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EpiscoBlast! August 2014
Monthly Newsletter of the Diocese of Kentucky
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Collect for the Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ
O God, who on the holy mount revealed to chosen witnesses your well-beloved Son, wonderfully transfigured, in raiment white and glistening: Mercifully grant that we, being delivered from the disquietude of this world, may by faith behold the King in his beauty; who with you, O Father, and you, O Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Book of Common Prayer 243
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Nominations for Diocesan Positions Now Open
By the Rev. Rose Bogal-Allbritten, Nominating Committee Chair
To "work, pray and give for the spread of the kingdom of God" is one of the duties that we assume as Christians (BCP, p. 856). Stewardship is our personal response to God's generosity in the way we share our time, talents and financial resources. While it is easy to think of stewardship as something that happens on a congregational level, we need to remember that stewardship must not be limited to our response at the local level. We are also called to share our time, talents and financial resources to further the mission of the church at the diocesan level.
The 187th Convention of the Diocese of Kentucky will be hosted by Trinity Church, Owensboro, and will be held November 7-8, 2014. At this convention, delegates will elect members to a variety of diocesan positions. As the nominating committee chairperson, I ask that every layperson and member of the clergy of our diocese prayerfully consider the time and talents that he/she can offer in support of the work of the Church, and be willing to be nominated for election to one of these positions.
Enclosed is a list of positions to be filled at the next diocesan convention. The list includes qualifications for the various positions, continuing members and members whose terms will expire this year. A one-page Nomination Form is also included. It is important that the individuals who are nominated have given their permission to be nominated. Please note that all lay nominees must be active members of one of the congregations in the Diocese of Kentucky. Priests in charge of congregations will be asked to verify membership. Nominees will be sent a biographical information sheet that they will be asked to complete and return.
Please return completed nomination forms to me by the September 15th deadline. Forms may be mailed, scanned and emailed (rosebogal@gmail.com), or faxed (270-753-2420). Nominations may be made after this date from the floor of the convention.
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Diocese serves 27,750 people as part of Tend My Sheep Challenge
To date, members of 26 churches across the diocese are participating in the deacon's challenge, "Tend My Sheep," and they have recorded more than 9,500hours of service to 27,750 people. The initiative is designed to inspire, support, document and report acts of outreach and loving service to our neighbors.
The deacons issued the challenge at the 2014 diocesan convention last November, asking all Episcopalians in the diocese to commit to the equivalent of at least one hour of service per week for 50 weeks. Although we are far from reaching the hoped for total number recorded service hours at this point, it is clear from the reports that many people in this diocese are nonetheless fulfilling the intent of the challenge, conceived to encourage us as Christians to keep our focus outward and not inward.
Types of service recorded are as varied as the people recording them, including volunteering at local hospitals and the church home, serving on various nonprofit agency boards, visiting and taking food to others, serving at food pantries, assisting with the Scouts, providing personal assistance and transportation, feeding ducks and birds every day, giving blood and platelets to the Red Cross and participating in the "Angel Gown" project to name just a few.
Please keep recording those hours if you are already participating in the Tend My Sheep Challenge. If you haven't already begun to keep track of your service hours and people served, it's not too late to begin. And it's easy. Just go to the diocese's website (www.episcopalky.org) and find the Tend My Sheep link via the Ministries menu. Once there, complete the quick, five-question survey. If you have any difficulties, please contact Deacon Mary Abrams (meabrams@bellsouth.net) or Deacon Mary Jane Cherry (mysaintandrews.org)
We encourage everyone to join our challenge to help us reach our goal of 1/2 million hours of loving service.
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Diocese Marches in Hunger Walk
 An estimated 684,000 people live in poverty in our commonwealth. One in every four children living in Kentucky lives in poverty. Help us put hunger on the run by joining Bishop White's Hunger Walk team by walking with us or donating for the cause..
The Hunger Walk is a 5K Walk and Run benefiting Dare to Care Food Bank and the World Food Program. The walk is on September 14th beginning at 2:15 p.m. on The Belvedere in downtown Louisville.
Join Bishop White in making a public commitment that everyone will have access to the food they need to be healthy. Represent your church by wearing a shirt with their name on it or by carrying their banner.
Use the following "Join Our Team" button to donate to this worthy event and if you are able you can also register to participate in the walk/run. We hope to have a large diocesan representation to show that "The Episcopal Church Cares". |
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Diocese and ecumenical community invited to Appreciate Leadership Conference
The Diocese will be hosting gifted teacher the Rev. Dr. Rob Voyle for an Appreciative Leadership conference at Christ Church Cathedral October 8th, 9th and 10th (16 hrs CE credit). Both clergy and lay leaders are encouraged to attend.
