VOL. 2, ISSUE 2 • SUMMER 2011
Lex Orandi Drawn to the Church
We’ve got even more news from your Diocese at
theRecordOnline.org Beading for Haiti What brings a group of women from St. Stephen’s, Troy together on a beautiful Saturday morning to make beads of many styles and colors? A desire to help the people of Port-au-Prince rebuild their cathedral complex. Biblical Herb Garden Making Music You won’tquite findarecipes in thetoBible, visitors It’s taken bit of effort make but Breakfest a to an interesting program at St. Anne’s, must-see music event in Ann Arbor. Read about Walled variousitherbs thatand the workLake that learned has goneabout into putting together have been around since the time of Christ.
who it benefits.
Going Green in Ann Arbor St. Aidan’s, Ann Arbor has done quite a lot to promote stewardship of the environment. Read what the church has done to earn its designation as the first GreenFaith church in the state.
You can also stay informed with Diocesan news. Sign up for Weekly Connection, a Tuesday e-newsletter. Look for the link at www.edomi.org.
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The Record/Summer 2011
Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
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The Record 4800 Woodward Avenue Detroit, MI 48201-1399 therecord@edomi.org www.theRecordOnline.org Phone: (313) 833-4425 The Record is a quarterly magazine for the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan. Vol. 2, Issue 2 Summer 2011 Episcopal Diocese of Michigan Episcopal Church Center 4800 Woodward Ave. Detroit, MI 48201-1399 (313) 832-4400 • Toll Free (866) 545-6424
The Rt. Reverend Wendell N. Gibbs Jr. Bishop of the Diocese bishop@edomi.org The Reverend Canon Lisa A. Gray Canon to the Ordinary lgray@edomi.org Jo Ann Hardy Diocesan Administrator jhardy@edomi.org Sue McCune Executive Assistant Office of the Bishop smccune@edomi.org Beth Rowley Assistant for Program and Administration browley@edomi.org
Rick Schulte Diocesan Communications Editor, The Record therecord@edomi.org
The Interview: Bishop Wendell Gibbs Jr. Even as some question the ability to provide international help to those in need, Bishop Wendell Gibbs Jr. explains how creating relationships with developing nations can be mutually beneficial. Page 4
Diocesan news A look at some of the recent happenings within the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan, including an enlightening keynote speaker at this year’s ‘Becoming the Household of God’ gathering. Page 6
The stars came out Quite a buzz was created when George Clooney and friends came to film a portion of ‘The Ides of March.’ So was a clever bit of outreach. Page 8
Lex Orandi They’re young, and they’re showing they really want a total faith experience. The future of the Episcopal Church is gaining its footing through Lex Orandi. Page 10
Bullying: Who it affects Much has been made about making sure those who are bullied are protected at school. But exactly what do students who are bullied experience on a daily basis? Page 13
Karen Robinson Executive Director Whitaker Institute krobinson@edomi.org
Centennial celebration
Eric Travis Missioner for Youth and Young Adults etravis@edomi.org
Biblical herb garden
Maria Franklin Director of Finance mfranklin@edomi.org Kara Chapman Accountant kchapman@edomi.org
The Editorial Board: Bruce Donigan (chair), Rachid Hatim, Susan Larsen, the Rev. Jim Maxwell, Lisa Nielsen, Jenny Ogline, the Rev. Chris Yaw. Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Detroit celebrated its 100th anniversary at its current location, but the church has a history that reaches even further into the past. Page 16
Take a closer look at the Bible, and you’ll notice references to various foods and spices. A program at St. Anne’s, Walled Lake teaches a little bit about these historical references. Page 17
Youth in action Three different programs showed that the younger people of the Diocese are getting an opportunity to meet each other and share their love of God and faith. Page 18
The Last Word Pastor Terry Jones has the constitutional right to be, well, unpopular. But more importantly, an inter-faith show of togetherness shows the good side of a bad story. Page 19
The Record/Summer 2011
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THE INTERVIEW: BISHOP WENDELL GIBBS JR.
Reaching out beyond our borders provides an opportunity to receive The Episcopal Diocese of Michigan has become involved with helping to rebuild the cathedral complex in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, which was destroyed by an earthquake in 2010. In a discussion with Rick Schulte, editor of The Record, Bishop Wendell Gibbs Jr. explained why involvement with developing nations could actually be a two-way street.
