Communion

NOVEMBER 2013 | EPISCOPAL JOURNAL | DELAWARE COMMUNION A

IN THISISSUEB Bishop’s Letterand CalendarC Downsizing and Upsizing;A New Verger in Rehoboth

Beach; UTO Grant Highlight;Upcoming Events in the Diocese

D Photos and Personal Reflectionsof the visit by the delegationfrom the Diocese of Mexico.

D E L A W A R E

EPI SCOPAL DIOCESE OF DELAWARE NOVEMBER 2013, VOL. 3, NO. 11

Diocesan edition of the

The DelawareCommunionhas been incontinuouspublicationsince 1976.Back copies can be found

on our website.

JOURNALEpiscopal

It’s NotToo Late!Register forParish Life Daytoday!SaturdayNovember 23St. Anne’s School,Middletown

Explore the topic ofRelationships throughworkshops and worshipwhile enjoying thefellowship with oneanother. Register onour website, via thebrochures at yourparish, or by callingCynde Bimbi atthe bishop’s office,656-5441, ext. 106.

2 2 9 T H D I O C E S AN CONV EN T I ON

E X P L O R I N G A C OM PA N I O N R E L A T I O N S H I P

S P E C I A L E V E N T , D E C E M B E R 3

Ready. Set.Go!Standing ontheEdgeofHopeby Cynde Bimbi,Bishop’s Staff

he theme forthe 229th Dio-cesan Conven-t ion, “Ready.Set. Go! Stand-

ing on the Edge o fHope ,” re f lect s theministry of Eric Liddell, Olympicathlete and missionary (commem-orated on the day of our conven-tion Eucharist), and our guestspeaker’s topic, Standing on the Edgeof Hope. Hosted by St. James’ MillCreek, this year’s convention isFriday and Saturday, February 21

we have in common.Last spring we had our“first date,” when a dele-gation from Delawarewent to Mexico to visitand to learn. And duringHispanic HeritageMonth in October, wewelcomed two friendsfrom the Diocese ofMexico, Dean Sally SueHernandez and PadreFernando Montes deOca, to get to know ushere in Delaware. (Bish-op Carlos Touch-Porterhad also intended tocome, but the flu kepthim at home. We lookforward to welcominghim another time.)

As the Rev. DonnaJean Kiessling of St. Peter’s, Smyrna,put it, the very full itinerary for theweek read like a “Best of Delaware”list. Sally and Fernando met a lot ofour diocesan family and saw a hugepart of our tiny state over the tenshort days that they were here.

This visit was also an opportunityfor us to talk openly about what arelationship could look like practi-cally speaking. How can we walktogether in our journey to be faith-ful Christians in our communi-ties? What are our successes andchallenges, and how can we benefitfrom each other's experiences andencourage each other throughprayer and relationship? The goalof the companion relationship

A “SecondDate” withthe DioceseofMexico

by Jen Mason, editor

xploring a possible com-panion diocese relationshipis a lot like being “set up”with a prospective mate byyour best friends. You hear

a lot about one another from yourfriends. You might look at theirLinkedIn or Facebook page to seewhat else you can learn. You begina correspondence via email or chata bit on the phone. And then it’stime to meet: you spend time oneach other’s “turf,” seeing what kindof interests you share, meetingfriends and family. You begin to seewhat a life with this person couldlook like – how it could change andshape your own. And then therecomes a point where you just know:this is someone with whom I wantto have a relationship – someonethat I want to get to know a wholelot better.

The Episcopal Dioceses of Mexi-co and Delaware made it throughthose preliminary phases over thepast two years, becoming familiarand learning about the many things

MEXICODELEGATION

See backpage(PageD)

& 22, 2014 at the Embassy Suites,Newark.

