 |
     |
|
     |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
                  |
|
 |
 |
Bishop's Address to Diocesan Convention 2002 I learned the
fundamentals of priesthood from Abraham. Not the one in Genesis, but the one
from Russia, my grandfather. He had two stories. The second story was his boat
trip to the United States when he was about 10 years old. It was a classic
immigrant story complete with the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. His first
story, his great story, was older, more complex. It was about how our ancestors
fled from slavery in Egypt, and wound up wandering in the desert for forty
years. My grandfather never tired of sharing the dreams and courage of our
forebears, of invoking the great leaders, and rehearsing the divine covenant.
Even now, I can see his brown eyes slowly close and a quiet smile cross his
lips. He would inhale deeply, as if drawing breath from every ancestor who had
ever lived and told us of the greatness of God. At the
Passover seder, my grandfather sat in a large chair with two pillows behind his
back. My grandmother sat at the other head of the table, like the flame that
leads in the darkness. To this day, I recall the newly polished silverware, the
special dishes used only on Pesach, and the deep rich smell of the Mogen David
wine that filled every cup, including the children's. And yes, the special cup,
the one at the corner of the table, the extra one. It was for Elijah, the
prophet. The man of mystery who one day would appear and tell us that messiah
was coming. The door to the house was left open, just a crack, even in the
coldest weather so that Elijah could enter.
It was the duty of the grandchildren to keep watch over the cup, lest if
Elijah should come and drink we might miss him. But Elijah never came, and my
grandfather, with great patience and wisdom said, "Maybe next year." With a yamalke
on his head, his tallis on his shoulders and a haggadah in his hands, my
grandfather chanted for hours, and we took our places singing songs and reading
the story. We joined our ancestors in a long journey, with highly symbolic
foods, with children playing under the table, and my father, and uncle, both
about thirty, complaining that it was taking too long. "Shah," my
grandfather would say, and re-enter a world beautiful and mysterious to me, a
young child. Is it any
wonder that the Holy Eucharist draws me into a mystery that has been my
heritage from the beginning? Now, it is the mystery of Christ, broken, poured
out, heavenly bread and cup of salvation. It is Christ Jesus who is my
passover, my life, and the one I follow to a promised and hidden land. To my priests
and deacons, I bid your forgiveness. When it comes to liturgy I have a passion
that is as demanding as it is creative and beautiful. It is of the same breath
that brought tears to my grandfather's eyes, in the telling of our glorious
journey, our first and greatest story. Some ask,
"What is our journey as a diocese?" "Where are we going?"
"What is our story?" Friends, our story is Christ's passover. It is the
story of the blood of the Lamb offered on the cross, placed upon the doorposts
of creation, revealing the victory of life over sin. Our part is to bring this
mystery of love into the world. Our journey
begins by worshipping with profound integrity; by knowing and accepting God's
story as our own life breath; and by joining Jesus in being disciples of
transformation for the sake of the whole created order. In so living, we become
Christ's passover. We bring life out of death, revealing the profound spirit of
hope. I believe
that in God's eyes each church, each parish and mission is a missionary outpost
for revealing this victory of life. Therefore, for purposes of this address, I
will refer to all our churches and institutions as missions. How shall we
re-embark on this journey of witness and proclamation? Let me introduce a
word: SUBSIDIARITY. This tenet holds
that "nothing should be done by a larger and more complex organization which
can be done as well by a smaller and simpler organization." Bringing
God's presence, God's life into the world, which is our baptismal vocation, occurs
in a mission, or a deanery, or through a diocese, or by the whole Anglican
Communion. Subsidiarity challenges us to discern how and at what level we will
be effective disciples in Jesus' ministry. Let me share
a few examples. Most of our missions offer Christian education to children
every Sunday. Education is primarily local, but, over 50 of our missions sought
and received assistance from the Diocesan Resource Center this year. Through
the apportionment, we pooled our money to support a resource, which not one of
our churches could offer alone. Another
example of subsidiarity is the Episcopal Conference Center (ECC). It is our
common venture with common funds. ECC and City Camp are ministries that we
share as a diocese, a community of missions. Many of our young adults are
prepared for leadership in our church through their work at ECC. It is our
single and most important avenue for the formation of young people that we
offer as a diocese. Another
example of subsidiarity is the work done in our deaneries. Through our
deaneries, missions have come together for shared aims. Later this morning, the
Aquidneck Deanery will give a presentation based on their interfaith work with
the homeless. Other deaneries are using Jubilee funds to begin new ministries
in their geographic area. Another
example of subsidiarity is in our individual missions where there is regular
worship, many outreach and community programs, and opportunities for Christian
education and formation. These offerings reflect aspirations most effectively
accomplished in the local area. How might we
respond to other ministries, like college and prison chaplaincy in light of
subsidiarity? Are these ministries for the diocese, deaneries, or local
missions? This is a question that all must address as we plan for the future. When Jesus
told us that he came to save all, he revealed a global mission. It is not
enough to say I am from Warwick, or from South Kingstown, or from Providence,
and act as if there is no need for the rest of the state. We are branches of
the One Body, inhabitants of one nation, members of one world and universe. We
cannot say to one another, "I have no need of you." Let me
propose a new ministry that I believe is calling forth our collective prayers,
talents, and active commitment. A ministry of Christ's passover. According to
the 2000 census, 9% of the total population of Rhode Island are recent
immigrants from all over the world. Between 1990 and 2000, the Spanish speaking
population in our state grew from 3% to 11% of the total population. Most are
immigrants from different countries in Central America. They arrive with the
same fears and hopes that all immigrants have shared in coming to this country.