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This is an important task, but whether it’s a matter of people being desensitized, or if it’s not happening here on our own land, a lot of people are more concerned that it’s a challenging time here. But you still have to look at the whole world and the challenges that face others, don’t you? Right. You still have to remember people are going to look at things that happen and say, here’s one more thing to take care of. It seems like events come one right on top of the other. Go back to Katrina and work your way forward. It seems there’s something going on every year. And look at what’s happened recently – Haiti, New Zealand, Japan – it just seems to go on and on… We have some people in this world, including some in this diocese, who say ‘Haiti, that’s just a building. We need to be taking care of people.’ But we are taking care of the people. Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) is doing this, as are a lot of groups and organizations. The issue is, most of these groups aren’t able to build these buildings. They can provide temporary help; putting up tents, providing clean clothes and water, things like that. But when it comes to building permanent shelters, that’s not in their ability. So part of what we
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do is a both/and. We give to ERD and let them take care of their specific needs. And we go and do what the people have asked for. In Haiti, the bishop and the leaders in his diocese recognize the cathedral complex is more than just a church, but it’s schools and health centers. They recognize people look to the church for hope, and if the cathedral is flattened, the people have no hope… We’re not just building the cathedral, but the school and health center. We are the richest nation on earth. What’s absolutely amazing about our deficit is that I heard we could use our assets and pay it off, if we wanted to. The problem is, it’s cheaper to borrow the money. So we have it, but it’s like that old saying – the good news is we have all the money we need to take care of our concerns. The
bad news is, we have to pay for it. And we tend to think we know more about what’s best for other people. ‘Oh, you don’t need a school, you still have people dying of cholera.’
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Our view of poverty is different than poverty elsewhere, isn’t it? When I spent some time in Honduras, the family I stayed with is what they considered to be a middle-class or an upper middle-class family. When they would wash their clothes, they laid them out on the roof of their house to dry. They certainly had running water and toilets that flushed, but you couldn’t put any paper in the toilet…The fact they had a house with running water and toilets and you can take a shower every day and they have a way of making their water hot,
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for them, that’s really high living. But you take that same situation, lift it up and bring it here, and they would be considered poor people. Yes, our dollar goes much further in other countries. But that doesn’t mean they don’t have anything to give us or teach us. When we were in Africa (the Diocese of Michigan had a longterm relationship with two dioceses in Nigeria), most of the experience of that relationship was us giving to them. Us giving money so they could build wells, us giving money so they could build churches. But when they suggested that they could teach us something, people looked at each other like, ‘What? We should give to you. What could you possibly have?’ They love life. They have an incredible love and joy about life. When they’re in church, they dance down the aisle and put what little money they have in the offering to completely give themselves to God and God’s church. There’s never holding back. They truly do offer all that they have to God, with joy! We could really
“…We also ought to do it with our hands open, ready to receive. That’s what makes us one church, and helps us with our Anglican/Episcopal identity. Lord knows we’ll learn something from that.” - Bishop Wendell Gibbs Jr. Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
learn something from that.
Q
And it’s about trying to come up with a long-term solution? It’s not about trying to find a short-term way to get by, like finding bigger tents for them… It’s a quality of life issue. Yes, they could live in tents and grass huts, sure. But when the next storm comes, it’s not going to keep them safe and dry. A dollar there goes further than it does here. So for every dollar we give them, we’re making a permanent solution that can protect them from earthquakes, put a permanent roof over their heads, make a long-term solution for them, rather than give them a tent and say, ‘they’re fine for now’…We don’t have all the answers. We go into these situations as if we have everything to give, and they have nothing to give back.
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But that isn’t true… It isn’t true, right. They do have something to give back. That’s a part of what I think this process, or reaching out to others, should be all about.
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Do you think it helps when churches or dioceses try to grow a relationship to a church in a different country? It does help. I think we don’t have enough churches doing that. They really need to understand the relationship has to be reciprocal. They don’t need to have a relationship where we have something to give them. We need to have a relationship because we are one church. It’s wonderful we have this great mission priority of Anglican/ Episcopal identity. And one way we could do that is to have someone sit with us in a classroom over here and teach us about Anglican Communion. Or, in addition to learning something in a classroom setting, we could establish a relationship with a church and
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it could be anywhere. It could be New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, northern African – heck, even Canada – where the two congregations can exchange information and knowledge about one other and really learn how much we are part of an Anglican Communion, one church.
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It’s not monetary, it’s about a sharing of ideas, to see the commonality… That’s what it is. Our friends in the Dominican Republic, when the three bishops in lower Michigan went down there a year or so ago, we talked to the bishop there and he said we can come down and help them build, and so on. They were like, ‘What can we do for you?’ I told him that, well, we wanted to start
some Hispanic congregations but we don’t really have the expertise. Essentially, we have to use bilingual clergy, and that’s not always accepted in the Hispanic community. He said, ‘I’ll send you priests.’ Excuse me? And he said, ‘We have people here that we’re training to plant churches. They need the experience. We will send you a couple of young clergy, and what you need to do is find them a place to live.’ They could do tent revivals, or house church, whatever it takes to start a worship community in the Hispanic communities. But he also said don’t pay them, especially in American rates, because you’ll pay them so well, they won’t come home. ‘I’m willing to loan them to you, if you need them to help start Hispanic congregations.’
The Record/Summer 2011
Now, that’s something I want to receive. I really do! I’ve met clergy there that are just incredible when it comes to planting churches…They’re so entrepreneurial. They’re so good with the people and the kids, as preachers. They can look at a piece of land and see how big a church to build there, and how long it will take, and how many people live there and if it’s a village of 600, they’ll get three-quarters of them to come to the church. Really? I’ve got to see this! But they know the people. The whole process will include them. There are some things they can teach us. We know the language of English. How come we can’t go into our communities and do that? They have some things to teach us. I want them to come up and help us start Hispanic congregations, but I also want us to learn how to plant Anglo congregations, as needed. There’s got to be a skill there. It’s not just about being Hispanic. It’s about preaching the Gospel in a way that draws people in.
