tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78752194630962897632024-02-19T22:46:58.286-08:00Bishop's BlogThis blog was written by the Right Rev. Robert Gepert, the eighth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan, and is no longer current. To learn more, please visit us online at wwww.edwm.org or call (269) 381-2710. Welcome!Bishop Robert Geperthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09570609069073774217noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875219463096289763.post-23675575836028751112013-05-24T09:16:00.000-07:002013-10-28T09:20:12.590-07:00"Thank You for Supporting the Mission in the Dominican Republic"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want to say thank you for the wonderful retirement celebration on the eve of the Electing Convention, and for the money that was collected for the mission work in the Dominican Republic – $8,500. This money will be used for the building of San Simon Church and School – a mission project we share with the Episcopal Dioceses of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan (<a href="http://michigan-dominican.org/" target="_blank">click here to go to the D.R.E.A.M. website</a>).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’ve seen in some of our own communications that the San Simón mission is described as being located in “a suburb of Puerto Plata called San Marcos.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To describe it as a suburb doesn’t do it justice. The people there are very poor. The church they’re using now is a small cinder block garage that they’ve converted. The area is a pocket of extreme poverty, and the church and school that’s being build will provide a better education for the children than the Dominican Republic schools can. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All the children will be required to study English. The church and school will serve as a hurricane shelter that will be sturdy against the inevitable winds and floods that come each year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The main thing I want to say about the electing convention is that I trust the work of the Holy Spirit as the People of God gather in community to worship, pray and vote. I trust that the Holy Spirit is already at work forming Bishop-elect Hougland and the Diocese of Western Michigan, and that great contributions to the kingdom of God are waiting to unfold as Bishop and Diocese work together.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday at the convention, I could watch the movement of the Spirit, as the votes began to change. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is now time for me to decrease my presence with you, and for Bishop-elect Hougland to increase as he prepares to lead the diocese into the waiting future. You have elected well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I talked to him on the phone late Saturday afternoon and offered my prayers and my support, as well as my assistance in any way that will help benefit him in the transition.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’m happy to begin to welcome Whayne and Dana Hougland to the Diocese of Western Michigan because I am sure there are great things in store, and I look forward to watching them unfold.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Bishop's Book Recommendation</b>:<i><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1639887.Wisdom_From_The_Monastery" target="_blank">Wisdom from the Monastery: a Program of Spiritual Healing</a></i>, by Peter Sewald</span>Bishop Robert Geperthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09570609069073774217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875219463096289763.post-65511020845021172882013-05-10T09:09:00.000-07:002013-05-24T09:09:53.455-07:00My Prayer for the Electing Convention<br /><div style="text-align: right;">
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I’ve heard from several people who attended the Walkabouts last weekend say that they were taken aback by the quality of the candidates for ninth bishop of the Diocese of Western Michigan. Some of them said they had gone in thinking they knew which candidate would get their vote, only to leave with their mind changed, or not sure anymore! This is good. It says that many of you are open to hearing and weighing … and open to the kind of discernment that is paying attention to the movement of the Holy Spirit.<br /><br />My prayer is that everyone will do the same, to discern what this diocese needs, what the Church’s mission needs, rather than what is wanted.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.bcponline.org/Misc/catechism.htm">The Catechism</a> in the Book of Common Prayer reminds us of the mission of the Church:<br /><br />“The mission of the Church is to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ.” Also, “the Church pursues its mission as it prays and worships, proclaims the Gospel, and promotes justice, peace and love.” (p. 855)<br /><br />So, the church needs the vision, resources and people to accomplish the mission. The work of the electing convention has already begun and will be fulfilled on May 18th when the bishop who will lead you more fully into this mission is elected. The work, which has already begun, is the work of Scripture study, prayer and listening to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.<br /><br />As Christian community, we are called to be in the world but not of the world. The world’s values are not shared by the Church. In fact, what we value is often in direct opposition to what the world (secular society) values. The most emotionally- and spiritually-mature among us are able to distinguish between these two opposing sets of values. They are able to sacrifice wants for needs, individual good for common good, ego for the humility of following a poor and enlightened Messiah. As we mature in our faith and spiritual life, self-interest fades away. We begin to see more clearly God’s plan – God’s will. In short, we can see beyond ourselves.<br /><br />You may have read about my swimming pool analogy in a <a href="http://edwmbishop.blogspot.com/2012/06/membership-is-not-enough.html">previous blog post,</a> where I said that a church is like a swimming pool. All the noise is at the shallow end. It’s where you will find an abundance of self-interest, inflated ego, secular politics, and all the values that go with these. I believe that as a Church, we need to be in the deep end of the pool, which is a more challenging place to be. It’s a place where we find the maturity and depth to which God constantly invites us.<br /><br />It is my intention not take part in the voting May 18th. This is your decision about the mission of the Church and the future of the diocese. My prayer is that all will be in mature discernment before and during the election process.<br /><br />Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And you will renew the face of the earth. Amen.<br /><br /><a href="http://edwm.org/our_bishop.html">The Rt. Rev. Robert R. Gepert, VIII, Western Michigan</a> <br /><br /><a href="http://edwm.org/index-2.html"><img src="http://edwm.org/images/blue_triangle_1.jpg" /></a>Bishop's Book Recommendation:<a href="http://www.christiancentury.org/reviews/2011-08/falling-upward-richard-rohr">"Falling Up" by Richard Rohr</a><br />Bishop Robert Geperthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09570609069073774217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875219463096289763.post-80704869215323640972013-05-04T12:46:00.000-07:002013-05-08T12:47:11.291-07:00"Introducing Sister Linda-Susan and Sister Diane"<br />
<i>My last confirmation service was Saturday, April 27th. The liturgy was just glorious and worshipful – it felt like a glimpse of what the kingdom can be like. We had a very mature group of people who were making promises they intend to keep. It wasn’t about making ceremonial promises – the stuff you stand up and say because it’s written in the book. It felt like the promises were being made from the heart. I commend the clergy of the diocese for sending a mature class of people, and for continuing to help people in the work of making mature commitments, which I know they will do.</i><br />
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<i>We confirmed people. We received people from other denominations, while others reaffirmed their baptismal vows.</i><br />
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<i>Also that day, we received the sisters of the Emmaus Community and Monastery into the Episcopal Church from the Roman Catholic Church.</i><br />
<i>Sisters Linda-Susan and Diane were received into the church, and took their vows as well. I know many people in the congregation that day had questions about the only sisters in the Episcopal Church in Michigan. Sister Linda-Susan has written an eloquent essay about their journey.</i><br />
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<i>– The Rt. Rev. Robert R. Gepert, VIII, Western Michigan</i><br />
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<b>A History of the Emmaus Community</b><br />
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Sr. Diane Stier and I met in 1979 at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. I was an English professor and she was completing her doctorate in developmental psychology. Both of us were planning on entering contemplative monasteries and were introduced to one another by the Carmelite Monastery of Indianapolis, Indiana, where Diane planned to enter. I was headed to another Carmelite house. The Indianapolis nuns were so taken by the “coincidence” of two women – both bound for the cloistered life – sharing the same space that they suggested we come together for prayer and daily Mass, which we did. As time passed, the novice mistress of the Indianapolis Carmel came to believe that there was more than happenstance in our shared vocations. Sr. Joanne suggested to us individually that God might be calling us to find a way to live contemplative life outside the walls. When that idea was seconded by two other nuns, independently of Sr. Joanne or one another, we knew providence was in process, though our reactions were like the two disciples on the road to Emmaus: broken hearts and excruciating disappointment. Each of us had felt called to the convent from very early years – Diane at the age of 12 and me at the age of 8. What were we supposed to do with such long years of vocational discernment and the request to reconfigure how to live as contemplatives-in-the-world without the structural support of established tradition? There was no blueprint and we were completely at the mercy of God.<br />
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<b>Thus began Emmaus Monastery</b> while we were still resident in South Bend. We discerned each component of what this new community might look like with prayerful and direct advice from the Carmelites in Indianapolis. We thought that the community would need a religious rule with the flexibility for the experiment ahead and decided on the Rule of Saint Benedict. Then Emmaus needed to find its home on a farm in a small, rural community. Neither of us had financial resources for the purchase (or lease) of farm property – and bit-by-bit providence made money available to us through loans from family and friends so that we could make a down payment on a 40-acre farm in Vestaburg, Michigan. I was offered a teaching position at Michigan State University to help support the new endeavor and we asked the Diocese of Grand Rapids to assist us in moving toward our goal of becoming a monastic community. <br />
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<b>It took 17 years</b> for us to work through the necessary processes to become a private community with judicial person and a canonical part of the Diocese of Grand Rapids. In all that time we made first vows, with permission, in April 1983. We made the Benedictine vows of stability, conversion of life, and obedience for three years according to the Rule of Saint Benedict and the Constitution of the Emmaus Community. Shortly thereafter we began an Associates Program for “lay contemplatives” who felt called to live contemplative lives in the world. In 1987 we made permanent vows, with permission, promising to be faithful to contemplative prayer and to the fruit of that prayer lived out in service in unusual settings, focused particularly on those outside the usual reach of church ministry. As members of Emmaus we were particularly attuned to the workings of the God of the unexpected, the Stranger of the Emmaus account in Luke’s telling. For Sr. Diane, that unusual location was the state bureaucracy where she serves as a licensing consultant for adult foster care homes. Her responsibility is to protect the needs of the vulnerable adults who live in such circumstances. For me, that location was the world of higher education, particularly in the privileged sector of elite liberal arts colleges. I have been an English professor at Bryn Mawr College for 20 years now, going back and forth between the College and the monastery such that I spend about half the year in one place and half in the other. Sr. Diane has been a consultant for about the same time during which she survived the challenge of two breast cancers and two mastectomies.<br />
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<b>With the help of two very generous Episcopalian benefactors</b>, we were able to add to the original acreage about 15 years ago so that Emmaus Monastery (click here for map) is an 80-acre complex with a convent (called Marcella), two guest houses – one cottage and a second 3-bedroom home (Bartimaeus and Elizabeth), and a 3-bedroom hermitage. People come to Emmaus for retreats, days of recollection, workshops, reading groups, prayer groups, and parish meetings. We have always wanted our facilities to be available in the spirit of Benedictine hospitality and have never charged fees for use of the property, but accepted donations and stipends. We have lived in this way in the corner of Montcalm County for 30 years during which we have helped support ourselves as music ministers for the two nearby Roman Catholic parishes, Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque and Saint Bernadette of Lourdes. I have also participated in training as a spiritual director and I offer the directed retreats for individuals and groups.<br />
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<b>Our discernment to seek a home</b> in the Episcopal communion has been a long eight-year process set in motion by a number of factors: the silencing of conversation about women’s ordination, the responses to the pedophilia scandal, the Catholic Church’s teachings about birth control and homosexuality, and the gradual erasure of the liturgical, ecclesial, and spirituality changes wrought by Vatican II. Sr. Diane has felt a lifetime call to priestly ministry and she was able to function pastorally in our area for 30 years in her roles as chaplain and president of Hospice and in the request by area families, churched and unchurched, to help them through the dying, death, and bereavement processes. Just as a dying patient was about to make a confession, however, after an intimate conversation with Sr. Diane, however, she would have to stop the exchange and find a sacramental minister who could actually perform the sacrament of reconciliation. This was often a disruption of the trust established, especially if the priest available was a stranger. Such encounters reminded her of her own call to priesthood and the final irrevocable teaching that women’s ordination was as serious a moral evil as pedophilia. <br />
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<b>We remained convinced</b> of our monastic calls and sought guidance from a number of sources (including long term spiritual guides and directors) about a new home where we would be able to continue our sacramental theology and our liturgical lives while opening up spaces for the free exchange of ideas, for honest and respectful dissent, and for growth in the Spirit. Sr. Diane also hoped to test her vocation as a priest. Never in our lives had we imagined making the journey from Rome to Canterbury, but we found ourselves increasingly in a crisis of conscience about following the call of the Spirit in the straightened circumstances of an increasingly silencing and repressive ecclesiology. We discovered a way to become more “catholic” by attaching ourselves to another part of the Christian communion, one that could be home, familiar, and welcoming of the gifts of soul and intellect God had given us.<br />
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<b>We have been very discrete </b>about the journey from Rome to Canterbury because it is not our intention to make any commentary on our Roman Catholic inheritance. We also wish to be deeply respectful of those who disagree with this phase of our Emmaus “on the road” movement or who feel betrayed or wounded by our departure. We make this journey in faith and in trust and we carry in our hearts all those relationships of the past 30 years. We are praying that, in time, any ruptures experienced by those heartbroken, as were the first Emmaus disciples, will experience resurrection healing.<br />
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– Sr. Linda-Susan Beard, EC<br />
Bishop Robert Geperthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09570609069073774217noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875219463096289763.post-37287554033055039632013-04-19T00:00:00.000-07:002013-05-03T14:22:42.308-07:00My Last Annual Convention<br />
<a href="http://edwm.org/images/bishops_blog_img_25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://edwm.org/images/bishops_blog_img_25.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top;" width="200" /></a>The EDWM’s 139th Convention is upon us – my last annual convention as your bishop.<br />
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When you know you’re leaving, you begin to note all the events that are last events. As I look around me at these last events, I see so many friendly and supportive faces – people I will miss. Believe it or not, I will actually miss additional conventions.<br />
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At the same time, I’m looking forward to the lasts, because there’s something calling me for the future.<br />
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On Saturday at convention, I will elaborate a little bit about what the diocese has done for me, how it has changed me, and how it has been a part of my formation and development.<br />
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Even though these are the final months of my episcopacy, they are greeted with expectation and hope for the future, not just for me, but for the diocese.<br />
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I’m looking forward to seeing everyone this weekend, and hearing Margaret Marcuson’s presentation. Like me, she was a student of the great Edwin Friedman. She speaks and writes on leadership and works with faith leaders across the nation. She is both the leading Diocesan Formation Day at the Dominican Conference Center on Friday, and is our keynote speaker at the convention on Saturday. She is the author of Leaders Who Last: Sustaining Yourself and Your Ministry.<br />
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With the business of the 139th convention behind us by the end of the day Saturday, I, like many of you, look toward the Special Electing Convention to follow on May 18th, where a choice about the future of the diocese will be in the hands of the delegates elected by all the parishes in the diocese.<br />
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My hope is that it will be a spiritual event, with careful discernment about selecting your new leader, your new bishop, based on needs rather than wants, thinking and praying about how the church in western Michigan can move solidly into future mission.<br />
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I think we are on a solid ground to be able to do that.<br />
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The schedule for that day will begin with a Mass of the Holy Spirit in which our prayers and hymns will focus on awareness of the Holy Spirit within us and among us<br />
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The electing convention will be structured in such a way that we will continue in both silent and public prayer, calling upon the Holy Spirit to help us select the person God would want as bishop in this diocese.<br />
We will trust the decision we are making is the decision prompted by the Holy Spirit.<br />
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The Mass of the Holy Spirit will include a confession by the bishop and absolution from the people, and a confession by the people with absolution from the bishop.<br />
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The end of the Mass of the Holy Spirit will include a symbolic and liturgical ending of my episcopacy (even though I am fully aware that I have Episcopal duties that need to continue). I really want the focus of the electing convention to be on welcoming your bishop-elect, not additional good-byes to me.<br />
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The night before electing convention is a retirement celebration with hors d’oeuvres where Anne and I will greet people at 7:00 p.m. at Grace Church in Grand Rapids. In lieu of gifts, we have requested that donations be made to the Michigan tri-diocesan Dominican mission project, for the building of San Simon church and school.<br />
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The Rt. Rev. Robert R. Gepert, VIII, Western Michigan<br />
Bishop Robert Geperthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09570609069073774217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875219463096289763.post-67614958129500734862013-03-29T14:34:00.000-07:002013-04-18T14:36:09.363-07:00"Knowing resurrection: God's redemption in our own lives"<em>March 29, 2013</em>
<a href="http://edwm.org/images/bishops_blog_img_24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="bishops blog image 24" border="0" height="270" src="http://edwm.org/images/bishops_blog_img_24.jpg" width="338" /></a><strong>At 64 years old</strong>,
I’m still figuring out the living words of our liturgy and scripture.