In addition to this 2.5-day conference, Rob will also be conducting a 1-day Appreciative Inquiry conference on Saturday, October 11th. This 1-day offering is intended for Vestries/Bishop's Committees, and other church leaders who otherwise would not be available to attend the mid-week 3-day conference.
During these Appreciate Inquiry trainings you and your parish leadership will:
- Gain an in-depth understanding of Appreciative Inquiry.
- Conduct an appreciative inquiry into your vocation and mission.
- Learn appreciative ways of creating change and transformation.
- Learn how to be an appreciative presence in the world.
For more information visit www.episcopalky.org/RobVoyle.html or see the flyer links below:
- 2.5 Day - Introduction to Appreciative Inquiry - flyer link
- 1 Day - Appreciative Inquiry for Church Leaders - flyer link
A note from Canon Lewis about the conference:
I can't encourage you enough to personally attend this conference, and to encourage your parish leadership to attend either the 2.5-day, or 1-day Saturday conference. Please, mark your calendars today and make plans to attend! I look forward to sharing this enriching time of continued formation with you and your parish leaders!
The cost to you and your parish has been greatly reduced as this event has been significantly underwritten by the generosity of St. Francis in the Fields, Harrods Creek. A special thank you to St. Francis' for their investment in the future of our diocese through offering opportunities for the continued formation of our parish leadership.
Contact Canon Lewis with further questions at jason@episcopalky.org.
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Fall Clergy Day on September 17th at All Saints Center
Clergy are invited to gather for our fall clergy day at All Saints Center on Wednesday, September 17, from 10:30-2:30 CT. Because of the many transitions occurring in the diocese, we are in the midst of welcoming many new brothers and sisters! We hope for this gathering to be a day for meeting new folks, enjoying fellowship together, and a time for conversation. Lunch will be served.
Please RSVP, so that the Bishop and the staff at All Saints may know whom to expect by emailing Brian at bkinnaman@episcopalky.org.
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Bishop & General Convention deputies attend Provincial Synod
By the Rev. Canon Amy Real Coultas, Deputation Chair
In preparation for the 2015 General Convention, deputies and bishops from Province IV (the dioceses of the southeastern US) gathered at Kanuga Conference Center in North Carolina in early June. Each General Convention is preceded by two provincial "synods"--the first focuses on networking and information-sharing, the second on upcoming legislative concerns, along with various elections. Deputies heard updates from the United Thank Offering, Environmental Ministries, and other provincial networks, along with presentations from the Campus Ministry Coordinator and from representatives from the Joint Nominating Committee for the election of the Presiding Bishop.
In addition to plenary sessions, deputies participated in workshops focusing on various topics that were called for by the last General Convention, including a report from the task force on the study of marriage. Deputies and bishops also held an open conversation about the work of the Task Force for Reimagining the Church, sharing ideas and hopes for how the church might adapt to be most effective in its work.
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the Rev. Geoffrey Butcher Publishes a Collection of Devotionals
The Rev. Geoffrey Butcher, Priest-in-Charge of Trinity Church, Russellville, KY, has published a new book: Without the Miracle There is Nothing! Devotionals to Encourage and Inspire. The devotionals first appeared in the News Democrat & Leader in Logan County, Kentucky, but are now available as a collection.
This collection shows that there are many miracles: the miracle of creation, the miracle of yourself, the miracle of finding something within you that is also outside of you, the miracle of the Holy Spirit. Constant themes are our place in creation and our relationship to the Creator. "The cosmic presence of God known through faith, prayer, and contemplation is witness to the Spirit's presence in everything, everywhere and at every moment." The book can be purchased through Amazon in paperback or Kindle.
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Charles and Diana Muir plead guilty to defrauding Woodcock Foundation
Charles and Diana Muir pleaded guilty July 10 to federal charges of interstate transportation of stolen property and money laundering, admitting they stole $1,141,030 from the historic Woodcock Foundation. The fund is used to provide scholarships to needy students who live within the bounds of the diocese. The couple transferred the monies through their dental business and later withdrew it as cash through an ATM at an Indiana casino.
The Associated Press reports this exchange between US District Judge John G. Heyburn II and the Muirs:
Judge Heyburn: "Both of you agreed that you did the things the government said you did?"
Diana Muir: "Yes."
Charles Muir: "Yes, sir."
By the time their four year scheme came to an end, the foundation was left with only $8. The Muirs will be sentenced on Oct. 23rd, with Charles Muir facing 48 months, and Diana Muir facing 6 months. They are to pay restitution for the stolen funds.
