To Lament
Seek
November 11, 2014
voices from the
Episcopal Diocese of Missouri
Eliza Lynn writes on psalms of lament, clouds of grief, ancient prayer, and hearing Jesus through the blues. The word “lament” used to feel like surprisingly, musical. an antiquated word. The connotations in I sang songs I had my mind were of ancient biblical people written years ago and whose lives I couldn’t quite settle into. blues I had learned Maybe it was the translation and the rewhile living in NC – maining highfalutin lilt still echoing from but now I sang them the KJV, but I never really identified with for real. It’s not that the psalms of lament and veered away I didn’t mean them from the Book of Lamentations. before, but now they Paul Gauguin, 1848 - 1903, Human Sorrow (Miseres humaines), What I did do was write music at were the very thing Medium woodcut on japan paper, Rosenwald Collection of the National Gallery of Art a specific emotional juncture: I make that contextualized up songs when I feel torn in two. my life which time I had taken two graduate theThe songs somehow sew me back experience. ology courses at Aquinas Institute. I was “American blues together in their making. I am My songs “Hard to let explaining my process of healing through as contemporary brought to a place internally where it hurt,” “Weary,” and “Pullmusic to Fr. Harry Byrne, OP and he said lamentations.” I have nothing to lose and I’m willing of tides” were on such the phrase, “American blues as contempoing to let go and follow the sounds constant repeat on my guirary lamentations.” Thus began my directhat come. In the process, I am mended. tar and banjo, I figured my new neighbors tion of study. Last summer I was reeling from the would think those were the only songs I Every single course I’ve taken since grief of my father’s death, my brother’s knew how to play. But always paired with then has held this notion in mind. I’m struggles with mental illness and my first them were a few traditional blues (“Hard hopeful that a thesis comes of this work, real experience of romantic betrayal. This time killing floor,” “Troubled in mind,” but I know that the real outcome is that I combination of loss and pain baffled me “Mamie”) that let me contact such intense am better. I feel energized about life and and I couldn’t even figure out which loss pain...there were times I no longer consumed by the cloud of to mourn first. My first session with a couldn’t sing for the sobs ...most powerful at grief. I have had many opportuninew counselor was devoted to helping me coming, but my fingers ties to bring my field of study into an all-day Lenten prioritize my grief—to find an accessible kept playing. being through presenting blues and retreat at Potosi entrance into this pain. By September, I had my own songs as a way to hear the maximum security psalms of lament with new ears. As a singer who has sung since my waded through months memory began, my catharsis was, not of this experience, during The most powerful experience prison.
continued on next page ph: 314-231-1220 www.DioceseMo.org
Episcopal Diocese of Missouri Offices of the Bishop 1210 Locust St. St. Louis, Missouri 63103
© The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri, 1210 Locust St., St. Louis, Missouri 63103 ph: 314-231-1220 web: diocesemo.org
2
To Lament (continued) was at an all-day Lenten retreat at Potosi maximum security prison. On the drive down, I was overwhelmed what I was attempting to do: provide an opportunity for this handful of Catholic inmates to feel some of the pain associated with the impending execution of their dear friend, Jeff. Each of the incarcerated retreatants were devout men and the Hospice volunteers for the prison—an incredible ministry that Jeff had started. It was a deeply moving experience to be with Christians during Lent, thinking of the passion of Jesus while wading into the unspeakable pain of the imminent execution of a loved one. This is where I have seen Jesus more clearly than ever. And asking the men which psalms were really speaking to them during that time gave me further affirmation of
During Advent, we anticipate the coming of Christ, an event that awakens our deepest desires and longings. This Advent, the SSJE Brothers invite you to join us in looking clearly and honestly at our lives and taking action.
MAKING DISCIPLES
the immediacy of the healing possible from these ancient prayers. Leaning into these prayers in times of critical pain is precisely what Jesus did. “My God, why have you forsaken me?” This fall, I’m blessed to be in a course at Eden Seminary entitled “Lamentations, Resiliency and the Family of God.” Week by week, we sink into the pain expressed in the Book of Lamentations and each week, we are asked where we see resilience and how this affects our ministry. There is one student who often sees resilience in Daughter Zion’s lament through the very fact that she’s still talking to God. I hope someone always raises this point. When we lament, we are communicating our pain and sometimes that is the most faith-filled act we have.
Each day the calendar will reveal a special Advent word and meditation, accompanied by a beautiful image. Complete set of Advent resources are available for educators and clergy to download at: www.SSJE.org/adventwordresources
BUILDING CONGREGATIONS
FOR THE LIFE OF THE WORLD
1 3 4 5 6
INSIDE To Lament by Eliza Lynn
The End of Racism matters to the Church by Bishop Wayne Smith $40,000 Grant for Ferguson Youth missioner offers resource for parents and hosts conversation on Ferguson Gathering Leaders with Joy: Diocesan Convention
8 November’s Ordinands the Archives 9 From by Sue Rehkopf 11 12
November trip to Lui postponed by Canon Dan Smith Called to be a City on the Hill by Brendan O’Connor
13
What’s a Diocesan Youth Advisory Committee? by Christian Davis
14
Teens help with Deaconess Anne House by Kyleigh Wacasey
15
3 months later: looking back at EYE by Maddie Eveland
16
ECM Celebrates 60 Years of Hope and Healing by Beth Goad
17
A Celtic Eucharist in Ferguson by Donna Hawk-Reinhard
18
Jesus never said the road would be easy by Renee Fenner
19
When Violence comes close by Edie Bird
20
First, we Pray by Tamsen Whistler
3
The end of racism matters to the Church Bishop Wayne Smith on the racial wound present for the entire history of St. Louis Thus begins St. Louis
and African-Americans in St. 250 years ago, in 1764, a Louis. group of French Creole settlers The disparity dates from came to a place some 25 miles the time of the region’s French south of the confluence of the beginnings. two great American rivers, the From the annals of a definMissouri and Mississippi. The ing event in the region, we also iconic arch on the grounds learn that both leaders of the of the Jefferson National ExCorps of Discovery, Meriwether pansion Memorial Lewis and Wilmarks the site of the liam Clark, were Slavery continued to early trading village. slave owners. define the places for Pierre Laclede, his This expediblacks and whites in common-law wife tion, leaving St. Marie Therese Chou- Missouri history, a Louis in 1804 to teau, and stepson find the headfact deeply rooted in Auguste Chouteau waters of the the region’s DNA. led this endeavor. Missouri and a Thus began St. path to the PacifLouis. ic Ocean, included Clark’s slave named York, a bondservant By the time of Auguste since childhood. Chouteau’s death in 1829, the family had accumulated thirIntertwined legacies of the ty-six slaves, all of African Missouri Compromise descent. So began the long Later, William Clark was disparity in power and privilege territorial governor when Misenjoyed by European-Americans souri became a state—a slave state—in 1821, an event growing out of the Missouri Compromise of 1820. That hard-fought legislation defined how slavery might spread, or not, in the huge territories of the West. It’s interesting to note that Clark, though not an Episcopalian, was a charter signatory for the founding of Christ Injustice anywhere is a threat to Justice Everywhere! Church, now our Cathechalked message in Ferguson. Photo credit Danielle Dowd.
dral, in 1819. Slavery continued to define the places for blacks and whites in Missouri history, a fact deeply rooted in the region’s DNA.
