A Call for Spiritual Maturity: Diocesan Convention 2005
ACC rep and Executive Council member from Lexingotn face decisions.
Living Together for Mission: The Bishop's Address to the 109th Diocesan Convention
Resolutions Passed at Convention
X-ercixing: The Kitty Blockade
A Call For Spiritual Maturity: Diocesan Convention 2005
By Elise Johnstone
On Thursday evening, Feb.17, colorful banners streamed into Christ Church
Cathedral in Lexington behind the processional cross for the opening Holy
Eucharist of the Diocese of Lexington’s 2005 Diocesan Convention
— banners and banner bearers representing every parish in the diocese.
The nave and worship space of the Cathedral were fi lled with a people
bursting with hope for a time together — a time of sharing, Christian
community, and an energy around the will to work together as a diocese
to get done the work we need to do as Christians. “Grant that we,
burning with your Spirit’s power, may be a people of hope, justice
and love” are the words from the Eucharistic prayer for Thursday
evening. The text is from the supplemental liturgical text from Enriching
Our Worship and those words echoed throughout the convention as not only
a goal, but also a reality. Bishop Stacy Sauls was the celebrant at the
stirring Eucharist which offered a sense of diversity appropriate to the
convention theme: Beyond Ourselves. The lessons and the prayer of the
day, the collect, celebrated the life of Ugandan archbishop and martyr
Janani Luwum. The lesson from Ecclesiasticus was read in French Kreyol
(the language of Haiti) by Jean Reynold, a native Haitian and member of
the Church of the Resurrection, and then read again in English. Nan Cobbey,
Associate Editor of the national newspaper of the Church, Episcopal Life,
and former Director of Communications for the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti,
spoke eloquently of Haiti and the Episcopal diocese there in her sermon
for the Thursday evening Eucharist. We, the Diocese of Lexington, are
in a companion relationship with the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti. Ms. Cobbey
began with a story about an e-mail she received from a woman unknown to
her, a mother in Georgia, who after being informed by her daughter that
her daughter was about to spend the next semester working in Haiti with
the Episcopal diocese there, contacted Cobbey who had worked there, as
well. Cobbey told the congregation of her response to the nervous woman—telling
her that while Haiti would never be completely safe, the Episcopal Church
there would take good care of her daughter and watch out for her. But,
Ms. Cobbey went on to state that Haiti IS dangerous — not because
of the food shortages, contaminated water, violence, and lack of security,
but that “Haiti is dangerous because she will grab you and never
let you go!” The congregation was drawn in by the spirit and voice
with which Nan Cobbey spoke of the creativity, passion, hospitality, and
generosity of the people of Haiti. She articulated the words of a medical
student working with a priest in Haiti: “In two short weeks here,
I’ve started to see the Haitians as my sisters and brothers, aunts
and uncles, parents and grandparents. Isn’t this what Jesus asks
of us? I can sense the commitment to return, to di in and change what
I see…with lasting relationships, effort and grace…and all
I had to do was arrive.” With conviction, she led us on the path
of knowing and beginning to understand not just how we can change people’s
lives in Haiti, but more importantly, that we can be changed ourselves.
After the stirring sermon, Bishop Sauls led the congregation in the Baptismal
Covenant where each person in the congregation remembered that we, as
a people of faith “seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving
our neighbor as ourself…and we strive for justice and peace among
all people and respect the dignity of every human being.” Following
the Eucharist, there was a reception in the newly completed Great Hall
of Christ Church Cathedral. The time for visiting and reflection paved
the way for the sessions that began on Friday morning. The new facilities
provided a space for the convention to meet in one of our own churches,
as opposed to renting a facility. The fact that the deputies and clergy
were meeting in their own Cathedral added to the feeling of togetherness
and congeniality throughout the convention. Living Together: Convention
Presentations On Friday, the day opened with Morning Prayer. John Linker,
organist and choirmaster of the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Rev.
Dr. Beth Macke, rector of St. Mary’s, Middlesboro, co-chairs of
the Diocesan Commission on Liturgy and Music, planned the liturgies which
were used throughout the convention and which added to the spirit of interconnectedness
that was set forth on Thursday evening. Following Morning Prayer, the
initial business session convened. The Rev. Bryant Kibler, priest-in-charge
of St. Timothy’s, Barnes Mountain, a mission in Estill County, addressed
the convention concerning the unique mission and ministry of St. Timothy’s.
