SUMMER 2011
THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF NORTH CAROLINA
a regional approach To
ministry
FEEDING SHEEP the
Committee Seeks Justice in Agriculture
how does your
community GARDEN GROW?
contents
table of
SUMMER 2011
features
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Diocesan House 200 West Morgan Street, Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27601-1338 PHONE: 919.834.7474 TOLL FREE: 800.448.8775 FAX: 919.834.8775 The Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina Bishop The Rt. Rev. Michael B. Curry michael.curry@episdionc.org Diocesan House: 919.834.7474
Happy Birthday: Pentecost is the Birthday of the Church. But it’s More Than That. How Does Your Community Garden Grow?
Assistant Bishop The Rt. Rev. William O. Gregg william.gregg@episdionc.org Office of the Assistant Bishop: 704.332.7746
Feeding the Sheep: Committee Seeks Justice in Agriculture A Regional Approach to Ministry
Assisting Bishop The Rt. Rev. Alfred C. “Chip” Marble Jr. alfred.marble@episdionc.org Office of the Assisting Bishop: 336.273.5770
Campus Ministry Inner Rings / Youth Ministry NetsforLife Campaign Updates
PUBLISHER
Bishop of North Carolina
Tally in Tanzania
EDITOR / ART DIRECTOR
Lex Mathews Scholarships for Women Awarded
Sarah Herr: sarah.herr@episdionc.org
Diocese Responds to Tornadoes, Disaster
COPY EDITOR
Beth Grace
When Mickles Make a Muckle: Aunt Becky’s Messengers of Hope
CONTRIBUTORS IN THIS ISSUE
Catherine Massey Beth Crow The Rev. Paul S. Winton The Rev. Harrel B. Johnson The Rev. Nils Chittenden Lisa Towle Ellen C. Weig Kim Miller Anna Ball Hodge Susan Rountree The Rev. Stephen Elkins Williams Marguerite Peebles Hilary Towle
Hope Farm: Coffee-Inspired Missionary Meets Needs of Honduras Orphans A Prayer for Our Enemies Christian Prayers for Father’s Day
departments & more 22 Events, Briefs & Clergy Changes 24 Snapshots 32 Bishops’ Visitations
Harvey Spurr Naomi Faw Virginia Theological Seminary
SUBSCRIPTIONS / CHANGE OF ADDRESS
Scott Welborn: scott.welborn@episdionc.org SUBMISSIONS
All submissions welcome and considered for publication. Email submissions to sarah.herr@episdionc.org. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Are published on the diocesan website under “The NC Disciple.” ON THE COVER
An background image of wheat, representing the agriculture of North Carolina, as the Bishop’s Justice in Agriculture Committee seeks to raise awareness in the issues surrounding farming, migrant labor, and more.
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The North Carolina Disciple | Summer 2011
Making Disciples, Making a Difference
magazine receives polly bond awards The North Carolina Disciple received three Polly Bond Awards at the Episcopal Communicators Conference in April 2011 in Memphis, Tennessee. The magazine was given Honorable Mention Recognitions in the following categories: General Excellence, Magazine: Submission included the Fall 2010 & Winter 2010 Magazines & the June 2010 Newspaper Cover Design: The Winter 2010 Issue featuring St. Peter’s, Charlotte. Photo taken by Rob Smith, a member of St. Peter’s. Two-Page Layout: “Youth on a Mission” article in the Winter 2010 Issue
thank you
A to all who have contributed information, submitted photos, and given feedback on this publication. A special word of thanks to Beth Grace for providing copy editing for each edition of the magazine. About the Episcpal Communicators & Polly Bond Awards
The Episcopal Communicators are individuals whose ministry is devoted to communications within the Episcopal Church at the national, regional, diocesan, congregational, agency or educational facility level. The Polly Bond Awards are named for Episcopal Communicator Polly Bond, who served as director of communications in the Diocese of Ohio and was one of the founders of the Episcopal Communicators. The purpose of these annual awards is to identify and recognize outstanding publications and electronic media programs, and to educate and raise professional standards through constructive evaluation. For more information, visit www.episcopalcommunicators.org.
ATTENTION CHURCHES: Have you updated your member lists with the Diocesan Office? The Diocese is attempting to update the Disciple mailing list. Contact Scott Welborn at scott.welborn@episdionc.org for more details.
ABOUT
At a Glance Facts: This Magazine... The North Carolina Disciple is the quarterly magazine of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina.Other diocesan communication vehicles are used for more time-sensitive, day-to-day news, including Around the Diocese, a monthly bulletin insert; Please Note, a weekly e-newsletter; and the Diocesan website, www.episdionc.org. Contact Sarah Herr at sarah.herr@episdionc.org with any questions or feedback regarding these communications, or to submit ideas, articles, and photos.
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Is printed with soy inks, which are more environmentally friendly than traditional petroleum-based inks.
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Is printed on FSC certified paper - paper certified by the Forestry Stewardship Council, an independent, non-governmental, not for profit organization established to promote the responsible management of the world’s forests.
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Is printed and mailed in Henderson, North Carolina. The printer has been utilizing an internal paper recycling system for paper production since 1995.
Delivery occurs in the early part of the following months: Reflecting the Radical Welcome of Jesus
September / Fall Issue December / Winter Issue March / Spring Issue June / Summer Issue The North Carolina Disciple | Summer 2011
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Happy Birthday! From the Rt. Rev. Michael B. Curry, Bishop of the Diocese of North Carolina
Pentecost is the birthday of the Church. But it’s about more than that.
Photos by Erin Casey
I remember as a child my teachers in Church School taught me that the Feast of Pentecost, called Whitsunday in those days, is the birthday of the Church. And there is truth in that. Indeed, Pentecost marks those moments and experiences when, through the agency of the Spirit of the living God, the Jesus movement began to crystallize into a community of his disciples passionately committed to living the way of Jesus and witnessing to his Gospel in the world (see Acts 2). So it is indeed correct to say that Pentecost is the birthday of the Church. But Pentecost is about more than that.
Photo by Erin Casey
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Pentecost is ultimately about the birth of a new world, a world more closely resembling God’s dream and vision for the human family of God and all of creation. In fact, the mission of the Church might be described as that of helping God give birth to God’s new world through our living of and witness to the way of Jesus in the world. That birthing is the work of the Spirit of the living God -- the same Spirit of God who was the dimension of God who gave life to the creation “in the beginning” (see Genesis 1:1-3). The same Spirit who caused the life of God to come into the world in the womb of Mary and in the life of Jesus. And it is that same Spirit of the living God who caused the very life of Jesus to be quickened in those disciples so that they, following in his footsteps, would help God bring into being a new world, what the Bible calls “a new creation” (see 2 Corinthians 5:17 or Revelation 21:1). Pentecost is about the birth of the Church for the sake of the birth of a new world that more closely resembles God’s dream and vision.
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Making Disciples, Making a Difference
But Pentecost isn’t just a once-for-all-time event. Pentecost happens whenever the Spirit of God is poured out and intimations of God’s new creation break into the old. I saw Pentecost happen again in one of our churches a few weeks ago, at the ordination to the priesthood of the Rev. Roxane Gwyn in Fuquay-Varina. It was a wonderful, joy-filled, Spirit-filled experience. The unique thing about this ordination was that it was held outdoors in an attractive white tent on the grounds of Trinity Church. The church set up a tent because there were easily 150 to 175 of us gathered, and the nave of Trinity might seat only half that number. Just the size of the crowd would be cause for Pentecostal joy. But there is more to this story. A few years ago on a spring Sunday, the then-Vicar of Trinity announced that he was leaving The Episcopal Church. He did so, along with a significant number of members of this small congregation. The next Sunday, the Canon to the Ordinary, the Rev. Michael Hunn, was present with the people of Trinity. He sat with them and they celebrated the Eucharist. There were 11 people present. Five of the 11 were children. The faithful who remained at Trinity numbered maybe 20 souls. Today the congregation of Trinity Church, Fuquay-Varina comes close to filling the nave. Trinity Church is alive and vibrant, making new history and creating a future through faithful witness and service to God. While it would be difficult to verify it, I seriously doubt that a priest has been ordained in the Diocese of North Carolina in a tent since the 19th century. But it happened at Trinity Church a few weeks ago. The word spread throughout the community. That’s Pentecost, the birth of a new Church. Beyond that, Pentecost is ultimately about the birth of a new world, in part due to the efforts of those who live and witness to the Gospel of Jesus in the world. In 2001, Pentecost happened again. At St. George’s College in Jerusalem that year, a group of Christian, Jewish and Muslim adults gathered a group of 12 children from the three faiths to prepare them for a summer experience to be held at the Episcopal Camp Allen in Texas. The purpose of the camp was for the children of these three Abrahamic faiths to learn how, as the Kids4Peace website says, “to live together in peace.” The website adds that Kids 4 Peace was born that year. And so was a new world. To quote the Kids4Peace website: “Imagine a place in the Middle East, in the midst of daily violence and fear, where the children of Israel and Palestine, the kids of the Holy Land, can feel safe. Imagine an open place, where Christian, Jewish and Muslim children can speak from their hearts and tell their stories. A place where their faces may be seen and their voices may be heard. Imagine a place where the children of the United States can discover the common heritage they share with the children of the Middle East. Imagine a place in which children learn respect, tolerance and understanding. Imagine a world in which these children become the leaders of the future. Imagine Peace.” That’s Pentecost. That’s a new world. That’s what the prophet Joel said would happen each and every time Pentecost happens:
“Then afterward I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.” (Joel 2:28) So, Happy Birthday! +Michael The Rt. Rev. Michael B. Curry was elected 11TH Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina in 2000.
Reflecting the Radical Welcome of Jesus
diocese is now part of the new chapter:
Kids4Peace North Carolina
Kids4Peace is an interfaith, education for peace organization that brings Christian, Jewish, and Muslim children from the Holy Land to the United States for a summer camp experience with American children. Last year camps were hosted in Atlanta, North Carolina and Vermont. Fifty-six new Kids4Peace laughed, swam, hiked, rafted, worked together on service projects, visited each other’s houses of worship and shared what their Jewish, Christian or Muslim faith means to them. Amid political controversies and negotiations, Kids4Peace is already weaving the fabric of a new society - creating lasting friendships across barriers of culture and religion, conflict and fear. And it continues to grow…. This year, the Diocese of North Carolina is joining with the Diocese of Western North Carolina to host a camp at Lake Logan Episcopal Center. The camp will take place July 17-28. Visitors are welcome to join us on Wednesday, July 27, for the Abraham Tent Presentation. If you would like more information about Kids4Peace or want to schedule a visit to the camp, please contact Lyn Holt at lholt@st-peters.org or Pam Hatley at pam.hatley@episdionc.org.
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Photos by Erin Casey Bottom Left: Parishioners at St Alban’s, Davidson, harvesting the fruits of their labors in the Seed Community Garden. Bottom Right: Community gardening is a labor of love. Photo credit: Olivia Bearden, St Alban’s Davidson.