Our guest speaker will be theRev. Gay Clark Jennings. At the77th General Convention of theEpiscopal Church in 2012, Gaywas elected president of the House

of Deputies by herpeers. She is the firstordained woman tohold the pos i t ion.Gay is a priest, or-dained in 1979, andan eight-time deputyfrom the Diocese ofOhio. She is also theEpiscopal Church’sclergy representativeto the Angl icanConsultative Council.

She previous lyserved for 17 years as canon to theordinary in the Diocese of Ohioand for nine years as associate di-rector of CREDO Institute Inc., achurch wellness program. From2006-2012, Gay served on the Ex-ecutive Council of the EpiscopalChurch, which governs the church

AConversation aboutRaceand Inclusion:All are invited!

ur diocese continues toexplore what it means tobe inclusive, seeking afaithful response to Jesus’call for us to love one an-

other. Please join us on Tuesday,December 3 at 6:30 p.m. at St.Thomas’s, Newark, for an eveningof inclusion training and a race re-lations discussion with Eric Law.

The Rev. Eric H. F. Law, anEpiscopal priest, is the founder andexecutive director of the Kaleido-scope Institute. The mission of the institute is to create inclusive andsustainable churches and communities. For more than 20 years, Law hasprovided transformative and comprehensive training and resources forchurches and ministries in all the major church denominations in theUnited States and Canada. He writes a weekly blog called The Sustainist:Spirituality for Sustainable Communities in a NetworkedWorld – find a linkto it on our website.

To register or for more information, contact Cynde Bimbi at thebishop’s office, CyndeBimbi@DioceseofDelaware.net or 656-5441.

TThe Rev. Gay Clark Jennings

O

Ecommittees was not to answer all oftheir questions during this visit,but to develop strong bonds thatwill lead to deeper discussions andfriendship.

In other words, we’re still “dat-ing,” and this visit confirmed thatwe want to continue to do that.This is a diocese with which weshare a lot in common, and wethink that there is potential here fora meaningful relationship.

See the back page (Page D) tosee photos and a few personal im-pressions coming out of the visit.Then go to our website to findmore photos and the full itineraryof this visit.

continued on next page (Page B)

For Padre Fernando, thehighlight of the trip wasseeing the extent of our

parishes’ social ministries,like our work with young

people at the Cathedral ChoirSchool [shown above], andparticularly our ecumenicalspirit. “That is not somethingwe get to experience a lot inour diocese,” he said. He alsomade a wonderful observationabout our two dioceses that

impressed the hosts, “A churchthat is focused on survivingwill surely die. We must findways to live into growing –

together.”

Application to mail at Periodicals Postage prices is pending at Bryn Mawr, PA and additional mailing offices. Episcopal Jour-nal is published monthly by the Episcopal Journal. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to Episcopal Journal, PO Box 937,Bellmawr NJ 08099-0937

D E L A W A R E

Communion

B I SHOP ’S CALENDAR

The Delaware Communion is published monthly from September to June for members and friends of the Diocese of Delaware.Jen Mason, Editor; Danny Schweers, Designer. Find us on the Web at www.DioceseofDelaware.net. The deadline for submissions is the firstday of each preceding month. Submission specifications are found on our website. Send submissions and feedback to Jen Mason at edi-tor@DioceseofDelaware.net, the mailing address above, or call 228-7488. Those without Web access may obtain Web-published storiesfrom parish offices or from the editor. Please submit subscription and address changes to Mary Ann Brillhart at the Bishop’s office atMABrillhart@DioceseofDelaware.net or call 656-5441.

