The North Carolina Disciple Winter 2011-2012

WINTER 2011-2012

THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF NORTH CAROLINA

Find your

Gospel based

discipleship booklet inside the gospel must be

proclaimed! scripture, tradition &

facebook

contents

table of

WINTER 2011-2012

features

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Diocesan House 200 West Morgan Street, Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27601-1338 PHONE: 919.834.7474 TOLL FREE: 800.448.8775 FAX: 919.834.8775 The Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina Bishop The Rt. Rev. Michael B. Curry michael.curry@episdionc.org Diocesan House: 919.834.7474

The Gospel Must Be Proclaimed!

Scripture, Tradition and Facebook

Assistant Bishop The Rt. Rev. William O. Gregg william.gregg@episdionc.org Office of the Assistant Bishop: 704.332.7746

Diocesan Convention 2012 Notes from a Green Church, Inside and Out

Assisting Bishop The Rt. Rev. Alfred C. “Chip” Marble Jr. alfred.marble@episdionc.org Office of the Assisting Bishop: 336.273.5770

Hope in the Midst of a Hurricane A House of Prayer for All People A Special Ministry of Servanthood

PUBLISHER

Making a Difference in the Streets

Bishop of North Carolina

NetsforLife Campaign Updates

EDITOR / ART DIRECTOR

Music Outreach from Across the Atlantic

COPY EDITING

Sarah Herr: sarah.herr@episdionc.org Beth Grace Summerlee Walter

Gospel Based Discipleship

CONTRIBUTORS IN THIS ISSUE

The Rt. Rev. Michael B. Curry The Rev. Canon Cathie Caimano Pelham Jacobs The Rev. Dr. Marjorie H. Holm Sarah Johnson The Rev. Meg Buerkel Hunn The Rev. Elizabeth Marie Melchionna The Ven. William Joyner Katherine H. Bratton Summerlee Walter Linda E. Goodliffe The Rev. David Crabtree The Rev. Lorraine Ljunggren Susan Byrum Rountree

The Road to Galilee Is Paved with Prayer: Holy Women, Holy Men El Señor Habla Español, También Decisions and Call: A Reflection on Prison Ministry An Organ, a Calling: A Fine Sacred Music Ministry

departments & more 21 Events, Briefs & Clergy Changes 32 Bishops’ Visitations

SUBSCRIPTIONS / CHANGE OF ADDRESS

Scott Welborn: scott.welborn@episdionc.org SUBMISSIONS

All submissions welcome and considered for publication.

Email submissions to sarah.herr@episdionc.org.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Are published on the diocesan website under “The NC Disciple.”

ON THE COVER

Photo taken Susan Byrum Rountree of the new organ recently installed at at St. Michael’s, Raleigh. For more photos and information, turn to page 32.

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ON THE COVER

The North Carolina Disciple | Winter 2011-2012

Making Disciples, Making a Difference

scenes from

clergy

conference Clockwise from top: The Rev. Bob McGee, the Rev. Rhonda Lee, the Rev. Brad Mullis and the Rev. Ken Kroohs hold a table discussion. Clergy discussed the future of the church and young adult ministry, among other topics. The Rev. Canon Michael Buerkel Hunn updates the Clergy Conference Facebook feed.

The Rev. Canon Cathie Caimano listens as the Rev. Sarah Ball-Damberg speaks. The Rev. Evelyn Morales speaks as the Rev. Sara Palmer and Bishop Curry listen. Careful listening was a hallmark of the conference. The Rev. Nils Chittenden, the Rev. Robert Black, the Rev. Audra Abt, the Rev. Amy Huacani, the Rev. Chantal McKinney and the Rev. Joe Hensley smile for the camera. Bishop Gregg greets Bishop Marble as the Rev. Jane Holmes stands near.

ATTENTION CHURCHES: Have you updated your member lists with the Diocesan Office? The Diocese is attempting to update the Disciple mailing list. Contact Scott Welborn at scott.welborn@episdionc.org for more details.

ABOUT

At a Glance Facts: This Magazine...

The North Carolina Disciple is the quarterly magazine of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina. Other diocesan communication vehicles, including Around the Diocese, a monthly bulletin insert; Please Note, a weekly e-newsletter; and the Diocesan website, www.episdionc.org, are used for more time-sensitive, day-to-day news.

Contact Sarah Herr at sarah.herr@episdionc.org with any questions or feedback regarding these communications, or to submit ideas, articles and photos.

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Is printed with soy inks, which are more environmentally friendly than traditional petroleum-based inks.

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Is printed on FSC certified paper - paper certified by the Forestry Stewardship Council, an independent, non-governmental, not for profit organization established to promote the responsible management of the world’s forests.

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Is printed and mailed in Henderson, North Carolina. The printer has been using an internal paper recycling system for paper production since 1995.

Delivery occurs in the early part of the following months: Reflecting the Radical Welcome of Jesus

September / Fall Issue December / Winter Issue March / Spring Issue June / Summer Issue The North Carolina Disciple | Winter 2011-2012

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From the Rt. Rev. Michael B. Curry, Bishop of the Diocese of North Carolina

The Gospel Must Be Proclaimed!

Excerpts from a sermon preached by Bishop Curry at the 2011 Annual Clergy Conference of the Diocese of North Carolina, on the Commemoration of George Kennedy Allen Bell, Bishop of Chichester and Ecumenist, 1883-1958

When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birth pangs. As for yourselves, beware; for they will hand you over to councils; and you will be beaten in synagogues; and you will stand before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them. And the good news must first be proclaimed to all nations.

Mark 13:7-10 NRSV

Can we hear these words of Jesus? We don’t need any more clarity about our mission than this: “The good news must be proclaimed to all nations.” When things are going well, when as the poet Robert Browning writes, “God’s in his Heaven -- all’s right with the world!” the good news must be proclaimed. And when all hell’s breaking loose, and nothing seems right with the world or your life or your ministry, the good news must be proclaimed. That’s the word for all baptized disciples of Jesus. That’s the word for the Church. Jesus said it: The good news must be proclaimed.

I On April 8, 1945, the day before he was to be executed for participating in the underground opposition to the Nazis in Germany, Lutheran pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer asked another prisoner to pass the following message to his friend George Bell, the Anglican Bishop of Chichester: “…Tell him that this is for me the end, but also the beginning–with him I believe in the principle of our Universal Christian brotherhood which rises above all national hatreds and that our victory is certain.…”1 Bonhoeffer’s words are nothing less than a proclamation of the Gospel in the face of monstrous evil. His was a 1

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life lived in radical obedience to the call of Jesus. His was a life lived in accepting the cost of discipleship. Bonhoeffer’s message to his friend George Bell was that no matter what, in any and all circumstances, “the good news must be proclaimed.”

And Bell, too, lived his life out of that conviction.

II George Bell was a remarkable man. As Dean of Canterbury Cathedral he commissioned T.S. Eliot to write a play about Thomas à Becket, the 12th century Archbishop of Canterbury, titled Murder in the Cathedral. Later, as Bishop of Chichester, Bell became a leader in the worldwide ecumenical movement when such leanings were not fashionable. It’s easy for us to forget that the ecumenical movement in the first half of the 20th century often directly challenged the entrenched religious prejudices, bigotries and animosities among various Christian traditions. The ecumenical movement back then was often as unpopular as interfaith cooperation between Christians and Muslims can be today. George Bell was one of the earliest and most persistent advocates of ecumenism.

Bell was also an early opponent of Nazism before such opposition was widely shared. He used his office and his ecumenical contacts to help Jews who wanted to escape. He used his position in the House of Lords to advocate for those who had no one else to advocate for them. He supported the underground Confessing Church in Germany, which refused to swear allegiance to the Nazi state and ideology. In that same spirit, Bell signed the Barmen Declaration, which held

Conspiracy and Imprisonment: 1940-1945 (Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works: Volume 16)

The North Carolina Disciple | Winter 2011-2012

Making Disciples, Making a Difference

Left: The Rev. George Bell, Dean of Canterbury and Bishop of Chichester, who became a leader in the worldwide ecumenical movement.

Right: Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a Lutheran pastor who opposed Nazis. He was imprisoned and executed for that opposition.

that Christian beliefs and Nazi ideology were not compatible.

Toward the end of the war, the Allied Powers engaged in area and saturation bombing of German cities such as Dresden, which resulted in massive destruction and deaths of civilians. Bell publicly opposed the bombings as immoral killings of the innocent civilians of a defeated country, and therefore as violations of the moral principles of the Just War Theory in Christianity. This was not a popular position, and historians speculate that for this and other acts of witness Bell was likely passed over more than once for appointment as Archbishop of Canterbury.

Before the war, the Nazis had arrested Pastor Martin Niemoeller for his public opposition to their party. George Bell in England mounted a campaign to save Niemoller’s life and release him. AfPesky people like George ter the war it came to light that Hitler Bell are, in fact, exactly had decided not to what we need in ordained execute Niemoeller leadership today. We need because of bad some pesky deacons, pesky publicity generated by a pesky English priests and pesky bishops bishop. who will help the people Pesky people like of God to become pesky George Bell are exactly what we need disciples of Jesus in the world, not simply members in ordained leadertoday. We need of a church. We need some ship some pesky deacons, pesky Christians to witness pesky priests and pesky bishops who to and live out the good help the people news of God in Jesus Christ. will of God to become pesky disciples of Jesus in the world, not simply members of a church. We need some pesky Christians to witness to and live out the good news of God in Jesus Christ – Christians who are pesky about the compassion of God, pesky about the justice of God, pesky about the forgiveness of God, pesky about the love of God which knows no bounds, pesky about the way of the Gospel that can change this world and change our lives. As our Lord told us, “The good news must be proclaimed.”

George Bell and Dietrich Bonhoeffer both believed that the teachings of Jesus found in the Sermon on the Mount

Reflecting the Radical Welcome of Jesus

contained much of the core of what Christian discipleship in community needs to look like. Both deeply admired and supported Mahatma Gandhi for his freedom work in India and for his insight into and understanding of what Jesus was trying to teach in the Sermon on the Mount. They both yearned to make a pilgrimage to India to read the Sermon on the Mount with the Mahatma.

Bell, a longtime friend of Gandhi, arranged a trip with Bonhoeffer to India. But, before they could go, the world plunged itself into war. Even so, I have a feeling they did make that pilgrimage -- not specifically to India, but into the fullness of the Kingdom, where our nightmares cease, where God’s dream is realized, where God’s loving and righteous will is done. I suspect that in some way George Bell, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Mahatma Gandhi have read the Sermon on the Mount together, along with the One whose words and life first proclaimed its message. And that says something about the grace of our God. That is the Gospel. That is the Good News. And we are privileged, with all of the baptized people of God, to live it, to proclaim it, to witness to it, to share it.

As the old spiritual sings:

“Got my hands on the gospel plough, Wouldn’t take nothing for my journey now, Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on, hold on, Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on.