Q
That brings us full circle. If we’re willing to help people outside of our borders, they don’t have the financial means to help us, but they have the spiritual means and the desire to help us? You’ve got that right. I think we need to continue to reach out, and yes, we do have things to give. But we ought to do it with our hands also open, ready to receive. That’s what makes us one church, and helps us with our Anglican/Episcopal identity. Lord knows we’ll learn something from that.
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DIOCESAN NEWS
Concept of ‘Fireweed Evangelism’ enlivens annual Household event The 14th Becoming the Household of God conference, hosted by the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Detroit, proved to be a wellattended event (more than 200 attendees) covering a wide range of timely topics. The Rev. Elizabeth Geitz, keynote speaker for the day, touched on the many ways of growing a congregation, including the importance of inviting newcomers, making young adults and families feel welcome and many other topics. The concept of Fireweed Evangelism (fireweed being the first flower to bloom in an area where there was previously fire) is a metaphor for evangelism coming from a place of vulnerability. In this instance, it provides the motivation that can help Christians welcome strangers and invite them into their churches. At a clergy conference several years ago, Geitz listened to a speaker discuss evangelism. It didn’t take long for the speaker to realize, however, that his belief of having to accept Jesus Christ before being accepted by God just wasn’t something that was a popular way of thinking in front of a group of Episcopal clergy. “That’s not our motivation, but that got me to thinking, what is our motivation?” she said. “A lot of times, we don’t know what our motivation is.” Geitz said that was a big part of her motivation for writing “Fireweed Evangelism.” “That’s why I put so much focus on that. Because if we don’t figure out what that motivation
The Rev. Deon Johnson (left) works out some preliminary details with the Rev. Elizabeth Geitz, keynote speaker at this year’s Becoming the Household of God event.
is, it doesn’t matter how many programs you have, people have to participate in them. “So then I came up with the whole idea of Fireweed Evange-
“Any motivation that we come up with has to be able to withstand the test of Christian uniqueness.” The Rev. Elizabeth Geitz
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lism, which is a focus on the risen Christ to heal people in their lives. That happens to be the way God spoke to me. Any motivation that we come up with has to be able to withstand the test of Christian uniqueness. And that does, because when you study the different faith traditions, Christianity is the only faith that has at
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its center a crucified and risen savior. That’s it. Nobody else can offer that.” Next year’s Household of God conference will take place more than a month earlier than usual – Feb. 25, 2012. The topic will be “Be(com)ing Pioneers of Mission for the Emerging Church.” Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
DIOCESAN NEWS
Diocese pledges support of rebuilding Haitian cathedral felled by quake
The Very Rev. Scott Hunter (left) and the Rev. Canon Bill Logan offer prayers of the healing during reaffirmation of ordination vows.
Renewal of Vows well-attended All that was left of the cathedral in Port-au-Prince, Haiti was a large pile of rubble. An effort is underway to rebuild the complex. (Photo Courtesy of Lee Crawford).
The earthquake that hit Haiti in 2010 had a devastating impact on the region. The Episcopal Diocese of Haiti, and the people it serves, was not spared in this epic event. Seventy percent of the church buildings were leveled, including church-run clinics, schools and hospitals that serve more than 100,000 Episcopalians. Holy Trinity Cathedral, the icon of the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti, was also reduced to rubble. Many have stepped in to assist in providing healthcare and education services to the people of Haiti. The Clinton–Bush Haiti Fund and The United Nations Fund have been instrumental in this recovery effort. However, there is one thing these groups cannot rebuild — Holy Trinity. The Episcopal Diocese of Haiti is maintaining its role in Port-auPrince despite losing its cathedral in the earthquake. The cathedral is the beacon of Episcopal faith in Haiti. Rebuilding it to its former state is as instrumental to the spiritual needs of the people of Haiti as the United Nations and the Clinton–Bush funds are to serving the health and education needs of the population. The Rt. Rev. Jean-Zache Duracin, Bishop of Haiti, has asked the Episcopal Church Foundation (ECF) to assist in rebuilding the cathedral. The ECF has responded by launching a nationwide campaign to raise funds for this effort. Our Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Wendell Gibbs Jr., has also pledged the support of the Diocese of Michigan to rebuild the Haitian cathedral. He has set a target of $100,000 to be raised by the parishes in our diocese. Area coordinators have contacted local churches to ask its members to consider making a financial pledge, as well as donating time and talent to this campaign. Local church coordinators are able to provide information on this fundraising effort and how to donate. Go to www.episcopalchurch.org/haitiappeal for more information.
The largest gathering of diocesan clergy in several years attended the annual Renewal of Vows and Blessing of Chrism Mass, held at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Detroit during Holy Week. The event included a luncheon following the service.
The Diocesan staff helped run a successful Ministry Fair, which had more than 200 attendees.
