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An edition of
Vol. 20 No. 12 THENEWSPAPEROFTHEEPISCOPALDIOCESEOFNORTHCAROLINA December 2009
By Paul NelsoN
Just45minuteseastofRaleigh,500peo-plegathereachSundaymorninginachurchwithopensides.Thecommonthreadinthiscommunityisitspresentorpastinvolve-ment infarmwork.Membersof thisLaSagradaFamiliaEpiscopalChurchincluderecentcitizens,migrantfarmfamiliesandmenfromnearbyfarmlaborcamps.Thischurch,withitssurroundingrecreationalfieldsandattachedheadquartersbuildingfor theEpiscopalFarmworkerMinistry(EFwM), is thespiritualandsocialcen-
terinthelivesofthesepeople.Heretheybaptizetheirbabies,watchtheirchildrenreceivefirstcommunionandtheirsonsanddaughtersmarry,celebratingtheimportanteventsintheirlivesatpicnicsanddinners.Here,theyalsofindassistancewiththelegalcomplexitiesoftheirlives.
ThisbeautifultestimonytoGod’slovehasarecenthistory.Duringthelate1970s,agroupofEpiscopalChurchWomenfromtheEasternandNorthCarolinadiocesescommittedthemselvestocollectingcloth-inganddeliveringittotheAmericanandHaitianmigrant farmworker families in
theNewtonGrovearea.Tomeetgrowingneedsforchildcareandeducationduringthe1980s,thegroup–underthesupportofBishopsSandersandFraser–becameaministryofthetwodioceses.AcoordinatorwashiredwhoworkedoutoftheTri-CountyHealthClinicfacilities,locatednexttothecurrentchurch.
Withtimethetwodiocesespurchasedadjacent land,andtheministrysetupamigrantHeadstarteducationalprogram.Astheprogramflourished,theneedforaspiritualministerbecameapparent.
DivineProvinceansweredthisneedinFatherTonyRojas,formerlyaCatholicpriestinColombia,butthenanewlyordainedEpiscopalministerinPuertoRico,whowasseekingaministryamongthemigrantfarmers.Hewashiredintheearly1990s.
FatherTonyis“thepersonifi-cationoftheloveofJesusChrist,”saysoneofthevolunteerswhoworkswiththeministry.Fr.TonyandhiswifeLucia,anunpaidvolunteer,laborfromsunrisetosunsetsevendaysaweektomeetthespiritualandtemporalneedsoftheirflock.HelpingtheminthisworkarethetirelessSilviaCendejas,AssistantDirector,andMariaAcosta,CommunicationsandImmigrationSpecialist.
TheEFwMisamultifacetedprogramproviding:coursesinfamilyplanningtoteens,English-as-a-second-languagetoover120
people,AA,youthandadulteducation;amigrantHeadstartprogram;transportationtoSundayworshipforthosewithoutacar;emergenymedicaltransportation;clothingandnecessities;assistancewithfilingoflegaldocumentforms;annualdistributionofChristmasgiftsandEasterbaskets toover800children;anadopt-a-camppro-gram;andayear-endFestivalinSeptem-bertofosterunityandsupportamongits4,000participants.
Thisprogramfindsitssupportamongnumerous volunteers from Episcopalc h u r c h e s bu t a l s o
I’maregularattheStarbucksnearourhouse.That’swhereIread,think,andhangout.ItsbecometheplacewhereIwriteandworkthroughsermonsandtalks. Itsbecomethispastor’sstudy. In the interest of fulldisclosure,Ialso like thecof-fee.BackinOctober,Starbucksbeganservingthe“Thanksgivingblend.”Butwhentheydid,theydidsoinChristmas(“holiday”)cups.Christmas,ofcourse,isasignificantpartofourculture.Ifyoudon’tbelieveme,justgotoamall.
Andyet,astrueasthatis,theGospelmessageattheheartofChristmasliesincontradictiontomuchthatisourculture,and,quite frankly, tomuch that ispartofeveryhumanculture.WhenMaryandJosephtooktheinfantJesustotheoldpriestSimeonforablessing,Simeonsaid,This child is destined for the falling and the ris-ing of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed. (Luke2:34)Thischildandthegoodnewshebears,ineffect,willbeasignofoppositionandcontradiction.ForthischildistheincarnationofGod,the
eternalwordofGodtranslatedintothelanguageoftime,andtheliv-ingembodimentofGod’sdreamforGod’sworld.AndGod’sdreamwillalways,alwaysstandincon-tradiction toanynightmaresofhumancreation.
AtthetrialofJesusasJohn’sGospeltellsit,JesusrespondstothearrogantquestioningoftheRoman
governorwiththewords:My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fight-ing to keep me from being handed over…..(John18:36)God’sdreamwillalwayslieincontradictiontoanynightmaresofourdevising.Andinthatcontradictionisourverysalvation.
EarlierthisyearIcameacrossanincred-ibleAdventpoembyDanielBerriganwhichsaysthisquitemovingly.
IT IS NOT TRUE that creation and the human family are doomed
to destruction and loss –This is true: For God so loved the world
that he gave his Continued on page D-3
The Episcopal Farmworker Ministry: A Mission in Our Backyard
The Rt. Rev. Michael B. Curry
Salvation is in the Contradiction
Continued on page D-6
Father Tony Rojas of the episcopal Farmworker Ministry conducts Holy eucharist in the open air la sagrada Familia episcopal Church in Newton Grove.
Bishops Visit Lambeth Palace
Bishops Curry, Gregg, and Marble Among Group to Visit Archbishop[EpiscopalNewsService,London]Describingthemselvesasrepresentingthe“broad
center”oftheEpiscopalChurch,sixbishopswerewelcomedOct.23asguestsofArchbishopofCanterburyRowanWilliamsathisLondonresidence,LambethPalace.
Forthefullarticle,turntoPage3oftheEpiscopalLife.
D-2 Toward a Missionary Diocese…Making Disciples, Making a Difference The North Carolina Disciple
AllSaints’EpiscopalChurchinConcord,NC,welcomedtwoBishopsfromTanzania,Africa,onafivedayvisitinNovember.TheRt.Rev.JohnDaudiLupaa,DioceseoftheRiftValley,andtheRt.Rev.JacobChime-ledya,DioceseofMpwapwa,cametotheUnitedStatesonaSharingofMinistriesAbroad(SOMA)missiontrip.
“IhadmetJohninSouthAfrica lastyear,sowhenIfoundouthewascomingtotheU.S.,I toldhimthathemuststopandvisitme,”said theRev.FredHoff-manofAllSaints’EpiscopalChurch.ThevisitingbishopspreachedatAllSaints’onSundayandheldadultandyouthforumswheretheycouldanswerquestionsabout
theirdioceses.OnMonday,HoffmanandtheBishops
metwiththeRt.Rev.MichaelB.Curry,whomadethemhonorarymembersoftheNorthCarolinaEpiscopalDiocese.“OneoftheblessingsofbeingapartoftheEpis-copalChurchisthatwearealsoapartoftheworldwideAnglicanCommunionofFaith,”saidBishopCurryashewelcomedthebishops.