Eleven years of litigation
In 1846 the slave Dred Scott filed suit for his freedom in St. Louis Circuit Court, on his own behalf and that of his wife, Harriet. The Scotts had lived for some years in Wisconsin Territory, free soil accord- I am an American! protest sign, photo credit Leslie Scoopmire. ing to the Missouri Compromise. Scott argued that The conclusion of the Civil he was a free man, and his wife War promised to change the a free woman, because they had structures of slavery and raclived in free territory. ism. The constitutional end to It took eleven years for the slavery, the granting of voting litigation to run rights to ex-slaves, its course, and in and the clarifica1857, the SuIt is poignant to know tion that they were preme Court de- that the body of Dred in fact citizens, cided, 7-2 against brought a season Scott lies buried in Scott, that not of hope. Calvary Cemetery, on only was he not The end of free, but because West Florissant Avenue slavery, however, he was of Afriin St. Louis City, only gave way to other can descent he three miles from the means to keep could never be a people of African burned-out Quick Trip citizen. descent down. in Ferguson, also on Thus the Various strategies West Florissant. Court overof voter suppresturned the Mission; limited or souri Compromise of 1820. no access to public education; It is poignant to know extreme enforcement of segthat the body of Dred Scott lies regation; and the numerous buried in Calvary Cemetery, on iterations of separate-but-equal West Florissant Avenue in St. practices—all these took digniLouis City, only three miles from ty and power away from black the burned-out Quick Trip in people. Ferguson, also on West Floriscontinued on next page sant. The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri
DIOCESEMO.ORG
4
The end of racism matters to the Church (continued) Recent history, race reality
We who are the Church do The race riots in St. Louwell to learn from the rage presis in the 1960s and -70s were ent in Ferguson and surroundrelatively small in number and ing communities. intensity. They left our region That rage did not come with a false sense of security. from nowhere, and it has somePeople, especially in the domithing important to tell us. nant culture, felt safe in assumWe can also commit ouring that race was not a problem selves to honest and difficult here. conversation, in the presence of The shooting death of the racial wound in our commuMichael Brown on August 9, nity, for the community’s sake. and the subseAnd for the sake of quent outrage Christ Jesus, himself It lays bare the racial from the wounded and risen community for the whole crewound that has been of Ferguson, ation. present for the entire gives lie to this Whenever we history of St. Louis, assumption. It take even small steps and it does no good to lays bare the is overcoming racignore it. racial wound ism, we move toward that has been a fuller inhabitation present for the entire history of of God’s intent for us, coming at St. Louis, and it does no good to the end of the age. ignore it. In fact, the rage from A foretaste of that beautiful the community may mean that future is available and necesno one can ignore the wound sary, here and now. any longer.
The end of racism matters
The end of racism matters to the Church because of the issue of justice, but, it also matters because God’s intent at the end of the age is to build a new world from “every family, language, people, and nation.” (Rev. 5:9) The Church is to be a servant of that vision, despite our falling short of it, and any Church that does not inhabit the wild diversity of peoples that Revelation describes is incomplete. MAKING DISCIPLES
The Right Reverend George Wayne Smith is the tenth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri. Read more of his writings collected at diocesemo.org/bishop. Photo credit Leslie Scoopmire.
The tragic death of Michael Brown and the ensuing events have laid bare the racisms, inequalities, and fears that ordinarily remain well hidden here in Saint Louis, often just under the surface. I call upon Episcopalians and other people of faith, especially those whose race or culture gives innate privilege, to look upon what has been laid bare, to pray about these things, humbly to learn from them, and to yearn and work for responses that would bring justice. the Rt. Rev. Wayne Smith Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri 13 August 2014, St. Louis, Missouri
$40,000 Grant for Ferguson The Episcopal Church and Episcopal Relief partner with diocesan churches offering immediate and long-term aid While Ferguson has been the epicenter of the current strife and public attention, the frustrations and alienation of its residents are shared in many adjacent and proximal municipalities. The “urban core” of North St. Louis County and City is largely served by three Episcopal parishes: St. Stephen’s (Ferguson); Ascension (Northwoods); and All Saints’ (St. Louis City). All have been significantly impacted by the upheaval in the aftermath of the fatal shooting of Michael Brown and the community’s response to it. They also have been at the forefront of mobilizing resources for the
community, ministering to the needs of protesters and police alike and simply “being the church” for all whose lives have been touched by this tragedy.
Grant objectives •
•
•
Implement nutrition education, counseling and food preparation programs at All Saints’ and Ascension Episcopal Churches Replenish and expand the food and personal care products provided through the pantries operated by St. Stephen’s, All Saints’ and Ascension. Develop and implement a community collaborative to
For a timeline of Episcopal response to the shooting of Michael Brown and following protest in Ferguson and St. Louis and a media feature bibliography: diocesemo.org/ferguson
BUILDING CONGREGATIONS
FOR THE LIFE OF THE WORLD
5
For the Life of the World
•
•
assist in funding the economic recovery and revitalization of Ferguson-area businesses. Develop and implement a public/private sector partnership to extend the reach of the St. Stephen’s, All Saints’ and Ascension food pantries to the homebound in North St. Louis County and City through a mobile service staffed by trained, mentored and compensated young residents of the community.
Youth Missioner offers resource for parents talking to their children about tragedy Danielle Dowd, youth missioner of the Diocese of Missouri, has developed a framework to get difficult conversations started. “I’ve written some steps to consider and attached a page of resources for further inspiration. Please know that I am here any time that you have questions or need support.” She adds, “We may feel intimidated by these discussions. We may feel inadequate to lead them. But our youth need a safe space to tell their stories and process their feelings. They need us to come forth as servant leaders—leaders who are ready to cry with them, to struggle
The Rt. Rev. Wayne Smith, Bishop of Missouri The Rev. E. Daniel Smith, Canon to the Ordinary The Rev. Marc Smith, Vicar, Episcopal Church of the Ascension, Northwoods The Rev. Steven Lawler, Rector, St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Ferguson The Rev. Michael Dunnington, Priest-incharge, All Saints' Episcopal Church, St. Louis
Youth Conversation about Ferguson hosted by Danielle Dowd
Read the full background and grant specifics online: diocesemo.org/ferguson. • • • • • •
Memorial at the shooting site of Michael Brown, photo by Danielle Dowd.
alongside them, to listen to them. Many of the questions that come along with these discussions do not have easy answers. Enter into them anyway.” Dowd outlines four parts to the framework: 1. Show Up 2. Create a Safe Space 3. Provide Outlets for Emotion 4. Follow up A short bibliography of additional resources is included. You can download “A Framework for Discussing Tragedy with Youth and Children” from diocesemo.org/ferguson.
Sunday, November 16, 10:00am - 4:30pm at St. Stephens Episcopal Church in Ferguson Sunday morning Worship together, followed by lunch and a Conversation on Racism Who: Youth (Senior High and interested, mature Jr. High age students) from the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri and their friends Bring: Canned food items for St. Stephen's food pantry Contact: Elle Dowd, Diocesan Youth Missioner, at ddowd@diocesemo.org
Dowd writes, “Many youth have had conversations in their schools about Ferguson, race, and racism. Due to segregation in our schools and living communities, youth have not often been able to discuss and listen to perspectives that might be different from their own. We have seen the need for youth to have a safe space to wrestle with these issues from a faith perspective. That is why on Sunday, November 16th, we are hosting a youth event focused on Ferguson, the shooting of Mike Brown, and racism in our communities.
