Spirit August 2016

Spirit

SPRING FLING AT ST. MARK'S | NEW LAY CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS AT BKSM

The Diocese of West Missouri AUGUST 2016 | VOLUME 8, NO. 4

THE ORDINATION OF ANNE MEREDITH KYLE

Publisher

The Rt. Rev. Martin S. Field

Editor

Gary Allman

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

Editorial Board Members

Gary Allman, Communications Director Angela Crawford, Communications Assistant The Rev. Canon Dr. Steven Rottgers, Canon to the Ordinary

Submissions

We welcome submissions of news articles and photographs on topics of interest to the people of the diocese. It helps us immensely if you can follow the submission guidelines provided on the diocesan website. Link bellow.

 www.diowestmo.org/spirit-article-submission.html Deadline for the October Edition: September 1, 2016.

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

Contact

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

In This Issue

3

Editor’s Letter A tale of Welsh woe and divisiveness. Why building committees should be thankful for well maintained and organized columbariums.

Gary Allman

4

Keeping Watch Bishop Marty writes about the work and structure of the diocese, providing some detail on how it all fits together to help us be the "Hands and Feet" of Jesus.

The Rt. Rev. Martin S. Field

5

Spring Fling at St. Marks A small number of Episcopal

6

Three Lay Certificate Programs Now Offered at Bishop Kemper School for Ministry The school

8

Church Women get big results with their annual fund-raiser!

Linda Burlingame

is pleased to announce the expansion of its programs to include certificates for Lay Catechist, Lay Preacher, and Pastoral Leader.

The Rev. Casey Rohleder

Loving the World as God Loves the World Our

desires to save the world, on one hand, and to savor it, on the other, can be reconciled only in God’s love.

Vern Barnet

10

St. Peter & All Saints Welcomes New Rector St.

Peter & All Saints in Kansas City completes the final stage of its merger with the call of a new rector.

Ted Bell

12

Installation of Fr. David Lynch On April 1

2016, the Rev. David Lynch was installed as the new rector of Church of the Resurrection in Blue Springs.

Cover image: Gary Allman

The Rev. David Lynch

2

SPIRIT | August 2016

13

Ordinations Deacon Anne Meredith Kyle is

ON THE COVER Anne Meredith Kyle is ordained into the Sacred Order of Priests

by Bishop Marty at Calvary Episcopal Church Sedalia.

14

What is Cursillo? In a nutshell, this is Cursillo. Ponder,

More pictures on page 13.

15

Directory A directory of the churches of the diocese.

ordained into the Sacred Order of Priests.

Gary Allman

pray, and participate!

Joy Bower

Gary Allman | Editor’s Letter

Disputatious CONTACT communications@diowestmo.org  Direct:  (417) 522-5151 LINKS  www.diowestmo.org

Photograph: Gary Allman

A

s soon as the June issue of Spirit had been dispatched to the printer, my wife and I were busy packing our bags for a trip to the UK. It wasn't just our bags that were packed.

Our schedule was packed too. The main event was to be my sister's wedding, and my wife had arranged three, all-day, business events, two of which were on Sundays, so our opportunities for Sunday worship were going to be limited. Our first weekend's stop was in Wales.

We arrived late for the service at St. Nicholas' in the small Welsh town of Montgomery. A friendly usher was on hand to whisper a welcome and hand us the order of service and bulletin.

As far as I could tell Church of Wales services at St. Nicholas' are pretty much identical to Church of England services - apart from The Lord's Prayer also being available in Welsh. We were impressed. Impressed by our welcome, by the children's ministry, by their small but thriving church community, and also by the way they handled a "new hymn" - handed out on a sheet of paper - without recourse to printed music. It should be noted that Church of England (and Wales) hymn books don't include musical notation.

One of the things that caught my attention, on this and previous visits to Wales, is the number of small chapels that dot the countryside. Most of them seem to be in terminal decline or have already been converted into private residences. Chatting over coffee after the service I took the opportunity to ask about them. I learned a new (to me) word. "The Welsh" I was told, "are very disputatious." I might not have heard the word before, but the meaning was crystal clear. At the slightest disagreement congregations would split and establish new chapels aligned to their specific ideas, wants, and needs. Unfortunately, many of the small divided chapels soon ran into financial difficulties as people moved away, stopped attending, or the sponsoring founders died leaving no one interested in funding and maintaining them.

Disputatious. I think it's a word that can be applied to Episcopalians and the Anglican Communion at times. It wouldn't do us any harm to learn from the lessons offered by the fractured congregations and abandoned chapels in Wales.

Their ability to survive was undermined by being divided, and ultimately they were conquered by financial difficulties and indifference. Disagreements and splits are no stranger to the Episcopal Church, where they are often accompanied by publicity and litigation. Though it also happens quietly as the disenfranchised slowly drift away to reappear in a different setting nearby. No matter how tempting it is to break away and

St. Nicholas, Montgomery, Wales

form a new church, the end result rarely compares favorably to what might have been gained - spiritually and temporally - from learning to respect each other and live together.