The Episcopal Diocese of Delaware

2020 N.Tatnall Street, Wilmington, DE 19802302 656-5441 • www.DioceseofDelaware.net

B DELAWARE COMMUNION | EPISCOPAL JOURNAL | NOVEMBER 2013

B I S H O P ’ S L E T T E R

NOVEMBER 201322 SSaattuurrddaayy,, Consecration of William “Chip” Stokesas Bishop of New Jersey, Trinity Cathedral, Trenton33 SSuunnddaayy,, Morning Visitation, All Saints’, RehobothBeach66 WWeeddnneessddaayy,, Bishop’s Day in Georgetown1100 SSuunnddaayy, Morning Visitation, Christ Church,Dover1111 MMoonnddaayy –– 1144 TThhuurrssddaayy,, Church Pension FundBoard Meeting, New York1177 SSuunnddaayy,, Morning Visitation, St. Stephen’s,Harrington1188 MMoonnddaayy,, Executive Committee Meeting,Bishop’s Office1199 TTuueessddaayy,, Standing Committee Meeting, ChristChurch Christiana Hundred, Greenville2200 WWeeddnneessddaayy,, Province III Bishop’s Gathering,Martinsburg, WV2233 SSaattuurrddaayy,, Parish Life Day, St. Anne’s School2244 SSuunnddaayy,, Morning Visitation, St. Nicholas’,Newark2277 WWeeddnneessddaayy –– 2299 FFrriiddaayy,, Thanksgiving Holiday,Bishop’s Office Closed

Serving Godin Delaware

everal years ago members of theBishop’s staff and I began hostingmeetings with vestry leaders fromcongregations around the dio-cese. These Wardens &

Treasurers meetings have nowbecome an annual fall tradition.We all know that, in our smallstate and diocese, personal rela-tionships and friendships arereally important. They are thebuilding blocks for making goodthings happen.

Above all, the Wardens &Treasurers meetings are a way forus to thank our congregationalleaders for their important min-istries. The meetings are also an opportuni-ty to share information about diocesanministries and to recognize our congrega-tions for their vital financial support of thediocese. This support is essential.

This year we began our meetings withBible study and discussion. We chose thefamiliar story of “The Feeding of the5,000.” After re-telling the ancient story ofJesus feeding that hungry crowd of people,I asked our parish leaders to think aboutwhat the “Loaves & Fishes” might mean tous today. Two thousand years ago, Jesus fed5,000 people gathered on a hillside inGalilee. As church leaders, how would werespond to these two questions: “What miracles happen when your congregationgathers? What blessings appear Sunday bySunday in your church?” The lively discus-sion that followed reminded me again ofthe many ways that lives are touched by ourministries.

Every church has an important ministryto share. So does our diocese. Our first priority is to recruit, train, ordain, and support faithful, gifted clergy to serve ourchurches. We do this in partnership withour congregations. Currently, four of ourchurches are searching for new rectors:

SSt. Anne’s, Middletown; St. Barnabas,Wilmington; Christ Church, Dover; andChrist Church, Milford. We are fortunatethat Delaware has a very favorable reputa-tion as a place to serve. This always makesthe work easier. At present, we have oneseminarian in training for ordination andhave another who hopes to begin next year.We are always looking toward the future.

Another building block for our diocesanministry is the administration, coordina-

tion, and support we provide forcongregations. Our diocese hasthe responsibility for overseeinginsurance, employee benefits,payroll, and investment pro-grams for congregations andministries. We also oversee thebuilding loan fund used by somany churches for things likebuilding expansion, parish improvements, and capital main-tenance projects. Even though

this work sometimes happens behind thescenes, we can’t forget how important it is.

Our diocese also supports a number ofcarefully considered programs and min-istries. We base this support on what wehear you saying. For example, in our recentdiocesan mission study, people expressed aclear desire for more opportunities to gatheras a diocese. Parish Life Day was developedin response. Our annual Diocesan Conven-tion is now more than a business meeting.We have added workshops, hearings, andmore time for fellowship. And we are plan-ning another Diocesan Summer Fest nextJune at Killens Pond State Park.

We continue to provide direct supportfor changing congregations. You may havealready heard about the Brandywine Col-laborative Ministries. Three neighboringEpiscopal churches in the suburbs north-east of Wilmington are developing a com-mon strategy and structure to coordinatetheir ministries and share resources.St. Luke’s, Seaford, is in the midst of a layministry training program to strengthen itscongregational life. These are very encour-aging signs.