It speaks something different to me at 64 than it did at 32.<br />
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<strong>Last Saturday</strong>, the diocese hosted
Spirituality Day in Newaygo, and I had the opportunity to go deeper
into my own understanding of the resurrection as I listened to Marilee
Roth’s presentation on the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. She asked
us to ponder the meaning of the Memorial Acclamation “Christ has died.
Christ is risen. Christ will come again.” She asked, “Why do we say <em>Christ will come again</em>?”<br />
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<strong>The new insight</strong> that I found was
that Christ comes in the bread and wine, and in the community gathered,
again and again. Whenever we gather as Christian community we are the
Body of Christ. As the Body of Christ we are part of that Memorial
Acclamation.<div>
<strong>People are often afraid</strong>
to ask questions about resurrection. They shouldn’t be. I believe the
most important question is how do we see resurrection in our own lives,
in what ways have we suffered, in what ways have we died, and in what
ways have we been raised to new life?<br />
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<strong>As a priest, </strong>I’ve had the sacred
privilege of being with dying people who see their relatives. My own
grandmother said to me on her deathbed, “There’s Grandpap by the
window.” My grandfather – her husband – had been dead for years.<br />
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<strong>I stupidly said</strong> to her, “Where?” And she looked at me like<em> are you nuts, he’s right there! </em>She said, “There he is by the window.”<br />
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<strong>John Shea</strong>, one of my favorite theologians, says death
is the way that we join those who have gone before us and resurrection
is the ability to be present everywhere at all times.<br />
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<strong>I love the resurrection</strong> because it means Jesus is present everywhere, for all people, at all times.<br />
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<strong>I say often that</strong> the only thing we have to preach is
death and resurrection, and God’s redeeming power. We all experience
resurrection when we’re able to connect our story with THE STORY, and
we’re able to see God’s redemption at work in our own lives. We begin
to understand that God has turned something disastrous into something
that provides new life. That is THE STORY of the gospels and OUR STORY
as well.<br />
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Understanding the ways</strong> in which OUR STORY can be overlaid on
THE STORY and how THE STORY can be overlaid on OUR STORY, we are able to
become gospel witnesses. We can then talk about how we use our
experiences, and our knowledge of what God has done for us in our
darkest hours, to bring hope to others who have yet to know God’s
redeeming power.<br />
At Spirituality Day last Saturday, we talked a lot about connecting OUR STORY to THE STORY.<br />
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<strong>When you’re older</strong>, you think more about your life
because you’re closer to your death. When I look back on my life, I see
how I was prepared for just about everything. I recalled my own
experience at the Spirituality Retreat when I told the students that
being the oldest and only boy in my family, with five years distance
between me and my oldest sister, actually prepared me for the task of
being a single dad to girls, even though I remembered my mother telling
me “a man can’t raise children.”<br />
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<strong>Things happen in life</strong>, and later we can see how life prepared us, however uncomfortably. <br />
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<strong>I have also known people</strong> who bleed their whole lives,
unable to accept the gifts of healing and new life, perhaps because no
one has witnessed to them that new life follows suffering and death –
perhaps no one has taken the time to help them connect their story to
THE STORY.<br />
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<strong>In Holy Week</strong>, we get to see the courage and the
serenity of Jesus, as an example for our Christian life. When we
exhibit courage and serenity, it’s infectious.<br />
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<strong>Again, I ask how</strong> do you see resurrection in your own
life, in what ways have you suffered, in what ways have you died, and
in what ways have you been resurrected to new life?<br />
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<strong>When we connect OUR STORY</strong> with THE STORY, our faith is
strengthened. And it’s so much easier to move on in life, after
experiencing difficulty and despair, knowing that new life awaits and
will unfold for us.<br />
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<strong>On the Sunday of </strong>the Resurrection we celebrate that
Jesus joined those who had gone before, – that Jesus is risen and
present to all at all times and in all places, - and that Jesus will
be present with you as you gather with Christian community. We
celebrate all this with the hope that it is the same for you and me. <em>Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.</em> And to that we add a joyful, <em>Alleluia, Alleluia!</em><br />
<br />
<strong class="body_text_no_width_blue_bold">Below are some comments from students at the Bishop’s Spirituality Day:</strong><br />
<em>“I was impacted by the discussion as well as the comfort of being
around fellow Episcopalian people. Since I am being received, I was
able to be surrounded with my new spiritual family and to participate
in conversation with them. I felt blessed to be there with them. In
addition, I was impacted by the Stations of the Cross activity as well
as the new knowledge of resources for daily prayer. I think one of the
most lovely experiences for me, however, was the Lighting Ceremony.
It was very peaceful and full of meaning. It was wonderful to watch
others light their candles and to light my own candle as well. What a
wonderful day!” Angie Leuchtmann</em><br />
<em>“I have been Episcopalian from birth -
baptized and confirmed - and am now a candidate for reaffirmation. If I
had to pick one thing I came away with, it is the information given to
us about Daily Office. We learned many different ways to access Daily
Office, as well as how to navigate it. The reason this is significant
to me is because the tradition in which worship is accessible everyday
now. Devotions and contemplative prayer are now the supplements as
opposed to the daily prayer for me.” – Scott Leuchtmann</em><br />
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<strong>Recommended Reading:</strong><br />
<a href="http://progressivechristianity.org/resources/dishonest-church/" target="_blank" title="The Dishonest Church by Jack Good">The Dishonest Church</a> by Jack Good
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<b>A very happy Easter to you from the Bishop’s staff at the Episcopal Center!</b><br />
<a href="http://edwm.org/our_bishop.html"><em>The Rt. Rev. Robert R. Gepert, VIII, Western Michigan</em></a><br />
The Rev. Canon William J. Spaid<br />
Mary McGuire<br />
Molly Ettwein<br />
Genevieve Callard<br />
Tammy Mazure<br />
Cathy Rhodes<br />
The Rev. Karen McDonald<br />
Karmel Puzzuoli<br />
<br /></div>
Bishop Robert Geperthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09570609069073774217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875219463096289763.post-84211855296790739102013-03-15T06:11:00.000-07:002013-03-28T06:11:42.068-07:00Understanding the Church's Dark Night: A Reflection on Owens and Robinson<br />
<a href="http://edwm.org/images/bishops_blog_img_23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="bishop's blog image 23" border="0" height="272" src="http://edwm.org/images/bishops_blog_img_23.jpg" width="195" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>At the last Province V Bishop’s Meeting</strong>,<a href="http://www.episcopalchurch.org/bishop/rt-rev-todd-ousley" target="_blank" title="Rt. Rev. Todd Ousley"> the Rt. Rev. Todd Ousley</a>, Bishop of Eastern Michigan, shared an article he obtained from the ecumenical magazine <em><a href="http://www.christiancentury.org/" target="_blank" title="The Christian Century">The Christian Century</a></em>.
The article, titled “Dark Night of the Church,” by L. Roger Owens and
Anthony B. Robinson, expressed my own beliefs so well that it became
the inspiration for my presentation for Leadership Days in Kalamazoo,
Grand Rapids and Traverse City.<br />
<br />
Owens and Robinson compare the message of the poem “The Dark Night of
the Soul,” written by the monk St. John of the Cross in the 16th
century, with the current declines in the church. They ask, “Is there a
dark night of the church? Are we experiencing it? Is God at work
wrenching our alluring memories of social prominence and significance
from our minds, ripping dreams of fame and fortune from our
imaginations?”<br />
<br />
<strong>The Episcopal Church</strong> was once characterized as a church
of status, with a disproportionate number of members with wealth or
political position. Even President Gerald Ford was a member of Grace
Church in Grand Rapids. The elaborate buildings and stained glass
windows in our churches point to a time of past affluence. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Prominent figures,</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
such as Supreme Court Justices Sandra Day O’Connor and Thurgood
Marshall were Episcopalians. But the question that Owens and Robinson
ask, however, is whether the trappings of prominence, significance and
affluence have separated us from God and the mission of the Church? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<br />
<strong>In my travels</strong> around the diocese,
I’ve been to churches in which I’m the youngest person there. That
doesn’t bode well for the community of faith! High numbers of aging
members is one piece of the “lexicon of decline” identified by Owens
and Robinson, in addition to an absence of young adults, financial
crises and a rise in conflict in our congregations – all of which I
have seen myself.<br />
<br />
<strong>But St. John of the Cross</strong> said in “Dark Night of the
Soul” that we should rejoice, even as he sat locked in the monastery
basement for accusing his brothers of not honoring their promises to
the Benedictine rule of life.<br />
<br />
St. John of the Cross<strong> identified the Dark Night</strong> we experience in our lives as the journey our soul takes from its bodily home to its union with God in love.<br />
<br />
<strong>Think about your own dark night, </strong>a time in your life
when you were confused, scared, and there was chaos all around you.
You wondered how you would make it through.<br />
<br />
<strong>But</strong> at the end of your dark night, you got a new life.
That new life may not have been better or worse, but it was different.