Compared to the disputatious and divisive stories I heard in Wales, two Kansas City churches: St. Peter's Episcopal Church and All Saints' Episcopal Church are beacons of enlightenment.

They have merged to form one church: St. Peter & All Saints.

One of the final steps in the process of coming together was completed when they called a new rector, Fr. Jonathan Frazier.

You can read about Fr. Jonathan's call to serve at St. Peter & All Saints on page 10. I have to confess to a personal interest here, as it was Fr. Jonathan's Sunday School discussions that first prompted my involvement in The Episcopal Church. For three years he was one of my Education for Ministry (EFM) mentors, and most importantly for my wife and I, he officiated at our wedding.

Back in the UK, St. Nicholas' wasn't the only church we visited. We also went to Bath Abbey, where I visited with one of the chaplains. He explained some of the unique problems facing their building. They are part way through a major program of repairs to the floor which is subsiding. Apparently the primary cause of the subsidence is the gradual collapse of the remains of over 2,000 people interred beneath the nave. That's a different problem for a Buildings Committee to deal with.

Finally, earlier in the year, when speaking about the August issue of Spirit I had stated that it would be a special 'Welcome to the Diocese' edition. At a recent staff meeting, we decided to put that on hold while we wait for the final results of the diocesan branding exercise. This exercise will guide us in how we present the diocese, The Episcopal Church, and our messages of ministry, faith and hope in the years to come (eSpirit, April 14, 2016). So it is only fitting that we wait for the results before publishing the 'Welcome to the Diocese' issue.

As they say, "Watch this space." +

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

Ordering Our Common Life: The Governance and Structure of the Diocese

CONTACT bishopfield@diowestmo.org   (816) 471-6161

LINK  www.diowestmo.org Nomination Forms:  www.diowmo.org/our-work/nominations-elections.html

T

he Episcopal Church operates in cycles. It uses a triennial cycle of Bible readings and holds a triennial General Convention; it observes an annual cycle of the seasons of the church year and holds an annual Diocesan Convention. There are daily and weekly cycles as well of worship and daily devotions.

In what follows, I will focus on the annual Diocesan Convention and the daily governance cycle in the life of the diocese.

Diocesan Convention is a time of fellowship, education, and fine-tuning. We fine-tune what we, as The Diocese of West Missouri, are called to do to fulfill the Church’s God-given mission, and we fine-tune, in general terms, how that translates into action.

Here is an outline of the key aspects – the councils, committees and working groups of the diocese – and what they do.

The apostolic oversight (from the Greek episkope) and the leadership of a diocese is not in the hands of the bishop alone.

The ministry of oversight involves all those called or chosen to provide parochial or diocesan leadership. Each and every person in leadership assumes a piece of the oversight needed for the Church’s missional success.

This may take the form of accepting election to diocesan office or as a delegate to Diocesan Convention. Other examples are, but are not limited to: acting as member of the bishop’s staff, advising the bishop, assuming chairmanship of or participating on a diocesan committee, and working in the various councils, committees, and working groups of the deaneries and churches.

Those who provide oversight are tasked with attending to four, essential, broadly-aimed responsibilities that connect the people and institutions of the diocese: 1. Providing Support to Parochial Ministries – The Bishop, the Bishop’s Staff, and others offer training and consultation that aid congregational vitality, viability, and mutuality.

Training is provided for: vestries, treasurers, Christian formation workers, stewardship committees, etc. The diocese provides or facilitates consultative assistance and guidance to congregations and congregational leadership to resolve conflict, to articulate congregational mission and vision, and to promote mutual support among congregations; 2. Providing Ministry Directly – Diocesan bodies (formal or informal) deliver or support the delivery of common ministries on behalf of the diocese as a whole – doing those things requiring material and human resources beyond the abilities of a single church to muster; 3. Providing Resource Optimization (aka Stewardship) – Diocesan Convention pools and manages financial resources 4

SPIRIT | August 2016

in order to support The Episcopal Church generally (General Convention and the Domestic & Foreign Missionary Society); to provide pay and benefits to such staff as may be needed for diocesan administration and church support (see 1 above); to underwrite assistance to churches and multichurch enterprises as well as individuals; to offer financial aid for congregational development initiatives, for clergy and other families, and in support of social ministries and other forms of outreach; 4. Providing Connection – The bishop and General Convention Deputies represent the diocese as a whole in the governance of The Episcopal Church and of the Anglican Communion, thus connecting local ministries to the ministries of the General Church and World-Wide Communion.

So, in West Missouri (as in all dioceses), the task of ordering the common life of the diocese is vested in the bishop (on one hand) and in governing boards (on the other). Governing boards in The Diocese of West Missouri include the Diocesan Convention, the Diocesan Council, and the Standing Committee. There are other committees and commissions, but these are the big three. Each of these three exercises specific duties and authority assigned to them by the Constitution and Canons (or rules) of the Episcopal Church, in addition to the Constitution and Canons of the diocese. How it all links together is shown in the accompanying organization chart.