We continue to support ministry toyoung people and youth. Camp Arrowheadis our crown jewel. We are happy to wel-come Walt LaFontaine as the year-rounddirector of Camp Arrowhead. Walt recentlyretired from his work as a high school prin-cipal. He has returned home to Delaware.We are in the midst of discussions with theState of Delaware to permanently preservethe beautiful Camp Arrowhead property.And we will soon begin a study of how ourcamp can best serve future generations ofDelaware’s families and youth.

Later this year we will be moving thebishop’s office to a new location. We havebeen in our current building for over sixtyyears. It no longer meets current needs. St.Albans generously offered their formerchurch building. It is an attractive, conven-ient, and affordable facility that will be agood place for our new home.

As you can see, there is a lot happeningin our churches and in our diocese. Like thestory of the Loaves & Fishes, we dependupon the financial generosity of our vestriesand congregations to make all this happen.Just as church members pledge to supporttheir churches, every parish vestry makes apledge to support our diocese. Thanks to allwho have faithfully made these commit-ments through the years. Uncounted bless-ings flow from such generosity!

2 2 9 T H D I O C E S A N C O N V E N T I O N

Ready. Set. Go!continued from front page (Page A)

between General Conventions. She has heldmany elected and appointed leadership po-sitions since her ordination, includingchairing the General Convention legisla-tive committees on Structure, World Mis-sion, Communications, and Canons. Sheis a founding steering committee memberof the Chicago Consultation, which sup-ports the full inclusion of gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender Christians. Therewill be three opportunities to hear Gayspeak: after dinner on Friday evening, againon Saturday morning, and as preacher atthe Convention Eucharist.

New! at Convention . . .In addition to the new convention site

– Embassy Suites, Newark – this year’schurch host has unveiled a few new features:

CCoonnvveennttiioonn DDaannccee aanndd FFrriiddaayy ‘‘aafftteerr--hhoouurrss’’ ssoocciiaall, 8:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m., withrefreshments and snacks. This will provideadditional social time for fellowship andcommunity, a common request from pre-vious attendees. Mr. Dana McDonald,morning DJ at Cool 101.3 FM, will playlow-volume music from the ’60s, ’70s, and’80s, as well as special requests. Cash barwill be offered.

BBaannaannaass FFoosstteerr && JJoo--ttoo--GGoo SSoocciiaall,Saturday, 3:15 p.m., following final BusinessSession. This will provide a quick momentat the end of convention for last minuteconversations, a chance to say goodbye tocolleagues and new friends, afternoondessert, and a cup of coffee for the road.Regroup, relax, and refresh!

Hotel Information . . .Even if you live nearby, don’t miss this

opportunity for fellowship and communi-ty as an overnight guest at the conventionsite hotel. For those who plan to stay at theEmbassy Suites on Friday evening, theroom charge will include a complimentaryhot breakfast on Saturday morning, as wellas a complimentary dr ink on Fridayevening. All guest rooms at the Embassyare suites and can provide up to three queenbeds (including one sleeper sofa) per suite.To receive the special group rate, plan tomake your room reservation early and letthe hotel know you are a part of the Epis-copal Diocese of Delaware Convention. Tomake your reservation, call 368-8000 nolater than January 10.

At Convention . . .We will be electing candidates for dioce-

san offices as well as General ConventionDeputies. There will be two business ses-sions, several forums, and special presen-tations. As always, a social will be on theagenda prior to the Friday evening banquet

Dover was an awesome location;why aren’t we still there?

We all loved the Dover location forconvention, but unfortunately the hoteland conference center was unexpectedlysold and we were left to find a similarvenue quickly. After searching through-out the state, the Embassy Suites inNewark was chosen because they couldaccommodate our needs in regard to sizeand service, provide affordable pricing,and be available for our convention dates.

and speaker. Several worship services will be offered:

Friday evening Vespers, Friday Compline,Saturday Morning Prayer, and Holy Eucharist on Saturday.

