was held at Grace Church, Kansas City It began with the Eucharist, celebrated by Bishop Tuttle, who would serve also as the convention’s presiding officer. When the convention opened, the diocese did not have a name. It was known only as the “new diocese” defined by the geographic boundaries of a list of counties in the western half of the state.

Twenty-two clergy were present along with lay delegates representing seventeen congregations and visiting clergy from St. Louis, Leavenworth and Fort Scott. All were men. The only mention of women in the convention journal is in a reference to members of the Women’s Auxiliary, present as guests, and a courtesy resolution thanking the ladies of Grace Church for the tasty lunches they prepared.

One of the first items on the agenda was a resolution calling upon the convention to name itself. West Missouri was the first choice of name offered to delegates. A motion to change it to Kansas City was offered but delegates chose West Missouri by a two-thirds margin.

The next order of business was the election of the diocese’s first bishop. It began with what the convention journal describes as an informal nominating ballot. After considerable procedural wrangling over whether the vote would be by voice or secret ballot, it was decided that each delegate would write the name of the man he wanted to be bishop on a paper ballot to be collected by tellers. The convention journal notes that after the results were announced, delegates passed a resolution stating that “The result of the ballot was forbidden to appear on

The Right Rev’d. Edward Robert Atwill, First Bishop of West Missouri

the records.” Why? We’ll never know. The meeting adjourned until the following morning.

The next day the convention elected a missionary board and a chancellor, seated a few more lay delegates, selected trustees for the aged and infirm clergy fund and referred a proposed annual budget of $3,850 to the assessments committee before attempting, once again, to elect a bishop. After the budget review a special committee of three delegates was appointed to take personal pledges from their counterparts to fund the support of the diocese and increase the bishop’s salary.

The convention determined that nominations would be made before the full convention rather than in an executive session. Nominating speeches were limited to five minutes and seconding speeches to two minutes. Three names were placed in nomination, two local priests and one from Sewanee, Tennessee, after which the convention recessed for lunch. On the first ballot, the Tennessean held the lead in both the lay and clergy orders, but not by a sufficient margin to be elected. continued on page 15 SPIRIT | December 2013

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BISHOP MARTY’S MISSIVE | The Right Rev’d. Martin S. Field

Training for West Missouri’s Future Leaders West Missouri and three sister dioceses lead the church in contextual education for ministry.

AT OUR RECENT DIOCESAN CONVENTION, DURING MY REMARKS ABOUT WHERE WE ARE AS A DIOCESE IN OUR EFFORT TO FOLLOW OUR FIVE DIOCESAN PRIORITIES, I MENTIONED THE FIFTH ONE, GROW LEADERS. I said

then and reiterate now, that of those five priorities that we defined during our Futuring Process, Grow Congregations, Grow Personally, Grow in Community, Grow in Compassion, and Grow Leaders, we have come the farthest on the final one.

Perhaps I should say we have come the farthest in developing our capacity to Grow Leaders. Partly that is the result of an opportunity seized.

Shortly after becoming bishop, I met with the bishops of Kansas and Western Kansas. We quickly realized that all three dioceses had the same need for clergy to serve in places where the compensation of traditionally-trained, full-time clergy was unaffordable. We became aware that each diocese was training bi-vocational or nonstipendiary clergy leaders through local formation and education. Kansas had the Kansas School for Ministry. West Missouri had George Herbert Institute for Pastoral Studies. Western Kansas did a hybrid of one-on-one training with mentoring and independent study. Each diocese was trying alone to fill a need that all three shared. Light bulbs lit over all three of our heads!

The Bishop Kemper School for Ministry (BKSM), was born.

It is now a joint venture of 4 dioceses - Nebraska joined shortly after BKSM got started. Maybe you already know this story. If you do, great, because you will also know, then, that BKSM is off and running! West Missouri has 13 persons currently attending BKSM. We’ve already graduated and ordained two others who followed special courses of study designed for their specific situations. Those currently enrolled at BKSM are: For the diaconate Mr. Bruce Bower (St. Andrew’s Kansas City) Mr. Steve Brotherton (St. Michael’s Independence) Mr. Brock Slabach (St. Mary Magdalene Village of Loch Lloyd) Mr. Kevin White (St. Mary’s Kansas City)

For the priesthood The Rev’d. Jeffrey Bell (Grace Carthage) The Rev’d. Anne Cheffey (Christ Church Springfield) Ms. Anne Kyle (All Saints’ West Plains) Mr. James Lile (St. Philip’s Joplin) Mr. Chas Marks (St. Mary’s Kansas City) The Rev’d. Linda Milholen (Transfiguration Mountain Grove) The Rev’d. Mike Shaffer (St. Andrew’s Kansas City) The Rev’d. Galen Snodgrass (Gace Carthage)

Members of the board of directors of the Bishop Kemper School for Ministry.