The Diocesan Convention meets annually in November, is composed of lay delegates chosen by their parish or congregation in company with all canonically resident clergy; is the highest decision-making body of the diocese, and may make any decision that does not conflict with the constitutions and canons of the diocese or The Episcopal Church. When the office is open, the Diocesan Convention elects the diocese’s bishops. The convention also elects diocesan officers (Secretary, Chancellor, Treasurer, etc.) as well as members of the Diocesan Council, Standing Committee, Commission on the Ministry, Board of Examining Chaplains, Disciplinary Board, and Deputies to the General Convention of The Episcopal Church.

Diocesan Convention also sets the programs and policies of the diocese; adopts a Plan for Ministry (the budget) which establishes spending priorities for diocesan programs and administration; sets a fair-share assessment for each parish or congregation in order to fund the Plan for Ministry; and approves the admission of parishes or mission congregations to the diocese.

The Bishop exercises ecclesiastical authority, convenes and presides at annual or special Diocesan Continued on page 7 ▶

Spring Fling at St. Marks A small number of Episcopal Church Women get big results with their annual fund-raiser!

Linda Burlingame

Perusing the Spring Fling goodies at St. Mark's Kimberling City

is important, and the St. Mark’s ladies have it down to a science. Everything is artfully arranged, with copies of gift certificates and show tickets displayed in picture frames. The room that was so quiet comes alive with smiles, chatter and charitable bidding!

The Spring Fling is not ECW’s first foray into fundraising. For several years before the Silent Auction, they had a Mug Lunch held at the Community Center after the Christmas parade. It was much more labor-intensive. We’ve One of the Spring Fling baskets learned that events need to be tailored to something that Stampede; a haircut; original art. The variety is amazing and can be accomplished without straining resources, something there truly is “something for to be anticipated and not everyone.” Some gift baskets are donated by area merchants, dreaded. (You want everyone smiling the day of the event!) and some are created by the St. Mark’s is crowded on ECW and the congregation. the day of the event. Packed People donate or buy things with our members, friends for the baskets – wine baskets; and family, people from themed “foodie” baskets with nearby churches and the cookbooks and accompanicommunity.

Word has spread: ments like olive oil and pretty it’s an enjoyable event not to be napkins; baskets for fishermen missed!

Spring Fling in 2016 and golfers. Imaginations raised around $3,500 to help run wild! Have an artist in families in our community. your church? Wouldn’t they That is definitely worth the be happy to create a piece for effort. + your event?

When everyone gets on Linda Burlingame is a writer and a reader. She worked with The Shepherd the phone or stops by their of the Hills Gazette for 26 years, selling favorite shops and businesses advertising and writing feature articles about Branson entertainment. She is to ask for donations, it’s not an account executive with AY magazine as hard as you might think. out of Little Rock.

It’s definitely for a good cause.

And it’s good advertising for them, a charitable way to attract new customers.

Of course, we’re selling something here – presentation Photographs: Linda Burlingame

I

t was dark and quiet in St. Mark’s parish hall, but I smiled when I turned on the lights. Tables were covered with colorful gift baskets, flowers, framed gift certificates, jewelry - many beautiful displays of delightful, tempting things. Tomorrow this space would be alive with laughter and bonhomie, and people would be bidding for the right to take home some splendid items.

St. Mark’s in Kimberling conflicting events (including City is a mission church with fundraisers), it was decided a small congregation; there are spring would be a better time. only about eight ladies who Here’s a quick look into faithfully attend Episcopal how we’ve organized and run Church Women (ECW) our events, hopefully there are meetings. But when it’s time some ideas that can be of help to have fun with a fundraiser, to other churches. everyone gets involved!

The price of a Spring For almost ten years St. Fling ticket is a donation to Mark’s ECW has hosted an St. Mark’s. That ticket entitles annual event to raise monies people to two hours of fun, for local groups that help appetizers and wine, and families in Stone County: most importantly, a myriad of Reeds Spring and Blue Eye silent auction and raffle items.

Backpack Programs, Child Preparations for the event Advocacy, and Southern begin weeks ahead of time, Stone County Food Pantry when at church one Sunday an are some of the organizations ECW member announces, “It’s that benefit. This year the time.” event was held in the spring Time to start collecting and renamed “Spring Fling.” the wonderful things for the Previously it was held in late auction: a Bed & Breakfast autumn. However, because package from Chateau on schedules are extra busy the Lake; an oil change; then and calenders full of tickets to Dolly Parton’s Dixie

SPIRIT | August 2016

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Three Lay Certificate Programs Now Offered at Bishop Kemper School for Ministry The school is pleased to announce the expansion of its programs to include certificates for Lay Catechist, Lay Preacher, and Pastoral Leader.

