Want to read about your parish in the "Cross Current Magazine"?
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"Cross Current Magazine" wants to hear about the "great things your parish has done." All of the parishes around the diocese are important, and everyone loves to hear what your parish has been up to. So make sure you send in a short blurb and a picture (optional) to Keri Dixon ( kdixon@diocese-eastcarolina.org), and watch for it in the upcoming "Cross Current Magazine"! |
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HI All!
This month saw some pretty exciting events! I hope the Clergy Conference and other activities have inspired you to start making change!
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Seeing the Face of God in our Muslim Brothers and Sisters
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As rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church and co-chair of our diocesan anti-racism commission, I want to call attention to a DVD which recently appeared in the advertisement section of newspapers in North Carolina. It was in The Daily Reflector last week here in Greenville. It's called "Obsession" and purports to show radical Islam's war against the West. It's a dangerous DVD, which plays on the fears people have of those who are different than themselves - and fuels prejudice and bigotry toward Muslims.
I share this with you because of my (and St.Paul's) participation in The Interfaith Alliance of Eastern Carolina. The following is a Letter to the Editor of The Daily Reflector which appeared in the newspaper on Sunday, September 28.
"The recent DVD, Obsession, distributed in this newspaper(The Daily Reflector) projects a distorted view of the Islamic faith. We in The Interfaith Alliance of Eastern Carolina promote peace and justice through open communication and understanding of various faith traditions. We share religious values of harmony, compassion, human dignity and mutual respect. We celebrate diversity through shared worship, fellowship, service and education. And in doing so, we want to express our care and support for our Muslim brothers and sisters. We wish to dispel the lies and ignorance that this fear mongering DVD promotes."
It's Saint Paul's turn to host the monthly Interfaith Prayers for Peace and Justice on Monday evening, October 27th, in St. Paul's Chapel at 401 East Fourth Street in Greenville. The service starts at 7 and will be followed at 7:45 with an "Increase Awareness Discussions" in the Choir Room. This month's topic is: "How can we be more intentional in sharing the spiritual power of our respective traditions, especially in light of the way religion is used as a tool for political purposes, as we've recently seen in the DVD called Obsession."
Peace,
Bob Hudak+
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Interested in Traces of the Trade?
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The Clergy Conference saw an onslaught of information that would leave even the smartest Bishop's head reeling. Much of the information was both interesting, and potentially of great use to all of the parishes and priests.
The video, "Traces of the Trade," was viewed by the clergy on the first night of the conference. For those of you interested in more information about the movie, here are some links for you to follow.
For the handout given out at the Clergy Conference with the basic information, go to:
http://www.tracesofthetrade.org/press
At the bottom of this page, you will see a section entitled "Press Kit." The first press kit will hold all the information you need.
For discussion guides and materials, go to:
http://www.tracesofthetrade.org/guides-and-material
This section is home to many great ideas for discussions.
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Update Those Mailing Lists!
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There is still time to get your mailing lists updated for the Diocese! The company, AccuCopy is managing those lists for the Diocese, and we need to make sure EVERY church is sending in those new addresses.
Clergy, harp on your staff to get those done.
Staff, get those done and sent in!
Thank you to all of those who have already sent in your updates! And for everyone else, get them in as soon as possible!
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Prayers
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The following link will lead you to a website with prayers that your parish might enjoy during these awkward financial times. This site was mentioned during the Clergy Conference, and is home to prayers for all sorts of events and holidays. This link will lead you directly to the financial prayers, but there are other prayers you might want to look for. The link is:
http://cofe.anglican.org/prayers/#financial
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Appreciative Leadership for Managing Change
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Trinity Center, Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina
December 1-5, 2008
The Appreciative Leadership for Managing Change training program is a unique blend of appreciative inquiry, contemplative spirituality, executive coaching and leadership theory designed to develop clergy leadership competencies. In this training participants will learn how to:
Create a shared vision,
Equip parishioners to do the work of ministry,
Manage conflict,
Lead change and transformation.