You now think differently than you did before that dark night.<br />
<br />
<strong>Jesus too had a dark night</strong>. First there was a betrayal, then the passion, crucifixion and death. But after, there was new life. Telling <em>that</em>
good news is, if anything, our primary responsibility – to help people
understand that suffering and death happen, but the end result is new
life. It happens over and over again in the journey toward the end of
our own mortal lives.<br />
<br />
<strong>Because we are an individualistic society</strong>, we often
mistake the purpose of the church to be for our comfort. I once asked
the junior warden of one of our downtown churches where she envisioned
their church in five years’ time.<br />
<br />
<strong>Her response?</strong> “Everything has changed,” she said. “I want things back the way they were.”<br />
<br />
<strong>A leader in another church</strong> asked me what they could do
about their decline. He said, “We need more members because we need
seven more pledging units to make our budget.”<br />
<br />
<strong>Further</strong>, churches have conflict over detaching from
buildings, music programs, altars, the Prayer Book – things external to
Christian community. But I agree with Owens and Robinson; God is doing
something in the midst of that anxiety.<br />
<br />
<strong>“The church is </strong>relearning that its essence lies not in
its programs and accomplishments, its activities and accolades,” write
Owens and Robinson, “but in the truth that ‘she on earth hath union
with God the Three in One,’ and that God is enough.”<br />
<br />
<strong>Most of you</strong> know Anne and I will move to Lancaster,
Pennsylvania upon my retirement this summer. Lancaster is known for its
Amish community, so I’ve become somewhat enamored of the Amish and have
been reading a book called <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Amish-Way-Patient-Faith-Perilous/dp/111815276X" target="_blank" title="The Amish Way">The Amish Way</a></em>. <br />
<strong><br />
I’ve learned that </strong>the Amish worship for up to three hours
every other Sunday. They own no church buildings, but instead worship at
each other’s homes where they gather as many as 200 people at a time
to hear the Gospel, pray and sing. While some people do join the Amish
faith, their goal is not to convert people to the Amish way, but to
live into the teachings of Jesus, particularly those set forth in the
Sermon on the Mount.<br />
<strong><br />
Our church cannot remain</strong> the same because God’s mission is not
being accomplished. There are way more important things than the
building, the bell, or the $3 million organ.<br />
<a href="http://www.bcponline.org/" target="_blank" title="The Catechism"><br />
On page 855</a> of the Book of Common Prayer, we are told: “The mission
of the Church is to restore all people to unity with God and each other
in Christ.”<br />
<br />
<strong>Our denomination</strong> is getting smaller, and I don’t think
it’s a bad thing. God is speaking to us through the decline, and if the
result of that is a deeper commitment to the mission of God, that is a
cause to rejoice. <br />
<br />
<strong>After his dark night</strong>, locked in the basement of the
monastery, St. John of the Cross reformed the Carmelite order. After his
dark night, Jesus rose from the tomb. What will the church be after
its own dark night?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>It will rise to new life,</strong> become more committed and live into its promise to reconcile people to each other and to God.<br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">– <a href="http://edwm.org/our_bishop.html"><em>The Rt. Rev. Robert R. Gepert, VIII, Western Michigan</em></a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://edwm.org/index-2.html"><img alt="" height="13" src="http://edwm.org/images/blue_triangle_1.jpg" width="13" /></a><a href="http://edwm.org/bishop_blog_presentation.pdf" target="_blank" title="Dark Night of the Church Presentation">Bishop's Presentation on the Dark Night of the Church</a></span><br />
Bishop Robert Geperthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09570609069073774217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875219463096289763.post-4110872067515990262013-02-22T18:54:00.000-08:002013-03-15T18:57:24.521-07:00"Believing Everyone Deserves Dignity, Respect, and Has the Love of God"<br />
<i>In this week's blog, we wanted to highlight one of our most successful ministries as a diocese, our health ministry. The reason it has been such a success can be directly attributed to Deacon Karen McDonald. Karen really embraces what it means to be a deacon. She is not afraid to go into places where others don’t feel safe, which is most often with the very poor and the mentally disabled.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Karen is a shining example of how a deacon can bring the kingdom into existence, not because of what she does as an individual, but because she calls others into action. She has a cadre of lay people who help with blood pressure checks, foot care clinics, exercise classes and vegetable gardens on behalf of the poor. She also empowers the poor who live in low-income apartments and homeless shelters to organize and advocate for their own well-being.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Karen is not assigned to a parish but to a ministry. Ideally, I’d like to see a health ministry in a city of every deanery of our diocese. It’s a successful ministry because it frees us to work with a broader population, both in terms of who we serve, but who we call to serve alongside us. </i><i>The following is an article about Karen’s ministry by our communications assistant, Karmel Puzzuoli.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kpE5-PBlY44/UUPRcuHjsSI/AAAAAAAAA3c/3JPFs_N2Dyg/s1600/diocesan_staff_img10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kpE5-PBlY44/UUPRcuHjsSI/AAAAAAAAA3c/3JPFs_N2Dyg/s1600/diocesan_staff_img10.jpg" /></a>The Rev. Karen McDonald, deacon for health ministries, comes into the EDWM offices, sits down at her telephone, and hastily begins making calls.</div>
<br />
“Would you be interested in donating flats of tomatoes for our vegetable garden?” she asks someone. “Can you bring your sphygmomanometer for our blood pressure clinic? We just have the one, and I think I need another one” she implores in her second call. Before she takes a breath, she makes another call. “Can the doctor call me back? I’m trying to find a podiatrist who will donate services to a homeless individual.”<br />
<br />
These are just some of the things Karen does before we have a chance to say hello.<br />
<br />
Karen is EDWM’s deacon for health ministries. It comes naturally to her, ingrained in her since she was a child worrying about the well-being of her elderly neighbors or young friends who lived on the poorer side of her hometown of Buchanan. Nevertheless, becoming a deacon and answering the call to serve has been an uphill battle.<br />
<br />
Raised in a time when women were expected to limit their goals to motherhood and domestic life, Karen struggled with restlessness and anxiety. Her husband Jim asked her why she wasn't content as a wife and a mother, but she found it difficult to express why staying home with her children wasn't enough for her. She loved her family, but also wanted more. Many things outside the home called to her.<br />
<br />
“My own mother never worked her whole life – her world revolved around her family . . . and knitting and sewing and cooking. But I didn’t enjoy those things, except for cooking,” she said.<br />
<br />
While her children were young, Karen worked off and on in nursing jobs or in public health. When the demands of home life forced her to leave a job, she often did her ministry “in the closet,” taking cookies and food to struggling families, buying mattresses for children who had no bed, even when it caused friction in her marriage.<br />
<br />
In the early 1990s, Karen became a care manager for people who had HIV/AIDS, in a time when fear over the transmission of the virus still persisted, and HIV-positive and AIDS patients experienced a great deal of marginalization in society. She even lost friends over it.<br />
<br />
“That’s when I realized I could have great compassion for people,” she said. “When gay men would tell me their stories, I realized they just needed a listening ear, someone who would help them access the services and care they needed. I guess I found I could be an advocate for people. I learned ways to navigate the system for funds, medication, and the help of infectious disease doctors. It wasn’t a chore for me. I enjoyed it. It helped to make someone else’s life better.”<br />
Karen first heard the call to become a deacon in the 1990s. She was ordained in 2001, and began serving at St. Mark’s in Paw Paw. She later served at St. Barnabas in Portage. In February 2010 she was assigned to the diocesan health ministry, and started working in the EDWM offices regularly in January 2011. She has been married to her husband Jim for 52 years, and they have three grown children. Jim has struggled with dementia for years, and Karen balances her time between her health ministry, family, and advocating for Jim’s needs in the nursing home, which now includes hospice care.<br />
Karen’s health ministry work includes regular clinics at the Skyrise apartment building, which houses low-income elderly and disabled residents. She organizes blood pressure checks, foot care clinics, exercise classes that strengthen and reduce the risk of falls, public safety presentations, healthy-eating (on a budget) classes, and a vegetable-garden in pots for residents during the summer.<br />
<br />
“Even though the people at Skyrise have some health insurance, like Medicare or Medicaid, they still have difficulty getting into the system in appropriate ways,” she said. “They still think that going to the emergency room is a good way to get care, but they need to see their doctor regularly. Sometimes they just need someone to ask them if they’re seeing their doctor or taking their medication, someone who cares.”<br />
Karen also arranges foot care clinics she calls “Foot Spas” at a drop-in daytime shelter for the homeless called Ministry With Community.<br />
<br />
“It’s wonderful to watch Karen and her nurse volunteers help the people at Ministry With Community,” said Anne Gepert, a regular volunteer there. “I was moved when I watched these three nurses helping with calluses, toenails, and massaging lotion into feet that walk the streets all day. I think you have to be a caring person to do that.”<br />
<br />
In addition, Karen’s work includes service on the board of directors of the United Interfaith Free Healthcare Clinic, which will with God’s grace open soon in Kalamazoo, providing free care to the uninsured and underinsured. She serves on the board of InterAct of Michigan, an organization helping and advocating for the mentally disabled and those suffering from substance abuse. And she is also a trained facilitator of The Living Compass spirituality program, which promotes a spiritual approach to healthy living. (Some of our parishes participate in The Living Compass). She also facilitates PATH (Personal Action Toward Health) classes for the underserved, which teach vulnerable people how to take responsibility for their health and set goals for themselves. Karen maintains contact regularly with a spiritual director.<br />
<br />
If you are interested in learning the ways you or your parish can serve the poor and disenfranchised in your community through a health ministry, email Karen by clicking here now, or call her at the EDWM offices at (269) 381-2710.<br />
<br />
Recommended Reading by the Rev. Karen McDonald<br />
The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully by Joan Chittister<br />
<br />
– Robert R. Gepert, VIII, Western Michigan<br />
Bishop Robert Geperthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09570609069073774217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875219463096289763.post-50938190294413993382013-02-15T15:52:00.000-08:002013-02-21T15:53:22.426-08:00"Listening to EDWM Clergy on the Future of the Church, the Benedictine Way"<br />
In St. Benedict's Rule, Benedict tells us that in the monastery, there is a constant search for truth. The abbot or prioress is to listen to all members of the community, open their hearts, and to allow others to share their perspectives on the things that affect the community.<br />
<br />
In particular, Benedict refers to the youngest members, i.e. newest members, of the monastic community as those through whom the Holy Spirit often speaks.<br />
<br />
In my presentation at Leadership Days, which was last week in Kalamazoo and will next be at St. Mark’s in Grand Rapids on February 23rd, I talk about the “dark night of the church,” and how our attachment to the external things is a liability to the church’s future.<br />
<br />
As an illustration, I used the example of an elderly woman in my first parish. Miss Majorie had a strong attachment to the 1928 Book of Common Prayer. She found worship to be difficult without it. Every Sunday morning, I came to the church to find all the 1928 prayer books back in the pews after I had put them away. Did she worship God? Or the prayer book?<br />
<br />
We develop patterns in our lives. I have the same morning routine every day. I get up, stumble out of bed, and go to the kitchen to start the coffee that I have set up the night before. I take my shower while the coffee is brewing. After my shower, I read the news. I do this just about every day.<br />
<br />
Churches also develop habitual patterns. Congregations believe they cannot function as a community of faith without stained glass windows, expensive music programs and their historic buildings. But as I outlined in my presentation, which I will continue to develop for the next two Leadership Day workshops in Grand Rapids and Traverse City, none of these things are essential to the mission of the church, which is to proclaim the gospel and work toward the reconciliation of all people to God and each other.<br />
<br />
As the church continues to deal with losses in membership (30% since 1960) and losses in revenue ($23 million less in the 2010-2012 than the 2007-2009 triennium), conversations on our future as a denomination persist.<br />
<br />
In the tradition of the Benedictine monastery, we asked some of our clergy who are either newly-ordained or have come to this diocese from other places in the nation or world, to share their advice for the future of the church:<br />
<br />
<b>• The Rev. Brian Coleman, St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Battle Creek</b><br />
Churches should provide more opportunities and tools to help individuals engage in deep relationships. This is what people are missing in the world and the church can offer a context where the vulnerability necessary for such relationships can be affirmed and supported. The church should be faithful to its heritage, i.e., liturgical worship, catholic faith, piety without being a slave to convention. The church can be a place for creativity, informality, having fun, taking risks– all within the context of structure and stability. Building extra-denominational alliances and networks around social justice is also a good direction for the church.<br />
<br />
<b>• The Rev. Carlton Kelly, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Dowagiac</b><br />
I hear and feel from others a great deal of anxiety about the future of the church. One of the foundations of my spiritual life has been from the book of Job: "The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord." This hasn't come from any particular revelation but rather is the result of a difficult childhood in an alcoholic household, becoming an alcoholic and, blessedly, being in recovery, all with the dawning realization as I grow older that God is always God, is always good, and will never, ever leave us. "Lo I am with you always..." There is nothing we have to fear. I think that too many evangelism schemes and programs, broadly understood, are born out of institutional desperation and a desire for maintenance. Instead of looking at this time of declining numbers as perhaps, just perhaps, a gift from the good Lord to be opened carefully and viewed intently, we seem to have gotten caught up in a good deal of self-pity. Everything, even the church, needs pruning, from time to time, to promote healthy growth. We need to be willing to examine everything we do in the light of the Gospel.<br />
<br />
<b>• The Rev. Aaron Evans, Trinity Episcopal Church, Grand Ledge</b><br />
To me, The Episcopal Church seems stuck in the late 20th century. For many in the current church, society and the church changed dramatically during that time. We need to reflect on how much of that change was good and consider the possibility that we threw the baby out with the bathwater during that time of liturgical, theological, political, and structural change. Perhaps, we could consider the possibility that moving forward means first going back to reclaim some of things that were left behind. I don't know what the church of the future will look like. TEC and all mainline denominations appear to be having an identity crisis. The United States, like Europe and Canada, is gradually becoming more secular and skeptical of religious claims. As this happens, conservative churches will become centers of countercultural rebellion against the dominant secular culture. Where does that leave more liberal churches who are in many ways as skeptical of traditional Christianity's truth claims as the nonreligious? What is our reason for existence? What meaning does our more liberal theology have for the never-churched?<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>• The Rev. Daniel Richards, Grace Episcopal Church, Traverse City</b><br />
The future of the church is in her beginning. We are to obey Christ and make disciples, not members. We have to get back to the core of our discipleship as a community: worship, formation, proclamation. Episcopalians are formed by the reformed lay monastic dream of Cramner, a people shaped by Daily Office and weekly Eucharist, Book of Common Prayer and Bible. From the core, you can head out into medieval liturgies or evangelical outreach, but we have to put money, time, and structure back into the center. We are going to close a lot of churches if we keep trying to reform the church through her butlers instead of forming her children. Follow Christ and the rest will follow. <br />
<br />
<b>• The Rev. Mike Wernick, Holy Cross, Kentwood</b><br />
I would advise the church to promote itself as a national resource for biblical scholarship and scriptural authority, to do truth-telling, and talk in a lively way about how this relates to the political and other concerns facing Americans and humanity today. We need to talk about the connections between accountability and community, use quantum physics to show our interconnections, and shift the focus from "right and wrong and good and bad" to one about consequences for us and future generations. Internally, in the church, we must prepare and promote more fluid and meaningful liturgical forms that speak to us about timeless values in modern language, demystify the liturgy, and help clergy be spiritual leaders and not CEOs. I think the church needs to take a lead in integrating technology and protecting the environment, foster Community Supported Agriculture and sustainable neighborhoods, as well as support groups of cohorts in doing what they're good at (for ministry and fellowship), and integrating these groups to do the Gospel.<br />
<br />
<b>• The Rev. Jared C. Cramer, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Grand Haven</b><br />
The church as a whole, I believe, needs to continue a conversation about the purpose of our existence. We need to open ourselves to the problems of the older Christendom model while still grieving the gifts of that model that are going away. Her leaders need to focus on careful listening that moves into a spiritual leadership that expresses the voice of the Spirit as articulated in the community. I think the future of the church is that TEC will hit a bottom in membership and then it will begin to turn around. I believe TEC of the future will have moved pasts the arguments regarding inclusion and social justice and towards deeper question of the spiritual life and how that can form and transform community.<br />
<br />
<b>• The Rev. Anne Schnaare, Trinity Episcopal Church, Marshall</b><br />
I see the future of the church as continuing to evolve. We will discern what among the new things (internet, culture on-the-go, the changing family unit, etc.) are to be absorbed and adapted for the Glory of God, and what foundational things (the Creeds, Scripture, etc.) are to be brought along as the church is brought into the future (and some would say the present!) Like the transformation of the Winter Solstice into Christmas, some foreign things will be transformed as they become new treasures. Other things will be jettisoned, as we realize that they are cultural trappings that are no longer benefiting the Gospel Mission. I really like what Vincent Donovan’s book Christianity Rediscovered has to say on this point.<br />
<br />
<b>• The Rev. Nurya Parish, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Grand Rapids</b><br />
The church exists to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and, through grace, to be transformed by the Holy Spirit into the likeness of Christ. These core purposes of the church will never change: we are here solely and always to serve God's mission in God's world. But so much has changed in the 21st century that to be faithful to God's call, we have to change too. We have to use new media to share the gospel. We have to develop new faith communities, and rethink existing ones, to reach those who need to know God. Most importantly, we have to recognize that our central work is teaching people the purpose of their existence, and leading them into deeply meaningful lives. The church of the future will be focused on making disciples, and will use every effective method to do so, or it will be no church at all.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>• The Rev. Bonnie Edwards, St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, Portage</b><br />
The future of our church centers on the unique gift that we have among us: the transformative power that Christian community offers. As we encounter God's grace and love among us, we are changed into something new. New people among us and new situations offer ways to experience and embrace those changes. We then take that good to our wider community which in turn will draw more people to our unique gift.<br />
<br />
<br />
– Robert R. Gepert, VIII, Western Michigan<br />
Bishop Robert Geperthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09570609069073774217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875219463096289763.post-21665956786783095512013-02-08T08:34:00.000-08:002013-02-15T08:35:37.561-08:00"Lent: A Time to Listen to God's Voice"<em>February 8, 2013</em>
<br />
<a href="http://edwm.org/images/bishops_blog_img_21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="bishop's blog" border="0" src="http://edwm.org/images/bishops_blog_img_21.jpg" height="265" width="297" /></a><strong>When I was a first grader at St. Boniface Catholic School</strong>,
I had a part in the Ash Wednesday school play. A small group of us
performed in all of the classrooms in the building. I played the part
of a candy bar, with a group of others called “The Temptations.” My
line was to say, “Pick me! Pick me!” As temptations, we represented the
things that pious people were instructed to avoid for Lent.<br />
<br />
<strong>It’s clear to me now</strong> that giving up
candy bars during Lent is fine for children, but as we grow and mature
in our faith, Lent becomes an opportunity to hear again how God would
have us live and what God would have us do.<strong> </strong>If we
have drifted away from awareness of God’s moment to moment presence
with us, if we no longer enter into intentional silence in order to
recognize God’s plan and our role in it, then Lent is an opportunity
for us to return to the love which surpasses all understanding so that
we may love others in return.<br />
<br />
<strong>Earlier this week</strong> in my morning meditation on <a href="http://www.lectionarypage.net/YearABC/Lent/AshWed.html#OldTest2" target="_blank" title="Isaiah 58:1-12">a reading from the Book of Isaiah</a>,
God reminded me, as he was reminding the Israelites, that outward
displays of piety are empty and meaningless unless we are in right
relationship with God, understanding God’s will. We are instructed<br />
<br />
<em>…to loose the bonds of injustice,<br />
to undo the thongs of the yoke,<br />
to let the oppressed go free,<br />
and to break every yoke. </em><br />
<br />
<em>… to share your bread with the hungry,<br />
and bring the homeless poor into your house;<br />
when you see the naked, to cover them,<br />
and not to hide yourself from your own kin?<br />
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,<br />
and your healing shall spring up quickly;<br />
your vindicator shall go before you,<br />
the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.</em><br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>Consider this</strong> as you think about what you would like Lent to be like for you.<br />
<br />
<strong>Just like the first week in January</strong>
when the otherwise-empty exercise room in my apartment building is
suddenly filled, Lent can sometimes be a time of trivial commitments
which wear off quickly. It is meant to be a time to remember God’s
presence, and to consider what we can do to support God’s kingdom in
the world. <br />
<br />
<strong>Fasting and prayer</strong> as spiritual
disciplines play a role. When we notice our hunger, we are meant to
notice our hunger for deep relationship with God and others. When we
are at prayer, we are meant to be mindful of the presence of God, alert
and listening for God’s voice urging us to be Divine instruments in the
world.<br />
<strong><br />
In order to experience</strong> the true joy of The
Resurrection, we must walk with Jesus toward his death. It requires
our openness to God and our presence in the Community of Faith. May
your Lent be holy and may the Feast of the Resurrection find you
growing in your knowledge and love of God.<br />
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<em><a href="http://edwm.org/our_bishop.html" target="_blank" title="Bishop Gepert">– Robert R. Gepert</a></em>, VIII, Western MichiganBishop Robert Geperthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09570609069073774217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875219463096289763.post-41674368578241408122013-01-18T15:13:00.000-08:002013-02-07T15:14:19.848-08:00People Elected to Diocesan Offices Must Care for the Larger Church<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>It's no secret that Episcopalians love their parishes. We
take great pride in the sanctuaries we maintain and occupy. But as
Episcopalians, we are part of a larger church, unified by our commitment to
Christ’s mission to bring God’s kingdom to earth. In that sense, there is no
Grace Church or St. Augustine’s or Church of the Mediator. We are Christians,
simply, who are participants in Christ’s Church.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Many of you will have your annual meetings in the coming
month, and in electing your fellow parishioners to positions in the diocese –
including delegates to diocesan convention, Standing Committee, and deputies to
the General Convention and Province V Synod – I ask that you nominate and elect
people who would most likely have a commitment to the larger church. Elect
people who have a vision beyond the local parish and a mission which pools our
financial and people resources, making us truly the Body of Christ healing a
broken world in desperate need of being reconciled to God and to one another.</div>
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<br /></div>
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It is also with a mind toward the arrival of the ninth
bishop of the Diocese of Western Michigan that this is important. The newly
elected will be able to join the already good lay and clergy leadership serving
this diocese and the larger church well.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The new bishop will arrive to find a team of people who will
work with, not against, him/her. When individuals in leadership positions bring
their own local agendas or serve in order to grind an ax, they are unable to
hear the new plan or see the new path laid out before them.</div>
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<br /></div>
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By identifying the best people possible from the vast number
of talented individuals already working and serving in our parishes, and inviting
them to serve on the diocesan, Province, and The Episcopal Church level, you
will be giving your new bishop one of the best gifts possible - a great start
to the ministry of oversight (the bishop’s role) and relationship-building in
the diocese and beyond. Consider electing people who have never served before.