The Rev. Casey Rohleder

A

CONTACT The Very Rev. Dr. Don Compier  bksmdean2@gmail.com LINKS Jim Upton Scholarship:  www.bishopkemperschool.org/scholarships.html BKSM Website:  www.bishopkemperschool.org More Information:  www.bishopkemperschool.org/programs-of-study.html

s the Bishop Kemper School for Ministry (BKSM) enters Angels parish in Mission, its fourth year of providing theological formation and Kansas, BKSM leaders felt training for future deacons and priests, it is pleased to the critical mass was there to announce the expansion of its programs to include certificates for launch these new certificate Lay Catechist (a teacher of the principles of Christianity), Lay programs.

Preacher, and Pastoral Leader.

The lay catechist The Very Rev. Dr. Don training, but not necessarily organizes and coordinates Compier, BKSM dean, further education. the process of formation explains. “As we move For other lay ministers to in a congregation, particuforward with new lay be most effective, however, larly preparation for the certificates for catechists education, training and sacraments of baptism and preachers, we are really mentoring may be helpful. To and confirmation. The lay living into Paul's vision in better equip lay persons for preacher brings the Word of 1 Corinthians 12. As all the licensed lay ministry, Bishop God into the daily lives of a gifts of the body are fully deployed, the Church will be able to carry out the great "... These new programs will provide lay mission entrusted to it. persons with the knowledge and skills to BKSM is pleased to live more perform vital leadership roles. The Church fully into its own mission of offering quality, affordable, will need many more catechists, preachers accessible theological and pastoral leaders as we move into the education to all!" future" - The Rev. Dr. Bill Fasel The Episcopal Church recognizes seven canonical lay ministries: pastoral leader, worship leader, Kemper School for Ministry congregation and is a symbol preacher, eucharistic is rolling out three new of the value and importance minister, eucharistic visitor, certificate programs this fall. of lay leadership. The evangelist and catechist.

For some time, the pastoral leader is authorized Licensed by the bishop, many Dioceses of Kansas and West to exercise spiritual and/or churches make regular use of Missouri have been working administrative leadership eucharistic ministers, eucha- to establish standards for lay within a congregation under ristic visitors and worship licenses in their respective special circumstances. leaders. These licenses dioceses. Once a first cohort “We are clearly moving require a certain level of of eight students emerged away from the time when from St. Michael and All the clergy dominated the 6

SPIRIT | August 2016

leadership and ministry of the Church. These new programs will provide lay persons with the knowledge and skills to perform vital leadership roles. The Church will need many more catechists, preachers and pastoral leaders as we move into the future” says The Rev. Dr. Bill Fasel, BKSM Board Chairperson and course instructor.

The catechist and preacher certificates consist of a series of six courses that can be taken over the course of a single academic year.

The pastoral leader certificate requires 10 courses, all available during the 2016-17 year. However, students could take the required courses over a two year-year time period, if necessary.

Students must take classes for credit ($180 per class) and receive a passing grade.

The $180 tuition includes overnight accommodations at Upton Hall as well as all meals during focus weekends.

Focus weekends are always the second weekend of the month. Course instruction Continued ▶

begins at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday and wraps up at 12:15 p.m. on Sunday.

Lay-track students are not required to participate in BKSM’s Saturday morning sessions, although they are welcome to join students on ordination tracks for meals, the saying of Morning and Noonday Prayer and praxis.

After a student has completed the required coursework, BKSM will award a certificate of completion and forward the student’s transcript to his or her bishop. Students completing lay certificates are also encouraged to participate in BKSM’s commencement each May. Students interested in pursuing a lay license certificate program may qualify for the $100 monthly Jim Upton Scholarship.

Dean Compier is thrilled that BKSM is moving forward into these new areas of formation for ministry.

"BKSM is committed to the theology of our baptismal covenant and our catechism, which assume that all baptized Christians share in Christ's ministry. We aim to fulfill the intent of the church's canons, which insist that all ministers, lay and ordained, should receive quality training and formation”.

For more information, visit the BKSM website or contact Dean Compier.

Details are provided at the head of this article. + Deacon Casey Rohleder is assistant to the Dean and Communications and Outreach Specialist at BKSM.

The Diocese of West Missouri 48 Congregations, Parishes, and their members Metro-Northwest Deanery Council

Central Deanery Council

Southern Deanery Council

Missional Program Commisions Etc.

Diocesan Council Office of the Bishop

Diocesan Convention Standing Committee

Disciplinary Board

Formal Governance link

Liaison Relationship

Ordering our Common Life - continued from page 4 ▶ Conventions, and serves as president of both the Diocesan Council and the diocesan corporation (yes, the diocese is legally incorporated). The Bishop and the Bishop’s Staff are responsible for the day-today implementation of the decisions made by the several groups that have responsibility for the various aspects of diocesan life. The bishop and the Bishop’s Staff report annually to the Diocesan Convention.