Annual Ministry Fair offers great variety of resources More than 30 presenters provided guests to the annual Ministry Fair a wide assortment of tools which could be used to improve their church’s presence. This assortment of new ideas and skills ranged from how to grow numbers in Sunday school participation to improving elements of ministry.
– Jake Jones, Diocesan Coordinator Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
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OUTREACH
George Clooney (center), serving as director for ‘The Ides of March,’ chats with crew members and extras during filming for the movie, which took place at Christ Church Cranbrook, Bloomfield Hills. (Photo courtesy of Regina H. Boone/Detroit Free Press).
The mourners sat in the church, quietly looking ahead. A booming voice, filled with emotion, expressed he could not understand how his daughter was taken from this world, at such a young age. It was a senseless death, one he could not comprehend. The tone of his voice showed he was having a hard time accepting his daughter’s death. After that, a silence gripped the church for what seemed like an eternity. And then… “Why so sad?” The packed church of Christ Church Cranbrook, Bloomfield Hills, burst out in laughter. Thankfully, the casket at the front of the church was empty. And after yelling, “Cut!” as director of the film “The Ides of March,” George Clooney was
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Outreach, with a touch of Hollywood How filming ‘The Ides of March’ at Cranbrook helps out a vital program at All Saints, Pontiac showing his appreciation for the hundreds serving as mourners – they were actually members of the Cranbrook community along with hundreds of extras. The movie is a political drama. Christ Church made an ideal backdrop for one of the movie’s scenes. What made the movie shoot
especially exciting was the outreach opportunity presented to Christ Church. Although there were paid extras for the scene, donations were made by members of the congregation and their friends for the opportunity to help fill the church. In turn, the donations (which tallied more
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than $20,000) were used to support Bound Together, a tutoring program based at All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Pontiac. The program tutors and feeds elementary school-aged youngsters three days a week. Several Oakland County Episcopal churches are involved with Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
OUTREACH
Bound Together, a nonprofit organization funded through donations and grants. Aside from its primary educational mission, Bound Together also hosts holiday parties, summer programs, field trips and overnight camps. The Rev. Canon Gary Hall, rector for Christ Church, also had a role in the movie, playing a priest. He was especially grateful for the opportunity that serving as a host for a movie shoot provided. “Christ Church Cranbrook has historically supported ministries in Detroit and Pontiac,” he said. “We are grateful for the opportunity and for the partnership we enjoy with All Saints’, Pontiac and other agencies and faith communities in the metropolitan area.” In addition, Christ Church raised an additional $30,000 for Bound Together through a dinner dance and auction held in February. A while back, Christ Church signed up with the Michigan Film Commission for the opportunity to host a movie shoot; Clooney visited the church and felt it was an ideal setting. Although he’s also one of the stars of the movie, Clooney served strictly as a director during the Christ Church scenes, which took place not only inside the church, but also outside (where paparazzi and curious onlookers tried to catch a glimpse from across Lone Pine Road). Other actors of note who appeared that day included Ryan Gosling and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Clooney also had interaction with another Episcopal church in Ohio. As scenes were shot in Oxford at Miami University, movie scouts approached Holy Trinity, a campus church, to see if it would be available to serve breakfast and lunch to the crew and actors (which also included Marissa Tomei and Paul Giamatti). An October release is scheduled for the movie.
Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
Bound Together, a program hosted by All Saints’ Episcopal church, Pontiac, will benefit from the movie filming, which featured stars like Philip Seymour Hoffman, Clooney and Ryan Gosling.
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LEX ORANDI WORSHIP
Gathering shows young adults they indeed have a voice
With pop culture images flashing behind him, the Rev. Jim Hamilton reads to a recent Lex Orandi gathering.
By Rick Schulte Dinner wasn’t ready. Which was fine, as no one seemed to be too concerned with that little distraction. Normally, the intimate gathering for Sunday Eucharist in the lower level of Christ Church Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills has its dinner first, followed by worship. But that just meant, after a few readings, singing and a faithbased discussion that included an informative “did you know” background of poet Maya Angelou, it was time to go into the chapel. Dinner could wait. This is not your father’s Episcopalian gathering. As the group
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of young adults (ranging in age from early 20s to middle 30s, although there are no age restrictions) made their way to the St. Dunstan’s stone chapel, most stopped to remove their shoes. Then hold candles. Then to continue their involvement in this evening celebration. No shoes. No collection basket. But there is dinner, desserts and coffee. Yes, it’s safe to say the Lex Orandi services are indeed different. From the choice of what songs to sing that night (voice your opinion on the group’s Facebook page and see what sticks) to who wants to deliver a reading, or play a percussion instrument,
this is a service that encourages – actually, thrives from – full involvement from its youthful group of worshipers. The idea of finding a way to involve any particular group of people is nothing new to the church. This age group, however, is crucial, one at a crossroads of life. Sure, it’s still a young group. But it’s a group that tries to discern where it fits in with the church, and if it has a future within the church. The purpose of Lex Orandi is not to poach young people from other congregations – far from it. “This is for people in their 20s and 30s, people on the begin-
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ning of their journeys as young singles, as newly married, as new parents, as new to the workforce, moving from job to career,” said Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
the Rev. Jim Hamilton, who serves as rector for Trinity Episcopal Church, Farmington Hills. “This is for people who are beginning to define themselves. It is for people who are just now realizing that this world is going to belong to them… “Everyone is welcome, of course. But our purpose is clearly for younger generations. Will we have people who are older who are involved? Certainly, we will. But the focus will not waver from our desire to provide a church for a unique and under-served age group.” In reality, the conversation around the table is not unlike that of the traditional church coffee hour after Sunday services. Yes, the content of the conversation is different. But just as so-called traditional, older churchgoers often have conversations about things pertinent to their lives, so do the young Lex Orandi visitors. Job relocations. Starting families. Coping with parents. Not always the stuff of coffee hour, but it sure looks like it…only with a younger group. Lex Orandi, however, is not about trying to look and feel like a traditional service. By giving this younger group a chance to question, discern, jump in and act, it gives them the legs to go out to the world, or back to their home churches, and have a sense that they do belong. Judo Manko, a young woman two years removed from high school, has always wanted to belong to something. Among her friends, she admits she used to run with a group that “wasn’t bad kids, just mean.” And she did attend church, but felt like the proverbial square peg in a round hole of faith. Her bright hair, the small tattoo on her arm, her questioning demeanor – she may not look like someone craving a faith experience. Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
WORSHIP
St. Dunstan’s, the intimate stone chapel located inside of Christ Church Cranbrook, provides a solemn Sunday-night Eucharistic gathering place for young adults.
