Today’s post is another in a series of reflections and impressions from members of the Search & Nomination Committee and Transition Committee. This post is from Grace Swinski, a member of the Transition Committee and a member of St. Paul’s, Pawtucket. For more information visit www.episcopalrisearch.org
Transition, as defined in Webster’s dictionary, means movement, passage or change from one position. This, my friends, is so true. I have been honored to serve on this committee with an interesting group of Episcopalians who hail from all over the state. The beginning stages of this group have been extremely interesting and a lot of fun. I have always enjoyed meeting others from the diocese who have the passion to be involved.
There are so many new terms to learn. I mean what is a “walkabout”? Does one prepare for a consecration or ordination? The first few months (we have been meeting since June), we have been in a holding pattern on places and dates. But as the winter progresses so has the excitement of actual site visits for some of the events. I have been on some wonderful field trips to see some wonderful Episcopal places in our small but beautiful state. The committee is trying to be thoughtful about finding venues in each part of the state.
The walkabout is basically a Q&A session with the candidates for bishop. All congregations and delegates are invited to attend. We had been looking at many churches to see which had space. One afternoon I was driving to a church in question to see if the space would work for this event. I went with blind faith and hoped that the church would be open, but if not at least I would peer in the windows to get a basic idea.
When I arrived at the church, at first it looked like only the Holy Spirit was home. But as I went to the rear of the building I noticed a car parked near a door. I knocked and, yes, it was answered!! A lovely gentleman opened the door. He and two other were finishing up their day’s ministry of working in the “coat closet.” With great pleasure they told me about their ministry there — how they give all items free to people in need. I was also given a tour of the space and saw all the exciting things happening in the church. I explained to them about the process of transition and how this was an exciting time. As I was listening to their stories about the “closet” I couldn’t help but think about the transitions they help people with each day.
Items have been posted about the places of some events, and I hope all will stay as planned. I look forward to the coming months and working with my committee and helping the new bishop transition in Rhode Island
Wednesday, February 29
Tuesday, February 28
Edmund C. Bennett, Diocesan Chancellor, Passes Away
[2/28/2012] Last night, Edmund C. Bennett, Chancellor of the Diocese of Rhode Island for over forty years, died of an aggressive genetically based form of acute leukemia. Six weeks ago Ed was taken to Rhode Island Hospital for a series of tests and was diagnosed.
Earlier yesterday evening Bishop Wolf sent out a message stating that Ed had requested privacy early on in his illness, but that the time to ask for prayers had come. She wrote:
"he has not responded to treatment and is now in the intensive care unit. In consultation with Missy, his wife, I ask for your prayers as his doctors attempt yet another treatment...
Throughout these weeks, I have visited Ed, when medically possible, talked with Missy, exchanged emails and telephone calls and offered up many prayers. I share this with profound sadness, as Ed has served all of us with extraordinary generosity, wisdom, and integrity. I write this through tears."
His funeral will be held on Saturday, March 3, at 11 a.m. at S. Stephen’s Church, 114 George Street, Providence. His wife, Carole Ann "Missy" Bennett, invites all to attend.
Ed and Missy Bennett met at our own ECC summer camp in High School, and have been integrally involved in the ministries and administrations of the Diocese of Rhode Island for the majority of their lives. Please keep Missy, as well as their children and grandchildren, in your prayers.
"Remember thy servant Edmund, O Lord, according to the favor which thou bearest unto all thy people: Open to him the gates of larger life, that he may go from strength to strength in the life of perfect service in thy heavenly kingdom. Amen"
Earlier yesterday evening Bishop Wolf sent out a message stating that Ed had requested privacy early on in his illness, but that the time to ask for prayers had come. She wrote:
"he has not responded to treatment and is now in the intensive care unit. In consultation with Missy, his wife, I ask for your prayers as his doctors attempt yet another treatment...
Throughout these weeks, I have visited Ed, when medically possible, talked with Missy, exchanged emails and telephone calls and offered up many prayers. I share this with profound sadness, as Ed has served all of us with extraordinary generosity, wisdom, and integrity. I write this through tears."
His funeral will be held on Saturday, March 3, at 11 a.m. at S. Stephen’s Church, 114 George Street, Providence. His wife, Carole Ann "Missy" Bennett, invites all to attend.
Ed and Missy Bennett met at our own ECC summer camp in High School, and have been integrally involved in the ministries and administrations of the Diocese of Rhode Island for the majority of their lives. Please keep Missy, as well as their children and grandchildren, in your prayers.