The Diocesan Council carries out the policies and programs adopted by the annual Convention. It oversees the day-to-day financial affairs of the diocese ensuring sound fiscal management and practices, including clergy and employee compensation standards, contracts, leases, loans, mortgages, property conveyance, and preparation of each year’s Plan for Ministry. It receives reports from various committees and commissions and makes longrange policy and program recommendations to Diocesan Convention. It also reports

• • •

The Bishop and the Bishop’s Staff

• • •

Diversity Campus Ministry Congregational Development Youth Ministry Companion Diocese Other committes and Related Organizations

Board of Examining Chaplains

Commision on Ministry

Delegates to Convention (The highest decision-making body of the diocese.)

The Commission on the Ministry is charged with determining the current and future ministry needs of the diocese; recruiting, guiding, and examining postulants and candidates for holy orders; promoting continuing education for clergy and lay professionals; supporting and affirming the ministry of laypersons and setting standards for certain lay ministries that require a license from the bishop; and reporting annually to the Diocesan Convention.

Here I have presented a brief guide to the structure and workings of the diocese.

The diocese, however, cannot do its work without committed leaders who are willing to fulfil many vital roles. Nominations for key roles are open on the diocesan website (link at the head of this article), and I ask you all prayerfully to consider offering your time and talents in the service of The Diocese of West Missouri. +

its actions to the Diocesan Convention.

The Standing Committee serves as a council of advice to the bishop and, in the case of a vacancy or incapacity in the office of bishop, the Standing Committee assumes the role of ecclesiastical authority.

Other duties include deciding whether or not to consent to: • the election of bishops in other dioceses; •

the reunion or splitting of dioceses;

•

the bishop’s decision to make a person a postulant or candidate for ordination and then to the actual ordination of candidates for the diaconate and presbyterate;

•

the sale or encumbrance of any property of the diocese or of property held “in trust” for the diocese; and

•

the resolution of ecclesiastical discipline proceedings.

The Standing Committee reports to the Diocesan Convention.

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Loving the World as God Loves the World Our desires to save the world, on one hand, and to savor it, on the other, can be reconciled only in God’s love.

Vern Barnet

A

dear friend asked me, "How have you changed since you became an Episcopalian?” He knew about my life- and career-long interest in world religions. He knew I still cherished Buddhist, Muslim, American Indian and other spiritual paths. its glories, manifested in the 1. Closer to Tears crucifixion and resurrection of My friend knew I do not Jesus Christ.” approach world religions “That’s pretty abstract. “cafeteria-style,” choosing Give me one specific example this feature from one religion of how you have changed,” he and that idea from another. I demanded. embrace each faith fully. One “I’ve noticed that I cry a can relish both Rembrandt lot more easily,” I confessed. and Mapplethorpe, and find “Sometimes I weep just sitting enchantment in both the in the pew and watching the Parthenon and the Taj Mahal. acolyte prepare the candles, One is not violated by enjoying a reassurance that out of both a Mozart opera and a all the ugliness and misuntune by Steely Dan. Somehow derstandings of the human I’ve escaped the literalistic condition, the folks gathering curse of thinking that for worship need, as I do, to religions must be mutually recognize the sacred and align exclusive. Still, he found the ourselves anew with the Power commitment I made in 2011 that gives us hope and life by being baptized a Christian abundant. quite puzzling.

“Sometimes I am full of “Well,” my answer laughter as the service begins, stumbled out, “by seeking but perhaps my eyes moisten to follow the example of when I see a parent and child Jesus with my whole heart, taking communion at the particularly through a kind altar rail — a fresh vision of ongoing dialogue between of the flow of generations, ardent worship and the choices responding with varying before me everyday, I’ve come degrees of illumination to the to understand the creeds as same call that Isaiah heard, in pointers to the geography Chapter 6 of his book. of life, with its horrors and 8

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“I’m not prescribing behavior for anyone else, just reporting that both in church and throughout the week, I seem closer to tears, a little less hard-boiled. I’ve a long way to go to emulate the love and compassion and embrace of Jesus; but however small the improvement, I like myself better.”

2. Compassion Fatigue Still, when I saw the news about the gun slaughter at the Orlando night club, and again the attack at the Istanbul airport (where I have been), my first reaction was to shut down emotionally, just as I did immediately after Sandy Hook, Columbine, Charleston, Virginia Tech, and so many other tragic events.

No tears. “Well, what can we expect with the Supreme Court’s Second Amendment ruling?” the analyst in me said aloud in anger. I thought about the year when I was responsible for obtaining the names of those killed in gun violence in Kansas City each week, and how emotionally weary I became adding them to the prayer list. My first reaction to Orlando was disgust that so

many political leaders seem to be owned by the N.R.A. even though the public favors measures to reduce our orgies of violence.

As the news continued, I recognized my “compassion fatigue,” but God’s love never falters. God became human to suffer as we do. Finally I began to weep.

There is so much to weep about, the refugee crisis, the fires, the floods, the accidents, and the impaired health of those we love. Usually I put these things out of mind. But sometimes I look at the obituaries and see a young person I do not even know whose life has been snuffed out, and I start to weep.