No less important, as I note our progress on growing leaders, is the work of West Missouri’s George Herbert Institute (GHI). GHI has for many years prepared those who have a call to bi-vocational or non-stipendiary ministry for ordination as deacons and priests. Its last class will graduate at the end of this year, and then GHI will cease operations. They are: For the diaconate Ms. Kim Taube (Christ Church Boonville)

For the priesthood Ms. Laura Hughes (St. John’s Springfield) Ms. Paula Lively (St. Mark’s Kimberling City) Mr. Rick Sims (St. Mark’s Kimberling City)

GHI has provided excellent preparation for many deacons and priests. Meeting at the Rivendell Community, GHI has offered a profound experience of spiritual formation combined with strong academics. A goodly number of our diocese’s clergy leaders discerned the fullness of their vocations there. I laud and praise GHI’s gifts to the Church, especially those given by the faithful persons who have served on its faculty, by the Rivendell Community for their generous hospitality, and by GHI’s Head of School, The Rev’d. Virginia Brown.

Mtr. Brown has not only led GHI through its many years of service to this diocese, she has been a pivotal figure in the development of BKSM, serving on its new Faculty Committee and helping to dovetail the curriculums of the three, previously separate, diocesan schools into a single, cohesive curriculum.

Mtr. Brown’s generosity, gentleness, self-giving, and integrity have been known to me since she and I first met when we both served in the Diocese of West Tennessee back in the early 90s. continued on page 15

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GUEST COLUMNIST | The Rev’d. Joe Behen

SEMINARIAN VIEWPOINT | Ezgi Saribay

God Talk

Here am I. Send me!

I WAS ASKED ONCE WHAT IT IS THAT DRAWS ME TO THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH. I said that there are many

THIS VERSE FROM ISAIAH 6 HAS BEEN THE THEME OF MY CALLING SINCE I BEGAN THE DISCERNMENT PROCESS. Much like Isaiah, three years ago, I heard a similar

things, but to name one near the top of my list, I appreciate the Episcopal Church’s refusal to understand itself as the producer of answers (to possibly unasked questions). The person I was speaking with seemed to have heard such a response before, and was ready with a quick reaction: “But don’t you say the Nicene Creed together each week? What is that, if not a list of answers?” I affirmed that we say the Creed each week, but clarified our view of it, at least in my understanding.

“The Creed acts as the beginning of discussion. It’s where the conversation starts, not where it ends.”

In his book On Christian Theology, Rowan Williams wrote, “Having [Theological] integrity is being able to speak in a way which allows response.” Theology most literally means “God word.” But words are not only given, they’re received. Theology is interactive in nature. I would suggest that a rendering of the word theology as “God talk,” is equally valid. While it so often sounds like answers, this God talk can more effectively be understood as parts of a conversation. It could often carry a more generous tone than it has historically, but conversation it remains. When they’ve lost this fundamental characteristic, theologies have been pushed forward in imitation of complete systems, the integrity of which is usually measured by their “completeness,” the degree to which they aspire to universality.

When people outside of organized religion voice their rejection of the Church, they often refer cynically to its “dogmatism.” They understand the Church to be more interested in telling than in listening. Certainly the Church has had moments in history in which this has been true. But those moments can hardly be understood as the full story. For example, while our diocesan convention can be seen as a big governance meeting, it is also fully conversational in nature.

This is the Church, gathered together for God talk. We pray that when the convention has ended, our responses there reflect an authentic listening to God and each other.

So our theology can never aspire to absoluteness, because that is counter to its interactive nature. However, while theology can never be absolute, nor can it become simply relative. I can choose to say anything I want about God. But that doesn’t mean that it reflects God in any way at all. God’s people have been in a process of discerning God’s nature for thousands of years. Their God talk is part of the same conversation that we engage in today.

St Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans (10:17) that “Faith comes from what is heard…” Clearly this can be understood in continued on page 15

call saying: “Who will go for us, and whom shall I send?”

My answer was none other than: “Send me Lord, I will go wherever you take me.” After this, I quickly found myself at the campus of Nashotah House pursuing a Master of Divinity degree and studying to be a priest. This phrase “studying to be a priest” is used often among seminarians. I was taught quickly after I started seminary by a professor that they don’t teach us to be priests here, they “form” us to be priests. Formation seemed like a big word a year ago. The House forms its “sons and daughters” (the students who became part of the community) by three distinct Benedictine ways: prayer, work, and study.