Youth are invited to worship at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Ferguson at the 10:00 am service, followed by lunch, a service opportunity, activities and discussions (led by Rob Good from Dismantling Racism and Brittany & Alexis, young people on the ground in Ferguson), space for prayer and reflection, and finally, a pilgrimage to Mike Brown's memorial on Canfield for a time of prayer. Following this event, youth, parents, and youth leaders will be given a hand out with follow up discussion items as well as resources for continuing the discussion with youth. I know that this topic is incredibly charged. My hope is that instead of turning away from those intense feelings, we will lean into those feelings and allow our youth to process them in a safe and healthy way that honors in the inherit dignity of all human beings. Please forward this invitation on to your youth, youth groups, and anyone else who may be interested. Feel free to come to me with any questions, feedback, or concerns.
The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri
DIOCESEMO.ORG
6
Gathering leaders with joy Annual convention of the diocese to be held this November 21-22 in Cape Girardeau
Following the new structure begun last year, this year’s gathering promises to have time for both the business of an annual meeting but with time, as Bishop Wayne wrote delegates, “for conversation, reflection, and simply enjoying one another.” The Convention will meet at the University Center, on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, with hotel accommodations at the Drury Lodge. “As with last year’s meeting,” continued the bishop, “the Convention begins with the Eucharist, to draw us together at Christ’s table and to set the tone for our work, and in the course of which we will ordain six new deacons for our Diocese’s life and work.”
Theme for gathering
Planned are three addresses and reflections built around aspects of Christian life essential to our well-being and faithfulness: • Community: Life together and life with God, presenter Bishop Wayne • Prayer: Both liturgical prayer and personal prayer, presenter Shug Goodlow, Christ Church Cathedral • Beyond: How community and prayer compel us into mission, presenter the Rev. Mike Angell, Missioner for Young Adults and Campus Ministry for The Episcopal Church
Life of the Diocese
Delegates will hear: updates on missional life in the Diocese of Missouri, including news from the Diocese of Lui and Deaconess Anne House, two visible expressions of mission; a presentation from representative youth of the diocese and from youth missioner Elle Dowd at the end of her MAKING DISCIPLES
first year. Again this year the bishop will give his overview of the year and challenge for our future together during the sermon of the opening Eucharist.
The business of convention
The business portion of the meeting includes consideration of the 2015 operating budget, consideration of resolutions brought for discussion and vote, and election to diocesan governance positions. Biographical information for nominees for office are available online at the main convention web page: diocesemo.org/convention2014. You can also find a preliminary schedule there, and as the documents of convention are published they are uploaded to that central location. Resolutions will be available in early November, along with the draft budget. For a timeline with exact dates and publication times, check the convention website.
Following convention from outside Cape
We’re hoping to have the opening Eucharist on the web. The room will be rather packed, there is a small corner for one camera, so don’t expect a deMille production. As we get closer to convention, we’ll have a social media communications plan ready. And not to sound like a broken record, but check diocesemo.org/convention2014 for updated information on this aspect of convention.
Sabbath time
This year’s convention sabbath time activities are being coordinated by youth missioner Danielle Dowd.
BUILDING CONGREGATIONS
One of the activities will be facilitated by the Rev. Edie Bird, rector of Christ Church in Cape Girardeau. She will lead Dances of Universal Peace. “These are simple circle dances, using very simple songs and chants from the wisdom traditions of the world,” said Bird. “We make our own music, to go with very simple dance steps, by chanting and singing. All of the dances emphasize the ministry of reconciliation, working towards inner peace, and peace-making out in the world.” People of all ages and abilities can participate,. Another Sabbath time activity will be lead by Dr. Kathy Farwell, one of the co-facilitators of “Creative Expressions,” a ministry of Christ Church Cape. Offered will be a weaving project. Farwell notes, “It is simple and repetitive to the point that it becomes meditative. The way that the yarn fibers weave around one another is a metaphor for us of ‘community.’ And the weaving can even be used as a sort of prayer shawl.” There will be a space set aside for contemplative prayer, with finger labyrinths, prayer writing materials, and icons to meditate upon. For people who would prefer, Sabbath time can also be used to spend time with one another in a less structured way. “Last year, many people used this time to spend time in community, to simply be together,” said Bishop Wayne.
FOR THE LIFE OF THE WORLD
7
Nominees 2014
For Cathedral Chapter (electing one clergy person & one lay member, both from outside St. Louis City/County): The Rev. Susan Bartlett, Deacon; The Rev. Carol Wesley, Priest-in-Charge of St. John & St. James Church, Sullivan; Mr. William Cramer, Trinity Church, St. Charles; Ms. Daphne Hedges, Grace Church, Jefferson City. For Diocesan Council (electing two lay members): Mr. Richard W. Braznell, (withdrawn, not pictured); Ms. Patricia N. Heeter, All Saints’ Church, St. Louis. For Disciplinary Board (electing one clergy person and one lay member): The Rev. John Kilgore, Canon, Christ Church Cathedral; The Rev. Dawn-Victoria Mitchell, Rector, Trinity, Church, Hannibal & St. Paul’s Church, Palmyra; The Rev. Johnnette Shane, Rector, Trinity, Kirksville; The Rev. Susan Skinner, St. Peter's Church, Ladue; Ms. Lynette Ballard, Grace Church, Kirkwood; Ms. Ellen Jeffery, St. Mark’s Church, St. Louis; The Honorable Shirley Padmore Mensah, Holy Communion Church, University City; Mr. Scott Thompson, St. Mark’s Church, St. Louis. For Standing Committee (electing one clergy per-
son and two lay members): Mr. Jerre Birdsong, candidate for ordination to the diaconate; The Rev. Teresa Danieley, Rector, St. John’s Church, St. Louis; The Rev. Annette Joseph, Rector, Holy Cross Church, Poplar Bluff; The Rev. Suzanne Wolfenbarger, Rector, St. Paul’s Church, Sikeston; Mrs. Simone Camp,St. Alban’s Church, Fulton; Mr. James P. Donovan, Trinity Church, Hannibal; Dr. Susan Mills, Christ Church, Rolla; Dr. Adam Pearson, Holy Communion Church, University City; Mr. Geoffrey Pruitt, St. John’s Church, St. Louis.
Biographical information: diocesemo.org/convention2014.
The online edition offers click-able links to websites referenced in this issue’s articles, and photo galleries. Use your smartphone to read this code: or open your browser to:
diocesemo.org/Nov2014Seek
Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri held this year in Cape Girardeau. November 21-22, 2014
The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri
DIOCESEMO.ORG
8
November’s ordinands
In their own words, those to be ordained Deacons share a bit of their history, their calls to the diaconate, and what “Deacon” means.
Kevin McGrane, Sr.
I live with my wife Catherine on a 10 acre homestead we call Windy Hill. We have three adult children, all married, and have 5 grandchildren, with #6 on the way. My “Eureka!” moment came during a short “We Believe” course at my home parish Emmanuel Church in Webster Groves. I listened to a video of Bishop Smith’s Kevin McGrane convention sermon and realized that I was meant to go deeper, go outside, and be sent. A deacon is called to a life of diakonia, kerygma, and koinonia: sacred servant-hood, proclaiming the Gospel, and creating community. It all starts with servant-hood: preaching the Good News by our actions, which helps create community. As St. Francis of Assisi said, “Preach the Gospel at all times. If necessary, use words!”