3. A Sonnet of Desire I’ve been puzzling why, in a contest held at a Kansas City library for the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, one sonnet from my book, "Thanks for Noticing: The Interpretation of Desire" (see "love Locket" opposite) was more popular with a broad range of racially diverse readers. The young and old, Continued ▶

Isaiah 6 - Revised Standard Version

gay and straight, professional and amateur, of several faiths.

While the sonnet is in perfect Shakespearean form, I don’t think it is my best. I don’t think it is particularly easy, either. No one has given me a plausible reason for its being selected most. But in thinking about the six presentations from my book this summer at St. Andrew's and at Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral, I’m exploring one – possibly unconscious – dynamic that may explain its favored status.

The sonnet may appear at first to be about a merely human love relationship gone sour. The speaker chooses to confine the love to a locket because it is so overwhelming, just as we; fatigued by compassion, sometimes shut down our feelings in order to get on with our lives.

Then, in line nine, a forecast, using images from different faiths. The rapture in which the dead and living in Christ are “caught up in the clouds” to be eternally united in His kingdom is from 1 Thessalonians 4:17. In ancient Confucian thought, society would be set right

Ambrose of Milan wrote that we are simultaneously condemned and saved.

Perhaps he meant that love brings both suffering and ecstasy. If we desire to know God, then choosing to love the world as it is, as God does, with all its evil, is, in a sense, our present salvation.

Religious maturity is found in desiring to love as God loves. Julian of Norwich wrote that it is God who teaches us to desire, and that He is the reward of all true desiring, and that all shall be well. When the locket confining our love of the world melts, we are raptured, Maitraya stirs, the Emperors bow, the Messiah comes; and then, in tears or laughter or quiet presence, our desire is released and the Glory of God appears. +

Love Locket This loud and too large love I have for you I now reduce to this small, silent space, and set it in a locket, safe from view, and wear it to confine you to a place.

You overran my life and skinned my soul; my strong physique became a bag of woe; your gravity made me a damn black hole; you made my moil a comic video.

When rapture judges with the trumpet’s blare, and when Maitreya stirs within my breast, when Emperors will bow to South, aware, or when Messiah comes and gives us rest, this locket forged on anvil from pure ire will melt from love within, and God’s desire. by imitating the emperor honoring the gods by bowing to the South where they reside.

In some Buddhist thought, the bodhisattva Maitreya is the future Buddha. Some Jews look for a Messiah who will establish the rule of Israel to bring peace to the world.

All examples point to hope beyond the present distress, a desire that the mess of our world will be transformed.

But the couplet, the last two lines, if read closely, though phrased in the future, subverts itself when we contemplate “God’s desire.”

God offers us now both the cross and life abundant.

That’s the package for this life, both to redeem the suffering around us and to take pleasure in God’s gifts. We can bring comfort to disaster. We can find joy in duty to the world.

Vern Barnet’s earlier book, edited with three others, is "The Essential Guide to Religious Traditions and Spirituality for Health Care Providers."

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St. Peter & All Saints Welcomes New Rector St. Peter & All Saints in Kansas City completes the final stage of its merger with the call of a new rector.

CONTACT The Rev. Jonathan Frazier:  rector@stpaas.org LINKS  www.stpaas.org

Ted Bell

W

hen last we visited them (Spirit, February, 2015) the two, south-Kansas City parishes of St. Peter’s and All Saints' had begun the process of joining paths after almost 60 years of separate twisting and turning journeys to become the new St. Peter & All Saints Episcopal Church. The next step for the church was to call its first, permanent rector. They have found themselves a rector with twists and turns of his own.

Jonathan Frazier gazed to match those of the two around the quiet nave where churches, is still moved by the cool stone walls reflected rays beautiful English gothic nave. from stained glass windows.

But this time his view is from “What a pretty place,” he the pulpit and behind the altar. recalls thinking. He was 25 Growing up in St. years-old, a newly-confirmed Joseph, Missouri, Jonathan Episcopalian, single and not worshipped in a Presbyterian particularly enthusiastic church. The journey to his new about his job in information calling at St Peter & All Saints technology. was a - well - eclectic trip.

It was 1988. St. Peter’s “My mother, Virginia Episcopal Church on south Frazier, was a public school Kansas City’s Red Bridge Road teacher with sometimes was a successful parish by controversial views,” he most ways you can measure recounts with a smile. “Some such things. Less than 3 miles people didn’t always like to the north along Wornall her. So I went to a [Roman] Road, All Saints Episcopal Catholic high school .”

Church was buzzing with St. Peter & All Saints' community outreach and Deacon, Donna Stanford, was parish family activities like one of Mrs. Frazier’s students. theater and social groups.