Our life at Nashotah springs forth from the chapel day in and day out. We gather with the ringing of Michael (our campus bell) for Morning Prayer followed by Holy Eucharist each morning. After chapel, we go to breakfast as a community at the refectory. With another ring of classroom bells, we walk to classes. After our classes, we gather again with the ringing of the Angelus for lunch.

Afternoon is generally occupied by private study, liturgy rehearsals, or volunteer work crew. At 4:30, we come together one more time for Evensong.

We start our day with prayer, blessing the day and thanking God for the blessings He bestowed on us, and asking Him to give us strength for the tasks of the day. We study, we work, we break bread, we share laughter, joy, and tears together, and we end the day with prayer singing praises to God as the sun goes gown. It is our intentionality in this daily life, our obedience to the elders of this community, our willingness to allow God to break our egos, and form a new self within us according to His purpose, and our continual repentance when we fall that form as future priests.

Many friends ask whether or not seminary is really what I had expected to be. My answer: Absolutely not! Sleepless nights, reading pages by the thousands, field education site assignments, daily worship, class lectures, trying to balance private prayer, social and family life… it feels like a great challenge of being all things to all people while trying to catch a breath. In all this, our greatest lesson is perhaps to learn how to imitate our Lord who came to this earth to serve, not to be served. It is in our willingness to accept His will to transform us to witness the love of Christ to the world that we find our true callings. + Ezgi Saribay is a middler (2nd year student) at Nashotah House Seminary in Nashotah, Wisconsin. Her parish is St. John’s Springfield.

SPIRIT | December 2013

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THE PONDER BOX | The Rev’d. Dr. Steve Rottgers

New Year Resolutions Take a more focused approach to making and keeping them ONCE MORE IN THE PASSING OF TIME WE FIND OURSELVES AT THE SHIFT FROM ONE YEAR TO ANOTHER.

Advent is here. 2013 is about to drift into 2014 and a flood of New Year resolutions are being pondered or proclaimed to those who ask and perhaps to those who didn’t ask.

Resolutions come with well-meaning intent but seem to fail or pass away from our resolve and memories by the end of the month of January.

I offer four basics when it comes to forming and discerning New Year Resolutions: 1. Achieve more by doing less. The temptation is to make an extended grocery list of “will do’s” or “will not do’s”. We actually sabotage ourselves with information overload. A basic theory used in statistical analysis is the Pareto Principle or as most people know it as the “80/20 Rule”. By applying 80% of your energy and resources on the top 20% of a prioritized list, you actually will accomplish 80-90% of the list. If you have made an exhaustive list of resolutions, prioritize it with the most important items at the top and taper off to the less important ones towards the bottom. Count down from the top 20% of the total topics, draw a line and focus on your top priorities. You actually will accomplish them more readily than if you tried to tackle the entire list .

2. Stephen Covey in his work entitled, The Eighth Habit offers his “90/10 Principle.” In short, he states that only 10% of what happens in our lives is out of our control. That includes acts by others, nature or pure chance that we can do nothing 6 SPIRIT | December 2013

to avoid or deter. We can control our words, perceptions or actions 90% of the time.

3. Know the difference between your “Realm of Influence” and your “Realm of Concern.” Human beings have around ourselves a “Realm of Influence.” We can influence objects and other humans with physical presence, verbal exchanges, emotional connections, and the use of our mental capacity. We can move objects, jump barriers, invite relationships or distance ourselves by what we say or do. Your degree of influence in any situation varies, but you have it.

In other situations, your power to influence is minimal. In those situations are your “Realm of Concern.” You may feel or be judged as powerless in the situtation but your choice to remain connected to it may be important. You may pray about it, but not move it. You may think about it but not solve it. You may reach for it and find that it eludes your grasp. That doesn’t mean that you cannot join with others who share your concern and build you influence through numbers or shared action.

It is important to know when or how you have influence and when you don’t and must rely on prayers and good wishes.

4. One final thought from Stephen Covey’s 4 Basic Assumptions for Life: For the Body, assume you had a heart attack; now live accordingly. For the Heart, assume others can overhear everything you say about them; now speak accordingly. For the Mind, assume the half-life of your profession is two years; now plan accordingly. For the Spirit, assume you have a 1-on-1 conversation with your Creator; now live accordingly. Happy New Year! +

Keeping the Feast

Winter feast days brighten gray skies, comfort cold weather sniffles and point toward spring.

The Rev’d. Lauren Lyon

THE FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION IS A BEAUTIFUL LITURGICAL EXPRESSION THAT PARISHIONERS OF ALL AGES WILL ENJOY. Its full name is The

Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple. It’s also called Candlemas. In 2014 it falls on Sunday.

Candlemas commemorates the ritual purification of Mary forty days after the birth of Jesus. It got its name from the tradition of blessing the church’s annual supply of candles on this feast day.