The full Associated Press story can be found here and the Courier-Journal story here.
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Episcopal Church celebrates 40th Anniversary of Women's Ordination to the Priesthood
On July 29, 1974, eleven women were ordained as priests in the Episcopal Church at the Church of the Advocate in Philadelphia. Another four women would be ordained in Washington, DC in September of 1975. In September of 1976, the General Convention would open the canons of the church to allow women to be ordained to the priesthood and episcopate, and the first 'regular' ordinations would happen in January of 1977.
The Episcopal News Service published an interactive guide to the story of women's ordination. Click on the image below.
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One detail that wasn't in the timeline and a point of history in our diocese: the Rev. Geralyn Wolf became the first female dean of a Cathedral in the Anglican Communion when she was called to serve as Dean at Christ Church Cathedral in November of 1986. In 1996, She was ordained as the bishop of Rhode Island, becoming the 2nd woman to be a diocesan bishop in the Episcopal Church and 3rd in the Anglican Communion.
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40 YEARS OF WOMEN'S ORDINATION:
REFLECTIONS FROM THE DIOCESE |
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As the Episcopal Church begins celebrating the 40th anniversary of women's ordination to the episcopate, brief reflections on the meaning of that anniversary will be published throughout the next 3 years.
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The Rev. Cn. Amy Real Coultas
 Eleven women were 'irregularly' ordained to the priesthood in Philadelphia a year before I was born.
When I was about 14, in the summer of 1989, our family vacation included a visit to the Washington National Cathedral. We went to a service being held in one of the small chapels- Evening Prayer, I assume. A young woman was the officiant. I'm sure most of my attention was being pulled toward the soaring ceilings and twinkling stained glass, with glimpses of moon rock and gargoyles distracting me from those quiet, practiced, grown-up words of the prayer book being shared by the rest of the congregation.
"Our Father who art in Heaven..." came from the throat of that young woman officiant, and my life changed. Those well-worn words sounded shockingly different on her lips. They were mine.
I realize now that she was likely someone studying for priesthood, and not yet a priest. But that day, in my imagination, a connection was made. Even though women had been ordained priests in the Episcopal Church my entire life, it was in her voice that God first said "are you paying attention?" to my very own heart. Her voice joined with so many-some named and renowned like the Philadelphia 11, but so many more unnamed and silenced-that helped me learn how to say my own "yes." I am grateful.
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Want to read more about what our youth are doing? Visit the Youth webpage and subscribe to the DioKY Youth News. It's chock-full of information about youth events, happenings throughout the diocese, and other exciting news. Sign up here.
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Bishop Terry joins youth at 2014 Episcopal Youth Event
 Bishop Terry joined youth and clergy from our diocese and from across the Episcopal Church at the Episcopal Youth Event, held in Philadelphia July 9-13. "To share Eucharist with over 1100 youth reverent and enthusiastic and committed to their baptismal covenant to proclaim the Good News of God in Christ was inspiring and contagious! The schedule was full, with worship, workshops, pilgrimage, and mission. Bishops were thanked for being present and participating in the event, but this bishop was thankful for all that our youth and all the youth at EYE gave to me," the bishop reflected. The event is held every three years.
The Living Church summarizes the event here. A story from our delegation will follow in the next newsletter.
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Summer Camp Wrap Up
Summer Camp is at a close. We had a wonderful summer! Our youth were able to grow in faith, in abilities (like learning how to tread water in the deep end of the pool), and make new friends!
Summer Camp is a reflection of the kingdom of God where campers, coming in and out of community, are encouraged to be themselves in all things, to discover themselves and help others in all things. Summer Camp is a time for campers to discover and question their faith in all things. The challenge is to take God and the Holy Spirit outside of camp and share it in our homes, our neighborhoods, our churches, and schools. Our hope is that all will experience the unconditional love found in God's community so they may share it with those who have not been touched by it or experienced it. We are called to be filled up with this love in intentional community and then to go out into the world and pour it out.
View pictures, video reflections, and read what our campers thought about and learned at camp at the DioKY Youth Programs Facebook page.
See you next year for another great camping experience!
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Special Thanks!
A special thanks to all of our volunteers this summer! Your ministry is so important!
Clergy: The Rev. Jason Lewis, The Rev. Jim Trimble, The Rev. Emily Schwartz, The Rev. Mary Abrams, The Rev. Ben Badgett, and The Rev. Katherine Doyle.