Sisters and brothers, hear the words of Jesus: “The good news must be proclaimed.”

The Rt. Rev. Michael B. Curry was elected 11TH Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina in 2000.

The North Carolina Disciple | Winter 2011-2012

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&

scripture, tradition By the Rev. Canon Cathie Caimano

Every morning, before I even say my prayers, I check my Facebook page.

I need to see how everyone is - their health and families, what they had for breakfast, what articles they are reading and how they are processing the daily events of the world. I currently have 554 friends, although that number is very fluid, as almost every day I gain some, I lose some. I know just about all of them in person, as they are mostly my family, my friends from school (elementary through seminary), church friends and clergy colleagues, plus some of my husband’s family and friends. But I also meet new people this way, every day. They are for the most part Americans, with a smattering of Italians, Indians and Australians, plus a few expats living in Chile, Turkey, China, Germany and France. They are Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, agnostic, atheist and members of the sacred hooping circle. This is my c ommunity, people I show up for and count on.

Between my iPad and iPhone Facebook apps, I probably check in on Facebook 20 to 30 times a day.

I am not a kid, nor do I long to be. I am firmly in middleage, hold down a challenging job which I adore, with a lovely husband and good friends whom I see “in real life.” I am in church every Sunday, often as the preacher. In fact, I am passionately involved in thinking, dreaming and praying about the future of the church and the call of the Gospel. The church and its mission consume most of my waking hours, and even some of my dreams, and I could not be more serious about where and how God is calling us into the future as followers of Jesus.

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And I think not just that Facebook is a part of that future, but that, if we are serious about sharing our faith, we must engage social media and how it has changed how we look at the world—and even who we are.

But as serious as I am about this, most people laugh when I say it aloud, or look at me with a mixture of shock and pity when I talk about how often I check Facebook. Social media is usually either loudly or subtly derided by those who presumably have better things to do, including middleaged professional women who work in the church.

I often hear Facebook and other social media dismissed as frivolous and distracting, and sometimes even as threaten-

The North Carolina Disciple | Winter 2011-2012 Making Disciples, Making a Difference

Above, Facebook snapshot from the page of the Rev. Canon Cathie Caimano, who feels Facebook is just one of the latest tools that can be used to spread the Good News of Jesus.

On the right, the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina and Bishop Michael Curry recently joined Facecbook. See the information box on the bottom right to find the Diocese on Facebook, Twitter and more.

ing to our privacy or our safety. Articles abound on how screen time is making our relationships more shallow—and our attention spans more fragmented—and how constantly sharing our thoughts and pictures may affect our future jobs, marriages and children.

We forget that people said the same thing about the printing press, the automobile and the telephone.

And that in the same way, a deep, real shift in human communication and interaction is occurring worldwide.

Our very notions of “real” relationships are changing, our concepts of public and private are shifting and all sorts of different systems, from education to legal to healthcare to political, are being radically transformed.

The church is no exception. Most of us are worried about the church globally if not locally. As I travel around the Diocese of North Carolina, the most frequent question I hear is, “Where are the young people?”

And the young people, as we all know, are on Facebook. And Twitter. And whatever social media is coming next. And not just young people—the fastest growing segment of social media users is people like me, middle-aged and older. Facebook is literally where are family and friends are every day, talking about their everyday concerns and beliefs.

It is also where millions of others, whom we have not met yet, are spending time -- across cultures, countries, religions and languages.

Are we asking ourselves how we are sharing our faith with others through this remarkable (and free!) forum, which is available to all, from the housebound to the always on the go?

Reflecting the Radical Welcome of Jesus

The Diocese and the Bishop are on Facebook!

Find the Diocese on Facebook: www.facebook.com/EpiscopalDioceseNC You can also “friend request” the Bishop.

Just search for Michael Curry.

Other ways to stay connected: Subscribe to the Diocesan e-newsletter, Please Note, by emailing sarah.herr@episdionc.org.

Subscribe to the Diocesan Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/episdionc.

Follow Bishop Curry on Twitter and via his blog: twitter.com/bishopcurry; http://bishopcurry.wordpress.com.

The North Carolina Disciple | Winter 2011-2012

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Who’s on in the episcopal diocese of north carolina The Diocese recently launched its official Facebook page and received 166 “likes” within the first week, Bishop Curry now tweets and blogs and this year’s clergy conference engaged the lay audience as attendees by posted running commentaries on social media sites. In additon to our beautiful historic buildings and light-filled modern sanctuaries, digital sites like Facebook and Twitter have become the new gathering places for worship, fellowship, planning and theological discussions. Now even geographically isolated parishes can easily connect with the wider Diocesan comunity. See below for a list of parishes and ministries that now have a presence on Facebook, and consider adding yours to the list!

All Saints’, Greensboro Christ Church, Albemarle Christ Church, Cleveland Christ Church, Walnut Cove Church of the Redeemer, Greensboro Emmanuel, Southern Pines Episcopal Center at Duke University Gallaway Memorial, Elkin Good Shepherd, Asheboro Grace, Lexington Holy Comforter, Burlington Holy Spirit, Greensboro Holy Trinity, Greensboro Iglesia El Buen Pastor, Durham St. Andrew’s, Greensboro St. Anne’s, Winston-Salem St. Christopher’s, High Point St. Elizabeth’s, Apex St. Elizabeth’s, King St. Francis, Greensboro St. James’, Kittrell St. John’s, Charlotte St. John’s, Wake Forest St. Joseph’s, Durham

St. Mark’s, Raleigh St. Martin’s, Charlotte St. Mary’s, High Point St. Mary’s, Speed St. Mary’s House St. Michael’s, Raleigh St. Paul’s, Cary St. Paul’s, Salisbury St. Paul’s, Smithfield St. Paul’s, Thomasville St. Paul’s, Winston-Salem St. Peter’s, Charlotte St. Philip’s, Durham St. Stephen’s, Durham St. Stephen’s, Winston-Salem St. Thomas’, Reidsville St. Timothy’s, Wilson St. Timothy’s, Winston-Salem Thompson Child and Family Focus Trinity, Greensboro Trinity Youth, Statesville UNC Episcopal Campus Ministry Youth Ministry in the Episcopal Diocese of NC

Let us know if your congregation is on Facebook, but not included in the above list, so we can connect with you!

Contact Sarah Herr at sarah.herr@episdionc.org.

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There are so many new ways for us to be known and to make known what we believe. There are so many neighbors out there, as close as our phone or computers. There are so many waiting to hear about the good news of Christ. Through Facebook, that news is just a click away.

Evangelism is something we are not often comfortable with, for a varietyof reasons, including concerns about privacy and intimacy. And yet, most of us gather each week in churches with dwindling membership and wonder how we will get more folks to come through our doors. At the same time, social media is growing in leaps and bounds, not just in numbers but in ways that allow us to virtually gather and share not just our hobbies and our tastes in movies, but our actual faith, too.

And I have been surprised, delighted and moved by how easy and meaningful this can be. I had a minor medical procedure a few weeks ago, and, by mentioning this on Facebook, I instantly had hundreds of others praying for me. I frequently share articles and sermons and questions on my page and get amazing numbers of comments and questions about what people are thinking in terms of the Gospel. And not just from my Episcopal friends—and I have a lot of those!—but, increasingly, from my agnostic or atheist or hooping friends, too. And even from strangers. People are hungry to talk about their beliefs, and, if we are serious about ours, shouldn’t we be talking about them where so many gather?

“Who is my neighbor?” Jesus so frequently asks us, and, of course, we know that the answer is everyone. I am passionate about Facebook mostly because I am passionate about the way it changes and improves how I meet my neighbors, how I interact with them, how I share my faith. Is it scary? Of course it’s scary. There are all sorts of ways we can interact negatively, and dangers concerning boundaries and safety exist. But isn’t this always the case when we go out as disciples in the world?

And isn’t it always a blessing when we find real connection and real life, even in the midst of our cares and worries? Jesus also says, oh so frequently, “Be not afraid,” and, “Go and make disciples.”

There are many ways Jesus is currently calling us to follow him, of course, but I am convinced one big one is into the mission field that is social media. There are so many new ways for us to be known and to make known what we believe.

There are so many neighbors out there, as close as our phone or computers. There are so many waiting to hear about the good news of Christ. Through Facebook, that news is just a click away.

The Rev. Canon Cathie Caimano is the East Regional Priest and a faithful Facebook user. Contact her at (919) 627-8822 or at eastpriest@episdionc.org.

The North Carolina Disciple | Winter 2011-2012 Making Disciples, Making a Difference

From the Episcopal Church homepage

convention with the presiding

bishop

The Most Rev. Dr. Katherine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, will serve as the keynote speaker at the 196th Annual Diocesan Convention.

She will answer delegates’ questions at a townhall meeting on Friday afternoon; later that evening, she will preach at the Convention Eucharist, held at St. Paul’s. She will finish her visit to North Carolina by keynoting on Saturday morning. The Diocese is planning to stream the Convention live, as has been done the past two years, so be sure to visit www.episdionc.org to watch the Presiding Bishop’s address.

The Most Rev. Dr. Katharine Jefferts Schori, previously Bishop of Nevada, is the 26th Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. She is chief pastor to the Episcopal Church’s 2.4 million members in 16 countries and 110 dioceses, ecumenical officer and primate, joining leaders of the other 38 Anglican Provinces in consultation for global good and reconciliation. Jefferts Schori was elected at the 75th General Convention on June 18, 2006 and invested at Washington National Cathedral on November 4, 2006.

Over the course of her nine year term, Bishop Jefferts Schori is responsible for initiating and developing policy for The Episcopal Church and speaks on behalf of this Church regarding the policies, strategies and programs authorized

by General Convention. She has been vocal about The Episcopal Church’s mission priorities, including the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals, issues of domestic poverty, climate change and care for the earth, as well as the ongoing need to contextualize the gospel. The Presiding Bishop is charged to speak God’s word to the Church and to the world.

Bishop Jefferts Schori’s career as an oceanographer preceded her studies for the priesthood, to which she was ordained in 1994. She holds a B.S. degree in biology from Stanford University, an M.S. and Ph.D. in oceanography from Oregon State University, an M.Div. from Church Divinity School of the Pacific and several honorary doctoral degrees. She remains an active, instrument-rated pilot, a skill she applied when traveling between the congregations of the Diocese of Nevada, where she was elected bishop in 2000 and ordained to the episcopate February 24, 2001.

At the time of her election as bishop of Nevada, she was a priest, university lecturer and hospice chaplain in Oregon.

Reflecting the Radical Welcome of Jesus

2012

convention timeline

November 2011 (At least 75 days before Convention) Convocation pre-Convention meetings to discuss tentative programs and supporting budgets to be presented for Convention adoption. Canon 19.4 Thursday, December 8, 2011 Diocesan Council gives final approval to 2012 budget to be presented at Convention.