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The North Carolina Disciple | Summer 2011
Making Disciples, Making a Difference
By Catherine Massey
how does your
community garden grow? Tomatoes. Zucchini. Collard greens. Fellowship. What do all these things have in common? They are things that grow in the community gardens thriving throughout the diocese. You may have heard some of the buzz surrounding community gardens. The terms “locavore,” slow food movement, CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) along with movies such as “Food Inc.” and “Fresh” relay the benefits of locally grown food. Combined with the economic downturn and people’s desire to cut costs by growing their own food, many are discovering not only the health and economic benefits but also such terms/ phrases that are familiar to us as Episcopalians: outreach, feeding the hungry, peace, stewardship of God’s creation, and visibly being a welcoming presence in the world. A community garden is a way for a group of people to gather and grow relationships, grow their understanding of God’s wonderful creation and grow produce that can help themselves and those in their community. There are many different types of gardens in the Diocese—urban, suburban, and rural. It can be organized as a communal plot or individual plots for rent on an annual basis. It could simply be a program where your church collects excess produce from the home gardens of parishioners to donate to local food banks and soup kitchens. Austin Seagrave, St. Andrew’s, Charlotte’s parishioner and community garden coordinator, says their garden is in its third year with 30 active plots, 17 of which are used by refugees who live in the neighborhood and take ESL classes at St. Andrew’s. According to Seagrave, “They live in apartments and have nothing around them but asphalt and concrete. They spend hours in the gardens and are getting ready to start a “pit style” composting project—apparently used widely in
Reflecting the Radical Welcome of Jesus
other countries. This has really provided a pastoral spot for them to visit.” The Rev. Leslie Burkhardt and her family have a plot in the garden where their 20-month-old son always makes new friends comments, “We all get a chance to see the holy in one another— how wonderful is that?!” St. Phillip’s, Durham, also has an urban garden. Elizabeth Newman and Bob Kellogg are its ministry coordinators. Their garden is “an attempt at practicing radical hospitality,” according to Newman. “The garden gates are always open and we invite neighbors to share in the harvest – take a tomato or two, just leave some for the next person. We have benches throughout the garden to welcome folks to rest and enjoy the beauty of the garden. I think the arms-wide-open welcome of the garden, unexpected in the midst of our busy urban setting, creates a subtle change in us all – parishioners and neighbors. We all feel a part of the giving and the receiving, even those who may never set foot in the garden. Those of us tending the garden have had wonderful experiences of meeting our neighbors who stop by to share a story or rest a while. We hear about hardship and blessing and are enriched by the telling. We love the time we spend in the garden with our fellow parishioners and neighbors.” Ann Davies, a parishioner at St. Barnabas, Greensboro, is part of a group of gardeners starting their second season this year. After the Rev. Randall Keeney and a few others parishioners broke ground in 2010, they discovered some of the usual obstacles: weather, voracious insects, bad soil and fungus. Still Davies says, “Many of us are new vegetable gardeners. It was fun to discover the process of gardening, learn from each other, and enjoy the produce that the insects didn’t chew to the ground. Our hope of donating 10 percent of the produce didn’t work in the first year, but we are planning this year to devote one or two plots for donations to local assistance groups. I think we all have a new appreciation of farmers, and their constant problems with weather and insects. We also took part in the annual community garden tour.” Another obstacle for many parishes was funding. Some like the Rev. Ken Kroohs and parishioners at St. Christopher’s High Point funded their own garden, but others like St. Anne’s in WinstonSalem, funded their Community Peace Garden by a $500 grant from Episcopal Peace Fellowship. The purposes of this garden is
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Community Gardens in the Diocese The folllowing congregations have some type of community garden. If your church has a community garden and is not on this list, please let Sarah Herr know via email at sarah.herr@episdionc.org.
Top: Holy Trinity’s community garden encompasses 20+ raised beds which are leased to its parishioners on an annual basis. Over 500 pounds of produce was donated to local food pantries from their gardens in 2011. Bottom: Lettuce, snow peas. Photos by Jo Owens, Holy Trinity, Greensboro
A community garden is a way for a group of people to gather and grow relationships, grow their understanding of God’s wonderful creation and grow produce that can help themselves and those in their community. according to St. Anne’s website, “to grow a community garden for the objective of interaction with others in our neighborhood, for nurturing of soil, plants and spirits, for the production of new friends, shared wisdom, good memories, appreciation of nature and, maybe in the end, for the production of something edible to share.” St. Anne’s garden is now featured in Episcopal Peace Fellowship’s Nonviolence Toolkit as a tool for creative peacemaking. Another opportunity for grant funding might be with our own Diocese. The Rev. David E. Buck, Rector of St. Alban’s, Davidson, is the Committee Chair on the Chartered Committee on Grants Parish Grants program. He notes: “Community gardens are only one of a number of parish outreach grants we offer each year. We have indeed given several grants to churches creating community gardens, who met our criteria.” In 2011 there is $20,000 in funds available for qualifying projects. Visit www.episdionc.org and click on find the grants page under the resources menu for outreach grant information. Olivia Bearden, chairman of St. Alban’s Seeds Community Garden, says their garden is now in its second year of growing veggies and flowers. It contains 41 garden beds and 8
St. Anne’s, Winston-Salem St. Alban’s, Davidson, contact Olivia Bearden: oliviadavies@netscape.com St. Andrew’s Charlotte, contact Austin Seagrave: austin@austinseagrave.com St. Barnabas, Greensboro, contact Ann Davies: ann@daviespubs.com St. Philip’s Durham, contact Elizabeth Newman: enewman@nc.rr.com St. Clements, Clemmons, contact Betsey Kay: ekay215@gmail.com Holy Spirit, Greensboro St. Francis, Greensboro Holy Trinity, Greensboro contact Jo Owens: jo@ holy-trinity.com St. Christopher’s High Point Church of the Nativity, Raleigh Calvary, Tarboro St. Titus, Durham Church of the Advocate, Carrboro St. Andrew’s, Haw River
all practices are organic, which simply means they don’t use pesticides or herbicides in their garden. They also have a cutting garden which will help to provide fresh cut flowers for their altar guild. Bearden notes, ‘Seeds’ provide, “A safe
Celebrating the bounty of St. Andrew’s, Charlotte, community garden is the Rev. Gene Humphreys, Deacon, who now serves at St. Peter’s, Charlotte. Photo credit: St. Andrew’s, Charlotte.
The North Carolina Disciple | Summer 2011
Making Disciples, Making a Difference
place for children and families to grow food which more than 10 percent of all produce is donated to a local food bank and a living space which attracts people who may not otherwise engage with St. Alban’s. Also, we are growing friendships and a greater passion for growing nutritious food! ” Seeds Community Garden is currently working on certification with the Wildlife Certification Foundation, as the garden also creates a wildlife habitat for animals. Interested in Starting a Community Garden? Are you intrigued, but don’t know where to start? Contact one of the churches currently running a community garden (see list on page 8) and talk to them about their program. Everyone is generally proud of their garden and would enjoy sharing their successes and challenges with you. The best way to get things going would be to have a brainstorming session. Gather together the people who express an interest in the project. Be clear that no gardening experience is necessary, as people of all talents and gifts will be needed to make your garden a success. Discuss your goals, your mission, what special gifts and talents everyone brings to the project and what your budget will be. Good luck with your project! Please consider sharing fruits of your progress with the rest of the Diocese. Send them to sarah.herr@episdionc.org.
Catherine Massey is a parishioner and part-time Parish Life Administrator at St. John’s, Wake Forest, and the part-time Executive Asst. to Canon Marlene Weigert, Diocese of North Carolina. Contact her at catherine.massey@episdionc.org.
Helpful links & Resources PARISH GRANTS FOR NEW PROGRAMS: CHARTERED COMMITTEE ON GRANTS Seed funds are available to start qualifying outreach programs at congregations through the Chartered Committee on Grants Parish Grants program. In 2011, there is $20,000 in funds available for qualifying projects. > Contact: The Rev. David E. Buck, DMin, Committee on Grants Chair, dbuck@gostalbans.org, 704.892.0173 THE BISHOP’S COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE IN AGRICULTURE COMMITEE Members of the Justice in Agriculture Committee are available to meet with/give presentations to congregations about the work they do and to help connect them to resources for projects like Community Gardens. > Contact: Rev. Harrel B. Johnson, Committee Chair, Contact hbacjohnson@embarqmail.com, 252.333.7482 THE CHARTERED COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL MINISTRY The Chartered Committee on Environmental Ministry has various environmental resources available on the Diocesan website, www. episdionc.org. > Contact: The Rev. Thomas Droppers, Committee Chair tdrops@triad.rr.com OTHER LINKS http://communitygarden.org/ http://nccommunitygarden.ncsu.edu/index.html
Reflecting the Radical Welcome of Jesus
Community Garden: On A Budget •
Start your own plants from seed.
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Check with the local horticulture schools or programs—they sometimes sell plants, usually much cheaper than commercial growers, or may donate them.
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Contact your local City Service Departments. Some cities have programs in place to help community gardeners, providing resources such as land, tool rental, and utilities such as water and electricity at little or no cost. Contact your local City Council member to see what types of services might be available to your group.
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Check with you local hardware stores and nurseries. They often have plants, mulch, etc. that are not fit to sell to their customers but they may donate to your group at greatly reduced prices.
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Check with local garden clubs—they sometimes offer plant exchanges and may be a great resource for your garden. Get a soil sample—for free! Contact your local County Cooperative Extension office: http://www. ces.ncsu.edu/ Also, for great information on how to take a good soil sample: http://cabarrus.ces.ncsu. edu/index.php?page=news&ci=LAWN+33
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Community gardening in NC Check out this registry located on the NC State website. Community gardens are listed by county: http://nccommunitygarden.ncsu.edu/gardens.html
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North Carolina Community Gardeners: Connecting Community gardeners with each other and other resources: http://nccommunitygarden.ning.com/
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American Community Gardening Association: The Association supports community gardening by facilitating the formation and expansion of state and regional community gardening networks; developing resources in support of community gardening; and, encouraging research and conducting educational programs. http://communitygarden.org/ The North Carolina Disciple | Summer 2011
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By The Rev. Harrel B. Johnson
Feeding the sheep Committee Works Towards Justice in Agriculture
“Pray with your feet” is an African proverb which speaks an oftenoverlooked truth about prayer and faith. We often see faith only as a noun, as an object that we can put on a shelf and take down and dust off occasionally. Actually, faith and prayer are verbs to be acted out in the lives of those who profess them.
As a people of faith, we are bound by God to care for creation. God places Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and gives them dominion over all that is within. The psalmist depicts pastoral scenes of green pastures and still waters in the 23rd psalm and offers God thanks for the earth’s bounty. Jesus’ parables offer images of sowing, harvest, vineyards, and tending flocks of sheep. God’s call to care for creation also includes the hungry. When 5,000 are hungry, Jesus tells Andrew, “you feed them.” And again Jesus, after repeatedly testing Peter’s love for him, tells Peter to “feed my sheep.” In an article published in The North Carolina Disciple in 2009, the Rev. Marty Stebbins states: “People of faith are paying more attention to their food these days.” And they should, given many news headlines about contaminated milk, peanut butter, eggs, and produce. Organically grown food is increasing in popularity. Consumers are seeking markets for locally-grown produce and meat, and some are becoming involved in environmental issues connected to agricultural practices.