“She was small, but mighty,” Twenty-eight years later, on recalls Deacon Donna. “She July 23, Bishop Marty installed was one of the best teachers the Rev. Jonathan Frazier as I’ve ever had … every once the first permanent rector of in a while she would say St. Peter & All Saints Episcopal something about her son, Church. The two parishes are Jonathan. He was probably now one and Fr. Jonathan, about seven then and it was after a pilgrim’s journey 10 SPIRIT | August 2016

obvious that he was the apple of her eye.”

“I fell in love with the Mass that we had every week at [high] school,” Fr. Jonathan recalls. “I remember the bishop showing up for one mass and telling what might best be described as an off-color joke. I was very impressed.”

Jonathan stayed on the parochial course and went to Rockhurst University. Still impressed, he decided to enroll in the Rite of Catholic Initiation of Adults.

“I knew I wanted to be ordained, but I discovered

that there was a problem with their [priestly] vows,” says Fr. Jonathan. “Poverty, chastity and obedience. I could handle the obedience and poverty.

There was also the real probability that some of my relatives would be very upset if I became a Roman Catholic.”

His voice tails off, “And then there was that getting up for the 6 a.m. Mass …”

Although he had been an English and Political Science major, Fr. Jonathan got an information technology job in Kansas City. One weekend he landed in New York City with a workplace Continued ▶

Father Jonathan settled in his new office

Photographs: Gary Allman

St. Peter & All Saints Episcopal Church

friend and attended a service in an Episcopal church on Park Avenue.

“I remember the priest breaking the host, followed by silence. There was a rumble, then silence. And then there was this beautiful, haunting sound of saxophone, the shuffling of feet and the murmur of people coming forward. I think that was a very important moment for me.”

He came back to Kansas City and visited a priest at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church on Wornall Road simply because he would often drive that way.

St. Peter’s, a few miles down

"In a pretty place."

Wornall, was founded as a colony of St. Andrew’s.

Jonathan Frazier was confirmed in 1988. The next few years were spent, in his own words, “working, cooking, dating.” He worked for awhile as a layman for the Church of the Holy Spirit, a small charismatic congregation on Wornall that had split from All Saints. It closed in 2001.

The working also entailed a steady rise from data inputting at a Kansas City property tax consulting firm to heading its direct mail marketing department. Cooking was, and is, a passion. Dating ended in 1998 when he met Ann on a blind date. Low and behold, Ann was going through Episcopal confirmation preparation.

They were married the following year at, of course, All Saints Episcopal Church on Wornall Road. St. Andrews had been booked for the day he and Ann had chosen.

In 2001 he entered seminary at the University of the South, in Sewanee, Tennessee. He was called to serve at Christ Episcopal Church, in Springfield as the associate rector in 2004. He arrived at St. Peter & All Saints

Episcopal Church on June 1, 2016.

At St. Peter & All Saints he encountered a church that had been finding its feet and preparing, since 2013, under the guidance of the Rev. Evelyn Hornaday, for its first permanent rector. Traditions and customs were being consolidated and new passions for outreach nurtured. The new church has adopted the mission statement “We are to be the hands and feet of Christ in a world in need”.

Fr. Jonathan said recently that varying forms of liturgy, music and worship have never been an overriding concern to him wherever he has gone.

“I’ve had a lot of experience in the business world and a diverse experience in the church … big churches, little churches, small towns, big towns.”

“It’s not a matter of change,” he said about adapting to a new experience.

“It’s a matter of addition. With everything that I’ve experienced, I seem to be able to worship comfortably and find the same God.” As for his preparation to help lead what he hopes to be a growing and dynamic church, he says his twisting

and turning pilgrim’s road has led him to this place and time.

“Everything that I’ve done in the past: disc jockeying (classical), computer nerd, IT manager, bank officer (State Street Corporation), and priest, gets rolled into this vocation. I offer it all to the Church.”

And the path for his new church is clear to him: “A church has to be known for what it does. It’s necessary to get out of the building.

People see what you do for the least of God’s people. We all muddle through together, but at the other end of the spectrum we see that our world has a great need. God has a plan for us to fulfill that need, and we have to find out what it is. We are the hands and feet of Christ, but sometimes we also need the mind of Christ to discover what it is that God wants us to do.”

In a pretty place. + Ted Bell has been a member of St. Peter's since 2005. He is a retired newspaper reporter.

SPIRIT | August 2016 11

Installation of Fr. David Lynch On April 1, 2016, the Rev. David Lynch was installed as the new rector of Church of the Resurrection in Blue Springs.

CONTACT rector@episcopal-bluesprings.org  LINK www.episcopal-bluesprings.org 

The Rev. David Lynch

I

Photograph: Donna Field

Photograph: Gary Zumwalt

t is with great humility and joy that I was installed as the new rector for Church of the Resurrection in Blue Springs, Missouri. Even though this is my second installation to a church in the diocese in as many years, I am grateful for this call to a wonderful church in a great community.