Monday, December 12, 2011 (40 days before Convention) Last day to submit nominations and resolutions. Rule of Order XVIII, Rule of Order XIX. Bishop appoints Legislative Committees no later than today. Canon 13, sec. 2 Wednesday, December 21, 2011 (30 days before Convention) Last day to apply for admission as a parish or mission in Union with Convention. Canon 2.5 December 31, 2011 Deadline for full payment of accepted shares for 2011 budget.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012 (At least 10 days before Convention) No later than today, Convocations hold preConvention meetings to discuss nominations and resolutions and to elect deans and lay wardens.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012 (10 days before Convention) Date for determination by the Secretary of the Convention as to whether a parish or mission must obtain consent of the Convention to seat its lay delegates due to failure to file its 2010 parochial report or 2010 audit report.

Last day for parishes and missions to pay in full 2011 shares of the diocesan budget. Secretary of the Convention strikes from the roll of voting clergy and lay delegates clergy and lay delegates from delinquent congregations. Canon 18.4 Friday, January 20, 2012

196th Convention convenes.

Saturday, January 21, 2012 196th Convention adjourns.

January 2012 Convocation Meetings Charlotte Convocation - Thursday, January 10, 7 PM, Church of the Holy Comforter, Charlotte Durham Convocation - Wednesday, January 4, 7 PM, St. Luke’s, Durham Greensboro Convocation - Monday, January 9, 7 PM, St Andrew, Greensboro Raleigh Convocation - Monday, January 9, 7 PM, St. Michael’s, Raleigh Rocky Mount Convocation - Thursday, January 5, 7 PM, Good Shepherd, Rocky Mount Sandhills Convocation - Thursday, January 5, 7 PM, Emmanuel, Southern Pines Winston-Salem Convocation - Tuesday, January 10, 7 PM, St. Paul’s, Winston-Salem

The North Carolina Disciple | Winter 2011-2012

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notes from a

Green

church, inside and out

By Pelham Jacobs

If you love a cemetery in which all of the stones are in exact symmetry, if you love a lawn in which every blade of grass is a clone of its neighbor. . . then the churchyard at St. Matthew’s, Hillsborough, may not be to your liking.

However, if you enjoy watching a buck clear a 19th-century brick wall in the early morning mist, if you like to hear a red-tailed hawk chirping quietly as she selects twigs for her nest, if you crave peace in your heart, then, please, come and be welcomed.

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The North Carolina Disciple | Winter 2011-2012 Making Disciples, Making a Difference

Photos of St. Matthew’s, Hillsborough, a parish that practices natural lawncare and has chosen to clean green. The congregation is currently investigating the process of becoming green burial certified.

Photos by Hannah Jacobs

As the caretaker of St. Matthew’s, Hillsborough, I am daily greeted by these sights and sounds, and, as stewards of this property, it is our congregation’s privilege to, in our small way, enable these things to continue.

Rain barrels, recycling bins and a large compost tumbler are the most obvious signs of St. Matthew’s greening initiative, but let’s peek behind the scenes.

Our extensive lawns are mostly natural grasses and weeds, but around the buildings we broadcast lime to neutralize soil PH and clover seed to fix nitrogen. Our lawn mower is equipped to mulch both grass and leaves in place to add organic matter to the soil. Because we are certified by the National Wildlife Federation as a wildlife habitat, we continue to install wildlife-friendly and native plant material. We also supply food, water and shelter to enable animals and birds to thrive and reproduce.

St. Matthew’s is also in the process of becoming certified by the Green Burial Council. This certification will enable us to provide a green burial alternative that limits or eradicates the non-organic materials and toxic embalming chemicals present in traditional burials.

Our nature trail (the product of an Eagle Scout project) leads through the woods from the Parish House into town and stops only two blocks away from the Eno Farmers’ Market. In recent years, we have included produce from the market in our locavore

What is a green burial?

A green burial is a traditional burial alternative in which the process focuses on simplicity, with the site remaining as natural as possible.

Interment is done using a biodegradable casket or shroud. Embalming chemicals are not used, and in some cases the grave is dug by hand to avoid using energy-intensive equipment.

potlucks, during which we use our own china or bring dishes from home instead of using disposable goods.

This brings our tour indoors, where we use both homemade and commercial green cleaning products. Many products that we keep in our homes can be used as cost-effective green cleaning products. Borax (1/2 cup) brushed in the toilet bowl leaves the toilet clean and fresh; and white vinegar (1 cup per gallon of water) is wonderful and gentle on linoleum floors, but my favorite general all-purpose cleaner recipe is as follows: mix 3 tsp vinegar, ½ tsp washing soda, ½ tsp castille or vegetable oil soap and 2 cups hot water, and use in a spray bottle or bucket. Wipe away to reveal clean, green surfaces.

Everyone is familiar with the many uses of baking soda, but not so many are familiar with the various uses of washing soda. It can be hard to find but is worth the effort. Equal parts washing soda and Borax make a great laundry detergent. (We use it in our household.)

Commercial products St. Matthew’s uses on a regular basis include Biogreen Clean (biogreenclean.com), BonAmi and citrus cleaners. We tend to think that if a product doesn’t smell like a disinfectant, then it won’t clean effectively, but smell is irrelevant to cleanliness. The natural, environmentally-friendly products described above clean without leaving behind harmful chemicals and artificial waste.

Environmental stewardship is a continual learning process.

We persevere in the hope of becoming the best caretakers of our spiritual refuge that we can be.

Pelham Jacobs is the caretaker of St. Matthew’s in Hillsborough.

Contact him at pelham9@gmail.com.

Visit http://www.greenburialcouncil.org/ for more information.

Reflecting the Radical Welcome of Jesus

The North Carolina Disciple | Winter 2011-2012

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hope in the midst of a

By The Rev. Dr. Marjorie H. Holm and Sarah Johnson

hurricane Hurricane Irene made landfall on the coast of North Carolina at 7:30am on Saturday, August 27, 2011. Two hours later, the town of Roanoke Rapids lost electricity.

According to Dominion North Carolina Power, Roanoke Rapids sustained the most damage in the state in terms of downed trees and power lines, and the majority of residents did not regain power until the following Monday, resulting in nine full days without the ability to cook, run the air conditioner, heat water for showers or contact family members.

All Saints’ Episcopal Church, however, is located on the same power grid as the police station, so the sanctuary, parish hall and church office regained power Sunday afternoon.

Throughout the next week, the church buildings grew into a sanctuary for residents who braved circuitous routes through streets blocked by enormous downed trees and sparking power lines to find a place to stay cool, eat a hot meal, charge their cell phones and fellowship with others.

The following is a reflection on the experience from the Reverend Dr. Margie Holm, rector of All Saints’, and Sarah Johnson, a member of the Vestry.

All Saints’ parishioner Tony Short disposes of a tree downed by Hurricane Irene. The wreckage spread across the church grounds and throughout the town.

Photo by the Rev. Marjorie Holm.

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The North Carolina Disciple | Winter 2011-2012

“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” Hebrews 13:16 The aftermath of Hurricane Irene was devastating. No one was prepared to see what we saw in Roanoke Rapids that Sunday morning. The destruction was so extensive that most of our town was without power for a week, but All Saints’ Church was one of the first buildings to regain power, and we took that blessing and opened our doors.

Beginning with “Make a kit, have a plan, just one family that needed a place to be informed. Why do we cook, be in touch do (or should we do) these with the outside things? We need to be world and stay cool, a refuge sprang up in prepared because we need our parish. Individuto serve. If we have a kit als volunteered to cook three meals a full of supplies, if we know day in the kitchen, what’s going on, we’re much people donated money for groceries, food more likely to be in a posiarrived from homes tion where we know our without electricity in families, our homes and which it would otherwise have spoiled churches are safe, and we and those with power can serve others.” prepared dishes to share. The refrigera- Katie Mears, Program Manager tor in the parish hall for USA Disaster Preparedness and overflowed with Response at Episcopal Relief and food, and a constant Development stream of hands cooked meals for those who could not. People came into the church and prepared meals just for the pleasure of sharing fellowship.

What began as something of a hibernation turned into a celebration. Not only did we fellowship and share the table, but we also celebrated the Eucharist and held prayer services. Pets were welcome in the church buildings, adding to the festival atmosphere that developed, and people brought board games to play with the children. Many also experienced the joy of reconnecting with worried family members as they charged their computers and cell phones in the office and parish hall and used them to get back in touch with the outside world.

Making Disciples, Making a Difference

A parishioner naps in the emergency shelter set up in the parish hall during the aftermath of the storm. Photo by the Rev. Marjorie Holm.

As we blessed others, our parish also received so many blessings, such as the men who found themselves stranded in Roanoke Rapids and volunteered their chainsaws to help us cut up our huge oak tree.

They also stayed to help us rake and clean up the grounds.

Eleos, or mercy, is not just about pardon; it’s about rescue and generosity.

“Make a kit, have a plan, be informed. Why do we do (or should we do) these things? We need to be prepared because we need to serve. If we have a kit full of supplies, if we know what’s going on, we’re much more likely to be in a position where we know our families, our homes and churches are safe, and we can serve others.” These are the words of Katie Mears, Program Manager for USA Disaster Preparedness and Response at Episcopal Relief and Development, reminding us that preparedness eases not only our own burdens but the burdens of others whom we may serve.

Preparation is not simply a matter of stockpiling supplies, however; just as important is thinking about relationships. This concern for others is what inspired one parishioner to suggest to the Vestry that we organize a “check-on-nearby-parishioners” network. Two Vestry members are now creating a proximity directory, which will make us all aware of the location of other church members near us. It will be good to know that no one is overlooked when disaster strikes and our phones don’t work. This awareness of our relationships with each other will allow us to practice our Presiding Bishop’s recommendation: “Remember to Love.”

In the end, we all place our lives on the altar before God. Sometimes we do it all at once, more often, in pieces…

The Rev. Dr. Marjorie H. Holm is the rector at

All Saints’, Roanoke Rapids. You can contact her at rector@allsaintsrr.org. Sarah Johnson is a member of the Vestry at All Saints’.

Reflecting the Radical Welcome of Jesus

From left: Wade Chestnut and Cindy Voegeli from Good Shepherd, Raleigh, with the Rev. Fred Paschall, Christ Church, Charlotte, and the Rt. Rev. Michael Curry.

disaster response continues

Near the end of October, a group from Christ Church, Charlotte, came to South Raleigh for a week-long mission trip dedicated to repairing a home that was made unlivable by the April tornadoes. Led by the Rev. Fred Paschall, a retired Episcopal priest, the group was able to make tremendous improvements to the home.

“There is still a lot of work left to be done, and that’s what some people don’t realize. That’s why groups like this mission are so important. They are coming to help with what insurance did not cover,” said Wade Chestnut, a member of Good Shepherd, Raleigh, who has been coordinating disaster response efforts with the Diocese and other organizations.