While electing experienced people is important for continuity, it does not give
others the opportunity to experience church in a different way and it denies
the church the gifts and fresh vision they bring. We need some of each.</div>
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<br /></div>
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A few years ago your Diocesan Council and I compiled a list
identifying some of the characteristics the people you elect to diocesan
positions should have. (To read it, click here now). Please share or post this
list in your parish.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We elect people to diocesan positions to be stewards for the
welfare of the whole diocese. They are people who get along well with others,
and are concerned for the common good, rather than the needs and wants of their
own parish.</div>
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<br /></div>
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All of this is best accomplished when parishes take the time
to discern the gifts that exist within their community of faith and then invite
those with the appropriate gifts to serve. Just asking who wants volunteer does
not accomplish the same results. It requires prayer and observation as well as
discussion and invitation. It is a gift your new bishop deserves.</div>
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<br /></div>
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– Robert R. Gepert, VIII, Western Michigan</div>
Bishop Robert Geperthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09570609069073774217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875219463096289763.post-71009638568897647912013-01-17T08:46:00.003-08:002013-01-17T08:46:51.825-08:00An Open Letter to my Successor<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Dear
Successor:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xy7iBOM5Fro/UPgqwulccQI/AAAAAAAAA24/LXR6Ge_0U5g/s1600/bishops_blog_img_19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xy7iBOM5Fro/UPgqwulccQI/AAAAAAAAA24/LXR6Ge_0U5g/s1600/bishops_blog_img_19.jpg" height="200" width="196" /></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As I
approach the end of my episcopacy and as the Diocese of Western Michigan moves
toward the electing convention on May 18, 2013, I want to assure you of my
support and intention to make as healthy a leadership transition as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am publishing this letter to you now,
before I even know who you are, because I believe with all my heart that the
Holy Spirit is at work in our process and that you are the person God has
chosen to call here to lead this diocesan community into future mission and
ministry for the sake of God’s kingdom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I only hope that I have laid a sufficient foundation to enable you and
the people here to soar to new and exciting highs in proclaiming and living the
Gospel of Jesus Christ as Episcopalians.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Historically,
we have not always made the best leadership transitions possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is for this reason and because I have
grown to love this diocese that I make the following pledge to you: </span></div>
<ul style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I
will not hang around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe leaders
must leave in order for successors to be able to fully claim their leadership.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To that end I will be moving to Pennsylvania.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After
leaving, I will not enter the diocese for any reason without notifying you and
gaining your permission, per the canons of The Episcopal Church.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">I
will review with you current and past cases involving clergy discipline and the
progress of parishes with a plan for restoring congregational health. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I
will honestly answer any and all questions you may have with the goal of being
as transparent as possible concerning all aspects of diocesan life.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I
will not tolerate any whining or griping or negative talk which may come my way,
because it undermines leadership and poisons good work.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Following
your election, I will see to it that my role in the diocese becomes smaller so
that your leadership can begin to grow.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I
will be present at your consecration liturgy, and it will be my great honor to
give you the diocesan crozier, as well as the Prayer Book that our first
bishop, Bishop Gillespie, used and left for all of his successors.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I
will make myself available to you at any time following your consecration
should you want any additional information.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As
a way of preparing for your episcopacy, I will initiate clergy conversations
regarding their role in relationship to you as their bishop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will do the same with the people of the
diocese as we gather for our annual “Leadership Days” and with staff at our
weekly meetings.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>I will hold you before God in prayer each day
as I have already begun doing.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I am looking
forward to meeting you and welcoming you as you begin your ministry of
oversight in Western Michigan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know
that God has great things in store for you and the diocesan community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sincerely,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Robert
R. Gepert</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">VIII,
Western Michigan</span></div>
Bishop Robert Geperthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09570609069073774217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875219463096289763.post-23719514356525726142012-12-21T15:33:00.000-08:002013-01-10T15:34:04.033-08:00We are called to compassion.<i>T</i><i>he people who walked in darkness </i><br />
<i>have seen a great light; </i><br />
<i>those who lived in a land of deep darkness –</i><br />
<i>on them light has shined. </i><br />
<br />
<i>Isaiah 9:2</i><br />
<br />
<b>We often approach Christmas</b> as
the celebration of a past event, in effect the birth Jesus Christ. He
came into the world in the same way we all did, a crying and shivering
infant. His mission was to establish God’s kingdom on earth. But aside
from our celebration of the nativity, we are called at Christmas to
celebrate the continual birth of God and God’s kingdom in our midst,
among the confusion, chaos and darkness that surrounds us.<br />
<br />
<b>The world is reacting</b>
to a terrible event that took place at an elementary school just a
week ago. Adam Lanza, a troubled 20-year-old man, opened fire in a
Connecticut elementary school killing 26 children and teachers,
himself, and earlier that day, his own mother.<br />
<br />
<b>What do we celebrate</b> when such violence claims the innocent?<br />
<br />
Marc Pitzke, writer for the German newspaper <i>Der Spiegel</i>,
reacted to the tragedy in Newtown, CT, by describing us, from the
outside, as a nation with a troubled identity. Fearing the erosion of
our nationalism and leadership in the world, we cling more closely to
our weapons and illusions of power.<br />
<br />
<b>In scripture</b> we learn that the
child who is the Prince of Peace doesn’t respond to violence with
violence, but offers an alternative way of building bridges and
connections. <br />
<br />
<b>Violence has always been part of life on earth</b>,
as in the ancient world in the time of Jesus. King Herod, a traitor to
his people, ordered the execution of all young male children in the
village of Bethlehem in order to avoid the loss of his throne to the
newborn King of the Jews, whose birth had been announced by the Magi. <br />
<br />
<b>But it is important</b> to remember that we, brothers and sisters, are the hands and feet that can create change. <br />
<br />
<b>We are called by God</b> to engage in
the politics surrounding gun ownership, mental health resources, and
violence and cruelty in the media. We are also called to be
compassionate. Isolation is pervasive in our culture, especially among
teenagers and young adults. We can be a light to those who are living
in darkness by listening to their stories, speaking kindly, and having a
spirit of inclusion.<br />
<br />
Peruvian theologian Gustavo Gutierrez writes in his book <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sharing-Word-Through-Liturgical-Year/dp/1606085441" target="_blank" title="Sharing the World through the Liturgical Year">Sharing the Word Through the Liturgical Year</a></i>,
“If during these days the coming of the Lord sets our hearts on fire,
and if we respond by our commitment and solidarity to the gift of love
which God gives in his son, we will gradually transform the threatening
darkness into a human, peaceful and luminous night.”<br />
<br />
<b>Amid the violence and darkness</b>,
there is peace, love and solidarity against the oppressive forces in
the world. Our inclusive communities, our love for humankind, can
transcend the violence that plagues the world.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.lectionarypage.net/YearABC_RCL/Christmas/ChrsDay1_RCL.html#GOSPEL" target="_blank" title="Luke's Nativity Gospel"><b>In Luke’s gospel</b></a>,
which will be read across the world on Christmas Eve, angels rejoice,
praising God saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth
peace among those whom he favors!" <br />
<br />
<b>Christ is born. </b>Heaven and earth
have come together. The human race and God are connected. Now we
embrace one another, the homeless, the hungry, the troubled, the
mentally and physically disabled, the isolated, the oppressed, because
Christ is in them, too.<br />
<br />
<b>Even with terrible tragedies happening daily in the world</b>,
we pray that the peace of the Christ child brings you transcendent
love, faith and hope – the things that can work against the violence
and oppression in the world.<br />
<br />
<b>Merry Christmas</b> from the staff at The Episcopal Center. Joy and peace in 2013.<br />
<i><a href="http://edwm.org/our_bishop.html" target="_blank" title="Bishop Gepert">– The Rt. Rev. Robert R. Gepert</a></i> and the <a href="http://edwm.org/staff.html">EDWM Staff</a>Bishop Robert Geperthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09570609069073774217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875219463096289763.post-17115882840630882862012-12-13T12:54:00.000-08:002012-12-18T12:55:01.893-08:00Upon My Return from Sabbatical<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<strong>The word sabbatical means literally a ceasing</strong>. Though
the concept of a sabbatical has been largely adopted by academia,
sabbatical originates from within the church, where clergy in
cathedrals were given a hiatus which lasted two months to a year.<br />
<br />
<strong>I want to thank the diocese</strong> for the gift of my sabbatical, from which I returned this week.<br />
<br />
<strong>Before I left</strong>, I was not so much tired as I was weary.<br />
<br />
<strong>I learned that it’s nice to be Bob Gepert.</strong>
Bob Gepert is defined by things other than bishop. The things that I
really want to be remembered for are being a husband and a father. A
child of God. A spiritual person.<br />
<br />
At the same time, I love the diocese.<br />
<br />
<strong>I’m seeing more opportunities</strong> to change the story, and I will be sharing some of my ideas in the coming months.<br />
I think for me, some of the problems in the
diocese had taken on a life of their own, preventing me from seeing the
church at work in healthy ways. I have a different perspective now.<br />
<br />
<strong>I am just so grateful.</strong><br />
<strong><br />
I spent time reading through my old journals,</strong>
some dating back to the 1986, filled with names of people I had
forgotten and situations I had put out of my mind. Some of the lessons,
which included experiences I’ve had as bishop, were hard for me to
learn, but helped me to understand so much more about the way the
church works. I gained wisdom.<br />
<br />
<strong>In July I told you of my plans to work on a book</strong>
incorporating my knowledge of family systems theory, practical
experience and the Rule of St. Benedict, and incorporating the radical
teachings of Jesus into our lives and institutions. The book is coming
together. The gift of the sabbatical gave me time to work on that.<br />
<br />
<strong>I’ve also come to understand</strong>
that part of my next ministry is about coaching leaders through
difficult situations. I learned these skills from the diocese and every
other church I was a priest in before. My spiritual director has
helped me to see that coaching others, rather than being in front, is
part of my next ministry.<br />
<br />
<strong>The sabbatical was also important to my wife Anne and me. </strong>It
gave us a preview of retirement. Anne is an extrovert, but I like
quiet time. We fell into a rhythm, starting with breakfast together
every day. Mornings, we retreated to our personal spaces in the home we
have chosen for our retirement in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She has a
studio on the third floor of the house; I have an office on the second
floor in the back of the house. We met for lunch, after which I went on
a long 4-5 mile walk around the city. We met for tea later in the
afternoon, then a late dinner.<br />
<strong><br />
Our children and grandchildren</strong> were
able to visit us on the weekends. Anne and I have been unable to do
anything on the weekends since I am most often working. But most
people, including our children who are employed in secular jobs, are
free on the weekends. <br />
<strong><br />
The remodel of our kitchen </strong>was
completed the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving. All but one of our
children was able to come to Pennsylvania to spend it with us.<br />
<strong><br />
It’s too early to say</strong> what the
experience of the diocese has meant for me. It has been a wonderful but
challenging ministry. I’m someone who gets bored if I don’t have a
challenge. As a priest, I knew it was time to go when my parishes were
running themselves. I think a lot of people look forward to getting to
that place, but not me. I can honestly say that the diocese has never
bored me.<br />
<br />
<strong>The time I was given to be away</strong> from the day-to-day work of bishop makes it seem less oppressive upon my return.<br />
<br />
<strong>To expand,</strong> I think it’s
important for parishes to understand the importance of consecutive days
off, vacation time and retreat time for their clergy. It is also
important for clergy to have regular meetings with a spiritual
director. Parishes should be willing to send their clergy person to be
spiritually refreshed, renewed and to go deeper. In turn, she or he can
encourage us to go deeper. How can a spiritual leader teach and
encourage spirituality when they’re not working on their own spiritual
lives?<br />
<br />
<strong>I’m grateful</strong> I was given the
time and space of a sabbatical. I am refreshed and able to offer myself
