In this Issue:

All Saints Village: Executive Council endorses further exploration of concept

Blessing of teddy bears during Bishop's visit and Children's sabath

Part of the Heart of our Mission: News and pictures form around the diocese

Mission in Mississippi: Diocesan Team Works at 10 Locations in Pascagoula

From the National Front

From the Anglican World

2006 Diocesan Convention

Commentaries

From the Bishop: Thankful for how much we have

Reflection: Saints of the address book

X-ercizing: Community, solidarity and humanity (Part 2)

Diocesan Calendar

Past Issues

COLORADO: Mission, unity highlight 118TH convention

Delegates to the Diocese of Colorado’s annual convention passed a resolution that emphasized the diocese’s work “for the unity of the body both here and abroad.”

The resolution was brought to the floor by a group of clergy that represented the full theological spectrum on the difficult issues of governance, authority and sexuality facing the church, according to diocesan spokesperson Beckett Stokes. The group told the convention that their resolution would provide an opportunity for members of the diocese to walk together and stay together in a climate of trust for one another.

The resolution welcomed the Windsor Report, issued by the Lambeth Commission of the Anglican Communion. It also expressed support for Bishop Robert O’Neill and pledged that individuals and parishes will continue to study the report and “have charitable discussion for the sake of discerning how members of the Anglican Communion can continue to walk together in Christian communion.”
The convention was framed by three addresses by O’Neill focusing on the ministries of proclamation, discipleship and servanthood, which he described as three distinct but inseparable threads in the fabric of the Church’s mission.

The convention heard from several diocesan groups including Colorado’s Jubilee ministries that pursue peace and justice ministries for the needy and underserved; the Colorado Haiti Project, which is working with the Diocese of Haiti to provide facilities and services to the community of Petit Trou de Nippes; and the Sudanese Community Church, a congregation of refugees that worships at St. John’s Cathedral in Denver. The convention also welcomed a new mission congregation — the Church of the Good Shepherd in Colorado Springs.

The convention met October 27-29 in Grand Junction, Colo., making it the fi rst diocesan convention in 25 years to be held on the Western slope of Colorado. St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church hosted the convention.

UPPER SOUTH CAROLINA: Convention endorses Windsor Report, moves forward in mission

The 83rd Convention of the Diocese of Upper South Carolina adopted a resolution “receiving,” “accepting,” and “endorsing” the Windsor Report, pledging to “comply with its proposals and expectations,” and urging “the General Convention of the Episcopal Church to do likewise.”

Upper South Carolina’s bishop, the Rt. Rev. Dorsey F. Henderson Jr., had earlier commended the resolution to clergy and lay delegates. “You know my position,” he remarked in his address to convention. He summarized that position as “that by accepting the recommendations of the Windsor Report we can remain faithful both to the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion.”

Other resolutions adopted included one affirming the Millennium Development Goals and .7% giving at diocesan, congregational, and individual levels and another calling on “all relevant authorities of influence” to work to “ensure the full observance of the principle of humanitarian neutrality” for those working for justice and peace in Haiti.

A third resolution urged open dialogue and increased effort “in building the bonds of affection” with other Christian denominations and charged 2006 General Convention deputies to recognize with compassion “a Christian’s free will to choose the expression of their religious life, that we may not ‘charge’ them with ‘abandonment.’”

Henderson announced a new Bishop’s Fund for Mission Effectiveness, designed to provide “each and every congregation” with the resources necessary to “reach its full spiritual potential.” Stating that seed money for the fund has already been provided by an anonymous donor, the bishop explained that additional monies will come from congregations who make use of diocesan stewardship, planned giving, or capital campaign consultants. Consultants will be offered at no cost to congregations, who in turn will be asked to tithe a percentage of the money raised to the fund.

The convention met October 21-22 at Trinity Cathedral in Columbia, S.C.

WESTERN MASSACHUETTS: Thanksgivings highlight convention

The Rev. Hallie Cowan, the chaplain for the 104th convention of the Diocese of Western Massachusetts, opened the two-day gathering on October 28 by asking the delegates to give thanks for something wonderful that happened to them in the year, in the week or in the day.

At a table in the back of the room, Audrey Cronin of St. Francis, Holden, shared with her tablemates that her son had returned from South Korea after two years ago. Her husband, Dennis Cronin, gave thanks for a new career.

With hundreds of thankful hearts, so began two days of business, prayer and fellowship.

Bishop Gordon P. Scruton reminded the group that convention is not just a business meeting. “This is a place where we gather together in a sense of God’s prayer,” he said. “It’s a family gathering of the diocesan family.”

Convention highlights included break-out sessions in which church leaders talked to small groups of delegates about innovations in their parishes from spiritual formation to evangelism.

News and updates on various diocesan missions and initiatives were also offered — in verbal and video presentations — and delegates had the opportunity to worship together on Friday night at Christ Church Cathedral.

As a church with a structured past and tradition, Carl Hervieux from St. Luke’s Springfi eld said he was pleased to see that the diocese is more accepting of different innovations. “It’s so nice to see the way that we’ve opened up and we’re really reaching out, not just here but around the world,” he said.
Susan Roy of St. John’s, Northampton, said she was excited to attend her first Convention and to visit Christ Church Cathedral for the first time.

“I thought I would be bored to death,” she said, adding, “I’m having a great time. We’re really getting to know one another’s witness in our lives.”

Stories and reports on convention are posted at www.diocesewma.org. The bishop’s two addresses can be read in full on the Web site.

Additional News Briefs from the National Front may be found at www.dfms.org/ens/

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