And although there is still work to be done, Chestnut points to wonderful acts of kindness in the wake of disaster that have furthered the rebuilding and recovery. Here is a brief overview of some those efforts: • 200 mosquito nets were distributed in the Diocese of East Carolina after Hurricane Irene hit in August and left a lot of standing water, which in turn created the need for nets. Chestnut coordinated this effort with Harold Swinson of the Harvest Connection and Original Free Will Baptist.

• Youth from St. Christopher’s, High Point, spent two days in Raleigh with Duana Cisney, Youth Ministry Coach for the Northwest Region, and Amy Danielike, Youth Minister at St. Christopher’s. They worked to bring a trailer back to liveable conditions in the Stoneybrook Trailerpark, an area that saw the most severe tornado damage.

• Several Charlotte-area churches have organized donation drives and delivered the items to the Raleigh area. Green Chair, an organization in Raleigh that helps people re-furnish homes, is one place these donations have been sent.

Want to know more about recovery and relief efforts? Contact Wade Chestnut for specific opportunities at wade@wadehchestnut.com or 919-986-7258.

Episcopal Relief and Development provides disaster response resources online at www.er-d.org/USDisasterProgram

The North Carolina Disciple | Winter 2011-2012

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A House of Prayer for ALL People By the Rev. Meg Buerkel Hunn and the Rev. Elizabeth Marie Melchionna

Two years ago, St Andrew’s in Haw River needed to replace an aging and unsafe wheelchair ramp built of cinder blocks many years ago. With the help of a grant and a capital campaign, this small church was able to construct a beautiful brick ramp that also became home to the columbarium the congregation had long wanted. Both the old and new ramps signaled a welcome to those who have mobility difficulties, and the new ramp became a place of beauty and peace thanks to a group of people who thought creatively about accessibility.

Stories like the construction of the new ramp at St Andrew’s led to the formation of the Bishop’s Committee on Accessibility in March 2010. This committee is charged with assisting worship communities in our diocese in becoming “house(s) of prayer for ALL people” (Isaiah 56:7).

“

A well-functioning Christian community is going to be one in which everyone is working steadily to release the gifts of others.

”

- Archbishop Rowan Williams

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Welcoming people of all abilities into our communities means that we must examine the barriers that keep people out, whether they involve our architecture or our expectations. As communities, we do not intend to exclude others, but architecture, attitude and communication are some of the ways in which people find themselves feeling excluded from our worship communities. The inclusion of people of varying abilities in the lives of our congregations is a gift to all people that enables us to be more fully the worshipping body of Christ.

“I came across a quote from Archbishop Rowan Williams some time ago in which he says that in a well-functioning Christian community, everyone is steadily working for the release of the gifts of others for the benefit of the whole,” writes Sarah Ball Damburg, vicar of St Elizabeth’s in Apex. Releasing the gifts of others often means we have to work creatively within the community, and within the facilities we have, to overcome barriers and welcome all people.

The North Carolina Disciple | Winter 2011-2012 Making Disciples, Making a Difference

Photos of St. Andrew’s, Haw River, before and after new a new ramp was built to make the church more accessible.

Photos by Dick Lang

Communities can become more inclusive and accessible in multiple ways, ranging from the purchase of big-ticket items like elevators, to training ushers in “disability etiquette,” to finding a creative way to involve a person with a learning difference in the life of the community.

Instances of such inclusion and accessibility are happening all over our diocese! Here are just a few more stories: • After filling out the Diocesan Accessibility Audit, St. Alban’s in Davidson brought a local communications expert into the parish. She helped the congregation make small changes that rendered the space more welcoming and cost nothing. They moved the altar candles to allow those in the congregation with hearing challenges to read the priest’s lips more easily. The congregation also moved chairs to create a wide pathway so one of the children, who uses a motorized wheelchair, could participate in the children’s choir.

• At St Elizabeth’s in Apex, there is a five-year-old parishioner who can list all of the presidents, who can find more than 80 countries on the world map and who can sometimes engage in behavior that is distracting and disruptive. The people of St Elizabeth’s have given this

young member special liturgical tasks so he is able to share his gifts with the community. His role in the liturgy includes assisting the other children in preparing the altar before and after communion, and he has the very impor tant job of blowing out the candles after the final blessing.

Resources for Congregations For parishes interested in becoming more inclusive and accessible, the Bishop’s Committee on Accessibility created an Accessibility Audit and compiled a list of resources that worship communities can use to begin these conversations.

These resources are available at http://bit.ly/vXC7Az. Please contact members of the committee for more information – and with stories of how your worship community has become more inclusive, accessible and welcoming!

The Rev. Meg Buerkel Hunn is the assistant rector at Christ Church, Raleigh, and Chair of the Bishop’s Committee on Accessibility.

You can contact her at mhunn@christchurchraleigh.org. The Rev. Elizabeth Maria Melchionna is the associate rector at St. Alban’s, Davidson, the Davidson College Episcopal chaplain, and a member of the Bishop’s Committee on Accessibility. You can contact her at elizabeth.melchionna@gmail.com.

LET’S ALL PLAY! The Bishop’s Committee on Accessibility invites youth ministers, Sunday School teachers, parish leaders and all those who plan events within the diocese to join Aron Hall from the National Inclusion Project on Saturday, February 11, 2012, for a one-day accessibility workshop. St. Michael’s in Raleigh will host this event.

Find more information and to register online under the “Events” tab of the diocesan website, www.episdionc.org.

Reflecting the Radical Welcome of Jesus

The North Carolina Disciple | Winter 2011-2012

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By the Ven. William Joyner

a special ministry of servanthood The church, said the bishop who ordained me, is like a circle. It is gathered around word and sacrament, prayer and scripture, teaching and learning. But the circle, he said, is constantly being broken. The needs, hopes and concerns of the world are brought into the circle, and the prayers and resources of the church are sent out from that circle into the world. The bishop and priests gather the church for celebration and prayer and study. But the deacon is called to break the circle, to make sure the church knows what is happening in the world, and to send the gathered church out into that world. The priest, among many other things, helps us know who Jesus is. The deacon helps us know who we are.

Clockwise, from the top left: Artwork by Deacon Nan Cushing for the video Dream a New World, Hearing a Deacon’s Call (see top of opposite page for more information). Deacon Louise Anderson serves during an Easter Vigil service. The Ven. William Joyner during a Christmas pageant. Deacon Tally Bandy in Tanzania. Deacon Velinda Hardy doing mission work

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The North Carolina Disciple | Winter Spring 2011-2012 2011

Making Disciples, Making Making Disciples, a Difference Making a Difference

NEW RESOURCE ABOUT DEACONS

Dream a New World, Hearing a Deacon’s Call Dream a New World: Hearing a Deacon’s Call is a newly com-

pleted program available on DVD. It tells the stories of deacons in our diocese and the importance of their role in accompanying the people of the church to discover and embrace their ministries in the world. The music heard and the artwork seen throughout the program were created by two of the deacons in our diocese, The Rev. Bonnie Duckworth (composer) and The Rev. Nan Cushing (artist). The narrator is another deacon, The Rev. David Crabtree. This program will be available on the Deacon’s page, www.dionc.org/Diocese/deacons.html. This program was made possible by a grant from the Jessie Ball duPont Fund.

Deacons do not just proclaim the gospel to the people gathered in worship, but proclaim and live out the gospel with the people who are outside the church doors, not to bring God to them (for surely God is already there), but to model the servant ministry all of us promised to take on at our baptism, to seek and serve Christ in all persons, to strive for justice and peace among all people, to proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ.

Deacons do not just prepare the altar to feed God’s gathered people, but prepare a table to feed the people in the world who are hungry, prepare a shelter for those who are homeless, prepare an environment of hope for those who have lost it.

Deacons do not just dismiss God’s people from the liturgy, but go with the people and lead them in service in God’s world, our world, as an essential part of the rhythm of the church: gathering, sending and gathering again.

Did you ever think you might be called to “a special ministry of servanthood directly under your bishop,” to serve “all people, particularly the poor, the weak, the sick and the lonely,” to “show Christ’s people that in serving the helpless they are serving Christ himself ”? These are the words of the Book of Common Prayer describing the ministry of deacons! Deacons model for the church the radical life of Jesus, ministering to the sick, weak and outcast among us, caring for hospice patients and their families, assist-

For those who feel the stirrings of a call to the diaconate: pray, listen and learn.

A new formation program for deacons seeks to recognize various forms of preparation and to make the process more accessible to working people throughout the diocese. Information on this, and other resources, are available on the diocesan web site at www.dionc.org/ Diocese/deacons.html.

Reflecting the Radical Welcome of Jesus

ing immigrant populations, volunteering as chaplains in prisons and hospitals, advocating for the homeless, for the disabled, for children and the elderly and for the poor.

The diaconal ordination vows instruct that at all times, the deacon’s life and teaching are to show Christ’s people that in serving the helpless they are serving Christ himself.

Deacons do not “do” servant ministry for the rest of us so that we don’t have to, but they are called and empowered

by God and the Christian community to be icons illuminating Christ as a model of servanthood for all people.

Bishop Curry has called for us to have a deacon in every congregation in the diocese – not, as he says, to make our liturgy better, but to make our world better. That places a responsibility on all of us to help discern those among us who may be called to the diaconate, to servant ministry, and to examine our own lives for such a calling. We ask for your continued support of the diaconate, joining with the deacons of this diocese in servant ministry and seeking and raising up those called to be deacons in your congregations.

For those who feel the stirrings of a call to the diaconate: pray, listen and learn. A new formation program for deacons seeks to recognize various forms of preparation and to make the process more accessible to working people throughout the diocese. Information on this, and other resources, are available on the diocesan web site at www. dionc.org/Diocese/deacons.html.

“Go in peace, to love and serve the Lord,” says the deacon at the end of each liturgy. But the last word is “Thanks be to God,” the word of the people, as they are sent into ministry and service in the world.

The Ven. William Joyner is archdeacon of the Diocese of North Carolina and serves as deacon at Chapel of the Cross in Chapel Hill. Contact him at william.joyner@src.org.

By Katherine H. Bratton

making a difference on the streets

Jane Smith is a registered nurse who is working with the Clark Grew Health for Homeless Project.. Read more about the project online at Christ Church Raleigh’s website: www.christchurchraleigh.org/clarkgrewhh

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Hope emerges from tragedy as unique ministry provides help for the homeless.

“If it hadn’t been for Jane Smith, I wouldn’t be here,” a young homeless man, “John,” recently told me in an interview.

John continued to share how Jane helps him. “The first time I called Jane, she said she would be there in 15 minutes.

She took me to Wake Med to get my medicine. The most important thing she did for me was to secure a consistent bed at the shelter. She said to me, ‘As long as you go to your meetings, keep your appointments, get your IDs, look for a job and are trying to improve your life, you can keep the bed.’ Otherwise, I would have been on the lottery system, and I might have gotten a bed three times a week. She made it very clear to me that I had to do my part.”