But looks can be deceiving. Lex Orandi has made Judo feel wanted. Judo feels like she has found a fit. “I’m thinking of converting to the Episcopal Church,” she admitted. “My cousin invited me to Lex Orandi. It’s even better than I was told. It’s amazing. Jim is welcoming. He sat down and talked with me the first night. I didn’t
feel judged. I felt important. “This is so great because everyone is very friendly. The worship is friendly. “I’m able to feel comfortable.” The idea of the service is not to create warm fuzzies, or to bring in young people to listen to music. Sure, the music is appealing to young people – Prince, Faith Hill, Peter Gabriel, John Mayer.
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But it’s not just about the music. (If it were, there would be no Eucharist). But because they have input on the music and an opportunity to be involved with other elements of the service, Lex Orandi hits very close to home. And that’s another interesting element of Lex Orandi. While it may seem very contemporary (perhaps age-appropriate is a
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WORSHIP
better description), the concept is based in much more ancient times. “The name comes from a maxim by the Prosper of Aquitaine (a contemporary of Augustine in the fourth and fifth centuries),” Hamilton said. “He stated, ‘the law of prayer grounds/establishes the law of belief ’ (ut legem credendi lex statuât supplicando). That original concept has lived on through the years in monastic practice and in the more succinct theological treatise, Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi (some translate this as the ‘law of prayer shapes the law of belief ’). “For our purposes, Lex Orandi is an acknowledgement that the way we pray matters. To that end, our generation is going to form a way to explore our beliefs through a sacramental practice all our own.” The structure to Lex Orandi consists of three key elements. Generally, it starts with food and worship. Attendees gather around round tables, where they eat, sing, talk and reflect on various readings. That’s followed by Eucharist, which is held in an intimate chapel. It is very quiet and reverent. Next comes a casual
A big part of the gathering is getting together for a dinner. There, guests sit down and discuss a wide range of topics, including faith, that are important to their age group.
time away from the chapel, where the group discusses next steps, issues related to its community and how to make a difference in the world.
“It is so well done, and it feeds my soul each week so that I can feed others throughout the rest of the week.” - Amy Morgan
The concept of this type of experience is growing around the world. Several groups are experimenting with this para-church idea, which is not intended to replace a traditional church. “This is meant to augment the intergenerational worship you are already involved in, and encourage newcomers to find intergenerational worship when ready,” Hamilton said. “…We see it as a place for parallel development. “The long-term goal is to cre-
ate a community where we can become seasoned and mature in our faith together, a gift that we can share back with the church and a Gospel we can share with the world.” Guests even come from different denominations, such as Amy Morgan, associate pastor at First Presbyterian Church, Birmingham. “For me, Lex Orandi is my place to worship, grow in faith, and develop life-giving relationships,” Morgan said. “Even when I didn’t know anybody else at Lex Orandi, the place felt like a community. Now, I can’t wait to walk through the doors on Sunday evening and just breathe in the love and friendship that fills the room. From the thoughtful and creative crafting of worship, to the meal lovingly prepared and served, from the table conversation and music to the candle-lit communion – Lex Orandi feels like God’s love incarnate. “It is so well done, and it feeds my soul each week so that I can feed others throughout the rest of the week.” So it may look a little different, especially those more comfortable with the idea of a traditional Episcopal celebration. That’s okay. Those involved may even take that as a compliment. “We are building an infrastructure to worship with intention to keep it fresh and new,” Hamilton said. “We are trying to edge this away from anything we have ever seen before, with the help of those who join us.”
Although the music can be rather contemporary, a big part of Lex Orandi is the actual Eucharistic celebration.