TheAfricanBishops’visittotheUnitedStatesincludesstopsinVirginiaandPenn-sylvania,andtheywillreturntoAfricainonemonth’stime.
Formore informationaboutSOMA,pleasevisithttp://www.somausa.org/
Dear brothers and sisters in North Carolina:
I continue to give thanks for your com-mitment to mission, and for the faithful leadership and ministry of Bishop Curry.
I know that economic issues are chal-lenging you, as they are many others, across the United States and the world. Parish and diocesan budgets have been affected both by changed employment and unemployment realities, and even more so by the poor performance of investments in the last two years. The Episcopal Church as a whole is also suffering because of these economic challenges.
I understand from your bishop that the vast majority of your congregations have worked sacrificially to make sure that the work of the larger church goes forward, both through your individual congregations’ diocesan giving, and together through your 21% contribution to The Episcopal Church. Your generosity has greatly aided the mission work of the larger church in this country and around the world. Your ability to share what God has given you has helped to provide for Episcopal chaplains for our troops in Iraq,
salaries for priests in places like Mexico and Liberia, resettling refugees from war-torn places like Sudan, and the education of children in all parts of our Church. I am deeply grateful for your faithful support of so many ways in which the whole Church serves God’s people.
It would be easy in times of economic duress to play it safe, and to think only of our needs. Yet Jesus calls us to the risk of loving our neighbors, nearby and far away. In times of suffering we must work even harder to put the needs of others before our own, to be the Good Samari-tan, to remember that we are our brothers’ and sisters’ keeper, and that it is always “more blessed to give than to receive.”
When you gather together in your Dioc-esan Convention, I pray that you will con-tinue your partnership in God’s mission, both locally and throughout the world.
I give thanks for your creative leader-ship, your sustaining ministry, and your engagement on behalf of “the least of these” (Matthew 25). I remain
Your servant in Christ,Katharine Jefferts Schori
Vol 20, No. 12., usPs #177-940
episcopal life IssN 1050-0057 usPs# 177-940 is published monthly by the Domestic and Foreign Missionary society, Inc. 815 second ave, New york, Ny 10017. Periodical postage paid in New york, Ny and additional mailing offices. PosTMasTeR: send change of address to episcopal life, Po Box 2050 Voorhees NJ 08043-8000.
Bishop: The Rt. Rev. Michael B. Curryassistant Bishop: The Rt. Rev. William O. Greggassisting Bishop: The Rt. Rev. Alfred C. Marble Jr.
submissions are welcome.
Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina 200 West Morgan street, suite 300, Raleigh, NC 27601-1338tel. (919) 834-7474 or (800) 448-8775
send letters to the above address or to: FaX: (919) 834-7546
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ClergyChangesAroundtheDiocese
The Rev. Connie Connelly fromDioceseofConnecticut,toInterimAssistantRector,ChristChurch,Raleigh
The Rev. Robert CookfromInterimRector,St.Mary’s,HighPoint,toInterimRector,St.Andrew’s,Greensboro
The Rev. Diane B. CorlettfromRector,ChurchoftheNativity,Raleigh,toRetired
The Rev. Ann Burts fromDioceseofMary-land,toInterimRector,St.John’sEpiscopalChurch,WakeForest
The Rev. Roland Whitmire,Deceased
The Rev. Wendy Ward Billingslea,LettersDim.toDioceseofFlorida,ChristChurchSanPablo,Jacksonville,Fl.
The Rev. Erin S. Helnsley,LettersDim.ToDioceseofSouthwesternVirginia,St.John’sChurch,Roanoke,
The Rev. Elizabeth Shows Caffey,LettersDim.toDioceseofAtlanta
The Rev. Hal T. L. HayekfromRector,St.Anne’s,Winston-Salem,toDean,CathedraloftheIncarnation,DioceseofMaryland
The Rev. Himie Budu ShannonfromVicar,ChapelofChristtheKing,Charlotte,toRec-tor,St.Andrew’s,Cleveland,DioceseofOhio.
The Rev. Jerry FisherfromRetirement,toInterimRector,St.Anne’s,Winston-Salem
The Rev. David UmphlettfromDioceseofEastCarolina,toRector,St.Mary’s,HighPoint
The Rev. Christy E. LabordafromDioceseofNorthCarolina,toDioceseofElCaminoReal,California
The Rev. Dr. Bradford SmithfromDioceseofAtlanta,toRector,St.Paul’s,Monroe,Dio-ceseofNorthCarolina
The Rev. Ann Bonner-StewartfromDio-ceseofEastCarolina,toChaplain,St.Mary’sSchool,Raleigh
The Rev. Andie Wigodsky fromChaplain,St.Mary’sSchool,Raleigh,toNon-Parochial
The Rev. John RohrsfromAssistantRector,ChristChurch,Raleigh,toRector,St.Andrew’s,Norfolk,Virginia
The Rev. Amy Huacani (ELCA)InterimAssistanttoRector,St.John’s,Charlotte
The Rev. Darby EverhardfromDioceseofSouthernOhio,toAssociateRector,St.Paul’s,Winston-Salem
The Rev. Timothy E. KimbroughfromRec-tor,ChurchoftheHolyFamily,ChapelHill,toDeanoftheCathedral,ChristChurchCathe-dral,Nashville,Tennessee
The Rev. Steven C. RiceLettersDim.fromDioceseofGeorgia,toDioceseofNorthCarolina
The Rev. Jane Holmes,RegionalDeacon,SouthRegion
The Rev. Jose Martin JuarezfromDioceseofCalifornia,toVicar,IglesiaElBuenPas-tor,Durham
THe RT. ReV. alFReD C. MaRBle, JR. assIsTING BIsHoP, GReeNsBoRo
Ibeginthesereflectionswithsomedis-tressanddisappointmentthatourmayor,YvonneJohnson,wasnotre-electedmayorofGreensboroforasecondterm.YvonneisourfirstAfrican-Americanwomantoserveasmayor,andamemberofHolySpiritEpis-copalChurchinGreensboro.Shehasdoneanexcellentjobduringhertwoyearterm(tooshortinmyopinion).Only18%oftheregisteredvotersdid,infact,vote-whichispartofthereasonshewasbeatenbyheropponent,BillKnight,byabout900votes.Thenumberstome,indicateapathyonthepartofthepublic.Itwasapoorvotingturnout,andapoordemocraticwitnessandresults.