John, a young man who grew up in the Episcopal Church, first encountered alcohol addiction at the age of 13.

His addiction led to his homelessness. Recently, after being diagnosed and medicated for Major Depressive Disorder, he began to experience hope for his life, but he still lived on the street. He came to Christ Church, Raleigh, with a simple request—he needed a backpack. The Rev. Miller Hunter, the parish Vicar, took the time to help John. Miller knew the perfect person to call: Jane Smith.

The North Carolina Disciple | Winter 2011-2012

Making Disciples, Making a Difference

“

It is a stunning miracle that in this short amount of time we’ve been able to hire such a gifted nurse to walk the streets, responding to the needs of our less fortunate neighbors.

Thanks to our nearly 200 donors, this dream of compassion is coming true, one step at a time on the streets, in the bus stations, in the parks of Raleigh. Thanks be to God! -

honor their son Clark by starting a new homeless ministry.

Jane is the new face on the streets of Raleigh, helping the homeless and striving to fulfill the mission of a ministry born out of tragedy and love. Parishioners Linda and Rob Grew began talking with Christ Church in 2009, just months after their 23-year-old son, Clark, died in an automobile accident. They were seeking a way to honor Clark and chose to focus on his great compassion for the less fortunate.

As a result, the Christ Church Vestry has been working with the Grews and a committee of volunteers, four of whom are Clark’s friends, since January 2011 to develop the Clark Grew Health for Homeless Project (CGHHP). The mission of this ministry is to reduce the suffering of the homeless and offer them hope for another chance at life.

In July, the committee partnered with Horizon Healthcare for the Homeless Clinic to hire Jane as the Engagement Nurse for the project. Jane is a registered nurse with 20 years of experience working with the mentally ill.

Since she was hired, Jane has been meeting the homeless wherever they live and offering them medical, psychiatric and basic survival assistance. She walks up to homeless people, introduces herself and says, “I’m out here to help connect people to available services. Here’s my card. If you or anyone you know can use my help, let me know.” She asks her clients what services might be helpful to them, often starting with medical care questions, since that topic seems to be the least threatening.

“I have a very low key approach,” she explains. “The first step is developing a relationship [with my clients].” From his description of Jane, John would clearly agree.

“I mean she is down there in the trenches; she walks right into the park and in the bus station where some really rough people hang out,” he said. “She speaks and goes on about whatever business brought her there. One day I was with some guys in the park where we were sitting around cross-legged, and she comes up and sits down cross-legged with us, too.

She’s a very natural person.”

Jane receives referrals from many sources, such as the Raleigh Rescue Mission, men’s shelters, churches, SOAR workers, soup kitchens, women’s centers and other ministries. She is pleased that the word is out that the homeless can talk to her.

She helps them navigate the service system, lets them use her phone, provides transportation and helps people get IDs and bus passes, in addition to serving other basic needs.

“Because my job is funded by the CGHH Project, I have the freedom to meet the needs of the homeless as they arise,” Jane explains. “I can spend two or three hours with a client or a few minutes. Whatever it takes.”

When John first went to the men’s shelter, he noticed a man who had a permanent bottom bunk, a CPAP machine and some other necessities. John asked him how he was able

Reflecting the Radical Welcome of Jesus

”

Rob Grew, who with his wife Linda worked with family, friends and Christ Church to

friends of clark Interested in donating to the Clark Grew Health for the Homeless Project?

Write a check, payable to Christ Church with “CGHHP” written in the memo line. Send to CHRIST CHURCH, PO BOX 25778, RALEIGH, NC 27611-5778

Or contribute online through the Clark Grew Health for the Homeless page found on the Christ Church, Raleigh, website at www.christchurchraleigh.org/clarkgrewhh

to have all these things. The man replied, “I have a secret weapon.” When John asked what is was, the answer was “Jane Smith.”

Jane reminds me that, for her clients, successes happen day to day and vary from person to person.

Jane saw 16 new clients and contacted 65 established clients in October, and September’s numbers were similar, but she worries about what the next level of support will be for her clients after she helps them.

“This level of intensity of case management is hard to sustain; agencies can’t really do what I do,” she explains.

As for John, he is doing what Jane asked him to do—working on improving his life. He has applied for a federal grant to go to school and has enrolled in Wake Technical Institute with plans to take courses in substance abuse counseling. Until then, he is Jane Smith’s greatest fan.

“She is the greatest asset out there.

Everybody loves her!”

Katherine H. Bratton is a parishioner at Christ Church and a member of the CGHHP. Contact her at khillhunter@bellsouth.net or 919 848-1764.

The North Carolina Disciple | Winter 2011-2012

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By Summerlee Walter

Working together to save 100,000 lives: NetsforLife As we approach the 196th Annual Convention, when we will again join together to take measure of our diocese and plan her future, it is time to consider how we as individuals and parishes can live into our shared lives in Christ, working together to achieve God’s dream for the world. We are not individual churches worshipping and serving in isolation; our voluntary joining together as a diocese is central to our identity, both denominationally and spiritually as we walk together in shared liturgy and vision. Part of that shared vision is “making disciples, making a difference.” As a diocese, we committed to making a difference through Episcopal Relief and Development’s NetsforLife campaign, for which we pledged to save 100,000 lives through small donations of $12 for anti-malaria mosquito nets.

Despite this pledge, only 52% of congregations have indicated their commitment to fulfill their portion of our one net per communicant goal, which, if each parish contributes, will yield 40,000 life-saving nets from across the diocese. There is still time to identify a parish nets representative and raise funds for our shared project. If your parish has not yet begun to support the campaign, an easy first step is for you to clip the form below and mail it, with your donation, to ERD. Your parish will receive credit, and perhaps your commitment to saving lives and walking together with your brothers and sisters within the diocese and across the world will inspire others to contribute.

Many parishes and individuals have already shown their passion for our shared vision of outreach, and we honor and give thanks for their efforts. Each and every net saves up to three lives, so each and every donation radically changes the trajectories of lives, families and communities. As of October 7, we have raised 16, 716 nets, or 42% of our goal. That’s over 40,000 lives saved.

That’s God’s dream taking shape. Please consider joining us in living into our shared vision in Christ.

Congregations that have met or exceeded thier goal:

“The Golden Nets” Parish

All Saints’, Warrenton

Calvary, Tarboro Episcopal Campus Ministry, Raleigh Good Shepherd, Raleigh Good Shepherd, Ridgeway St. Alban’s, Davidson St. Luke’s, Tarboro St. Mary’s, Speed St. Mary’s College, Raleigh St. Matthew’s, Hillsborough St. Paul’s, Monroe St. Paul’s, Salisbury

% OVER Goal

33% 4% -5% -5% 241% 45% -11% 85% --

*Thanks to those parishes and campus ministries without official nets goals that still made significant contributions to the NetsforLife campaign. Your support is invaluable!

DIOCESAN

EVENTS

Episcopal Relief and Development:

DECEMBER JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH

Diocesan Convention Ingathering of Art and Crafts

December 1 Fresh Start, held regionally. Contact Canon Hunn.

6 South Region Advent Quiet Day, All Saints’, Concord 9-11 Bishops’ Ball, Camp Walter Johnson, Denton 22-26 Diocesan Offices Closed for Christmas January 5 Fresh Start, held regionally. Contact Canon Hunn.

20-21 196th Annual Convention, Winston-Salem February 2 Fresh Start, held regionally. Contact Canon Hunn.

11 National Inclusion Project Accessibility Workshop, St. Michael’s, Raleigh March 1 Fresh Start, held regionally. Contact Canon Hunn.

9-11 Diocesan Outreach Weekend, Good Shepherd, Rocky Mount23-25 Happening #58, Camp Walter Johnson, Denton Look for additional events and more detailed event information online at www.episdionc.org or contact the diocese at 919.834.7474, toll free 800.448.8775. Upcoming diocesan events and events from around the diocese are featured in Please Note, the Bishop’s weekly e-newsletter, & in the Around the Diocese monthly bulletin insert.

please note Keep up with upcoming Diocesan events and those from around the church by subscribing to Please Note, the Bishop’s weekly e-newsletter. In addition to events, Please Note includes a video message from the Bishop, spiritual resources and important announcements. To subscribe, send an email to sarah.herr@episdionc.org.

Thanks to all those who donated crafts to sell last year and those who bought items from the ERD booth. Together, we raised enough money to buy mosquito nets that will provide protection from malaria for nearly 1,000 people.

It is time to begin creating works of art for this year’s upcoming Diocesan Convention. Diocesan ERD coordinator Reid Joyner and Kathy Gregg, spouse of Assistant Bishop William Gregg, are asking folks to start now. Any person who would like to donate a work of art or handmade craft is invited to participate in this fundraiser, held each year at the ERD booth in the marketplace during Convention.

Examples of items that sold well last year include knitted or crocheted items, small pottery items, hand or machine sewn items, quality crafts, matted or framed art photographs or prints, small wooden items, paintings, woven or hooked items and quilted items.

GUIDELINES 1. New for 2012: NO CHRISTMAS ITEMS OF ANY TYPE! 2. Bring all donated items to the Episcopal Relief and Development booth located in the marketplace near the main meeting space.

3. Donated items must include the artist’s name and contact information.

4. Items must be portable and handmade.

5. Quality is very important.

6. Price the items before you bring them to Convention. If you are not coming to Convention, send them with someone who is attending.

7. If an item has not sold, ERD will return it to the owner. ERD will retain all items not claimed by the end of Convention for use in future ERD fundraisers.

8. All proceeds will support the NetsforLife campaign.

Please let one of us know by January 1, 2012, if you are bringing items so we can have enough space. Together, we can make a difference in the global fight against malaria. Many hands and hearts together can truly work miracles. Thank you in advance for your contributions and your prayers.

Reid Joyner: 704 .554 .6359 or erd-nc@hotmail.com.

Kathy Gregg: 704. 942 .7542 or kgregg002@carolina.rr.com.

clergy changes

The Rev. Meaghan Kelly, from Assistant Rector, Emmanuel, Southern Pines, to Non-Parochial.

The Rev. Audra Abt, Letters of Dimissory, from Diocese of Ohio, to Diocese of North Carolina.

The Rev. Carl Edwards, from Vicar, St. Bartholomew’s, Pittsboro, to Non-Parochial.

The Rev. Jamie L’Enfant, from Rector Time Certain, St. Clement’s, Clemmons, to Rector, St. Clement’s, Clemmons.

The Rev. Joshua Bowron, Letters of Dimissory, from Diocese of Atlanta, to Diocese of North Carolina.

The Rev. Jerry Fisher, from Retired NonParochial, to Priest-in-Charge, Calvary/St. Luke’s, Tarboro.

The Rev. Juliana Lindenberg, Letters of Dimissory, from Diocese of West Tennessee, to Diocese of North Carolina.