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The Record/Summer 2011
Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
ISSUES: BULLYING
I AM BULLIED
What some kids deal with on a daily basis By Rick Schulte The high school football player, a good-looking kid who on the surface seemed to have it all together, looked down at the tops of his shoes and began to cry. “You think it’s just one type of kid that gets picked on,” he says. “I was always part of the jock crowd. On the team, I’ve got my varsity letter, you think that would be enough.” Tom wasn’t a starter on his football team, but he was on the team. He was part of the ‘jock’ crowd, but never a star, so he hung out there on the outer part of the social circle. But he wasn’t really part of any other crowd, either. Not the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
shop-class kids. Not the student government kids. Not the band kids. Not the burn-outs. At first glance, he doesn’t look like someone who would be bullied. But then again, bullying comes in all shapes and sizes. “I used to have people tell me I was too sensitive,” says Tom, whose real name we won’t reveal to spare him more humiliation at school. “I just keep to myself, you know? And I’m cool with that. But there’s always some jerk who would always make fun of me. Always has, since grade school. Not good enough to be the starting quarterback. Too dumb for Honor Society. Too lame to party. It shouldn’t bother me, but it
does. “Oh, and he doesn’t play football. And he’s not in the Honor Society. Whatever he can use for target practice, I guess.” Carol admits she fits the profile of someone who gets bullied. “Let’s see, I’m a little overweight,” she says. “Don’t say that!” Tom interrupts. “Just don’t.” “Well, that’s very nice of you,” Carol says, “But I’ve got enough other kids who think otherwise and have let me know about it. But anyway, overweight. Not the prettiest girl. I am a self-proclaimed theatre geek. I feel comfortable with my friends there. But they aren’t always with me. Like in gym class, when I had no clue how to play flag football. And
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this one girl in particular, she turns to me and says, ‘what’s wrong with you, fat-a--?’ And a bunch of other girls started laughing. It was the worst feeling in the world. “You feel safe enough among your friends, right? But when they aren’t there, I’m scared. But I guess I’m lucky. Some kids who are bullied don’t have friends.” Putting Up With the Pain There have been different names and terms for bullying. Getting picked on. Sand kicked in your face. That sort of thing. And the ways of dealing with it have been around forever, too. Pull yourself up by your bootstraps. Don’t be a tattletale.
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ISSUES: BULLYING
Deal with it. Don’t let them see you cry. Toughen up. So it’s been around forever. But to those who have been bullied, it doesn’t make life any easier. If you are “a little different,” maybe physically, maybe through sexual orientation, chances are you may have been bullied at some point. In the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan, that was a point well taken. Representatives from two groups, Disability Awareness and Oasis, met in the summer of 2009. The Oasis group deals with issues relating to the LGBT community (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered). The other group, as its name states, deals with those with disabilities. In discussing common experiences and information gleaned from previous retreats, it was determined that combining forces might have a positive result. There was one common thread, in particular, shared by both groups: Bullying. That led to the formation of a group now known as the Alliance to Abolish Bullying Behaviors (AABB). “Obviously, that was a wise choice as bullying has become a dominant issue in our society, particularly among young people,” said the Rev. Chuck Swinehart of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, East Lansing. “Since August of last year, the issue has really snowballed and there has been a lot of publicity about it.” Unfortunately, publicity for bullying is usually generated after something bad happens. There have been alleged instances of bullying resulting in more than hard feelings. In the worst cases, it has led to suicide.
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However, with every instance of known bullying, it’s led to an opportunity to learn there’s more to it than name-calling. “There has certainly been increased awareness of its destructive patterns and we are doing what we can to lay the foundations for a genuine focus on this issue,” Swinehart said. Gov. Rick Snyder recently said that, along with his desire to change funding for the state’s public schools, he wanted antibullying legislation in place, making it necessary for each school district to have some sort of policy in place. Michigan had been the last of a handful of states to not require anti-bullying policies for its districts, although it’s debatable what effect such a mandated policy will have on schools. “The purpose of this bill is to start down the path and make sure that every school has a policy,” explained Sen. Rick Jones, a Republican from Grand Ledge. He sponsored legislation that was accepted by the Senate Judiciary
Committee. “I think that’s the first step, and I think that will help a great deal.” Indeed, it’s not likely the state wants to get involved with coming up with a broad anti-bullying policy for all of its districts. As of presstime, the state will likely leave specific policy language to local districts. The AABB, conversely, is seeking detailed wording that will address various forms of bullying, including toward those with disabilities, as well as the LGBT community. Will Rules Protect Kids? “So what’s it like to be gay in high school?” It was a question that Nancy posed, rhetorically. “It’s not so bad, where I go to school. You get jerks who like to call me names, or the gay boys they call ‘f--s.’ But you hear that from one person, and you get someone else rolling their eyes at them or telling them to knock it off. “But I know you can’t make people stop doing that. All the rules in the world won’t prevent
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someone from looking at you with disdain, or shaking their head, or snickering at you.” Nancy is openly gay, and has friends who are also open about their sexuality. Some are at her school. Some are at other schools. She scoffs at the notion that legislation will change the way gays or other students who are easy targets are treated. “I know I’m fortunate where I am, because it’s not like a lot of kids get picked on. I mean, it happens, but it’s not an epidemic. Now at some other schools, not far from us (in western Wayne County), if you’re gay or overweight or different, they’ll tear you up. And that’s the thing to remember. I feel safe when I’m at school. When I go to the mall, though, I’m on my own. But some kids, when they go to school, it’s pure hell for them. “It’s not so much the threat of physical violence – although I’m sure it happens. It’s the mean girls that I hear about. Making rude comments in the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
ISSUES: BULLYING
bathroom or someplace like that, or threats on Facebook. But – hello! – why would you let a mean girl become your friend on Facebook, where they can post messages on your page? I guess everyone wants to be accepted, and you hope maybe one of these kids will look at you for who you are and be nice to you. “Everyone just wants to be accepted, but you aren’t accept-
ed, at least give us the chance to get an education without all the stress of being bullied. The gay kids. The unpopular kids. The so-called different kids. All we want is to be like everyone else. “In a perfect world, if there were no bullies…wow. What would that be like?” To learn more about AABB, go to www.da-edomi. org.