Limited to only 14 participants this program uses Executive Coaching Assessments including a 360 degree leadership inventory, to help participants gain insight into their own leadership style and to enhance their leadership competencies.
Early Tuition Cost is $800. Commuter and Residential Accommodation is extra ($100-$340). Early registration deadline: November 1, 2008
Participants may bring their spouses to enjoy the beauty of the Outer Banks for the price of meals.
Early registration is essential to ensure space and allow time to complete the pre-training assessments.
The Presenter is the Rev. Rob Voyle, the Director of the Clergy Leadership Institute, he is a leader in the use of Appreciative Inquiry in church settings. Rob's personal mission is to be "helpful, humorous, and healing," which is manifested in a passion for conducting training.
For registration and additional information please go to:
Http://www.clergyleadership.com
or contact Rob at rob@voyle.com or 503-647-2382
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Dates for your Calendar
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October 27- "Prayers for Peace and Justice" and "Increased Awareness Discussion"- 7:00 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Greenville, NC. Interfaith Alliance of East Carolina will hold a time to share prayers, poems, songs and silence as an inclusive community longing for Peace and Justice. And will focus on the question; "In a global world were religion is often used as a political tool, how can we be more intentional in sharing spiritual power of our respective traditions?"
November 5- Diocesan Website Workshop- FINAL CHANCE! If your ministry group or commission has not had a chance to come to this class to learn about how to edit its own page on the Diocesan website, this is your last chance! The class will be from 10:30-1 and lunch is provided. Please sign up by November 3 with Keri Dixon (kdixon@diocese-eastcarolina.org or 252-522-0885 ext. 226)
November 10- Religion and the Environment: Friends or Foes. This lecture by Dr. Calvin Mercer will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation (131 Oakmont Drive) in Greenville, NC. For better or worse, religious images, symbols and ideology impact many people's concept of the environment and their reaction to environmental issues. Whether one is a person of faith or not, it can be useful to understand how religious symbols and thought can relate to environmental issues.
November 16- Warden's Workshop- "Managing Conflict"- Workshop will be held at Diocesan House. Begins with Eucharist at 10:30 AM and will conclude by 2:00PM. (Pre-registration deadline is November 12 with Rondi Sugg) Lunch is served and other working materials are provided. Pre-registration and a $10 fee per person is required. We recommend teams of two persons from each parish.
December 1-5- Appreciative Leadership for Managing Change- See information above.
December 6- Appreciative Inquiry for Vestry and Church Leaders- This training session will be held at the Diocesan House in Kinston, NC. This program would be ideal for Vestry members and church leaders of: Churches wanting to discover their purpose and grow their sense of mission. Churches in transition and are seeking new Rectors. Churches that need to embrace the future rather than run from the past. Churches that want to grow in the love and joy of being Children of God. Cost is $50 per person with a cap of $200 per parish. Please bring your own lunch. To register, call Rondi Sugg at 252-522-0885 ext. 228.
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Brain Building News of the Day
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From your own backyard...
Man Wins Prize for Building His Own Coffin
RALEIGH,
N.C. (AP) - Grady Hunter will take his prize-winning entry in the N.C.
State Fair to the grave. The News & Observer of Raleigh reported
that Hunter won a blue ribbon in this year's crafts and hobbies
competition by making his own coffin.
'I'm tickled to death with it," Hunter told the newspaper.
Hunter,
75, wanted to improve on store-bought caskets, so he installed three
inches of foam at the thinnest point, rising to 12 inches at the head
to place his body on an incline. The case has hard-rock maple and
Brazilian cherry. He also routed his signature into the wood.
On the inside of the lid, Hunter plans to pin pictures of his son, daughter and grandchildren, so he can take those with him.
Hunter has even lined up pallbearers for his funeral, and he's writing his own eulogy.
Information from: The News & Observer, http://www.newsobserver.com
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