The Rev. Martha Brimm, from Candidate, to Transitional Deacon, St. Joseph’s, Durham.

The Rev. Deborah Fox, Letters of Dimissory, from Diocese of East Carolina, to Diocese of North Carolina.

The Rev. Dr. Louis Oats, from Headmaster, Trinity School, Charlotte, to Interim Rector, Diocese of Texas.

The Rev. Christie Dalton, from Transitional Deacon, Trinity, Statesville, to Transitional Deacon, Church of the Ascension, Advance.

The Rev. Amy Huacani, from NonParochial, to Assistant Rector, Emmanuel, Southern Pines.

The Rev. Arianne Weeks, from Associate Rector, St. Philip’s, Durham, to Rector, Church of the Good Shepherd, Ruxton, Md.

As of October 2011

Reflecting the Radical Welcome of Jesus

The North Carolina Disciple | Winter 2011-2012

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By the Rev. David Crabtree

Music Outreach from Across the Atlantic The Rev. David Crabtree attended the The 23rd Annual Adult Conference on Church Music at Trinity Center, an event held each year that is joint ministry of the Dioceses of North Carolina and East Carolina. The following is his reflection on the event and on the conference clinician, Dr. David Flood.

Dr. David Flood conducts the choir during the Adult Music Conferfence at Trinity Center.

It was 1584 when Elizabeth II sent the first Britons to the coast of that section of the new world that would become North Carolina. They were the first of a multitude of travelers who would arrive from Great Britain throughout the ensuing 427 years. One of these more recent travelers brought with him a bounty of knowledge, experience, humor and talent.

Dr. David Flood spends most of his time as Master of the Canterbury Cathedral choristers and Cathedral organist in Canterbury, England, a call he answered 23 years ago.

Flood also graciously teaches—inspires in—choirs and choirmasters the values of Anglican and Episcopal hymns.

This August, he visited Trinity Center in Salter Path to do just that.

Owned by the Diocese of East Carolina, Trinity Cen-

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ter has welcomed Flood six times over the past eleven years. He spends four days encouraging, cajoling and motivating choir members and choirmasters to sing and perform at levels they never dreamed possible.

“I love to give,” said Flood, whose energy never seems to wane. “I love what I’m doing, and I’m here to help them achieve much more than they think they can!”

His smile lit up the room as he reminded 163 eager students, “Remember…it’s all about the breathing!” All eyes were on this maestro. Notes from the piano flowed. Flood’s fingers snapped.

“A breath, and one and two….”

With that, voices blended as if angels had reached out and touched everyone in the room. Confidence rose, and voices were transformed. “It’s that moment,” Flood told me, “that special moment when I know they know they have it that’s most rewarding.”

Flood is a modest man. “My primary responsibility is to resource and support the Archbishop of Canterbury. However we may enhance worship and deepen the experience by using music, we must do so as best we can.” Again that smile. “It’s an absolute joy and privilege to do what I do.”

His students were eager to learn. Dr. David Lynch has been Choirmaster at Christ Church, Raleigh, for 40 years.

“This is amazing! What a treat to come here and be a part of this!” Lynch said during a lunch break. “What we learn here

The North Carolina Disciple | Winter 2011-2012 Making Disciples, Making a Difference

Above, the choir sings during the Adult Music Conference. On the right, Dr. David Lynch, Choirmaster at Christ Church, Raleigh.

we take back to our parishes. How I wish every member of our choir could be here.”

Rebecca Fordham, the Children’s Choir Director at St. Stephen’s, Goldsboro, shared Lynch’s energy. “The first day I was awed by Dr. Flood’s gifts and, honestly, a little intimidated.” All that changed in a matter of hours as she began to listen, observe her classmates and watch Flood’s magic as he led the group in ways she had not previously experienced. “My love of music, my love of old hymns was reawakened and reclaimed,” she explained.

Everyone with whom I had the chance to talk shared that enthusiasm and excitement. Age and gender mattered not. What mattered was a desire to sing, to praise the save the date Risen Lord and to learn a new Interested in attending a Diocway to have fun. esan Music Conference next Breaking into an east-west year? Below are dates - more smile, Lynch could hardly information is forthcoming: contain his excitement. “Can you believe we actually get to The Adult Conference on experience this? We already Church Music, August 16-19, 2012 love the music…this just makes it better.”

Youth Conference on The Rt. Rev. Clifton DanChurch Music, iel, Bishop of the Diocese of August 17-19, 2012 East Carolina, was also there to listen and learn.

“To have the genius of Dr. David Flood here in eastern North Carolina,” he said, “is more than a blessing. The ripple effect of what he teaches not only helps with worship, it helps us proclaim to the world the faith of Episcopalians and Anglicans. It’s another example of how we’re all God’s creations in this world together.”

Flood has returned home, already at work on the annual Christmas at Canterbury service he produces. In the wake

Reflecting the Radical Welcome of Jesus

“

My love of music, my love of old hymns was reawakened and reclaimed

”

Rebecca Fordham, the Children’s Choir Director at St. Stephen’s, Goldsboro

of his visit, people still speak of the ways in which they benefitted from his time here.

Fordham echoes the thoughts of several people to whom I talked. “Now that we’ve had time to think about what Dr. Flood taught us and remember his enthusiasm and his humility, we’re not only more enthusiastic about what we do, we’re also more authentic.”

The authenticity flows effortlessly from Flood. “I come bringing a musical language; that’s how I support and resource the Archbishop. I want to speak to people to whom that language is important.”

The Rev. David Crabtree is a deacon at Church of the Advocate, Chapel Hill, and chair of the Diocesan Communications Committee. You can contact him at dcrabtree@wral.com.

The North Carolina Disciple | Winter 2011-2012

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gospel based discipleship If you’ve never encountered Gospel Based Discipleship before, you may be wondering what this extra booklet weighing down your copy of The discipleship Disciple is. Or, if you’ve been in a group that uses Gospel Based Discipleship to open its meetings, perhaps you’re considering whether or not to use this resource in your personal prayer life. Either way, a little background and some thoughts from the Rt. Rev. Michael B. Curry should help you discern the most effective way to use this tool to enhance your devotional life.

The Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina GBD contains all of the Gospel readings from living the gospel of jesus Making Disciples the Daily Lectionary for a given liturgical year, so Making a difference you avoiding searching through your Book of Common Prayer to find readings each day. The booklet also contains common prayers, plus daily prayers for clergy across the diocese and weekly prayers for parishes and institutions. Below, our bishop reflects on the importance of daily study and prayer in a reflection entitled: 2011-2012

Gospel based

“Just When Did The Hebrew Slaves Become Free?”

When did the Hebrew slaves in Egypt become free? Was it after the series of plagues on Egypt, which were God’s protest demonstrations against the enslavement or mistreatment of any child of God, by any other child of God? Was it after God’s final protest on the night of the Passover, when the Pharaoh of all Egypt had had enough and demanded that the Hebrews leave? Was it in those incredible moments when a strange wind blew back standing water and created a highway out of Egypt, through the Red Sea, to a place where they would be free? Just when did the Hebrew slaves become free?

Those moments certainly unveiled what was already the new reality, what God had already dreamed and decreed. But I suspect the real dawn of freedom began when a Hebrew slave envisioned another possibility besides a lifetime spent in slavery. It happened when a slave beheld a vision of God’s freedom. That’s when the slave became free, long before anyone actually saw anything change.

Some years ago biblical scholar Walter Brueggemann in his classic book, The Prophetic Imagination, wrote that when Moses encountered God in the vision of the burning bush (Exodus 3), he beheld another possibility, he saw an “alternative vision,” and he heard a narrative quite different from the vision decreed and declared by the gods and powers of Egypt. And that new vision, long before its actual realization, was the dawn of freedom.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ offers just that kind of vision. It presents an alternative to the vision of life as it is often lived. It runs counter to the narrative that’s usually the news of the day. The Gospel of Jesus incarnates a vision of God, a vision of the Kingdom, a vision of life and human community in which we awake from the nightmare -- and God’s dream becomes real.

I invite you to join me each day in the year to come in reading and meditating on the Gospel appointed for the day, as found in the Daily Office Lectionary of the Book of Common Prayer.

May our daily readings of the Holy Gospels help us all see God’s other possibility for freedom and life. And as we follow in the footsteps of Jesus, may our meditations help us actually live and witness to God’s vision in the world. God bless you and,

A sample from Holy Women, Holy Men The following is an excerpt from the book Holy Women, Holy Men. Please see the article written by the Rev. Lorraine Ljunggren on th opposite page for more about this book.

Alfred the Great King of the West Saxons, 899 Alfred, alone of all English rulers, has been called the Great, because of his courage and Christian virtues. Born in 849 at Wantage, Berkshire, the youngest of five sons of King Aethelwulf, Alfred spent his life in a time of battle, murder, and sudden death during the Viking invasions and settlement in Britain. He was deeply impressed when, on a visit to Rome at the age of four, he was blessed by Pope Leo IV, and two years later when he witnessed the marriage of Aethelwulf to a young princess of the Frankish court. Following his father’s death and the short reigns of his brothers, Alfred became King in 871.

In heroic battles and by strategems against the Danes, Alfred halted the tide of their invasion, and secured control of the southern, and part of the midland, regions of England for the English. After a decisive victory in 878 at Edington over the Danish leader Guthrum, he persuaded his foe to accept baptism. Alfred died on October 26, 899, and was buried in the old Minster at Winchester.

In his later years, Alfred sought to repair the damage that the Viking invasions had inflicted on culture and learning, especially among the parish clergy. With the help of scholars from Wales and the Continent, he supervised translations into English of important classics of theology and history, including works of Pope Gregory the Great, Augustine of Hippo and the Venerable Bede....

Collect II O Sovereign Lord, who brought your servant Alfred to a troubled throne that he might establish peace in a ravaged land and revive learning and the arts among the people: Awake in us also a keen desire to increase our understanding while we are in this world, and an eager longing to reach that endless life where all will be made clear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Keep the faith, +Michael B. Curry 24

The North Carolina Disciple | Winter 2011-2012 Making Disciples, Making a Difference

By The Rev. Lorraine Ljunggren

The Road to Galilee IS Paved WITH Prayer Holy Women, Holy Men “At stake is nothing less than the future witness of the Episcopal way of being Christian, a way that reflects a generous and compassionate orthodoxy, a way that reflects an openness to God’s mystery, a way that is committed to serving the other, a way that dares to love as Jesus loves, that is willing to give as Jesus gives, that is willing to forgive as Jesus forgives, that is willing to welcome and open its arms as Jesus does – a way that dares to be the body of Christ in the world, that dares to place its future in the hands of the man from Galilee.” (From The Rt. Rev. Michael B. Curry’s Pastoral Address, “Come, Let Us Go to Galilee,” 1/21/11) These words from our Bishop, shared with us at our Convention in January 2011, still echo in my heart and mind. I ponder how we, as people created in the image and likeness of God, are to travel most meaningfully the roads that lead to the Galilees of our time. Wherever we find ourselves, whomever our companions, we are challenged each day to reflect the life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth.