Every time we sit at a table or place our order at a restaurant, we are inescapably connected to the earth, the fields, the crops, the farms, and the farmers. We are indebted to the men and women, and their families, whose labor helps sustain our lives. Many Episcopal churches are located in small towns and rural areas, but the majority of our membership comes from urban areas and thus is somewhat disconnected from agricultural and farming issues. However, many Episcopalians are farmers: plowing the land, growing crops, and raising animals. They are the keepers of the land for future generations, all while feeding and clothing the present one. Farmers know and understand their connectedness to God’s creation and that they are called by God to
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care for that creation and to feed the hungry. They, the farmers, pray with their feet! Do you? Since 2008, our diocese has started ‘praying with our feet’ in a particular way through the Bishop’s Committee on Justice in Agriculture. This work calls us as people of faith to live our Baptismal Covenant by "respecting the dignity of every human being" and allows us as citizens and consumers to advocate for those who supply our food. The focus of the committee is to support North Carolina farmers by giving voice to their justice concerns about changing market systems. Through partnering with Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI), the committee and many congregations and
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Making Disciples, Making a Difference
Parish Takes a look at
FOOD & FAith
Bishop Curry and the Rev. Harrel B. Johnson tape a Please Note, the Bishop’s weekly e-newsletter, at the Farmer’s Market. The Rev. Johnson talks about the work of the Bishop’s Committee on Justice in Agriculture.
individuals in our Diocese have worked with North Carolina’s political leaders to have farmers’ concerns addressed in the 2008 United States Farm Bill. Specifically, farmers wanted the option of challenging unfair company practices in court. Also, we have been concerned about the financial burdens of unfunded building upgrades that contract poultry farmers are required to do in order to keep their growing contracts. As churches have learned about the impact that the new regulations will have on North Carolina farmers, Episcopalians across our Diocese have supported the farmers with phone calls to the White House and our congressional and senate representatives. The Committee has also been involved in the Come to the Table conferences, educating interested people of faith on how they can relieve hunger and support local farms in North Carolina. The Episcopal Church Women have been represented on the Committee since its inception, and in 2009 the ECW devoted its annual meeting to " Fighting Hunger in Our Own Backyard." Woven into the weekend were workshops on creating churchbased community gardens and discussions about justice and hunger as they relate to harvesting and food distribution throughout the Diocese. This is truly the work of the church, the work that we are all called to do, and it is no more beautifully expressed than in the words of Teresa of Avila: Christ has no body on earth but yours, no hands but yours, no feet but yours. Yours are the eyes through which the compassion of Christ is to look out on a hurting world. Yours are the feet which he is to go about doing good. Yours are the hands with which to bless now. AMEN. The work of the Justice in Agriculture Committee is not over, in spite of recent victories in agricultural law reform. Here in North Carolina, hungry people still need access to nutritious, fresh produce grown in church-based gardens. Urban sprawl, with its hunger for space, is forcing small family farms out of business. These farms could survive, with dependable local farm markets and meat-buying clubs, and customers willing to support them and forgo shopping at mega-supermarkets. These farms’ sustainability often depends on a source of labor that offers opportunity to others, many of whom are named Jose, Maria, or Jesus, who are also in need and have a hunger that needs to be fed. The road is long and the workers are few, but the harvest can be great, because there are a lot of farms on the road between here and “Galilee.” The Rev. Harrel B. Johnson is a Deacon at Church of the Holy Innocents in Henderson and Chair of the Justice in Agriculture Committee. Contact him at hbacjohnson@embarqmail.com, 252.333.7482.
Reflecting the Radical Welcome of Jesus
Many of us come to church every Sunday because we long to meet God. AND… We live in a time when it is not only possible but easy to eat strawberries in January and oranges in July. At St. Elizabeth’s, we’ve spent time pondering together how these two statements are connected and why should that matter to those of us who want to follow Jesus. We’ve begun to ask: why is food a matter of faith and what does Scripture teach us about eating, justice, and celebration in the life of Christian discipleship? In a Wednesday Night Study Group centered on Food and Faith: Practicing the Presence of God, we explored connections between the first chapters of Genesis, the grocery store, the halls of Congress, and our own dinner (and brunch!) tables. In all of these conversations we sought and discerned God’s call to us, God’s presence with us, and God’s care for us in the most basic nooks and crannies of our everyday lives.” The Rev. Sarah Ball-Damberg, St. Elizabeth’s, Apex
What we eat and
why it matters: Exploring a theology of food
The School of Ministry has created a DVD resource and related study guide materials examining the theology of food. Copies of the materials were sent to congregations, but if you are unable to locate the materials and would like to receive replacements, please contact the School of Ministry. SCHOOL OF MINISTRY 1901WEST MARKET STREET, GREENSBORO, NC 27403 336.273.5770 WWW.EPISDIONCSCHOOL.ORG
contact the
Justice in agriculture committee Members of the Justice in Agriculture Committee are available to meet with/give presentations to congregations about the work they do, farmers and migrant farmers, and to help connect congregations to resources for projects like Community Gardens. > Contact: Rev. Harrel B. Johnson, Committee Chair, hbacjohnson@embarqmail.com, 252.333.7482
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a regional approach
to ministry
By Sarah Herr & Beth Grace
So, What IS the Regional Approach to Ministry Plan? And What Does it Offer Parishes and Convocations? Our road to Galilee just got a little easier to travel. After a decade of work, planning and prayer, the Regional Approach to Ministry Plan has come of age and is nearing full implementation. You probably have heard of it, but unless your congregation has had direct contact with a regional team, you may not know why this exciting program is important to congregations and the Diocese, who serves in Regional Ministry and what a regional minister/team can do for your congregation.
REGIONAL TEAMS Each regional team is comprised of a Canon for Regional Ministry who reports directly to the Diocesan Bishop, a Deacon, and a Regional Youth Ministry Coach. THE REGIONAL MINISTRY STAFF INCLUDES:
A Regional Approach to Ministry in the Northwest: Greensboro and Winston-Salem Convocations
The Rev. Trawin Malone, Canon for Regional Ministry trawin.malone@episdionc.org | 336.207.3104 The Rev. Christie Dalton, Regional Deacon christiemdalton@gmail.com | 704.682.3730 Duana Cisney, Regional Youth Ministry Coach duana.cisney@episdionc.org | 336.404.6311
A Regional Approach to Ministry in the South: Charlotte and Sandhills Convocations
The Rev. Beth Wickenberg Ely, Canon for Regional Ministry beth.ely@episdionc.org | 864.415.6448 The Rev. Jane Holmes, Regional Deacon jane.holmes@episdionc.org | 704.929.5412 Pam Hatley, Regional Youth Ministry Coach pam.hatley@episdionc.org | 704.661.5342
A Regional Approach to Ministry in the East: Rocky Mount, Raleigh and Durham Convocations
The Rev. Catherine “Cathie” Caimano, Canon for Regional Ministry eastpriest@episdionc.org | 919.627.8822 The Rev. Al Moore, Regional Deacon alm99@juno.com | 919.612.3094 Regional Youth Ministry Coach: Search Process is On-going
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What is the Regional Ministry Program? The staff of the diocese exist to support and assist us all congregations, clergy and bishops - in effectively fulfilling our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ in the community of the Episcopal Church. In doing so, we make a difference in the world for God’s Kingdom. A regional approach to ministry places members of our diocesan staff in and among the congregations and people of the diocese to help us fulfill our mission. Three Canons for Regional Ministry, formerly known as Regional Priests, now join the two Canons to the Ordinary, working directly with and on behalf of the Diocesan Bishop to coordinate and implement this support of our clergy and congregations. Regional Deacons and Regional Youth Ministry Coaches, all living throughout the diocese, are practical resource people, locally available, to help our congregations and to strengthen our ministry with youth through outreach, service and justice. It is the expectation of the Bishop that the regional Canons, Deacons and Youth Ministry Coaches will proactively contact every congregation offering resources, services and support. They, together with all diocesan staff, are committed to help us all to work together as one diocese serving the cause of Christ as the Episcopal Church in central North Carolina. How Can a Regional Team Assist Your Congregation? The Regional Approach to Ministry plan includes three teams consisting of a Canon for Regional Ministry (a full-time position), a part-time Regional Deacon and a part-time regional Youth Coach. The Canon for Regional Ministry brings a wealth of experience to the Diocese and can assist congregations with a wide-range of issues, from simple questions to conflict mediation. Some examples of why you might contact the Canon for Regional Ministry include: • Preaching and teaching • Vestry retreats • Long-range planning & visioning • Celebrating events in the life of the church • Conflict mediation • Clergy coaching • Relationship building
The North Carolina Disciple | Summer 2011
Making Disciples, Making a Difference
The Canons for Regional Ministry, Canons to the Ordinary and Bishop Curry take a photo. Front Row, from left: The Rev. Canon Beth Wickenberg Ely, the Rt. Rev. Michael Curry, Canon Marlene Weigert. Back row, from left: The Rev. Canon Trawin Malone, the Rev. Canon Michael Buerkel Hunn, and the Rev. Canon Cathie Caimano.
“I would describe myself as an ecclesiastical cheerleader,” says the Rev. Malone. “In other words, my contact with congregations is not just in time of troubles. In fact, I rarely visit a congregation that is experiencing trouble. I want to know the good ministry that is happening in congregations in order to share those resources with others. I am able to see the big picture in many cases and bring a new perspective to ministry. To borrow a quote from the Fresh Start program, ‘It is all about the relationships.’” “I love having coffee with people, and I hope clergy and lay leaders know they can call on me to just spend time talking about what God’s vision is for their ministry and congregation. I also hope that people will call on me about vestry (or staff) retreats, mutual ministry reviews, and any time and place they are working on discernment of their mission as Jesus’ disciples,” says the Rev. Caimano. Like the Canons for Regional Ministry, Regional Deacons are available for preaching at congregations or serving as a Deacon during church services. Some examples of why you might contact the Regional Deacon include: • Preaching • To serve as deacon during church services • Answer questions about the role of deacons in parishes • Guidance for congregations on deacon aspirants • Participation in hands-on outreach • Helping congregations develop outreach ministry and ways to collaborate with other churches in doing it • Celebrating events in the life of the church “As a regional deacon, a more specific role is to promote outreach by the congregations through awareness, encouragement, challenge and an increase in the number of deacons serving in the region,” says the Rev. Moore, who wants to leave congregations overwhelmed by invitations to participate in hands-on outreach. The Rev. Holmes says her first task as a Regional Deacon was to visit each congregation so she could get to know the needs of the congregation and help them put a face to her name.
Some examples of why you might contact the Regional Youth Coach: • Support for parish leaders as they minister to youth • Share best practices in youth ministry • Coordinating efforts in youth ministry • Youth ministry planning & visioning • Helping congregations to support each other in youth ministry Congegations often ask if there is a cost associated with having a Regional Priest or Deacon serve or preach at their congregation. The Regional Ministry is supported by all as a Diocesan ministry, so there is no additional cost when a Regional Team Member visits a congregation. The Regional Plan: A Brief History In 2001, a special commission created a Missionary Strategy Plan for the Diocese. In 2005, a Mission Implementation team was created and asked to create comprehensive and specific recommendations for Diocesan Council review, based on the 2001 plan and results from surveys of diocesan leaders, vestries, and clergy. Among recommendations the team made: Create a regional network of ministry as a strategic tool to provide direct support to clergy, lay leaders, and congregations in the most efficient and effective way. Bishop Gregg was called in 2006 to help implement the plan. By the end of 2008, the Northwest and South regional canons were hired. The East Region is nearly complete, with the May 2011 hiring of the Rev. Cathie Caimano. This past year, Diocesan Council conducted a fresh review of the program, surveying congregations and clergy throughout the Diocese. Based on results from that survey, the structure of the Regional Team was redesigned slightly to make it more nimble, responsive and effective. “The Regional Program is a long term effort for the development of congregational and clergy health,” Rev. Malone says. “It is not a quick fix, but a process. In the two and a half years I have served in the Northwest Region, I have witnessed better communications among congregations and clergy. More congregations are starting to do ministry together. There is a new spirit of mission and hope.”