Nancy Belcher
I am a cradle Episcopalian. I’ve been married for 40 plus years to a wonderful, supportive man. I grew up in the church when Nancy Belcher
MAKING DISCIPLES
women couldn’t be ordained. As a young child I wanted to be an acolyte. What a long way the church has come! I have been a member of Grace Church in Jefferson City for over 10 years and have been actively engaged at St. Mark’s Church in Portland, Missouri during my field experience since December. As Grace Church began a prayer shawl ministry I realized how important a tangible expression of God’s love is needed by each of us in this chaotic world. For so many people in the toughest time of their life, having God’s love wrapped around them with a hand-made shawl or blanket was what God called me to do, at least until I learned about the diaconate. My call to the diaconate came from my friendship and experience with several older parishioners and hearing their life stories which began with the prayer shawl ministry. We lost too many stories. However, I feel the Holy Spirit has opened my eyes to see those elderly treasures with their wisdom, strength and faith. I feel my diaconal call is to help the church not forgot God’s oldest friends and to become engaged in ministry where we can extend God’s Kingdom to them and they to us. A deacon in the Diocese of Missouri can be engaged in extraordinary ministry. This is a time when helping those on the margins is supported by and enriched by so many people throughout the diocese. Whether it is Bishop Smith, the Episcopal School for Ministry, the Commission on Ministry, Priests, deacons and congregations, we are in a time when we all can fulfill our mission to bring the needs of the world to the church and see fantastic results. As our baptismal covenant clearly states we are called “to seek and serve
BUILDING CONGREGATIONS
FOR THE LIFE OF THE WORLD
Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor as ourselves and to strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being.” If you don’t believe it, join St. Mark’s Church at Riverview Nursing Home at 1 pm on the second Sunday of each month.
Jerre Birdsong
To allow focused time for my formation as a deacon, I retired as VP and Treasurer of Ameren Corp. in 2013 after a 35-year career in finance. I discovered the Episcopal Church as a 17-year-old orJerre Birdsong ganist who was asked to play for a Christmas Eve midnight mass. The liturgical and theological attraction was immediate. For many years, my ministry in my home parish of Emmanuel and the diocese primarily involved music and finance. My wife, who was a master planner and project manager, ministered by leading building and mission ventures. She recruited me heavily for her projects, allowing the Holy Spirit to soon create my own passion for outreach mission. At the Episcopal School for Ministry, I discovered spiritual practices and the seeking of God every day in the mundane. My spirituality and passion for outreach have become an overwhelming component of who I am. My wife died in 2010, but she continues to inspire me in my life and ministry, and I turn the rest over to the Holy Spirit. The diaconate is stronger than a call—it is a compelling pull into the world, into the church, and into the realms of the holy. A deacon assists all congregants in living into our baptismal covenant
9 to “seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself” and to “strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.”
Rebecca Barger
I am married to my husband of 25 years, Phil Barger, and we have two college-aged children. My professional background was in Rebecca Barger Radiation Oncology in which I worked as a technologist for over 14 years. I retired from the work force 19 years ago in order to attend to our growing children and our home-life. During those years, working as a volunteer at church became my secondary focus. I worked in a variety of ministries with ease, energy and with great interest. Only after I started the discernment process did I become aware that God had been guiding me during those years and building a foundation on which the call to servant ministry would be established. In 2010, I enrolled at the Episcopal School for Ministry in the theological formation program and shortly thereafter, I entered into the discernment process through my home parish at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church. Last May, I began my field assignment at St. Paul’s Carondelet. One of the roles of a deacon in the Diocese of Missouri is to make the needs of the world known to the members of the parish—serving as a connection between the church and world. I find an interesting aspect of diaconal ministry is getting to know and understand the character of a parish by recognizing its passions and skills while identifying the needs of the greater community, then helping others to integrate these together.
Chester Hines, Jr.
reasoning that He had made a mistake and I am a lifelong resident of St. Louis who this call was intended for someone else. has been married for nearly a half centuI did everything I possible could to ry. I’ve raised two sons and been an active avoid the continuing conversation I was church worker and participant in the Baphaving with Christ. tist, Methodist, and Episcopal Churches. The more I resisted the call the more My strongest relationship with Christ uncomfortable I became with myself and during these nearly forty years of active par- my relationship with Christ. ish participation has been at All Saints, Holy It wasn’t until I gave in to the call from Communion, and most recently at St. Timo- Christ that I began to have a sense of comthy’s, Episcopal Churches in this diocese. fort and a degree of understanding that I My call to ministry came many years was not in charge of making this decision ago but I wrestled with it. Mentally and but it was a call given to me and it was my emotionally fought with Christ for years task to respond in the affirmative. continued on next page
From the Archives: Conventions past
This photograph marked a special convention year for the Diocese of Missouri: the 50th Annual Convention was the final time when parishes from across the entire state met as one diocese. After consideration at two prior conventions, clergy and delegates in Missouri finally accepted a detailed report of the Division Committee, and voted to apply to General Convention for approval of the division of the Diocese of Missouri. When General Convention met that October in New York, our application was approved unanimously by the House of Deputies, but barely passed in the House of Bishops with a vote of 28 to 25. While Diocesan Convention actually met in the Chapel of Christ Church at 13th and Locust, the Bishop, clergy and lay delegates gathered for this photograph across the street at the Exposition Hall (now the site of the St. Louis Public Library). Front and center, of course, is Bishop Tuttle. —Sue Rehkopf, Archivist
The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri
DIOCESEMO.ORG
10 The Episcopal Church in the Worldwide Anglican Communion: 80 million Christians around the world, led by the Most Rev. and Rt. Hon. Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury in The Episcopal Church: 2 million Episcopalians in 109 dioceses and three regional areas in 17 nations, led by the Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop and Primate. in the Diocese of Missouri: 12,500 members in 43 congregations, campus ministries and an intentional community, led by the Rt. Rev. George Wayne Smith, 10th Bishop of Missouri.
SEEK, November 11, 2014
Episcopal Diocese of Missouri Offices of the Bishop 1210 Locust St. St. Louis, Missouri 63103 Seek is a quarterly publication of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri. Diocesan members may request a complimentary subscription by mail: send address to the Offices of the Bishop attn: Seek Subscription. Seek is also distributed to each congregation in the diocese. Archived editions of Seek are online at diocesemo.org.
November Ordinands (continued)
My response was to listen and be guided by the spirit of Christ and to do the work Christ has given me to do. Everyday has become a day of excitement and adventure because I never know what my next assignment will be or how it will come. It can be both exciting and challenging. A deacon in the Diocese of Missouri is an opportunity to explore how he/she can be in service to Christ, the church and the parishioner. The work of a deacon is varied and can manifest itself in many different ways. It can appear to be very straight forward and simple and at the same time have many twists and turns and a very high degree of complexity. A deacon in the Diocese is both free to explore and at the same time confined to the direction, guidance, and authority of the Bishop. This is a complex organizational arrangement and clearly presents challenges. It is the deacon’s responsibility to navigate and these
Editor: Ms. Beth Felice, Director of Communications Editorial Board: the Rev. Dr. Daniel Handschy, Dean of the Episcopal School for Ministry; the Rev. Jon Hall, Rector of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, Ellisville; Mr. Ken Luebbering, Grace Church, Jefferson City; Ms. Sarah Bryan Miller, St. Peter’s Church, Ladue; the Rev. Dr. Marc Smith, Rector of Ascension Church, Northwoods; the Rev. Dr. E. Daniel Smith, Canon to the Ordinary, Diocese of Missouri. Submissions by post attn: Beth Felice, or by email to bfelice@diocesemo.org. Deadline: January 5, 2015 for the edition available Feb. 1, 2015.