The date is the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox.

Candlemas was known as a cross-quarter day. In feudal societies it was part of the schedule of administrative activities like hiring servants and collecting rents. It has ancient roots in the Celtic festival of Imbolc (pronounced i-MOLG). In the sheepherding cultures of Britain it coincides with lambing season and the very earliest sign of spring, longer days. The ritual use of light and fire is associated with this time of year across centuries and cultures.

The liturgy of the Feast of the Presentation begins with a candlelight procession into the church. Parishioners may be invited ahead of time to bring new candles that they plan to use in their homes for devotional or decorative purposes. Those candles may be placed on a table along with those to be blessed for use in the church throughout the year.

Invite worshipers to gather in the parish hall or another area apart from the church before the service begins. Prepare individual candles for all with protective holders like those used on Christmas Eve or at the Easter Vigil. Include them among the other candles to be blessed.

After the blessing, each worshiper receives one. Acolytes light the first few, then everyone shares the light. When all the candles are lit, everyone processes into the church following the cross. Dim the lights if possible. Candles remain lit

until the congregation is seated for the reading of lessons.

Due to its location midway through winter, some people believed that the weather on Candlemas Day would predict the rest of the season. This tradition has been kept alive in the United States with Groundhog Day. Below is the traditional English poem concerning Candlemas’ weather.

If Candlemas Day be fair and bright, winter will have another fight.

If Candlemas Day brings cloud and rain, Winter won’t come again.

See the Book of Occasional Services for more information about Candlemas.

St. Blaise Prayer of Healing The winter months find many of us suffering with sniffles and coughs from flu, colds, and other maladies. Church tradition offers us a timely prayer of healing particularly for these winter ailments. St. Blaise, Bishop and Martyr is commemorated on February 3. He came to be known as the patron saint of throats. Tradition records that this fourth century saint came from a family of wealthy nobles. He was a physician who became the bishop of Sebastea in Armenia. Under the reign of Emperor Licinius, the persecution of Christians escalated and Bishop Blaise was forced into exile in the wilderness of his diocese, where he lived as a hermit. As the story is told, when Bishop Blaise was captured, soldiers reported that he was surrounded by wild animals. He moved among them unharmed, healing those that were sick or injured. This is why he is also the patron saint of veterinarians. It was during the trip back to town following his capture that the group came across a little boy choking to death. St. Blaise placed his hands on the child, prayed for him, and the fishbone caught in the boy’s throat was dislodged. Once in captivity,

St. Blaise suffered various tortures, but refused to renounce his faith. Finally, the Emperor Licinius ordered him beheaded.

On the Sunday nearest St. Blaise Day, prayers for healing may be offered at a convenient time. Invite people to prayer stations as they return to their seats after Communion or invite them to come to the altar rail during the postlude.

St. Blaise day is easily combined with Candlemas. Prayers associated with St. Blaise ask this saint’s intercession to God for healing. The prayer is said while two blessed (unlit) candles are held at one’s throat. Search the Internet for pictures, examples and instructions for preparing candles for this blessing: Through the intercession of St Blaise, Bishop and Martyr, May Almighty God deliver you from every disease of the throat, and from any other disease.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. + SPIRIT | December 2013

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Gathering and Convention 2013 FOLLOWING THE THEME BEGUN LAST YEAR, WEST MISSOURI’S 124TH DIOCESAN CONVENTION FOCUSED ON THE SECOND BAPTISMAL PROMISE: WILL YOU PERSEVERE IN RESISTING EVIL AND WHENEVER YOU FALL INTO SIN, REPENT AND RETURN TO THE LORD? More than

300 delegates and guests gathered at the Embassy Suites Hotel near Kansas City International Airport on November 1 and 2. Central Deanery hosted this year’s convention.

As in previous years, the convention’s opening day was centered around fellowship and learning with five Gathering sessions selected in keeping with the convention’s theme of resisting evil and repentance. A presentation

by Todd Nettleton, Director of Media Development for the organization Voice of the Martyrs, offered attendees a glimpse of conditions in areas throughout the world where Christians endure persecution for their beliefs. Attorney Kendall Seal’s presentation focused on the crime of human trafficking, including the kinds of activity and exploitation it encompasses and examples of it within the bourdaries of the diocese. The Rev’ds.

Susan McCann and Stan Runnels joined representatives from the organization Communities Creating Opportunities to discuss ways that people of faith can work toward building economic justice in their communities. Mary Getz, a staff member of the Episcopal Public Policy Network, introduced workshop attendees to the mission and activities of the network and discussed ways that West Missouri can become involved. An open forum, led by our Bishop, Marty Field with visiting Bishops Michael Milliken of Western Kansas and Larry Benfield of Arkansas offered delegates and guests the opportunity to ask questions of all three bishops.