Bytheway,thefirstwhitefemaletoserveasmajorafewyearsagowasCarolynAllen,amemberofSt.Andrew’sEpiscopalChurchin
Greensboro.Carolynhasrecentlyservedasco-chairoftheTruthandReconciliationProjectwhichiniti-atedthefirstTruthandReconciliationCommissioninthisnation.BishopDes-mondTutuvisited
heretwiceoverthepastfouryearstomeetwithorganizersandparticipantsintheCom-mission.
SpeakingoftheTruthandReconcilia-tionCommission,thefirstweekinNovem-bermarksthe30thanniversaryoftheNov.3,1979killingswhichtookplacehereinGreensboroandledtotheformationoftheTruthCommission.Fivepersonswerekilledandtenseriouslyinjured.TheCommis-sion’sreportplaces
Reflection on Events in Greensboro also Significant for North Carolina and the US
Bishop “Chip” Marble
African Bishops Visit North Carolina
A Letter From The Most Reverend Katharine Jefferts Schori to The
Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina
From left: The Rt. Rev. Michael B. Curry, the Rt. Rev. Jacob Chimeledya, the Rt. Rev. John Daudi lupaa, and the Rev. Fred Hoffman.
Continued on page D-3
December 2009 Toward a Missionary Diocese…Making Disciples, Making a Difference D-3
By lIsa H. ToWle
OnNovember6and7,some100womenfromacrossthediocesegath-
eredattheChurchoftheGoodShepherdinRaleighforahappeningthatcombinedthebusiness,fellowshipanddevotionalaspectsoftheannualmeetingsoftheEpiscopalChurchWomenwithapurposefulfocusoneducationandChristiansocialministrythatcomeswithatriennialeventoftheECW,theHarris-EvansConference.
“GiveUsThisDayOurDailyBread:FightingHungerinOurOwnBackyard”wasthethemefortheconferenceand127thannualmeeting,designedtonourishthebodies,mindsandsoulsofattendeessotheyfeltbetterequippedtohelpfeedpeopleintheircommunities.
Hungeriscertainlynotanewproblem.It’swellknownthathungerisaconditionofpoverty,andstatisticsshowthatstatessuchasNorthCarolina,withwidegapsbetweenrichandpoor,tendtohavehigherhungerrates.However,astheeconomyhasdeterioratedthenumberofpeoplewhodonotatalltimeshaveaccesstoenoughfoodforanactive,healthylife–the“foodinsecure”–isgrowinginsizeandscope.Theproblemisintergenerational,itcutsacrossallracialandethnicboundaries,andit’sreachingintotheranksofthoseonceconsideredmiddle-class.
BothBishopMichaelB.Curry,whopreachedattheEucharistonNovember6,andthekeynotespeakeronNovember7,theRev.JillStatonBullard,foundingdirec-toroftheInter-FaithFoodShuttle,laudedthosepresentfortheirwillingnesstostepoutinfaithandtoactonprob-
lemsinnewways.Donotbediscouragedbythesizeof thechallenge,
counseledBishopCurry. Instead,hesaid,“WecannotanswerGod’scalltousunlesswearewillingtostepintoGod’splan,”andalwaysremember“theEpiscopalChurchWomenhaveoftengoneoutaheadof therestofus toreachoutandtouchthoseuntouchablebysociety,toliftupthosebroughtdownbysocialconditionsand lifecircumstances.”
Inheraddress,deaconBullardnoted,“Inthewell-knownstoryofthefeedingofthe5,000,itwasn’treallyfeedingof5,000peopleatone time. Instead, itwasfeedingthese10hereandthose20there.WhatIamsayingis,youdowhatever’sinfrontofyou.Youdowhatyoucan,youkeepmovingalong.AndyourememberyouaretheconduitthroughwhichGodisworking.”
“Iamheretotestifythatitcanbedone,andonceyougivefoodtosomeoneyouaremostjoyfullyfed,”sheadded.
TheeventwashostedbytheECWoftheRaleighConvo-cation.RepresentativesfromGoodShepherd,ChristChurch,St.Ambrose,St.John’sandSt.Michael’sansweredthecall
tobeapartoftheplanningcommittee,andsohelpedtoimplementthethemeasputforwardbythediocesanECWboard.Everypartofthetwodayswasdesignedtofitintoeachother:aMorningPrayerservicethatfeaturedasta-tionsofthecrossforhungerandutilizedAnglicanrosarybeadsfoundinthegiftbagsgiventoeachparticipant;fourworkshopsrangingfromcommunitygardeningforparishes
toestablishingafoodpantry;acollectionofnon-perishableitemsfortheBackPackBuddiespro-gramforschoolchildrenandtheShepherd’sTablesoupkitchen;andtheofferingcollecteddur-ingEucharist,designated fortheFoodBankofCentralandEasternNorthCarolina.
Finally,tenspeciallydesigned“DailyBread”cardsweredis-tributedthroughoutthetwo-dayperiod.Inspiredbythe“Amaz-ingGrace”cardsofferedatlastsummer’snationalECWTrien-nialMeetingatGeneralConven-tion,the“DailyBread”collectionwasmeanttobeaportableand
constantsourceof inspirationandinformation.Amongthosequoted,theMostReverendDesmondTutu:“Whenpeoplearehungry,Jesusdidn’tsay,‘Nowisthatpolitical,orsocial?’Hesaid,‘Ifeedyou.’Becausethegoodnewstoahungrypersonisbread.”
By lyNN Hoke
DuringthebanquetfestivitiesattherecentECWAnnualMeeting,BishopCurryandLynnHoke,boardmemberoftheEpiscopalWomen’sHistoryProject,surprisedLisaTowlewithnewsthatshewillreceivenationalrecognitionthroughtheEWHP’sannualAllSaintsAppeal.Withoutherknowledge(whichtooksomedoing),HokebegancontactingTowle’sfriendsatGoodShepherdandaroundtheDiocesetosuggestdonationsinherhonor.Now,withthesurpriseasuccess,thewordcanspread.
Asshestepsdownaftercompletinghersecondthree-yearasDiocesanECWPresident,Towleleavesalastinglegacy.SheinitiatedECWprojectsthatsimul-taneouslyspoke to theorganization’spastandpresent, suchasdevelopingthefirst-everwebsiteande-mailsystemandformalizingafundedarchivesandhistoryprogram.Towleisamemberofthediocese’sMillenniumDevelopmentGoalsCommitteeandtheNorthCarolina-BotswanaCompanionDioceseLinkCom-mittee.Sheisanaward-winningjournal-ist,writerandeditor.BeforereturningtohernativeNorthCarolinaandlaunchingacommunicationsbusinesswithhercomputer-engineerhusband,Karl,sheworkedfor20yearsasacorrespondentforTimemagazine.Inthatjobshehadtheopportunity to intervieweveryonefromMotherTeresatoKermittheFrog.LisaandKarlnowliveinCary,andhavethreegrowndaughters.Theyaremembers
ofTheChurchoftheGoodShepherdindowntownRaleigh,hostparishfortheECWAnnualMeeting.