MAKING DISCIPLES
complexities and at the same time perform good works and produce a good product in and for the Diocese.
Deborah Goldfeder
I am a caregiver, a teacher, a missioner, a speaker of truth, a Daughter of the King, a wife and a Faith Community Nurse. I endeavor to bring together body, mind, soul and spirit for those in my care and for Deborah Goldfeder myself as well. The Holy Spirit has been at work in my life softly calling me to be what God intends for me to be. I felt that call most clearly when I was asked to work in South Sudan as missioner from the Diocese of Missouri for six months and that same Holy Spirit sustained me through all those challenges. A deacon in the Diocese of Missouri brings to her/his ministry the gifts and talents s/he has been given so I suspect when you see one deacon, you see one deacon. Together, the collegium of deacons brings a wealth of servant ministries to the entire church and to the world.
Web link to this issue’s online galleries.
Chester Hines is chairperson of the diocesan Dismantling Racism Commission. Photo from an August workshop on dismantling systemic racism held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Sikeston.
BUILDING CONGREGATIONS
FOR THE LIFE OF THE WORLD
or open your browser to:
diocesemo.org/Nov2014Seek
11
November trip to Lui postponed Canon to the Ordinary Dan Smith, “We need to answer the question ‘Do the benefits of the trip outweigh the stress placed on the community.’ As most if not all of you know, South Sudan has been wracked with violence since December of 2013. Our sisters and brothers in Lui have not been immune to that violence. The market in Lui was looted and virtually torn down early in the year. There has also been some violence in Moru land between the Moru who farm and those who herd cattle. As of now there does not seem to be an easy settlement between the government of South Sudan and the opposition to that government.
Fact-finding trip postponed
In spite of all this there had been plans for a small “fact finding” group of perhaps two or three people to travel to the Diocese of Lui after convention this November. We have decided that this trip will not take place during 2014. Several factors have influenced this decision. We have limited entry points into South Sudan. Normally we fly from the U.S. to Amsterdam and from there to Kampala, Uganda. Two other entry points are to travel through Ethiopia which means we would fly to Juba and then need a 110 mile car journey of about 7 ½ hours or to fly through Nairobi, Kenya. At this point the safety of traveling from Juba to Lui is suspect especially for westerners. The U.S. State Department and the Foreign Ministry of the United Kingdom are both recommending that citizens of those nations not travel through Nairobi or Kampala. The issue there being known terror organizations operating in both cities.
Therefore, we have decided not to travel to Lui this year.
Plans for Spring 2015
It is hoped that in the Spring of 2015 a small group of two or three, including Canon to the Ordinary Dan Smith will travel to Lui in a fact-finding mission. A part of what we need to understand is that when we send groups, particularly large groups to Lui, significant strain is placed on the church and the community. We need to answer the question about whether the benefits of the mission out weighs the stress placed on the community. In addition we need to know as fully as possible whether groups sent to Lui are safe and do they by their presence cause a security risk to the community as a whole. In spite of what seems to be bad news we are in regular communication with our sisters and brothers in Lui. Their internet connections are working. We have been able to get funds to them. Bishop Stephen and Lillian have recently traveled to Sweden and Bishop Stephen is now on Facebook. We know that the World Health Organization has set up at Lui Hospital to help with refugees that have come to Lui. All of our continued prayers are needed.
A Collect for the 75th Anniversary of Episcopal Relief & Development Loving and merciful God, you bestow your grace on all of your children: Remember our sisters and brothers throughout the world who, in partnership with Episcopal Relief & Development, strengthen communities, empower the poor, nourish the hungry, restore the sick and uplift those affected by disaster; and uphold Episcopal Relief & Development for the next seventy-five years, so that your Kingdom might be known to all people; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Rev. E. Daniel Smith is Canon to the Ordinary, and coordinates diocesan trips to Lui, South Sudan.
www.episcopalrelief.org/75
The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri
DIOCESEMO.ORG
12
Called to be a City on the Hill
Catholic or Cru, we were the size of a discussion group, but in these close bonds and regular liturgy, I came to see how a consisDeaconess Anne House intern Brendan O’Connor writes about tent presence reframed my crazy, huge college experience to a smaller, more intimate finding daily order and life in community set of decisions and practices. The peace I really wanted from my colIt is a very strange thing, being a part of and other disciplinary figures. On my own I lege experience was not so much in an abilthe Deaconess Anne House. As a program of could discover myself, that is, my true self, ity to do whatever I wanted, which in itself the Episcopal Service Corps, we are a group undaunted by the expectations and deturned out to be a burden, but in finding the of seven interns living in a slowly revitalizmands of others. relationships of people who were willing to ing neighborhood in St. Louis, working 32 How then did I ever find myself as a walk with me on the journey. Even if they hours a week in different job sites, following 24-year-old man living in a house with six a regular prayer schedule, and committing peers, with one collective grocery fund, and weren’t of the same opinion or traveling to the same destination. to an education and discernment obligation. one chore board? In the film Into the Wild, Christopher I cannot imagine 7:45 daily Morning Prayer I can trace that back to my time in colMcCandless attempts to escape the chalfits into many young adults’ visions of the lege, my grand experiment in “Freedom.” In lenging, undesirable parts of society by livpostgraduate life. attending a colossal state university, UniverI consider that throughout my childsity of Wisconsin, I knowingly signed up for ing as a vagabond across the United States and Canada. After finding himself isolated hood, and especially my teenage years, I huge lecture halls, unlimited distractions, in Alaska he writes in his journal, “Happiinternalized this mantra: “No parents; no and enough campus bits-and-bobs to get ness is real only when shared.” rules.” From age 16, I obsessed over the topic lost in until graduation. From my past and current experience of college, and invested much energy findAmid all the frenzy, I found myself as of living in an intentional community, I ing a place where I wasn’t living under the a member of St. Francis House, the student could not agree more. panopticon of teachers, coaches, parents, Episcopal ministry. Compared to BadgerLiving in our house isn’t always fun or easy, and neither do we see eye-to-eye on everything (or even most things). I’m not always as good of a person as I ought to be. Rather, I can be unfeeling or temperamental, and I also recognize that my Christian journey looks in many ways different from several of my peers. However, it is in these strange, wonderful communities like the Deaconess Anne House that the mundane and challenging practices of buying the right cereal brands, cleaning the dishes, and resolving roommate conflict are for a higher purpose. We are called to be a city on a hill, and that community looks to me like a group of people who are willing to accept their differences and imperfections, and work together regardless. For that reason, and many more, I am proud to be living in the Deaconess Anne House. DAH interns 2014: Christopher Potter, Alex Herbertson, Rosemary Haynes, Sherry Joy, Tori Dahl, Martin Geiger, Brendan O’Connor. Read more at Brendan’s blog: http://brendanjonesoconnor.com/
MAKING DISCIPLES
BUILDING CONGREGATIONS
FOR THE LIFE OF THE WORLD
13
What’s a Diocesan Youth Advisory Committee? by DYAC member Christian Davis, Grace Church, Kirkwood Hello! My name is Christian Davis. I attend Grace Church in Kirkwood, where I’ve grown up, and have spent time at St. Thomas Deaf Church and St. Martin’s, Ellisville to hang out with my friends. I am one of nine members of the Diocesan Youth Advisory Committee (DYAC). I applied for DYAC because I’m interested in a more active youth ministry within the diocese as well as the opportunity to socialize with other diocesan youth. Our first meeting was early in the morning on Saturday, October 4, led by Diocesan Youth Missioner Elle Dowd and the Rev. Mike Angell, Missioner for Young Adults and Campus Ministry for The Episcopal Church. I’m a teenager! 10:00 a.m. is extremely early. Nonetheless, we all managed to arrive at the beautiful St. Timothy’s Church in Creve Coeur. During the meeting we discussed with en-
thusiasm youth events planned for the year such as diocesan convention, the lock-in, and the Absalom Jones celebration. We had time to talk about what we would like to see in the church and in youth ministry, and give feedback. Mike was there to give his guidance and lead some discussions on leadership. He taught us new ways of engaging others to help make our ideas a reality. I found it very beneficial to talk with Mike and Elle and to discuss church with people my own age. DYAC hopes that the youth in our diocese will find their voice and be given the opportunity and responsibility to run events and activities. To encourage youth participation, adults need to be aware that some of the youth in their parish do want more ways to connect with their congregations, but often that desire re-
Deaconess Anne House offers quiet day Deaconess Anne House hosts an Advent Quiet Day 9:00 am on December 6 at the Deaconess Anne House. Open to diocesan members. RSVP online at diocesemo.org/DAH. DAH is tidying up its web presence and about to restart newsletter production. If you’d like to subscribe, please visit diocesemo.org/DAH for all updates.