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The Rev’d. David Kendrick, Rector of Day and considering several resoluSt. John’s Springfield commented, “As a tions referred to dioceses by the 2012 new priest in the diocese, I really enjoyed General Convention. West Missouri having a day of no business. It was very delegates elected the deputies that will good to get together to share fellowrepresent the diocese at the 2015 General ship with other Episcopalians and learn Convention. These deputies will take from each other. I’ve always thought part in the election of the Church’s next that diocesan conventions should have Presiding Bishop. As in previous years, a little bit of family reunion in them, the election was competitive, requiring and I felt that here.” The Very Rev’d. four ballots to determine deputy and Steve Wilson, Rector of Grace Church, Carthage and Dean of Southern Deanery noted, “I found the Bishops’ Panel to be one of the most exciting and novel things we’ve done in years.

The idea of having three bishops come to speak on a broad topic, and to take questions from the floor on how to apply their more theoretical insights into ‘real world’ situations was bracing and I Delegates Sally Hawley, GHT, Cosette Hardwick, Christ Church commend the idea St. Joseph, and Jody Strauch, St. Paul’s Maryville enjoy the convention’s to our neighboring business session on Saturday morning, November 2. dioceses.”

The 124th convention’s opening alternate positions in both the clergy and Eucharist included a new and important lay orders. addition. Transitional deacons Marcus Every diocesan convention brings Halley, Marty Beyer and Amy Cox were about a transition in diocesan leaderordained to the priesthood in the presship. Important changes at the 124th ence of a large and enthusiastic conconvention included the election of gregation of delegates and guests who Caleb Cordonnier, St. Paul’s Kansas City celebrated with them at the convention as Treasurer of the Diocese. Retiring banquet following the Eucharist.

Treasurer, Tom Lanio, received thanks Delegates gathered on Saturday, for his many years of service to the dioNovember 2 for the convention’s busicese in this important office. Tom will ness session, passing a resolution that continue to serve in the role of Assistant will move the date of future convenTreasurer.In addition to choosing deputions away from the weekend that ties to the General Convention delegates includes All Hallows Eve and All Saints elected new members of the Diocesan

The 124th Convention offered delegates opportunities to learn, greet friends and worship together while doing the work of the diocese.

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Election Results 2013 Diocesan Convention Diocesan Council Lay Order Alexandra Connors – GHT Kansas City Curtis Hamilton – GHT Kansas City John Schaffer – Grace Carthage Meredith Seaton – St. Paul’s Kansas City Clergy Order Ron Keel – Resurrection Blue Springs (unexpired term) David Kendrick – St. John’s Springfield Charles Uhlik – St. James Springfield

Standing Committee

Election teller Don Gass collects ballots from delegates of St. Paul’s Kansas City.

Council and Standing Committee. In keeping with long-standing tradition, the youth of the diocese led worship on Saturday morning, then presented their report. Youth work continues to be one of the diocese’s success stories.

The Bishop’s convention address was the centerpiece of the Saturday morning business session. Bishop Field reviewed diocesan work during the past year, particularly in the area of leadership training, and introduced new initiatives to be undertaken in 2014. Delegate Alexandra Connors of Grace and Holy Trinity commented, “there seem to be many exciting things on the horizon for our diocese. I appreciated learning more of the connections we are forging with other dioceses, especially the Bishop Kemper School for Ministry. This seems like an invaluable resource for everyone seeking to be a leader in our church.”

This year, for the first time, a report from the Bishop Kemper School was included in the presentations made to the convention. The Very Rev’d. Andrew Grosso, Dean of the School and Rector of Trinity Church in Atchison, Kansas 10 SPIRIT | December 2013

addressed the Convention. His presentation included information about the board and faculty, the student body, courses currently included in the curriculum and future plans.

The 124th convention took a big step toward being fully digital. Wireless Internet access was available for use by delegates and guests in the meeting and breakout rooms for the first time. A “virtual packet” posted on the diocesan Web site, containing the budget, agenda, minutes and nominee bios took the place of the folder of paper documents issued to delegates in the past. Many delegates worked from laptops or mobile devices during the business session. Wireless access allowed delegates and guests them to share responses to speakers and convention business via Twitter and Facebook.