Medical: Peggy Henney, Andy Owen, and Elaine Terry
Program Volunteers: Jane Halladay, Heather Keith, and Alexia Schemp - Couch
A special thanks to behind the scenes folks! Your ministry is an invitation!
Those who fundraised at churches for youth scholarships
Those who recommended a camp experience
Those who helped register individuals and small groups
Those who helped in transportation
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CONGREGATIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Want to share your church event with the Diocese? Fill out the Submit a News Article form on the diocesan website under the News & Events tab. From there the Communications Director will post the article where appropriate.
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 Cathedral Choir featured on "With Heart and Voice"
On May 18 and June 22, the Cathedral Choir was included in the national radio broadcast of "With Heart and Voice," singing selections from their CD "An American Evening," music for evening liturgies by American composers.
It is an honor to have been selected for the broadcast which has a national audience. The CD is still available for purchase at the Cathedral as well as on Itunes, Amazon, CD Baby and through streaming services such as Spotify.
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St. James, Louisville Trivia Night
Come join us at St James Trivia Night August 23rd at 6:00pm. This event will raise funds to help decrease domestic violence and to support victims of domestic abuse.
Put together a team of up to 8 people and come join the fun. There will be cash prizes for the top two teams, door prizes and a silent auction. For more information see our flyer.
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Cathedral Arts Concert and Evensong Series 2014-15
 Christ Church Cathedral resumes its monthly concert and evensong series on Sunday, September 14, 5:00 PM. Continuing its focus on American choral music, the Cathedral Choir sings evensong the second Sunday of the month September-November and February 2015. Percussionists from Pleasure Ridge Park High School will join the Cathedral Choir for the Annual Advent Lessons and Carols on Sunday, December 14, 5:00 PM. The series concludes with a concert of various mass settings on Sunday, March 8, 5:00 PM, featuring music by Haydn, Gretchaninov and Chihara. All are welcome to attend.
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The Rev. John Fritschner called as Interim Rector for Grace Church, Paducah
Click here to read the announcement in Grace, Paducah's newsletter, Lo & Behold
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Visit our Positions Open webpage for more information and additional opportunities. Have an open position to share? Visit the Submit A News Article webpage to have your position listed in the Diocesan News.
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Director of Preschool - St. James' Preschool, Pewee Valley
If interested, please contact the Rev. Jim Trimble at jim.trimble@gmail.com
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Lead Teacher for 3s Classroom - St. James' Preschool, Pewee Valley
If interested, please contact the school's Interim Director, Stephanie Thornton at scraper5300@yahoo.com.
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Piano/Organ Player - St. George's, Louisville
St. George Episcopal Church is seeking a part-time piano/organ player for their Sunday services, which would be from 10:30-noon three or four times per week. Pay is negotiable. If interested, please contact Bonni Barron at 502-598-4702.
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| FROM OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS |
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Provide Hospitality and Welcome through Co-Sponsoring Incoming Refugees
By Kentucky Refugee Ministries
 KRM is looking for a variety of groups to co-sponsor incoming refugee families. The simple practice of welcome and hospitality changes lives and creates a more compassionate community and world.
How Co-Sponsors Help...
- Have a donations drive for apartment furnishings
- Set up apartment and buy groceries before family arrives
- Welcome the family at airport and help transport them to their new apartment for initial orientation with KRM staff
- Help client obtain clothing, phone and other necessities as needed
- Assist KRM in transporting refugees to needed appointments, applying for Social Security cards, health assessments and registering children for school
- Provide orientation activities and trips to local sights (zoo, waterfront, etc.)
- Assist adults in preparing for work or getting a job
- Check-in with the family weekly to help discern what would be helpful in their plan for self-sufficiency
Learn about the Co-Sponsorship Program at the next Story Commons Lunch, Tuesday, August 12th at 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM. Refugees, welcoming communities and our staff will share stories, wisdom and experiences related to these powerful relationships created through co-sponsorship.
For more information on co-sponsorships or to RSVP for Story Commons contact Judi Hendrix (jhendrix@kyrm.org) or Lee Welch (lwelsh@kyrm.org).
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8th Annual Gathering for Centering Prayer
Centering prayer was developed in the 1970's to revive the contemplative teachings of early Christianity. Frs. Thomas Keating, Basil Pennington, and William Meninger, three Trappist monks at St. Joseph's Abbey in Massachusetts, developed a simple method of daily, silent prayer based on the ancient practices of the Christian contemplative prayer heritage, including Lectio Divina and writings from the early Church. Today, there are hundreds of practitioners of this simple daily prayer form, at numerous parishes of major denominations; and the number of Christians adopting this practice is increasing steadily.