"Remember thy servant Edmund, O Lord, according to the favor which thou bearest unto all thy people: Open to him the gates of larger life, that he may go from strength to strength in the life of perfect service in thy heavenly kingdom. Amen"
Monday, February 27
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Friday, February 24
Three Things that Excite Me About Convocation
by The Rev'd Peter Lane, Interim Rector
St David's on-the-Hill, Cranston
Register online for Convocation by March 2nd
The first is having the chance to see Sara Miles again. I was part of a convocation she facilitated two years ago in the Diocese of Olympia. Ms. Miles is dynamic, provocative (in the best sense of that word) and passionate about her ministry. I’m glad to have the chance to see her again, and to have my friends and colleagues here in the Diocese of Rhode Island meet and work with her as well. Get ready to be inspired.
The second thing that excites me about Convocation is the energy and enthusiasm I’m picking up every time I talk with someone about our focus of feeding hungers in our lives. People are quite literally hungry for ways to get involved in feeding ministries. I think the Mission Task Force has really tapped into a vital concern in our parishes across the diocese, and folks are ready to both learn how they can help and to bring that message back to their congregations. Get ready to be involved.
The third thing that really excites me is re-discovering that wonderful truth about God’s economy – “give and you will receive”. Every time I’ve had the chance to offer a hand up to someone – a bag of groceries, a hearty meal, a roof over their head, hope for a better tomorrow – I come away realizing how deeply I’ve been blessed by the chance to help. Its part of the wild and wonderful way God operates. The more I give away, the richer I feel, the more I empty myself, the fuller I am. Get ready to revel in God’s abundance.
Don’t forget that every parish has been invited to bring a display about feeding ministries going on in your parish – food pantries, soup kitchens, community gardens, nutrition programs – whatever is feeding people in your community, come and share with the rest of us so that we might learn from you and be inspired to go and do likewise.
For more information and to register visit www.episcopalri.org/convocation
Wednesday, February 22
RI Clergy giving out Ashes to Go
Clergy distribute 'ashes to go' at train station in Providence
The Providence Journal
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- "Ashes to go. I love it."
That was the reaction of an Amtrak policeman when he saw a pair of clergy distribute ashes on the foreheads of passers-by outside Providence's train station early Wednesday.. read the full PROJO Article here
The Providence Journal
February 22, 2012 10:32 am
That was the reaction of an Amtrak policeman when he saw a pair of clergy distribute ashes on the foreheads of passers-by outside Providence's train station early Wednesday.. read the full PROJO Article here
Tuesday, February 21
RI Episcopalians' Random Acts of Kindness Inspire ECF Article
Feeding Others – And Ourselves
by Nancy Davidge on February 16, 2012
...The iTunes gift card on my desk prompted a memory: The random acts of kindness inspired by Bishop Wolf of Rhode Island which I read about in the Winter 2012 issue of RISEN Magazine.
"At Diocesan Convention in November Bishop Wolf gave each attendee a Stop and Shop gift card and asked them to match it and give the cards away to someone in need. She exhorted us all to give generously and joyously; to someone we meet along the way, or to ourselves if we really need it. Now, doing random acts of kindness, in person, is far beyond the comfort zone of some. But generous and loving giving at the prompt of the Holy Spirit can be a gift to your own heart as well as the recipient. It can be a powerful experience. We asked for your stories of how you gave your card away and what it felt like."
These stories are a powerful witness. They share the anxiety related to how to decide who to give the card to – and a fear of inadvertently offending as well as consideration of the ‘safe’ option of donating the cards to an organization and letting someone else determine who would get the cards... Read the full article here
by Nancy Davidge on February 16, 2012
...The iTunes gift card on my desk prompted a memory: The random acts of kindness inspired by Bishop Wolf of Rhode Island which I read about in the Winter 2012 issue of RISEN Magazine.
"At Diocesan Convention in November Bishop Wolf gave each attendee a Stop and Shop gift card and asked them to match it and give the cards away to someone in need. She exhorted us all to give generously and joyously; to someone we meet along the way, or to ourselves if we really need it. Now, doing random acts of kindness, in person, is far beyond the comfort zone of some. But generous and loving giving at the prompt of the Holy Spirit can be a gift to your own heart as well as the recipient. It can be a powerful experience. We asked for your stories of how you gave your card away and what it felt like."
These stories are a powerful witness. They share the anxiety related to how to decide who to give the card to – and a fear of inadvertently offending as well as consideration of the ‘safe’ option of donating the cards to an organization and letting someone else determine who would get the cards... Read the full article here
Cathedral of St. John to Suspend Services
The Episcopal Cathedral of Saint John in Providence, Rhode Island announces today that due to dwindling financial resources, worship and pastoral services will be suspended after April 22nd, 2012.