fully to prepare the diocese for the transition to its ninth bishop. </div>
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<em><a href="http://edwm.org/our_bishop.html" target="_blank" title="Bishop Gepert">– The Rt. Rev. Robert R. Gepert</a></em> </div>
Bishop Robert Geperthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09570609069073774217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875219463096289763.post-2179193533401324482012-12-12T14:24:00.004-08:002012-12-12T14:24:52.674-08:00Staff Blog: The Consecration of a New Church<br />
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<a href="http://edwm.org/images/bishops_blog_img_15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="bishops blog image 15" border="0" height="200" src="http://edwm.org/images/bishops_blog_img_15.jpg" width="158" /></a>We Episcopalians in Western Michigan have strong attachments to our church buildings. They are beautiful structures with stained-glass windows, high ceilings, and historic design. They are places of sanctuary where generations of families experience the sacraments and love of community with reverent consistency.<br /><br />
<strong></strong>It’s difficult when a parish must leave or face the loss of its building. There is fear that without the building, there will be no congregation, no ministry, no outreach, and a lost connection to the past.<br /><br />St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Paw Paw, however, has just walked through the darkness of losing not one but two buildings to which their identity was closely linked. Their journey comes full circle at the consecration of their new church building on Saturday, January 12, 2013 in Paw Paw. (Click here to see EDWM calendar for details).<br /><br />The original church in Paw Paw, like many of our churches, has a Michigan historic marker. Consecrated in 1876, it served the congregation for well over 120 years. However, it was in desperate need of repair and renovation, which was cost-prohibitive to the congregation. The parish decided at that point to build a new, much-larger church.</div>
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<a href="http://edwm.org/images/bishops_blog_img_17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="bishops blog image 17" border="0" height="158" src="http://edwm.org/images/bishops_blog_img_17.jpg" width="200" /></a> Five years ago, when the Very Rev. Rebecca Crise, Dean of the St. Joseph Deanery and rector of St. Mark’s was called to the parish, they had already moved into the new building. <br /><br />But the church was quickly draining its cash reserves on the new mortgage. <br /><br />Mother Rebecca helped the parish see it had to set priorities between the building and the ministry that they wanted, using the resources that they had.<br /><br />In early 2011, the vestry of St. Mark’s voted to sell the new building. <br /><br />The bank which had mortgaged it agreed to a short sale. It was sold to a non-denominational church in Paw Paw.</div>
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<br />
<br />
Faced with having no building or worship space, the congregation was grateful to form a partnership that enabled them to rent space from the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Paw Paw. Since Seventh Day Adventists meet on Saturday, St. Mark’s was able to use their space for Sunday services, where they worshipped one year.<br /><br />“The time after we left the new building was a year of grieving,” said Mother Rebecca. “The building that we lost was a symbol of hopes, dreams, blood, sweat and tears. It was a time of recognizing that if we were going to survive, we had to pick ourselves up and try again. It was a time of prioritizing.”<br /><br />However, the congregation longed for a home of its own. It was difficult to do their ministry in another church’s building.<br />
<br />
In a quick turn of events over the summer, the congregation became aware that a small church in Paw Paw, one they had once wanted to buy, was available for sale again. The owners of the little white church contacted the St. Mark’s treasurer and said they were seeking a buyer <br /><br />With little time to make a decision, Mother Rebecca implored the congregation to dig deep and offer what they could for the purchase.<br /><br />The congregation raised $80,000, and the offer was accepted. The congregation voted unanimously to purchase the building. The Standing Committee of the diocese later approved the purchase as well.<br /><br />The first service of St. Mark’s in the new building was a funeral for a long-time member on November 3rd of this year. The first Sunday in the new church was November 4th. <br /><br />Mother Rebecca admits it has been difficult for St. Mark’s. Membership in a congregation is lost anytime big changes are made. The loss was two-fold, having happened when leaving their first building as well as their subsequent brand-new building. But the vote to purchase the new St. Mark’s building, a little white church built in 1956, was unanimous.<br /><br />“It is exciting to watch a congregation pay attention to prudent stewardship and focus on the needs of ministry,” said the Rev. Canon William Spaid. “St. Mark’s seems to have found an ideal location for serving the needs of the Paw Paw community."<br /><br />Their new worship space holds about 100 people comfortably, although they are still seeking seating. There is also space for one office and a sacristy. Downstairs there is space for a fellowship hall and several classrooms.<br /><br />“Our energy is high, and there is hope, enthusiasm and a sense of ownership,” said Mother Rebecca. “St. Mark's has proven you can let go of the building and survive and thrive.”<br />
<br />
<em>You can learn more about <a href="http://stmarkspawpaw.org/" target="_blank" title="St. Mark's Paw Paw">St. Marks Episcopal Church</a> in Paw Paw on their website (<a href="http://stmarkspawpaw.org/" target="_blank" title="St. Mark's Paw Paw">click here now</a>). The Very Rev. Rebecca Crise can be emailed by <a href="mailto:stmarksrectorpawpaw@gmail.com" target="_blank" title="E-mail">clicking here now</a>. This article was written by Communications Assistant to the Bishop, <a href="http://edwm.org/staff.html#karmel_puzzuoli">Karmel Puzzuoli</a>. </em>Bishop Robert Geperthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09570609069073774217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875219463096289763.post-41888328591187039362012-12-05T19:53:00.003-08:002012-12-05T19:53:43.313-08:00Guest Blog: "Giving Thanks for Ordinary Things" by Nann Bell<div align="left" class="body_text_no_width" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lPQgCVXcMNg/UMAWWq1fy1I/AAAAAAAAA2U/SLTYCyUrIqg/s1600/bishops_blog_img_14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lPQgCVXcMNg/UMAWWq1fy1I/AAAAAAAAA2U/SLTYCyUrIqg/s1600/bishops_blog_img_14.jpg" height="200" width="189" /></a><span id="internal-source-marker_0.037001453645305826"><strong>Recently I was having a difficult day.</strong>
I wasn’t feeling well and was encountering a number of frustrations.
As I was returning home after running around here and there, John
Rutter’s setting of “For the Beauty of the Earth” come up on the CD
playing in the car. If you aren’t familiar with this piece, you can
find many recordings of it on YouTube - and it’s well worth knowing.
The lyrics and music of the hymn returned me to a place of joy and
gratitude that I’d let the day’s aggravations pull me away from.</span></div>
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<span>And
as I have found to be true time and again, when I turned my focus to
all that is good in my life and to telling God how grateful I truly am
for all those things, the difficulties of the day mattered much less.
And that started me reflecting on how important a sense of gratitude
and the joy that comes from it has been in my life. </span></div>
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<strong>Back in my twenties </strong>I
often ended my day knowing things had happened during the day that I
wanted to thank God for, but I had no memory of just what those things
were.</div>
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<span id="internal-source-marker_0."> <strong>Now then,</strong>
I am a cradle Episcopalian and I am at least the 5th generation of
women on my mother’s side to be such. With that background, I learned
early on that thanksgiving should be a part of one’s prayer life. I
kept forgetting stuff though and it seemed rather too casual to say,
“I can’t remember the good stuff, God, but I know some happened. You
know what it is and thank you!” </span></div>
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<span><strong>Around this time</strong>
one of the priests at the church I attended then mentioned the
prayers the traditional Jews say throughout their day, thanking God for
the ordinary things in our lives. That made a lot of sense to me and I
resolved to begin a new practice of saying thank you </span>at the
time something good happened. Not just big good things like avoiding a
major car accident but also the small stuff, those little daily
hassles you expect to be a royal pain but that somehow magically work
out. At these times I would stop for just 2 or 3 seconds and say a
heartfelt “thank you” to God. Sometimes I’d remember to do it right
away, sometimes it took a while to sink in that something had really
gone right. Whichever way, I’d take a few seconds as soon as that
realization hit me.<br />
<br />
<strong>I was surprised by the overall effect this new practice had on me</strong>.
Because I was saying thank you after many little things throughout
the day, I became much, much more aware of all the blessings, large
and small both, of life. And I found that expressing my gratitude to
God throughout the day changed my mood and my ability to handle
frustrations. I was in a better frame of mind overall for being
reminded of all the good in my life. The daily annoyances didn’t matter
nearly as much with that balance in my mind. Other people -
coworkers, family, friends - began to comment on how well I took
things in stride.<br />
<br />
<strong>Fast forward 30 years </strong>. . . I
am now 55 years old and am under treatment for 4 chronic illnesses.
Pain and fatigue are perfectly ordinary to me along with a limited
diet due to my most recent diagnosis. If I were to wake up tomorrow
feeling well, I’d be in such shock I’d accomplish nothing all day!
(But I’d still like to try it.) And yet I have people continually
commenting that I’m always smiling and seem to take it all so well.
Even my doctors comment on my attitude. My standard response to these
comments is that aside from a few health problems, I really do have a
good life. And it’s true - I do have a good life. Only recently, on
that rough day when I heard “For the Beauty of the Earth," did I
realize the connection between my long-standing practice of saying
thanks throughout the day and my approach to life with chronic
illness. <br />
<strong><br />
I do have a lot in my life</strong> that
warrants complaining and whining. To be honest, there are times when I
indulge in these things though generally just to a few friends and
family members who don’t tell on me. But my life has so many more
things that are good, things to be grateful for, things to celebrate.
Saying thank you every day, throughout the day, reminds me of this
constantly. Give it a try. </div>
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<em>Nann Bell is a
homemaker, cat mother, fabric artisan and area volunteer. A Florida
native, she is now grateful for Michigan's seasons, for the community of
Manistee and the ongoing support of her husband, the Rev. Mike Bell,
rector of <a href="http://www.holytrinitymanistee.org/" target="_blank" title="Holy Trinity Manistee, MI">Holy Trinity</a>. You may email her by clicking <a href="mailto:hanbell@earthlink.net">here</a>.</em></div>
Bishop Robert Geperthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09570609069073774217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875219463096289763.post-7097555011412257122012-11-28T20:04:00.003-08:002012-11-28T20:04:42.851-08:00Clergy Blog: "On Change and the Church" by the Rev. Nurya L. Parish<div align="left" class="body_text_no_width" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<em>Contrary
to popular wisdom, the proper first response to a changing world is not
to ask, ‘How should we change?’ but rather to ask, ‘What do we stand
for and why do we exist?’ This should never change. And then feel free
to change everything else.<br />
<br />
</em> - <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4122.Built_to_Last" target="_blank" title="Built to Last book">Built to Last</a>, Jim Collins and Jerry Porras</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lV3LU6fb6zY/UGTHTIf_BkI/AAAAAAAAACY/yTCTn-_kSlc/s1600/bishops_blog_img_8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lV3LU6fb6zY/UGTHTIf_BkI/AAAAAAAAACY/yTCTn-_kSlc/s1600/bishops_blog_img_8.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><strong>It has become commonplace</strong>
to suggest that the twenty-first century is a time of unprecedented
change both for the church and for the world. But over the two millennia
of our existence, the church has seen countless changes.</div>
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<strong>The Roman Empire rose and fell</strong>.
The Great Schism led to two separated churches, East and West. Through
the development of the printing press, texts became accessible to the
masses. Literacy, once the privilege of the few, became the right of the
many. The Reformation reorganized the church again. And now, the rise
of the Internet is reshaping civilization as we know it. </div>
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“What’s past is prologue; what’s to come,
in yours and my discharge,” wrote Shakespeare. In response to today’s
changing world, this summer at General Convention the church unanimously
decided to appoint a task force to recommend restructure at the
national level. </div>
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<strong>More recently,</strong>
our neighbors in the Diocese of Indianapolis passed a similar
resolution focusing on the diocesan level. Most likely, your church also
is wondering how best to change to meet the times.</div>
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<strong>Collins and Porras</strong> advise
that the future of the church rests in rediscovering our core purpose
and principles, and reshaping our forms and structures to express them
appropriately today. The first question to ask in any change initiative
is “Why are we here?” Our catechism responds: “the mission of the
church is to restore all people to unity with God and each other in
Christ” (BCP, 855). <br />
<br />
<strong>This stated purpose claims two universal truths: </strong>first,
that we live in a world where people are no longer at unity with God
and one another; second, that the restoration of this broken world is
found in Christ. As the church, we accept these truths, pay attention
to them, and proclaim them to the world. <br />
<br />
<strong>“The church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord,”</strong>
sings the hymn. As we change to meet the times, this cannot change.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews
13:8). In fact, it is He who leads us ever forward, that generations to
come might also know his name and participate in the restoration of
the world which he both began and continues until the end of time.