This, as we know, is no small undertaking. Nor is it a safe undertaking. As the Very Rev. Alan Jones wrote years ago, “Christianity is not a way of safety. It is a journey with love and into love that risks everything.” (Journey into Christ, paraphrased) As Christians worshiping in the Episcopal Church, our spiritual lives are grounded in the waters of Baptism and in the bread and wine of the Holy Eucharist. Our Sunday worship in the midst of community strengthens us to be sent forth into the world.

But, if your life is anything like mine, my strength can ebb rather quickly come Monday morning, especially if I make the mistake of looking at the morning news before saying my prayers. I know of no better way to risk setting out on the roads to the Galilees of our time than to immerse ourselves in lives of prayer. My road to Galilee becomes very bumpy very quickly if I take a bypass and skip the quiet time to orient the day and my relationship with God in Christ. The way becomes like the roads in our beloved North Carolina mountains – with sudden cut-backs and narrow gaps – which are fine when I’m a tourist on the Blue Ridge Parkway but not so good when I want to be intentional about following Jesus.

Each of us gravitates toward resources that strengthen our prayer lives. We have favorite authors whose words resonate within the deep places of our souls. In our Book of Common Prayer, and those of our sister churches in the Anglican Communion, a wealth of prayerful resources, including the Daily Offices, exists to strengthen us for the journey.

Traditionally, we also turned to Lesser Feasts and Fasts as a prayerful resource. The lives of saints in days gone by encourage us as we follow in their footsteps, answering Jesus’

Reflecting the Radical Welcome of Jesus

call to serve. But even this tried and true source of inspiration for the people of the Episcopal Church has been made richer, which brings us to a new signpost on the highways of our spiritual journeys.

As a member of the 76th General Convention’s Prayer Book, Music and Liturgy Committee, I had a front-row seat to the deliberations surrounding the resolution proposing a trial use of Holy Women, Holy Men – Celebrating the Saints. A subcommittee of the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music (SCLM) received the task of expanding the resources found in our Calendar of the Church Year. The subcommittee spent an amazing number of hours researching, studying, discussing and praying about possible additions. The result of their work, of the Committee’s recommendations and of the General Convention’s action is a volume filled with prayers and liturgical tidbits available at the click of a mouse or the turn of a page, waiting to enrich our lives in Christ.

Holy Women, Holy Men contains entries for over 300 days of the year, recalling women and men whose own ministries found them in challenging and sometimes dangerous circumstances on their roads to Galilee. The added names include people we recognize and some who may be new to us. Since General Convention, brief biographical sketches have been added to the collects and suggested biblical readings for each day.

The book also includes “A Six-Week Eucharistic Lectionary with Daily Themes and Suggested Collects” (adapted from Weekday Readings, a daily lectionary authorized by the 1994 General Convention) and “A Two-Year Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary” (adapted from the Book of Alternative Services of the Anglican Church of Canada).

I find that, in addition to enriching a rhythm of daily personal prayer, Holy Women, Holy Men can inspire sermon- or article-writing as we find ourselves relating to the lives of those who have gone before us. It is also a great resource for use in Christian formation. If you have yet to delve into this marvelous material, I invite you to let it help you pave the road to Galilee with prayer.

The Rev. Lorraine Ljunggren is the rector at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Raleigh, and a member of the Diocese’s Committee on Liturgy. You can contact her at lorraine. ljunggren@stmarks-ral.org.

The North Carolina Disciple | Winter 2011-2012

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By Summerlee Walter

EL señor habla español, también A look at some of the ministries happening around the Diocese by and for Hispanic/Latino communities

“Goal! Goal! Goal!” The excited calls and Spanish-language music rang across the dirt field behind El Buen Pastor in Durham as 60 young people, Hispanic/Latino and Anglo, bilingual and not, ranging from elementary school to senior year, joined together for two hours of soccer. Over 40 adults watched from the covered viewing area, small children played on the playground and chased after loose soccer balls and enough pizza, cookies and drinks appeared to feed everyone.

The youth from El Buen Pastor won both of the games played that night, probably because they practice and compete at the church three times per week. Under the direction of the Rev. Martin Juarez, the church also offers weekly Tae Kwon Do practices for children and young teenagers, ESL and computer classes for adults and, in conjunction with St. Luke’s and St. Philip’s in Durham, a recently expanded comprehensive afterschool tutoring program.

El Buen Pastor has long received support from nearby parishes, but the congregation also has much to offer the diocese, as the area youth soccer match they recently hosted demonstrates.

The congregation’s strength is not just in its programming, though; at El Buen Pastor, when it is your birthday week, the congregation sings to you; when you complete your computer class, your graduation ceremony happens during the Sunday morning service; and when you bring a pet to the Blessing of the Animals, you introduce your dog or hermit crab to the entire congregation. Everyone has a niche, and everyone is cherished.

According to the United States Census Bureau, individuals who identify as Hispanic/Latino compose 8.4% of North Carolina’s population. They or their ancestors come from Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Puerto Rico, Columbia, Cuba and many other countries. The people of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina are no different. Hispanic/Latino congregants do not form one

Clockwise from top: The El Buen Pastor team sports matching uniforms. The youth of El Buen Pastor; St. Matthew’s, Hillsborough; St. Luke’s, Durham; and Chapel of the Cross, Chapel Hill, join together in prayer. A member of El Buen pastor throws the ball in. The younger children play a warm-up game before the high school youth take the field. The youth get to know each other during ice breakers. Photos by Summerlee Walter and Hannah Jacobs.

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The North Carolina Disciple | Winter 2011-2012 Making Disciples, Making a Difference

From left: The children of La Escuelita Bilingüe de Holy Comforter. The people of La Misa at Holy Comforter pose with Bishop Gregg after a confirmation service.

homogenous group; they represent diverse countries, cultures, dialects and traditions. The ministries they lead and in which they participate are no less diverse.

To Serve, We Must First Listen Six or seven years ago, Holy Comforter, Charlotte, began offering ESL classes with free child care on Wednesday evenings as a form of outreach to the community. Soon volunteer tutors also began helping the elementary school children who came for child care with reading, math and homework. Under the guidance of Director of Christian Formation & Hispanic Ministries Lauren Cavins, the ministry grew, and between 80 and 100 people now attend three levels of completely volunteer-led ESL classes and afterschool tutoring each week.

“Starting small can be a real blessing because it helps you figure things out, what works and what doesn’t work,” Cavins explains. “Starting a ministry like this you need to be flexible and listen to the people you are welcoming, hear what their needs are and what they would like to have.”

What the people wanted, it turns out, was support for pre-school children. This November marks two full years of La Escuelita Bilingüe de Holy Comforter, or the Little School, a five morning per week pre-school that currently serves 36 children. At La Escuelita, children learn English and basic pre-school skills that set them up for later academic success.

The school’s hiring practices—the staff is all Latina—also provide jobs to the community.

Cavins emphasizes that, even though Holy Comforter offers services in two languages, the people form one congregation. The parish’s annual meeting is bilingual, following a bilingual service, and both Hispanic/Latino and Anglo youth join together in one EYC. Meeting parishioners’ unique needs is also key at Holy Innocents in Henderson, where the Rev. Harrel Johnson serves as deacon and co-officiates a Spanish language service with the Rev. Donald Lowry every Sunday at 12:30pm. The Hispanic/ Reflecting the Radical Welcome of Jesus

Latino congregation is separate from the main Holy Innocents congregation, but its worship life is alive and vibrant. Worshippers regularly celebrate baptisms, first communions, tres años (third birthday) celebrations and quinceañeras, or special ceremonies that mark young women’s 15th birthdays.

Recently, parishioners from Mexico requested a celebration of St. Matthew’s feast day. The special service took place on September 24. Although the liturgy came from Lesser Feats and Fasts, the celebration featured a distinctly Mexican flair, with a colorful statue of St. Matthew, congregants wearing clothing from their native lands and little boys dressed as living facsimiles of the statue.

St. Pauls’ in Smithfield hosts a similar Hispanic/Latino congregation. The ministry began in 1997, and the mission of San Jose formed in 2004. The Rev. Tony Rojas from the Episcopal Farm Worker ministry currently volunteers his time to conduct regular worship services in the parish hall every Saturday, in addition to tres años, quinceañera and other special services.

Both the mission of San Jose and the Hispanic congregation at Holy Innocents maintain their own treasuries. The congregation at Holy Innocents uses offerings to help fellow members suffering from emergencies, like those who need to return to their home countries, while each month the people of San Jose give a love offering of $500 to the Episcopal Farm Worker Ministry to thank Rojas for his service.

Not Separate, But One In Wilson, the missions of Iglesia de La Guadalupana and St. Mark’s share a church building and join together to minister through outreach. Originally sharing space with St. Timothy’s in Wilson, La Guadalupana moved to St. Mark’s in 2000. The congregants processed through Wilson to their new church after the Easter Sunday service that year and joined the predominantly Black congregation at St. Mark’s.

“Collaborating is at the heart of what we’re about,” Phil Byrum, vicar of St. Mark’s and La Guadalupana explains. Although The North Carolina Disciple | Winter 2011-2012

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morning worship for children involved in the programs, further incorporating them into the life of the parish.

“We’re moving toward incorporation of folks in all aspects of our ministry instead of doing something a few days a week and not reaching out to them spiritually,” the Rev. Mike Bradshaw, the outreach minister at St. Paul’s explains, “We’re trying to establish a holistic community.”

Church Isn’t Just About Sunday Mornings Those who focus their energies on Hispanic/Latino ministry know that paying attention to Sunday mornings is not enough. The Rev. Fred Clarkson, vicar at St. Mary’s Boy Scouts and Venture Crew meet Representative Coble. Leaders Amo Kearns (left), Mike Kerkado (center) and Margarita Kerkado (right).

St. Matthew’s/San Mateo in Salisbury and Good Shepherd in Cooleemee oversees a unique form of ecumenical outreach that blends the spiritual the people of each mission usually attend separate language and the economic. services, they work together to host an afterschool program for Cooleemee Works, a branch of the ecumenical Tentmakchildren, a monthly mobile food bank outreach and a summer er’s Ministry of the Good Shepherd under the auspices of the program that serves youth from both the Church of the Good Shepherd, provides an income to many Hispanic/Latino and Black populations. members of San Mateo. Founded in 2009, this ministry allows The summer program runs throughout the month of July, skilled sewers whose jobs have disappeared overseas or who serving a total of 100 children over the course of the month have lost jobs and income during the recent economic downand averaging 70 participants per day. The half-day program is turn to join the co-op, buy materials at cost and produce high free and offers children reading and math enrichment in addiquality liturgical items, such as stoles, chausibles and altar sets. tion to more typical Vacation Bible School activities.