Christian Davis, left, talking with Mike Angell at the DYAC think-tank.
mains unspoken because youth can feel overlooked. I find churches to be the most positive communities that I have experienced besides my summer camp. This is a primary reason for my desire to be involved in my diocese and create a voice for others my age.
Establishing an environment where youth can feel secure about themselves, where they can be supported, and where they won’t be judged—in other words, not High School— is most important for strengthening youth ministry.
DYAC members: Audrey Schuman, Cameron Graham, Kyleigh Wacasey, Duncan Phillips, Annie Chappell, Scott Scoopmire, Annabel Dolan, Maddie Eveland, Christian Davis
Upcoming Youth events • • • • •
Conversation about Ferguson, Nov. 16 (see pg. 5) Youth presence and presentation at diocesan convention, Nov. 21, 22 in Cape Girardeau January 9, Lock-in February 14, Absalom Jones commemoration March/April - DYAC meeting date TBA
The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri
DIOCESEMO.ORG
14
Teens Help with Deaconess Anne House clean-up by Kyleigh Wacasey, a member of St. Paul’s Church, Carondelet and recently appointed member of the Diocesan Youth Advisory Committee At the end of summer, I went to the Deaconess Anne House to help clean up the house for the incoming year’s interns. I found out about this opportunity the weekend after Camp Phoenix had ended. I had been deleting my thirty-eight spam emails that I really didn’t need when all of a sudden I notice an email that was from Grandma. I checked on it since I knew it was important. It was an email from Elle about the DAH service cleanup weekend and its details. I looked at my grandma and when I asked about it she asked if I wanted to go, so I said, “Sure! Why not?” The idea of working on Saturday didn’t really interest me. What I was interested in was seeing some of the friends I made at Camp Phoenix during the Sunday when we would worship together at the Cathedral. When the day arrived I was dropped off at the house with my little brother and his friend. Inside we met up with former DAH intern Jillian and diocesan youth missioner, Elle. I placed my stuff on the third floor in the room I would be staying in, we hung out a bit and then helped with dinner. Annie arrived and we all ate a dinner of spaghetti with the curly noodles, played some MAKING DISCIPLES
games, and then went to bed. On Saturday we woke up and after morning prayer and breakfast, we went to Old North City’s Farmers Market. We visited La Mancha, Crowne Candy Kitchen, the chessboards, and listened to music. We headed back to the house around twelve and worked outside in the backyard. We planted flowers, moved bricks, cut the grass, and picked weeds from in between the bricks. We moved into the house after that and organized the living room a little bit. It was then about four o’clock when Elle, Annie, my brother, my brothers friend, and I met up at the kitchen table and had a devotion and discussion about different spiritual “seasons” and spiritual growth until dinner was ready. We headed back outside and had hamburgers and s’mores. While we ate we listened to Jillian talk about her experience of living at the Deaconess Anne House. After dinner we watched Back to the Future on an old VCR and TV set. Sunday morning after breakfast we all gathered in Elle’s car and drove to the Cathedral where we worshiped together. That is where I met up with my family and headed home.
BUILDING CONGREGATIONS
Kyleigh Wacasey
The experience of living and working in the Deaconess Anne House for the weekend was a lot of fun. Although, I
didn’t see any of my friends at church, I was happy that I decided to go that weekend. I even had fun doing the hard work in the backyard! I just fell in love with the house, the neighborhood, and everything that went along with it. Spending the weekend at Deaconess Anne House serving and hearing about the program made me think that it was something that I might want to do in the future, when I get old enough to apply for the program. I want to say thank you to Elle and Jillian for inviting us to help out. I hope we are able to help out again next year!
Relaxing dinner around the fire after a hard day of work cleaning up the back yard. Photo credit Danielle Dowd.
FOR THE LIFE OF THE WORLD
15
3 Months Later: Looking back at EYE Surprises of faith conversations on social media and a new set of friends by Maddie Eveland, diocesan EYE delegate and member of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd I attended the Episcopal Those posts about Youth Event last July and it EYE sparked converchanged my life. sations about my faith Throughout our time at the with people I had never Episcopal Youth Event (EYE) we spoken to about God were given the simple task of before. Our relationship periodically posting on Twitter, is deeper now because Instagram, and other social me- of those conversations. I dia about our experiences. As I credit that to my experiwas doing this I had no idea the ence at EYE. impact it would of had on me When asked to even now, to this day. choose a word to deNot only does scribe the it keep me in touch experience with the amazing coming back Up until this event, Picture of youth from the infamous Dio Alamo (the dioceses of Alabama people I met, but it from the Episcoand Missouri) at this summer’s Episcopal Youth Event. Maddie Eveland my spiritual life brought me closer pal Youth Event, is in the lower right-hand corner. Photo credit: Danielle Dowd. didn’t intermingle with people back I chose “overwith my social life. home. whelming.” I’m Up until this not talking about at EYE continue. They are one the fact that our friendships event, my spiritual life didn’t getting off the plane and being of my favorite parts of the entire were formed on a shared founintermingle with my social life. surrounded by friends and fam- experience. dation of faith. I didn’t talk to my friends about ily, or getting asked Through One of my new good church or God. questions a mile a social media, friends, someone I met at EYE, Had I not gotten past There were many people minute about the we are able to stated, “It’s so nice being in a the fact that broadwho saw my postings on social experience; those keep up with room where everyone knows casting your faith isn’t media while I was at EYE and are easy. each other. what Compline is.” This is a pernecessarily the “cool” reached out to me afterwards. I’m talking I was fect example of what EYE was thing to do, I would of Because of those tweets, I about those mosurprised to about. Everybody understood got to connect with people back ments when you each other and respected what never developed the re- realize how home on a spiritual level in ways realize that dinner lationships I have right much I trust the we were all there for: to increase I had never done before. is going to be at a tafriends I made our faith, and to make friends now, even with people Had I not gotten past the ble of five not 1,200. through EYE. along the way. back home. fact that broadcasting your faith Or when it hits you I credit this to isn’t necessarily the “cool” thing that the person you to do, I would of never develwere sitting next to at every serWeekly email news? Yes! oped the relationships I have vice is now three states away. right now, even with people The relationships I made Subscribe here: back home. diocesemo.org/subscribe The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri
DIOCESEMO.ORG
16
Episcopal City Mission Celebrates 60 Years of Hope and Healing by Beth Goad, Executive Director of Episcopal City Mission “For Episcopal City Mission chaplains, a moment in time is the space in which relationships are formed with children in detention,” said Tom Schweizer, an ECM Board member and emcee at the October 2nd fundraiser. He was explaining how the Moment in Time Gala got its name. “It is the opportunity to hear a story, offer support, or invite a new perspective. A moment in time can be brief. It can be simple. And it can change everything.”