Alongwiththisyear’sotherAllSaintsAppealhonorees,Towle’snameandabriefdescriptionofhercontributionsattheparish,diocesanandnationallevelswillbepublishedinthequarterlynews-letterof theEpiscopalWomen’sHis-toryProject.Alldonationshelpsupport
EWHPin itsworkcarriedonthroughconferences,researchscholarships,grantsandspecialprograms.Thisnationalnet-workwasorganizedin1980topreserve,publishandcelebratetherich,butoftenoverlookedhistory,ofwomenactiveinchurchworkinthiscountryandaroundtheglobe.Tax-deductibledonationsdes-ignated“InHonorofLisaTowle”maybemadeto“TheEpiscopalWomen’sHistoryProject”andmailedtoTheRev.BarbaraSchlachter,7GlenviewKnollNE,IowaCity,IA52240
ECW Recognizes Lisa Towle
Most Joyfully Fed
Bishop Curry and lisa Towle
eCW Members gather to learn more about the Backpack Buddies program.
By lIsa H. ToWle
Everythreeyears,asthetimefortheEpiscopalChurch’sGeneralConventionapproaches, theNationalECWinviteseverydiocesetoselectawomanwhohas,inwordanddeed,beenanexemplaryleader.Thisyear,NorthCarolina’sDiocesanECWchoseScottEvansHughesasitsHonoredWoman,andsoshewasrecognizedduringaspecialceremonyatthetriennial,nationalgatheringoftheEpiscopalChurchWomeninAnaheimlastJuly.
LisaTowle,presidentof theECWoftheDioceseofNorthCarolina,acceptedtheawardonbehalfofScott,whocouldnotmakeittoCalifornia.InNovember,attheannualmeetingoftheECW,theawardwaspresentedtoitsrightfulowner,whowasaccompaniedbyherhusband,JackHughes,
anddaughter,ScottieChastain.ItwasScottEvansHughes,amemberof
St.Stephen’sChurchinDurham,whoputtheEvansintheHarris-EvansConference.Sheservedaspresidentof theDiocesanECWfrom1976-1979.Duringher termsheencouragedtheactivesupportthenewfemalepriestsandsheaddressedissuesofworkingwomen.In1982,ECWpresidentMaryHarrisofChapelHillurgedgreateracceptanceofwomenasequalpartnersinthemissionandministryof theChurch.TheHarris-EvansConference,anendowed
triennialevent,wasnamedtohonorthecommitmentofthesewomentoaddressing issuesofoutreachanddiscriminationofalltypes.
Scottwouldtoontoholdavarietyofofficesatthediocesan,provincialandnationallevelsoftheChurch.Insomecases,nowomanormemberofthelaityhadheldthesepositions.Allthewhile,sheservedherhomeparishaseverythingfromSeniorWardenofthevestrytoaltarguildchairtoSundaySchoolteacher.Inadditiontowomen’sministry,shehasaspecialpassionforissuesrelatedtotheenvironmentandsustainabledevelopment.
Hershasbeenalifelivedinser-vicetotheChurch.Asshesaidinaspeechgiveninthediocesein1984,“ItmattersnothowweserveourLord,
butthatwerespondtoHisteachingtoloveothersasHelovesusasweloveHim,byservingHim,usingthosegiftshehasgivenus.Letusalwaysbeawarethatourworks,whatevertheyare,areforsomebodyandnotsomething—thattheyareourexpres-sionofourloveforChrist.”
scott evan Hughes, center, with husband, Jack Hughes, and daughter, scottie Chastain.
An Honored Woman
D-4 Toward a Missionary Diocese…Making Disciples, Making a Difference The North Carolina Disciple
By BeTH CRoW
December 4-6 20th Anniversary Bishops’ Ball
BythetimetoreceivethisissueoftheDiscipleourguestsfromBotswanawillbevisitingaroundthedio-cese,endingtheirvisitasguestsatBishops’Ball.Inlastmonth’sDisciplealistofitemsforoneofthedaycarecentersinBotswanawasprinted.AcopyofthislistcanbefoundontheyouthwebsiteunderBishops’Ballflyer.Itisnottoolateforyoutocontribute.Wewillneed9suitcasesdonatedtopackagedonateditems.
February 26-28 Diocesan Youth Outreach Weekend
TheCharteredCommitteeonYouthinviteshighschoolstudentstoparticipateinthefirstDiocesanOutreachWeekendonFebruary26-28atCedarGroveRetreatinKannapolis.
Thisevent,whichwilltakeplaceinlieuoftheWinterSeniors’Conference,willallowtheDiocesanYouthMin-istriestobecomemoremissionfocused,whilerespond-ingtofinancialconcerns.
Charlotteareayouthleaders,whohavesuccessfullyorganizedEOC(EpiscopalOutreachCamp)formorethen10years,willcoordinatethisevent.PamHatley,theSouthRegionYouthMissioner,hasbeenwork-ingwiththeyouthleadersintheSouthRegionsincelastspringastheydesignandleadthisnewDiocesan
Youtheventthatwillfeaturelocaloutreachprojects.TheNorthwestRegionwillhost the2011DiocesanOutreachWeekend.
Costtoparticipateis$60.Scholarshipmoneyisavail-ableforuptotwo-thirdsofthecost;formscanbedown-loadedfromtheyouthwebsiteatwww.episdioncyouth.org.
OnlineregistrationwillbeginonDecember14.ContactPamHatley,[email protected],withquestionsorformoreinformation.
March 19-21, 2010 Happening #54
RegistrationforteamopensNovember17thRegistrationforCandidatesbeginswillbeonline
January18th
Freedom Ride 2010 Applicationscanbedownloadedatwww.episdionc.org/
youthAllapplicationsmustbemailedinbyFebruary15th.
June 27-July 1st, 2010 PYE Mission/Service Trip in the Smokey Mountains
ThisisanopportunityforhighschoolyouthtohelprepairtrailsandotherfacilitieswithinSmokyNationalParkwhilelearningabouttheenvironmentandwildlife.MoreinformationwillbepostedontheyouthwebsiteafterBishops’Ball.
From Our Youth Missioner: Upcoming Youth Events
During the weekendofNovember13-15,over90youthandadultsspentaweekendatHawRiverStateParkexploringfaith,participating in creativeworship,andotheryouth-ledactivitiesattheHappening#53.Happening53’sCoor-dinatorwasDuanaCisney,RegionalYouthResourceMis-sioner.TheRectorwasJimmyPalanicaand theObservingRectorwasCatharineKap-pauf.Thisyear’sHappeningcollectionof$207.20isbeingdonatedto30HoursofFamine,www.30hourfamine.org.
only begotten Son,that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have
everlasting life.