Located in an active Church of the Resurrection neighborhood, our grounds has recently undergone a beautiful renovation of its are shared with a young sanctuary, which makes for soccer team that practices a wonderful worship space in a yard space that begs to and an ideal place for quiet be developed by the church. meditation and prayer. This We are blessed with active pastoral-sized church is parishioners of all ages, supercharged with active talents and gifts. It seems that outreach programs that attend there is something happening to needs in the local and at the church on a daily basis. regional communities. We I am encouraged by a church enjoy ecumenical fellowship full of people who are interwith other churches throughout ested in pursuing growth and the year and most notably development as part of their during Lent, when worship vision and strategy. Together, and fellowship is shared in with our members, I am

Going over the details. Fr. David at the pre-service rehearsal

Deacon Peisha Roumas, Fr. David and Bishop Marty

five churches on Wednesday evenings, allowing the respective ministers to share a pulpit in a setting other than their own.

I would like to give my heartfelt thanks to the volunteers and members who dedicate their love, time, treasures and talents to this vibrant church that it may

12 SPIRIT | August 2016

confident for what the future can bring to the surrounding community, for worship, outreach and fellowship. I encourage you to check out Resurrection’s webpage.

be a place of hospitality and welcome for any and all who choose to enter it. +

Ordinations The Rev. Deacon Anne Meredith Kyle is ordained into the Sacred Order of Priests.

CONTACT office@calvarye.org ď‘Ś LINK www.calvarye.org ď„ƒ

Gary Allman

O

n June 18 Deacon Anne Meredith Kyle was ordained into the Sacred Order of Priests by Bishop Marty at Calvary Episcopal Church, Sedalia where she is now serving as rector. Mother Anne was ordained into the transitional diaconate at last year's Diocesan Convention. Her biography has been published previously in Spirit (December, 2015).

Bishop Marty and Mother Anne with the assembled clergy

Mother Anne and family

Bishop Marty, Mother Anne Meredith Kyle and husband, the Rev. Mike Kyle

SPIRIT | August 2016 13

What is Cursillo?

In a nutshell, this is Cursillo. Ponder, pray, and participate!

CONTACT bjbower@swbell.net 

Joy Bower

LINK Episcopal Cursillo Ministry Website  www.episcopalcursilloministry.org

C

Photographs: Donna Field

ursillo is an opportunity to grow in faith; it provides an experience to develop one's unique gifts of ministry so that Christians can make a difference in the world.

Whether you are new to the church, or you’ve been a member for decades, we invite you to treat yourself to the three-day Cursillo weekend. This year’s session starts Thursday evening, September 8, and concludes Sunday afternoon, September 11, at the Heartland Presbyterian Center. The weekend includes a series of talks, several meditations, worship, music, fellowship, laughter, and large quantities of food. The weekend focuses on an experience of grace, spiritual growth and enrichment in the company of a diverse group of Episcopalians, from both Kansas and Missouri. There will be plenty of time to share and reflect upon your Christian journey and where Christ may be leading you.

Cursillo Weekend 2015

[I have no idea. I've learned that sometimes, when Canon Steve is involved, it is best not to ask. - Editor]

Cursillo is not intended to be a conversion experience but an enriching and deepening of faith. Finally, the three-day weekend fosters ministry among lay people as we are empowered to carry out our Baptismal vows.

The Heartland Cursillo community invites you prayerfully to consider joining us in September. The venue, the Heartland Presbyterian Center, is just north of Kansas City. The three-day

weekend has the support and blessing of both Bishop Marty and Bishop Dean Wolfe (Bishop of the Diocese of Kansas).

If you have questions about Cursillo and how you might benefit from the three-day weekend experience, please contact Joy Bower. +

14 SPIRIT | August 2016

Joy Bower's is a Lay Rector, her life has been greatly impacted by her Cursillo experience. She worships at St. Andrew's in Kansas City.

| DIRECTORY

The Diocese of West Missouri The Diocese of West Missouri:  (816) 471-6161 | ď„ƒ 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.goodshepherdkc.diowestmo.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 www.transfiguration.diowestmo.org

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

Grace Episcopal Church, Carthage (417) 358-4631 www.gracecarthage.org

Grace Episcopal Church, Chillicothe (660) 646-4288 www.gracechillicothe.diowestmo.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

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

St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Maryville

St. George Episcopal Church, Camdenton

St. Peter & 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, Belton (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.diowestmo.org

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

St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Raytown

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

(816) 353-4592 www.stmatthewsraytown.org

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

St. Michael's Episcopal Church, Independence

eSpirit Newsletter

(816) 373-5333 www.stmichaelschurch.org

St. Nicholas' Episcopal Church, Noel

Shepherd of the Hills Episcopal Church, Branson

St. Oswald's in-the-Fields Episcopal Church, Fairfax

(417) 334-3968 www.shepherdofthehillsepiscopal.com

(816) 931-2850 www.stpaulskcmo.org

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

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

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

(417) 475-3852 www.stnicholasnoel.webgarden.es

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 | August 2016 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

l

www.BishopSpencerPlace.org

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4301 Madison Ave., Kansas City, Missouri 64111