Mission to children
ECM held its eleventh annual Moment in Time Gala at Windows on Washington. This year’s event celebrated the 60th Anniversary of Chaplaincy providing support, hope, and healing to children in detention. The children served by ECM in detention are between 11 and 17 years of age with an average age of 14 to 15. ECM chaplains provide non-denominational spiritual care and programming to the young people in the pre-trial detention centers in St. Louis City and St. Louis County and at Lakeside, St. Louis County’s long-term residential treatment facility. Attendance at all ECM programs is voluntary. ECM chaplains do not evangelize or try to change a child’s basic faith orientation.
Being present as a reminder of God’s love
“The children whom we serve at Episcopal City Mission are adolescents, muddling their way toward maturity in imperfect circumstances, as does every human being,” said Bishop Wayne Smith in comments offered after the keynote MAKING DISCIPLES
address. Smith is President of the ECM Board. “Maybe the purpose of ECM is to be there for them, and to remind them that even in their muddling, they are beloved by God,” he added.
“Encouraging Children Ministries”
The keynote speaker for the evening was Leonard McDonald, who has worked for the St. Louis County Department of Human Services for 30 years and has served as the Director of Residential Services since July 2012. His office has always been at the Lakeside Center and he is very familiar with the work of ECM chaplains. McDonald stated the children at Lakeside say that Chaplain Dietra is “easy to talk to and she always listens to what we have to say. She doesn’t let us make excuses about our behavior. She is encouraging, open, and honest and she keeps it real.” That is why McDonald said ECM could easily stand for “Encouraging Children Ministries.” McDonald also quoted from Matthew 25, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Then he added, “ECM lives this out every day ... ministering to the young people in Lakeside and in the City and County detention centers.”
donated by this year’s Honorary Chairman, Mr. Barry Cervantes, was an eight-day and seven-night stay at Grand Solmar, a luxury condo resort in Cabo San Lucas. This was only one of the many great silent and live auction items bid on during the evening.
Raising funds for ministry
Thanks to the sponsors of Moment in Time and the 165 attendees at the event, ECM had one of its most successful fundraising events in many years, which realized a gross total over $71,000. It is through the generosity of our supporters, such as those at Moment in Time and throughout the year,that ECM is able to continue to serve the needs of the children in detention.
They’re our children, too
“Change is what we need for these young people,” added Schweitzer, “because they are our children, too. The support, prayers, donations and all that ECM supporters do—it all makes a big difference in these children’s lives.”
A great party
The 2014 Moment in Time included a cocktail reception, music for dancing by the Just In Time Ensemble, dinner, and silent and live auctions. One spectacular live auction item
BUILDING CONGREGATIONS
FOR THE LIFE OF THE WORLD
Keynote Speaker Mr. Leonard McDonald
17
A Celtic Service in Ferguson
DioMO Smart Phone app
Dr. Donna Hawk-Reinhard writes about the Sunday evening Celtic Eucharist at St. Stephen’s Church in Ferguson Over the last year, St. Stephen’s in Ferguson has been celebrating a Celtic Eucharist on Sunday evenings at 5pm followed by theological discussion during a light meal. This service is based upon the liturgy from the Iona Community, uses music from the Celtic tradition, and includes a short meditation on St. Patrick’s Breastplate from the writings of Rev. David Adam, former rector of Holy Island, Lindisfarne.
Finding the “thin” place
The service is held in the sanctuary, with dim lights, candles on the altar, and meditative silence interspersed between soft, lilting music and gentle words. The rhythm of the service is directed by the muted chiming of a bell, including the five minutes of silent meditation at the beginning of the liturgy. The service was designed to provide a restive, peace-filled space that many of us desperately need in order to enter the transformative thin place where heaven and earth unite in the liturgical space.
sion centering on the questions from the meditation. At the end of the discussion time, one of the discussion leaders collects the themes of the discussion into a prayer of the gathered community. Then community prays the Lord’s prayer in unison. Part of community formation includes setting out the meal after the Eucharist and then clearing the table and washing dishes after the meal. St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church is located at 33 N. Clay Ave., Ferguson, MO 63135. In addition to Sunday morning services and the 5 p.m. Celtic Eucharist, Rite II Morning Prayer is said at St. Stephen’s from 8-8:30 a.m., Monday through Friday.
Service after the service
The meditation is typically three questions on the Gospel reading with time for reflection between each question. After the service, many gather in the parish hall for a light meal and theological discusThe altar, Lindisfarne Parish Church. (cc) Photo credit: Ian Cardinal
for iPhone and Android, on iTunes and Google Play & diocesemo.org/app
The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri
DIOCESEMO.ORG
18
Jesus never said the road would be easy or convenient The Rev. Renee Fenner, rector of St. Barnabas’ Church writes about God’s time and our call to be Church Our Gospel passages of late have had a lot to say about how we as followers of Christ are to act toward one another. If there is a problem between members we are to talk it out and not hold onto grudges. If we have offended another, we are to ask forgiveness and if someone offends us, we are to forgive them as we ourselves are forgiven by our Heavenly Father. We are to be people who show compassion, love, respect, and caring each and every day and not just to those whom we know, but to everyone. We are asked an awful lot as disciples. The tragic shooting of Michael Brown in early August has rocked Ferguson, Florissant, and other nearby communities, and most of our nation. There are still many unanswered questions, anger, and fear. The cries for justice, peace, and equality will not fade quickly into the night as protests and strategy meetings continue even now. Some of you may remember that during the first several days of unrest I was supposed to be on vacation. After a successful run of the Hawthorne Players’ The Wiz, yours truly had hoped for a time to simply be, but that was not the case as I, along with other diocesan clergy, tried to lend a presence to the community. Those who have email received almost daily words from me asking for prayers and that we might consider donating food items to St. Stephen’s food pantry. I am so grateful that we, the parish family of St. Barnabas, were able to check in on one another, support one another, and join our prayers and presence with the city of Ferguson. I am grateful to those who MAKING DISCIPLES
donated and delivered food items so that others could eat. I am grateful for those who helped staff the booth usually staffed by members of St. Stephen’s at the Ferguson Farmers’ Market. I am grateful for the Commission on Dismantling Racism whose pre-planned visit in late August was right on time as those in attendance were able to talk about what was happening in our communities, share their feelings, and ask the all-important question: ‘What can we do?’ The short and long answer is that we continue being the church. We continue to be disciples of Christ who try to live by Jesus’ mandate to “love one another.” We continue to pray not only for ourselves but for our sisters and brothers everywhere. We continue to listen and to learn. We continue to be the warm, inviting, and welcoming place to all who seek refuge and seek to know the Lord Jesus Christ for themselves. We continue to live out our baptismal covenant; striving in every way we can, individually and corporally, to work for justice and peace and to respect the dignity of every human being. Jesus never said the road would be easy or convenient, only that he will always be with us. With God’s help, we can help make the world that we share a better place for ALL.
food pantry at St. Stephen’s. Senior Warden Jim Hollenberg writes, “The call went out to bring some canned goods to church, and in one weeks’ time we responded with two car trunks full of food, with another delivered the following week. This was accomplished without any reduction in our normal donations to TEAM, the Florissant-Hazelwood food pantry and ministry.”