Since a complimentary hot breakfastwill be offered to overnight guests on Sat-urday morning, this year’s convention will provide for a lunch instead of a brunch.Dessert will be provided after the last busi-ness session.

Ministry and retail exhibits will com-plete the convention, to include a Steinwaypiano. Also, don’t forget the two new so-cials added to this year’s convention: Dance& After-Hours Social on Friday night andBananas Foster & Jo-to-Go Social on Saturday after Business Session.

Registration Information . . .Everyone is welcome to convention!

You do not need to be a part of a delega-tion to attend. This year will provide manyopportunities for community and fellow-ship as well as fun – don’t miss out!

Regis t rat ion informat ion wi l l be provided in the November issue of theConvention News eNewsletter, the Decem-ber issue of The Communion, the diocesanwebsite, and the Bishop’s weekly eNews -letter, The Net. If you need further infor-mation or would like to be on the email listfor the Convention News, please contactCynde Bimbi, Secretary of Convention,656-5441 ext. 106.

Convention Documents . . .The best place to view and complete all

convention documents and information ison the convention page of www.DioceseofDelaware.net (go to the Convention tab attop of homepage). These documents include the Resolution Form, Guide toWriting a Resolution, Certification of Del-egation, Call to Convention, ConventionJournal, Candidates to Diocesan Officesand General Convention, ConventionAgenda, Convention Registration, and alleditions of the Convention News. All convention forms are web-based and canbe completed and submitted online.

Best place to find conventioninformation . . .

www.DioceseofDelaware.net – Conven-tion tab at top of homepage

A New Vergerin RehobothBeachby Betty Fleming, All Saints’, Rehoboth Beach

n the September 1 Sunday bulletin ofAll Saints’ Church in Rehoboth Beach,a commissioning of a new ministry wasannounced as part of the service. RalphDaub officially became a “Verger.”

Vergers get their name from a staffthat is a symbol of the office, taken fromthe Latin “virga” meaning twig or rod. Inthe Anglican tradition, vergers assist in theordering of religious services.

Ralph now leads the opening serviceprocession of the deacon, Susan Phillips,and the rector, the Rev. Max Wolf, and associate rector, the Rev. Lara Shine Stroud,when both are present.

“My duties now include, among otherthings, the training of new Eucharistic min-isters who do the Bible readings and servethe chalice/wine in Communion, “saidRalph. “I also schedule them. If, for somereason, they can’t serve on a Sunday, I fillin.” This assists the clergy.

“We had vergers when I served in Penn-sylvania,” said Fr. Max. ”My wife Olly and Ifelt that Ralph would make a good verger.He’s a natural for the job.”

NOVEMBER 2013 | EPISCOPAL JOURNAL | DELAWARE COMMUNION C

S H E L T E R

R I T E L I V I N G — T H I N K I N G A B O U T S T E W A R D S H I P

Update to Self-Directed RetreatsConsidering taking advantage of the

retreats this winter/spring at MemorialHouse in Rehoboth Beach? Please notethat the opportunity in March is nowslated for March 17-20, and the April re-treat extends from April 14-17. Pleasecontact Kathy Moore at 656-5441, ext.105 to make reservations.

Downsizingand Upsizingby the Rev. Canon J. Fletcher Lowe, Jr., retired

Reprinted with permission of the ChurchPension Group. © 2013 Church PensionGroup. All rights reserved.

o move, as we recently did, from a2,700-square-foot home into a1,400-square-foot apartment atWestminster Canterbury (a “contin-uing care” community in Rich-

mond, VA), we had to downsize—big time!As a long-time collecting addict (neverthrow it away; you never know when itmight come in handy), I had some majorhoarding issues.

What about the 100+ “Do Not Disturb”signs I had acquired from hotels around theworld? And butterflies (my favorite of allResurrection symbols)—a few real onesmounted, plus 200 other butterfly facsimi-les in various shapes, sizes, and materials.And then there were the crèches—over fiftyof them from places I have traveled—whatto do with them? Yet all these “collectibles”were a minor space consideration comparedto our bulkier furniture and clothes andbooks and no telling what all else.

