Triennial TODAY SATURDAY JULY 7, 2012
A Tribute to a Friend: Catherine Lillibridge Spearheads a 5K Tribute to Mary Ellen Smith The loss of a friend or loved
one can create a void in the heart that is difficult to fill. So it was for Catherine Lillibridge, when she lost her friend Mary Ellen Smith, 56, wife of the Right Reverend Dabney Smith, bishop of Southwest Florida, to cancer in March of this year. Saddened by the loss of her friend, Lillibridge, who is also married to a bishop (the Right Reverend Gary R. Lillibridge, bishop of West Texas), wanted to do something to honor Smith’s memory, but wasn’t certain about how she should go about it. Then, Lillibridge learned that about the First ECW Triennial 5K Walk/Run. Since both she and Smith were runners and fitness enthusiasts, she decided that she would run in the event to honor her friend. However, after going online to register, Lillibridge was impressed by the beauty of the Indianapolis Canal Walk, where the walk/run is scheduled
to take place. It was suddenly clear that she wanted to do something even more special and life-affirming to remember Smith. “Mary Ellen and I would walk together each time we went to a House of Bishops or Sewanee gathering. When I saw a picture of the canal and path in Indianapolis that we will walk/run for the 5K, I knew I would be doing this with Mary Ellen in my heart,” said Lillibridge. “It looked like the kind of place where Mary Ellen and I would have liked to walk together.” It was then that she decided to pick up the phone and call the event organizers to discuss just how to pay tribute to her friend at the event. There was an emotional discussion of sponsorship and tribute possibilities. Afterward, it was decided that 5K participants could walk (or run) the event in Mary Ellen Smith’s memory, and that purple armbands
Many of the best ideas are born from adversity. Catherine Lillibridge’s gesture to honor a dear friend has inspired an historic and memorable ECW tribute in memory of Mary Ellen Smith.
Mary Ellen Smith (center) with Lisa Lee, Diocese of Chicago and Catherine Lillibridge, Diocese of West Texas in Laguna Beach, CA at the 2009 General Convention. bearing Smith’s name (purple being the official representative color of the bishops) would be made available to friends, colleagues, and others walking in her honor. “I contacted Bishop Smith, to make sure he was comfortable with a tribute to Mary Ellen,” Lillibridge remembers. “He was thrilled! In fact, he asked if he should sign up for the race.” Of course, her response was a resounding “Yes!” With the bishop’s blessing, plans for the tribute fell into place. Lillibridge composed an email to all the bishops, and their spouses, encouraging them to walk in Smith’s memory. She even included a link to the ECW 5K Walk/Run registration site.
For those who sign up for the event through that link, and notify Lillibridge, an armband ready for them to wear during the race. The handcrafted armbands are made of purple cloth—donated by yet another clergy spouse—and fabric glue. Each armband bears the words “In Loving Memory of Mary Ellen Smith.”
Lillibridge anticipates that a number of convention attendees from the bishops’ community will respond to the 5K tribute for Mary Ellen Smith; she also hopes that convention delegates from Southwest Florida will sign up in for the event in support of their bishop, and the memory of his wife of 36 years. As recently as July 4, Lillibridge’s reported that--although her original plan was to make between 60 to 100 armbands, but the requests for them keeps increasing. One thing is for certain, Lillibridge looks forward to seeing the flashes of purple among the participants — an homage to a her friend’s strength, courage, friendship, and unwavering fortitude.
United Thank Offering Shares Committee Results by Mary M. Williams, Diocese of Northwest Texas, Province VII
Three pieces came together
the journey of the board with the committee did not end in separation but in continued togetherness. UTO has not applied for its own 501c3 status; UTO will remain under the auspices of the DFMS. The board has one more small piece of the process to complete, but board members are pleased with the outcome.
Ann Gordon gave a funny and incisive historical review of UTO — important dates (such as its inception), dollar amount from the first grants, and a reminder that UTO began as the Women’s Auxiliary to the Board of Mission of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society. The men of the church were also challenged in early days to raise money for mission through the Men’s Thank Offering, but, according to Gordon, their efforts did not go as they wished, so they discontinued the men’s part.
The presentation ended with a short Power Point whose pictures illustrated some of the work that has been and is being completed on buildings funded through some recent grants in 2010 and 2011. These pictures included one of a children’s safe enclosed play area and renovations to the second floor of a school (whose balcony and flooring were in disrepair) as well as a green and yellow school bus.
to make one terrific presentation by the United Thank Offering board Friday afternoon. Delegates got to hear a historical presentation and the summary of the results of the IN055 UTO study committee, and finally they saw a Power Point presentation of some of the images from recent grants.
2009-12 President Sarita Redd gave the report on the outcome of the study committee investigation. Redd struck a very positive note, saying that the current chair of IN055 is an honorary member of the UTO board and that
The presentation reminded delegates that UTO and the Episcopal Church Women are and will continue to be connected with each other, the Episcopal Church, and the Anglican Communion. The “little blue box” has supported mission from the very beginning, all over the world.