Remembering the pain of bullying Kit Carlson is rector for All Saints Episcopal Church, East Lansing. Here, she relates her personal story of being victimized by bullying when she was younger . I moved from Florida to Michigan in the middle of seventh grade. My parents bought a motel on the beach, ten miles outside of town. They enrolled me in the county schools’ pilot program for the gifted: a small, grade 4-12 institution. There were 35 kids in all of seventh grade. I was not welcomed into their numbers. I was the new kid. And yes, my mother DID dress me funny. And after growing up in the same suburban neighborhood for years, I didn’t have any experience making new friends in a new town. So they called me “Fido.” And they barked when I passed by. And they shunned me at lunch and in phys ed classes, and eventually they moved on to throwing things...pinecones, garbage, and eventually, a rock. It was the rock that ended it. I finally took my own action, carried it into the principal’s office, put it on his desk and said, “I have had stuff thrown at me every day for months. I want it to stop.” Amazingly, he talked to the kids, and their parents, and they did stop. And slowly, slowly, I found friends – a few, anyway. More importantly, I found church. It was my haven and my salvation. It offered me a community, and a connection with God that helped me eventually to forgive my tormentors, and even to reach out to them in friendship.
For more information, contact Maria Franklin at (313) 833-4427 or email mfranklin@edomi.org.
Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
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YOUTH EVENTS
Diocesan youngsters in action Nightwatch: Detroit More than 70 youngsters and adults spent the night at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Detroit to explore the question, “Where is God in our lives, especially in the midst of tragedy.” Adults, including Bishop Wendell Gibbs Jr., related stories of God’s presence in their lives. Games, discussion, worship and much fun filled the evening for youngsters in grades 6-12.
Happening The three-day retreat for high schoolers (at St.Michael’s, Grosse Pointe Woods) focused on the discovery of what it means to be loved by God. Participants experienced the power of God and the ways we are called to love and learn from each other. The next Happening event will be Nov. 11-13.
New Beginnings In March, 58 middle school and high school students met at St. John’s, Plymouth and had a good time learning about each other, about Jesus and how they can better live as Christians. The guests sang, talked, learned and worshipped throughout the weekend. The next New Beginnings gathering is Oct. 14-16. Look for details about this and other youth events at www.edomi.org.
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Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
CHURCH NEWS
Cathedral Church of St. Paul celebrates centennial
The Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Detroit celebrated its 100th anniversary last month. It’s interesting to note the church existed in other locations around Detroit. St. Paul’s Church originated in 1824, on Woodward near Congress and Larned. There were only 2,000 residents of Detroit at the time. It was the first Anglican Church created in the Northwest Territories (a part of which was later established as Michigan). In 1833, the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan was established. The church later moved to a different building, at Congress and Shelby in Detroit, in 1851. Although it’s known as a business district now, it was then a growing residential neighborhood. As time passed, the quiet residential area grew into a densely populated, industrialized pocket. While some residents gravitated toward new housing along Jefferson, others headed northwest along Woodward. St. Paul’s returned to Woodward, where it serves as Cathedral for the diocese. The church building was designed by Ralph Adams Cram and built out of limestone. There was no steel used in the frame of the church, which is unique considering similar large buildings from that era used steel. The building was designed to support a central tower, but that has not been added and probably won’t, due to the massive expense involved.
The Cathedral Church of St. Paul (as seen in this photo, circa 1970) largely remains the same church it was when it served area Episcopalians a century ago.
Rarely seen by visitors to the Cathedral, a mosaic rendering of Jesus Christ can be found in the catacombs beneath the church.
Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
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CHURCH NEWS
Sage wisdom Visitors to a Biblical herb garden presentation at St. Anne’s, Walled Lake, learned all about many of the different foods and spices mentioned in the Bible. They were even able to take home a sample of various herbs, including rosemary.