The St. John’s building at 271 North Main will retain its status as the Cathedral of the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island. A Cathedral serves as the seat of the bishop, the central place of pastoral and teaching ministries for all Episcopal churches in that diocese.
“The Cathedral congregation has experienced serious financial difficulty, and a decision was made to suspend services for now,” said The Rt. Rev. David Joslin, Acting Dean of the Cathedral of St. John. “This decision, of course, was not made lightly or quickly. And additionally, it does not permanently close the Cathedral; it only ceases the usual Sunday services and pastoral care,” he said.
The Acting Dean remarked that this financial situation has been evolving for many years, and has now come to the place where it needs to be addressed.
Members of the Cathedral congregation are being welcomed to join Grace Church on Westminster Street in Providence, or any of the 52 Episcopal churches in Rhode Island. There are six other Episcopal churches located in Providence alone.
The Cathedral of Saint John, which was established as King’s Chapel in 1722, has been a continuing center for worship and outreach for 290 years. In 1794, the name of the church was changed to Saint John, and in 1929, the church became the official seat of the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island, receiving its designation as the Cathedral of Saint John.
The last Holy Eucharist for the Cathedral congregation will be held on Sunday April 22nd at 9:30 AM, followed by a time to celebrate St. John’s many years of service to God, to the Providence community, and to the Diocese of Rhode Island.
Wednesday, February 15
Bishop Search: Committee Completes Visits to Candidates
The work of the Search & Nomination Committee took another big step forward in the past few weeks as committee members completed visits to nine candidates who are being considered for the next Bishop of Rhode Island.
Two-member teams visited the candidates’ home parishes to observe liturgies and sermons, further interview the candidates, and meet with staff members and lay leaders.
As background checks and other deeper reference-checks for each candidate continue, the teams are filing reports from the visits to bring the full committee up to date with impressions, findings, etc. The next step is to determine whether to bring all nine candidates or some smaller number to Rhode Island in late February to participate with committee members in a discernment weekend.
At this point, the process remains on track for a mid-March announcement of the slate of three to five finalists.
The committee also has begun work on the process that will be used if people want to nominate other candidates by petition. The petition period will take place March 11 – 25 to allow sufficient time for full reference checks of priests, if any, who are nominated by petition.
As announced in late January, the timing and location of some upcoming transition events have changed:
Two-member teams visited the candidates’ home parishes to observe liturgies and sermons, further interview the candidates, and meet with staff members and lay leaders.
As background checks and other deeper reference-checks for each candidate continue, the teams are filing reports from the visits to bring the full committee up to date with impressions, findings, etc. The next step is to determine whether to bring all nine candidates or some smaller number to Rhode Island in late February to participate with committee members in a discernment weekend.
At this point, the process remains on track for a mid-March announcement of the slate of three to five finalists.
The committee also has begun work on the process that will be used if people want to nominate other candidates by petition. The petition period will take place March 11 – 25 to allow sufficient time for full reference checks of priests, if any, who are nominated by petition.
As announced in late January, the timing and location of some upcoming transition events have changed:
- The walkabout of finalist candidates will occur May 11 – 12 instead of May 18 – 19
- The June 2 electing convention will take place at St. Paul’s in Pawtucket rather than St. Luke’s in East Greenwich
- The celebration of Bishop Wolf’s ministry will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, September 23, at St. Luke’s, East Greenwich
Tuesday, February 14
Bishop Wolf speaks on panel as the Church of England debate on female bishops begins anew.
Bishop Geralyn Wolf of the diocese of Rhode Island was the fifth female bishop consecrated in the Episcopal Church. As The Church of England General Synod resumed their debate over women bishops, she took time from her sabbatical to speak on a panel sponsored by WATCH (Women and the Church) last week. Read this article by Episcopal News Service for the full story.
Church of England Resumes Women Bishops Debate | February 7, 2012 |
[Episcopal News Service] The key legislation that will enable women to be appointed and consecrated as bishops in the Church of England has returned to General Synod for further debate and final drafting during its Feb. 6-9 group of sessions in London.
During the past 18 months the legislation has been given the nod by 42 of the 44 diocesan synods throughout England, but it now requires a two-thirds majority in each of the three houses of General Synod – bishops, clergy and laity – for it to be adopted... read the full article here
During the past 18 months the legislation has been given the nod by 42 of the 44 diocesan synods throughout England, but it now requires a two-thirds majority in each of the three houses of General Synod – bishops, clergy and laity – for it to be adopted... read the full article here
Monday, February 13
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