The convention adopted a Twitter hashtag #dioWEMOcon13 and displayed the comment feed during the lunch break of the business session. The finishing touch on this year’s electronic upgrades? An online evaluation of the convention. If you attended, please visit https://surveymonkey.com/s/8K9DCTC. +

Lay Order Jillian Merrill – Trinity Independence Carole Pryor – St. Philip’s Joplin Clergy Order Mark McGuire – St. Paul’s Lee’s Summit Ron Verhaeghe – St. Luke’s Hospital

General Convention Deputies Lay Deputies Carole Pryor – St. Philip’s Joplin Linda Robertson – St. John’s Springfield Curtis Hamilton – GHT Kansas City Judy Kile – Good Shepherd Kansas City Lay Alternates Channing Horner – St. Paul’s Maryville Skip Sage – St. John’s Springfield Kelly Phelan – St. Paul’s Kansas City Bob Maynard – All Saints Kansas City Clergy Deputies Stan Runnels – St. Paul’s Kansas City Galen Snodgrass – Grace Carthage Marshall Scott - St. Luke’s Hospital Ted Estes – All Saints Nevada Clergy Alternates Jonathan Frazier – Christ Church Springfield Megan Castellan – St. Paul’s Kansas City Peter DeVeau – GHT Kansas City Pat Miller – St. Michael’s Independence

Youth at Convention Diocesan Youth fill convention weekend with prayer and learning and celebration THE ANNUAL DIOCESAN YOUTH GATHERING IS ALWAYS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE CONVENTION WEEKEND. As in past years youth led

Morning Prayer prior to the Saturday business session and the Youth Ministry Commission presented its annual report to the Convention. Diocesan Youth Ministry Coordinator, Kim Snodgrass commented, “DYG has traditionally been oriented toward the educational portion of our vision – to inspire, educate and empower – youth ” This year’s DYG included the annual Bishop’s Ball, a change from its traditional January date. This year’s event drew a record turnout of 80+ youth for DYG and over 130 for the Bishop’s Ball on Saturday night, November 2. Bishop Field recognized several new youth leaders including Julie Sponaugle, Mary Magdalene, Alexis Fuemmeler, St. Peter’s Kansas City, Alexandra Connors, GHTC, Mary Wade, Grace Liberty and Joe Pierjok, Redeemer with the “You’re Awesome” award.

Charlie Stebbins of St. Mary Magdalene commented, “DYG was one of the most insightful, educational, loving and all around fun events I’ve ever been to.”

Lanie Indyk of Christ Church Springfield commented, “It was a weekend to remember. Friendships were made and strengthened along with our relationships with God. And of course we partied hard.” The Bishop’s Ball featured the YMC’s annual awards for youth and adults. Congratulations recipients! +

Bishop Field with recipients of this year’s Youth Ministry Commission award winners at the 2013 Bishop’s Ball.

Bishop’s Ball Awards 2013 Outstanding Adults

Purple Cross, Clergy Award

Cary Lee, Grace Carthage Edith Van Hoesen, Christ Church Springfield Sheri Edwards, Redeemer Kansas City

The Rev’d. Joe Behen, Redeemer Kansas City

Outstanding Youth

Amanda Miley, St. Paul’s Kansas City Emilie Bridges, Christ Church Springfield

Alice Fischer, St. Paul’s Kansas City Amelia Hanis, Redeemer Kansas City Hannah Redden, St. James Springfield

Outstanding YMC Member

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Truly Called by God

Three transitional deacons are ordained to the priestood at the 2013 Convention Eucharist

THIS YEAR’S CONVENTION EUCHARIST FEATURED A NEW AND IMPORTANT EVENT, THE ORDINATION OF THREE TRANSITIONAL DEACONS TO THE PRIESTHOOD. Our diocese’s

three newest presbyters are the Rev’ds. Amy Cox, Marcus Halley and Marty Beyer.

The Rev’d Amy Cox Mtr. Amy Cox is a native of San Luis Obispo, California. She studied English at California Polytechnic State University and earned her M. Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary. She was originally ordained as a Presiding Elder in the Presbyterian Church USA. She and her husband, the Rev’d. David Cox had occasion to worship in Episcopal Churches as his studies and work moved their family to Nashville and eventually to Sedalia.

Of those experiences Mtr. Amy says, “I was caught rather than taught.” Her experience of living into the Episcopal Church’s worship, centered around the Eucharist, eventually emerged as a call to the priesthood. She attended Bishop Kemper School for Ministry, focusing on Anglican studies. She commented, “the school is a model of collaboration that is really important for what the Church should do going forward. It was great to get to know all of those people from different dioceses and have their prayers.”

During her transitional diaconate she has served at St. Michael’s Independence.

Mtr. Amy and her husband are parents of Abby, age 11 and Simon, age 7.

Being the mother of school age children consumes a substantial portion of her time. She is still considering options for ministry in West Missouri, but feels a particular call to the work of spiritual formation and small group ministry.