Exodus, Numbers and Revelation provided the source for some significant Biblical stories. Although they weren’t cookbooks by any stretch, they provide some very interesting insight into the foods and spices that were around since the time of Jesus Christ. St. Anne’s, Walled Lake recently hosted a Biblical herb garden luncheon. The event began with a light meal, followed by an explanation of different herbs from Veronica Dunbar, who works as an educator for various programs within the diocese. “We have learned through archeological digs that some cultures kept good records of things they used, and some, not so much,” Dunbar said. In this instance, many records were kept outlining what crops were used for food, medicinal and religious purposes. This has helped scholars identify various plants from the Bible. The meal, the first of its kind for St. Anne’s, attracted a sizeable gathering. It included a Maurice salad (lettuce was mentioned as a bitter herb in Exodus and Numbers), breads with rosemary (Chronicles) and garlic (Numbers), and a desert that included lemon thyme cookies (thyme, Revelation). Guests were also given various spices mentioned in the presentation and encouraged to plant them for their own use. “We were so pleased with how this turned out,” said Marlene Aughton, one of the event’s organizers and a member of St. Anne’s. “And we had some new faces in here, which was wonderful.”
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Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
THE FINAL WORD
The right to be ignorant (and a show of inter-faith unity)
Pastor Terry Jones is an ill-informed, hateful, disruptive man who doesn’t represent God in any way, shape or form. And because we live in the United States, I can say that just as much as he can espouse his message of hatred and divisiveness. That’s something important to remember as we recall his visit to Dearborn, which was intended to include a stop at the Islamic Center of America. Now, keep in mind Jones is the same sweetheart of a guy whose assistant pastor/sidekick/lackey, Wayne Sapp, has burned the Koran in the name of hateful evangelization, testing free speech rights. The purpose of Jones and his socalled ‘church’ (the Florida-based Dove World Outreach Center, which has a congregation of about 50 people) is something I can’t even begin to understand. Still, racist, homophobic jerks like Jones have a right to be racist, homophobic jerks. It’s about free speech. Like it or not, you can be offensive. You just can’t use free speech to yell ‘fire’ in a crowded theatre. But here’s the rub: If you respond to him with anger or with threats, you are feeding the fire that burns in the belly of Jones and others like him. I’m not going to condemn Jones. I may, in fact, say I’m sickened by what he promotes. I’m also reasonably comfortable in saying he would feel the same way about me, and that’s fine. But I’m not going to resort to a show of force, or even a threat of force, to impose my views open him. With all that said, I’m happy to say something good came out of this Terry Jones mess. The interfaith prayer vigil at the Islamic Center was beautiful. Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
thing covered by the Leaders from varimedia and picked up ous Detroit-area faiths by even casual observ– Christians, Muslims, ers – the show of interJews – prayed, linked faith support was on hands and reaffirmed display for the whole what we already know. world to see. We know we love each Several local reother. We support Rick ligious leaders had each other. And even Schulte some great things though we have differto say. Bishop Wenent ways of worshipdell Gibbs Jr. offered ping, we respect each a prayer that really summed up other’s rights to do so. Jones’ decision to make an ap- the antithesis of all Terry Jones pearance in Dearborn, which is stands for. “Help us in the midst of our home to the largest Arab population in the United States, seemed struggles for justice and truth, like it was a good idea, in terms to face one another without bigof bringing attention to himself otry or bitterness, and to work and his cause. And it gave him together with mutual forbearthe chance to, once again, play ance and respect. Give us grace, the fool. It’s something he’s good O God, seriously to lay to heart at. But more importantly – and the great dangers we are in by our thank goodness, this was some- unhappy divisions; lead us from
prejudice to truth; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth. “May your living presence among us so move every human heart, especially those whose actions spew hate and fear, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace.” You see, we treasure our diversity. We don’t fear it. People like Terry Jones, we can despise what they stand for and still love them. We can hate their message and still respect their right to free speech.
Rev. Charles William (left), Bishop Wendell Gibbs Jr., Rev. Kenneth Flowers and Imam Hassan Al-Qazwini link hands in a show of solidarity in front of the Islamic Center of America in Dearborn. (Photo courtesy of William Archie, Detroit Free Press).
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Diocesan Calendar June 11, 11 a.m. Ordination of Roger Walker & Ordination of Julia Huttar Bailey Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Detroit June 14, 9 a.m. Diocesan Council St. John’s, Plymouth June 21, 7 p.m. Ordination/Commissioning of Total Ministry Team St. Anne’s, Walled Lake July 2, 11 a.m. Ordination/Commissioning of Total Ministry Team Christ Church, Pleasant Lake
The Bishop’s Diocesan Family Picnic
Emrich Retreat Center 7380 Teahen Road Brighton, MI
July 9, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Diocesan Picnic Emrich Retreat Center, Brighton July 14, 7 p.m. Ordination/Commissioning of Total Ministry Team St. Martin’s, Detroit Sept. 10, 9 a.m. Diocesan Council St. John’s, Plymouth
Saturday, July 9 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Food. Fun. Games. Fellowship. Suggested Donation: $5, $20 maximum per family
Bishop’s Visitations June 12 Grace Church, Southgate June 19 Christ the King, Taylor
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RSVP: smccune@edomi.org 313.833.4435 The Record/Summer 2011
Episcopal Diocese of Michigan