For several years, I have spoken of the need for a greater emphasis on ministry
with this group of God's beloved. While we cannot address the needs of each
immigrant population, in the spirit of subsidiarity, I am suggesting that our
diocese make a serious commitment to the largest group, the Hispanic
population. St. George's
Church, Central Falls, has a thriving Latino community. Attend the 11 AM
Spanish Mass and you will experience a beautiful blend of generations,
traditions, cultural expressions and hospitality and welcome. The same
possibilities for ministry exist for the city of Providence where over half the
population is Hispanic or Latino. The Church must be in the midst of this
population, witnessing to the strength of Christian living while receiving
unimaginable gifts from these industrious and loving people. The Rt. Rev.
Robert E. Mulvee, Bishop of the Diocese of Providence, said that the present
growth of the Roman Catholic Church in this state is from Latin American
immigrants, many of whom are still seeking a spiritual home. We have a special
opportunity to reach out to this significant and growing community. Only
together, as a community of missions, as a diocese, can this work flourish. We
have fertile and exciting fields for outreach, where the harvest is plentiful,
but we need more laborers. I propose to
this convention and to our diocesan family that we put our resources towards
the planting of new missions in areas where our Spanish-speaking sisters and
brothers live. This proposal includes
the calling of a full time priest-missioner for the purposes of planting
missions, beginning in South Providence. My hope is that existing churches, the
renting of storefronts, and a team ministry of clergy and laity from throughout
the diocese will enhance this ministry. I suggest that the funding come from remaining
Jubilee funds, apportionment giving as determined by Program and Budget, the
Fosterian Fund, and other such sources as may develop. I envision that a
description of ministry be formed in the first half of the new year, with a
call to a priest-missioner being extended by the end of the year 2003, so that
ministry will begin in 2004. While I am on
sabbatical the Program and Budget Committee, with Canon Ran Chase and Mr. Mark
Dirksen, will hold a series of hearings throughout the diocese regarding the use
of our common, apportionment funds. Your thoughts regarding this proposal and
other budgetary items will help form the direction we take and the ministry we
choose. If the
hearings support this initiative, we need to ready ourselves for this challenge.
Deacon Anne Pelletier is teaching several intermediate and beginner Spanish
classes, and welcomes you to join a class. Further opportunities will present
themselves as we consider this important work. The focus is
on Hispanic/Latino ministry, but the broader vision extends to all our
missions. Supporting local mission is essential to the proclamation of the
gospel. Who is in your geographic area? What does the future hold in terms of
racial, age, and ethnic demographics? What housing and business development can
you expect? Growth and programming depend on this type of information. In order
to further congregational development, the Commission on Financial Assistance
and Missions (FAM) has secured the services of a national organization to
conduct a statewide analysis of population and economic trends. A percept
analysis, as it is called, results in "demographic profiles,"
critical for future planning. The results of this work should be available by
the first of the year. I believe
that Jesus is calling us to wed our actions to his love. Through faith and
devotion we are empowered for a vital and exciting ministry of hope. Our mutual
joy will increase as our missions become communities of forgiveness and reconciliation, embracing friend and stranger
alike, and inviting all into the hard work of spiritual growth and change. It
only works if we are willing to sacrifice our possessions for the sake of
ministry, so that we not sacrifice ministry for the sake of possessions. We
must move beyond a preoccupation with buildings and the protection of memories,
to do the work of evangelism: witnessing to the good news of the gospel. The Churches
of Messiah and St. Peter and Andrew are models of two missions who recognized
their common needs and came together to call one priest, and to form a common
vision. The churches of the Advent and the Redeemer, now share one priest, and
are discerning their joint ministries.