Eventually, she would like to be certified as a spiritual director. In her spare time, Mtr. Amy enjoys hiking and making pottery. When asked about the experi12 SPIRIT | December 2013

The Rev’d. Amy Cox, The Rev’d. Marcus Halley, Bishop Field and The Rev’d. Marty Beyer pose for photographs following the 2013 Convention Eucharist which included ordinations to the priesthood .

ence of being ordained at Diocesan Convention she replied, “it was a gift to be ordained surrounded by ‘so great a cloud of witnesses.’ I was honored to be welcomed into ordained ministry in the Episcopal Church in the context of the larger work of the convention.” She celebrated the Eucharist for the first time at St. Michaels, Independence on Sunday, November 3 and noted, “the transformative power of Christ’s presence that ordains us all at our Baptism and meets us at His table was truly in that place.”

The Rev’d Marcus Halley Fr. Marcus completed his undergraduate degree in history at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina. He’s from “a little bit of all over the place” but his home town is Gastonia, North Carolina just outside Charlotte.

He entered the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta as a Baptist. By the time he completed his Master of Divinity degree he was the

only Episcopalian on campus and headed for a year of Anglican Studies at the School of Theology of the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. Fr. Marcus says “I love to read. I’m always looking to research things.” One of his seminary professors, a Presbyterian, noticed that characteristic and encouraged him to check out the Episcopal Church. He says “I didn’t know what she was talking about. I said ‘sure, whatever.’

At that point The Episcopal Church was in General Convention in Anaheim. His instinct for research led him to take a look at what the General Convention was doing. “I saw this church that was wrestling with these deep theological issues – that was deeply missional in what it was working to do.” He visited St. Martin’s Church in Charlotte and “fell in love with the liturgy and the deep sacramental life that the church was living into.”

Fr. Marcus joined the staff of St. Andrew’s Kansas City on August 1 of this year. His ministry there is with young

adults and families. His work will focus on increasing participation of existing members of the parish who fall into those demographic categories, as well as reaching out to the surrounding neighborhoods to engage with prospective new members. He oversees youth and children’s ministries at St. Andrew’s also. His early priorities include “building support and excitement behind those ministries.”

In his spare time Fr. Marcus likes to read, run and cook. For him, Kansas City’s best features include the friendliness of its residents and the quantity and variety of its great restaurants.

Commenting on his experience of ordination at Diocesan Convention Fr. Marcus says, “Human language has not devised a word or even a string of words that could describe what I felt at the moment of ordination. The best I can come up with is ‘indescribable and unexplainable.’ The same goes for my celebration of the Mass for the first time (at St. Andrew’s on Sunday, November 3).

To stand at one moment both in time and in eternity, to stand in persona Christi, to sing and beseech God on behalf of the community in that most sacred of moments was absolutely holy and amazing and filled with grace.”

The Rev’d Marty Beyer The Rev’d. Marty Beyer was ordained as a Vocational Deacon on February 2, 2002. She served congregations in the Northeast Regional Ministry (NERM) during the nearly twelve years that passed between the day she was ordained to the diaconate and the day she was ordained to the priesthood. “I was the Episcopalian version of the Methodist circuit rider,” she says.

Before beginning the discernment process for the priesthood, when her work became focused more specifically at Christ Church Boonville, she preached and provided pastoral care in all of the NERM congregations. “I was rarely in the same church from one Sunday to the next. I’m glad my horsepower was four wheels instead of four legs,” she says, referring to the 19th century circuit riders who traveled by horseback.

The newly ordained priests distribute communion at the Convention Eucharist.

As a priest, Mtr. Marty will provide sacramental and pastoral ministry for Christ Church Boonville. She will also provide pastoral care for West Missouri parishioners who are hospitalized in Columbia, Missouri.

Mtr. Marty has lived in Columbia, on the other side of the boundary between the dioceses of Missouri and West Missouri, since 1970. She was a long-time parishioner at Calvary Church Columbia before she was ordained and still maintains friendships there. Her academic preparation for ordination to the priesthood was a year of study at Bishop Kemper School of Ministry.

Mtr. Marty has three adult daughters.

One is a judge in Midland, Texas. The other two, a social worker and a psychologist live in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area. Mtr. Marty is an avid bridge player. She works as an election official at local polling locations and volunteers at a homeless shelter in Columbia. Of the ordination she said, “It was, indeed, a glorious and celebratory occasion . . with so many of our church family, clergy and laity, there to support, endorse and encourage us as we began this new journey as priests of the church. Mtr. Marty celebrated the Eucharist for the first time on Sunday, November 3 at Christ Church Boonville, an experience she describes as “humbling and awesome.” + SPIRIT | December 2013

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THE AGENDA | Upcoming events around the diocese

The City Come Again 12:00 noon, Monday, December 9 Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral hosts William Jewell College’s annual gift to Kansas City. The concert features music by William Jewell’s Concert Choir, Organist, Dr. Ann Marie Rigler and the college’s Handbell Ensemble. Free admission.