The local organization that offers instruction and support for this prayer practice is Contemplative Outreach of Middle Tennessee. For practitioners and for those who want to learn more about it, the Eighth Annual Gathering of Contemplative Outreach of Middle Tennessee will be held Saturday, August 9, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Holy Family Catholic Church, 9100 Crockett Road in Brentwood, TN. Workshops and centering prayer sessions and panel discussions will be offered. Registration, including refreshments and lunch, is $25 through August 2, and $35 thereafter. To register for this stimulating annual gathering, go to www.centeringprayermidtn.com.
For more information, please call Carolyn Goddard at 615-438-3216 or John Wellborn at 615-438-6709.
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Black Church Studies Consultation
to Address Civil Rights Issues
By Louisville Seminary
How do civil rights issues affect African American communities today, and how should African American churches appropriately and effectively respond? The Black Church and the Continuing Fight for Civil Rights is the focus of Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary's 2014 Black Church Studies Consultation, which will take place Tuesday and Wednesday, September 2 and 3.
Nationally renowned author, pastor and civil rights advocate Rev. Dr. Freddie Haynes will deliver the keynote address at this year's event. Haynes will preach at the consultation's opening worship, which will be held Tuesday, September 2, at Bates Memorial Baptist Church (620 East Lampton Street, Louisville, Ky., 40203). The service begins at 7 p.m.
"Rev. Dr. Freddie Haynes is a leading voice in the black church experience," said Rev. Lisa Williams, interim director of Louisville Seminary's Black Church Studies Program. "His preaching style is mesmerizing as he interweaves history, theology and contemporary cultural issues into a message that makes the heart soar and the mind expand for those seeking greater impact for the Kingdom of God. He is truly a gift to the body of Christ, and it is an honor to have him as our keynote speaker for the 2014 Consultation.
On Wednesday, September 3, Haynes will be joined by "Black Politics Today" host Kelly Mikel Williams and [Read more]
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Task Force for "Reimagining" the Church will hold gathering in October
[Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs press release] As directed in its enabling resolution C095 approved by the 77th General Convention in 2012, the Task Force for Reimagining the Episcopal Church (TREC) will convene a churchwide meeting on October 2 at 7:30 pm Eastern time (6:30 pm Central/5:30 pm Mountain/4:30 pm Pacific/3:30 pm Alaska/1:30 pm Hawaii).
The purpose of the meeting is "to receive responses to the proposed recommendations to be brought forward to the 78th General Convention."
The meeting will be webcast live from Washington National Cathedral. Although the meeting will be open to the entire church, TREC encourages attendance from each diocese: a bishop, a lay deputy, a clerical deputy, and one person under the age of 35.
There is no fee to attend in-person or to watch the live webcast. However, registration for in-person attendance is requested; register here. Registration is not required but is encouraged for viewing the webcast. [Read more]
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Joint Nominating Committee for the Election of the Presiding Bishop issues three study papers
[Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs press release] The Episcopal Church Joint Nominating Committee for the Election of the Presiding Bishop (JNCPB) has issued the following information:
The Joint Nominating Committee for the Election of the Presiding Bishop (JNCPB) continues its work to prepare The Episcopal Church for the election of the 27th Presiding Bishop at General Convention next summer. The Committee publishes the third of three essays designed to begin a discussion about the election which will take place in the summer of 2015.
This essay discuss how the constitutional/canonical role of the office has changed and evolved from being the senior bishop by consecration who presides over meetings of the House of Bishops to the complex multifaceted position it is today. The first essay described the basic time-line and steps of the nominating and election process (here). The second essay outlined the current roles, functions, and responsibilities of the Presiding Bishop (here). [Read more]
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Survey on inclusion of people with developmental disability
[Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs press release] The sub-committee on Full Inclusion of People with Developmental Disability of The Episcopal Church Standing Commission on Health is seeking input through a survey available here.
"As chair of the Standing Commission on Health, I commend to you this important survey on Full Inclusion for those with Developmental Disability," noted Bishop Marc Andrus of the Diocese of California. "The Rev. Stannard Baker and Ms. Mimi Grant, co-chairs of our sub-committee on Full Inclusion, developed it. Please fill it out as soon as possible to do your part in bringing full inclusion in the liturgy and formation programs of The Episcopal Church for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disability and Attention Deficit Disorder."
Deadline for the survey is August 17.
For more information contact Baker at stannard.baker@btrpsychotherapy.com
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425 S. 2nd St., Suite 200, Louisville, KY 40202 · (502) 584-7148
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