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NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 26, 2014
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Bishop's Reflection: Convention brings us together to send us forth
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 "We are all in this together" was an often repeated theme of our 118th Convention in Covington. We learned, prayed, sang and worked together. We played, ate, rejoiced and celebrated our common life.
The good people of Northern Kentucky welcomed us into this region of our diocese with grace and open arms. The Thursday reception, the hotel welcome, the preparations for worship and the beautiful spring-like weather conspired to bring out the best in all of us. A special thank you to the clergy and people of Northern Kentucky.
 Some of the highlights of our time together:
In my Bishop's address we heard about the work of the Blue Ribbon Discernment Commission and the directions we are heading in following God's call. We will hear more about this in days to come, but the highpoints included building stronger congregations, strengthening the ties that bind us, discerning a fresh mission and sustainable future for the Cathedral Domain, nurturing a spirit of Generosity, and enhancing our public witness. A number of new initiatives were introduced as fulfill this calling. Some of these were:
- The Canon to the Ordinary (to begin this summer) will focus on Congregational Development
- Deacon Lauren Villemuer-Drenth will serve as Diocesan Deacon for Christian formation, assisting parishes in their efforts to reach and nurture children, and organizing regional events
- Jump Start grants (four or five) will be available to enhance congregational development
- An outreach to young adults, coordinated by Mr. Justin Gabbard and the Northern Ky parishes
- Creation of a Stewardship Commission to explore the impact and opportunities of our shared financial life
- A "narrative budget" process to help us translate money language into mission language
- Commission of Public Witness for this important part of God's Mission
- Consultation with Kentucky Nonprofit Network to help us determine the best future for the Cathedral Domain
 In our workshops we heard about the good work of NKy Reading Camp, Back Pack Ministries, and St. Paul's Outreach. We discussed many of the challenges that face our world - including Faith in a Time of War, Addiction, and Civil Dialogue around energy and environmental concerns. We heard reports from St. Agnes House, Reading Camp, Sewanee, Campus Ministries, Cathedral Domain and Diocesan Leadership Training.
In our business sessions we elected representatives to General Convention and a number of leadership roles, we passed resolutions reminding us to care for the poor and reaching out in partnership to the Diocese of Guatemala. Canon changes were passed which stream line our organizational life.
 Holy Eucharist brought us together to sing our praises, prayer for one another, gather around God's Holy Table, and be reminded of Jesus's command that we should "Go" - to our neighbors, to a needy world, to join a Risen Savior who waits for us in the beautiful but broken world.
On Saturday we packed our bags to "Go" - home to engage mission in the towns, cities, rolling hills and mountains we call the Diocese of Lexington. We go to unique places with unique opportunities and peculiar challenges. But we don't go alone. We go in the strong community of one who calls us all together as light, salt, disciples and beloved children of God.
--Bishop Doug Hahn
Click here to read a full report & view photos from Convention 2014. |
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What's God up to at St. Mary's, Middlesboro?
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P rior to the arrival of Father Peter Alan Helman in August 2013, Saint Mary's elected a small Transition Team to undergo a process of mutual discernment in the Diocese of Lexington called 'Holy Conversations'. Over a period of months, in order to guide its work of calling a new Priest-in-Charge, the Transition Team met together and contemplated the unique realities of life in our parish-who we are becoming and how we might more faithfully embody the grace of God to the tri-state region of Southeast Kentucky.
Read more
Rector's Reflection by Rev. Peter Helman  While much and more might be said of my experiences of ministry thus far with the people of historic Saint Mary's Church, I am so often struck by (and grateful for) the simple glory of our shared fellowship in Christ. As a mutually supportive Christian community, we seek relevant ways to give flesh and bone to the mission of our founders: to witness Christ's love to a hungering world. Together we pursue love of God and neighbor, acknowledging that we don't have God's perspective on it all. We are each on a pilgrimage toward God. We need each other, and believe that within every circumstance, every object, every person, God's love is already at work, moment by moment.
I am most grateful to see in our midst the Spirit of the living God working all things for good, drawing our selves, souls and bodies into deeper harmony with the hallmarks of Christian faith: charity, hospitality, and generous orthodoxy.
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Trinity Choir sings sensuous harmonies at Evensong in Covington
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Click on headlines for more information.
Upcoming
Ongoing
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Last Sunday after Epiphany (3/02)
The Spouses, Partners, and Widows of the Clergy of the Diocese of Lexington
Lent 1 (3/07)
Grace Church, Florence
The Rev. Marshall Jolly, Priest in Charge
Anniversaries
2/28 Sandy Stone D
We pray for James A. Sutherland who died on February 25th. James was the son of Son of Rev. Alan (Judy) Sutherland and Elaine "Elly" Moran Sutherland, of Beverley, England.
We pray for beloved clergy experiencing medical concerns: Ron Summers, John Madden, Phillip Garland, Jay Pierce, and John Dews.
Download the 2014 Intercessory Prayer List
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