“The Nativity” presented

by Paul Mesner Puppets 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Friday, December 13 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, December 14 3:00 p.m. Sunday, December 15

Paul Mesner Puppets return to Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral with a fanciful telling of the story of Jesus’ birth. Puppets of all sizes, from hand puppets to 7-foot-tall creations bring the Christmas story to life. Perfect for children of all ages. For tickets visit paulmesnerpuppets.org or call 816-235-6222.

Messiah Singalong 4:00 p.m. Saturday, December 21 Everyone has a part to sing in this annual performance of Handel’s masterwork at Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral.

Admission is free. Bring your own score or check one out when you arrive to sing.

Advent Lessons and Carols

Congregational Development Boot Camp

4:00 p.m. Sunday, December 22

10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Friday OR Saturday, January 24 OR 25 (identical program on both dates)

The combined choirs of Grace Church Carthage and St. Philip’s Joplin will offer Advent Lessons and Carols at Grace Church.

All are welcome to enjoy the biblical stories of Jesus’ first Advent illuminated by the music of Vivaldi and other composers.

Reception follows.

Please send information about upcoming events, at least three months in advance, to west.mo.communications@gmail.com

Paul Mesner Puppets will present The Nativity at Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral December 13-15.

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Canon Steve Rottgers, will lead the first of 20 monthly training sessions for congregational leaders at St. John’s Church Springfield. Sessions on January 24 and 25 focus on self-awareness and emotional theory. Cost is $10 per session.

To enroll or for more info contact Canon Rottgers at CanonOrd@ediowestmo.org

Editor’s Letter / continued from page 3

As the tellers departed with the second ballot, delegates adopted the aforementioned resolution thanking the ladies for lunch and appointed the Bishop of Missouri as their provisional bishop, perhaps a wise decision, since the tellers returned with the news that a bishop still had not been elected. The committee of three delegates who had been charged with collecting pledges to support and increase the proposed salary of the bishop returned and respectfully reported to the convention that it was “deemed inexpedient to take any action in the matter at this time.”

Following three more inconclusive ballots, the name of The Rev’d. Dr. E.R. Atwill of Toledo, Ohio was placed in nomination. The two local nominees both withdrew their names and seconded his nomination. While waiting for results, the delegates elected General Convention deputies. Finally, on the seventh ballot Fr. Atwill was elected bishop.

With their work concluded, delegates offered their final prayers together and adjourned to do God’s work in their new diocese. + Guest Columnist / continued from page 5

a variety of ways, particularly when the phrase is not removed like this from its context. But however it is read, we can hardly escape the importance here, of listening. In an increasingly complex world, answers simply fall short. Answers are the domain of search engines like Google, not the Church. What this world needs, perhaps more than ever, is interaction.

Theology, like prayer, is interactive in nature. We don’t arrive at it once and for all. We engage in it together. Our God talk doesn’t have an ending point. It is never concluded. Nor is our theology the private domain of academics in colleges and seminaries. It is us, talking to and listening to each other and to the world, discerning God in our midst, and responding with integrity. It is us, being the Church. + The Rev’d. Joe Behen is Rector of Church of the Redeemer, Kansas City.

Bishop Marty’s Missive / continued from page 4

This diocese owes a debt of gratitude to Mtr. Brown, and I am very pleased she will continue offering her talents to BKSM. Still, even as I celebrate building our local capacity to form and nurture clergy and lay leaders, I would be remiss if I didn’t also acknowledge three other aspects of our diocesan work that have played a significant role in growing leaders. They are our diocese’s Christian Formation, Youth Ministry and Campus Ministry Commissions. Because of the engagement with youth and young adults at formative periods in their lives, when they are often particularly open to the leading of the Holy Spirit, we have three seminarians enrolled in Master of Divinity degree programs at

traditional three-year seminaries. Mr. Walker Adams from St. Paul’s Kansas City is enrolled at St. Luke’s Seminary, University of the South. Ms. Mary Lynn Coulson from St. Andrew’s, KC is studying at the Virginia Theological Seminary, and Ms. Ezgi Saribay from St. John’s Springfield is at Nashotah House. Each of these seminarians is under 25 years of age. Each experienced the call to ordained ministry while involved with Christian formation in the parish, in youth programs or on a college campus in West Missouri.

I applaud all who work to form Christians into the moral likeness of Jesus. I also celebrate those who help call and form the leaders the Church needs in order to remain ever-faithful to God’s mission. + SPIRIT | December 2013

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