The Regional Team also specifically provides support for Youth Ministry through part-time Regional Youth Ministry Coaches. Reflecting the Radical Welcome of Jesus
The North Carolina Disciple | Summer 2011
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Photo from UNC Campus Ministry in Chapel Hill
Photo from ECM in Raleigh
By the Rev. Nils Chittenden
campus ministry in the
diocese of north carolina
After serving with the US Navy, Rich Kells, a 30-something from Durham, recently returned to his alma mater, Duke University, as assistant director of its Young Alumni Program. A very active member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Durham, he is also Chair of the Advisory Board of the Episcopal Center at Duke. Rich says, ‘The friends and mentors that I met at the EC are still some of the most special relationships in my life. I am glad that I am in a position to give back my time and resources to the EC as a member of the Advisory Board, and to help continue that wonderful Episcopal tradition at Duke.’ Rich’s story is one echoed throughout the Episcopal Church. Campus ministry plays an essential role in nurturing Christians in our tradition, as well as being alongside them in their faith journey at a time Rich Kells, chair of the Episcopal Center at of huge life changes, equipping Duke University Advisory Board them with the skills and insights to serve the Episcopal Church throughout their lives. Among the many things in our Diocese we can be justly proud is that we have nine campus ministries – more than most other dioceses – each of which is a flourishing and vital church community helping people through one of the greatest periods of change in their lives. Being a student these days can be an overwhelming experience – not only is it a time of transition in almost every way, but there are extraordinary pressures on students to succeed, to fulfill multiple and competing expectations, to find a great job in an uncertain jobs market and to find a sense of stability in a uncertain and changing world. Our campus ministries are there to provide worship, learning about faith, fellowship and opportunities for outreach – all in surroundings that feel comfortable, welcoming, and reflect where people are on their faith journeys. Students, often along with some faculty, staff and other friends, gather each Sunday with their priest to celebrate the Eucharist. They gather during the week for Bible study and other learning programs, they gather with people from other faith communities, they volunteer for Habitat builds. They share meals and parties together, they take trips to the beach and they spend at least a week a year on a foreign mission trip. They pledge their financial resources and freely give of their own time to support their campus ministry and causes dear to their hearts.
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If this sounds a lot like your church - that’s because it is! Campus ministries are just like any parish in this Diocese, admittedly with some distinctive characteristics (doesn’t every parish!). Our congregation changes every August, and our finances are pretty trim, but we are proud of our identity as faithful, Eucharistic communities, worshipping God in our Episcopalian spirit of openness, honest inquiry, justice and equality. In fact, campus ministries could well be a pattern for our other church communities. In our journey together towards Galilee, we need to meet people where they are, rather than expecting them to come to us: campus ministries do just that. We need to be open, welcoming and diverse communities: campus ministries draw people from a wide range of backgrounds, many, if not most, of whom are not cradle Episcopalians, attracted by our refreshing lack of dogmatism, our progressive attitudes to issues of equality, our ease with thoughtful debate, our love of our ancient, traditional liturgies and music as well as fresh, contemporary expressions of faith and worship. The nine Episcopal campus ministries in this Diocese (details of which you can find on the side panel in this article) enrich the life of this Diocese, nurture countless future leaders of our church, both lay and ordained, help young adults through a crucial phase of their lives and, often, provide one of the greatest entry-points into the Episcopal Church to those who are seeking a meaningful expression of Church, and who will go on to be confirmed Episcopalians, bringing their time and their talents to the benefit of us all. If you have a place of higher education in your area that you would like to connect with and serve, the Diocese would love to hear from you! Contact the Diocesan Young Adult Missioner, Rev. Nils Chittenden (see below for contact information). Any of our Diocesan campus ministries would always be delighted to welcome you to their services and other activities. If you would like your local campus minister to talk to your parish, preach or connect in some other way, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with them! The Rev. Nils Chittenden is Chaplain at the Episcopal Center at Duke University and the Young Adult Missioner at the Diocese of North Carolina. Contact him at nils.chittenden@episdionc.org or at 919.599.2995.
The North Carolina Disciple | Spring Summer 2011 2011
Making Disciples, Making a Difference
at a glance: higher education
GET INVOLVED with campus ministry Below are just a few ideas for congregations to become active in the nine campus mnistries within the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina.
KNOW
Become aware of which campuses within the Diocese have an Episcopal presence. Knowing the chaplains at these ministries will help strengthen parish/campus ministry bonds, giving both the campus ministry and the parish ideas on how they can serve one another. On the other hand, are there other campuses without an Episcopal presence? Perhaps your congregation can give it one!
CONNECT INVITE
campus ministries
Davidson College Campus Ministry 301 Caldwell Lane / (mailing) P.O. Box 970 Davidson, 28036-0970 The Rev. Elizabeth Marie Melchionna - Chaplain 704.877.4150 or 704.892.0173 www.canterburyatdavidson.org chaplain@canterburyatdavidson.org Episcopal Campus Ministry - Raleigh 2208 Hope Street, Raleigh, NC 27607 The Rev. Deborah Fox - Chaplain The Rev. Nancy Titus, Deacon 919-834-2428 www.ecm-raleigh.org, deborah.fox@ecm-raleigh.org. Episcopal Center of Duke University 505 Alexander Ave, Durham NC 27705 The Rev. Nils Chittenden - Chaplain 919.599.2995 or 919.286.0624 http://episcopalatduke.org, nils.chittenden@episdionc.org
Encourage soon-to-be college students to become involved in campus ministry. Better still, let the chaplain know the student will be attending the college or university so that they can extend a welcome and an invitation to join services and activities.
Elon Campus Ministry / LEAF (Lutherans, Episcopalians, and Friends) Holt Chapel on South Campus, S Antioch Ave, Elon NC 27244 Pastor David Olson 336.278.7460 http://leafatelon.wordpress.com/, leafatelon@gmail.com
Invite campus ministries to participate in church events or activities they might enjoy. Building Habitat for Humanity houses, working with the youth in the congregation, hearing the bishop preach on a Sunday - these are just a few ideas that will bring together generations and help to start building a bridge from campus ministry to the church upon graduation.
UNC Greensboro, Guilford College & Greensboro College Campus Ministry / St. Mary’s House 930 Walker Ave, Greensboro, NC 27403-2530 The Rev. Kevin Matthews - Chaplain The Rev. Evelyn Ruth Morales - Deacon 336.334.5219 www.stmaryshouse.org, smh@stmaryshouse.org
Similar to the above, there may be events and activities the campus ministry is holding that would lend itself to parish participation.
UNC Chapel Hill Campus Ministry 304 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill NC 27514 The Rev. Tammy Lee - Chaplain 919.929.2193 www.unc.edu/ecm, ecm@thechapelofthecross.org
JOIN FOOD
There’s no denying that food is a very enticing and important part of the college experience! Home-cooked meals start to look very appealing and comforting for students who exist on noodles and pizza. Some churches bake home-cooked meals after services for students to enjoy or bake cookies and goodies during exams and orientation to welcome students on behalf of the campus ministry.
SUPPORT
For the most part, campus ministries in the Diocese are funded by providing salary for the Chaplain (there are few on the list to the right who have alternate forms of funding through the Diocese and The Episcopal Church). Beyond that, the chaplain must raise funds for programs and outreach. Consider providing supplies, equipment, and monetary funds that might assist the campus ministry.
PRAYER
Most importantly, prayers for the Campus Ministries in the Diocese of North Carolina are always needed and welcomed!
UNC Charlotte Campus Ministry / United Christian Fellowship Serving Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and United Methodist Churches. 8840 University City Blvd, Charlotte NC The Rev. Steve Cheyney 704.549.8291 campus-ministry.org, leader@campus-ministry.org Winston-Salem Campus Ministry / Wake Forest Divinity School 43 Kitchin Residence, Box 7204, Winston-Salem, NC 27109 The Rev. Bob McGee - Chaplain 336-758-5249 http://www.wfu.edu/chaplain/cms.html, mcgeebob@wfu.edu St. Augustine’s College Chapel 1315 Oakwood Ave, Raleigh NC 27610-2247 919.516.4000 www.st-aug.edu
Youth ministry in the diocese of North Carolina
inner rings
Groups Can Cause Feelings of Exclusion For Those Not Included, Whether Intentional or Not DURING the last several years the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina has given much attention to hospitality: “The Episcopal Church Welcomes You,” All are Welcome.” “Radical Welcome.” We have been intentional about opening our doors to all people regardless of race, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status or other ways that divide us from one another. We even embarked on a 10-day pilgrimage last summer to address our history and current lifestyles. One might believe, then, that the Episcopal Church is progressive in its honest and realistic approach to today’s “isms,” that we are a welcoming, safe and Jesus may have been the accepting community force behind the formation of believers. of the inner ring of the And yet within this community of disciples, but he constantly challenged these boundaries, believers, which in itself separates its demanding the children members from nonbe allowed to come to believers, you can find him, going to dinner with smaller, more defined communities, described questionable individuals, by C. S. Lewis as conversing with the woman at the well and protecting the “Inner Rings.” Some these are necessary, prostitute. May we all strive of functional groupings to follow in the example of with special tasks or Christ: to use the strength roles, such as the vestry or the youth group. of groups to do the work And and among these of God and to treat all with appointed groups exist dignity and respect. less defined and more exclusive “inner rings,” which are perceived as cliques and as non-welcoming. Recently, I received a letter from a young person sharing concerns about feelings of exclusion and prejudice within
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some of the diocesan youth events: “Many people are not treating others with love at all. They are forming cliques just like at school, which value and reward popularity and exclude those who are unworthy for whatever reason.” In some 20 years of youth ministry, I have witnessed similar expressions of exclusivity and isolation among youth groups and within parishes. Lewis says these inner rings are a natural phenomena humanity, yet the passion to be within this inner ring can lead to negative actions. During this past year, main line television (CNN, Dateline, NBC News) has devoted special coverage to the topic of bullying and teen suicide. According to the Ethics of American Youth Survey by the Josephson Institute of Ethics, in 2010 at least 50 percent of high school students report that they have been (or have) bullied or teased someone in the past year. The act of bullying, including those doing the doing the bullying and those simply acting as bystanders, is in itself a type of inner ring. While most of the TV attention seems to be focused on schools and how they need to address the growing problem of bullying, all of us who work with youth -- whether youth ministers, parents, volunteers or priests -- need to examine our own efforts toward providing a safe, accepting community for all. We must recognize the reality of these inner rings within our church communities and confront the impact these have on the larger community and each individual. As disciples and followers of Jesus Christ, we must better equip our young people to understand that the flip side of the need to belong is the need to exclude, and how the God’s kingdom on Earth calls us to treat everyone with respect and acceptance as a child of God. There is no easy formula or guideline for achieving this goal, nor is this a one-time process. This is a continuous process of being aware of and addressing negative consequences within any inner rings. There seem to be three areas of focus in addressing the trend of exclusivity and cliques: building confidence within
The North Carolina Disciple | Summer 2011
Making Disciples, Making a Difference
Fall Youth Event 2011: “The Story of Stuff ” October 7 - 9, 2011 at Haw River State Park
339 Conference Center Drive, Browns Summit, NC 27214
During this past year, main line television (CNN, Dateline, NBC News) has devoted special coverage to the topic of bullying and teen suicide. According to the Ethics of American Youth Survey by the Josephson Institute of Ethics, in 2010 at least 50 percent of high school students report that they have been (or have) bullied or teased someone in the past year. The act of bullying, including those doing the doing the bullying and those simply acting as bystanders, is in itself a type of inner ring. each individual, empowering groups to address these issues, and modeling and facilitating positive, inclusive interactions within groups. Youth ministry revolves around helping to develop and nurture young people as they strive to form their own beliefs, while recognizing and strengthening their talents. As one grows more confident in his or her own abilities and relationship with God, one becomes less dependent on belonging to any particular group and more able to recognize the divisiveness of inner rings, especially those that thrive on exclusivity. Youth ministry also builds community through the common belief in Jesus Christ. Within every group, members take on various functions or roles. There are those who seem to just naturally take charge, offering ideas and actions without prompting. There are others who challenge and question, which is an important part of group dynamics, insures practical and realistic solutions, and recognizes the contributions and feelings all members of the group to the task at hand. These same traits exist within social groups; the challenger here may be the one who opens the ring to others or confronts an act of bullying, even at the expense of losing favor with the group. The best tool for teaching these important life skills is to model the behavior we expect of our young people. We as adults must be intentional about avoiding hanging out
Reflecting the Radical Welcome of Jesus
exclusively with those with whom we are the most comfortable or familiar. We must demonstrate speaking out for the disadvantaged, for the “weird” ones, those whom the group does not find popular. We must be willing and able to confront exclusivism to model tolerance of differences, and to demonstrate reconciliation. We must set clear expectations of our young people and those who work with them, living into an agreed covenant within one's community. Jesus may have been the force behind the formation of the inner ring of the disciples, but he constantly challenged these boundaries, demanding the children be allowed to come to him, going to dinner with questionable individuals, conversing with the woman at the well and protecting the prostitute. May we all strive to follow in the example of Christ: to use the strength of groups to do the work of God and to treat all with dignity and respect. Beth Crow is the Diocesan Youth Missioner. Contact her at 919.834.7474 or beth.crow@episdionc.org.