</div>
<blockquote style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<blockquote>
<em>The Rev. Nurya L. Parish, is the
associate priest at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids. She
can be emailed by clicking <a href="mailto:nuryaloveparish@gmail.com">here</a>. Her blog is called <a href="http://plainsongfarm.com/category/blog-life/" target="_blank" title="Plainsong Farm Blog">Plainsong Farm</a>.</em> </blockquote>
</blockquote>
Bishop Robert Geperthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09570609069073774217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875219463096289763.post-81388986402568987072012-11-15T11:53:00.000-08:002012-11-15T11:53:57.892-08:00Clergy Blog: "The Promise of a Relevant, Growing and Engaging Church" by the Rev. Brian Coleman<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="body_text_no_width">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FEei6MVFvnw/UKVIQMHEfXI/AAAAAAAAA18/Jx8fvIDUtUk/s1600/bishops_blog_img_13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FEei6MVFvnw/UKVIQMHEfXI/AAAAAAAAA18/Jx8fvIDUtUk/s1600/bishops_blog_img_13.jpg" /></a><strong>I had the good fortune, </strong>the
year I was ordained, to come into contact with a community organizer
who asked to have a meeting with me in my office at the church. I was a
newly minted priest working as a Curate in a downtown parish in Los
Angeles. In truth I was floundering a bit, not sure what I was supposed
to be doing, or what ministry I was supposed to be engaged in, so I
welcomed her visit, and jumped at the chance to get involved in the
living wage campaign and workers’ rights issues she was organizing
communities around on behalf of hotel workers in Santa Monica and
baggage handlers at LAX International Airport. </div>
<div class="body_text_no_width">
<br /></div>
<div class="body_text_no_width">
<strong>Thus began my long and fruitful involvement in community organizin</strong>g,
not just in Los Angeles, but during my ministry in the Church of
England and now as I serve as Rector of St. Thomas Church in Battle
Creek. Throughout, I have found the tools of relationship building,
power analysis, strategic planning, even organizing actions and
demonstrations around particular social justice issues to be
indispensable for the success of my ministry in the wider communities in
which I serve.</div>
<div class="body_text_no_width">
It has also been highly conducive to the parochial work that makes up the lion’s share of my efforts and energy.</div>
<div class="body_text_no_width">
<br /></div>
<div class="body_text_no_width">
<strong>Recently I was elected the president of JONAH</strong>,
a faith-based community organizing affiliate of the national Gamaliel
Foundation. One of Gamaliel’s claims to fame is that it was the
incubator in which President Barak Obama was formed politically and
where he learned his skills in leadership and community organizing as he
worked with Roman Catholic Churches on the South-side of Chicago, early
in his career. JONAH has been working in Battle Creek for the past six
years to develop a network of congregations who will be able to speak
with one voice and effect change in our city for the good of its
residents, especially those who are on the margins due to social,
economic and racial disenfranchisement.</div>
<div class="body_text_no_width">
<br /></div>
<div class="body_text_no_width">
<strong>The point of such organizing is unapologetically clear:</strong>
it is to ensure that the faith and values of member churches and
organizations have influence in the public arena, and so that as
decisions are made by the powers that be, we have a voice and a place at
the table. Simply put we organize so that we may have power, and we
want power so that the decisions that are made reflect the priorities of
our faith and values.</div>
<div class="body_text_no_width">
<br /></div>
<div class="body_text_no_width">
<strong>A crucial element</strong>
of community organizing is training leaders and equipping them with
tools in order that they might be better able to effect change and wield
power in their spheres of influence. Recently JONAH embarked on a
renewed campaign to train the leadership in our member churches in these
tools or organizing. One such tool is called the “one-to-one”. This is
an intentional, but uncommon conversation wherein the participants seek
to uncover each others’ self-interest – what drives them, what makes
them tick – in order to better serve the common good and develop
networks of shared interest. It is about building relationships and
building power. To Christians this may sound very utilitarian, until you
understand that these encounters can be Sacred Conversations where we
seek to discern not only one another’s self-interest, but more deeply
God’s will for our lives. In a culture that isolates individuals from
community, and which increasingly alienates us from one another and our
selves, what more holy occupation could there be than to oppose these
forces and bind ourselves together in relationships that are based in
mutual discernment, and concern for the common good? </div>
<div class="body_text_no_width">
<br /></div>
<div class="body_text_no_width">
<strong>I charged my Vestry, three months ago to engage in these Sacred Conversations</strong>,
and they have been busy undertaking their mission with every active
member of the congregation. By the time the process is complete we will
have engaged in over 156 Sacred Conversations. We are beginning to see
patterns and commonalities in the lives of those with whom we worship,
we are gaining clarity about who we are called to be and what we are
called to do, we have a deeper understanding of the challenges
individuals face, and how we might respond to these challenges in faith
and hope.</div>
<div class="body_text_no_width">
<br /></div>
<div class="body_text_no_width">
<strong>I fully expect this to transform the culture</strong>
of St. Thomas Church. In fact, according to findings from the
Congregational Development Research Study * engaging in such community
organizing can strongly benefit a variety of congregations. As reported
by participating lay leaders and clergy in interviews, potential
benefits include the following:<strong> </strong></div>
<div class="body_text_no_width">
<br /></div>
<ol>
<li><strong> More relationships among congregants</strong> and with members of other faith traditions</li>
<li class="indent-left">
<strong>Transfer of leadership skills learned by lay leaders and clergy</strong> at trainings that are applicable to many different arenas, e.g. congregational, organizational, professional, and personal<strong> </strong></li>
<li class="indent-left"><strong>An increased number of leaders</strong> who participate in the congregation’s programs and work<strong> </strong></li>
<li class="indent-left"><strong>Heightened visibility and influence</strong> of the congregation within the community<br />
<strong>5. A deeper understanding</strong> of the faith tradition’s call for mission<br />
<strong>6. An increase in congregational membership</strong></li>
</ol>
<div class="body_text_no_width">
Now, I ask you, who
wouldn’t want these benefits for their church? Have I piqued your
interest? I hope so. You can learn more about faith-based community
organizing and get hands-on experience at the upcoming Diocesan
Leadership Days to be held on February 9th, 2013– St. Luke’s,
Kalamazoo February 23, 2013 – St. Marks, Grand Rapids March 2, 2013 –
Grace, Traverse City Mark your calendars, register as soon as you can,
and I’ll see you there! </div>
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
<div class="body_text_no_width">
*Renewing Congregations The Contribution of Faith Based Community Organizing, Flahtery and Wood, Interfaith Funders, 2002/3</div>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<em>The Rev. Brian Coleman, <a href="http://stthomasbc.org/" target="_blank">rector of St. Thomas Episcopal Church</a>, can be reached via email by clicking <a href="mailto:fatherbrian@mac.com" target="_blank" title="Email">here</a>.</em>Bishop Robert Geperthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09570609069073774217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875219463096289763.post-21204007640272239102012-11-08T10:40:00.003-08:002012-11-08T10:40:51.813-08:00Staff Blog: "Let the Leaders Lead" by the Rev. Canon William J. Spaid<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jBiX46V8h3k/UJv8cTC6vAI/AAAAAAAAA1s/hUtq8T-4I2A/s1600/diocesan_staff_img3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jBiX46V8h3k/UJv8cTC6vAI/AAAAAAAAA1s/hUtq8T-4I2A/s1600/diocesan_staff_img3.jpg" /></a>When I visit a congregation that is preparing for a clergy transition I tell them that although they will breathe a sigh of relief when the new clergy person arrives, the transition will not be over until they and the new priest have lived together through one full liturgical year or longer. I don’t think people believe me. However, the most challenging time of a clergy transition is after the new priest arrives. Unfortunately it is not unusual, and almost predictable, that within 6-8 months of arrival I will get a call from a warden, vestry member, or other “concerned” individual with the news that their new priest is not a good fit or is behaving badly and not a good priest. Usually by the time I receive a phone call a system of negativity is already set up that escalates into unhelpful and even debilitating conflict.<br /><br />Remember that our clergy leaders are on the same page as lay leaders in our congregations. Everyone wants to further the mission of the church. <br />
<br />
Everyone wants congenial relationships within the community and community growth. Everyone wants what is right for the good of the Church. The Church invests heavily in our clergy leadership and we depend on them to be capable pastors. There is a long and careful discernment, formation, and evaluation process prior to ordination. I believe our parish search committees engage in a prayerful, cautious and diligent search process. Both the Bishop and I are committed to making careful inquiries to our colleagues in other dioceses regarding candidates. All of this work is done in anticipation and preparation for calling capable and well-qualified clergy to pastor and lead our congregations. But when they arrive trouble soon begins.<br /><br />Relationships are at the heart of our congregational conflict. Sometimes the congregation is still attached emotionally to the previous pastor and the way things have been done. It would be wise to remember that the previous pastor, in most instances, chose to leave the congregation and move on to other things. The congregation should be willing to let go and move on too. However, new clergy should realize that they are always in a relationship with the previous pastor even if they never see or speak with that individual. I believe some of the conflict parishes experience is associated with the gate keeping of the congregation – Who gets information? (Do you hear the phrase “everybody knows that…?”) How do people know about parish traditions? Who makes decisions? This has a wider effect too on congregational development, because to the degree a congregation is able to welcome and assimilate a new pastor is pretty much the same degree they will be able to welcome other new comers.<br /><br />I also think that some of the conflict relates to our lack of understanding of our own polity. Episcopal clergy do not work for the vestry, but with the vestry on behalf of the Bishop. The canons instruct us that Rectors and Priests-in-Charge have full authority and responsibility for not only the worship but for the spiritual jurisdiction of the parish. For a Christian that is pretty much every bit of our lives. It seems to me that a prudent pastor would want to know about and have a say in the direction of all ministries and programs of a parish, working with the vestry to understand community values, set priorities, determine resources, and practice good stewardship and accountability to one another and the community.<br /><br />So, what’s the good news? The good news is that the conflict we experience in new clergy relationships is normal. It is part of the transformation from pseudo-community (where we’re all nice to one another like a veneer over our true selves) to authentic community where we accept one another for who we are and learn to work together to further the Kingdom of God. Theologian Richard Neuhaus commented, “Real community is not homogeneity. It is the discipline and devotion of disparate people bearing with one another – the hard tasks of love.”<br /><br />A change in clergy leadership is like moving the dial on a kaleidoscope. The patterns of colored beads change and you can never go back to the previous patterns, only new patterns emerge. Healthy congregations live into new patterns of ministry. How can you be helpful? If you are the clergy person listen and teach, and ask questions to discover the traditions of your new community. As lay people instead of complaining to others about your new priest, go to the new priest and say help me understand why… When someone complains to you about the new priest, don’t feel responsible for that individual’s discomfort, rather encourage that person to go to the new priest. If you are unhappy do not go to others to create an Unhappiness List to present to the priest; it is not helpful. Healthy congregations treat the conflict as normal and assume it will work out in time; they are forgiving and generous. They are not anxious. They recognize that a new clergy person will have different ways of organizing and practicing ministry and they make space and celebrate. Healthy congregations focus on mission strengths and not on congregational or clerical personality. Healthy congregations let their leader lead.<br /><i><br />Canon Spaid has worked for the Diocese since January 2003. .</i>Bishop Robert Geperthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09570609069073774217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875219463096289763.post-16292225043567969242012-11-01T12:14:00.002-07:002012-11-01T12:14:31.242-07:00"I Am an Episcopalian" by Patrician Johns<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LbD0sLGbuUA/UJLJo1RDg8I/AAAAAAAAA1c/yNGzr6wVIFk/s1600/bishops_blog_image_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LbD0sLGbuUA/UJLJo1RDg8I/AAAAAAAAA1c/yNGzr6wVIFk/s1600/bishops_blog_image_6.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On July 4, 1948 I was born in Bayonne, New Jersey. I was baptized a few days later in a Bayonne Episcopal Church.</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When I was 10 years old I was confirmed at Christ Church in Stanhope, New Jersey. At that time I was given a silver chain with a medal on it. On one side was the dove of peace and on the other the phrase “I am an Episcopalian.”</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I am concerned when I hear that the Episcopal Church is working to become “mission oriented.”</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">During my lifetime I have experienced the church reaching out in missions. The Episcopal Church was very active in the civil rights efforts in the 1960s and before. When I was a child we could bring our Unicef boxes to church to be blessed. Many churches sent volunteers to assist communities in the aftermath of disasters. This is an effort that continues today.</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I believe that individual churches should reach out and be visible in their communities. I think having an Episcopal church being a venue during ArtPrize in Grand Rapids is wonderful. Next year I hope that the Grand Rapids churches continue to participate. One simple way would be to open the church sanctuaries to become resting places for those trying to see all 1500 pieces of artwork and whose feet really hurt. Just think how appreciative art lovers would be to find a bathroom they could use.</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I do think that our churches need to do more to attract members. This will not be easy and will take time. I think the effort can begin by being visible in the community. This can mean serving a free breakfast during the summer as Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Hastings did this summer. Even making sure that churches advertise in local papers or help support community organizations and events are ways to reach out for new members.</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I am telling you my own experience because I believe that there are many ways for the church to welcome both new and returning members. Sometimes church members can experience the spirit even in another denomination but still be true to their own. As an adult I moved away from the church but if anyone asked me what church I went to, I would reply, “I am not a member of any church but, I am an Episcopalian.”</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">More than 32 years ago I married my husband Michael. Ours was an outside wedding, looking at a lake in New Jersey. The ceremony was officiated by the Methodist minister from my in-law’s church.</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ten years later our daughter Elena was born. Several days after she was born she was baptized on Thanksgiving Day at an Episcopal church in Northfield, Ohio. Michael’s parents were there as well.</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We moved to Michigan when Elena was just about 3 years old. We did not belong to any church but as a writer for a community paper I knew about many of the activities of the churches in the community.</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When she was 11 years old, Elena told me that she wanted to go to church. She went first with some friends to the Middleville United Methodist Church.</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Then she said she would like to go to a church with a woman minister. I had heard that Saint Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church in Orangeville had a woman priest, Barbara Wilson.</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We were welcomed there by both Barbara and members of the congregation. It didn’t matter whether we knelt or stood. We were accepted and this was celebrated in the “Peace.” We chose to attend there and kept going. Elena was confirmed, served as an acolyte and sang solos during services. </span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One of my best memories of being at Saint Francis is Elena singing “As the Deer” with her grandparents and her dad Michael sitting in the pews.</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As a college student she sang “As the Deer” as requested by her grandmother before she died in 2009. At the Methodist Church in Butler, New Jersey there were many tears of joy and reflection during this part of the funeral service.</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Because of a medical problem, I cannot drive to Orangeville to attend services any longer. Mother Barbara has been there for me in what has been a very difficult time for me. I have learned a great deal from Mother Barbara. My faith is deeper and my understanding of Christ in my life is clearer.</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When asked I still say, “I am an Episcopalian.”</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><i><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Patricia Johns is a member of <a href="http://www.episcopalchurch.org/parish/st-francis-assisi-episcopal-church-orangeville-mi" target="_blank">St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church in Orangeville, Michigan</a>. She can be reached by e-mail by clicking <a href="mailto:mep@iserv.net" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></i>Bishop Robert Geperthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09570609069073774217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875219463096289763.post-24471319167604131932012-10-29T12:39:00.002-07:002012-10-29T12:39:14.027-07:00"The Seven Week Advent" by the Rev. Mike Wernick<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O_nvk4nJp6Y/UI7bHNFhLPI/AAAAAAAAA1M/Bf_P0Z0e6-E/s1600/bishops_blog_img_12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O_nvk4nJp6Y/UI7bHNFhLPI/AAAAAAAAA1M/Bf_P0Z0e6-E/s1600/bishops_blog_img_12.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Rev. Mike Wernick</td></tr>
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On<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>November <span style="letter-spacing: -.8pt;">1</span>1,<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>2012,<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>people
of<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>Holy Cross Episcopal Church and<span style="letter-spacing: -.6pt;"> </span>Ascension Lutheran Church (in Kentwood)<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>will begin the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>celebration<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>an expanded,<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>seven-week<span style="letter-spacing: -.6pt;"> </span>Advent.<span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span>The<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>Re<span style="letter-spacing: -.8pt;">v</span>. Mike <span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;">W</span>ernick<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>(Rector<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">
</span>and Pastor<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>both)<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">
</span>learned about<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>and experienced
this<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>expanded<span style="letter-spacing: -.6pt;"> </span>Advent at<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>Bexley Hall
Seminary in Columbus,<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>OH<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>from<span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span>The<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.6pt;">V</span>ery<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>Re<span style="letter-spacing: -.8pt;">v</span>.<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>William<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">
</span>Petersen<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>(who developed the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>idea in 2006 as a part<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>liturgical<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>renewal) and<span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span>The<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>Re<span style="letter-spacing: -.8pt;">v</span>.<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>D<span style="letter-spacing: -.6pt;">r</span>.<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>Elise