It is not true that we must accept inhumanity and discrimination, hunger and poverty, death and destruction –
This is true: I have come that they may have life, and that abundantly.
It is not true that violence and hatred should have the last word,
and that war and destruction rule forever –This is true: For unto us a child is born, and unto us a
Son is given,and the government shall be upon his shoulder,And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, the Everlasting,the Prince of Peace.
It is not true that we are simply victims of the powers of evil who seek to rule the world –
This is true: To me is given authority in heaven and on earth,and lo, I am with you, even unto the end of the world.
It is not true that we have to wait for those who are specially gifted,
who are the prophets of the church, before we can be peacemakers.
This is true: I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,and your sons and daughters shall prophesy,your young shall see visions,and your old shall have dreams.
It is not true that our hopes for the liberation of humanity, for justice, human dignity, and peace
are not meant for this earth and for this history –This is true: The hour comes, and it is now, that true wor-
shipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth.
So let us enter Advent in hope, even hope against hope.Let us see visions of love and peace and justice.
Let us affirm with humility, with joy, with faith, with courage: Jesus Christ – the Life of the world.*
(Testimony: The Word Made Flesh, byDanielBerrigan)
AblessedAdventandChristmas!+Michael
*TheScripturereferencesintheportionsofthepoemthatbegin,“Thisistrue”arefromJohn3:16,John10:10,Isaiah9:6,Matthew28:18-20,Joel2:28(andActs2:17),andJohn4:23.
BiShop CUrry continued from page D-1
responsibilityonseveralpartiesincludingtheabsenceofpoliceatthescenewithfullknowledgeandinformationabouttheevent.Severalnewsandcameracrewsfilmedtheevent.Thekeynotersforthisweek’seventisAmbassadorJamesJoseph,U.S.AmbassadortoSouthAfricaduringtheClintonAdministration.Iwillserveonapanelrespond-ingtotheAmbassador’sremarksfocusingonTruthandReconciliationCommission.
InFebruary,GreensborowilldedicatetheCivilRightsMuseum,whichcommemoratestheoccasionwhenfourstudentsfromA&Tstagedasit-inatWoolworth’s,whichinturnspreadacrosstheSouthandthecountry–asignificanteventintheCivilRightsmovement.PresidentObamahasbeeninvitedandwehopehewillcomeforthededication.
Finally,ouryouth,underBethCrow’sleadership, isplanningaFreedomTourwithagroupofyouthandadultsnextsummer.TherouteincludesGreensboro,andthestopsherewilloccurattheCivilRightsMuseum,withleadersoftheTruthandReconciliationCommissionand,hopefullywithYvonneJohnson,thefirstfemaleAfricanAmericanmayorofGreensboro!
SoevenasIexpressmydisappointmentthatYvonneJohnsonwasnotre-elected,Ilookpositivelytowardsthefutureaswecommemorateimportanteventsfromthepast,liketheWoolworth’ssit-in,andwebeginnewevents,liketheupcomingFreedomride.
refleCtioNS continued from page D-2
Nicole Powell and kendall Williams participate in a Happening activity.
(center right) a group from Rocky Mount’s Good shepherd joined this year’s event.
(bottom right) Jimmy Palanica, Duana Cisney, and katharine kappauf worked to make this the 53rd Happening a success.
Happening #53Happening #53
December 2009 Toward a Missionary Diocese…Making Disciples, Making a Difference D-5
By saRaH HeRR CoMMuNICaTIoNs CooRDINaToR
TherewasnaryanunoccupiedseattobefoundattheChurchoftheNativityinRaleighonAllSaints’Day,asthecongrega-tionturnedouttogivethanksandrejoiceinthewonderfulministryofTheRev.DianeB.Corlett,whohasretiredfromherroleasrectorafter17years.
DuringCorlett’stimeattheChurchoftheNativity,shehelpedgivemeaningtothefondlycoinedphrase“ChurchoftheActivity,”saysSeniorWardenChuckTill.“DianeisenergeticwithacapitalE,sheisinclusive,andsheisdisciple-oriented.Sheis involvedinsocialactivismissuesandshehelpedthecongregationbecomemoresociallyawareandactivewithvariousgroups,”saidTill,includingPeopleofFaithAgainsttheDeathPenalty,anecumenicalgroupCorlettworkedcloselywith.
Inadditiontosocialactivism,TillsaysCorletthelpedpavethewaythroughhugegrowthandexpansionatChurchof theNativity.“WhenDianearrivedin1992,ourcongregationwasapproximately300people.Wenowhave800members.”Thechurch’schallengewasagoodonetohave–howtohousethisgrowingcongregation?Anewworshipspacewasconstructedin2001,andasuccessfulcapitalcampaignrecentlyraisedenoughfundsforaneweducationfacilitythatshouldbreakgroundnextyear.
Aftersufferingaseverestrokelastyear,Corletthasmadearemarkablerecovery.Alongwiththatjourneycameherdecisiontoretireasrector.ThecelebrationandreceptioninherhonorfeaturedNorthCarolinaSym-phonymusiciansinadditiontoDr.JimGood,organist,andNativity’sownmusicians,anapttributetothemusically-inclinedCorlett.“Thiswasasadeventformanypeople,”saidTill.“Shehasbeenourfaithfulpastorfor17years.Andforsome,shehasbeentheonly
rectortheyhaveeverhad.Atthesametime,manyparishionersrecognizedthenecessitybehindherdecisiontoretire.”
Areceptionfollowedtheservice,andalargelineformedofthosewhowantedtopersonallyspeaktoCorlett.AmongthemwasTheRev.TallyBandy,whohadthistosayabouttheevent:“AllSaints’Day–whataperfectdaytohonorDiane.Notonlyissheapriestforever,nowwithherwalkingsticksheisashepherdess on the green.Shemaybesomewhatphysicallybroken,butspirituallyshe issolidasarock.Asheart-hurtingasSunday’stributetoherwas,Itookheartinherhumor,hercourage,herkeenmindandinherunwav-eringbeliefinGod.ShestillhasmuchtogiveandIlovethelady.”
InalettertothepeopleofChurchoftheNativity,Corlettexpressedhowmuchjoyshefeltwhileatthechurchandhownewleadershipcanbringfreshvision.“IdonotknowwhatfurtherworkGodispreparingforme,”writesCorlett,“butIpraythatIwillseethisnewpathclearlyandhavecouragetowalkitfearlesslywithmywholestrength.Iwillcontinuetoprayforyouthatyouwilldothesame.”