Cooleemee Works then buys the items and sells them to St. Paul’s in Winston-Salem is similarly dedicated to eduparishes both locally and as far away as Arkansas and cational outreach for children in multiple communities. At the California.

All of the proceeds go directly to the sellers Kids Café, mostly Hispanic/Latino children in grades K-12 because, as the ministry’s motto explains, “We don’t make a receive dinner and homework help three nights per week. Fifty profit, so our communities can make a living.” volunteers, including some from a local Baptist church, serve In addition to crafting beautiful items, sewers who work meals, tutor and pick up and drop off participants. The church with the program also mentor each other. Less experienced is committed to helping the children it serves attend college sewers begin by creating simpler items, like purificators and and offers the program’s graduates small scholarships. This basic stoles before mastering more difficult items, like altar year, two seniors will graduate the program. cloths, and the surprisingly challenging clergy shirts.

For the past 39 years, St. Paul’s has also operated a summer Clarkson points out that, in the early church, the ecoenrichment program. The month-long experience allows 60 nomic aspects of people lives were integral to the ministry. children in 1st through 8th grade to experience, among other “We want to remind people that church is not just one day a activities, swimming and golf lessons and museum visits. The week; it is seven days a week,” he explains, noting that issues program, which originally served a mostly Black population, of wealth and poverty are Christian concerns. now serves a mixture of Black and Hispanic/Latino children.

St. Mary’s in High Point also hosts a special ministry to Three years ago, the Kids Café and summer enrichment the Hispanic/Latino community. Troop #7 holds the distincprograms merged, building even more bridges among the tion of being the only all-Hispanic/Latino Boy Scout orgavarious groups of people active through the church. In October, St. Paul’s began providing transportation to Sunday nization in the state. The ministry grew from weekly ESL

clerical clothing, vestments & more Consider something custom-made from Cooleemee Works - great Christmas gift-giving idea.

Visit www.cooleemeeworks.com to order custom-made clergy shirts, stoles and other vestments. Not only will your priest look stylish, but you’ll be supporting a community of workers from whom sewing is their primary source of income. Custom liturgical sets and altar hangings are also available for purchase.

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The North Carolina Disciple | Winter 2011-2012

“We don’t make a profit, so our communities can make a living”

Making Disciples, Making a Difference

The Rev. Evelyn Morales is the Deacon for HIspanic/Latino Ministry in the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina. Please contact her to share your Hispanic/Latino Ministry news or if you need help/information regarding Hispanic/Latino Ministry.

Contact the Deacon for Hispanic/Latino Ministries at: evelyn.morales@episdionc.org, or visit the Chartered Committee for Hispanic Ministry online at http://www.hospitalidadnc.org.

classes, to which many parents brought their children while they studied. A few of the volunteer ESL tutors offered to start a troop, and, in the name of fairness, an all-Latina Venture Crew (also the only such crew in the state) soon followed.

The 15 Scouts and 20 young women of the Venture Crew are extremely active, both within and without the parish. The young people regularly serve as acolytes and ushers, and they recently hosted a Hispanic/Latino festival lunch. The youth are also active campers, honing their outdoor skills during frequent trips.

Horatio De Leon and Daniel Rodriguez are working to become the troop’s first Eagle Scouts since the parish renewed its charter. With the help of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, they are constructing a new brick pathway through the courtyard of the church.

The Rev. David Umphlett, rector of St. Mary’s, explains that, through the ESL classes, Boy Scout Troop and Venture Crew, several families and young people have joined -- and become active members of -- the church.

“It’s all connected together and all of a piece,” he says.

The Rev. Sara Palmer, Assistant to the Rector at St. Mary’ who, as a layperson also helped found San Mateo, points out that, in any successful outreach, relationships are key.

“It’s lovely to see the friendships that are developing [at St. Mary’s], real genuine brother and sister friendships,” she enthuses. That love for each other is a theme Palmer also emphasized a decade ago in Salisbury. Her words describing the prayer group that met to read the Bible and dream dreams for San Mateo apply to all ministries, regardless of the communities involved.

“We loved one another. That was really important because, if you don’t have a good loving congregation, you have nothing to offer people.”

Summerlee Walter is the Assistant to the Communications Coordinator and East Region Youth Ministry Coach. You can contact her at summerlee.walter@episdionc.org. For more information about Hispanic/Latino ministries, contact the deacon for Hispanic/Latino ministry, Evelyn Morales, at evelyn. morales@episdionc.org.

Reflecting the Radical Welcome of Jesus

welcome Development Coordinator Joins Diocesan Staff for the Episcopal Farmworker Ministry Craig Richardson has joined the Episcopal Farmworker Ministry (EFM) as Development Coordinator, a new position funded by a Jesse Ball DuPont grant.

The EFM, located in Newton Grove, provides a wide variety of services, including translation, transportation, Spanish language worship opportunities and donations of clothing and toiletries, to the migrant worker population in central North Carolina. In addition, the EFM welcomes groups to its facility to educate them about the challenges migrant workers face.

Craig’s work will involve coordinating the nonprofit fundraising activities of the ministry, as well as outreach and promotion of the ministry to parishes, individuals and foundations. Coming from a pastoral ministry background, Craig looks forward to this opportunity to help promote and further the practical, hands-on work of the EFM. An “almost native” of North Carolina, Craig has lived in the state since he was a small child. He earned Bachelor of Business and Master of Divinity degrees from Campbell University.

Craig lives with his wife, Jennifer, and son, Asher. near Benson. As a family, they enjoy camping, live music, local festivals and pursuing an organic and sustainable lifestyle.

Contact Craig at craig.richardson@episdionc.org or at 919-270-3290.

The North Carolina Disciple | Winter 2011-2012

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By Linda E. Goodliffe

Decisions and Call:

A Reflection on Prison Ministry Decisions. We all make them. Maybe hundreds or thousands each day. Should I eat those french fries? Will I go to church this morning? Am I willing to give in to temptation and cheat on my spouse this afternoon? Sometimes we make the right choice, but sometimes we choose poorly. We all make mistakes in what we choose to do at times. We are all sinners.

What if you made the wrong friends? What if your mom started smoking crack or shooting heroin when you were 12 years old? What if you were raised in foster care, moving from home to home until you turned 18? How do you think these life circumstances would affect the decisions you make as an adult?

Of course, not every person in prison lived in foster care or has a parent who did drugs. Some people travel on the path to destruction despite being loved, nurtured and taught how to live a loving, law-abiding life.

As a member of the Bishop’s Committee on Prison Ministry, I sometimes pinch myself because I am not at all living the life I thought I would. When God first called me to prison ministry through His Holy Spirit, I told God He was crazy. I had no idea why God was calling me to such an extreme and foreign ministry.

So maybe Mom posted bail for me a couple of times when I was a teenager, and perhaps I always “forgot” to pay my speeding tickets. Once cops even chased me off a Jersey shore beach for drinking alcohol around a bonfire like any “normal” teenager. But, despite my close calls, I never spent a day in jail.

I never even had to do community service, so, when God called me to this work, I thought I’d never be able to relate to people behind bars.

Surely this work is not for everyone, but, as it turns out, God was right about me, and this work has not only come easily to me but is also the most rewarding thing I’ve done in my life.

I love going into the Mecklenburg County jail to minister to, pray with and teach inmates. I am so glad that I listened to God despite my strong reservations in the beginning.

The thing is, God calls all of us to remember, have compassion for and even forgive the people in society considered unworthy of God’s attention. These are the people upon whom Jesus built his ministry. Sometimes, God even calls some of His children to be His vessels of healing, of hope and of the love of Christ in dark corners of the world.

Linda E. Goodliffe is a lay member of the Bishop’s Committee on Prison Ministry. You can contact her at lindagoodliffe@yahoo.com.

annual offering for thompson: hopesgiving 2011 Your support makes a difference:

By participating in HopesGiving, you can show grace and compassion for the children of Thompson Child & Family Focus who find themselves dealing with monumental challenges.

Thompson provides:

To find out more, visit HopesGiving.org or call 704-644-4393.

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- A safe haven for children who are hurting - Family education and therapy - Early childhood education and support

Please help now:

Thompson has been blessed to have a relationship with the Episcopal Churches of North Carolina for 125 years.

This legacy inspires each one of us to invest.

The North Carolina Disciple | Winter 2011-2012 Making Disciples, Making a Difference

Photos and article by Susan Byrum Rountree

An Organ, a Calling: Fine Sacred Music Ministry On a Sunday afternoon in mid-August, just as the last stragglers were leaving after the service at St. Michael’s in Raleigh, a truck and trailer pulled up to the church. Within an hour, the contents of that trailer -- St. Michael’s new Nichols & Simpson organ console -- had been unloaded and safely stored. A piece of skilled craftsmanship and artistry, the console had been designed of oak, rosewood and cow bone by master craftsmen and musicians to specifications that precisely suit St. Michael’s nave.

St. Michael’s rector, the Rev. Samuel Gregory Jones, sees the organ’s installation as the final piece that completes the parish’s calling to be a center for fine sacred music.

“As part of a long term planning process, our commitment as a church to fine sacred music was identified as one of our top three distinctive callings,” Jones says. “We already had the choirs and choirmaster and organist — and the support of the congregation — to be a center in the Triangle for fine sacred music, and we felt called to have a pipe organ equally as good.

“Now we’re a destination for those who cherish fine sacred pipe organ music, much the same as people go to Duke Chapel.”

To read the full story about St. Michael’s organ installation, visit http://st-michaels-raleigh.dionc.org/st-michaels-news.html.

Susan Byrum Rountree is the Director of Communications at St. Michael’s, Raleigh, and a member of the Diocesan Communication Committee. Contact her at rountree@holymichael.org or visit St. Michael’s online at http://www.holymichael.org.

Reflecting the Radical Welcome of Jesus

The North Carolina Disciple | Winter 2011-2012

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Trinity, Scotland Neck

19-Feb-12

St. Luke’s, Yanceyville St. Cyprian’s, Oxford (4:00pm Absalom Jones)

St. Stephen’s, Durham

26-Feb-12

St. Mark’s, Roxboro

St. Stephen’s, Erwin

4-Mar-12

St. Patrick’s, Mooresville

St. Bartholomew’s, Pittsboro

11-Mar-12 Area 3 Sa/Su

St. Titus, Durham

St. Stephen’s, Winston-Salem

St. Elizabeth, Apex

St. Mary’s, Speed; Calvary/St. Luke’s, Tarboro St. John’s, Battleboro; St. Michael’s, Tarboro; Epiphany, Rocky Mount

18-Mar-12

House of Bishops

HOB

25-Mar-12

St. Mary Magdalene, Seven Lakes

St. John’s, Wake Forest

HOB

Bishops’ visitations are subject to change. To confirm a specific date, please contact the Bishop’s office at 919.834.7474 or email Margo Acomb at margo.acomb@episdionc.org.