The experienced “transition” lady whoguided us in the move told my wife: “You’llonly want to take one-third of what you’vegot in the kitchen.” Pictures: “You will losehalf the wall and table space for them.” Andbooks: “What are you going to do with allthose books?” Saving only those I reallytreasured (and could not get from one ofthe three seminary libraries nearby), I gave

M I N I S T R Y O F T H E B A P T I Z E D

U P C OM I N G

Vendors wanted forthe 2013 ChristmasBazaar at CalvaryEpiscopal ChurchWhen: Saturday, Dec. 7, 9:00am to3:00pmDeadline: Applications submitted nolater than Nov. 15Contact: Laura Selwood atHobbesRN@verizon.net or 798-0906

Visit our website for the latest eventsinformation.

‘Tis the Season . . . For Holiday Craft Fairs and Bazaars!Visit our website to find links or call theparish offices for more information abouteach of these:November 1-2, St. James’ Bazaar,

SStt.. JJaammeess’’ MMiillll CCrreeeekk,, WWiillmmiinnggttoonnNovember 2, Holiday Bazaar, SSttss.. AAnnddrreeww

aanndd MMaatttthheeww,, WWiillmmiinnggttoonnNovember 9, 43rd Annual Craft Fair,

SStt.. DDaavviidd’’ss,, WWiillmmiinnggttoonnNovember 15, Holly Fair, CChhrriisstt CChhuurrcchh,,

DDoovveerrNovember 16, Trinity Parish Bazaar,

TTrriinniittyy,, WWiillmmiinnggttoonnChristmas Craft Fair, AAsscceennssiioonn,, CCllaayymmoonnttDecember 7, Christmas Bazaar, CCaallvvaarryy

HHiillllccrreesstt,, WWiillmmiinnggttoonnDecember 7, Green Show, CChhrriisstt CChhuurrcchh

CChhrriissttiiaannaa HHuunnddrreedd,, GGrreeeennvviilllleeDecember 7, Christmas Craft Fair, GGrraaccee

CChhuurrcchh,, WWiillmmiinnggttoonnDecember 7, Annual Christmas Bazaar,

SStt.. BBaarrnnaabbaass,, WWiillmmiinnggttoonn

NOVEMBER

3 Sunday, 4:00 p.m. JJaazzzz VVeessppeerrss aanndd EEvveenniinngg PPrraayyeerr wwiitthh FFaatthheerr JJoohhnn DD’’AAmmiiccoo TTrriioo,, IImmmmaannuueellHHiigghhllaannddss,, WWiillmmiinnggttoonn.. Details: Immanuel-Highlands.org.

10 Sunday – 11 MondayPPrroovviinnccee IIIIII AAnnttii--RRaacciissmm EEvveenntt,, MMaarrttiinnss--bbuurrgg,, WWVV.. Visit our website for details.

17 Sunday, 4:00 p.m.TThhee OOrrggaanniisstt EEnntteerrttaaiinnss,, aa ccoonncceerrtt bbyyGGeeoorrggee BBaayylleeyy,, IImmmmaannuueell HHiigghhllaannddss,,WWiillmmiinnggttoonn.. Details: Immanuel- Highlands.org.

23 SaturdayPPaarriisshh LLiiffee DDaayy,, SStt.. AAnnnnee’’ss SScchhooooll,, MMiidd--ddlleettoowwnn.. Visit our website for details.

DECEMBER

3 Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.IInncclluussiioonn TTrraaiinniinngg && RRaaccee RReellaattiioonnss DDiiss--ccuussssiioonn wwiitthh EErriicc LLaaww:: ““CCoonnttiinnuuiinngg oouurrttrraannssffoorrmmaattiioonn iinn tthhee EEppiissccooppaall DDiioocceessee ooffDDeellaawwaarree,,”” St. Thomas’s, Newark. Seefront page for details.