In these churches, long-held ideas, use of buildings and other
resources, are being re-shaped in light of their commitment to effective
ministry. I know that
the economy is weak, which is why we must be strong. I know that people do not
like to give money away, which is why I bid you to be uncommonly generous. I am
tired of asking for money, and I am sure that our clergy and stewardship
leaders are doubly tired. Let me give you the straight facts. In the entire
Episcopal Church, the Diocese of Rhode Island ranks last in pledged giving.
This is a sad and tragic distinction. Our average pledge is $890 a year, but
the national average is slightly over $1,400. Contrary to popular myths, ninety
percent of Rhode Islanders are not poor. We rank 17th from the top
in median income. For the sake of the Kingdom, for the sake of the work we must
do, I am asking each person to increase their pledge by a "bare" minimum of 10%
a week. According to our average, this is $1.70, significantly less than a cup
of coffee and a bagel. And I know that most of us can do much more. It is time
that we step up to the challenge of doing something glorious for the
proclamation of the gospel. That's why
I'm excited about my sabbatical, because I plan to learn how I can be a more
effective witness to Christ. Between January and April, I will continue my
Spanish lessons, work with Traveler's Aid in their programs for the homeless,
learn about micro-lending in developing nations, go on retreat, do some
artwork, all interspersed with periods of nothingness. My goal is to integrate
these experiences so that I can more faithfully make a difference in the life
of the Diocese and the Hispanic/Latino community. My office
will continue in the usual manner. The Reverend Ran Chase and Annette Cox will
always be available. Bishop Arthur Williams, retired suffragan bishop of the
Diocese of Ohio, will be here as Bishop-in-Residence, making parish visitations
on Sunday, and available in the office one day during the week. I gratefully
look forward to this time of refreshment, education, and rest. I know that my
energy will be restored, my ideas multiplied, and my love for Christ deepened.
All of this will be for the love of the Church, and this special Diocese of
Rhode Island where God has called me to serve. Every parish
signs a Letter of Agreement that states that each priest will receive a
sabbatical after four years of service. It is not an option; it is part of a
mutual agreement. Our clergy are faithful and devoted beyond what is seen by
most members of our missions. Our church needs their vitality and creative
energy that a sabbatical restores. My office, through The Rev'd Canon Pam
Rannenberg stands ready to help you make a sabbatical possible. Friends, the
world is at a perilous crossroads, with war and destruction close at hand,
terrorism a constant threat, the economy bleak, and the trustworthiness of our
leaders held in question. The thought of the loss of innocent civilian life is
abhorrent to me, as is the loss of young men and women in the military. The
destruction of the infrastructure of any country will mean homelessness,
hunger, untold deprivation, orphans, illness, and on and on. With Iraq I
continue to ask, "Where are our
allies?" "Where is the UN?" "Will our actions further inflame the Middle East?"
"Why are Afghans still hungry and displaced?" Do we not have a moral imperative
to help rebuild that nation? And what about white-collar crime? Where is
justice for those who have lost employment and retirement savings? And how
about the ten percent of young children in our own state who live in extreme
poverty? There will be
many different answers and opinions regarding these questions. Let us not be
divided by our differences, but constantly seek reconciliation beyond
passionately held convictions. Let forums be open to all sides, and let no one
suffer dishonour for a position they hold. Instead of seeking a false
unanimity, let the church listen to proponent and opponent alike. And, let
there be room for those who are unsure of what they believe. Let us find ways
to respect one another modelling the breadth of love given us by our brother,
Jesus. When others seek to find scapegoats for problems, let us stand firm in
our resolve to be a safe church for all God's children. And let us pray, deeply
pray, for peace throughout the world, and for adequate food, shelter,
education, health care and clothing for all people. My friends,
our diocesan vision is "Live in Christ Jesus: Transform the World."
The process is living in Christ's passover, through worship, education, and
outreach. The word is subsidiarity, choosing for effective simplicity. The
focus I propose for our diocese, our community of missions, is Hispanic/Latino
ministry. Let us praise
God that we have a table to share, a story to tell, and hands to serve. Out of
gratitude, may our giving facilitate our vision, for our goal is nothing less
than to bring the presence of Christ into the world. "Kadosh,
kadosh, kadosh Adonai," my grandfather would say, "tzeva'ot, m'lo khol
har-aretz k'vodo." Holy, holy,
holy Lord. The whole world is filled with God's glory. May we let it
be so. (The Rt. Rev.) Geralyn Wolf Bishop of Rhode Island 212th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Rhode Island 26 October 2002 | |
|
 |
|
 |
|||
|
|
 |