Originally published in the St. Barnabas’ Salter, October 2014. St. B’s, who began the year with a serious deficit and is not out of the woods yet, was extremely generous in contributing to the
BUILDING CONGREGATIONS
FOR THE LIFE OF THE WORLD
19
When violence comes close, prayer is as necessary as breathing Edie Bird, rector of Christ Church in Cape Girardeau on a deeply faithful response to a crisis of fear
The relationship with When I arrived in Cape monks in Algiers who The relationship with God becomes firmly estabGirardeau, people were exwere faced with rising God becomes firmly lished through pressing a great deal of concern violence and fear in established through the practice of about a rise in violent crime in the 1990s, represents the practice of daily daily prayer, it the city, and particularly in the the faith response of deepens and it prayer, it deepens neighborhoods south of Christ unceasing prayer and grows. and it grows. Church. Throughout the sumcontinued service. In There mer months, I heard a lot of talk one particularly movis an ancient about it. ing scene, the monks Christian practice (some will reLast Saturday there was are confronted with armed member this from older prayer a prayerful walk through the terrorists at their gates on neighborhoods lead by three Christmas Eve. After the armed books) of keeping regular times of prayer at sunrise ( 6 a.m.), historically African-American men leave, the monks go into morning (9 a.m.), noon, 3 p.m., congregations. the chapel and celebrate The For two hours we walked Feast of the Nativity with simple and sunset (6 p.m.) along with bedtime (9 p.m. or so). If one and sang gospel music, stopping reverence and grace. wakes in the night (as I often do), to pray at each of the sites where Ironically, I find that my it is the loveliest time for quiet violence had occurred during life of prayer is derailed not by the past few months. truly grave matters like war, but prayer. There is nothing like the vigil of prayer in the deep quiet This was a by countless little of the night. deeply faithful things that claim
The constant text response to a crisis to be urgent, but messages, emails, of fear. I was deeply are actually not at blessed to participhone calls, and the all urgent. pate, and to be able The constant unceasing activity of to walk with Breita text-messages, my anxious mind Church, Youn and emails, phone are the things that Julie Gonzales, and calls, and the unbeautiful little Elaine fool me into thinking ceasing activity of who came out for the that I should put my anxious mind march. are the things that prayer aside. It was a wonfool me into thinkderful reminder to ing that I should me that when violence comes put prayer aside. close and we are afraid and anxSince ancient times, faithious, prayer is as necessary as ful people have kept regular breathing. In fact, prayer is vital, times of prayer throughout the no matter how we feel or what day and night. These times of we are doing. prayer need not be lengthy or The movie Of Gods and Men complicated. A minute or five also reminds me of this. This minutes a few times a day, pracmovie based upon the true story ticed faithfully, begins to work a of a small community of French change in our hearts and minds.
At the church, I am going to keep the 9 a.m. hour for Morning Prayer on the days I am in the Office and invite you to join me for this time of prayer if you wish. In addition to singing some psalms and reading a little bit of Scripture through the week, just praying that God’s good and gracious will be done in each of our lives. I’ll also be praying for peace in our homes, our neighborhoods, our city, our state, our nation, and our world. Please join me at 9 a.m. whenever you are able and wish to. Originally published in Christ Church’s The Fountain, October 2014. Photo from this August’s Dismantling Racism training at St. Paul’s Church in Sikeston. The Rev. Edie Bird, left, participates in a listening exercise.
Sunday, November 30, is the first Sunday of Advent. The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri
DIOCESEMO.ORG
20
First, we pray
Clergy transitions
by Tamsen Whistler, rector of Trinity Church in St. Charles What’s the deal with Ferguson? Why is it still in the news, on our prayer list, in our (sometimes heated) conversations? What’s the deal? The situation in Ferguson, sparked by a fatal confrontation between a police officer and a teenager is bigger than the incident itself. As devastating as that event is and has been for all concerned, what it has revealed is even more painful, more controversial, and more difficult to accept, let alone resolve. One sign of the depth of the issues involved is the tendency either to demonize the police officer and canonize the teen, or demonize the teenager and canonize the cop. That approach serves neither justice nor truth. It’s almost a red herring, a distraction that prevents real conversation and an honest look at the bigger picture of the systems in play that have resulted in this incident and others like it. We have a problem—generational, cultural, economic, and intense. Why do I insist that WE have a problem? THEY are in Ferguson; WE are here. And here is a fine place to be, a good place, safe, sensible, comfortable, and calm. Considering that the shooting of Michael Brown was the first police-involved citizen fatality in Ferguson in thirty years, I would imagine that MAKING DISCIPLES
“good, safe, sensible, and calm” are adjectives many people in Ferguson would have used to describe their hometown not quite sixty days ago. Experiences of subtle, or even blatant, racism were understood as distinct incidents, not as part of a larger pattern. The concept of “white privilege” has been dismissed as silly or as sour grapes on the part of people of color—and it is hard to recognize if I’m the one benefiting from it. But I am, I do, I know it. What do we do about this? First, we pray—for humility, understanding, the ability to speak truth and to hear it, commitment to our community as a whole, the wisdom to see what steps we might take, and the willingness to take those steps. Next—still praying—is to start a conversation. We need to listen to each other, rather than dismissing one person’s uncomfortable reality when it clashes with ours. We need to drop defensiveness, all of us, all colors and income levels. We can’t fix everything. We can’t make everyone law-abiding and respectful of each other—but we start where we are with the people we know, then seek out those we don’t know so well, talk with and listen to them too.
Jason Samuel has resigned his position as Rector of the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration in Lake St. Louis to become Priest-in-charge of St. David of Wales Episcopal Church in San Diego, California. Photo credit: Jonathan Sanders, Samuel’s last Eucharist as rector at Transfig on October 19. Lydia Agnew Speller, former Rector of St. Mark’s Church in St. Louis, is extending her interim position as Priest-incharge of Grace Episcopal Church in Port Huron, Michigan for another 3 to 5 years at the request of that diocese’s bishop and the parish leadership. Jedediah “Jed” Fox, curate and assistant to the rector of the Church of St. Michael and St. George in Clayton, has been called as Rector of the Church of the Redeemer in Kenmore, Washington as of January 1, 2015.
Originally published in Trinity Tidings, October 2014.
BUILDING CONGREGATIONS
FOR THE LIFE OF THE WORLD