Fall Youth Event is designed for middle school youth, grades 6-8. Team members must be at least in the 8th grade during the 20102011 school year. The Rev. John Tampa is the priest for the weekend. Jake Melnyk will be our musician for the weekend. Visit www.episdioncyouth.org for more information, scholarship applications, and registration.
all are welcome to participate in the diocesan youth ministry!
Diocese Seeks Regional Youth Resource Coach This is a part-time position, working in the Raleigh, RockyMount and Durham Convocations of the Diocese. Go online to www.episdionc.org and visit the “Transition Ministry” page for more details.
The North Carolina Disciple | Summer 2011
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summer is here...and so are the
mosquitoes!
Diocesan-Wide NetsforLife Campaign Heats Up at Several Congregations About the Campaign
During the 195th Annual Convention of the Diocese, Bishop Curry announed a diocesan-wide NetsforLife Campaign to help fight malaria. The campaign runs until the next convention in January 2012. If each parish, mission and school within the Diocese of North Carolina accepts the challenge to join together to help fight malaria, the goal of raising 40,000 nets, or approximately one net for each communicant, to save up to 120,000 lives from malaria in Africa will be realized. One net costs $12. One net provides refuge for up to three people, often women and children, from mosquitoes during the night. Here, a look at some of the work being done by congregations to reach their Nets goals:
Left: In April, the ECW sponsored An Evening on the Bayou, a social event for adults at St. Michael’s, Raleigh. Proceeds from that event funded over 600 nets. Above: A NetsforLife display from St. Michael’s. Photos by Susan Rountree
St. Michael’s, Raleigh: Blessings at the Bayou & More What can you get these days for $12? A ticket to a movie and a bag of popcorn. Two bags of Eight O’Clock coffee at Food Lion. A tad over three gallons of gas. But what if you knew that $12 would save the lives of three children for three years. Would you spend it? St. Michael’s took the Bishop’s challenge to the parish level — one net for every person in the parish. That’s 2,000 nets, and they are already half way toward their goal. The first NetsforLife contributor was an 8-year-old parishioner who donated proceeds from the sale of biscuits at Christmas, enough to buy 20 nets. “I was deeply moved that the first contributor to our campaign was an 8-year-old girl,” says the Rev. Dr. John K. Gibson, senior associate rector of St. Michael’s who serves a chaplain for the Diocesan NetsforLife Committee. “And the young children in our day school bought over 40 nets! You can't help but feel warm seeing the children coming to church, clutching their little fish containers with tiny nets on the handles, jingling with coins inside for Nets for Life. These children are saving the lives of children halfway around the world.” In February, the effort continued, as St. Michael’s hosted The Gathering, a women’s retreat, drawing over 200 women from Raleigh and beyond. Half of the offering collected during a special Holy Eucharist — about $400 — was designated for Nets for Life. In March, Dr. Gibson, who oversees the church’s outreach efforts,
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appointed parishioner Jean Alderman to be the parish representative for the church’s NetsforLife campaign. Following Jean’s lead, dozens of parishioners designated nets in honor or in memory of a friend or loved one. And in April, the ECW sponsored An Evening on the Bayou, a social event for adults in the parish. Proceeds from that event funded over 600 nets. Efforts will continue in the fall, when on Oct. 22, St. Michael's will put on Netflicks, an entertaining show of song and dance, from new and old films, performed by the clergy, staff and parishioners of St. Michael’s. Net donations will also be collected at Pets for Nets, the annual Blessing of the Animals, planned for Oct. 9. "St. Michael's is so excited about this chance to make a difference in the lives of others that we have raised our goal to 2,000 nets. I am thrilled that our parish has already bought 1,000 nets. We will likely exceed that goal with our Netflicks follies and Pets for Nets. Both will be fun, will raise awareness about malaria and save lives.” Submitted by Susan Rountree, Director of Communications, St. Michael’s, Raleigh
The North Carolina Disciple | Summer 2011
Making Disciples, Making a Difference
together
we can save more than
100,000 lives
Embracing the Millennium Development Goals
St. Titus, Durham: Community & Collaboration
St. Titus’ Episcopal Church has collaborated with students from the Master’s in Public Policy Department at North Carolina Central University in Durham, to develop an action plan for soliciting support for the NetsforLife Campaign. The students selected NetsforLife as their class project and have been meeting with Marguerite Peebles, NetsforLife Coordinator at St. Titus, to identify fundraising strategies. The graduate students developed an action plan format, an Excel spreadsheet for tracking donations, and an informational packet for distributing to potential supporters. In order to reach beyond the church family, a letter soliciting financial support will be sent to community and faith-based groups in the Durham area. Data related to the deadly effects of malaria and the need to provide quality education will be shared with all groups, along with a NetsforLife pamphlet. In addition to collaborating with NCCU students, the Triangle Park Chapter of Links, Inc., a service organization that consists of professional service-minded women from Wake, Orange and Durham counties has selected NetsforLife as one of their projects. The TPC contributed to the campaign at St. Titus and plans to continue soliciting donations throughout the year. Submitted by Net Rep Marguerite D. Peebles, April 2011
Episcopal Campus Ministry - Raleigh: Taking the Temperature & Breaking the Fast
As long as there are mosquitoes There’s a job for Bishop Curry No, he’s not off selling burritos He’s fighting biting bugs with a fury A special concern for many African kids Without nets to protect their body and head Get bit when asleep with closed eyelids Worse than hunger, an epidemic so dread Mosquito bites transmit this infection Causing malaria, a disease severe Many will die but there is prevention It saves children’s lives, do you hear? Providing nets gives adequate protection Help Bishop Curry, support his collection
Tell Us Your Story Find these stories and more online at http://netsforlife.dioncmdg.org/ You can also find resources, track campaign progress, and lots more!
Submitted by Hilary Towle, Raleigh ECM Co-Net Rep, April 2011
the campaign so far
Reflecting the Radical Welcome of Jesus
Debugging Bishop
by Harvey Spurr, St. Stephen's, Oxford
The thermometer pictured here was used to measure progress during the NetsforLife campaign mounted by the Episcopal Campus Ministry of Raleigh. It began the first Sunday in Lent and ended on Easter Sunday. Members of the Raleigh's ECM exceeded their goal: $276 = 23 nets = up to 69 people protected from mosquitoes ECM of Raleigh also fasted every Wednesday during Lent as part of its Lenten discipline. The fast was broken at 7 p.m. on Wednesday evenings with a communal dinner. The dinner cost $3 per person and all money from the dinner, as well as any other donations people care to make, went to the ECM’s NetsforLife campaign.
The NetsforLife Committee realizes that the summer is upon us, and with it comes vacations and an increased difficulty in program participation. One not-so-friendly reminder about the NetsforLife Campaign, which runs through the end of January 2012, is the prevalence of those pesky mosquitoes in the summer months! Ouch! The NetsforLife Steering Committee thanks you for your continued commitment to help your congregation raise a net for each active communicant, thereby raising 40,000 nets for the diocese as a whole! Thus far, the campaign has reached 14% of this goal. This number reflects donations made through April. We realize we are in the early part of this campaign and we have a long way to go, but the committee is hopeful that Easter and Lenten campaigns will prove to have raised even more nets!
And just for fun...
We can help!
Let us know how we can help your parish reach its goal! Contact the committee with any questions you might have: Reid Joyner, Committee Chair, erd-nc@hotmail.com, or Debra Smithdeal, Committee Co-Chair, debra@ dioncmdg.org. The NetsforLife Steering Committee
The North Carolina Disciple | Summer 2011
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The Rev. Tally Bandy holding Baby Grace. Tally was in Tanzania the year the child was born and has been back each year at Baby Grace’s birthday. Photo by Jessie Mackay.