14 Saturday, 7:00 p.m.CChhrriissttmmaass CCoonncceerrtt:: ““AArroouunndd tthhee WWoorrllddiinn EEiigghhttyy CChhrriissttmmaasseess!!”” CCaallvvaarryy,, WWiillmmiinnggttoonn.. Featuring Opus One VocalArts performing music from around theworld. $15 adults, $10 seniors, $8 students– children under 6 free. Visit their websitefor more information.

UTO GrantHighlightby Sue Ann Backus, Diocesan UTO Coordinator

am pleased to be able to highlight someof the grants awarded by United ThankOffering (UTO) from time to time.Earlier this year, the Diocese of Alaskawas awarded a grant of $105,000.00 toSt. James the Fisherman on Kodiak

Island to renovate their rectory (which hasbeen empty for a few years as the parish hasnot had a full time priest for some time).Homelessness is a major problem on KodiakIsland. Named the “Talitha Cum!” project(Young Woman Rise!), the congregationwill renovate the rectory to provide twoapartments which will shelter two localfamilies who are presently homeless. Theproject not only provides housing but alsostrengthens existing ties with local agencies.

To learn more about UTO, visit www.UTOChange.org or contact Sue AnnBackus at sabackus@gmail.com

II

T

the remaining theological books to the localPresbyterian seminary library, which hasconnections with ninety-nine other semi-naries around the world. Our other down-sized books went to the “Friends of the Li-brary”—the fundraising organization ofthat local library.

Fortunately, most of the furniture, muchof which we inherited from our parents,found homes with our three children. Threepartial truckloads: to California and Ari-zona and North Carolina. How wonderfulit is to visit them and see those qualitypieces in good use! And then there were or-ganizations such as Goodwill and Habitatfor Humanity—willing and worthy recipi-ents of much of what remained.

You get the picture. But there has beenmore to this downsizing that just movinginto smaller quarters. As I went through thephysical move, I also became aware of anoth-er downsizing that was going on in my life.

I used to be one of the “go to” people inmy area—the result of having been the rec-tor of medium-sized congregations, havingdirected the Virginia Interfaith Center forPublic Policy, having led various commit-tees and organizations over the years. Forexample, social justice and liturgy havebeen two of my passions. In the state’s Gen-eral Assembly, I was known not only as“that priest in the plaid pants” but as a cred-ible advocate for “the least of Christ’s broth-ers and sisters.” During the transition daysinto the 1979 Prayer Book, I was chair ofthe diocesan Liturgical Commission, andmy parish served as a model for implemen-tation of the new language and liturgies.

That was then. Now is now. While I docontinue to be an active contributing boardmember for two non-profit social justiceadvocacy organizations, a new generationhas taken over with its own “go to” people.I have had to step back. I have had to down-

Among his duties, Ralph serves as amember of the Altar Guild and makes surethat the altar is in order for services. He alsoworks with the ushers, making suggestionswhere needed. Much of this Ralph has already been doing, along with handlingthe phones one or two days a week in theparish office.

Originally from Lebanon, PA, Ralph hasbeen in the Rehoboth Beach area for 36years. “I joined All Saints’ when Fr. Maxand Olly came,” he said.

For more information on vergers, lookonline at the Vergers’ Guild of the Episco-pal Church.

size myself—or at least my professional ego.I am aware, though, that important parts

of my life have not been downsized. TheLord has opened to me several doors of life-giving relationships and experiences. I’vegotten to see my California granddaughtersplay Lacrosse, my sport of choice. I’ve gainedmore quality time with my wife of fifty-fouryears. I’ve even tackled some of those “pro-jects on hold,” like converting slides intocomputer images and discovering some ofmy long-lost ancestors. Having downsized”from the day-to-day responsibilities of a rec-tor, I have been better able to “bloom whereI am planted,” which in turn has enabled meto pursue another passion: reclaiming theministry of all the Baptized in their dailylives, both locally and nationally.