Feyerherm<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>(who prepared some of<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>materials).<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>F<span style="letter-spacing: -.6pt;">r</span>.<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>Mike thought<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>people at<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>these<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">
</span>two<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>parishes would appreciate<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>the underlying theolog<span style="letter-spacing: -.8pt;">y</span>,<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>and
so presented<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>idea to<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">
</span>them<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>some months<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>ago.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>Re<span style="letter-spacing: -.8pt;">v</span>.<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>Petersen<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>explained:<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>"In<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>its<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>origin,<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">
</span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>season of<span style="letter-spacing: -.65pt;"> </span>Advent<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">
</span>was nearly seven weeks.<span style="letter-spacing: -.35pt;"> </span>The
Gregorian<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>Sacramentary<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>introduced<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>a four-week<span style="letter-spacing: -.65pt;"> </span>Advent<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>in Rome in the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>seventh<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>centur<span style="letter-spacing: -.8pt;">y</span>,<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>but<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>this truncated<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>version of<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>season was not<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>widely adopted<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>in
other<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>western<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>churches until<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>the
twelfth<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>or thirteenth<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>centur<span style="letter-spacing: -.8pt;">y</span>.<span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span>The<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>Orthodox<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>churches still<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>observe a longer<span style="letter-spacing: -.6pt;"> </span>Advent;<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>but<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>by
the</div>
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time<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>16<span style="font-size: 7pt; position: relative; top: -3.5pt;">th</span>-century<span style="letter-spacing: .2pt;"> </span>western<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>reformations,<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>few<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>remembered
that<span style="letter-spacing: -.65pt;"> </span>Advent<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>had once been longer;<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>and
until<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>Christmas<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>culture<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>20<span style="font-size: 7pt; position: relative; top: -3.5pt;">th<span style="letter-spacing: 1.35pt;"> </span></span>century<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>gained momentum,<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>its<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>focus<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>had clearly been eschatological."</div>
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<br /></div>
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The<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>primary focus<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -.65pt;"> </span>Advent<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>is the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">
</span>full<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>manifestation<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>Reign of<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">
</span>God.<span style="letter-spacing: -.3pt;"> </span>This<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>is the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">
</span>exclusive focus<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>lectionary<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>from<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>Sunday after<span style="letter-spacing: -.65pt;"> </span>All Saints’<span style="letter-spacing: -.45pt;"> </span>Day
until<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>last<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>week of<span style="letter-spacing: -.65pt;"> </span>Advent.<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">
</span>Only in the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>last<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>week do these<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>readings which form<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>thematic<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">
</span>emphasis of<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>Church<span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;">’</span>s
weekly worship begin to<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>shift<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>from<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>a
focus<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>on eschatology<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>that<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>incarnation.</div>
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<br /></div>
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But<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>competition<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>from<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>our
modern culture,<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>with<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>Christmas<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>decorations<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>lurking
in the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>back corners of<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>supermarkets<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>from<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>late<span style="letter-spacing: -.65pt;"> </span>August,<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">
</span>join with<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>surreptitiously<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>expanding shelves of<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>Christmas
items<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>in other<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>retail<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">
</span>establishments,<span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span>just<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>waiting<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">
</span>for<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>Halloween to<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>pass so that<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>they<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>can all explode
into<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>their<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>own full<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>manifestation<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>on November 1<span style="font-size: 7pt; position: relative; top: -3.5pt;">st</span>.<span style="letter-spacing: -.4pt;"> </span>Add to<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">
</span>this<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>unrelenting<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>barrage of television<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>and
other<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>electronic<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>media advertisements<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>and music for<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>holiday season,<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>and the marketing<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>purposes are complete.</div>
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And the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>Church has little<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>defense<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">
</span>against<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>all of<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>this.<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>By<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>time<span style="letter-spacing: -.65pt;"> </span>Advent<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">
</span>begins,<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>many churches are
already singing Christmas<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>hymns or
holding "Lessons and Carols"<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>services;<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>and by the beginning of<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>December we are well on our way to<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>Bethlehem.<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>For<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>all intents<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>and purposes, then,<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>our culture––the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>culture<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>Christmas––has<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>e<span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;">f</span>fectively<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>eclipsed the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>season of<span style="letter-spacing: -.65pt;"> </span>Advent<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>and precluded any engagement<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>its<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>primary focus.</div>
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<br /></div>
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But<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>what<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>is the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">
</span>primary focus<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -.65pt;"> </span>Advent?<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">
</span>If<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>it's<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>only the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">
</span>Nativity<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>or our preparation<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>for<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>it,<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>then something<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>vital<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>is missing.<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;">W</span>e<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>say that<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">
</span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>season is the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>beginning of<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>liturgical<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>year;<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">
</span>but<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>the original intent<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>season was to<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>begin,<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>by looking to<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>end.<span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span>The<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>wisdom
of<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>poet<span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.2pt;">T</span>.S.<span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span>Eliot captures<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>some of<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>sense of<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">
</span>this<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>intent<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>in the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">
</span>line,<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>"In<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>my beginning is my end."<span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.2pt;">T</span>o<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>apply that wisdom to<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>present<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>matter<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">
</span>is to<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>recognize that<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>we're better<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>served,<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>at<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>start<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>a
new yea<span style="letter-spacing: -.6pt;">r</span>, to<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>look to<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>end,<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>goal,<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>eternal<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">
</span>moment<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>that<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>makes sense of<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>all our moments.<span style="letter-spacing: -.7pt;"> </span>And,
for<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>Christians,<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>this<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>means
a focus<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>first<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>on the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>full<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>manifestation,<span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">parousia</i>,<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>all that<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>is</div>
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implied in and by the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>resurrection<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>Jesus
Christ.</div>
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This<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>trial<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>use includes resources that<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>are available online at<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span><a href="http://www.theadventproject.org/"><span style="color: #021eaa;">ww<span style="letter-spacing: -.6pt;">w</span>.theadventproject.org</span><span style="color: #021eaa; letter-spacing: -0.2pt; text-decoration: none;"> </span></a><span style="color: black;">(such as collects,<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>updated<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">
</span>O<span style="letter-spacing: -.7pt;"> </span>Antiphons,<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>prayers of<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>people,<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>a wreath<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">
</span>lighting<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>ceremon<span style="letter-spacing: -.8pt;">y</span>,<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>proper
prefaces,<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>and hymn suggestions,<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>and an opportunity<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>for<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>feedback)<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>and is supported<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>by the North<span style="letter-spacing: -.65pt;"> </span>American<span style="letter-spacing: -.6pt;"> </span>Academy of<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>Liturg<span style="letter-spacing: -.8pt;">y</span>.</span></div>
Bishop Robert Geperthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09570609069073774217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875219463096289763.post-43308702793130188642012-10-18T10:24:00.002-07:002012-10-18T10:38:47.490-07:00"Beautiful Choices" by The Very Rev. Jared C. Cramer, SCP<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mpm9Yuq8qfk/UIA7OKBbVXI/AAAAAAAAA0M/9XOKM21MFxM/s1600/bishops_blog_img_11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mpm9Yuq8qfk/UIA7OKBbVXI/AAAAAAAAA0M/9XOKM21MFxM/s1600/bishops_blog_img_11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mpm9Yuq8qfk/UIA7OKBbVXI/AAAAAAAAA0M/9XOKM21MFxM/s1600/bishops_blog_img_11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Very Rev. Jared C. Cramer, SCP</td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mpm9Yuq8qfk/UIA7OKBbVXI/AAAAAAAAA0M/9XOKM21MFxM/s1600/bishops_blog_img_11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mpm9Yuq8qfk/UIA7OKBbVXI/AAAAAAAAA0M/9XOKM21MFxM/s1600/bishops_blog_img_11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mpm9Yuq8qfk/UIA7OKBbVXI/AAAAAAAAA0M/9XOKM21MFxM/s1600/bishops_blog_img_11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><b>Earlier this yea</b>r, I spent several days at the Lilly Endowment’s <i>Transition into Ministry</i>
Conference. I used to go to this Conference when I was a Clergy
Resident at Christ Church in Alexandria, VA, before I moved back home
to Grand Haven to serve as the rector of <a href="http://www.stjohnsepiscopal.com/" target="_new">St. John’</a>s.
At the conference this year, I was invited to return as a small group
leader. I was glad it fit in my calendar to go, delighted at the
opportunity to spend the majority of a week reflecting with young
people just entering ministry about the shape of ministry in this day
and age.</div>
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And what I was particularly delighted about was the theme for the conference… beauty.<br />
<b></b><br /><b>
At our opening plenary</b>, the keynote speaker told the story of a women’s group in the church that wanted to raise money for the church in Haiti. </div>
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They worked and
worked and raised $1,000 to send to Haiti, to a women’s group in a
church there. When the American group told the Haitian group that the
money was ready and that it could be sent at any time, the Haitian
ladies told the American group what they wanted to do with the money. <br />
<br />
<b>The Haitian women’s group</b>
wanted to use the money to take a flower arranging class so they could
arrange flowers for their church’s altar. They wanted to use the money
and make blue satin hats to match the blue robes that had been given to
them awhile ago by another church.<br />
<br />
And, apparently, it took a long time to convince the American women’s group that this was a good idea. <br />
<br />
<b>The American group </b>wanted to do something “serious,”
like dig a well. A flower-arranging task seemed… frivolous. And so they
had to be convinced to still send the money.<br />
<br />
One morning we based our conversations at the conference around Psalm
27:4, “One thing I have asked of the Lord; one thing I seek; that I may
dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the
fair beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.”<br />
<br />
The Haitian women wanted <b>beauty</b>, they wanted to create
beauty in their worship. The American women didn’t think that was
serious enough, they had to be convinced that these Haitian women knew
what they really needed. And what the Haitian women believed they
really needed was the ability to create beauty in their worship, to
behold the fair beauty of the Lord and to seek God in the temple.<br />
<br />
We live in such a binary world, a world that is always insisting that
there are choices that must be made. We’re always being pushed to these
false choices and one of the big ones is the false choice between
“beauty” and the seemingly more serious need for “mission.” <br />
<br />
<b>What if the two are actually inter-related?</b><br />
<br />
I remember when I was living in Tennessee. My wife and I were having
dinner with Dan and Paul, a couple who had befriended us when we
started attending the Episcopal Cathedral in Nashville. I was talking
about a discussion we’d had in seminary about the possible decision to
spend millions on a new building when there were hungry and poor people