Church of the Nativity Celebrates the Ministry of
The Rev. Diane Corlett
Iglesia El Buen Pastor inDurhamwelcomedPadre Martin Juarez asthenewvicarofthemissiononOctober18.St. Mark’s, Huntersville isofferingaconversational Spanish classforAnglo-swhoaremembersofareachurchesplan-ningongoingtomissiontripsinSpanishspeakingcountries.St. Paul’s, Winston-SalemisofferingESL classes(beginnerandintermediate)foradultstwotimesaweek,aswellasaKid’s Cafe,aprogramthatprovidesamealandhomeworkhelp/tutoringinpartnershipwiththeSecondHarvestFoodBankofNorthwestNC.TheEpiscopal Farmworker’s Ministry inNewton Grove ministersto approximately7000personsperyear,andEucharistonSundayshaveanattendanceofbetween400and800individuals.The Rev. Fred ClarksonisplanningaPosada.aMexicanadventcelebrationregardinghospitality,forthetownofCooleemeeinDecember.
Holy Comforter, Charlottecelebratedtheirfirst misa inSpanishwithBishop Hector Monterroso of Costa Rica. TheparishisnowintheirfifthyearofofferingESL classes taught by parishioners;theyofferpreschool classes for low income Latino children;andtheyareofferingafour week adult education series called “Embracing God’s Call to Hospitality.
The 2009 NC Latin American Fes-tival willbeheldNovember 2-22, 2009.Visithttp:/latinfilmfestivalnc.com/forprogramsandvenues.
What is happening in your parish regarding ministry with Latinos?Con-tactHugoOlaizatmylucero@earthlink.netorEvelynMoralesatevermor11@aol.comwithnewsandupdates.
VisittheCharteredCommitteeonHis-panicMinistry’snewwebsiteatwww.hospitalidadnc.org.
The Saint Augustine’s College Commu-nity Development Corporation received a $765,827 Community Economic Develop-ment grant from the federal Department of Health and Human Services Office of Community Services. The money will be used to create the Raleigh Workforce Investment project.
The goal of the Raleigh Workforce Investment project is to stimulate eco-nomic development in the city of Raleigh through three objectives: providing career development and entry level jobs for low-income individuals; helping individuals build financial self-sufficiency by training
them in a field with the potential for skill and career growth; and reversing com-munity deterioration by weatherizing and rehabilitating residential property and expanding businesses and employment opportunities in the community.
Two sources of money will support the Raleigh Workforce Investment project. The money from the federal grant will be used to train people to weatherize and improve the energy efficiency of homes in Southeast Raleigh and the surrounding areas. The city of Raleigh will provide $500,000 for a revolving loan fund to assist residents in paying for the weatherization itself.
Saint Augustine’s Col lege President Dianne Boardley Suber was chosen by a panel of her peers to receive the Dr. Effie H. Jones Humanitarian Award from the American Association of School Administrators (AASA).
The award honors a commitment to diver-sifying the field of education with high quality leaders and to ensuring the best education for all students, especially those who are poor or minority.
Suber is Saint Augustine’s College’s first female president. This year marks her 10th year leading the institution.
Effie H. Jones was a school admin-istrator, teacher, counselor, organizer of the Office of Minority Affairs at AASA and a champion of women and minorities in educational leadership. Throughout her career, Jones was devoted to equity and opportunity in education and to closing the gap between the children who have
and the ones who don’t by increasing the numbers of women and minority school leaders.
Suber has a collection of turtles. It was Jones who gave Suber her first turtle. Jones said to Suber, “If ever any-one is a risk taker, it is you.” Suber said she carries Jones with her always and wears the turtle often as a reminder of that assessment.
“I like to believe that I really understand the real meaning of advocacy and that God gave me the talents and the per-sonality to be a real advocate and that my charges are children – 6 months, 26 years old. It doesn’t matter,” Suber said. “I am supposed to leave it better than I found it and in order to do that I must be able and willing to ‘stick my head out and put my tail on the line.’”
The Dr. Effie H. Jones Humanitarian Award will be presented Feb. 12, 2010, during the National Conference on Edu-cation in Pheonix, Ariz.
Visit www.st-aug.edu for more infor-mation.
RALEIGH,N.C.–TheRev.AnnBon-ner-Stewart is thenewchaplainatSaintMary’sSchoolinRaleigh,effectivewiththe2009-2010schoolyear.
Originally fromRockHill,S.C., theRev.Bonner-StewartcomestoSaintMary’sfromSaintPaul’sEpiscopalChurch inGreenville,N.C.,whereshehasservedasassociaterectorsince2006.Shegraduatedcum laude in2001 withanA.B.degreeineconomicsfromDukeUniversityand,shegraduatedsumma cum laudein2006withaMasterofDivinityfromYaleDivinitySchool.Ms.Bonner-Stewarthasstudiedabroad inChinaandParis; taughtat atheologicalcollegeinKenya;internedinBoston,DallasandBridgeport;hasserved
as a chapel ministerat Berkeley DivinitySchool atYale; andorganizedmissiontripsthroughouthercareer.She liveson theSaintMary’s campus withherhusband,Jeff,and
theirinfantdaughter,Claire.
Founded in 1842, Saint Mary’s School is an independent, Episcopal, college-prepa-ratory, boarding and day school historically affiliated with the five dioceses of North and South Carolina, with a representative from each diocese serving on the school’s board of trustees.
Saint Mary’s School Names New Chaplain
The Rev. Diane Corlett with Bishop Robert C. Johnson, Jr.
Ministerio Latino around the Diocese
Saint Augustine’s College News
CDC receives $765,000 economic development grant
president to receive National humanitarian Award
Dianne Boardley suber
ann Bonner-stewart
D-6 Toward a Missionary Diocese…Making Disciples, Making a Difference The North Carolina Disciple
All Saints in Greensboro, 50th Anniversary
By THe ReV. WaRReN PITTMaN
Asingle-SundaycelebrationwasnotenoughforthepeopleofAllSaintsChurchinGreensborothisfallastheypassedthemilestoneof their50thanni-versary. Instead, asevenweek“Seasonof Jubilation”washeld that spannedtheSundaysbetweenSeptember20, theactual anniversaryofthefirstservicein1959,andAllSaintsDay,November1.
TheSeasonbeganwith a service ofMorningPrayer,fol-lowing thePrayerBookRitethatwasused in1959, andHolyEucharistfromthecurrentBookofCommon Prayer.B i s h o p M a r b l eaddedhispresenceandblessingtothecelebration,andtothereceptionthatfollowed,honoringthechurch’sfoundingmembersandtheirfamilies.
Someadditionalhighlightsincluded:TrawinMalone,NorthwestRegionalPriest, joinedin thecelebrationaspreacheroneSunday;BishopCurrypresidedandpreached,baptizedandconfirmedonaspecialJubilationVisitation;FeastDayswereobserved-FrancisofAssisi(October4),PhiliptheDeacon(October11),andSaintLuke(October18);anda“CelebrationofSustainability”washeldforthenearlycompletedParishHall,whichincorporatedsustainablearchitectureandconstructionintothedesign.