Amidst all this, I keep reminding myselfof Jesus’ Easter call to his disciples to meet,not in Jerusalem or Jericho or Bethany, butin Galilee, the home base for most of them.My physical Galilee has changed; so has myprofessional Galilee. But, as with the disci-ples, the Risen Lord is present in my mostimportant Galilee—the spiritual Galileewhere I have found life-giving stability andstrength over the years. Christ is present toguide me through the physical and emo-tional changes in my new environment.Downsizing furniture and books and butter flies and coasters—that’s been accomplished. Downsizing my ego—that’sa work-in-progress. But with the RisenLord as my ever-present “transition” guide,all this downsizing begins to feel like some-thing else, something lighter and larger—an “upsizing.”

The continuing-care community men-tioned in this article is one of many such fa-cilities affiliated with the Episcopal Church.To find one, go to www.CPG.org/FinancialPlanning and then click on Retiree Hous-ing Locator.

D DELAWARE COMMUNION | EPISCOPAL JOURNAL | NOVEMBER 2013

E X P L O R I N G A C O M PA N I O N R E L A T I O N S H I P

Reflecting at the end of the trip, Sally, who is one of the first female deans in Latin Americaand who is responsible for the Diocese of Mexico’s youth ministries, said that the highlightfor her was getting to spend time with the young people at St. Anne’s and St. Andrew’s Epis-copal Schools. She expected to spend time with teachers and administrators, but getting thechance to spend time with the kids – having meals and, of course, playing volleyball – was athrill. During their tour of St. Andrew’s, Chaplain David DeSalvo took Sally and Fernandoto the gym where the volleyball team was practicing. “Sally told us that she played in highschool and college,” said DeSalvo. “She joined in, and she did not disappoint. Every servewas in, and our coach was happy to let her work out with his varsity team.” The atmosphereand energy at St. Andrew’s reminded Sally of her year studying at Oxford.

The members of the Companion Relationship Committee were very excited by the connection that Sally and Fernando made with Walt Lafontaine at Camp Arrowhead.Our Mexican visitors fell in love with camp, and they are already talking about meaningfulways that the Diocese of Mexico can participate actively in that ministry.

There was certainly lots of fun to be had during the visit. Fernando and Sally both experi-enced eating crabs for the first time in Leipsic, when they visited Sambos. “It was really funto see their two reactions to the experience,” said John Crossan. “I think that Fernando wasa little shocked and horrified, saying, ‘I don’t want to work this much for my food,’ whileSally was intrigued by the experience and really dove right in.”

Bishop Lee is a key connection that our two dioceses share. Sally and Fernando weremoved to visit his home parish of St. Matthew (now Sts. Andrew and Matthew) and tovisit his gravesite at Old Swedes Church.

The visit was full to the brim, leaving hosts and guests happily exhausted by the end. PadreFernando put it best during dinner on their final evening here: “This week we met way toomany people, saw too many faces, learned too many names, saw too many schools, toomany ministries, too many churches – and all of them were filled with too much love.”We’re all looking forward to the next date.

“What impressed me most,” said John Crossan (right), “was seeing how our diocesepulled together to welcome our guests. No one person or parish was responsible. Againand again we saw parishes coming together – it was really exciting. Like on the last nightwhen St. Peter’s, Lewes, and the parish of All Saints’ and St. George’s hosted Sally and Fer-nando for dinner at Memorial House in Rehoboth Beach, they also invited members ofthe neighboring parishes to be a part, making the experience richer for everyone. The re-ally exciting part will be how this plays out in how we live into this relationship. Perhapswe’ll experience our relationship less as individual parishes and more joined together.”John serves on the Companion Relation ship Committee, traveled with the Delaware delegation to Mexico, and served as one of their “tour guides” for this trip, which includeda visit to Saints Andrew and Matthew in downtown Wilmington (above).