in need in a community. It seemed like an obvious answer to me—taking
care of the poor came first. Who cares about a building?<br />
<br />
<b>Paul looked at me and said</b>, “But Jared, if you take
care of the poor today and don’t build the magnificent building, where
will the poor tomorrow go to pray? Where will they go to experience the
beauty of holiness that could have been found in that church?”<br />
<br />
This is the thing about a false choice. It assumes that a need is singular and clear. The idea that the need is <i>only</i>
feeding the hungry or caring for the poor—this misses the possibility
that the poor may need an experience of God in a beautiful place. The
idea that the need is <i>only</i> to build a well—this misses the possibility that they might really need to learn how to arrange some magnificent flowers. <br />
<br />
<b>False choices are limiting</b>, they only see part of the
truth, part of the need, part of the way that God is breaking in, part
of the way that God is working out redemption. <br />
<br />
And so at my parish we do feed the hungry. We absolutely are committed
to feeding the hungry. But we also gratefully accept a gift from a
parishioner who wants to spend a significant amount of money to put in a
prayer and meditation garden, complete with brick paths, gorgeous
plants and flower, a statue of St. Francis in the middle… so that
perhaps on your way to be fed, you might experience God in the garden
as well as in the kitchen. <br />
<br />
<b>Beauty, I sometimes fear,</b> does not have enough advocates in the church today. <br />
<br />
Because in the end, after every belly is filled, after every oppressed
person is set free, after creation is breathed into and restored and
renewed and recreated, after all this glorious redemption is done…
there is one more thing that I know I’ll want. There is one more thing
that I seek. <br />
<br />
<b>To behold</b> the fair beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.</div>
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<i>The Very Rev. Jared C. Cramer, SCP, serves as Rector of <a href="http://www.stjohnsepiscopal.com/" target="_blank">St. John’s Episcopal Church</a> in his hometown of Grand Haven and as Dean of the Lakeshore Deanery. His book, </i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Safeguarded-Glory-Ecclesiology-Contemporary-Anglicanism/dp/0739142712/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1349983201&sr=8-1&keywords=Safeguarded+by+Glory%3A+Michael+Ramsey%C2%92s+Ecclesiology+and+the+Struggles+of+Contemporary+Anglicanism" target="_blank">Safeguarded by Glory: Michael Ramsey’s Ecclesiology and the Struggles of Contemporary Anglicanism</a>, <i>can
be found at Amazon.com. This essay is an edited version of what that
previously appeared at his blog: carewiththecure.blogspot.com. </i></div>
Bishop Robert Geperthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09570609069073774217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875219463096289763.post-65839358466382226372012-10-11T11:50:00.000-07:002012-10-11T11:50:08.874-07:00Staff Blog: "Our Insider Teminology by Karmel Puzzuoli<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-exuhX-jrquM/UFJ8P1m8WuI/AAAAAAAAAB0/c-WFNgfDPLg/s1600/karmel_action.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="189" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-exuhX-jrquM/UFJ8P1m8WuI/AAAAAAAAAB0/c-WFNgfDPLg/s200/karmel_action.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>By Karmel Puzzuoli, Communications Assistant to the Bishop.</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I still remember the first Sunday I stepped into the Episcopal Church. It was at St. Thomas, still my home parish, one frigid March morning in 2008.</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The worship style was new, but I was taken aback by the beauty of it all, the peace and joy in the music, the beautiful words and traditions, the uplifting presence of God. I said to myself, “I never want to leave here.”</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">At the same time, I remember breaking into a sweat. Stand up? Kneel? Genuflect? Say “amen.” What’s that thing they do right before the Gospel reading? The Nicene what?I thumbed through the service bulletin, trying to figure out what to say, when to say it, what it meant, and how to avoid looking like a rookie.</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It took several months before I felt like I had it down, but even four years later I still occasionally feel tripped up like a newbie.</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I grew up in rural Kansas where my family attended a fundamentalist church called the Church of Christ, in which the underlying message every Sunday had something to do with sinning, asking forgiveness, redemption, heaven, hell and stuff like that. It was boring (for me), but easy to understand.</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But the liturgical service in The Episcopal Church, which I joined at the age of 36, was completely foreign to me. It took me awhile to figure it out. Heck, I’m not even sure I have figured it all out yet.</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When I see new people sitting in our pews, I wonder if they are experiencing the same sweaty nervousness that I did. What can we do to make it easier for those just getting to know us? What can we do to make it easier for people who don’t know us, but are looking at the sign “The Episcopal Church Welcomes You,” and wondering what are they all about?</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I am currently in the middle of wrestling with our insider terminology. I think it can be a big barrier to those on the outside. Even our name, Episcopal, which is derived from a Greek word meaning “overseer,” and means bishops, or a system of church governance overseen by bishops, can be a little inaccessible to those who are church-shopping.</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We use a lot of terms in the Episcopal Church that aren’t intuitive. A communications colleague of mine dislikes the word discernment for its lack of intuitive meaning in our churches. Stewardship makes me think of helpful folks who work in air travel. And every time I hear the word formation, I think of geese flying south for the winter, or the Blue Angels in an air show.</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In fact, my friend Fr. Mark Engle, agrees. “The folks who need formation most are out there,” he said, and pointed outside. “They have no clue what we’re talking about when we say formation.”</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Our dear Canon Spaid, who LOVES the traditions of the church, seems to also appreciate the difficulty in understanding TEC:</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“What if you said to a newcomer, ‘Go through the narthex to the undercroft where our liturgies for the Triduum will take place,’” he joked. “There are so many words and terms that relate to the church that make perfect sense to me, and are the correct word, but people on the outside wouldn’t necessarily know them like chasuble, alb, stole, cassock and surplice, orphreys on altar hangings. Where is the clerestory? Should we use homily or sermon? Should we invite people to worship or the Holy Eucharist? Should canticles use their Latin or English titles – This Sunday we’ll sing the Benedictus Dominus Deus or The Song of Zachariah? Should we call them Canticles or Songs from Scripture? It’s the acronyms that get me: EfM, DOK, ECW, EDWM, P in C, CofE.”</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">LOL!</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">THAT’s what I’m talking about.</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My new rule for myself … if I type in the word on Google, like formation, and the definition doesn’t match the one we use in the church, I choose a different word. This is my personal and professional preference.</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Right now, the Episcopal Church is going through a period of reinvention, moving away from an institutional model and toward a mission-driven one. We are thinking about what we are and how we survive in a time of competitive church-going.</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The challenge for us is to find ways to preserve our traditions without being exclusive and alienating potential newcomers. It's a difficult challenge, and something we need to think about.</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It’s also a great time for all of us to talk about our faith, what it means to us, and how it has transformed our lives. It’s a time to be disciples, and a time to be evangelists! No insider terminology is needed to proclaim the way the Episcopal Church has transformed your life.</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I welcome your contributions to this blog, as well!</span></span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Karmel Puzzuoli is the Communications Assistant to the Bishop for the Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan. She can be reached at kpuzzuoli@edwm.org.</span></i>Bishop Robert Geperthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09570609069073774217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875219463096289763.post-67114172770796002842012-10-04T11:47:00.002-07:002012-10-04T11:47:42.339-07:00Guest Blog: "The Way of Love" by the Rev. Mike Fedewa<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yN6Fsmx87Hg/UG3Zti9wRcI/AAAAAAAAACs/ABsTZcCs5Gk/s1600/bishops_blog_img_9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yN6Fsmx87Hg/UG3Zti9wRcI/AAAAAAAAACs/ABsTZcCs5Gk/s1600/bishops_blog_img_9.jpg" /></a><em>Mike Fedewa has served as Rector of<a href="http://standrewsgr.org/"> St. Andrew's </a>in
Grand Rapids since 1992. His first assignment in the Diocese of
Western Michigan was as an assistant to the rector at St. Thomas in
Battle Creek from 1986-1990. In his many years in diocese he has
served on many committees. Currently he is a member of the transition
team. Mike has been married to Linda for 28 years. They are
parents of three sons, but he and Linda are still too young to be
grandparents. Mike was raised in Michigan and enjoys all things about
living in western Michigan, especially camping, fishing, and
baseball. About once a month, Mike travels to churches around the
country to preach on behalf of Food for the Poor.</em><br />
<br />
As some of you know, it is the custom of the Brothers at<a href="http://saintgregorysthreerivers.org/"> St. Gregory’s</a>
in Three Rivers to observe silence during the meals. While eating
the brothers and guests listen to the reading of a book. While on
retreat at St. Gregory's last winter, we listened to a book entitled <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12151475-peace-be-with-you"><em>Peace Be With You; Monastic Wisdom for a Terror Filled World</em></a>.
The readings I heard during my retreat were powerful enough that I
purchased the book early this summer. I have been reading the book
over the course of the month of September. <br />
<br />
In this book, the author, David Carlson
recounts visits he made some years after 2001 to various monasteries
and convents located in the United States. In this visit, Carlson
interviews monks and nuns who were members of those communities on
September 11, 2001. The monks and nuns remember for Carlson how their
communities reacted to the news of that terror filled days. They also
shared with Carlson reflections about how these communities, and indeed
how the country and world have changed since that day. Those
interviewed bring the wisdom of their disciplined life of solitude and
prayer to these reflections. <br />
<br />
While at Gethsemane Abbey in Kentucky, Carlson
reflects on an epiphany written by Thomas Merton. That epiphany
occurred for Merton on March 18, 1958 at the corner of Fourth and
Walnut Streets in Louisville Kentucky. He writes “I was suddenly
overwhelmed by the realization that I loved all those people, that they
were mine and I theirs, that we could not be alien to one another even
though we were total strangers.” Carlson writes that this message of
radical unity is what we need to survive in a world that is splintering
apart. <br />
<br />
Later, Carlson remembers an awareness that came
to him during his visit to St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville
Minnesota. Carlson writes: <em>The only way out, is to love our way out.</em> “The challenge of 9/11 is spiritual, not simply political or military.” <br />
As we enter the twelfth year of the wars that
began soon after September 11, 2001, it is obvious that despite the
trillions of dollars spent on the wars, the thousands of people who
have been injured or killed, the fact remains that we have still not
found our way out. Current events in Libya, Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq
and other countries of the region remind us that we still live in a
terror filled world. Violence and war escalate. We are still lost. <br />
<br />
Only the way of love lived by Jesus, the Prince
of Peace, will lead us out of the terrors of our day. This is not a
sweet and easy love that comes when we all sing “kumbaya” together.
This is the love that finds its meaning in the cross. This is the love
that comes when one lays down one’s life for the beloved. Indeed,
this is the love that comes when one gives oneself for our enemies. <br />
<br />
How do we live in a terror filled world? How
do we live in times of fear, and anxiety? How do we live in a world
that seems to be splintering? <br />
<br />
Carlson offers us image of our radical unity.
Those we think of as “they” are ours, and we are “theirs."<br />
<br />
Carlson calls us to place our hope not in the
power of politics or the military. Our hope must be spiritual.
Indeed, the spiritual life offers the only true hope for the world. <em><br /></em>Bishop Robert Geperthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09570609069073774217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875219463096289763.post-86270544926980817252012-09-27T14:38:00.001-07:002012-09-27T14:38:48.707-07:00"Without Facts, We Cannot Make Wise Choices by the Rev. Nurya Parish<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lV3LU6fb6zY/UGTHTIf_BkI/AAAAAAAAACY/yTCTn-_kSlc/s1600/bishops_blog_img_8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lV3LU6fb6zY/UGTHTIf_BkI/AAAAAAAAACY/yTCTn-_kSlc/s200/bishops_blog_img_8.jpg" width="164" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Rev. Nurya Parish</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<em>For
once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as
children of light—for the fruit of the light is found in all that is
good and right and true. Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord</em>. – Ephesians 5:8-10<br />
<br />
<strong>Our diocese was founded in 1874</strong>.
In the 138 years since, laity and clergy have continually praised God,
led people to discipleship in Christ, and ministered in His name. Half
the state of Michigan has been blessed by the ministry of this
diocese.<br />
<br />
As a member of the search team for our next
Bishop, I’ve been studying the data about our diocese. When our
profile is published early next month, our major findings will be
shared with the world... including our next bishop, whomever he or she
may be. At this point we’ve completed our analysis, pending independent
confirmation that all our calculations are correct.<br />
<br />
<strong>Our data includes some challenging facts</strong>
about our life together. Just about half of our churches struggle to
afford a full-time priest, if they can afford one at all.<br />
<br />
One in five congregations reported that they
had no church school students in 2011. Even our largest congregations
are not the size that church consultants generally consider “resource
parishes” - large enough to have resources to share. Bringing these
facts into the light can make us feel anxious.<br />
<br />
<strong>Our data also includes encouraging facts</strong>.
Despite the recent financial downturn, average giving to annual
operating budgets of churches held steady across the diocese. Most of
our congregations have at least six months of operating funds in
savings. Some of our congregations have endowment funds; of those that
do, a majority are using them in a way that is sustainable for the long
term. Bringing these facts into the light can give us hope.<br />
<br />
As I’ve studied and analyzed this data, I’ve
been asked if I am a “numbers cruncher” or a “NT” on the Myers-Briggs
Personality Inventory. Nothing could be further from the truth. I am an
unabashed sensitive soul who weeps in movies and avoids even fictional
accounts of violence. I haven’t taken a math class in twenty-five
years; I structured my college education to avoid all exposure to the
hard sciences (and lived to regret it).<br />
<br />
Bu<strong>t I am also a disciple of Jesus Christ</strong>,
who asks us to walk in the light and speak the truth. It seems to me
that figuring out facts about our life together is part of following
that call. All of our congregations have numbers... in the operating
budget, in the parochial report data, in the balance sheet. When
these numbers are tracked and reported accurately, they are facts.<br />
<br />
<strong>Facts matter</strong>, because without
facts we cannot make wise choices. It is by wise choices, “pleasing to
the Lord,” we may thrive to minister for years to come. Facts serve us
well when we see them in their proper place: as servants of our mission
to make disciples of Christ and minister to the world in His name. We
may not always like the facts before us, but as disciples of Christ we
cannot fail to acknowledge them, recognizing that no fact - indeed,
nothing at all - can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus
(Romans 8:38-39).<br />
<br />
<em>The Rev. Nurya Love Parish is Associate Priest at <a href="http://www.standrewsgr.org/">St. Andrew’s, Grand Rapids </a>and Communications liaison for the <a href="http://edwmsearch.org/">Bishop Search Team</a>. She blogs for buildfaith.org, an online Christian education community, and at her own blog, <a href="http://www.plainsongfarm.com/">www.plainsongfarm.com</a>. She welcomes your thoughts in response to this article at <a href="mailto:nuryaloveparish@gmail.com">nuryaloveparish@gmail.com</a></em>. Bishop Robert Geperthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09570609069073774217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875219463096289763.post-91231764760593113712012-09-20T11:08:00.001-07:002012-09-20T11:08:24.735-07:00How Many Therapists Does it Take? The Wit and Wisdom of Psychotherapy by Kenneth Reid<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<b style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A Note to the Reader</b><br />
<b style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </b>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
How many therapists does it take to change a light bulb?
Answer – only one but it takes a long time – and the light bulb really has to want
to change. All my professional life I have loved jokes about therapists and
psychotherapy. For me they typically lighten the atmosphere, tickle the funny
bone, help emphasize a point and ridicule the self-important. But, therapy
jokes also do something extra – they echo back the uncertainty and incongruity
of our day-to-day lives.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HkEQ-wPbM9I/UFtZkWuLEuI/AAAAAAAAACI/F--u-w--Tak/s1600/177397852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HkEQ-wPbM9I/UFtZkWuLEuI/AAAAAAAAACI/F--u-w--Tak/s200/177397852.JPG" title="" width="139" /></a>I began collecting jokes and funny anecdotes about
therapists – many included in this book – in the 1960s while a graduate in
social work. Funny stories, jokes, puns, quips, word play, and urban legends
came from old joke books, cartoons, late night talk television, and more
recently, the internet. Others came from my professors, fellow clinicians, and
patients in the hospital where I trained. Interestingly, the jokes told by professionals
were often the same ones told by the patients.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
This genre of humor called psychiatrist jokes, with the
stock caricature of the mad psychiatrist – a bald, bearded Viennese analyst,
who himself needed a psychiatrist – was inadvertently set in motion by Sigmund
Freud and his followers in the 1930s. Added to the mix were confusing
stereotypes of the confusing mental hospital that made its patients crazy, and
the laughable behavior of highly resourceful patients.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
Over time, psychiatrist jokes gave way to therapist jokes
reflecting the growing number of helping professionals – psychologists,
clinical social workers, nurses and counselors – practicing psychotherapy. Characterized
by folly and exaggeration, therapist jokes have come to provide a fractured
mirror reflecting the human condition – and the light-hearted funny side of
life.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
The collection of humor in this book is about the
psychotherapeutic industrial-complex so enmeshed in American culture. These are
the stories and jokes therapists tell each other during team meetings or over a
beer after a long day. They are about stereotypes of therapists in ludicrous
situations; folks facing outrageous predicaments of daily living; and
overwhelmed hospitals and clinics confusing staff and patients alike. In short
this book is about irony, madness, and the outright comedy that undergirds the
mental health establishment.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
To laugh at ourselves and the world around us is truly a
gift. It is in this spirit that this volume was compiled.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Dr. Ken Reid, a clinical social worker, coordinates the diocese's
Pastoral Care and Counseling Program, which was established in 1970.
Initially the program was created to address the needs of the clergy.
Over the years it has evolved into an outreach ministry of the Diocese.
Individual, group, premarital, marital, and family counseling are
offered. In addition, pastoral care consultation is available to clergy. Ken has been with the Program since 1976.</span></i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> His book can be purchased by clicking <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Many-Therapists-Does-Take-Psychotherapy/dp/1596637358" target="_blank">here </a>on Amazon. It is also available by clicking <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/how-many-therapists-does-it-take-kenneth-e-reid/1111674650" target="_blank">here </a>on Barnes and Noble. </i></span></div>
Bishop Robert Geperthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09570609069073774217noreply@blogger.com0