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The North Carolina Disciple | Summer 2011
Making Disciples, Making a Difference
By Naomi Faw
From left: A village woman completing her chores. A local priest speaking with an elderly man. An example of housing. All Photos by the Rev. Talmage Bandy or artist Jessie MacKay.
tally in Tanzania
The Reverend Talmage (Tally) Bandy is a petite lady with silver hair and a light in her eyes that draws others to her. She is a retired Episcopal deacon, but retired is an ironic depiction because today she is truly serving in the deacon’s role: caring for the world’s marginalized. Tally, age 77, is a wonderful case of welcoming events as they unfold unexpectedly; when she said, “Yes” to them, life became a great adventure. Tally demonstrates that the attitude and mindset with which one chooses to receive life is one key to the journey: one does not have to be limited by age. Tally greets life openly, and when I met her in 2009 she was planning a second mission trip back to Tanzania with her friend and artist, Jessie MacKay. I had the opportunity to chat with her while sitting on the floor working on a paper craft; Tally, with a limberness that defies her age, joined me on the floor. She describes herself as a cat with many lives, and as I listen, it doesn’t take long until I learn of her real love – Karimu. Tally and Jessie were originally invited in 2008 to teach in Tanzania, Tally at Msalato Theological College and Jessie to teach children at the Bishop Stanway Primary School. It was there that Tally experienced the hardships of Africa together with the thankfulness and generosity of a people who have so little. Tally fell in love with Africa and the people of Tanzania. In her own words, “Nothing is as it was. On this kind of journey you return a different person---you never come all the way back.” Tally speaks of taking tea with a student in Tanzania and as she reached to take a sip, the student asked if they were not going to offer thanks. “We say grace at mealtimes”, Tally explained, but the student said that in Tanzania they even thank God for a glass of water. Another haunting story she tells is how in time of drought a priest and chaplain said,
Reflecting the Radical Welcome of Jesus
“Our God is great. Even if we die, He is enough.” He said this even as his own children were starving. Tally describes a people with no material possessions, by our standards, hospitals with dirt for floors, funerals for babies, and extreme drought conditions. But she also found them, despite the conditions, full of praise and thanksgiving. The people of Tanzania still share what they have, seeming to operate out of a mindset of abundance instead of the scarcity that is so evident. Tally feels as if she has been given so much more than she gave during these visits to Tanzania. This is a brief summary of what Tally and Jessie have accomplished together: They have raised money and donated bicycles providing graduating priests with transportation to serve in villages often miles apart. They left three bicycles in Ikowa Village for the women who spend most of each day walking to get water. They have started a micro-lending project with $500 for women to buy piglets; piglets that cost $19 each. Three separate groups of women have each been given a loan and are responsible for spending the money, paying back the loan and using any profit to buy more
pigs. This is a new role for the women, a role that would have been given to men in the past. They have secured grants to provide English lessons for the wives of the priests since English is the official language in Tanzania. They acquired a grant to provide food for a year for the students at Msalato Theological College. All of the funding flows through Karimu, the result of their experience. Karimu’s mission is “…to give hope and encouragement at the grassroots level in providing universal primary and adult education, health care, access to clean water and adequate food to sustain and improve life among the poor.” You can follow the Karimu blog on Tally and her friend Jessie’s experiences at http:// karimutanzania.com. Karimu is a 501(c) (3) non-profit charitable organization and tax deductible contributions can be mailed to the treasurer, Mr. William L. Rose, 10 Walnut Creek Road, Pinehurst, NC 28374. No amount is too small and all help is greatly appreciated. Naomi Faw is a freelance writer. She wrote this article for “All About Women” magazine, in the May 2011 issue, on page 42. She is a member of St. Pauls Episcopal Church in Wilkesboro, NC. Contact her at nsfaw288@ email.wilkescc.edu. The North Carolina Disciple | Summer 2011
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prayers from lambeth
The following correspondence was sent to the Rt. Rev. Michael B. Curry from Lambeth. It is a wonderful reminder this Pentecost Season that we are part of the Anglican/Episcopal family. Dear Bishop, Warm greetings from Lambeth Palace in London. This is to let you know that on Sunday, you will be prayed for at Lambeth Palace as well as by many other people using the Anglican Cycle of Prayer produced by the Anglican Communion Office. We will be praying for you, your work and your diocese.
Photo by Susan L. Shillinglaw
virginia theological seminary
May God bless you With best wishes and prayers. The Anglican Communion Team at Lambeth Palace
Bishop Curry Gives Commencement Address, Recieves Doctor in Divinity, Honoris Causa
From Virginia Theological Seminary | Visit www.vts.edu
Clergy Changes As of May 15, 2011
The Rev. Roxane Stewart Gwyn, from Transitional Deacon to Priesthood and Vicar, Trinity Church, Fuquay-Varina.
The Rev. Beverly Huck, from Associate Rector, All Saints, Roanoke Rapids, to Vicar, St. Alban’s, Littleton.
The Rev. Maria Kane, from Transitional Deacon to Priesthood.
The Rev. Stephanie Allen, from Assistant Rector, Good Shepherd, Rocky Mount, to Rector, Church of the Nativity, Raleigh.
The Rev. Jerry W. Fisher, from Interim Rector, St. Anne’s, Winston-Salem, to NonParochial, Retired. The Rev. Audra Abt (Diocese of Ohio), from Transitional Deacon to Priesthood. The Rev. Amy Huacani, from Assistant Rector, St. John’s, Charlotte, to Non Parochial.
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The Rev. Kenneth H. Saunders, from Rector, Christ Church, Cleveland, to Rector, Trinity Church, Towson, Maryland. The Rev. Harry W. Abernathy, from Retired to Part-time Missioner, Sandhills Cluster. The Rev. David W. Pittman, from Rector, St. Peter’s Church, Charlotte to Retired.
Photo by Susan L. Shillinglaw
ALEXANDRIA, VA - Virginia Theological Seminary celebrated its 188th Commencement today, awarding 66 students, representing more than 24 dioceses and five countries, with degrees of either Master in Divinity, Master in Theological Studies, Master of Arts in Christian Education, Doctor of Ministry, Post-Graduate Diplomas in Anglican Studies, or the Degree of Licentiate in Theology. The commencement address, which was streamed live, was given by the Rt. Rev. Michael Curry, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina. This year, the Seminary conferred Doctors in Divinity, honoris causa, upon the Rt. Rev. Michael B. Curry, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina and the Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, bishop of The Episcopal Diocese of Texas.
education for ministry mentor training Education for Ministry Mentor Training will take Place in September at St. Francis Prayer Center, Stoneville. Contact Shelley Kappauf, EFM Coordinator, at shelley.kappauf@episdionc.org or 336-273-5770. More information on EFM is available online at www.episdioncschool.org.
DIOCESAN
EVENTS
June July August
June
12-15 CCY Leadership Training Retreat 18 Deaconate Ordinations, Christ Church, Raleigh 22-30 Episcopal. Youth Event 26-29 Episcopal Outreach Camp, St. Peter’s, Charlotte
July
11-16 Hugs Camp 12-30 Botswana Youth Exchange 27 Kids4Peace Observation Day August 18-21 Adult Music Conference 19-21 Youth Choir Camp Look for additional events and more detailed event information online at www.episdionc.org or contact the diocese at 919.834.7474, toll free 800.448.8775. Upcoming diocesan events and events from around the diocese are featured in Please Note, the Bishop’s weekly e-newsletter, & in the Around the Diocese monthly bulletin insert.
The North Carolina Disciple | Summer 2011
Making Disciples, Making a Difference
awarded
By Lisa H. Towle
Lex Mathews Scholarships for Women
Eleven women ranging in age from 31 to 62 will be continuing their education during the 2011-2012 academic year thanks to the fact they’ve been awarded Lex Mathews Scholarships. The Episcopal Church Women of the Diocese administer and help finance the Lex Mathews Scholarship program, begun more than two decades ago by family and friends of the Rev. Lex Mathews, who at the time of his death headed the Diocese’s office of Christian Social Ministries. It is geared toward women of the Diocese of North Carolina, age 23 and older, seeking specialized training in vocational or technical skills, a degree or certification below the masters or doctorate level, or continuing education courses for upgrading job skills. The scholarships are funded largely through donations made by individuals and parishes. “We always have more requests than we can meet. Increased contributions would mean an increase in the number of people benefitting from further education,” says Velma Bradshaw, who heads the Lex Mathews Scholarship Committee. Committee members are:
Given annually in the spring, Lex Mathews Scholarships are an effort to help women, many of whom are solely responsible for themselves or their families, to achieve greater selfsufficiency by getting the education necessary to enter or re-enter the workforce.
Julia Davis (Greensboro Convocation), Carolyn Owens (Raleigh Convocation), Shirley Sadler (Winston-Salem Convocation), Anne Phillips (Rocky Mount Convocation), and Sharita Womack (Charlotte Convocation). Given annually in the spring, Lex Mathews Scholarships are an effort to help women, many of whom are solely responsible for themselves or their families, to achieve greater self-sufficiency by getting the education necessary to enter or re-enter the workforce. Preference is given to Episcopalians or someone sponsored by an Episcopalian. For more information about Lex Mathews Scholarships contact Velma Bradshaw at lexmathews@ecw-nc.org or (252) 823-4266, or visit the ECW website, www.ecw-nc.org. Congratulations to the most recent scholarship recipients: Diane Abbattista of Charlotte $1,500: Central Piedmont Community College, surgical technology Sherry Storrs-Casanova of Raleigh $1,500: Meredith College, social and religious studies Mary Ann Edwards of Jackson $1,500: Halifax Community College, occupational therapy assistant Margel Graham of Greensboro $1,000: Cleveland State University, patient advocacy certification Sara Mann of Raleigh $225: UNC Chapel Hill online Learn NC program, math teacher certification Regina McDonald of Rockingham $1,500: UNC Pembroke, sociology Nichole Moore of Greensboro $1,500: Guilford Technical Community College, social services associate
Lisa H. Towle is the president of the Episcopal Church Women in the Diocese of North Carolina and a member of Church of the Good Shepherd, Raleigh. Contact her at president@ecw-nc.org.
Emilie Perry of Cary $1,000: North Carolina Wesleyan College, K-6 teaching certification Elizabeth Popple of Hamlet $1,500: UNC Pembroke, special education Sacha Roberts of Salisbury $1,500: Rowan Cabarrus Community College, education Laura Swanson of Raleigh $1,000: Sandplay Therapists of America, sand therapy certification
Reflecting the Radical Welcome of Jesus
The North Carolina Disciple | Summer 2011
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1. The Latino Scout Troop that meets at St. Mary’s, High Point, takes a photo with US congressman H. Coble. The troop is led by Amo Kearns, a member of Diocesan Council, and Mike and Margarita Kerkado, Saint Mary’s first Latino members. 2 & 3. Ten youth from St. Clement’s, Clemmons, attended the Episcopal Acolyte Festival in the Diocese of Eastern Carolina. Photos by the Rev. Jamie L’Enfant. 4. Grace Episcopal Church celebrates a new space. Photos by the Rev. Cathie Caimano. 5. The Rev. Al Moore, Deacon for Regional Ministry, helps transport supplies for Tornado Relief. The supplies were collected by St. John’s, Charlotte and other area congregationis. 6 & 7. The Rt. Rev. Daniel and the Most Rev. Jefferts Schori celebrate with the Rev. Tony Rojas on Palm Sunday at the Episcopal Farmworker Ministry in Newton Grove. 8 & 9 St. Augustine’s College’s holds its annual Community Day event in early April, featuring free food, games, performances and vendors. 10. St. Philip’s, Durham, during the Great Easter Vigil. Photo by Julie Seagroves. 11. The Rev. Audra Abt is ordained into the priesthood.