Speaker Offers a Message of Ev By Laura Orcutt, St James Episcopal Church, Diocese of Utah
President Marcia Himes
whom we converse. In turn, our lives are transformed.
called the second day of the Episcopal Church Women’s (ECW) Triennial Meeting to order, as an Gortner reminded those gathered in opening prayer was offerd by Zona the second floor ballroom at IndiaTownsend. After a introducing the napolis’ Westin Hotel, that the role of meeting’s timekeepers, and the floor the ECW member has always been manager of the event, Himes introdeeply entrenched as part of mission duced the second plenary speaker, work—and when the work is done, Professor David Timothy Gortner, and “thank yous” have been given PhD, director of the Doctor of Min—everyone goes on their own way. istry programs, and professor of EvangeECW memlism and bers, he said, “We are ears listening to do God’s Congreare now facing gational changes and work. We name the Holy by Leadertumult unlike speaking from our own ship at what they have Virginia experienced in places of truth.” Theothe past. logical Seminary. Gortner began his address “Roman Catholic nuns are being told by having those gathered in the room to quit helping people and to get back join him in singing the hymn, “Oh, to the convents,” said Gortner. “We How I Love Jesus,” and infused the are being told to embrace evangelism roomfull of ECW members with the again so that we may bring those we spirit of evangelism. talk with to the Holy. We weave a deeper meaning with our words, as That is not evangelism in an instiwe bring the conversation towards tutional direction, offered Gortner, God’s all changing love.” but how culture and habits can be transformed through conversation “We practice the fundamental and to change the lives of people with joyful practice of admiring our per-
vangelism to ECW Conference sonal and open relationship with and unending wonder of God,” he continued. “How do we practice this evangelism in conversation? We begin by listening to the story of the person we are conversing with, the first thread. We then converse back with our story, the second thread, relating to their story. In turn, an exchange of words and story begins and a conversation is woven. When the third thread of scripture and history is brought in, we create the GREAT story and play witness to it.” “This simple action makes the basis of your theology, your personal experience of the Holy, easy for you to relate as you are sharing your one true path in which you have met the risen Christ just as each of us have,” said Gortner. He suggests that this type of evangelistic conversation is transportable, and can be carried on any way--in a public or private venue (such as, a restaurant, a store, a library, a park, or in “the neighborhood.” “African Americans are exemplary in natural conversation as a witness. Listen for how it is connected and how all those engaged in the conver-
sation are uplifted. Recognize the one true journey as we weave together how our lives relate and how they relate to the one Holy Spirit who encompasses us. We are ears listening to do God’s work. We name the Holy by speaking from our own places of truth,” he said. Gortner concluded his address, “This is not the right time to embrace the city on the hill. It is the right time to embrace one another in conversation and story to create the GREAT story wherever we go. Transformation when then occur naturally. This is NOT a program; not announced on high; not defined. It is our personal connection and time about our journey, our love, our joy.”
ECW/UTO Combined G
Gala Dinner
and Presentation
{province spotlight}
HONORING
the Distinguished Women of the Church
The Distinguished Woman Award (formerly known as the Honored
Woman Award) is presented at each Episcopal Church Women’s (ECW) Triennial Meeting to a woman in the Episcopal Church whose life and involvement in the secular community best reflects “her Christian values.” As part of this timehonored ceremony, diocesan delegates from each province are asked to submit the name of a woman who represents these qualities. Triennial Today is honoring this group of exceptional women by featuring one woman from each of the church’s nine provinces per issue. The Distinguished Woman ceremonies will be held on Saturday, July 7, between 11 am and 1 pm, on the second floor of the Westin Hotel, in the ballroom.
From Province III: Verna G. Anson Verna G. Anson, of the Diocese
of West Virginia, is a lifelong member of the Anglican and Episcopal Churches. A trained physical therapist, she enjoyed 40 years of marriage to Geoffrey Anson, with whom she had four children. She serves her church, Trinity Episcopal, in Martinsburg, as Altar Guild co-director, choir member, and is founder of the Prayer Shawl ministry. She is also a volunteer at the Berkley Senior Center as a computer teacher and gardener. The Center’s Volunteer of the Year Award is named in her honor. Anson also reads to young children and is helping to develop a children’s chapel at her church. She sings with the Harmony Along the Potomac Sweet Adelines, frequently visiting nursing homes and other community venues.
Verna lives her daily life in service to others. She embodies our call to love God and to love others as yourself. A humble, quiet women, she distinguishes herself through her grace and perseverance in serving God.
St. Elmo’s Steakhouse When conference business
draws to a close at the end of the day, attendees are looking for a decent meal to help them relax and enjoy the company of their friends and colleagues. Several conventioners at ECW and National Convention have recommended to the team at Triennial Today that St Elmo Steak House is a destination that is sure to offer a relaxing atmosphere after a draining day of church business. When looking for a venue that offers both ambiance and good food, St. Elmo Steak House receives top marks. Nestled in the middle of the downtown Indianapolis, St Elmo is best known not only for its elegant atmosphere, but for its traditional steaks, chops, salads, seafood, and the spiciest shrimp cocktail in town. The oldest steakhouse in Indianapolis (having opened in 1902), St Elmo is also famous for its extensive wine cellar. Located in a landmark building, St Elmo was founded by Joe Stahr, who named his business after the patron saint of sailors. Once a dining club for men, St Elmo once hosted businessmen, politicians, and tycoons, who
discussed business and strategy amidst its elegant appointments of bygone days (including a tiger-oak bar, as well as much of its turn-of-the-20th century decor). The restaurant is currently owned and operated by veteran restauranteur Stephen Huse, and his son, Craig. Available for private dining or large parties, the steak house now features such update as a large, open kitchen that is viewable to guests in the bar, two additional private dining rooms, and an award-winning cellar containing several thousand bottles of vintage wines. St Elmo Steak House is at 127 South Illinois St, Indianapolis. For information, or reservations, call 317.687.9162, or go to www.stelmos.com.
Triennial TODAY was written, edited, and designed by Rogena Schuyler-Silverman and Cristina Paraiso. For the duration of the conference, the office for Triennial Today is located in the Senate 1 Suite, on the 2nd floor of the Westin. If you would like to contribute an article, review, or offer unique insight into the event, please contact TMeditor@ecwnational.org.