TheSeasonwascompletedwithAllSaintsDay,atwhichthecustomaryremembranceof“all thesaints,whofromtheirlaborsrest”wascoupledwitharededica-tionbyAlltheSaintsgatheredinworshiptocontinueinbeingthechurchthatGodplantedinsouthGreensboro50yearsago.
Area Churches Celebrate Milestones of Ministry
fromBaptist,Lutheran,Presbyterian,Quakerand Jewishchurchesand tem-ples.ThePresbyterianChurchrecentlyassigned Rev. Doug Barney to work
withourministryat theEFwMcenter.St.Michael’shasbeeninvolvedwiththeministryfromthebeginning.Wehavehadasrecentlyasthispastyear,twomembersontheboardofdirectors.Throughoutreach,
EveninginParish,GiftsofGrace,andEFWwehavefinanciallyandmateriallysupportedthetotalpro-gram;groupshaveparticipatedinmissionweekends,packagingcloth-ingandvisitingcamps;ouryouthconstructedavolleyballcourtatthecenter,andwehaveadoptedlaborcampsover thepast fouryears,enrichingthelivesofover100men.
Formore information aboutEpiscopalFarmworkerMinistryandhowyoucanhelp,visitwww.efwm.org.
Reprinted from the Chronicles of Canterbury Newsletter, May 2009
By DaVID JoyNeR, PaRIsH HIsToRIaN
ThehistoryoftheChurchoftheAscensionatForkspansnearlythewholeofthetwentiethcentury.Throughoutthepastcentury,despiteobstaclesanditsruralenvironment,acommu-nityoffaithhascontinuedtoflourishandtheChurchoftheAscensionhasbecomeahallmarkoftheForkcommunity.
Thechurchhaditsbeginningwiththebaptis-malserviceofMrs.G.Sanford(CoraThomp-son)Kimmer.TheReverendThomasLeeTrottbaptizedMrs.KimmeronOctober30,1904,andinallprobabilitythebaptismtookplaceinthehalloftheCooleemeePlantation.Throughout1906therecontinuedtobeprivateservicesattheCooleemeePlantation.Thefirstpubliccel-ebrationoftheHolyEucharistwasheldatthehistoricMethodistEpiscopalChurch,SouthatFultononTrin-itySunday,June10,1906.TheReverendE.A.Osbornepresidedattheservice.
OnJune18,1906,Mr.MiltonFosterandhiswife,JuliaA.FosterdeededoneacreoflandtotheProtestantEpisco-palDioceseofNorthCarolina.Thedeed,for$50,soldthelandonthewestsideofapublicroadleadingfromForkChurchtoBixby.TheideaforbuildingtheChurchoftheAscensioncamefromBishopCheshire,MissAgnesHair-stonandMissRuthHairston(bothofCooleemeePlanta-
tion).ThelumberforthechurchcamefromtheCooleemeePlanta-tionandtheparishio-nersbuilttheparish.
On October 15,1909TheRightRev-erendJosephBlountCheshire, Bishopof North Carolina,c o n s e c r a t e d t h eAscensionChapelatForkChurch,DavieCounty.OnOctober18,2009TheRightReverend MichaelB.Curry,Bishopof
NorthCarolina,ledacelebrationofour100yearsofmin-istryinDavieCountyandconfirmedanewmemberofourparish.Friendsjoinedourparishionersforacovereddishluncheonfollowingtheservice.
TheChurchof theAscensionisaparish that trulybelievesthatishasbeencalledintoGod’sserviceandthepeopleoftheparishhavealwaysresponded.TheChurchoftheAscensionhasalwaysansweredGod’scallwithoutbeingconcernedaboutitssizeorlocation.Throughoutourhistorywehavepulledtogetherasaparishfamilyandmettheneedsofourcommunity.
Bishop Marble and the Rev. Warren Pittman, all saints, at september 20th service.
Togo D. West, Jr. - of Washington, D.C.;saturday’s Banquet keynote speaker; former secretary of the army and secretary of Veteran’s affairs, who spent his formative years at st. stephen’s and whose mother was church musician, with shirley T. sadler - Chair of the st stephen’s Centen-nial Celebration Committee, and Bishop Curry.
Recently, Bishop Curry, Diocesan staff, and area clergy were invited to learn more about the episcopal Farmworker Ministry. Pictured, from left, are Maria acosta, Communications and Immigration specialist; silvia Cendejas, assistant Director; Bishop Curry, and The Rev. antonio Rojas, Director of eFWM.
Father Tony Rojas has bonded with migrant farmworkers and their families, from the smallest to the oldest.
efW continued from page D-1
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 100 Years
St.Stephen’sEpiscopalChurchinWinston-Salemwasfoundedin1909,throughtheeffortsofadedicatedandfaithfulgroup.ThefirstchurchbuildingwaslocatedonthecampusofSlaterIndustrialandNormalSchool,whichwouldlaterbecomeWinston-SalemStateUniversity.In1926thechurchmovedtomakewayfortheburgeoningUniversity,andhasbeenastapleinEastWinstoneversince.Sinceitshumbleinception,St.Stephen’shasgonethroughmanyseasonsofchange.Fromitsfirstpriest-in-charge,Rev.J.K.Satterwhite,toourcurrentpriestin-charge,Rev.Dr.HectorSintim,St.Stephen’shascul-tivatedalushandthrivinggardenonhardworkinthecommunity,fellowshipwithinourfamilyandwithourneighbors,andcharitythoseinneed.
The Episcopal Church of the Ascension at Fork, 100 Years
December 2009 Toward a Missionary Diocese…Making Disciples, Making a Difference D-7
Reformation Day Observed at Holy Comforter, Burlington
Costa Rica: The Good Work Continues
By WHITT selleRs youTH MeMBeR, Holy CoMFoRTeR
OnSunday,October252009,TheChurchoftheHolyComforterinBurlingtonhadafirsttimeexperience.TheycelebratedRef-ormationSunday.LutheranPastorAssoci-ate,theRev.RobertWalker,ledtheserviceaftertheRector,theRev.DavidR.Williams,obtainedpermissionfromBishopCurry.Theservice required special clearancebecause ReformationSundayisnotontheEpis-copalChurchcalendar.
ReformationSundayistraditionallycelebratedonOctober31becauseitwasonthatdaythatMar-tinLutherpinnedhis95thesesonthedooroftheWittenbergChurch.ItwasafterthisdaythatLutherbecameknownasareli-giousactivistinfavorofimprovingtheCatholicChurch.Hegainedmanyfollowers,bothreligiousandpolitical,andbeganaviablealternativeforCatholicism.