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diocese responds to tornadoes, disaster On April 16, 2011, severe weather and tornadoes moved through North Carolina, causing extensive damage in some areas of the Diocese of North Carolina and beyond. Since that time, the Diocese has worked in cooperation with clergy, local disaster response organizations and Episcopal Relief & Development to provide relief and recovery assistance to areas and people in the most need. Diocesan Response In the immediate aftermath of the storm, the Rt. Rev. Bishop Michael B. Curry began contacting clergy throughout the diocese to determine if church buildings were damaged/destroyed, if clergy and church staff were safe, to gather status reports of church members/ lay leaders who may have been impacted, and to garner general ideas about which communities were most severely impacted. He was able to report that all clergy were fine and, for the most part, most church structures were in good shapel. St. Augustine's College, Raleigh, did sustain damage from the storm. Contact continued over the next few days, and Canon Hunn took over as the Diocesan point of contact for the disaster response. He visited shelters in Wake Forest and Garner and began participating in conference calls held by the Governor's office, FEMA, and multiple relief agencies. Communication with Episcopal Relief and Development began in the early days after the storm, and a grant for funding has been submitted and approved. A Tornado Relief Fund was established through the Diocese for those wanting to donate through the Episcopal Church. On April 26, Canon Hunn and the group discussed several organizations that were well-equipped at immediate response to meet basic needs (such as the Red Cross, Salvation Army, Baptist Men’s, Samaritan’s Purse). Some Episcopalians joined in to assist these organizations. “Meeting those needs is tremendous and there is continued opportunity to assist in providing food, transportation and cleaning/ clearing debris,” explained Canon Hunn. “However, there is a longer role that the Episcopal Church can be part of, because this is not a sprint, this is a marathon. We have hundreds of displaced people in temporary housing who have nowhere to go. There are people who have insurance, but have high deductibles that they can’t possibly afford to pay, or maybe your insurance covers the materials and you can’t afford to pay for the labor. There are people who are going to need pastoral care and someone to talk to as they deal with the shock of losing everything. There are going to many gaps between what relief organizations and the government can do, and I think the Episcopal Church can play a vital role in assisting in those areas.” On April 26, Canon Hunn and area clergy, lay leaders met at St. Michael’s, Raleigh to discuss plans moving forward. The group discussed several organizations that were well-equipped at immediate response to meet basic needs (such as the Red Cross, Salvation Army, Baptist Men's, Samaritan's Purse). Some Episcopalians joined in to assist these organizations. Reflecting the Radical Welcome of Jesus
tornado relief fund
Donations from across the diocese have been made to the Bishop’s Tornado Relief Fund, which has received $7,650 by mid-May. These funds are being distributed to assist in long-term relief and recovery efforts following the severe weather and tornadoes last month that caused major property damage, injury and death within areas of the Diocese and beyond. To contribute to the Bishop’s Tornado Relief Fund, please send checks to Diocesan House, 200 West Morgan Street, Suite 300, Raleigh, 27601. Make checks payable to the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina and earmarked “Tornado Relief.” The mayor of Sanford, Cornelia Olive, and the Rev. Craig J. Lister, Rector of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Sanford, take the diocese on a tour to witness some of the destruction.
"Meeting those needs is tremendous and there is continued opportunity to assist in providing food, transportation and cleaning/clearing debris," explained Canon Hunn. "However, there is a longer role that the Episcopal Church can be part of, because this is not a sprint, this is a marathon. We have hundreds of displaced people in temporary housing who have nowhere to go. There are people who have insurance, but have high deductibles that they can't possibly afford to pay, or maybe your insurance covers the materials and you can't afford to pay for the labor. There are people who are going to need pastoral care and someone to talk to as they deal with the shock of losing everything. There are going to many gaps between what relief organizations and the government can do, and I think the Episcopal Church can play a vital role in assisting in those areas." On May 6 a meeting in Greenville North Carolina convened Efforts Continue Leaders within the Diocese continue to be involved with recovery efforts through the Wake Interfaith Disaster Team and North Carolina Volunteers Organizing after Disasters. These organizations continue to access long-term recovery and relief efforts. If you would like to stay informed on work being done by NCVOD, cntact the Rev. Canon Michael Buerkel Hunn to be added to the email list at michael.hunn@episdionc.org. The North Carolina Disciple | Summer 2011
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When Mickles Make a Muckle: Aunt Becky’s
messengers of hope This year marks the 125TH anniversary of Thompson Child & Family Focus, a Diocesan Institution that has a remarkable story to tell, from its unique beginnings to the positive impact it makes today throughout the state of North Carolina. The next issue of The North Carolina Disciple will pay tribute to that story with information on the past, present and future of Thompson. The following article is just one of the many interesting tales that could be told about the people throughout the years that believed in Thompson and supported its mission.
By Ellen C Weig
Aunt Becky’s involvement with the Thompson Orphanage in Charlotte is the story of a woman whose fund-raising efforts greatly impacted the lives of many children around the Diocese. Sarah Rebecca Cameron (1845-1936) grew up in Hillsborough and was related to some of the most prestigious families in North Carolina. Rebecca’s church work was centered at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church as a member of the Ladies’ Sewing Society and one of the Diocese’s earliest Woman’s Auxiliaries (1882). For more than two decades, she served as the Church Periodical Club Correspondent for the Diocesan Woman’s Auxiliary. She was a prolific writer and author, using both her own name and pseudonyms in Church publications and popular
magazines. She clearly had a passion for the written word and literacy. Her personal letters written during the Civil War tell of strong loyalties to the Confederacy in the midst of trials of hunger and hard times. The formative years of her adolescence had a powerful effect on her, and intensified the passion she poured into her work for the missions of the Episcopal Church, and in particular, the work of her little Messengers of Hope for Thompson Orphanage. In her persona as “Aunt Becky,” Rebecca wrote her “Messengers of Hope” column beginning sometime in the 1890s until September 1922. (The Diocesan newspaper was called The Messenger of Hope between October 1889 and September 1909, when the name changed to The Carolina Churchman. The Diocesan Archives has a single issue from 1895, which does not carry the column, but beginning with a complete run of issues in 1897, the column appears in almost
Copies of The Messenger of Hope are bound and housed in the Diocesan Archives. For more information, contact Lynn Hoke, Project Archivist, at lynn.hoke@episdionc.org.
Over the years, “Aunt Becky” took special care to recognize every child and each family that made a contribution no matter how small.
The Messenger of Hope was the earliest Diocesan newspaper, which was printed by Orphans at Thompson so that they could learn a trade, says Lynn Hoke, Project Archivist. every issue.) This column included letters of Sunday School children who developed correspondence and a relationship with her as they sent in their donations to the Orphanage. Falling back into her Scottish heritage, Rebecca’s often repeated message that “many mickles make a muckle” emphasized that the small things were of great importance. For the Sunday School children who were her “messengers of hope,” sending their pennies, and later dimes and dollars, would mean that funds for a campus bell, infirmary repairs and painting, books for clergymen, and ultimately the Sewing Teacher’s Salary, would be there for Thompson Orphanage to use. Over the years that she wrote for The Messenger of Hope, and later The Carolina Churchman’s Woman’s Auxiliary column, she made references to the war exemplifying the strength of North Carolina families, creating a model of goodness for the children sending in their “mites.” Recalling her own experiences, she re-emphasized the importance of small amounts becoming larger ones to meet the needs others. Throughout her writings, there are glimpses of Rebecca’s personal life – family and kinfolk, illness and deaths including her brother and sister, and her own illness and health struggles. Despite difficulty with rheumatic hands and poor eyesight, she would faithfully write her thank you responses to the children’s donations and letters every month. There was praise when money arrived promptly, and chidings when money was tardy. There was playfulness and joy that came through
Reflecting the Radical Welcome of Jesus
The Episcopal Church founded Thompson Child & Family Focus as an orphanage in 1886. It remains an institution of the diocese to this day, and all clergy of the diocese take an offering from the congregations they serve for Thompson on the Sunday before Thanksgiving.. Thompson has evolved into a leading provider of effective clinical and behavioral treatment, developmental education, and proactive care for at-risk children and families. All programs are nationally accredited. Thompson operates three campuses in the Charlotte region, serving children & families from across the state of North Carolina. Look for more information in the fall issue of of The North Carolina Disciple or visit www.thompsoncff.org.
her responses to the children when she recognized them and their families, and there was poignant sympathy when needed, marked by losses and sadness in families as memorial gifts were given. There is no goodbye in the letters in 1922, only an end marked by a final note from the editor that Aunt Becky had stepped down and that she would be missed. Ellen C. Weig is a member of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Hillsborough. Contact her at ecweig@nc.rr.com.
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hope farm Coffee-inspired Missionaries Meet the Needs of Honduras Children While on a mission trip to Honduras, Anna Ball Hodge, a member of Christ Church, Raleigh, was captivated by the mission and ministry of La Esperanza de Jesus and its Hope Farms Coffee.
Photos by Hailey Felicia Photography, Jacksonville, FL
“Roosters greet the dawn around 4:30 a.m. down the mountain and gradually their call comes from my window. Life at La Esperanza de Jesus is right in your face filled with the God’s creation of vibrant pink bougainvillea with shocking orange towels on the line, a river of leaf ants to hop over, smell of wood smoke with pots of beans and scrambled fresh eggs. Mike and Kim Miller, missionaries, are already on the move. Mike can’t drive a mile in his rickety truck without a local stopping him for advice. Kim speaks to a mother while tenderly caressing her baby. The orphanage they have started with the help of villagers, us and God’s will give a promising future to the least of these.” About the Hope of Jesus Children’s Home
Purchasing a bag of Hope Farm coffee means 100 percent of the proceeds go toward caring for vulnerable children in Honduras.
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According to the Hope of Jesus Children’s Home website (www.hopeofjesus.org), Honduras is the second-poorest country in Central America with 50 percent of its population under age 18. Poverty, AIDS, teenage pregnancy, and other social problems have combined to create many orphaned, abandoned, and abused children throughout the country. Some of these children end up living on the streets, some are exploited, and even those children who are rescued from such dire situations often find themselves facing a lonely existence in a government-run institution. From this sad reality, a vision was born to create The Hope of Jesus Children’s Home, a family-like home where children will be safe, nurtured, given opportunities for their future, and learn about God’s great love for them. Many dedicated Christians have collaborated to help turn this dream into a reality, including the Honduran Episcopal Church, Hope for His Children International, The South American Missionary Society, and many churches and individuals from various denominations.
The North Carolina Disciple | Summer 2011
Making Disciples, Making a Difference
Photos from Hope Farm in Honduras, which supports the Hope of Jesus Children’s Home for orphans and disadvantaged children. Photos by Hailey Felicia Photography, Jacksonville, FL
Hope Farm Coffee was conceived and created as a non-profit enterprise to generate an income for a children's home in Honduras, founded by missionaries Kim and Mike Miller. The goal of the company was to create a gourmet coffee made from Honduran Arabica Beans, with 100 percent of the profits from sales directly supporting the children's home. Hope Farm is in Honduras and presently has seven acres of shadegrown coffee trees. Once these trees reach full maturity, it is our goal to include the beans from our farm into the roast to give a bit of "love in every cup.” We presently buy green Honduran Arabica beans from a US importer and have the beans roasted in the United States, thereby ensuring the quality and consistency of the finished product, says Kim. The product is presently packaged in 12-ounce bags of roasted beans and ground roast, and Hope Farm recently added a six-pound package and 40 / 1.75-ounce "Office Coffee" packs. Ultimately, the goal moving forward is to start purchasing coffee from neighboring Honduran coffee growers, which will create a positive economic impact in the surrounding communities. “When you purchase a bag of Hope Farm coffee, you’re literally changing lives. Your purchase helps lift an abandoned child out of the depths of poverty and hopelessness and provides them with a loving Christian home and a brighter future through The Hope of Jesus Children’s Home. Your purchase of our coffee also helps keep families together by providing much needed jobs to poor Honduran men and women in a small farming community. Many of these parents have been forced to leave their children to be cared for by family members while they search for work elsewhere. Your support of Hope Farm allows them an opportunity to work in their own village, thereby keeping their family together and their children close by their side,” says Kim.