Convention deputies and others learned of St. Timothy’s mission
— to feed the hungry and clothe the stranger — to act as Jesus
did for the people of the Eastern Kentucky mountains. In a stirring and
eye-opening presentation, Kibler spoke of the first years of St. Timothy’s
in the early 1980s, as it provided day camps for Eastern Kentucky youth,
affording the opportunity for those who would not have otherwise had it
to learn to use a computer. Funds became leaner in the later years, although
Kibler went on to explain that through the will of Bishop Stacy Sauls,
a renewed spirit of mission has surrounded St. Timothy’s —
the Province IV Youth Event, held this past summer at Berea College, had
as its focus a building project — to build housing for volunteers
who would be able to come to St. Timothy’s in order to serve those
living in the poverty-stricken areas of Eastern Kentucky with building
projects, home improvements, and other programs of support. Kibler informed
the convention that several churches have already signed up to come for
work camps and that the upcoming Episcopal Youth Event, to be hosted by
the Diocese of Lexington at Berea College this coming July, would also
be a mission-driven event centered around the monumentally important work
being done by St. Timothy’s. After a short break, the Bishop then
addressed the convention. Many commented that it was singularly the best
address presented to a convention in many years. The theme of Bishop Sauls’
address was “Living Together” and was a call for us to be
spiritually mature Christians and move from the dissension existing in
the church since the actions of General Convention 2003 and move forward
to do the work we are called to do as a church: mission. He presented
the Diocese with a new mission strategy — that of the “Great
Dinner” parable found in Luke 14:16-23 — he charged the diocese
that, if those who were fi rst invited to God’s table to share in
God’s blessing did not wish to share, then we should issue that
invitation to other guests. He spoke of the new mission, All Saints, a
congregation whose commitment is to radical inclusivity. The congregation
is currently meeting in the space vacated by the Church of the Apostles,
and their mission statement is taken directly from the Baptismal Covenant:
to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself…and
to strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity
of every human being. The Rev. Robert Sessum, rector of the Church of
the Good Shepherd, Lexington, President of the Fourth Province of the
Episcopal Church, and a member of the Anglican Consultative Council, took
the microphone to thank Bishop Sauls for his address, and to ask that
it be made available on the Web site, as well as to each congregation.
Sessum stated that he wished that everyone in the Church at large could
hear this address. The convention then had the opportunity to view the
short film about the extraordinary experience of opportunities in our
companion relationship with the Diocese of Haiti. The Rev. Jan Dunnavant,
co-chair with the Rev. Chip Valentine of the Companion Diocese Commission,
presented the fi lm that was named for the “Have You Heard About
Haiti” 5K Run/Walk that occurred in December 2004. The film was
produced by the Diocesan Communications Commission in conjunction with
the Companion Diocese Group. Later on Friday afternoon, the convention
had the opportunity to hear from a panel about the work going on in the
Diocese of Haiti — Nan Cobbey was joined by Cathy Walmer from Family
Health Ministries (a ministry that helps groups in the U.S. support needed
projects in Haiti), Sisters Marjorie Raphael and Clare Marie of the Society
of St. Margaret, and Jean Reynold, originally from Haiti and now a member
of the Church of the Resurrection, for this presentation. In addition
to the panel discussion regarding Haiti, Dr. Horace C. Bartilow of the
University of Kentucky helped the convention understand the political
scenario that surrounds Haiti. The panel discussion, along with Dr. Bartilow’s
presentation, assisted convention attendees in understanding more clearly
the religious, economic, social, political, and spiritual aspects of the
people of Haiti and how we might be in relationship with them. Friday
evening was a time for merriment as convention attendees were able to
make merry and enjoy the music of the band Eclipse and food at the Lexington
Marriott Griffin Gate Resort. Many took the opportunity to do the “Electric
Slide” and “get jiggy with it” on the dance floor.
The sumptuous food, great music, and good company provided an opportunity
for a rest from the business of convention, but also an occasion to be
invigorated going forth into the close of convention. The Business of
Convention Saturday morning, convention began with The Liturgy of the
Word of Holy Eucharist, Rite II. After being centered spiritually with
the Word of God, the convention then moved on to the work of elections,
resolutions, and the diocesan budget. Resolution R-6, held over from Convention
2004, regarding Sacramental Marriage, was ruled out of order due to the
fact that what it stated, that the sacrament of marriage is intended between
a man and a woman, is the statement of the Constitutions and Canons of
the Episcopal Church, and therefore irrelevant, since the Constitution
and Canons cannot the impacted by an act of any diocesan convention.