The95thesesstatedLuther’sproblemswiththechurchandpossiblesolutionsto
eachoftheproblems.TheseproblemsmainlyfocusedonfixingtheCatholicChurch’swayofconductingthemselves,notonmakingawholenewbranchofChristianity.Afterhepostedhistheses,heavidlypreachedandpublishedmorebooksandgainedfol-lowers.AfterhisexcommunicationbytheCatholicChurch,hetranslatedthebiblefromLatintoGerman.
Theservicehadavarietyofchangestoitcomparedtothenormalservice.For
starters,thecongregationsanghymnscomposedbyLuther,including“AmightyFortress isourGod”.Also, the altarhangingswerered,notgreen for the service.Next,insteadoftworead-ings,therewasjustone.ThereadingfocusedontheLawofGod’swillandwhatshallhappenwhenoneobeysit.
After the reading,therewasashortskitportrayingtheexcom-municationofMartinLuther.TheroleofMartinLutherwasperformedbyKellyAutryandtheroleoftheVaticanrepresen-tativewasperformedbyLarryVellani,not
tomentionthattherewasathurifer,WhittSellers,forthefirstinthecurrentrector’s,DavidWilliams,memory.Intheskit,Mr.Vellani presented thecharges and evidenceagainstLuther,readingoffsomeofThe95Theses.IntheendLuther,acceptedthechargesandhisfate.
ThesermonwasgivenbytheRev.BobWalkeranditconsistedofabriefhistoryoftheReforma-tionandLuther’sideals.HetalkedaboutJohnWycliffeandJohnHuss,thetwoprede-cessorstoLuther,andthepredictionsJohnHussmade,that“in100years,Godwillraiseupamanwhoseattemptsatreformwillnotbesilenced.”ThatmanwasMartinLuther,roughly100yearslater.
NexthetalkedaboutLuther’stheology,thathethoughtthatpeopleshouldlivebyGod’sgrace,andnotbyany“goodworks”.Lutheralsosaidthateventhoughwedonotlivebygoodworksalone,iftherearenogoodworks,thatsomethingiswrongwithfaith.
Aftertheservice,therewasa“fallfest”
wherethechurchmemberscouldsocializeoverapotlucklunch.Everyonewastalkingabouttheserviceduringlunchandeveryoneenjoinedit.OnewomansaidherfavoritepartwastheskitwithLutherandtheVati-canrepresentative,becauseMr.VellaniandKellyAutryplayedtheirrolesverywellandthoughtthatjokesMr.Vellanimadewereveryfunny.AnotherChurchgo-ersaidtheyparticularlylikedthesermon,becausetheyfoundit informativeandcouldrelate toLuther’sviewpoint.
Allinall,ReformationSundayatTheChurchofTheHolyComforterwasagreatsuccess.
By ClaReNCe FoX, CoMPaNIoN DIoCese oFFICeR FoR THe DIoCese oF CosTa RICa
The Holy Spirit continues her work in Costa Rica, car-rying many North Carolina folk along with her in the pro-cess! Here are a couple of examples of the ways in which you are allowing yourselves to be instruments of the Spirit.
In May of this year, Cindy Winslow and her daughter Laura, from St. John’s, Charlotte, traveled to San Jose to present a Vacation Bible School 101 seminar to members of Costa Rican congregations. Bishop Hector Monterroso requested that St. John’s offer the workshop, so that all Costa Rica churches could provide VBS as a way to bring the Good News to children in their communities. Many members of St. John’s helped prepare five days’ worth of crafts and materials for VBS use by 800 children.
Cindy writes, “About 22 adults attended this event that was held at the Diocesan House. Many of them traveled three hours on public buses to be there for six hours and then traveled three hours back home carrying shopping bags filled with all the crafts, recreation tools, decorations and Spanish translated stories and skits! The day was abso-lutely a joyous one for all as we told Bible stories, did arts and crafts, played relays on the side lawn, sang, danced,
laughed and praised God in both English and Spanish! What fun it was to be with these passionate people who were so incredibly receptive, appreciative and energetic!”
Last month, a group of 13 adults from Holy Comforter, Charlotte, journeyed to Iglesia San Lucas in Germania, Costa Rica, to lay ceramic tile floor in the parish hall and sacristy. This work finished the new addition which has been a joint effort of the members of San Lucas and St. Paul’s, Winston-Salem. Ticos and Tarheels joined each other to celebrate the feast of St. Luke on Sunday before beginning work, then gathered again the evening of their last day to share a meal at the church. The lights went out during dinner, which prompted our hosts to clap and sing hymns until candles could be found, making it a grace-filled moment for everyone.
Sarah Tobin of Holy Comforter graciously donated new, hand-made altar hangings to San Lucas, then offered women from nearby congregations a workshop on sewing altar cloths and other linens. Sarah’s kindness was greatly appreciated by local altar guild members.
ThesearejustafewofthewaysinwhichourhandsbecomethehandsofChristthroughthepromptingsoftheSpiritinCostaRica.
Thanks,peace,Clarence
Position search announcement:Companion Diocese Officer, Diocese of Costa Rica
The Diocese of Costa Rica is beginning the search process for an individual to fill the position of Com-panion Diocese Officer (CDO) for 2010-11. The CDO serves as the point of contact for companion relations between the dioceses of North Carolina and Costa Rica. This includes assisting North Carolina congregations in planning and coordinating Costa Rican mission trips, and in promoting and establishing companion relationships between congregations in the two dioceses. The CDO is also responsible for English-language communications for the diocese. Other service includes acting as Bishop Hector Monterroso’s chaplain during episcopal litur-gies, parish visits and business trips. Opportunities for working with diocesan youth are also available. Excel-lent opportunities are provided for exploring Costa Rica and experiencing its culture and people.
The position is ideal for a recent college graduate who is exploring a call to ordained or other ministry, or for other called and gifted persons who are able to live for a year away from home. Necessary qualifications include effective written and oral communication in English, aptitude for organization and coordination of multiple tasks, ability to work well with individuals and groups, and commitment to the work of the Church. The ability to speak and write Spanish is desirable, but not required.
This is a volunteer position for a term of one year, beginning June 1, 2010. The CDO will be expected to provide for his or her expenses, including travel. Housing is available at no cost at Diocesan House in San Jose. A full position description will be provided upon request. The Bishop of Costa Rica hopes to select a person for this position by March 1, 2010.
Interested persons may contact Clarence Fox, Com-panion Diocese Officer for the Diocese of Costa Rica, at [email protected], prior to February 1, 2010.
on a mission trip to Iglesia san lucas in Germania, Costa Rica, this group of 13 from Holy Comforter, Charlotte, lay tile in the Parish Hall and celebrated the feast of st. luke. Germania.
The Rev. Robert Walker, lutheran Pastor associate; kelly autry, and the Rev. David R. Williams.
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