How can one help?
Donations can be made online, in addition to purchasing coffee. Anna Ball Hodge encourages churches to sell the farm-grown coffee., but notes that there are also opportunities to adopt a child who has been moved to La Esperanza. For additional information on the orphanage, visit www.hopefarmcoffee.com for details and great photos and www. hopeofjesus.org.
honduras medical mission In addition to the work of missions like Hope Farm, other good work is being done in Honduras through the Episcopal Church- including an annual medical mission with participation from the Diocese of North Carolina. For over 20 years the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina has had a missionary presence in Honduras. The Honduras Health Mission serves at the invitation of Las Comunidades Unidas, six rural communities located in the country’s remote southern highlands. There are three main services the health mission provides during the seven days that we are on location each year, usually in January: medical and dental clinics, health education and hands-on training for local health promoters, and provision of fluoride treatments for children in elementary school. The relationship is reciprocal and we consistently receive just as much, if not more, than we give. Read about the 2010 Honduras Medical Mission trip with additional background information here: http://bit.ly/mDkEho
How to Help
If you are interested in helping or attending the mission trip, contact: Cheri Janning, Honduras Health Mission Coordinator from St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Durham, NC. cheri.janning@duke.edu 1-919-819-0338.
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About Hope Farm Coffee
This article was written by Kim Miller, Anna Ball Hodge, with information from the Hope Farms & Hope of Jesus Childrens Home websites. Anna Ball Hodge welcomes further dialogue about this ministry. Contact her at hodge.annaball@gmail.com or 919.818.519.
Reflecting the Radical Welcome of Jesus
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A prayer for our enemies Rector at Chapel of the Cross Speaks to Congregation Following the Death of Osama Bin Laden Sunday night finished with the surprising news of the death of Osama bin Laden. Many of us have been dealing with a jumble of feelings evoked by his killing and the events surrounding it . The more personal connection we may have had with people killed under his orders and with their families, the more poignant and conflicting our feelings may be. I certainly find myself with a great sense of relief but also a deep concern about likely retaliation, especially in the face of jubilant celebrations. Bishop Curry released this statement, "As followers of Jesus Christ we believe that every life is precious, every person created in the image of God. While justice has been done, it is not cause for celebration, but a call to solemn dedication of ourselves to work for a world where all may dwell in peace." To remind us that each human life is sacred and that no one lies outside the realm of God's compassion and love – or of the need for our prayers, I want to let you know that we will pray for Osama by name on Sunday among those that have died and that the prayer "For our enemies" will be the collect printed on the back of the bulletin. It may not be easy to pray that prayer "from our hearts," just as it is difficult to ask to receive the grace of genuine forgiveness, but it is part of the "more excellent way" Paul exhorts us to in I Corinthians 13: "Love is patient and kind; love is not ... arrogant or rude; ... it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." The Rev. Stephen Elkins Williams is Rector at Chapel of the Cross, Chapel Hill. Contact him at sew@ thechapelofthecross.org
Prayers from The Book of Common Prayer For Peace Among the Nations (BCP, page 816, prayer #5) Almighty God our heavenly Father, guide the nations of the world into the way of justice and truth, and establish among them that peace which is the fruit of righteousness, that they may become the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. For those who have lost loved ones (BCP, page 831, prayer #55) O merciful Father, who hast taught us in thy holy Word that thou dost not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men: Look with pity upon the sorrows of thy servant for whom our prayers are offered. Remember them O Lord, in mercy, nourish them soul with patience, comfort them with a sense of thy goodness, lift up thy countenance upon them, and give them peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. For Our Enemies (BCP, page 816, prayer #6) O God, the Father of all, whose Son commanded us to love our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth: deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The Supplication (BCP, page 154-155) From the Great Litany O Lord, arise, help us; And deliver us for thy Name’s sake. O God, we have heard with our ears, and our fathers have declared unto us, the noble works that thou didst in their days, and in the old time before them. O Lord, arise, help us; and deliver us for thy Name’s sake. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. O Lord, arise, help us; and deliver us for thy Name’s sake. V. From our enemies defend us, O Christ; R. Graciously behold our afflictions. V. With pity behold the sorrows of our hearts; R. Mercifully forgive the sins of thy people. V. Favorably with mercy hear our prayers; R. O Son of David, have mercy upon us. V. Both now and ever vouchsafe to hear us, O Christ; R. Graciously hear us, O Christ; graciously hear us, O Lord Christ. The Officiant concludes Let us pray. We humbly beseech thee, O Father, mercifully to look upon our infirmities; and, for the glory of thy Name, turn from us all those evils that we most justly have deserved; and grant that in all our troubles we may put our whole trust and confidence in thy mercy, and evermore serve thee in holiness and pureness of living, to thy honor and glory; through our only Mediator and Advocate, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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The North Carolina Disciple | Summer 2011
Making Disciples, Making a Difference
Christian Prayers for father’s Day
By the Rev. Paul S. Winton
The relationships between fathers and sons in Holy Scripture and in the Christian tradition are some of the most dramatic and complex relationships of any, since the human word was recorded. Even in the most deeply troubled relationships, however, we find this powerful love-bond between fathers and sons, powerful love that sometimes struggles to find a way to express its self, and oft times fails all together. We look to the relationship between Jesus and His earthly father, Joseph, and wonder about that and yet Joseph embraces, cares for, protects and, one imagines, loves Jesus. The relationship between God, the Father, and our Lord Jesus is beyond us – but it offers us hope that as sons, we can be loving and obedient and learn from our fathers and that as fathers we can see and treat our sons as our very beloved. My Dad – A Real Person
Lord God above, I lift my voice in thanksgiving for my father; my dad. Even though growing up means learning that Dad is not, after all, the fastest, strongest, smartest man in the world. He is still the most exceptional man I know, even in his imperfection. I am so grateful for the sense that he was invincible as I grew up in a world where I needed that kind of protection. I am grateful that I lived in his “bigger than life” shadow when life seemed too big for me. I am so very grateful for all those years that I looked up at him because he was taller and witnessed him doing the right things so now that I am taller than he, I can still look up to him. Amen. Buddies Now
O God of all, I am thinking this day of my father, with a heart overflowing with gratitude. So often I heard his voice, strong and true as he would say, “Son, I’m not your buddy, I’m your father, I love you and this is what you need to understand.” And then the wisdom would flow. That sentence that I oft times dreaded contained the blessed assurance that I mattered more to my dad than I did to anyone else in the world and that my best interest is what concerned him – even if it is not what I wanted or understood. I have been blessed with the great comfort and security of having had a dad for whom nothing was more precious than me. Only now, when my dad and I are very much buddies, do I treasure all those times he told me we were not. For my dad, for my best buddy, I give you thanks, O Lord. Amen. The Way My Dad Loves
Heavenly Father, you set us in families so that we might be blessed. You give us fathers so that we might have someone to protect us, to shield us, to go out into the world ahead of us and prepare a safe place for us...and so they do. My dad is not a dad of hugs and kisses, or romping in the yard or playing air guitar. Instead you gave me a dad who double checks my homework, frightens my dates and checks the oil and tires in my car before I leave to go all the way to the mall. My dad is not a dad who tries to be like me; my dad goes to work and works hard. His loving is expressed in his providing; the caressing is not so much in his hands as it is with his absolute dependability. You blessed me with a dad who says what he means and means what he says. I am grateful and blessed that my dad is who he is and loves me the way he loves me, because that is real and true and honest – just like him. Amen. Reflecting the Radical Welcome of Jesus
I Only Have Memories
I only have memories of my father, Blessed Savior. I recall the way life changed the instant he came in the door just as supper hit the table, like somehow he and Mom were in perfect sync. We would hear his footstep on the bottom step and smell food on the stove at the same time. I remember the back of his head as we drove here and there; how I could always read in his eyes, when he looked at me in the rear view mirror, whatever car he was working on at the time. I remember that I never, in all my life, had something important for which he was absent – he was just simply always there. I only have memories of the holidays with Dad here - but there was no holiday without him. He would grumble that he was only there to get boxes up and down but he knew better – he knew that he was the heart of every holiday in our lives, of every day that really mattered. All I have is memories – yet, how blessed I am that my memories are so sweet. Thank you, Lord. Amen. Husband and Father
Lord God above, I confess that I do not always understand him. I struggle to comprehend why some things are so important to him and why other things are not important at all. He is a good man, not a perfect man – but where he comes close to perfection is as a dad. I thank you, Lord, that I share my life with this man who loves our children as powerfully as do I. We live in that place of comfort where we know, without thinking about it, that no matter what, these children and I have their father. In a world that can sometimes seem uncertain, you have blessed us with the steady hand, arms and heart of someone who loves us with a steadfastness that can only be a heavenly gift. Amen.
Father’s Day is June 19, 2011 The Rev. Paul S. Winton is Rector of St. John’s, Charlotte. Contact him at pwinton@saintjohns-charlotte.org.
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NONPROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID RALEIGH, NC PERMIT NO. 992
The Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina 200 West Morgan Street, Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27601-1338 PHONE: 919.834.7474 | TOLL FREE: 800.448.8775
BISHOPS’ VISITATIONS
CURRY GREGG MARBLE 2-Jun-11 Trinity, Wall Street 5-Jun-11 Holy Trinity, Greensboro Christ Church, Charlotte Messiah, Rockingham 12-Jun-11 Holy Spirit, Greensboro St. Clements, Clemmons Holy Comforter, Burlington 19-Jun-11 St. Ambrose, Raleigh St. Timothy’s, Winston-Salem St. Mark’s,Halifax/Grace.Weldon 26-Jun-11 St. Paul’s, Monroe St. Andrew’s, Greensboro
4-Sep-11 Messiah, Mayodan 11-Sep-11 Epiphany, Eden St. Paul’s, Smithfield 18-Sep-11 House of Bishops - All three Bishops 25-Sep-11 St. Andrew’s, Haw River Trinity, Fuquay Varina NCSU Raleigh, PM 2-Oct-11 St. Christopher’s, High Point All Saints’, Roanoke Rapids 9-Oct-11 St. Mark’s, Huntersville All Saints’ Greensboro 16-Oct-11 St. Peter’s, Charlotte St. Luke’s, Salisbury 23-Oct-11 Emmanuel, Southern Pines St. Matthew’s, Hillsboro 30-Oct-11 Grace, Lexington St. Mark’s/Guadalupano, Wilson
Holy Innocents, Henderson St. Andrew’s, Charlotte St. Thomas, Sanford All Saints, Charlotte El Buen Pastor, Durham St. Alban’s, Littleton St. Mark’s, Raleigh
Bishops’ visitations are subject to change. To confirm a specific date, please contact the Bishop’s office at 919.834.7474 or email Margo Acomb at margo.acomb@episdionc.org.