Resolution R-1, regarding procedures about the presentations for resolutions
under consideration at convention, was passed to read that those resolutions
to be presented 40 days prior to convention, rather than the previously
stated 13 days prior. Also passing was the format for presenting resolutions
in order that deputies to convention have a full opportunity to understand
and to possibly discuss resolutions with other members of the Diocese.
After being amended by the Resolutions Committee, the resolution R-2,
regarding the death penalty, passed. The resolution stated that the 2005
Convention of the Diocese of Lexington calls on the government of the
Commonwealth of Kentucky as well as the government of the United States
to enact and adopt legislation abolishing the death penalty. Resolution
R-3, a resolution supporting the restoration of voting rights for convicted
felons, did not pass. The Long-Range Planning Committee (LRPC) made a
presentation on the resolution regarding the actions proposed by the LRPC,
after which the convention passed the presented resolution and were very
supportive through applause of the efforts undertaken by the members of
the committee. The committee, appointed by Bishop Sauls in 2003, undertook
a general survey of the Congregations in the Diocese to ascertain and
identify long-range plans for the Diocese. They recommended, after gathering
information at sessions throughout the congregations of the Diocese, five
different things: 1) the establishment of a committee for the planning
and implementation of appropriate social events to build community between
and among the Congregations of the Diocese. 2) The establishment of a
committee to organize and present at least two educational seminars/programs
between and among the Congregations. 3) The establishment of a committee
to facilitate the creation of a Diocesan-wide calendar and website in
order to display all of the events occurring at different parishes and
the diocese throughout the year. 4) The appointment of a facilitator whose
responsibility it will be to see that these goals are accomplished. 5)
The continuation of the Long-Range Planning Committee to monitor the general
progress of these efforts, review the progress of the events and committees,
participate in the operations of these committees as liaison members,
keep the Diocese informed of the events occurring as a result of the committees,
and explore ways and actions to assist Congregations needing financial
assistance in order that they might become financially viable. Bishop
Sauls then relinquished the Chair to the Very Rev. Morris Thompson, President
of the Standing Committee, in order that the convention receive and discuss
the budget and report from the convention’s budget hearing, particularly
in regard to providing funding for local mission and the Bishop’s
compensation package. The convention expressed that it fully supported
the action and mission of Bishop Sauls, and wished to show support of
him in the form of a slight raise in compensation as indicated in the
proposed budget. The proposed budget also showed a surplus amount of approximately
$11,000 which the budget committee suggested for use in some of the mission
efforts reduced due to budget constraints in previous years — some
were mentioned by the bishop in his address to the convention, such as
AIDS ministry, Christian Education, Singles Ministry, and Latino Ministry
— just to name a few. The convention appeared to believe that voting
on the proposed budget of $970,086 would be a positive way to begin readdressing
the mission goals of the diocese while still attempting to support the
ministry and mission of Bishop Sauls with a raise. Despite apparent confusion,
which included a statement from the Rev. Beth Macke that if there was
not sufficient understanding, perhaps the budget should be tabled and
returned to the Executive Council for further work, the budget was passed.
Some confusion and concern appeared to remain following the vote, and
there were desires expressed to separate concerns for funding mission
from desires to fully compensate the Bishop and the desire to show appreciation
for the ministry of the Bishop. The Rev. Birch Rambo, Priest-in-Charge
of Our Saviour, Madison County, asked for a vote of confidence in Bishop
Sauls and his work in the Diocese. The vote was a unanimous “yes!”
As Bishop Sauls returned to the convention floor to resume the Chair,
the Convention rose to its feet in a prolonged standing ovation. Saturday’s
convention activities began with the beginning of the service of Holy
Eucharist, convention closed with Communion—and as the words of
the Post Communion prayer from the Book of Common Prayer suggest, the
2005 Convention of the Diocese of Lexington was sent out into the world
in peace, granted with strength and courage to love and serve God with
gladness and singleness of heart.
(—Elise Johnstone is a senior Seminarian at General Theological Seminary in New York, and was a deputy to the 109th Convention from St. Hubert’s, Clark County.)
© 2005 The Episcopal Diocese of Lexington